The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 331 "Lover" (River) (Seeking monthly votes)
On November 24th, the "King of Comedy" returned to Seoul...

After the explosive release of Tarot's second full-length album, "The Lovers," the release of "Blinding Lights" silenced the K-pop battle between boy and girl groups this month, plunging them into a deathly silence.

The collaboration between "Blinding Lights" and Mercedes-Benz has had a more explosive and rapid impact than Makoto Miyazaki and JYP Entertainment had anticipated. The iconic 80s synthesizer riffs have become a frequent background sound in clothing stores and cafes on the streets...

Not to mention the various bloggers on major overseas video platforms who are vying to cover and dance to the song, and related topics are seeing a surge in views on various social media platforms. Even though the song has been released for nearly a week, the daily increase in streaming numbers is still skyrocketing, and it has topped the Spotify global charts for several consecutive days.

Many music critics have analyzed that although "Blinding Lights" missed out on the Billboard charts' number one spot in 18 because of its short release period and the fact that the year is already coming to an end, if it can maintain its strong momentum, it can basically lock in the number one spot in 19. The daily increase in streaming and radio downloads and other data is incredible.

The reason that supports the music critic's prediction is that before the release of "Blinding Lights", the three singles "STAY", "Seorita" and "In My Feelings" took turns vying for the number one spot, but "Blinding Lights" strongly interrupted this and started its second consecutive week at number one today.

Billboard charts in the US, rankings released today:
1. *Blinding Lights*

2. STAY

3. *Seorita*

4. "In My Feelings"

……

"TTTarot, the pride of our Great Hanming Kingdom, say a few words. What are your thoughts on conquering Europe and America?"

"Tarot, hello, I am the editor-in-chief of [Daily Gossip]. Recently, many people have been debating the nationality of your son with Jessica in Los Angeles. May I ask if your illegitimate child is a Chinese citizen, an American citizen, or a citizen of the Korean Peninsula?"

"Tarot, regarding the fact that Dae-tong-yong invited you to the Blue House on Twitter..."

“TTTTarot…”

At the Incheon International Airport terminal, Gong Cheng smiled as he looked at the media and reporters from all directions, his head spinning! As for Daegu's female relative, she had already been taken to the underground parking garage by Cha Qianhao through the VIP channel upon landing and sent back to SM.

He, along with Kim Dae-woo and a group of bodyguards, had to deal with the media and reporters in front of them, but mainly he had to take a look at the fans who came to pick him up at the airport.

Listening to one of the interview questions, Gong Cheng suddenly turned his face to look at the editor-in-chief of "Daily Gossip" who was squeezed in the crowd, and said with a shiver, "Finally caught you! Still asking about the nationality of an illegitimate child?"
"..."

Pushing past the swarm of reporters and media with their long lenses and microphones, Gong Cheng got into his Maybach, rolled down the window, and waved to the fans outside who were still cheering loudly.

The car then smoothly drove onto the road leading to Jiangdong District.

“Oh dear, I just remembered something. I'll be your driver for the next couple of days so Qianhao can rest. He's busy with his wedding early next year... Also, the president is planning to upgrade your van.”

Kim Daewoo, driving the car, said with a chuckle.

"I know about Qianhao's situation, but what does 'upgrade' mean?"

Gong Cheng was lying in the back seat, replying to messages on his phone. Hearing this, he asked with some curiosity, "This car is pretty good. It's only been two years since last year."

The car he was riding in was a Maybach S480. He personally thought that Mercedes' endorsement might be related to the fact that he ordered this minivan. After all, he rode in this car to attend various events, so he had a high visibility in front of the media and fans. Not to mention boosting sales, this model was already selling quite well.

"The president ordered an S680. You'll be riding in that one from now on. As for this one, the president's idea is to retire it and give it to him... And I think it's pretty good. A lot of actors in Chungmuro ​​drive this 480. What level are they? Can they ride in the same car as you?"

Kim Dae-woo spoke with an air of arrogance and unbridled manner.

"also……"

Gong Cheng didn't have any objections to this. Anyway, the company was paying for it, and he had several cars in his garage that Mercedes had sent over. He didn't have time to drive them, so he didn't really care what kind of car he drove. "Brother Zhenying, such a stingy person, it's weird!"

Park Jin-young, personally speaking, is quite good to the artists under his management, but he is also known for being stingy.

However, he felt perfectly justified. "Damn it," he thought, "I've made so much money for the company, what's wrong with getting a better car?!"

"I heard that the president placed the order directly. Last time I talked to him, he mentioned TWICE's high-end endorsements and thanked you for them. He also mentioned Nayeon's solo, didn't you help out with those?"

"They keep talking about brotherhood and such, saying you're genuinely doing what's best for the company..."

Kim Dae-woo turned the steering wheel and said with a smile, "I think the president is eager to restructure the company so that you can take the opportunity to invest and become a partner."

"What would I do with company shares?"

Gong Cheng said helplessly that he had acquired a lot of company stock last year, but he sold it all this year. It was meaningless and the profit was small. The three major domestic companies, JYP, SM, and YG, seem to be making a lot of noise and are very powerful. They are called the three major brokerage companies, but in the end, they are just medium-sized enterprises.

Large?

Out of reach...

However, the backgrounds of these three companies are quite complex. SM and YG are typical examples of political and business alliances, backed by the Democratic Party and the Saenuri Party, respectively. They won't collapse domestically; even with poor management, they can still breathe, especially since they've fared quite well in recent years. YG's current predicament is also related to the political parties behind it…

In addition, the population base of the peninsula is small. It's such a small place that even entertainment giants can't help it because the local market is too small.

"..."

……

The seven-hour flight from Jakarta to Seoul took off at noon, and it was already eight o'clock in the evening as Bae Joo-hyun sat in the back seat of the van, gazing at the hazy night view of Gangnam district outside the window… The car pulled up in front of the apartment complex where she lived, and she picked up her handbag and said with a smile,

"Qianhao Oppa, that's enough for now, thank you!"

Qianhao, who was driving, nodded and smiled as he stepped on the brake. "If you want to thank someone, thank Xiaocheng. But thanks to you for taking care of him these past two days."

As Gong Cheng's confidant, he naturally knew some things about his own artist and the popular idol behind him, and he also knew about their relationship, which had recently entered a period of lingering ties and eventual breakup.

"Inside……"

Bae Joo-hyun opened the car door and shuffled out with her short legs, but then she suddenly heard her manager in the driver's seat say, "Oh, by the way, remember to call Tarot when you get to the dorm and let him know you're safe. He's... worried about you..."

"understood."

Bae Joo-hyun closed the car door, feeling quite pleased to hear those words.

Carrying her bag, she walked briskly towards her apartment building. The motion-activated lights in the hallway were activated by her footsteps, casting a warm yellow glow that followed her. She took out her key and opened the dormitory door, just in time to see Kang Seulgi sitting on the sofa, watching TV with her back to her.

"Unnie, you're back?"

Hearing the noise, Kang Seulgi turned around abruptly, her eyes lighting up. She immediately put down her snacks and ran over with a gossipy look on her face, offering to help her unnie with her bag and other small gestures, her gossipy little mouth chattering incessantly.

"You've made up with Mooni?"

"I never expected this. You actually went to find him without saying a word..."

"Unnie, you're really brave!"

There was no sarcasm in her words; she genuinely blinked and exclaimed in admiration, but then looked at Bae Joo-hyun with a worried expression, "Unnie, maybe... you should just forget about him?"

"He's really not a good person."

"If you're not a good person, why did you try so hard to bring us together?" Bae Joo-hyun took off her coat and hung it on the hanger, then picked up her phone and opened the chat window of "Cheater Bro," reverting to her aloof and unapproachable demeanor. "I'm at the dorm."

After sending the message, she glanced at Kang Seulgi, who was sneakily peeking at the chat, and rolled her eyes. "Now, it's too late..."

Kang Seulgi raised her small hand and lightly slapped her fair cheek. "I've really done something terrible..."

She gave herself a symbolic slap twice, then looked at Bae Joo-hyun with a slight tremor of her cheeks. "Unnie, don't tell me you forgave him so easily? I think... it's not that you can't get back together, but it shouldn't be too easy, right?"

"He needs to be taught a lesson, shouldn't he?"

How come this tough girl suddenly becomes love-struck after being exposed?!
"Who said I wanted to make up with him?"

Bae Joo-hyun turned her head away in confusion and muttered something under her breath.

"Then why did you go to see him?"

“That’s over 5,000 kilometers! It’s like filming a movie. You didn’t sleep all night and went there early this morning… After a whole day of trouble, you came back looking dejected. You might as well not have gone at all…” Kang Seulgi listened to her words with a puzzled expression.

Are you kidding me? You don't want to get back together, but you're going to go and throw yourself at me?

"I'm just going to see him."

"And... what do you mean by 'coming back in disgrace'? I'm not the one who came back in disgrace..."

Mentioning this, Bae Joo-hyun smiled, recalling the disheveled face of Jo Mi-yeon apologizing in yesterday's video. The girl is quite pretty, but she just can't keep her composure!
But when she thought about the upcoming music competition on the three major TV stations next month and the various award ceremonies at the end of the year, her smile grew even wider. "Junior generation!"

Your best days are yet to come! Whether it's the Gayo Daejeon or the Grand Prix, not to mention that Cho Mi-yeon (G)I-DLE is a newly debuted group, even Ryderbabe, who have been in the industry for so many years, would have to participate.

"Do you think I'd believe that, unnie?"

"Or are you just going to see him?"

Kang Seulgi subtly pursed her lips, sensing that this unnie was lying to save face. It seemed she had completely fallen into "Big Mouth's" trap!

"I mean it!"

"...Anyway, we haven't gotten back together, and it's unlikely we will for the time being, but yesterday was actually quite interesting." Bae Joo-hyun bit her lip and smiled, telling her gossipy friend Seulgi how she beat up Jo Mi-yeon until she cried her eyes out yesterday.

"...Then, I asked her if she was still arrogant and cocky?"

Bae Joo-hyun sat cross-legged on the sofa, her usual composure in front of the other members completely gone. "In the video, she kept calling me 'Hajime~ Unnie' and 'Please~ Don't do that~'. You know Mo Seul-ki, this is the first time I've ever seen her treat me with such respect!"

"qinjia?"

Kang Seulgi stared in shock, her mouth agape. She looked at Bae Joo-hyun with suspicion. Had this girl really never dated anyone?

Their fighting power is that strong? She remembers clearly how arrogant and proud Zhao Meiyan and Kim Jisoo looked that day; they were incredibly cocky...

However, it seems that she really angered the unnie. Even someone as good-tempered as her has been provoked to this extent!

"Of course it's true, but I bet that girl is still unconvinced!"

"Who knows what I was cursing at him in my heart back then..."

Bae Joo-hyun picked up a can of cola from the table, took a refreshing sip, and then raised an eyebrow. "Seulgi, wouldn't you say this counts as a gain?"

Anyway, I feel it was worth the trip.

"What about Kim Jisoo, unnie? Didn't you teach her a lesson? I always felt she was even more awful than Jo Miyeon!" Kang Seulgi grinned mischievously as she asked, "Think about it, she's so sly and wicked..."

"Let's leave Kim Jisoo for now, Jo Miyeon will deal with her. Besides..." Bae Joohyun paused, looking at Kang Seulgi, "Jisoo is actually quite clumsy, sigh, I feel a little sorry for her."

"Oh my! Onii-chan! How can you show mercy and pity to your enemies?"

Kang Seulgi immediately waved her hand and offered her opinion, "But speaking of which, unnie, you traveled all the way to Jakarta, and that cheating guy..." Before she could finish, she met Bae Joohyun's cold gaze. "Heh," she chuckled dryly, quickly changing her tone.

"Didn't that kid try to stop you?"

You still say you don't want to get back together? I could call you "cheating guy" and you wouldn't even listen...

You're putting your girlfriend before your friends!
"He didn't try to stop me. We both know a lot of things. He knows it's impossible for us to get back together right now. But he did ask what our relationship is now..." Bae Joo-hyun shrugged. "What relationship?" That kind of question sounds like something a scumbag or a heartless person would say, but she thought it was alright.

"What did you say?"

"I said it was lip-to-lip friendship~ That surprised him!" Bae Joo-hyun's eyes sparkled with reminiscence as she chuckled, "I learned it all from him!"

"Unnie...you seem to have evolved?"

Hearing her answer, Kang Seulgi couldn't help but swallow hard. Was this really the Onimo I knew?
Seoul Cannon, what shape did you turn my unnie into?!
"Sigh, there's nothing I can do about it..."

Bae Joo-hyun sighed softly, "I originally planned to let time make me forget him. He's so busy, maybe if we don't see each other for six months or a year, I won't miss him anymore. But he's like a ghost that won't leave me alone, as you know!"

"Last time, the incident between Zhao Meiyan and Kim Jisoo made me really angry. Anyway, I've figured it out now. Why should I be the one to back down? Why can't it be Zhao Meiyan?"

Kang Seulgi silently stuffed potato chips into her mouth, looking at Bae Joohyun's indifferent and cold face, which was very ruthless! It reminded her of the "bullying faces" of her seniors during her trainee days. She felt that Zhao Miyeon was going to be in big trouble!
However, what happened last time was really too much for Zhao Meiyan; her provocative intentions were obvious to everyone.
...

...

"...Tarot oppa went back to Seoul, but he shouldn't be at the company right now, right?"

"Because of the tour I was on a very busy schedule the other day, the first thing I should do when I get back to Seoul is to rest."

In TWICE's practice room, all nine members gathered for a group live stream tonight. They sat neatly on the sofa or the floor, like rows of rag dolls, promoting their own pairings while cheerfully answering Once's comments on the screen.

"Want to see Tarot oppa's dog?"

Kim Da-hyun sat in front of the phone during the live stream, tilting her head up to reveal her single-eyelid eyes in the camera, then called out directly to May, who was swaggering around with [Kaya] and [Butter] not far away.
"May, come here!"

May, now a large dog with white fur and a gray back, shook her bangs, ran over, and snuggled into Son Chae-young's arms.

Son Chaeyoung smiled and hugged the already heavy May, waving to the camera.

"So cute~"

"May~ Let Mommy hug me~"

"..." The chat was filled with excitement, while the other members of TWICE, like Nayeon, were still holding a Pomeranian, grinning and showing off their bunny teeth as they watched the chat.

Recently, with May growing up healthily, and Tzuyu adopting Kaya and Butter, many members have also bought pets, such as cats or dogs. After all, they already have a lot of experience in taking care of them, and TWICE has started a pet-owning trend~
After learning about this phenomenon, PDnim decided to hold a group live stream tonight, and asked everyone to bring their pets into the frame to show their faces, which would be more appealing and show another side of the energetic girls.

However, some people keep pets while others don't. For example, Minatozaki Sana and Mina Mina haven't kept many pets.

Park Jin-young even wants to create a variety show featuring TWICE and their pets soon. It's said that the project has already started and is just waiting for the writers to write the script.

“Tarot oppa is indeed a very good friend of our TWICE.”

Mina sat gently next to Son Chaeyoung, glanced at the questions in the live chat, and quietly replied, "Yes, we often have meals together in private because our practice rooms are right next door, and he only debuted half a year after us, so we're the same age."

Seeing that the other members were busy playing with the kittens and puppies in their arms, Mina could only purse her lips helplessly, lean in front of the camera, and then answer questions from the fans' comments.

They subconsciously ignore sensitive issues, such as those involving the privacy of the group or other artists, or current political news, to avoid being recorded by malicious anti-fans or rival fans, who then edit the footage to distort the truth and smear them.

"Who is the closest to Tarot oppa and TWICE?"

Park Jihyo glanced at the comments and pinpointed one in particular. Then, she read it aloud in a sweet, clear voice. Her manager, who was behind the live stream phone, frowned upon hearing this question, and even the other TWICE members paused, their hands still trembling.

But I didn't think much of it; I just answered, "We're all very close."

"Oppa is very close to Tzuyu because both the maknae and oppa are Chinese, so they have a lot in common." Park Jihyo pointed to her cheek with her index finger, looking serious as if she was sincerely answering ONCE's question.

Thank goodness! This answer is quite acceptable! The other TWICE members, along with their manager, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Inside, we often go to explore Chinese restaurants together."

Chou Tzu-yu responded with a smile, saying that these things were nothing, since her brother had many posts on Instagram of the two of them having meals together. Fans wouldn't take it seriously, mainly because her brother had too many rumors, and most of the photos of him with female celebrities on Instagram were of them alone.

Fans can't possibly believe that their brother dated all those celebrities, right?

Just when everyone thought this was over, Park Jihyo gave a sweet, shy smile and said, "Oppa and I are very close... no, actually, Oppa is very close to all the members, and we all get along very well."

His words were ambiguous, but they easily sparked the imaginations of his fans...

"..."

TWICE, x8.

Even Yu Dingyan couldn't help but twitch his lips at these words. When did he become close to you?
Nayeon, Sana, and Mina didn't look too happy either, but since it was a live broadcast, they could only force a smile and manage their expressions. Were they trying to piggyback on the hype?
Crazy!
Seeing the barrage of comments suddenly flooding the screen with "一诚一效" (a phrase implying a strong and unwavering commitment), even Hirai Momo figured out what was going on. Her smile stiffened as she subtly shifted her body outwards.

"【Dedicated Effortless Effort】is the best!"

"Let's see who dares to say that our [Sincere Effort] is inferior to [Kujiro Gorichi]?"

"Brothers, on the [CP] ranking, [Qingcheng Yixiao] has officially surpassed [Gongteng Xingyi] and [Namiya Wentian], ranking 16th!"

"..."

Upon hearing her answer, the managers in the practice room immediately turned pale. They quickly checked the comments on their laptops and saw a barrage of "Devoted and Effective" messages. They realized the situation was serious!

Park Jihyo stared at the scrolling comments with a look of surprise in her eyes, and clenched her fists involuntarily!
Ah... I've finally surpassed [Kujiro Miyamoto]!
Yoo Jeongyeon subtly reached out and pinched Park Jihyo's thigh, but couldn't show it in front of the camera. She still grinned and read out the next question, "Look at Tzuyu's puppy..."

……

Gong Cheng, who was sitting in Park Jin-young's office watching TWICE's live stream with the gorilla, couldn't help but laugh when he saw this scene in the live stream!
"Aigoo, Jihyo... I really don't know whether to call her smart or stupid..."

Meanwhile, Park Jin-young, who had just been drinking Heineken beer in the boss's chair, now had a frighteningly stern expression. He looked at Gong Cheng with great confusion and asked, "Junior brother, do you think I'm being too lenient with them?"

"You brainless idiot!"

As he spoke, he picked up his phone and called Park Jihyo's manager, "Ten minutes from now, have TWICE end the live stream, and bring Park Jihyo up here!"

Immediately afterwards, Park Jin-young made another phone call, "Go and suppress the hype surrounding this bullshit 'All-Out Effectiveness'!"

"Let's use [Kujiro Miyamoto] to suppress it!"

After the instructions were given, Gong Cheng's lips twitched as he listened from the side.

Could it be that you and Park Jihyo set up a scheme together to boost the popularity of [Kujiro Gorichi]?

In his opinion, even if Park Jihyo tries her best to gain popularity, the popularity of "All My Heart" will not go up!

Are you kidding me?
This pairing is incredibly obscure. Even when fans start shipping them, they have to dig up every detail and their interactions. To be honest, he and Park Jihyo didn't interact much in private, let alone on camera!
However, this person is really brainless to do such a thing, without considering their own situation.

"..."

After chatting for a while, Gong Cheng got up and left after seeing TWICE's live stream interrupted. He planned to go downstairs and hang out with the members for a while before heading back to the dorm. He hadn't seen his girlfriends for quite some time!
He really wanted to... but even dates require scheduling. When could we all sleep in the same bed? That way, it wouldn't be so complicated! He could handle it!
Just as Gong Cheng took an elevator downstairs, Park Ji-hyo also walked nervously into the president's office.

"PDnim..."

Call me president!!!

Park Jin-young stared at the idiot in front of him, feeling extremely annoyed. TWICE's top members were mostly green card holders, with Nayeon being the only local member. In any case, the company would try to help the local members rise to the top in the future.

But this squad leader I once thought was promising has first fallen in love and then engaged in these underhanded tactics!
Holy crap! My dearest junior brother, who's so powerful, hasn't even dated, and you've already started dating?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became!

"You're an idol! How could you say such ambiguous and vague things to your fans?"

"..."

Park Jin-young unleashed a torrent of abuse! Admittedly, his junior's relationship with anyone wouldn't affect him, but TWICE is different. If one relationship is exposed, it can easily ruin the whole group, and the loss of popularity for the group is inevitable. That's why the company spent money to suppress the matter between Park Ji-hyo and Kang Daniel!
At that time, it was a crucial moment for TWICE to open up their personal data...

"You'd better pray that your relationship with Kang Daniel doesn't get exposed!"

……

"Miss me?"

As soon as Gong Cheng entered TWICE's practice room, he asked a question in a rather ambiguous manner, glancing at Hirai Momo, Lim Nayeon, Minatozaki Sana, Mani Mina, and Son Chaeyoung, his gaze sweeping over each of them.

"...You just came out of PDnim's office?"

Ignoring his shameless greeting, Yoo Jeongyeon asked with concern, "How's Jihyo?"

"I'll probably get a lot of flak for it."

"She was incredibly stupid this time..."

Gong Cheng shrugged and said nonchalantly, "It's not that I can't piggyback on someone else's fame. Even if Park Jin-young doesn't reprimand Park Ji-hyo, it's fine if this little captain piggybacks on me. But you bastard, you're dating Kang Daniel and you're still trying to create a CP (couple pairing) between him. Do you really have a death wish?"
"However, I guess she'll behave herself after this."

As he spoke, he sat down on the sofa, where Lin Na-yeon's little Pomeranian kept barking at him.

This Pomeranian that looks like a small white seal, named Kookeu, is the dog that the big star adopted last year. However, it has always been at her home, cared for by her mother and sister. Occasionally, it is brought to TWICE's dorm for them to take turns caring for. He recognizes it.

Clearly, Kookeu also remembers himself.

But May, who was far away, saw this scene and rushed out of Mina's arms, knocking the little Pomeranian to the ground with a bull charge!
Gong Cheng was speechless at this scene, and looked up at Kim Da-hyun, teasingly saying,

"Could our May really be a police dog?"

So loyal! Absolutely!
Gong Cheng scooped May into his arms, "You've gotten heavier again!" After playing with May in the practice room for a while, he suddenly ran up to the dog that Lim Nayeon and Hirai Momo kept, and abruptly said, "Call me Uncle~"

He wasn't afraid that the other women would notice what he said. In his line of sight, Mina and Sana Minato's faces trembled slightly when they heard his words.

On the contrary, Lim Nayeon, who played Hirai Momo, was grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing that her dog wasn't responding, Hirai Momo quickly nudged Dobby's bottom with her toe, signaling it to call for help!
Dobby is the dog's name.

"Wang Wang~"

Gong Cheng nodded with satisfaction... Yu Dingyan exclaimed speechlessly, "Have you no shame? Still calling me 'Uncle'?"

"what's wrong?"

"You guys keep making my May call you 'Mom' all the time~ What's wrong with me charging a little interest?"

Gong Cheng said firmly. Hearing this explanation, Minatozaki Sana's expression improved. So that's the reason~ Mina, on the other hand, curled her lips in disdain.

……

Late at night~
Master Gong secretly meets with Son Chae-young, amidst the clash of swords and shadows~
"Aboji~ Can I call Mina unnie?"

Panting, Sun Caiying suddenly had an idea. Excited, she wrapped her arms around Gong Cheng's neck and asked softly.

"...Isn't that a bad idea?"

Gong Cheng paused for a moment...

"Auntie~ Didn't you say that the three of us should live a good life together?"

Son Chaeyoung grinned, showing her little tiger teeth.
Of course, I also have the idea of ​​giving this unnie a good talking-to~
Aren't you trying to sow discord?

Isn't he just a repressed pervert?
……

"Hey, Chaeyoung... what's wrong so late?"

Downstairs in the dormitory, Mina shared a room with Jeongyeon and Jihyo. She and Jeongyeon had just comforted the heartbroken Jihyo, and after washing up, she snuggled back into bed. She had originally wanted to play some games with Sung-chan, but then she received a call from Chae-young.

"...It's okay~ *slap*"

Son Chaeyoung mumbled softly, her hoarse voice sounding like she was trying hard to hold back something, "Look~ unnie... whether she's sleeping, sleeping well or not, *slap*"

"Are you running, Chaeyoung?"

Mina sensed something was off about the tone and voice on the other end, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she seemed to understand something. Her fair face instantly turned pink, and she muttered under her breath, "Shameless!"

Immediately afterwards, she hung up the phone, threw it aside, and touched her burning cheeks with her delicate white hands!
My mind keeps wandering to unpleasant images...

You really want to die, Son Chaeyoung!

A resolute glint flashed in Mina's eyes. "You're the first guy I'm going to kick to death! Don't get cocky!"
……

11 month 25 day.

Gong Cheng arrived at JYP in high spirits and went straight to the composition room.

There are still some odd jobs to do, related to the European and American tour next month, but the task is not heavy, just writing lyrics for the featured parts of two songs. The sooner I finish them, the sooner I can get it over with.

He was planning to take advantage of these few days to go on a nice date with his girlfriends. The end of next month is his dog's birthday, and he's still figuring out what gift to give him. But he might not be in Seoul by then, which is making him quite conflicted and upset.

And TWICE's schedule at that time should have included the Kohaku Uta Gassen, right?
Gong Cheng opened his laptop and looked at the arrangement audio source, as well as some of the lyrics and verses sent by Eminem. The chorus was blank, and he needed to fill in the lyrics. Eminem gestured for him to do the first verse, and then he, Eminem, took over the second verse.

It's like having both the melody of the chorus and the verse of the rap.

As for some of the creative concepts and ideas behind the song, I had discussed them with Eminem via video during our tour in Southeast Asia. However, looking at the lyrics written by Eminem himself, I always felt that his lyrics were indirectly criticizing himself... In short, it's a pretty jerk song~
"River" is the title of this collaborative track.

I listened briefly to the rather soothing arrangement and the interspersed piano sounds. The piano sounds, like the song title "River," flowed gently...

After some thought, Gong Chengyi had already had an idea for his own part of the lyrics and the chorus lyrics. Why not be a little scoundrel with Eminem? Besides, the lyrics of this song are already quite scoundrel-like, so it wouldn't hurt to write the other part as a saintly gentleman!

Picking up his phone, Gong Cheng dialed Eminem's number, and the two briefly discussed matters related to the song.

“Tarot, for the lyrics of the first verse, just write them based on your own romantic experiences,” Eminem’s voice came through the receiver. “You’ve had your fair share of scandals, and that’s exactly the kind of feeling we’re going for in this collaboration…”

"...OK." Gong Cheng listened to it from all angles and felt that it didn't sound like a good thing. However, as for Eminem, for someone of his status and rank, he had very few scandals since his debut, but his love-hate entanglement with his ex-wife in the early years was quite dramatic.

Ultimately, the theme of "River" is a failed relationship, a man cheating on his girlfriend, and a series of melodramatic events after the girl finds out.

After sorting out his creative process... Gong Cheng somewhat regretted accepting the collaboration on this song!
But since things had come to this, he calmed himself down and listened to the arrangement in his headphones. He couldn't help but think of the faces of Cho Mi-yeon, Kim Ji-soo, Lim Na-yeon, Minatozaki Sana, Son Chae-young, and others. No wonder Eminem told him to be more careful with his writing...

But what does the trouble that "Tarot" caused have to do with me, Gong Cheng?

"I was a liar, a thief, and a robber."

"I've been deeply in love, and I've also been fickle."

"..." Gong Cheng typed out the lyrics for the chorus and hummed along with the arranger. In the arrangement of the first verse, the sound of arguing and smashing glass was sampled. Generally, if the arrangement comes first and then the lyrics are written, some producers will adopt the approach of writing lyrics based on the context.

He thought back to the scene when Zhao Meiyan discovered the hickey on his neck left by the big star, and like a poet, he filled in the first verse, the rap part.

The arrangement of the lyrics flow should be aligned with Eminem's verses in the second half to create a more cohesive sound. This will also improve the overall effect of the collaboration between the two. Otherwise, one person's fast rapping and the other's electric vocals would be too disjointed and the styles would not blend.

"Scratches left on his neck after lovemaking—and he even faces questioning from his girlfriend."

"...He still smelled strongly of alcohol on him—he was addicted to it."

Biting his lip, Gong Cheng typed out the lyrics, and couldn't help but think of Kim Jisoo's recent actions. First, she exposed his relationship with Bae Joo-hyun, just like the words she left behind that day, "No one can expect to have a decent life..."

Haji felt a pang of heartache!
"But all she wanted was revenge, to settle all her scores once and for all."

Kim Jisoo, "I will always be watching you! For a lifetime, not a single second less!"

"This is a game of chess—she keeps her eyes glued to every clue!"

"She browsed and searched his chat history relentlessly!"

Gong Cheng picked up the orange juice on the table and took a sip. "Xiuxiu, I wrote another song for you." But deep down, he felt a bittersweet feeling, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Let's guess who will be the next to abandon their old love and fall for someone else!"

"Without hesitation! I'm dumping my ex; she has something far more perfect about her!"

"..."

……

After arranging the first flow, Gong Cheng went back to the chorus lyrics he had just written, and then thought about the faces of his female friends.
Only the pure holy water can cleanse my sins.

"..."

"Lies and truths intertwine, transforming into raindrops that fall upon the earth."

"Converging into a river, flowing endlessly..."

……

In the afternoon, Gong Cheng sat on the sofa and sent over the lyrics. A little while later, Eminem called, "Tarot! Didn't I tell you to be more careful with your lyrics?"

"...Hehe, inspiration strikes, and I can't stop it..."

Gong Cheng forced a smile. Compared to Eminem's second half of the verse, which was about abortion and other things, he felt that he had already been very upright, right?
"Looks like a powerful alliance between two bastards?"

Eminem's exclamation clearly showed his satisfaction with the chorus and lyrics of the collaboration, "When are you coming to the US? I'm currently in Michigan, and if it's for recording, I'll go to Los Angeles beforehand..."

"Let's do it on the 3rd of next month, at a recording studio in Los Angeles," Gong Cheng said after thinking for a moment. On December 12rd, he will officially bring his talent to the United States and start a tour, and is expected to stay in the United States until the end of Christmas.

"..."

After hanging up the phone, Gong Cheng opened the lyrics that Taylor had sent. The arrangement of the song "Lover" was co-produced by him and Taylor. Originally, they had agreed that this song would be used when Taylor came to perform as a guest during their tour in the United States, and the two of them would sing it together.

But after just one glance at Taylor's lyrics, he couldn't help but send Taylor a message: "Aren't these lyrics a bit ambiguous?"

But after carefully reading the opening lyrics, I realized, "Let the Christmas lights stay lit until January next year~"

"This is our territory~ We're in charge~"

Gong Cheng thought for a moment and suggested that they put this song at the last stop of the US tour.
It happened to be Christmas Day, which was quite fitting...

Taylor quickly replied: "I'm filming. You can revise the lyrics. Let's duet this song. I'm also releasing a solo version later. Wouldn't it be better to keep it ambiguous?"

Gong Cheng turned off his phone, glanced at the lyrics, and realized that the original production of the arrangement was intended to be a relatively soothing love song.

He chuckled as he removed a section of lyrics that wasn't quite right, revising it to, "Ladies and gentlemen, could you please~"

"Let the scars on my guitar strings bear witness to my story."

Stretching his aching neck, Gong Cheng shamelessly continued revising, "I will be with this incredibly charming man~"

"To grow old together, hand in hand."

How can she not be incredibly charming?

While making the changes, he also labeled the revised lyrics as being sung by Taylor.

Gong Cheng didn't touch the rest of the lyrics much. After all, it was a collaboration song, and Taylor invited him to sing it. She took the lead, and he was only responsible for arranging the music, modifying the lyrics, and doing a duet. It was quite easy.
Compared to Eminem's collaboration, this song was completed much faster.

After sending the revised lyrics
Taylor responded with an international hand gesture!

……

After finishing his work, Gong Cheng felt relaxed as he watched the evening sunset. He still had a week of rest ahead of him, so he could finally have a proper date!
One appointment a day won't interfere with your schedule!

(End of this chapter)