The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 372 Some Leave, Some Stay: The Bet at the Awards Ceremony (Bonus Chapter 1 for Alliance Leader Tianjizi)

"...Recently, cold air has been blowing through Seoul, resulting in poor air quality and causing many citizens to experience breathing difficulties..."

In a villa in Itaewon, on the television screen in the living room, a weather forecaster in a black uniform is thoughtfully pointing to the temperature warning next to her, reading from her script to remind the public to pay attention to travel and weather.

The overall weather trend is towards springtime and blooming flowers...

Gong Cheng, tall and slender, was wearing a white wool sweater and casual straight-leg pants. He was lounging on the sofa, sipping his drink and glancing at the weather forecast. On the single sofa next to him sat Jin Dayu, the chief agent who had rushed over. But this agent, who had been so high-spirited for three years, was now sighing heavily.

"Flight to Los Angeles, tomorrow morning at 10 AM..." Even now, Kim Daewoo is still processing the information he heard this morning when he went to work at JYP after his vacation.

At first, he excitedly ran to the kid's practice room, only to find that the artists inside were the girls from [itzy]. Coincidentally, Park Jin-young found out that he was at work and called him to the president's office.

After being thoroughly berated and insulted, Kim Dae-woo finally understood what had happened. Any other manager would have been fired after such an incident, but out of respect for this young man, the company president had no choice but to accept it.

Just like in the last two days, TWICE's management team has been gradually taking over with new managers and handing things over...

No wonder Kim Daewoo remarked as he passed by TWICE's practice room that there were several unfamiliar faces.

As for top girl groups like TWICE, Park Jin-young could only patiently and gently persuade them to break up these past two days. All the plans were in front of him, and methods like confiscating phones and assigning assistants to supervise newly debuted rookies were not applicable to TWICE.

If Tarot leaves JYP in the summer, TWICE, this cash cow, will be shut down again, and its stock price may completely collapse.

"Alas!"

Gong Cheng chuckled and nodded, then glanced at Jin Dayu, who had a hesitant expression on his face. His beady eyes were full of emotion: "Brother, if you have something to say, just say it."

When Kim Daewoo heard his smiling question, he chuckled dryly and rubbed his hands together: "...Hehe, I really have nothing to say."

He scratched his head, thought for a moment, and sighed helplessly, "You really do live up to your face." He raised his hand and pointed to Gong Chengying's handsome, smiling features, his noble figure and warm temperament under the wool sweater, as he held a wine glass and sipped the wine lightly.

This is the boy that Kim Daewoo saw for the first time, and he was so handsome that it was almost overwhelming... Oh my god, where does this guy find the time to date so many girls at the same time?

Upon hearing this, Gong Cheng put down his wine glass: "Is my brother praising me or lecturing me?"

After saying that, he stood up and casually waved his hand: "Alright, let's get ready to start working..."

With that, Gong Cheng walked upstairs to his bedroom, feeling dejected, to pack his bags for Los Angeles the next day to attend this year's Grammy Awards.

After the world tour ended, the long vacation of more than half a month did not make him feel relaxed and happy. On the contrary... Gong Cheng found that he seemed to have difficulty concentrating on doing something.

Even during my lovemaking with the Daegu woman last night, perhaps I drank too much and my vision was blurry.

That's fucking tragic...

This morning, I found myself like a prostitute who had been robbed, holding a wad of cash, on the verge of tears. I lamented how I had fallen so low. Even though the "transaction" was enjoyable, it's inevitable that I'd have to have it all.

"Click..."

Opening his suitcase, Gong Cheng packed his luggage in the dressing room, casually picking out a bespoke Armani suit and some casual clothes suitable for the Los Angeles temperature...

"..."

A dozen minutes later, Gong Cheng squatted down next to his suitcase. Just as he pulled the chain, his cell phone in his pocket started buzzing.

Hearing the phone ring, a strange unease crept into his heart, like a death row inmate sitting in court awaiting the judge's final verdict... Sometimes, knowing it's a death sentence isn't scary; what's scary is the long, agonizing wait and the endless worries...

Tsk tsk... This is really something, turning a relationship into this!
Hagi Cheng silently complained to himself.

"Big star..."

After glancing at the caller's contact name, Gong Cheng answered the phone, his voice dry as he cleared his throat.

On the other end of the line, Lim Nayeon's muffled voice was completely devoid of the usual excitement and joy she displayed when talking to Gong Cheng on the phone, or even the weariness she seemed to have. Instead, her strong emotions were suppressed: "Gong Cheng, can we meet tonight?"

"Did you miss me?" Gong Cheng asked smugly, hearing the unpleasant tone on the other end.

Nayeon didn't respond, but instead said succinctly, "At my house in Cheongdam-dong... I'll be waiting for you there."

"...Alaso."

Gong Cheng agreed, then put down his phone and continued packing his luggage. When he saw a silver microphone case on the cabinet in the corner of the dressing room, a thought flashed in his eyes. The microphone inside was a gift that a big star had specially ordered for him.

"..."

……

Good afternoon, unnies~

Inside the JYP building, [ITZY] and the others, as the newly moved-in practice room next door, arrived at TWICE's practice room with cheerful smiles, greeting them and making a casual visit, led by Hwang Yeji.

They had just finished their activities for the day and returned to the company after a break. They rushed over to get closer to the nine unnies in front of them. But the atmosphere between the TWICE seniors in their sight seemed a little different from the usual cheerful and noisy atmosphere.

Good afternoon, Reiji.

Lim Nayeon lifted her eyelids, sat on the sofa listlessly, and greeted her junior sisters at the door. After what had happened in the past two days, she found it difficult to muster any enthusiasm and joke around with her junior sisters in front of her.

Kim Da-hyun squatted in the corner, picked up a small comb, and combed May's long dog hair.

His eyes darted around, observing the expressions and changes in the "sisters-in-law's" condition. To be honest, the sisters-in-law's condition had been terrible over the past two days of practice. The only one in good condition was Park Jihyo; it was clear that she was getting more and more energetic with each practice session...

The huge practice room, with the girl group, it's like everyone has their own ulterior motives!
Moreover, after Da Da Shuai's affair was exposed, the once lively group chat of "TWICE" became very quiet. She didn't want these sisters-in-law to not send messages in this group chat. How many small groups would they have to create behind her and Da Da Shuai's back?
By the way, isn't it Da Da Shuai's birthday soon?
He's an Aries—and shares the same birthday as Mina...

Remembering this, Tofu quickly put down the small comb, picked up her phone, and started thinking about choosing a gift for Daddy. As for Sister-in-law Mina, she'd pick one out for her too.
Yoo Jeongyeon chatted with Hwang Yeji and the others for a few minutes with a smile, but the girls quickly noticed that the TWICE members were in a bad mood and the atmosphere in the room was tense, so they quickly said goodbye with smiles.

Just a few minutes after the [itzy] members returned to the practice room next door, Shin Yuna, with her red hair, came over carrying a large bag of snacks. Under the curious gazes of Lim Nayeon, Minatozaki Sana, Son Chaeyoung, and others, her tall figure walked up to Hirai Momo, who was sitting by the wall, and grinned, "Momo unnie~"

"Before Oppa moved out, he specifically told me to give you your snacks~"

"But I was so busy today, I just remembered..." Saying this, Shin Yuna smiled a little sheepishly, squatted down, and placed the snack bag on the floor next to Hirai Momo. She quickly put on a fawning smile, "Just between you and me, Oppa secretly drank a bottle of your cola~"

Kim Da-hyun stared blankly from the side; he was clearly a potential spy.

Hirai Momo stared blankly at the large bag of snacks. She was so heartbroken these past two days that she didn't even want to eat pig's trotters anymore. Who could understand?

So she hadn't paid much attention to the snacks she'd hidden in her teacher's practice room the other day. If Shen You-na hadn't mentioned them, she would have almost forgotten about those precious potato chips.

Seeing Hirai Momo's sentimental expression, Yoo Jeongyeon knew exactly what her friend was thinking. If she and Lim Nayeon were the closest friends in TWICE, then Hirai Momo's relationship was no less so. In the old dormitory, the two shared a bedroom and even slept on the same bed for a long time.

Actually, at first, there were two small beds in the bedroom, similar to those in the four-person room shared by Lim Na-yeon and the others. But later, the two of them threw away the small beds and spent money to buy a big bed together, and started sleeping together. How could they not understand each other, given their deep bond of sharing a bed?
...Thinking of this, Yu Dingyan was speechless. Damn it, I've slept with Momo for so long and haven't done anything to her. Haji Sung, you bastard, you just tricked her into having sex with you.
"How about you guys divide these snacks up, Yuna?" Yoo Jeongyeon chimed in.

Shin Yuna quickly shook her head, glanced at the door to see if her manager was there, and said with a pained expression, "We're managing our figures, unnie~"

However, the clever girl seemed to have guessed something, and smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Are you unnies afraid that if you leave it in the practice room, your manager will find out?"

That's why Momo put the snacks in the next dorm room. She heard "Lao Da" mention it, and it has to be said, it's these kinds of ordinary little things that really show how loyal "Lao Da" is!
"Oppa said that if we're scared, we can walk a little further and leave it in our old practice room, anyway..."

At this point, Shen Youna's expression fell, and she sighed softly, her youthful face showing great unhappiness.

Upon hearing this, the other members of TWICE looked up and asked curiously, "Anyway what?"

They knew that Gong Cheng's practice room had been switched with [ITZY]'s, and they didn't have anything to say about it. Even if he still shamelessly came over, the members really didn't know how to face him right now...

“Anyway.” Shin Yuna sighed, recalling the words the oppa had given her before leaving when she came to move the practice room that day: “Oppa said that he wouldn’t be coming to the company much anymore, and his contract was about to expire.”

As she spoke, she brushed a strand of red hair behind her ear, her youthful eyes looking at the unnies in front of her with utter incomprehension. "You guys, unnies, oppa's contract with the company clearly expires in the summer, there are still a few months left, how come he just says he's not coming? Sigh~"

"I thought I'd debuted! And being in the same practice room as oppas and unnies, I felt like I'd see them every day!" Shin Yuna said with a regretful expression. Going to work is just like going to school—"Laodae" is so handsome and kind; seeing him every day would even improve my mood at work!
This is also a kind of emotional value.

Shin Yuna, lively and outgoing, sat on the floor with Yoo Jeong-yeon, who was acting as her straight man, chatting away.

Faced with such a lively and flattering girl, the TWICE members had no reason to dislike or resent her. However, why did Yuna keep praising that arrogant, cheating guy...?

...Hirai Momo curled up on the sofa in the corner of the practice room, her knees bent and pressed against her chest. The cold light from her phone screen reflected on her face, making her almond-shaped eyes appear exceptionally bright. Her fingertips hovered above the screen; the chat box where she had just pressed the send button was still displaying the message in the center of the screen: "Oppa, can we both calm down first?"

Looking again at the bag of snacks beside her, her eyelashes trembled unconsciously, and her chest felt extremely tight.

In no time, the message showed as read.

"Um……"

Gong Cheng's reply was indifferent and extremely simple, as if he respected her decision. Hirai Momo's lips curled down slightly, and the light in her eyes dimmed a little. The winter sunlight outside the window shone through the blinds, casting dappled light and shadow at her feet.

...Hirai Momo finally looked away from the screen, a strange sense of loss rising in her heart.

Just one "hmm"?

What is this? No one can suddenly accept that their boyfriend is dating two girls at the same time—you think that's his limit, but he turns around and seriously tells you, "Don't look down on me!"

There are eight...

……

"Regarding the day after tomorrow, Tarot's personal documentary and his latest single will be released on schedule. As for the news that he will be temporarily leaving the music industry..."

At this point, in JYP's meeting room, Park Jin-young sat in the main seat, his voice becoming hoarse. He looked up at the senior executives from various departments in front of him: "Simultaneous release."

The atmosphere immediately became strange upon hearing this. Many department heads looked at each other in bewilderment. They were naturally aware that "Tarot" would be taking a break after the Grammy Awards, but what puzzled them more now was how long this temporary farewell would last.

There has to be a time limit, otherwise what will the fans think?
If you take a break for twenty or thirty years and then make a comeback in your forties or fifties, then that can be considered a temporary farewell... or a long farewell?
How long will Tarot rest?

The head of the publicity department asked a question that was on everyone's mind.

Park Jin-young stroked his chin, his gaze fixed on the documents pressed against his elbow. These documents detailed JYP's plans for all artists and groups in the first half of the year: TWICE's Japanese and Korean bilingual album *#TWICE 2* next month, Nayeon's solo at the end of the month, the comebacks of Stray Kids and GOT7, the summer debut of the "Sakura Line" subunit in Japan, and Itzy's first mini-album that summer…

These are all projects that are about to begin or are already underway.

Faced with his subordinate's question, Park Jin-young opened his mouth, wanting to answer. Perhaps it would be a few months? Or perhaps... If it were calculated in years, he really didn't dare to think further. He wondered how intense the emotions of his junior would be if he were to leave the music industry for three to five years.

"Tarot" possesses the vocal skills of a pop singer from Europe and America, but his songwriting talent is even more outstanding. Unlike other popular superstars in the world music scene, his fan base, spending power, and cohesion are unparalleled worldwide, as can be seen from the favor of high-end luxury brands and their quarterly financial reports.

Therefore, the "Akka" fans are clearly not as laid-back as other singers' fans...

Adding to the recent scandals involving him and TWICE, Park Jin-young's biggest concern used to be his junior's mental health. But judging from the words he left in the office that day, it seems that his junior is truly suffering from the blow.

Will they be unable to recover?

There are many examples of young people who achieve fame at a young age, but most of them give up when they are in a slump. So, Park Jin-young is not sure how long this vacation about "Tarot" will last.

"Maybe a few months, or maybe..." Park Jin-young answered ambiguously, then couldn't help but sigh, "Anyway, just say he's temporarily leaving the music industry, and don't worry about the rest. He'll come back with a new album sooner or later."

……

"Brother, can you drive me out in a bit?"

After packing his luggage, Gong Cheng went downstairs to the living room and greeted Jin Dayu, who was drinking coffee and watching TV on the sofa. The TV was playing Netflix's hit series "Kingdom" from January of this year, as if the guy had specially tuned it out to watch.

I heard that during his vacation, besides traveling with his wife and children, he spent his time watching this TV series. He's really into the genre, which speaks volumes about the show's success and appeal. Even a busy and successful manager like Kim Dae-woo would find time to watch a couple of episodes.

"Where?"

Kim Daewoo asked curiously, then smiled and said, "I suggest you take some time to visit your house in Seongbuk-dong. Since you're not living in the dorms anymore, spend more time in the properties you've bought and let them breathe new life into the houses."

He said superstitiously that he accompanied Gong Cheng to the villa in Chengbeidong when the deal was made, but the kid hardly ever lived there after signing the contract. He felt it was a waste to leave such a big house unoccupied for so long.

“Go to Cheongdam-dong, the first big flat we bought…” Gong Cheng rubbed his face, plopped down on the sofa, took a sip of his wine, and then laughed, “Alas, it’s a pity that Mom and Dad don’t want to live there. Sometimes it’s really a headache.”

He spoke casually of his troubles, but deep down he felt a stifling unease.

In his mind, Hirai Momo, the "judge," brought down the gavel and delivered the verdict—not mentioning breaking up meant he needed to calm down, which was not bad, was it?

But who can say for sure how a meeting with a big star will end that night?

A big star, a beloved student, a little tiger, a puppy, four female relatives, Sana-chan has been separated for a while, and...

His wandering thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a text message notification. Gong Cheng picked up his phone, leaned back on the sofa, and glanced at the message from Son Chaeyoung: "Oppa, do you still stand by what you said back then?"

"What did you say?" he asked back.

[Little Tiger]: "You told me to wait back then, saying that I would soon be separated from Sana unnie and Nayeon unnie. Have you had enough fun now?"

These words are very blunt and direct, making it seem like Master Gong is a scumbag who casually plays with girls' feelings.

Gong Cheng scratched his head and thought about it carefully. His beloved student and he had entered a "cooling-off period," which could be considered a "breakup." As for the big star, it was hard to say tonight, but a strong woman, like a puppy, would probably break up with him too.

Even in the deepest grief, one must cut one's losses in time. He replied with his slender fingers, "Okay, wait a moment, baby, I'm about to part ways with them."

[Little Tiger]: "OK".

"But right now, whether we break up or not is obviously not up to oppa." The teasing tone was like another stab to Hagi's heart.
Gong Cheng smiled helplessly, but he was both surprised and not so surprised by the little tiger's decision.
Our Chaeyoung has always been ahead of the curve. When her affair with Mina was discovered, she was the first to accept it, clearly several versions ahead of the other actresses. Now, while the other actresses are feeling sad, she has already resigned herself to her fate and decided to continue to lie low.

"..."

After chatting with Son Chae-young for a few minutes, Gong Cheng got up, put on his jacket, went to the entrance to change his shoes, and prepared to go to his large apartment in Cheongdam-dong to meet the big star.

Kim Dae-woo took the car keys, went to the garage, and drove the car, acting as the driver.

……

As dusk fell, after TWICE finished their work for the day, Lim Nayeon drove her red Maserati along the streets to Cheongdam-dong, her thoughts heavy with unease. A large, furry dog, May, was lying in the passenger seat.

Before leaving, when Duoxian learned that she was coming to see Gongcheng, she asked her to bring May along, saying that she hoped May could keep Gongcheng company, since things had developed to this point... and no one was having an easy time.

Nayeon sat in the driver's seat, stepped on the brake, and waited for the traffic light to change. The light from the dashboard reflected on her face, just enough to illuminate the blankness in her eyes. She turned her head to look at May in the passenger seat. The puppy seemed to sense her dejection, slowly raised its head, looked at her with wet black eyes, its tongue lolling out at the corner of its mouth, and its tail gently brushed against her arm.

Nayeon's lips twitched unconsciously, trying to force a smile, but it looked worse than crying. Her voice was hoarse, as if crushed by the twilight: "May, will I break up with your uncle?"

"..." May didn't understand, but she sat obediently in the leather seat.

...After another ten minutes or so, Lin Nayeon parked the car in the underground parking garage, then took May's hand and walked into the elevator, heading straight for the top floor.

After entering the password, the door clicked open.

Nayeon unconsciously tightened her grip on May's hand, her knuckles turning white from the force. She was wrapped in a long, creamy-white down jacket, the fluffy down making her look exceptionally soft and delicate. A light khaki fox fur collar brushed against her cheeks, both protecting her from the wind and making her already round face appear even smaller.

After entering the room, she glanced at the shoe cabinet and saw that Gong Cheng hadn't taken off his shoes, so she guessed... he hadn't arrived yet.

After changing into slippers and untying her scarf, the warmth of the underfloor heating wafted from the living room. Lim Nayeon took off her heavy down jacket, revealing a blue sweater that accentuated her curvaceous figure. She rolled around on the living room carpet like a child, then crossed her arms and went to the balcony. She pushed open the glass doors on both sides, and the cold wind that rushed in made her exhale sharply.

What will be the outcome tonight?
With red eyes, she stood quietly on the balcony in the night for a while, then paced back and forth in the living room, the master bedroom, and every corner of the house, reminiscing about every little detail.

She oversaw the design and renovation of the living room, even the bedroom and the bathroom, including the color of the tiles and the size of the furniture.

On the bedside table in the master bedroom, there's a smiling photo of the two of them, taken in Paris, when she, along with Sana Minatozaki, Mina Mani, and Tzuyu, secured endorsements for LV and Burberry respectively...

We used to be so close, so how did it all end up being betrayal?
...Lin Nayeon, lost in thought, sat on the sofa in the living room, picked up her phone, and quietly waited for Gong Cheng to arrive.

She glanced at the trending topics in the entertainment section. At the beginning of the month, the company had already started promoting her comeback next month. As the current top girl group and the only popular girl group in the country, the information about her first solo appearance attracted a lot of attention from ONCEs and the public as soon as it was released.

Originally, Lim Nayeon was hoping to use her solo career to make things difficult for Jo Miyeon and Kim Jisoo, but now it seems that the scope has expanded to include Minatozaki Sana, Mina, Hirai Momo, and Son Chaeyoung, but she has no intention of being happy about it.

Two of the songs were written by her personally for Gong Cheng, including the intimate scenes in the music videos. Looking back now, it's incredibly ironic.

On JYP's official website, Park Jin-young, as if he had eaten dog shit, released a "big scoop" about Lim Na-yeon's solo career. A promotional poster featuring Gong Cheng and Lim Na-yeon together, along with information about their collaboration, appeared in the public eye.

In the picture—Gong Cheng, wearing a beige scarf, holds a cup of coffee and smiles warmly, while Lim Nayeon grins with her bunny teeth, radiating the style of Genki Center and her carefree, adorable smile, bright and sweet. The two lean against each other under the falling snow...

The comments section was filled with excitement from the ONCEs...

"Oh mo!"

"Our face is collaborating with Tarot too? The chemistry is off the charts!"

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law~~~"

"Is Once upstairs a little glutton? He calls our Oppa 'brother-in-law' every time he sees him~"

"Please don't do that. Tarot and TWICE are just colleagues. Please, CP fans, respect us ONCEs..."

"The promotional photos have such a strong atmosphere, a strange sadness? Like lovers in a tragic love story~"

……

When will Oppa collaborate with me on a song?

Within YG Entertainment, Jennie Kim watched the trending topics "Tarot & Nayeon collaboration" and "Nayeon solo" instantly topping the charts on various entertainment sections, feeling a pang of envy. But after a couple of glances, she clicked on another trending topic—[Seoul Playboy—Eight Times the Devotion].

It's incredibly eye-catching!
Jennie read it out word by word. Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo in the practice room looked over in surprise. She clicked on the trending topic and saw that the media outlet reporting on it was the local "Daily Gossip." Seeing the name of this gossip media outlet, she couldn't help but curl her lips.

My gaze swept over the content again: "Exclusive reveal for you—the Seoul Cannon Emperor's eightfold affection."

"Under our watchful eye, since the beginning of this year—after Tarot disappeared from the public eye following his world tour—he has been secretly meeting with eight female celebrities. Check to see if your favorite is among them!"

"..."

"..."

Kim Jisoo blinked and leaned closer, curiously glancing at the blurry photos in the content section. There were eight photos in total, showing Gong Cheng's secret rendezvous with Somi, Im Yoon-ah, Bae Suzy, IU, Bae Joo-hyun, Kim Tae-yeon, and Han So-hee...

and many more?

How come I'm still here?!
Her face twitched slightly when she saw the last photo, a picture of herself and Gong Cheng sitting in a restaurant. It was clearly a screenshot from the live broadcast of "I Live Alone" that night. Oh my god, these media outlets are really shameless!

[Emerging Dawn] Even if he's a bad guy, how could he possibly date eight women at the same time? You media outlets think he's an octopus...

They've really lost all shame in their pursuit of profiting from the bloodshed!
The other seven photos above, on their own, seem quite normal; it's just that the puppy (referring to the child) is in a rather intimate pose with Yoona, IU, and others when they are photographed.
"Nonsense~" Kim Jisoo pouted her pretty face and said unhappily.

It's all the fault of those damn media outlets for exaggerating and smearing her. Even after she found out she liked that bastard, she said he was no good person at all!
How could she not know whether someone is a good person or a bad person?

That brat from Yeongdeungpo is just a spoiled and slightly naughty person.

At most, there are only three female relatives: Lim Nayeon, Cho Miyeon, and Bae Joo-hyun. The media has exaggerated his abilities too much...

……

"Hyung, let's go grab dinner nearby. If you haven't received my call by the end of dinner, go back and rest. We're going to Los Angeles tomorrow." Upon arriving at the basement of the Cheongdam-dong property, Gong Cheng, with his tall figure, got out of the car and greeted Kim Dae-woo, who was driving.

Kim Daewoo nodded, glancing at the red Maserati in the rearview mirror. Wasn't that Nayeon's car?

He glanced at Gong Cheng's retreating figure and thoughtfully guessed the purpose of Gong Cheng's visit: "Sigh, these young people nowadays..."

He sighed.
But as soon as he started the car, he glanced at the Aston Martin logo on the steering wheel, then looked at Gong Cheng's figure as he walked into the elevator. He thought to himself, if he had had that kind of looks and career success when he was young, he would probably have been even more unrestrained.
"..."

"Squeak-"

The elevator doors opened, and Gong Cheng entered the password.

Lin Nayeon sat on the sofa in the living room with her knees bent. As soon as she heard the sound of the door lock, she reflexively turned her head. A few seconds later, her gaze traveled across the living room and landed directly on the familiar figure at the door.

Gong Cheng wore a short black jacket, its crisp fabric accentuating his already tall and handsome figure. The jacket was zipped up to his chest, revealing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt underneath. His smiling features were clearly visible in the entryway light, but his smile seemed somewhat awkward as he greeted her, "Nayeon~"

...She didn't say anything.

Gong Cheng changed into slippers and walked into the living room, looking at the big star in front of him. On the blue sweater, there were faint traces of white dog hair from May's body. Dark gray sweatpants tightly wrapped around her slender legs, paired with a pair of thick-soled cotton slippers of the same color, with small rabbit patterns embroidered on the slippers. Her long hair was loosely tied back, with a few strands sticking to her forehead, and she was a little cold from the cold wind outside.

He then noticed that the glass door connecting the living room to the balcony was slightly ajar.

As Lim Nayeon watched his retreating figure as he closed the glass door, the tension in her eyes was instantly replaced by a complex mix of emotions: the joy of seeing him, the bittersweet memories of past entanglements, and the helplessness in the face of this impasse.

She opened her mouth, wanting to reply, but the words caught in her throat. She could only let those round eyes stare intently at him, even her breathing becoming cautious. Meanwhile, "May" had already joyfully pounced on him, circling around Gong Cheng's legs, its tail wagging like a blooming flower…

He patted May's body, then half-squatted on the carpet, raised his eyelids to look at Lim Nayeon: "I know I was wrong, noona..."

He said something conciliatory, testing Lin Nayeon's attitude.

"What's wrong?"

The three words were squeezed out between her teeth, Lin Nayeon's voice thick with nasal tone, yet laced with grievance and anger. The moment she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face without warning. She bit her lower lip so hard that her usually adorable rabbit teeth nearly bled, but that pain was nothing compared to the churning agony in her heart.

Gong Cheng's gaze immediately drifted away, not daring to look her in the eye: "My mistake was hiding my relationship with them from you."

"Moragu?"

"Is it a matter of whether or not to hide it?"

Lin Na-yeon suddenly raised her voice and stood up abruptly from the sofa: "You're not going to tell me that you dated Sana-chan, Mina-chan, Momo-chan, and Chae-young for the same reason—emptiness and loneliness?"

"Emptiness justifies cheating..."

"What happened with Zhao Meiyan before, I lied to myself that it was all in the past. Bae Joo-hyun, Kim Ji-soo..." The big star clutched her chest, speaking slowly and deliberately. This was the first time since the incident that she had faced her face to face, with only the two of them confronting each other. All the images she had forcibly suppressed in her heart were now rushing to the surface, each scene slowly torturing her true feelings. "I endured it time and time again, Gong Cheng!"

Her voice suddenly softened, and a wave of tearful grievance overwhelmed her, "I even thought that if you turned back, I could pretend that everything that happened before never happened. But you..."

Where the hell do you show any remorse?!
"But this isn't about going back or not. I'd be heartbroken if I missed any of you, which is why I've been so careful to keep my relationships with them a secret from you," Gong Cheng said, sounding annoyed.

I did it! So what!

You all feel so much pain when I pinch your nipples, but don't I feel pain too?

"Careful?" Lim Nayeon grinned, showing her rabbit teeth, and looked up at his tall figure as he stood up. She couldn't help but recall the scene in the conference room earlier, where this bastard kept calling her "female darling." Is this what you call being careful?
"You're so careful, using every trick in the book to fool so many girls..." Remembering the accounts with Sana Minatozaki and the others, she took a deep breath and almost fainted. She raised her slender finger and poked his chest: "Miyako, when you lied to me, didn't your conscience hurt?"

"It hurts, of course it hurts!" Gong Cheng looked down at Lim Nayeon's tear-streaked face and asked, "What, do you think I won't be sad, Noona?"

If you're going to be open and honest, then you should definitely state your thoughts clearly.

Hagiwara had given up entirely: "Didn't I say before, noona, that I'd be sad if I missed out on anyone? My heart is simple, and then I did it..."

He took a step forward. "Nuna is so good to me. So good that even though you're such a bad cook, you went to learn how to make soup from Auntie. Aren't you always so sloppy? But every time I go on a business trip, if she has time, she sets an alarm and gets up at six or seven in the morning to run to my dorm to pack my luggage?"

“I don’t need Nuna to do these things for me, but you did them anyway, how could I not feel it?” Gong Cheng’s voice suddenly softened, his Adam’s apple bobbed violently, and his eyes even reddened.

“But Meiyan is great too!” He suddenly changed the subject, as if afraid that he would show his weakness if he hesitated for even a second longer. “She’s been with me for a long time…”

“What about Sana-chan? She’s just as strong-willed as Noona, but when faced with certain issues, she’ll compromise for my sake just as much. And Mina-chan? She’s there for me, she understands me. And Chaeyoung? She was there for me before I became famous…”

"Momo-chan..." She has a hot and sexy figure~
Gong Cheng lowered his eyelids and recounted the good qualities of his female relatives. He looked earnestly at Lin Nayeon, his eyes glistening, "So, noona, I'm a normal person. With so many wonderful girls, of course I'd be incredibly fond of them. How could I possibly control myself?"

He couldn't bring himself to betray the girl...

"Heh, and you even have the nerve to say that?" Hearing his words, Lim Nayeon's face grew paler and paler, her emotions completely collapsing. She covered her face with her hands, tears streaming through her fingers, her shoulders heaving violently. After a moment of sobbing, she looked up at Gong Cheng, this man who disguised "greed" as "reluctance." She felt only amusement and pity...

His so-called "criminal motive" was nothing more than wanting to hold everyone's true feelings in his hands, neither willing to let go nor willing to take responsibility.

"Oh dear, I got too emotional just now." Gong Cheng let out a long sigh, raised his hand to pinch his brow, and plopped down on the sofa to calm himself down. He didn't want to argue, but some things still needed to be clarified.

The old Hagiwara—is dead!!!
"Can't you control yourself?" Lim Nayeon wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, her voice hoarse and almost inaudible. She said in a trembling voice, "Just because we're all good to you, you think you can keep us all by your side and watch us distrust and suffer with each other? Gong Cheng, this isn't 'not wanting to miss out,' this is blatant selfishness!"

After saying that, she sobbed, lowered her head and looked down at the boy sitting on the sofa with his hands covering his cheeks, wanting to see how he would try to argue.

Unexpectedly, Gong Cheng slowly lowered his hand, revealing a pale and tired face. There was no desire to defend himself in his eyes, only a deathly silence in his admission: "Nuna, you are right. I am selfish. So, I feel it is only right that Nuna blames me."

His voice was soft, yet it struck Lim Nayeon's heart like a heavy hammer...

She looked at him as he readily admitted his selfishness, and at the numbness in his eyes that seemed to say, "I was wrong, but I won't change."

Suddenly, I realized that all my anger, accusations, and tears seemed utterly powerless...

"If it's painful, let's break up, Nayeon..."

Gong Cheng was tired of arguing. His dark eyes were devoid of any extra color. After saying those words, he took one last look at Lin Nayeon, then stood up, picked up his coat from the sofa, and prepared to leave. Perhaps, as Momo-chan said, everyone needed to calm down.

Selfish?

He is indeed quite selfish, I'm sure of it! Not only selfish, but he also sometimes applies double standards.

But aren't most people like that?
Stripped of all his accolades, or even with countless more, he is still just a human, not a god.
"Woooooooo..."

Lim Nayeon stood there, sobbing, as if all her strength had been drained away. Her rabbit teeth were showing, and her little face was twitching with tears. The collar of her blue sweater was soaked with large tear stains.

She watched Gong Cheng put on his coat, turn, and leave. His back was ramrod straight, his face ashen, showing no trace of lingering affection—a ruthlessness that terrified her. All her pride and anger crumbled in that instant, leaving only panic. Her mouth gaped open, and with immense effort, she choked out, "...Please...don't go!"

The sound was completely broken...

Crying and shouting, Lim Nayeon didn't bother wiping her tears from her face. She staggered forward a few steps, her slippers making a frantic "clattering" sound on the floor. She still wanted to try and hold on, to see if he could change those hurtful habits...

"I beg you, Gong Cheng..." Her sobs were thick with tears, each word a desperate plea: "Please, break up with them, okay?" Lin Na-yeon, trembling, reached out her hand, her lips quivering, and grabbed Gong Cheng's wrist. "...Can we be like before...?"

The trembling, choked voice broke Haki's heart.

Gong Cheng felt a sharp pain in his wrist, which was being gripped tightly by her, as his hand hung at his side. He looked down at the superstar and said with concern, "But I can't do it, Noona~"

"This time, I didn't lie..."

After saying those words, he felt completely relaxed and relieved...

Lim Nayeon stared blankly into Gong Cheng's eyes... Finally, she gave up completely. She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, but she couldn't erase the hole in her heart. She turned around and went straight to the master bedroom. Trembling, she pulled out her suitcase and stuffed all the clothes in the closet into it.

Gong Cheng stood at the bedroom door, his voice hoarse: "Nuna, stay here..."

To be honest, after separating from Lim Na-yeon, if the big star wasn't here, there would be no need for him to come and stay in this large apartment.

But looking at Lim Nayeon's resolute expression, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart.

Nayeon choked back tears and didn't say a word. She quickly zipped up her suitcase, then, as she passed Gong Cheng, she forcefully pushed past him. With tears streaming down her face, she squatted down in the living room and clapped her hands towards May, who was not far away in the living room: "May, come to Mommy~ I'll take you home..."

May, lying on the carpet, turned her head in a daze to look at Gong Cheng, and then at Lin Nayeon, who was clapping her hands at her.

It got up, wiggled its bottom, and came to Lin Nayan's side, rubbing its head against her slender white fingers. Then it turned around and rubbed against Gong Cheng's leg.

Gong Cheng looked at May's attitude, but he didn't know what it meant.
But if we imagine it, it's probably because she wants to reconcile with the big star?

He spoke in a dry voice, "Don't do this, Nayeon... I'll take good care of May."

But before she could finish speaking, Lim Nayeon, who was squatting on the ground in pain, grabbed the handle of her suitcase with one hand and looked up, letting out a furious roar filled with suppressed anger and despair: "You can't even take care of me, how are you going to take care of May???"

Her messy hair fell around her face. After she finished speaking, she immediately stood up, grabbed her suitcase, walked to May, pulled the rope, and turned to leave.

"..."

Online Q&A: My girlfriend ran away with the dog, what should I do?
"Snapped--"

The heavy echo of the door slamming shut still lingered in Gong Cheng's ears...

……

An hour later, Lim Nayeon parked her Maserati in front of a quiet bar in Gangnam. She carried May into a private room, and after ordering a few drinks, she broke down in tears, holding May tightly: "May, your uncle doesn't want you anymore~ Waaah..."

"From now on, it'll just be the two of us."

A short while later, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Wearing a mask and a baseball cap, Yu Dingyan arrived late. Looking at her friend in front of her, her eyelids were bulging like light bulbs from crying. There was no trace of her usual teasing. She asked with a pained expression, "Did you go to see that bastard?"

If she weren't outmatched by her former best friend, Haji Cheng, she would have loved to give him a good beating.

how to say?

An hour ago, Yoo Jeongyeon was still in the dorm, comforting Hirai Momo who had locked herself in her bedroom. She was listening to the crying from inside the bedroom, and she felt so bad that her legs went numb from standing!

Haji Cheng: Why didn't you find a bench to sit on? Is this my fault?

Half an hour ago, after receiving feedback from Park Jihyo that Sana-chan was in a bad mood, he rushed to the bedroom next to Hirai Momo's to comfort Minatozaki Sana. He was just about to have a meal, wash up, and go to bed when he received a call from Lim Nayeon. So he drove over in Park Jihyo's car without stopping...

What's this all about...

"...Jeongyeon, he doesn't want me anymore, waaaah..." When Lim Nayeon saw Yoo Jeongyeon arrive, the tears she had just held back welled up again. She grinned and sobbed as she spoke, her tender red face from crying so hard it was heartbreaking to see.

"How could that be?" Yu Dingyan's words of comfort had barely left her lips when she immediately stood up, her eyes widening: "Moragu?"

"He doesn't want you anymore... Shouldn't you be the one dumping him?"

"Things don't seem to be going as expected," Hajiyan asked, frowning.

"I begged him to break up with other people and be with only me, but he refused..." Lim Nayeon sat on the sofa, sobbing, her neck trembling. She explained what had happened that night to her best friend across from her, and suddenly asked, as if possessed, "Jeongyeon?"

"You didn't sleep with him too, did you...?"

She was truly terrified, having witnessed firsthand how utterly shameless that bastard was.

"Oh my god, how could that be?" Yu Dingyan quickly shook her head and denied it. "We don't click. I don't like guys like him who make me feel insecure."

As she spoke, she steered the conversation back to the topic, and couldn't help but exclaim angrily, "Hey!"

"Lim Nayeon! Don't you have any self-respect? How could you beg him like that... You should have dumped him!"

Her usually strong face was now filled with disappointment and heartache. She thought for a moment and then added, "Aren't you supposed to be some kind of woman from Jiangdong? Why are you making such a fuss over something so trivial?"

"Try being cheated on for three years! How can you not be heartbroken?" Lim Nayeon retorted, her face still wet with tears. "And..."

She sniffled hard, her voice trembling with tears, "We..."

"We women from Jiangdong can't outsmart him... Waaah!"

……

A night without words...

The following day, February 27th, Gong Cheng was woken up by a phone call from Jin Dayu, "Get up, Cheng, I'm coming to Itaewon to pick you up now."

"Alaso," Gong Cheng replied, then got up to wash up, and then put the wine bottles on the living room table into a trash bag.

……

At nine o'clock in the morning, the Maybach S680 arrived at Incheon Airport. Gong Cheng, carrying a shoulder bag and accompanied by the company's team, walked into the airport. The Grammy Awards on March 1st were known to almost everyone in the country, and there was a large number of media and fans waiting here.

He forced a smile and greeted his fans before boarding the plane.

Before the plane took off, Gong Cheng glanced at the messages on his phone. In the past, whenever the plane took off or landed, he would always see a string of messages from his female relatives as soon as he turned on his phone. But this time, the chat box was completely silent.

Besides Mina and Jisoo...

[The introverted, morbid little penguin]: "The fiercest tiger of Asia, claim your glory!"

"Nonsense..." Gong Cheng chuckled softly as he lay in first class. The chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) in the bones of Japanese people really can't be changed. He thought for a moment, then typed a reply: "Mina-chan, do you remember the bet we made last year?"

[The introverted and morbid little penguin]: "Is what Makoto is talking about? The bet we made in the van back then, between you, me, and Momo?"

"Okay~" The little penguin has a pretty good memory, Gong Cheng replied, and then said, "For your birthday this year, if you can really win the trophy for Best Rap of the Year at the Grammy Awards the day after tomorrow—then it will be your birthday present, okay?"

He asked.

[The introverted, eccentric little penguin]: "Aren't you coming to my birthday? And we're on the same day, we used to celebrate together... Hehe, that's fine, it's okay if we celebrate separately, Makoto, let it go~ On your birthday, I'll spend time with you alone~~"

Gong Cheng stared at Mina's smug tone, feeling it didn't quite match her cool and gentle face. Yes, he always celebrated his birthday with Mina in previous years. The ten members of TWICE, who loved each other dearly, would celebrate together, and the little weirdo would take pictures with a very artistic flair.

...But now, it no longer exists.

Woohoo~
"You've been so cocky lately, have you gotten beaten up or bullied?" Master Gong asked with concern. Who could that little guy possibly beat? "Without me by your side, you need to take good care of yourself... no, protect yourself."

[The introverted, morbidly passionate little penguin]: "Nye~ Don't worry, I'm experienced~ (sunglasses)"

"We've taken off, that's all for now." Gong Cheng turned his head and opened Kim Ji-soo's chat window, blinking at the message she sent: "Grammys—stay strong! You little bastard!"

"Hehe..." He chuckled speechlessly.

...After a flight of more than ten hours, when we arrived in Los Angeles, it was still daytime here.

The airport was bustling with media and flashing lights, as well as fans waiting to greet him. In addition to him, many internationally renowned singers have been arriving here in recent days, waiting for the awards ceremony on March 1.

"Tarot, Al Jazeera media has reported that you were dating eight girlfriends at the same time, may I ask..."

The media's microphones clustered around Gong Cheng's tall figure. He glanced at the camera with a faint smile, said nothing, and, led by his bodyguards, walked straight out of the crowd, got into his van, and headed to the hotel.

……

March 1st, US time.

At 7 p.m., Los Angeles was enveloped in a tapestry of twilight and neon lights, and the Grammy red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre was already illuminated by dazzling lights.

As a globally renowned music event, this year's awards ceremony was once again broadcast live. The red carpet was packed with reporters holding cameras, screaming fans, and flashing lenses. The air was filled with the mixed scents of champagne and perfume, and every inch of the space was filled with the excitement and fervor of a star-studded extravaganza.

Singers of all skin tones walked the red carpet one after another, their haute couture gowns creating shimmering patterns as they swept across the red carpet, while others sported streetwear brands and eye-catching accessories, striking casual yet flamboyant poses in front of the cameras…

The clicking of camera flashes mingled with the cheers and screams of the fans.

...Just then, a black van slowly stopped at the entrance to the red carpet. The moment the door opened, the cheers around them suddenly rose several notches.

Gong Cheng bent down and stepped out of the car. His tall figure immediately attracted everyone's attention. His sharp black Armani suit and black shirt perfectly outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

This young superstar, who returned to Europe and America after the end of the Cashflow world tour, has once again set foot on European and American soil.

However, compared to his last visit here, his handsome features beneath his black hair appeared more somber when facing the camera.

Reporters' questions immediately flooded in, "Gong Cheng! What are your expectations for the Grammys this time?"

Will your new work be a surprise at the ceremony?

He turned his head, smiled gently in the direction of the voice, and instead of answering immediately, waved to the fans on both sides. Then he glanced at one of the reporters, saying, "Hopefully, I won't come away empty-handed."

Gong Cheng gave a perfunctory reply, and then, facing the overwhelming flashes of light, unlike other singers who posed for exaggerated photos, he walked straight into the auditorium.

I really want to finish today's ceremony as soon as possible and fly back to Seoul.

...Upon entering the venue, Gong Cheng was led to a seat in the front row by a staff member, next to Kanye West.

“Tarot.” Kanye West greeted him with a wide grin, showing no trace of the embarrassment from the “Snakegate” incident. Last year, he had the idea of ​​collaborating with Tarot on a song, but the replies he received were always that he was too busy with his schedule. Perhaps it was just a perfunctory response, but Tarot's schedule over the past two years had indeed been very busy.

Kanye West wasn't embarrassed, and neither was Mr. Gong; he had even come across a lame joke about Kanye West online.

Who was the woman Kanye West loved most in his life?

【Taylor~】

"Hi~" Gong Cheng unbuttoned the waist button of his suit and sat down, crossing his legs and chatting leisurely with Kanye West. However, the seats in the award ceremonies in Europe and America are relatively close together, so there are many strong perfumes and other strong smells around him, which he can't stand.

“We can collaborate sometime.” Kanye West started by expressing his desire to collaborate with Gong Cheng, then chatted about his childhood experiences in China, and said with a beaming smile, “Ni Hao?”

"Good!" Gong Cheng exclaimed in admiration. "He spoke quite well, quite standardly, but he only knew a few phrases. He probably forgot the rest long ago."

...Then, after seeing Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and others take their seats, Gong Cheng greeted them with a smile and chatted for a few minutes. They had some interaction at Billboard and Grammy Awards ceremonies in the past, and occasionally chatted about music in private messages on Twitter and Instagram.

Taylor gave Gong Cheng an awkward smile, then glanced at Kanye West, who was standing there.

Gong Cheng was talking to Justin Bieber, and judging from the guy's condition, he seemed to be in much better shape than in 17/18. "..."

...After the stars took their seats, the opening performance of the awards ceremony slowly began.

Dozens of live-streaming cameras and lenses were pointed at the stage and the faces of the singers in the audience, while the fans in the back rows cheered enthusiastically.

When the director's camera cut to Gong Cheng sitting next to Kanye West on the LED screen, the cheers from the back row immediately rose several volumes, spreading like a tidal wave to every corner of the venue and also into the live broadcast room, in front of thousands of viewers.

……

This year's Grammy Awards ceremony garnered more attention from Asian music fans than from European fans.

In the SM Entertainment trainee dormitory in Seoul, Yoo Jimin, Ning Yizhuo, Nae Youngjiri, and Kim Minjung, the four members of TFBOYS, were jet-lagged and watching the live stream on their tablets. They stared intently at the faces on the big screen, their warm, smiling features waving at the director's camera.

"Oppa's birthday is coming up soon~ I wonder what Oppa likes?"

Liu Zhimin has been quite puzzled by this question lately. Looking back, she's been a devoted fan for two years now, her tongue is practically numb from all the licking. But her relationship with her oppa has also made a huge leap forward, from being a die-hard fan to becoming—friends!
I feel like if I debut in the future, the company can use this as an excuse to hype it up as a "model case of successful fangirling." If I could live in my idol's mansion, sit in his supercar, and sleep in his arms, that would be even more successful!
"Oppa likes women..." Ning Yizhuo casually replied. There are rumors about this guy all over the internet. Whether they are true or false, since there are so many rumors, they must have some truth to them.

Upon hearing this, Kim Minjung raised an eyebrow and said unhappily, "Ningning, can you not be so shallow? Is Oppa the kind of person who only likes women? You're making Oppa sound like a pervert... really."

“But, if Oppa isn’t the kind of person who only likes women, he can’t be bisexual, right…” Ning Yizhu mumbled meekly, glancing at the simps in the dorm—all I can say is, Oppa is so easy to please!
Liu Zhimin interrupted, "What nonsense are you talking about? Oppa is definitely straight..." Then, she turned to Ning Yizhuo with a serious expression, "Vice President Ning, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you shouldn't always be reading gossip and rumors, believing everything you hear..."

"That bullshit 'Daily Gossip' article claiming that Oppa was dating eight girlfriends at the same time? That's outrageous! How could anyone believe that?"

Wearing square-rimmed black glasses, Uchinaga Eritoshi chuckled and said, "What if it's true? You still..."

She wanted to say—are you still going to lick it?
But they are all friends, so the art of language comes in: "Do you still love them?"

"I'm a purse-bearer~" Liu Zhimin patted her bulging breasts with her mangosteen-shaped hand, her eyes slightly unfocused, as if she was seriously considering her closet friend's question, "If Oppa really is dating eight women at the same time, I..."

At this point, Long, the executive director, looked somewhat embarrassed at his friends with his small, egg-shaped face.

"What's wrong with you?"

Kim Minjung asked impatiently, "Aren't you going to lick it anymore?"

She hates unnie's simp the most, mainly because they're better at it than her...

"You're the one who's licking my boots! Minjung! Watch your mouth, I was a submissive to Oppa!" Yoo Jimin raised her fist sharply, warning him fiercely, then her eyes hardened, and suddenly a clear understanding dawned on her: "If I really dated eight people..."

"Then it won't make a difference if I'm one more!"

After saying that, she looked at her friends excitedly: "What do you think? This proves even more that I have a chance. Besides, with Oppa's status and looks, I would never believe you if you said you only dated one."

"Oppa doesn't like you." Kim Minjung pouted and teased.

"Ah—Kim Minjung!"

Liu Zhimin, whose dream had been shattered, suddenly flew into a rage, baring her teeth as she looked at the little washboard in front of her. Why was she so jealous of me?
……

The Grammy Awards ceremony is interspersed with stage performances by guest artists as the awards are divided up.

And every year, the stage also leaves behind some performances that fans regard as god-level performances...

"...Best Pop Artist of the Year..."

The award presenter, Messerene, dressed in a black dress, smiled as she looked at the list in her hand, microphone in hand.

For a moment, many Akana fans in the live stream held their breath.

Gong Cheng received six nominations at this year's Grammys: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Album, and Best Rap Song. This is the first award to be announced.

Even Gong Cheng, sitting in the audience, hoped that the Best Pop Singer award being presented on stage would set a good tone for the evening.

On the LED screen of the big screen, the nominated singers and their songs flashed, and then the faces of Camila Cabello, Booz Maron, Ariana Grande, and Beck flashed on the secondary screen. Gong Chengying's handsome and plain features were also on the screen.

The award presenter, Messerlin, didn't keep anyone in suspense. She lifted her long, golden curls and laughed loudly, "Tarot!"

The simple name resonated powerfully throughout the awards ceremony.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

The fans at the scene immediately screamed.

"Congratulations~" Kanye West turned his head and smiled at Gong Cheng.

"Sankes~" Gong Cheng stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and nodded with a smile to Kanye Westiner. Perhaps it was because he was in high spirits, but even Kanye looked quite handsome now.
Although the awards are no longer so important, holding them in your hands still brings a fleeting, real joy.

However, this kind of joy was too fleeting for him...

……

The LED screen above the auditorium switched in sync with the live streams from millions of viewers around the world. The camera slowly zoomed in from a wide shot, gradually enlarging his figure. As Gong Cheng stepped onto the stage steps, the floor lights on either side of the steps lit up one after another. When he stood in the center of the stage, the bright main lights suddenly focused, shining unreservedly on his cheeks. The dappled light and shadow cast light shadows on his handsome brow bone, making his features appear even more profound...

Gong Cheng accepted the microphone from the award presenter. Warm white light streamed down from above, highlighting the sheen of his black velvet suit and accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist: "Hello everyone, I'm Tarot~"

Her bright, smiling eyes twinkled gently under the spotlight, while the presenter beside her, Messerene, jokingly remarked, "Everyone in the world knows you are—Tarot~"

"Am I that famous?"

Gong Cheng glanced sideways, chuckled, and joked with Messerene under the gaze of countless people. His casual attitude and relaxed smile made his acceptance speech neither too sentimental nor too serious.

……

In the live stream, countless fans excitedly sent comments. Watching Gong Cheng's triumphant figure on the screen, many fans couldn't help but sigh: "He strolled around with ease, the award presenters smiled throughout, he was given a microphone, he didn't need to stand up, he's in the world's spotlight, it's so good to be famous, bro, keep being famous forever!"

"Six nominations, Best Pop Vocal Performance, already won, five more to go~ Let's go go go!"

"Oppa, get another one, I'll test you..."

……

In IZ*ONE's dorm, Jang Wonyoung and the other members were also watching the live stream. When the winners were announced, she was genuinely nervous and on edge, just like one of the oppas in the live stream.

He was afraid that he would miss out on the award.

...But now, with her wish finally fulfilled and Gong Cheng winning his first trophy tonight, she felt a pang of unease. It seemed that the heavier the trophy in Oppa's hand, the farther apart she and Gong Cheng grew...

Thinking of this, Zhang Yuanying pouted her pink lips, blew on her bangs with a "whoosh," and felt a little deflated.

Can I really become an artist like Oppa?
Even breaking into the bulletin board is currently a distant dream for them...

"Oppa, congratulations~ (fireworks)" In the live broadcast, after Gong Cheng finished his acceptance speech, he walked off the stage and sat back in the guest seat. Zhang Yuanying picked up her phone, thought for a moment and sent her blessings. Then, she asked in one go, "Oppa's birthday is coming up soon. Can we meet then?"

"I prepared a gift for Oppa (nervous)."

After sending the message, Zhang Yuanying put down her phone, her innocent face showing a hint of unease. It was just a birthday gift; her oppa probably wouldn't refuse it, right?

It wasn't very expensive, just a carefully selected baseball cap. Although she's still young, she can slowly get closer to this guy and build a relationship...

……

At the awards ceremony, the awards were announced one by one.

Following his win for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Gong Cheng also won Song of the Year, taking home the first major award of the night.

Song of the Year – something that didn't happen last year!
After stepping off the stage, Justin Bieber's performance continued. Gong Cheng sat in his seat, picked up a glass of champagne, took a sip, and then took out his phone and glanced down at it.

Trainee Jang Won-young: "...I prepared a gift for Oppa (nervous)."

"Is it your birthday?" Gong Cheng thought for a moment, but he didn't actually plan to celebrate his birthday this year. In previous years, it was nice to have a lively celebration with TWICE. Being single, there wasn't much to celebrate. But when he saw Zhang Yuanying, who had already prepared a gift, he expressed his gratitude: "Kamsangmidah, thank you for your kindness."

"If you have time, please have a meal with the members. It depends on your schedule..." He thought for a moment and replied. Rather than meeting with Jang Wonyoung of IZ*ONE, it would be better to invite the whole group to have a meal together.

Immediately afterwards, Gong Cheng saw a message from Hwang Yeji: "Oppa, amazing! You've won two more Grammys! When you get back to Seoul, the members and I will treat you to dinner to thank you~ Will you come? (Looking forward to it)"

"...Forget it, Reiji, I'm not in the mood lately. I'll treat you guys to dinner sometime." Gong Cheng sighed lightly, with two gleaming Grammy trophies still on his lap. How come he had just finished sharing with his girlfriends and calmed down when a bunch of fifth-generation girls swarmed around him like "hyenas"?

[Ace Trainee Hwang Yeji]: "Does Oppa hate us?"

"Ani...why do you say that?" Gong Cheng denied in surprise. Does not eating with you mean I hate you?
[Ace Trainee Hwang Yeji]: "Because Jeongyeon unnie said that you're someone who acts based on your mood. When you're in a good mood... or when you dislike someone, you won't get close to them..."

"..." Gong Cheng looked at Huang Lizhi's absurd reasoning and smiled speechlessly. "Arasso, wait until I go back to Seoul. Really... I should avoid dealing with Yoo Jeongyeon."

[Ace Trainee Hwang Yeji]: "Jeongyeon unnie also told us to have less contact with you, oppa~ (smiles)"

Gong Cheng, who was chatting with Huang Lizhi, was completely unaware that the director had slyly cut the camera to his face, which was showing a slight smile as he looked down. The white light from his phone screen illuminated his handsome nose, and the smile on his lips made him look quite happy...

……

In TWICE's practice room, with their comeback approaching and the "playboy teasing TWICE" incident, the members were in low spirits and spent a lot of time in the practice room. On the other hand, Nayeon, Sana, and the others hoped to numb their wounded hearts with the fatigue of their careers.

However, Chou Tzu-yu, oblivious to everyone else, turned on the Grammy Awards live stream during her break and saw Yoo Jeong-yeon looking anxious.

She was afraid that the members would be reminded of the past, so even though the online searches about Gong Cheng at the Grammys were very intense, she ignored them and sternly warned the members not to watch it. Unexpectedly, before she knew it, the maknae (youngest member) turned on the live stream with a pursed face.

Hirai Momo was sitting next to Chou Tzu-yu. In the live broadcast, she happened to see her beloved teacher sitting in the front row, looking down at her phone screen with a smile on her face. It seemed that there was not a trace of sadness in her eyes.

I fuck you...

She immediately grinned, her eyes widening, then stood up, clicking her tongue. Now, with her brute force taking precedence over her intellect, Hirai Momo looked up at the members in front of her: "Who among you is messaging him…?"

That's what he said, but his eyes kept scanning the faces of Lim Nayeon, Mina, Minatozaki Sana, and Son Chaeyoung.

The group was also quite bewildered. They glanced at Gong Cheng's "sweet" smile in the live stream, and their lips trembled slightly.

“I didn’t send it…” Sana Minato slowly shook her head, took out her phone and opened the chat box with Makoto Miyamoto, but there were no messages exchanged.

She was also curious to see which member was secretly flirting with Xiaobaicai, so she took the lead in making this move.

Lim Nayeon glanced at it, then opened Kakao and showed it to everyone: "I didn't post either..."

Son Chaeyoung shrugged and casually showed everyone the time the chat history had stopped, "I chatted with oppa for a bit this morning, but not right now."

Then, everyone's gazes, including Chou Tzu-yu's, turned to Mina.

"What are you looking at?"

Mina suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu about her current situation. She quickly straightened her delicate face and said in a low voice, then picked up her phone and said to the others, "Hey, I didn't send it either. Can you guys please stop thinking of me every time something like this happens?"

She defended herself, looking aggrieved, saying, "All I did was steal a few of your boyfriends, right?"
As for...

"Hmph~ It's hard not to think of you after what you've done." Sana Minato snorted, "Shameless woman, you stole!"

Upon hearing this, Mina immediately objected and retorted anxiously, "You're the one who stole!"

"I'm robbing openly and honestly, okay?"

To be honest, robbing sounds better than stealing; it's a sign of strength, after all.
Tzuyu subtly pursed her lips and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Okay, okay, unnies, stop arguing..." Then, she changed the subject, "But unnie, your behavior before was really awful..."

Seeing Mina's face turn red instantly, JYP's Director Kim quickly lowered his head and sighed.

Tsk tsk, sigh... TWICE and Dada, how can they live without me?

Then, she gave her "sisters-in-law" a helpless look, "So?"

"Since the girl chatting with oppa isn't one of the unnies, are the unnies going to stay here and give each other the cold shoulder every day?" Then, Tofu, with her sharp eyes, spotted Taylor standing next to Gong Cheng in the live stream. Taylor had classic American blonde waves and bright red lips, paired with a red dress that was low-cut, revealing a cleavage that shone brightly under the stage lights.

That guy was 1.8 meters tall, with a big butt~
Look at you guys, do you think you can compare? Still acting tough in your own little world.

"Look, isn't that Taylor Swift? The world's hottest superstar~ She's so close to oppa, it feels like she's about to hug him." Kim Dahyun said casually but meaningfully. You bunch of bastards, not only are you heartbroken, but now you're going to ruin TWICE's career, which we all share?

Immediately afterwards, Director Jin sat down on the floor with an air of composure, assuming the authority of a director, and arrogantly raised his little hand, pointing to his head: "Use your wisdom, everyone!"

"If oppa really gets together with Taylor Swift, will the unnies be happy? Even if we tied the whole of TWICE together, no—the whole of K-pop together—we still wouldn't be as famous and influential as Taylor Swift..."

Tofu said earnestly, "Associating with someone like Da Da Shuai is something that, in terms of status alone, none of my sisters-in-law can compare to him. Even I, the [Azure Dragon Film Queen], feel a lot of pressure!"
So, if the "sisters-in-law" really become an international superstar like Taylor Swift, can they really fight back?
Ultimately, all of this comes down to you guys getting too cocky!
The General is too lenient and tolerant towards you all...

However, this is also one of the reasons why Da Da Shuai is so charming, Doufu analyzed.

……

"The winner of Best Rap Song is—Tarot!"

The words of the award presenter echoed throughout the venue.

... Gong Cheng sat next to Kanye West, a hint of happiness in his eyes. Compared to the previous two awards, the fact that "God's Plan" won Best Rap Song was what made him happiest.

After all, this award is related to the bet with Mina and Momo.

Therefore, Haki Makoto won this trophy for Mina from among the five nominees for Best Rap Song—a birthday present.

Sometimes, you need to give new meaning to things you dislike in order to find long-lost happiness...

Under the spotlight, Gong Cheng's warm smile turned sharp and spirited. Amid cheers from the audience and applause from numerous singers, he looked down at the gold trophy in his hand, shaped like a 30-centimeter-tall gilded phonograph, which was being broadcast live on dozens of cameras. "I'm getting a little tired of acceptance speeches," he said, "they're all the same..."

"How about I share an interesting bet with you all? The stake is this Best Rap Song award in my hand."

He chuckled softly and spoke confidently, casually unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. The spotlight shone on his tousled black hair, making it gleam with a subtle, breathtaking sheen.

……

Meanwhile, in TWICE's practice room, Momo Hirai and Mina Mina caught their breath upon hearing Makoto Miyamoto's words...

(End of this chapter)