Peninsula: Starting with the nation's first love, the white moonlight

Chapter 119 The Little Thoughts of Two Women

MBC television station, backstage at Music Center.

As regular MCs on the show, the TTS sub-unit has its own dedicated waiting room.

As a senior figure in the industry and a member of a popular girl group, after giving them albums, the newcomers would practically stay in their dressing room and never leave.

After finally seeing off the third group of newcomers who came to offer their greetings, Kim Tae-yeon slumped onto the sofa and rubbed her stiff cheeks.

Suddenly remembering something, she quickly took out her phone from her pocket and glanced at it. The screen was clean; there was still no reply from him.

Their chat history was stuck an hour ago, when Li Luran sent a silly, incomprehensible emoji.

Kim Tae-yeon pondered for a long time but still couldn't figure out what this guy meant.

She hesitated for a long time before finally replying cautiously, "What's wrong?"

Then she began a long wait. One minute, ten minutes, an hour passed, and the message remained unread.

Kim Tae-yeon bit her index finger, her big eyes blinking as she stared at the screen.

She poked Li Luran's profile picture in a huff, "What on earth is this guy doing?"

"It's been so long, don't you even have time to glance at your phone?" she muttered softly, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Taegu, what are you staring at your phone like an idiot for?"

Tiffany had somehow crept over, and Kim Tae-yeon's attention was completely focused on the chat interface.

Her voice suddenly rang in her ears, startling Taeyeon so much that she nearly dropped her phone.

Kim Tae-yeon suddenly looked up and saw Tiffany smiling foolishly beside her with her eyes narrowed. Kim Tae-yeon instantly lost her temper.

"Pani, you scared me to death!"

She rolled her eyes at her best friend, annoyed, and quickly turned off her phone screen.

"I didn't mean to scare you. You were just too engrossed in your phone." Tiffany innocently touched her nose.

She sat down next to Kim Tae-yeon, turned sideways, and stared intently at Kim Tae-yeon's face.

"Taeyeon, is something on your mind?"

Kim Tae-yeon felt uncomfortable under her gaze and guiltily moved to the edge of the sofa to avoid her eyes.

"What could possibly be on my mind?"

"I'm just a little tired from dealing with those juniors all this time."

"If any new people come to greet us later, Tiffany, you can take Seohyun to deal with them."

As a homebody, Kim Tae-yeon is not good at interacting with unfamiliar strangers.

However, as a senior figure in the industry, she couldn't just send people away when they came to greet her respectfully.

Just then, the door to the lounge was knocked on again.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock came at the door, followed by a sweet female voice: "Hello, everyone, I'm IU. May I come in and say hello now?"

Upon hearing Lee Ji-eun's voice, Kim Tae-yeon and Tiffany stood up from the sofa almost simultaneously.

"Taeyeon, you sit down and rest. I'll go open the door."

Tiffany smiled and patted Kim Tae-yeon on the shoulder, preparing to walk over.

But Kim Tae-yeon was much faster; she bypassed Tiffany and strode quickly toward the door.

Tiffany stood there, stunned, watching Kim Tae-yeon's slightly hurried back, a bunch of question marks popping into her mind.

Didn't you just say you were tired and didn't want to deal with people? Why are you running so fast?

Kim Tae-yeon straightened her clothes, put on a smile again, and opened the door to the dressing room.

Lee Ji-eun, dressed in a beautiful stage outfit, stood at the door holding three albums, followed by a smiling woman.

"Ji-eun is here! Please come in." Kim Tae-yeon warmly greeted the two of them as they entered.

Just as Lee Ji-eun was walking inside, Kim Tae-yeon glanced out into the corridor.

There were only a few TV station staff members hurrying along the corridor, and they didn't see the person they were longing for.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Kim Tae-yeon's eyes as she silently closed the door.

"Taeyeon sunbaenim, Tiffany sunbaenim, and Seohyun sunbaenim."

"This is my new album for my comeback. Please accept it, my three seniors."

Lee Ji-eun bowed politely and handed the three albums she was holding to the three people respectively.

"Ji-eun, you're too kind. I remember you already gave it to us last time. There's really no need to go to such lengths."

Tiffany took the album and habitually squinted her charming crescent-shaped eyes.

Lee Ji-eun smiled and shook her head: "This time the seniors are the MCs, so the proper rules still need to be followed."

At this moment, Seohyun also spoke up, saying, "Jie Eun's song 'You and Me' is really beautiful."

"I've been listening to this song on repeat in my dorm room for the past two days."

"And I heard that you even participated in writing the lyrics and composing the music for this song?"

Faced with the praise from her senior, Lee Ji-eun smiled modestly.

"Senior Seohyun, you flatter me. I still have many shortcomings."

"This song is a bold attempt at songwriting for me."

"Moreover, I also had some friends who understand music who helped me with suggestions, so I'm lucky to have achieved what I have today."

Tiffany is a very outgoing person, and she quickly became familiar with Lee Ji-eun as they chatted.

"It seems that Ji-eun's friend must be a very talented composer."

"If you have the chance in the future, you must introduce us!"

Tiffany smiled, turned her head, and nudged Kim Tae-yeon next to her with her elbow.

"You agree, right, Taeyeon?"

Kim Tae-yeon was holding the album in her hand, lost in thought.

She was visibly taken aback when Tiffany suddenly called her name.

"Yes, yes."

She casually echoed, but in reality, she hadn't heard what Tiffany had actually said.

After delivering the album and finishing the small talk, Lee Ji-eun politely bowed and said goodbye.

"Then the three seniors should rest well, I won't disturb you any longer."

"I'm grateful, take care."

Seohyun and Tiffany smiled and waved goodbye to her.

Just as Lee Ji-eun was about to step out of the lounge.

"Wait a minute, Ji-eun." Kim Tae-yeon couldn't resist calling out to her.

Lee Ji-eun stopped and looked at Kim Tae-yeon with some confusion.

"Taeyeon sunbaenim, is there anything else?"

She bit her lower lip, seemingly considering her words.

"that----"

"That staff member who was with you backstage at the Dream Center last time, didn't he come with you today?"

Upon hearing this question, Lee Ji-eun blinked slightly, thinking to herself: Does Taeyeon sunbaenim know Lee Lu-ran? But if she does, why doesn't she just say his name and instead says he's a staff member? Is she testing me?

Lee Ji-eun was careful and didn't directly reveal his name either.

"I wonder which staff member Taeyeon is referring to?"

Seeing her expressionless face, Kim Tae-yeon had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "It was that time when we accidentally bumped into each other, he pulled me up so I didn't fall. I was in such a hurry that I didn't even have time to properly thank him."

"Actually, I was thinking that if I ran into him today, I would thank him in person. If he just happens to be out today, then I'll just let it go."

Lee Ji-eun's smile remained unchanged. "Taeyeon sunbaenim doesn't really need to go to so much trouble. When I get back and see him, I'll just tell him for you."

"If there's nothing else for you seniors, I'll head back to prepare." With that, Lee Ji-eun walked straight out of the waiting room without looking back.

The moment the door closed, Ji-eun's smile quickly turned cold.