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

Inside a luxury apartment in Seoul.

Bae Suzy lay face down on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. The call had already ended, but she was still clutching her phone tightly in her hand.

After a while, she poked her head out and took several deep breaths of fresh air.

"Knock knock knock!"

There was a gentle knock on the door, followed by a call from outside, "Suzy, can Mom come in?"

"Mom, wait a minute." Soo-ji was startled and hurriedly got out of bed to open the door, but before she could even put on her slippers, Bae's mother had already pushed the door open and walked in.

Bae's mother looked at her daughter, her gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds before her expression suddenly changed: "Xiuzhi, why are your eyes so red? Who bullied you?" Bae's mother quickly went to her daughter's side and tenderly squeezed her hand.

"Mom, I didn't!" Suzy quickly rubbed her eyes and denied it.

But Pei's mother became even more worried. She gently wiped the tear stains from her daughter's cheeks. "You silly girl, your face is still wet with tears. Are you trying to lie to your mother? Has something happened?"

"I really wasn't lying to you." Suzy sniffed and made an excuse, "I just saw a story, and the plot was quite touching, so I couldn't help but..."

"A story?" Pei's mother looked at her with suspicion. "What story could make you cry like this?"

"Mom, please sit down." Soo-ji pulled Bae's mother to sit down by the bed, pursed her lips and said, "Well... there was a couple who were very much in love. But due to various external factors, the woman had to take the initiative to break up."

"There are two possible scenarios for the story. One is that their misunderstandings deepen, leading to them being separated forever and missing each other for life. The other is that they go through various hardships, the woman takes the initiative to win her back, and the lovers finally get together."

Looking into her mother's eyes, Soo-ji softly asked, "Mom, which ending do you think is better?"

"Then it must be the second one!" Pei's mother answered without hesitation. "Since they still love each other, they should definitely be together. Young people these days just like to make trouble. I dislike those melodramatic, torturous stories the most."

"So, Mom, you also support the woman taking the initiative to win her back?" Soo-ji happily hugged her hand and shook it.

"What's with all this talk about support or not? What are you spouting, you brat?" Mother Pei affectionately tapped her forehead. "Alright, enough of this nonsense. I haven't even asked you yet, why did you suddenly come home today? Did you have a falling out with the group?"

"Mom, what are you thinking? The unnies are all so nice to me." Suzy leaned on her mother's shoulder and said sweetly, "I just missed the food at home, that's why I came back. I have to go back to the company for rehearsal early tomorrow morning."

"It's good that you're alright. You naughty girl, you've really worried your mother to death." Mrs. Pei smiled and stood up. "Then I'll go cook. What would you like to eat?"

"Soybean paste stew, and braised pork ribs!" Soo-ji exclaimed happily.

"Okay, okay." Mrs. Pei smiled and walked towards the door, but halfway there she suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, Xiangwen just messaged me, asking you to help him get an autographed poster of that girl named IU. Remember to keep an eye out for her."

"What? This brat is a fan of IU unnie?" Suzy felt like the sky had fallen. Her own younger brother was actually a fan of her number one love rival? Her own family member had been poached by someone else?

Seeing her daughter's disapproving expression, Pei's mother smiled and shook her head: "I don't understand you young people's idol worship. You can go ask him yourself. Alright, go wash your face. What kind of behavior is it to stay in bed all the time?"

"Arasso..."

Soo-ji reluctantly got up, but before going to the bathroom, she picked up her phone and sent a text message before slowly walking out of the room.

……

Seoul National University, study room.

After finishing his phone call with Xiuzhi, Li Luran returned to his seat, but while his eyes were on the book, his mind was a jumbled mess.

He had only been sitting down for a short while.

"Ah Dou~"

"Ah Dou~"

Two Kakao messages popped up almost simultaneously.

Lee Ji-eun: [Lu Ran, are you free on Christmas Day?]

Bae Suzy: [Lee Luran, what happened before was indeed my fault. To express my apology, I'll treat you to dinner on Christmas Day.]

Li Luran stared at the two messages on his phone screen, his right eye twitching uncontrollably.

Lee Ji-eun's message seemed casual, but he understood her subtext perfectly. If she dared to answer that she was too busy or make other arrangements, she would definitely be in for a world of trouble.

Bae Suzy, on the other hand, went straight to the point, inviting him to dinner.

Looking at Bae Soo-ji's name, a complex emotion flashed in Lee Lu-ran's eyes. Should he refuse? Thinking of Soo-ji's sobbing voice on the phone earlier, he felt a pang of sympathy.

Just as he was struggling with this, someone suddenly patted him hard on the shoulder.

"What's wrong with you, kid?" Park Jihoon leaned closer. "You look so distracted. Have you finally gotten hooked on my matchmaking plan and are you ready to go all out with me? Hahaha!"

Li Luran looked at the irritating face in front of him and sighed helplessly. Fine, might as well try anything, and listen to this guy's train of thought.

"Ji-hoon, I have a question for you." Lee Lu-ran cleared his throat, casually glancing out the window. "I have a friend whose first love suddenly asked him out for Christmas dinner. What do you think... he should do to refuse?"

"Refuse? Why would you refuse?!" Park Ji-hoon's eyes widened, his face full of confusion.

"They've already broken up. Wouldn't it be awkward to go out alone with someone after a breakup?" Li Luran tried to reason with him.

Park Ji-hoon shook his index finger: "Of course I'll accept! Putting everything else aside, let's eat the feast first, hehe."

Think about it, if a woman takes the initiative to invite your friend to dinner, she will definitely choose a pretty good restaurant, right?

It's Christmas again, such a romantic time! It's a million times better than eating ramen alone at home!

If you ask me, say yes!

Li Luran's lips twitched, and he turned his head away speechlessly. This guy is really unreliable; all he thinks about is food!

At that moment, Park Ji-hoon suddenly remembered something and excitedly pointed at Lee Lu-ran: "Wait! Lee Lu-ran, that friend isn't you, is it? You promised to go on a blind date with me for Christmas! You can't prioritize your girlfriend over your friend! And... what first love...?"

Park Ji-hoon gasped, covering his mouth with both hands: "It can't be IU, can it?"

"Aaaaaah! Li Luran, you're going to die!"

"However..." Park Jihoon's expression suddenly changed, and he patted Lee Luran's shoulder with a tragic look, "Even if it's IU, you have to cruelly reject her! You already promised me, and a man's promise is heavier than Mount Tai!"

"If you dare stand me up for a woman, I'll fight you to the death!"

"It's not IU." Li Luran rolled her eyes, slapped his hand away, and ignored this drama queen.

However, Ji-hoon's words did give him a wake-up call.

Going to a social gathering for Christmas! Isn't that the perfect excuse?

Li Luran took a deep breath and replied to Xiuzhi's message first.

Li Luran: [Thank you for the invitation, but I already have plans for Christmas Day, so I probably won't be able to have dinner together.]

Less than half a minute later, Bae Suzy replied to her message.

Bae Suzy: [Do you have plans? Is it work that requires you to work overtime? If it's work, I can wait for you a little later.]

Li Luran: [My classmate signed me up for a departmental social event several months ago, and I had promised to help him get a number, but I really couldn't refuse.]

Then, after thinking for a moment, he began to reply to Lee Ji-eun. Obviously, he couldn't treat this little princess in such a harsh way.

Li Luran: [You asked if I'm free for Christmas... What, is the big star going to send me a Christmas present, or are you planning to treat me to a big meal?]

Lee Ji-eun was clearly glued to her phone the whole time, replying almost instantly.

Lee Ji-eun: [Hmph, dream on! I just saw how hard someone works all year and was worried you'd be eating instant noodles alone at home on Christmas, so I decided to take pity on you and treat you to a meal. How about that, are you grateful?]

Li Luran: [Oh dear, that's such a pity. I guess I won't be able to have this instant noodle meal, nor will I be able to have a big meal.]

Lee Ji-eun: [What do you mean? You already have plans?]

Li Luran: [Yeah, I got tricked by Park Ji-hoon. He insisted on dragging me to a social event at Seoul National University, saying he needed someone to make it look good. I couldn't resist his nagging, so I had to agree.]

After the message was sent, neither Lee Ji-eun nor Bae Suzy replied. Lee Lu-ran thought he could probably get away with it by pretending that way. Although the excuse was a bit lame, it was still a legitimate reason.