Peninsula: I created the golden age of girl groups

Traffic in Seoul is much worse than I imagined.

They walked and stopped frequently until late at night before finally arriving at Anyang.

This satellite city located southwest of Seoul has always been peaceful and tranquil.

It lacks some of the edginess of a metropolis, but has more of the warmth and everyday life of a city.

Kim Jong-kook, who was later known as "Anyang Bear," was born here.

The car wound its way through the streets before finally stopping in front of a five-story apartment building with a mottled exterior.

The night was deep, with only a few windows still lit by scattered lights.

"We've arrived," Jiang Yuhe said softly.

"Mmm," So-yeon responded softly, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Pushing open the car door, the night wind, carrying a chill, rushed in. Su Yan shrank her neck and tightened her scarf.

Jiang Yuhe carried a suitcase in each hand, while Suyan carried her own bulging backpack. The two didn't say much and went upstairs one after the other.

Arriving at an old iron door on the third floor, Su-yeon stopped and gently knocked on the door.

With the sound of dragging footsteps, the door was pulled open a crack, and a middle-aged man poked his head out, his face full of fatigue.

He was So-yeon's father.

Compared to how Jiang Yuhe remembered him, he seemed to have aged a bit, with sunken eyes and messy stubble.

But when he saw his daughter outside the door, his tired eyes lit up instantly.

"Soyeon... is back."

His voice was a little hoarse, and as he looked at the noticeably thinner Su-yeon, a hint of heartache flashed in his eyes. "Come in quickly! It's cold outside! Ugh..."

He then noticed Kang Woo-hyuk behind So-yeon and quickly greeted him, "Aigoo, our Woo-hyuk is here too? Come on in! It's so late, and you still went out of your way to bring her back. Thank you so much."

"Hello, Uncle, it's no trouble at all, it's my pleasure."

Jiang Yuhe bowed slightly, then carried his luggage and followed Su Yan into the house.

The house is small, with a typical old-style two-bedroom, one-living room layout common in Korea, and the furnishings are very simple, but it is kept very clean.

So-yeon put down her backpack and immediately turned to look at her father. "By the way, Dad, where's Mom? And... how's Grandma doing today?"

"Your mom went to the hospital to stay with your grandma, she probably won't be back tonight."

"Then I'll go over there now and see Grandma," Su-yeon said urgently.

"Don't rush."

Mr. Park sighed, then gently patted So-yeon's shoulder and said softly, "You've had a long day, so get some rest and wash up. Grandma's situation is relatively stable, so you can go see her tomorrow morning. Besides, even if you go now, they'll probably be resting by then."

Su-yeon's lips twitched slightly, as if she wanted to say something.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuhe quickly advised, "Listen to your uncle, Suyan. Get some rest for the night. Only when you're well-rested will you have the energy to take care of Grandma tomorrow."

So-yeon glanced at the two of them before nodding slightly.

Seeing that she was no longer insisting, Park's father breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to Kang Woo-hyuk.

"Yuhe, it's so late, and you still came all this way. It's really... too much trouble for you. Look, it's so late, how about... you just make do here for the night? That's all..."

He glanced around the cramped living room, his tone hurried, "The house is really too small, I'm afraid you won't get enough rest..."

"No need, Uncle, there's no need to go to such trouble."

Kang Woo-hyuk immediately smiled and waved his hand, "It'll be quick to get back to Seoul, there definitely won't be any traffic at this time, and besides..."

He also noticed the unease in Park's father's eyes, coupled with what Lee Sung-soo had mentioned on the phone earlier...

He quickly explained, "I might have things to do tomorrow, so I have to get back as soon as possible. Once I'm done there, I'll definitely find time to come see you, Auntie, and Grandma again."

"Oh well!"

Hearing this, Park's father stopped insisting. "Be careful on the road, drive slowly! This time, we really owe you a lot, Woo-hyuk!"

After saying that, he gestured to So-yeon, "So-yeon, go see Woo-hyuk off."

"Um."

Su-yeon responded softly and followed Jiang Yu-he downstairs.

As I approached the car downstairs, the night grew deeper.

Soyeon tightened her coat, watching Kang Woo-hyuk open the car door, and couldn't help but remind him again, "Oppa, be careful driving at night... Don't drive too fast, and if you get tired, stop at a rest stop."

Jiang Yuhe turned his head and looked at Su Yan, whose eyes were red. He knew that she was still worried about her grandmother's condition, and his heart softened.

He subconsciously raised his hand, intending to ruffle her hair as he used to, but his hand froze halfway up, and in the end he only gently patted her shoulder.

"I know, you nag. But you..."

His voice grew softer as he patiently advised, "Even though there's a lot to do, you still need to take care of yourself. You know, caring for a patient is incredibly demanding, and you can't afford to break down first, understand?"

So-yeon met his gaze and nodded, "Yes, I will."

"Alright, let's go upstairs, it's cold outside."

"Okay, you should get in the car too!"

Jiang Yuhe nodded, got into the driver's seat, thought for a moment, then opened the car door and added, "Don't think too much about it. I'll come see you when I have time."

"Okay." Soyeon nodded, then turned and left.

However, she hadn't gone far when she suddenly turned around, jogged back to the car, took off her scarf, and carefully wrapped it around Jiang Yuhe's neck.

"It's cold, please keep warm."

Feeling the lingering warmth on the scarf, Jiang Yuhe's heart softened even more.

"Well... I'm leaving!"

Park So-yeon turned around abruptly, like a startled rabbit, and entered the small building without looking back.

She went straight upstairs, but instead of going home immediately, she hid in the corridor outside and looked down.

She didn't return to her room until the car had completely disappeared into the night.

An overwhelming wave of exhaustion washed over her; she was truly tired and needed a good rest...

……

Jiang Yuhe drove the car, but stopped again after driving a short distance.

Roll down the car window, and in the rearview mirror, you can vaguely see the scattered lights on in that old building.

That was So-yeon's home.

A moment later, the lights went out.

He took a deep breath before getting back into the car.

I felt inexplicably depressed.

Because he knew... what So-yeon was about to face.

But he couldn't say it, nor could he take on any more of her burden.

All he could do was appear when she needed him, and then, on the inevitable difficult road ahead, accompany her as much as possible...

……

After parking the car safely back at the company, Jiang Yuhe returned to his rooftop apartment looking exhausted.

He first sent a message to Soyeon to let her know he had arrived home, and then boiled water to make a bowl of instant noodles.

He has barely eaten or drunk anything since yesterday evening, and his stomach is starting to protest.

The scalding hot and spicy broth slid down my esophagus, which barely dispelled some of the chill and emptiness.

I finished eating quickly, and then a wave of fatigue began to wash over me.

He didn't even have time to wash up before collapsing onto the bed and falling into a deep sleep.

When I woke up again, it was still barely dawn.

The first thing I saw when I picked up my phone was So-yeon's reply.

[I just saw this. If Oppa is alright, please get some rest. I'm going to the hospital.]

Jiang Yuhe smiled and swiped the screen.

The next message was a text from Lee Sung-soo.

The message was sent at 3:00 AM.

He quickly opened the text message.

I saw the car; I know you're back. Come to the company as soon as you wake up.