Peninsula: The Deepest Affection in Jiangnan

"The timing is perfect."

After all, no one would come to the Busan Asian Games main stadium close to midnight.

Even venue staff preparing for tomorrow's concert won't be there at this time.

"Can we go in?"

"Of course you can't get in." Shen Yu looked at the fence that was firmly locked by chains.

"So what are we here to look at?"

"I'll give you a performance." Shen Yu turned on the car lights, illuminating the parking lot.

"Huh?"

"Wait a moment. If you want to see the show, come here to have your ticket checked first."

"Okay, okay."

As they acted out a short skit together, Park So-hyun came to Shen Yu's side and asked, "How do you check tickets?"

"so."

"Click."

"Sizzle~"

The Polaroid photo popped up, and Shen Yu took it down and handed it to Park So-hyun, who had been photographed.

"Ticket check complete. Please take your ticket."

"Okay, okay, then where should I sit?"

"You have an inner field ticket, which doesn't include a seat, but you can stand as close to the stage as possible."

"When does the concert start?"

"Of course, we're just warming up and getting ready. Wait a moment, we'll play some backstage songs before the concert starts. Here, your phone, you can put it on yourself."

"ha?"

Park So-hyun, feeling both amused and exasperated, played her own backstage song while Shen Yu returned to the driver's seat.

He took out his makeup bag, pulled down the makeup mirror in the car, and simply applied eyeliner.

This is all thanks to Choi Yi-hyun's excellent teaching.

Finally, after simply tousling his hair with hair wax, Shen Yu looked in the mirror and couldn't say it looked exactly the same.

You know.

"Are you done?"

"Alright, alright, remember, this is the stage." Pointing to the marked parking lot, Shen Yu pulled up the hood of his hoodie and gently fiddled with his lip ring, which felt a little strange on him.

But we'll just treat it as a prop for the performance.

With her back to Park So-hyun, facing the lamplight.

"Please play 'Fire' for me."

"Okay, okay."

Park So-hyun found it amusing that Shim Wook was performing for her, even though it was just a joke.

Even though he's not a professional.

"It's on fire here."

"Fire!"

As the song began, Park So-hyun froze for a moment as she watched Shim Wook smoothly turn around and remove his hood.

Shen Yu used Jeon Jungkook's face and practiced movements to show her that he was a professional.

"!!" Park So-hyun was surprised but didn't shout out. She covered her mouth and thought for a moment.

Then, in cooperation, he waved the phone to turn on the flashlight.

With her other hand, she used her Pocket3 to record Shen Yu's entire performance.

Until the song ends.

"Okay, even though it's a solo concert, we still need to get enthusiastic. So, what songs would you like to request?"

"..."

"Hahaha, it's you! I know who you are." Park So-hyun wanted to look at Shen Yu with a serious expression, but in the end she couldn't help herself.

"Um?"

"Is Shen Xinguo right?" She winked mischievously.

"This name is a little strange."

"That's right, it's Shen Yu."

Hearing Park Sohyun call his name, Shen Yu nodded. "So what do you want to hear?" Shen Yu was ready to continue singing BTS songs.

"Can I order whatever I want?"

"certainly."

"OK."

She picked up her phone and started playing the intro.

Distorted lo-fi background noise, followed by processed guitar tone.

Shen Yu paused for a second, realizing that not many people were familiar with this song.

But he just happens to be the one who knows this song best.

The bass, a beat slower, is also Bedroom Pop, the same song as the first one we played in the car, Girl in Red's "We Fell in Love in October".

"I want to listen to 'Svveet Pea'."

With a beaming smile, Park So-hyun swayed gently to the music, as if she had returned to the square where she used to dance ballroom dances.

A listless afternoon

"The fragrance of early spring is so enticing, it reminds me of the time we were in love."

Shen Yu used Park So-hyun's bubble machine as a microphone, holding it with both hands as he sang his song.

"Even though I knew this love had already withered away."

Why is my vision blurry right now?

"Stay, Be With Me"

Shen Yu turned on the microphone, and Park So-hyun sang this line.

The two shared a tacit understanding and were of one mind at that moment.

"Waiting to bask in the spring breeze"

"Stay, Be With Me"

"Waiting for a Sweet Pea"

……

"So how did you know this song?"

"I met Shen Yu first, then I met that man who looked a bit like Jungkook... no, he was more handsome than him, and finally, I met you."

Park So-hyun expressed her feelings in order.

"That's quite a coincidence."

"A coincidence?"

"You couldn't have deliberately ambushed me at Haeundae, could you?"

"Haha, I'm not a real BTS fan in person."

The two sat in the car, looking at the parking lot illuminated by the lights.

"Go back?" Shen Yu asked tentatively.

"Have you finished taking your Polaroid photos?"

"Of course not." He wouldn't mention that he had two packs of photographic paper.

"Have you ever been to the beach?" Park So-hyun asked him.

"no."

"Are you going?"

"Now?" Shen Yu picked up his phone and checked the time.

The performance ended, and the journey here has now taken until the second day.

"That's right, isn't the timing perfect?"

"Oh, you want to go beachcombing with me?"

"That's right, I'm asking you out, are you going?" Park So-hyun stared into Shen Yu's eyes at this moment.

"Then fasten your seatbelt."

"Oh, then I'll tie it?" Park So-hyun's hand remained still.

Shen Yu then realized what was happening.

He leaned over, revealing his fair skin and a well-made seatbelt.

"Click." The buckle is fastened.

Shen Yu didn't mention what had surprised him earlier.

For example, after she took off her coat, the lines of her tight-fitting T-shirt were too jarring.

"But driver, your seatbelt isn't fastened properly."

"Oh, my seatbelt."

Shen Yu fastened his seatbelt and came to his senses.

*

Beachcombing naturally leads back to Haeundae.

"Young man, are you here to go beachcombing?"

"Yes, what are these?"

"Beachcombing gear, buckets, small shovels, and headlamps—renting a set is very cheap."

"Then we'll rent two apartments."

"Okay, this nice one is for your girlfriend, and this one is for you."

"Okay, okay."

Park So-hyun didn't say anything, and together with Shen Yu, they walked towards the dark beach carrying the small bucket.

"It's rare to find people selling things at this hour."

"I heard they stayed up all night; it seems some people go beachcombing at this time."

Shen Yu glanced at his pants. "I'm still wearing long pants."

Park So-hyun doesn't have this problem, as her cycling shorts aren't long.

"Take it off."

"Um... I'm shy."

"Oh? You're still shy?" Park So-hyun looked at Shen Yu after he removed his makeup.

The other person didn't seem shy at all in the parking lot.

"Am I not ashamed?" Shen Yu didn't even dare to show his face on stage.

"I wasn't wearing anything underneath." He blurted out a long string of words, then realized he'd said the wrong thing and quickly added, "I was wearing something, but nothing... sigh."

The sigh came from Park So-hyun, who was standing next to her, who was already covering her mouth and laughing.

"you!"