novelnext Why didn't you mention Chapter 1359?
Why didn't you mention Chapter 1359?
Why didn't you mention Chapter 1359?
As if she had been given a mission, Chou Tzu-yu started talking non-stop beside her, and even rested her little head on Chi Kyung-won's shoulder, rubbing against him a couple of times before finding a comfortable position.
"What are you talking about... We've already taken concept photos for the title track of our next album. I'll send them to you later. Is it the style you like?"
How did you know what style I like?
“I just know… I also know you like to look at my feet.” Chou Tzu-yu casually tilted her thigh back, and her toes floated to the surface of the water.
"Chou Tzu-yu, aren't you being too narcissistic? You don't even have ankles, who would like that?"
"Hmph, that's one of my characteristics~ Being too perfect isn't good... Hey, at the end of last month when I was in Tokyo for an event, I happened to be free, so I went to the house you let me stay at. The security was really tight, I almost couldn't get in."
"...Didn't you and Sana have a collaboration stage for that song recently? Sana has been practicing by herself a lot lately, even after she's off work, it's making me a little scared... Also, M...Mina's reaction is a bit strange, she didn't react at all, this is the stage for that song."
"Anyway, I feel something's off... If it were me, I would definitely be very angry."
Although Tzuyu always appears very quiet and reserved on camera when she's with Twice, she only occasionally reveals her mischievous side.
However, in Chi Kyung-won's memory, ever since he met Chou Tzu-yu and became familiar with her, this dark-skinned girl has never been quiet and is very talkative.
However, in this quiet and serene environment, surrounded by steam, sitting comfortably in a hot spring with sake beside you and a sweet-smelling young woman whispering sweet nothings to make you happy, it is truly a very enjoyable experience.
Chi Jingyuan felt that his long-standing abnormal psychology had been cured.
"...Dingxin had dinner with some Chinese female trainees a few days ago. She said they all wanted to get to know me, and I promised to go after we finished this busy period."
"You still keep in touch with the trainees?"
“We used to keep in touch less, but recently we’ve been in more contact. After all, we speak the same language. Sana, Momo, and the other trainees and artists who speak Japanese often get together… I heard there’s another girl who’s from Taiwan like me, but I haven’t met her.”
"Then go ahead, it would be nice to take care of her a little." Looking at Zhou Ziyu's short face next to him, Chi Jingyuan couldn't help but sigh, "Tsk tsk, you're now considered a benchmark for Chinese trainees and debuted artists on the peninsula. It's only natural that I want to get to know you."
Although Chou Tzu-yu and Twice have not been in the industry for long and their status and popularity have not yet risen, their popularity is undeniable.
More importantly, after some events, Chou Tzu-yu is also rumored in the industry to be an idol with a background and powerful connections. With various rumors and dissemination, it is normal for people to aspire to get to know her.
Who would have thought that just a few years ago she was a country girl who was ostracized and felt lonely and lost at the company entrance?
"...Did you see it online? Recently, Nayeon has a crazy fan from Europe who has been posting a lot of weird and vulgar things online."
"Haven't checked in the last couple of days, what did you say?"
"Saying things like 'I must marry you,' 'I want to die with you,' and 'you are destined to be mine' are all terrifying things."
"Lim Na-yeon? Is she that charming?"
Chi Jingyuan was somewhat surprised to hear this, but after thinking about it, he nodded in agreement: "That's true."
It's normal for someone to have a fervent fanbase if they're cute, have a great figure, a lively personality, and are an idol.
"That person posted again the day before yesterday saying that they would be coming to the Peninsula to meet with relatives and Nayeon. Nayeon was terrified when she saw it and hasn't been in a good mood these past two days. She even asked her manager for help the day before yesterday."
Well……
Although Chou Tzu-yu made it sound very serious and the situation wasn't good, Ji Kyung-won immediately pictured Lim Na-yeon's cowardly and pretentious demeanor upon hearing it, and for some reason, he felt like laughing.
“Besides Nayeon unnie, there’s also Sana unnie…” Before Chou Tzu-yu could finish her sentence, she inadvertently caught the attention of Chi Kyung-won.
"Sana?"
He raised his eyelids slightly: "Does she have a lot of fans too?"
“I’m not a die-hard fan.” Chou Tzu-yu shook her head: “But recently there’s a senior who seems to be pursuing her very aggressively… well, it’s not that he’s pursuing her, but anyway, well, it’s just that it’s making her feel a bit down, a bit like Nayeon unnie.”
"Who?"
Chi Jingyuan asked curiously.
“I didn’t know at first. Sana didn’t tell me. I overheard it by accident last time…” Zhou Ziyu clearly had a talent for being a little spy. She leaned close to Ji Jingyuan and mysteriously revealed, “It’s a senior in the industry, Park Yoochun. Do you know him?”
"He~"
Chi Jingyuan blinked when he heard the name: "Of course I know it, but... it turns out it's true."
A few days ago, he vaguely remembered hearing Park Chanyeol or someone mention that Minatozaki Sana was being pursued by a senior in the industry, I think it was Park Yoochun or something, but he just heard it casually and didn't take it seriously.
I never expected that such a thing actually happened.
However, according to what Ji Jingyuan knew, this guy seems to be a complete scoundrel. Not to mention his dirty deeds, even Park Chanyeol mentioned with envy that he was dating more than a dozen people at the same time.
Not to mention Park Chanyeol, even Ji Kyungwon...
"I remember this guy was married... oh no, engaged?"
Chi Jingyuan smacked his lips, his tone sounding somewhat strange.
"That's right, that's why it's a burden for people."
Tzuyu sighed softly: "I later heard from Jeongyeon that Sana and he had known each other for a long time. It seems that they were introduced by a friend. It was Im Seulong oppa from the company who introduced them."
"Sana really enjoys making friends. It seemed like we were just getting to know each other, and everything was fine at first, but I don't know how it turned out like this."
"This name sounds familiar..."
Upon hearing the name Im Seolyong, Ji Kyungwon suddenly frowned and began to ponder. Zhou Tzuyu's expression also became somewhat strange, but she did not remind him. Instead, she pursed her lips and looked at him.
"Oh right, he was the one who introduced you to that thing before, right?"
After trying to recall for a while, Chi Jingyuan finally remembered and suddenly realized.
Seeing that Chou Tzu-yu's expression was somewhat unfriendly, he couldn't help but scold, "Hasn't this person learned his lesson? Why does he like to be pulled by others so much... Never mind."
He originally wanted to say "pimp," but that sounded really offensive, and Chou Tzu-yu had already said that it was just about introducing each other and building connections, which is normal in the industry.
Seemingly not wanting to upset Chi Jingyuan, the dark-skinned girl sidled up and chuckled obsequiously, "After that incident, I never had anything to do with him again, not even a single word!"
"..."
Chi Jingyuan couldn't help but roll his eyes at the black girl who was pretending to be stupid and smiling, even looking like she was asking for credit.
As for what she just mentioned about Sana Minatozaki, Chi Jingyuan didn't pay much attention to it. He was an extroverted person who liked socializing, so he encountered this kind of thing frequently. Being pursued by someone wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Moreover, that woman is so quick-witted. Chi Jingyuan had told her before that she could come to him if she encountered any problems, although he just said it casually and didn't take it seriously.
But if it were Sana Minatozaki... I think she definitely wouldn't forget those words.
He vaguely remembered that a long time ago, when Tzuyu was harassed, he heard Tzuyu say that before he arrived, Minatozaki Sana claimed that she knew Ji Jingyuan, who was her "good friend's boyfriend," in an attempt to scare the other party away.
He wasn't dating Mina at the time, but Sana Minatozaki had already figured it out on her own.
"It's just making friends, and the company can't interfere with that."
After pausing for a few seconds, Chou Tzu-yu shook her head again and added somewhat helplessly, "Because it seems like we just hang out together often, and that senior didn't do anything... but Sana unnie seems to be quite troubled by it."
Strange.
Chi Jingyuan was somewhat puzzled after hearing this.
If you find it annoying, why not just say so? Who in the industry doesn't know Chi Kyung-won these days?
A few days ago when we were practicing our collaborative stage, didn't you smugly provoke me to my face?
Could it be... that this "annoyance" is just an act?
"Oh, right."
Thinking of this, after a brief pause, Chi Jingyuan seemed to remember something: "Didn't she injure her foot a few days ago?"
"Who is it? Oh, it's Sister Sana."
Chou Tzu-yu was stunned for a moment before she realized what was going on: "Yeah, they said they accidentally bumped into a door while working out, and the injury was pretty bad. It was swollen for several days... It was still swollen when we practiced our collaboration stage, right?"
"Yeah, it looked pretty heavy back then."
Chi Jingyuan nodded slightly, then casually asked, "With such a serious foot injury, didn't your company even offer her a leave of absence or anything?"
"No."
Upon hearing this, Chou Tzu-yu shook her head: "Not only did we not get a break, but our manager was also very angry and scolded Sana for interfering with our work. She also demanded that Sana accompany us on all the schedules except for dance practice. For the next few days, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to participate in our activities. Didn't I tell you? She cried several times back then..."
Chi Jingyuan's expression suddenly froze, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat, his lips slightly parted, momentarily stunned.
He looked at Chou Tzu-yu silently, his eyes filled with uncertainty, as if he doubted whether his memory was wrong or whether he had misheard.
“The manager… is a little too strict with Sana.”
Chi Jingyuan was no longer paying much attention to Zhou Ziyu's low murmur of injustice; instead, he was lost in surprise and contemplation.
This is different from what he heard a few days ago... He still vividly remembers the tea-flavored expression on Minatozaki Sana's face when she said, "Oppa, you won't be angry if I borrow your name, will you?"—a mix of feigned innocence and deliberate provocation.
And the matter that Chou Tzu-yu just mentioned made him even more suspicious.
Why...don't you tell him?
Chi Jingyuan suddenly became absent-minded and fell silent, but Zhou Ziyu didn't seem to mind. He had been in a lazy, half-hearted state the whole time.
After criticizing the company's excessive behavior, she suddenly remembered something and poked Chi Jingyuan with her finger: "By the way, my mom is going to the Tokyo MAMA in a few days. When I called her yesterday, she heard that you were going too, so she asked me to tell you that she wanted to treat you to a meal. Do you have time?"
Lost in thought, meticulously examining the details of his memory, Chi Jingyuan was pulled back to reality by her actions. He looked at the expectant little black girl beside him and nodded without much hesitation:
"Sure, no problem. I'll treat Auntie to dinner then."
Although he said that, he was still thinking about what had just happened, and at the same time, a conclusion that he didn't quite know how to put into words came to mind:
...So it was all an act all along?
…………
At this moment, in the practice room of Twice in the JYP building, a group of members who had just finished practicing their new song were all sweating profusely, sitting there listlessly, exuding a strong sense of fatigue and exhaustion.
It wasn't just because of practice, but rather the combined physical and mental exhaustion accumulated from a long period of intense work.
Even though the busiest two-week comeback period before releasing a new song has just ended, they haven't had a single day of rest, and they're about to start the pre-release hype and comeback for their next album.
Albums are being released one after another, and work is piling up. Even an iron man couldn't handle it, let alone a group of female idols who aren't in great health to begin with.
Recently, aside from Sana Minatozaki's injury, several other members have experienced various issues due to pushing their bodies to their limits.
Everyone managed to get through it, since there was nothing they could do about the company's orders.
But for some reason, seeing the formation suddenly missing one person today made me feel even more tired.
Where is Ziyu?
It was only then that Lim Nayeon realized that someone seemed to be missing. After looking left and right but not finding Zhou Tzuyu, she asked in surprise.
"You do not know?"
Upon hearing this, Park Jihyo looked speechlessly at the slow-witted older woman: "She took the day off... You didn't even notice she'd been practicing all day?"
"what?"
Nayeon was even more surprised when she heard this, not because she hadn't noticed, but because...
"So we can take leave after all?" Her eyes widened as if she had discovered a new continent.
"Pfft..."
Yoo Jeongyeon was amused by the bunny-toothed older sister's expression and demeanor, and couldn't help but ruffle her hair a few times, messing it up. After Nayeon pouted in retaliation, she stopped laughing.
"They said Tzuyu wasn't feeling well."
She first briefly explained the reason, then secretly observed the expressions of the members around her, and then whispered the truth to Lim Nayeon: "But who can't see it? Look at Sangmin oppa's expression, it must be because of Kyungwon oppa... We don't have any such thing as asking for leave."
"I bet Yu is out having fun with Jingyuan oppa right now..."
Yoo Jeong-yeon's voice trailed off, "I've really been...too tired lately..."
While I'm practicing hard here, the dark-skinned maknae (youngest member) is being cared for because he's tired, and he even asked the company for leave to go out and rest.
Even among close friends, it's hard to suppress the envy and resentment in one's heart.
Who isn't tired?
Upon hearing this, Lim Nayeon understood what had happened. Her mind reflexively conjured up romantic scenes from the melodramatic TV dramas she had watched, such as "eating a big meal," "stargazing," "skiing," "carousel," and "candlelight dinner."
His eyes immediately turned red and seemed about to bulge out. He wished he could catch that dark-skinned maknae, lock him in the bathroom, kick him a few times, and then take his place.
"Humph!"
At that moment, Park Jihyo, who was standing nearby, seemed to have heard something, and let out a muffled groan before slamming her water glass down on the ground.
Lim Nayeon glanced at her and noticed that Park Jihyo was looking down at her phone and not saying anything. She felt a little strange because it seemed that Park Jihyo's mood had been noticeably bad since she saw her.
But when she heard them discussing Zhou Ziyu's rest, she put on a sullen face again.
"What's wrong with her?" Lim Nayeon whispered in Yoo Jeongyeon's ear, "Is it because of Tzuyu?"
"But that's normal, I guess. I wish I could..." Lim Nayeon asked herself, then grinned, showing her front teeth as if she wanted to bite someone to pieces.
Before she could finish speaking, Yoo Jeongyeon nodded: "That's true to some extent, but it's mostly because of Chaeyoung... Jihyo had a fight with Chaeyoung this afternoon."
"Huh? Why?" Lim Nayeon had a radio show scheduled for the afternoon and wouldn't be at the company.
"Because Jihyo seemed a little unhappy when she heard Tzuyu ask for leave in the afternoon, Chaeyoung said something at that moment..."
Yoo Jeongyeon discreetly observed Park Jihyo and Son Chaeyoung, and under Lim Nayeon's extremely curious gaze, she lowered her voice:
"Unnie, you could ask Brother-in-law Jiang to give you a day off~"