48: 4th Apgujeong Base

After seeing the six of them off, Qian Xu stood at the doorway, watching the elevator doors close.

He walked back to the living room.

There were still uncleaned cups on the table.

He smiled.

Today, the CU Cultural and Creative Zone had successfully launched.

That evening, the six of them had gathered at his home for the first time.

He picked up his phone and opened the system.

"South Korea's favorability toward China: 27.5%"

He smiled.

Tomorrow would be a new day.

Early the next morning, at the Yunmengze Building in Apgujeong, Qian Xu arrived at the entrance and froze.

The beige building looked brand new.

The exterior walls had been repainted, and the windows had been replaced.

There was a new sign at the entrance—a black metal plaque with golden characters that read:

"Yunmengze Entertainment"

"Yunmengze Entertainment"

Below it was a line of smaller text:

"China-Korea Cultural Exchange Base"

Qian Xu looked at the sign and smiled.

Kim Min-jun walked out from inside.

"Mr. Qian, good morning!"

"The renovation was completed yesterday."

"Would you like to see the results?"

"Sure."

Qian Xu walked inside.

The first-floor lobby had completely changed.

The once empty space was now covered with light gray carpet.

Posters of T-ARA hung on the walls, including a group photo of the six of them taken by Lee Qri last time.

Everyone was wearing white T-shirts and smiling brightly.

At the reception desk, which featured a white table, sat Li Xue, wearing a white shirt with her hair in a high ponytail.

"Good morning, President Qian!"

Li Xue stood up.

"Morning."

Qian Xu nodded.

"How do you like the renovation?"

"It's amazing!"

Li Xue's eyes lit up.

"It's so much better than before!"

"Now it looks like a real entertainment company!"

Qian Xu smiled.

"What about the second floor?"

"Representative Kim is waiting for you upstairs."

Qian Xu walked up to the second floor.

The stairs had also been renovated, with new wooden handrails installed.

Framed photos of T-ARA's past stage performances hung on the walls.

Qian Xu stopped at the second-floor entrance and pushed open the door, freezing in surprise.

The second floor was T-ARA's exclusive area.

At the end of the corridor was a glass door with the words "T-ARA Practice Room" attached to it.

Pushing open the glass door, he found a large room, approximately 100 square meters, with wooden flooring and mirrors covering the walls.

In the corner, there was audio equipment, a sofa, and a coffee table with a kettle and cups.

"Mr. Qian, what do you think?"

Kim Min-jun stood by the window.

"This is the T-ARA practice room. It was renovated according to their requirements. The soundproofing is excellent, and the audio equipment is top-tier."

Qian Xu walked in, stepping onto the wooden floor.

It felt comfortable.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, making the whole room bright.

"Not bad."

He nodded.

"What about the third floor?"

The third floor was the recording studio.

Qian Xu walked in, and various pieces of equipment were set up inside: a mixing console, microphones, and studio monitors.

There was also a soundproof booth in the corner, with the recording area behind a glass window.

"This is the recording studio," Kim Min-jun introduced.

"The equipment is all brand new. It cost 200 million Korean Won. All of T-ARA's future songs will be recorded here."

Qian Xu nodded.

"What about the fourth floor?"

The fourth floor was the office area.

Qian Xu's office was at the very end.

He pushed open the door to find a large space, about 50 square meters, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the streetscape of Apgujeong.

The desk was black, and behind it stood a bookshelf.

Hanging on the wall was a piece of calligraphy that read: "Yunmengze".

It was Chinese calligraphy.

"I specifically commissioned a Chinese calligrapher to write this," Kim Min-jun said.

"I hung it in your office to symbolize the soaring rise of Yunmengze."

Qian Xu looked at the calligraphy and smiled.

"Good. What about the fifth floor?"

The fifth floor contained the conference room and a lounge area.

The conference room was large, capable of seating 20 people.

On the whiteboard, it read "T-ARA Comeback Project", and there was a screen next to it.

"This is the meeting place," Kim Min-jun said.

"All important meetings in the future will be held here."

Qian Xu nodded.

"What about the lounge area?"

"It's outside."

Kim Min-jun opened a door, revealing a terrace with several tables, chairs, and a sun umbrella.

"You can drink coffee here. It's a place to sit and rest."

Qian Xu walked onto the terrace, looking out at the streetscape of Apgujeong.

The sun was pleasant, and the breeze was comfortable.

He took a deep breath.

"Representative Kim."

"Yes?"

"Notify T-ARA. At three o'clock this afternoon, everyone must be present. We are holding the kickoff meeting for the comeback project."

Kim Min-jun was momentarily stunned.

"Now?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu turned around.

"The renovation is complete. It's time to officially launch."

"Understood!"

Kim Min-jun pulled out his phone.

"I'll notify them immediately!"

At 2:50 PM, at the Yunmengze Building in Apgujeong, Qian Xu stood in the first-floor lobby, watching the entrance.

The first to arrive was Ham Eun-jung.

She was wearing a white blazer, black trousers, and her hair was tied in a low ponytail.

"Mr. Qian!"

She walked in and froze upon seeing the renovated lobby.

"Wow..."

"This is..."

"The new office for Yunmengze," Qian Xu smiled.

"It was just finished today. You will practice here from now on."

Ham Eun-jung looked around, gazing at the posters on the wall, her eyes reddening.

"It's so nice... We finally have our own practice room..."

The second to arrive was Park So-yeon.

She was wearing an off-white dress with her hair draped over her shoulders.

Upon seeing the lobby, she also froze.

"This..."

"It's so beautiful..."

"Will we be practicing here from now on?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"The second floor is the practice room, the third floor is the recording studio, the fourth floor is the office, and the fifth floor is the conference room."

Park So-yeon's eyes lit up.

"That's wonderful..."

The third to arrive was Park Hyomin.

She was wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and a baseball cap.

Seeing the lobby, she let out a whistle.

"Wow, the boss is generous!"

"How much did this renovation cost?"

"Not much."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Want to go up and take a look?"

"Sure!"

The fourth to arrive was Lee Qri.

She was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, carrying a styling kit in her hand.

Seeing the lobby, she smiled.

"Finally, we have a decent company. We can do our styling here from now on."

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"There is a dedicated styling room on the second floor. I saved it for you."

Lee Qri's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Really."

The fifth to arrive was Park Ji-yeon.

She was wearing a pink hoodie, a white skirt, and canvas shoes.

As soon as she walked in, she shouted, "Boss! I'm here!"

She froze when she saw the lobby.

"Wow..."

"Is this our company?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it!"

Park Ji-yeon ran inside, looking around everywhere.

"It's so pretty!"

"It's much better than our previous agency!"

The last to arrive was Jeon Bo-ram.

She was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, with her hair in a bun.

Upon entering and seeing the renovated lobby, she froze.

"Mr. Qian..."

"This is..."

"The new office for Yunmengze."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You will practice here from now on."

Jeon Bo-ram looked around, gazing at the posters on the wall, the brand-new reception desk, and the bright lights, her eyes reddening.

"It's so nice... We finally have a home..."

At 3:00 PM sharp, in the fifth-floor conference room, the six of them sat at the conference table.

Qian Xu stood at the front, with Kim Min-jun beside him.

The screen displayed: "T-ARA Comeback Project" "Officially Initiated".

Qian Xu looked at the six of them.

"Today, Yunmengze Entertainment is officially operational. The T-ARA comeback project is officially initiated."

All six straightened their posture.

Kim Min-jun turned on the projector.

The first page appeared on the screen.

"Phase 1: Comeback Single."

"Song: 'restart'."

"Recording both Chinese and Korean versions simultaneously."

"Filming the MV."

"Budget: 1 Billion Korean Won."

"Timeline: Release in mid-June."

The six of them were stunned.

"1 Billion?"

Park Ji-yeon's mouth hung open.

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"The first MV for T-ARA's comeback must be the best."

Kim Min-jun turned to the second page.

"Phase 2: Mini Album."

"Timeline: August."

"Including 6 new songs."

"Including Chinese and Korean versions."

"Budget: 2 Billion Korean Won."

Ham Eun-jung took a deep breath.

"2 Billion..."

"Yes."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"T-ARA's return is not a small, casual affair. It is a full-scale comeback."

Kim Min-jun turned to the third page.

"Phase 3: China Tour."

"Timeline: October."

"Cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou."

"Scale: 10,000 people per show."

"Budget: 3 Billion Korean Won."

The conference room fell silent.

All six were stunned.

"10,000-person venues..."

Park So-yeon's voice trembled slightly.

"Yes."

Qian Xu looked at them.

"T-ARA deserves a bigger stage."

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes reddened.

"Mr. Qian... why... why are you so good to us?"

"Because you deserve it."

Qian Xu smiled.

"T-ARA should not be forgotten. Should not be blacklisted. You have the talent, the fans, and a future."

"I am just giving you an opportunity. An opportunity to stand on the stage again."

Ham Eun-jung stood up and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Qian, thank you. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for giving us this opportunity."

The other five stood up as well and bowed together.

"Thank you, Mr. Qian!"

Qian Xu looked at them.

The six of them stood in a row, their eyes all red.

He smiled.

"You're welcome. This is what you deserve."

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

The streetscape of Apgujeong came into view.

The sun was pleasant, and the breeze was comfortable.

He turned around and looked at the six of them.

"Yunmengze has taken flight today."

The six of them smiled.

Ham Eun-jung wiped away her tears.

"Yes. Yunmengze has taken flight."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"We will work hard."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"We won't let you down."

Park Hyomin smiled.

"T-ARA is back."

Lee Qri smiled.

"This time, we will stand even higher."

Park Ji-yeon raised her hand.

"Boss! Will you treat us to dinner tonight?"

Everyone laughed.

Qian Xu looked at them and smiled.

"Sure. I'll treat you tonight. To celebrate the inauguration of Yunmengze and the kickoff of T-ARA's comeback."

"What do you want to eat?"

"Korean beef!"

Park Ji-yeon shouted first.

"Hot pot!"

Jeon Bo-ram also shouted.

"Chinese food!"

Park So-yeon smiled.

"Anything is fine."

Ham Eun-jung smiled.

"Since the boss is paying, let's eat the best."

Laughter filled the conference room.

Qian Xu stood by the window, watching the six of them, and smiled.

Yunmengze had taken flight today.

T-ARA was back.

He opened his phone and glanced at the system.

"South Korea's favorability toward China: 27.5%"

He smiled.

This was just the beginning.