50: Chapter 51 Comeback Launch Meeting

Early the next morning.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

Qian Xu stood in the lobby on the first floor.

He looked at the brand-new office.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The wooden floor glistened.

Posters of T-ARA hung on the wall.

The six of them were smiling brightly.

He glanced at his phone.

Seven-thirty.

Jeon Bo-ram sent a message.

"Mr. Qian, have you had breakfast?"

Qian Xu smiled.

"I have."

"How about you?"

"I've eaten too!"

"We're going to the company for a meeting today!"

"Eunjung Unnie said there's something big!"

"Good."

Qian Xu replied.

"I'm at the company too."

"See you later."

Eight o'clock sharp.

The second-floor conference room.

Qian Xu walked in.

Kim Min-jun was already there.

A document lay on the table.

The cover read:

"T-ARA Comeback Launch Plan"

"Budget: 3 Billion KRW"

Qian Xu sat down.

"Are they here?"

"They are."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"They're waiting in the practice room."

"Call them in."

Kim Min-jun walked out.

Soon, the six of them walked in.

Ham Eun-jung walked at the front.

She was wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail.

Park So-yeon followed behind.

She was wearing a beige dress and smiling gently.

Park Hyomin wore a black suit jacket, looking cool.

Lee Qri held a styling book.

Jeon Bo-ram was wearing a pink hoodie with her hair in a bun.

Park Ji-yeon skipped in.

"Boss! Good morning!"

"Morning."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Sit down."

The six of them sat down.

The conference room fell silent.

Kim Min-jun stood in front of the projector.

He turned on the screen.

"I called everyone here today to announce the official plan for T-ARA's comeback."

Ham Eun-jung sat up straight.

Park So-yeon clenched her hands.

Park Hyomin's gaze was focused.

Lee Qri put down the styling book.

Jeon Bo-ram held her breath.

Park Ji-yeon stopped acting up.

The first page appeared on the screen.

"T-ARA Comeback Project"

"Budget: 3 Billion KRW"

The conference room was silent for three seconds.

Then, Park Ji-yeon was the first to cry out.

"3 Billion?!"

"Boss! You're not joking, are you?!"

"I never joke."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"3 Billion KRW."

"All for T-ARA's comeback."

Ham Eun-jung stood up.

"Mr. Qian..."

Her voice was trembling.

"3 Billion... That's too much..."

"It's not."

Qian Xu interrupted her.

"T-ARA is worth it."

"You are all worth it."

Park So-yeon lowered her head.

Her shoulders were trembling.

She was crying.

Park Hyomin's eyes turned red.

She turned to look out the window.

Lee Qri covered her mouth, tears falling.

Jeon Bo-ram looked at Qian Xu with teary eyes.

"Mr. Qian... You..."

"Don't cry."

Qian Xu smiled.

"This is just the beginning."

Kim Min-jun continued playing the PPT.

"Phase One: Comeback single 'restart'."

"MV budget: 1 Billion KRW."

"Filming period: 5 days."

"Filming locations: Seoul, Jeju Island."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"Jeju Island?"

"Yes."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"The MV script is already written."

"It tells the story of the six of you moving from darkness into the light."

"The sunrise in Jeju Island symbolizes a new beginning."

Park Hyomin wiped away her tears.

"What about the second phase?"

"Phase Two: Mini-album."

Kim Min-jun flipped to the next page.

"6 new songs."

"Including Korean and Chinese versions."

"Budget: 1.2 Billion KRW."

"Recording, choreography, styling, and promotion are all included."

Lee Qri raised her hand.

"What's the styling budget?"

"200 Million KRW."

Kim Min-jun smiled.

"Miss Qri, is that enough?"

"Yes!"

Lee Qri nodded vigorously.

"I will make sure they shine!"

Park Ji-yeon raised her hand.

"What about the third phase?"

"Phase Three: China Tour."

Kim Min-jun flipped to the last page.

"Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou."

"Three stadium concerts for ten thousand people."

"Budget: 800 Million KRW."

"Time: August."

The conference room fell silent again.

Park Ji-yeon opened her mouth.

"Ten thousand people... Three shows... Boss... Are you serious?"

"I'm serious."

Qian Xu stood up and walked to the window.

The sunlight shone on him.

"T-ARA has been banned in South Korea for six years."

"But you still have fans in China."

"Many people still remember you and are still waiting for you."

He turned around and looked at the six of them.

"I want you to stand on stage again."

"Not a small stage, but a stadium for ten thousand people."

"Let everyone see that T-ARA is back."

Ham Eun-jung stood up, walked in front of Qian Xu, and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Qian, thank you."

Her voice was choked with sobs.

"It's been six years."

"We thought our lives were over, that we could never go back."

"But you appeared."

"You gave us a new opportunity."

She looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"On behalf of T-ARA, I promise you, we will definitely not let you down."

"Definitely."

Park So-yeon also stood up and walked to Ham Eun-jung's side.

"Mr. Qian, I will do my absolute best to sing every song well."

"Let the Chinese fans see that T-ARA's lead vocalist is still here."

Park Hyomin stood up.

"I will dance every dance well, and let everyone know that T-ARA's dance is still here."

Lee Qri stood up.

"I will make them shine, and let everyone remember that T-ARA's styling is still here."

Jeon Bo-ram stood up.

"I will..."

She sniffled.

"I will live well, sing well, dance well, and stay by your side."

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

Jeon Bo-ram blushed.

"I mean... stay by everyone's side."

Park Ji-yeon was the last to stand up.

She walked to Qian Xu and looked up at him.

"Boss, I don't know how to say nice things, but I can tell you this: I will dance with my life, and sing with my life."

"Let everyone see that T-ARA's maknae is still here."

Qian Xu looked at her and smiled.

"Good. I believe in you all."

Kim Min-jun was standing nearby, his eyes also red.

He cleared his throat.

"Um... The plan is finished. Does anyone have any questions?"

Ham Eun-jung raised her hand.

"When does it start?"

"Next Monday," Kim Min-jun replied.

"MV shooting."

"Start practicing dance tomorrow."

"This afternoon, see you at the recording studio."

"We'll record the demo for 'restart' first."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"Okay. I'm ready."

The meeting ended.

The six of them walked out of the conference room.

Ham Eun-jung walked at the back.

She looked back at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian."

"Is there anything else?"

"I want to speak with you alone for a moment."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

In the conference room, only the two of them were left.

Ham Eun-jung walked to the window, looking out at Seoul.

"Mr. Qian, do you know why I have kept persisting?"

"Why?"

Ham Eun-jung turned around.

"Because I am not resigned."

"T-ARA shouldn't end like this."

"We clearly still have the ability, the fans, and the dreams."

"But everyone gave up on us."

"Only you."

"Only you were willing to believe in us."

She walked to Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, I won't say thank you, because 'thank you' is too light."

"I will prove with my actions that your investment will not be in vain."

Qian Xu looked at her, at her determined eyes.

"I believe in you, Ms. Eun-jung."

Ham Eun-jung smiled.

She extended her hand.

"Happy to be working with you."

Qian Xu shook her hand.

"Happy to be working with you."

Ham Eun-jung walked out of the conference room.

Qian Xu stood by the window, watching her back.

He remembered the first time he saw her.

In the elevator, she was supporting Jeon Bo-ram.

Her eyes were tired, but very determined.

At that time, he knew this woman would not give up easily.

He smiled.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[South Korea's favorability towards China: 27.6%]

He was stunned for a moment.

It had gone up by another 0.1%.

He smiled.

Today, T-ARA's comeback was launched.

3 billion KRW.

Six people.

A new beginning.

He walked out of the conference room.

The sun was just right.

Laughter came from downstairs.

It was the six members of T-ARA.

In the practice room, they had already started practicing dance.

He stood in the corridor, listening to the music, and smiled.

Today was another new day.