55: 5th Zero Penalty

The back streets of Hongdae. The sunshine was lovely.

Qian Xu stood at the entrance of STAGE 28.

Ham Eun-jung and Jeon Bo-ram stood by his side.

His phone vibrated. It was a system notification.

[Cultural Export Event: T-ARA Comeback Debut Venue Confirmed]

[Influence: +0.1%]

[South Korea's Favorability Toward China: 27.6%]

He smiled and put his phone away.

"Let's go."

"Back to the company."

"There is one more thing to take care of."

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building. Two in the afternoon. Inside the conference room.

Qian Xu sat at the head of the table. Kim Min-jun sat beside him. Ham Eun-jung sat opposite them.

"Ms. Eun-jung."

Qian Xu spoke up.

"Regarding So-yeon's contract."

"It's time to resolve it."

Ham Eun-jung was taken aback.

"So-yeon's contract?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"She was shelved by her former company for six years."

"The contract is still in their hands."

"Even though the company has gone bankrupt."

"The contract still exists."

"It must be resolved completely."

Ham Eun-jung frowned.

"We've already acquired the former company."

"Shouldn't the contract have been transferred automatically?"

"Theoretically, yes."

Kim Min-jun took over.

"But So-yeon's situation is special."

"During the time she was shelved."

"The former company did not pay any salary."

"Nor did they provide any opportunities for activities."

"This constitutes a breach of contract."

"We can sue."

Ham Eun-jung's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Really."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"I have already contacted a law firm."

"Tomorrow at ten in the morning."

"So-yeon needs to go."

"To sign the termination documents."

Ham Eun-jung stood up.

"I'll notify So-yeon right now."

She walked out of the conference room. Made a phone call. A few minutes later. She returned. Her eyes were red.

"Mr. Qian..."

"So-yeon is crying."

"She has waited for six years."

"Finally, this day has arrived."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Tell her to be ready."

"Tomorrow at ten in the morning."

"I will accompany her."

The next day at 9:30 AM. Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building. Qian Xu walked downstairs. Park So-yeon was already standing at the entrance. She was wearing a white dress. Her hair was down. She was bare-faced. But her eyes were a bit swollen. Obviously, she hadn't slept well last night.

"Mr. Qian."

Her voice was trembling slightly.

"I'm ready."

"Good."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's go."

The two got into the car. Qian Xu drove. Park So-yeon sat in the passenger seat. The car was very quiet. Park So-yeon looked out the window. Her fingers were twisting the hem of her dress.

"Nervous?"

Qian Xu asked.

"Yeah."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"Waited for six years."

"Finally waited for this day."

"I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid of something going wrong."

Park So-yeon's voice choked up a bit.

"Afraid that at the last minute."

"Something will go wrong again."

Qian Xu glanced at her.

"It won't."

"I am here."

Park So-yeon was stunned for a moment. She turned to look at him.

"Mr. Qian..."

"Don't be afraid."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'm here."

Ten in the morning. Seoul, Gangnam District, a law firm. Qian Xu parked the car. He walked in with Park So-yeon. Someone was already waiting at the front desk.

"Mr. Qian, please this way."

A young lawyer came up to greet them.

"Representative Kim has already reached out."

"The termination documents are all prepared."

"Please follow me."

The three walked into a conference room. A document was placed on the table. The cover read:

"Termination Agreement"

"Party: Park So-yeon"

"Counterparty: MBK Entertainment (In Bankruptcy Liquidation)"

Park So-yeon looked at the document. Her hands were trembling.

"Sit."

Qian Xu pulled out a chair. Park So-yeon sat down. The lawyer also sat down. He flipped open the document.

"Ms. Soyeon, this termination agreement."

"It is drafted in accordance with Article XX of South Korea's Bankruptcy Act."

"And Article XX of the 'Entertainment Agency Contract'."

"The former company, MBK Entertainment."

"During the period they shelved you."

"Did not pay any salary."

"Did not provide any activity opportunities."

"This constitutes a serious breach of contract."

"Therefore."

"You have the right to unilaterally terminate the contract."

"And you do not need to pay any penalty."

Park So-yeon was stunned.

"Zero penalty?"

"Yes."

The lawyer nodded.

"Zero penalty."

"Furthermore."

"According to the bankruptcy liquidation procedure."

"The former company still owes you six years of salary."

"Approximately 1.2 billion won."

"This money."

"Will be treated as bankruptcy claims."

"And will be repaid with priority."

Park So-yeon opened her mouth. She couldn't speak. Tears fell down. Qian Xu handed her a tissue.

"Sign it."

Park So-yeon took the tissue. She wiped away her tears. Her hand was still shaking. She picked up the pen. She looked at the document. Six years of waiting. Six years of being shelved. Six years of grievances. It was all in this moment. She took a deep breath. In the signature column. She wrote her name.

The lawyer took the document. He stamped it with the law firm's official seal.

"It's done."

"The termination agreement is officially effective."

"From today on."

"Ms. Soyeon."

"You have regained full rights to your activities."

"You are not restricted by any contract."

Park So-yeon stood up. Her body was trembling. She turned to look at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian..."

"Thank you."

Her voice was trembling. Tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Six years..."

"I thought that in this lifetime..."

"I would never get out..."

Qian Xu stood up.

"Now you are out."

"You are free."

"The T-ARA stage."

"Is waiting for you."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"Yes."

"I will."

"Sing well."

Walking out of the law firm. The sunshine was lovely. Park So-yeon stood at the entrance. She looked up at the sky.

"Six years."

"It's the first time I've felt."

"That the sky is so blue."

Qian Xu stood by her side.

"From now on, every day."

"Will be this blue."

Park So-yeon turned to look at him. Her eyes were still red. But she smiled.

"Mr. Qian."

"Can I treat you to a meal?"

"Today."

"I want to celebrate."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Okay."

"I'll treat you."

"What do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"As long as it's something you treat me to."

"It will be delicious."

The two got into the car. Qian Xu started the engine.

"Let's go to Hongdae."

"There is a Samgyetang place."

"It's very delicious."

"Okay."

Park So-yeon nodded. Looking out the window. The streets of Seoul. She had looked at them for six years. But today. Everything was different.

Her phone vibrated. It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"So-yeon, how did it go?"

Park So-yeon replied.

"The termination was successful."

"Zero penalty."

"I am free."

Ham Eun-jung replied in a second.

"That's great!"

"Let's have dinner together tonight!"

"My treat!"

Park So-yeon smiled.

"Okay."

"See you tonight."

She put away her phone. She looked at Qian Xu who was driving.

"Mr. Qian."

"Eunjung Unnie said we are having a dinner gathering tonight."

"Are you coming?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Of course I'm coming."

"Today is a good day."

"We must celebrate."

Park So-yeon smiled. Her eyes were red again. But this time. They were tears of happiness.