64: Chapter 65 Jeon Boram Delivers Late-Night Snack

On stage.

Park So-yeon stood in place.

Her hands were trembling.

Her eyes were red.

"I'm sorry..."

"I..."

"My voice cracked."

She lowered her head.

Her shoulders were shaking.

Boram was the first to rush over.

"Unnie!"

"It's okay!"

"It was just a small mistake!"

"Everyone makes them!"

Ham Eun-jung also walked over.

"So-yeon, don't blame yourself."

"You haven't performed live in too long."

"You need time to recover."

Park Hyomin and Lee Qri exchanged a glance.

They also walked over.

"Unnie, we'll practice with you."

"We'll practice until your voice doesn't crack."

Park Ji-yeon stood to the side.

Her eyes were also red.

"Unnie..."

"Don't cry..."

"If you cry, I'll want to cry too..."

Qian Xu stood up.

He walked onto the stage.

All six of them looked at him.

"Ms. Soyeon."

He spoke.

His voice was very calm.

"How long has it been since you performed live?"

Park So-yeon raised her head.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Six years..."

"It's been six years since I last sang on stage."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Six years without singing."

"This is your first rehearsal."

"And only one note cracked."

"That's already very good."

Park So-yeon was stunned.

"But..."

"There are no buts."

Qian Xu interrupted her.

"Do you know how long the recovery period is for a professional singer?"

Park So-yeon shook her head.

"Three months."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"How long have you been practicing?"

"One week."

"Exactly."

Qian Xu smiled.

"To be able to sing like this after just one week."

"That's already very impressive."

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Park So-yeon lowered her head.

Tears fell.

"Thank you..."

"Thank you, Mr. Qian..."

Boram watched from the side.

She felt a bit sour in her heart.

But she didn't say anything.

"Mr. Qian is right!"

She shouted.

"Unnie is already amazing!"

"Let's practice again!"

"It will be even better this time!"

"Okay!"

Park So-yeon wiped away her tears.

"Let's do it again!"

Rehearsal continued.

The sun set.

Inside the Livehouse.

The lights turned on.

The six voices.

Echoed in the space.

Qian Xu sat off-stage.

Watching them.

He smiled.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[Cultural Output Event: T-ARA Chinese Song Rehearsal]

[Influence: +0.1%]

[Korea's Favorability Toward China: 27.9%]

He put his phone away.

Looking at the stage.

Park So-yeon was teaching Boram Chinese pronunciation.

Very seriously.

Very gently.

He smiled.

Tomorrow.

Another new day.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

Rehearsal ended.

All six were exhausted.

They slumped on the stage.

"Good work today."

Qian Xu stood up.

"I'll treat you to a late-night snack."

"Yay!"

Park Ji-yeon was the first to jump up.

"I want to eat fried chicken!"

"I want to eat rice cakes!"

Boram also raised her hand.

"I want to eat Samgyetang!"

"I'm so tired lately."

"I need to nourish my body."

"Okay."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Then Samgyetang it is."

"I know a place in Hongdae."

"It's very delicious."

The six of them packed their things.

Preparing to leave.

Boram's phone rang.

She took a look.

It was a message from her mom.

"Boram, are you coming home to eat tomorrow?"

She replied.

"Mom, I have rehearsal tomorrow."

"I'll come back next week."

She put her phone away.

She looked at Qian Xu's back.

Her heart was in a bit of a mess.

Just now on stage.

Seeing So-yeon Unnie and Qian Xu looking at the sheet music side by side.

She felt sour in her heart.

Why sour?

She didn't know.

And she didn't want to know.

Hongdae streets.

Nine-thirty in the evening.

Streetlights were on.

The roadside was full of snack stalls.

The smell of barbecue.

The smell of stir-fried rice cakes.

The smell of fish cakes.

All mixed together.

"This is the place."

Qian Xu pointed to a small shop.

"Century-Old Samgyetang."

"It's been open for 30 years."

"The owner is Korean."

"But the craft was learned from China."

The six people walked in.

The shop was small.

Only six tables.

An introduction to Samgyetang hung on the wall.

In both Chinese and Korean.

The owner was a lady in her sixties.

Seeing Qian Xu.

She smiled.

"Qian Xu is here!"

"Did you bring friends today?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Six people."

"Six servings of Samgyetang."

"Okay!"

The lady walked into the kitchen.

Very quickly.

Six bowls of Samgyetang were brought up.

Steaming hot.

Ginseng, jujubes, and chestnuts floated in the soup.

There was also a whole chicken.

"Wow!"

Park Ji-yeon's eyes lit up.

"It smells so good!"

She picked up a spoon.

Scooped a spoonful of soup.

"Hot, hot, hot!"

She stuck out her tongue.

Everyone laughed.

Halfway through the meal.

Qian Xu's phone rang.

It was a call from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, over in Hongdae."

"The renovation progress is ahead of schedule."

"Master Park said."

"It will be finished next week."

"Good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I'll go take a look tomorrow."

He hung up the phone.

He continued to drink the soup.

Boram sat opposite him.

Looking at him.

"Qian Xu, when will the Yunmengze Life Plaza open?"

"Early next month."

Qian Xu put down his spoon.

"After the renovation is finished, we still need to stock up."

"And train the employees."

"It will take about two weeks."

Boram nodded.

"Then at that time."

"We'll go to show our support."

"Good."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'll give you VIP treatment."

"Really?"

Park Ji-yeon's eyes lit up.

"What kind of VIP treatment?"

"Free shopping."

Mr. Qian looked at her.

"Limit of 1 million won per person."

"Buy whatever you want."

"Wow!"

Park Ji-yeon jumped up.

"Long live the boss!"

After finishing the late-night snack.

It was already ten-thirty.

The six people walked out of the shop.

Hongdae streets.

There were still many people.

"Qian Xu, we'll take a taxi back."

Ham Eun-jung said.

"You drive back."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

The six people got into a taxi.

Mr. Qian stood in place.

Watching the taxi disappear around the street corner.

He smiled.

He turned and walked toward the parking lot.

Eleven o'clock at night.

Cheongdam-dong.

Qian Xu returned home.

Took a shower.

Lay on the bed.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Boram.

"Qian Xu, are you asleep?"

"Not yet."

Qian Xu replied.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Boram replied quickly.

"Just wanted to say goodnight to you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Goodnight."

"See you tomorrow."

"Okay."

Boram sent a smiley face.

"See you tomorrow."

Qian Xu put down his phone.

Closed his eyes.

The scene of today's rehearsal appeared in his mind.

The moment Park So-yeon's voice cracked.

Her eyes were red.

He walked over to comfort her.

The look in her eyes when she looked at him.

Was a bit different.

He turned over.

Forget it.

Don't think about it.

Sleep.

The next morning.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

Qian Xu had just arrived at the office.

Kim Min-jun knocked and came in.

"Qian Xu, over in Hongdae."

"The renovation progress is ahead of schedule."

"Master Park said."

"It can be finished today."

"So fast?"

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

"Yes."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"Master Park is working overtime."

"He worked until two in the morning last night."

"And came back at six this morning."

Qian Xu stood up.

"Let's go, go take a look."

Nine o'clock in the morning.

Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Mr. Qian and Kim Min-jun walked in.

They were stunned.

The 300-ping space.

Had completely changed.

The floor was paved with light gray tiles.

The walls were painted white.

The shelves were already installed.

Height 1.5 meters.

Aisle width 2 meters.

An area was left at the entrance.

With a sofa.

Water dispenser.

Charging station.

The nursing room was also finished.

With a diaper changing table.

With a nursing chair.

With a bottle warmer.

"Mr. Qian!"

Master Park walked over.

Wearing a hard hat.

His face was covered in sweat.

"It's finished!"

"Would you like to see the results?"

Mr. Qian looked around.

"Very good."

"Even better than I imagined."

Master Park smiled.

"That's good."

"Qian Xu, your requirements."

"We have all met them."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Qian Xu patted his shoulder.

"I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight."

"Call all the workers."

"Okay!"

Master Park's eyes lit up.

"Thank you, Qian Xu!"

Qian Xu walked in.

Looking carefully at every corner.

The shelves were neatly arranged.

The aisles were spacious.

The lighting was soft.

The nursing room was cozy.

The rest area was comfortable.

He smiled.

"Representative Kim."

"Stocking can begin."

"Okay."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"I will contact Yiwu right away."

"And the Farmers Association."

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

The first batch of goods arrived.

Three trucks parked at the entrance.

The workers began to unload the goods.

Qian Xu stood at the entrance.

Watching the cargo boxes being moved in.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[Yunmengze Life Plaza Renovation Complete]

[Opening Soon]

[Cultural Output Event: +1]

[Korea's Favorability Toward China: 28.0%]

He smiled.

28.0%.

It went up 0.1%.

Evening.

Qian Xu stood at the entrance of the Life Plaza.

Watching the sunset.

His phone rang.

It was a call from Boram.

"Qian Xu, where are you?"

"Hongdae."

Mr. Qian answered.

"Over at the Life Plaza."

"The renovation is finished."

"Really?"

Boram's voice was very excited.

"Can I come see it?"

"Of course you can."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Come on over."

"I'll wait for you."

Twenty minutes later.

Boram appeared at the street corner.

She was wearing a pink hoodie.

Jeans.

White sneakers.

Her hair was tied in a bun.

She looked like a college student.

"Qian Xu!"

She jogged over.

"I'm here!"

"Come in and take a look."

Qian Xu pushed open the door.

Boram walked in.

She was stunned.

"Wow..."

"So big..."

"So pretty..."

She looked around.

"These shelves."

"Are they all empty?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"We'll start stocking tomorrow."

"Opening early next month."

Boram walked to the rest area.

Sat on the sofa.

"It's so comfortable here."

"Can I come here to mooch the air conditioning in the future?"

"Of course you can."

Mr. Qian smiled.

"VIP treatment."

"Free coffee."

"Really?"

Boram's eyes lit up.

"Then I'll come every day!"

The two of them stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Watching the Hongdae streets.

The sun was setting.

The sky was orange-red.

"Qian Xu."

Boram suddenly spoke.

"Last night..."

"I saw you and So-yeon Unnie."

"Looking at the sheet music side by side."

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

"What about it?"

"Nothing."

Boram lowered her head.

"Just..."

"I felt a bit sour in my heart."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Why sour?"

"I don't know."

Boram raised her head.

Looking at him.

"It's just sour."

"I don't want to see you."

"Getting so close to other girls."

Qian Xu was stunned.

"Boram-xi..."

"Don't say it."

Boram interrupted him.

"I know I shouldn't say it."

"But I can't help it."

She lowered her head.

"I'm going back."

"I have to rehearse tomorrow."

She turned around.

Walked quickly out of the Life Plaza.

Mr. Qian stood in place.

Watching her back.

Disappear around the street corner.

He smiled.

This silly girl.

At night.

Qian Xu returned home.

Took a shower.

Lay on the bed.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Boram.

"Qian Xu, I'm sorry."

"What I said today."

"Don't take it to heart."

Qian Xu replied.

"It's okay."

"Go to sleep early."

"You have to rehearse tomorrow."

Boram replied quickly.

"Okay."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Qian Xu put down his phone.

Closed his eyes.

His mind was full of Boram.

She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Saying "I felt a bit sour in my heart".

He smiled.

This silly girl.

The next night.

After rehearsal ended.

It was already ten o'clock.

All six people were exhausted.

"Good work today."

Qian Xu stood up.

"I'll take you all back."

"No need."

Ham Eun-jung shook her head.

"We'll take a taxi ourselves."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"See you tomorrow."

The six people walked out of the Livehouse.

Boram walked in the back.

Mr. Qian called out to her.

"Boram-xi."

Boram turned back.

"What's wrong?"

"I'll take you back."

Mr. Qian said.

"It's on the way."

Boram was stunned for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Okay."

In the car.

Neither of them spoke.

It was so quiet you could hear the breathing.

"Qian Xu."

Boram suddenly spoke.

"What I said yesterday."

"Don't be angry."

"I'm not angry."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I just didn't expect."

"That you would say that."

Boram lowered her head.

"I don't know why either."

"I just couldn't help it."

Qian Xu glanced at her.

"Boram-xi."

"Do you..."

"Like me?"

Boram was stunned.

She blushed.

"I..."

"I..."

She couldn't continue.

Lowered her head.

Her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes.

Qian Xu smiled.

"I know."

"Know what?"

Boram raised her head.

"Know that you like me."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"I like you too."

Boram was stunned.

"Really?"

"Really."

Qian Xu nodded.

"From the day you borrowed salt."

"I have liked you."

Boram's eyes were red.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Because I was afraid of scaring you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"And."

"You weren't ready yet."

Boram lowered her head.

"I'm ready now."

"Really?"

"Really."

Boram raised her head.

Looking at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"I like you."

"From the day you gave me the panda doll."

"I have liked you."

The car stopped downstairs in Cheongdam-dong.

Neither of them got out of the car.

"Boram-xi."

Qian Xu spoke.

"Tomorrow night."

"I'll treat you to dinner."

"Okay."

Boram smiled.

"I'll wait for you."

She opened the car door.

Got out.

Walked two steps.

Then turned back.

"Mr. Qian."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Qian Xu smiled.

Watching her back.

Disappear into the elevator.

The next night.

After rehearsal ended.

Boram changed her clothes.

Walked out of the Livehouse.

Qian Xu was already waiting at the door.

"Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a secret."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Follow me."

The two walked on the Hongdae streets.

Nine o'clock at night.

Streetlights were on.

The roadside was full of snack stalls.

"Mr. Qian, where exactly are we going?"

Boram asked.

"You'll know when we get there."

Qian Xu held her hand.

Walked into a small alley.

At the end of the alley.

There was a small shop.

A Chinese sign hung at the door.

"Northeast Dumpling House."

"Dumplings?"

Boram's eyes lit up.

"Yes."

Qian Xu pushed open the door.

"Authentic Northeast dumplings."

"My favorite food when I was a kid."

The two walked in.

The shop was small.

Only five tables.

The owner was a middle-aged man.

Seeing Qian Xu.

He smiled.

"Xiao Xu is here!"

"Did you bring your girlfriend?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Boss, two servings of dumplings."

"Pork and cabbage."

"Okay!"

The boss walked into the kitchen.

Very quickly.

Two plates of dumplings were brought up.

Steaming hot.

"Wow!"

Boram picked up her chopsticks.

Picked up a dumpling.

Took a bite.

"Delicious!"

"Really delicious!"

"Much better than Korean dumplings!"

"Of course."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Authentic Northeast dumplings."

"The best in the world."

The two finished the dumplings.

Walked out of the shop.

Hongdae streets.

There were still many people.

"Qian Xu."

Boram held his hand.

"I'm very happy today."

"Me too."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'll make you happy every day from now on."

"Really?"

"Really."

Boram smiled.

"Then I'll wait."

The two walked back to Cheongdam-dong.

In the elevator.

Boram leaned on Qian Xu's shoulder.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

The elevator door opened.

Boram walked out.

Turned back and looked at him.

Smiled.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Qian Xu smiled.

Watching her back.

Disappear at the end of the hallway.