70: Chapter 71: Countdown to the Comeback Show

After Jeon Bo-ram finished speaking, she turned and ran out.

Qian Xu watched her back and smiled.

This girl is truly cute.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, rehearsal is tomorrow."

"Nine o'clock in the morning, Hongdae STAGE 28."

"Everyone will be there."

Qian Xu replied, "Okay, I will be there on time."

The next morning.

Hongdae, STAGE 28.

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

Qian Xu pushed open the door and froze.

On the stage, the six of them were already standing ready.

They were wearing matching black training outfits, their hair tied up, and their expressions were serious.

"Qian Xu!"

Ham Eun-jung was the first to see him.

"Morning!"

"Morning."

Qian Xu walked in and glanced at the time.

It was 8:45 AM.

"You guys came so early?"

"Couldn't sleep."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"There are only three days left until the Comeback Show."

"I'm nervous."

Boram nodded from the side.

"Me too!"

"I was tossing and turning until 3:00 AM last night."

"I kept thinking about the lyrics."

Park Ji-yeon yawned.

"Unnies wouldn't sleep."

"I couldn't sleep either."

"It ended up with us chatting in the group chat until 2:00 AM."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Then for today's rehearsal, don't overexert yourselves."

"Maintain your stamina."

"Okay!" the six of them answered in unison.

The rehearsal began.

The first pass: the Chinese version of "a little happiness."

Park So-yeon stood in the center position.

Her voice was steady.

She hit the high notes, too, without cracking.

Qian Xu sat in the audience and nodded.

The second pass: the Korean version of "restart."

It was a new song, and the choreography was complex.

The six of them worked together with good chemistry, their movements synchronized.

Qian Xu watched them, feeling a bit emotional.

A week ago, they were still worried about singing off-key.

Now, they were already able to run through it completely.

Rehearsal lasted until noon.

Kim Min-jun delivered takeout: jajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork.

"Let's eat first."

Qian Xu stood up.

"We'll continue in the afternoon."

The six of them walked off the stage and sat in a circle.

Boram picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork.

"Qian Xu, aren't you eating?"

"I've already eaten."

Qian Xu sat nearby.

"You guys should eat more."

"We still have to practice this afternoon."

Halfway through the meal, Park Hyomin stood up.

"I'm going to the restroom."

She took a few steps, but suddenly, her leg gave way, and she collapsed to the side.

"Park Hyomin!"

Lee Qri was the first to react, rushing over to support her.

"What's wrong?"

Park Hyomin's face turned pale.

"My foot..."

"My foot hurts so much..."

Ham Eun-jung ran over, knelt down, and checked her ankle.

"It's swollen!"

"When did you hurt it?"

Park Hyomin bit her lip.

"During practice just now."

"On the last move."

"I didn't land steadily."

"I twisted it."

"I thought it was fine..."

Boram was anxious.

"Why didn't you say anything!"

"It's swollen like this!"

Park Ji-yeon's eyes reddened.

"Unnie..."

"Does it hurt?"

Park So-yeon also knelt down.

"Can you stand up?"

Park Hyomin tried.

"Ah..."

She gasped in pain.

"I can't..."

"I can't stand up..."

Qian Xu walked over and knelt in front of Park Hyomin.

"Let me see."

He gently lifted her foot.

The ankle was already as swollen as an egg and red.

"It's a ligament sprain."

He put her foot down.

"We must go to the hospital immediately."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"I'll drive her there."

"No need."

Qian Xu stood up.

"I'll take her."

"You guys continue rehearsing."

"There are only three days left."

"We can't afford any delays."

Ham Eun-jung froze.

"But..."

"No buts."

Qian Xu interrupted her.

"The six of you."

"Not one can be missing."

"Park Hyomin's injury."

"I'll handle it."

He turned to look at Park Hyomin.

"Can I carry you?"

Park Hyomin was stunned.

"Huh?"

"I'll carry you to the car."

Qian Xu knelt down.

"You can't put weight on your foot."

"It'll be faster if I carry you."

Park Hyomin blushed.

"I..."

"I can do it myself..."

"Don't try to be strong."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"There are three days left until the Comeback Show."

"If your injury gets worse."

"What will you do?"

Park Hyomin lowered her head.

"Okay..."

Mr. Qian bent down.

He supported her back with one hand and the back of her legs with the other, then gently picked her up.

Park Hyomin was stunned.

Her whole body stiffened.

"Qian Xu..."

"You..."

"Don't speak."

Qian Xu carried her outside.

"Save your energy."

"We'll talk when we get to the hospital."

Boram stood in place, watching the back of Qian Xu carrying Park Hyomin.

She felt a bit sour inside, but she didn't say anything.

"Unnie!"

She called out.

"Get a good checkup!"

"We'll wait for you to come back!"

Park Hyomin turned back and gave her an OK gesture.

In the car, Park Hyomin sat in the passenger seat with her foot resting on the dashboard.

It was very swollen.

"Does it hurt?"

Qian Xu started the car.

"It's okay."

Park Hyomin bit her lip.

"I can endure it."

"Don't endure it."

Qian Xu glanced at her.

"If it hurts, tell me."

"I'll drive faster."

Fifteen minutes later.

Cheongdam-dong, plastic surgery clinic.

Qian Xu parked the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door.

"I'll carry you."

Park Hyomin blushed again.

"Qian Xu..."

"I can do it myself..."

"Don't try to be strong."

Qian Xu bent down and carried her out.

Park Hyomin lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

In the examination room, the doctor checked her.

"Ligament sprain."

"It's not serious."

"But you need to rest for three days."

Park Hyomin was anxious.

"Three days?"

"No way!"

"I have a performance the day after tomorrow!"

The doctor looked at her.

"A performance?"

"Yes!"

Park Hyomin nodded.

"I am a member of T-ARA."

"We have a Comeback Show the day after tomorrow."

"I cannot be absent."

The doctor frowned.

"T-ARA?"

"That girl group making a comeback?"

"Yes!"

Park Hyomin's eyes lit up.

"Doctor, do you know us?"

"I do."

The doctor smiled.

"My daughter is a fan of yours."

"I heard you were making a comeback."

"She's been happy for days."

Park Hyomin smiled.

"Then please help me!"

"Let me be able to get on stage!"

The doctor thought for a moment.

"I will give you a painkiller injection."

"It can temporarily stop the pain."

"But it will only last for two hours."

"After the performance ends."

"You must rest properly."

"Otherwise, there will be aftereffects."

Park Hyomin nodded.

"Okay!"

"Two hours is enough!"

"Thank you, doctor!"

After the injection, the doctor prescribed some medicine.

"Apply ice."

"Three times a day."

"Come back for a follow-up in three days."

"Okay."

Mr. Qian took the prescription.

"Thank you, doctor."

He turned to look at Park Hyomin.

"Can you walk?"

Park Hyomin tried.

"I can!"

"It doesn't hurt!"

She stood up and took two steps.

"It really doesn't hurt!"

Qian Xu smiled.

"That's good."

"Let's go."

"Back to rehearsal."

In the car, Park Hyomin looked out the window.

"Qian Xu."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"It's only right."

Qian Xu looked ahead.

"You are a member of T-ARA."

"I cannot let anything happen to you."

Park Hyomin lowered her head.

"Just a member of T-ARA?"

Qian Xu paused.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Park Hyomin raised her head and smiled.

"Let's go back quickly."

"The Unnies must be waiting anxiously."

2:00 PM.

Hongdae, STAGE 28.

Qian Xu and Park Hyomin pushed the door open and entered.

The six of them were still rehearsing.

Seeing them return, Boram was the first to rush over.

"Hyomin Unnie!"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!"

Park Hyomin smiled.

"I got an injection."

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

"I can continue rehearsing."

Ham Eun-jung walked over.

"Are you really okay?"

"Really."

Park Hyomin moved her ankle.

"Look."

"It's very flexible."

Park So-yeon breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good."

"You scared me to death."

Park Ji-yeon wiped away tears on the side.

"Unnie..."

"You scared me to death..."

"I thought you wouldn't be able to get on stage..."

"Silly."

Park Hyomin rubbed her head.

"How could I not get on stage?"

"I've waited six years."

"Finally waited for this day."

"No one can stop me."

The rehearsal continued.

But Qian Xu stood to the side, watching Park Hyomin's foot.

When she danced, she was still a bit cautious, not daring to use force.

He walked over.

"Hyomin-xi."

"Hmm?"

"Your movements today."

"Let's change them a bit."

Park Hyomin was stunned.

"Change the movements?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"The last move."

"Don't jump and land."

"Change it to a spin in place."

"It will reduce the pressure on your ankle."

Ham Eun-jung listened from the side.

"That's a good idea."

"Safety first."

Park Hyomin thought for a moment.

"Okay."

"I'll try."

She ran through it again.

For the last move, she didn't jump, but instead spun in place.

The effect was quite good.

"This works!"

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"This is fine too."

"And it's more elegant."

Park Hyomin smiled.

"Then we'll use this version."

"Thank you, Qian Xu."

Rehearsal went until 7:00 PM.

The six of them were exhausted, collapsing on the stage.

"You worked hard today."

Qian Xu looked at them.

"Go back and rest well."

"We'll continue tomorrow."

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung stood up.

"Everyone go back and take a hot bath."

"Sleep early."

"Gather at 9:00 AM tomorrow."

"Okay!"

Park Hyomin stood up.

Her ankle still hurt a little, but she didn't say anything.

Qian Xu noticed.

"Hyomin-xi, I'll take you back."

"Huh?"

Park Hyomin paused.

"No need..."

"I can do it myself..."

"Your foot hasn't fully healed yet."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"I'll take you."

"Don't try to be strong."

Park Hyomin lowered her head.

"Okay..."

Boram watched from the side.

She felt a bit sour inside, but she didn't say anything.

"Hyomin Unnie!"

She called out.

"Rest well!"

"See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow!"

Park Hyomin smiled.

In the car, Park Hyomin sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window at the night in Seoul, where the neon lights were flickering.

"Qian Xu."

"Hmm?"

"You are really good to us."

"It's only right."

Qian Xu looked ahead.

"You are artists of Yunmengze."

"Of course I should be good to you."

Park Hyomin lowered her head.

"Just artists?"

Qian Xu paused.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Park Hyomin raised her head and smiled.

"We're here."

"Thank you."

The car stopped in Cheongdam-dong.

Park Hyomin got out, walked a few steps, and turned back to look at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Qian Xu smiled.

Park Hyomin turned and walked into the apartment building.

Qian Xu sat in the car, watching her back, and smiled.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[Cultural Export Event: 3 days until T-ARA Comeback Show]

[Influence: +0.1%]

[South Korea's favorability towards China: 28.0%]

He put his phone away, started the car, and went home.

Tomorrow, it will be a new day again.