75: Chapter 76 The Night Before Opening

Part 7: Boram's Company

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

Her eyes were very gentle.

"You really are."

"Very special."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's go."

"Back to Hongdae."

"After the rehearsal tomorrow."

"We still need to check the store."

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

---

The two walked out of the warehouse.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long.

Qian Xu drove the car.

Ham Eun-jung sat in the passenger seat.

Looking out the window.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever thought about it?"

"If the system really disappeared."

"Would you regret it?"

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because every single thing I'm doing now."

"Is what I want to do."

"Helping T-ARA with their comeback."

"Opening a supermarket."

"Letting Chinese people live with dignity."

"Even if the system disappears."

"These things have already happened."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

She didn't speak.

But there was a smile on her lips.

---

Seven o'clock in the evening.

Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Qian Xu parked the car on the side of the road.

The store was brightly lit.

The renovation team was still busy.

"Want to go in and take a look?"

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

The two walked in.

The store was basically finished.

The floor was paved with light gray tiles.

The walls were painted white.

The shelves were neatly arranged.

The freezers flashed with white light.

The checkout counter was installed.

Next to it was a resting area.

With a few sofas placed there.

"We start stocking the goods tomorrow."

Qian Xu looked around.

"We open the day after tomorrow."

"Is there enough time?"

Ham Eun-jung asked.

"There is."

Qian Xu smiled.

"The goods have all arrived."

"And the people are all ready."

---

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, the fresh produce from the Korean farmers has arrived."

"It will be delivered early tomorrow morning."

Qian Xu replied.

"Okay."

"Thank you for your hard work."

He put away his phone.

He looked at the store.

It was empty.

But soon.

It would be filled with goods.

And people coming and going.

---

"Mr. Qian."

Ham Eun-jung spoke suddenly.

"After the rehearsal tomorrow."

"I'll come with you to stock the goods."

"No need."

Qian Xu shook his head.

"You have a rehearsal tomorrow."

"It will be tiring."

"It's not tiring."

Ham Eun-jung smiled.

"I want to come."

"To see the supermarket you've built."

Qian Xu looked at her.

The mature leader.

Always so gentle.

"Okay."

"See you tomorrow."

---

Early the next morning.

Hongdae, STAGE 28.

When Qian Xu arrived.

The six of them were already rehearsing.

Park Hyomin was sitting in a wheelchair.

Holding a microphone in her hand.

Singing very steadily.

"Hyomin-xi, is your foot still hurting?"

Qian Xu walked over.

"It's much better."

Park Hyomin smiled.

"The doctor said I'll be able to walk in a few more days."

"That's good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Don't push yourself."

"I know."

Park Hyomin looked at him.

"Mr. Qian, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for letting me sing sitting down."

"And not canceling my stage."

"It's only right."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You are a member of T-ARA."

"Not one person can be missing."

---

They rehearsed until noon.

Kim Min-jun delivered takeout.

Jajangmyeon.

Sweet and sour pork.

The six of them sat around together.

Jeon Bo-ram sat next to Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, are you going to the store this afternoon?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"We open tomorrow."

"We need to stock the goods today."

"I'll help you!"

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes lit up.

"You?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Do you know how to stock goods?"

"If I don't know, I can learn!"

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"Anyway, the rehearsal ends in the afternoon."

"I have nothing else to do."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Then you can come with me this afternoon."

"I'll go too!"

Park Ji-yeon raised her hand.

"I also want to see what the supermarket looks like."

"And me."

Lee Qri smiled.

"I want to go help too."

Qian Xu looked at them.

"You're all going?"

"Yes!"

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

"Anyway, we're just sitting around."

"Okay."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Then let's all go together this afternoon."

---

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Qian Xu walked in with the five of them.

Park Hyomin was resting at the hospital.

Ham Eun-jung was checking the opening procedures with Kim Min-jun.

The rest of them had all come.

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the entrance.

Looking at the store.

"Wow!"

"So big!"

"It's much bigger than I imagined!"

Park Ji-yeon ran inside.

Spinning around in the empty store.

"Will this place be filled with things later?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"The left side is the fresh produce section."

"The right side is the daily necessities section."

"The middle is the cultural and creative products section."

"The back is the checkout counter."

Lee Qri looked around.

"The design is nice."

"Simple and elegant."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's start working."

---

The goods had arrived.

Piled up in the warehouse.

Twenty containers of goods.

Divided into hundreds of boxes.

Qian Xu opened the first box.

Inside were thermos cups.

Stainless steel.

Matte texture.

"Where do I put this?"

Jeon Bo-ram asked.

"The daily necessities section."

Qian Xu pointed to the right.

"The third shelf."

"Okay!"

Jeon Bo-ram hugged a box.

And walked that way.

"Be careful!"

Qian Xu shouted.

"It's not heavy!"

Jeon Bo-ram turned back and smiled.

"I'm a powerhouse!"

---

Park Ji-yeon opened the second box.

Inside were Chinese-style notebooks.

Printed with ink wash paintings.

"Wow!"

"So pretty!"

She picked one up.

Flipped it open.

"Put this in the cultural and creative section."

Qian Xu said.

"Okay!"

Park Ji-yeon hugged the box and walked over.

Lee Qri opened the third box.

Inside were panda-shaped keychains.

"This is cute."

She smiled.

"Put it in the cultural and creative section."

"Okay."

---

The five of them started moving the goods.

Qian Xu joined in too.

Jeon Bo-ram finished moving one box.

And came back to move the second box.

"Mr. Qian, what's the cost price for that thermos cup?"

"5,000 won."

"So cheap?"

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes widened.

"Korean supermarkets sell them for 30,000!"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"We're selling them for 10,000."

"That's cheaper than a 30% discount at Lotte."

"Then it will definitely sell out!"

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"I want to buy ten!"

"To give to friends!"

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I'll give you the employee price for the opening."

"Really?"

"Really."

---

They moved goods for two hours.

Half of the shelves were stocked.

Jeon Bo-ram was so tired she sat on the floor.

"So tired..."

"But so happy!"

Park Ji-yeon also sat on the floor.

"Me too!"

"I haven't done physical labor in a long time!"

Lee Qri stood nearby.

Wiping away sweat.

"Mr. Qian, are you this tired every day?"

"It's okay."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'm used to it."

---

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

Ham Eun-jung arrived.

She walked into the store.

And froze.

Half of the shelves were already stocked.

Thermos cups were neatly arranged.

Notebooks were classified and placed.

Keychains were hanging on the display rack.

"You guys..."

"Moved things all afternoon?"

"Yes!"

Jeon Bo-ram sat on the floor.

And smiled.

"Unnie, do you think we arranged them well?"

"Good."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"Very good."

She looked at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, thank you for your hard work."

"It's no trouble."

Qian Xu smiled.

"They helped a lot."

---

Seven o'clock in the evening.

The shelves were basically full.

Only the fresh produce section was left.

The farmers would deliver it tomorrow morning.

Qian Xu stood in the center of the store.

Looking around.

Thermos cups were neatly arranged.

Notebooks were classified and placed.

Keychains were hanging on the display rack.

The cultural and creative section was the most eye-catching.

The Chinese-style elements.

Made people's eyes light up.

"That's about it."

He smiled.

"Once the fresh produce arrives tomorrow morning."

"Everything will be ready."

---

Jeon Bo-ram walked over.

And stood beside him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"How are you feeling right now?"

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Very satisfied."

"Why?"

"Because this place."

"I built it with my own hands."

"From selecting the location."

"To the renovation."

"To stocking the goods."

"To arranging the merchandise."

"I did it all."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"You're really amazing."

"One month."

"Starting from zero."

"To get to this point."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You helped me a lot too."

---

Ham Eun-jung walked over.

"Mr. Qian, what shall we eat tonight?"

"My treat."

"To celebrate the opening tomorrow."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Call everyone."

"Let's go eat Korean BBQ together."

---

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Hongdae, Korean BBQ restaurant.

The seven of them sat around together.

The table was full of pork belly.

Kimchi.

Lettuce.

"Cheers!"

Ham Eun-jung raised her glass.

"Wishing Yunmengze Life Plaza a great opening tomorrow!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

---

After dinner.

Ten o'clock in the evening.

Qian Xu paid the bill.

And walked out of the BBQ restaurant.

The night in Seoul.

The wind was a bit chilly.

Jeon Bo-ram followed by his side.

"Mr. Qian, shall I take you back?"

"No need."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'm driving myself."

"Then I'll go back too."

Jeon Bo-ram said.

"Opening tomorrow."

"I need to sleep early."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

---

Qian Xu drove home.

On the way.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Jeon Bo-ram.

"Mr. Qian, opening tomorrow."

"Can I come?"

Qian Xu smiled.

"Of course."

"You're family of an employee."

"Free admission."

Jeon Bo-ram replied.

"Then I'll come early tomorrow morning!"

"Help you stock the fresh produce!"

"Okay."

Qian Xu replied.

"Good night."

---

Six o'clock the next morning.

Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

When Qian Xu arrived.

The sky wasn't fully bright yet.

The lights were on in the store.

Kim Min-jun had already arrived.

"Mr. Qian, good morning!"

"The fresh produce from the farmers has arrived."

"It's in the warehouse."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Let's start stocking."

---

The two walked into the warehouse.

Vegetables.

Fruits.

Pork.

Beef.

All neatly arranged.

"Start moving."

Qian Xu rolled up his sleeves.

"Okay."

Kim Min-jun also rolled up his sleeves.

---

They moved for half an hour.

Jeon Bo-ram arrived.

She was wearing a pink hoodie.

With a ponytail.

"Mr. Qian!"

"I'm here!"

"Morning."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Here to help?"

"Yes!"

Jeon Bo-ram ran in.

"I'll move the vegetables!"

---

The three of them moved for an hour.

The fresh produce section was full.

Emerald green lettuce.

Bright red tomatoes.

Golden corn.

Fresh beef.

Pork.

Jeon Bo-ram stood in front of the fresh produce section.

Looking at those vegetables and fruits.

"So fresh!"

"Much better than the supermarket!"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Direct supply from Gyeonggi-do farmers."

"Picked just this morning."

8:00 AM.

Everything was ready.

The store was brightly lit.

Shelves were neatly arranged.

Products were displayed by category.

The fresh produce section emitted a refreshing scent.

Qian Xu stood in the center of the store.

He looked at it all.

He smiled.

"Mr. Qian."

Jeon Bo-ram stood beside him.

"How are you feeling right now?"

"Very happy."

Qian Xu said.

"Why?"

"Because this place."

"It is mine."

"It is something I built with my own hands."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"You are really amazing."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You are amazing too."

"You helped me move things all morning."

His phone buzzed.

It was a system notification.

Qian Xu tapped it open.

[Yunmengze Life Plaza opening preparations complete]

[Daily limit: 11.5 billion KRW]

[Accumulated balance: 34.6 billion KRW]

[South Korea's favorability towards China: 27.8%]

He smiled.

He put his phone away.

"Let's go."

"We need to pick up Eunjung and the others."

"Finish the rehearsal."

"Then come back for the opening."

"Okay."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

The two walked out of the store.

Sunlight hit the glass windows.

Reflecting a golden glow.

The streets of Hongdae were bustling with people.

It was the weekend.

It was very crowded.

"Mr. Qian."

Jeon Bo-ram suddenly spoke up.

"After the opening."

"You will be very busy, right?"

"Probably."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Then..."

Jeon Bo-ram paused.

"Will you still come to my house for dinner?"

Qian Xu was taken aback.

He looked at her.

She was looking down.

Her face was slightly flushed.

"I will."

He smiled.

"Whenever I'm free."

"I will come."

Jeon Bo-ram looked up.

Her eyes brightened.

"Really?"

"Really."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I still want to eat the kimchi fried rice you make."

"Okay!"

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"Then I will be waiting for you!"

The two arrived at STAGE 28.

Ham Eun-jung was already inside.

The five of them stood in a row.

Park Hyomin was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Mr. Qian, good morning!"

"Morning."

Qian Xu walked in.

"Are you ready?"

"We are ready!"

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"Let's start the rehearsal."

The rehearsal went smoothly.

The Chinese version of "a little happiness".

The Korean version of "restart".

Two songs.

Both done in one take.

Park So-yeon stood in the center.

Her voice was steady.

She hit the high notes well.

There was no voice cracking.

Jeon Bo-ram stood on the left.

Her movements were precise.

Her expression was natural.

Park Ji-yeon stood on the right.

She was full of energy.

Qian Xu sat in the audience.

He watched them.

He smiled.

The rehearsal ended.

11:00 AM.

Ham Eun-jung walked off the stage.

"Mr. Qian, how was it?"

"Very good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Tomorrow is the official performance."

"It will definitely be spectacular."

"Thank you."

Ham Eun-jung smiled.

"Let's go."

"To the store."

"Let's see the supermarket you built."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

The seven of them walked out of STAGE 28.

They headed toward Yunmengze Life Plaza.

On the way.

Jeon Bo-ram walked beside Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, the opening is this afternoon."

"Are you nervous?"

"No."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Because I am prepared."

"Everything is ready."

"There is nothing to be nervous about."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"You are really so confident."

"It is not confidence."

Qian Xu shook his head.

"It is being well-prepared."

They arrived at the store entrance.

Kim Min-jun was standing at the door.

"Mr. Qian, everything is ready."

"We can open the doors."

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

He took a deep breath.

He pushed the doors open.

The store was brightly lit.

Shelves were neatly arranged.

Products were displayed by category.

The fresh produce section emitted a refreshing scent.

"Wow!"

Jeon Bo-ram was the first to walk in.

"It's so beautiful!"

"Even more beautiful than yesterday!"

Park Ji-yeon ran in.

She spun around the store.

"It's so big here!"

"I really want to buy things!"

Lee Qri looked around.

"The design is very good."

"It's very comfortable."

Ham Eun-jung stood in the center of the store.

She looked at it all.

Her eyes were slightly red.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"You really did it."

"One month."

"From scratch."

"You have achieved this."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

2:00 PM.

The opening ceremony began.

The entrance was filled with flower baskets.

They were all sent by suppliers.

Kim Min-jun stood at the door.

He welcomed the guests.

Qian Xu stood inside the store.

He watched the first batch of customers walk in.

There were residents living nearby.

There were students passing by.

There were fans who had come specifically for the opening.

"Welcome!"

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the door.

She was wearing a pink apron.

She greeted everyone with a smile.

"Welcome to Yunmengze Life Plaza!"

Park Ji-yeon stood beside her.

She was wearing a white apron.

"Welcome!"

There were more and more customers.

The store became lively.

In the fresh produce section.

A few middle-aged women were picking vegetables.

"Wow, this lettuce is so fresh!"

"Much better than Lotte's!"

"And the price is cheap!"

In the daily necessities section.

A few students were looking at thermoses.

"This is only 10,000 KRW?"

"Lotte sells them for 30,000!"

"Let's buy one!"

In the cultural and creative section.

A group of young people gathered there.

"This notebook is so pretty!"

"It's ink wash painting style!"

"And there are panda keychains!"

"So cute!"

Qian Xu stood next to the checkout counter.

He watched all of this.

He smiled.

Jeon Bo-ram walked over.

She stood beside him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"Congratulations on the successful opening."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Same to you."

"Congratulations on the opening."

5:00 PM.

The first day of business ended.

Kim Min-jun walked over with the data.

"Mr. Qian, the first-day sales volume."

"How much?"

"120 million KRW."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Not bad."

"The first day."

"120 million."

"That is already very good."

"Yes."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"And there is a lot of positive feedback."

"They all say our products are good."

"The prices are cheap."

"The service is great."

"That's good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Let's continue tomorrow."

7:00 PM.

The store closed.

Qian Xu stood in the store.

It was empty.

He was all alone.

He looked around.

The shelves were neatly arranged.

Products were displayed by category.

The fresh produce section was sold out.

Only a few tomatoes were left.

He smiled.

His phone buzzed.

It was a message from Jeon Bo-ram.

"Mr. Qian, where are you?"

"At the store."

"What's wrong?"

"I want to come and see."

"Is that okay?"

"Of course."

A few minutes later.

Jeon Bo-ram walked in.

She had changed her clothes.

She was wearing a white dress.

Her hair was let down.

She had light makeup on.

"Mr. Qian."

"Why haven't you gone back yet?"

"I wanted to take another look."

Qian Xu smiled.

"How about you?"

"Me too."

Jeon Bo-ram walked over.

She stood beside him.

"I'm so happy today."

"Seeing so many people come to buy things."

"Seeing them like our products."

"I am very happy too."

Qian Xu said.

The two stood in the center of the store.

It was quiet all around.

There was only the buzzing of the freezers.

"Mr. Qian."

Jeon Bo-ram suddenly spoke up.

"Are you hungry?"

Qian Xu was taken aback.

"A little."

"Then..."

Jeon Bo-ram took two cans of beer out of her bag.

"I brought beer."

"And kimbap."

"Do you want to eat here?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

She smiled.

Her eyes curved into crescents.

"Okay."

He smiled.

"Let's eat here."

The two sat in the lounge area.

On the sofa.

Jeon Bo-ram opened the beer.

She handed a can to Qian Xu.

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

The two clinked their cans.

They took a sip.

Jeon Bo-ram opened the kimbap.

"I made it this morning."

"You made it?"

Qian Xu was taken aback.

"Yes."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"Yesterday you said you wanted to eat kimchi fried rice."

"But today was the opening."

"I wanted to make something convenient to eat."

"So I made kimbap."

Qian Xu looked at the box of kimbap.

It was neatly arranged.

It was cut very evenly.

"Thank you."

He picked up a piece.

He took a bite.

The rice was soft.

The kimchi was crunchy.

The minced meat was fragrant.

"Delicious."

"Really?"

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes brightened.

"Really."

Qian Xu nodded.

"It is even better than what they sell outside."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"Then you should eat more."

The two sat in the empty store.

They drank beer.

They ate kimbap.

It was quiet all around.

There was only the buzzing of the freezers.

"Mr. Qian."

Jeon Bo-ram suddenly spoke up.

"Are you happy today?"

"Happy."

Qian Xu nodded.

"How about you?"

"I am happy too."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"It has been a long time since I have been this happy."

"Ever since T-ARA disbanded."

"I have been very lost."

"I did not know what to do in the future."

"But now."

"I feel like."

"Everything will get better."

Qian Xu looked at her.

She was looking down.

Her finger was drawing circles on the beer can.

"It will get better."

He said.

"I am here."

Jeon Bo-ram looked up.

She looked at him.

Her eyes were slightly red.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you for helping us make a comeback."

"Thank you for opening this supermarket."

"Thank you for letting me."

"Have hope again."

Qian Xu looked at her.

His heart softened.

"You're welcome."

He said.

"You deserve it."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

She took another sip of beer.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think."

"Tomorrow's Comeback Show."

"Will be a success?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"It definitely will be."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because you are prepared."

"Because the fans are waiting for you."

"Because."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"You deserve it."

Jeon Bo-ram was taken aback.

Then she smiled.

"You always say that."

"Because it is true."

Qian Xu also smiled.

The two drank for a while longer.

The beer cans were empty.

The kimbap was finished.

Jeon Bo-ram leaned back on the sofa.

Her eyes were slightly hazy.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"I am a little sleepy."

"Then go back and sleep."