81: Chapter 82 So-yeon Confesses

The celebration party was over.

Inside the barbecue restaurant in Hongdae.

The six of them had all drunk quite a bit.

Jeon Bo-ram's cheeks were flushed.

She leaned back against her chair.

"Mr. Qian..."

"I'm so happy today..."

"I haven't been this happy in a long time..."

Qian Xu smiled.

"As long as you're happy."

Ham Eun-jung held up her soju glass.

She stood up.

"Mr. Qian, I'd like to toast you."

"Tonight's data."

"Fifth on the Naver trending search."

"The live stream replay broke 500,000 views."

"It's all thanks to you."

Qian Xu also stood up.

"It's your own hard work."

"I just provided the opportunity."

The two clinked glasses.

They drank it in one gulp.

Park So-yeon sat in the corner.

She didn't say much.

She just watched Qian Xu.

Her gaze was gentle.

11:00 PM.

The celebration party broke up.

The six of them walked out of the barbecue restaurant.

The night in Hongdae.

Was still lively.

Someone was playing guitar on the street.

Someone was dancing.

"Mr. Qian, I'll take them back first," said Ham Eun-jung.

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Be careful on the way."

Jeon Bo-ram waved at him.

"Goodnight, Mr. Qian!"

"Goodnight."

Park Ji-yeon yawned.

"I'm so sleepy..."

"Going back to sleep..."

Lee Qri supported Park Hyomin.

"Let's go."

"We have an interview tomorrow."

The six of them got into a taxi.

The car drove away.

Qian Xu stood by the side of the road.

He was just about to head to the parking lot.

Footsteps came from behind him.

"Mr. Qian."

It was Park So-yeon's voice.

Qian Xu turned around.

He was stunned.

Park So-yeon was standing under a streetlamp.

She was wearing a beige trench coat.

Her hair was worn down.

She was wearing light makeup.

Her gaze was very serious.

"Ms. Soyeon?"

"Why didn't you leave with them?"

"I have something to tell you."

Park So-yeon walked over.

She stood in front of him.

"Something very important."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"What is it?"

Park So-yeon took a deep breath.

"It's not convenient to talk here."

"Can we go to the parking lot?"

"Okay."

Qian Xu nodded.

The two walked side by side toward the parking lot.

The night breeze in Hongdae.

Was a bit chilly.

Park So-yeon didn't speak.

She just kept her head down.

Her fingers were twisting the hem of her trench coat.

Inside the parking lot.

It was empty.

There were only a few cars.

Qian Xu walked to his car.

He turned around and looked at her.

"Ms. Soyeon, go ahead."

Park So-yeon stood in front of him.

She looked up.

Looking at him.

Her eyes were very firm.

"Mr. Qian."

"I like you."

Qian Xu was stunned.

His whole body froze there.

"What?"

"I said."

Park So-yeon repeated it.

"I like you."

"It's not gratitude."

"It's not thankfulness."

"It's liking you."

"It's a heart flutter."

"Every time I see you."

"My heart rate accelerates."

"Every time I hear your voice."

"I feel very at ease."

Qian Xu stood there.

His mind was blank.

Park So-yeon looked at him.

She continued.

"Since the day you helped me terminate my contract."

"I knew."

"My feelings for you."

"Had changed."

"You accompanied me to eat samgyetang."

"You comforted me when I went off-key."

"You let me stand on stage again."

"To finish singing that 'a little happiness'."

"At that moment."

"I looked at you off-stage."

"I was certain."

"I like you."

She took a step forward.

She was very close to Qian Xu.

He could smell her perfume.

It was faint.

Like gardenias.

"I know."

"You are the boss."

"I am an artist."

"I know."

"Saying this out loud."

"Might put you in a difficult position."

"But I couldn't help it."

"Tonight."

"At the celebration party."

"I watched you smile."

"Watched you clinking glasses with everyone."

"I kept thinking."

"If I don't say it."

"I will regret it for the rest of my life."

She looked up.

Her eyes were red.

"Mr. Qian."

"You don't have to answer me now."

"You just need to know."

"I like you."

"That's enough."

"If you like me too."

"Even just a little bit."

"Tell me."

"I will be very happy."

"If you don't like me."

"It's okay too."

"I will keep this affection."

"Hidden in my heart."

"Continue to be your artist."

"Continue to sing the songs you give me."

Qian Xu looked at her.

Looking at her red eyes.

Looking at her trembling lips.

Looking at her serious gaze.

He opened his mouth.

Wanting to say something.

But couldn't say anything.

Park So-yeon smiled.

"See."

"I said it."

"I feel much lighter."

She wiped the corners of her eyes.

"Okay."

"I'm done."

"You should go back."

"Get some rest early."

She turned to leave.

Qian Xu suddenly spoke.

"Ms. Soyeon."

Park So-yeon stopped.

She turned to look at him.

"Hmm?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Are you sure?"

"Are you sure it's not gratitude?"

"Are you sure it's not just a momentary impulse?"

Park So-yeon smiled.

"I'm sure."

"I'm thirty this year."

"I'm not a twenty-year-old girl."

"I know what gratitude is."

"And what liking someone is."

"For you."

"It's liking."

Qian Xu looked at her.

He was silent.

Park So-yeon smiled.

"It's okay."

"You don't have to rush to answer."

"I can wait."

"Wait for you to think it through."

"Wait for you to like me too."

She turned around.

Walked a few steps.

Then stopped again.

Looked back at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Goodnight."

She smiled.

Then turned around.

Disappeared into the night.

Qian Xu stood there.

Watching her back.

Disappear from sight.

He leaned against the car.

Looked up at the night sky.

The night in Seoul.

There were very few stars.

But his heart rate.

Was fast.

He took out his phone.

Checked the time.

12:00 AM.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from Park So-yeon.

"Mr. Qian, I've already gotten in the car."

"What I said tonight."

"Was serious."

"Please think about it carefully."

"Goodnight."

Qian Xu looked at the message.

His finger hovered over the screen.

Not knowing what to reply.

Finally.

He only typed two words.

"Goodnight."

He put away his phone.

Got into the car.

Started the engine.

The car drove out of the parking lot.

The night in Hongdae.

Was still lively.

But in his mind.

It was all Park So-yeon's words.

"I like you."

"It's a heart flutter."

"Every time I see you."

"My heart rate accelerates."

He gripped the steering wheel.

His fingers tightened.

He smiled.

This girl.

Is really direct.