82: Chapter 83 Holding Hands Late at Night

The parking lot was empty.

Only a few lights were on.

Qian Xu stood there.

Looking at Park So-yeon.

His mind was a complete blank.

"Ms. Soyeon..."

"You've had too much to drink."

"I haven't had too much."

Park So-yeon shook her head.

"I'm very sober."

"More sober than ever."

She took a step forward.

Standing right in front of him.

Less than a meter away.

He could smell the alcohol on her.

And a faint scent of perfume.

"Mr. Qian."

"I know this is very sudden."

"But I can't hold it in anymore."

"From the day you helped me with my contract termination."

"From the day you comforted me on stage."

"From the day you treated me to samgyetang."

"I've wanted to say it."

Her voice was trembling.

But her gaze was firm.

"I like you."

"It's not gratitude."

"It's heart-fluttering."

"It's every time I see you."

"My heartbeat accelerates."

Qian Xu looked at her.

Not knowing what to say.

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

Park So-yeon smiled.

"I can wait."

"Wait for you to think it through."

"Wait for you to like me too."

She turned.

Took a few steps.

Then stopped.

Looked back at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Good night."

She smiled.

Then turned.

Disappeared into the night.

Qian Xu stood there.

Watching her silhouette.

Disappear from sight.

He leaned against the car.

Looking up at the night sky.

Seoul's night.

There were few stars.

But his heartbeat.

Was very fast.

He took out his phone.

Checked the time.

Midnight.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from Park So-yeon.

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

"What I said tonight."

"Is serious."

"Think about it carefully."

"Good night."

Qian Xu looked at the message.

His finger hovered over the screen.

Not knowing what to reply.

Finally.

He only typed two words.

"Good night."

He put away his phone.

Got in the car.

Started the engine.

The car drove out of the parking lot.

The night in Hongdae.

Was still lively.

But his mind.

Was full of So-yeon's words.

"I like you."

"It's heart-fluttering."

"It's every time I see you."

"My heartbeat accelerates."

He gripped the steering wheel.

His fingers tightened.

And smiled.

This girl.

Was truly direct.

The car drove back to Cheongdam-dong.

Stopped under the apartment building.

Qian Xu turned off the engine.

Sat in the car.

Didn't get out.

The phone vibrated again.

It was from Park So-yeon.

"Mr. Qian, are you home?"

He replied.

"Just arrived."

"What about you?"

"I'm home too."

"I'm very tired today."

"Rest early."

Qian Xu looked at the screen.

His finger hovered.

Then he typed a line.

"Ms. Soyeon."

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Let's have lunch together."

The message was sent.

He froze.

What was he doing?

The phone vibrated quickly.

"Okay."

"What time?"

"Twelve o'clock."

"That Japanese restaurant in Cheongdam-dong."

"I know it."

"Okay."

"See you tomorrow."

"Good night."

Qian Xu looked at the screen.

And smiled.

"Good night."

He got out of the car.

Walked into the apartment building.

The elevator went up.

To the 17th floor.

He stepped out.

The hallway was very quiet.

Walked to his door.

Took out his keys.

Just as he was about to open the door.

The door next to his opened.

Jeon Bo-ram poked her head out.

Wearing pink pajamas.

Her hair was messy.

"Mr. Qian?"

"You're back?"

Qian Xu paused.

"Boram-xi?"

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I can't sleep."

Jeon Bo-ram walked out.

Stood at the doorway.

"I'm too happy tonight."

"I can't sleep."

"I've been thinking about the Comeback Show."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Go to sleep early."

"You still have an interview tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

But didn't go back in.

"Mr. Qian."

"Yeah?"

"So-yeon unnie tonight..."

"Did she say anything to you?"

Qian Xu paused.

"Nothing much."

"We just chatted about the Comeback Show."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

Her eyes were somewhat complex.

"Really?"

"Really."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Go to sleep quickly."

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

Turned and went back into the room.

Closed the door.

Qian Xu stood at the doorway.

Looking at her door.

Sighed.

Then opened his door to go in.

The next morning.

Cheongdam-dong.

Qian Xu stood under the apartment building.

Checked his phone.

11:30 AM.

He had arrived early.

Waiting for So-yeon.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from her.

"Mr. Qian, I've arrived."

"I'm at the entrance of the Japanese restaurant."

Qian Xu replied.

"I'll be there soon."

Cheongdam-dong, at the Japanese restaurant.

When Qian Xu arrived.

So-yeon was already standing at the entrance.

Wearing a white dress.

Her hair was down.

She had light makeup on.

She looked very gentle.

"Mr. Qian!"

She smiled.

"You're here."

"Have you been waiting long?"

Qian Xu walked over.

"No."

"I just arrived too."

They walked into the shop.

Found a seat by the window.

Ordered their meal.

So-yeon picked up her teacup.

"Mr. Qian, about last night..."

"Do you still remember?"

"I remember."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"What you said."

"I remember it all."

So-yeon lowered her head.

"Then you..."

"Have you thought it through?"

Qian Xu was silent for a while.

"Ms. Soyeon."

"I'm a person who isn't very good at expressing feelings."

"But what you said."

"I thought about it seriously all night."

So-yeon raised her head.

Looking at him.

Her eyes were somewhat nervous.

"And then?"

"And then..."

Qian Xu took a deep breath.

"I like you too."

So-yeon froze.

"Really?"

"Really."

Qian Xu nodded.

"From the day you sang 'a little happiness'."

"From the day you went off-key on stage."

"From the day you cried in front of me."

"I knew it."

"I like you."

So-yeon's eyes turned red.

"Mr. Qian..."

"Don't cry."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Your makeup will smudge."

So-yeon smiled.

But tears fell down.

"You really are..."

"Hateful..."

Qian Xu handed her a tissue.

"Wipe it."

"Others will think I bullied you."

So-yeon took the tissue.

Wiped her tears.

Smiled.

"You did bully me."

"Made me wait so long."

"I'm sorry."

Qian Xu smiled.

"It won't happen again."

They finished lunch.

Walked out of the Japanese restaurant.

On the streets of Cheongdam-dong.

The sun was bright.

"Do you want to take a walk?"

Qian Xu asked.

"Okay."

So-yeon nodded.

They walked side by side on the street.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Dappled light and shadow.

Falling on her face.

"Mr. Qian."

"Yeah?"

"What are we now..."

"What kind of relationship?"

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"What do you think?"

"I want to hear you say it."

So-yeon looked at him.

Qian Xu stopped walking.

Turned and looked at her.

"Girlfriend."

"Are you willing?"

So-yeon froze.

Then smiled.

"I'm willing."

Qian Xu reached out.

Held her hand.

Her hand was soft.

And a little cool.

"Let's go."

"Girlfriend."

So-yeon smiled.

Holding his hand tighter.

"Yeah."

They walked hand in hand.

On the streets of Cheongdam-dong.

The sun was bright.

The wind was gentle.

"Mr. Qian."

"Yeah?"

"I never thought."

"One day it would be like this."

"Like what?"

"Holding hands with you."

"Walking on the street."

So-yeon smiled.

"It's like a dream."

"It's not a dream."

Qian Xu squeezed her hand.

"It's real."

"Every day from now on."

"It will be real."

So-yeon looked at him.

Her eyes turned red again.

"Stop talking."

"I'm going to cry again."

"Okay."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I won't say it anymore."

They walked for a while.

Arrived under the apartment building.

"I'm here," So-yeon said.

"Yeah."

Qian Xu let go of her hand.

"Go on up."

"You still have an interview this afternoon."

"Okay."

So-yeon nodded.

But didn't move.

"Mr. Qian."

"Yeah?"

"Can I give you a hug?"

Qian Xu paused.

Then smiled.

"Sure."

So-yeon stepped forward.

Hugged him gently.

Her head resting on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

"For liking me."

Qian Xu patted her back gently.

"It's only natural."

So-yeon let go of him.

Smiled.

"Then I'm going up."

"Yeah."

"See you tonight."

"See you tonight."

So-yeon turned.

Walked into the apartment building.

Qian Xu stood downstairs.

Watching her silhouette.

Disappear into the elevator.

He smiled.

Turned and prepared to leave.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from So-yeon.

"Mr. Qian, I've arrived."

"I had a great time today."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu replied.

"I had a great time too."

"See you tonight."

"Okay."

"See you tonight."

He put away his phone.

Just about to get in the car.

Suddenly felt someone watching him.

He looked up at the apartment building.

The 17th floor.

Jeon Bo-ram's balcony.

The curtain moved slightly.

Qian Xu paused.

Was it Boram?

Did she see it?

He stood there.

Looking at that balcony.

The curtain stopped moving.

He sighed.

Got in the car.

Started the engine.

The car drove out of the complex.

17th floor.

Jeon Bo-ram stood on the balcony.

Watching Qian Xu's car.

Disappear around the street corner.

She bit her lip.

Her eyes were red.

She saw it.

She saw everything.

Qian Xu and So-yeon holding hands.

Hugging.

She saw it.

She turned.

Walked into the room.

Closed the door.

Leaned against it.

Slowly slid to the floor.

Tears flowed down.

"Mr. Qian..."

"You and her..."

"Are you together?"

She hugged her knees.

Cried.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from Qian Xu.

"Boram-xi, dinner together tonight?"

"I have something to tell you."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at the message.

Her fingers were trembling.

She wiped her tears.

Replied.

"Okay."

"What time?"

"Seven o'clock."

"At your place."

"Okay."

"See you tonight."

She put down the phone.

Looked at the ceiling.

Smiled.

But tears were still flowing.

"See you tonight."

"Mr. Qian."