53: Playing games in the SBS lounge

“Dude! That wasn't me, the editor messed up the cut, I'm not that much of an idiot, okay?”

“I didn’t say you were an idiot, I just wanted you to scold me. I mainly wanted to experience what Jisoo and the others felt at the time.”

Xu Zhiyou found it bizarre. What kind of hobby is this? Someone actually wants to be scolded? “Are you a fan? Or an anti-fan!”

“I’m a true fan, and I’m also a CP fan of you and Chaeyoung. Genuinely!”

This is unbelievable. Someone like her can even form a CP? And not just any CP, but with Park Chaeyoung, that airhead. Is this really happening?

“What do you mean? A CP fan of me and that airhead? You’re shipping the wrong CP, I’m not interested in her.”

“Hahaha~” It was the first time she had seen someone openly criticize their own team member like this.

Used to a harmonious atmosphere, this sudden diss felt quite novel.

That big brother was clearly more excited, saying loudly, “See, I told you two have great CP chemistry, a fated CP. Haha~”

“I’m telling you! Shipping everything will chip your teeth.”

Kim Jennie behind her asked curiously, “Jisoo, didn’t she say she wanted to express a harmonious atmosphere? Is talking about Chaeyoung like that harmonious?”

Seeing Xu Zhiyou endlessly chattering with the fans, it was like an old man gossiping on the street.

All the training they received taught them how to maintain a sense of mystery and distance from their fans.

But Xu Zhiyou simply didn't play by the rules. The way her face changed just now, they all felt it was a bit shameless and embarrassing.

The manager was waiting inside, and after waiting and waiting, she finally came out anxiously and saw this scene.

If Kim Ji-soo's manager, Becky, hadn't supported Leah, she really would have collapsed. She composed herself before speaking.

“It’s fine, you go take Jisoo and the other three in first, I’ll go catch her.”

“Do you need help?” Becky looked at her, feeling a bit sorry for her. Dealing with an artist like this was truly difficult.

“No need, she’s just chatting. You just keep Jisoo and the other three in line. Zoe is a lost cause, but the other four can still be saved, so pay attention.”

Leah had truly given up on treatment this time. This girl was a living ancestor, but then again, building good relationships with fans wasn't a bad thing either.

After Becky dragged the four wandering Kim Ji-soo and the others inside, Leah slowly walked towards Xu Zhiyou, who was still bragging.

“Leah Unnie, you’re here. This one is called… that one is called… How is it! I remembered their names, aren’t I sincere!”

Leah didn't expect that in such a short time, she had not only gotten their names but also remembered them.

The fans, hearing their idol's proud demeanor, found it endearing and incredibly touching. It wasn't easy to accurately remember their names, so they waved their cheering signs even more enthusiastically.

Leah watched her interacting with the fans and found it quite unique. Perhaps this was her exclusive charismatic personality.

“Did you forget what you came here for today?”

“My stage debut! It’s still early, though. They came all this way to see us, so I’m just chatting with them.”

“That’s enough, stop bragging. We still need to do hair and makeup later.”

“I’m chatting, how is that bragging!”

Leah realized she couldn't reason with her, so she directly bowed ninety degrees to the fans and said, “She still needs to do her hair and makeup, and time is running out, so you see…”

“It’s fine! You go ahead, we’re already very happy. And Zoe, we’ll always support you all! Hwaiting~”

Xu Zhiyou, who wanted to turn back and say goodbye, was dragged into the SBS building by Leah.

“Zoe, at least when there are no bodyguards, you need to keep your distance. This is for your safety, understand?”

“I understand!”

She also maintained a safe distance. Greeting her benefactors wasn't worth risking her safety; she understood fan culture.

After they left, the fans started discussing various things.

“I didn’t expect Zoe to be so down-to-earth, she doesn’t act like an idol at all, I love it!”

“She’s very sincere and polite. She rattled off more than ten people’s names in one go. Which idol can do what she does?”

“Am I the only one who thinks she’s really beautiful? Super beautiful, the kind that doesn’t even photograph well. She’s much prettier in person than on camera.”

“It’s not that she doesn’t photograph well, it’s her makeup and styling. Watch her debut showcase video, she looks super good.”

…

Backstage at Inkigayo, as a newcomer, Xu Zhiyou was supposed to bow ninety degrees to greet everyone, but she simply ignored everyone along the way.

She had manners, but constantly bowing ninety degrees was bad for her back and unnecessary. She didn't know them, so why should she be so humble?

She was too lazy to even pretend, walking with a confident swagger, and everyone she passed couldn't help but turn their gaze to her.

Which world doesn't love beauty? It's common for one's values to follow one's looks, and it's even more so in the entertainment industry.

“Is she the leader of BLACKPINK? She’s even more stunning in person than in photos!”

“If only I could take a photo with her, but she looks very aloof, not at all like she does in the behind-the-scenes videos.”

“Are you dreaming? She debuted at her peak and is also a producer. We’re not like her.”

“True, she has her own exclusive waiting room right after debut, while we can only squat in the hallway, how tragic. Sigh~”

…

The advantage of a big company like YG is that even newly debuted artists can have their own exclusive waiting rooms.

Walking directly to their exclusive waiting room, Kim Ji-soo threw all the albums in her hand at her, “Zoe, we need to go greet our seniors, we were just waiting for you!”

“What caliber of people are they that they deserve my greeting? Just say I have diarrhea or something else, make up any excuse you want.”

After saying that, she plopped down on the sofa, pulled out her phone, and started playing games. Recently, Honor of Kings was quite popular, and she would play whenever she had time.

“Are you serious?”

Park Chaeyoung was truly fed up with her. It’s just a bow, why is she so against it?

“Chaeyoung, do you know who people in my country bow ninety degrees to?”

Park Chaeyoung rolled her eyes at her. That statement was useless, how would she know?

“The dead or respected elders. So what caliber are they? Are they worth me, Xu, bowing? They’re nothing. Hmph~”

“Uh!!!” This left them speechless. She brought up culture, how could they refute that?

Park Chaeyoung was about to ask what a suitable excuse would be, but Kim Ji-soo suddenly interrupted.

She remembered Xu Zhiyou was almost at Star Tier, and if she kept playing, it would be hard to matchmake later.

“What rank are you at? You could at least wait for me, if your rank is too high, we won’t be able to matchmake!” Kim Ji-soo’s eyes lit up at the sight of the game; she loved playing games the most.

“Just hit Star Tier. Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’ll wait for you. I’m playing a normal match.”

“I’m only Diamond…”

The three of them watched the two of them jabbering away and felt like they were two lunatics. Didn’t they know what kind of occasion this was?

They were so anxious just now, but now they were directly discussing hero combos. Undeniably, they were internet-addicted girls.

“Jisoo, we need to go…”

Kim Jennie was interrupted by Kim Ji-soo before she could finish, “I have diarrhea too, you guys go by yourselves!”

The three of them were speechless. How could they be so crazy? After exchanging glances, the three of them dragged Kim Ji-soo away together.

Xu Zhiyou didn't go because she had the capability to do so, but not everyone could imitate her.

Kim Ji-soo also came to her senses, realizing she might have gotten a bit carried away. It was because she was very interested in the hero combos Xu Zhiyou mentioned.

At the door, she turned back and reminded, “Don’t play ranked anymore, wait for me to come back and we’ll team up.”

“Yah! Jisoo, are you done or not!”

Not only was the leader unreliable, but the usually most stable eldest sister had also become so unreliable. If their group continued like this, they would probably disband.

“Hehe! Jennie! I was just reminding her, let’s go, let’s go.”