339: Chapter 319 Since Liu Zhimin, you're not going to send out bubbles, don't blame me for being ruthless~

In early July, the sky over Seoul was a brilliant blue, and the sunlight poured unreservedly onto the streets of Gangnam District.

TG Entertainment held the opening ceremony for "the crab" in the plaza in front of the company building. On a massive red backdrop, the title logo of "the crab" was particularly eye-catching, with a line of small text below it—"TG Entertainment's First Film Production." Dozens of flower baskets were neatly arranged on both sides of the backdrop; from SM Entertainment to JYP Entertainment, from CJ ENM to LOEN, almost every well-known company in the industry had sent their blessings.

But what drew the most attention were the two neat rows of firecrackers and confetti cannons lined up on both sides of the red carpet in front of the backdrop.

—This wasn't the simple rice cake cutting and prayer recitation of a traditional Korean opening ceremony.

It was firecrackers.

Red, long, and possessing a very distinct "Chinese flavor" at first glance.

On both sides of the red carpet, nearly a hundred media reporters had set up their cameras, and flashes went off one after another, as bright as a small thunderstorm. On the huge backdrop, the words "Grand Opening Ceremony for the Movie 'the crab'" were particularly prominent, and the host in front of the backdrop was enthusiastically introducing the attending guests.

At exactly ten o'clock in the morning, Jiang Zhiyu and Im Yoona walked onto the red carpet side by side and stood in the center of the backdrop.

Standing beside her, Jiang Zhiyu wore a perfectly tailored black suit, a meticulous white shirt, and a silver-gray tie. The sunlight fell on him, outlining a young yet steady silhouette. His overly handsome face wore a standard business smile, looking gentle and harmless yet full of persuasiveness.

Im Yoona stood by his side, wearing a simple and elegant cream-colored dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and her makeup exquisite. Her smile was as gentle and appropriate as ever, but looking closely, the light in her doe-like eyes was a bit sharper and more determined than before—a trace left by two months of physical training.

The center position.

A man and a woman, the director and the lead actress, stood side by side.

The picture was harmonious and beautiful.

If IU hadn't been standing next to them.

Today, she wore a nude-pink slim-fit dress that reached her knees, revealing her slender calves. A pair of thin high heels made her already petite figure look even more delicate. With exquisite makeup and a sweet smile, she perfectly played the roles of "investor representative" and "friendly support."

This subtle positioning, in the eyes of those gossip tabloid reporters with sensitive noses, was simply a huge piece of news delivered to their doorstep.

[A Love Triangle? IU and Im Yoona Compete for the Genius Director?]

[Jiang Zhiyu with a Woman on Each Arm? The Opening Ceremony of 'the crab' Conceals a Mystery!]

[Undercurrents Surging at the Opening Site? A Fight for the Center or a Love Triangle?]

[Investor IU's Gaze Can't Be Hidden? Caught Multiple Times Looking at Jiang Zhiyu]

The headlines were already being generated in their minds.

But at this moment, IU was just smiling, her gaze occasionally sweeping across Jiang Zhiyu's profile before quickly moving away. Her expression management was impeccable; no one knew what she was thinking.

At ten-o-eight, the auspicious time arrived.

Jiang Zhiyu took the lighter handed to him by a staff member and personally lit the first string of firecrackers.

The crackling explosions instantly erupted, red paper scraps flew, and smoke rose. The cheers, the sounds of shutters, and the firecrackers intertwined, making the scene feel less like an opening ceremony and more like a grand festival celebration.

Im Yoona subconsciously took half a step back but was gently pulled by the wrist by Jiang Zhiyu.

"Don't be afraid," his voice came faintly through the noise.

Im Yoona's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a perfect smile, letting him lead her as they stood in that rain of red paper scraps.

The camera faithfully recorded this scene.

The firecrackers burned out, the smoke cleared, and the opening ceremony entered its normal process—producer's speech, director's address, lead actor's remarks, and media photos.

Everything was in order; everything was proceeding according to plan.

The only small interlude occurred halfway through the ceremony.

A van parked discreetly on the outskirts of the crowd, and a figure in a light blue dress stepped out.

Karina.

The leader of aespa, the representative SM sent this time to "support" their own Im Yoona.

She was clearly dressed up meticulously today—a milky-white sleeveless top paired with high-waisted dark blue wide-leg pants, making her waist look slender and her legs incredibly long. Her long hair was loose, tucked behind one ear on one side to reveal her exquisite profile and her signature pearl earrings. She wore just the right amount of light makeup, not stealing the spotlight yet so beautiful it was hard to look away.

She walked through the crowd, first approaching Im Yoona, bowing slightly with an appropriate smile: "Yoona-sunbaenim, congratulations on the opening. SM asked me to represent the company and send our blessings."

"Thank you, Ji-min," Im Yoona responded with a smile, a flash of doubt in her eyes—why are you here alone?

Then Karina turned to IU, bowing politely as well: "IU-sunbaenim, hello."

IU nodded with a sweet smile: "Ji-min looks so beautiful today."

"Sunbaenim, you flatter me."

After a few words of greeting, Karina's gaze began to search the venue.

Quickly, she saw Jiang Zhiyu standing not far away, talking to the staff.

She stepped toward him.

The interaction between the two was caught by many sharp-eyed reporters.

But to the reporters' disappointment, their interaction... was too plain.

No polite bowing, no formulaic handshake, not even a "long time no see" greeting.

Karina walked up to Jiang Zhiyu, they glanced at each other, and then—

"Oppa, when will this end?" Karina spoke, her voice kept very low. The smile was still on her face, but her tone was entirely that of a close acquaintance.

Jiang Zhiyu turned his head to look at her, likewise maintaining his camera-ready smile, his lips barely moving: "Soon, soon."

He paused, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Why did SM only send you? If they wanted to show face, you should have come together, not just one person. Minjeong should have come along too."

Karina's smile didn't waver, but her eyes were filled with helplessness: "Don't even mention it. Minjeong said she was going to the company to practice, and Ningning and Eri made plans to go out, so I had to come alone."

She sighed softly, her voice even lower: "It's clearly a day off where I could have slept in..."

Then, her tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of acting spoiled, but her voice remained low: "But since it's Oppa's movie after all, I definitely had to come and support you."

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, a complex, calculating light flashing in his eyes.

That light vanished in an instant, so fast it seemed like an illusion.

In the next second, his expression turned into a "sincere" smile, and he even raised his hand, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears from the corner of his eye, his voice filled with exaggerated emotion: "I'm so touched, Ji-min..."

"As long as you know!" Karina gave him a "see, I'm the one who treats you well" look, the curve of her lips impossible to suppress. "Buy me milk tea later! I want the 'everything in it' one."

"Will your Manager let you drink it?" Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow.

Karina's smile was perfect, but her eyes almost rolled. She took a deep breath and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, slightly gritting her teeth:

"Aish~ Oppa, can't you just think of a reason for me to be alone with you?"

Subtext: Do you have to expose me so bluntly? Would it kill you to give me an out?

Looking at her tsundere expression—clearly wanting milk tea but pretending she only asked for an excuse to be alone—the curve of his lips couldn't help but deepen. Jiang Zhiyu's lips slowly curled into a meaningful arc.

"Ji-min-ah," his voice suddenly became a bit more serious, carrying an inscrutable smile, "do you want to act?"

Karina was slightly stunned.

"I suddenly have a great idea," Jiang Zhiyu added, his eyes sparkling with a light that only he fully understood.

Karina froze for a moment, then her eyes slowly lit up, and the smile on her face deepened.

She nodded with satisfaction, her eyes filled with undisguised praise and pride:

"See, Oppa, you still have your ways~"

Her tone was like praising a primary school student who had finally caught on.

She paused and then added:

"Then I will... reluctantly, go 'discuss work' with you."

Jiang Zhiyu also nodded, his smile meaningful.

The sun was intense, the red paper scraps from the firecrackers were still drifting in the air, and the reporters in the distance were still frantically clicking their shutters.

And in the center of all this noise, two people stood facing each other with appropriate smiles, speaking private words that others couldn't hear.

No one knew what kind of secret invitation was hidden in those few short sentences just now.

Nor did anyone know that this aespa leader, who seemingly just came to "show her face," was about to step into a whole new world.

Under the grand opening, undercurrents had already begun to surge.

————

(See you all tomorrow)

[12:30 - Seventh Selfie]

After eating, Karina stood by the window to digest. The clouds outside had scattered further, the sun was fully out, and the light shone in, casting shadows on the floor.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"The sky has cleared. The sun is out. Look, light. It's shining on me. It's also shining on you. Even though we aren't together, we're being shone upon by the same sun. It counts as sunbathing together. Right? If yes, nod. If no, also nod. If I say it's right, it's right."

Send.

[13:15 - Seventh Reply Video]

Before afternoon training started, Karina made funny faces at the camera. She squinted and pouted, squeezing her face into various strange shapes.

"It's afternoon. Continuing to practice. My condition is good today. Because the weather got better, because the food was good, because you've been here. Even though you aren't really here, it feels like it. You're in my phone, in photos, in my heart. You're everywhere. Are you omnipresent? If yes, then that's right. You are my air. I can't live without you. So you have to stay. Always."

She suddenly became serious.

"By the way, I'm going to get my concert outfit measured after training today. I'll show you the photos later. Help me choose which set looks better. It doesn't matter if you pick the 'wrong' one, I'll wear whatever you choose. Because you chose it. I like everything you pick. I'm wearing it for you to see anyway. So, whichever set you pick is the one I'll wear. I am your exclusive model. I'm only showing you."

Video ends.

Sent.

[14:50 - Eighth Selfie]

Training finished, Karina takes a selfie in front of the mirror, covered in sweat. Her wet hair is stuck to her face, and her cheeks are flushed, but her eyes are bright and sparkling.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished practicing. I'm exhausted. But I'm happy. Because it's one day closer to the concert. One day closer to seeing you. 20 days. We can meet in 20 days. You have to come see me. You must. If you don't, I'll fly to find you. I'll fly over on a wire. Fly right to your window. And knock. Will you open it? If you don't, I'll keep knocking until you do."

Sent.

[15:30 - Eighth Reply Video]

Karina is sitting in the car, heading to the place for her costume measurements. The sunlight outside the window is lovely, shining on her face through the glass.

"On my way to get measured. The sun is so nice today. It's much warmer. It was only 5 degrees this morning, but now it feels like 10. Is it warmer where you are too? If it is, go out for a walk. Get some sun. Replenish your Vitamin D. It's good for your health. And it's good for me too. Because I'm happy when you're healthy. When I'm happy, I have the energy to train. When I have energy, I can dance better. When I dance better, you can see a better version of me. It's a virtuous cycle."

She reaches out toward the sunlight, letting the rays leak through her fingers.

"Look, light. My hand. Where's your hand? Reach out, let's soak up the sun together. Even if we aren't together, if we reach out at the same time, it counts as being together. Right? Nod if you agree. Nod even if you don't. If I say it's right, it's right. You have to listen to me. Because I'm your boss. You're my employee. Employees have to listen to the boss. Got it?"

Video ends.

Sent.

[16:15 - Ninth Selfie]

Karina arrives at the costume studio and holds up her phone to take a picture in the mirror. A staff member is measuring her waist; she stands perfectly straight with her arms slightly out, like a wooden mannequin.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Getting measured. What's my waist size? Not telling. It's a secret. But you'll see when we meet. You'll see me in my pretty clothes. They're specifically for you to see. Everyone else is just incidental. You are the specific one. The only specific one. The most specific. Super specific."

Sent.

[17:00 - Ninth Reply Video]

Karina holds up sample photos of several outfits, showing them to the camera. The first is a shiny silver-white miniskirt, the second is a cool black suit, and the third is a sweet pink tulle dress.

"Look, three candidates. Silver, black, and pink. Which one do you choose? Silver is cool, black is handsome, and pink is sweet. Which do you like? Tell me once you've picked. I'll wear the one you choose. Which one? Hurry up and pick. If you don't pick... I'll wear them all. I'll change and show you one by one. You're getting a bargain. Seeing so many styles at once."

She winks.

"Picking silver? Okay, noted. Picking black? That works too. Picking pink? Also fine. Anyway, I like whatever you choose. Because you chose it. Whatever you pick, I'll wear. I look good in everything. Because I'm yours. Your person is obviously good-looking. Right?"

Video ends.

Sent.

[18:00 - Tenth Selfie]

Coming out of the studio, it's almost dark. Karina stands at the entrance, taking a photo of the sunset. Today's sunset glow is a faint pinkish-purple, gentle and romantic.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"I'm out. It's almost dark. Today's sunset glow is pretty, isn't it? A faint pink. Doesn't it look like my blush? If it does, then I'm right. My blush today is exactly this color. I matched it to the sunset on purpose. That way, the sunset and I are a set. When you see the sunset, you see me. When you see me, you see the sunset. We are one. Inseparable."

Sent.

[18:45 - Tenth Reply Video]

Karina gets home, and the first thing she does is rush to curl up on the sofa. She hugs a throw pillow and speaks to the camera, her voice soft.

"I'm home. So tired. But happy. Because I did so many things today. I trained, got measured, picked styles, and talked to you a lot. What did you do today? Tell me. I want to know. I want to know everything about you. What you ate, what you drank, who you met, if you're happy or not, if you're tired. Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out. If you do, I'll ask. I'll keep asking until you tell me everything."

She rolls over onto her stomach, kicking her legs up and swinging them.

"Am I being annoying? If I am, then good. I'm a little pest. I'm specifically here to annoy you. To annoy you until you get used to it. Once you're used to it, it'll be fine. Once it's fine, you won't be able to leave me. And if you can't leave me, you're mine. A perfect plan. Right?"

Video ends.

Sent.

[19:30 - Eleventh Selfie]

Karina starts preparing dinner. She opens the fridge and takes a photo of the ingredients inside—there's a bit of yesterday's kimchi tofu soup left, along with eggs, green onions, rice cakes, and ramen. She decides to heat the soup and cook some ramen.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Dinner: Heating up yesterday's soup and adding some ramen. Simple but delicious. What are you having for dinner? Take a photo and show me. If you don't... I'll just imagine you're eating ramen too. We'll eat together. Even if we aren't together, if we eat ramen at the same time, it counts as being together. Right? Nod if you agree. Nod even if you don't. If I say it's right, it's right."

Sent.

[20:15 - Eleventh Reply Video]

Karina records a video while eating dinner. She picks up a mouthful of ramen and slurps it down, completely disregarding her image.

"It's good. Ramen and kimchi soup are the perfect match. I'll make this for you next time you come over. It's simple, but delicious. Because I made it, it's even better. Because I like you, the food I make for you has a special magic. When you eat it, you'll be happy, you'll be warm, and you'll think of me. It's only right that you think of me. I'm making you think of me. Specifically making you think of me."

She takes a sip of the soup, squinting her eyes in satisfaction.

"The soup is good too. It's left over from yesterday, so the flavor is even deeper today. Doesn't it look like my feelings for you? The longer the time, the deeper the flavor. The longer it goes, the more I like you. It will never expire. Always fresh. Always passionate. Always, always, always."

Video ends.

Sent.

[21:00 - Twelfth Selfie]

After eating, Karina stands by the window, taking a photo of the night view outside. You can see stars tonight; though not many, they are very bright. Namsan Tower is also lit up, looking like a giant star.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Tonight's stars. Do you see them? Namsan Tower is there too. Don't they look like two stars? One is Namsan Tower, and one is me. Which one are you? You are the moon. I am a star. The star revolves around the moon. Round and round forever. I'll keep spinning even when I can't anymore. Because I like you, I can't stop."

Sent.

[21:45 - Twelfth Reply Video]

Karina has finished her shower, changed into pajamas, and is curled up on the sofa. She hugs a throw pillow and speaks quietly to the camera.

"Today, March 1st, is ending. Time goes by so fast. How many times did I think of you today? I counted. 387 times. That's 13 times short of my goal of 400. I'll make it up tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll think of you 413 times. The day after, even more. It increases every day. Because I like you more every day. The more I like you, the more I think of you. It's an infinite increase. No upper limit."

She yawns.

"No, I'm getting a bit sleepy. But I still have to say goodnight to you. I can only sleep after I've said it. I can't sleep peacefully without saying it. Once I say it, I can sleep well. Once I sleep well, I can continue thinking of you tomorrow. So, I'm saying goodnight now. Goodnight, my Butler. Goodnight, my moon. Goodnight, my favorite person."

Video ends.

Sent.

[22:15 - Thirteenth Selfie]

Karina lies in bed, showing only her face. She holds up her phone and takes a picture of herself buried in the duvet, with only her eyes showing.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"In bed. Ready to sleep. Today's weather: cloudy then clearing, 5 to 11 degrees. Tomorrow's weather: clear then becoming cloudy, 6 to 13 degrees. Remember to dress appropriately. I checked the weather forecast specifically to tell you. Because I'm worried you'll dress wrong. Worried you'll catch a cold. Worried you'll feel unwell. So you have to be good. Wear the right clothes. Eat well. Sleep well. Because you are mine. I have to take good care of my things."

Sent.

[22:30 - Thirteenth Reply Video]

Karina is almost asleep, her voice is muddled, and she can barely keep her eyes open.

"Tomorrow... Monday... you have to work... I have to train... we'll each work hard... but our hearts are together... if our hearts are together, we are together... distance isn't an issue... weather isn't an issue... nothing is an issue... because I think of you... and you think of me... that's enough..."

She rolls over and buries her face in the pillow.

"Goodnight... goodbye March 1st... hello March 2nd... I'll think of you even more on March 2nd... more every day... always more... infinite cycle... infinite liking... infinite, infinite, infinite..."

Her voice gets smaller and smaller until only the sound of breathing remains.

Video ends.

Sent.

[22:45 - Final Text Reply]

Before turning off the lights, Karina uses her last bit of strength to send a message:

"March 1, 2026, thought of you for the 387th time. Tomorrow's goal is 413 times. Goodnight. Tomorrow's weather is clear then becoming cloudy, 6 to 13 degrees. Remember to dress appropriately. I'll be thinking of you. Always. Forever. Infinitely. Goodnight."

Sent.