134: Chapter 134 Heart-Fluttering Moments Based on Individual Abilities

Lee Ji-hyun's action of chasing after him just now was like a pebble thrown into a pond, creating ripples in everyone's hearts.

Every face bore a complex expression, and eyes unconsciously drifted toward Park Soyeon, who was sitting in the corner.

She still maintained her previous posture, a lingering trace of melancholy in her eyes, clearly not yet recovered from Liu Zijun's words: "Because I love her."

"Ahem..."

Ham Eun-jung coughed lightly, breaking the silence.

She looked at Lee Ji-hyun walking back into the practice room, then at Park Soyeon's state, and finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Soyeon unnie, do you... have you fallen for Elder Brother Liu Zijun?"

As soon as these words came out, the practice room instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Jeon Bo-ram instinctively covered her mouth, not expecting Ham Eun-jung to ask so directly.

Park Ji-yeon was about to pick up the water bottle on the table when her movements jerked to a halt, and she turned to look at Park Soyeon.

With everyone's gaze focused on her, Park Soyeon's cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of urgency yet also a bit of firmness.

"No! I only have gratitude toward him, truly."

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was very deliberate.

After speaking, she lowered her head and looked at the palm of her hand.

Choi Soo-myung's figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind—the one who always smiled and called her "Soyeon," standing up for her whenever she encountered difficulties.

His smile, his tenderness, and that lingering gaze before his death were etched into the depths of her heart like a brand, never fading.

How could she possibly forget?

Choi Soo-myung was the most dazzling light of her youth, the first love she could never let go of in this lifetime.

Liu Zijun's appearance was indeed like a warm current, illuminating her days shrouded in gloom, clearing T-ara's name, and giving them the chance to stand on stage again.

This care made her grateful, and occasionally gave rise to a slight illusion.

Moreover, a person like Liu Zijun definitely belonged to the type who valued loyalty and affection above all else.

Choi Soo-myung was someone he regarded as a brother to the death. Given his character, even if Choi Soo-myung was gone, he would absolutely never cross that line and accept the woman his brother once held dearest to his heart.

Ham Eun-jung looked at Park Soyeon's firm gaze, and the doubts in her heart gradually dissipated.

Just then, Lee Ji-hyun, who had been silent, suddenly let out a light chuckle, breaking the atmosphere that had finally eased.

She leaned against the mirror of the practice room, arms crossed over her chest, a meaningful smile curling the corners of her mouth. Her eyes swept over everyone present, her tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Since he can accept Im Yoona and Choi Sulli at the same time, could it be that we T-ara will lose to them?"

"What?"

Jeon Bo-ram voiced her confusion, her eyes rounding.

Park Ji-yeon's mouth dropped open even wider as she asked, "Ji-hyun unnie, what... what do you mean by that?"

Ham Eun-jung's brow furrowed tightly, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval.

"Ji-hyun unnie, don't talk nonsense. Elder Brother Liu Zijun's relationship with them is their business; we should just focus on ourselves."

Lee Ji-hyun didn't mind. Instead, she took two steps forward, glanced at Park Soyeon, and shook her head.

Then she slowly moved her gaze away, scanning the others, her smile becoming more pronounced.

"Do you think I can't see what some of you are thinking?"

Her eyes were sharp, as if she could see through everyone's secrets.

Some people's eyes flickered, and they didn't speak, only instinctively avoiding Lee Ji-hyun's gaze.

Lee Ji-hyun chuckled and continued, "Liking someone isn't something to be ashamed of. Liu Zijun is handsome, capable, and gentle to those around him. It's normal to be liked."

She paused, her tone becoming frank: "Im Yoona is one of the popular representatives of Girls Generation, and Choi Sulli is even more cute and beautiful. They are indeed very outstanding.

But we T-ara aren't bad either. Each of us has our own charm, so why can't we fight for it?"

Ham Eun-jung said in a small voice, "Ji-hyun unnie, but oppa already has Senior Sulli and Senior Yoona..."

Although she thought Liu Zijun was very handsome, the thought of him already having girlfriends made her feel it was somewhat improper.

Lee Ji-hyun raised an eyebrow, asking back with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes, "So what if he has girlfriends?"

"Matters of the heart are originally about each person's own ability. The fact that he can be good to two people at once shows he has the capacity, and it also shows his heart isn't completely filled by just one woman."

She remembered the look in Liu Zijun's eyes when he pinched her cheek in the hallway earlier; although it carried a refusal, it also held an almost imperceptible trace of appreciation.

A man like that was like a dazzling sun, making people unable to resist wanting to get closer, even if they might get burned.

"I'm not trying to destroy anything; I'm just following my own heart."

"If I really like him, I'll give it a try."

Park Soyeon stood to the side, quietly listening to Lee Ji-hyun's words. That faint stir in her heart caused by Liu Zijun's care felt as if it had been doused by a bucket of cold water, instantly and completely extinguished.

Looking at the light in Lee Ji-hyun's eyes and the complex expressions on the other members' faces, she suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. Lee Ji-hyun was right; liking someone isn't a shameful thing.

Moreover, she didn't want this kind of relationship full of competition and uncertainty. Right now, she only wanted to shine on stage with her sisters and live a good life.

"Ji-hyun unnie is right, liking someone is everyone's right."

"But for me, the most important thing right now is to make T-ara's stage better together with everyone, so as not to let down everyone who supports us, and not to let down Mr. Liu Zijun's efforts."

Her words were like a calming pill, causing the originally restless practice room to instantly quiet down.

Jeon Bo-ram looked up, seeing the firm gaze in Park Soyeon's eyes. The panic in her heart gradually faded as she nodded and said, "Mhm! Let's work hard together to let T-ara stand at the peak again!"

Park Ji-yeon also clenched her fists, her eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Right! Our stage is the best; we can definitely make more people like us!"

Ham Eun-jung looked at the members who had regained their fighting spirit, a smile appearing on her face.

"Alright, stop thinking about these things and let's continue practicing. The Kyung Hee University festival performance is very important; we must show our best state."

Lee Ji-hyun looked at everyone throwing themselves back into practice, a smile curling her lips as well.

She didn't continue the topic, but turned to walk to the center of the practice room, picking up the water on the floor and taking a sip.

She knew some things couldn't be rushed, especially feelings.

But she wouldn't give up easily, just as T-ara had never given up because of difficulties.

The music in the practice room rang out again, the familiar melody echoing in the room. The figures of the six girls danced to the rhythm, their movements perfectly synchronized.