195: Chapter 195 (beginning and end)

When the bedroom door was gently pulled open, the living room light sliced in at an angle.

Liu Zijun stood leaning against the doorframe, a loose black loungewear draped over his frame. A faint sheen of sweat still lingered at his temples, yet his eyes were clear and sharp.

His gaze swept over Park Hyomin and Park Ji-yeon, who were trying to enter, his tone calm and even. "Ji-hyun, you should go back with them for now."

Lee Ji-hyun, who had just finished smoothing her skirt, paused at his words. She looked up at him, a flicker of something alluring passing through her eyes.

She had assumed things would proceed naturally, that Ji-yeon and Hyomin would get their wish. After all, from the probing during the dinner gathering to tonight's "surprise," they had made thorough preparations. Even Ham Eun-jung had tacitly approved of this approach.

Ham Eun-jung also stood up from the sofa, her face wearing a trace of unease, fearing Liu Zijun's anger or that her sisters' disappointment might upset him.

Liu Zijun shook his head, walked to the center of the living room, and let his gaze pass over Park Hyomin and then Park Ji-yeon.

Park Hyomin's cheeks were still flushed, her eyes brimming with unwillingness and grievance. It seemed like a decision made with a lifetime's worth of courage had been abruptly cut short.

Park Hyomin pouted discontentedly, her shyness tinged with obvious disappointment.

Liu Zijun was the first to break the silence, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness. "Do you all take me for a bull? I understand your feelings, but I'm not willing anymore."

Park Ji-yeon jerked her head up, her eyes reddening, her voice choked with tears. "Oppa, you're not... incapable, are you?"

Liu Zijun chuckled and tapped Ji-yeon lightly on the head. "Want to try again and find out?"

Park Ji-yeon perked up instantly. "Okay!"

"Okay my foot!"

"I'm leaving!"

After closing the apartment door, Liu Zijun leaned against the elevator entrance and let out a soft sigh.

Matters of the heart were truly more complicated than any mission.

In the following days, an autumnal breeze swept through Seoul's streets, yellowing the leaves by the roadside and ushering in the lively bustle of the new school term.

The first day of school had arrived for Choi Sulli and Krystal Jung.

The night before, Choi Sulli was too excited to sleep, tossing and turning as she packed and repacked her schoolbag.

She carefully placed her admission letter and student ID into a transparent folder, deliberately chose a pink dress paired with a white cardigan, and checked her reflection in the mirror again and again.

"Oppa, how should I get along with my classmates when school starts tomorrow?"

Choi Sulli lay sprawled on the edge of the bed, looking at Liu Zijun, who was reading a book, her eyes full of anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

Liu Zijun put down his book and ruffled her hair. "You'll figure it out. Just be your normal self. Everyone's there to study; they won't bother you."

"But I'm still a little scared," Choi Sulli burrowed into his embrace, her voice soft. "I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with the coursework, and I'm afraid I won't get along well with my classmates."

"Don't worry, you have Krystal with you. You're both in the same department; you can look out for each other."

Beside them, Krystal Jung, having finished packing her things, sat at the desk. She appeared calm, but a barely perceptible flicker of anticipation was hidden in her eyes.

She took out her textbooks and began flipping through them ahead of time, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Being able to go to school with Sulli and experience the long-yearned-for university life was something especially worth being happy about for her.

Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Choi Sulli dragged Krystal Jung out of bed to wash up.

Both dressed neatly and smartly. Choi Sulli's pink dress made her look even sweeter, while Krystal Jung's white hoodie and jeans gave off a clean, simple vibe, a touch of youthful coolness.

Liu Zijun drove them to the Seoul Institute of the Arts. On the road leading to the campus, more and more students in uniforms and backpacks could be seen, their faces glowing with youthful vitality.

By the time they reached the school gate, it was already a bustling crowd.

As a renowned arts institution, the Seoul Institute of the Arts attracted countless young people with dreams. A banner reading "Welcome New Students" hung at the gate, and many senior students held up signs, enthusiastically guiding the freshmen.

As soon as Choi Sulli and Krystal Jung got out of the car, several students recognized them, whispering among themselves with looks of pleasant surprise. They didn't approach to disturb, just watched from a distance.

"Let's go, we need to complete the enrollment procedures," Liu Zijun said, picking up their luggage and leading the way toward the academic building.

The enrollment process went smoothly. The staff merely greeted them politely without excessive fuss.

Liu Zijun accompanied them through filling out forms and submitting materials, patient throughout.

Choi Sulli held her brand-new student ID, printed with her photo and major information, and waved it excitedly at Krystal Jung. "Krystal, look! We're university students now!"

Krystal Jung also smiled, genuine joy filling her eyes. "Yeah, please take care of me from now on, classmate."

"We'll take care of each other!" Choi Sulli extended her hand, and they high-fived.

That afternoon, Liu Zijun came to the school to pick up Choi Sulli, saying he had something important to tell her.

In the late autumn of Busan, the sea breeze carried a faint chill, swirling fallen leaves across the stone paths of the cemetery.

Holding Choi Sulli's hand, Liu Zijun walked step by step toward the simple gravestone on the hillside. The characters "Choi Soo-myung" were starkly clear in the sunlight.

Choi Sulli let go of his hand, took a bouquet of white daisies from her bag, and gently placed it before the tombstone. Her fingertips brushed the cold stone, her gaze gentle and serene.

"Brother Soomyeong, Oppa brought me to see you."

"I'm doing well now. I'm happy at school, the group's activities are going smoothly, and... Oppa has been with me all along."

Liu Zijun stood beside her, looking at the tombstone. After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly.

"Jin-ri, deep down, you also know my coming to The Peninsula was never a coincidence."

"Soomyeong and I were brothers who went through life and death together."

"You were always his most beloved little sister. He worried you were too pure-hearted, afraid you'd suffer grievances in the entertainment industry, afraid you'd be dragged down by the messy family affairs."

"He said, even if it cost him everything, he would make sure you grew up safely, able to do what you wanted."

"I promised him. That's why I came to The Peninsula, became your security, silently watching over you."

"But now, things are gradually spiraling out of control!"

"At first, I thought just keeping you safe would be enough."

"But then, watching you grow up bit by bit, from that little girl who would only cry when faced with trouble, into the Choi Jin-ri you are now—brave in love and hate, capable of standing on your own."

Choi Sulli sniffled, tears still falling, but not from sadness—from emotion and release.

She wiped away her tears, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. That smile held none of the timidity of the past, only pure joy and resolve.

"Oppa, thank you. And thank you, Oppa Soomyeong."

"I used to always feel so pitiful, without a complete family, having to shoulder burdens I shouldn't have at such a young age."

"But now I understand, someone gave their all to protect me, someone has always loved me."

"I'm no longer that poor little thing who needs to be carefully protected. I can take care of myself, balance my studies and career, and I can also love bravely, respond to all the kindness."

She turned to look at Liu Zijun, starlight shimmering in her eyes. "Oppa, from now on, let me love you a little more. Let me face everything together with you."

Liu Zijun reached out and gently pulled her into his embrace. The sea breeze lifted the edges of their clothes, carrying the faint scent of daisies. "Silly girl, we've always been together."

Choi Sulli leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, feeling the gentle caress of the sea breeze, her heart full of contentment.

The daisies before the tombstone swayed gently in the wind, like Choi Soo-myung's silent blessing.

This book was originally written for Choi Sulli, never intended to achieve any particular success.

To see her resolve issues in every aspect, to allow Choi Sulli to become an independent and strong woman.

The following content will cover the romance arcs of T-ara's Park Ji-yeon, Park Hyomin, and Jeon Bo-ram, as well as Kim Taeyeon's romance arc, Bae Suzy's romance arc, and finally, Bae Joohyun's debut.

The predetermined female leads are these, all personal choices.

I originally wanted to end it at Moon Bay Ranch, but I felt there were still many loose ends.

Recently, I've been busy with personal matters and truly don't have the energy to continue writing this book.

So be it. Regarding this entertainment industry story, it ends here. My apologies to everyone. I hope you can move past the disappointment and find more Korean entertainment novels that suit your taste.

(End of Book)