20: Chapter 20 National Goddess, Younger Sister and First Love

"I went to M2 Bar with friends last night and saw you coming out of that private room, covered in blood."

Im Yoona's eyes were full of wariness.

"Who exactly are you? What is your purpose for getting so close to Sulli?"

She and Kim Taeyeon had always felt something was off about Liu Zijun; a bodyguard from China with ridiculously good skills who was also exceptionally devoted to Sulli.

Although last night, she had also learned from Choi Sulli's own mouth why Liu Zijun had come to The Peninsula.

Last night, after Liu Zijun left, she had also learned the reason for her appearance there from various bits of gossip.

So if she hadn't known Liu Zijun was there for Choi Sulli, she would have called the police long ago.

But this man actually dared to provoke the mafia, and he was so ruthless.

But for the sake of f(x) and Choi Sulli, she wanted to find out the reason.

He was so strong that he might be fine, but she feared the mafia would retaliate against them.

Moreover, this man was truly too powerful; she had watched with her own eyes as Liu Zijun fought his way out of the hotel.

The current Sulli was young and still quite innocent, and as Sulli's unnie...

...she was truly full of wariness toward this dangerous man.

This was also the reason she had come here so early.

Liu Zijun looked into Im Yoona's questioning eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and then slowly spoke: "Who I am isn't important."

Im Yoona raised her voice: "You fought like that with people in a bar, involving the mafia, and now you're staying by Sulli's side while being so fierce. How can I feel at ease?

Let's get this straight, Sulli is still a minor. If you dare to have any designs on her, I... we will definitely not let you off!"

Liu Zijun looked at this girl who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, knowing she had specifically rushed here to corner him.

"Choi Soo-myung and I used to do this; this is how we handle danger. And Jin-ri's matter is not simple at all. Soo-myung is dead, so I will quietly crush these dangers!"

Liu Zijun spoke very coldly!

"Choi Soo-myung?"

Im Yoona was stunned for a moment, and hearing Liu Zijun say this, there was clearly more to the story?

She couldn't help but ask, "Sulli's matter is complex? Can you tell me about it?"

Liu Zijun suddenly stepped forward, forcing Im Yoona into a corner, their distance very close.

"I've already told you enough, and that's only because I see you care about Jin-ri."

"Im Yoona, just be an idol properly. These matters aren't for you to interfere in. Knowing too much won't be good for you!"

"Also, don't think about investigating me, and don't challenge my bottom line!"

Im Yoona's heart pounded incessantly, not just from fear, but also from that intense masculine scent.

Her small face turned red, but in the dim hallway, it wasn't very clear.

Im Yoona held her hands in front of her chest, barely bracing against Liu Zijun's chest.

"You... you really won't hurt Sulli, right?"

Liu Zijun suddenly chuckled; this Im Yoona was indeed very smart, but still too easily frightened.

"Don't be so silly! Promises are made through actions, not words."

Just then, her Manager's shout came from the hallway: "Yoona, we have to go!"

Im Yoona responded, slipped out from under Liu Zijun's chest, covered her face, glanced back at Liu Zijun, and ran toward the exit.

At the door, she stopped and looked back: "By the way, your shoulder is injured, right? Anyway, you're not allowed to hurt Sulli, and I'll be watching you from now on."

After saying that, she covered her face and ran away.

"Yoona, where did you just run off to? Why is your face so red?"

A faint voice drifted over.

Liu Zijun raised his hand to touch the bruise on his shoulder, which had a faint scent of ointment.

He gave a soft smile.

He turned and walked out of the fire exit toward f(x)'s dressing room. From a distance, he heard Choi Sulli calling him, her sweet, soft voice like a ray of sunshine.

"Oppa! Come here quickly, does my makeup look good?"

Choi Sulli was wearing a red leather skirt, her outfit brimming with youthful purity.

Her short hair added a touch of coolness to her beautiful face.

Liu Zijun walked over quickly, and seeing Choi Sulli's expectant gaze, a gentle smile unconsciously formed on his lips.

"It looks great. Our Jin-ri looks good no matter what."

Hearing the praise, Choi Sulli's cheeks instantly flushed. She spun around happily, her skirt fluttering like a joyful butterfly.

"Seol-ri! You're so beautiful today!"

Suddenly, a pleasant female voice chimed in. Choi Sulli turned around to see IU Lee Ji-eun walking over quickly in a purple satin cocktail dress. The hemline... well, it was a bit short.

This girl's height also still needed a bit of a growth spurt.

Following closely behind was Bae Suzy in a long black dress, her long hair neatly tied in a low bun. Her face carried the signature sweet smile of the "Nations First Love," and she held the host's cue cards in her hand.

"Unnie Ji-Eun! Suzy!" Choi Sulli immediately lunged forward to hug Lee Ji-eun, her face full of smiles, her red leather skirt fluttering.

"I just came out and saw our Jin-ri shining here."

"And this is?"

Lee Ji-eun rubbed her short hair, her gaze naturally falling on Liu Zijun nearby, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Bae Suzy also looked over, noticing the man's tall build and steady aura—but mainly, his face was very handsome!

As two people who appreciated good looks, especially Bae Suzy, she wouldn't miss a chance to look at a handsome guy.

"This is Liu Zijun oppa, our team's bodyguard."

"Oppa was the one who protected me during that incident in Myeongdong!"

Choi Sulli pulled on Liu Zijun's arm as she introduced him, her tone revealing a lot of trust.

"So he's your savior."

Lee Ji-eun immediately showed a bright smile and proactively extended her hand, saying, "I'm IU Lee Ji-eun, Sulli's good friend. I've heard Sulli mention you often these past two days."

Liu Zijun shook it gently. His Korean language still needed practice, and his voice remained flat: "Liu Zijun, nice to meet you."

Bae Suzy also nodded in greeting.

Seeing that the three sisters wanted to chat, he took his leave and stepped aside, giving them space.

Lee Ji-eun hugged Choi Sulli and said, "Seol-ri! He seems like a very reliable oppa! I'll be at ease knowing Seol-ri has him to protect her from now on."

Choi Sulli just smiled happily like a fool.

The three girls didn't chat for long. Soon, Lee Ji-eun said, "We have to get back quickly; we still have to introduce Dramatic Blue's stage in the second half."

"Then go quickly!"

Choi Sulli waved, watching their figures disappear around the corner of the hallway.

Seeing Liu Zijun come over, she couldn't help but stand on her tiptoes and gently poke his arm with her finger, saying, "Unnie Ji-Eun is my best friend. She even wrote a song specifically for me called 'Peach'!"

Liu Zijun looked at her shining eyes, the smile on his lips softening a bit as he said, "I know. I searched for it and listened to it when I was free these past two days. It's very good!"

A smile broke out on Choi Sulli's face again; she loved the feeling of being cared about by Liu Zijun.

"Really?"

Liu Zijun nodded.

Just then, Victoria Song's shout came from the dressing room: "Sulli! It's time for us to go backstage!"

"Coming!"

Choi Sulli grabbed Liu Zijun's hand and ran toward the dressing room, her red leather skirt tracing a lively arc in the light.

"Ji-Jun oppa, come with me quickly. You can see our stage in advance!"

Liu Zijun let her pull him along, feeling the warm touch from her palm, and smiled slightly.