22: Chapter 22 Strange Support Items

A complex surge of emotions instantly welled up in Liu Zijun's heart.

He recalled how Choi Soo-myung used to drone on about Park Soyeon in his past life; back then, T-ara was at the peak of their popularity.

Songs like "Bo Peep Bo Peep" and "Roly Poly" were hits across Asia, and for a time, they could even rival Girls Generation.

His first love, Park Soyeon, was the leader and shone brilliantly on stage.

But now, a baseless "Bullying Scandal" had caused this once top-tier girl group to plummet, forced to squeeze into a waiting room with a rookie group for the year-end Gayo Daejeon, enduring cold treatment.

It seemed Emily's progress needed to be accelerated; still, it wasn't enough—he even considered calling over "Dark" from the organization.

Other artists or staff members passing through the hallway either pretended not to see the T-ara waiting room; the usual visits between seniors and juniors were non-existent.

Some even went as far as whispering things like "bullying group"—not loudly, but just enough to drift into the waiting room.

Park Soyeon clearly heard the remarks outside; she gripped her lyric book tightly but kept her head down, showing no intention of retorting.

Looking at her like this, Liu Zijun remembered Choi Soo-myung saying that Park Soyeon was a girl with pride in her bones, but now she had been driven to this state, leaving him feeling helpless.

He stood at the door for a while before turning to the vending machine at the end of the hallway to buy a few bottles of hot drinks.

Then he quietly slipped out of the building.

Not knowing what kind of support gifts were common in Korea, he bought some pastries and went to a nearby flower shop for a few bouquets of sunflowers.

He remembered Choi Soo-myung saying that Park Soyeon loved sunflowers the most, saying they always faced the sun and were full of hope.

Carrying the items back to the T-ara waiting room door, he feared a repeat of his first encounter with Choi Sulli.

He looked around and happened to see IU, Lee Ji-eun, not far away.

"Ji-eun-xi... Ji-eun-xi... over here! I might need your help with something!"

Lee Ji-eun wore a purple dress that wasn't very long, revealing her fair thighs, with a long down jacket draped over it.

The young girl asked in confusion, "Mr. Liu Zijun, is there something I can help with?"

Liu Zijun said somewhat awkwardly, "One of the T-ara members inside is a friend of mine. Seeing how things haven't been going well for them lately, I bought some support gifts. I'm afraid I'll startle them if I go in alone, so could you help me deliver them? You wouldn't mind, right?"

Lee Ji-eun looked dazed and cute, feeling a bit at a loss as she looked at the pile of flowers, drinks, and pastries in Liu Zijun's hands.

What on earth is this person giving them!

"Of course not. But aren't you Sulli's bodyguard? Are you also a fan of Ji-yeon and the others?"

Liu Zijun gave an awkward smile and said, "I suppose so!"

Lee Ji-eun was taken aback, but since she was good friends with Park Ji-yeon, she felt a bit excited to see someone supporting T-ara.

She hurried to help take some items from Liu Zijun's hands and then knocked gently on the door.

The chatter inside stopped instantly. Park Soyeon looked up with a wary expression. "Who is it?"

Lee Ji-eun was the first to push the door open and walk in.

"Ta-da! Ji-yeon, your support has arrived!"

Everyone in the waiting room looked at Lee Ji-eun.

Because there was a rookie group nearby, even though several T-ara members were well-acquainted with Lee Ji-eun, they still said, "Hello, IU-sunbae!"

Such a cautious manner.

If they were like this, the rookie girl group was even more so, hurriedly bowing and greeting her.

Park Ji-yeon, being somewhat carefree, suddenly hugged Lee Ji-eun and asked, "Ji-eun! Why did you come to support us?"

Lee Ji-eun handed the flowers to Park Ji-yeon and said, "It wasn't me! I'm so busy, where would I find the time? It was this Mr. Liu Zijun who asked for my help; he's the one who came to support you."

Standing behind Lee Ji-eun, Liu Zijun hadn't expected this small girl to be such a senior figure.

He was very tall.

Park Soyeon looked past Lee Ji-eun and saw Liu Zijun. She froze for a moment, clearly recognizing him.

He was the man who had helped her at Choi Soo-myung's funeral.

A flash of surprise and a bit of confusion crossed her eyes.

"It's you?"

The other T-ara members also looked over, their faces filled with confusion.

The members of the rookie girl group stopped their chatter and began to observe Liu Zijun curiously, wondering who this handsome stranger was and why he would come to see T-ara.

Liu Zijun placed the hot drinks and pastries on the table and handed the bouquet of sunflowers to Park Soyeon, his tone flat but earnest.

"I was just passing by and noticed there wasn't much to eat in your waiting room, so I bought some things. Soo-myung said you liked sunflowers; if he saw you like this now, he'd definitely be unhappy."

"Soo-myung..."

Park Soyeon took the sunflowers, her fingers lightly brushing the petals, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Choi Soo-myung's name was like a heavy hammer, striking her heart.

She remembered the days after she and Choi Soo-myung transferred schools together; that bright and cheerful boy always smiled and said he would protect her forever.

But now, he was gone, and her life had become a mess.

"Thank you."

Park Soyeon's voice was choked with emotion. She looked down at the sunflowers in her hands and didn't look up for a long time.

Everyone looked at Park Soyeon, not knowing who this "Soo-myung" was.

Only Lee Ji-hyun's eyes flickered slightly as she stepped forward to hug her.

Seeing the gossiping looks from the rookie girl group, Lee Ji-eun suddenly said, "Please don't spread any rumors or gossip about what you heard today."

The girls quickly nodded.

She displayed the full authority of a senior.

Park Hyomin looked at the hot drinks and pastries on the table, then at Liu Zijun, and said softly, "Given our current situation, Mr. Liu Zijun, you might not know, but doing this will cause people to gossip about you."

Liu Zijun smiled nonchalantly. "What I do has nothing to do with others. Besides, you haven't done anything wrong; there's no need to suffer for baseless accusations."

These words were like a warm current flowing into the hearts of the T-ara members.

Lately, they had endured nothing but cold shoulders and slander from the outside world; even those close to them avoided them. They hadn't expected a stranger to extend a helping hand.

Seeing the girls about to cry, Liu Zijun couldn't stand it. He turned to Park Soyeon and said, "Prepare well for your stage. I have things to do, so I'll be going now."

"Oh, right! How do you say that in Korean—fighting!"

Park Soyeon looked up, her eyes red, and nodded. "Okay, thank you. By the way, why are you here? You're probably not from The Peninsula, right? And you know Ji-eun."

Having enjoyed all the gossip, Lee Ji-eun couldn't help but interject, "Mr. Liu Zijun is f(x)'s bodyguard—the one who blocked the coffee for Sulli. We met during rehearsals a few days ago!"

Liu Zijun nodded, waved his hand, and turned to walk out of the waiting room.

Lee Ji-eun followed him out, clearly still wanting to hear more gossip.

"Mr. Liu Zijun, I see Sulli is quite close to you. What's the story between you and Soyeon-unnie?"

Liu Zijun looked down slightly at her; this girl was also very delicate and beautiful. He said calmly, "There's no story. This is actually the first time I've spoken to her!"

"Wow! Daebak! So that's how it is. It seems you really are a fan of Ji-yeon and the others."

"I've never seen anyone give support gifts so openly backstage with such a pile of things! I'm so looking forward to seeing Sulli's expression if she finds out!"

Liu Zijun looked seriously at Lee Ji-eun and said, "Shorty! I assume you'll keep this a secret for me? I didn't realize you were so famous; those girls from the rookie group were so scared they didn't dare speak."

Lee Ji-eun watched his hand rise slightly. Was this guy trying to pat her head?

But hearing him say that, she couldn't help but giggle.