27: Chapter 27 I Want to See You

At the same time, in a duplex apartment in Seoul's Gangnam District, the curtains were only half-drawn, and the winter sunlight spilled in at an angle.

Liu Zijun leaned against the bar counter, an unlit cigarette held between his fingertips.

Because these girls didn't like men who smoked, he hadn't smoked once since arriving on The Peninsula.

His gaze fell on the computer screen—it was Choi Jae-ho's recent schedule that Emily had just sent over. Among the densely packed entries, it confirmed there was no possibility of contact with the likes of f(x) and T-ara.

His phone suddenly vibrated, and the name "Park Woo-sik" flashed on the screen.

He raised his hand to answer, his fingertips lightly tapping the bar counter as he listened to Park Woo-sik's voice from the other end.

"Ji-Jun, there's an arrangement I want to discuss with you."

"Girls Generation is going to Japan the day after tomorrow to promote their new album, and security personnel have been a bit short lately."

"Considering f(x) doesn't have much of a schedule these few days, the company plans to arrange for you to go along with them."

"I'd like to ask for your opinion now."

Liu Zijun raised an eyebrow slightly and remained silent for a few seconds, his fingers rubbing the edge of his phone, before asking, "What about the security here for f(x)?"

"They'll mostly be at the company for classes or practicing in the practice room lately. The company will arrange for a Manager to follow them the whole time, so there certainly won't be any issues with safety."

Park Woo-sik's tone carried a hint of politeness, not only because this man had backing from the Yongsan side, but also because he valued Liu Zijun's skills.

Liu Zijun glanced at Choi Sulli's name on the computer screen and did a quick calculation in his head.

Choi Sulli had basically no outdoor schedule recently besides company practice, and Victoria Song would also be looking after her, so there shouldn't be any danger for the time being.

Moreover, he had just arrived on The Peninsula; if his focus on Choi Sulli was too obvious to the company, it wouldn't be good for the girl either.

Especially Han Jaeran's words from last night—he had taken them to heart.

Most importantly, Emily had already made arrangements regarding Choi Sulli's side.

He responded straightforwardly, "Sure, I'm fine with that."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Zijun tossed the cigarette onto the table, picked up his coat, and stood up.

He had to go to the company and let Choi Sulli know.

Inside the practice room of SM Entertainment Company, the heating was turned up high.

Choi Sulli sat by the window, holding a cup of hot cocoa.

She was quite obedient; she basically didn't drink iced Americanos anymore lately.

Seeing Liu Zijun walk in now, she immediately waved her hand, the dimples on her cheeks faintly appearing.

"Oppa, why did you suddenly come to the company? Aren't you off today?"

There was still sweat on her forehead, and her bangs were stuck to it.

Liu Zijun sat down opposite her, looking at the hot cocoa in her hand and the other girls happily drinking coffee.

He looked at the few girls who were pricking up their ears and said, "I have something to tell you. I'm going to Japan with Girls Generation early the day after tomorrow, and I'll be there for about four or five days."

The spoon in Choi Sulli's hand stopped instantly, the smile on her face collapsed, and she looked at him with puffed-out cheeks.

"Going to Japan? Why go with them? Aren't you the bodyguard in charge of us, f(x)?"

"It's the company's arrangement. You guys don't have a schedule recently, and their security isn't enough, so they're having me go along."

Liu Zijun wanted to reach out and brush her bangs aside, but after thinking about it, he didn't move.

Choi Sulli bit her lip, a trace of reluctance flashing in her eyes.

"Then once you're gone, who will protect me... us?"

"You'll all be at the company practicing or in class; nothing will happen. Besides, don't you have my number? You can call me 24 hours a day."

Choi Sulli held the hot cocoa with both hands, still somewhat reluctant.

Victoria Song pulled her and said, "Sulli, Ji-Jun is the company's security and has just joined. If he doesn't go, the company leaders will have something to say."

Choi Sulli nodded, then looked up at Liu Zijun and said, "The Girls Generation unnies are much more popular than us. You have to protect them well, and protect yourself too."

Liu Zijun couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry. As for you, don't get too tired practicing at the company. If anyone gives you trouble, tell me directly."

"Also! You're still a minor, so don't go to those bars or cocktail parties.

When you have nothing to do, read more books. You can learn more Chinese from your Older Sister Victoria Song, and learn English from Little Iceberg and the others."

He then turned to Victoria Song and the others and said, "If you really want to go to the next level, the Mainland and the Western markets are the ultimate goals. Learning more Chinese and English won't do you any harm at all."

"Victoria Song, there's an old saying in our China: you're never too old to learn.

You guys should give it some serious thought."

Victoria Song was taken aback, then nodded thoughtfully.

He chatted with the girls for a while longer until they had to practice, then he walked out of the practice room.

He took out his phone and sent a text message to Emily: "When will Ying arrive?"

Emily's reply came quickly: "Ying is already on the plane to Seoul and should arrive by evening."

Ying was the Flower of Agents in the organization and also his shadow in his previous life, a year older than him.

Returning in this life, he went back to the organization and immediately transferred her to his side.

With her on The Peninsula, Choi Sulli and the others' safety would be guaranteed.

And there would be someone to handle those trivial matters as well.

Liu Zijun thought that since he was already at the company and had nothing to do anyway, he would just stay at his workstation. Suddenly, his phone rang; it was an unfamiliar number.

"Liu Zijun! Are you free today? My movie is currently in theaters. If you're free, I'd like to invite you to see a movie."

On the other end of the phone, Son Ye-jin's tone was somewhat nervous, not at all like the mature woman she had been that night.

At this moment, she seemed more like a little girl.

It seemed this woman still didn't understand him; he had to make things clear to her.

"Okay! I'm free this afternoon. Is the time convenient for you? You must be busy promoting your movie lately, right?"

Son Ye-jin thought about her afternoon schedule; it was just cooperating with movie promotion, so it was fine if she didn't go.

She gritted her teeth and said, "No problem! I'm free this afternoon."

After eating lunch, he let Choi Sulli and the others know and then arrived at the location Son Ye-jin had mentioned.

As soon as he reached the cinema entrance, he saw a woman dressed in a black coat and jeans, fully disguised, standing in a corner. She was holding two cups of iced Americano, and her eyes behind sunglasses peeked around from time to time.

"Son Ye-jin, you're quite early!"

Son Ye-jin had already seen the man walking toward her, her heart fluttering like a young girl's. It wasn't until Liu Zijun spoke that she snapped out of it.

She looked at this handsome young man somewhat nervously, reached out to hand him a cup of coffee, and said, "Let's go! Let's head inside; the movie should be starting soon."

The words on the tip of Liu Zijun's tongue remained unspoken as he followed Son Ye-jin into the cinema.

Their seats were in a corner booth in the last row.

Since it was afternoon and during working hours, there weren't many people, but there weren't too few either.

After sitting down, Son Ye-jin took off her mask and sunglasses, revealing that extremely beautiful face, her eyes narrowing into smiles.

Praise me, praise me...

Looking at this face, Liu Zijun had only recently realized how much attraction it held for men on The Peninsula.

He said to Son Ye-jin, "What made you think of asking me to a movie?"

Son Ye-jin cursed his lack of romance in her head, but she still bit her lip and said softly, "I've thought it through! I want to see you."