30: Chapter 30 Getting to Know Girls' Generation Members

In January 2013, Girls' Generation released 'I GOT A BOY', sweeping across various music charts.

However, at this moment, they had arrived in Tokyo, Japan.

The streets of Shibuya still held remnants of New Year's festive decorations, as Girls' Generation's activities at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium had just come to a close.

Before the cheers of the fans outside the venue had even fully dissipated, Liu Zijun and Lee Taeyong took the lead in opening the minibus doors, shielding the members of Girls' Generation as they boarded one by one.

His movements were swift and steady; throughout the process, his alert gaze scanned the surrounding fans and media, fulfilling his duties as a bodyguard.

He had been to Japan more than once in his past life, but those memories were completely different from the present.

This was the third day of Girls' Generation's promotions in Japan. Their schedule today wasn't as packed as the previous two days, making it somewhat more relaxed.

The nine girls had been working non-stop for three days. Now, as they sat in the van, they had all shed their glamorous stage personas, slumping into their seats with exhausted expressions.

As soon as Kim Taeyeon got in, she collapsed onto the back sofa, pulled off her headband, and muttered while rubbing her temples, "The Japanese fans are too enthusiastic; my voice is almost hoarse from shouting."

Tiffany Young sat down next to her, complaining in a mix of English and Korean, "Yeah, yeah, my hand still hurts from the morning signing session, but thinking about all the gifts from the fans makes me a bit happy again."

Im Yoona leaned against the car window, watching the passing street scenery and lightly tapping the glass with her fingertips.

She suddenly turned her head to look at Liu Zijun, who was sitting in the front passenger area with Lee Taeyong, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes.

Over the past two days, she had observed this Liu Zijun; he was very professional, seemingly even more so than Lee Taeyong, and she recalled how he had fought his way out of the bar that night.

Could this person have previously worked for one of those security firms in war-torn countries abroad?

Also, Choi Sulli's Oppa Soomyeong had died in a car accident abroad.

She felt she had already guessed most of this man's background.

While feeling a sense of trepidation, she also felt a bit of excitement.

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly asked, "Joon oppa (well, she changed the honorific again), after following our schedule for these three days, don't you think Girls' Generation's popularity lives up to its reputation?"

Liu Zijun turned his head upon hearing this, his gaze scanning the nine girls in the van as he said flatly, "The fans are very enthusiastic, and you are all very professional."

His answer was very formal and cold.

This prompted Choi Sooyoung to lean in; this man's back looked so much like the one from Yejin Unnie's dating rumor a few days ago!

She couldn't help but stand up slightly, resting her arm on the back of the seat and placing her hand on Im Yoona's shoulder in front of her.

She said with a smile, "Mr. Liu Zijun, your answer is far too perfunctory. We specifically asked the company to transfer you here just so you could get to know us properly, yet you still have that icy expression."

Liu Zijun complained inwardly, 'Then I really have to thank you all!'

Lee Soonkyu also joined in the teasing, grabbing Choi Sooyoung's shoulder and saying, "Exactly! Back at the company cafeteria, I heard you only knew Yoona. Now that you've followed our schedule for three days, you should be able to recognize all of us, right?"

Seohyun sat to the side, gently tugging at Lee Soonkyu's sleeve and reminding her in a low voice, "Sunny unnie, don't make things difficult for Mr. Liu Zijun. He's a bodyguard, not here to memorize people."

But as soon as Seohyun finished speaking, Kwon Yuri chimed in with a laugh, "maknae! You're just too well-behaved. This isn't making things difficult; we just want to test him."

Mr. Liu Zijun, try to identify all of us. If you get it right, we'll treat you to Japanese Wagyu hotpot tonight."

Liu Zijun looked at this group of girls making a fuss, acting like a pack of "little crazies."

He felt helpless but knew it wouldn't be good to spoil their fun.

After all, they were in a foreign land like Japan, and they had indeed worked hard on their schedule for days. He could accept this little bit of teasing.

Besides, they were returning to Seoul tomorrow, so having a big meal wouldn't be bad!

His gaze first landed on Kim Taeyeon. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "You are Kim Taeyeon, the leader and main vocal of the group."

Kim Taeyeon's eyes lit up, and she pointed at her own nose, asking, "Wow, you actually recognized me? I thought you only remembered Yoona."

Liu Zijun explained expressionlessly, "You are the leader; I saw it in the files."

Next, he looked at Im Yoona and said, "You are Im Yoona, no need to say more."

Im Yoona nodded with a smile and made a victory sign to her teammates, drawing a chorus of mock protests.

Then his gaze turned to Tiffany Young, "You are Tiffany Young, Tiffany."

He then pointed to Choi Sooyoung, "Choi Sooyoung."

Pointing to Lee Soonkyu, "Lee Soonkyu, you like others to call you Sunny."

Pointing to Kwon Yuri, "Kwon Yuri, not bad, it's good that you like fitness."

Pointing to Seohyun, "Seohyun-xi, the maknae."

He had seen all of this in the SM files, and combined with the contact over the past three days, he could barely match the names to the faces.

But when his gaze fell upon Kim Hyoyeon and Jessica Jung, he paused.

Seeing this, Kim Hyoyeon proactively waved her hand and said with a laugh, "It seems Sica and I have too little presence; Mr. Liu Zijun can't even recognize us."

Jessica Jung leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, her cool gaze landing on Liu Zijun. She didn't speak, only raising an eyebrow.

Me! I'm Jessica Jung!

If he dared to say he didn't know her, she would definitely make a scene with him.

Liu Zijun's gaze lingered on Jessica Jung's face for a few seconds. He felt she looked strangely familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't quite recall it upon closer thought.

“Ice Princess, Jessica Jung, Jessica!”

This caused Jessica Jung's cold face to instantly break into a smile.

Finally, he looked at Kim Hyoyeon.

As for Kim Hyoyeon, it wasn't that he couldn't recognize her, but rather that he deliberately didn't want to engage with her.

Emily's intelligence stated clearly that Choi Sulli got to know Choi Jae-ho precisely because Kim Hyoyeon introduced him at a drinking party.

Although Kim Hyoyeon might have done it unintentionally, Liu Zijun ultimately couldn't muster any good feelings toward her.

Kim Hyoyeon said with a look of genuine grievance, "Hey, Mr. Liu Zijun, you're going too far! I'm Kim Hyoyeon, the group's dance machine. How can you not recognize me?"

Liu Zijun only gave her a flat glance and didn't respond, turning his head to look out the window as if he hadn't heard her.

This sudden coldness caused the atmosphere in the van to quiet down instantly.

The girls all sensed something was wrong and exchanged looks, not understanding why Liu Zijun had this specific attitude toward Kim Hyoyeon.

Kim Taeyeon quickly tried to smooth things over, pulling on Kim Hyoyeon's arm and saying, "Hyoyeon, stop it. Mr. Liu Zijun might just be too tired. After all, he's been running around with us for three days and hasn't had much rest."

Kwon Yuri also followed up by changing the subject, leaning toward Liu Zijun to gossip, "Mr. Liu Zijun, you cheered for T-ara at the SBS Gayo Daejeon and even shouted professional fanchants. Were you a fan of T-ara before?"

Liu Zijun shook his head and said, "I wouldn't count as their fan; I just specifically looked into them a bit."

"Tsk!"

"Who would believe that?!"

...

But no matter how much they pressed him, he didn't answer again.

Choi Sooyoung suddenly asked, "Then what is your relationship with Son Ye-jin unnie? I saw the rumor photos of Yejin Unnie from a few days ago, and the person in the photo looks a lot like you!"