36: Chapter 36 The Obedient Liu Zijun

Seoul Incheon Airport, the afternoon sunlight spilled in through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows, yet it couldn't dispel the anxious atmosphere inside the terminal.

Girls Generation's plane hadn't even landed yet, but the airport exit was already surrounded by cameras and lenses.

As the nine members of Girls Generation emerged from the airport arrival area under the protection of their Manager and airport security, countless reporters carrying cameras and holding recording pens swarmed them like sharks scenting blood.

The sound of shutters clicking "ka-cha ka-cha" filled the air, nearly drowning out the airport's announcements.

Kim Taeyeon instinctively pulled Im Yoona by the hand, while Jessica Jung, Choi Sooyoung, and the others quickly formed a circle to block the microphones being thrust forward by the reporters.

Im Yoona wore a loose, long black down jacket, a baseball cap, and a mask, revealing only a pair of reddened eyes.

"Ms. Im Yoona! Did you sustain any injuries during your fall on the stage in Japan?"

"Why were there safety hazards on Girls Generation's performance stage? Will the company hold the organizers accountable?"

"How are the injuries of the security personnel who saved you?"

...

A series of questions hit like a barrage of cannon fire. Im Yoona's body trembled slightly; her mind wasn't quite here, and she suddenly instinctively gripped the corner of her clothes.

Kim Taeyeon took the microphone, a professional smile on her face and a firm tone in her voice.

"Thank you all for your concern. Yoona only suffered a slight fright and has no physical injuries.

As for the stage safety issues, the company will communicate and handle it with the Japanese organizers.

The security personnel who saved Yoona only has a shoulder abrasion and is currently fine. Thank you for your concern."

Choi Sooyoung added, "We've just rushed back from Japan, and the members are very tired. We hope everyone can give us some private space."

The reporters refused to give up, still pushing forward with questions. Someone even held up a scene photo on their phone and shouted:

"The photo shows the security personnel bleeding heavily. Is it really just an abrasion?"

Im Yoona suddenly pulled down her mask, revealing a slightly pale but otherwise okay-looking face.

She spoke seriously to the camera, "I am indeed fine, and the security oppa only has superficial injuries. The doctor said he can recover after resting for a while. I am very grateful to him for saving me, but I hope everyone won't speculate excessively and please respect his privacy."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Manager led the airport security to push through the crowd, shielding the members of Girls Generation as they quickly walked toward the van.

It wasn't until she sat in the car that Im Yoona breathed a sigh of relief. Leaning against the back of the seat and watching the airport buildings fly by outside the window, her heart was full of guilt.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been distracted, this wouldn't have happened. Now Joon oppa is so badly injured, yet I have to follow the company's narrative and insincerely say he only has superficial injuries."

Kim Taeyeon patted her shoulder and said, "It's not your fault. The stage design itself had problems, and Ja-joon-xi also said he doesn't blame you."

On the other side, at the airport cargo passage exit, Lee Taeyong and Liu Zijun walked out of the passage.

Liu Zijun's left shoulder was wrapped in thick gauze, with a hint of blood still visible at the edges of the white bandage. He wore a black overcoat draped over him, which covered much of it.

There was no change on his face; one couldn't see any of the weakness of someone who had just come out of the hospital.

These people are being too dramatic.

"Ji-Jun, the doctor told you to stay for observation. How nice it would be to rest on the company's dime, yet you insisted on returning to Seoul immediately."

Lee Taeyong nagged as he helped him carry his luggage.

Liu Zijun raised his hand to rub his brow and said with a slightly raspy voice, "Jin-ri is still waiting at the company. She'll be worried if I don't go back."

Hearing this, Lee Taeyong shook his head helplessly. "You, you really care about Ms. Choi Sulli to the core. But Ji-Jun, we're just security, and Ms. Choi Sulli is a popular artist. In the end, it's impossible between us and them."

Liu Zijun stopped in his tracks. He patted Lee Taeyong's shoulder but didn't say anything.

The car sped along and soon arrived at the SM Entertainment building.

Liu Zijun pushed open the car door. Just as he reached the f(x) practice room floor, he saw a slender figure standing in the practice room, looking around from time to time.

It was Choi Sulli.

She was currently wearing a pink down jacket, her short hair a bit messy from the wind. She was clutching a thermos, her eyes red, clearly having cried.

The moment she saw Liu Zijun, her eyes brightened suddenly, but then the sight of the gauze on his shoulder stung her eyes, and tears welled up again instantly.

"Oppa!"

Choi Sulli called out and ran over quickly. She grabbed Liu Zijun's arm, and upon touching his cold hand, her tears fell even harder.

"Your shoulder... does it hurt? Why is it still bleeding?"

Seeing her face crying like a little kitten, Liu Zijun's heart softened. He raised his hand to gently wipe the tears from her face.

"Silly girl, it doesn't hurt. If you keep crying, you won't be pretty anymore!"

"You've bled so much, and you still say it doesn't hurt!"

Choi Sulli sniffled, pointing at his shoulder, wanting to touch it but not daring to.

Her string of questions, filled with deep concern, made Liu Zijun's heart feel warm.

Seeing many trainees and even some artists looking this way, he pulled Choi Sulli into their practice room.

Among the trainees, a girl in a white down jacket with an incredibly stunning face took a serious look at Liu Zijun before returning to their practice room.

Entering the f(x) practice room.

Liu Zijun took a sip of the hot water from the thermos Choi Sulli handed him and said with a smile, "The doctor said it's nothing serious; it'll be fine after a few days of rest.

Jin-ri, don't cry. If I hadn't come back, wouldn't you have cried until the company went bankrupt?"

Choi Sulli was coaxed into a laugh through her tears, but she still said with a stern face, "I wouldn't! But you must go to the hospital with me for a follow-up check; I'm not at ease."

Liu Zijun froze for a moment and instinctively wanted to refuse: "No need, I just had it treated this morning..."

Choi Sulli interrupted him, her eyes exceptionally firm as she said, "No! You must go. I've already asked Older Sister Victoria Song to help me make an appointment at the hospital. Let's go now!"

She pulled Liu Zijun's arm, heading toward the parking lot. That stubborn look was exactly the same as when she insisted on accompanying him to buy clothes.

Liu Zijun looked at the persistence in her eyes, and Victoria Song and the others were also persuading him.

He finally compromised: "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. Let's go to the hospital right now."

Standing aside, Lee Taeyong couldn't help but remark to Kim Young-chul, "Look at that, only Ms. Choi Sulli can make our Ji-Jun so obedient.

Usually in our department, what he says goes, but only with Ms. Choi Sulli is he absolutely compliant."

Kim Young-chul also nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Ji-Jun is really good to Sulli, just like she's his biological younger sister."

Hearing their conversation, Liu Zijun turned back and glared at the two of them.

The two quickly waved their hands and ran away laughing.

Choi Sulli held Liu Zijun's hand, carefully supporting him as they walked toward the parking lot—Hmph, I don't want to be a sister!

Yet her mouth kept nagging, "Oppa, walk slower, don't pull on the wound. Once we get to the hospital, you must let the doctor check it thoroughly. If you need to be hospitalized, you must stay obediently; I'll come to see you every day."

Victoria Song, following behind, had a look of constipation on her face.

Oh right, she's the driver!

Liu Zijun let Choi Sulli pull him along. Looking at her serious profile, he felt a bit complicated inside.

The car slowly drove out of the SM Entertainment parking lot. Choi Sulli and Liu Zijun sat in the back row, her hand still tightly clutching his as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.

Victoria Song couldn't help but scold, "Ya! Choi Sulli! Can you pay some attention? There's still a living person here, okay?

Now that you have Liu Zijun, do you no longer recognize me as your unnie? You heartless girl."

Choi Sulli's little face turned red!

The car drove through the streets of Seoul. The streetlights entered through the car window, spilling over the two of them, warm and bright.