51: Chapter 51 Anxious Choi Sulli

Inside the ballroom of Huake Mountain Villa, the crystal chandeliers refracted brilliant light, making the entire room shimmer with vibrant colors.

Melodious jazz flowed through the air as guests in exquisite formal wear held champagne, chatting in small groups; amidst the fragrance of clothes and the shadows of people, every detail exuded the luxury of a top-tier social banquet.

Choi Sulli and the other four girls stood in a corner of the ballroom with the male artists from their company; at this moment, they were merely foils to these guests.

Although eyes glanced over at them from time to time.

Choi Sulli wore a lotus-pink gauze cocktail dress adorned with fine pearls; her short hair was styled fluffy and smooth by the stylist, making her baby-fat face look even more charming.

However, her knuckles were slightly white from gripping her drink cup, and her gaze drifted toward the ballroom entrance from time to time, like a little puppy wanting to go home.

"Seol-ri, stop staring at the door; we have to wait until the banquet is over before we can leave."

Kim Taeyeon glanced in the direction of her gaze and reached out to pat her back, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

Krystal Jung also stepped forward to hug her; she knew that because Choi Sulli hadn't dared to tell Liu Zijun about attending the banquet these past two days, she had been worried that he would be angry if he found out.

Because she had promised Liu Zijun that she wouldn't enter such places unless necessary, it was no wonder she was so restless.

Jessica Jung leaned against a nearby Roman column, crossing her arms as she glanced at Choi Sulli.

The little black dress she wore made her skin look even fairer, and her tone remained its usual cool and indifferent self.

"Seol-ri, you're just too dependent on him; there's really no need to report every single company-arranged schedule to him."

Im Yoona, Kim Heechul, and others stood not far away, exchanging pleasantries and taking photos with a few chaebol fans.

Wearing an off-white blazer, Kim Taeyeon, as the leader of Girls Generation, exuded a sense of composure in every gesture; her eyes were full of exhaustion, as she also hated these kinds of gatherings, but she didn't dare show it like Choi Sulli did.

Just as the few of them were discussing in low voices, a slight commotion suddenly came from the glass revolving door of the ballroom.

A tall figure walked in against the warm yellow light; the man wore a custom black suit with sharp shoulder lines.

His features were cold and hard, and his pace was steady—it was exactly Liu Zijun.

The moment Choi Sulli saw him, her eyes brightened instantly; the drink cup in her hand almost slipped, and she instinctively wanted to rush over.

Then she suddenly remembered that she hadn't informed him in advance about attending the banquet, and her footsteps halted abruptly; she lowered her head with her hands behind her back like a child who had done something wrong, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

Seeing Liu Zijun walk straight to her side, she kept her head down and said in a soft, apprehensive voice, "Oppa... why are you here? I-I didn't mean to hide it from you; it was a schedule the company notified us of at the last minute, and neither Krystal nor I could turn it down. Please don't be angry, okay?"

As she spoke, her long eyelashes fluttered incessantly, and those peach-like eyes were watery, filled with plea and anxiety.

After all, Liu Zijun had been injured recently, and she hadn't been able to accompany him every moment; moreover, she had hidden the fact that she was attending the banquet from him. She was terrified that he would feel she didn't value him, causing him to feel resentful.

Seeing her like this, Liu Zijun's heart instantly softened.

He raised his hand and gently rubbed her short hair, and that bit of reproach for not telling him vanished instantly.

"Silly girl, how could I be angry? I understand that you can't refuse company arrangements. Just remember to tell me next time there's an occasion like this so I can be at ease."

Hearing this, Choi Sulli breathed a sigh of relief instantly and snapped her head up; the anxiety in her eyes completely dissipated, replaced by a sparkling joy, and she nodded vigorously.

"Mm! From now on, no matter what it is, I will definitely tell Oppa right away!"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but reach out to link her arm with Liu Zijun's, her movements natural and intimate, as if she had found the most reassuring support.

Krystal Jung also approached; she didn't like these kinds of occasions either, and being the youngest, although she was usually like a Little Iceberg, she also took a few steps closer now.

The natural interaction between them quickly attracted the attention of many guests in the ballroom.

After all, although Liu Zijun's attire was exquisite, it deliberately exuded a stiffness that was starkly different from the surrounding business elites; yet he was able to be so close to members of f(x) and Girls Generation, which inevitably piqued curiosity.

It wasn't that Liu Zijun didn't know how to disguise himself, but rather that he was currently playing the role of a bodyguard, so he should be like this!

"Who is that? How can he be so close to the artists from SM Entertainment Company?"

"He looks like a bodyguard? I saw him at an event last time, but how can a bodyguard enter a banquet like this?"

"I heard SM Entertainment Company has a very formidable bodyguard who saved Im Yoona in Japan before; could it be him?"

...

Whispers drifted over intermittently; Choi Jae-ho stood by the champagne tower not far away, taking all of this in, his face instantly turning so dark it looked like it could drip water.

He wore a handmade custom Italian suit and a limited-edition luxury watch on his wrist, but the anxiety between his brows could not be hidden.

After the Cui Family scandal broke out, he had begged people everywhere but repeatedly hit dead ends; this banquet was his last straw.

As long as he could persuade Jeong Hyun-bin to have the Zheng Family help the Cui Family through the crisis, he could preserve the last bit of the family's foundation.

And the only bargaining chips in his hand were Choi Sulli and Im Yoona.

Jeong Hyun-bin had once told him he was a fan of Im Yoona, and Choi Sulli, young and beautiful, was the extra chip he added.

He had long since made his plans; he would use the banquet as an opportunity to "deliver" the two girls to Jeong Hyun-bin, whether through coaxing or drugging, in exchange for the other's assistance.

But Liu Zijun's sudden appearance undoubtedly disrupted his plans.

Choi Jae-ho stared fixedly at Liu Zijun's back, his eyes full of venom yet also carrying a hint of disdain.

Of course he knew about Liu Zijun; he had investigated him. He was just a bodyguard who relied on his skills to make a living; even if he could enter the banquet, he wouldn't be able to cause any major waves.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the irritation in his heart, adjusted his tie, and walked toward Choi Sulli and Im Yoona with a glass of champagne.

"Sulli, Yoona, long time no see."

"It's truly an honor to see you here today. Let me offer you a toast; I wish your future careers go smoother and smoother, and I wish us... more opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Choi Jae-ho squeezed out a hypocritical smile and raised his glass.

Although Im Yoona and Choi Sulli knew something had happened to Choi Jae-ho's family, they didn't know about this man's filthiness; out of politeness, they bowed and said, "Hello, Senior Choiza!"

Choi Jae-ho smiled; seeing that Choi Sulli was actually holding a soft drink, he took a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and said, "Seol-ri! Last time I saw you, you were drinking alcohol; why are you drinking a soft drink today? Here, since it wasn't easy for everyone to run into each other today, you should have a bit!"

Choi Sulli's heart skipped a beat; she glanced nervously at Liu Zijun and then said softly, "I'm not an adult yet. Last time I was being immature, but now there are so many people, I wouldn't dare drink!"

She turned to look at Liu Zijun again, afraid he would be angry.

"Oppa, last time I..."

Liu Zijun gave her a deep look and took a step forward, unobtrusively shielding the two girls behind him; his gaze swept coldly over the champagne glass in Choi Jae-ho's hand, his tone flat.

"Sulli is still a minor; she cannot drink."

Choi Jae-ho suppressed his anger and said, "Sulli will be an adult in two months; drinking a little won't matter."

"Not even if it's one day short!"

Choi Jae-ho's tone changed instantly; he hadn't expected Liu Zijun to be so disrespectful, slighting him in front of so many guests.

"Mr. Liu Zijun, this is a matter between me, Sulli, and Yoona. As a security personnel, aren't you overstepping your bounds?"

"Besides, President Kim hasn't said anything; you, a security personnel, seem to be meddling too much?"

Liu Zijun's gaze fell on Choi Jae-ho's tense face as he responded calmly, "Protecting their safety, which includes refusing unnecessary social engagements, is my job. Moreover, I don't think your current state is suitable for drinking with them."

These words were like a thorn, stabbing hard into Choi Jae-ho's heart.

He had been overwhelmed by the family scandal lately, and the bloodshot eyes and exhaustion could not be hidden at all; having it pointed out by Liu Zijun made him feel extremely humiliated.

Some guests nearby had already noticed the commotion and were casting curious glances; Choi Jae-ho could only suppress his rage, give a cold snort, and turn to leave.