64: Chapter 64 I'm leaving

Meanwhile, in the Girls Generation dormitory, Im Yoona was sitting on the sofa scrolling through her phone, getting ready to head out for her schedule.

Suddenly, a push notification popped up, the headline so jarring it made her pupils constrict.

She clicked on it and saw the news of Lee Ryuk-hee's murder, along with detailed descriptions of the scene.

Her phone hit the floor with a "thud," her face turning deathly pale.

"It's him..."

"He really did it."

He had said he wasn't a good person; he had told her not to get close to him!

None of it was a lie, and he wasn't joking.

Im Yoona's heart pounded wildly. The image of Liu Zijun's back as he left wearing that silver mask last night, and the cold aura about him, surfaced clearly in her mind.

She knew Liu Zijun wasn't simple, but she never expected him to be so ruthless, killing over twenty people in a single night.

Fear surged like a tide, yet deep in her heart, an indescribable emotion was also spreading.

He had become so terrifying for Choi Sulli—to protect that girl.

"Yoona, what's wrong? Hurry up and let's go, the company wants us all back!"

Kim Taeyeon walked over and picked up the phone from the floor. Seeing the news on the screen, she was also filled with shock.

The other members gathered around, and the room erupted into chaos after they saw the news.

"My god, how could this happen? This is terrifying!"

Im Yoona didn't say a word, her eyes fixed intently on the news on the screen.

She finally understood what kind of "dark world" Liu Zijun had spoken of, and why he had told her to stay away.

That world was indeed too dangerous, too alien, and too bloody.

No wonder he had said those things last night—that if she was afraid of him, she should tell him.

But what was she supposed to do?

...

Meanwhile, Liu Zijun looked at the discontented Jiang Hongshao beneath him and gave her a "you asked for it" look.

Just then, the phone beside them vibrated.

He picked it up and saw an anonymous text message with only four characters: "Return immediately."

It was an order from that person.

Liu Zijun's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that what was coming had finally arrived; the moment he stepped into the Cloud Top Bar last night, he knew this would be the outcome.

He could no longer stay in The Peninsula.

He had to return to Huaxia immediately.

Looking at Jiang Hongshao still working hard beneath him, a sudden pang of reluctance welled up in his heart.

He had promised Choi Sulli this morning, but now, he had to leave temporarily.

"Shadow, I'm going back to Huaxia. I'll leave things here to you and gemini."

He suddenly patted Jiang Hongshao's head and spoke softly.

Jiang Hongshao looked up abruptly and said, "I understand! Will the Organization be recalling us soon as well?"

Liu Zijun said, "Probably not for now, which is why I need you to keep an eye on things here."

"When are you leaving?"

Liu Zijun stood up, glanced out the window, and said, "I'll go see Jin-ri, and then I'll head back."

When he arrived at the company, many people were discussing the shooting incident at the Cloud Top Bar that had happened last night.

He learned that Choi Sulli and the others had just finished a meeting, primarily regarding artist safety.

They were currently in the practice room, preparing to head out for their schedules.

He began walking in that direction.

Before he even opened the door, he saw Im Yoona and the others approaching from the other side of the corridor.

Behind them followed a group of trainees, including that beautiful girl named Bae Joohyun.

Im Yoona paused, looking at him with a complex expression, just about to speak.

The five members of f(x) also happened to open the practice room door at that moment.

Seeing Liu Zijun, Choi Sulli's face instantly lit up with a massive smile, and she lunged straight into his arms.

She was very happy; Lee Ryuk-hee was dead, and the terrifying dark cloud hanging over her head had vanished.

This morning, she had even heard Han Jaeran mention that SD Group wanted to invite f(x) to endorse a communication advertisement!

Though she was puzzled, everything was moving in a positive direction.

Elder Brother Liu Zijun was just too amazing!

"Oppa! Didn't you say you were going to keep resting today?"

Liu Zijun walked to Choi Sulli's side and gently supported her as she crashed into his chest.

This scene left everyone slightly stunned, followed by expressions of astonishment.

Were they dating?

Im Yoona was taken aback and let out a sigh.

In this regard, she was ultimately not as bold as Choi Sulli.

He had killed people, but wasn't it for them? What right did she have to be afraid of him?

Having understood this in an instant, a smile appeared on her face, but seeing Choi Sulli with him still made her feel a bit jealous.

Humph!

Next time, I'm going to hug him twice!

Liu Zijun held Choi Sulli and looked into her eyes, saying seriously, "Jin-ri, I have to go back to Huaxia for a while."

The smile on Choi Sulli's face instantly froze, and the light that had finally returned to her eyes dimmed bit by bit once more.

"Back to Huaxia? Why? When will you be back?"

Liu Zijun's voice carried a hint of helplessness.

"I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'll be back as soon as possible."

Choi Sulli grabbed his hand, her voice trembling.

She thought of Lee Ryuk-hee's death and Liu Zijun's world, her heart filling with unease.

"Is it because of me?"

Liu Zijun ruffled her hair and said, "Not entirely! I have reasons why I must go back! But I promise you, as soon as I finish the business there, I'll come back immediately!"

Choi Sulli shook her head, tears instantly welling up.

"I don't want you to go! Oppa, please don't leave, okay? I'm scared. I'm afraid that after you leave, someone will come to bully me again."

He leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear, "They won't. No one dares to bully you now. Jeong Hyun-bin will help too; no one can hurt you."

Choi Sulli clung tightly to Liu Zijun's neck, her tears falling onto his shoulder.

"I don't care, I just don't want you to go!"

"Oppa, please, don't leave. I like you, I don't want you to leave me."

Her voice was loud, attracting the attention of SM Entertainment Company staff, artists, and trainees nearby, who all turned to look.

Victoria Song hurried over, trying to pull her away.

"Sulli, don't be like this, so many people are watching!"

But Choi Sulli refused to let go, instead hugging him even tighter.

"I don't care what others think! Oppa, I like you, please don't leave, okay?"

Liu Zijun was stunned; he hadn't expected Choi Sulli to say those words in public.

The murmurs around them grew louder, and some people took out their phones to take photos and videos, camera flashes blinking incessantly.

"My god, Choi Sulli actually likes Mr. Liu Zijun?"

"This is way too explosive!"

The discussions pierced the hearts of Victoria Song and the others like needles. They knew that Sulli was done for.

Im Yoona suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Choi Sulli, also whispering in her ear, "Sulli, what's more important than Oppa's safety?"

Choi Sulli's whole body stiffened!

She really wasn't stupid; she realized it immediately.

He had killed so many people; he definitely had to lay low for a while.

Liu Zijun also stepped forward, raising his hand to wipe away her tears, and said, "Sulli, Oppa won't lie to you. When I come back, I'll take you to eat your favorite peach cake and take you to see the night view of the Han River."

Choi Sulli nodded, though her tears still wouldn't stop falling.

She knew that he indeed had to leave The Peninsula immediately for his own safety.

Liu Zijun gave her one last look, hugged her again, then glanced at Im Yoona and stepped forward to give her a hug as well.

He whispered in her ear, "I'll be back as soon as I can! If I haven't returned after six months, you can take Sulli to this place to find me."

After saying that, he pressed a slip of paper into her hand and turned to leave resolutely.

He didn't dare look back, fearing that if he did, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from staying.

Watching Liu Zijun's back disappear through the door, Choi Sulli could no longer hold it in. She slumped to the floor and burst into loud, sobbing tears.

Ignoring the terrified, surprised, or gloating expressions of others, Im Yoona held Choi Sulli tightly, her own eyes brimming with tears.