74: Chapter 74 A Reluctant Farewell

On the morning of the third day of the Lunar New Year, the sporadic sound of firecrackers still echoed through the small town, but the clamor of New Year's Eve and the first day had faded, replaced by a sense of leisurely comfort.

Inside the old Liu family home, Choi Sulli was on her tiptoes, helping Lin Wanrou hang a piece of cured meat on a pillar.

Her Chinese was now good enough to communicate haltingly with Lin Wanrou, though she occasionally used the wrong word, sending the whole courtyard into fits of laughter.

Nearby, Im Yoona was helping Chen Qing pick vegetables, holding a bunch of vibrant green vegetables in her hand, her movements meticulous.

She stole a glance at Liu Zijun, who was moving flowerpots not far away, a flicker of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

For the past two days, Choi Sulli had stuck to her side almost every moment. During the day, they helped with chores and played together; at night, they squeezed into the same bed to sleep.

Not only had she not had a chance to speak to Liu Zijun alone, but even trying to sneak a meaningful glance was precisely intercepted by Choi Sulli.

This spectacle amused Liu Zijun's four elders.

It seemed these two girls, for all their talk of selflessness, were secretly competing with each other.

Last night, taking advantage of Choi Sulli's time washing up, she had tried to slip into Liu Zijun's room for a few whispered words.

She had just reached the door when Choi Sulli grabbed her arm from behind and forcefully pulled her back to the guest room.

Choi Sulli clung to her arm, blinking her dewy, peach-like eyes.

"Unnie, it's late. We should sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow to pack."

Her tone was soft and gentle, but it left Im Yoona with no room for rebuttal.

Im Yoona understood Choi Sulli's intentions. She was simply afraid that Im Yoona would 'steal' Liu Zijun's attention during these last two days. Im Yoona felt both annoyed and amused but could only go along with it.

After all, Choi Sulli was the 'first wife' and had already established a relationship with Liu Zijun. As the potential 'second' or 'third,' any rivalry or jealousy on her part had to be subtle.

"Yoona, come try the sugar cakes Auntie made. They're just out of the steamer, very sweet."

Lin Wanrou walked over with a plate of steaming sugar cakes, interrupting Im Yoona's train of thought.

Im Yoona put down the vegetables, walked over with a smile, picked up a piece, and took a small bite. The sweet, sticky texture melted in her mouth, and her eyes lit up.

"Delicious! Auntie, your cooking is amazing."

"If you like them, have more. I'll pack some for you to take on the road later."

Lin Wanrou beamed, handing another piece to Choi Sulli.

"Sulli, have some too. I made this especially for you, not too much sugar. You love sweets too much, that's not good!"

Choi Sulli took the cake, took a big bite, getting a bit of flour on the corner of her mouth, and mumbled, "Thank you, Auntie. It's really good!"

Watching their playful interactions, Liu Zijun felt a heart full of warmth, yet a trace of reluctance was hidden within.

Last night, Im Yoona had secretly sent him a text message.

She said the Girls' Generation Manager had been urging them several times; they absolutely had to return to Seoul by the afternoon of the 12th, otherwise the upcoming music show stages and variety show recordings would be affected.

And Choi Sulli had also received a message from Han Jae-ran, requiring her to arrive in Paris by the 13th to join the other f(x) members for stage rehearsals, so as not to delay the subsequent concerts.

Happy times always pass swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the day of parting had arrived.

Lin Wanrou had long since packed the gifts for the two girls.

For Choi Sulli, it was a cashmere scarf hand-knitted by Grandma, off-white, soft, and warm, symbolizing eternal happiness.

For Im Yoona, it was a pair of silver plum blossom earrings, jewelry from Grandma's youth, said to symbolize 'blooming alone in the cold,' hoping she could always maintain her Beginner (original intention) in the entertainment industry.

Lin Wanrou held the hands of both girls, her eyes full of reluctance.

"Sulli, Yoona, you must be careful on the road. Remember to let me know you've arrived safely."

"Zijun is a bit clueless. You'll have to be patient with him in the future. If he bullies you, just call me, and I'll scold him for you."

Choi Sulli's eyes instantly reddened. She hugged Lin Wanrou, saying with a sob, "Thank you, Auntie. I'll miss you. I'll take good care of myself too. You, Uncle, Grandpa, and Grandma must also take care of your health."

Im Yoona also nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie. We've troubled you these past few days. We'll keep in touch. When oppa returns to The Peninsula, I'll definitely find time to visit you again."

Liu Jianguo stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the two beautiful girls, his tone softening.

"Go on, now. Be safe on the road. Work hard over there and take good care of yourselves."

Liu Zijun carried the girls' suitcases, loaded them into the car, and stood to the side, his heart a mix of emotions.

He looked at Choi Sulli's reddened eyes, at Im Yoona holding back tears, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, we'll be going now."

The two girls bowed deeply to the family before following Liu Zijun out of the old house.

The car slowly drove away from the town. Choi Sulli leaned against the window, watching the old house grow farther and farther away, her tears finally falling.

"Oppa, I really don't want to leave Auntie and them."

Choi Sulli sniffled and reached out to grab Liu Zijun's arm.

Liu Zijun raised his hand to wipe away her tears and said softly, "There will be chances in the future. Once I finish things here, I'll return to The Peninsula. Later, I'll bring you both back again. Then, I'll have my mom make a whole table of your favorite dishes."

Sitting in the back seat, Im Yoona watched the scenery flying past outside the window, her heart also filled with reluctance.

She secretly took out her phone and took a picture of the fields and villages outside, wanting to preserve these beautiful memories.

She turned to look at Liu Zijun and said softly, "Oppa, you must return to The Peninsula as soon as possible. We're all waiting for you."

Liu Zijun looked at her in the rearview mirror and nodded. "Don't worry, I will. You two also need to take care of yourselves. Don't overwork."

Im Yoona's flight was an hour earlier than Choi Sulli's, so she needed to check in first.

"Oppa, I'm leaving now."

Im Yoona stood in front of the boarding gate with her suitcase, looking at Liu Zijun, her eyes full of reluctance.

She stepped forward, hugged Liu Zijun, gave him a long kiss, and then whispered in his ear, "I'll wait for you to come back, oppa."

Liu Zijun patted her back and said seriously, "Mm. Be safe on the road. Remember to let me know you've arrived safely in Seoul."

Choi Sulli stood to the side, not speaking, just watching Im Yoona. The wariness from before was gone from her eyes, replaced only by pure reluctance.

Im Yoona let go of Liu Zijun and hugged Choi Sulli. "Sulli, I'm leaving first. Do your best in Paris. We'll see each other again back in Seoul."

Choi Sulli nodded, her voice tinged with a sob. "Mm, Yoona Unnie, you take care of yourself too."

Watching Im Yoona's figure disappear into the boarding gate, Choi Sulli's tears fell again.

She walked to Liu Zijun's side and hugged his waist tightly. "Oppa, I don't want to go. I want to stay with you always."

Liu Zijun hugged her back tightly and kissed her forehead.

"Silly girl, I want to stay with you always too, but your work can't be delayed. Wait for me to return, and then we'll never be apart again."

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for Choi Sulli to board.

Liu Zijun helped her check in, handed her the suitcase, and softly instructed, "Remember to send a message when you get to Paris. Don't push yourself too hard during rehearsals. Rest properly, don't get hurt."

Choi Sulli nodded, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips.

"Oppa, you must come back to The Peninsula early. I can't be without you!"

Liu Zijun looked into her eyes and said seriously, "I'll return as soon as possible. Wait for me."

Watching Choi Sulli's figure also disappear into the boarding gate, Liu Zijun stood in place, motionless for a long time.

People came and went in the bustling airport, everyone hurrying along. Only he stood there, his heart filled with loss and longing.

He took out his phone. It was Lin Wanrou's spare phone, which Liu Zijun was now using.

Old Wang and Old Li pretended not to see it. Presumably, the people above already knew but simply weren't intervening.

Liu Zijun sent them messages, telling them to be safe, before finally turning and leaving the airport.

The car drove back to the town. The old house suddenly felt much quieter, a touch of desolation added.

Returning home, Lin Wanrou and Chen Qing had already prepared lunch. Seeing him back, they quickly said, "You're back? Come eat, the food is getting cold."

Liu Zijun nodded, sat at the dining table, his thoughts drifting far away.

Looking at the food on the table, he remembered the scenes of eating with the two girls these past two days, his heart filled with longing.

Seeing his state, Chen Qing said softly, "Zijun, don't think too much. Fate is like that. What's meant to come will come; what's meant to leave can't be held onto.

You stay here properly, wait for the notice from above. There will be a day when you return."