76: Chapter 76 The Little Iceberg Has Grown Up

March 5, 2013, Star City, the provincial capital of Xiang Province.

The evening breeze of early spring carried a touch of languor.

Outside the TV station's main entrance, a surging crowd of fans blocked the exit completely.

Fans holding up support signs stood on tiptoe, looking around with eyes full of anticipation, just to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Today was the day f(x) came to China to record "Happy Family"; this was their first time as a full group appearing on a Chinese variety show stage.

At the very edge of the fan crowd, one figure seemed somewhat conspicuous.

Liu Zijun wore a simple black hooded sweatshirt paired with a pair of faded jeans, his posture relaxed.

Yet, his entire being still exuded a cold aura that felt somewhat out of place amidst the surrounding excitement.

Looking at the packed crowd of f(x) fans before him, the corner of his mouth even held an extremely faint, relaxed smile.

He had only seen the news online this morning that f(x) had come to Star City to record a variety show.

His parents had already returned to the capital, and he had stayed in the small town with his grandparents for over a month, but the results from above were still slow to arrive.

Old Wang and Old Li remained in their daily state of sunbathing and shooting the breeze.

Perhaps it was because he had been living such idle days for over a month, or perhaps the concern deep in his bones finally made him unable to hold back.

Without thinking much, he simply packed a few clothes, tucked Lin Wanrou's spare phone into his pocket, and bought a plane ticket to Star City.

Seeing his clearly travel-ready attire, Old Wang and Old Li didn't stop him and even asked when he'd be back.

These two surveillance buddies really weren't being very diligent.

However, Liu Zijun still arrived a step too late; the variety show recording had already begun.

The TV station security was tight; outsiders simply couldn't enter.

Liu Zijun didn't mind much. He clearly could have easily snuck in, but he didn't.

He just found a corner with a good view, stood there at a distance, hands in his sweatshirt pockets, quietly waiting like an ordinary Chinese fan.

His gaze occasionally swept over the fans holding support signs for "Sulli," "Song Qian," "Krystal," etc., his eyes devoid of excessive emotion.

Only when thinking of Choi Sulli's smiling, baby-faced countenance would a hint of softness flit across them.

The fans' enthusiasm was extremely high, erupting into screams from time to time.

"It was so nice when Sister Song Qian went in earlier and greeted us all with everyone! Sulli is so adorable!"

"Krystal is still so cool, but she's even more beautiful in person than on camera!"

...

Hearing these comments, the smile at the corner of Liu Zijun's mouth deepened a bit.

He could imagine Choi Sulli bouncing around in front of the camera, could guess that Krystal Jung would still have that Little Iceberg demeanor, that Song Qian would carefully look after everyone, and that Liu Yiyun and Luna would greet everyone with smiles.

Time passed bit by bit, the sky grew darker, and finally, movement came from the TV station's main exit.

First, security personnel came out to maintain order, then, Han Jaeran and Jin Yongzhe flanked and protected the five girls of f(x) as they walked out one after the other.

Choi Sulli wore a floral print dress, her short hair styled soft and fluffy. Her face still carried a lingering blush, a brilliant smile hung at the corner of her mouth, and her eyes curved into crescents.

We've come to China again. Even though there's no time to go to oppa's house, we're a bit closer to him again, aren't we?

And recording such a popular Chinese variety show, she was clearly in an excellent mood, talking to Song Qian beside her from time to time, laughing with a 'ge ge ge' sound.

Song Qian wore a simple denim jacket and black pants, still the image of a steady, reliable leader, quietly reminding everyone to be careful.

Krystal Jung and Luna walked side by side, still relishing the fun moments from the recording.

This Little Iceberg had her hands in her pockets, still maintaining that cool, aloof appearance, but her gaze suddenly paused as it swept over the crowd.

Her eyes landed on Liu Zijun at the very edge of the crowd.

In an instant, Krystal Jung's pupils contracted slightly; the indifference on her face nearly faltered, and an indescribable excitement surged in her heart.

She never expected to see Liu Zijun here.

These past few days, Choi Sulli had been constantly talking about him in the dorm.

Saying she didn't know when he could return to The Peninsula, saying it was such a shame and she felt so bad that she didn't have time to go to oppa's house on this trip to China, and things like that.

And Krystal Jung herself often thought of how Liu Zijun would protect her during events, how he would tease her like a little girl, and the occasional gentleness he showed.

She knew he always saw her as a child.

But clearly, Choi Sulli was just a child too, not much older than her.

And he was even together with Lin Yoona now; this was something her sister Jessica had personally told her.

This made the two girl group members feel it was so unbelievable.

Thinking of this, the excitement in her heart was suppressed, replaced by a hint of subtle awkwardness that was hard to detect.

She glared fiercely at Liu Zijun, her eyes holding a touch of reproach, a touch of tsundere pride.

She glanced at Choi Sulli but stubbornly didn't mention it to the members beside her.

Liu Zijun naturally saw her too, raising an eyebrow slightly at her in response.

Choi Sulli, immersed in her own world, didn't notice Liu Zijun in the crowd, nor did she notice Krystal Jung's odd behavior, following everyone into the van waiting at the entrance.

Watching the van drive away, Liu Zijun leisurely turned and headed towards the hotel where f(x) was staying.

He wasn't driving, nor did he take a taxi; instead, he was riding a little electric scooter he had gotten from who-knows-where.

Wearing a helmet, he meandered slowly through the streets of Star City.

At this time of day, Star City's evening breeze, though languid, still carried a touch of chill.

The cold wind blew into his sweatshirt, but Liu Zijun felt exceptionally at ease.

This feeling of seeing someone he cared about, while being completely unconstrained himself, allowed his nerves to fully relax.

After twenty-some minutes, he rode his little electric scooter to the hotel entrance.

It was a five-star hotel with tight security; there were still many fans and reporters staking out the entrance.

Liu Zijun didn't go directly inside. Instead, he parked the electric scooter in the shade of a tree diagonally across from the hotel and sat on it, waiting.

Sure enough, not long after, he saw a slender figure quietly slip out from a side door of the hotel, hiding in the shadows of a corner wall, looking around.

It was Krystal Jung.

She had changed out of her recording clothes, now wearing a gray tracksuit, a baseball cap, and a mask, revealing only a pair of cool, clear eyes.

This Little Iceberg had clearly deliberately avoided her Manager and the other members, sneaking out alone.

Seeing Liu Zijun's figure, a light flashed in Krystal Jung's eyes, and she walked over quickly.

She lowered her voice and said, "I knew you'd come."

Her voice still carried its usual coolness, but it couldn't completely hide a trace of barely perceptible delight.

Liu Zijun looked at this Little Iceberg before him, who was clearly excited inside but still pretending to be aloof, and couldn't help but smile.

"Came to see you all, just happened to see online that you were here recording a show."

Krystal Jung asked again, "How did you know we're staying here?"

Liu Zijun answered casually, "Star City only has a few five-star hotels suitable for artists. Besides, there are messages online, silly girl."

Hearing this nickname, Krystal Jung glared at Liu Zijun, but she didn't press further.

She just stood silently beside him, occasionally looking up at him, then quickly lowering her head again.

As if she had something she wanted to say but was too embarrassed to bring it up.

She really wanted to ask, 'Did you come to see us, or to see Sulli?'

Liu Zijun saw it clearly and understood in his heart.