8: Chapter 8 Hello, Choi Jin-ri

The three members of Girls Generation had also clearly just finished practicing and had sat down to eat a little while ago.

That light chuckle just now came from the girl among them who had her back to them, wearing a black hoodie, her eyes lively like a little deer.

She was currently covering her mouth with her hand as she laughed, especially those eyes curved into crescents, brimming with smugness and amusement.

The girl next to her, wearing a white sweater, pursed her lips and was watching Liu Zijun with great interest.

The other girl in a pink shirt had her eyes wide open, wearing an expression of surprise, staring straight at Liu Zijun.

Kim Young-chul's cold sweat instantly poured down.

Kim Taeyeon! Im Yoona! Tiffany Young!

Oh my god!

When did they sit down behind us?

What was said just now...

How much did they hear?

"Tae... Taeyeon-xi! Yoon-ah-xi! Tiffany-xi!"

Kim Young-chul stammered as he stood up, so nervous he didn't know where to put his hands.

Lee Taeyong, on the other hand, remained relatively composed; after all, he had spent quite some time with Girls Generation, but he was still somewhat embarrassed.

Im Yoona put down her chopsticks, turned her head again, leaned in slightly closer, revealing that flawless, exquisite face of hers.

She looked at Liu Zijun, those iconic deer-like eyes sparkling with curiosity, her voice carrying a hint of her unique liveliness as she said, "Annyeonghaseyo, new bodyguard... oppa? Just now I heard you say that among Girls Generation, you only know me?"

Her gaze was direct and bold, full of laughter, wanting to see through this anomaly who dared to claim in the SM Entertainment Company cafeteria that he only knew her.

Liu Zijun's gaze calmly met hers.

The Im Yoona before him overlapped with the girl from his memories; it was definitely her.

It was just that the real person was more vivid than the photo on Choi Soo-myung's phone screen.

Even so, his expression remained unchanged.

He merely gave a slight nod, a form of greeting, offering no extra words.

His attention was focused more on their identities.

Girls Generation, one of SM Entertainment's aces, and likely a presence requiring high-level treatment in his future security work.

Tiffany Young, however, was not having it. She revealed her signature sweet smile, though at this moment that smile carried a hint of exasperation.

"This bodyguard chingu, you're really hurting feelings like this! I'm Tiffany, you actually don't know me? I'm very hurt!"

Kim Taeyeon didn't speak, just propped her chin on her hand, those highly distinctive lamb-like eyes narrowing slightly as she scrutinized Liu Zijun.

This man had a strange sense of contradiction about him.

He possessed an extremely handsome appearance, even more eye-catching than many male idols, yet between his brows there was a coldness and world-weariness that felt out of place for his age.

And what concerned her most was his composure and calmness when facing them.

No fanaticism, no nervousness, not even any excess curiosity.

This was too abnormal.

This person said he came entrusted by a friend?

Thinking of this, Kim Taeyeon finally spoke, her voice carrying that distinctive huskiness and coolness.

"You should be called Ja-joon-xi? It seems we in Girls Generation need to work even harder, otherwise you won't know us. I heard you say you came to our company entrusted by a friend?"

Liu Zijun replied succinctly, "Correct."

His eyes narrowed slightly; this Kim Taeyeon was good, actually able to latch onto this point.

Kim Taeyeon pressed, "Can you tell us which friend?"

Liu Zijun shook his head, showing no intention of answering.

This near-cold attitude, and his evasion of the question, made Im Yoona beside him even more curious.

She leaned forward slightly, her smile disappearing, and her form of address changed as well.

"Ja-joon-xi, from your accent, you're from China? Tell us! Why did you think of coming to SM Entertainment to be a bodyguard?"

Her question was direct and carried a hint of probing.

"To fulfill a promise."

Liu Zijun uttered four words, with no intention of offering further explanation.

To fulfill a promise?

These four words made the three Girls Generation members look at each other, and they all saw deep confusion in each other's eyes.

What kind of promise needed to be fulfilled this way?

And moreover, the object was SM Entertainment?

Right in this subtle atmosphere, a small commotion arose again at the cafeteria entrance.

Five young, beautiful figures walked in, also not wearing masks, but their arrival immediately attracted the gazes of many people in the cafeteria.

It was f(x)!

Victoria Song, Amber Liu, Luna, Krystal Jung, and... Choi Sulli.

Choi Sulli was wearing a loose gray hoodie and a black baseball cap today, but the brim was pulled very low, almost covering half her face, especially those still swollen eyes.

She kept her head down; needless to say, her face was full of fatigue and weariness!

This girl had clearly seen Choi Soo-myung off on his final journey, rushed back to Seoul, and came to the company to practice today.

She followed behind her unnie Victoria Song, seeming somewhat withdrawn and silent, a bit out of place amidst the surrounding liveliness.

The recent online criticism, the group's marginalized situation, family exploitation, and Choi Soo-myung's sudden passing all hung over her minor sky like thick clouds.

The five of them got their meals and were looking for seats.

Im Yoona, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately waved and called out, "Seol-ri! Over here, over here!"

Victoria Song saw them, smiled and nodded, leading the f(x) members over.

"unnie!"

Choi Sulli greeted softly, still keeping her head down, looking utterly exhausted, even her voice carrying a timid feel.

Tiffany Young warmly urged, "Sit here!"

The f(x) members settled into seats, Choi Sulli naturally sitting between Victoria Song and Kim Taeyeon.

She subconsciously raised her head, wanting to thank Im Yoona, her gaze sweeping past behind her.

Then, her movements froze instantly.

Those originally dull eyes suddenly widened when they saw Liu Zijun's face.

Her gaze was filled with disbelief and astonishment!

It was him!

That man who, at Oppa Soomyeong's funeral, without hesitation threw a punch to protect Unnie Soyeon!

That man with the icy, sorrowful eyes who was also incredibly generous!

That strange man who finally left his business card, saying 'If you ever have any problems, you can find me anytime'!

He...

Why is he here?!

And chatting and eating with Taeyeon unnie, Yoona Unnie, and the others?!

Choi Sulli's heart suddenly clenched, full of fright.

She instinctively grabbed Victoria Song's arm, leaned back slightly, her eyes filled with wariness and deep confusion.

Did this man come for me?

What does he want?

Could it be... could it be that he was sent by those people?

The more she thought about it, the more afraid she became, her whole body unable to help trembling slightly.

Liu Zijun also looked at Choi Sulli almost at the same time.

This was the first time he had seen this girl so close up.

Choi Jin-ri—the sister whom Choi Soo-myung, in his past life, protected with his future, whom he begged before every mission, saying that if he died, he wanted his Captain to take care of her.

Looking at her delicate face, still with a bit of baby fat, now etched with terror, a slight ripple finally appeared in Liu Zijun's eyes.

Did I scare her?

Seeing her like a frightened little deer, looking at him with terrified and confused eyes, Liu Zijun couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.

The corner of his mouth moved almost imperceptibly, yet was instantly covered by a deeper calm.

He looked at her, his gaze no longer as indifferent as when he looked at the Girls Generation members, but now carrying much more complex, hard-to-define emotion.

Their eyes met.

One panicked and flustered, as if facing a formidable enemy.

One calm and profound, with undercurrents swirling.

"Hello, Choi Jin-ri."