Peninsula: The Great Producer

Zhongwu Road Barbecue Restaurant.

Park Jiyeon was wrapping the grilled meat very carefully.

Park Soyeon gently nudged Jeon Boram under the table, signaling with her eyes that they should leave sooner rather than later.

The atmosphere felt a bit stiff when all the members were there.

Park Soyeon wasn't the only one who felt this way; Jeon Boram, Lee Qri, and Ham Eunjung also felt the same way.

Only Park Hyo-min seemed to enjoy the meal.

During this period, everyone has been dieting and managing their figure due to the work schedule of the tour and the Japanese album. Many delicious foods that we want to eat can only be looked at but not eaten.

Having a rare opportunity to openly enjoy barbecue, Park Hyomin had only one thought: eat until she was stuffed.

Who knows how long we'll be eating boiled broccoli, fruit, and chicken breast—very bland-looking dishes—after this barbecue.

Pipi
The signal finally reached Park Hyo-min.

With a meat bun in his mouth, his chopsticks were still being used to flip the meat on the baking tray.

Park Hyo-min stammered, "Do you want some meat?"

Ham Eun-jung whispered a few words in Park Hyo-min's ear.

Park Hyo-min slowly put down her chopsticks, her eyes still fixed on the grilled meat on the plate that was about to be cooked through.

Park So-yeon began, "PDnim, we have a lot of work tomorrow, so..."

Qi Yaojiu had actually eaten most of his food.

The main reason was that he didn't drink tonight, and the main purpose of this meal was to relieve the T-ara members of any pressure. He helped because he didn't want T-ara to be discouraged by the misunderstanding.

Perhaps the entertainment industry is different in other countries and regions.

However, in H country, no matter how good your solo career is, once you leave group activities, it is a fatal blow for artists who started as idols.

Let's put it this way: as of now, the number of artists who have achieved great success as solo artists after leaving idol groups can be counted on one hand.

This also includes members of a generation of idol groups, such as Lee Hyori from Finkl, Sung Yu-ri from the same group, Yoon Eun-hye from Baby VOX, and Eugene from S.E.S. whose transitions to acting were not considered successful.

T-ara's career has progressed smoothly since their debut, standing out among second-generation groups. If the group continues to be active, the members' individual careers will certainly be icing on the cake, given the group's popularity. However, without the group, it would be a disaster.

Even if Qi Yaojiu wanted to pull him away, it would be extremely difficult.

The members are at least very united and understand that the focus should be on the group's activities.

Qi Yaojiu wiped his mouth with a tissue and said, "I've almost finished eating, let's go."

Park Jiyeon had just finished wrapping the meat and was originally going to put it in Ki Yo-gu's bowl, but seeing that Ki Yo-gu had already wiped his mouth, she ended up feeding the meat to Park Hyo-min instead.

Park Hyomin hummed happily, "Thank you, our maknae."

He was smiling broadly when he suddenly remembered something and glanced at Qi Yaojiu next to him.

This bag of meat wasn't for her; Jiyeon must be really upset right now.

Jeon Boram interjected, "PDnim can take your time eating. A few of us have to go first, but Jiyeon is fine. She finished recording yesterday."

Park Hyomin quickly chimed in, "Yes, that's right. Jiyeon finished recording yesterday, so she can continue eating with Oppa."

Qi Yaojiu smiled slightly.

If he were just Qi Yaojiu, he might not understand the situation, but his experience far exceeds Qi Yaojiu's short twenty-odd years.

Their intentions were too obvious: they wanted to create an opportunity for Park Jiyeon and themselves to be alone.

Park Jiyeon may have a lot to say to him alone, but now is not the best time. During this period, wherever T-ara appears, there will be no shortage of attention and reporters.

"Let's do it another day. I'll treat you to dinner another day."

"Another day?"

"Oh, I should move soon."

Park Hyo-min clapped her hands and said, "I heard from Eun-young unnie that Oppa's apartment in Cheongdam-dong was renovated last month, right?"

"right"

"You bought furniture and appliances for all three sets?"

"Yes, we plan to rent out the other two apartments."

"Rent it out? In Cheongdam-dong..."

Ki Yo-gu laughed and said, "It's time for you guys to move to the new dorms. The privacy and security in Sangam-dong aren't very good. Besides, you've made so much money for the company, CEO Kim Kwang-soo wouldn't be so stingy, would he?"

Park Hyomin thought so too. It would be great to move to the new apartment in Cheongdam-dong. She asked Ki Yoo-gu, "Oppa, how much are you planning to pay for the rent? How many rooms are in the apartment?"

"The rent is negotiable, four rooms, if you want to add new people..."

"Oppa has two apartments for rent, right? Even if we add new people, it would be perfect for eight people, one room per person."

Qi Yaojiu smiled and said, "One of the apartments has already been rented out in advance."

"Huh? Who?"

"That's true."

The members kept giving Park Hyomin meaningful glances, signaling her to stop chatting with Ki Yo-gu and leave as soon as possible. Park Hyomin, still immersed in the Cheongdam-dong apartment, stood up and said, "Then I'll ask my manager oppa if the company is willing to change our dorms. The rent oppa said is negotiable; as long as it's not outrageous, the company should agree."

"PDnim, eat more. The rest of us will go first. Jiyeon will stay with you."

Qi Yaojiu also stood up and said, "Really, no need. I'm done eating. Zhiyan, you should go back and rest early too. Let's make another appointment another day."

"Ok"

Park Jiyeon did not persist.

Qi Yaojiu said that if they made another appointment another day, it would definitely be a private appointment between the two of them.

There are some things that Park Jiyeon can only say when the two of them are together.

It's not that I want to keep it a secret from the members, it's that if the members hear certain things, they'll start making a fuss, and that's not what Park Jiyeon wants to see.

Jeon Boram paid the bill; the seven of them had eaten quite a bit.

As they stepped out of the barbecue restaurant, T-ara's manager was already waiting by the car.

Waving goodbye, Qi Yaojiu instructed, "Remember to let me know when the concert date is confirmed, I will definitely go."

The group got into the car first, and Ham Eun-jung, who was sitting by the door, replied, "Ji-yeon will contact PD-nim after it's confirmed."

"OK, be careful on the road."

The MPV disappeared into the bustling traffic in the blink of an eye.

In the car, Ham Eun-jung asked, "PDnim, do you have time to go to Bangkok?"

Park So-yeon suggested, "Let's reserve one ticket for PDnim first."

"Yes, keep one copy first, just in case PDnim has time to go to Bangkok."

How many tickets did the company give each of us?

"Five tickets, in less-than-ideal locations."

“Make sure the seats for PDnim are good. Oppa, go and tell the CEO that you promised to take PDnim to Bangkok for a concert when we had dinner together tonight.”

The manager who was driving replied, "Don't worry about these things. The CEO will definitely make arrangements separately. Even if you don't mention it, the CEO will invite Qi Yao Jiu PD to the concert."

The group nodded in agreement and began discussing who to invite to the concert with the remaining tickets besides their parents and family.

Park Jiyeon fell silent again.

She had only one ticket left after giving it to her parents and two older brothers. She wanted to invite Lee Ji-eun, Goo Hara, and Choi Sulli to the concert in Bangkok. Although she wasn't sure if they would be available, she needed to save at least three tickets.

At the entrance of a barbecue restaurant.

Qi Yaojiu walked towards the parking spot.

I didn't drink tonight, and Qi Yaojiu didn't call a designated driver.

Just as I reached the parking area, a beeping horn sounded from behind Qi Yaojiu.

Turning around, I saw a black MPV approaching.

Qi Yao Jiu stepped aside, the passenger window rolled down, and a small head popped out, whispering, "Oppa, what are you doing here?"

"what?"

"Shouldn't Oppa be inside the restaurant?"

"Did Jiyeon tell you that?"

"No, I came here from the trending topics. Where's Jiyeon? You guys didn't finish eating, did you?"

Qi Yaojiu smiled and said, "Oh, we've finished eating. They just left."

Lee Ji-eun said, "Then what am I supposed to do? I just finished work and I'm starving, so I'm just asking to come over and mooch a meal."

Kiyogu told the T-ara members that he had eaten well, but he wasn't actually full.

Pointing his finger, Qi Yaojiu said, "Follow me, I'll take you to eat something delicious."

"Ok"

Bae Jong-han, in the driver's seat, asked timidly, "Do I have to go too?"

Lee Ji-eun nodded and said, "Yes, Oppa already said we'd eat something delicious. What, Oppa, is there something else?"

"No, I just don't want to be a third wheel."

"What? Oppa and I aren't in a relationship. Besides, it's too conspicuous for the two of us to eat together. We need someone to cover for us. Let's go."

Pei Zhonghan's lips twitched twice.

My dear sister.

She's smart enough to know she needs cover, but she's too inconsiderate of her own feelings. Does she really just treat herself like a tool?

Pei Zhonghan only thought this in his heart and didn't say it out loud.

What can you do? You have to pamper your own artists. (End of Chapter)