Peninsula: I'm being supported by a top idol.

[SBS Television's "Inkigayo" music broadcast program]

With plenty of time before her performance, Liu Zhimin sat in front of the makeup mirror in the waiting room, lost in thought.

The other three members of aespa were also in a very relaxed state.

Some are playing on their phones, others are reading comics.

The most laughable one was Kim Dong-dong.

She rested her neck on the sofa armrest and dozed off. Due to her posture, her mouth was uncontrollably tilted back, and a few snoring sounds could be faintly heard.

All four of them are exhausted from this period of time. Their first full-length album, "Armageddon," has been very well received and has already won first place on several music programs.

If the performance goes smoothly, today should be their second win on Inkigayo, following last week's result.

Although he has the backing of SM Entertainment, Yoo Jimin feels he has made a great contribution to becoming a pillar of the K-pop industry in just four years. He is also confident that he can make the whole team better and reach the international stage like his seniors Backpink.

Since you already have a bright future ahead of you, why bother about your past life?

Since it all happened in the past life, does it have anything to do with me now?

What does it matter if we're destined to be together, or what does it matter if she's a princess?

Princesses in ancient times might not have lived as well as I do now!

And what kind of princess is she? She has no power at all, and she can't even save the man she loves!

These past two days, she's been agonizing over these issues.

Although she couldn't completely believe Cui Shi'an's words, through her research over this period of time, she discovered that whenever she slept, if her body was slightly close to the arrowhead, she would indeed dream of fragments of ancient scenes.

The images were fragmented and jumped around illogically.

In a little while, they will reach the age of childhood.

She was dressed in an elaborate and gorgeous little palace dress, sitting in a corner of the solemn yet noisy palace banquet, watching the indistinct royal figures around her clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, while she could only kneel obediently, her little hand secretly pinching a piece of candied fruit in her sleeve.

A moment later, she transformed back into her teenage years.

She ran through the palace gardens filled with unknown wildflowers, her skirt brushing against the grass glistening with morning dew. In the distance, the outline of a palace with upturned eaves and flying corners could be seen, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of freedom and loneliness.

She even dreamed a couple of days ago that she was practicing horseback riding and archery, and when she woke up, she felt very tired.

So these past few days, she's simply put away her arrowheads to avoid letting her dreams affect her reality, since the publicity period is very important.

The only thing that made her a little regretful was that she never dreamed of Cui Shi'an again.

Thinking of this, Liu Zhimin's nerves tightened slightly.

Why should I have any regrets?

Shouldn't I be happy that I didn't dream about that guy?

That being said... but is it because he died that there are no scenes featuring him?

So how exactly did he die? Did he die in the palace, or on that ship?

Spain! I'm so curious, so curious!

Why don't you ask?

Liu Zhimin's gaze fell on the cell phone on the table.

But she quickly dismissed the idea.

If you just ask directly like that, wouldn't that be telling the other person that you believe this absurd story?

No, no, absolutely not! I've already suffered too many losses because of my ignorance. Now, many haters outside are calling her the Regent. I can't be reckless again!

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Liu Zhimin gestured for the others to perk up: "Everyone, focus your attention. Someone might be coming to say hello."

"Hey..." Jin Dongtian opened his eyes, quickly wiped his drool, and stood up in one go, completing the whole action in one smooth motion.

That's the social rule in a TV station's waiting room: you have to always be smiling.

Especially for groups like theirs, whose debut time is neither too early nor too late, they seem to be very familiar with the TV station, but it is precisely because of this familiarity that they can easily be misunderstood by those with ulterior motives as being impolite.

After all, some senior figures in the industry like to spread these kinds of rumors.

The four waited patiently, but when the door opened, they found that it was Li Rui from IVE who had knocked.

Jin Dongtian plopped down on his bottom.

Ningning continued to pick up the hidden fruit and smack her lips.

Liu Zhimin and Gisele exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked at the bright-eyed girl in the doorway: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing~ I just came to say hello to you unnies~" The girl smiled shyly and gently shook her little fist: "Let's get first place today too~ Fighting!"

They all simultaneously flashed friendly smiles: "You too, Fighting!"

Lee Seo is the MC of the show "Inkigayo," and greeting each group of performers before recording has become an unwavering tradition.

In fact, for the entire aespa team, ever since NJ ruined himself, Ive, behind Li Rui, has become their biggest competitor.

Especially for Yoo Ji-min, who will become the No. 1 female idol of this generation largely depends on the outcome of her competition with ive Jang Won-young.

Therefore, although the two sides greet each other with smiles in public, they are actually very competitive in private and can hardly be said to have a good relationship.

But today, after seeing her, Liu Zhimin suddenly had a whim and wanted to ask her for a favor.

"Rui~" she chased after him, her tone even quite affectionate.

"Yes." Li Rui stopped in his tracks, wondering why Liu Zhimin's tone was suddenly so friendly.

Liu Zhimin stepped forward and pointed to the corridor not far away: "Can we go over there and talk for a few minutes?"

Li Rui was taken aback. As the only minor in IVE, she had been bombarded with stories of the treacherous nature of the workplace by her older female classmates in the dormitory.

For example, if a senior unnie calls you over alone, never go, or you'll definitely get a scolding.

Now, Liu Zhimin is going to take her to the stairwell, the kind of place that is often used as a "crime scene" in stories.

What to do? What to do? The child is panicking!

"S-senpai...is there something you need?" Li Rui's heart was pounding, and he was frantically trying to recall if he had offended the other person in any way.

"Well, I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"What is it..." Li Rui opened his mouth, feeling his throat was very dry. This was exactly the same opening line that the unnies used to say, first to lure people in, and then to start lecturing them!

This unnie is terrifying! Yujin unnie, Chulyu unnie! Where are you? Please come and save me!!

Upon seeing the other person's stiff expression, Liu Zhimin knew he had been misunderstood and quickly put on a friendly smile:

"Unnie isn't that kind of person. I really have something to ask you."

She glanced around, then whispered in Li Rui's ear, "Are there any IVE albums in the waiting room? Could you sign one for me?"

"Huh?" Li Rui's eyes widened, and he immediately felt flattered. Karina actually wanted his autographed album?

To be honest, she was so unpopular that she was jokingly referred to as a maid in the show...

"Unnie, wait a moment, I... I'll go sign it right away and get it for you!"

After the girl finished speaking, she took off running towards the waiting room, afraid that Liu Zhimin would change his mind if she was too late...