Peninsula: My mentor Kim Tae-yeon

Chapter 97 The Unfinished Song and Twenty Years Old (7.5k)

On the morning of November 21st, on the way to Tokyo Dome Stadium.

"How long did you say???"

Inside the car, Su Xia suddenly turned her head and looked at Park Hee-min beside her with disbelief in her eyes.

"You heard me right. It's expected to take seven hours from start to finish, and you're not allowed to use your phone during the trip," Park Hee-min repeated with a faint smile.

"Should I blanch it?"

Su Xia was stunned.

Seven hours, and you're not even allowed to use your phone?

If you're not a buddy, then what are you doing sitting there?

Want to chat?

"Are you just going to keep chatting like this?"

"Here's the seating chart, please take a look." Park Hee-min found the seating chart for tomorrow night and showed it to Su Xia.

The mama event lasted for three days. Su Xia and IVE were both on the second day. NMIXX were not invited this year and were absent for all three days.

Su Xia zoomed in on the picture, but after searching for a long time, she still couldn't find her own spot.

"Where am I?" Su Xia asked blankly.

"International artists have their own dressing rooms, and they're here." Park Hee-min pointed to an empty square near the backstage area in the picture.

"Of course, you can find an empty seat if you want, just don't go to the IVE area."

"After communicating with the program team, the PR department arranged IVE's position in the front row center of the inner field. This position is neither too far nor too close to you, and it is also in line with IVE's high popularity."

This is the advantage of being a large and powerful company. MAMA is hosted by CJ Entertainment, and the public relations department can communicate directly with the MAMA production team. If you switch to another company's department, do you think the production team will even pay attention to you?

"Are there cameras here?" Su Xia asked, pointing to the VIP lounge for international artists.

"Yes, but we usually don't cut to this side, and we'll let you know in advance when we do."

"Can I use my phone or sleep then?"

Seven hours, buddy, you'll really get moldy if you have nothing to do.

"It's possible," Park Hee-min said uncertainly, "but it's best not to do it. If it gets caught on camera, you'll be accused of disrespecting the performers."

Su Xia is not a K-pop artist, and the production team did not force him to use his phone like artists. However, if he is caught on camera, he will be labeled as disrespectful to performing artists.

So not playing can avoid this risk.

Su Xia nodded, then picked up her phone and typed a line of text on the screen.

[So, you just sit there like this every year?]

"Otherwise what?" Kim Tae-yeon poked her head out from the car roof. "That's why I try to avoid attending year-end ceremonies like MAMA if I can. It's like being in prison, sitting there for six or seven hours straight. It's too torture."

"Wait a minute!" Su Xia exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at Park Hee-min. "Why don't I see Taeyeon's name?"

Park Hee-min was also taken aback when he heard this.

"Taeyeon isn't coming, so of course her name isn't on the list."

Su Xia: "???"

"Didn't we invite her?" Su Xia asked urgently, her eyes wide.

"I was invited, but there's no rule that you have to come just because you're invited. Whether an artist of Taeyeon's stature comes or not depends entirely on her mood."

""

Su Xia:

'

So, what's the point of him coming to Mama?

Just to receive a custom-made award that anyone with eyes can see?

I'm such a huge Kim Tae-yeon, you bastard!

"No, how could she not come?"

"What should I do if she doesn't come?"

"Then what am I here for?"

"West8 Kim Tae-yeon! What the hell are you doing?!"

Su Xia went crazy and broke down.

Park Hee-min's eyelids twitched as he listened from the side.

Why did you suddenly start criticizing Taeyeon?

Kim Tae-yeon, sitting on the roof of the car, chuckled awkwardly. She knew that Su Xia wasn't cursing the Tae-yeon of this world. Although she was the one who couldn't make the decision, Su Xia was actually cursing herself.

"Can I still cancel the trip now?" Su Xia suddenly looked up and asked Park Hee-min with a hopeful expression.

Park Hee-min: "?"

Brother, are you kidding me?

CJMCN went to great lengths to win the customized award from MAMA, eventually securing a customized award and a performance stage in return.

You're saying you want to cancel now?

Are you kidding me, bro?!

Even if you're a partner, you can't betray your teammates like this.

Seeing the incredulous look in Park Hee-min's eyes, Su Xia knew that her request was excessive.

He sighed helplessly.

"I was just saying it offhand, don't take it to heart."

"You can't slack off. This is your official K-pop debut stage. If something goes wrong, your future development plans will be affected." Park Hee-min was still worried. Su Xia was a young person, and the biggest weakness of young people is that they are easily emotional.

She was genuinely afraid that once Su Xia got carried away, she would start acting wildly.

The key point is that she can forcefully suppress celebrities and make them do whatever they want, but Su Xia is different. This big brother is not a celebrity, and he is not even subordinate to CJMCN.

You can only persuade, not command.

"Don't worry," Su Xia replied weakly. "I still have my professional ethics. Don't forget, I'm a lawyer."

Park Hee-min quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

That makes sense. Lawyers have higher ethical standards, so there shouldn't be any problems, right?

"Uh, well." Kim Tae-yeon, with an awkward smile on her face, climbed off the roof of the car.

"If all else fails, how about starting with autograph sessions?" Kim Tae-yeon suggested tentatively.

Su Xia glanced at her, picked up her phone, and Kim Tae-yeon quickly leaned over.

[Tomorrow is MAMA, and the day after is rehearsals with my second brother. Where should I go for autograph sessions?]

"It happens every year, let's participate next year!" Kim Tae-yeon said, patting her chest confidently. "There will definitely be no unforeseen circumstances next year!"

Su Xia stared at her, making Kim Tae-yeon feel a little guilty.

[Actually, it's fine whether you participate or not.]

Upon seeing the words Su Xia typed, Kim Tae-yeon's expression vanished instantly.

She couldn't help but look at Su Xia, only to find that he was looking at her.

A moment later, Kim Tae-yeon looked away.

"I still have to participate, otherwise do you want to keep me trapped here forever?" Kim Tae-yeon said lightly. "I'm thinking of going home to eat delicious food and sleep in."

Su Xia continued to stare at Kim Tae-yeon, but after hearing Kim Tae-yeon's words, she nodded.

"I see."

"Huh?" Park Hee-min looked at Su Xia blankly.

"It's okay, I'm on the phone with a friend," Su Xia said, pointing to the Bluetooth earpiece on her ear.

"Okay." Park Hee-min nodded. Although she didn't know who her boss was calling every day, he did call very frequently.

Liz?

It couldn't be her. Ivey should be rehearsing right now; she wouldn't have time to make a phone call.

Park Hee-min is very familiar with the process of these celebrities participating in such large-scale events; they really can't touch their phones even once throughout the entire process.

Soon, the vehicle arrived at the Porcelain Egg Stadium. It was already getting late when Su Xia arrived. He was originally a "leftover" member, so the production team put him at the very end for rehearsals.

Su Xia had no objection to this; whether it was ostentatious or not was irrelevant.

These guys aren't even K-pop artists, so what kind of pomp and circumstance are they talking about?

As dusk settled over Osaka Bay, the dome of the Osaka Dome Stadium, resembling a giant glass goblet, was outlined with smooth curves by the continuously lit LED lights.

Inside the venue, which can hold 55,000 people, the slogan "BIGBLUR: What is Real?" was displayed on a giant LED screen at the entrance, with blue and purple light penetrating the crowd of fans watching outside.

It's only in the rehearsal stage now, but many fans still come to see the rehearsal of the Porcelain Egg a day in advance.

Su Xia and her group were not restricted and drove directly into the venue.

The moment I stepped out of the car, my gaze was immediately drawn to the 360-degree central stage.

Like a "world tree" rising from the ground, the main stage is based on frosted glass, with embedded LED light strips changing brightness with the rhythm of the music. Three silver extension platforms extend from all sides, reaching into the audience like tree branches, with the farthest end no more than ten meters away from the artists' seats.

A circular main screen with a diameter of 20 meters hangs above the stage, surrounded by countless tiny secondary screens like stars. When all the lights are off, these screens will light up in sync, turning the entire venue into a floating galaxy. At that time, it will echo the audience seats filled with fans on the ground. If the fans also bring glow sticks, under the unified control of the PD, it will be a dazzling ocean of colors.

The artists' seating area is located in the front row of the inner field on the left side of the main stage, with dark velvet seats clearly defining the area.

The prime center seat in the first row was reserved for IVE, which reflects their achievements in South Korea this year.

The seats in IVE are adorned with silver tassels, and are separated from the seats in the adjacent TXT by only a narrow aisle.

The waiting area at the side and back of the stage was half-covered by a red curtain with the words "Waiting Area" embroidered on it in a low-key manner. This is the exclusive space for artists to wait for their turn.

Drinking water and makeup kits were neatly arranged on a metal shelf, and several staff members were bending down to adjust wireless microphones.

There is a hidden passage between the waiting area and the main stage, covered with a dark red carpet, through which artists will make their entrance.

The audience seating is divided into two levels: the inner field and the stands. The inner field fan section is right next to the artist section, separated only by a low railing.

The stands extend upwards in a tiered fashion, a typical concert layout, but with a much larger seating area.

The giant speakers in the four corners of the venue emitted clear accompaniment, the sound waves crashing against the dome and intertwining with the voices of the artists rehearsing on stage, making people's eardrums slightly numb, yet making them unable to resist being immersed in this enthusiastic atmosphere.

This was the first time Su Xia had ever seen such a beautifully decorated venue. Compared to Mama, all the concerts she had attended before seemed utterly inferior.

IVE: "?"

Jessica: "?"

"It feels like something out of a cultivation novel, where genius cultivators from various sects participate in a grand competition for the younger generation of cultivators." Su Xia stood in the performers' section, watching the unknown performers on stage, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Then what are you?"

"Me? I'm a bit better than some random passerby."

"Not at all." Kim Tae-yeon chuckled. "Among the artists and groups participating in MAMA, at least 60% are less well-known than you, and at least 80% have fewer fans than you."

"Really?" Su Xia raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise.

"Of course it's true." Kim Tae-yeon laughed. "You have over ten million fans across all platforms. Many K-pop artists aren't even known outside of Korea; they're basically only famous in your province. How could they possibly have more fans than you?"

"If you calculate it that way, even if you add Chifu together, you don't have as many as me." Su Xia laughed, "Chifu's musical notes and Bilibili fans combined don't even amount to as many as me."

"Hey, that's a victory."

"Win!" Su Xia nodded in agreement.

This is a huge win!

"Attorney Su, so this is where you are." Two staff members jogged over, slightly out of breath.

"It's your rehearsal time, you can get ready now," the staff member continued.

"Okay." Su Xia nodded, glanced at the performers on stage who were nearing the end of their rehearsal, and asked, "Has IVE left?"

"No, IVE is preparing a birthday celebration for the members backstage. Today should be one of their members' birthdays," a staff member explained.

Celebrating Liz's birthday?

In Mama?

That's interesting.

Although Su Xia was curious, he suppressed his curiosity as it was almost his turn to rehearse.

"Take me somewhere I can warm up my voice."

"OK."

Backstage.

The red curtain blocked out the sounds of rehearsals inside the venue. In the backstage artist lounge, the air conditioning carried a faint scent of hairspray. The six artists, who had just finished their private practice, were still wearing their stage costumes, with fine beads of sweat on their foreheads.

Liz was tidying her slightly messy long hair in front of the mirror, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the ends of her hair.

Today is her twentieth birthday, but the busy rehearsal schedule has overshadowed the ceremony. In fact, she celebrated her birthday a day early yesterday in order to spend time with her fans.

On her birthday today, all she can look forward to is Su Xia's special gift.

but----

Where is Su Xia oppa? Why hasn't he arrived yet?

"Liz, Unnie asked you to check if there's a problem with the microphone in the waiting area." Jang Won-young suddenly leaned over, speaking casually as if they were chatting. Her tall figure blocked Liz's path, and she casually straightened her collar. But if you looked closely, you would see a hidden smile in her eyes.

Without thinking much, Liz responded and turned to walk towards the waiting area behind the curtain. She had only taken two steps when the lounge behind her suddenly went dark.

Liz subconsciously turned around, but before she could ask anything, the familiar birthday song began to play softly.

Happy birthday!

Ahn Yu-jin walked at the front, carrying a small cream cake with two candles stuck in it. The warm yellow light illuminated her eyes and brows, conveying an unyielding tenderness.

Happy birthday!

Zhang Yuanying quickly moved closer to Liz, her voice filled with joyful laughter.

"Surprised? We secretly had our staff order it, and we specially chose your favorite sea salt caramel flavor, plus Jeju Island tangerine decorations!"

As she spoke, Zhang Yuanying raised her hand and gently pinched Liz's cheek, her tone slightly domineering.

"Quick, make a wish! The candle's burning down to the butter!"

The lights in the lounge were slowly turned on, and Jin Qiutian, holding a light purple ribbon, quietly went behind Liz and gently tied it around her wrist.

Looking into Liz's eyes, he said earnestly, "Have a happy birthday, and may your next stage performance go smoothly."

Simple words contain the most genuine care, just like how Jin Qiutian always quietly helps Liz tidy up her stage costume accessories, like a gentle rain nourishing the earth.

Rei Naoi took a small canvas bag out of her backpack and handed it to Liz.

"I drew chibi versions of all six of us on it, and the lyrics to your favorite song are on the back."

Kim Rei's voice was soft, and she had a faint guinea pig smile on her face.

Li Rui was the one who couldn't contain her excitement the most. She rushed to Liz's side and gently wrapped her arms around her waist.

Happy birthday, Liz unnie!

"Be happy every day, and get rid of that soon—uh, um, unnie understands." Lee Rui only realized there were still staff members around when she was halfway through her sentence, and hurriedly slammed on the brakes.

Ahn Yu-jin handed the cake to Liz, her fingertips slightly cool.

"Thank you for your hard work in cooperating with the team during this time." Ahn Yu-jin paused here, her gaze sweeping over the members around her, her eyes full of warmth.

"You've contributed a lot to the team this year, whether it's the vocals you've honed repeatedly in the recording studio, your performances on stage, or your popularity in China. Everyone has seen it all."

Ahn Yoo-jin patted Liz on the back with a smile.

Make a wish, may all your desires come true, we will always be with you!

The candlelight illuminated Liz's face, revealing her reddened eyes.

Liz took a deep breath, closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her nose felt a little sore.

She thought her birthday had passed by, but the members secretly remembered it and built a warm little world for her backstage in a foreign land.

A few seconds later, Liz opened her eyes and blew out the candles, and soft cheers rang out in the lounge.

"Thank you all—" Liz's voice was choked with emotion as she looked at the familiar smiling faces before her, and tears finally streamed down her face.

"I didn't expect you guys to remember." Liz wiped away her tears, but couldn't help but smile. "It's so good to have you all by my side!"

Zhang Yuanying handed over a tissue, laughing and joking, "Why are you crying? Twenty is a wonderful age!"

As she spoke, she picked up a spoon, scooped out a piece of cake, and held it to Liz's lips.

"Try it! I asked the boss to add extra cream. After you finish eating, we'll have to wait for another part."

Seeing her mischievous expression, Liz smiled and took a bite of the cake on the spoon.

Jin Qiutian stepped forward, helped Liz tidy her tear-dampened bangs, and said softly, "Pay attention to your makeup. He's here, listen."

Liz calmed down and vaguely heard that familiar voice coming from the stage.

He's here!

Rei Naoi stepped forward, gave Liz a cheerful hug, and said in a voice as gentle as a feather, "No matter how many birthdays you have, we will always be here for you like this."

I hope you can always do what you love and always be happy!

Li Rui shook Liz's hand, which she hadn't let go of, and looked at her with bright, sparkling eyes.

"Liz unnie, did you think of us when you made your wish? Let's cheer each other on for tomorrow's stage performance! Consider today a birthday celebration for unnie!"

Liz nodded, looking at the five members beside her. Their smiles were sweeter than the cake in her mouth and warmer than the lights.

With the members around, this is the best twenty years of my life.

Outside the curtain, the venue lights were bright during rehearsals, but the light backstage, though not as dazzling as the front lights, was like a glimmer of light under the dome, illuminating their future path as they walked side by side.

on the stage.

As the last note faded, Park Hee-min in the audience let out a huge sigh of relief.

She doesn't understand music, but she understands Su Xia.

Judging from Su Xia's expression, you can tell whether he put his heart into it or not.

"Overall it was good, the typhoon was a bit weak," Kim Tae-yeon commented. "Were you nervous?"

Su Xia nodded.

"There's nothing we can do. This event is way too big, much bigger than the one involving Jessica Jung."

The biggest stage he's ever performed was the one with Jessica Jung. The Bilibili New Year's Eve Gala was alright with Wang Leehom as a mentor, but this was his solo performance.

"It's no big deal." Kim Tae-yeon smiled. Su Xia has a naturally strong heart. Don't be fooled by his nervousness during rehearsals. Once he's actually on stage, he won't be like this anymore.

Some people are born for the stage. Nervous?

The moment he stood on the stage, holding the microphone and facing the audience, and the accompaniment music started playing in his in-ear monitor, the stage belonged to him.

Su Xia shook her head and stepped off the stage.

He handed the microphone back to the staff member and looked at Park Hee-min and Lee who were walking over.

"Did IVE leave?"

"No, they are waiting for you." Park Hee-min knew that Su Xia was coming to give Liz a birthday present, so she had already found out beforehand.

"Just celebrated Liz's birthday, and I'm still in the lounge."

Su Xia nodded.

"I'm coming right now."

Upon hearing this, Lao Jin immediately spoke up.

"Do you need me to go with you?"

"No need." Su Xia waved her hand. "Give me the bag, I can go by myself."

"Okay." Old Jin handed the briefcase containing the unfinished song to Su Xia.

"Is there anything else?" Su Xia took the handbag and asked Park Hee-min.

"Let's talk about it when you get back from IVE. It's about tomorrow's schedule."

Su Xia nodded.

"it is good."

He turned and walked away.

"Boss, is this considered having three relationships at once?" Old Jin changed his previous master-servant stance with Park Hee-min and stood next to Park Hee-min.

"What do you mean?" Park Hee-min turned to look at Old Kim in surprise.

"The boss is very attentive to IVE and NMIXX. LESSERAFIM even wrote a letter to the boss by hand. Is it reasonable to say that his relationship with these groups is simply a collaborative one?"

"As you get older, you tend to make wild guesses," Park Hee-min joked with a laugh. "You can actually bring yourself to say something like your boss is cheating on you with three women at the same time?"

"Just you wait and see," Old Jin scoffed confidently. "This ITV definitely has someone it loves."

"I believe that," Park Hee-min nodded, "but I don't believe NMIXX and LESSERAFIM."

"Just you wait and see."

IVE lounge.

dong dong dong.

Su Xia raised her hand and knocked on the door. IVE's assistant opened the door to the lounge and quickly made way for her when she saw it was Su Xia.

"Attorney Su!"

"Hello." Su Xia nodded to her and then walked into the lounge.

I spotted Jin Qiutian standing next to the door at a glance.

"What are you doing standing here?" Su Xia asked Jin Qiutian in surprise, while glancing at the other members in the room out of the corner of her eye.

"Attorney Su?" Jin Qiutian was taken aback, then laughed, waving the water glass in her hand. "I'm drinking water."

"Everyone has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Attorney Su is here!" Li Rui jumped up excitedly from the sofa and immediately spotted the bag Su Xia was carrying.

The attention of others was also drawn to the handbag in Su Xia's hand.

Su Xia nodded with a smile at them, and finally fixed her gaze on Liz.

Blonde hair, red dress, black boots.

Three different shades of clothing came together to create the stage makeup and costume in front of us.

The other members of IVE had the same look, but in Su Xia's eyes, only Liz was the most attractive to him.

The relationship between beauty and liking lies in whether one likes someone because they are beautiful, or whether one is beautiful because one likes them.

The former is superficial, while the latter is deeply ingrained.

Is Liz pretty?

good looking.

But is she the prettiest?

Perhaps others don't think so, but in Su Xia's eyes, she is the most beautiful one in the room.

A smile, which he himself didn't even realize had appeared on his face, quietly crept onto Liz's face as he gently handed her the handbag.

In front of him.

Happy birthday, Chestnut!

"Thank you!" Liz took the handbag with both hands, and under the watchful eyes of the members and the onlookers, she opened the handbag and took out the iPad inside.

Everyone was taken aback, but they knew that Su Xia would not give a used tablet as a gift.

Liz opened the iPad, which had no password, and found only a single, empty app on the blank desktop.

They were familiar with this software; although they rarely used it, they had used it before.

after all----

Which singer hasn't dreamed of being a singer-songwriter?

Liz tapped the software and opened the only song in it—uh, a 59-second demo.

Soothing music played on the iPad.

Su Xia's gentle voice rang out.

"perhaps"

Do you sometimes feel empty inside?

Soft, simple music begins; the rhythm isn't particularly catchy, but the lyrics...

Say thank you to me for yesterday.

"Those growing pains that make your whole body go numb"

"We have already won the battle."

"I have been reborn from the ashes, completely transformed."

So I wanted to say...

"Thanks"

The lyrics and music abruptly end here.

"I originally wanted to write a whole song, but my abilities are really limited, so I only wrote this part." Su Xia shook her head helplessly and looked at Liz, who was staring blankly at the lyrics on the iPad.

"I was thinking of sending you this song after I finished writing it, but then I realized that a birthday is just a birthday, it only represents today, so I decided to bring this half-finished song instead. I hope you like it."

Time was really limited, and he had considered postponing the delivery of the gift, but in the end he chose to give up on postponing it.

"I really like it!" Liz gradually pulled her attention away from the lyrics and looked at Su Xia with a bright smile.

"Twenty years old is a turning point in life; it represents the beginning of life."

"This song is incomplete, only the first half, and twenty years old is also the first half of life. An incomplete song and a young twenty years old—perhaps this is a destined coincidence, isn't it?"

Liz's smile was radiant, her face beaming with unspoken emotions—satisfaction with the gift, and even more so, the deepest tenderness towards the person who gave it to her.

"I'm glad you like it." Seeing the smile on Liz's face, Su Xia felt a great weight lifted from her heart, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Then this song will be yours to finish?"

Liz lowered her head and looked at the two lines of lyrics.

The excruciating pain of growing up, which numbed my entire body, has been overcome. I have been reborn from the ashes. This song is clearly a reflection of her past two years.

It would be most appropriate for her, the person directly involved, to continue writing this story.

Thinking of this, Liz raised her head again, this time looking at the other members of IVE.

"Let's continue writing together!"

The other five members of IVE were all taken aback by Liz's words and the smile on her face.

The song's lyrics immediately reminded them of Liz's past experience of being attacked. It was a song Su Xia had given her, and now Liz wanted to be with them—

The meaning behind those words couldn't be clearer.

The past is past; the future is to be written by all of us together.

"Let's do it together." Jin Qiutian smiled and extended her palm, taking Liz's small hand in hers.

"Together!" Ahn Yoo-jin also came to her senses and placed her hand on Kim Qiu-ti's hand.

As soon as Ahn Yoo-jin moved, Jang Won-young responded immediately, placing his own hand on Ahn Yoo-jin's, his smile widening as his hand landed.

Following the movement of her sister Zhang Yuanying, Li Xianrui, a student imitating the British, also placed her palm on the object.

"Together, together!"

Finally, Naoi Rei walked over and silently placed her hand on it.

At this point, the six hands were tightly clasped together.

"Attorney Su?" Jin Qiutian turned around and called out to Su Xia.

Su Xia was taken aback and pointed to herself.

"I?"

"Come on." Ahn Yoo-jin pulled Su Xia over with her other hand and pressed Su Xia's palm onto hers without saying a word.

"up!"

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Stay strong!!!"