Peninsula Cicada Song Diary

This is the side stage, not very big. Generally, only performers preparing to go on stage are allowed in; the artists' staff are kept outside. It's very close to the stage; you can see the silhouettes of the performers just by looking up slightly. There's also a screen on the wall that allows for a clearer view.

When they arrived, the place was already packed with people—all boys, a huge crowd, probably more than a dozen.

Pei Xiyan knew them; they were Wanna One, a popular limited-time boy group that debuted last year through the second season of the talent show "Produce 101".

Upon seeing Kim Nancy, one of the boys, presumably the team leader, recognized him and led the others to make way, bowing respectfully in greeting.

"Hello, Section Chief!" The voices of a dozen or so people would normally sound impressive, but here they were drowned out by the shouts from outside, making no ripples at all.

"Hello," Kim Nancy replied with a casual nod, not caring whether they could hear her or not.

Pei Xiyan didn't say anything, after all, the other party hadn't greeted him.

"Why did you bring me here?" Pei Xiyan thought that when Jin Nanxi said they had arrived, they had arrived at the waiting room. He knew Red Velvet's manager. He didn't expect to be here and be stared at by eleven pairs of unfamiliar but curious eyes, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

"Isn't this the place where you can see your Noona right away?" Kim Nancy raised an eyebrow.

"Thank you so much." Pei Xiyan secretly elbowed him with her elbow, then looked up at Red Velvet on the stage.

Among the five people on stage, Bae Joo-hyun stood out, not because of her head or height, nor because of the only one wearing an open yellow and black plaid shirt jacket.

It's because of subtle incompatibilities.

Having spent a long time at SM, Pei Xiyan could see that her dance moves were a bit weak, but she still tried her best to keep up with the beat. She actively ran to the front to interact with the audience and her facial expressions were always on point. When the big screen switched to her, she had a flawless smile, looking as beautiful as a goddess who had secretly descended to earth.

However, when she moved to the corner, she would secretly turn her head to catch her breath a few times, a scene that Pei Xiyan captured very clearly.

Pei Xiyan knew that black-necked swans were the most monogamous animals in the world, and Pei Zhuxuan was just like a black-necked swan, only she had replaced her affections with the profession of "idol".

"I chose this path at 19 and successfully became Irene of Red Velvet. Now, standing in front of the public and fans, this is my whole life." "I just want to be on stage, I want to be on stage for my fans, and I want to be on stage to be a good idol."

In early 17, it was unusual for snow not to fall outside the hospital window. Pei Xiyan sat quietly by the bed, listening to Pei Zhuxuan speak, as if she could glimpse the blue sky and white clouds floating in her jewel-like pupils.

"So, Xiaoyan..." She turned her face, the blue sky and white clouds reflecting in his eyes, "Will you support me?"

After jumping off the song "Power Up," Bae Joo-hyun was panting heavily. Her head felt heavy, as if it were stuffed full of something—maybe iron, maybe cotton—it completely blocked her head, making her optic nerves blurry under the pressure. Her consciousness was suppressed at the bottom the whole time, as if she were about to sink into a hazy abyss.

Until the song was changed on stage.

Red Flavor.

"Nuna will definitely debut successfully, and I will definitely become a producer who writes songs for Nuna!"

This is the first title track produced by Pei Xiyan as Red Velvet's producer, and it is also the fruition of a promise.

It holds extraordinary significance for Bae Joo-hyun.

"So how did you write this song while eating watermelon?" Jin Nanxi retorted with her elbow, "The big producer."

"Because the flesh of a watermelon is red," Pei Xiyan replied.

"this one?"

"otherwise."

"It's so frustrating to compare yourself to others," Jin Nanxi muttered dejectedly. "If it were bananas and mangoes, it would be 'Yellow Flavor'."

"Then I'd choose to eat grapes," Pei Xiyan said. "Nuna likes purple."

"You're hopeless." Kim Nancy slapped her forehead speechlessly.

Pei Xiyan ignored him, humming softly while keeping a close eye on Pei Zhuxuan. He noticed that Pei Zhuxuan's movements suddenly became as smooth as a computer that had been cleaned of junk files. Although there were some lags due to hardware issues, it was much better now.

"That was great, Nuna," he murmured in praise.

The song he wrote was very successful and is still in the top 100 on Melon. Many people are familiar with it. Pei Xiyan noticed that several Wanna One members were secretly singing along, and one of the more lively ones was even making small movements.

As the song was about to end, Pei Xiyan looked away, quietly put on her hoodie, and walked to the back of the Wanna One members amidst Jin Nanxi's confused gaze.

"What are you doing?" Jin Nanxi followed him.

"The area ahead is too conspicuous." Pei Xiyan glanced at Wannaone ahead. "It's easier to catch her here."

"...내가제일좋아하는건여름그맛,

What I like most is the smell of summer.

내가제일좋아하는건여름의너,

My favorite thing about you is that summer.

As the song ended, the applause and cheers from the audience only increased. Bae Joo-hyun breathed a sigh of relief and waved goodbye to the fans and audience with the other members.

When she left the stage, she walked very slowly, falling behind the other five. She even stumbled and almost fell, but Son Seung-wan caught her.

"Hello, senior!"

Upon descending to the side platform, one is greeted by wannaone, who is waiting there.

Bae Joo-hyun had only one thought on her mind right now: to sleep and rest. If you compared her physical strength to a battery, it was almost depleted and about to shut down.

But seeing the smiles on their faces—whether it was flattery, admiration, or something else—to avoid being misunderstood, Bae Joo-hyun, with her naturally cold expression, could only force a smile and nod in response, repeating the same actions like a worker on an assembly line.

Why are there so many people in this boy group? Why haven't they finished greeting everyone yet? Bae Joo-hyun thought dejectedly as she walked up to what was probably the last member.

She ignored another person dressed in a suit who was clearly a staff member.

The member in front of them was dressed out of place with the others. Apart from her figure, she looked like a random person who had wandered in. She was wearing a hoodie and had her head down, so her face was not clearly visible. Son Seungwan and the others simply ignored her.

He remained silent and didn't speak. When the members went on stage, he strangely didn't follow. Bae Joo-hyun was too lazy to pay attention to him. She took a few steps forward with Son Seung-wan and was about to skip over them when she suddenly felt her hand being pulled. Then, a force pulled her into his arms.

"Ah!" Bae Joo-hyun's eyes widened in surprise, and her thought of resting vanished instantly.

She never expected to encounter such an impolite and shameless junior!

"You...!" Bae Joo-hyun angrily raised her head and met a pair of somewhat familiar eyes. She was stunned for a moment, and then gradually, she saw his face clearly.

"What are you doing?!"

Hearing the shouts, Son Seung-wan, Kang Seul-gi, and the others turned around and were furious at what they saw. They hadn't expected this staff member to be so bold. "Let go of him..."

"Xiao Yan?" Bae Joo-hyun's words left them speechless.

Romance novels?

"Yes, I've come to pick up Nuna." The voice was gentle, cutting through the noise and reaching her ears accurately.

"Mmm." Bae Joo-hyun responded, the urge to rest returning. She felt like a "Titanic" crushed by alcohol, so she rested her head on Pei Xiyan's chest like a pillow.

The surroundings were still noisy, but Bae Joo-hyun, feeling dizzy, couldn't hear clearly. Her eyes began to close, slowly and peacefully.