sbdcsierra Chapter 1437 Should We Do It?
Chapter 1437 Should We Do It?
Chapter 1437 Should We Do It?
"Nothing much happened~"
After seeing EXO's performance end, the daughter seemed to lose her mind, exclaiming "Ahhh, so cool!" The father couldn't help but feel a little jealous and made a sarcastic comment.
"It's alright, but it's better than the one before where you couldn't see any people at all."
Although he watched EXO's performance, his grandfather's impression remained unchanged. However, he still gave his objective evaluation, saying that EXO was more pleasing to the eye than AKB48.
Because there are few people, you can see them clearly.
"But is this group very famous? They even performed on the Kohaku Uta Gassen? I've never heard of them," Dad asked again.
The next second, the little granddaughter cast a 'rustic' glance my way.
"She's quite famous, and very popular in Japan this year."
The chubby grandson chimed in: "The main reason is that there's a really talented member in the group, the one who sings 'Uchiage Hanabi'."
"Huh? The singer who sang 'Uchiage Hanabi'?"
"The people in this group?"
As soon as "Uchiage Hanabi" was performed, the elders next to me immediately understood. Even my grandfather had an expression that said, "I see."
EXO may not know, but "Uchiage Hanabi" does.
This song is incredibly popular in Japan this year.
"Is that the singer who sang 'Uchiage Hanabi'?" Grandpa also became interested and asked curiously.
"This is it, this is it, this... oh dear, it's time to go down."
Upon hearing this, the granddaughter immediately perked up and pointed at the TV, searching for Ji Kyung-won. However, she was a little too late; EXO had already left the stage.
She was getting a little anxious, and finally summed it up by saying, "It's the one who was the most handsome just now."
"Him? I think I vaguely remember him."
It was a very abstract description, but Grandpa and Dad seemed to understand it.
"..."
After staring at the TV for a while, Grandpa once again offered his objective evaluation:
"Uchiage Hanabi is good."
"This won't work."
…………
As night deepened, the 68th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle) in Japan drew to a close. All the artists who had performed returned to the stage one after another, their figures dressed in various stage outfits arranged in a staggered pattern. The members of EXO stood side by side on one side of the stage. As the familiar closing melody began to play, the lights in the entire venue gradually brightened, and all the artists sang the classic closing song together.
After the event, there was another round of tedious greetings. Only after leaving the NHK TV station did EXO's journey at the Kohaku Uta Gassen finally come to an end.
The EXO members first returned to their hotel, changed out of their stage outfits and into warm casual clothes, then took several cars to the agreed-upon meeting place.
Since EXO debuted, although there have been many conflicts among the members, they have gradually learned to be tolerant of each other through all the ups and downs.
Regardless, the group will hold a New Year's Eve reunion every year. Apart from those who have left, no one has ever missed it since their debut.
When we arrived at the restaurant, the private room was already set up. Warm yellow lights enveloped the entire space. It was a barbecue restaurant, with exquisite dishes and a grill on the table, and the air was filled with the aroma of charcoal.
The clock had long since passed midnight, and the new year had quietly arrived, but the atmosphere in the private room was still incredibly lively, showing no signs of the tranquility of late night.
The members sat down casually, without trying to be comfortable. They each opened the wine next to them and slowly poured it into their glasses. The clear liquid swirled gently in the clear glasses, reflecting a dazzling luster.
"Come on, cheers! May the new year bring us all good fortune, and may EXO become even more successful!!"
Kim Junmyeon was the first to raise his glass.
"cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of glasses echoing crisply in the private room.
…………
"...Baekhyun, how's your solo going?"
As they chatted, thinking about the most recent major event for the EXO members, Kim Junmyeon looked at Byun Baekhyun and took the initiative to show concern.
"Everything is almost ready."
Upon hearing this, Byun Baekhyun, who had been blushing and arguing with Kim Jongdae, looked over and his expression became noticeably more excited: "Once the hype from these last two days of the year has died down, we'll start preparing for the pre-launch promotions. The company has already prepared a lot of materials."
When will pre-orders begin?
"Pre-orders will start on the 5th." When talking about his solo project, Byun Baekhyun seemed quite eager to get started.
Of course, he was also a little nervous. He put down his wine glass, his bangs swayed twice in front of his forehead, looked at Chi Jingyuan, licked his lips with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, and said, "If I can get half as good a result as Jingyuan this time, I'll consider my dream come true."
"Don't say that..."
Upon hearing this, Chi Jingyuan appeared very modest and waved his hand, saying, "I think your album this time is pretty good. The overall style is very distinctive, and the title track is also a great choice."
I've heard all of Baekhyun's solo album "Delight," including the title track "Candy." The entire album is in the R&B style, and to be fair, the production quality is excellent.
As EXO's second solo member, Baekhyun is still considered the second most popular member of the group, even though his popularity is far behind that of Ji Kyungwon. Therefore, SM Entertainment attaches great importance to him and has invested a lot of resources and support.
"Brother, your album is releasing on the 10th, right?"
As he spoke, Ji Kyung-won added with a smile, "I'll definitely be participating in the music show during the first week, right? We'll go to the venue together to support Baekhyun hyung."
When Ji Kyung-won went solo, the entire EXO team came to support him in several groups. If it's Baekhyun's turn, Ji Kyung-won and the others will definitely go too.
“Yes, Jingyuan and I will go together!” Park Chanyeol agreed with a smile.
"Thanks!"
Byun Baekhyun was delighted to hear this, raised his glass and clinked it against the glass before drinking the sake in one gulp.
"Where's your solo?"
After taking a few sips and chatting about Byun Baekhyun's album, Ji Kyungwon seemed to remember something and gestured towards Oh Sehun next to him with his lip.
"Let's wait until after Baekhyun, around April or May."
Wu Shixun shrugged, then raised an eyebrow with a sly grin: "Let you scout ahead for me."
When the topic of solo careers came up, the conversation naturally flowed more freely. Kim Jongdae made a pointed remark, "In 18, besides Baekhyun and Sehun who are already prepared, I guess there will be two or three other people with solo projects, right?"
As one of the best singers in the group, and even among all male idols, he is the member most eager to debut solo.
"They won't all be crowding into this year, will they?"
Kim Junmyeon interrupted, "The group's comeback was postponed to 18 because of that incident, and we were supposed to have a domestic comeback plan in 18, which would probably involve releasing several albums. So, there's a bit of a tight schedule for solo projects..."
"Besides... doesn't Jingyuan still have Solo2 this year?"
"But it'll be too late next year, won't it? It might not even be possible next year... and we also need to renew the contract this year."
"Actually, I'm fine with either."
Park Chanyeol, on the other hand, was quite nonchalant, leaning forward as he ate his food: "As for solos... you guys go first. If Jongdae has any ideas, I'll vote for you at the next meeting."
"Where's Kyungsoo?" Kim Minseok looked at Do Kyungsoo, who was relatively quiet.
"Well."
Do Kyungsoo blinked and smiled, "Actually, I'm fine with either."
As he spoke, he picked up the cigarette case, flicked it skillfully, and a cigarette popped out. He put it in his mouth, lit it, and took a leisurely puff.
...Except for a few non-smokers like Ji Kyung-won, most of the EXO members are heavy smokers, and Do Kyung-soo is one of the best among them.
"As for Kyungsoo, he'll definitely still be acting."
Park Chanyeol, sitting next to Do Kyungsoo, patted him on the shoulder: "The movie 'Along with the Gods' is about to break ten million at the box office, right? Kyungsoo is now considered to have made it into Chungmuro, isn't he?"
"Not nearly as good..."
With a puff of smoke, Do Kyungsoo shook his head.
But there was a hint of pride and satisfaction in his tone... Although his role in "Along with the Gods" was small, the film's huge success is a great resume and will be of great help to his career.
While he can't compare to Ji Kyung-won in terms of acting, Do Kyung-soo is still considered to be the most successful actor in EXO.
Although he didn't like the smell of smoke, Chi Jingyuan didn't mind. He drank his wine and watched them chat and brag, feeling his body being intoxicated by the alcohol, and he felt a long-lost sense of ease and comfort.
It's been almost six years since their debut, and each member has taken their own different path in their careers. Some have a bright future ahead of them, while others are still in the dark.
Fortunately, EXO's income as a group is quite substantial. After several years of accumulation, all EXO members have become quite wealthy and can be considered rich. Even if their individual careers aren't great, the backing of the group is enough for them to live a carefree life.
Sure enough, the conversation quickly turned to investments.
"By the way, how do you all manage your finances?"
Byun Baekhyun brought it up on his own initiative.
"You should definitely ask Jingyuan about this."
Park Chanyeol gave a wry smile.
"I divided it into several parts, and entrusted my family to invest most of it for me."
Chi Jingyuan didn't shy away from the topic: "But for our profession, besides opening shops, we usually invest in real estate, right? I also own some properties."
“I had the same idea…” Byun Baekhyun seemed a little serious: “Didn’t Sehun buy a building in Cheongdam-dong last year for nearly 20 billion won?”
"There aren't that many, only 15 billion," Wu Shixun firmly denied.
"How much has it gone up so far?"
"Not many, I haven't paid much attention..."
"Don't listen to him pretending."
Chi Jingyuan immediately exposed Wu Shixun's pretentious act: "He checks the market price every few days, it would be a miracle if he didn't know... If it hadn't gone up or down much, he would have been cursing it out long ago. Judging from his expression now, it must have gone up quite a bit."
"..." Wu Sehun, whose identity had been exposed, glanced over unhappily.
"Hahaha……"
"How much?"
"A few hundred million, but it's not very stable."
"That's quite a lot, only bought half a year ago, right?... I've also recently taken a liking to a building in Shengshuidong. I've looked at it several times and I'm quite interested."
"But hasn't the Blue House been publicly saying it wants to regulate Seoul's housing prices?" Kim Jong-dae was more cautious.
"That's why I'm hesitant."
“I think controlling housing prices…is not that easy.” Chi Jingyuan hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
"..."
Even with a range hood, the smoke from the barbecue still permeated the entire private room. The warmth from the heating system mixed with the smoke and alcohol, creating a pungent, acrid smell.
This smell lingered around everyone along with the boasting and laughter, yet instead of being offensive, it had a magical power to relax people.
As the party progressed into its later stages, everyone had boasted quite a bit and drunk a fair amount of alcohol. By this time, everyone's faces were flushed, and some of the more drunk people had even started to doze off.
But some people got more and more excited as they drank, and they kept talking, which led to the conversation about Kim Jong-in and Kim Jennie.
"...Jong-in, let me see, there are still about ten hours left."
Park Chanyeol patted Kim Jongin on the shoulder, "Dispatch will release their article in ten hours... You're not going to be the first couple of the year again, are you?"
Dispatch has been revealing couples at the start of the year for the past few years, usually around noon on January 1st. It's past 1 a.m. now, so there's not much time left.
"Hey bro, are you happy that my story has been exposed?"
Kim Jongin was somewhat displeased, so he deliberately put down his wine glass with a slightly heavier touch and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
But then, he muttered in a nonchalant tone, "So what if we're couples at the start of the year? It's not like we haven't been exposed before."
"However... I'm not the first couple to start the year."
But after showing off, he shook his head and told us the latest situation: "Because I already exposed it once last year, I heard from Brother Chengyuan that it should be someone else this year... As for me, if I am to be exposed, it will be later."
Kim Jong-in didn't seem that nervous... Sometimes, once you've experienced it the first time, you don't feel it as much the second time.
What he said makes sense; if the same person's love life is repeatedly exposed, the impact and sensationalism will decrease accordingly.
However... in Chi Jingyuan's opinion, it is also a very impressive achievement for one person to dominate the first couple of the year for two consecutive years.
"If you ask me, you might as well just admit it like Luhan did."
Wu Shixun had also drunk a bit too much, and upon hearing this, he started shouting loudly.
"that is!"
"Haha~"
His words immediately caused a stir among the red-faced freaks around him, and Chi Jingyuan also laughed and shouted a few times.
This year... or rather, on October 8th last year, their former teammate Luhan officially announced his relationship and even took the initiative to admit it on social media, tagging the other person, causing a huge sensation.
When the EXO members found out, they were shocked and discussed it for a long time. Even though Ji Kyung-won was surprised and astonished, he couldn't help but feel some admiration.
"He's crazy, but will I go crazy too?"
Kim Jong-in, however, dismissed it with a smile: "Being exposed is one thing, but admitting it yourself is another."
"I feel so too."
Byun Baekhyun's tone was somewhat hurried, but he strongly opposed Luhan's actions: "Does he know he's an idol? He may be glorious in this, but what about the fans who have always loved him?"
"I don't think idols should act like this. Idols make money from fans. It's fine for them to date in private, but they can't do it in public. Even if they're acting, they should act properly."
"I definitely won't do that." Finally, he shook his head vigorously, as if making a vow.
"Idol...that's true."
Chi Jingyuan pondered for a few seconds, then nodded in agreement.
He held his wine glass, watching the gently swirling bubbles inside, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion: "But...maybe Luhan has met 'the right person'?"
"Sometimes you feel that way, right? Just..."
Chi Jingyuan looked at the members around him, as if seeking their approval: "It's that feeling that makes you suddenly want to be together, to live together?"
"..."
Baekhyun and Chanyeol, who were standing nearby, looked slightly dazed, their faces flushed with alcohol. It was unclear whether they were slow to react or simply didn't understand what Ji Kyungwon meant.
"How many years has he been in the industry? How many women has he met? Why would he still believe this?"
Upon hearing this, Kim Jongin couldn't help but laugh: "Haha, then when I also meet 'the right person,' I'll take the initiative to admit it too."
"Ha, didn't you say Jennie was great before? Now she's not 'the right one' anymore?"
Park Chanyeol, who had been a little slow to react, instantly found the key point and burst into unrestrained laughter and teasing.
You don't understand~
Kim Jong-in did not refute, but took a deep sip of wine and shook his head.
"Aishie, is there something I don't understand?"
"Interaction is interaction, but sometimes it's not the same."
"What's different?"
"I was referring to what Jingyuan just said... Do you understand what Jingyuan meant by 'the right person'?"
"Of course I understand, who hasn't felt that way? Let me tell you, when I was in school..."
"Brother, stop talking, I don't believe you..."
"Ya-yi..."
Several people were arguing amongst themselves, but in the end, the argument was brought to an end by Wu Shixun's disdainful voice:
"You two even started arguing... Listen to Chi Jingyuan spouting nonsense like a theorist, he doesn't even understand it himself..."
…………
EXO's year-end gathering came to an end when only five members remained who could still communicate normally. The nine members laughed, joked, and boasted, and a few of them even argued and quarreled, their faces flushed and noisy.
But the busyness and exhaustion of the past two weeks at the end of the year seemed to be greatly reduced by the aroma of alcohol and the casual atmosphere.
After the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), EXO had no group schedules for the past week, which can be considered a short break. Ji Kyung-won was about to return to the film set, so instead of going back to the hotel like the others, he went back to his apartment in Tokyo.
After washing up, Chi Jingyuan stood by the window, inexplicably stopping and looking out the window.
The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the entire city of Tokyo. In the distance, the skyscrapers shone brightly with neon lights, outlining the city's silhouette like stars scattered across the earth, dazzling and eye-catching.
The area near the apartment, however, felt somewhat quiet and lonely.
"..."
Chi Jingyuan unconsciously recalled the end of the gathering, when several people were discussing their views on relationships. He became somewhat lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the daytime.
Thinking about the chance encounter in the cafeteria today, and the text messages that followed...
Suddenly, I felt something in my heart.
Although he drank quite a bit, fortunately he had a high alcohol tolerance, so he was only between sober and slightly tipsy.
Not only am I not sleepy, but I also have a strange urge, long and strong, as if I want to do something, or say something.
Moreover, this impulse did not arise suddenly; rather, it seemed to have settled in one's thoughts and lingered for a very long time.
Chi Jingyuan snapped out of his reverie, his fingertips clenching slightly as he pondered the inexplicable emotions welling up inside him. He glanced one last time at the Tokyo nightscape, pursed his lips, took out his phone, unlocked the screen with his fingertips, and skillfully scrolled through his contacts, quickly finding that familiar name.
His fingertips paused briefly on the screen before slowly tapping, sending a message: "Is the trip over?"
Not long after, my phone vibrated and a new message popped up.
"Yuan-chan? You..."
"Yeah, I'm off work now. I just celebrated New Year's Eve with the members, and then I took a shower. The shower order today was determined by a game, so I was the first one to shower kkkk"
"Should we...?"
Chi Jingyuan tapped the screen, typed a few words, and then went back.
After a brief pause of a few seconds, he quickly typed it out again:
"Want to play games together?"