Peninsula: I, who was originally a camera, suddenly became an internet sensation.

Chapter 14 Mina's Invitation

"I'll go to South Korea." Under everyone's expectant gaze, Li Yuan gave his answer.

Bae Joo-hyun's face lit up with joy, and a smile she couldn't hide crossed her usually calm face. Son Seung-wan's eyes also lit up, and Kang Seul-gi was so excited that she almost jumped off her chair.

Only Kim Ye-rin's reaction was completely different from everyone else's—she slumped back in her chair like a deflated balloon, her face screaming "the sky has fallen."

"Alright, our company will cover all of Li Yuanxi's expenses for this trip." The agent couldn't help but smile.

Lee Won's personal trip to South Korea signifies his full dedication to Red Velvet's album.

It's worth noting that the last time Lee Won personally oversaw a group's comeback was earlier this year with TWICE's fifth mini-album, "What is Love?".

The results that time were remarkable: the music charts broke records, sales hit new highs, and the show won top spots on music programs one after another.

Although it was advertised as a collaboration between Lee Won and Park Jin-young, those in the industry know that at most, only some demo material from Park Jin-young was used, and Lee Won handled the overall planning of the album.

"Why did Oppa go through all that trouble to make this trip?" Kim Ye-rim tried one last time to argue, "Wouldn't it have been better to just wait for the guys in China to come over?"

"Yeri!" Before the others could react, the manager almost jumped up in panic.

I've gone to great lengths to coax Li Yuan into going to South Korea, treating him to meals and buying his plane tickets. If you just say one thing and he runs away again...

Isn't this just causing trouble?

"It's okay, I'm going to Korea anyway." Li Yuan waved his hand, indicating to his manager not to be nervous, "There will be plenty of time then."

His implication was clear—this trip to South Korea wasn't short-term, and Kim Ye-rin couldn't avoid it.

"Does Xiaoyuan mean you'll be staying in Korea for a long time this time?" Bae Joo-hyun asked softly. "Like three years ago?"

Three years ago, Li Yuan spent two months in South Korea during summer vacation, which was the longest he had stayed in South Korea in recent years.

"I'm afraid it will take a little longer." Li Yuan smiled.

"How long is that?" Kang Seulgi asked excitedly, her voice rising a notch.

Finally, I can eat proper Chinese food again!

Actually, it's not that there aren't authentic Chinese restaurants in Korea, nor that Kang Seulgi can't afford them; it's just that she simply doesn't have the time to properly savor them.

When traveling, I can only rest for a few hours a day. After working non-stop, I can only squeeze in time to eat. How can I have time to sit and eat slowly in a Chinese restaurant?

When she finally got a day off, she was so tired that she didn't want to move at all, let alone make a special trip to book a table at a popular restaurant that required reservations several days in advance.

But Li Yuan was different—he always went to their dormitory to make it for them.

Unfortunately, after all this time, Bae Joo-hyun has only learned to make one dish: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, which she's already tired of.

"It will probably take several years."

Senior year alone takes a year, and there are all sorts of other things to do after that, so several years might be a conservative estimate.

Li Yuan's words stunned everyone.

They had expected it to take a long time, but they hadn't expected it to be like this.

Over the years, how many songs must have been produced! The manager's mind was already racing.

Before anyone else could react, the agent had already jumped to his feet:

"Don't worry, Lee Won-ssi! Not only will SM cover your airfare, but we'll also provide your accommodation in Korea! Whether it's a hotel, a guesthouse, or even a higher-end place, I can apply to my superiors!"

Although the company has not yet granted such permission, the agent believes that his actions will definitely receive support from above.

The company will not miss this opportunity to add icing on the cake.

If this works out, my compensation might improve significantly, leading to a promotion and a raise!

"No need for that," Li Yuan shook his head, refusing decisively. "I have a place to stay in Seoul."

Why am I so poor? Isn't it because I used all the money I had saved to buy that house in Seoul?

"So why did you stay in Korea for so long this time?" Son Seungwan asked curiously.

Is Lee Won still in university? His junior and senior years are the busiest time of his academic career, so where would he find the time to travel to South Korea?

"Because I was exiled by the teacher," Li Yuan joked. "There was a spot for an exchange student to South Korea in our class, and the teacher gave it to me directly."

"I figured I'd be going to South Korea anyway, so I just agreed and thought of it as getting used to it in advance."

"That's great!" Son Seungwan exclaimed excitedly, jumping up so hard she almost tipped her chair over.

All eyes in the private room immediately turned to her, and she realized that her reaction had been a bit too intense.

Son Seungwan gave an awkward laugh, then slowly sat down: "What I mean is, our album is settled."

Whether others believed it or not, Son Seung-wan herself believed it. She picked up her water glass, took a sip, and pretended that nothing had happened.

"Aren't you afraid that Xiao Yuan will make you another 'Butterflies' song?" Bae Joo-hyun turned her head to look at her, a mischievous smile on her lips.

This incident is also an interesting story for the group and even the company.

"Unnie!" Son Seungwan exclaimed anxiously.

"In short, Lee Won-ssi can come to SM Entertainment with any problems he has," the manager quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. "The company's doors are always open for you."

After chatting for a while, the group got up one after another to prepare to part ways.

Li Yuan went back to rest, while Bae Joo-hyun and the others went back to the hotel to pack their luggage.

They're taking a flight back to South Korea early tomorrow morning, so they probably won't have much time to sleep when they get back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Li Yuan took a shower and completely relaxed.

Just as I was about to turn off the lights and go to sleep, my phone suddenly beeped with a message notification.

Did Sister Pei have something to say to him privately? Or had that girl who washes the dishes come up with some new trick to tease him? Li Yuan thought to himself as he lazily reached for his phone on the bedside table.

He guessed wrong.

"Mina?" Li Yuan asked, looking at the little penguin emoji in the chat box.

The notoriously introverted girl at TWICE actually initiated a chat with me? Has the sun risen in the west?

He opened the message and found something that surprised him even more.

"Want to go out for a walk tomorrow?"

"Hey, is this Mina's number?" Li Yuan muttered, looking at the name on the screen, his tone full of disbelief.

As everyone knows, Mina can do all her hobbies in her dorm room, but going out shopping?

That's impossible.

Unless she's forcibly dragged out by her teammates, she can stay in the dormitory forever.

So Li Yuan silently sent a "?".

Less than half a minute after the message was sent, the other end replied: "I happen to be free tomorrow, and Ziyu has finished her work and said she wants to see you."

This speed suggests they're not doing anything else; it's as if they're specifically waiting for his reply.

"Okay, time and place."

I'm not leaving tomorrow, but if SM hadn't helped me buy a plane ticket, I might have left tomorrow and wouldn't have had the chance to meet them.

Kind-hearted SM.