Chapter 52

Just after LOEN released the statement, S.M. Entertainment also announced a similar message, stating that Taeyeon and Lee Yuhwa were just friends and definitely not in a relationship as rumored online. S.M. even harshly criticized those who spread rumors on the internet.

Both companies jointly issued a statement, and many netizens suddenly realized that this was a conspiracy orchestrated by the ANTI group. The previous rumors about Lee Yuhwa and Taeyeon going to a motel were just that—rumors, with no photos or solid evidence to support them. Everyone felt that this was a continuation of the 'Black Sea Incident' from two months ago, aimed at tarnishing Girls' Generation and subsequently affecting Lee Yuhwa.

Netizens, realizing they had fallen for the ANTI group's trick once again, were furious. However, they were helpless as the perpetrators were hiding behind their computers. They could only continuously condemn and curse the ANTI group online.

In the morning, Kangin was quite satisfied with his 'work.' He smiled and said, "Hehe... With such a big fuss, the company will surely step in to prevent Taeyeon and Lee Yuhwa from having too much contact, right? Hahaha..."

When Taeyeon woke up in the morning and saw the storm of rumors and even scandals about her and Lee Yuhwa, she was also very upset. In the Girls' Generation dormitory, everyone gathered together, frowning deeply. They were all very worried. This time, it was Taeyeon who was caught in such a scandal, and they didn't know what tricks the ANTI group would pull next.

The news was so big that Taeyeon's family members called one after another to inquire. Taeyeon swore to her parents that she was absolutely not dating Lee Yuhwa.

By noon, Taeyeon still hadn't received a call from her agent, and she began to sense that something was amiss. With such a big incident, their company couldn't possibly ignore it, right? They hadn't even made a single call. So, Taeyeon went to find Panni to discuss the matter.

The two went to Panni's room, closed the door, and started talking. "Panni, I think something is off with this situation," Taeyeon said. Panni looked at her blankly, "What's off?"

"Panni, think about it. With such a big scandal, our company hasn't even called me once. Does that seem normal to you? It's been a whole morning. In the past, my agent would have called to scold me or even warn me. But today, not a single call. Isn't that strange?"

Panni thought about Taeyeon's words and frowned, "Taeyeon, are you overthinking this? Because you and Lee Yuhwa were having dinner with Song Kibum oppa yesterday. He knows that you and Lee Yuhwa are just friends, and when the company asked him, he confirmed your relationship. That's why they didn't call you."

"No, Panni, think about it more. With such a big scandal, the company should at least have called to warn me and everyone else to avoid contact with male artists for a while. But they ignored it... That doesn't make sense, does it?"

Panni also felt that Taeyeon had a point. With such a big incident, the company would definitely give some necessary warnings. Panni tilted her head and smiled, "Taeyeon, this time your scandal involves the currently hottest artist, Lee Yuhwa. Maybe the company thinks that the scandal is good publicity for you and even for Girls' Generation."

Panni's joke made Taeyeon's mind suddenly spark. Taeyeon was surprised by her own thoughts and couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah..."

Panni was startled by Taeyeon's sudden exclamation, "What are you yelling for? You scared me."

Taeyeon immediately pulled Panni and said, "Panni, when I heard what you said, I think this might be a company-orchestrated plan."

"Eh~~~ What are you talking about? A company-orchestrated plan? Only you and Lee Yuhwa knew about your dinner. You were always with Song Kibum oppa. Even if he informed the company to stir up the scandal, do you think the company could act so quickly? It would take at least 20 minutes to drive from the company to MBC, even if it was already night. But the actions in the photos were from before your dinner. So, it's impossible unless there were other company staff present during your dinner."

Panni's unintentional words made Taeyeon frown deeply. Taeyeon knew that there was one person who was also aware of the situation—Kangin. But she didn't want to suspect Kangin... yet he was the most likely suspect.

Taeyeon frowned and said to Panni, "Panni, call Leeteuk and ask him when Kangin oppa came back to the dorm last night."

Panni took out her phone and was about to call Leeteuk when she suddenly stopped, looking at Taeyeon in surprise, "Wait, Taeyeon, you... you don't think Kangin oppa did this, do you?"

"Panni, don't ask so many questions. Just call Leeteuk and ask him. Don't get into the details."

Panni nodded at Taeyeon's words and started calling Leeteuk. While making the call, Panni thought, "If Kangin really did this, he is truly terrifying."

After the call, Panni told Taeyeon, "Taeyeon, Kangin oppa came back to the dorm around 11:30 PM last night."

Hearing this, based on the previous assumptions, Taeyeon was 70% sure that Kangin was behind this. But she still couldn't understand why Kangin would do this. Lee Yuhwa had specifically invited Kangin to dinner, and Kangin had declined, citing a schedule. However, his return time to the dorm matched the time frame for the incident.

......

Just as the rumors about Lee Yuhwa and Taeyeon were about to die down, the variety show "Family Outing," which they both starred in, aired, reigniting the controversy.

Although Lee Yuhwa had hinted on Taeyeon's radio show that they were filming "Family Outing" together, no one expected their interactions on the show to be so 'romantic.' Lee Yuhwa's song during the diving scene and the classic 'of course' before dinner made the two of them once again dominate the entertainment headlines. All the media featured Lee Yuhwa looking deeply at Taeyeon and covering her ears, making sure she didn't hear anything she shouldn't. However, next to their photos was a picture of Panni looking angry from a previous episode.

The headlines were all about "Lee Yuhwa, Taeyeon, Panni? What's the complex relationship between the three?"

The internet was once again in an uproar over the three. "What, is Lee Yuhwa really dating Taeyeon? Their interactions on the show radiate the glow of a couple. LOEN and S.M. are slapping their own faces, aren't they?"

"Lee Yuhwa covering Taeyeon's ears, so touching. Taeyeon's face must have turned red like a tomato. I say, they should just get together. As for Panni... just take her in too."

"Is Lee Yuhwa pursuing Taeyeon? He even wrote a song for her. But... can you release the song?"

"Finished, finished. If I were Taeyeon, I would have fallen for Lee Yuhwa the moment he covered my ears. I bet if there were no cameras, Taeyeon would have fallen into Lee Yuhwa's arms. But what about Panni?"

"Did you all see the show? Lee Yuhwa said his favorite is Panni. Stop linking Lee Yuhwa and Taeyeon. Maybe Panni is already with Lee Yuhwa, and Taeyeon is just a smokescreen."

Now, the entire internet was discussing the complex relationship between Lee Yuhwa, Taeyeon, and Panni. Was Lee Yuhwa in love with Taeyeon or Panni?

Kangin, seeing the news about Lee Yuhwa and Taeyeon, and Lee Yuhwa's song for Taeyeon, and even their intimate physical contact, said fiercely, "Lee Yuhwa, our business isn't over. Just wait..."

Although this news caused a stir, LOEN and S.M. did not issue any further statements. LOEN believed it was just a variety show, and Lee Yuhwa was just creating an effect. Moreover, Lee Min-jae knew that Lee Yuhwa was not dating either Taeyeon or Panni.

S.M. was even more pleased to see such news. It helped Girls' Generation regain popularity by riding on Lee Yuhwa's current fame, and there were no strange topics. This was exactly what they hoped for. The planning department even joked, "If we had known, we wouldn't have gone to such lengths to take photos. Haha..."

The planning department came up with a brilliant idea. They decided to discuss with the company the possibility of having Lee Yuhwa write a song for Girls' Generation.

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