Chapter 37

After Li Zhong left, Girls' Generation performed two more songs. Just when the fans below were about to lose their patience, the mixed stage with TVXQ began.

First, there was a passionate dance by YoonA, Yuri, Yoochun, and Changmin, followed by a showdown between Hyoyeon and Park Yoochun. Then, Taeyeon and Kim Junsu performed a heartfelt duet, and finally, the segment ended with a flirtatious duet between Jessica and Kim Jaejoong. The next segment was scheduled to start at 2 PM, featuring Super Junior and Girls' Generation.

During the lunch break, Lotte Department Store was quite considerate, arranging a meeting room as a rest area for everyone. TVXQ and天上智喜 (Tian Shang Zhi Xi) had other commitments and came and went in a hurry. Girls' Generation quietly ate their lunch, which was the only hot meal provided by the mall. Everyone in Girls' Generation was exhausted. Taeyeon and Sunny leaned on each other, Yuri and YoonA were slumped on the sofa, Sooyoung and Sunny were eating voraciously. Sooyoung was eating normally, but today Sunny was also quite hungry and didn't care. The youngest, Sulli, was still young and lacking in stamina, so she was resting with her eyes half-closed. Jessica was lost in thought, not sure what she was thinking about. Hyoyeon, the most energetic, was still bouncing around.

Taeyeon whispered to Pann, "Is the Li Zhong oppa who came today the uncle you mentioned?"

"Um, um, it's him. I didn't know he was a director; I thought he was a screenwriter. He's even more important than a screenwriter..." Pann said excitedly.

"Uh..." Taeyeon looked at the suddenly scatterbrained girl helplessly. If this girl were to be tricked, she might even end up paying for it.

"Since he's a director, why did he trick you into paying for his handbag, which he claimed was a luxury brand? Wasn't it all just what he said?" Taeyeon thought Pann should be more cautious and not be easily deceived.

"No, he didn't ask me to pay directly or write an IOU. How could he be tricking me? And Li Zhong uncle said that when I have money, I can buy him a handbag. Is that tricking me?" Pann said calmly.

Taeyeon thought about it and realized she had a point. They didn't see him often, and even if he had ulterior motives, there was no time or place for it. She had forgotten to ask the other members how they knew Li Zhong.

Jessica, who had been in a daze, squeezed between YoonA and Yuri. Yuri moved over and found a comfortable spot to slump.

Jessica whispered, "Did you know Li Zhong oppa before? Why were you so quiet when you saw him today?"

Jessica couldn't help but ask, and Yuri, hearing it was about Li Zhong, also perked up.

"Um, well, this..." YoonA, who was usually playful, became unusually shy. The last time at the MBC Music Center CB stage, YoonA had seen the handsome Li Zhong in the audience, and his image had deeply impressed her. She felt she had seen this incredibly handsome uncle before but couldn't remember where. She was particularly fond of this type, and when she saw Li Zhong, her heart started pounding.

Today, YoonA was as mischievous as usual, almost making Pann cry with her pranks before Li Zhong arrived. But when Li Zhong appeared, although he wasn't as strikingly handsome as that day, he had a more neighborly uncle vibe, which she really liked. It reminded her of her father when she was little.

So, the mischievous YoonA disappeared, and a very well-behaved YoonA emerged.

When Jessica asked her question, YoonA found it hard to answer. Should she admit to being infatuated? The face of Girls' Generation being infatuated with an uncle? No way, she'd be laughed to death. But what else could she say? Should she make up a reason?

Just as YoonA was struggling, Super Junior finally arrived at Lotte Department Store, greeted by a wave of cheers. Many fans had been standing in the freezing cold all morning to catch a glimpse of their idols. Super Junior entered the rest area, and Girls' Generation quickly made room for them, passing over the prepared fast food. The members of Super Junior didn't hesitate and started eating heartily; they were truly hungry. Due to the Christmas season, they had been rushing through commitments and hadn't eaten much since the night before.

"Did the seniors from TVXQ do well this morning?" Super Junior's leader Leeteuk asked.

"Very well, the fans were very enthusiastic, and the atmosphere was amazing," Hyoyeon said excitedly.

Leeteuk, hearing Hyoyeon's answer, knew there shouldn't be any problems, given her straightforward nature.

"That's good. The president has already left and won't be coming back this afternoon. We'll follow the arrangements made by the planning department's Kim Yunji," Leeteuk continued. Although they were now considered S&M's top male group, they still fell short compared to TVXQ, especially since they were launched by Lee Soo-man before he went to America. Kim Young-min, while valuing them, had a somewhat ambiguous attitude towards them.

"By the way, the staff mentioned that a guest the president invited earlier came back to check on you. Who was that? Do we know him?" Choi Siwon asked with a smile.

Taeyeon looked at Jessica, who looked at Kwon Yuri, who shook her head. Everyone was a bit puzzled. Li Zhong and Kim Young-min knew each other?

Jessica said, "It's Director Li Zhong. He used to direct MVs but now focuses on films."

"Director Li Zhong? The one who directed MVs for Lee Hyori, Kim Jong-kook, and TVXQ?" Kim Heechul asked, surprised.

"I know who Li Zhong is. I've seen him before, but back then, I was just a backup dancer for the seniors from TVXQ," Leeteuk said. S&M had a tradition of having trainees appear in MVs of debut artists.

"Could it be that President Kim Young-min wants Director Li Zhong to direct our MV? He wasn't satisfied with our second album MV, right?" Han Geng said, recalling something.

"It's possible. Li Zhong has won several MV awards and is one of the most famous MV directors," Kyuhyun said.

"Alright, everyone, stop guessing. If President Kim Young-min really found us a good director, it would be a good thing for us. It's almost time, so let's start preparing for the afternoon performance!" Leeteuk ended the discussion and began preparing for the afternoon show.

The members of Girls' Generation were truly puzzled. Li Zhong had such a glorious history, yet he now seemed like a neighborly uncle.

"Director Li Zhong is really handsome. No wonder he was so familiar with Sung Yuri and others at Lee Hyori's party. When can we see him again?" Sooyoung said, somewhat infatuated. The others chattered excitedly, while Kwon Yuri thought, "Li Zhong uncle lives next door. If these guys find out, they'll probably eat him alive."

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