Chapter 67 of 100

Chapter 67: Taking Care of You, for My Entire Life!

16 min read3,991 words

Pei Songren happily took the manuscript handed to him by Li Yunzai. The four thin sheets of music were filled with Li Yunzai's countless thoughts. As the president of the company, Pei Songren had a good appreciation for music. He didn't need to look at "Elimination" again; he had already listened to the slightly melancholic tune countless times, and even he was deeply captivated by it.

After Pei Songren finished reading "I Should Love You," "Please Don't Do This," and the fourth song, "Maple," he took a deep breath and looked at Li Yunzai in a daze, asking, "Did you write all these yourself?" His tone was filled with heavy doubt.

"President, you know I'm in a tight spot right now. How could I afford to buy songs!" Li Yunzai said helplessly.

Pei Songren was well aware of Li Yunzai's financial difficulties. With his appreciation skills, he knew that these songs were not something Li Yunzai could afford to buy.

"Very good! Including 'Elimination,' that's four songs in total. Although it's not many, these four songs give me a very good feeling. They should sell well!" A rare smile appeared on Pei Songren's face. Since he agreed to let Li Yunzai debut with ballads different from mainstream dance music, he had been very anxious, fearing that it would all be in vain. But now, seeing the songs Li Yunzai had written, his confidence began to build up, and for the first time, he felt fortunate for signing Li Yunzai.

"When can we start recording?" Pei Songren returned the manuscript to Li Yunzai and asked.

Li Yunzai thought for a moment and said, "It won't be possible these next two days. Tomorrow is the start of 2008, and I need to go home. I'll be back on the 2nd in the afternoon. Let's start recording on the 3rd!"

Pei Songren was not an unreasonable person. Since the songs were already ready, there was no need to rush. He nodded and said, "Sure, spend the New Year with your family. I think once you debut, you won't have such opportunities anymore. Before you leave, go to the security office downstairs and pick up a box of Han beef as a gift. It's the company's year-end benefit for employees!"

"Okay, thank you, President. If there's nothing else, I'll leave now. My sister should be on her way to the train station, and I need to catch up with her!"

"Sure... go ahead!"

Li Yunzai bowed slightly and turned to leave Pei Songren's office. He then went to the security office on the first floor to pick up the box of Han beef and headed straight to Seoul Station.

For some reason, the snow this year seemed to fall at the right time. It snowed at Christmas, and now it was snowing again at the end of the year. The gray sky was filled with countless snowflakes being blown to the ground by the cold wind, forming a thick layer. The pedestrians on the road didn't find the icy weather unpleasant; instead, many were playing in the snow and building snowmen.

When Li Yunzai, carrying his backpack, arrived at the train station, Park Soyeon was already waiting at the agreed location. Seeing Li Yunzai, she immediately rushed over and hugged his arm, and the two walked into the station, chatting and laughing.

Ten years had passed, and the Park family hadn't changed much. Compared to ten years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Park had aged significantly. Mrs. Park, at 46, had crow's feet, and Mr. Park, at 48, had started to grow white hair.

When Li Yunzai and Park Soyeon arrived home by taxi, Mr. and Mrs. Park were already waiting at the door. Over the years, they had come to regard Li Yunzai as their own son, placing him on the same level as Park Soyeon in their hearts.

"Uncle, Aunt! We're back, Happy New Year!" Li Yunzai called out sweetly.

"Good to have you back! Come in, it's really cold out there!" Mr. Park patted Li Yunzai's shoulder and laughed heartily, his happiness evident.

That night, the four of them gathered around the table for a sumptuous and warm dinner, surrounded by a peaceful and strong sense of family, making Li Yunzai feel exceptionally close and happy.

After dinner, the four of them sat in front of the TV to watch the MBC Song Festival. Mrs. Park kept exclaiming about how the little girl BoA had become a household name, and how time flew by so quickly!

That night, the snow had stopped, but the north wind still blew fiercely, making the branches creak like crows calling. In the middle of the night, Mr. and Mrs. Park were already asleep, while Li Yunzai lay on the bed in the attic, the room pitch black, but his eyes wide open, unable to sleep.

Not long after, a creaking sound was heard, and a beam of light slipped through the door crack, breaking the darkness and silence of the room.

Park Soyeon, in her pajamas, tiptoed to Li Yunzai's bed. "I knew you weren't asleep. Move over and make some room for me!" she said, pulling back the warm blanket and slipping in.

In the past, every December 31st, Park Soyeon would always sneak into Li Yunzai's bed.

"This bed has gotten smaller. We used to have plenty of space, but now we can barely fit!" Park Soyeon buried herself in the blanket, only her head resting on Li Yunzai's shoulder.

"Big sister... that was a long time ago!" Li Yunzai said, somewhat speechless. This was originally a single bed, and when they were younger, they had plenty of space. Now that they were both grown, it was a tight fit.

Park Soyeon placed her hand on Li Yunzai's chest, feeling the ring he had worn around his neck for nearly ten years. She whispered, "Thinking about Aunt again?"

But as soon as she asked, she regretted it. Feeling Li Yunzai's muscles tense up, she could tell he was affected.

Ten years had passed, and Li Yunzai had grown from a naive teenager into a mature young man who understood the ways of the world.

"What does it matter whether I think about her or not... I've forgotten what she looks like! Even if she stood in front of me now, I wouldn't recognize her!" Li Yunzai murmured.

Park Soyeon's nose tingled. Every year on this night, she came to comfort Li Yunzai because, despite his usual confidence, he would become particularly vulnerable and helpless. He needed someone to comfort and care for him.

Sighing softly, Park Soyeon hugged Li Yunzai tighter. Feeling the warmth from Park Soyeon, Li Yunzai turned over, and the next moment, Park Soyeon was lying on top of him.

Although he was holding a woman in his arms, Li Yunzai had no ill thoughts, just holding her quietly, and the room fell into a silence.

"Big sister!"

"Hmm?"

"Starting on the 3rd, I'll be recording songs, followed by shooting the MV. My life will be very busy, and I won't be able to spend time with you!"

"Okay, I know! At the end of January, I also have to go for an interview at Dream-t Company! I've been resting for three months, and it's time to find another agency and start pursuing my unfinished dreams!"

"Big sister, when are you going to find a husband for me?"

The room fell silent again... Park Soyeon remained silent for a long time...

"Big sister, you're 22 years old. It's time to find a boyfriend and fall in love. Otherwise, your first love will turn into a late love!"

"Whether I fall in love or not is none of your business..."

"Of course, I want to help you choose. I want to find someone as good to you as I am! Only then will I feel comfortable entrusting you to him!"

"What if you can't find anyone?" Park Soyeon lifted her head, resting her chin on Li Yunzai's chest. In the darkness, she opened her eyes wide, looking straight at Li Yunzai.

"We will find someone... definitely, I promise!"

"I'm asking what if, what if you can't find anyone? Would you take care of me for the rest of your life?"

"For the rest of my life... that's a long time! Who can predict the future? A woman should find a man to rely on, and you should find a good man to live a happy life..."

"You're still not answering my question directly!"

"Don't worry, if I can't find anyone, I'll take care of you for the rest of my life. You're my big sister, and I'll use all my time and do my best to take care of you! In the future, I'll be responsible for earning money, and you'll be responsible for spending it!"

Park Soyeon's lips finally curved into a sweet and content smile, and she slowly closed her eyes, her face pressed against Li Yunzai's chest. On the other side, Li Yunzai stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought. He touched the ring on his chest and stroked Park Soyeon's head, a tear slowly rolling down his cheek.

On the other side, Park Soyeon didn't know that her sneaking up to the attic had already been noticed by Mr. Park, who had come out to use the bathroom.

"Wife... Soyeon is up in the attic again... These two kids have such a good relationship. If Soyeon could marry Yunzai in the future, wouldn't that be a classic case of childhood sweethearts growing up together?"

"Yunzai is a good kid. If Soyeon really gets together with him, I wouldn't be against it. But what if that woman comes back... I always have a feeling that a mother wouldn't just abandon her child like that!" Mrs. Park looked worried.

"Han Jingyuan has been gone for ten years. If she were coming back, she would have come by now. I don't even remember what she looks like... Yunzai might have forgotten he has a mother!"

"Let's just sleep. The kids will make their own decisions. We shouldn't worry too much!"

...

After staying at the Park family's house for two nights, on the afternoon of January 2nd, Li Yunzai and Park Soyeon returned to Seoul.

In Seoul, the New Year's atmosphere was even more intense, with red and green decorations lining the streets, creating a festive mood. After dropping Park Soyeon off at her place, Li Yunzai returned to his own residence, resting and preparing for the night.

The next day, Li Yunzai arrived at LOEN Entertainment on time, taking the first step in his singing career.

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