Chapter 142: The Warm-up Prelude to the Shura Field

“Senior Krystal, I’m A-Cheol’s first close friend here in Korea. I came to support him—that’s what friends do!”

Just as Jung Soo-jung stepped up and stood among the group, Wu Xia-rong, who had been a bit shy in front of Chen Yuqi and Lim Yoon-ah, suddenly spoke up.

“Oh, is that so? That’s exactly why I came to cheer for A-Cheol. After all, he’s my close friend too. Besides, Yuqi unnie is also my mentor!”

Hearing the subtle implication in Wu Xia-rong’s words, Jung Soo-jung’s delicate brows lifted slightly, but she feigned indifference and revealed that she was also close to Chen Cheol, even mentioning explicitly that she was a student of Chen Cheol’s sister.

“Is that right? So Senior Soo-jung is quite close to A-Cheol. But when I first met A-Cheol, it felt just like a scene from a TV drama!”

Upon hearing Jung Soo-jung’s remark, Wu Xia-rong couldn’t help but grit her teeth subconsciously. Clearly, the relationship between Jung Soo-jung and Chen Cheol was much closer than hers.

Yet Wu Xia-rong refused to admit defeat so easily. She put on a casual air and began recounting how she met Chen Cheol—their shared train seat, and how he even drew a picture for her.

“Oh, by the way, when A-Cheol comes back, it’ll be almost his turn to perform. We’ve reserved some seats near the stage. Anyone who wants to come with us?”

Wu Xia-rong’s nonchalant storytelling about her acquaintance with Chen Cheol clearly provoked Jung Soo-jung. Just as the latter’s mind raced with the urge to reveal her own dates and cooking sessions with Chen Cheol, Chen Yuqi, who had been quietly watching the two young women compete, suddenly remembered something and interrupted.

She deliberately raised her voice, cutting off Jung Soo-jung, and asked if anyone in the lounge planned to join her in watching Chen Cheol’s upcoming performance from the audience.

“Watching A-Cheol’s performance from the audience? Sounds interesting, but I don’t think we’re allowed to go there!”

Hearing Chen Yuqi’s suggestion, as the eldest and most playful senior in the lounge, Kim Hee-chul’s eyes lit up. He was the first to stand and respond.

However, as he spoke, he remembered that as entertainers, if they were spotted by fans in the audience, it could cause a huge commotion.

“Senior Hee-chul, I think we artists are allowed to watch other performers from beneath the stage!”

Noticing the subtle tension between their youngest member and Senior Jung Soo-jung, Park Cho-rong attempted to steer the conversation away. Just then, Chen Yuqi and Kim Hee-chul spoke up.

Upon hearing them, Park Cho-rong’s eyes brightened. Seeing Kim Hee-chul thinking about going to the front of the stage to watch Chen Cheol, she quickly raised her hand and softly chimed in with her sweet, gentle voice.

“That’s right, Cho-rong’s right. Oppa Hee-chul, we can watch from under the stage. We’ll have to stand, but it’s better than causing a scene in the audience!”

As the atmosphere’s mood-setter, Lim Yoon-ah finally found her moment. She clapped her hands and enthusiastically agreed with Park Cho-rong, suggesting they all watch from under the stage together.

“Yeah, I think Yoon-ah and Cho-rong are right. Oppa Hee-chul, let’s go watch A-Cheol’s performance from under the stage!”

While Kim Hee-chul was still contemplating, Jung Soo-yeon’s distinctive voice rang out, expressing her support for Lim Yoon-ah and the others’ decision.

“All right then, let’s go down there to cheer for A-Cheol together. When he comes on stage, we’ll surprise him big time!”

Though watching from under the stage felt a bit less fun to Kim Hee-chul, after some thought, he decided that since he couldn’t have fun on his own, he’d create some amusement by teasing someone else.

“Hey, Oppa Hee-chul, what surprise are you talking about? Why is everyone gathered like it’s a meeting?”

Just as Kim Hee-chul made his decision, Chen Cheol’s voice sounded from the doorway. Along with his puzzled question, a head peeked in curiously.

“No, we were just saying that if you manage to get a date, Oppa Hee-chul will treat you as a surprise!”

Chen Cheol’s sudden appearance froze Kim Hee-chul in place, leaving him momentarily speechless. When Lim Yoon-ah caught Chen Cheol’s gaze, she immediately understood that he must have heard most of their conversation and knew exactly what to do.

Outwardly, she spoke to save Kim Hee-chul, but in truth, she was planning to team up with Chen Cheol to prank him.

“Wow, Oppa Hee-chul is being so nice to me! Don’t worry, I’m pretty confident about scoring a date. Oppa Hee-chul, get ready to treat everyone here, right? Isn’t that right, Zion hyung, Ziyoon oppa?”

Receiving the signal from Lim Yoon-ah, Chen Cheol caught on that she had realized he heard everything. Without hesitation, he turned the tables on Kim Hee-chul, even roping in heavy hitters Lee Zion and In Ziyoon.

“Hahaha, Hee-chul, you can’t back out on this! Zion and I heard it all too!”

Supporting Chen Cheol’s words, two more heads peeked through the door, all eyes fixed on the still-stunned Kim Hee-chul. In Ziyoon chimed in to back up Chen Cheol.

“Ah, yes, Yoon-ah is right. If you get a date, A-Cheol, I’ll treat everyone to celebrate your success.”

Though something felt off, Kim Hee-chul, just coming back to his senses and sensing all eyes on him, had no time to think it over and went along with Lim Yoon-ah’s comment.

Seeing Kim Hee-chul fall right into their trap, Chen Cheol and Lim Yoon-ah exchanged a glance that silently said, “Pleasure working with you.”

——————Why Lee Zion and In Ziyoon Were So Cooperative with Chen Cheol ——————

“Zion hyung, I didn’t expect Senior PSY to be so approachable and charming. I thought he’d be that serious, aloof senior in private!”

After visiting the last of his peers—and the most senior in this batch, PSY—Chen Cheol’s journey to meet his seniors finally concluded.

After chatting with that loquacious and witty senior, Chen Cheol developed a favorable impression, thinking he was quite a great person.

“Hahaha, besides PSY being a nice guy, part of the reason he talked to you so much was because Zion and I were there!”

Patting Chen Cheol on the shoulder, In Ziyoon reminded him that although PSY was indeed talkative and charming, it depended on the company. His warm reception was largely due to the presence of Zion and himself.