Chapter 28: LOEN and That Woman

The next day, after washing up and finishing breakfast, it was already past nine o'clock. Chen Yuqi and her brother Chen Zhe boarded the car that Choi Sooyoung had sent to pick them up from the hotel, heading towards the headquarters of LOEN Company.

"Zhe, remember, when we get to LOEN, listen and observe more, speak less," Chen Yuqi suddenly recalled something as she sat in the front passenger seat. She turned to look at Chen Zhe with a serious expression, reminding him earnestly.

"I know, you don't have to worry about me, sis!" Chen Zhe, who had been staring blankly out the window, was pulled back to reality by his sister's words. He shook his head helplessly, resigned to the fact that his elder sister still treated him like a child and felt the need to remind him of such things.

After driving for more than twenty minutes, as the clock neared ten, the three finally arrived at LOEN Company. After parking, they walked into the building.

"Ahem, President Kim, we've arrived!" As soon as they reached the front desk, the trio spotted Kim Jungmin leaning against the reception, chatting and laughing with the receptionist. Chen Zhe hurriedly coughed a few times, pretending to remind him of their presence.

"Oh, Chen Zhe, you’re here! Welcome to LOEN," Kim Jungmin turned at the sound and immediately saw Chen Zhe standing between the two, his smile brightening with genuine warmth as he strode over to greet them.

"Yes, thank you, President Kim!" The three greeted him politely as he approached.

After exchanging pleasantries, Kim Jungmin began to show them around the company. To their surprise, it wasn’t a staff member leading the tour, but Kim Jungmin himself.

"So, Chen Zhe, that was our company's wall of artists. Admittedly, there aren’t many, but each is quite talented," Kim Jungmin explained, a hint of insecurity in his tone as he worried Chen Zhe might think LOEN lacked strength.

"I know, LOEN’s artists are impressive. Names like Ga-In and IU—I’ve heard them countless times," Chen Zhe replied quickly, understanding Kim Jungmin’s concern. He purposefully mentioned two LOEN artists he was familiar with, offering Kim Jungmin an easy out.

"Ji-Eun is our company’s pride!" At the mention of IU—the nation's little sister who rose from LOEN—Kim Jungmin’s posture straightened, as if he’d suddenly been infused with confidence. The previous uncertainty vanished.

"This floor houses the personal practice rooms and lounges for our artists." Given Choi Sooyoung’s background with SM Entertainment, Kim Jungmin skipped the trainees' practice rooms and led them straight to the floor reserved for debut artists.

"Today, most artists are out on schedules, but I heard Ji-Eun came to the company. She should be in her practice room," Kim Jungmin said, stroking his chin as he recalled the schedule he’d seen yesterday. His tone was slightly uncertain.

"IU? Can we meet her?" Hearing that IU was at LOEN today, Chen Zhe’s interest was instantly piqued. He asked Kim Jungmin curiously.

"That’s no problem at all. I’ll take you to her," Kim Jungmin replied without hesitation, pleased to see Chen Zhe finally showing enthusiasm. He had been worried by Chen Zhe’s indifferent demeanor throughout the tour, fearing it might lessen LOEN’s chances of being chosen.

Just as he was about to lose hope, IU’s presence at the company reignited Chen Zhe’s interest, and Kim Jungmin felt a weight lift from his heart. He silently praised Lee Ji-Eun as the company’s lucky star.

"Melody, the tune in my mind is so familiar. Loving you leaves only a gentle sigh in my heart."

"Melody, countless moving notes fill my life. Loving and losing you, I finally know to cherish."

As the three approached IU’s practice room, led by Kim Jungmin, a familiar melody floated out through the partially open door. Listening closely, Chen Zhe recognized it as "Melody," the song he had performed before. Accompanying the tune was a deep female voice singing the lyrics.

"Melody, oh Melody, I can never forget. You are so beautiful, let the music play on endlessly."

"Melody, oh Melody, I cannot bear to forget. Our happy past, please don’t wake me from this dream."

"Melody, the tune in my mind is so familiar. Loving you, I beg you to hear me finish this melody—please don’t leave."

As the variation in the melody began, Chen Zhe knew the climax was coming. Seeing Kim Jungmin about to push the door open, he quickly stopped him, signaling to wait until the song ended. Chen Zhe was curious to hear what IU could do with the song—how her vocal abilities measured up.

Listening to the third verse and comparing it to IU’s songs from his previous life, along with fragments of his own memories related to singing technique, Chen Zhe quietly formed his own assessment of IU.