Chapter Twenty-Four: The Most Suitable Partner
“Can you just get it together already?”
“Aren’t you supposed to practice with Yoona this afternoon? Don’t waste any more time.”
“I know, I…”
Inside the Loen practice room, Lin Shouxia bit his lip, wearing an expression that screamed guilt. He had tried twice just now, and the results were actually not bad, but still not good enough for filming. He had thought that even if he didn’t earn encouragement from Liu Zhimin, at least he wouldn’t be scolded.
The girl’s mood was as unpredictable as June weather—one moment bright and clear, the next overcast with dark clouds.
“I have other work to do too, don’t waste my time,” Liu Zhimin said, frowning and clearly not someone to be trifled with.
Wasn’t she supposed to be dancing with Shin Yoona? Didn’t she have plans to practice with others this afternoon? Why couldn’t she just take practice seriously? She was just wasting her time.
“I will show the right attitude,” Lin Shouxia promised, though puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor. He knew his performance wasn’t up to par and could only offer a promise.
After mustering every ounce of willpower, Lin Shouxia finally finished the morning’s work under pressure.
So exhausting…
He sat on the floor, wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel, drenched and looking like he had just finished a concert. He was actually a very responsible person and found it hard to accept not being able to push his work forward because of himself.
After pushing himself, his condition improved considerably, but…
He seemed to have frightened Liu Zhimin.
Lin Shouxia looked up at the girl quietly packing her things nearby, scratching his head in frustration. Since she scolded him earlier, the cheerful Liu Zhimin had suddenly gone silent—not pretending to be aloof, but genuinely unhappy.
“Um…”
“Is Yoona coming soon? I’ll be done quickly and free up some space for you.”
In Lin Shouxia’s mind, the beautiful and gentle Zhimin nuna was now staring at him with a cold expression. No matter how hard they practiced, it was still just shy of perfect, but the mention of Shin Yoona’s name changed Lin Shouxia’s attitude entirely.
If that was the case, there was no need for her to stay longer—better to make room early and avoid further annoyance.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Even Lin Shouxia, usually oblivious, now understood Liu Zhimin’s meaning clearly.
Women were strange.
Just a moment ago, she seemed eager to finish quickly, impatient to end the work, and now suddenly she acted like he was trying to chase people away.
“The collaboration was set by SBS.”
“So?”
The girl was now a little irritated, too embarrassed to express it outright, so she wore a cold face to look unapproachable.
But she also knew that, for Lin Shouxia, this was a good thing.
The Song Festival was a prime opportunity to gain and solidify fans. A remarkable, eye-catching co-ed stage was sure to attract plenty of attention.
For his career development, as a rookie, he needed this chance to break out.
As for Lin Shouxia’s professional skills…
Having been an all-night listener as a singer, this wasn’t something Liu Zhimin worried about.
What she feared was Lin Shouxia’s heart…
What was the core of hyping a “CP” (couple pairing)?
Of course, it was popularity.
Popularity brought recognition and commercial value, but it also attracted disputes and trouble.
Once the CP gained heat, naturally, a group of so-called CP fans would emerge.
Some might just enjoy the sweetness for fun.
But some would become toxic fans—resentful, extreme, and unreasonable—unwilling for either party to collaborate with anyone else.
This was part of what she worried about.
Another part…
She was afraid.
Lin Shouxia was a sincere person, both in work and life.
Sincere people naturally earned their due rewards, but they were also vulnerable to losing themselves in fabricated emotional lines.
“I have no choice.”
Lin Shouxia was helpless. Liu Zhimin had just said it herself—this was a random matchmaking scheme. The collaboration was decided by SBS, the lineup by JYP, and he was just a puppet in this deal, with no choice.
If he had to choose…
The man cautiously lifted his head, stealing a glance at the girl, who still looked annoyed and disdainful.
She was still the most suitable partner, already a well-matched teammate for him.
“SBS really has a shortage of people, huh? Giving me a solo stage would have sufficed, but they had to put a rookie on a duet stage.”
“…”
At this moment, inside the SBS TV building, the director preparing for the Song Festival rubbed his itchy nose, feeling as if someone was cursing him.
“I’m actually okay with it…”
“Of course you’re okay with it.”
The girl shot the man a displeased look. She was about to collaborate with the young and beautiful Shin Yoona; he was probably overjoyed.
“No, I didn’t mean to push you away for Yoona nuna.”
“Neither did I.”
The man clicked his tongue, feeling like he’d fallen into a trap. This topic seemed to offend Liu Zhimin no matter what he said.
“Forget it.”
As if reconciling with himself, he exhaled heavily, wearing a burdened expression.
To avoid making things worse, he decided to change the topic.
“I’ll buy you a coffee, nuna.”
“Iced Americano.”
Lin Shouxia deliberately emphasized the order, remembering what Liu Zhimin had said.
“Should we let Yoona know too?”
“Nuna…”
If he could send emojis, he would definitely send Liu Zhimin a few exasperated ones.
Why did she always bring up Shin Yoona?
He had only met that senior once, barely acquainted, and they hadn’t even exchanged contact information…
“Where shall we go?”
Liu Zhimin softened her sharpness, suppressing her irritation.
The boy’s expression looked sincere; maybe she was overthinking.
“There’s a café right downstairs from the company.”
Lin Shouxia licked his lips. It was his first time inviting someone for coffee—would Liu Zhimin refuse?
Hard to say. He still hadn’t received any reply to the message on his phone.
His heart pounded rapidly, his fair face gradually flushed with anxious anticipation. He felt hot all over, as if his whole body was on fire.