Chapter 5: Sister-in-Law of the Han River

The music gradually subsided, and the venue remained silent. Lin Shouxia had used his voice to take full control of the atmosphere in the restaurant. It was a light and cheerful sweet song, and everyone wore faint smiles. The soft warm sunlight streamed through the window, casting a glow on their happy faces.

Giselle closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly as if savoring the emotions conveyed by the music. Meanwhile, Yoo Jimin fixed her gaze on the young man standing center stage. Such a beautiful voice seemed almost wasted if he didn’t become a singer. But then again, that wasn’t really her concern.

Lee Daehyun observed the expressions around him and nodded with satisfaction. As an artist, one must know how to seize opportunities. Only by grasping every chance that appears before you can a childhood dream be realized. This junior had undeniable talent yet lacked confidence, always hiding his true self in Daehyun’s eyes. From the choice of song to his hesitant attitude before stepping on stage, it was clear he was not a confident man in everyday life. But once the music began, he transformed completely, displaying a different demeanor altogether.

Daehyun pointed the camera at himself and casually flashed a peace sign, as if to demonstrate his keen eye for talent. Of course, he understood that no matter how impressive Lin Shouxia’s skills were, there would always be dissenting opinions. The world was never short of critics, and there was no need to get entangled with them.

“Do you think someone will upload this video online?” Giselle whispered behind Yoo Jimin, covering her lips to stifle a giggle. “I’d love to see Senior Yoona’s reaction after hearing this song.”

She sensed something amusing might happen.

“What reaction could she have? Probably just project the video on the big screen during the gathering and point to Senior Taeyeon, saying a singer of such caliber is her fan,” Yoo Jimin replied with a faint smile.

As fellow members of the project group Got The Beat, she wasn’t particularly interested in Giselle’s question. What truly intrigued her was the singer on stage. He had taken the microphone reluctantly, seemed a bit timid and reserved, but when the music started, it was as if he switched personalities—his stage presence was commanding. If the experienced Senior Taeyeon were here, she might say this man was born to be a singer.

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“Rina, shouldn’t we head back now?” Giselle stretched lazily, glancing at the time and thinking about resting in the dormitory. Today had been tiring. Even during this company-imposed hiatus, they still needed to maintain daily training.

Just two hours ago, Giselle had broken a sweat in the practice room. Now, after a satisfying meal, she only wanted to lounge on the dorm sofa and play with the dog.

“Isn’t it still early?” The ever-energetic Yuzu also checked the time but had no intention of returning just yet. She wanted to take advantage of the nightfall, under the cover of moonlight, to ride the Ferris wheel and stroll through a park in Seoul.

Still, she worried about Giselle going back alone. Giselle had been in Seoul only a year or two and still fumbled with Korean. What if she got lost?

“Why don’t I ask our manager to take you back first? I can explore Seoul on my own.”

After some thought, Yoo Jimin decided to entrust the manager, who was about to arrive for their care, with escorting Giselle home. She herself planned to call her close friend—fondly nicknamed “Han River Sister” by fans—for a night outing.

This friend had been a close companion since Yoo Jimin’s trainee days in Seoul and was the only confidante she truly trusted after enduring a devastating betrayal.

“Are you sure you’re okay alone?”

“I’m a bona fide Korean, you know, and I’m an adult. I’m not going to get lost in Seoul.”

The girl smiled, patted her teammate’s shoulder, then slipped through the bustling crowd and opened the door to leave.

Although Seoul’s nighttime safety was somewhat questionable, Yoo Jimin wasn’t naive. She chose to walk along bustling commercial streets, which, although riskier in terms of exposure, at least minimized any threat to personal safety.

“Jimin!”

Suddenly, a shadow darted out, startling Yoo Jimin into stepping back several paces. Just as she was about to flee, she finally recognized the figure.

Her hand pressed to her chest as she breathed a sigh of relief, then raised a tiny fist—about the size of a mangosteen—and waved it at her friend.

“Don’t hit, don’t hit!”

“Ah, Youngro, you know scaring someone like that can give them a heart attack!”

Lin Youngro had rushed to the meeting spot as quickly as possible after receiving the message, intending to surprise her friend with a little unexpected joy. But... it seemed her surprise had gone a little overboard. Judging by Yoo Jimin’s reaction, she almost gave her a heart condition.

“I didn’t mean to,” Youngro tugged gently at her friend’s sleeve, hoping for forgiveness.

“Just an apology?” Yoo Jimin was dissatisfied. Shouldn’t she at least treat her to a carp pancake or some milk ice cream? A mere verbal apology was hardly sincere.

---

“How about I treat you to carp pancakes, ice cream, and barbecue?”

“Just forgive me, okay? If I meant to scare you, I’d have caught a pigeon or something!” Youngro unwittingly brought up Yoo Jimin’s fear of sharp-beaked animals, which naturally earned her a playful scolding.

“Hey, you’re the one talking!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything more.”

“Let’s go, I’ll take you for ice cream, but I might bring someone along.”

Youngro held her phone mysteriously, as if harboring a secret.

“You... started dating?”

“What dating? I’m planning to stay single forever with you!” Youngro rolled her eyes while waiting for the call to connect, determined to focus on her career.

“I’m calling my little brother. Finally got him back from abroad. He has money, so we’ll just eat on him.”

“I didn’t know you had a little brother. You never mentioned him.”

“He’s a pain. No point talking about him. He studied music abroad for a few years and just came back. I’ll introduce you later.”

Youngro briefly explained, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain when talking about her brother. Yet strangely, others seemed to think highly of this man whom she considered the low point of Seoul’s looks.

“People say he’s handsome and has a great personality.”

“I wonder if everyone’s taste has been lowered by all those ugly boy groups companies keep pushing. How can anyone praise him?”

Without her brother around, Youngro spoke with righteous indignation, as if she alone saw the truth in a world gone mad.

“Maybe, possibly, he might look a little better than the seniors,” Yoo Jimin interjected, noticing the shadow creeping closer behind Youngro. She wanted to warn her friend but it seemed some people just couldn’t stop badmouthing.

“Youngro,” the man behind her said awkwardly, tugging at his sister’s sleeve, finally putting a stop to her relentless trash talk.

They say an artist’s biggest blemish often comes from their closest family and friends. Today, Lin Shouxia understood that sentiment perfectly.