Chapter Twenty-Five: Leisure Moments and LOEN’s Advance

After parting ways with Sana Minatozaki, Chen Zhe and the other two continued searching for interesting attractions to try.

“Ah Zhe, Yuqi, how about we try that giant sky swing?” Sooyoung Choi, scanning for fun rides, spotted an enormous swing suspended high above the ground. Her eyes lit up instantly—she was immediately drawn to this thrilling-looking attraction. She turned to her best friend, who was currently scolding her younger brother.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Sooyoung?” Chen Zhe couldn’t help but swallow nervously at the sight of the sky swing. After all, he was afraid of heights. Just the thought of getting on such a nerve-wracking ride made him feel like he couldn’t handle it.

“What’s wrong? Scared, you brat?” Hearing his words, Chen Yuqi, noticing her brother rooted to the spot, furrowed her brow and asked with some confusion.

“Well, sis, I really do have a fear of heights.” When it came to a choice between pride and survival, Chen Zhe didn’t hesitate—he chose survival. Admitting to acrophobia was one thing, but actually sitting on that swing might truly cost him his life.

“Acrophobia? Really?” At first, Chen Yuqi didn’t believe him, but seeing the earnest look on her brother’s face, she had to ask again to be sure.

“It’s true. Sis, do you really think I’d lie about something like this?” Chen Zhe covered his face in resignation. He really was afraid of heights. He remembered the time he went bungee jumping with friends—he was the only one who couldn’t jump. Ever since that day, he’d sworn off all high-altitude thrill rides.

“I see. Alright, you wait here for a bit. I’ll go with Sooyoung, and later we’ll do something else together!” After a moment’s thought, Chen Yuqi decided to accompany Sooyoung on the sky swing—yes, just to keep her friend company, and definitely not because she wanted to try it herself.

“OK, I’ll sit here for a while. You and Sooyoung go enjoy the ride. Don’t worry about me—I could use a break anyway.” Despite Chen Yuqi’s efforts to appear indifferent, Chen Zhe immediately saw through her eagerness to go. He could only shake his head in resignation and urge them to have fun without worrying about him.

“Be careful, Ah Zhe. Don’t wander off with strangers. We’ll be back soon.” As Chen Yuqi pulled her toward the sky swing, Sooyoung still turned back to remind Chen Zhe with a few words of caution.

Watching Chen Yuqi and Sooyoung board the sky swing, Chen Zhe shook his head slightly and glanced around. At last, he spotted a bench with an empty seat and hurried over.

“Excuse me, may I sit here?” He addressed the stern-looking, middle-aged man in gold-rimmed glasses sitting on the bench, politely asking if the seat was taken.

“Of course, please sit. This is a public bench—anyone can use it. No need to ask my permission.” The man adjusted his glasses and nodded, a faint smile appearing on his lips as if pleased by Chen Zhe’s courtesy.

After thanking the man once more, Chen Zhe sat down and took out his phone, planning to check YouTube for videos of his own performance. Although he’d been the one performing last night, he had no clear impression of how he’d actually done.

Hearing the melody from the boy’s phone, the middle-aged man, who had been scribbling on a tablet, raised his eyebrows slightly. The song was familiar—it had started spreading the previous afternoon and caused quite a sensation. Rumor was that all three major entertainment companies had dispatched agents to find the performer. He too had listened to the piece, and in his eyes, the young performer named Chen Zhe had the potential to become a pillar of any company. As president of LOEN, Kim Jungmin was eager to recruit this talent, even enlisting the help of their parent company, SK.

Yet no trace of the young man had been found. Kim Jungmin shook his head in resignation, hoping the other three companies wouldn’t find the boy before him.

“You like this song, ‘Melody,’ too?” As he pondered these matters, Kim Jungmin grew a little agitated, finding it hard to focus on work. He set aside his tablet and tried to start a conversation with the boy beside him.

“Well, it’s not so much that I like it—I’m just curious to see how the performance turned out.” Hearing the man’s voice, Chen Zhe shook his head and explained the reason he was watching the video.

“Huh… You look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?” Now that he could see Chen Zhe’s face clearly, Kim Jungmin was taken aback. The boy looked strikingly familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he’d seen him.

“Uncle, that pickup line is a bit outdated.” Chen Zhe regarded Kim Jungmin with a slightly disdainful look, his tone dismissive.

“No, really, you do look familiar. Wait—you look just like the performer in the ‘Melody’ video on your phone!” Kim Jungmin, undeterred by the boy’s tone, glanced at the phone playing the performance, then pointed to the figure onscreen.

“Well, Uncle, have you considered that maybe I’m the person in that video?” Chen Zhe raised his eyebrows, half-joking.

“Ah! So you are Chen Zhe!” Kim Jungmin’s excitement was visible—he looked from the phone to the boy before him, his face flushing with enthusiasm.

“I am, indeed, Chen Zhe.” Since he’d been recognized, Chen Zhe didn’t deny it. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.

“Hello, Chen Zhe. I’m Kim Jungmin, president of LOEN. It’s a pleasure to meet you—I’ve heard so much about you!” Upon hearing the confirmation, Kim Jungmin seized Chen Zhe’s free hand in excitement and introduced himself.

“LOEN? That’s IU’s company, right? Also, Mr. Kim, would you mind letting go of my hand first?” Chen Zhe tried to free his hand, but failing that, had to speak up directly.

“Oh, of course, sorry, Chen Zhe.” Realizing his faux pas, Kim Jungmin quickly released him and offered a formal apology.