Chapter Sixty-Seven: Matters Concerning the Single-Starlight Shines on the Peninsula(A traveler in a green robe wanders through misty mountains veiled in rain.)

Today, the main reason Lin Xiuhao brought Chen Zhe to LOEN was because Kim Jungmin wanted to introduce Chen Zhe to other people in the company. Although only Lee Ji-eun happened to have some free time among LOEN’s artists today and came by to lend her support.

“Hello, President, IU.” Chen Zhe, left stunned as Lin Xiuhao hurried off with the middle-aged man saying they had something to handle, found himself abandoned by his own manager right at the president’s office door. Helpless, he knocked on the door, and after receiving a response to come in, he entered to find Kim Jungmin and Lee Ji-eun seated on the sofa, with their places clearly delineated. He quickly offered his greetings.

“Hey, Zhe, you’re here! Come and sit!” Kim Jungmin’s eyes lit up slightly at Chen Zhe’s arrival, motioning for him to take a seat on the sofa opposite Lee Ji-eun, as if indicating that was where he should sit.

“Chen Zhe, come sit over here by me.” Just as Chen Zhe nodded and was about to head to the seat Kim Jungmin indicated, Lee Ji-eun, sitting on the other side, suddenly spoke up, inviting him to join her on the long sofa.

Not quite understanding her intent, Chen Zhe tilted his head in confusion and glanced at Kim Jungmin, who gestured for him to go ahead. So he walked over and sat down, leaving about three-quarters of a person’s space between them.

“The reason I called both of you here today is mainly to discuss the recording and music video for Zhe’s ‘Melody’!” Once Chen Zhe was seated, and both he and Lee Ji-eun turned their attention to him, Kim Jungmin cleared his throat, fist lightly at his lips, and began to explain why he had called them both in.

“President, does this mean Zhe will be debuting with the single ‘Melody’?” Hearing that the meeting was about this song, Lee Ji-eun’s brows furrowed slightly, seemingly puzzled as to why she needed to be present for Chen Zhe’s debut single.

“After some discussion, the board has decided that, while the song is still riding high in popularity, we should release multiple versions.” Noticing Lee Ji-eun’s slight frown, Kim Jungmin hurried to clarify, perhaps worried about a misunderstanding.

“Multiple versions? What versions does the company want to release?” Chen Zhe became excited upon hearing this, thinking his Mandarin version might have a chance. He quickly pressed for more details.

“Oh, multiple versions? That’s actually a great idea—it’s a way to reach even more fans.” After a moment’s thought, Lee Ji-eun stroked her chin and praised the plan.

“For now, we’re considering Korean, Mandarin, and a duet version. What do you both think?” Though it sounded like a question, the plan had already been approved by the board.

(For revision)

The three of them nodded and, led by Lee Ji-eun, entered the lounge. Once seated on the sofa, Chen Zhe curiously looked around, intrigued by what Lee Ji-eun’s lounge was like.

“Chen Zhe, are you curious about my lounge?” After pouring water for everyone, Lee Ji-eun noticed Chen Zhe’s interest and smiled as she asked.

“Yes, I’m sorry, IU—this is my first time seeing an artist’s lounge. It all feels so novel to me!” Embarrassed, Chen Zhe scratched the back of his head.

“Hahaha, it’s fine! The first time you see an artist’s lounge, it does feel quite novel. But after a while, you’ll get used to it!” Lee Ji-eun waved her hand dismissively, smiling at his awkwardness.

“By the way, Chen Zhe, has the company told you when you’ll debut? Have you chosen your debut song?” Suddenly recalling something, Lee Ji-eun hurriedly asked.

“IU, according to the president, I should debut in August, and my debut song will likely be ‘Melody’.” After a moment’s thought, Chen Zhe answered honestly. After all, he would need Lee Ji-eun’s support as his ‘senior sister’ during his debut, so he couldn’t afford to offend her.

“August? That’s just over a month of practice left—are you sure you’ll be alright?” Lee Ji-eun was surprised by the tight schedule. With only a little over a month, the training intensity would be very high, and she was genuinely concerned about whether Chen Zhe could handle it.

“No problem, IU! I’ve already been tested by the company’s music theory teacher. As long as I perform steadily, debuting won’t be an issue. This next month is mainly for etiquette and variety sense training.” Chen Zhe felt warmed by her concern, and smiled as he reassured her.

“If the music theory teacher says so, then there shouldn’t be a problem. Also, you don’t need to be so formal—just call me Ji-eun noona or Senior Ji-eun, since we’re in the same company!” Lee Ji-eun nodded, then smiled and suggested a less formal way for him to address her.

“Alright, Ji-eun noona! And you can just call me Zhe. I’ll be counting on you to look after me!” Chen Zhe quickly adjusted his form of address without hesitation.

“Of course, Zhe. When you debut, I’ll definitely bring my good friends to support you!” Lee Ji-eun patted her chest, promising wholeheartedly to help him when the time came.

“Thank you, then—sorry to trouble you, Ji-eun noona!” Something about Lee Ji-eun’s demeanor felt strangely familiar to Chen Zhe, as if he’d seen it in someone else before.

As the four of them chatted and laughed, time passed quickly in the cheerful atmosphere, and before they knew it, more than an hour had gone by. It was only when Chen Zhe’s phone buzzed that their conversation was interrupted.

Glancing at his phone, he saw a message from the tour guide, asking how things were going. Chen Zhe replied that everything had been settled and promised to explain in detail once they returned to the hotel.

Since he had now joined LOEN, training would begin the day after tomorrow, and he had a visit to SM Entertainment scheduled for the next day, so he would have to leave the tour group. He needed to inform both the guide and the company organizing the sweepstakes event of his change in plans.

“Zhe, by the way, Ga-in unnie happens to be out today, but after you officially report to the company the day after tomorrow, I’ll take you to meet her!” Lee Ji-eun promised to introduce him to the company’s senior artist next time.

“Alright, thanks so much, Ji-eun noona,” Chen Zhe replied gratefully, knowing that with her help, it would be much easier to get to know the company’s seniors.

“Zhe, it’s about time. The president has invited you both to dinner this evening, so we should head over now!” Han Zeyu checked his phone and reminded them.

“Sorry, Ji-eun noona, we’ll have to excuse ourselves,” Chen Zhe apologized quickly.

“It’s fine, Zhe. Since it’s the president’s invitation, you should go! We can catch up more next time,” Lee Ji-eun said, waving them along so they wouldn’t be late.

After bidding farewell to Lee Ji-eun and Jung Han-te, Chen Zhe and his companion hurried to the staff lounge to meet up with Cheng Dahai, then headed to the president’s office together.

“Oh, I forgot to exchange numbers with Zhe. Never mind, it can wait until he officially reports to the company the day after tomorrow,” Lee Ji-eun said to herself, smacking her forehead when she realized what she’d forgotten just after Chen Zhe had left.