Chapter Ninety-One: Wu Xia-rong’s Heartfelt Confession (?)

“It’s all right, Chen Zhe. Since your manager is calling for you, you should head down now and not keep him waiting too long. When you come as our guest next time, we will take good care of you properly then, so you mustn’t leave so quickly that time!”

Seeing the apologetic look on Chen Zhe’s face, Park Chorong smiled and shook her head, signaling for him not to mind such a thing. If he came again as a guest, she hoped he would not be like this time, saying he had to leave before they had even begun to entertain him.

It always left them with the faint embarrassment of having failed as hosts. Besides, Chen Zhe had even brought a gift for the visit, yet they had not even decided what to give him in return, which made them feel rather rude and awkward.

“If we invite you over again next time, you absolutely mustn’t refuse, Zhe!” Jung Eunji held up a playful V sign toward him, her smile taking on a teasing lilt that made her look even more adorable.

“Then I’ll look forward to troubling you again next time, older sisters and seniors. I just hope you won’t mind if I’m too noisy then!” Looking at the Apink members before him, Chen Zhe’s smile grew brighter and more buoyant. He nodded to them with a smile, accepting the invitation to visit again.

“Then unnie, I’ll be the one to see Zhe out!” Seeing Chen Zhe already stand up to leave, along with Park Chorong and Jung Eunji who were getting up to escort him, Oh Hayoung abruptly rose to her feet, patting her chest as she volunteered eagerly, saying she would take him out.

“Mm, all right then, Hayoung, you go. Just don’t be rude!” Watching their youngest member so full of enthusiasm, Park Chorong could only shake her head helplessly, though she still agreed to her request. But to keep her from being impolite, she gave her a few extra reminders.

“You’re sending me off, Hayoung? Then just to the elevator is fine. If we go down together, I’m really afraid rumors will start. I don’t mind myself; if it comes to it, I can always run back to China. I’m just worried it would affect you all too much.”

Seeing Park Chorong agree, and Oh Hayoung looking delighted beyond measure, Chen Zhe let out a helpless sigh. He knew he still could not avoid spending time with this close friend of his, but to keep her from acting on impulse and doing something unexpected, he also hurried to caution her.

“Mm, Hayoung, Chen Zhe’s right. Just do as he says.” After hearing Chen Zhe’s words, Park Chorong rested a hand against her chin and thought for a moment before nodding as she cautioned Oh Hayoung once more.

“Okay, I understand, unnie.” Seeing that her route had been sealed off, Oh Hayoung could only give up what she had just been planning to do. With one hand half-raised, she answered Park Chorong’s reminder in a listless voice.

“Then, Chen Zhe, see you next time.” Seeing that Oh Hayoung probably would not cause any more trouble, Park Chorong finally nodded in satisfaction, easing the stern look from her face as she waved to Chen Zhe and said goodbye.

“Then, to all you seniors, and to Eunji, see you next time. I’ll take my leave now.” After the others, aside from Oh Hayoung and Park Chorong, also said their farewells, Chen Zhe smiled and bowed. Then he waved and walked out with Oh Hayoung.

Whether because she had been specifically told to, or for some other reason, Oh Hayoung remained quiet the whole way, wordlessly accompanying Chen Zhe through the foyer, out of the Apink dormitory door, down the long corridor, and finally to the elevator.

Watching Oh Hayoung remain silent, Chen Zhe was somewhat puzzled, though if she did not open her mouth to give him trouble, he was more than happy for the peace and quiet. In his heart, he felt rather fortunate that he had once again escaped disaster.

Ding.

The sound of the arriving elevator broke the silence of the corridor. The doors slowly opened before the two of them, and with that, the atmosphere between them subtly shifted.

“Then, see you next time, Hayoung.” After stepping into the elevator, Chen Zhe found his feelings becoming strangely complicated. Carrying a faint confusion he himself could not explain, he pressed the button for the basement level and only then said goodbye to Oh Hayoung. His voice was a little dry.

“Mm, see you next time, Zhe.” Oh Hayoung’s voice sounded unusually calm, showing none of the complicated emotion Chen Zhe was feeling.

The elevator doors slowly began to close, and Oh Hayoung’s figure was gradually hidden from Chen Zhe’s view. Just as the doors were about to shut to the point where only half a person’s width remained, a fair arm with a hint of softness suddenly slipped inside and stopped them from closing.

“I thought about it, and I still have something I need to say to you, Zhe!”

The elevator doors eased apart again. Oh Hayoung, her arm still extended into the elevator, reappeared before Chen Zhe. She was biting her lip tightly, her chest rising and falling hard, as though she had made some difficult decision. Chen Zhe quickly reached out and pressed the waiting button.

“Hayoung, what is it that’s so urgent? It’s all right, take your time. I’ve got plenty of time.”

Looking at Oh Hayoung, whose emotions seemed a little off, Chen Zhe temporarily pushed aside the matter of Lin Soo-ho waiting for him downstairs. In a gentle voice, he asked her softly what was wrong.

“Haaah. Zhe, you’re my first foreign friend, and meeting you made me very happy.” Taking a deep breath, Oh Hayoung tried to steady herself as much as she could. Thinking back on how she and Chen Zhe had met, she always had the strange feeling that she was living through a television drama.

“Yes, becoming friends with you has made me very happy too, Hayoung. You’re my first foreign friend as well.” Oh Hayoung’s words stirred Chen Zhe’s memories too. His meeting with her had truly been like something out of a drama, so much so that for a long time he had found it almost unbelievable.

“When I talk with you, Zhe, I’m very happy. Because I became an idol trainee, I have very few friends outside that world, and even fewer that I can really talk to. But you, Zhe, could be counted as the first outside friend I ever truly got along with.”

Recalling the years she had spent as a trainee and then as an idol after debuting, the memories of school, study, and ordinary friendships had grown dim and blurred. Oh Hayoung always felt as though her time had become somewhat...