Chapter Ninety-Four: Preparations for the MV Shoot

Watching the resigned sighs of Krystal Jung and the half-smiling, half-mocking Sooyoung Choi before him, Chen Zhe shook his head helplessly. But as he did so, his stomach let out a loud, rumbling growl, reminding him that it was time for breakfast.

“By the way, did you and Krystal have breakfast yet?” The sound from Chen Zhe's stomach immediately drew the attention of both women. Feeling a bit embarrassed under their gaze, he scratched his cheek with a finger.

Yet the hunger proved overwhelming, and to ease his awkwardness, Chen Zhe decided to try dragging the two women into his plight. With that thought, he spoke up to ask them.

“Breakfast? We haven’t eaten yet. What, are you going to treat us, you rascal?” Sooyoung, one arm slung around Krystal’s shoulder and the other planted on her hip, struck a roguish pose that made Chen Zhe’s brow twitch, tempted as he was to give her a playful knock.

Sooyoung knew well enough that her mischievous younger brother’s breakfasts were almost always Chinese, ordered and brought by his manager. She’d seen the breakfast photos he’d sent her before, and had long been tempted by them. Now that she had the chance, she certainly wasn’t about to let it slip by.

“Well, I haven’t eaten either. So why don’t you both join me? You’d prefer Korean breakfast, right?” Taking a deep breath to suppress his urge to scold Sooyoung, Chen Zhe nodded and pulled out his phone, preparing to call Lin Soo-ho.

“Wait, don’t bother ordering Korean breakfast for us. We’ll have whatever you’re having; Krystal and I will eat Chinese breakfast, just like you!” Sooyoung quickly covered Krystal’s mouth before she could protest, her tone urgent. After all, her real reason for mooching breakfast off Chen Zhe was the Chinese food; who wanted Korean breakfast?

“Just like me? Sure. Soo-ho, could you get two more breakfast sets for me? Yes, just the same as usual, two extra!” Hearing the urgency in Sooyoung’s voice, Chen Zhe understood her intention, but didn’t bother to call her out. When the call connected, he spoke a few words to Lin Soo-ho at the breakfast shop, then hung up.

“Sooyoung, Krystal, let’s find somewhere to sit while we wait for breakfast. By the time we finish eating, the set should be about ready.” Chen Zhe put away his phone and his face lit up with a gentle smile as he offered his arm to the two women.

With no reason to refuse, Sooyoung and Krystal both nodded and followed Chen Zhe to a cool, shaded corner of the set, settling down to wait for breakfast and the start of filming.

About ten minutes later, Lin Soo-ho arrived, sweating and carrying a bag of breakfast, but he wasn’t alone. Behind him trailed several people Chen Zhe didn’t recognize, each holding a box.

“Thanks, Soo-ho! Who are these gentlemen behind you?” Chen Zhe quickly took the breakfast bag from Lin Soo-ho, handed him some tissues to wipe his sweat, and curiously eyed the newcomers.

“Oh, you mean them? They’re staff from the coffee shop, here to help deliver coffee!” Lin Soo-ho wiped his brow with the tissues and explained with a smile.

“Soo-ho, is the coffee for the staff?” Hearing that the boxes were filled with coffee, Chen Zhe immediately guessed their purpose.

“Yes, the president wants us to build good relations with the director and the crew! Alright, you go eat; I need to hand out the coffee.” Smiling and nodding, Lin Soo-ho whispered a few more words, then departed with the coffee shop staff.

He brought over a table, had the coffee staff place their boxes on it, then took two cups and strode straight to where the director was. Chen Zhe saw him exchange a few words with the director before handing him the coffee.

The filming crew quickly formed an odd queue in front of the table, each waiting to receive their coffee.

“Alright, enough staring—it's breakfast time. Nothing else matters.” While Chen Zhe was still observing the line, Sooyoung snatched the breakfast bag from his hands and patted his shoulder, urging him to focus.

“Oh, these dumplings look amazing! And these fried breadsticks—so appetizing!” Sooyoung placed the breakfast bag on the table and began pulling out various boxes, exclaiming as she opened each one.

Watching Sooyoung’s antics, Chen Zhe could only sigh and shake his head. He had no doubt now about her reputation as the group's resident foodie.

“You rascal, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and eat—both you and Krystal still have to film later!” Seeing Chen Zhe frozen in place, Sooyoung waved her hands and called out loudly, urging him to eat so as not to delay the MV shoot.

“Yes, understood, Sooyoung!” For reasons unknown, Sooyoung’s aura at that moment seemed so commanding that Chen Zhe instinctively straightened up and answered with raised hand.

After Chen Zhe sat down, perhaps thanks to the presence of these two food lovers, Krystal didn’t act as shy as usual. Instead, she joined them, eating quickly and heartily.

Because they all sped up, the breakfast was soon finished. Meanwhile, the coffee seemed to have given the crew enough energy, and by the time the trio finished eating, the set was ready.

Once they cleaned up their food and freshened up, the makeup artist began working on Chen Zhe and Krystal. With skilled hands, the artist transformed their faces, replacing a bit of youthful innocence with a touch of maturity. Before they could admire their new look, the wardrobe stylist hurried over and whisked them away to pick out their outfits.

Watching Chen Zhe and Krystal try on outfit after outfit at the stylist’s request, Sooyoung crossed her arms, a slight smile tugging at her lips. Lost in thought for a moment, she took out her phone from her pocket. As soon as they emerged in a new set of clothes, she snapped a photo of them.