Chapter 148 Chapter 148

In life, choices often outweigh effort. A few years ago, Ha Ji-hye wouldn't have believed this. Ever since her student days, she's been a dedicated "hard worker." From getting into Sungkyunkwan University to joining YG Entertainment,

Every step was achieved by putting in several times more effort than others. ——Until she became the lucky one. She couldn't remember why she chose to work for Lia without hesitation. At first, it was just the most basic assistant work.

Lia looked like any other artist, except she didn't have to appear on stage. She even considered the possibility of being stuck in this repetitive routine, day after day, until she gained enough experience and was symbolically promoted to a mid-level position.

But the reality was completely different. From the moment she took on this job, everything—from the YouTube channel to Lee Hi's album production to the overseas productions that followed—had progressed so quickly that she could barely comprehend it.

A few days ago, Lia sent a message saying she was going back to Seoul. She had initially thought it was just for Lee Hi's album celebration, but she immediately dropped another bombshell: she was planning to set up a studio in New York. Regardless of whether this was the company's intention,

Whether it's Lia's own plan or not, it means Ha Ji-hye's responsibilities will undergo a qualitative change. Now she is almost entirely responsible for all of Lia's work in Seoul. Once the studio is established, it is optimistic that

She might become the head of two regions. Of course, she would not underestimate herself, but she also knew in her heart that her colleagues who entered the company at the same time were still busy working at the bottom level, and that her success was probably due to her ability.

But the remaining 97 points were all thanks to Lia's astonishing development speed. She was just a sparrow that happened to perch on the right branch. Her mind was chaotically calculating the future.

Ha Ji-hye rested one hand on the steering wheel, her gaze fixed on the slowly opening and closing airport gate. Soon, at the international arrivals gate at Incheon Airport, a beautiful Asian woman wearing sunglasses and stylish overalls emerged, pushing a suitcase.

She rolled down the window, waved at the man from a distance, and unlocked the door. "Why did you come to pick me up in person?" Lia asked with a smile as she sat in the passenger seat and took off her sunglasses.

"What do you mean in person?" He Zhihui scolded, "President Yang specifically asked me to give you a good welcome yesterday." This was indeed true.

Although the company has a driver, not to mention Yang Xianshi's instructions, at this critical moment, no matter how busy she is, she has to come by herself.

"Besides, you've only been back for a week, and there are so many people who want to see you, I'm afraid I won't be able to see them." She said meaningfully, "So I might as well report to you on the way."

"Apart from Xia Yi's celebration party, I don't have any other plans." Lia shrugged without comment.

She didn't mention the studio at this moment, so He Zhihui didn't continue to ask. She just handed over a stack of documents and clicked on the navigation: "Do you want to go to the dressing room first?" "Forget it." Lia

He shook his head and glanced at the time. "My flight is delayed. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it." Seoul International Electronic Music Festival ULTRA

KOREA is holding a concert tonight at Jamsil Gymnasium. Famous international DJs will be performing alongside K-pop idols, including her boyfriend. She's been given an invitation, and she plans to attend directly to join in the fun.

"It's okay, you look good dressed like this," Ha Ji-hye complimented her sincerely while steering. Lia looked down at herself and stuck out her tongue.

Today she wore a black tank top with matching high-top Martin boots. You could say it was a punk workwear style, or you could say she just wore whatever she grabbed before going out for convenience.

I originally wanted to go to Lexy's dressing room to clean up after landing, but the plan fell through because of the flight delay.

"But there's traffic right now, so I might not be able to catch the show." Ha Ji-hye looked at the red congested area on the navigation with some worry. "It's okay, I'm not performing, so it doesn't matter if I'm late." "That's right, anyway, GD

Nim is the finale anyway, so he can't be delayed." "Ouni—" Lia heard her teasing and looked at her helplessly. "Okay, okay." Ha Ji-hye smiled, stopped talking, and concentrated on driving. *

Seoul's Jamsil Gymnasium was ablaze with lights, and a crowd surged at the entrance. The night sky was illuminated by dazzling lights, the massive stage vibrated with the booming bass, and tens of thousands of spectators waved glow sticks, their shouts and electronic music overlapping into a tsunami-like roar.

As expected, there was a traffic jam on the road, and when Lia arrived, the performance had already begun. She showed her invitation and walked into the backstage through the staff entrance.

Compared to the spacious stage, the backstage area was cramped and chaotic. Staff members, armed with walkie-talkies, came and went in a makeshift corridor. Occasionally, someone would recognize her, only to quickly rush off somewhere else.

The waiting room was simply divided into areas according to the performers and companies. She held a simple map in her hand and struggled to find the "YG waiting room" in the crowded crowd. "——Sorry."

A small group of dancers, fresh off the stage and heavily made-up, passed by her, and one of them accidentally bumped into her. "It's okay." She took a step back, steadying herself, her gaze still fixed on the map.

The path split into two at the bottom of the stage. She was unsure of which direction to take, so she froze in her tracks. Someone among the dancers seemed to recognize her, whispering to each other as they slowed their pace, and a soft hissing echoed through the crowd.

She looked up, smiled politely, and nodded. The young men and women quickly regained their composure, greeting each other and jostle to leave. Before they had gone far, they heard excited chatter of "Is that Lia Kim?"

Her eyes fell on the last boy. Ever since he bumped into her, he seemed to be frozen in place. Not only did he not leave with the others, but his eyes were also fixed on her face.

Lia resisted the urge to check if there was any dirt on her face and looked at him through her sunglasses. ——A very beautiful face.

She rarely finds a boy beautiful. After working in this industry for a long time, it is inevitable that she will become tired of "beauty".

Putting aside the "beauty" created by the plastic surgery industry, for her, the charm of the person far outweighs the impact of appearance itself. But his facial features are simply too exquisite. A natural, unadulterated exquisiteness.

Those eyes, in particular, reminded me of a clear spring. Her long lashes cast shadows across her eyelids, a purity that even heavy makeup couldn't mask. "Have we... met somewhere before?" Lia asked hesitantly.

Well, of course I'm not trying to strike up a conversation, but I just feel that she looks familiar.

The boy's face still had that overly shocked look from earlier, but upon hearing this, it quickly turned to surprise. "Lia-senpai, we've met before. I asked you for an autograph downstairs at YG."

He seemed to want to say something more, but couldn't find the right words. He could only stare at her. Lia inexplicably remembered a beautiful puppy she had seen not long ago. "—Diyuan, aren't you leaving?" someone shouted back from the distance.

"Right away!" He waved to his companions, his gaze still fixed on her. Di Yuan... the rare name awoke her hazy memories.

"...the elementary school student who asked me for an autograph?" She couldn't help but lift up her sunglasses and look at him carefully.

Zheng Diyuan was initially delighted that his idol had recognized him, but then he realized he'd been referring to "elementary school student." "I was already in junior high school at the time," he said with a hint of resignation, his eyes drooping in frustration.

"...Yeah, yes, a junior high student." Lia was a little embarrassed. She remembered him correcting her then, but the person she remembered was so small that it was hard for anyone to associate him with a "junior high school student."

"I didn't expect you to remember this, Senior." Zheng Diyuan perked up again. "So, this is your job?" She pointed at his dancing outfit with some curiosity.

"Well, I'm a trainee at a company. I'm about to debut, and the company president asked me to participate in more activities to gain experience."

"Are you going to debut?" Lia's eyes widened slightly, but then she thought it was natural - it would be a waste of resources if she didn't debut with such looks.

But the other party seemed to have misunderstood her meaning, and his expression could not help but become a little restrained: "Dancing is indeed not my strong point, but I will work hard."

"No, no, that's not what I meant," she waved her hands quickly, "I just got here and haven't seen your performance yet." "Is that so." Zheng Diyuan breathed a sigh of relief, "Senior, are you back from New York?"

She didn't know if it was her imagination, but this child, shy yet familiar, seemed to have a certain air of familiarity. "How do you know me—" Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing at the end of the corridor. Found it.

Lia's eyes lit up. Following her gaze, Jung Diwon saw Kwon Ji-yong standing at the farthest waiting room door, followed by a staff member adjusting his headset, looking over from afar. He couldn't help but recall the rumors he'd read.

The crowd milling backstage suddenly seemed to quiet down for a moment, and soon there were whispers. "Wow, it's really GD..." "Is he getting ready to go on stage?" "What a strong aura, he's really different..."

Even though the crowd was filled with professionals, he still stood out. Zheng Diyuan bowed respectfully ninety degrees in that direction, his expression lacking the joy he had just shown.

"Then, Diyuanxi, I wish you a successful debut." Lia smiled and put her sunglasses back on, ready to end the conversation. "Thank you, senior." He tactfully stepped aside and politely bowed slightly to her.

Lia nodded and walked quickly forward. "If—if there's a chance in the future, I hope to work with you!" Suddenly, a whisper came from behind her. The backstage was noisy, but for some reason, the words still reached her ears.

"Sure, if there's a chance." She turned and smiled at him. Zheng Diyuan watched the figure disappear into the distance, feeling both excited and slightly disappointed. He was finally one step closer to his dream.

Later...in the future they will always meet again.

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