Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Everyone around her noticed something was wrong with Lia. Despite maintaining her intense training, she often lost focus during breaks. Perhaps this was something every trainee went through before debuting.

She constantly doubted herself, unable to grasp the present or see the future. Everyone was rushing forward with all their might, unable to spare the energy to care for others. * The days passed by amidst her turmoil.

As the New Year was approaching, Sister Baoheng suddenly informed the trainees to go to a restaurant in Itaewon on Saturday night to attend the company's New Year dinner.

This was Lia's first New Year in Korea, and since the company was having a New Year's party, the debut artists would likely be there as well. The thought of potentially meeting Kwon Ji-yong at the party and counting down the New Year with him lifted her spirits.

After receiving the news, she returned to the dormitory and carefully searched her wardrobe, only to find that she had not bought a single decent piece of clothing in almost a year since coming to Korea.

Every day she either wears school uniform to go to school, or wears the sportswear issued by the company to practice. On weekends, when she occasionally goes out, she just puts on some old clothes brought from home... She hasn't dressed up properly for a long time.

Lia decided to meet up with everyone in her dorm who was free to go shopping for New Year's clothes. It turned out that Chaerin was the only one free that day. So, the two of them walked arm in arm through Dongdaemun.

Lia chose a black knitted top and a tweed skirt. It was her typical style: simple and classic. Cailin didn't quite agree with Lia's taste.

She chose a bright red cape and paired it with brown Doc Marten boots. Looking in the mirror again and again, both of them were very satisfied with their choices. * On the day of the New Year's dinner, the trainees in the dormitory were all excited.

Everyone got up early and compared makeup looks with each other. Bao En took some time to put makeup on Lia as well. When she stood in front of the mirror, the girls in the dormitory couldn't help but let out a small gasp.

Compared to when I first came to Korea, the person in the mirror has gradually lost her youthful immaturity. When those calm eyes look at you, you can't help but be attracted to her.

A few of them chatted, laughed, and played around, all looking forward to this long-awaited group activity. By the time the company bus dropped off the trainees at the restaurant, it was already dark.

The senior artists hadn't arrived yet, so the trainees were segregated into two separate tables in the corner. Everyone, separated by gender, chattered about which senior they were most looking forward to seeing.

The girls were generally divided into two camps, with most people liking Seven. Ever since YG and JYP Entertainment released their first solo male artists, there seemed to be a subtle rivalry between the two companies.

The trainees also noticed this situation, so even if they previously liked Rainn from JYP, they all tacitly became fans of Seven.

Others favored Bigbang. Though they'd just debuted, their members were incredibly talented, and with the added bonus of being from the same company, the trainees all agreed they were handsome. Lia didn't participate in the discussion.

She took out a small mirror to check her makeup and couldn't help but look up at the door. Thinking about meeting Quan Zhilong soon, she felt her heart beating rapidly, about to jump out of her throat. There was a small commotion at the restaurant door.

Soon, Bigbang and several managers walked in. Although the five members had debuted, they were still relatively new, so they arrived early and entered the restaurant almost right after the trainees.

Lia spotted Kwon Ji-yong standing behind them. He was wearing a simple white shirt and seemed to have just finished a presentation. He had light makeup on and looked cheerful, his head tilted to the side as he chatted with the members next to him.

As if noticing Lia's gaze, he suddenly looked over. A small exclamation came from the trainees' table. Quan Zhilong smiled and waved at everyone, revealing his pointed fangs.

Several other members of Big Bang also greeted the trainees. When no one was paying attention, Kwon Ji-yong quickly winked at Lia. Lia smiled back at him, and her mood brightened a little.

Big Bang sat at a table near the trainees. Soon, YG artists and key staff arrived. President Yang Hyun-seok seemed in high spirits.

He seemed to have had several drinks before the food even started, and his face was already flushed when he stood up to give his speech. The company's supervisors and veteran artists sat around the main table, while the remaining artists and staff members were seated at other tables in a rather untidy mix.

Everyone drank and ate, and soon the gossip was passed around several times in the buzz of conversation. After a while, those who were still sitting began to move around and chat.

In a blink of an eye, Lia couldn't see Quan Zhilong anymore, and Bao En, who was sitting next to her, was nowhere to be found. She sighed softly.

She had always been lazy about socializing, even though this was a great opportunity to interact with people she wouldn't normally come into contact with. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to give up and got up to find the bathroom.

When she came out of the bathroom, the hallway was lit only by the dim wall lamp. She reached out to smooth her loose hair and prepared to go back, but as she turned the corner, she met a familiar figure.

Quan Zhilong leaned against the wall, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other holding his phone, casually flipping through something. Perhaps he heard the noise, he raised his head and his eyes fell on her. Lia paused slightly and nodded at him politely.

"Senior, what a coincidence," she said softly. No wonder he disappeared in the blink of an eye; he had secretly hidden here to get some fresh air. Quan Zhilong straightened up lazily, not seeming surprised to see her here.

He had a nonchalant smile on his face and pointed at her skirt: "You look very beautiful today." Lia was a little embarrassed: "Maybe it's because Boen-unnie put on makeup for me."

Quan Zhilong was amused by her words, "I mean, I rarely see you dressed like this." He said it casually, but it was inexplicably convincing, making people feel that he really thought so.

Lia thought for a moment and praised, "Senior looks very handsome today, too." "Well... maybe it's because Jieun-unnie put on makeup for me!" Kwon Ji-yong held his face and replied, imitating Lia's expression. Lia burst out laughing.

His imitation was so lifelike that the awkward atmosphere was instantly broken. The two of them stared at each other briefly, and Quan Zhilong seemed to suddenly remember something. He raised his phone, shook the screen at her, and asked, "What's your number?"

Lia was stunned. She hadn't expected him to ask for his contact information. "Including today, this is our third meeting. We can get closer than just seniors and juniors, right?" he said with a smile.

He didn't seem to be showing any particular emotion, just casually waiting for her to enter the number. After thinking about it, she took his phone and entered her number into the address book. Her heart was far from as calm as she appeared on the surface.

If I put a stethoscope on her chest right now, I'd definitely hear the little person inside her screaming with excitement. Quan Zhilong glanced down and saved the phone number. "Go home. I'll make another call." He smiled and waved at Lia.

This person seemed to have a natural affinity, and could easily gain others' favor as long as he wanted. Lia returned to her seat feeling a little dizzy.

It wasn't until she returned to the dormitory that night that she realized that she had left her phone number, but Quan Zhilong hadn't told her his number! How could this be considered an exchange of numbers?

Of course, Lia didn't get to countdown to the New Year with Kwon Ji-yong that night. Apparently, they had other plans to keep up, and soon after dinner, the Bigbang members got into the car and left.

The remaining artists followed Lia to the second event, while the trainees were sent back to the dormitory early. On the way back, Bao Heng sat next to Lia.

The lights inside the car were dim, and the occasional flicker of neon lights outside the window blurred the reflections on the car window, blurring them into a patchwork of colorful light. Lia thought this seemed like a good time.

She couldn't find a solution to her worries about her future plans. Sister Bao Heng had always been responsible for taking care of the trainees' training and daily life, and Lia had a natural dependence on her.

Lia gently tugged at Sister Baoheng's sleeve, and she looked at her with some confusion. "Sister Baoheng, do you think I'm...suitable to be an idol?" Li Baoheng was silent for a moment and didn't answer immediately.

She'd actually been aware of Lia's situation for a while, so she wasn't surprised by this question. This girl is incredibly talented. Otherwise, YG wouldn't have brought her all the way from overseas. She has good looks and is also very smart.

Although she had only been practicing for a short time, in some aspects she was already able to catch up with children who had been practicing for three or four years. But she just didn't seem to have any ambition.

The criteria for selecting artists have never been just appearance and ability; having a strong desire to be seen is equally important.

Only this kind of ambition and desire can support them to resist the rumors and pressure from all sides after becoming famous, and can also drive them to create the next peak.

But Lia, she is like a very smart bird, with enough wings to fly, but not sure whether she wants to fly into the sky.

Li Baoheng thought for a moment and said softly, "You've only been practicing for less than a year. There's no need to make such a hasty judgment."

"I will communicate with the company soon and adjust your courses slightly to give you more time to learn music production." Lia listened quietly without saying a word.

Bao Heng looked at her, sighed softly, and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Practice for a while and see, maybe you will have a clearer idea?"

"At least for now, don't give up on basic physical fitness, vocal music, and dance classes, okay?" Lia's eyes suddenly became warm.

She knew how precious it was to have someone willing to leave a way out for her in this fiercely competitive trainee environment. She nodded vigorously.

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