In the lounge after the recording session, Zhang Yixing handed him a red bag and said, "Pray for it at the temple when you return to China. I hope it will keep you safe."
Ouyangguang opened it and saw that it was a red amulet.
"Thank you, brother." He clenched the amulet, his throat tight.
Next up is a performance of "Growl" on Mnet M!CountDown. This song is the title song from their first full-length album "XOXO" and the follow-up album "Growl." A teaser video was released on July 26th, the official music video on July 31st, and the song will be released on August 5th. Promotions will begin on August 1st.
M!Countdown backstage.
His stage makeup for "Growl" was even heavier than usual—eyeliner stretched to the ends of his eyes, and hairsprayed bangs into a slightly upturned curve. The costume designer was adjusting the elastic on his leather belt. The sleeves of his dark blue shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and he wore armbands on his forearms.
"We'll go straight to filming after the promotion today," the agent said, checking the schedule. "We're already ready on the other side."
As the music started, Ouyangguang accurately positioned himself in the spot. This song, which will soon become a hit across Korea, is mainly a light dance music style. The addictive rhythm of the song is matched with the cool hip-hop dance style. Every move is etched into muscle memory.
When he tugged at his shirt collar with one hand and sang, "Everyone should evacuate within her range, otherwise I will lose my temper slowly," the screams of the fans in the audience almost drowned out the music.
After the performance, the members suddenly pushed Ouyang Yang backstage. Park Chanyeol conjured a small cake from nowhere, Baekhyun improvised a Sunday song, and Kim Jong-in danced to imitate a candle being blown out.
The thirteen people laughed together, and the cake cream was smeared everywhere.
"Kids, your performance today was amazing." Manager Lee Seung-hwan said with a smile, "Now we have to hurry to the filming location of 'We Got Married'. Ji-won is already waiting."
Ouyangguang nodded, took the towel, and wiped his face, his heart beating even faster than during a stage performance. It was his birthday, and the fans were cheering him on like crazy. His teammates had also showered him with gifts. He was looking forward to the next surprise from Kim Ji-won.
Ouyangguang got into the nanny car, and the night scene of Seoul flew by outside the window. His phone vibrated. It was a message from Jin Zhiyuan:
"Ah Guang, the filming location is at an open-air restaurant at the seaside pier. Remember to bring a jacket, the sea breeze can be a bit chilly at night."
The corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, and he quickly replied:
"Got it, Nuna."
His fingers paused on the keyboard and he added:
"See you later."
The nanny car drove along the coastal road, and the sunset outside the window dyed the sea orange.
Ouyangguang leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knees. He was a little tired from the long day's work, but the thought of the upcoming shoot made his heart beat faster.
The car stopped by a coconut grove, and Ouyangguang followed the PD toward the open-air restaurant, illuminated by string lights. The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, caressed her cheeks, and the distant sound of the tide blended with the melodious piano music playing live.
The production crew's cameras had already been set up, but outside the lens, the staff tacitly retreated to a distance, leaving only a few soft string lights flickering in the night.
The restaurant was decorated in a warm and romantic way, with star lights wrapped around the railings and candlelight on the tables.
As soon as Ouyangguang walked down the stairs, he saw Jin Zhiyuan standing at the intersection of the beach and the wooden boardwalk. She was wearing a light blue dress, her hair slightly lifted by the sea breeze, and the hem of her skirt fluttered gently.
Kim Ji-won stood with her hands behind her back, wearing the pearl necklace he had given her the previous day, and the earrings he had given her on May 20. As soon as she saw him, her eyes lit up immediately, and a smile spread across her lips.
"Happy Birthday!" Seeing Ouyang Guang coming over, she suddenly produced a large bouquet of red roses from behind her back, her eyes curved into crescents, "Ouyang Guangxi."
Ouyang Guang was stunned. The rose was wrapped in blue snow pear paper, and the ribbon had "To My Adult" printed in golden handwriting.
When I took the bouquet, my fingertips accidentally touched the back of her hand, which felt slightly cold, and my heartbeat instantly accelerated.
"Thank you," Ouyang Guang lowered his head and sniffed. The fragrance of roses mixed with the sea breeze penetrated his nostrils, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised. "But why eighteen flowers?"
Kim Ji-won tilted her head and said, "Chinese algorithm, today is your 18th birthday ceremony." She said the three words "coming of age ceremony" in Chinese, her pronunciation a little awkward but very serious.
The restaurant was booked out by the production crew, and warm wall lamps lit the corners. They were given the best spot on the terrace, facing the waves.
"I ordered steak," Kim Ji-won said, holding up the menu to cover her face, leaving only her eyes exposed. "I wonder if it suits your taste."
Seeing her nervous expression, Ouyangguang couldn't help but tease her: "Noona, we've been filming the show for so long, and you still don't know what I like to eat?"
"Who, who said they don't know!" Kim Ji-won immediately put down the menu, her ears red. "Medium-rare, with black pepper sauce and grilled mushrooms, right?"
The waiter arrived just in time, interrupting Ouyang's teasing. The steak was indeed cooked just the way he liked it, and it came with garlic bread on the side, a pairing he'd casually mentioned on the show before.
The two of them enjoyed steak under candlelight, and Kim Ji-won would look up at him from time to time, her eyes filled with expectation. Ouyang Guang felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, lowering his head to chew the steak, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
"You seemed particularly happy that day?" he asked tentatively.
"Because it's your birthday." She held her chin, her eyes curved into crescents, "Besides, I've prepared a surprise."
Jin Zhiyuan suddenly stood up and covered Ouyang Guang's eyes with her hands: "Don't peek!"
Her palms were warm and soft, with a faint scent of hand cream. Ouyang Guang closed his eyes obediently, hearing the rustle of the restaurant's wheels, followed by the subtle click of a candle being lit.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now."
Ouyangguang slowly opened his eyes—
An exquisite cherry cream cake was placed on the dining cart. In the flickering candlelight, the words "Happy 18th Birthday!" were clearly visible inscribed in chocolate.
"Make a wish quickly!" Kim Ji-won urged, clasping her hands together and looking at him expectantly.
He smiled and closed his eyes, silently made a wish in his heart, then opened his eyes and blew out the candle.
"What did you wish for?" she asked curiously.
"I can't tell you. It won't work if I tell you." He shook his head mysteriously.
Jin Zhiyuan curled her lips, but still smiled and took out a beautifully wrapped box from her bag and handed it to him: "The second gift for your coming-of-age ceremony."
Ouyangguang took the box and opened it carefully. Inside was a bottle of perfume with a simple and elegant bottle.
"This is..." He opened the bottle cap and sniffed it gently. The top note was fresh bergamot, the middle note had a hint of cedar, and the base note was warm woody musk with a hint of rose.
"Do you like it?" Kim Ji-won asked nervously.
"Very nice." He looked up at her with gentle eyes, "How did you know I liked this taste?"
She blushed slightly and lowered her head to stir the drink in front of her: "Because... every time I get close to you, you smell like water, very clean and comfortable."
Ouyang Guang's heart skipped a beat.
After finishing the cake, Kim Ji-won suddenly said, "Ouyangguang, close your eyes."
He looked at her doubtfully, but still closed his eyes obediently.
A few seconds later, he heard her voice, and it was in Chinese, but it was not next to his ear, but coming from a little further away.
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