102: From Chapter 102 onwards, follow President Song closely.

At Incheon Airport, Jang Se-hoon stood at the exit of the arrival hall, holding a sign in his hand and checking his watch from time to time.

Behind him were two black Mercedes-Benz vans parked, their windows covered with dark privacy film.

The sound of suitcase wheels rolling came from the arrival hall.

Jang Se-hoon looked up and saw five girls wearing masks, hats, and sunglasses, walking out accompanied by two staff members.

They walked very slowly with heavy steps, each dragging a large suitcase and carrying a backpack on their back.

Walking at the very front was Min Sunye.

She was wearing a grey hoodie and jeans, her long hair loose, and her sunglasses covered most of her face, but the exposed chin was shockingly thin.

She looked up at the sign in Jang Se-hoon's hand, paused for a moment, and then continued walking forward.

Following behind was Ahn Sohee; she was even thinner than Min Sunye, and the hoodie hung loosely on her body.

She kept her head down, her fingers tightly gripping the backpack straps.

Kim Yu-bin walked in the middle; although she was also wearing sunglasses, one could see obvious dark circles around her eyes.

She walked with her back straight, a muscle memory left from long-term training, but her whole being exuded an indescribable fatigue.

Park Yeeun walked behind Kim Yu-bin; she occasionally looked up at her surroundings, her eyes alert, like a startled deer.

Walking at the very back was the youngest, Woo Hyerim; she was only 19 years old and still had baby fat on her face, but at this moment, there was no sparkle in her eyes, just mechanically following the person in front.

"Min Sunye-xi, Ahn Sohee-xi, Kim Yu-bin-xi, Park Yeeun-xi, Woo Hyerim-xi, I am Jang Se-hoon, a manager at Sky Entertainment." Jang Se-hoon stepped forward and bowed slightly, "President Song sent me to pick you up."

Min Sunye stopped and took off her sunglasses.

Her eyes were large and beautiful, but at this moment, her eye sockets were deeply sunken, with heavy dark circles underneath.

She looked at Jang Se-hoon, trying hard to squeeze out a smile, but her mouth only twitched.

"Thank you, sorry for the trouble."

Her voice was hoarse, as if she hadn't spoken properly for a long time.

"The car is outside, please follow me." Jang Se-hoon turned to lead the way, saying as he walked, "President Song is waiting for you at a Korean beef restaurant. He said you must be hungry after the long-haul flight, so you'll have a meal first, and then I'll take you to the dormitory to rest."

Min Sunye paused: "Dormitory?"

"Yes, the company has prepared a dormitory for you in Cheongdam-dong, very close to the company." Jang Se-hoon said, "It's a detached Villa, with one room for each of the five of you, plus a guest room. An auntie has already been hired to clean it, and daily necessities have also been prepared."

Ahn Sohee looked up and asked in a low voice: "Is... is it shared living?"

"One room each." Jang Se-hoon emphasized, "You have your own space."

Kim Yu-bin glanced at Min Sunye but didn't speak.

Park Yeeun said softly: "Thank you..."

Arriving at the car, Jang Se-hoon opened the door. Just as Min Sunye was about to get in, she suddenly heard the sound of a shutter nearby.

She turned her head abruptly and saw a man wearing a baseball cap behind a pillar in the distance, holding up a camera.

Almost instinctively, Min Sunye immediately turned to block Ahn Sohee behind her, while lowering her hat brim.

Kim Yu-bin and Park Yeeun also immediately turned their backs to the camera, while Woo Hyerim was so scared she hid inside the car.

"Don't worry." Jang Se-hoon blocked them and signaled to the assistant behind him.

The assistant immediately walked towards the paparazzi, the two exchanged a few words, and the assistant took a stack of cash from his wallet and handed it over.

The paparazzi looked at the thickness of the cash, then looked over here, finally put away the camera, and turned to leave.

"I'm sorry, our arrangements were inadequate." Jang Se-hoon turned and bowed to Min Sunye, "President Song had instructed to use the special passage, but that passage is under maintenance tonight, so we had to use this way. However, please rest assured, that reporter won't write anything nonsense."

Min Sunye didn't speak, just nodded and bent down to get into the car.

Ahn Sohee followed behind her and whispered a "Thank you" to Jang Se-hoon before getting into the car.

After all five people were in the car, Jang Se-hoon closed the door and sat in the passenger seat.

The car started and drove out of the airport.

The car was very quiet, and no one spoke.

Min Sunye sat by the window, watching the rapidly receding night view of Seoul outside. It had been two years; she had left this city for two years.

When she left, she was the leader of South Korea's top girl group, carrying everyone's expectations to conquer the USA market. When she returned, she was a loser, exhausted physically and mentally, and still carrying a mountain of debt.

No, she didn't have any debt now.

That person had paid the bill for her.

Min Sunye remembered the text message on her phone, sent by Park Jin-young: "Sunye-ah, I'm sorry. Follow President Song well from now on; he will treat you well."

Would she be okay?

Min Sunye didn't know.

She only knew she was very tired, so tired she didn't even have the strength to cry.

"We're here."

The car stopped in front of a Korean beef restaurant. The storefront was not big, the sign said "Home", and a dim yellow lantern hung at the entrance.

Jang Se-hoon got out of the car and opened the door: "President Song is waiting for you inside."

Min Sunye took a deep breath and got out of the car.

The restaurant was very quiet; there were no customers at this time.

The owner was a woman in her fifties. Seeing them come in, she smiled and greeted them: "Are you President Song's guests? The private room is ready, this way please."

She led the five of them through the lobby to the private room at the very back.

Pushing open the door, a wave of heat hit their faces.

The private room was not big, with family photos hanging on the walls. A copper pot was placed on the table, and the soup in the pot was bubbling. The table was already filled with various side dishes, vegetables, and meat.

Song Tianhao was sitting in the main seat, using tongs to flip the meat on the grill. Hearing the door open, he looked up.

"You're here? Sit."

He said it very naturally, as if they were just friends who were a few minutes late.

Min Sunye stood at the door, somewhat at a loss.

She had imagined many meeting scenarios: signing contracts in a conference room, listening to lectures at the company, or even getting check-ups at a hospital.

But she never imagined it would be in a private room at a Korean beef restaurant, with the President grilling meat for them personally.

"Don't stand there, come in and sit." Song Tianhao put down the tongs and pointed to the opposite seat, "Sit wherever you like, there aren't that many rules here."

Ahn Sohee was the first to walk in and sat in the seat closest to the door. Kim Yu-bin and Park Yeeun looked at each other and also walked in to sit down. Woo Hyerim hesitated for a moment before sitting next to Ahn Sohee.

Only Min Sunye was still standing at the door.

"Min Sunye-xi," Song Tianhao looked at her, "Do I need to invite you?"

Min Sunye then snapped out of it, walked into the private room, and sat in the seat opposite Song Tianhao.

When she sat down, her movements were a bit stiff.

"Drink some soup first to warm your stomach." Song Tianhao ladled a bowl of hot soup and pushed it in front of Min Sunye, "Ginseng chicken soup, the owner stewed it for six hours."

The soup bowl was very hot, with steam rising from the edge of the bowl.

Min Sunye looked at the bowl of soup and suddenly remembered that two years ago, on the night before they left for the USA, Park Jin-young had also treated them to Korean beef.

At that time, he said: "Children, work hard when you go to the USA, and let the whole world see the power of our K-POP."

They believed it, fought for it, and then lost miserably.

"Thank you... President." Min Sunye reached out to pick up the soup bowl, but her fingers were trembling violently.

The bowl was slippery and very hot.

Her hand shook, the soup bowl tilted, and a few drops of hot soup spilled onto the table.

"I'm sorry." She said immediately, her voice very soft.

Song Tianhao didn't speak, just pulled out a tissue and wiped the table. Then he picked up the soup bowl again, ladled a spoonful with a spoon, blew on it, and held it out to Min Sunye.

"Drink."

Min Sunye was stunned.

"Open your mouth." Song Tianhao said again, his tone very calm but refusing any refusal.

Min Sunye looked at him, at the spoonful of soup in his hand, and at his calm eyes.

She slowly opened her mouth.

The warm soup flowed into her mouth, slid down her throat, and warmed her all the way to her stomach.

It was very hot, very fresh, with the sweetness of ginseng and red dates.

Min Sunye's tears fell without warning.

One drop, two drops, hitting the tabletop.

She hurriedly raised her hand to wipe her eyes, but the more she wiped, the more tears came.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, President, I..."

She couldn't continue, just covered her face, and her shoulders began to tremble.

Ahn Sohee immediately stood up, walked to Min Sunye's side, and hugged her gently.

"Unnie, cry if you want, it's okay." Ahn Sohee's voice also carried a crying tone, "You'll feel better after crying it out."

Kim Yu-bin lowered her head, her fingers tightly gripping the corner of her clothes. Park Yeeun turned around, her shoulders heaving. Woo Hyerim had already cried out loud, but immediately covered her mouth, not letting herself make a sound.

In the private room, only the bubbling sound of the hot pot and the suppressed sobbing remained.

Song Tianhao didn't speak, just put down the ladle, ladled four more bowls of soup, and pushed them in front of the other four.

Then he picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of grilled meat, and placed it on the plate in front of Min Sunye.

"The meat is grilled, eat it while it's hot."

Min Sunye looked up, her face covered in tear stains. She looked at Song Tianhao, at this new President she was meeting for the first time, and at his calm face.

"President..." She choked out, "We... we have disappointed you..."

"You haven't disappointed me." Song Tianhao said, and picked up another piece of meat for Ahn Sohee, "What disappointed me were those people who threw you into the USA and then ignored you."

Min Sunye's tears gushed out again.

This time she didn't wipe them, letting the tears stream down.

"Eat first." Song Tianhao said, "Only when you are full will you have the strength to cry."

A strange logic, but Min Sunye understood.

She picked up her chopsticks, picked up that piece of meat, and put it in her mouth.

The meat was fragrant, grilled just right, and the fat melted in her mouth.

She chewed, swallowed, and then picked up another piece.

Ahn Sohee also sat back in her seat and started eating. Kim Yu-bin picked up her chopsticks, Park Yeeun also picked up her chopsticks, and Woo Hyerim wiped her tears and picked up her soup bowl too.

The five of them, no one spoke, just ate quietly.

Song Tianhao didn't speak either, just kept grilling meat, picking up meat, and refilling whoever's plate was empty.

The table gradually piled up with empty plates.

The owner brought in two more plates of meat. Seeing this scene, she didn't say anything, put down the plates and left, gently closing the door.

After eating for about half an hour, Min Sunye put down her chopsticks.

"I'm full."

"Eat a little more." Song Tianhao said, "You are too thin."

Min Sunye shook her head: "I'm really full."

Song Tianhao didn't force her, and looked at the others: "How about you?"

"I'm full too." Ahn Sohee said.

"Full." Kim Yu-bin said.

Park Yeeun and Woo Hyerim also nodded.

Song Tianhao then put down the tongs, wiped his hands, and looked at the five of them.

"Now that you're full, let's talk about business."

The five of them immediately sat up straight.

"First of all, welcome to Sky Entertainment." Song Tianhao said, "You should have seen the contract; if you have any questions, you can ask now."

Min Sunye hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "President, the profit sharing ratio..."

"Fifty-fifty split, a real fifty-fifty." Song Tianhao said, "The company takes no commission, deducts no management fees; all income is split fifty-fifty after tax. In addition, the unpaid wages from the time in the USA will be transferred to your accounts by the finance department within three days. 20 million won for each person, as compensation."

Ahn Sohee's eyes widened: "T-twenty million?"

"Is it too little?" Song Tianhao asked.

"No, it's not..." Ahn Sohee hurriedly waved her hands. "It's too much. In the USA, we only got..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Song Tianhao understood.

"That was JYP's rule, not mine," Song Tianhao said. "At Sky Entertainment, artists aren't commodities; they are partners. When you make money, the company makes money. When you are doing well, the company does well. It's a simple principle, but many people don't understand it."

Min Sunye lowered her head, her fingers twisting together under the table.

"Second," Song Tianhao continued, "starting tomorrow, you are all on vacation. Not for a day or two, but for a month."

The five of them looked up simultaneously, staring at him in shock.

"President, we..." Kim Yu-bin wanted to say something.

"Hear me out," Song Tianhao raised his hand to stop her. "During this month, there are three things you need to do. First, a comprehensive medical examination, including physical check-ups and psychological evaluations. The company will cover all costs; go to the best hospitals and see the best doctors."

"Second, recuperate. The Villa is ready. For those who want to go home and visit their families, the company will arrange transportation and reimburse travel expenses. For those who want to rest in Seoul, the Villa has a housekeeper to cook, a gym, and a media room for you to use as you please. Third, think about your future path."

"Think about our future path?" Park Yeeun asked softly.

"Yes, think about your future path," Song Tianhao looked at them. "Think clearly about whether you still want to be idols. If you do, why? If you don't, what do you want to do later? This month, you don't need to practice, work, or worry about any schedules. Just eat well, sleep well, and think."

He paused and added, "After a month, give me your answer. If you still want to continue, we will start over. If not, the company will arrange for your contract termination and help you plan your future. Studying, opening a shop, moving behind the scenes—all are fine. Breach of contract fees? None. You are free agents; you can leave at any time."

The private room was silent.

Only the hot pot was still bubbling.

Min Sunye's hands twisted tighter under the table, her fingernails digging into her palms.

"President," she looked up, her eyes still red, but her gaze was firm. "Can we... can we still continue?"

"Why wouldn't you be able to?" Song Tianhao countered.

"We failed... in the USA," Min Sunye said. "Everyone knows Wonder Girls failed in the USA. We lost the South Korea market and didn't capture the USA market either. Now that we're back, the fans won't forgive us..."

"Who needs their forgiveness?" Song Tianhao interrupted her.

Min Sunye was stunned.

"What did you do wrong that requires forgiveness?" Song Tianhao asked. "Did you want to go to the USA? Did you decide to only take two thousand dollars a month for living expenses? Did you cause that movie to lose eight million dollars?"

He asked one by one, his voice calm, but every word was like a hammer, striking at the hearts of the five women.

"None of it," Song Tianhao answered his own questions. "It was JYP's poor decision-making, the company's mismanagement, and the ambition of those people in the company that hurt you. What did you do wrong? You were just obedient, hardworking, and tried your best to do a good job. Does that need forgiveness?"

Min Sunye's tears welled up again.

"But... but we really did fail..."

"So what if you failed?" Song Tianhao said. "Who said people can't fail? Who said idols must always succeed? You are humans, not gods. People get tired, make mistakes, and fail. It's completely normal."

He leaned forward, hands crossed on the table, looking at the five of them.

"Listen, here, failure isn't scary; giving up is. You held on in the USA for two years, didn't run away, didn't cause trouble, didn't commit suicide—that is already remarkable."

"Now that you're back, have eaten well, slept well, and thought things through, if you still want to continue, we will continue. If you don't, we'll take a different path. It's that simple."

"But no matter which path you choose," Song Tianhao paused, his voice lowering, "it must be your own choice, not forced by anyone else. Do you understand?"

Min Sunye looked at him for a long time.

Then she stood up and bowed deeply.

"President, thank you."

The other four immediately stood up and bowed as well.

"Thank you, President."

Song Tianhao waved his hand. "Sit down, I'm not finished yet."

The five of them sat down.

"Third," Song Tianhao said, "during this month, the company will handle all negative news for you. The matters in the USA will not appear in any South Korean media. If anyone asks, just say you went to the USA for two years of advanced training and have now returned with new skills. Do you understand?"

"Understood," the five said in unison.

"Good, now eat." Song Tianhao picked up the tongs again. "The meat is cold, I'll grill some more."

"President, let me do it," Min Sunye said.

"You sit," Song Tianhao said. "Today I am the President, I will grill. In the future, you can grill it yourselves."

Min Sunye was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

Although her eyes were still red, she was truly smiling.

"Yes, President."

The meal continued for another half hour.

The five of them gradually relaxed, started talking quietly, and even laughed occasionally.

Song Tianhao didn't say much, just quietly grilled meat, served them, and watched them eat.

Toward the end, Woo Hyerim whispered, "President, can I have another serving of fried rice?"

"Of course." Song Tianhao pressed the bell to call the server.

The proprietress came in, saw the mostly empty plates on the table, and her eyes crinkled with a smile. "Oh my, you all ate so well. Fried rice, right? Coming right up!"

She looked at Song Tianhao and whispered, "President Song, there are a few people outside who look like reporters, wandering around the entrance..."

Song Tianhao pulled a check from his wallet and handed it to her. "Proprietress, this covers tonight's room fee and a hush fee. Today, you didn't see us; they are just ordinary customers."

The proprietress took the check, saw the number on it, her eyes widened, and then she immediately tucked it away, nodding like a bobblehead. "Yes, yes, yes, I understand, I understand! Tonight, you were the only table of guests, it was a company dinner, and everyone was just ordinary staff!"

"Thank you." Song Tianhao nodded.

The proprietress left and soon brought the fried rice.

Woo Hyerim ate with great relish, and the bowl of fried rice was soon empty.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to steal it from you," Ahn Sohee whispered.

"But it's really so delicious..." Woo Hyerim said, her mouth full. "In the two years I was in the USA, what I missed most was South Korean fried rice..."

Kim Yu-bin and Park Yeeun looked at each other and smiled.

After the meal, Song Tianhao paid the bill.

As the five of them left the private room, Min Sunye's chopsticks fell to the floor.

With a clatter, they snapped into two pieces.

She bent down to pick them up, but as her hand touched the chopsticks, she suddenly froze.

The broken chopsticks lay quietly on the floor, as if mocking something.

Song Tianhao bent down, picked up the broken chopsticks, and threw them into the trash can.

"Out with the old, in with the new," he said. "Let's go."

Walking out of the Korean beef restaurant, the car was already waiting at the entrance.

The five got in the car, Song Tianhao sat in the passenger seat, and Jang Se-hoon drove.

The car drove toward Cheongdam-dong.

On the way, no one spoke.

Min Sunye sat by the window, watching the night scenery outside, pretending to sleep. But her eyelids were trembling, her eyelashes quivering.

Ahn Sohee sat next to her, keeping her head down, her fingers unconsciously picking at her backpack strap.

As they approached the Villa, Ahn Sohee suddenly raised her head and looked at Song Tianhao in the front seat.

"President," she asked softly, "will you be like JYP... use us up and then throw us away?"

The car went silent instantly.

Even Min Sunye, who was pretending to sleep, opened her eyes.

Song Tianhao looked at Ahn Sohee through the rearview mirror.

The girl's eyes were large and bright, but at this moment, they were filled with wariness, anxiety, and a trace of imperceptible expectation.

"My way of 'using' is different," Song Tianhao said. "When I am done 'using' you well, I will return you to yourselves."

Ahn Sohee was stunned.

"What does that mean?"

"It means," Song Tianhao turned his head back, looking at the Villa approaching in front, "I will make you better, and then let you decide how to use that 'goodness' yourselves. Whether you continue being idols or do something else, you choose."

"But no matter what you choose, that 'goodness' is yours, and no one can take it away."

The car stopped at the entrance of the Villa.

Song Tianhao got out and opened the car door.

"We're here, your home."

The five of them got out and looked at the three-story building in front of them.

The building was lit with warm yellow lights, five pairs of brand-new slippers were placed at the entrance, and a bouquet of fresh flowers was on the shoe cabinet.

Beside the flowers was a card.

Min Sunye picked up the card, and a line was written on it:

"Welcome home. Rest well. Song Tianhao"

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Then she turned around and bowed deeply to Song Tianhao.

"President, thank you. Really... thank you."

The other four bowed as well.

"Go on in," Song Tianhao said. "The passcode is your debut date. Change it after you go in."

Min Sunye nodded, walked to the door, and entered the passcode—it was Wonder Girls' debut date.

The door opened.

Warm yellow light spilled out from the house, shining on the faces of the five people.

Min Sunye was the first to walk in.

Then she stood at the doorway, not moving.

"Unnie?" Ahn Sohee whispered to her.

Min Sunye didn't answer, but her shoulders began to tremble.

She raised her hand to cover her face and squatted down.

This time, she didn't suppress it, didn't restrain it, but burst into tears.

She cried heartbreakingly, like a child.

Ahn Sohee walked over, squatted down, and hugged her. Kim Yu-bin also walked over, Park Yeeun walked over, and Woo Hyerim walked over.

The five of them hugged each other and cried in a pile at the doorway.

Song Tianhao stood outside the door, watching quietly.

Jang Se-hoon asked in a low voice, "President, should we go in?"

"No need," Song Tianhao turned around. "Let them cry. Once they've finished crying, they'll be better."

He walked toward the car and opened the door.

Before getting into the car, he looked back once.

The Villa's lights were warm, and the sound of crying was loud.

But this time, it was the sound of crying coming home.

The car started and drove away from Cheongdam-dong.

Song Tianhao took out his phone and sent a message.

"Tomorrow morning at nine, take them to Seoul National University Hospital for a full medical check-up. Pay special attention to Min Sunye's psychological state."

The other party replied quickly, "Yes, President."

Song Tianhao put away his phone and looked out the window.

The night was deep, but dawn was approaching.

And in the Villa, the five of them cried for a long time until they were finally exhausted.

Min Sunye was the first to stand up, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile.

"Okay, no more crying. We're home."

"Yeah, we're home," Ahn Sohee nodded.

The five of them walked into the house and closed the door.

The moment the door closed, the clock on the wall pointed to four in the morning.