110: Chapter 110 Can I have a reward?

Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium, 7:40 PM.

Backstage was in chaos; makeup artists were touching up makeup, stylists were organizing costumes, managers were confirming traffic patterns, the PD was going over the flow, and backup dancers were doing final warm-ups.

The air was filled with a mixed scent of hairspray, perfume, and sweat, along with an omnipresent tension.

There were twenty minutes left until the concert started.

In the T-ara waiting room, the six of them were already ready. Park Hyomin was checking her eyeliner in the mirror, Lee Qri was adjusting her headset, Park So-yeon was warming up her voice, Ham Eunjung was repeatedly checking her positioning, and Jeon Boram was drinking water.

Park Ji-yeon was... secretly eating chocolate, only to be discovered by Ham Eunjung, who gently tapped the back of her hand.

"Ji-yeon, you can't eat sweets before going on stage, it will make your throat sticky."

"Just a small piece..." Park Ji-yeon pouted, but still obediently handed over the chocolate.

Ham Eunjung put the chocolate away and looked at the other members: "Are you all ready? The President said that tonight is our first group appearance as Sky Entertainment, and we cannot have any mistakes."

"We are ready." The five of them answered in unison, their voices filled with excitement and tension.

In the neighboring Girls Generation waiting room, the atmosphere was a bit livelier. The nine of them were divided into several groups: Kim Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, and Tiffany Hwang were praying in the corner; Sunny, Kim Hyoyeon, and Kwon Yuri were doing stretches; and Choi Sooyoung, Im Yoona, and Seohyun were checking each other's costumes.

"Taeyeon, do you think Min Sunye unnie is really okay?" Im Yoona asked in a low voice, "I heard she cried in the practice room again this afternoon."

Kim Taeyeon was silent for a moment, then shook her head: "The President said she is okay, so she must be. We must trust the President, and we must also trust Min Sunye unnie."

"But..." Im Yoona wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Jessica Jung.

"Yoona, stop talking." Jessica Jung's voice was calm, but carried an unquestionable firmness, "Now is not the time for this. Doing our own part is the greatest support we can give Min Sunye unnie."

"Mhm." Im Yoona nodded and stopped speaking.

At the end of the hallway was the Wonder Girls waiting room.

The atmosphere was so suffocating that it made it hard to breathe.

Ahn Sohee was sitting on the sofa, clutching her skirt tightly, her eyes fixed on the bathroom door. That door had been closed for ten minutes, and there wasn't a sound from inside.

"Unnie..." she whispered, "Min Sunye unnie, are you okay?"

There was no response.

Ahn Sohee stood up, walked to the door, and knocked gently: "Unnie? It's time for touch-ups, the show starts in fifteen minutes."

Still no sound.

Ahn Sohee's heart sank little by little. She remembered that night at the dinner, what Min Sunye had said to Song Tianhao at the restaurant entrance, the tears in her eyes, and the way Song Tianhao had wiped away her tears.

At that time, she thought her unnie was already fine, that she was already okay.

But now...

"Unnie!" She knocked hard on the door, her voice trembling, "Can you please open the door? Whatever is wrong, let's come out and talk about it, Unnie!"

A soft sob came from inside the door.

Ahn Sohee's tears fell instantly. She turned to find the manager, but thinking that the manager must be busy with the opening, she stopped.

She took out her phone, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through her contacts, wanting to call someone, but who could she call?

The unnies from T-ara? The unnies from Girls Generation? Or...

Her finger stopped on the two characters for "President".

Before she could think it through, footsteps came from behind her. She turned around and saw Song Tianhao walking over with Jang Se-hoon and two bodyguards.

Song Tianhao was wearing a simple black shirt and trousers, no tie, sleeves rolled up to his elbows; his expression was very calm, but his eyes were very heavy.

"President!" Ahn Sohee, as if grabbing a lifeline, rushed over, her voice choked with sobs, "Min Sunye unnie... she's inside, I called her but she won't open the door, there isn't a sound inside, I'm scared..."

Song Tianhao raised his hand, signaling her to be quiet. He walked to the bathroom door and listened.

There was indeed no sound inside, not even the sobbing; it was eerily quiet.

"Min Sunye." Song Tianhao spoke, his voice not loud, but very clear, "Open the door."

There was no response.

Song Tianhao frowned and knocked on the door again: "I'll count to three. If you don't open it, I'm going to kick it in."

"One!"

"Two—!"

A soft "click" came from inside the door; it was the sound of the door being locked from the inside.

Song Tianhao's gaze turned cold instantly.

He didn't count to three; he simply took a step back, lifted his foot, and kicked at the position of the lock.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open.

The door panel hit the wall and bounced back. Song Tianhao reached out, pushed the door open, and walked in.

The bathroom wasn't large, only five or six square meters, with pale, sickly lighting. Min Sunye was huddled in the corner, her back against the wall, sitting on the floor with her hands hugging her knees and her head buried very low.

Her stage costume was a white dress, now wrinkled and wrapped around her; her hair was messy, and part of her makeup on her face was ruined, with tears mixed with eyeliner leaving black traces on her face.

She was clutching a small medicine bottle in her hand, the cap already open, and a few white pills scattered on the floor.

Seeing Song Tianhao enter, she looked up abruptly, her eyes red and swollen, her gaze unfocused, like a frightened rabbit. She wanted to hide the medicine bottle, but her hands were shaking too violently, and the bottle dropped to the floor, rolling to Song Tianhao's feet.

Song Tianhao bent down, picked up the medicine bottle, and glanced at the label.

Tranquilizer.

He looked up at Min Sunye, his voice as cold as ice: "What is this?"

Min Sunye's lips were trembling; she wanted to speak, but couldn't make a sound, only shaking her head incessantly as large tears fell.

"Speak." Song Tianhao took a step forward, squatted down, and looked her in the eye, "What is this?"

"It's... it's a tranquilizer..." Min Sunye finally made a sound, her voice extremely hoarse, "I... if I don't take it... I can't go on stage... I'll shake, I'll vomit, I'll faint... President, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

She cried as she spoke, trembling all over, curling into a ball as if trying to hide herself.

Song Tianhao watched her for a few seconds, then reached out and pulled her up from the floor. The movement was not gentle, even a bit rough. Min Sunye staggered from his pull and almost fell, but Song Tianhao didn't steady her; he just let go and looked at her.

"Who gave you this medicine?"

"I... I bought it myself..." Min Sunye didn't dare to look at him, keeping her head down, her voice getting smaller and smaller.

"Bought it yourself?" Song Tianhao sneered, holding the medicine bottle up in front of her, "The production batch number on this bottle is from three years ago, and the label is forged. Do you know what this is?"

Min Sunye was stunned; she looked up at him, her eyes full of bewilderment.

"This is drugs." Song Tianhao said, enunciating every word, "After taking it, you certainly won't be nervous, won't shake, won't vomit. But you will get addicted, you will ruin your voice, you will ruin your body, you will ruin everything you have. You thought this was a tranquilizer? This is poison."

Min Sunye's face turned deathly pale in an instant. She looked at the medicine bottle as if looking at something terrifying, recoiling violently until her back hit the wall with a dull thud.

"No... that's impossible, that doctor said this was a special medicine..."

"Which doctor?" Song Tianhao pressed a step closer, "Who gave it to you? Name, location, time."

Min Sunye's lips trembled, and tears fell again: "It was... three days ago, someone was waiting at the company entrance, said he was a psychologist and could help me. He said this medicine was very safe, just take one before going on stage and I wouldn't be nervous, I... I believed him..."

Song Tianhao closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with suppressed anger.

"Jang Se-hoon." He spoke, his voice very calm, but terrifyingly so.

"Yes, President." Jang Se-hoon stood at the doorway, his expression also very ugly.

"Investigate." Song Tianhao said, "Three days ago, company entrance, all surveillance. And this medicine bottle, take it for testing. I want to know who, when, and how they got the medicine into her hands."

"Understood." Jang Se-hoon took the medicine bottle and turned to leave.

Song Tianhao looked at the two bodyguards again: "Guard the door, don't let anyone near. Especially reporters; if you see anyone suspicious, detain them directly."

"Yes." The bodyguards replied and stepped outside, closing the door.

Only Song Tianhao and Min Sunye were left in the bathroom.

In the distance, the prelude to the opening music could be heard, and the deafening cheers were faintly audible. The concert had begun.

Min Sunye's body began to shake again; she looked at Song Tianhao, her eyes full of fear and despair.

"President, I... I can't go on stage. I'm sorry, I ruined it..."

"You didn't." Song Tianhao interrupted her, reached out to grab her wrist, and pulled her to the mirror, "Look."

Min Sunye was forced to look at the mirror. The person in the mirror had a deathly pale face, red and swollen eyes, ruined makeup, messy hair, and looked absolutely miserable.

"Who is this?" Song Tianhao asked.

Min Sunye didn't speak, only cried.

"I asked you, who is this?" Song Tianhao's voice rose a little.

"It's... it's me..."

"Wrong." Song Tianhao said, "This is the Min Sunye who was defeated by fear. But what I want is the Min Sunye who can stand on stage and stomp fear under her feet."

He let go of her hand, walked to the sink, turned on the faucet, caught a handful of cold water, turned around, and splashed it directly onto Min Sunye's face.

"Ah!" Min Sunye shrieked from the cold, instinctively closing her eyes.

The cold water ran down her face, washing away her makeup. Her eyelashes were trembling, and the water droplets on her face shimmered under the lights.

"Open your eyes." Song Tianhao said.

Min Sunye opened her eyes and looked into the mirror.

The person in the mirror was still a mess, but her eyes were very bright.

"Listen," Song Tianhao stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders, looking at her in the mirror, "I don't need you to be perfect, I don't need you to not be nervous, I don't need you to not be afraid. I only need you to stand on stage, finish the dance you want to dance, and sing the song you want to sing. If you dance wrong, it's fine; if you crack a note, it's fine; if you mess up, it's fine. But you must stand on stage, you must dance, you must sing. Understand?"

Min Sunye's tears fell again, but this time, she nodded hard.

"Understand."

"Very good." Song Tianhao let go, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and handed it to her, "Wipe yourself clean, touch up your makeup, change your clothes. There are ten minutes left, is that enough?"

"Enough." Min Sunye took the handkerchief and wiped her face hard, her movements urgent and forceful, as if trying to wipe something away.

Song Tianhao turned and walked out of the bathroom, closing the door.

Outside the door, Ahn Sohee was still standing there, her eyes red. Seeing him come out, she hurriedly asked: "President, Min Sunye unnie, she..."

"She's fine." Song Tianhao said, "You go in and help her with her makeup and changing clothes. Remember, don't ask anything, don't say anything, just act as if nothing happened."

"Yes." Ahn Sohee nodded hard and pushed the door open to enter.

Song Tianhao stood in the hallway, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled. The smoke spiraled up in the pale light, blurring his expression.

Jang Se-hoon walked back quickly, his face gloomy.

"President, we found it. The surveillance from three days ago had a segment deleted, but the camera at the parking lot entrance caught a black sedan; the license plate was fake, but the model was a Mercedes S-Class. A man in a lab coat got out of the car, wearing a mask and hat, so his face couldn't be seen. He waited for ten minutes at the company entrance; Min Sunye came out, he handed her a bag, said a few words, and then left."

"A lab coat..." Song Tianhao sneered, "What a clumsy disguise."

"Also," Jang Se-hoon lowered his voice, "We just caught a reporter outside who was sneaking around trying to mix into the backstage area; he was held down by the bodyguards. He had a CJ Entertainment work badge hanging around his neck, and his camera was full of photos of the WG waiting room area."

"Where is the person?"

"Detained in the security office."

"Did you ask anything?"

"He's very stubborn, claiming he was there for an interview and refusing to admit to taking unauthorized photos. But his camera has over a dozen photos of Min Sunye entering and leaving the bathroom, the angles are very tricky, clearly meant to cause trouble."

Song Tianhao put out the cigarette and threw it in the trash can.

"Tell Attorney Lee to hand this person over to the police and sue him for illegal trespassing and unauthorized photography. As for CJ..." He paused, his voice turning cold, "After the concert ends, I will handle it personally."

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

"Yes," Jang Se-hoon nodded, then remembered something. "By the way, President, the doctor is here and waiting outside."

"Let him in."

A middle-aged man in a white coat walked in quickly carrying a medical kit. He was Sky Entertainment's contracted doctor, surnamed Kim, who was specifically in charge of the artists' health at the company.

"President."

"Give her an IV drip of nutrient solution, glucose and vitamins, intravenously. Be quick," Song Tianhao said. "She hasn't eaten anything today and had a crying fit. Her physical strength won't hold up."

"Understood," Dr. Kim nodded and walked into the waiting room.

Song Tianhao didn't follow her inside. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. In his ears were the sounds of music, cheering, and screaming coming from afar.

The concert had already started. The first to perform was Girls Generation, followed by T-ara, and finally Wonder Girls.

There was still time.

Ten minutes later, the restroom door opened.

Min Sunye walked out.

She had touched up her makeup, changed into a new stage outfit, and redone her hair, looking completely refreshed. Except for her slightly red eyes, there was almost no trace of her breakdown earlier.

She walked up to Song Tianhao and bowed deeply.

"President, I'm ready."

Song Tianhao looked at her for a few seconds and nodded. "Go."

Min Sunye straightened up and turned to walk toward the stage. Her back was straight, her steps steady, as she walked step by step toward the lights and cheers.

Ahn Sohee followed behind her. As she passed by Song Tianhao, she whispered, "President, Unnie was holding onto your handkerchief the entire time in the restroom."

Song Tianhao didn't say anything, only waving his hand.

Ahn Sohee bit her lip and quickly caught up with Min Sunye.

The two of them disappeared at the end of the hallway.

Jang Se-hoon walked over and said in a low voice, "President, Chairman Lee Jae-hyun's assistant from CJ called. He said he wants to talk to you about tonight's matter. His tone was very polite, as if he came to sue for peace."

"Sue for peace?" Song Tianhao smiled, a very cold smile. "Tell him there is nothing to talk about. Since he dared to touch my people, he must pay the price."

"But President, CJ is, after all..."

"Is what?" Song Tianhao turned to look at him, his gaze sharp. "A chaebol? A giant? So what? Since he dared to use drugs to ruin my people, I dare to use the law to ruin his company. Go tell Attorney Lee to prepare the lawsuit materials. Tomorrow morning, I want to see CJ Entertainment's stock price drop by ten percent."

"Yes." Jang Se-hoon took a deep breath and turned to make the call.

Song Tianhao stood where he was, listening to the music coming from afar. Girls Generation's "Gee" had already finished, and now it was T-ara's "Bo Peep Bo Peep". The rhythm was bright, the drumbeats strong, and the cheers from the audience almost blew the roof off.

Soon, it would be Wonder Girls' turn to take the stage.

He turned and walked toward the wings of the stage.

In the wings of the stage, Min Sunye stood in the shadows, looking at the stage.

T-ara's performance was drawing to a close. The six of them danced in perfect synchronization on stage. The lights flashed and the music was deafening. The fans below held up their support lightsticks, forming a pink ocean.

Ahn Sohee stood beside her, holding her hand tightly, and whispered, "Unnie, don't be afraid. We are all here."

Min Sunye didn't speak, only nodding. Her hand was trembling—very slightly, but it was indeed trembling.

Song Tianhao walked up behind her, reached out, and pressed her shoulder.

"Look into my eyes."

Min Sunye turned around and looked at him.

The stage lights shone from the side, casting half-light and half-shadow on his face. His eyes were like a bottomless pool, but there was a strange power within them that brought peace of mind.

"I will be below the stage," Song Tianhao said. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "After you go on stage, only look at me while you dance. Don't worry about the people below, the cheers, the lights, or the music. Just look at me, and dance only for me. Do you understand?"

Min Sunye's eyes turned red, but she nodded vigorously.

"I understand."

"Very well." Song Tianhao let go and gave her a gentle push. "Go."

The music on stage stopped. The members of T-ara bowed and left the stage, running down from the other side. Every one of them was drenched in sweat, but their eyes were bright and they had smiles on their faces. When they saw Min Sunye, they all gave her a thumbs-up.

"Sunye Unnie, fighting!"

"Unnie, you can do it!"

"We'll all be cheering for you from below!"

Min Sunye looked at them, and tears welled up again, but she forced them back, took a deep breath, turned around, and walked toward the center of the stage.

Ahn Sohee followed behind her.

The music started playing. It was the intro of "Nobody", but it was different from the original version.

The sound of the piano was gentle yet powerful, mixed with a very soft, tearful female voice. It was Min Sunye's own voice, the words she had said when she broke down in the practice room that day.

"I can't... I really can't... I want to throw up, I want to run away, I want to die..."

The fans below went quiet for a brief moment, and then erupted into even louder cheers.

Min Sunye stood in the center of the stage, the spotlight shining on her. She wore a white dress, her hair tied into a high ponytail, with light makeup on her face. Her eyes were very bright, so bright it was as if a fire was burning within them.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Then, she began to dance.

The first movement was crossing her arms and curling up her body, as if trying to hide herself. Then, she suddenly unfurled, arms raising, body spinning, toes pointing on the ground, as if trying to break free from something and fly.

Her movements were no longer gentle or tentative, but an explosion, a release, a confrontation. She was fighting against the crying voice in that recording, fighting against those fearful memories, and fighting against her once fragile self.

The sound of the piano gradually grew stronger and the rhythm quickened, but it remained gentle. Her dance steps also became faster and more powerful. Sweat dripped from her forehead, glistening under the lights. Her expression was highly focused, serious, and even slightly fierce, as if she were risking her life, as if she were fighting a battle.

During the chorus, the music reached its climax. The sound of her crying in the background gradually faded, as if swallowed by the melody and covered by the power.

Her dance steps also reached a climax—a spin, a leap, and a pose.

Deafening screams erupted from below the stage.

"Min Sunye! Min Sunye! Min Sunye!"

"Wonder Girls! Wonder Girls!"

Ahn Sohee danced backup behind her, her movements synchronized, but everyone's gaze was focused on Min Sunye. She was like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, burning and shining on the stage, so dazzling that people couldn't look away.

Song Tianhao stood in the wings, watching the stage.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

The music ended.

Min Sunye knelt on the stage, panting heavily. Sweat soaked her clothes, her hair clung to her face, and she looked as if she had just been fished out of the water. But she raised her head, looked toward a certain direction below the stage, and smiled.

She smiled so hard that tears came out.

Ahn Sohee ran over and hugged her. The two of them held each other, crying and laughing on stage.

Below the stage, the fans' cheers almost blew the roof off.

Song Tianhao turned around, left the wings, and walked toward the backstage area.

As he passed the waiting room, he heard cheers coming from inside. The members of T-ara and Girls Generation were crowded in front of the TV watching the live broadcast. Seeing Min Sunye's performance, everyone was shouting and jumping with excitement.

"Sunye Unnie is so cool!"

"Ugh, I'm going to cry..."

"The version the President rearranged is truly amazing..."

Song Tianhao didn't go in. He walked to the window at the end of the hallway and lit a cigarette.

Outside the window was the night view of Jamsil Arena, brightly lit and bustling with noise. Tonight's concert was a huge success. The Sky Family's first collective appearance had exceeded expectations. But there wasn't much joy in his heart, only a cold chill.

The medicine bottle, the CJ reporter, Lee Jae-hyun's "peace offering"...

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call was quickly connected, and a steady male voice came from the other end. "President Song, it's so late. Is there something?"

"Chairman Lee," Song Tianhao spoke, his voice very calm. "I received tonight's gift."

There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the line, and then a laugh. "I don't quite understand what President Song is talking about."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand," Song Tianhao said. "I just want to tell you that coming after me is fine, but coming after my people is not. Tomorrow morning, you will receive my return gift. I hope you like it."

After saying that, he hung up the phone directly.

Footsteps came from behind him. Song Tianhao turned around and saw Min Sunye walking toward him.

She had already changed back into her casual clothes. Her hair was still wet, she still wore her stage makeup, and her eyes were incredibly bright.

She walked up to him, stopped, and looked at him without speaking.

"You danced very well just now," Song Tianhao said.

Min Sunye smiled, but as she smiled, tears fell again. She raised her hand to wipe them away, but the more she wiped, the more they flowed.

"President," she spoke, her voice a little hoarse. "If... if today is considered a success... can I ask for a reward?"

Song Tianhao looked at her. "What do you want?"

Min Sunye didn't speak. She just took a step forward, closing the distance to Song Tianhao, then reached out and grabbed his hand.

Min Sunye's hand was small and soft, with thin calluses on her palm. Her fingers were very cold, but her grip was very tight.

"I want..." She raised her head and looked at him, light flashing in her eyes. "You."

Song Tianhao didn't speak, only looking at her.

The intro of the encore song came from afar. It was "into the new world". All the members of the three girl groups had to go on stage to sing this song together.

"It's time to go on stage," Song Tianhao said.

Min Sunye's hand loosened slightly, but she didn't let go. She looked at him for a long time, then nodded.

"Mm."

She let go of his hand, turned, and ran toward the stage. After a few steps, she turned back and waved at him, her smile as bright as spring sunshine.

Song Tianhao stood in place, watching her figure disappear at the end of the hallway.

Behind him, another voice sounded.

"President."

Song Tianhao turned around and saw Ahn Sohee standing in the shadows. He didn't know how long she had been standing there. Her expression was very calm, but her eyes were deep, as if holding a lot of things.

"Sohee," Song Tianhao said, "it's time to go on stage."

"I know," Ahn Sohee nodded, but she didn't move, only looking at him. "President, do you know what reward Sunye Unnie wanted?"

Song Tianhao didn't speak.

Ahn Sohee took a step forward, came in front of him, raised her head, and looked at him. Her eyes were very dark and bright, like two pieces of black colored glass.

"She wants you," she said. Her voice was very soft, but every word was clear. "But President, can you afford to give that?"

Song Tianhao looked at her for a few seconds, then smiled.

"That is not a question you should be asking."

"I know," Ahn Sohee also smiled, her smile very faint, carrying an indescribable meaning. "I'm just... asking on behalf of Unnie."

After saying that, she turned and ran toward the stage, her steps light and quick, like a nimble cat.

Song Tianhao stood in place, watching her retreating figure, and lit another cigarette.

On the distant stage, "into the new world" had reached its climax. Three girl groups, twenty people in total, stood in a row, holding hands, singing together on stage. The fans below held up their support lightsticks, swaying to the rhythm, forming an ocean of light.

The sound of music, cheers, and screams blended together, deafening.

Song Tianhao took his last drag of the cigarette, stubbed out the butt on the windowsill, turned around, and walked toward the backstage area.

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Jang Se-hoon.

"President, the drug test results are out. What was in the medicine bottle wasn't a sedative, but a new type of drug. The ingredients are identical to a banned substance seized from a pharmaceutical company under CJ three years ago. Attorney Lee says the evidence is solid and we can file a lawsuit."

After reading it, Song Tianhao deleted the message and put his phone back in his pocket.

The corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc.