51: Chapter 51 Taking the Girl Group on Vacation

Cheongdam-dong, Sky Entertainment top floor, Song Tianhao's private apartment. Morning sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling in without reservation, gilding the minimalist and well-designed interior with a warm gold trim.

The aroma of freshly ground coffee drifts in the air, mingling with the faint, vibrant hustle and bustle of the city morning outside the window.

Song Tianhao is wearing a dark grey loungewear set, standing barefoot in the center of the spacious living room, having just finished a set of simple morning stretches. Fine beads of sweat dot his forehead, and his breathing is steady.

Walking to the island in the open kitchen, he picks up the steaming black coffee, takes a sip, and his gaze sweeps casually over the unremarkable smartphone sitting on the bar counter nearby.

Almost at the same moment his gaze landed on it, the phone screen lit up silently.

There is no unlock interface, no app icons, just a line of concise white text slowly emerging on the deep blue background:

[Continuous Check-in: 60 days.]

[Daily check-in reward issued: 500 million KRW credited to your account.]

[Special Achievement Reward: Ownership of a detached seaside Villa on Jeju Island has been registered under your name, including a private beach, swimming pool, and supporting facilities. Relevant documents and keys have been delivered to your designated law firm.]

The font is clear, without any flashy animations or notification sounds. A few seconds later, the screen automatically dims, returning to the normal lock screen interface, as if everything just now was an illusion.

There is no look of surprise on Song Tianhao's face, as if he had received a normal courier notification. He puts down the coffee cup, picks up the phone, unlocks it, and calls Jang Se-hoon.

The call is answered quickly, and Jang Se-hoon's voice, as cautious as ever, comes from the other end: "President, good morning."

"Sehun, make some arrangements." Song Tianhao's voice is calm and ripple-free. "T-ara and Girls Generation have finished their recent promotion periods, and preparations for new songs are on track. Give them a three-day vacation. Destination, Jeju Island. Leave this afternoon."

"Jeju Island?" Jang Se-hoon is a little surprised but immediately agrees, "Understood, President. I will arrange the accommodation and itinerary immediately. Do you have any preferences for the hotel? Should I arrange The Resort like last time?"

"No need to arrange a hotel." Song Tianhao walks to the window, looking at the city gradually waking up below, "I have a seaside Villa in Aewol-eup. It's empty anyway, so let them go stay there for a few days; consider it a company retreat. Coordinate the flights and transportation, and bring the assistants and necessary accompanying staff. Tell them, relaxation is the priority, but pay attention to their image; don't get caught in any inappropriate shots."

"You have property on Jeju Island?" Jang Se-hoon is truly surprised this time. As an agent, he doesn't fully understand Song Tianhao's asset situation, but he doesn't recall the President having purchased property on Jeju Island before.

However, he is smart enough not to ask more and immediately says, "Understood, President. I will go handle it immediately. Will you... be going as well?"

"Yes." Song Tianhao replies lightly, "I will go too. There are some documents that need to be handled in a quieter place."

"Yes, President. I will coordinate immediately."

Hanging up the phone, Song Tianhao picks up his coffee again, his gaze cast toward the distant skyline outside the window.

A seaside Villa on Jeju Island... It is a nice place to temporarily stay away from the undercurrents and complex emotional entanglements in Seoul. Moreover, the timing of this "reward" from the system is quite coincidental.

Through Jang Se-hoon and their respective agents, the news quickly reached the members of T-ara and Girls Generation. A sudden three-day Jeju Island vacation, and a seaside Villa provided by the President? The girls instantly exploded with excitement.

"Really? Long live Oppa!" Park Hyomin jumps up directly in T-ara's practice room, excitedly hugging Lee Qri beside her, "Seaside Villa! Retreat! No need to practice!"

Park Ji-yeon's eyes also light up, but then she mumbles in a low voice with a hint of shrinking back: "Have to take a plane again..." She has a slight fear and discomfort with long-term travel.

Park So-yeon is stretching her legs; she pauses when she hears the news. Jeju Island... the place she just left not long ago, where her mother is still recovering in the hospital. Her mood is a bit complicated.

But hearing it's a Villa under the President's name, her heart moves slightly, and she can't help but think of the coffee with the unique aroma of a Seoul cafe that he handed her in the Jeju Island hospital corridor, and that sentence, "Someone is protecting you."

Ham Eunjung seems much calmer, but a thoughtful look flashes in her eyes. The President has property on Jeju Island? She had never heard of it before.

The Girls Generation side is equally cheering. Continuous high-intensity promotion and schedules make them in urgent need of relaxation.

Kim Taeyeon, as the leader, is happy but carefully reminds the sisters to bring sunscreen and common medicines, and to be careful not to exceed the weight limit when packing luggage. Im Yoona has already started excitedly planning which dresses to bring for photos.

Before leaving, Park So-yeon is called aside by Jang Se-hoon, who hands her a thin document bag. "Soyeon-xi, this is what the President asked me to pass to you, some basic information and precautions about the Villa on Jeju Island. Take a look when you have time. Also, this is the spare key to the Villa. The President said to leave it in your care." Jang Se-hoon's tone is business-like, but there is a hint of inquiry in his eyes regarding the President's special trust.

Park So-yeon takes the document bag and the heavy, uniquely shaped brass key, feeling a bit strange. Back at the dormitory, she opens the document bag, which contains a simple floor plan of the Villa, facility introductions, and most importantly, a copy of the property ownership documents.

Her gaze falls on the property registration date column.

The date is, shockingly, three days ago.

Three days ago? Isn't that the day before the President decided on the retreat and announced the news? Was this Villa... just bought?

An absurd yet reasonable thought crosses her mind. Linking it to his previous "coincidental" help and "on the way" appearances, this "seaside Villa" that suddenly appeared with such a fresh registration date seems to have some explanation.

Did he buy it temporarily for this retreat? No, impossible. For that level of Villa, how could the transaction be so fast? Unless... he had prepared it long ago, or, there is some extremely efficient channel she cannot understand.

She holds the document, her fingertips slightly cold. The President always seems to be shrouded in a fog she cannot see through—powerful, calm, yet revealing a kind of mystery.

But for now, what this "mystery" brings is the blue sea, white sand, and a rare three-day vacation away from the chaos.

She shakes her head, pushing that absurd speculation back into her heart. In any case, this is the President's intention and the company's benefit for them. She carefully puts away the documents and keys and starts packing her luggage.

In the afternoon, the two teams meet at the airport and board a chartered plane to Jeju Island. The atmosphere on the plane is lively, with the girls chattering and exchanging expectations for the vacation. Song Tianhao sits in the front row, closing his eyes to rest, occasionally responding to members who come to greet him, but mostly remaining quiet.

Park So-yeon and Ham Eunjung sit together, talking in low voices, their relationship significantly more harmonious and natural than before. Kim Taeyeon sits with Im Yoona and Tiffany Hwang, laughing as she watches them play mobile games.

Arriving at Jeju Island, a pre-arranged motorcade is waiting. The cars drive along the coastal road, the blue sea shimmering with fine golden light under the sun, and the sea and sky meet in the distance, the view wide and refreshing. The girls press against the car windows, letting out bursts of exclamation.

When the motorcade turns into a private road hidden in dense greenery and finally stops in front of a tall, wrought-iron carved gate, everyone's exclamation turns to silence.

The gate opens automatically and slowly.

What comes into view first is a large, neatly trimmed, lush lawn and a gravel driveway winding through it.

At the end of the driveway, a huge building with a white and light grey color scheme, modern minimalist design, and smooth lines stands quietly between the blue sky and the blue sea. The main building has three floors, and huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows occupy most of the walls, reflecting the colors of the sea and sky.

A spacious infinity pool extends from one side of the building, the pool water azure, almost merging with the equally blue sea not far away. Further away is a stretch of white private beach, with waves gently lapping against the shore.

This is not just a "seaside Villa"; this is simply a seaside holiday manor! The land area is definitely over one thousand square meters by visual estimation!

"Wow..." I don't know who let out this unconscious exclamation first.

The cars stop on the circular driveway in front of the main Villa building. Everyone gets off, and the sea breeze with a slightly salty scent and the warmth of the sun rushes toward them, accompanied by the crisp sound of waves.

"President... is this, is this really... for us to stay in?" Park Hyomin's eyes widen, looking at the luxurious and modern building in front of her, then at the calm-looking Song Tianhao beside her, her voice even stuttering a little.

Song Tianhao nods and walks toward the main door of the Villa first: "Yes, go in, divide the rooms yourselves."

Park Hyomin comes back to her senses, cheers, and is the first to rush in. Passing through the spacious foyer with a ceiling height of nearly six meters, there is an even more shocking open living room and dining room.

Minimalist style, top-tier furniture and furnishings, huge floor-to-ceiling windows frame the invincible sea view without reservation, as if the entire ocean has become a decorative painting for the living room. Sunlight passes through the glass, casting bright spots on the dark marble floor that reflects light like a mirror.

"Oppa! Is this really ours?!" Park Hyomin dives into the huge, expensive-looking cream-white sofa in the center of the living room, rolling excitedly, with undisguised surprise and disbelief on her face.

An accompanying assistant is also stunned, unable to help but whisper to a colleague next to him: "This level, this location, a Villa with a private beach... on Jeju Island... how much does it cost per night?"

His voice is not loud, but quite clear in the silence.

Song Tianhao, walking in front, does not stop, and replies casually, his tone as flat as if he were saying the weather is nice today:

"I have already bought this place, no need to calculate room charges."

"..."

The Female Assistant is instantly silenced, and like everyone else, is stunned into speechlessness by the immense wealth revealed by the President in such an understated way.

Park So-yeon silently examines this Villa, which is luxurious to the point of being somewhat unreal, and the strange feeling in her heart grows heavier. Is this really a property where the transaction and transfer were just completed three days ago? For a property of this level, wouldn't the normal process of capital verification, negotiation, and paperwork take more than three days alone?

Her gaze sweeps over the large coffee table in the center of the living room. Besides some exquisite ornaments, there is a black satellite phone on it, and the signal indicator light on the top is steadily lit in red, showing a full signal.

At this time, a middle-aged man dressed appropriately with a gentle smile walks over; he is the Villa butler arranged in advance. He bows slightly to Song Tianhao: "Mr. Song, welcome. Everyone's rooms have been initially tidied up and can be adjusted according to preference. Also..."

The butler's voice lowers a bit, with a hint of caution, "Just received the latest weather forecast. From late tonight to early tomorrow morning, a strong storm may pass through the Jeju Island sea area, with local wind speeds reaching level eight, which may affect power supply and communication. It is recommended that everyone be prepared in advance."

Storm?

The relaxed and happy atmosphere freezes slightly because of this sentence.

Park Ji-yeon's small face, which had turned red with excitement from seeing the luxury Villa, turns pale instantly, and she subconsciously leans toward Park Hyomin. She is afraid of water and also afraid of thunderstorms.

Park Hyomin feels the maknae's anxiety, reaches out to hug her shoulders, and pats her comfortingly, but her eyes also dart to the window. In the distance where the sea meets the sky, some light grey clouds have accumulated at some point.

After listening to the butler, Song Tianhao's face does not change, he just nods to show he knows. He walks to the coffee table, picks up the bunch of keys that had been prepared long ago—a full fifteen of them—and tosses them casually onto the smooth tabletop, making a crisp sound.

"Divide the rooms yourselves," he repeats, his tone still flat, "There are guest rooms on the second and third floors. Each room has a similar layout, but different views. I will take the master bedroom on the third floor."

He points to the temperature-controlled wine cabinet on one side of the living room that occupies an entire wall and is filled with famous wines from various countries: "Take whatever you want to drink, but be moderate with high-alcohol drinks. Rest tomorrow, there is no schedule."

Finally, he instructs the butler: "Arrange dinner on the terrace and prepare a barbecue. The ingredients must be the freshest, and prepare more beef and seafood. Take drinks from the wine cabinet."

"Yes, Mr. Song." The butler respectfully agrees and turns to make arrangements.

The girls quickly recover from the slight unease of the storm warning and excitedly start dividing rooms, chattering and discussing who is sharing with whom and which room has a better view.

Park Hyomin and Park Ji-yeon naturally stick together and choose two adjacent sea-view rooms on the second floor. Park Hyomin pushes open the floor-to-ceiling window of her room, and the salty sea breeze rushes in immediately, blowing through her chestnut long hair.

She takes a deep breath, turns around, and smiles at Park Ji-yeon, who followed her in holding a pillow: "Ji-yeon-ah, if you are afraid of thunder tonight, do you want to come and sleep with Unnie? Unnie will protect you!"

Park Ji-yeon wrinkles her small nose and shakes her head like a rattle: "No! Hyomin Unnie is the most restless sleeper, you will definitely steal my blanket! I'd rather sleep by myself!"

"Yah! Park Ji-yeon! Since when!" Park Hyomin feigns anger, reaching out to poke Park Ji-yeon's forehead, and the two laugh and play together.

Just at this moment, in the distance outside the window where the sea and sky meet, a flash of silver lightning tears through the gradually gathering grey-blue clouds without warning. Immediately following, the sound of low thunder comes faintly, and across a distance, it sounds low and oppressive.

The laughter pauses slightly.

Park Hyomin and Park Ji-yeon look out the window at the same time. The dark clouds over the sea in the distance seem to have become thicker than just now, rolling and slowly pushing toward the coast.

Park Ji-yeon hugs the pillow in her arms tighter unconsciously.

On the third floor of the Villa, in the master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the infinity pool and the vast sea view. Song Tianhao does not participate in the room division downstairs. He stands alone on the spacious balcony, his hands resting on the cold metal railing, his gaze calmly looking at the sea surface where the storm is gathering in the distance. The sea breeze gets stronger, blowing the stray hair on his forehead.

He holds the satellite phone in his hand. The red signal light flashes steadily.

The phone vibrates, and he presses the answer button.

It is the voice of the assistant left in Seoul, coming through the receiver, clear and stable, without any noise: "President, I have checked the surveillance and patrols within a three-kilometer radius of the Villa. I found two suspicious vehicles staying too long on the nearby road, and there are reflections of telephoto lenses in the cars. They should be paparazzi. Do you need to contact local security or use some 'methods' to ask them to leave?"

Song Tianhao is silent for two seconds, his gaze still on the rolling sea of clouds in the distance, his voice calm and ripple-free:

"No need."

"Let them take photos."