The other members also had their own plans and did their own thing without paying attention to them. Chi Jingyuan was carrying a shoulder bag, and both of them put on masks and hats and walked out of the hotel together.
"Where to eat, brother?"
After walking out of the door, a gust of cool breeze blew on my face. It felt completely different from the air-conditioning in the indoor air conditioner. Although it was no longer as cold and cool as before, I could feel a different kind of reality in my heart.
After walking a few steps, Chi Jingyuan glanced at a taxi passing by slowly, followed the light and looked into the distance for a few seconds, and asked aloud.
Because he was with Luhan, he habitually spoke Chinese.
"After you turn the road in front, there is a night market street a little further forward. There are several food stalls inside that serve delicious barbecue. I have eaten there twice before."
Luhan pointed to the front and said in a very familiar voice: "It's not far, we'll be there in about ten minutes."
"Are you so familiar with this place? I remember brother, aren't you from Beijing?"
"I was also brought here by someone else. The place I was introduced to during the last crew dinner of the movie I was starring in was really good after I tried it."
The two of them were not in a hurry, and walked slowly while chatting. After turning a few turns, they finally arrived at the night market street Luhan mentioned. Under his guidance, they found a shop with a small family, and there was a small shop in front of the store. We got a table in a remote place and sat down opposite each other.
The tables and chairs are all made of cheap plastic that looks very cheap at first glance. There seems to be a layer of oily stains on the upper edge of the table that has not been wiped off. The overall look is very down-to-earth food stall style.
"Want to drink?" The waiter came over with two menus, and Luhan asked while looking at them.
"Beer is fine."
"Of course it's beer. Let's order four bottles first, and then...what would Jingyuan want to eat?" He greeted the waiter next to him and then looked at the menu and asked.
Chi Jingyuan also looked at the menu in front of him. When he was about to speak, his cell phone suddenly rang. He came out and looked at the caller.
"Brother, you're a regular customer. Please order some. I'll take a call and I'll be right back."
After saying something with a smile and watching Luhan make an 'OK' gesture, Chi Jingyuan took a few steps to the side with his cell phone, came to the shade of a tree on one side, and answered the call.
"You're calling so late. Is it urgent?"
It was Pei Zhuxuan who called. Chi Jingyuan asked curiously.
At this time, if they didn't work overtime, they would have almost finished practice and returned to the dormitory.
"There's nothing urgent..." Pei Zhuxuan said something in a cheerful tone and then blunted it. Even without speaking, Chi Jingyuan seemed to feel the other person's happy mood from the silence.
Chi Jingyuan smiled without making a sound or urging him, and listened quietly.
A few seconds later, there was a faint sound of snorting, and Bae Zhuhyun breathed slightly and said, "Just now, the room manager came to inform us that the debut date originally scheduled for around November has been moved forward..."
"How far in advance?"
"It will be next month. The head of the department said that it will be brought forward to early August at the earliest."
There was an irrepressible joy in her voice, which could be clearly felt even across a sea of chijingyuan.
It was obvious that his long-cherished wish was about to come true. Bae Zhuhyun was surrounded by the excitement of his upcoming debut. After receiving the news, he immediately called him to share his excitement and happiness.
It's just that Chi Jingyuan was not as optimistic as she was after hearing it. As a bystander, he just thought it was strange. Is this early debut too early? It is expected that November will directly refer to August. This time difference is too far.
Chi Jingyuan wondered if the company had moved their debut date so far forward for some special reason.
And even though they have been practicing since last month, it is difficult to fully prepare for many things in such a short time such as studying for the debut album, recording, practicing dance, shooting MV, makeup photos, pictorials, etc. EXO is preparing for the album At that time, I didn’t know how long I had been practicing just dancing. It was very hard and exhausted every day.
Unless Bae Zhuhyun and her girl group debut without releasing an album and just make a digital single as their debut song, then they have plenty of time.
Although he was doubtful, Chi Jingyuan certainly would not pour cold water on someone when they were happy. Instead, he replied in a brisk tone: "That's really congratulations. In this case, Irenexi, will we have sex next month?" There’s a chance we can share the stage.”
"kkkkk hahaha..." Pei Zhuxuan lowered her voice for a few times, then couldn't hold it back and finally laughed out loud. The laugh was a bit wanton, not very nice, but very contagious.
After a while, the laughter stopped, and neither of them spoke directly. Chi Jingyuan looked at the time and spoke proactively: "I have something to do here, let's talk about the rest when we get back."
"Yes." Pei Zhuhyun responded crisply, then remembered and added: "By the way, Seulgi and the others may also send you a message later. If you have something to do, remember to turn off the sound on your phone."
"knew."
After hanging up the phone, Chi Jingyuan stood there and briefly thought about Pei Zhuhyun and the others' early debut. After a minute or two, he returned to the dinner table and sat down.
At this time, a plate of barbecue had been served first. It was sprinkled with cumin and chili noodles and was sizzling with oil. It looked a bit greedy. Chi Jingyuan, who was not very hungry at first, was also attracted by it.
"Calling you so late, girlfriend?" Luhan took the initiative to pick up the opened beer and poured a glass for each of them, and asked with a smile.
"Thank you... No, I'm a good friend. I'm not dating now." Chi Jingyuan took the wine glass and thanked him, then shook his head in denial.
"Jingyuan, you said you have no relationship, why am I so suspicious? Brother He, are you still hiding it... You are so popular in the industry, who would believe you if you say you don't have a girlfriend..."
Luhan glanced at him, with a look of disbelief on his face: "Now most of the members have girlfriends. If we don't fall in love now, when will you?"
Chi Jingyuan blinked, pondered for two seconds and said tentatively: "Maybe... after I turn 35?"
"Pfft... hahaha..." Luhan couldn't hold back his laughter and burst out laughing. His hands shook and he spilled a little of the wine he was holding.
Chi Jingyuan also laughed, picked up the wine glasses, clinked them and drank half of the glasses.
After the laughter gradually stopped, neither of them spoke anymore. The skewers in front of them kept exuding an alluring aroma, but neither of them had any intention of trying one.
It was suddenly quiet for a moment, and the only sound that could be heard was the constant chattering of people from the table next to them.
There is silence on one side and excitement on the other.
"Brother is leaving?"
Chi Jingyuan was the first to break the uncomfortable atmosphere, took a bite and asked while chewing.
Although it was a question, there was no questioning in the tone.
"..." Luhan was stunned for a moment by Chi Jingyuan's question. He seemed a little surprised that the other party could see his thoughts and asked so straightforwardly.
After being stunned for a few seconds, he looked at Chi Jingyuan: "How did you know?"
"You can tell."
Chi Jingyuan put down the iron picks he had finished eating, looked at Luhan's confused gaze, and shrugged with a smile.
But he sighed in his heart.
He has received poaching invitations from so many companies, and the conditions they offer are better than the last. Regardless of whether it is true or not, even if he can only achieve half of it, he will definitely make much more than what he earned in SM.
If Chi Jingyuan had not seen the world, and being an idol was not mainly about making money, plus he was completely treated like a royal in SM, he would probably have been tempted to change jobs.
Chi Jingyuan is very popular. Although his teammates are not as good as others, they are certainly not unpopular, especially the three members of the Xia Kingdom line. They have local household registrations and are also blessed by EXO's huge popularity and traffic. As long as Returning solo is definitely a cash cow in the eyes of all economic companies.
In particular, Wu Saike has made a good start. BTS is obviously worse than EXO but it is so popular in the mainland. As soon as it comes back, it is a popular star who directly joins the group to film.
He is so popular, wouldn't those people from EXO be even more powerful?
Very simple reason.
Chi Jingyuan had some premonitions after Wu's incident came out, but nothing happened.
When Luhan suddenly asked him to go out for dinner tonight, he had actually expected it, but he was a little confused as to why he had to call him out specifically to talk about it.
Now Luhan's expression and reaction have verified Chi Jingyuan's guess. He and Chi Jingyuan looked at each other, then looked at the table in front of him, licked his lips, picked up the cup, drank the beer in it, and poured it again. Man, didn't speak.
Chi Jingyuan remained silent for a moment. He turned his head and glanced at a nearby table of diners who were having a lively meal and drink. He didn't know what to say.
After a few seconds, his eyes returned to the table. After thinking about it, he laughed and said, "If Xia Guo's words are more popular, should I smile and say to my brother, 'Everyone has a dream in life, and everyone is wonderful', or should I?" Should we angrily say, 'We will cut off our relations and we will never have any contact with each other until we die'?"
The natural tone broke the somewhat stiff atmosphere. Luhan glanced at him and shook his head with a smile: "Although I have said it several times, Jingyuan, your Chinese is really good, better than mine."
"I admit the first sentence, but the latter is a bit exaggerated."
Chi Jingyuan narrowed his eyes and said modestly.
The atmosphere inexplicably improved a lot, and the two of them no longer had the stiff posture just now, each picked up a skewer and started eating.
After eating a few skewers, Chi Jingyuan licked the grease on the corner of his mouth and asked casually: "Are you all ready?"
"Well, I won't go back after eating for a while. I have asked people to take away the things I need to take away. There are only some clothes left in the hotel and dormitory... The agent on the peninsula The lawyer has also prepared the materials, and I will file a lawsuit tomorrow morning after I leave."
Luhan nodded and said it directly without any intention of hiding it.
"Why do you feel this process is so familiar..." Chi Jingyuan smacked his lips, took a sip of beer and asked, "Do the other members know about it? Tao them."
"I have told the two people from Xia Kingdom before, but I have only told you about the other members."
"Why are you telling me specifically?"
"Because Jingyuan you are a very important reason why I made up my mind to leave EXO..." Luhan looked a little solemn.
"No, brother, it has a lot to do with me? Isn't it because of Wu Saike?"
Chi Jingyuan opened his mouth slightly in surprise and looked at the other party with an innocent face.
"Indeed, a lot of it is because he inspired me a lot...but don't compare me with him." Luhan did not deny it, but he quickly stated seriously that he was not familiar with Wu.
"Indeed, brother, you chose to leave when we just finished the concert. There is still more than a week before the next performance, leaving us plenty of time to re-choreograph and rehearse the moves. Unlike him, BTS fans He ran away the day before the meeting, and it was too late to rehearse. In the end, he had to temporarily find a backup dancer to put on a mask and take his place." Chi Jingyuan nodded and reluctantly agreed.
"And I won't be like him, giving so many nonsense reasons, bullying and the like... We can tell what's going on when we see those so-called photos, and that's why his fans are willing to believe him. …”
Pouting his lips, Luhan seemed to hate Wu Sike and seemed to be displeased with his behavior.
Then he sighed softly, drank the beer in one gulp, and after reminiscing, he looked at Chi Jingyuan with a serious expression: "I've actually always been envious of you, Jingyuan... It's not jealousy, it's envy."
"I also want the company to consider my ideas in everything, and those directors and directors can greet me with a smile when they see me; I also want to have a lot of privileges...whether I use them or not; I also want to be sick when I'm sick I didn’t even have to say it myself, the company took the initiative to give me leave, for fear that I would be too tired and it would be bad for my health; I also wanted to be the most important and dazzling person..."
"It's really not jealousy, it's envy."
Maybe it was because he drank a little, or maybe if he didn't say anything today, there might be no chance in the future. At this time, facing Chi Jingyuan, Luhan said all the things he had been holding back for who knows how long, and his tone seemed a little excited. , obviously he has been brewing these ideas for a long time.
After talking about it, it seemed to go smoothly a lot. He poured a glass of wine and held the quilt in his hand to look at it, but did not drink: "These are things that no matter how hard I try, I can't get them in EXO, but this is not It's not because of you, Jingyuan... Judging from your background and position in the company, Jingyuan, you are really good at dealing with people, and you have never been lazy at work because of your background. On the contrary, sometimes you are much more tired than all of us."
"I really don't dislike you. On the contrary, I think it is really lucky and happy to be your teammate."
Speaking of this, Luhan raised his glass: "By the way, here's a tip to you. If it weren't for you, EXO wouldn't be as popular as it is today without the song "Pao Xiao". Even if I came back, the treatment would definitely not be as good as it is now." so good."
"Thank you. This is a great compliment and proof of my own cultivation and creative talent."
Chi Jingyuan clinked his glasses and drank it all in one gulp, smiling and thanking him.
Then he looked at the new dishes on the table and sighed softly: "However, if you leave, brother, it will really have a big impact on us. It will definitely be more serious than Baekhyun's love." ”
The withdrawal of a member from the team is a big deal for any group. This year's kara, bts, etc. are all lessons learned from the past.
Not to mention a popular member like Luhan.
"Of course, I'm Luhan, the captain and ACE of Team M. Even among the entire team, I'm ranked second in popularity, second only to you, Jingyuan."
Mentioning this, Luhan nodded naturally, with a slightly proud expression. As a Xia native, he has reached a position close to the top of popularity in the Peninsula group EXO, which is also an excellent proof of his talent, strength and hard work.
If his departure has no impact on the team, then he has no shame in saying so.
"It's said to be second only...but there's actually quite a gap between second and first..."
Chi Jingyuan looked at him mercilessly, curled his lips and told the truth: "Brother, my popularity in the group has been cut off quite a lot."
"Hahaha, why do you have to point it out specifically? Why do you want to hit me before leaving?"
Luhan laughed twice, shook his head, looked at Chi Jingyuan and said helplessly.
After laughing, he fell into silence again without realizing it.
Everything that needs to be said has been said. Luhan has obviously already planned and prepared everything. This kind of choice that determines the path of his life cannot be persuaded in just two sentences.
And Chi Jingyuan himself had no intention of persuading him.
After a while, he thought about it, looked at Luh who had probably not spoken for a long time, and said with a serious face: "I thought about it, and I think the first sentence of the two sentences just now is more appropriate."
Luhan nodded slowly, pursed his lips and said nothing.
"Brother, I'll go back first. If I go back too late, Brother Chenghuan will cause trouble... Although I have privileges, I don't necessarily have to use them, right?"
Chi Jingyuan took out a tissue and wiped his mouth, smiled, stood up and said goodbye before preparing to leave.
"Jingyuan..." Luhan suddenly stopped Chi Jingyuan, who had turned around to leave. After hesitating for two seconds, he unknowingly switched to Korean: "fighting!"
Chi Jingyuan turned around and looked at him. Sunshine squinted and smiled, still speaking in Chinese:
"Thanks, I will."
Finally nodding, Chi Jingyuan quickly left the restaurant without hesitation and gradually walked away until he left the night market street and turned into the avenue. The noise behind him suddenly became too weak to be heard as if it had been cut off. Too clear.
The previous hustle and bustle was replaced by the sound of car engines and horns on the road, making people feel like they were in two different worlds.
After walking for about ten minutes, he returned to the hotel, opened the door with his card and walked into the room. Wu Shixun, who was lying on the bed playing with his mobile phone, glanced at Chi Jingyuan and continued to stare at the screen, but asked: "Why are you back so early?" Come on, did you guys eat so quickly? I thought it would be a while longer... Brother Luhan is back too?"
Chi Jingyuan went to the bathroom to wash his face, rubbed it vigorously twice and took a long breath. After drying it, he lay half-ly on his bed, looked at the light on the ceiling, and said indifferently: "he's gone."
"gone?"
Hearing this, Wu Shixun couldn't help but put down the phone in his hand and turned his head to look over.
"Wu Saike." Chi Jingyuan didn't explain, he just said his name.
Wu Shixun was stunned for a moment and understood instantly. He sat up immediately, and his laziness immediately disappeared: "jinjia?"
"..." Chi Jingyuan nodded and said nothing.
"Then why don't you tell Brother Chenghuan and the others quickly?"
"So what can I do? They have been prepared before, and now no one knows where they are going." Chi Jingyuan took out his mobile phone and checked the time, then threw the mobile phone next to the pillow: " Brother Seunghwan should probably find out later.
Wu Shixun, who was a little anxious at first, frowned for a while after hearing this. He seemed to be sorting out the chaotic thoughts in his mind. After two minutes of silence, he looked over with some confusion: "He... then why are you calling you to eat when he has already left?" ?”
"have no idea……"
Chi Jingyuan looked at the blazing white ceiling light and smiled: "Maybe he thinks I look good?"
Although he said this, he actually understood some of the other person's thoughts.
Luhan seems to have quite a lot of affection for EXO. After all, he has worked hard for it for so many years. The countless sweat he has shed in the practice room over the years has not evaporated and disappeared, but has been integrated into it bit by bit unknowingly. into his own heart.
Although he has made up his mind to leave, he does not seem to want to leave as a completely disgusting and despised traitor like Wu Sike. He also wants to leave a mark in the eyes of other members who have been with him for so long. Not bad, not a bad final impression.
Or in Chi Jingyuan's eyes, maybe for Luhan, Chi Jingyuan is one of the most recognized members of the team, and he still wants some understanding from him even if he leaves.
Maybe doing this will give him some comfort.
The room fell silent as both seemed to be thinking about the matter.
After a while, people from the company finally discovered that Luhan was missing. After searching several rooms, Li Chenghuan came to Chi Jingyuan and the others. After a knock on the door, Wu Shixun opened the door for him and let him in.
"Jingyuan, where did Luhan go after you had dinner with him just now? I can't get messages or make calls..." Li Chenghuan asked anxiously as soon as he walked in.
"he's gone."
"Leaving?" Li Chenghuan was also stunned for a moment, and his expression changed as if he was thinking of something bad: "What do you mean?"
"It's what you think, brother." Chi Jingyuan looked at him and pursed his lips, and then briefly told what happened just now, without mentioning the specific content of the chat.
"This..." The manager didn't know what to say, but he guessed that SM had made some preparations before. After a brief hesitation, Li Chenghuan walked out of the room, took out his mobile phone and started to contact the company.
The members living in other rooms also saw that something was wrong and walked out one after another. They met in the corridor and chatted for a few words before converging on Chi Jingyuan and the others.
"What's going on? Luhan suddenly couldn't be contacted. I called him but no one answered."
"Gone? Why?"
"Tao, do you know? You usually have such a good relationship with Luhan..."
"Why is it so sudden? I didn't feel it at all before."
A group of people gathered in the room to discuss, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little tense. Not long ago, Wu Saike Zhuyu set a good example in front of them, making it difficult for them not to make malicious associations.
Faced with the members' inquiries, the two Xia Guo line, who had known about it beforehand, didn't know how to speak. They half-leaned against the wall and stared at the ground in a daze.
Chi Jingyuan sat on the bed and leaned on the mattress at the head of the bed without speaking. Although he had already had a little premonition in his heart before, it still felt a bit sudden after the member ran away, and it was uncontrollable after that. Irritability and a lot of mixed emotions.
In fact, he does understand the other party's thoughts in his heart, but understanding is understanding. It cannot change the fact that the other party left the contract, and it will not reduce the huge negative impact that his withdrawal from the team will have on EXO.
He was fiddling with his phone carelessly, scrolling around without paying much attention to what was displayed on it. He had no desire to reply to the messages that Jiang Seulqi and Son Seungwan just sent telling Chi Kyungwon that they would debut early.
Chi Jingyuan also noticed that Tao and Y almost didn't speak during the whole process, and they looked very worried.
Everyone has left, and the company has been trying to see if they can contact him to try to dissuade him. After a boring discussion, the other members returned to their rooms with their own thoughts. Tonight It is estimated that not many people can sleep well.
The next morning, just as EXO 11 and the team were preparing to board the plane back to Peninsula at the airport, the latest news exposed by Peninsula media immediately aroused public opinion:
"At 10 a.m. on July 20, EXO's popular member Luhan submitted an indictment to the Seoul District Court by his attorney because 'the company was unable to provide a suitable future development plan, and his body was overwhelmed due to illness due to high-intensity work pressure, etc.' The application for a contract with SM Entertainment is invalid."
