Celebrity Neighbor: My girlfriend is a big star?
Chapter 114. Unexpected Call (Thanks to the great Alliance Hierarch, Yang Yi’er! 11/14)

Chapter 114: 114. Unexpected Call (Thanks to the great Alliance Hierarch, Yang Yi’er! 11/14)

"Ah~ I’m so sleepy."

Park Sooyoung finished washing up early, glanced at Kang Seulgi, who was already up and stretching on the yoga mat, and lazily leaned against the sofa.

Not long after, Kim Yerin and Son Seungwan also walked out of the guest room, rubbing their eyes. After a quick wash-up, they gathered in the living room.

"Is Juhyun still asleep?"

"Yeah... Should we wake her up to go to the company with us? Or let her sleep?"

"Let’s call her."

Kim Yerin nodded, obediently walked to Bae Juhyun’s room door, and lightly knocked.

In a moment, the door opened, and Bae Juhyun appeared, already dressed and with her hair tied up.

"Oh? Juhyun, you’re up early today."

She smiled and then looked at Park Sooyoung.

"Sooyoung, you’re headed to the set today, right?"

"Yeah, I’ll go to the company with you guys first, then head directly there."

"Seulgi, you and Seungwan have activities in the afternoon?"

Kang Seulgi and Son Seungwan nodded. They had an event today to sing a few songs and then they’d be free for the day.

Kim Yerin had a choreography class, and despite their debut, they still took basic courses whenever they had free time.

As for Bae Juhyun... currently the most relaxed member of the group, she had lots of things she could do.

But today, she wanted to probe the company’s attitude first.

To prepare for their trip to China.

Great plans... cough.

Great schemes need early preparation. For such a significant event like going abroad, if she didn’t lay the groundwork first and suddenly brought it up, the company would surely be suspicious.

Although they went to the company together, knowing she’d most likely return that night, Bae Juhyun didn’t call their manager to pick them up. Instead, she drove them herself to the company.

With Bae Juhyun’s driving skills, the journey was smooth, and she parked in the company’s underground garage. Then, she donned her mask and walked in front like a boss, followed by the four beautiful girls.

Park Sooyoung didn’t go upstairs with them. After meeting her assistant near the elevator, she waved goodbye to everyone with a smile.

Son Seungwan and Kang Seulgi weren’t in a hurry; it wasn’t even noon, so they could easily leave for the event venue after lunch.

They didn’t have any matters with Manager Kim either, so they separated from Bae Juhyun at the stairwell.

Similarly, Kim Yerin, who had a class, walked off as well.

So eventually, Bae Juhyun was alone at Manager Kim’s office door.

She knocked gently and only pushed the door open after receiving permission to enter.

First, she respectfully greeted Manager Kim before sitting down in front of him.

Manager Kim, looking the same as ever, first focused on his paperwork. After a minute, he looked up at her.

A trace of a smile appeared on his slightly aged face. He had been overseeing Red Velvet for six years and was quite familiar with this pretty girl.

"Irene, what’s up?"

"Manager, I’m curious about the fan response after our family concert."

"Ah, you don’t need to worry about that. Everything’s progressing positively. The company is already preparing for your comeback."

"A comeback?" Bae Juhyun was startled, then excitement flashed across her eyes.

She stood up abruptly, looking eagerly at the manager.

"Really?"

"Yes, so maintain your condition. You’ll hear news before March."

"That’s great... Thank you, Manager!"

Manager Kim laughed, waving off her gratitude. Leaning back in his chair, he looked at her with curiosity.

"So, Irene, why are you here today?"

"Ah, just checking on the fans’ attitudes and asking about my recent schedule..."

Nervously, she sat back down, her hands fidgeting.

"Regarding work, there’s nothing lined up for you yet. You should take some time off; it’s still too soon."

"I see..." Bae Juhyun lowered her eyes, stayed silent for a moment, then looked up with a sweet smile. "Manager, can I go out for a break?"

"Sure, are you going home?"

"I want to go abroad."

"Abroad... that’s fine, but keep it low-profile. Where to? Europe?"

"China."

"Chi..." Manager Kim paused, looking at her, while Bae Juhyun averted her gaze out of guilt.

In that instant, Manager Kim sensed something.

He chuckled, folding his hands and leaning his chin on them, interest piqued by the employee barely older than his daughter.

"Irene, is this your real intention?"

Bae Juhyun gave an innocent smile. "Is it okay, Manager Kim?"

"Hmm, have you got a boyfriend?"

Here it comes!

Bae Juhyun’s internal alarms went off, but she maintained a calm expression, even feigning confusion.

"I only shuttle between home and the company daily, where would I find time for a boyfriend?"

Manager Kim stayed silent; her lifestyle indeed involved only going back and forth between home and the company. She rarely visited Daegu. How could she suddenly have a boyfriend?

Could a man just materialize out of thin air?

"Why specifically China?"

"I’ve been reading a lot about China lately and am fascinated by it, so I want to visit."

"You’re quite well-known in China. Every comeback, they support you tremendously..."

"That’s what makes me curious about Chinese fans’ everyday lives. If I got the chance to visit, I could understand their feelings better."

The reason was sound.

Manager Kim stayed silent, leaving just one question.

"You’re going alone?"

"No, I have a close friend living in China. She and I plan to go together. It’s a girl!"

"Whew, alright. You go ahead, I’ll file this request."

"Thank you, Manager!" Bae Juhyun exhaled in relief, familiar with Manager Kim’s personality.

Convincing him meant the rest would be easier.

Her justification was convincing as well.

Over the years, the company had increasingly valued the vast market of China. While their focus was on profit, for artists like her who had genuinely felt the warmth of Chinese fans, their curiosity and yearning were genuine.

Im Yoon’ah had spoken highly of China after visiting, praising the food and the hospitality.

Generally, the company was generous when it concerned China.

It wasn’t merely a pretext for persuading Manager Kim.

She was genuinely curious about the mysterious nation her boyfriend came from and wanted to learn more about his country and hometown.

Now that Manager Kim was taken care of, she needed to contact Li Chenglu and have him make a fake document for her.

However, just as she stepped out of the office and reached for her phone, it rang.

The call was from her mom.

Instead of answering right away, she rushed back to the practice room and then picked up.

"Mom, what’s up?"

"Juhyun, if you’re not busy, how about coming home for a break?"

Her mother’s gentle voice warmed her heart.

"I’ll come if I can. How’s your health been lately?"

"Oh, I’m fine. I just miss seeing you every day."

"Don’t say that! It makes me sound unfilial if I don’t come home~"

She pouted, making her mom laugh on the other end.

"Isn’t it unfilial that our beautiful Juhyun has a boyfriend and didn’t tell us?"

Her mom’s playful tone made Bae Juhyun’s smile freeze.

Her eyes widened in shock, quickly realizing the truth.

"Bae Jinhee!!"

"... Sis, I’m sorry, I slipped."

Her sister’s unapologetic voice made her veins throb.

She had planned to introduce Liu Xin’an to her family, but not like this!

She had hesitated previously because she hadn’t revealed her identity and couldn’t guarantee Liu Xin’an would still want to be with her after knowing who she was.

Before she could tell her parents, her unreliable sister had blurted it out.

"You little! Bae Jinhee, I’m going to kill you!"

Attacking a younger sister seemed like an inherent skill for big sisters. Bae Juhyun shouted, venting her frustration.

Her anger evaporated when her mom spoke again.

"So, when do you plan to tell us, Juhyun?"

"Mom, I was just about to tell you when you called."

"So when will you tell us?"

"Uh... I was about to tell you just now, really! No lie!"

"Alright then, bring your boyfriend home in a few days."

"Uh... what?"

"It’s decided."

Her mom unilaterally ended the call.

Bae Juhyun blinked, then slapped her forehead in frustration.

That damn girl, she knew she shouldn’t have trusted her loose-lipped sister!

How could she spill this?

Going home wasn’t the issue.

The problem was that her mom wanted her to bring Liu Xin’an along...

She understood her mom’s concern. She feared her daughter might make a rash decision during her dark times and choose an unreliable boyfriend, so she wanted to check for herself.

While she appreciated her mom’s intention, and didn’t think Liu Xin’an was a bad guy—in fact, she was very happy with their relationship—she knew her mom wouldn’t buy that.

Liu Xin’an had work, and if they went home, they wouldn’t just go for a day trip. Each day they stayed would impact his job.

She didn’t want to trouble Liu Xin’an.

Holding her phone, Bae Juhyun sighed helplessly, feeling conflicted.

She had just resolved one issue, and now another popped up.

She started to doubt whether she was truly on a break.

How come... without any work, she had more worries than when she was working?