Chapter Twenty-Eight: Eve of Return

industry professionals, it's natural to discuss and learn from EXO's successful experience. In a short period, many agencies have prepared for their boy groups' next comeback, incorporating elements...> EXO has several members whose birthdays are concentrated in April and May, including Park Chanyeol, Oh Sehun, Kim Junmyeon, Byun Baekhyun, Luhan, and Tao.

This year is different from last year when they first debuted. Back then, the members weren't very familiar with each other and there were quite a few conflicts. Everyone stuck to their own little circles and their relationship was at most that of colleagues. So besides taking the obligatory certification photos, they didn't really celebrate together.

After more than a year of a low period, the relationship between EXO members has become much closer, and the team atmosphere has improved a lot. This time, everyone will make time to get together for a meal when it's someone's birthday, celebrating at the same time and taking some photos to upload to SNS.

But it's just a gathering for dinner and some fun. These guys don't have the custom of giving each other gifts for birthdays.

This year, Chi Jingyuan did the same. For his birthday, he didn't go home but instead invited the members out to eat together.

Just so you know, my second brother and older sister have been really busy with work these days. Beforehand, Pool Jingyuan also called them to let them know they didn't need to specifically make time, just send the gifts over through someone else.

Although XO members couldn't make it, Ji Chang-wook still received many birthday presents. Several familiar older sisters from Girls’ Generation sent congratulations and gifts, as well as close friends like Kang Seol-ah, Son Seung-wan from the 94 Line, Jung Eun-ji whom he hadn't seen in a while, and several female idols he frequently communicates with on his phone.

Besides, Ji Jingyuan's fans moved him deeply. On May 13th, countless packages from all over the place arrived at ** company simultaneously, keeping the staff responsible for receiving them busy for a whole day and thoroughly exhausted.

All the gifts were carefully packaged. There were so many of them that they filled almost half the company's storage room. It would take ages to unpack them all, and even Chi Jingyuan was taken aback, feeling a strange mixture of emotions.

Before EXO's other members had birthdays, fans would also send gifts, but the number wasn't that large.

And Chi Jingyuan has always been the most popular member of the group, even though they have had a few months hiatus. He is frequently in the spotlight, like at the "Ou Yunhui" event three months ago, which brought him a huge wave of fans. His two viral photos are still widely circulated online to this day.

When other fandoms bash EXO members, many people will deliberately overlook Yuan.

Because Yuan's fans are notorious for their strong organization, combat effectiveness, and aggression in the circle, they didn't react much when they encountered posts blacking EXO.

But when encountering slander or insults directed at Ji Jingyuan, they will immediately appear and respond with fierce counter-attacks. They will not passively delete posts or back down in the face of abuse from black fans.

This is largely due to Chi Jingyuan's personal charm, as well as the company's operations and the organization of several large fans.

Before his debut, Ji Chang Wook's initial fans, like Park Ji Na, were able to get updates and photos from him through their contacts. They became prominent figures in the fan community as "big fans." Park Ji Na's personal fan site for Ji Chang Wook has become one of the largest gathering places for Yuan (Ji Chang Wook) fans.

This time, the collective gift for his birthday was organized by them. They didn't tell him in advance either, so it was a surprise for Chi Jingyuan.

He was indeed surprised, standing there for a long time in front of the pile of presents that filled almost the entire house.

I unwrapped the first few gift boxes, and inside were all sorts of gifts that fans had carefully prepared. Each one even had a handwritten card.

"Oppa, this comeback must be a success! We will all watch the first stage broadcast!"

"YuanFightg, don't worry about sales, the sisters have already discussed it and will definitely boost the sales! This comeback, let's walk the flowery path!"

"Oppa, I really want to hear the title song you wrote! It must be great! When can we see you guys on TV"

”…………“

Some notes are scribbly and obviously written by a young child. Others are neat and elegant, suggesting a high level of cultural refinement.

Although the words may differ, the emotions and blessings remain the same.

Chi Jingyuan stared at the gift and greeting card in front of him for a long time. He pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.

At last, he called a car and asked several workers to move all the gifts to a property near his home for safekeeping.

Chi Jingyuan decided that this house would be used to store fan gifts from now on. Although he might not open and look at every single one, at least it wouldn't be randomly disposed of by the company. He couldn't waste the fans' thoughtfulness.

I hope this comeback, and the title track of the re-released album, will satisfy the fans.

………………

"Hmm..."

"Are you back"

“It’s in.”

Chi Jingyuan returned to the dormitory, shook his head, changed his shoes, and greeted the few members who were sitting on the sofa watching TV. After washing up, he went back to his room.

It's the 15th today, Sunny's birthday. He was invited to a dinner party this evening and stayed until just now. He had some drinks too.

After that, Chi Jingyuan came back first. Before leaving, Xiaoyuan and Pani suggested going to Cb for a while, but they don't know if they've gone yet.

This time, several other Girls' Generation members came, all except Jung Soo Yeon and Choi Soo Young. Those two sisters apparently had some personal matters to attend to at the last minute, so they left after taking the certification photos.

As soon as Kim Taeyeon saw Ji Kyung-won, she immediately flew into a rage. She looked up at him with a fierce expression and angrily demanded to know why he was there for Sunny's birthday this time, but when it was her birthday in March, he said he didn't have time.

Because that was the busiest time preparing for the album, there was truly no time.

Ji Jingyuan thought to himself.

He could only smile wryly and apologize. Among the stares of a few sisters who were watching the commotion with amusement, he flattered Taeyeon enough times before she regained her composure and smiled proudly again.

Back in his dorm room, Ji Jingyuan tossed his clothes aside and immediately lay down on his bed. He felt a little tired, so he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

Wu Shi-hun and Do Kyung-soo, who share the same dormitory room, were both playing with their phones on their beds.

After a moment of silence, Wu Shixun couldn't help but speak:

"Tomorrow, the promotional photos for the comeback will be officially released, and the countdown to the comeback has officially begun. I don't know how the response will be. I hope it won't be too quiet."

He looked a bit worried, anxious.

"It shouldn't be, the company said they were going to invest a lot of resources in promoting it, I feel like this comeback is pretty good on all sides, much stronger than when they debuted."

"And this is the first original version of the album. I won't say much about "Wolf," a song I'm not really fond of. The lead single for the re-release, "Roar," written by Jingyuan, I think it definitely has the potential to be a hit."

Do Kyung-soo thought about it for a moment and shared his opinion. As one of the main vocalists representing Le, he felt indifferent toward “Wolf.”

"This comeback, whether in concept or image design, is way stronger than MAMA. Rest assured, I can't predict if it will be a hit or not, but at least it's definitely much stronger than our debut."

Ji Jingyuan lay on the pillow and said, "Looking at him, he seems more confident than Wu Shixun."

Tomorrow is the first wave of promotion, and everyone is a bit excited. They chatted about it for a while.

"Ringtone..."

After saying a few words, Chi Jingyuan's phone suddenly rang. He lay in bed without moving, stretched out his hand to grope around, took the phone from the side cabinet next to his ear, and answered it:

Well then.

“…………”

There was no reply, only a faint, barely perceptible breathing sound.

Chi Jingyuan opened his eyes, furrowed his brows, and brought his phone closer to take a look. It was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello there!" he asked again.

"……but there was still no sound or response."

"Crazy." Chi Jingyuan cursed, ready to hang up.

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This novel is first released on Traditional Chinese Novels Website.lding them. This allows their talented trainees to perform in front of an audience, getting familiar with the stage and camera, strengthening their stage presence and expressiveness, laying a foundati...