Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 111 Shirley Returns to Korea

On the day Sulli's Korean single "That Person" was released, it debuted at number two on the music charts.

When Kim Dong-wook posted the screenshot in the company group chat, Choi Min-soo gave a thumbs-up, and Kim Eun-sook replied with "Congratulations." Sulli herself didn't say anything. After listening to the song at the company, Su Yu took off his headphones and sent Sulli a message: "Second place from the start. Did you see that?" Sulli replied with one word: "Yeah." Su Yu typed a few words: "Great result." Sulli didn't reply.

In the afternoon, Shirley arrived at the company. She was wearing a black coat, no makeup, and her lips were a little dry. When she opened the door, Su Yu was looking at documents. She didn't sit on the sofa, but went straight to his desk and stood opposite him.

"Did you hear that?" she asked.

"I heard it."

"What do you think?"

"I told you, the grades are very good."

Shirley stared at him. "I'm not asking about the grades. I'm asking about the song itself."

Su Yu put down the documents and leaned back in her chair. "The melody is catchy, and the lyrics are well-written. Your handling of the chorus is more mature than before."

Shirley waited a few seconds. "That's it?"

"What else would you like to hear?"

Shirley lowered her head and traced a line on the edge of the table with her finger. "Never mind. That's just how you are." She turned to leave.

"Shirley."

She stopped, but didn't turn around.

"That song is memorable."

Shirley's shoulder twitched. She didn't turn around, but pushed the door open and left.

In the hallway, she bumped into Cai Xiubin. The two stood facing each other, a couple of steps apart. Cai Xiubin was holding two cups of coffee, handing one to Shirley.

"Unnie, congratulations. You've landed second place!"

Shirley took it but didn't drink it. "Soobin, have you heard that song?"

"I've heard of it."

Shirley looked into her eyes. "Do you think it sounds good?"

Cai Xiubin thought for a moment. "It sounds nice. But the lyrics are too bitter."

Shirley paused for a moment, then smiled. "Tell me the truth." She took a sip of her coffee, then said, "I'm leaving. I have a gig."

"Take care, Unnie."

Shirley left. Cai Xiubin stood in the corridor, holding the remaining cup of coffee, stood there for a few seconds, and then pushed open the door to Su Yu's office.

"Did you and Shirley have a fight?"

Su Yu looked up. "No."

She doesn't look well.

She said she hadn't slept well.

Cai Xiubin placed the coffee on his desk and sat down opposite him. "Su Yu, have you ever considered that Shirley didn't write that song so that you would praise her?"

Su Yu looked at her. "Then why?"

"Just so you can hear me." Cai Xiubin paused for a moment. "Just hearing me is enough. No need for praise."

Su Yu didn't speak. Cai Xiubin stood up, walked to the door, and turned back.

What do you want to eat tonight?

"casual."

"Then let's have kimchi soup. There's some in the fridge."

"it is good."

The door closed. Su Yu sat alone in his office, picked up his phone, and scrolled to Shirley's chat window. The last message was her "Mmm." He typed a few words, then deleted them. Finally, he sent a message: "Go to bed early tonight. Don't stay up late." Shirley replied a few minutes later with just one word: "Okay."

That evening, Park Jiyeon sent a message. It wasn't for Su Yu, but for Cai Xiubin.

"Soobin, congratulations Sulli. Please pass on my message. I'm in Jeju Island, and the signal is bad."

Cai Xiubin replied with an "okay," and then relayed it to Su Yu. "Jiyeon unnie asked me to congratulate Sulli." Su Yu asked, "Did you send it?" Cai Xiubin replied, "Yes."

Cai Xiubin put down her phone and looked at Su Yu. "Did you know that Jiyeon unnie is filming in Jeju Island?"

"Know."

Have you visited the set?

"No. She's only been in Jeju Island for two weeks."

Cai Xiubin nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

That night's dinner was kimchi soup. Su Yu drank two bowls, and Cai Xiubin drank one. The two sat facing each other, not saying much. The TV was on, showing a music program; Shirley wasn't there, it was another singer. Cai Xiubin glanced at it and changed the channel.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

Do you think Shirley will sing that song live?

There's a music program next week. Probably.

Are you going?

Su Yu put down her bowl. "What should I do?"

"Go listen to a live performance," Cai Xiubin said. "The recording studio and the live performance are different."

Su Yu looked at her. "You want to go?"

"I didn't say I would go. I said you would go."

Su Yu paused for a moment. "We'll talk about it later."

Cai Xiubin didn't ask any more questions. She cleared the table and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. The water was running. Su Yu sat at the dining table, watching her back. She was wearing that gray sweatshirt, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her hands covered in soap. The tap wasn't turned off, and she rinsed for a long time. Su Yu stood up, walked behind her, and rested her chin on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Cai Xiubin turned her head.

"It's nothing."

You're even quieter than usual today.

I'm tired.

Cai Xiubin turned off the water, dried her hands, and turned to face him. "Then go lie down on the sofa. I'll heat up a glass of milk for you."

Su Yu didn't move. Cai Xiubin looked at him and reached out to touch his face. "Are you in a bad mood? Because of Shirley?"

"no."

"Why?"

"No. I'm just tired."

Cai Xiubin stared at him for a few seconds, then didn't ask any more questions. She heated up some milk, brought it over, and handed it to him. Su Yu took it and took a sip. The milk was at the perfect temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. Cai Xiubin took his hand, led him to the sofa, pressed him down to sit, and leaned on his shoulder.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"When you're tired, you don't need to say anything. I'll just stay with you."

Su Yu hugged her without saying a word.