After returning to the dormitory, Zhí Jǐng Lián distributed the items she had helped bring to her teammates and returned to her bed with the last remaining Yukimi Daifuku.
The other one had already gone into Jīn Zhìyuán's stomach.
Zhí Jǐng Lián held the fork but hesitated to eat.
Just like three months ago, she had once again watched Zhāng Zhíshù slip away before her eyes.
Seeing that he, who used to be a loner, now had so many friends around him, she felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he was treading the same path she had.
Because she always enjoyed her own interests and was immersed in thought, Zhí Jǐng Lián didn't have many friends when she was in school.
It wasn't until she came to the Peninsula and met Jīn Zhìyuán, and after the debut lineup was confirmed, that she became acquainted with the other members and made quite a few friends.
But now, not only could she not bless him wholeheartedly, but she also felt a bit restless.
She had already resolved to let go of past regrets.
Why did he have to reappear at a time like this?
And as a suspected Trainee.
Placing the plastic box she had been holding for a long time on the bedside table, Zhí Jǐng Lián scratched her round head in distress.
Reason told her she shouldn't expect anything and should pretend today's encounter never happened.
But every time she repeated it in her mind, what emerged was that day of the graduation ceremony, standing under the cherry blossom tree, feeling helpless.
With each repeated mental recitation, the scene in her mind became clearer, and she could even recall the veins of a cherry blossom petal that fell in front of her.
So she hadn't moved on at all.
Zhí Jǐng Lián had to admit that she had been deceiving herself all along.
It was still regret.
The reason might not only be because of him, but also because of herself three years ago, who wanted to express her gratitude but did nothing.
Thinking of this, Zhí Jǐng Lián secretly made up her mind.
It wasn't just to make up for past regrets, but more importantly, to find peace for herself.
If there was a next time, she wouldn't do nothing again.
I hope you debut successfully.
………………
"How about we have Korean barbecue? We probably won't be able to eat it after we join the group," Zhāng Zhíshù said as he turned to ask the four people across the street once they had crossed.
Besides the stated reason, Zhāng Zhíshù had his own considerations.
In his opinion, compared to other types of restaurants, the atmosphere of a barbecue restaurant made it easier for people to get closer.
Quickly getting acquainted with Zhāng Hào and others was the main purpose of him organizing this gathering.
The four of them indicated they had no objections, and Jīn Kuí Bīn, with his most cheerful demeanor, seemed particularly excited.
Perhaps this was also a case of appearance reflecting inner disposition, Zhāng Zhíshù thought to himself.
On the way to the barbecue restaurant, passersby frequently turned their heads to look at the five of them.
After all, when five handsome men with distinct styles gather together, it's quite a sight to behold.
Once inside the restaurant and seated, Zhāng Zhíshù directly handed two menus to Zhāng Hào, who was sitting next to him, and Hán Wéichén, who was opposite him.
After the four of them indicated they had chosen, Zhāng Zhíshù called the waiter to place the order.
After listening to the waiter confirm the dishes, Zhāng Zhíshù knew that they were hesitant to order too much, so he directly added a few more portions.
After the staff left, Zhāng Zhíshù spoke first, "Eat more. This is our last good meal before joining the group."
"That makes sense." Zhāng Hào, who had interacted with all four present, chimed in, "Why don't we start by stating our ages?"
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Zhāng Hào, who initiated the suggestion, started, "I'll go first. I'm from 2000. Zhāng Zhíshù, you must be younger than me, right?"
"Mm, I'm from 2003," Zhāng Zhíshù replied immediately when called upon.
Shěn Quánruì and Jīn Kuí Bīn were both from 2004, and the youngest, Hán Wéichén, was even from 2007.
Hearing this, Zhāng Zhíshù began to make a tangential connection, "Among IVE, who is about to debut, isn't their maknae also from 2007?"
After Wú Hǎiyuán mentioned it last time, Zhāng Zhíshù had deliberately searched for the other members of IVE with the idea of accumulating impressions.
After all, in a place like the Peninsula where etiquette is highly valued, not recognizing a sunbae could easily lead to gossip.
"Doesn't that mean our maknae will debut too?" Shěn Quánruì immediately followed up.
Zhāng Hào also tried to liven up the atmosphere, "Yes, Wéichén even got a perfect score this time, which makes it even more convincing."
Hán Wéichén, the center of attention, chuckled shyly, "It's just a coincidence."
After this topic concluded, the waiter brought over the charcoal fire and meat.
As they grilled the meat, the heat from the charcoal brazier made everyone sweat slightly, and the atmosphere gradually heated up along with the temperature.
Swallowing the food in his mouth, Zhāng Zhíshù brought up a topic that interested him, "If I remember correctly, didn't the first dormitory assignments separate Group K and Group G and were assigned randomly?"
"Mm, it seems like it was four people per room," Zhāng Hào added.
Since the topic had come up, they inevitably began to discuss their desired roommates.
"Then I definitely want to be in the same dorm as Kuí Bīn hyung."
Hearing Hán Wéichén's words, Jīn Kuí Bīn patted his shoulder with great satisfaction.
Remembering that there were many Neon trainees in Group G, Jīn Kuí Bīn suddenly asked, "Zhāng Zhíshù-xi, since you studied in Neon, you must speak Japanese very well, right?"
"Mm, I can speak both Japanese and Chinese," Zhāng Zhíshù replied without modesty.
Shěn Quánruì, on the side, interjected, "But your Korean is also quite good. Have you been studying for a long time?"
"Including self-study, it's been about five months," Zhāng Zhíshù answered after looking up and thinking for a moment.
Everyone expressed surprise, especially Shěn Quánruì, who looked completely dejected.
"I feel like I've been studying for nothing for so long..." After lamenting, Shěn Quánruì suddenly changed the subject, "Then I want to be in the same dorm as Zhíshù. That way, I won't have to worry about not being able to communicate if I'm in a dorm with Neon trainees."
"That makes sense. Then I want to be in the same dorm as Zhíshù too," Zhāng Hào echoed.
"So I've become a translator?" Zhāng Zhíshù couldn't help but laugh.
On second thought, even if he were a translator, at least this kind of multi-lingual translator role would be quite rare on the show, making it a likable persona.
After the jokes, Zhāng Hào spoke seriously, "I hope at least two of us from Group G can be assigned together."
Shěn Quánruì immediately asked, "Why can't all three of us be together?"
"The production team probably wouldn't be so kind as to put three Huaxia people together," Zhāng Zhíshù voiced his guess.
"That's right, and Ricky, you and I probably won't be in the same dorm."
Shěn Quánruì wasn't stupid, "Because we're from the same company?"
Zhāng Hào nodded in agreement, "Now it just depends on who is lucky enough to be assigned to a dorm with Zhíshù."
"I also hope to be grouped with you guys, because I haven't experienced dorm life yet."