As the girls stepped inside, their parents looked up. Their father asked, "Did the boys leave?"
The girls nodded. Xuanye added, "Ma, tomorrow after work, we're going to the boys' dorm for a meeting."
Nian glanced at her mother with a soft smile. Her mother blinked and said, "Huh? You just saw them—and now you're meeting again tomorrow? What is this? A meeting with the Prime Minister?"
The girls chuckled, faces lightly flushed. Their mother narrowed her eyes. "Why are you both blushing, huh? Don't act like little kids."
They laughed and hurried off to their room. Their parents watched them go, shaking their heads with amused disbelief.
---
Meanwhile, at the studio...
The boys arrived at 7 PM, tumbling out of the car one by one. Scoups and Mingyu emerged like dignified CEOs, while DK and Minghao looked like they'd just carried boulders across a desert.
The rest of the members stretched lazily, fresh as daisies after their nap—because they had all been sitting comfortably on DK and Minghao's laps.
Groaning dramatically, DK clutched his back. "My legs… I can't feel them."
Minghao leaned against the car door, wincing. "You're walking like an old man."
DK held out a hand. "Then carry me, my son."
Minghao rolled his eyes. "Just walk straight, grandpa."
The boys laughed. Dino mock-filmed them with his hands like a camera lens. "A young man walks his elderly patient to practice—what a touching scene."
Inside the studio, their manager Zheng was already waiting. Vernon raised a brow. "Zheng? You joining us today?"
Zheng crossed his arms. "I came to check how well you guys practice. If I leave you alone, you'll turn the studio into a variety show."
The boys burst into laughter and got into position. After an hour of focused rehearsal, they sat on the floor catching their breath.
Zheng clapped. "You guys were awesome."
The boys beamed.
"We'll depart Saturday at 7 AM," he continued. "Be at the airport on time. Media and paparazzi will be everywhere."
Wonwoo replied dryly, "Zheng, we know."
Zheng scowled. "Let me remind you—because left alone, you'll be turning check-in into a fan meet."
---
At the girls' house...
Nian and Xuanye sat on their bed, scrolling through their phones. Nian spotted an article. "Look—SEVENTEEN's world tour begins at 7 AM."
Xuanye nodded. "I saw it too. I guess they'll tell us about it tomorrow."
Nian looked thoughtful. "How long will it last?"
Xuanye blinked. "Usually a month, maybe longer…"
Nian bit her lip, unsure. Xuanye went back to scrolling, eyes a little uncertain too.
---
The Next Morning...
The girls yawned their way through waking up.
"Do we really have to go to work?" Nian grumbled. "It was nice taking two days off…"
Xuanye rubbed her eyes. "We already took leave. Any more and we might as well resign."
Nian smirked. "They won't say anything if you faint."
Xuanye froze. "Don't even joke like that." She smacked her own forehead. "Get ready."
Soon, they were showered, dressed, and eating breakfast.
Their father chuckled. "Don't sleep at work, girls. Be active."
Their mother chimed in, "If you lecture them first thing in the morning, they'll definitely fall asleep."
The girls shared a proud grin, then quickly finished their breakfast and left.
In the car, Nian started dozing off.
"Don't sleep in front of me," Xuanye warned. "You'll make me sleepy too."
"Then pull over and nap with me," Nian mumbled.
Xuanye smirked and floored the accelerator. Nian jerked awake. "Are you trying to kill me? I just got discharged!"
"I'll pay your hospital bills," Xuanye teased.
Nian shot her a bombastic side-eye, pouting at the window. They reached the office and stepped out, adjusting their bags.
"Let's do our best from today," Xuanye said.
Nian sighed. "We got this."
They nervously entered their department. Their head greeted them with a warm smile.
"Nian, how are you feeling?"
"I'm much better, ma'am. Thank you for letting us take leave."
Just then, their colleagues gathered around.
"Girls, we're sorry!" they said in unison.
Nian and Xuanye blinked. "Wait—why are you apologizing?"
"When we heard Nian fainted… we felt guilty for how we acted. We were shocked and scared."
Their department head nodded proudly.
Nian smiled. "Please don't say that. It wasn't your fault. The misunderstanding just happened."
Xuanye added with a sly grin, "But if you really want to make it up to us…"
Nian elbowed her. "Xuanye—!"
Xuanye continued undeterred, "...Then teach us properly and help us become your equals."
Their colleagues nodded eagerly. Their head and Nian looked at her in disbelief, but smiled anyway.
Xuanye smirked triumphantly. "What? I saw an opportunity and I took it."