The girls returned to their seats and sat down. Nian and Xuanye looked at their computer screens and sighed.
Nian said, "Xuanye, just a single photo… it made us so nervous, right?"
She looked at her and replied, "Yeah, Nian. It's really tough to be an idol. Now I can see how a single photo can create a big problem. Even the ones who post the photos should be honest, but they edit it just to stir up drama."
Nian sighed. "Yes, Xuanye. But imagine them—they have to be super careful with their idol image."
Xuanye chuckled. "But those boys… they don't even care about that. They act like they were just born."
The girls chuckled together, and Nian said, "After reaching home, let's video call them and tell them about our praise."
Xuanye nodded excitedly. "And let's buy some dessert on the way home!"
Nian's eyes sparkled, and they returned to work.
---
Meanwhile, the boys were smiling when their manager Zheng walked toward Woozi's room. He knocked on the door but got no answer. He sighed. "He must have gone to Hoshi's room." He knocked again, still no answer.
He was shocked. "Where did they all go? I just stepped out for a few minutes and they're already missing."
As he stood near Scoups' room, he took a deep breath and knocked. The door was open. He sighed again. "These guys don't even close the door." As he stepped inside, he saw all the boys gathered and talking.
"What are you all doing here? Having a meeting?" he asked.
The boys looked at him in silence.
Sensing something was wrong, Zheng asked, "Why are you guys like this?"
Jun asked, "Zheng, you said the airport photo was taken down. Did you really mean it?"
Zheng gulped. "Why are you asking, Jun? Even if you don't trust me, you know our CEO, right?"
The boys nodded. Woozi pointed to the photo on Scoups' phone and asked, "Then what does this mean?"
Zheng flinched, walked over, and took the phone. He saw the girls' public post and his eyes widened. "Guys, I really didn't know about this. It wasn't released by us. Some other media posted it. But look—the girls already cleared up the rumors." He was sweating.
The boys burst out laughing. Boo said, "Zheng, you were really scared, huh?"
Zheng stood frozen like a statue and then yelled, "Don't do pranks like that! I can't take it!" He wiped his sweat with a tissue.
DK stood up and patted him. "Zheng, we were just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Zheng sighed. "I came here to say breakfast is ready. If you want to go sightseeing, I'll be your tour guide."
The boys clapped, and Boo said, "Thanks for your hard work, Zheng. We'll come down after eating."
As they left, Zheng stood there thinking, Won't even one of you say, "Zheng hyung, we'll go visit. You can rest"? He sighed deeply.
---
The girls got off work at 5 p.m. and headed to a dessert shop. Nian picked a strawberry cake with a chamomile design just for herself.
Xuanye eyed it. "That one looks so good—we'll eat that first at home!"
Nian shot a bombastic side-eye. "Nope. This one's mine. If you want another cake, buy it—I'll pay."
Xuanye smirked. "Huh. Don't blame me later for making your money disappear."
Nian's smile froze. "I shouldn't have pitied you."
Xuanye laughed.
---
They returned home, stepped out of the car, and walked to the door with warm smiles. Nian knocked.
Their father opened the door and smiled. "You girls look so happy! Smooth day at work?"
Nian replied, "More than smooth—it was recognition!"
As they placed the cakes on the table, their mother came out. "Recognition? And why did you buy all this?"
The girls asked their parents to sit.
Nian explained, "Ma, today our chief said we did a good job and told us that if we keep this up, we'll get promoted early."
Xuanye added, "He even said he'd raise our salary."
Their parents' eyes widened.
"Wow! You made a great impression as newbies. Good job!" their father said.
"You girls make us proud," their mother added.
The girls giggled. Xuanye handed the cake to their parents, and they all enjoyed it together.
---
Meanwhile, the boys finished breakfast and explored the streets. DK, Mingyu, Boo, Jun, and Dino took selfies and posted them on Moments. The others wandered into local shops.
Minghao was admiring a real pearl hairclip. Hoshi placed it on his head and asked, "Guys, how do I look?"
The boys gave him awkward thumbs-ups. Hoshi giggled and placed it on Woozi's head.
Woozi blushed and said, "Yah, Hoshi! What are you doing?"
Hoshi laughed. "You look beautiful with your long hair."
Woozi shyly covered his face.
Minghao quickly took the clip off. "Hey, don't touch Xuanye's clip," he said as he brushed it and placed it in his bag.
The boys got goosebumps.
Elsewhere, DK found a bracelet that said Sunshine. He compared it with his own.
"Nian, look at this. Mine says Sunshine Loudie and yours has Sunshine. It's fate, right?" He giggled. "You like it? Oh, you do? Then I'll buy it."
The other boys stepped back.
Mingyu muttered, "What the…?"
Scoups blinked. "DK's talking to a bracelet. What is going on?"
Jun, stunned, filmed a video and sent it to Nian:
"DK is talking to jewelry now. Please check on him. Minghao's acting just like him."
The rest of the boys folded their arms, watching with a mix of judgment and admiration, as DK and Minghao looked like two love-struck teens who showed just how true their feelings were.