“Before that, there’s a fan who loves and cherishes Mr. Cheonghyeon more than anyone else. Shall we invite them up for a moment?”
Both Cheonghyeon and the fans frowned at the host’s announcement. Calling a fan aside out of the blue during a signing event?
Having heard nothing about this from Changsik, Cheonghyeon rolled his eyes around and searched frantically for him.
But Changsik, who had promised to stick by him all day, was nowhere to be seen. Where did that guy go?
Ding.
Just then, the elevator’s arrival chime sounded on the first floor. All eyes turned that way, and soon the venue erupted in a deafening roar of cheers.
Stepping out of the elevator were Changsik, Yoonwoo, Hando, and Sikyung.
The venue erupted in a deafening roar of cheers. “What’s going on?”, “Why is all of East here?”
The chaos was so intense it momentarily broke through the security guards’ defensive line. Cheonghyeon was also in a daze.
“Uh, uh?”
As Cheonghyeon looked flustered, his eyes darting around, the host added an explanation, seemingly thrilled.
“I hear this is Mr. Cheonghyeon’s first solo advertisement? To celebrate, we’ve specially invited three fans who support and love Mr. Cheonghyeon the most. They are the group East. Please welcome them with a round of applause!”
The scene erupted even more intensely with the appearance of Yoonwoo, Hando, and Sikyung.
Some fans even started crying. Cheongsan Water staff scattered throughout the venue handed them bottles of water, urging them not to overexert themselves.
Seeing this, Cheonghyeon let out a hollow laugh. No business shenanigans here… No wonder manager hyung suddenly vanished. So this was why.
As all three sat down in front of Cheonghyeon with microphones clipped on, he gave them a quiet, sidelong glance.
“Why didn’t you say anything? Who told you to do this? You scared me half to death.”
Cheonghyeon, who had forgotten they were wearing mics, scolded the three, and his reprimanding voice boomed loudly across the venue.
Fans continuously captured the scene with their cameras, giggling excitedly.
Seeing Cheonghyeon flustered, Yoonwoo chimed in with perfect timing.
“Do you hate that we came, hyung? We worked so hard to surprise you… Seriously, how could you be this clueless?”
“Yeah, Cheonghyeon. Aren’t you just ignoring us? You seemed so oblivious, we gave you hints all morning.”
Cheonghyeon just sighed at Yoonwoo and Sikyung’s words.
Even if they gave hints, how could he possibly know?
It was his own signing event, and they seemed more excited than he was.
He never imagined they would prepare an event like this.
Seeing how much the fans loved it, he could not really say anything. He could only silently glare at them instead.
“I’ll sign for you, so hurry up and go. You’re taking up the fans’ time. Standing there like that, everyone’s legs must be killing them.”
Cheonghyeon’s voice was met with a chorus of “No way!” from all around.
One particularly loud fan yelled, “Cheonghyeon, I’ve got all day! I could stand here forever!” causing everyone nearby to burst out laughing.
“Cheonghyeon, draw a heart next to To Sikyung’s name too.”
Cheonghyeon wrote “idiot” next to Sikyung’s name and added a heart. Yet Sikyung just giggled happily, making Cheonghyeon feel like he had lost.
After finishing signing, Yoonwoo and Sikyung slowly got ready to leave, but Hando sat staring blankly at his autograph paper.
“What? Why aren’t you leaving?”
“Draw a heart next to my name too.”
Fans roared again at Hando’s blunt demand for a heart.
Cheonghyeon drew the heart with an exasperated look and wrote “Is that enough?”, whereupon Hando finally grinned and stood up.
“I’ll treasure this.”
“Me too! Hyeon hyung, come to my room later. I’m gonna hang this on my wall.”
Cheonghyeon nodded understandingly and waved his hand dismissively. Even before the signing event had started, he felt completely drained.
“We’ll be heading out now. Please take good care of Cheonghyeon today~!”
As all the members stood up to prepare to leave, the fans felt disappointed but reignited their fighting spirit. Now it was time for the real signing session with Cheonghyeon.
“Hello. What’s your name?”
Cheonghyeon greeted each fan sincerely. Some fans burst into tears the moment they sat before him, and Cheonghyeon would hand them tissues, waiting patiently until their tears subsided.
To Yejin.
Promise me you won’t cry next time! I want to see you smile too. 🙂
Some fans burst into tears again upon seeing Cheonghyeon’s comment, but for the most part, the signing session proceeded with joyful laughter.
“Winner number 47!”
As a woman stepped up to the podium, Cheonghyeon met her eyes and asked her name.
“What’s your name?”
At his words, the woman stared intently at Cheonghyeon, tears welling up in her eyes.
Oh? You should not cry.
Just as a flustered Cheonghyeon was about to ask a staff member nearby for tissues, the woman spoke.
“Kwon Ihwa. That’s my name.”
For a moment, Cheonghyeon was so flustered he lost his words. But conscious of the fans behind him still snapping photos, he nonchalantly wrote his name on the autograph sheet and signed it. Neither said a word. Then, as Ihwa thanked him and started to rise, Cheonghyeon quietly said, “See you later, noona.”
“And now, the last one. Winner number 50!”
The fans let out a collective sigh of disappointment at the news it was already the last one, but that sound quickly turned into a murmur.
The winner of ticket number 50, seated at the very back, had stood up and stepped forward. Though his face was obscured by a hat and mask, his towering height, easily over 190 centimeters, and broad shoulders captured everyone’s attention.
Can you tell someone is handsome even when they are fully covered?
His camel-colored long coat shone with a distinct luster unlike ordinary coats. When the glimpse of a sparkling watch peeking out from his sleeve was added, a few fans seemed to recognize him, letting out small gasps of “Ah!”
However, most people murmured among themselves, “Another special guest?” focusing their attention on the man heading toward the stage.
Cheonghyeon was also quite flustered.
Had his brother hired another celebrity? The man walking toward him had an air of elegance even in his gait.A person with such a straight, beautiful walk.
Having seen countless handsome men and beautiful women during his time in the royal palace, he knew. Even though he was bundled up, he clearly possessed immense beauty.
His posture as he walked also suggested he had received proper etiquette training. Who could he be? Like the fans, Cheonghyeon also focused his gaze on the man.
“Hello.”
A low, soft voice struck his ears like a sharp blow.
The only visible part, not hidden by the hat and mask, was his eyes, which shone like jewels.
His light brown hair did not seem dyed.
His long, beautiful eyelashes were also a light grayish brown, matching his hair.
Cheonghyeon stared at those mesmerizing eyes for a moment before snapping back to reality and signing autographs.
“What’s your name?”
The male fan watching him chuckled softly and spoke up.
“Instead of my name, could you write ‘Hyeon Baragi’?”
At those words, Cheonghyeon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Huh?”
He smiled as if seeing someone dear, causing the fans to stir.
Is he a real celebrity? Cheonghyeon seems really happy to see him?
As the commotion grew, Cheonghyeon quickly lowered his posture, met the man’s gaze, and smiled brightly.
“I read all the letters written by Mr. Hyeon Baragi. I really wanted to meet you at least once. Could you tell me your real name?”
At Cheonghyeon’s words, the man’s eyes widened happily.
His beautiful eyes crinkled, and his eyelashes gathered neatly together.
Cheonghyeon gazed at him as if looking at a work of art.
“Since I’m a winner of the secret signing event, I’ll tell you my name then. See you later.”
As Seoan stood up, Cheonghyeon reluctantly held out the autograph paper.
Yet his cheeks were flushed, and the corners of his mouth were slightly turned up.
Amidst the mental exhaustion from dealing with numerous winners and Ihwa’s appearance, Seoan’s presence had recharged his energy.
As Seoan descended from the stage and disappeared, fans murmured, “He must not be a celebrity.”
Yet, when the host delivered the closing remarks, their attention refocused on Cheonghyeon, and they sighed regretfully.
To them, the Cheonghyeon before their eyes was more important than the mysterious, handsome non-celebrity who had already vanished.
“We’ll take a short break before proceeding with the secret signing event. The signing will take place in the VIP lounge on the 8th floor. We’ve reserved that space for the day, so you can rest there for now. We’ll notify you separately when it’s time.”
Changsik nodded at the staff member’s words and headed to the 8th floor with Cheonghyeon. Cheonghyeon was completely exhausted.
“Are you okay? The secret signing is with just five people, so it should be fine. And it’s only a 12-minute time limit per person; some might go earlier.”
But both Cheonghyeon and Changsik knew that since only the most dedicated fans had gathered, they would likely fill the full 12 minutes. For now, they needed to grab a quick bite to prepare for the second signing session ahead.
“Hyung, why didn’t you tell me? Seeing the members really shocked me.”
Changsik burst out laughing at Cheonghyeon’s whining.
“Actually, the kids planned this from the moment the signing event was announced. Cheongsan Water was thrilled too, saying it would be great publicity and gave the green light right away. They were so persistent, saying we had to give our Cheonghyeon a boost since it’s his first commercial.”
Truthfully, the manager seemed more excited than Yoonwoo, Hando, or Sikyung when they appeared, but Cheonghyeon decided not to voice that thought.
Why were these members and the manager so genuinely invested in boosting his confidence?
He chuckled, remembering the manager heading to the shop when the first shoot was booked, insisting they had to crush his spirit.
“Huh? Does our sincerity make you laugh?”
Changsik scolded him, seemingly unaware his own mouth was stretched into a wide grin. The two men walked toward the VIP lounge, laughing as they looked at each other.
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