Chapter 182

in the afternoon.

"Truth, let's find a place to rest for a while."

Huang Xu was holding large and small packages in his hands, looking ahead at the still energetic and tireless Cui Zhenli who made a pleading sound.

"Oppa, are you tired?"

"Yes, let's find a place to sit and take a rest."

"Okay, let's find a place to rest."

Choi Jin-ri couldn't help but smile as she saw Huang Xu's hands were filled with his "trophies" and he looked so pitiful.

Then he pointed to a coffee shop not far ahead.

"I'll buy Oppa some coffee."

"Anything is fine, as long as there is a place to sit and rest."

Huang Xu had no opinion on what to drink.

For him now, as long as there is a place to sit and rest for a while, it is good enough. It doesn’t matter what he drinks while sitting there.

After he followed Choi Jin-ri to the coffee shop, he directly put the bag in his hand on the seat next to him, and then slumped down on the large sofa in the coffee shop.

When Choi Jin-ri looked at Huang Xu's appearance, the smile on her face became even more intense.

She rarely saw Huang Xu acting so badly in front of her, so she couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

Compared to how serious he was when they were together before, she particularly liked Huang Xu's current look and liked his relaxed feeling.

But there were few opportunities to see it before.

She only had the chance to see it when Hal and Sunny played games together.

Just as she was immersed in her inner world, Huang Xu, who was sitting opposite her, couldn't help but shook his head as he looked at Choi Jinri who seemed a little distracted.

Then he stood up and prepared to go to the bar to order two drinks.

It was not until Huang Xu stood up that Cui Zhenli came to her senses and quickly grabbed Huang Xu's sleeve.

"Oppa, didn't we agree that it's my treat?"

"Forget it, I'll go buy it, you sit down and take a rest."

Huang Xu directly pried Choi Jinri's hands apart, and then pressed her prepared body down.

The two of them have been shopping for several hours today, and they have hardly stopped since they arrived at the commercial street here.

He is so tired now, so what about Choi Jin-ri?

According to Huang Xu's observation, she doesn't look tired now. In fact, it is because of the unique talent of women and she is relying on the excited spirit to support herself.

The final result was exactly as Huang Xu had expected. When he returned with two glasses of iced American coffee, Choi Jinri was just like him, slumped on the sofa in a very relaxed manner, completely devoid of the spirit he had just had.

When Huang Xu saw this situation, he showed a teasing expression.

"What's wrong? Aren't you tired?"

"Hey Oppa."

Choi Jin-ri looked at Huang Xu teasing her, but she didn't get angry. Instead, she started to act like a spoiled brat.

I don’t know when it started, but Choi Jin-ri, who used to be known as an intellectual beauty, has gradually changed her style.

Although she still maintains the appearance of an intellectual goddess most of the time, she smiles a lot more often in her daily life, and has begun to act coquettishly in front of friends like Huang Xu and Goo Hara.

However, she herself did not notice this situation.

Huang Xu couldn't help but take out his cell phone and take a picture of Choi Jinri when he saw her acting like a spoiled brat.

However, his action scared Choi Jin-ri on the opposite side, and she pointed at Huang Xu's mobile phone and asked.

"Oppa, what are you doing?"

"Take a picture and post it online later, so that fans can see how Sulli acts like a spoiled child."

"Oppa~~~"

"No~~"

Huang Xu looked at Choi Jinri's coquettish look and could only admit defeat.

"Okay, okay, I won't post it. I'll just enjoy it myself."

Now they are in a cafe, which is a public place.

Although today is a weekday and there are not many customers in the store, it does not mean that there is no possibility that they will be discovered.

You have to know that although Choi Jin-ri has made a certain disguise for today's shopping, it is only the simplest disguise.

Of course, the most important thing is that she doesn’t have the same makeup skills as the makeup masters in the short videos in her previous life.

If they could really master that kind of technology, then they wouldn't have to be so cautious when going out.

After Huang Xu's reminder, Cui Zhenli finally calmed down.

At this time, Huang Xu finally asked about the doubts he had for the day.

"Why did you think of asking me to go shopping with you today? Besides, these clothes are not suitable for wearing in Seoul now, right?"

"Hey, Oppa, you figured it out."

Choi Jin-ri chuckled and began to explain.

"Isn't our group coming back soon? The company is..."

After Choi Jin-ri's explanation, Huang Xu finally understood why Choi Jin-ri asked him to accompany her shopping and buy these clothes that she couldn't wear in Seoul now.

Their group is about to release their third full-length album in a few months. Similarly, in order to promote their group, their agency has cooperated with South Korea's MBC TV station to launch a group variety show Amazing f(x).

And at the beginning of next month, I will go to New Zealand with the team for recording.

That's why she thought of asking Huang Xu to accompany her to go shopping and buy some things needed for the trip.

However, Huang Xu was still a little confused when he looked at the clothes on the chair next to him.

"Oh, I see. But why did you buy so much? Shouldn't the program crew provide them?"

"How is that possible, Oppa."

"We are here to promote our group and ourselves, so we need to prepare most of the clothes ourselves."

Cui Zhenli looked at Huang Xu speechlessly and began to explain some "unspoken rules" of the entertainment industry.

At this time, the Korean entertainment industry is not taken seriously by the fashion industry.

Except for a very small number of movie stars, most Korean stars are actually unable to get endorsements from clothing brands.

When participating in events, I basically have to rely on my agent or stylist to find stores to rent.

This is especially true for girl group idols like them.

Although this variety show is also in cooperation with South Korea's MBC TV station, it is just a team variety show for fans.

To put it bluntly, the TV station needs the fame of the function group, and S.H.I.E. can take the opportunity to promote the function group and allow them to accumulate popularity before their return.

It can be said to be a win-win situation. However, Choi Jin-ri and her friends, as members of the Function Group, were not so lucky.

Although the company has many makeup artists and stylists, they can only provide some suggestions on makeup and styling.

If they were in Korea, they would be able to provide some clothing options, but this time they are going to New Zealand, so in addition to the clothes prepared for the upcoming MV shooting, they basically have to rely on the private clothes they buy themselves.

That's why she asked Huang Xu to come out with her today to buy the clothes she needed for filming the variety show in New Zealand.

Huang Xu also heard Cui Zhenli's story at this time, and couldn't help feeling some emotion.

"Korean stars are really miserable."

It’s not surprising that he feels this way, because being a Korean star really doesn’t have an easy life.

Not to mention the fierce competition and replacement rate among Korean stars, as well as those stars who have not yet become famous and have simply remained silent on the road to fame.

Take those celebrities who have already become famous and have a certain reputation. In fact, their lives are very ordinary.

In his previous life, Huang Xu had seen some stars who disappeared after a few years of their debut and then reappeared in the Internet age.

One thing they all said was that many Korean celebrities don't actually make any money.

Many idols from boy and girl groups who were once very popular have come out to talk about how they gained considerable fame in a short period of time because of their works or various other reasons.

But they don't actually make any money.

There are even members of well-known girl groups who only settle their debts once every seven years, and the amount after settlement is only a pitiful tens of millions of won.

It seems that tens of millions of Korean won is not a small amount, but when converted, it is only about 50,000 or 60,000 Chinese yuan.

With this calculation, you can imagine how low their income is.

Moreover, even for top idols who are already quite famous, such as Sunny, Goo Hara, or Choi Jinri, their income is actually not that high.

Take Goo Hara for example.

Although her group KARA is only the gatekeeper of the first-line girl groups in South Korea, their popularity in Japan is top-notch.

However, Goo Hara's income after working for three or four years has only just reached over five million.

You have to know that this is her income from three years since her debut.

If she were in China, her income would at least double.

That is why Huang Xu lamented the difficulties faced by Korean celebrities and artists.

Of course, these are off-topic. What I am saying is just to prove that the current endorsement fees of Korean stars are actually not high.

This is also the reason why Choi Jin-ri now buys her own private server.

If a Chinese star were to appear on such a variety show that was broadcast on national television, there would surely be various manufacturers rushing to send their new clothing products for the artist to choose from.

Instead of requiring artists to spend their own money to buy a lot of clothes.

Cui Zhenli looked at Huang Xu nodding in agreement, and her heart finally calmed down.

There was actually nothing wrong with what she just said, she just concealed something else.

Today is March 29th, her birthday.

In the past, her family would come to help her celebrate.

But now, she has fallen out with her family some time ago because of issues related to bank cards and financial power.

Therefore, a few days ago, she was worried that she would be alone on her birthday.

That's why a few days ago, when she was looking for Goo Hara to compensate her, she suggested that Huang Xu accompany her shopping.

Therefore, seeing that Huang Xu had believed what she said, she slowly relaxed and quietly enjoyed the time Huang Xu was with her.

While she was enjoying it quietly, what she didn't see was that Huang Xu, who was sitting opposite her, was secretly chatting with someone on his cell phone.

After the two of them rested for half an hour, Huang Xu finished chatting and spoke directly to Choi Jinri.

"Come on Truth, let's get on with it."

"Okay Oppa."

After a short rest, Choi Jin-ri recovered a lot of her physical strength and spirit. So after looking at Huang Xu and responding sweetly, she happily led the way in front, ready to continue visiting the shops she had not visited yet.

While Huang Xu was taking Choi Jin-ri shopping, not far from them, James was looking at James opposite him, waiting for his answer.

At noon today, he received a call from Smith, saying that he wanted to have a chat together.

But what was unexpected was that when I thought Smith had taken the bait, he gave me a sudden attack.

Not only did he realize that his treat a few days ago was a trap, but he also wanted to take the initiative into his own hands.

Although James was somewhat flustered by Smith's sudden confession.

But as a veteran who has been working in society for many years, he was able to regain his composure in a short time.

He directly admitted that he was setting the hook, and when someone came to the door, he asked directly:

"So Mr. Smith, are you going to take the bait?"

"I."

Smith was in a daze at this time.

He originally thought that after his sudden attack directly exposed James' thoughts, he would be put in a passive position.

In the end, James didn't take the bait, and asked himself directly and openly, do you want to take the bait?
If it were a few years ago, he would definitely refuse directly and use harsh words to drive James away.

But the experiences of the past few years have made him lose this courage.

And because of his desire for wealth and fear of the future, he was unable to directly express his thoughts when he came.

James also saw Smith's hesitation, and his anxious heart finally calmed down.

He was actually very flustered by Smith's sudden attack just now.

Fortunately, he calmed down in time.

After all, he had gone through some screening before looking for Smith and others.

The family conditions of these people are not actually very good. Although they cannot be said to be very poor, they are not rich either.

Although they have been stationed in South Korea for longer than me and have served in the military for much longer than me, this is only in South Korea.

After they are discharged from the army in two years, they will no longer be able to be superior to others like they are now.

The most important thing is that after they retire, their retirement benefits will be much higher than what they received at the time.

But if they imagine themselves these days, spending all kinds of money and not caring about the expenses, there is no comparison at all.

This was also the plan he and Huang Xu had formulated, which was to rely on such lavish spending to attract their attention.

This allows them to offer to "help" and provide a certain amount of shelter.

Although there are some problems in the current process, the result is the same.

So James looked at the silent man in front of him and asked again.

"So, you wanna take the bait?"

(End of this chapter)