Peninsula's Life Begins in 2016

Chapter 57 Worried Nuna

"What are you used to?"

"I'm used to being alone." The illusory image of Lim Yoona lowered her head, looking at her transparent body. "I'm used to no one seeing me, no one hearing me, and quietly staying in a corner."

Her voice trailed off, "The fact that you can see me and hear me is the best thing that has happened to me in the past few years, so you don't need to comfort me or feel sorry for me. I don't need that kind of thing."

Jiang Yan put down the sandwich in his hand and looked at the semi-transparent profile of the illusory Lin Yoona.

With her eyelashes lowered and lips slightly pursed, her hands behind her back, she looked both obedient and pitiful.

Jiang Yan looked away, picked up the banana milk, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip. "I don't feel sorry for you. On the contrary, I think you're amazing."

The illusory image of Lim Yoona suddenly raised her head, a strange light flashing in her doe eyes. "You think I'm amazing? Why do you say that?"

"If you had truly given up, you wouldn't have noticed that I can see you; that's what you said yourself."

Jiang Yan tilted his head slightly. "Before that, you shouted to everyone you knew for three or four years. If it were me, I might have given up already. So you are very impressive in my eyes."

The illusory image of Lim Yoona suddenly felt a stinging sensation in her nose. She suppressed the feeling, turned her head to the side, and struck a smug pose. "Hmph, it's good that you know I'm amazing."

This slightly arrogant attitude made Jiang Yan smile slightly. He picked up the lunchbox, stuffed the last half of the sandwich into his mouth, chewed a few times and swallowed it, then stood up and patted the bread crumbs off his hands.

"Okay, I'm going back to work now."

He took two steps forward, then stopped, turned around, and said, "Oh, by the way, thank you."

The illusory image of Lim Yoona, still feeling conflicted, instinctively replied upon hearing this, "Huh? Why are you thanking me?"

Jiang Yan turned around and waved behind him, "Thank you for not being a pervert and for not floating in while I was taking a shower last night."

The illusory image of Lim Yoona twitched at the corner of her mouth, and then tried to grab the empty banana milk carton on the coffee table to throw at him, but after grabbing it twice, she missed and her hand passed right through it.

She floated into the air, hands on her hips, and shouted angrily, "Hey! Jiang Yan!!"

Jiang Yan walked towards the recording studio without looking back. After a few steps, he quickened his pace, and suddenly heard a scream from the shadowy figure of Lin Yoona behind him.

The two were more than three meters apart, and the illusory image of Lim Yoona was pulled forward and stumbled.

At 3 p.m., when Ahn Jung-hwan pushed the door open and came in, Kang Yeon was discussing the details of the last non-title track with Tiffany.

The illusory image of Lim Yoona was still sulking, but she had promised not to disturb Jiang Yan's work. At this moment, she was floating on the ceiling of the corridor outside the door, out of sight, out of mind.

As for Kenzie, she was already busy with other things; a top producer is always very busy.

As soon as Ahn Jung-hwan entered, he placed a folder on the mixing console, adjusted his glasses, and said, "I listened to the finished product, and it's been approved by Chief Lee. He said the recording quality this time is much better than he expected."

"Oppa, when will the company arrange the master tapes?" Tiffany took the folder and flipped through it.

"Next week." Ahn Jung-hwan sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said, "Your album mastering will be done at the studio in Seoul Forest. Kang Yeon will also go there, and I'll have someone show you around the mastering process."

"Yes." Jiang Yan nodded in agreement.

Ahn Jung-hwan took an envelope out of his suit pocket and handed it to Kang Yeon. "And this too. The finance department just approved it. Ten million won, after tax."

As he spoke, he leaned closer, patted Jiang Yan on the shoulder, and whispered, "What's going on between you and Pani? Why is she guarantor for your salary?"

Jiang hesitated before taking the envelope. Her fingertips touched the rough texture of the kraft paper, and she felt an immense weight in the sentiment behind it.

Although he doesn't have many urgent needs for money right now, no one knows what will happen in the days to come.

Although ten million is not a large sum, it gave him the confidence and strength to face unexpected situations.

He bowed slightly: "Thank you, Jung-hwan."

Ahn Jung-hwan glanced at Tiffany in the recording studio, then lingered on her face for two seconds, as if waiting for her to ask something.

Jiang Yan didn't press the matter of the guarantee; he simply carefully put the envelope into the inner pocket of his coat and sat back down at the radio.

"You're really good at keeping your cool, kid."

Ahn Jung-hwan shook his head. "Tiffany made a special trip to the finance department before leaving get off work yesterday. She said that since you just joined the company and are short of money after paying your rent deposit, she is willing to use her personal credit to guarantee that you can receive your arrangement fee this month, instead of waiting until next month."

Jiang Yan paused for a moment.

He looked down at the outline of the envelope on his chest, remained silent for a few seconds, then took a deep breath. When he looked up again, his face was calm.

"Understood, brother. I will personally go and thank Nuna."

Ahn Jung-hwan patted him on the shoulder again, then turned and walked out of the recording studio.

The recording studio door closed softly, and a ghostly figure of Lim Yoona passed through the doorway and landed beside him. "Unnie is so good to you, I'm so jealous."

Jiang Yan pretended not to hear and picked up the listening earpiece and put it back on.

"Hey, I'm serious." The illusory image of Lim Yoona floated in front of him, blocking his view.

"I know."

"Why don't you go and thank her?"

Jiang Yan glanced silently at Tiffany in the recording studio, then slowly said, "Thank you..."

But before he could finish speaking, his phone suddenly vibrated.

Jiang Yan took it out and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

Jiang Yan took off his listening headphones, picked up his phone, and went outside the recording room to answer the call. "Yo-ho!"

A gentle, poised voice came through the receiver, tinged with just the right amount of laughter, "Jiang Yanxi, this is Lin Yun'er. I hope I haven't disturbed your work?"

Jiang Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and he subconsciously glanced towards the door.

The illusory image of Im Yoona had somehow floated to his side, tilting her head and bringing it close to the phone, her doe eyes revealing an expression that seemed to be both excited and dejected.

"No, Paninuna just finished recording and is resting. Is there anything I can help you with, senior?"

"Don't call me 'senior' anymore, it sounds too formal." Yoona's tone was relaxed. "Tiffany unnie already asked you to call me noona, so you should call me noona too, otherwise she'll say I'm bullying my junior."

"Yes, Yoona noona."

"That's more like it."

A soft chuckle came from the other end of the phone, followed by a slight adjustment in tone, "Actually, it's like this. On her way home yesterday, Tiffany told me that you seemed too nervous because I was there, and you didn't even eat properly. To put Tiffany's mind at ease, are you free tonight, Kang Yeon-ssi? I'd like to treat you to dinner as compensation."

Jiang Yan's eye twitched slightly. He was both amazed by how many people Tiffany, this nuisance, had worried about him in front of, and also amazed at how this newly recognized nuisance knew how to make excuses.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Nuna. I'm not sure if I'll have time tonight, could I reply to you later?"