Chapter Sixty-Seven: Come Back

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Entertainment By Your Side – No Pop-ups

Story timeline: January 2006

Recommended song: Wonder Girls — So Hot

Statement: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.

All four major music programs extended invitations for Jiang Yihan’s comeback stage, but in the end, Jiang Yihan chose to make his debut on SBS’s “Inkigayo.” The performance was set for January 15.

After more than half a year, returning to the backstage makeup room at SBS felt both strange and familiar. The afternoon had been filled with long rehearsals, and now, as the audience slowly filled the seats outside, that long-missed sense of nervousness crept back onto Jiang Yihan.

“Ah, I’m so nervous, what should I do?” Jiang Yihan kept sipping from his bottle of mineral water.

“Relax, you’re the best,” Li Ran said, giving him an encouraging smile.

“Jiang Yihan, you did so well last year—everyone’s looking forward to your new album.” The stage director of “Inkigayo” came over.

“Heh, the album only did well thanks to everyone’s support. I was new last year and you all took care of me,” Jiang Yihan replied, bowing in gratitude.

The director laughed heartily and quickly helped him up. “Don’t worry, we’ve all seen your talent behind the scenes. Everyone was impressed by your effort during rehearsals today. To be honest, when you first debuted, we weren’t too optimistic—after all, your training period was so short. But your hard work surprised us all. The success you have now is well-deserved.”

The director’s praise made Jiang Yihan blush bright red.

“Jiang Yihan, ready for the first track’s recording,” the on-site assistant called from the hall.

Because of Jiang Yihan’s outstanding achievements the previous year, his comeback stage was highly anticipated. He would perform three songs, a feat few artists could achieve, and SBS had secured his exclusive debut.

Standing at the edge of the stage, Jiang Yihan looked out over the packed audience, heart pounding and palms sweating. He gripped the microphone tightly, bit his lip out of habit, took a deep breath, and finally stepped forward.

The first song was “Secretly Loving You”—a heartfelt confession duet with Kim Jaejoong, which naturally made its way to the stage. As Jiang Yihan and Kim Jaejoong appeared together at center stage, singing with deep feeling, the audience’s screams were uncontrollable.

That day, Jiang Yihan wore a pink shirt with a long white casual vest, while Kim Jaejoong was in a white shirt with a short, tailored pink vest—a dazzling combination that drew all eyes.

“Secretly Loving You” is a sweet mid-tempo ballad, a romantic serenade expressing the longing of someone in love, hoping to be understood. Jiang Yihan and Kim Jaejoong’s harmonies were flawless, their occasional exchanged glances and shy smiles captivating the crowd as they stood side by side, confessing their feelings to everyone.

Halfway through the song, Kim Jaejoong suddenly extended his right hand in a gentlemanly invitation. While the audience was puzzled, Jiang Yihan smiled and nodded, and together they began to dance to the music—a pure hip-hop routine, each movement crisp and precise. Then Jiang Yihan returned the gesture, inviting Kim Jaejoong to show off his moves. Despite still recovering from a leg injury, Kim Jaejoong danced lightly and rhythmically, not missing a beat. They finished with a high-five, laughing as they switched places and continued the song.

At the end, everyone was still immersed in the pink-tinged atmosphere, and the final hug between Jiang Yihan and Kim Jaejoong sent the audience into another frenzy.

“Jaejoong, thank you for your hard work,” Jiang Yihan said, hugging him again offstage.

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“Hyung, good luck with the next performance!” Kim Jaejoong beamed, patting Jiang Yihan on the shoulder before Jiang Yihan dashed off to change costumes.

If the first song with Kim Jaejoong had already amazed the audience, the second song, performed with Lee Hyori, ignited the crowd even further.

The song began with an intimate dance routine. To the pulsing beat, Lee Hyori and Jiang Yihan moved like lovers caught in a passionate moment. The choreography was challenging, requiring perfect harmony between their footwork and upper bodies—their every step and gesture perfectly in sync. Thirty seconds of dance showcased both Lee Hyori’s queenly prowess and Jiang Yihan’s rapidly rising skill.

They had rehearsed this routine together daily for over half a month to achieve this level of chemistry.

The song that followed had a strong rhythm and a catchy melody—easy to remember, sure to become popular.

Midway, they put down their microphones for a close-contact dance. Suddenly, Jiang Yihan grabbed the hem of Lee Hyori’s skirt. She spun in the opposite direction, and as her outer skirt came off, it revealed a sexy mini-dress underneath. Jiang Yihan tossed the skirt aside and chased after her, embracing her as she arched backward in a beautiful curve. After a brief pause, Lee Hyori rose, Jiang Yihan gave her a hand, and she spun quickly, finally stopping a few steps away to strike a pose with him, ending the dance segment.

The ending pose, their faces nearly touching, left the audience breathless.

For this song, Jiang Yihan, performing a sensual style for the first time, deliberately lowered his voice to make it sound more seductive, perfectly complementing Lee Hyori’s vibrant vocals. Many in the audience instantly remembered the song.

After recording the two songs, Jiang Yihan finally had a moment to rest.

Backstage, Lee Hyori noticed the brown square scarf on Jiang Yihan’s hand and teased, “Hey, who gave you that? Is it from your girlfriend?”

Jiang Yihan blushed and chuckled.

“Ah, I guessed right, didn’t I? I’m amazing,” Lee Hyori joked after a pause. “How are things with her? You’re so busy—you hardly have time. Doesn’t she mind?”

“She understands my work and supports me,” Jiang Yihan replied, smiling sweetly.

“Are you going to go public with your relationship?” Lee Hyori tucked her hair behind her ear—a simple gesture that Jiang Yihan found irresistibly attractive, making him lose his train of thought for a moment.

“I don’t mind, and I wish people knew. But she thinks it’s better to keep it secret for now, so we haven’t told the media. We’ve been together over half a year, but I’ve been filming most of the time, hardly seeing her, so there’s been no opportunity for the press to catch us. She’s never complained about not going on dates, just quietly supporting me. I’m really grateful for that.”

“Really? Girls like her are rare these days.” Lee Hyori smiled wistfully. “But you’re a good boyfriend—considerate, gentle, always caring. You might not have time to be with her, but you’d never let her feel lonely. I know you’ll handle it well.” Clearly, Lee Hyori understood Jiang Yihan deeply, even without him saying much. Her melancholy went unnoticed by Jiang Yihan—or perhaps he simply pretended not to see it.

“I text her every day, call her, and talk before bed. I do my best to make her feel my presence. I just worry she might find me annoying,” Jiang Yihan admitted with a shy laugh, clearly inexperienced in love.

“Don’t worry, anyone can see how much you care. If we can see it, she must feel it even more,” Lee Hyori replied, gazing at the handsome lines of his profile, damp with sweat and brimming with masculine charm.

“Hyung, hurry and change—it’s almost your turn again!” Jiang Ziyi came running over with Jiang Yihan’s third stage outfit.

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Jiang Ziyi’s sudden appearance made Lee Hyori awkwardly avert her gaze, flustered. Unfazed, Jiang Yihan smiled and said, “Hyori, I’m off to change—thanks for today!” and dashed to the dressing room.

Standing there, Jiang Ziyi had noticed the emotion hidden in Lee Hyori’s eyes, but there was nothing she could do. She’d always known her brother had a magnetic charm—he was kind and gentle to everyone, always smiling, and his looks made misunderstandings easy. But seeing the look in Lee Hyori’s eyes, Jiang Ziyi realized it was more than just admiration—it might truly be love.

When Jiang Yihan returned to the side of the stage, he was carrying a guitar. Sitting at the center, the big screen played back his earlier performance of “Secretly Loving You.” Even though most of the audience had just watched it live, the pink-hued chemistry between the two still drew screams. Watching his own performance, Jiang Yihan felt a bit awkward—after all, it was unusual for two men to sing such a song together. If it hadn’t been with someone as familiar as Kim Jaejoong, the stage might not have been as successful.

The first song ended, and the second began. Jiang Yihan’s rare sensuality paired with Lee Hyori’s energy was electrifying—every movement and glance oozed with allure. Even Jiang Yihan felt his face flush and his heart race watching their performance. Despite frequent rehearsals, he still found Lee Hyori’s charm irresistible.

At last, it was time for the live performance of the title track, “May I Love You?”

As the music started, fans chanted in unison, filling the venue with shouts for their hero, Jiang Yihan—their synchronized support resounding even through TV screens.

Sitting calmly at center stage, Jiang Yihan gently strummed his guitar, as if telling a story. In his white shirt, with soft hair, long lashes, fair skin, and slender fingers, he played a gentle melody that captivated everyone, drawing them into the story he painted.

“The door opens slowly, and you walk in. The moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for me. As you approached, head lowered, your beauty shone so brightly.”

The heartbeat of a first meeting, the beauty of the other, the stirring of the soul—the taste of first love was so vivid.

“You’ve already taken my heart. I want to speak carefully, summon my courage. From today, may I love you? This feeling is so new—I don’t want to miss it. Maybe love insists on coming; I want to give you my best.”

Struggling between confession and hesitation, he found the courage to ask, “May I love you?” Many were moved by the tenderness in his song; fans cheered “Yes, you can!” as tears shimmered in their eyes.

“After countless partings and tears, perhaps it’s endurance that led me to finally meet you. Now, with you sitting across from me, may I love you? With all my heart, I want to give you my best—may I love you?”

His gentle confession, full of emotion, told a story of uncertainty and longing, a simple question expressing the sincerest feelings.

Min Xiaoli was there that day, having taken leave from work. Her favorite track from Jiang Yihan’s album was “May I Love You?” His pure voice conveyed a subtle happiness, but hearing it live, Xiaoli couldn’t hold back her tears. Jiang Yihan’s performances had that power—his voice made the audience feel his emotions, his sincerity. As she sat with tears streaming down her face, a quiet smile rested on her lips.

Most fans already knew Cheng Yingzhu, the steadfast supporter. Her perseverance, devotion, and love for Jiang Yihan were admirable. Sometimes, artists truly have the power to change people, even if only a little. Yingzhu was there too, shouting herself hoarse for her eternal idol—her excitement inexpressible. Every gesture, glance, and smile from Jiang Yihan was enough to make her heart race. In that moment, she believed the world turned for him.

Jiang Yihan’s male fans were always a striking presence. For a male singer, having male fans was no small feat. Yet Jiang Yihan, through his music, had won a dedicated following. Lin Xiaoguang closed his eyes, listening to Jiang Yihan’s gentle, emotional voice through his headphones, a happy smile on his lips—he could hear the taste of happiness in every note.

Far away in China, brothers Fu Yao and Fu Yi were in their classroom, surrounded by classmates. Their portable speaker was connected to Fu Yao’s CD player, and Jiang Yihan’s clear, tender voice filled the room, drawing everyone into silent listening. When the song ended and everyone wanted to borrow the CD, Fu Yao quickly put it away. “I knew you’d ask! If you like him, buy the CD and support him. Trust me—being a fan is the happiest thing in the world.” The glow on their faces was dazzling.

As Jiang Yihan’s song faded out at the “Inkigayo” studio, everyone awoke from the story he’d spun, breaking into thunderous applause.

Jiang Yihan’s second album promotion was complete.

Rambling from the Author: Today was the school festival—watched a free concert, with Lee Seung Gi and SHINee as the finale, so I got home late. Sorry for the delay!