Chapter 263: Annual Comeback
Liu Zhimin’s driving skills could not be described as proficient; they could only be called clumsy. Her driving posture, in particular, was beyond words.
Jiang Shu could understand Liu Zhimin’s idea of leaning closer to the windshield for a better view, but with her chest almost touching the steering wheel, was it really safe?
It was like she was breastfeeding the steering wheel.
And her driving was top-notch, steadily sticking to the 30 km/h limit. As soon as the number on the screen went above thirty, she would immediately hit the brakes and control the speed to around thirty.
Along the way, they encountered many cars honking at them. You know, Jiang Shu rarely considered things from other drivers’ perspectives, but this time…
He really couldn't stand it.
If it were him, he would honk too.
“Drive faster,” Jiang Shu said helplessly, accompanied by another honk.
“I am driving faster!” Liu Zhimin said, staring straight ahead.
Jiang Shu glanced at the dashboard.
She was indeed faster, from 30 to 35.
Alright, at least it was a little faster.
Thankfully, they were in the city. Driving at thirty, while it might get you honked at, wouldn't cause any traffic hazards. If this were on the highway…
Even doubling that speed wouldn't be enough.
What should have been a ten-minute drive was stretched to half an hour by Liu Zhimin. When they arrived at the fried chicken shop’s area, Liu Zhimin sat in the car, looking troubled at the parallel parking spot.
“Get out, I’ll do it.” Jiang Shu couldn’t bear to watch any longer and said to Liu Zhimin helplessly.
Liu Zhimin, as if granted a great pardon, quickly got out of the car to make way for Jiang Shu.
With one-touch memory seats, he restored the seating position to his most comfortable angle, then smoothly parallel parked the car.
What’s taught in driving school and actual driving are two different things. Just drive more, reverse more, and park more.
Want to become an experienced driver?
Just crash more.
Crash a few times, and you’ll gain plenty of experience.
Before getting out of the car, Jiang Shu took Liu Zhimin’s mask off and handed it to her, as she was already standing there and had caught the attention of quite a few people.
“Wear your mask.”
Liu Zhimin was startled, but then immediately noticed the strange looks around her.
This wasn’t a foreign country. Liu Zhimin, with her top-tier popularity, was a complete magnet without a mask, attracting the eyes of Koreans.
After she put on her mask, the surrounding gazes significantly diminished.
Jiang Shu also put on his mask. The recognition of his face was no less than Liu Zhimin’s, and being recognized would also be troublesome.
Together with Liu Zhimin, he arrived at the fried chicken shop Jiang Shu had chosen.
The fried chicken shop was not large; most of the seating was in the main hall. The reason for saying “most” was that, besides the hall, there were only two private rooms on the second floor.
Jiang Shu had made a reservation before coming, and he and Liu Zhimin went directly to the private room on the second floor.
Once in the private room, both of them took off their masks.
“Scan the QR code to order, see what you want to eat,” Jiang Shu said, pointing to the QR code on the table.
Most restaurants in Korea had not yet adopted online ordering, but some larger or more popular restaurants had started using online ordering + payment methods.
What was already common in China was only available in a few places in Korea. Who exactly was the developed country?
“This fried chicken shop has so many flavors,” Liu Zhimin said in surprise, looking at her phone.
“Their mala flavor is excellent. The chili sauce they use should be the sauce from fire noodles; it’s very flavorful.” Jiang Shu said, while ordering two bottles of iced beer and one bottle of iced soju.
“I can’t eat spicy food. I’ll order the cheese flavor,” Liu Zhimin said, ordering a cheese-flavored fried chicken.
“Sweet things also cause acne,” Jiang Shu said without looking up. After saying that, he ordered a mala-flavored one and a teriyaki chicken-flavored one.
Three portions should be enough. If not, they could order more.
Before long, there was a knock on the serving window.
Contactless serving was based on the logic that people coming to private rooms did not want to be disturbed, so the server would place the food at the serving window for the guests to retrieve themselves.
However, if you needed service, the server could also come in to help you serve the food.
Jiang Shu and Liu Zhimin clearly did not need it.
Upon hearing the sound, Liu Zhimin got up and opened the serving window, taking the beer and soju and placing them in front of Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu took the beer, then used the soju bottle to pry open the beer bottle cap, which popped off.
“So much alcohol, can you finish it?” Liu Zhimin looked at the bottle in Jiang Shu’s hand and blinked, asking.
“This isn’t much alcohol,” Jiang Shu said with a smile. He also opened the soju, poured a small amount into the bottom of a glass, and then filled it with beer.
This was a new way of drinking he had just learned. He didn’t know if it tasted good, so he decided to try it first.
He picked up the glass and took a sip.
Jiang Shu had always disliked the taste of soju, but the mixed taste of soju with beer… was unexpectedly good?
“It’s not bad, want to try it?” Jiang Shu put down the glass and asked Liu Zhimin with a chuckle.
“No, I still have to drive,” Liu Zhimin shook her head and said.
“With your driving skills, I’d rather call a designated driver,” Jiang Shu questioned Liu Zhimin’s confident driving skills.
“Hmph.” Liu Zhimin uncharacteristically did not retort.
“Has S.M. arranged a comeback for you guys?” Jiang Shu put down his glass and asked casually.
“No, no comeback this year,” Liu Zhimin shook her head and said.
“Only one comeback this year is too little,” Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow and said.
“I don’t know about that. Maybe it’s to avoid IZONE and ITZY?” Liu Zhimin speculated.
Jiang Shu frowned. Aespa had only one comeback in May this year. One comeback a year was indeed too little for a new group, but DM Entertainment was busy preparing for IZONE and ITZY, so they indeed didn’t have time to help Aespa with a comeback.
“How about this: when you go back, tell your manager that after ITZY and IZONE’s comebacks are over, our production team will go to S.M. Have them prepare to coordinate and discuss Aespa’s comeback next year.”
“Okay.” Liu Zhimin nodded upon hearing this. She also wanted a comeback, but it was clear S.M. was busy with something else and hadn’t arranged one. And DM Entertainment was busy with the century-long battle between IZONE and ITZY, so they temporarily had no time to care about Aespa, which was why they were being ignored.
“Have you been in contact with any members of IZONE or ITZY?” Jiang Shu suddenly looked at Liu Zhimin and asked.
“Yes, but we haven’t chatted much. They’re all taking this comeback very seriously; they won’t even come out for a meal,” Liu Zhimin said, shrugging.
“Is that so?”
Working so hard that they forget to eat and sleep?
“Honestly, what are ITZY’s chances of winning?” Liu Zhimin suddenly leaned forward and asked Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu pondered for a moment, then held up four fingers.
“A four percent chance? That’s too low,” Liu Zhimin said, frowning.
“I said forty percent,” Jiang Shu said helplessly.
“That high?” Liu Zhimin looked at Jiang Shu in surprise. Forty percent seemed incredibly high.