"This kind of injury—if officially assessed—should count as moderate trauma, right?" Chu Zhi asked.
"Feels about right," Lao Qian replied. "There's a fracture, and the ear's injured. From the photo, hearing is probably affected." He paused—this was clearly intentional harm, even with a beer bottle. Why wouldn't the victim call the police?
"Bullying in South Korea is serious. My relative studies there—I've seen people beaten mercilessly," Qi Qiu said. "I couldn't understand why victims don't fight back until something extreme happens…"
His relative explained that speaking up gets you ostracized socially—even if the abuser faces no consequences. So ending it all becomes more common than fighting back. His words were heavy. Lao Qian had nothing more to add.
"If that environment and their agency doesn't care, these two boys are truly alone," Chu Zhi said.
He expected the agency's inaction. Qi Qiu volunteered: "I have industry contacts—I can get info on FNC Entertainment. This could be real."
"Chu Zhi's strength is still evident—he was top‑10 paying fan on Café. A few posts of support on Instagram or Café could really help them," Fei Ge noted.
Without warning, Wang Yuan said: "I can reach KOCCA people—maybe it'll help."
KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) is South Korea's cultural export authority. Wang Yuan's network is extremely valuable.
"I have a little plan," Chu Zhi said.
It all started with frustration at FNC's passivity. That negative memory reminded him of another indifferent company—feeling kind of uncomfortable. But in foreign lands, if we can help without imposing, shouldn't we? Should we really wait for foreigners to take pity?
It would involve some effort: Chu Zhi had Qi Qiu gather intel on FNC; Wang Yuan would contact KOCCA; and Manager Niu Jiangxue would carve time from his schedule. When Chu Zhi decided, the plan clicked into gear like clockwork.
First step: draw a blind box prize. Chu Zhi muttered, "It'd be perfect to get a Korean‑language album that can hold the stage."
He knew the system favored wishes even if it claimed neutrality. True luck would yield what he needed.
He opened the blind box, which exploded with white light:
[Album: Universe]
"An English album?" Chu Zhi thought—Universe meant cosmic. His music exposure was limited.
As the song data integrated into his mind, he checked the details. He smiled wide.
Excellent—it was a Korean album. EXO's Christmas album, with seven tracks including the title single "Universe" and its Chinese version. It topped the Billboard K‑pop chart, Gaon album chart, and multiple weekly Korean charts.
He also found a track he recognized—Been.Through—likely thanks to short‑video platforms. He planned to release 2–3 songs as a mini‑single.
Why Korean songs now? Because having shared interests lets you offer real help...
Scene: Gangnam‑gu, Seoul — 111 Cheongdam‑dong, 7 PM
Characters: Li Siqi and Guan He
Li Siqi winced as Guan He cleaned his wounds: "Should we just call the police?"
FNC trainee‑bullying scandals were infamous in Korea—and an agency like FNC… What would it take to act?
They were the only two left in the building, packing up dance mats and instruments—cleaning up after the mess.
"If we go to the police, FNC will just convince us to drop it. You don't want to be a singer anymore?" Guan He asked.
Li Siqi, a rich kid chasing a dream, hadn't fared too badly. Nearly every time he was hurt, Guan He—only three months older—shielded him.
Guan He wasn't aspiring for dreams, only money. They were both twenty—each struggling with their own battles.
"We're leaving after six months," Guan He declared firmly.
"Six months…" Li Siqi looked uncertain—wondering if Guan He could truly last that long.
"You okay? You got kicked by a sheep's stomach?" Guan He asked gently, helping his friend.
"I'm fine," Li Siqi replied. "Don't worry about me—you've got bruises too."
Guan He saw himself as Li's big brother. His determination to stay fueled his concern.
"When Teacher Wang‑Qian steps in, he'll speak up for us," Guan He said—part encouragement, part reassurance to himself.
Chu Zhi had guessed right—Guan He was desperate for help, pinging several influential Chinese personalities in Korea. Teacher Wang‑Qian—a Chinese executive at CJ—was among them.
Regardless, even if Wang‑Qian asked FNC to help, how long would that last?
On day three, Guan He complained to FNC's artist management, but they brushed it off: "FNC Entertainment is the most expected company in Asia. There's no bullying here."
By day four, the abuse worsened. Guan He tried discreet methods—they all failed.
Li Siqi cleaned his wounds and helped pack up. The two left, leaning on each other.
The next day was cloudy.
Guan He's mood matched the sky—he kept telling himself to persevere, but his body rebelled near the company.
Yet today felt different…