CHAPTER 53: “Romance in the Studio, Laughter in the Van”

As Minghao held the flower, he turned to open the door—only to realize it was already ajar. He peeked out and froze.

The members were all gathered outside… staring straight at him.

Minghao's face turned red with shyness. He turned to Xuanye in silent panic. She looked confused, walked to the doorway—and was met with Nian's glowing smile.

"Oh no…" Xuanye muttered, blushing.

Minghao followed her out, still bashful. The moment they stepped outside, the members surrounded them like paparazzi, bombarding Minghao with teasing questions.

Meanwhile, Nian elbowed Xuanye playfully.

"You guys danced well, huh?"

Xuanye chuckled. "Not only that—I even got to see a private concert. I'd say it was Minghao's Private Concert: Only for Her Ye~."

She giggled proudly. Nian got goosebumps and gave her a soft slap on the arm as they both laughed.

Jun playfully wrapped his arm around Minghao's neck.

"Minghao! I didn't know you were this romantic!"

Minghao scratched his neck, flustered, but smiled. The members all fell on him with exaggerated hugs.

After a while, Jeonghan stretched.

"Guys, let's go back to the dorm. I'm starving."

The rest nodded.

Jeonghan turned to the girls. "Shall we head out?" He motioned toward the exit.

The girls smiled and nodded. Everyone made their way to the van. Behind them, Zheng the manager watched with a chuckle—blushing as he covered his face with a magazine—and followed them silently.

---

Inside the van, everyone settled into their seats.

Nian was about to walk over to sit beside Xuanye when DK gently grabbed her hand. She turned, raising a brow.

"Nian, sit beside me," he said softly, looking into her eyes.

She smiled. "But Xuanye—she'll be left alone."

DK smirked. "Lonely? Look again."

Nian turned—and saw Minghao already sitting beside Xuanye, his arm around her as they laughed over something.

Nian let out a soft chuckle. She looked back at DK, who motioned again for her to sit. She nodded and sat beside him.

DK was bouncing slightly in his seat like a happy child. Nian chuckled and pulled out her phone and earphones. She gently tucked one bud into DK's ear and the other into hers. Then, she hit play on "God of Light Music."

As the melody filled their ears, DK burst into laughter.

"Are you seriously listening to this song, Nian?"

She stifled her laugh. "Yes, Loudie. It's one of my favorites. You guys nailed it. When I watched the behind-the-scenes video of how this was created, I was amazed. But Woozi—he kept judging himself like, 'Why did I compose this?'" She laughed.

DK laughed along, then asked, "And what about me?"

Nian blushed. "You? You always nail it. Your part in this song… no words. I'm a fan." She gave him a big thumbs-up.

DK laughed and gently pampered her head. Then he leaned on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

Nian turned and saw him sleeping peacefully, her heart swelling. She smiled softly, remembering when she once dozed off on his shoulder the same way.

She gently patted him, her cheeks warm with blush.

---

Meanwhile, at the back of the van, chaos was in full swing.

Xuanye had gathered Minghao, Jun, Boo, Jeonghan, Mingyu, Hoshi, Vernon, and Wonwoo for a mini game.

"Okay, we're going to play a word chain game!" she announced. "I'll say a word, the next person has to guess and link it with another word. If anyone gets it wrong—" she held up her hand dramatically, "they get a knock on the forehead."

The members rubbed their hands, excited.

Xuanye started. "Ice."

Jun furrowed his brows, thinking hard. "Give me a clue," he said after two minutes.

"It's something cold," she replied with a smirk.

"Ah! Ice cream!" Jun guessed, eyes lighting up.

"Correct!" Xuanye grinned.

Jun turned to Wonwoo. He thought for a second and said, "House?"

Jun blinked. "Nope! It was cake. Ice cream cake!"

Wonwoo looked at him like a grumpy cat.

Jun chuckled and knocked gently on Wonwoo's forehead. "You're out~"

The members roared with laughter as they continued the game all the way back to the dorm — playful teasing, giggles, and forehead taps echoing inside the van.