The truth untold

-fifteen-

'Mingles' Michelin star restaurant (Seoul) - June 2018

"Mama, I love it," Chou Tzuyu exclaimed as she opened the gift box her mother, Huang Yen-ling, presented to her, revealing a beautiful Dior handbag. She stroked the expensive leather. "It must've cost you a lot."

Yen-ling chuckled lightly. "If I don't use my money to spoil my beautiful, successful daughter, what am I going to use it on?"

Tzuyu closed the box and placed it on the chair beside her. "Thank you so much."

Her mother reached across the table and held her face in her hand. "Anything for you, my birthday girl." The mother-daughter were enjoying a quiet lunch in one of Seoul's most elite restaurants for Tzuyu's 19th birthday (while she was 20 in Korean age). Yen-ling had flown in from Taiwan, the day before, to spend some time with her daughter for her special day.

Dessert was served, all of Tzuyu's favourites, and Yen-ling adoringly watched her youngest indulge in them. "Since it's your birthday, you can have all these treats, but make sure you work it all out tomorrow and burn those extra calories."

Tzuyu paused, her spoon in her mouth. She nodded, and continued to eat, although she couldn't help a tinge of sadness creep into her heart.

"What are your plans for this month? Jin Young didn't update me about the schedule," Yen-ling asked, referring to JYP-PD. "Your tour continues to Singapore, am I right?"

"Yeah and PD-nim gave us these days off, before we leave to Singapore," Tzuyu stated.

"That's good to know," Yen-ling said, and she signalled a waitress to bring her the cheque. She looked at Tzuyu and leaned forward. "Do you remember my Korean friend, who would visit us in Taiwan? Park Yuri?"

Tzuyu nodded.

"Well, I happen to know that her youngest son, Hyun Woo, is apparently a senior in Seoul National University," her mother went on, and Tzuyu didn't like where this was heading. "He's pursing medicine, and it's his dream to be a doctor. Doesn't that sound lovely?"

"I guess so?" Tzuyu added, in an uninterested tone.

"He's also very good-looking and well-mannered," Yen-ling stated, with a suggestive smile. "Perhaps you can meet up with him and get to know him a little bit."

Tzuyu almost choked on the water she had sipped. "Mama, are you serious? Are you setting me up on a date?"

Yen-ling shushed her. "Tzuyu, not so loud."

"We're speaking Mandarin, no one's going to understand!"

Her mother sighed. "You're 19 now, Tzuyu and you've never had a boyfriend."

"Maybe because I don't need one!"

"I know you have a hard time expressing yourself and you're very shy," Yen-ling pointed out. "And I'm just helping you out."

"Mama, I know nothing about this guy," Tzuyu groaned, holding her face in her hands.

"But I know, and he's very nice and I cant emphasis enough on how handsome he is," Yen-ling persuaded. "He says you're his bias too." She giggled while Tzuyu wanted to scream. "He's agreed to meet with you."

"I can't do it, I'm sorry," Tzuyu apologised.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know this person well enough to go on a date with him."

"I know him, and it's not a date, you're just getting to know him."

"I'm an idol, I can't just go out with a guy like that," Tzuyu added, thinking quick. She knew her mum couldn't ignore a point like that.