“Repeat after me, namja chingu saranghae,” Xiumin stared at Carrie intently and she stared back at him.

               “What?”                        

               He sighed. “Just say it. Repeat it!”

               “I know what it means! It does not mean, “Work hard and eat more!” Do you think I’m stupid? Yeesh.” She pouted and Xiumin sighed.

               “Why can’t you learn this phrase?”

               “I’ll never use it and I want to learn something else for my oppas! I don’t want to tell them I’m taken! It defeats the purpose.”

                He crossed his arms and mumbled something along the lines of “But you areeee.” He looked at her once more before relenting. “When do you plan on meeting them anyway?”

               “Well, it’s part of our deal. You just recorded three extremely successful interviews with barely any help needed from the translator. So in payment, you teach me phrases so I can communicate with Super Junior and you introduce me to them.”

               His eyes went round. “Introduce you to them? Are you insane! I barely see them myself. How do you expect me to smuggle you in to see a bunch of supers stars? You’re certified nuts. Absolutely crazy.” He whirled his finger for effect.

               She shook her head. “But when you go back to SM to train? You can always take me in as your translator right? Pretty please? Oppa.”

               He bit his lips and narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re horrible. You’re a total user.” He said all of this in his newly learned Chinese. Carrie shrugged. It was a testament to her skills that he was able to start insulting people in a nonnative language.

               Kris walked by and laughed. “I think she got you there, Xiumin. We’re going to be performing in Super Show anyway so I guess we can take you.”

               Carrie ran up to hug the leader. “You’re the absolute best!”

               To this baozhi sulked and crossed his arms. “I would have promised her front row tickets and a VIP seat,” he muttered.

               On the last day of EXO-M’s activities before they went back to unite with K, their van swung by Carrie’s hotel. Her two month stay in China is coming to an end as well. True to his word, Kris had gotten Carrie tickets for Super Show in Qingdao and had promised to pick her up.

               She climbed into the van and everyone greeted her but Xiumin said loudly, “Seat next to mine is empty!” He pushed Luhan out of the way and Tao playfully let Carrie slide past him. He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “Thank you, translator teacher. Are you ready to join in the Korean fanchants now?”

               EXO-M’s performance during the show was entertaining and once or twice, she caught Xiumin waving to her on stage. Carrie screamed particularly loud when it was Henry’s performance. At the end of the show, she was ushered backstage.

               The Super Junior members were extremely gracious to her and Carrie was excited to use the new phrases that Xiumin had taught her. He hovered near her and constantly translated in case there was trouble. When it came time to pack up, Xiumin steered her out the door and into the night.

               “Hey, Carrie, I was wondering if you are busy after your visit.”

               She shrugged. “College work is demanding but I think I’m going to be a foreign exchange student at Beijing University.”

               He lit up. “Really? We’re always going to be in China for our comebacks and stuff. That’s great.” There was a small pocket of silence before he touched her hand. “Hey. Carrie. I have a question.” He dropped to one knee. “These past two months have been amazing and I learned a lot. But I’ll still need help with my Chinese and I’ll still need help with my heart.” He grinned. “I’m getting cheesy but I basically want to say, I love you, 我爱你, saranghae. Will you be my girlfriend?”

               Carrie stared at him. He’s been a funny, exasperating and caring friend to her, and if she would admit to herself, something a little bit more. She nodded, knowing that this may very well be one of the best decisions of her life.

               He threw himself at her and hugged her. “Yes, I knew you can’t ever say no to the buns face!” She punched him and he hugged her harder.

               “Hey, let me go. I see Henry. I want to say bye to him.” He let her go and scowled as she went running towards the Canadian.

               “Aish. My girlfriend, the Super Junior Henry stan.” 

This is a repost, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it Carrie.

♥

Love you