The studio hallway was nearly empty when Xiaojun emerged, holding a portable keyboard like a trophy. "I found the perfect sound for that melody I told you about." He announced, before even greeting you. He pulled you into one of the rooms, turned on the equipment, and began playing, his face lit up with that mix of concentration and enthusiasm that only someone passionate about music can muster.

Between notes and chords, he talked about how that sequence reminded him of "a movie ending that leaves your heart aching, but happy." The way he described sounds sounded like improvised poetry—and every now and then, he'd drop a sarcastic comment about how "no one else in the group understands what I'm trying to do, but that's okay, you get it."

When he finished, he leaned back in his chair and said with a weary smile. "There... now I just need to convince SM to let me release this. Easy, right?" His tone was ironic, but the fire in his eyes made it clear that, joking aside, he wasn't giving up on the idea any time soon.