I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2080 - 1342: At Least

"Don’t leave..."

Though the crowd hates to see them go, nothing alters the reality of the ticking clock. As the stage lights fade away, the six performers, who had been barely holding themselves together, let out heavy sighs of relief, blending a sense of release with emotions too complex to name.

The elevator begins its descent once more.

Just as they had ascended earlier, the UP members step off the platform, and away from prying eyes, they drop the pretense, shuffling along with limps that turn the simple trip backstage into an exhausting ordeal.

It's tough to fathom.

In their current condition, how on earth did they manage to last those almost twenty minutes up there?

Back outside, the noise surges anew with FOX taking over the show, but the UP girls pay it no heed, desperate only to reach their dressing room without delay.

Yet all of a sudden, the group halts their pace, spotting a figure stepping out from the makeup area ahead—a star who has long faded from Korea's entertainment spotlight.

"Zhu Xuan-nim."

In perfect sync, UP bows deeply to offer their respects.

In Korean culture, rank rules all. Even if the senior isn't older, having debuted sooner and risen to fame first demands deference in any public meeting.

"Hello, UP."

Jin Zhuxuan offers a gentle smile, free of any superiority, much like those cookie-cutter idol acts you scroll past on your screen. She had departed Korea two years back, long before these girls even came together as a unit.

"I’m Kwon Su-ri, the leader of UP. We never thought Zhu Xuan-nim would grace the brothers' performance like this."

Standing at average height among her teammates, the UP leader voices for the whole group, her black wavy locks framing her role as the lead singer. She's not the standout beauty of the sextet, but facing such a prominent icon makes any talk of looks irrelevant.

After all, attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder, with no fixed measure.

"You all just wrapped up your set, didn't you? Great job out there."

Jin Zhuxuan spots the perspiration beading on their brows.

"So Zhu Xuan-nim is the surprise guest for today!"

UP's youngest, Xu Yixian, blurts out without thinking. Young as she is, she towers over the rest with her innocent, rounded features. That childlike charm clashes sharply with her fishnet stockings and tiny skirt, stirring up a strange tension.

Meanwhile, after years out of the Korean spotlight, Jin Zhuxuan dresses plainly: relaxed bell-bottom pants, a sporty jacket over black basics; it's an outfit more for a casual mall run than hitting the stage.

"I owe FOX big thanks for this chance; it's been ages since I took the domestic stage."

Jin Zhuxuan stays modest, understated, warm, and courteous, shattering the usual haughty vibe of industry veterans and instantly earning UP's respect.

"The fans are sure to be thrilled."

Leader Kwon Su-ri wraps it up, and the six chime together, "Zhu Xuan-nim, fighting!"

Jin Zhuxuan smiles and nods, but then her eyes catch one girl gripping her skirt tightly, thighs pressed unusually close.

"Is something the matter? You don't look well."

Her voice carries genuine worry.

"No, I'm fine."

The girl quickly brushes it off.

At that, Leader Kwon Su-ri skips the chit-chat, her courtesy laced with obvious haste.

"Zhu Xuan-nim, we'll excuse ourselves to the dressing room now."

Jin Zhuxuan doesn't pry, just nods and moves out of the way.

The girls bow once more, nodding as they hurry past with clear eagerness.

Jin Zhuxuan shifts her attention, observing their strained gait.

No scorn or judgment flickers in her expression; just pity and a deep, unspoken sorrow.

Much like—

A cherished pet witnessing its fellow creatures hauled toward the abattoir, helpless to the cruelty unfolding.

Li Xuejing had finally reached her limit, pushed beyond endurance, gathering the strength to push back.

Heaven knows how many others keep swallowing their pain, bowed under the weight of unchecked authority.

Without something to measure against, no wound forms.

Joy isn't absolute; it's born from contrasts.

Aware of the cutthroat Korean industry, she fled to Shen Zhou, weathering all sorts of isolation, harassment on shows, even slaps that barely fazed her— she didn't even bother sharing with Mr. Jiang, wait, he's "Oppa" these days.

Set against her Korean nightmare, the slights in Shen Zhou feel like nothing.

"Is Zhu Xuan-nim planning a full return?"

Safely in the dressing room, the girls strip down completely, swapping every layer, before they can truly relax with a long breath.

No flush of embarrassment, no unease; repeated humiliations have dulled shame to mere indifference.

When powerlessness grips you, surrender becomes the only path.

"Who knows. I hear Zhu Xuan-nim and Liu Junxiang go way back, friends from way young; probably he pulled strings to get her here."

"I'm envious of Zhu Xuan-nim—so stunning and sweet, no wonder luck follows her everywhere."

Xu Yixian presses her palms together, her gaze still lit with the glow of Zhu Xuan-nim's radiant grin.

"Her agency's a powerhouse; that's how they sorted her contract mess before, and now she can even stage a comeback here. Few outfits globally hold that kind of sway."

"Zhu Xuan-nim ought to hold onto that tight; once you're out, stay out."

Here, the typically quiet Leader Kwon Su-ri creases her forehead, shoots a look toward a specific spot, and murmurs a caution to the rest.

"Watch what you say."

The team gets the hint right away, their eyes darting to various corners of the room before silence falls.

Only bold maknae Xu Yixian, the towering youngest, meets the leader's eyes and mutters, "Unnie, the cameras can't pick up whispers."

Surveillance cameras.

No doubt about it.

She's talking about the surveillance cameras.

This is the private space for a top girl group; why would cameras lurk here?

But the bizarre truth stands firm.

Cameras infest this dressing room, several of them, judging by the wary glances at multiple points.

And what's worse.

The sheer madness is that even the chart-topping UP knows all about it!

"Empathy" remains a vague concept.

Until the prick hits your own skin, how do you grasp the sting?

Folks can't grasp lives outside their bubble. Offstage realities for idols? Most stay blind to them.

No.

It's bigger than just offstage moments.

Even under the lights, it's no different.

It's not unwillingness to leave that traps them, but the lack of say in exiting. Once aboard, the call on when to step off belongs to others.

Freedom means either the bosses grant permission or one desperate plunge into the unknown.

That's why tales of veteran idols ending it all surface so often.

"Li Xuejing's been gone for days, zero updates—do you think..."

"That's MS's problem; it doesn't touch us."

Leader Kwon Su-ri stays cool and collected.

"Kwon Junxiang grabbed at me during the act again."

The UP member paired with Kwon Junxiang pipes up.

At those words, the others react with flat indifference, no stir in their moods.

The grope itself isn't the horror.

It's their casual, resigned acceptance that chills to the bone.

"Zhu Xuan-nim probably has no clue about their true colors; I hope she stays safe."

Xu Yixian's admiration shifts to concern.

"Zhu Xuan-nim's safety isn't your worry. Their path is theirs."

Kwon Su-ri nudges the junior back to reality.

"But..."

"At least we get to witness someone thriving; isn't that something, Unnie?"

A heavy quiet settles over them all.