205: Chapter 203: The proposal for aespa's new variety show, "Black Mamba Invading the Wilderness," is ready.

"We're back!" Kim Jiyong, Kim Taeyeon's older brother, was the first to call out, followed immediately by his younger sister Xia Yan's crisp laughter: "Mom! We bought so many groceries! Is that Oppa that Tima mentioned here yet?"

"He's here, he's here!" Lee Tima immediately jumped up from the cushion, rushing toward the porch like a cheerful little bird.

Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu also stood up. Mother Kim smiled and said to Jiang Zhiyu: "I heard you were coming, so they went to the market early this morning, saying they wanted to prepare a sumptuous dinner."

Jiang Zhiyu felt a bit embarrassed: "It's too much trouble for everyone..."

Before he could finish, three figures appeared at the porch.

Father Kim walked in front, carrying two large bags. Although his hair was gray, his back was straight, and he looked full of vigor. Kim Jiyong followed behind, his features 70-80% similar to Kim Taeyeon's, just more rugged. Xia Yan skipped along at the back, holding a watermelon in her arms.

As soon as the three entered, their gazes naturally fell upon Jiang Zhiyu.

The air went quiet for a few seconds.

Then, almost simultaneously—

"It's completely a family of three!" Kim Jiyong blurted out.

"Omo! It really looks like it!" Xia Yan covered her mouth, her eyes wide.

Even Father Kim looked Jiang Zhiyu up and down and nodded: "He has a good aura."

Kim Taeyeon: "..."

Her inner voice was screaming: Why does everyone say that?? We have a pure working relationship!! A working relationship!!!

But obviously, her family didn't think so.

Jiang Zhiyu reacted extremely quickly. While the Kim family was still immersed in the visual impact of a "family of three," he had already stepped forward and bowed politely to introduce himself:

"Hello, Uncle. I am Jiang Zhiyu, Taeyeon Noona's colleague. Jiyong Hyung, Xia Yan, hello."

His voice was clear and gentle, his movements appropriate and natural, without any hint of the awkwardness or nervousness that might have been expected after what was just said.

At this moment, under the soft light of the entryway, the three members of the Kim family finally saw Jiang Zhiyu in full.

It was a visual impact that was hard to describe precisely with words.

Jiang Zhiyu was wearing a simple white shirt and dark trousers, his figure tall and straight. His skin was a healthy wheat color, his facial features deep yet retaining the softness of an Easterner, especially those eyes—the corners slightly upturned, his pupils a rare deep amber that seemed to see through people's hearts in the light, yet were incredibly clear.

What was most special was his temperament. It wasn't the kind of exquisite or wild idol aura common in the Korean entertainment industry, but a more restrained, gentle presence. He stood there, neither humble nor pushy, composed and at ease, as if he possessed a calmness and certainty that had been settled by time.

It was as if... he was a young master from an aristocratic family who had stepped out of an ancient painting, gentle as jade, his brilliance restrained, yet impossible to ignore.

Father Kim had seen many celebrities and producers in his daughter's circle, but none had such a temperament. Kim Jiyong was stunned; he had originally thought his sister's "colleague" would just be an ordinary producer, but he hadn't expected...

Xia Yan was completely dumbfounded, muttering to herself: "He's totally a huge heartthrob... even more handsome than the stars on TV..."

The three Kim family members' gazes lingered on Jiang Zhiyu for a few seconds, then simultaneously turned to Kim Taeyeon.

That look was extremely complex—there was surprise, confusion, inquiry, and an indescribable... "Is this for real?"

Kim Taeyeon read those looks, and her inner self went crazy: Why does it feel like you are all saying "How could Jiang Zhiyu possibly like me"??? I am at least in Girls Generation! I am Kim Taeyeon!!!

But she was a big star after all, so she quickly adjusted her expression and introduced them with feigned calmness: "This is Producer Jiang Zhi Yu, the producer of my new variety show. This is my dad, my brother, and my sister."

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Jiyong Hyung. Hello, Xia Yan." Jiang Zhiyu greeted them politely again, the smile on his face just right—neither overly enthusiastic nor distant.

Father Kim nodded and put down the bags in his hands: "Don't be so formal, sit down."

Lee Tima had already squeezed to Father Kim's side, looking up with a small face, her eyes shining: "Grandpa! I'll help you!"

Father Kim was clearly fond of this lively little girl and smiled, patting her head: "Okay, what does Tima want to help with?"

"Washing vegetables! Cutting vegetables! I can do it all!" Lee Tima puffed out her small chest, looking very "I'm so capable."

Jiang Zhiyu also stood up: "I'll come help too."

His gaze lingered on Father Kim's face for an instant. It was just a brief glance, so fast that almost no one noticed, but Jiang Zhiyu had already seen something.

Father Kim's physiognomy was actually quite good—a full forehead and a square chin, a typical sign of being blessed. However, there was a very faint vertical line between his eyebrows; it wasn't a wrinkle, but a mark formed by long-term repressed emotions. Although his complexion was ruddy, there was a faint, unnatural dark red tint on his cheekbones, which was a sign of excessive heart strain. His breathing was also slightly shallower than the average person's, and he would occasionally take a light, unconscious gasp when speaking.

Overall, it seemed to be the result of overwork in his early years, causing some damage to his heart function. Although not serious, as he aged, he needed to pay special attention to his health.

But Jiang Zhiyu said nothing.

He had learned medicine from his master since he was a child, and the first lesson his master taught him was "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall." While a benevolent heart is important for a healer, protecting oneself is even more important. Do not easily intervene in others' karma, especially regarding life and death. Unless the other person actively seeks help, or this person is of sufficient importance to him.

This was also what he repeatedly emphasized later when teaching Lee Tima and Kim Soo-yeon: In this world, kindness must have an edge, and help must have boundaries. Do not easily participate in others' life and death, because you never know what is involved behind it.

So he just calmly looked away and followed Father Kim and Lee Tima toward the kitchen.

The kitchen had an open design typical of a traditional Hanok, spacious and fully equipped with all kinds of kitchenware. Mother Kim had already put on an apron and started organizing the ingredients they had bought.

"Can you cook, Zhiyu?" Mother Kim asked casually.

"A little," Jiang Zhiyu said modestly. "What do you need me to do?"

Lee Tima immediately chimed in: "Grandma! Oppa is amazing at cooking! He is a master of a self-created school of medicinal cuisine!"

"Medicinal cuisine?" Mother Kim looked at Jiang Zhiyu curiously.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Lee Tima helplessly and explained: "I learned from an old TCM practitioner for a few years when I was young, so I know some knowledge about pharmacology and dietary supplements. Medicinal cuisine combines TCM theory and cooking techniques to use food to regulate the body."

As he spoke, he naturally took the knife from Mother Kim's hand and started preparing a live fish. His movements were skillful and smooth—scaling, gutting, and cleaning the internal organs in one go. His knife skills were clean and sharp, not at all like those of an amateur.

The Kim family was stunned.

Kim Jiyong couldn't help but ask: "Zhiyu, these knife skills... you must have practiced for a long time, right?"

"Not really," Jiang Zhiyu replied while slicing the fish into even, thin fillets. "My master said that culinary arts are like medical principles; both require heart and patience."

He put the sliced fish into a bowl, added ginger strips, cooking wine, and a little salt to marinate, then started processing the other ingredients. Washing vegetables, cutting vegetables, preparing side dishes—every step was methodical, his movements as elegant as if he were performing some kind of art.

What was even more surprising was his pairing of ingredients. Seeing the herbal packet Mother Kim had bought, he naturally took out a few items: "Auntie, these can be added to the soup; they have the effect of replenishing Qi and nourishing blood. But the goji berries should be added last, otherwise the nutrients will be lost."

Then he pointed to some vegetables: "These are cold in nature, so it's best to use warm seasonings to balance them."

Mother Kim nodded repeatedly as she listened, and the look in her eyes as she watched Jiang Zhiyu had changed from initial kindness to appreciation.

Lee Tima leaned over again, whispering mysteriously (though everyone could actually hear): "Grandma, let me tell you, what Oppa is best at is andrology!"

"Pfft—"

Kim Jiyong, who was drinking water, almost spat it out.

Father Kim was also dumbfounded.

Kim Taeyeon's face turned bright red instantly, and she glared at Lee Tima: "Lee Tima!!"

But Lee Tima didn't care at all and continued to say loudly: "Really! Oppa specializes in male impotence, ah—"

The final "ah" was because Jiang Zhiyu finally couldn't help it and gently tapped her head with the back of the knife.

Jiang Zhiyu said irritably: "I am also studying gynecological conditions, okay? Pediatrics too!"

After he finished speaking, he realized that this didn't sound quite right either, so he hurriedly added: "What I mean is, TCM emphasizes overall regulation and doesn't divide into departments so finely..."

But it was already too late.

The kitchen fell into an eerie silence. Father Kim and Kim Jiyong's expressions were quite spectacular, Xia Yan covered her mouth trying to hold back laughter, while Mother Kim had a meaningful look of "young people really know how to play."

Kim Taeyeon had already given up struggling; she covered her face, feeling that her lifelong reputation had been ruined in this kitchen today.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the family's reactions, then at Lee Tima, who was still grinning while holding her head, and suddenly felt mentally exhausted.

He sighed and continued to process the ingredients, but his movements were noticeably faster, as if he wanted to finish quickly and escape this awkward scene.

But the Kim family clearly didn't intend to let him off the hook.