209: Chapter 196: Unable to open the locked door despite all efforts, the locksmith pays to avoid further trouble.

However, the atmosphere had completely changed.

After this round of gift-giving and conversation, in the eyes of the Kim family, Jiang Zhiyu was no longer just "the daughter's colleague" or "Tima's brother," but a young man worthy of admiration and affection.

Dinner continued in a more relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

The Kim family was even more enthusiastic toward Jiang Zhiyu, and their questions became more numerous—from his plans for the future to his views on music, and even touching upon his personal preferences.

Jiang Zhiyu answered them one by one, his attitude consistently gentle and polite, neither deliberately ingratiating nor pretending to be aloof.

That just-right sincerity made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Kim Taeyeon ate her meal quietly, occasionally lifting her eyes to look at Jiang Zhiyu.

On her wrist, that faint scent of perfume wafted over, elegant and tranquil.

Just like the man himself; seemingly gentle, but in reality, unfathomable.

And she found herself starting to wonder what exactly was hidden behind that unfathomable nature.

This realization made Kim Taeyeon's heart race.

She quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on her meal.

Yet her fingertips were unconsciously rubbing against that perfume bottle.

The cold glass was gradually warmed by her body heat.

Just like something that had originally been calm was quietly melting.

It was something like being funny.

The night grew deeper, and the lights were extinguished throughout the Hanok one by one, with only the guest room window still emitting a warm yellow glow.

Inside the guest room, Jiang Zhiyu sat cross-legged on the floor with his laptop on a low table, the screen emitting a faint glow.

He was wearing glasses—something Lee Tima rarely saw him wear—and was staring intently at the musical staff and notes on the screen.

Lee Tima was lying beside him, holding a tablet displaying the same music arrangement software interface.

Her expression was equally serious; she would occasionally frown, her fingers sliding and tapping on the screen.

The two occasionally conversed in low voices:

"The chord progression here could be a bit bolder."

"Oppa, wouldn't this drum beat be too heavy?"

"Try moving the bass part forward by half a beat?"

"Oh! That's much better!"

It was completely a scene of professional musicians at work.

A gentle knock sounded at the door.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't even look up: "Please come in."

The door was pushed open a crack, and Kim Taeyeon stood at the doorway carrying a tray with two steaming cups of milk on it.

"Not asleep yet?" she asked softly, her gaze falling on their focused profiles.

Lee Tima only then looked up, her eyes brightening: "Milk! Thank you, Unnie!"

Jiang Zhiyu also took off his glasses, rubbed his brow, and gave Kim Taeyeon a tired but gentle smile: "Thank you, Noona."

Kim Taeyeon walked into the room and placed the tray on the corner of the low table.

Her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the laptop screen—it was filled with dense notes and tracks, looking extremely complex.

"Is this... composing?"

"Yes," Jiang Zhiyu picked up the milk and took a sip, the warm liquid helping his tense nerves relax slightly, "It's an interlude for the new episode of the IZ*ONE variety show. They want a song that's lighthearted and a bit quirky."

As he spoke, his fingers were unconsciously tapping a rhythm on the tabletop—a habit peculiar to musicians.

Kim Taeyeon did not leave immediately.

She stood there, watching the dancing notes on the screen, then looked at Jiang Zhiyu's focused profile, a surge of curiosity rising in her heart.

This person had clearly been through so much today—the rush from Seoul to Jeonju, dealing with her entire family's "interrogation," and having to cope with all of Lee Tima's unexpected situations—yet now, he could actually settle down to make music.

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to notice her gaze and turned his head: "Do you want to see, Noona?"

His tone was very natural, completely devoid of any guard about "work secrets not being allowed to leak."

Lee Tima also chimed in excitedly: "Unnie, Oppa is writing a song! This is Oppa's habit!"

"A habit?" Kim Taeyeon asked curiously.

Jiang Zhiyu smiled embarrassedly, did not reply, and lowered his head to continue drinking his milk.

Lee Tima answered for him: "Oppa has to write a song after every variety show! Some variety shows require theme songs or ending songs, as well as instrumental music during the broadcast. For the variety shows we film ourselves, they even make each of us write a song!"

When she said this, her tone was full of pride, as if this were the most remarkable tradition of TG Entertainment.

Jiang Zhiyu put down his cup and explained: "TG Entertainment provides an all-inclusive service. From pre-production planning and scriptwriting to on-site filming, post-production, and final promotion and distribution, these are all work segments we have to do ourselves."

He pointed to the screen: "What I'm working on now is an interlude for the IZ*ONE variety show. It's basically a quirky style, meant to match the atmosphere of those 'shameful challenges' in the show."

As he spoke, he clicked the play button.

A lighthearted and playful melody flowed out from the laptop's speakers.

The intro featured bouncy piano and strings, with a bright, fast-paced rhythm that carried a hint of playfulness.

Then, sound effects similar to a music box were added, along with a subtle sample of "hehe" laughter, as if a prank had succeeded.

"This part is for the 'Lion Charge Duck Punch' segment," Jiang Zhiyu pointed to one of the tracks, "I used a lion roar sample for the rhythmic percussion."

Kim Taeyeon listened intently, her eyes gradually brightening.

Although she excelled at ballads, she had a professional sensitivity to music.

While this piece's style was completely different from her usual work, the arrangement was exquisite and layered, clearly of a professional standard.

"Did you write this on the spot?" she asked, somewhat incredulously.

"The framework was thought out beforehand," Jiang Zhiyu said honestly, "After seeing the footage today, I made some adjustments. For example, this—"

He dragged the mouse and brought up another track: "I added a sample of market hawking sounds to match the segment where Group C is promoting in the market."

It was a processed, slightly comical hawking sound: "Rice cake balls! Rice cake balls of love and justice! Rice cake balls that let you transform into a cherry blossom saintess after eating them!"

Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Seeing her laugh, Jiang Zhiyu also relaxed and moved a chair over from the side: "Have a seat, Noona. Do you want to hear the full version?"

Lee Tima immediately shifted, making space for Kim Taeyeon.

Kim Taeyeon hesitated for a moment but still sat down.

Looking at the complex project file on the screen, she suddenly asked: "Did you do all of this by yourself?"

"Most of it," Jiang Zhiyu nodded, "Sometimes Lee Tima helps; her arrangement skills are also very impressive."

When he said this, his tone carried unconcealed pride, just like a teacher praising an excellent student.