234: Chapter 220: Thank you to the locals in Noona, South Korea for their support!

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The restaurant door was pushed open, and the wind chime above it let out a crisp tinkle.

Almost at the same time, the entire atmosphere of the restaurant underwent a subtle change.

It wasn't because of how many followers the newcomer had—in fact, Jiang Zhiyu only brought one assistant, being so low-key that he didn't look like a president at all.

It was because his presence itself was simply too strong.

Today, Jiang Zhiyu was wearing a simple but well-tailored dark grey suit with a white shirt underneath. He wasn't wearing a tie, and the first button at the collar was undone. His hair was neatly styled, but not oily like some elites; instead, it had a natural volume to it.

But none of that was the point.

The point was that the moment he stepped into the restaurant, that familiar, incredibly mature, and mouth-wateringly sweet fruit fragrance spread through the air like an invisible wave.

In a restaurant filled with the smell of grilled meat and smoke, that fragrance created a strange contrast—ruggedness and refinement, richness and freshness, perfectly blended together.

And his looks, under the warm yellow lights of the restaurant, almost seemed to glow.

His amber eyes were clear and deep, his features were so exquisite they didn't look real, and his skin had a healthy glow under the lights. Most special was his temperament—a steady aura of absolute control from just having stepped away from work, mixed with an innate gentleness and elegance.

A walking hormone.

This phrase flashed through the minds of several customers who saw him.

"Is that person... a celebrity?"

"A model, maybe? His aura is so good..."

"He smells so good... What perfume is that?"

Whispers broke out all over the restaurant.

But Jiang Zhiyu didn't seem to notice these gazes at all. His eyes scanned the restaurant and accurately landed on Choi Yena, who was sitting by the window.

When he saw Choi Yena, he was clearly taken aback for a moment.

His eyebrows arched slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Today's Choi Yena... was completely different from usual.

Usually, Choi Yena was the lively and quirky "Duck" on variety shows, a powerful main vocal on stage, and a carefree happy pill in private.

But today, she was wearing a cute pink and white dress, her makeup was as delicate as a doll's, her hair was curled, and she even had a bow pinned in it.

She looked entirely like someone "everyone would want to protect."

A meaningful curve rose at the corner of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth.

He stepped toward Choi Yena's seat, his pace steady, the lines of his long legs wrapped in suit trousers looking smooth.

Choi Yena had already stood up, her fingers twisting together in nervousness. Her cheeks were slightly flushed—it was hard to tell if it was the effect of her blush or if she was actually blushing.

"Jiang, Jiang PD..." Her voice was a bit strained.

Jiang Zhiyu walked to the table and smiled gently. "Yena-xi, sorry for the wait."

His voice sounded exceptionally clear against the noisy background of the restaurant, carrying a reassuring steadiness.

Then, his gaze swept over Choi Yena once more as he raised an eyebrow and said:

"Yena-xi, this outfit... why do I feel like you've peeked at the solo variety show's concept?"

There was a hint of teasing in his tone, but his eyes held more curiosity and... admiration?

Choi Yena's face turned completely red in an instant.

Peeked at the concept?!

She hadn't at all!!

This outfit was forced upon her by her sisters! They said it had to be "so cute that Jiang PD wouldn't have the heart to tease her"!!

But now that Jiang Zhiyu had said that, it made it seem like she had planned this all along, trying to use cuteness to gain sympathy!

"No, it's not like that!" she explained hurriedly. "I just... just thought that since I was meeting PD-nim, I should be a bit more formal..."

She spoke with a stutter, completely lacking her usual sharp tongue.

Watching her flustered state, the smile in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes deepened.

He didn't pursue the topic and instead pulled out a chair and sat down elegantly.

"Sit down," he said. "No need to be nervous, it's just a normal work conversation."

His tone was relaxed and natural, trying to ease Choi Yena's tension.

But how could Choi Yena not be nervous?

Moreover, she didn't just have to face Jiang Zhiyu; she also had to face those three (now four, as the assistant had also sat down) burning gazes from diagonally behind her!

She could feel Jo Yuri and Kim Minju's gazes almost piercing through her back!

And... Kang Hye-won Unnie! Have you finished eating yet or not!!

Meanwhile, at the table diagonally behind them.

Jo Yuri and Kim Minju were completely stunned.

Though they were wearing masks and hats, their eyes were wide as they stared fixedly at Jiang Zhiyu's back.

No, to be precise, they were staring at Jiang Zhiyu himself.

"Jiang... Jiang PD..." Jo Yuri murmured softly. "He's so handsome..."

"Even more handsome than on variety shows..." Kim Minju was also dazed. "And that fragrance..."

The two of them unconsciously took a deep breath.

That sweet scent of mature fruit clearly drifted over even from a distance.

It smelled so good...

Wait!

They were here to protect Yena! Not to be fangirls!!

The two of them snapped out of it and quickly took out their phones, typing frantically in the IZ*ONE group chat.

Jo Yuri: [Alert! Jiang PD has arrived!]

Kim Minju: [Photo.jpg] (She had secretly taken a photo of Jiang Zhiyu's profile as he sat down)

Jang Wonyoung (replied instantly): [Wow... he's really handsome...]

Kwon Eunbi: [Hey! Is this the time to be fangirling?! How's the situation?!]

Jo Yuri: [Yena is very nervous. Jiang PD seems... normal? He even teased Yena about her outfit.]

An Yujin: [What outfit?]

Kim Minju: [Photo.jpg] (A secret full-body shot of Choi Yena)

Miyawaki Sakura: [Omo! Yena is so cute today!]

Lee Chaeyeon: [But Jiang PD said 'why do I feel like you've peeked at the solo variety show's concept'... what does that mean?]

Honda Hitomi: [Could it be... Yena's solo concept is the cute route?]

Yabuki Nako: [It's very possible!]

The discussion in the group chat was in full swing.

As for the scene itself, Kang Hye-won...

She was still eating.

The Cheese Waterfall Set was mostly gone, but she had ordered another serving of Grilled Sausages. Now, she was focused on picking up a sausage with a small fork, dipping it in yellow mustard, and eating it bite by bite.

She didn't notice at all that the "protagonist" of the night had already appeared, and her "undercover mission" had long been exposed to Choi Yena's helpless gaze.

In the restaurant, the barbecue continued to sizzle, and the customers continued to chat and laugh.