240: Chapter 226, originally planned as a third update and third revision, has now been changed to a single update, with the remaining word count used to modify the preceding text.

Kang Hye-won was still out of the loop: "What happened to me?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Kang Hye-won.

She was still dazing, seemingly completely unaware she was being judged.

"Kang Hye-won!" Kim Minju raised her voice, "Do you admit to your dereliction of duty in 'Operation Protect the Duck'?"

Kang Hye-won blinked: "Dereliction of duty? No, I've been carrying out the mission seriously."

"Your mission was to go undercover and observe!" An Yujin couldn't help but say, "Not to eat!"

"You ate barbecue! Cheese waterfalls! Grilled sausages! Chocolate lava cake!" Jo Yuri counted on her fingers, "And you didn't perform any reconnaissance mission at all!"

"But..." Kang Hye-won looked innocent, "I had to disguise myself as a regular customer. Don't regular customers eat?"

This logic... actually made some sense?

"But you ate too much!" Jo Yuri accused, "And you paid no attention to the surroundings at all!"

"I did pay attention," Kang Hye-won said seriously, "Yena and PD Kang were chatting happily, PD Kang even served food to Yena, and Yena blushed..."

Her clear and organized explanation left everyone stunned instead.

"Wait," Kwon Eunbi frowned, "You noticed all that?"

"Mm," Kang Hye-won nodded, "I was just observing while eating."

"While..." Kim Minju's mouth twitched, "That 'while' of yours was a bit too focused!"

Kang Hye-won thought about it and admitted, "Because the food was indeed delicious."

Everyone: "..."

Final verdict:

Choi Yena—Although suspected of being bewitched by the "Kang Trap," considering that personal development opportunities are indeed rare and she had no subjective intention of "betraying" the team, she is sentenced to an "observation period." During the filming of her personal variety show, she must report to the team daily and is not allowed to agree to any additional terms without team discussion.

Kang Hye-won—Serious dereliction of duty, sentenced to "dietary control": For the next week, members will take turns supervising her diet. She can only eat salad and chicken breast. If she dares to sneak food, the control period will be extended by one day! Furthermore, she is barred from participating in any future "Guard Duck" related operations!

"That's unfair!" Kang Hye-won finally reacted, "Salad and chicken breast... is that even human food?"

"This is a punishment!" Kwon Eunbi said sternly, "To make you remember that a mission is a mission!"

Kang Hye-won pouted. Her aggrieved look almost made a few soft-hearted members want to plead for her.

But remembering her "heroic feat" at the barbecue restaurant tonight, they hardened their hearts again.

The judgment meeting ended in chaos and laughter.

The cucumber gavel was eventually taken to the kitchen by An Yujin and sliced into part of a salad—putting it to good use.

Choi Yena returned to her room and lay on her bed, her mind still replaying everything from tonight.

PD Kang's smile.

Those interesting settings.

And the sisters' concerned "judgment."

She couldn't help but smile.

Although the process was a bit chaotic, she felt she had made the right decision.

And...

PD Kang is indeed very good-looking.

This thought made her face turn red again.

She quickly buried her face in her pillow, trying to calm down.

But that scent of ripe fruit seemed to linger at the tip of her nose.

In another room, Kang Hye-won was staring blankly at a chicken breast salad recipe on her phone screen.

"A week..." she muttered to herself, "I'm going to die..."

But the next second, her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Wait... nuts can be added to the salad, right? Nuts are also healthy food..."

She began to seriously research how to make chicken breast salad taste good.

This night, in the IZ*ONE dorm, someone was dreaming of Candy Castles, someone was worrying about chicken breast salad, someone was worrying about their sister's future, and someone was planning the next "Guard Operation."

But no matter what, they were together.

This is IZ*ONE.

A team that, even when facing a "Devil PD," would unite and guard each other.

Although the way they guarded sometimes went astray.

Like using a cucumber as a gavel.

Like sending a "foodie" undercover.

But that sentiment was real.

Moonlight from outside the window spilled into the room, gentle and serene.

Tomorrow is a new day.

And Choi Yena's Candy Castle adventure is about to begin.

As for the outcome...

Only time will tell.