357: Is the marketing account with 333 chapters out of its mind?

The car finally arrived at the apartment building where Kim Taeyeon lived. After the designated driver politely departed, the real test was just beginning.

Kim Taeyeon was dead to the world, impossible to rouse. Jiang Zhiyu tried to help her out of the car, but her body was limp as if boneless, her legs utterly unable to support her weight, and she kept sliding down.

"Tsk." Jiang Zhiyu clicked his tongue softly, forced to adjust his stance. He first bent down, sliding his arms under her knees and back, attempting to half-carry her out in a more efficient way. However, when his arms truly bore her weight, Jiang Zhiyu's brows subconsciously furrowed tight.

So light.

Even through her not-too-thick jacket and dress, he could clearly feel the slenderness of the body in his arms. Her waist felt as if he could circle it with one hand, her shoulders and back were slight, the whole person light and airy, as if possessing little substance. In his memory, when guiding Im Yoona's physical training on set, Im Yoona's weight and muscular feel were far more substantial than this. This Noona, who usually commanded such a powerful presence, leading an era as a captain, was actually... this thin in private? A trace of an indescribable emotion, mixed with a little... perhaps heartache? Fleeted across Jiang Zhiyu's heart, too fast for even him to catch.

He quickly shook off that fleeting thought, because the current situation didn't allow for distraction. The half-carrying posture was too awkward; Kim Taeyeon's body kept slipping down. Jiang Zhiyu, helpless, took a deep breath, tightened his arms with a sudden exertion, and simply scooped her up into a horizontal hold — a standard princess carry.

"Mmm..." The slight weightlessness from suddenly being suspended in air made Kim Taeyeon hum unconsciously in her dream, but her arms instinctively looped around Jiang Zhiyu's neck. Her head nuzzled into the crook of his neck, finding a more comfortable spot, like a cat that had finally found its safe haven.

Jiang Zhiyu's body stiffened once more, but this time he steadied himself quickly. The lightness of the person in his arms left him with a strange, unsettled feeling, yet the soft warmth of her touch and the snuggling posture simultaneously reawakened the red marks on his neck and the frantic thrumming in his chest. He collected himself and stepped towards the apartment building's entrance.

*Click! Click-click!*

A series of clear, utterly unconcealed shutter sounds rang out from behind, accompanied by a kind of suppressed yet still leaking "snicker-snicker" laughter.

Jiang Zhiyu's steps halted. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. He took a deep breath and turned.

He saw Lee Tima, who had somehow already jumped out of the car, holding up her phone. The lens was brazenly aimed at him and Kim Taeyeon, particularly focusing on his princess carry posture, Kim Taeyeon's snuggling position, and the complex expression on his face — a mix of helplessness, tension, and a hint of suspicious flush. She even shifted slightly, adjusting the angle, trying to get a clearer shot of the red marks on Jiang Zhiyu's neck.

"Lee. Ti. Ma." Jiang Zhiyu's voice squeezed out from between his teeth, laced with warning.

Far from being intimidated, Lee Tima lowered her phone just enough to reveal a pair of startlingly bright eyes. Her small face was tightly drawn, her expression unprecedentedly serious and earnest. She angled the phone slightly to ensure her own face was also in frame, then looked directly into Jiang Zhiyu's eyes. In a clear, loud voice, loud enough for the phone's microphone to pick up perfectly, she enunciated each word:

"Oppa, wait a moment."

Jiang Zhiyu paused, looking at her in confusion.

Lee Tima puffed out her little chest and announced righteously, "Sunny Unnie, Yuri Unnie, Hyoyeon Unnie, Sooyoung Unnie, Tiffany Unnie... (she rattled off a string of names) ... They just entrusted me in the group chat as tonight's 'Special Supervisor'!"

She waved her lit-up phone screen, where the frantically scrolling group chat messages were vaguely visible.

"My mission is," Lee Tima said with a stern face, though her eyes sparkled with the glee of a successful prank, "to supervise the entire process of Oppa escorting Taeyeon Unnie home! To prevent Oppa from taking any 'improper liberties' while Taeyeon Unnie is drunk and unconscious! Strictly no groping or touching! You must maintain a safe, polite, and pure distance of mutual assistance!"

Before her words even finished, a burst of barely suppressed laughter came from the phone screen. Jiang Zhiyu glanced over and saw six small windows on the screen — Sunny, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Tiffany... and even Seohyun half-hiding in a corner of the frame, her face full of unconcealed curiosity. Everyone's cheeks were flushed, clearly having gotten into the drinks during the "second round," and were now wildly enjoying the drama fueled by alcohol.

"Yes, yes, yes! Supervision! We're protecting Taeyeon!" Sunny's voice exploded from the speaker, laced with undisguised mischief.

"President Jiang, you better not take advantage of the situation!" Yuri chimed in, egging her on.

"If Taeyeon wakes up tomorrow and finds herself not in bed but in some strange place..." Hyoyeon deliberately drew out her tone.

"We'll hold you accountable!" Sooyoung finished.

"Aigoo, our Taeyeon..." Tiffany covered her face, but her eyes peeked out from between her fingers, shining brightly.

Jiang Zhiyu: "..."

Under the dim light, Jiang Zhiyu's face instantly darkened by half. He could feel a vein at his temple throbbing merrily. His arms holding Kim Taeyeon even trembled slightly from the effort of restraint. He glared at the little imp before him, wearing an expression of "I'm upholding justice" but actually reveling in the chaos, then looked at the phone in her hand, broadcasting live. A flame of embarrassment, annoyance, and a sense of "family disgrace" shot from the pit of his stomach straight to the top of his head.

This damned kid!

It seems a spanking is in order!

Mischief, setting traps, spreading rumors before were one thing, but now she dared to publicly slap him with the label of "taking advantage" and set up live surveillance? If this got out, what would become of his reputation, Jiang Zhiyu's? Although... he glanced at the sweetly sleeping, blissfully unaware Kim Taeyeon in his arms, and the fire in his heart was inexplicably stirred by a more complex emotion.

But now wasn't the time to dwell. Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and even, though the subtle sound of gritted teeth betrayed his true feelings: "Lee. Ti. Ma. Turn. The. Phone. Off. Now. Immediately."

"No!" Lee Tima stiffened her neck, hiding the phone behind her back a little, but the lens stubbornly remained pointed at him. "This is the sacred mission the Unnies entrusted to me! I'm responsible for Taeyeon Unnie! Oppa, please adjust your attitude and don't try to threaten the supervisor!"

Another burst of uproarious laughter and shouts of "Tima is so bold!" and "Protect our Tima!" came from the phone.

Jiang Zhiyu felt the thread of his rationality emitting a precarious whimper. He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, a dangerous glint flashed in their depths. He wasted no more words on Lee Tima. Holding Kim Taeyeon, he strode purposefully towards the apartment lobby, tossing back an icy sentence:

"Fine, supervise. Remember to keep up. By the way, let me remind you — your next month's allowance, your year-end bonus, and the new gaming console I promised to buy you... are all being weighed in my hands right now."

This was more effective than any threat. Lee Tima's little hand holding the phone gave a sharp jerk. A crack appeared in her "Righteous Supervisor" expression. She looked at Jiang Zhiyu's resolute back, then at the "Unnies" in her phone still frantically spamming the chat urging for more, her heart plunged into an unprecedented internal conflict.

Should she uphold the justice of gossip, defend her live-streaming career? Or bow to the pressure of "capital," preserving her wallet and happiness?

Jiang Zhiyu expressionlessly averted his gaze, pretending he hadn't heard or seen anything. Holding Kim Taeyeon, he stepped towards the apartment building door. His pace was steady, his demeanor composed, as if he were merely carrying a sack of rice, the little imp holding the phone behind him was just air, and the chattering from the phone was merely the wind.

But his back view, no matter how you looked at it, radiated a tense "I am enduring" vibe.

Just then, his steps paused slightly.

His gaze shifted to a dark corner not far from the building entrance — it was the greenbelt beside the apartment building, currently unlit, only the shadows of shrubs swaying slightly in the night breeze.

Jiang Zhiyu narrowed his eyes.

Deep in that darkness, there seemed to be something...

He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed intently in that direction, pausing for a full two or three seconds.

On the phone screen, the Unnies' clamor continued:

"What is President Jiang looking at?"

"Is there something over there?"

"It's not a sasaeng, is it?!"

"Aish, it can't be, it's so late..."

Lee Tima also followed Jiang Zhiyu's gaze, but could see nothing in the pitch black. She blinked, about to ask something, when she saw Jiang Zhiyu had already looked away.

He didn't speak, only tightened his hold on Kim Taeyeon slightly, turned, and continued towards the building door. That moment of attention seemed to have led him to some judgment in that instant, or perhaps... to abandon something.

A moment later, his figure disappeared inside the unit door.

Lee Tima, holding her phone, was stunned for a second, then hurried after him, not forgetting to whisper a broadcast to the Unnies on screen: "Entering the unit door! Preparing to go upstairs! Signal might be unstable, I'll try my best to keep the connection!"

Another round of laughter from the phone: "Go Tima!" "We got the shot!" "We'll wait for your update!"

—

Inside the elevator's cramped space, the atmosphere was subtle and "scorching." Jiang Zhiyu, holding Kim Taeyeon, was unavoidably pressed close. Kim Taeyeon seemed to find this position still not comfortable enough. In her sleep, she unconsciously furrowed her delicate brows. Her small nose nuzzled against the fabric of his shirt, emitting a vague, dissatisfied little grumble, like a kitten's. Her whole body tried to burrow even deeper into his embrace, seeking a more stable harbor.

This tiny movement brought an incredibly clear sensation. Her warm breath seeped through the thin fabric, warming his skin; her soft body leaned against him trustingly; the scent from the top of her head, mixed with a faint aroma of alcohol, drifted thread by thread into his nostrils...

*Whoosh—!*

Jiang Zhiyu felt a rush of hot blood surge straight to his head. His cheeks, ears, neck... all skin exposed to the air rapidly flushed a shade of crimson at a visible pace, even more pronounced than when Lee Tima had "caught" him in the parking lot. His fair complexion made this blush appear especially striking and... alluring.

"Wow—!! He's blushing! President Jiang is blushing!"

"Aigoo! Did you see that? The tips of his ears are bright red! He's shy, he's shy!"

"Taeyeon-ah, you really... don't let him off even when you're asleep!"

"This scene... is too impactful! Tima, steady the camera!"

On the phone, the Unnies who had been spectating the entire process through the internet instantly erupted. The excitement and teasing suppressed along the way finally found an outlet. Peals of laughter, exclamations, and teasing mingled together, almost bursting through the earpiece.

Jiang Zhiyu pressed his lips tightly together, his jawline appearing somewhat rigid from the tension. He could clearly feel the heat on his face, even hear the drum-like pounding of his own heart in his chest. He struggled to control his facial muscles, trying to assume his usual calm, collected, and impeccable expression, yet his physiological reactions were completely beyond his control. The more he tried to suppress it, the more the blush seemed to spread. Even his arms holding Kim Taeyeon grew slightly stiff from nervousness.

Fortunately, the elevator emitted a soft *ding*, arriving at the target floor. The doors slid open, rescuing Jiang Zhiyu from the center of this "public execution."

He almost immediately stepped out, his pace slightly more hurried than usual, attempting to use action to escape the suffocating scrutiny and his own Out of control and predicament. The warm light in the hallway spilled down, dispelling some of the ambiguous atmosphere from the elevator, but the heat in his face wouldn't subside anytime soon.

Walking quickly to Kim Taeyeon's apartment door, Jiang Zhiyu didn't hesitate for a second. Freeing one hand, his fingers flew across the keypad, entering a string of numbers.

*Beep—click.*

The lock responded and opened smoothly, as effortlessly as if he were entering his own home.

"He's going in, he's going in!"

"Wow, he really went in! President Jiang knows Taeyeon's password?"

"This relationship... is not ordinary!"

"Quick, quick, Tima, follow him in! Key supervision of the bedroom area!"

The Unnies on the other end of the phone grew even more excited, their Eight Trigrams Fire blazing, already imagining various scenarios.

However, amidst the excited clamor, Sunny (Lee Soon-kyu) stared at her phone screen, at Jiang Zhiyu's Skilled door opening silhouette. Her eyes slowly narrowed, her playful smile now tinged with a trace of scrutiny and deep thought.

Something's off.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

She remembered very clearly that Taeyeon placed great importance on her private space. Matters as extremely private as her front door passcode were not known to everyone, even among them, her teammates of many years (unless help was needed in special circumstances).

Jiang Zhiyu and Taeyeon had known each other for quite some time and had collaborated often, but as far as she knew, their private interactions... at least on the surface, did not seem to have reached the level where they could share their front door passcodes with each other.

Then, how did Jiang Zhiyu know it so clearly, and was even able to input the correct passcode so quickly and without hesitation?

There were only two possibilities:

First, the relationship between these two in private was far more intimate and deep than any of them had seen or even imagined, having long since reached the point where he could enter her home and share her passcode. The so-called "cold war," "hesitation to speak," and "waiting to be contacted" might just be the awkwardness between a young couple, or... was it performed for them to see?

Second, this Jiang Zhiyu had a mind far deeper than he appeared on the surface. He might have long ago learned Kim Taeyeon's passcode through some method (such as observation, probing, or even less honorable means) and had ulterior motives. This possibility made Lee Soon-kyu feel a slight chill in her heart, but combined with Jiang Zhiyu's consistent and meticulous care for Taeyeon (breakfast, calming aromatherapy, Lemm's promise), she felt it wasn't entirely calculation.

"Either there was something fishy going on early on, or... the plotting is already deep." Lee Soon-kyu stroked her chin and whispered silently, her eyes flashing with excitement and vigilance. Regardless of which one it was, after tonight, the water was completely muddied, and it was becoming more and more interesting. She decided that the next time she "interrogated" Taeyeon, she must add "passcode sharing" to the list!

At this moment, Jiang Zhiyu did not know that one subconscious action of his had already triggered such complex psychological activity in Lee Soon-kyu. He carried Kim Taeyeon into the familiar entryway and kicked off his shoes (he couldn't be bothered with that much), just wanting to quickly settle this "hot potato" and then deal with the "little tail" behind him who was holding a phone with her eyes darting around.

Meanwhile, Kim Taeyeon in his arms was still completely unaware of the upcoming, even more "dire" night and the tsunami-like gossip she might face after waking up tomorrow, sleeping with a satisfied expression. Only the corners of her mouth seemed to be unconsciously savoring something, curving into a shallow, silly arc.

Jiang Zhiyu was almost holding his breath, using the fastest speed and the lightest movements to place this "source of trouble" in his arms onto the soft large bed. He carefully supported her head and back, letting her lie in a relatively comfortable position, pulled over the thin quilt nearby, and covered her up to her waist in a rush (he was afraid his hands would shake if he covered her any higher). After doing all this, he immediately retracted his hand as if he had been scalded, stepped back two paces, and opened up a safe distance.

The whole process was smooth and fluid, even with a touch of trained efficiency, as if something uncontrollable would happen if he stayed for one more second.

He breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and was about to turn around and leave this "place of trouble" immediately, when the "live broadcaster" behind him, who was as persistent as a shadow and dutiful, spoke up again.

"Oppa," Lee Tima's voice was full of "innocent" worry, but the phone camera she was holding was steadily aimed at the slightly awkward Jiang Zhiyu by the bed, "Are you leaving just like this? Won't you take care of Taeyeon Unnie a bit more?" She blinked her big eyes, her tone innocent and "thoughtful," "What if Unnie feels uncomfortable in the middle of the night and wants to throw up? How dangerous it would be to be alone."

In the phone receiver, the sisters who had long been unable to hold back immediately exploded, chattering to "support" Lee Tima, their nature of enjoying the chaos fully exposed:

"That's right, that's right! President Jiang, finish what you started!"

"Our Taeyeon's alcohol tolerance is actually average; she really might throw up!"

"Stay and observe for a bit; what if she needs help?"

"Exactly, you've already brought her to the bed... ahem, I mean, you've brought her home, so taking care of her is only right!"

"Aigoo, President Jiang wouldn't be trying to shirk responsibility, would he? Our Taeyeon is..."

The rest of the words were covered up by a burst of tacit laughter and coughing.

The veins on Jiang Zhiyu's temples began to throb faintly again. He took a deep breath, trying to refute in a calm voice: "If she throws up, there is a bathroom here. Besides, Noona is an adult, she should..."

"Adults are just children when they are drunk!" Yuri's voice penetrated the noise, "And Taeyeon is so weak, what if she faints in the bathroom?"

"That's right!" Hyoyeon also joined in, "President Jiang, just be a good person to the end! We are all 'watching,' we won't let you do anything bad!" This sounded as if Jiang Zhiyu was the "dangerous element" that needed to be guarded against.

Jiang Zhiyu was almost laughing in anger. He glanced at Kim Taeyeon, who was sleeping obliviously on the bed, even smacking her lips because she was more comfortable lying flat, then glanced at Lee Tima, who was holding the phone with a sly glint in her eyes, and finally looked helplessly around the room, which was filled with Kim Taeyeon's personal atmosphere.

He stay? At this time, in this place, taking care of a drunk, sleeping female senior alone? Even with countless eyes "supervising" through the screen, if this scene were leaked, it would be enough to let the scandal ferment to nuclear bomb levels.

However, just as he was preparing to firmly refuse again, someone on the other end of the phone muttered something in a low voice. It wasn't loud, but it was clearly transmitted over:

"...Besides, come to think of it, even if some 'accident' really happened, the one who loses out... might not necessarily be Taeyeon, right?"

This sentence seemed to press a mute button; the noisy discussion died down eerily for a moment, followed by more suppressed, complex-emotion-filled agreement:

"Ah... now that you mention it, it seems so..."

"Jiang Zhiyu is young, handsome, talented, and is now the president of TG... no matter how you look at it, he's a top-tier package."

"Taeyeon is our best leader, but her age is, after all... ahem, I mean, in the eyes of the secular world..."

"No matter which angle you look at it from, it seems... Taeyeon 'earned it'?"

"Sigh, why is it that I'm suddenly a bit jealous of Taeyeon..."

These whispers were like fine needles, gently pricking Jiang Zhiyu's eardrums. He was stunned, not because of how shocking the content of the words was, but because this angle—this perspective that started entirely from "conditions" and "gains and losses," even carrying a trace of subtle envy and sourness—was one he had never thought of.

All along, he had considered status, public opinion, the boundaries between senior and junior, and his own internal confusion and uncertainty. He instinctively felt that if he crossed the line, he would be offending his senior, and he might bring trouble to Kim Taeyeon.

But now, this group of sisters closest to her were reminding him in a tone that was almost mercenary and incredibly realistic: in the eyes of others, and perhaps even in a part of their own perception, he, Jiang Zhiyu, was a huge "temptation" and "advantage" in himself. Kim Taeyeon developing feelings for him or even making an out-of-line move could, to some extent, even be understood as something "natural" or "courageous"?

This subversion of his perception left him at a loss for a moment. The flush on his face, which had just faded from his preparation to leave, showed signs of returning. He looked at the woman on the bed who was completely unaware of this, sleeping with rosy cheeks, and his mood was extremely complex.

She was the leader of Girls Generation, a top-tier solo singer in the industry, and an idol and role model for countless people. But in the teasing of her teammates at this moment, under certain secular standards of measurement, she seemed... to have been placed in a position where she needed to "seize the opportunity" or even "take advantage"?

This made Jiang Zhiyu feel a trace of inexplicable discomfort, or even a little... pity? Or was it indignation?

Lee Tima keenly captured the subtle changes in Jiang Zhiyu's expression and the momentary stiffness. Although she didn't fully understand the full meaning behind the sisters' words, she knew that Oppa seemed to have been "checkmated."

She immediately struck while the iron was hot, leaning her little face close to the screen and asking "innocently" in a volume everyone could hear: "Unnies, so... leaving Oppa to take care of Taeyeon Unnie is actually... for Taeyeon Unnie's own good, right?"

The other end of the phone was silent for a second, then erupted into louder laughter and affirmation, mixed with various implications:

"Yes, yes, yes! Tima is right!"

"It's for Taeyeon's own good!"

"President Jiang, just consider it as... protecting our assets?"

"Taeyeon is handed over to you, President Jiang! You must take 'good' care of her!"

Jiang Zhiyu stood by the bed, neither able to leave nor stay. He felt like he had fallen into a carefully designed (or at least pushed along) trap, surrounded by hunters watching the show, while in the center of the trap was the sleeping "prey," and also... the source that made his heart restless.

He looked at Kim Taeyeon again. She seemed to have dreamed of something, her brows knitting together slightly, and she unconsciously murmured a vague dream talk.

Finally, as if resigned to his fate, Jiang Zhiyu took a deep, deep breath and slowly exhaled. He didn't look at Lee Tima or that chattering phone again, just walked to the lazy sofa in the corner of the room, sat down somewhat exhaustedly, and raised his hand to loosen his collar—this action caused the red mark on his neck to flash under the light.

"I'll sit for a while." His voice was somewhat low and hoarse, with no detectable emotion, "Wait until she sleeps more soundly."

He didn't say how long he would stay, nor did he promise to do anything. But this gesture, which was almost equivalent to defaulting to staying, was enough to make the "supervisory committee" on the other end of the phone erupt into triumphant cheers, and it also made Lee Tima, who was holding the phone, reveal a bright "plan successful" smile.

In the room, the lighting was soft. The person on the bed was fast asleep, and the person on the sofa was sitting quietly. In the silence of the room, there was only the vaguely audible, deliberately suppressed excited discussion from the phone, and... a certain more subtle, more indescribable atmosphere, quietly brewing.

——

(I scrolled past Im Yoona, what a tender and beautiful face, aish, can she really not play a killer? The cool and cute Im Yoona track is really worth exploring! Thirty-something is just the age to explore!)

(Because I scrolled past a BP concert Kim Ji-soo fancam on Douyin, so today I like Kim Ji-soo! Kim Jikyu, your new drama is really crazy, I won't comment on the rest, I closed it out of shame halfway through. Also, please stay away from Lee Soo-hyuk, thank you. Lee Soo-hyuk's looks are number one in South Korea, and I will not accept any rebuttals.)

PS: Lee Soo-hyuk looks a lot like me, the Jiangsu Lee Soo-hyuk they talk about is me, okay. (No, it should be that Lee Soo-hyuk is the Korean version of me.)

PPS: But compared to me, there is still a tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny gap. (I am a Young Pioneer wearing a red scarf! A pillar of the future of the motherland! Although I've already become scrap material... but Comrade Lei Feng said to be a screw of socialism that never rusts, and I will strive to carry that out. The premise is that the other party's social morality is normal.)

[ 13:15 - The Seventh Selfie ]

After eating, Karina stood by the window to digest. The sun was warmer, and she rolled up her sleeves to let her arms bask in the sun.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Basking in the sun. Getting some calcium. You bask too. Let's bask together. Although we aren't together, basking in the sun at the same time counts as being together. Right? Nod if it's right. Nod even if it's not. If I say it's right, then it's right. You must listen to me. Because I am your sun. You are my moon. Sun basking on the moon? Doesn't seem to work. Then you are the sun, and I am the moon. The moon reflects the sun's light. I reflect your love. You love me, and I shine. So if you love me a little more, I will shine a little brighter."

Send.

[ 14:00 - The Seventh Reply Video ]

Before the afternoon rehearsal started, Karina did stretches in front of the camera. She placed her leg on the barre, leaned forward, and her face was almost touching her knee.

"It's afternoon. Rehearsal continues. The sun is so nice today, I don't want to stay indoors. I want to go out. I want to go for a walk with you. Go to the Han River, go to the park, go to Namsan Tower. Anywhere is fine. As long as I'm with you, it's fine. When will you take me? Four days later? After the concert ends in four days, you accompany me. We'll go for a walk by the Han River. Watch the sunset, watch the night view, watch the stars. You hold my hand. I hold your hand. Keep walking, keep walking. Walk until we can't walk anymore. If we can't walk, you carry me. If you can't carry me, we'll sit down and rest. After resting, we'll keep walking. Walk until forever."

She switched legs and continued to stretch.

"Isn't it romantic? It's supposed to be romantic. I'm a romantic person. I'm romantic just for you. No one else gets it. Only you. You are the only one. The most unique. Super unique. The only one in the universe. The only one in the galaxy. The only one in the entire cosmos."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 15:30 - 8th Selfie ]

Rehearsal over, Karina is sweating profusely, taking a selfie in the mirror. Her hair is soaked and sticking to her face, her cheeks are flushed, but her eyes are bright, and she's smiling happily.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Rehearsal finished. Exhausted. But happy. Because today when the lifting platform rose, I thought of you below, and I wasn't afraid at all. Because the sun is nice today. Because I missed you today. How many times have I missed you? I haven't finished counting yet. I'll tell you tonight. It's definitely more than yesterday. Twenty-four times yesterday, today's goal is thirty. Do you think I can do it? If yes, nod. If no, nod anyway. Either way, I can. I have confidence in myself. Even more confidence in you. Because you are worth thinking about thirty times a day. Forty times. A hundred times. Infinite times."

Sent.

[ 16:15 - 8th Reply Video ]

Karina is sitting in the car on the way home, talking to the camera. The sunlight from outside the car window shines in at an angle, dancing on her face.

"On the way home. Today's rehearsal went very smoothly. When the lifting platform rose, I wasn't afraid at all. Because I was thinking of you. You were below the stage, in the crowd, in the first row. You would be looking at me. Only looking at me. So I couldn't be afraid. If I was afraid, I wouldn't be cool. If I wasn't cool, you wouldn't like me. If you didn't like me, I'd be done for. So I couldn't be afraid. Must be cool. Must be awesome. Must look good. Let you see how amazing your girlfriend is."

She reaches her hand out toward the sunlight, letting the light leak through her fingers.

"Look, the light. Doesn't it look like you? Warm, bright, always by my side. Although I can't touch it, I can feel it. Feel that you are there. Feel that you like me. Feel that you are thinking of me. I am thinking of you too. Always thinking. Thinking every minute and every second. Thinking forever. Thinking infinitely."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 17:00 - 9th Selfie ]

Karina arrives home, the first thing she does is rush to the window and take a picture of the sky outside. The afternoon sunlight has turned golden, shining on the buildings opposite, the glass reflecting the light, the whole city is golden.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Home now. The afternoon sun has turned golden. The whole city is golden. Pretty, right? Is it the same color on your side? Regardless of whether it's the same or not, it's the same sun. The same sun shining on you and me. So we are together. Under the same sun. In the same world. At the same time. Thinking of the same person. You thinking of me, I thinking of you. Perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect."

Sent.

[ 17:45 - 9th Reply Video ]

Karina has finished showering, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. Today's pajamas are that milky white cotton set, soft and fluffy, and she looks like a little cloud.

"Good evening. Are you tired today? I'm quite tired. But happy. Because the rehearsal went smoothly. Because I wasn't afraid of the lifting platform. Because I can talk to you soon. Talking means I'm not tired. Talking makes me happy. Happy means I have energy. With energy, I can continue rehearsing. Continuing to rehearse means I can dance better. Dancing better means you can see a more amazing me. A virtuous cycle."

She hugs a pillow, burying half her face into it.

"You know, when I was rehearsing today, I kept thinking about you. Thinking about what you were doing. Thinking about whether you ate well. Thinking about whether you missed me. Thinking about whether you saw the messages I sent. Thinking about whether you replied to me. Thinking about whether you were missing me just like this. Thinking and thinking, and I wasn't afraid anymore. Thinking and thinking, and I had energy. Thinking and thinking, and I could dance better. So you helped me rehearse too. You are also my rehearsal teacher. The teacher who taught me to rehearse. Although you didn't teach, your existence is the best lesson. Because you are the motivation for my rehearsal. Do you understand motivation? It means without you, it doesn't work. With you, everything works."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 18:30 - 10th Selfie ]

Karina starts preparing dinner. She opens the fridge and takes a picture of the ingredients inside—eggs, green onions, kimchi, tofu, pork belly, zucchini, bean sprouts, rice cakes, and some leftover fried rice from yesterday. Today, she's making kimchi tofu soup.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Making kimchi tofu soup for dinner. Do you like soup? Even if you don't, you have to. Because I made it. I'll make it especially delicious, making you fall in love with it. Once you fall in love with it, you'll love me even more. Because I made it. The logic is perfect. Right?"

Sent.

[ 19:15 - 10th Reply Video ]

Karina is recording a video while boiling the soup. The soup in the pot is bubbling, and the aroma of kimchi and tofu seems to come through the screen.

"Cooking soup. Smells so good. Can you smell it? If you can't, oh well. When you come over, I'll make you soup every day. Kimchi soup, soybean paste soup, ginseng chicken soup, army stew. I know quite a lot, don't I? Actually, I only know how to make these few. But I can learn. For you, I'm willing to learn anything. If I can't learn it, I'll keep learning. Until I know how. Until I can make delicious food for you. Because I like you. Because I like you, I want to make delicious food for you. Seeing you happy when you eat the food I make. That is my happiest moment."

She tastes a spoonful of soup and nods with satisfaction.

"Mmm, delicious. You will definitely like it. You'll know once you come over and taste it. Even if you don't like it, you have to. Because I made it. Everything I make is good. I am a good person too. So you have to like me too. Always like me. Forever like me. Not allowed to change. If you change, I'll cry. If I cry, you have to comfort me. Comforting me takes time. Spending time means you like me more. So it goes in a circle and you still like me. So just liking me is enough. Saves trouble. Saves trouble, saves trouble, saves trouble."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 20:00 - 11th Selfie ]

Karina sets out the soup, rice, and kimchi, and takes a photo. The soup is red, the tofu is white, the kimchi is red; it looks very appetizing.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Dinner is ready. Showing you before I start eating. Seeing it is equivalent to eating it. So you're full now too. You're welcome. Next time, just treat me to a real meal. When? In four days. After the concert. We'll go eat together. What do you want to eat? I'll treat. You pay. Fair, right? Not fair? Then let's make it fairer: You treat, you pay. I'm responsible for eating. Perfect."

Sent.

[ 20:45 - 11th Reply Video ]

Karina has finished her meal and is lying on the sofa digesting. The sky outside the window is completely dark, and she can hear the sound of cars from afar.

"Finished eating. So full. I don't want to do anything right now, I just want to lie here. I just want to talk to you. Even if we don't talk, just staying like this is fine. As long as you're here, it's fine. If you're here, I'm at peace. Peace means comfort. Comfort makes me want to sleep. But I can't sleep yet, I still have to talk to you. Talking is more important than sleeping. You are more important than sleeping. You are the most important. Most important, most important. More important than anything. More important than soup. More important than rice. More important than kimchi. More important than anything. You are the most important. The most, most important. The most important in the universe. The most important in the entire universe."

She turns over, lying on her stomach on the sofa, legs swinging in the air.

"Do you know how many times I thought of you today? I counted. Up until now, twenty-seven times. There's still tonight, I can think of you even more. I'll definitely reach today's goal of thirty times. Maybe I can even exceed it. Is there a reward for exceeding it? It doesn't matter if there isn't. Anyway, I think of you voluntarily. I don't need a reward. But if you have a reward, I'll take it. I'll take any reward. Once I take it, you're my person. You already are. So it doesn't matter if there's a reward or not."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 21:30 - 12th Selfie ]

Karina stands up and walks to the window, taking pictures of the night view outside. There are quite a lot of stars tonight, Namsan Tower is lit up, like a huge star.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Tonight's stars. So many. One, two, three, four, five... Can't count them. Don't they look like the number of times I've thought of you? Can't count them. Too many. There are too many, so I won't count them. Anyway, it's just a lot, a lot, a lot. Too many to count. Too many to hold. Too many that they overflow. The overflowing part is for you. Did you receive it? If you received it, reply to me. If you didn't receive it, receive it properly. Receive my feelings, receive my liking, receive my longing. Everything is yours. Everything, everything, everything. Yours, yours, yours."

Sent.

[ 22:00 - 12th Reply Video ]

Karina has finished showering, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. Today's pajamas are that pink plush style, she looks like a little rabbit.

"Today, March 11th, is almost over. Time passes so quickly. How many times did I think of you today? I counted. Thirty-five times. Five times more than the goal of thirty. Amazing, right? If it's amazing, praise me. If you praise me, I'll work harder. Working harder means I can think of you more. More means infinite. Infinite means forever. Forever means always, always, always. Always, always, always means forever, forever, forever. Forever, forever, forever means I love you, I love you, I love you."

She yawns, her eyes a bit unable to stay open.

"No, I'm a bit sleepy. But I still have to say goodnight to you. I can only sleep after saying it. If I don't say it, I won't sleep peacefully. If I say it, I can sleep well. Once I sleep well, I can continue thinking of you tomorrow. So, saying goodnight now. Goodnight, my poop scooper. Goodnight, my sun. Goodnight, my favorite person. Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight."

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 22:30 - 13th Selfie ]

Karina lies in bed, with only her face exposed. She holds up her phone, taking a picture of herself buried in the quilt with only her eyes showing.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"In bed. Getting ready to sleep. Today's weather: Sunny, 5 to 13 degrees. Tomorrow's weather: Sunny to cloudy, 6 to 14 degrees. A little warmer. Remember to dress appropriately. I checked the weather forecast, specifically to tell you. Because I'm worried you'll be cold. Worried you'll catch a cold. Worried you'll be uncomfortable. So you have to be obedient. Dress appropriately. Eat well. Sleep well. Because you are mine. My things must be taken care of well. If you can't take care of them, leave it to me to take care of. I'll take care of you. I'll take care of you for a lifetime. I'll take care of you forever. I'll take care of you infinitely. Take care, take care, take care."

Sent.

[ 22:45 - 13th Reply Video ]

Karina is almost asleep, her voice is groggy, and she can't even open her eyes.

"Tomorrow... Thursday... The week is almost over... You have to work... I have to rehearse... We are both working hard... But our hearts are together... Hearts together means being together... Distance is not a problem... Weather is not a problem... No problem is a problem... Because I miss you... You miss me... That's enough..."

She turns over, burying her face into the pillow.

"Goodnight... Goodbye March 11th... Hello March 12th... On March 12th I will miss you even more... Missing you more every day... Forever missing you more... Infinite loop... Infinite love... Infinite, infinite, infinite... Oh right... Tomorrow's weather... Sunny to cloudy... 6 to 14 degrees... A little warmer... But you still have to dress appropriately... I will check... If you don't dress appropriately I'll be angry... If I'm angry you have to comfort me... Comforting me means you have to miss me more... Missing me more means I like you more... So it goes in a circle and I still like you... So just liking you is enough... Saves trouble... Saves trouble, saves trouble, saves trouble..."

Her voice gets smaller and smaller, and finally only the sound of breathing remains.

Video ends.

Sent.

[ 23:00 - Final Text Reply ]

Before turning off the lights, Karina uses her last bit of strength to send a message:

"March 11, 2026, the thirty-fifth time thinking of you. I love you. Goodnight. Tomorrow's weather is sunny to cloudy, 6 to 14 degrees, a little warmer. Remember to dress appropriately. I will miss you. Always miss you. Forever miss you. Infinitely miss you. Infinite, infinite, infinite. Goodnight."

Sent.