374: Chapter 438 Phantom Thief Zhimin (3)

Seoul nights always come silently.

Departing from the SM parking lot, Jiang Zhiyu drove that low-key black sedan, carrying the four girls through the sea of neon lights that were gradually lighting up, finally stopping at the entrance of a barbecue restaurant tucked deep in an alley.

He had chosen this place specifically—the location was hidden, the private room was quiet, and most importantly, the owner was an acquaintance of his who wouldn't sell news of aespa's dinner gathering to the paparazzi.

"Wow, this place looks so atmospheric!" Kim Minjeong was the first to hop out of the car, looking up at the quaint wooden door with sparkling eyes.

NingNing followed behind her, surveying the surroundings. "How does Master always find places like this?"

Jiang Zhiyu locked the car and smiled. "After coming here many times, one naturally learns where is suitable for 'sneaking a meal'."

The words "sneaking a meal" made all the girls laugh at the same time.

Uchinaga Eri wrapped her coat tighter and whispered, "That description... why does it feel like we're doing something bad?"

"We are doing something bad," Jiang Zhiyu pushed open the door and stepped aside for them to enter. "Tonight's mission is—to have a great meal behind the Manager's back."

The private room was on the second floor, and the lights of Namsan Tower could be seen through the window. The charcoal was already burning, the grill was sizzling on the stove, and several plates of marinated pork belly and beef were laid out on the table, alongside fresh lettuce, perilla leaves, and various side dishes.

As soon as Kim Minjeong entered the room, she pulled out her phone like an excited elementary student. Today she was wearing a light pink knitted cardigan over a simple white T-shirt, with her hair loose, making her look soft and fluffy.

NingNing had already taken the seat against the wall, which was the best spot for photos—as the group's "photography representative," she was almost obsessively particular about lighting and angles. She waved at Kim Minjeong. "Minjeong Unnie, come over here, sit on this side!"

Uchinaga Eri silently sat down next to NingNing, habitually tidying her long hair. Today she wore a black oversized hoodie that made her skin look even fairer, exuding a lazy, high-end vibe.

Karina was the last to walk in.

She had changed out of her practice sportswear and into a cream-white knitted dress. The tie at her waist outlined her slender waistline, and the hem ended just above her knees, revealing a section of her fair calves. Her long hair was loose, the ends slightly curled, making her delicate face look even more exquisite.

She glanced at Jiang Zhiyu—he was already sitting in the inner seat, studying the menu, his side profile outlined by the soft light.

She sat in the empty seat opposite him.

Not beside him.

Opposite him.

Jiang Zhiyu looked up, glanced at her, his lips curving slightly into a smile. He said nothing and went back to looking at the menu.

That indescribable feeling bubbled up in Karina's heart again.

Opposite it is, then.

Who wants to sit next to you anyway.

But her gaze still couldn't help but drift toward him.

Her heartbeat hadn't completely settled down yet.

Back in the practice room, the way he looked at her and that call of "Ji-min"—it kept spinning in her head, refusing to leave.

Calm down, Karina, calm down.

It's just a meal.

Nothing special.

She muttered to herself, trying to make herself look a bit more normal.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Kim Minjeong suddenly remembered something and pulled her phone from her bag. "Photos first! Let the phone eat first!"

"Right, right, right!" NingNing also leaned in. "Post an update!"

"Post what?" Uchinaga Eri asked.

"Just a photo of us eating together, it's not illegal," Kim Minjeong had already adjusted the beauty filter and pointed the camera at the table. "Manager Oppa won't be watching us 24 hours a day."

"He will," Karina said gloomily.

"...Then we just won't let him see!"

Jiang Zhiyu sat opposite them, watching the four girls busily posing, his lips curling up unconsciously.

"Oppa, you come over too!" Kim Minjeong waved at him. "Group photo! Group photo!"

Jiang Zhiyu was stunned for a moment. "Me too?"

"Of course!" Kim Minjeong nodded as if it were obvious. "You're treating, so of course you have to be in the photo!"

NingNing also joined in the excitement. "Right, right, right, Master, come over here!"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled helplessly, got up, and went around to their side. Kim Minjeong immediately shifted her position, squeezing an empty spot between her and Karina, and patted it. "Oppa, sit here!"

Karina's body stiffened slightly.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at Karina and sat down. The distance between them closed instantly, close enough that he could smell the fragrance in her hair, close enough that her arm and his were only separated by a thin layer of fabric.

Karina lowered her eyes, pretending to look at the camera, but her heart was already quietly racing.

"Come on, look here!" Kim Minjeong held up the phone and adjusted the angle. "One, two, three—"

Click.

The image was frozen: five heads squeezed together, behind them the steaming grill and a table full of meat. Kim Minjeong had the brightest smile, her eyes curved into two crescent moons; NingNing was making a peace sign, with a suspicious oily sheen on her lips; Uchinaga Eri tilted her head slightly, showing a reserved smile; Karina maintained a standard idol smile, gentle and proper; Jiang Zhiyu was squeezed in the middle, smiling somewhat helplessly, but there was clearly warmth in his eyes.

"Perfect!" Kim Minjeong looked at the photo with satisfaction and then quickly started editing. "I'm going to post this on my personal account!"

Karina instinctively reminded her, "Manager Oppa said that posting photos requires advance..."

"Shh—" Kim Minjeong put her index finger to her lips and lowered her voice, her expression looking like she was plotting something big. "Don't tell the Manager."

NingNing and Uchinaga Eri exchanged a look, simultaneously showing a "here she goes again" expression.

Karina shook her head helplessly, but the smile on her lips betrayed her true thoughts.

A few seconds later, Kim Minjeong's personal account updated with a photo—

A group photo of five heads squeezed together, with only one sentence as the caption:

[Don't tell the Manager | Having dinner with President Jiang]

"Hey!" NingNing laughed and scolded. "You're trying to get us killed!"

"What's there to be afraid of!" Kim Minjeong said righteously. "Anyway, Manager Oppa can't control President Jiang!"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled and waved his hand. "Go ahead and post it. I'll handle the Manager's side."

Kim Minjeong cheered, tapped her finger, and the photo was sent out just like that.

A few seconds later, the comment section began to refresh frantically.

"Wow!! Dinner with President Jiang again!! What on earth is the relationship between aespa and TG!!"

"Ji-min is so pretty today!!!"

"Minjeong looks so happy!!!"

"Wait, this background... is it that Hanwoo place in Cheongdam-dong? That place is so expensive!"

"Is President Jiang treating? President Jiang is so generous!"

"If aespa gets fat, President Jiang must take full responsibility!!!"

"Was the Pig Head Phantom Thief caught? Why are they eating barbecue instead of braised pig head?"

"Hahahahaha, that's enough from the person above!!!"

"Is President Jiang treating? Requesting the location for a chance encounter!!!"

"Manager: Do you guys think I'm blind???"

Kim Minjeong read the comments one by one, and when she reached the last one, her voice paused.

"Was the Pig Head Phantom Thief caught? Why are they eating barbecue instead of braised pig head?"

The air in the private room froze for a moment.

Karina's smile disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye.

She looked down at her own phone—that comment was pinned at the very top of the hot comments, followed by a bunch of "hahahaha" and "pig head thief yyds."

Pig Head Phantom Thief.

It was the Pig Head Phantom Thief again.

She slowly raised her head, staring straight at Jiang Zhiyu with those beautiful eyes. If looks could kill, Jiang Zhiyu would have died eight hundred times by now.

In that gaze, there was annoyance, shame, and a silent accusation of "this is all your doing."

But in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, that look had no lethality at all—the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, her eyelashes trembled gently, and her eyes, which looked moist because she had just taken a sip of her drink, were wide and round, just like a ruffled kitten.

That "I'm glaring at you, you better explain yourself" look, combined with her slightly puffed-out cheeks and eyes that looked even rounder because of her anger, was simply—

Adorably against the rules.

This thought flashed through Jiang Zhiyu's mind.

He rubbed his nose and gave an awkward but polite smile.

In Karina's eyes, that smile clearly said, "I know I'm wrong, but I'll do it again next time."

Karina got even angrier.

Her foot moved under the table, finding the right spot—

Thump.

Karina kicked him.

It wasn't hard, just the kind of strength to "let you know I'm angry."

Jiang Zhiyu's lips twitched slightly, but on the surface, he still maintained that calm and unruffled expression.

Karina: "..."

How can this person be so thick-skinned!

She took a deep breath, trying to return her expression to normal. But her cheeks were still slightly puffed, and her eyes still glared at him from time to time; she was like a ruffled kitten, clearly wanting to look fierce but appearing adorable no matter what.

NingNing saw all of this, and the smile on her lips deepened.

She picked up the tongs, flipped the pork belly on the grill, and said nonchalantly:

"Master, it seems you haven't realized your own strength yet."

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, picked up a piece of freshly grilled pork belly, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly, and only then asked, "Tell me, what is my strength?"

NingNing was about to speak, but Kim Minjeong had already eagerly raised her hand:

"I know, I know!"

She tilted her head, looking at him with those sparkling eyes, and said triumphantly:

"Winter's Oppa!"

That tone and expression were just like a puppy showing off its toy.

Jiang Zhiyu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded, his smile filled with obvious doting:

"That is indeed very powerful," he paused, his tone solemn as if he were presenting a major award, "I acknowledge it."

Kim Minjeong's eyes sparkled even more.

She raised her chin, her mouth twitching to one side in a triumphant "I knew it" smile.

That look was just like a puppy that had just been praised by its owner, with its tail almost wagging up to the sky.

"Aigoo, look how proud our Minjeong is~"

NingNing smiled and poked her cheek. Kim Minjeong dodged, but the smile on her lips couldn't be hidden.

Uchinaga Eri also joined in the teasing. "Winter's Oppa—that title is indeed very powerful, more so than 'Genius Producer' or 'Youngest President'."

"Exactly, exactly," NingNing continued to add fuel to the fire, "From now on, Master's introduction should be changed—Jiang Zhiyu, President of TG, main achievement: Kim Minjeong's Oppa."

Kim Minjeong's cheeks turned bright red from the teasing, but she still stubbornly insisted, "It's true! Oppa is my Oppa!"

"Hey, look at her!" NingNing laughed out loud.

Uchinaga Eri couldn't help but laugh too. "Minjeong-ah, that expression of yours could be made into a meme."

Karina looked at Kim Minjeong's carried-away state and couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.

"Our Minjeong is so cute~" Jiang Zhiyu smiled and ruffled her hair.

Kim Minjeong's cheeks were bright red from everyone's laughter, but that proud expression remained on her face, as she was reluctant to put it away.

NingNing cleared her throat and returned to a serious manner:

"Seriously, Master, the fact that the President of TG has a good relationship with aespa is really important to us."

She paused and added, "Many fans say that seeing us have dinner with Master makes them feel especially at ease, like... well... like someone is looking out for us?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.

This child had followed him since her trainee days, all the way to now. She not only had talent but, more importantly, she was clear-headed.

She knew what she wanted and knew how to get it.

He was about to say something when he suddenly remembered something, touched his face, and said with a hint of annoyance:

"If I'd known, I would have put on some makeup before coming."

"In that photo just now, did I look too casual?"

NingNing: "..."

Uchinaga Eri: "..."

Kim Minjeong blinked, not quite following.

Karina silently put down her water glass and looked at him with a "are you joking" expression.

Uchinaga Eri was the first to speak, her tone calm but certain:

"Oppa, you're a total bare-faced god. Your bare face is more handsome than many idols with makeup."

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, a mischievous light flashing in his eyes.

He turned to Uchinaga Eri and asked in a deadpan tone:

"Handsomer than BTS?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the private room went silent for a second.

And then—

Karina's expression changed.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

It wasn't anger, it wasn't speechlessness, but a sense of absurdity mixed with "Are you kidding me?" and "How could you ask such a question?"

She had her mouth slightly agape, her eyes widened even more than before, and her whole person radiated a vibe of "Are you pulling my leg?"

Then Karina spoke.

There was a trace of surprise in her tone, but more than that—absurdity.

Amusement.

Disbelief.

That subtle emotion of "What kind of joke are you making?" spilled out from every one of her syllables:

"BTS?"

She didn't even say much else, just repeated the name, but that tone already said everything—

BTS?

Are you kidding me?

How can BTS compare to you in terms of visuals?

This isn't even on the same level, okay?

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted: "Ji-min, if BTS fans hear you say that, you're done for."

Karina froze for a moment, and then—she fell silent.

Not because she was scared, but because she suddenly realized that what she just said was indeed a bit...

And BTS's fans—ARMY—are notoriously known for their explosive fighting power.

But NingNing and the others had no intention of letting her off the hook.

"Karina Unnie!" Kim Minjeong covered her mouth and laughed, "Your tone just now was legendary! That expression clearly said 'Who are you insulting?'"

NingNing imitated her, frowning, and said in that tone of disbelief: "BTS???"

Uchinaga Eri added a silent, cutting remark from the side: "Pig Head Phantom Thief vs BTS, this comparison..."

"Hey!" Karina finally raised her head and glared at them, but the blush on her ears betrayed her.

Jiang Zhiyu watched her, and a corner of his heart stirred slightly.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at them, a hint of craftiness flashing in his eyes:

"Then how about I compare myself to Bang Si-hyuk."

The private room went quiet for another second.

Then—

"How can you compare different species?"

NingNing blurted out, and after saying it, she froze first.

Kim Minjeong was drinking water, and upon hearing this, she spat out a mouthful of water:

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough—Hey! NingNing!"

She covered her mouth, coughing violently, her face turning bright red.

Then she let out a muffled laugh, and then the laughter became uncontrollable, finally turning into a burst of hysterical laughter:

"Hahahaha—NingNing! What you said—hahahaha—"

Uchinaga Eri couldn't hold it in either, her shoulders shaking, and the curve of her lips couldn't be suppressed no matter what.

Karina lowered her head, covering her face with both hands, but through the gaps in her fingers, one could see her shoulders also trembling slightly.

Jiang Zhiyu leisurely picked up a piece of grilled pork belly, put it in his mouth, and said while chewing:

"Oh, that's true."

He swallowed the meat, his tone as calm as if he were discussing today's weather:

"Pork belly compared to premium Hanwoo like me, it just doesn't make the cut."

As soon as he finished speaking, Karina's foot once again accurately hit his calf.

This time the force was a bit heavier than before.

Jiang Zhiyu rubbed the spot where he was kicked, looked up, met Karina's eyes filled with irritation and suppressed laughter, and said with a tone of accusation:

"Ji-min, are you planning to join the women's soccer team as the female Son Heung-min? Your leg strength is very strong."

Karina rolled her eyes and retorted concisely and forcefully:

"Shut up."

Beside them, NingNing and Uchinaga Eri were holding back their laughter, silently turning the pork belly on the grill.

The pork belly sizzled on the charcoal fire, glistening with an appetizing sheen.

Kim Minjeong looked at the pork belly and remembered Jiang Zhiyu's words just now—pork belly and Bang Si-hyuk...

Ahhhhh, why did her brain automatically visualize the image!!!

"Oppa, please don't say anymore, I've lost my appetite."

"Why?" Jiang Zhiyu asked deliberately.

Kim Minjeong pointed at the meat on the grill, her expression pained:

"Because... because seeing it makes me think of President Bang Si-hyuk..."

"Pfft—!!!"

This time it was NingNing and Uchinaga Eri who spat out their drinks simultaneously.

Jiang Zhiyu froze for half a second, then burst into loud laughter.

The laughter was hearty and uninhibited, completely different from the restraint he usually showed in front of the camera.

NingNing laughed so hard she slapped the table, and Uchinaga Eri laughed until tears came out, clutching her stomach and unable to straighten up.

Karina tried hard to hold it in, but the curve of her lips couldn't be suppressed anymore, and finally, she could only cover her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling violently.

"Hey! Kim Minjeong!" she squeezed out the voice from between her fingers, "What you said is even more excessive than us!"

Kim Minjeong herself realized she had said the wrong thing, her cheeks as red as the pork belly on the grill, and she wailed while covering her face:

"I was wrong—I was wrong—I shouldn't have said that—if Manager Oppa finds out, he'll scold me to death—"

Jiang Zhiyu laughed even louder.

After laughing enough, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, looked at Kim Minjeong, his eyes filled with indulgence:

"Minjeong, if what you said gets out, President Bang Si-hyuk will be calling you."

Kim Minjeong shook her head while covering her face:

"I don't want to—I won't answer—I'll turn off my phone—"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Karina bit her lip hard, trying to maintain her image, but—

"Pfft."

She couldn't help it.

The laugh, though very light, was enough for the other three to catch.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, his eyes filled with teasing amusement:

"Ji-min, you laughed."

Karina immediately tightened her face:

"I didn't."

"You did."

"Didn't!"

"Then what was that 'pfft' just now?"

"I... I choked!"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

He didn't expose her, just picked up another piece of pork belly and slowly put it into his mouth.

Kim Minjeong looked at that piece of meat, her expression even more pained:

"Oppa! You're doing this on purpose!"

Jiang Zhiyu chewed the meat, looking innocent:

"What's wrong? It's quite delicious."

Kim Minjeong covered her eyes, refusing to look anymore.

NingNing laughed enough and finally caught her breath, looking at Kim Minjeong and said:

"Minjeong Unnie, what you said was even more excessive than Master."

Kim Minjeong's face turned bright red.

She knew she was wrong.

But she really couldn't help it just now!

That association was too natural—pork belly, Bang Si-hyuk, pork belly, Bang Si-hyuk...

She shook her head, trying to shake that image out of her mind.

But Jiang Zhiyu clearly had no intention of letting her off.

He put down his chopsticks and revealed a meaningful smile:

"By the way, you guys shouldn't go to the zoo in the future."

The four girls looked up simultaneously, looking at him with confusion.

Jiang Zhiyu's smile became even more meaningful:

"If you go to the zoo and see an orangutan, you'll say you don't want to watch it—because you'll associate it with someone."

"Hey!!!"

The four of them spoke almost simultaneously, interrupting him.

Karina's foot kicked harder under the table.

Kim Minjeong covered her face:

"Oppa, you're too bad!"

NingNing laughed until she couldn't straighten up:

"Master, are you trying to offend the entire JYP!"

Uchinaga Eri couldn't hold back either, muttering softly in Japanese:

"Yabai..."

Jiang Zhiyu rubbed his calf, raising his eyebrows with an innocent face:

"Why would you associate it with President Park? I didn't say who it was."

Karina rolled her eyes, her tone filled with helplessness and a trace of reproach:

"Shut up," she said.

Those two words were said in a fierce tone, but paired with her flushed face and dodging eyes, they not only lacked deterrence but instead...

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening.

He said nothing, just withdrew his gaze and continued eating meat.

Karina's heart skipped a beat from that look, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to be seriously eating.

But she knew her face must have turned even redder.

Damn it.

This man, he really is...

Kim Minjeong lifted her face from her arms, her eyes red (from laughing), her cheeks red (from shyness), and her whole person looked like a cooked shrimp.

She looked at Jiang Zhiyu and muttered softly:

"Oppa, why are you so bad..."

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, his eyes full of amusement:

"Where am I bad?"

Kim Minjeong couldn't say anything, could only continue to glare at him with those wet eyes.

That look was clearly a puppy that had been bullied by its owner, aggrieved and angry, yet couldn't bear to be truly angry.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her appearance, and a corner of his heart softened.

He raised his hand and rubbed her head.

Kim Minjeong squinted her eyes as she was rubbed, like a small animal being petted, and the bit of grievance from just now instantly vanished into thin air.

She leaned on his shoulder, suddenly remembered something, leaned in a little closer, and sniffed gently.

That scent drilled into her nasal cavity again—crisp, clean, with a faint herbal fragrance, like a pine forest on a late autumn morning, or like grass covered in dew after rain.

It wasn't strong, but it was exceptionally distinct, winding over in strands, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

She remembered the scent she had smelled before, it was another kind—full, sweet, like a fruity fragrance of ripe peaches and sweet apricots mixed together.

Back then, she even joked about whether Oppa had secretly sprayed some perfume.

But now, that scent was completely gone.

Replaced by this crisp, cool aura.

She was suddenly very curious.

"Oppa," she raised her head, her eyes sparkling, "do you really not use perfume?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at her, raised an eyebrow:

"No. Why?"

"It's just..." Kim Minjeong organized her words, "Your scent used to be that kind of fruity one, very sweet and fragrant, now it's become this fresh herbal scent, like... like a pine forest after rain? Really no perfume?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her serious expression and couldn't help but laugh.

He raised his hand and rubbed her head:

"Minjeong, eating more vegetables and fruits can also have this effect."

Kim Minjeong blinked, nodded with complete trust:

"So that's how it is! Then I'll eat more in the future!"

NingNing spoke up from the side eerily:

"Minjeong Unnie, then you can't eat the barbecue tonight, right?"

Kim Minjeong was stunned:

"Why?"

NingNing pointed at the pork belly on the table:

"You need to eat more vegetables and fruits to have Oppa's scent. Barbecue... isn't it a bit inappropriate?"

She paused, added with an innocent face:

"How about you just eat perilla leaves and lettuce?"

Kim Minjeong finally realized she was being teased.

"Hey! NingNing!" she grabbed a piece of lettuce and threw it at NingNing, "I'm not a sheep!"

Uchinaga Eri added a silent, cutting remark from the side:

"If Minjeong were a little sheep... it seems like it would be quite cute?"

She imagined that image—Kim Minjeong wearing two fluffy sheep ears, wearing a fluffy sheep coat, hopping around on the grass eating grass.

"Pfft—" she laughed out first.

Jiang Zhiyu watched them messing around, his eyes filled with indulgent amusement.

Then he sighed deliberately, slowly saying:

"Roasted whole lamb is delicious."

That tone, that expression, clearly intentional.

Kim Minjeong finally couldn't take it anymore.

She leaned forward, using her head to forcefully bump into Jiang Zhiyu's shoulder socket, the force wasn't great, but it carried full of shyness and annoyance:

"Oppa—!!!"

The voice was dragged out long, carrying coquetry, carrying accusation, carrying the threat of "If you bully me again, I'll bite you."

Jiang Zhiyu was pushed back a bit by her bump, but the smile on his face deepened instead.

He raised his hand, gently rubbed her hair, his movements as gentle as stroking a ruffled puppy.

"Alright, alright, Minjeong is not a sheep."

Kim Minjeong raised her head, looking at him with sparkling eyes, waiting for his next words.

"Minjeong is—"

"A puppy!" NingNing rushed to answer, "A Maltese puppy!"

Kim Minjeong: "..."

She opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but found that she indeed seemed to often be called a puppy.

Maltese, that kind of small, white, fluffy, round-eyed puppy...

It seems... quite cute?

While she was stunned, Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

That gaze was very gentle, very soft, as if looking at something precious.

Not that kind of appreciation between a man and a woman, but a purer, cleaner—liking.

It's my favorite...

Kim Minjeong: "..."

She looked at Jiang Zhiyu, her eyes filled with a trace of anticipation, as if waiting for him to say something that could restore her dignity.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at her.

The orange light shone on her face, reflecting those sparkling eyes.

Her hair was a bit messy from being rubbed, a few strands hanging on her forehead, and her whole person looked—really like a puppy.

A well-behaved, clingy, wholeheartedly trusting Maltese puppy.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze softened.

In that softness, there was indulgence, there was tolerance, and there was a trace of—

Karina watched that look, and a corner of her heart stirred slightly.

In that look, there was something she could understand—the love of an older brother for a younger sister, the care of an elder for a junior, the closeness of an acquaintance to a friend.

But there was also something she couldn't understand—or rather, something she wasn't sure she understood.

But in that look, there was definitely not the kind of emotion she thought.

She watched for a long time, confirming for a long time.

Then—

Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of secret joy welled up in her heart.

That kind of secret joy came out of nowhere, without any reason.

But she just couldn't help it.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Kim Minjeong for a few seconds, then spoke slowly:

"Minjeong is my favorite—"

He paused.

That word, it wasn't spoken.

But Kim Minjeong's eyes had already brightened, the corners of her mouth had already curled up, and her whole being radiated the joy of "being praised."

Jiang Zhiyu smiled, ruffled her hair again, and said nothing more.

NingNing and Uchinaga Eri exchanged a look, and with tacit understanding, continued flipping the meat on the grill.

Karina lowered her head, picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, and put it into her mouth.

The meat was a bit hot, but she didn't feel it.

She only felt that secret joy in her heart, like bubbles, rising one after another.

He didn't say "younger sister."

He didn't say "junior."

He didn't say any definable word.

He paused.

Why did he pause?

Was it because he didn't know what word to use?

Or was it because—

She didn't dare to think any further.

But she couldn't help it.

The meat on the grill sizzled, white smoke curled upward, carrying an enticing aroma.

Kim Minjeong leaned against Jiang Zhiyu, chattering away about something.

NingNing and Uchinaga Eri occasionally chimed in, the atmosphere as relaxed as a family dinner.

Karina sat quietly, occasionally picking up a piece of meat, occasionally taking a sip of water, and occasionally looking up in that direction.

Every time she looked up, she could feel her own heartbeat.

With every heartbeat, she could feel that secret joy.

She had originally thought that him looking at Kim Minjeong like that would make her uncomfortable.

After all...

After all, she had those indescribable feelings for him.

Seeing him look at others so gently, she should have felt sad.

But strangely—

She didn't.

She looked closely at his eyes, and no matter how she looked, she couldn't see anything "romantic."

That gentleness was too clean, too pure; it was like an elder looking at a junior, like an older brother looking at a younger sister.

She suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, a hint of secret joy welled up in her heart.

It wasn't because she was gloating, nor because she felt Kim Minjeong "had no chance."

But because—

She hadn't misjudged him.

He wasn't the type to fall in love with everyone he met.

His kindness to everyone was genuine, but that kindness was different.

His kindness to NingNing was the bond between teacher and student.

His kindness to Kim Minjeong was the doting of an older brother to a younger sister.

His kindness to her...

She remembered the way he looked at her just now—that appreciation, that admiration, that feeling of "a thunderclap in the heart while the face remains like a calm lake."

It was equal, it was appreciative, it was...

Different.

Karina lowered her head, pretending to flip the meat on the grill, but the corners of her mouth couldn't be suppressed.

—

The meat on the grill was almost gone.

Kim Minjeong leaned against Jiang Zhiyu, still savoring the unfinished sentence from earlier: "Minjeong is my favorite..."

She wanted to ask, but didn't dare to.

What if he meant "favorite younger sister"? Wouldn't she be overthinking things?

What if he meant something else? Wouldn't she be even more embarrassed?

Forget it, don't think about it.

She stole a glance at him.

He was chatting with NingNing about something, his expression earnest, occasionally smiling.

His profile looked exceptionally good in the dim, warm light of the barbecue restaurant.

She remembered the way he ruffled her hair earlier, the look in his eyes when he said "Minjeong is...", and the clean, herbal scent on him.

Her heart felt warm.

"Oppa," she suddenly spoke up.

Jiang Zhiyu turned his head: "Hmm?"

"When will you treat us to a meal next time?"

Jiang Zhiyu was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Just finished this meal and already thinking about the next one?"

Kim Minjeong said righteously: "Yeah! You are our favorite Oppa!"

NingNing chimed in from the side: "Favorite Oppa = Oppa who treats us most often."

Uchinaga Eri nodded silently.

Karina also smiled, but didn't say anything.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the four of them and suddenly felt that such a night was truly nice.

No schemes, no games, none of those complicated interpersonal relationships.

Just the barbecue, just the laughter, just these four children he had watched grow up.

"Alright," he said, "next time, I'll treat you to something even better."

"Promise!"

"Of course."

Outside the window, the night deepened.

The lights of Seoul flickered in the distance.

In the private room, the laughter continued.

—

(Let's focus on Yeri today.)

[March 17, 2026 06:35 - First selfie]

The sky outside the window was just beginning to brighten, the morning light leaking through the gaps in the curtains, drawing a thin line of light on the floor. Karina reached a hand out from under the quilt and took a picture of that light. The photo was a bit blurry, her hand still trembling slightly.

Click.

She squinted as she edited, adding a speech bubble to the photo:

"6:35. Tuesday. Woke up. Not because of you. Dreamt you made me breakfast, it was too fragrant, it woke me up."

Send.

[06:40 - First reply video]

Karina was still lying in bed, wrapped tightly in the quilt, only half her face and messy hair visible. Her eyes weren't fully open yet, her voice soft and sweet, with the hoarseness of just waking up.

"In the dream, you made me fried eggs... sunny-side up... and toast... coffee... I was just about to eat... and woke up... It's all your fault... made it too fragrant... made me wake up hungry..."

She pouted aggrievedly and shrank into the quilt, only her eyes showing.

"Lie down for five more minutes... just five minutes... leave me alone..."

Video end.

Send.

[07:00 - Second selfie]

Karina finally climbed out of bed, her hair frizzed up like a little lion, the strap of her nightgown slipped halfway down, revealing a sliver of fair shoulder. She stood in front of the window, taking a photo of the outside while still sleepy. It was sunny today, the sunlight just beginning to spill down.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Up. It's sunny today. 7 to 15 degrees. Telling you because... just happened to see the weather forecast. Didn't check it specially for you."

Send.

[07:10 - Second reply video]

Karina finished washing her face and recorded a video in front of the mirror. Water droplets were still hanging on her face, her eyelashes wet, her skin glowing white. She looked at the camera for a second, then looked away, slowly wiping her face with a towel. The whole thing was four seconds long, not a word spoken.

Video end.

Send.

[07:30 - Third selfie]

Karina stood in the entryway, having changed her shoes and preparing to go out. She took a full-body photo in the mirror—gray hoodie, black leggings, white sneakers, hair tied in a low ponytail, wearing a black mask.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Going out. Training. You do your thing. No need to report."

Send.

[08:10 - Fourth selfie]

Karina arrived at the practice room and sat on the floor changing into dance shoes. She held up her phone and took a photo in the mirror. Bending over, revealing a sliver of the back of her neck, with strands of hair hanging down.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Arrived. Dance practice. Practicing new moves today. Don't bother me. If you bother me, you lose."

Send.

[10:15 - Fifth selfie]

During a break in practice, Karina sat on the floor drinking water. She held up her phone and took a photo of the sky outside the window. The sky was very blue, no clouds, bright sunshine.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Sunny day. No clouds. Has nothing to do with you. The weather is just nice on its own."

Send.

[12:00 - Sixth selfie]

Lunchtime. The Manager delivered a boxed meal; today was a pork cutlet set. Karina opened the lid and took a photo. The pork cutlet was golden and crispy, with shredded cabbage and rice on the side.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Lunch. Pork cutlet. Ate it. Did you eat? Just asking. No need to answer."

Send.

[15:15 - Seventh selfie]

After afternoon training ended, Karina sat on the floor, covered in sweat. She held up her phone and took a photo in the mirror. Her hair was soaked and stuck to her face, her face was flushed, but her eyes were still calm, carrying a hint of exhaustion.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished training. Tired. Going home. Thought of you today... once. Thought of it while practicing new moves. Don't get cocky."

Send.

[16:30 - Eighth selfie]

Karina arrived home, the first thing she did was pounce onto the bed. She lay on the bed, face buried in the pillow, holding up her phone to take a picture of her own back as she lay there. Her hair was spread out, her whole person soft, like a tired little kitten.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Home. Lying down for a bit. Don't bother me. No use bothering me."

Send.

[17:15 - Ninth selfie]

Karina finished showering, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. Today's pajamas were that light gray cotton set, she curled into a small ball, hugging a pillow, only half her face and a pair of eyes visible.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished showering. Lying down. Thought of you today... twice. Thought of you once more on the way home. Twice in total. Record complete."

Send.

[18:00 - Tenth selfie]

Karina started preparing dinner. She opened the fridge and took a photo of the ingredients inside—eggs, green onions, kimchi, pork belly, tofu, zucchini.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Dinner. Making it myself. Not making it for you. Don't be conceited."

Send.

[18:45 - Eleventh selfie]

Dinner was ready, kimchi tofu soup. Karina ladled the soup into a bowl and took a photo. The soup was red, the tofu white, steaming hot.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Done. Kimchi tofu soup. Looks okay, right? You can't eat it. Stop thinking about it."

Send.

[19:30 - Twelfth selfie]

Karina finished eating and lay on the sofa, zoning out. She held up her phone and took a picture of the ceiling. A white ceiling, nothing there.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished eating. Zoning out. Thought of you, by the way. Just for a second. Don't overthink it."

Send.

[20:15 - Thirteenth selfie]

Karina stood by the window and took a photo of the night view outside. Very few stars tonight, only two or three, the lights of Namsan Tower glowing in the distance.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Night view. Very few stars. Can you see stars over there? If not, forget it. I'll look for you."

Send.

[21:00 - Third reply video]

Karina curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow, her whole person shrunk into a small ball. She looked at the camera, didn't speak, just watched quietly. After a few seconds, she hummed softly.

"Practicing new moves today... always can't dance well... annoying... thought if you were here... you'd definitely laugh at me again... forget it... better if you weren't here..."

She buried her face further into the pillow, one eye peeking out.

"What... did you do today? It's fine if you don't say... I'm just asking... really just asking..."

Video end.

Send.

[21:45 - Fourteenth selfie]

Karina lay in bed, wrapped tightly in the quilt, only her eyes visible. The bedside lamp was on, the warm yellow light shining on her face, casting faint shadows of her eyelashes under her eyes, looking soft and weak.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"In bed. Today is March 17th. Thought of you twice. Might be less tomorrow. Depends on your performance. Good night."

Send.

[22:00 - Last reply video]

Karina was almost asleep, her eyes half-open and half-closed, eyelashes fluttering gently. She held the phone in her hand, the screen shaking, only her blurry profile and half an ear buried in the pillow visible.

"Tomorrow... Wednesday... continue training... you have to work too, right... let's both work hard... no need to think of me... but it's fine if you do... up to you..."

She turned over, burying her face into the pillow, her voice getting quieter and quieter.

"Good night... didn't mean to say it... just sleepy..."

The voice disappeared, leaving only the sound of even breathing.

Video end.

Send.

[22:05 - Last text reply]

Before turning off the lights, Karina sent a message:

"March 17, 2026. Thought of you twice. Good night."

Send.