389: Chapter 448 Phantom Thief Zhimin (14)

The atmosphere in the private room was completely ignited by the topic of romance scripts.

Yuri put down her wine glass, her eyes shining as if she had discovered a new continent: "Speaking of romance scripts, the one I recently took on—the female lead has a crush on the male lead from beginning to end. Even though they meet every day, and even though everyone can see she likes him, she just refuses to confess. We've been filming for three months, and I'm so frustrated I'm practically getting internal injuries!"

Hyoyeon slapped the table and laughed: "What's that compared to mine! The one I did last year was even more outrageous. The male and female leads liked each other for a full sixteen episodes and only got together in the final one. During those middle fifteen episodes, every time I read the script, I wanted to rush into the screen and bang their heads together!"

Sooyoung shook her head and sighed: "Isn't this the most popular trope right now? The ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it, and the audience goes crazy shipping them."

"Exactly, exactly!" Tiffany raised her hand in agreement. "The Japanese drama I'm watching is the same. The male and female leads have been ambiguous for a whole year without even holding hands. People are shouting 'You're killing me with impatience!' in the comments every day!"

Sunny leaned back against her chair, smiling meaningfully: "That's why the audience eats this stuff up. Even though they like each other, they just won't say it; they just hold it in. You're anxious? The audience is even more anxious than you. You're feeling frustrated? The audience is even more frustrated than you. Isn't this just—"

She paused, her gaze glancing towards the opposite side, seemingly intentional yet subtle.

Jiang Zhiyu was holding his wine glass, seemingly deep in thought. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow slightly and put down his glass.

"Actually," he began, his tone becoming a bit more serious, "stories about the ambiguity phase are too sweet, and the audience actually gets tired of it easily."

Everyone looked at him.

He continued: "Have you noticed? The romance dramas that actually go viral nowadays aren't the ones that are sweet from beginning to end. That's too bland and doesn't generate discussion. The real hits are the ones where—the ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it, and they still refuse to confess."

His voice was calm, as if he were conducting a business analysis.

"You have to make the audience use their brains a little, or find sweetness from some novel angles. That's how you get stickiness. Eighty percent of those high-view-count fan edits are clips of the ambiguity phase—glances, gestures, unspoken lines. The more frustrating it is, the more addictive it becomes. And the wider it spreads."

He spoke very seriously, with a business mindset, his logic as clear as if he were in a planning meeting.

But the Unnies sitting there automatically filtered out those business terms.

They only extracted the most crucial sentence— "The ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it, and they still refuse to confess."

Yuri blinked and exchanged a glance with Hyoyeon beside her.

Hyoyeon raised an eyebrow and looked at Sooyoung.

Sooyoung's lips curled up slightly, and she glanced at Tiffany.

Tiffany pursed her lips, and her gaze shifted to Sunny.

Sunny's smile gradually widened.

In a flash, the five of them completed a silent exchange— "Did you hear that? The ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it." "Heard it, heard it." "Isn't this talking about..." "Yes, yes, yes, it's exactly that." "Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk."

Then, they all laughed "hehehe" simultaneously.

That laughter was indescribably meaningful.

Jiang Zhiyu was still earnestly analyzing the various promotional routes for the commercialization of ambiguous plots, completely unaware that the eyes of the Unnies around him had changed.

"For example, we can set up some scenes with strong contrast—two people are clearly discussing work, but the dialogue sounds like a confession. Or design some small gestures, like accidentally touching fingers when handing over a glass of water, and then both pretend not to notice, but the camera gives a close-up—the audience will go crazy."

He spoke articulately, even starting to give examples.

"There's also using a third-party perspective. For example, the female lead's friend is watching from the side and dying of impatience, but the female lead herself just doesn't get it. The audience will put themselves in the friend's role, getting anxious while shipping them, which creates a strong sense of participation."

Seohyun sat to one side, listening very intently.

She held an unfinished glass of wine in her hand, her gaze focused on Jiang Zhiyu, nodding from time to time. To her, this was a President of an entertainment company breaking down the underlying logic of content creation in person; such learning opportunities were indeed rare.

"So the core lies in—" Jiang Zhiyu held up a finger, "You can't make the audience feel 'Why aren't these two together yet, this is so boring.' You have to make the audience feel 'Why aren't these two together yet, I'm so anxious, but I still want to keep watching.' Mastering this balance is much harder than writing a confession scene."

Seohyun nodded thoughtfully and said softly: "So, restraint is harder than expression."

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at her and smiled: "Seohyun Sunbae sums it up very accurately."

Seohyun lowered her head slightly, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the private room, someone was practically cooked.

Kim Taeyeon sat in the corner. From the moment Jiang Zhiyu said "The ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it, and they still refuse to confess," her ears had turned red at a visible speed.

That sentence was like a needle, precisely piercing the softest part of her heart.

Ambiguity. Refusing to confess.

She thought of that night on Jeju Island.

Under the moonlight, on the balcony, there were only the two of them.

He asked her: "How have you been lately, Noona?"

She replied: "Nothing has changed."

Then he said: "Get some rest early."

That was it.

That was it?!

She cursed herself eight hundred times in her heart, and cursed him eight hundred times as well.

Clearly both of them were waiting for the other to speak first, clearly both had things they wanted to say in their hearts, but neither was willing to take that step.

Ambiguity until sick of it. Refusing to confess.

She was now the classic example of "sick of it but still refusing to confess."

Her face flushed even more intensely, spreading from her ears to her cheeks, even her neck was stained a shade of pink.

Yet at this moment, Jiang Zhiyu was still over there talking at length about the "commercial value of the ambiguity phase."

Things like "unspoken lines have the highest viral rate."

Things like "the audience just loves watching two people who clearly like each other hold it in and not say anything."

Things like "restraint is more powerful than expression."

Every word sounded like it was about her.

Every sentence sounded like it was describing the current state between them.

Kim Taeyeon's fingers were twisted together under the table, her knuckles slightly white from the force.

Damn it.

You're doing this on purpose, right?

You're definitely talking about me, right?

She picked up her wine glass, wanting to take a sip to calm her nerves, only to find it was already empty.

She put down the glass, her gaze drifting unconsciously toward Jiang Zhiyu.

He was talking to Yuri about something, his side profile outlined in soft, warm yellow light, his expression focused and earnest.

Kim Taeyeon looked at that face, the emotions in her heart surging even more violently.

This bastard.

He clearly understands everything, clearly knows everything, clearly speaks so articulately when talking about other people's stories—

How does he become such a blockhead when it comes to himself?

She withdrew her gaze, looking down at the empty wine glass, feeling a sour and astringent ache in her heart.

Just then, she saw Jiang Zhiyu pick up his phone.

His movements were natural, as if he were replying to a message; his fingers tapped the screen a few times, and then he put it down.

Kim Taeyeon didn't pay much attention.

About two minutes later, the door to the private room was gently knocked.

A waiter poked half their body in, holding a tray with two glasses of ice water—fine water droplets condensed on the sides of the glasses, and the ice cubes collided gently in the transparent liquid, making a crisp sound.

"Guests, the ice water you ordered."

Jiang Zhiyu stood up, took the tray, and nodded slightly to the waiter: "Thank you."

He turned around and poured a glass for Im Yoona, who was sitting next to him.

Im Yoona looked at the ice water, stunned for a moment, then reached out and took it.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Jiang Zhiyu nodded, and then—

He picked up the second glass of ice water, walked around the table, and went to Kim Taeyeon.

His movements were light and natural, as if he were doing the most ordinary thing.

He placed the glass in front of her, the ice water making a slight sound as it landed on the table.

Then, he paused in front of her for about two seconds.

Two seconds.

Very short.

Short enough that others might not even notice.

But also very long.

Long enough for Kim Taeyeon to clearly feel his aura—that cool, herbal scent swept past her, like a breeze, gently brushing against her cheek.

Then he turned around, walked back to his seat with a composed expression, and continued to join the discussion.

"By the way, among the scripts you Unnies have encountered recently, are there any you're particularly satisfied with?" he asked, his tone as relaxed as if chatting about daily life, "I'd like to hear about it, to see what the current market trend is like."

Yuri was about to answer, but her words were stuck in her throat.

Because her attention had been completely captured by that scene just now.

She looked at Hyoyeon.

Hyoyeon looked at Sooyoung.

Sooyoung looked at Tiffany.

Tiffany looked at Sunny.

Sunny looked at Seohyun.

Six people, six pairs of eyes, completed a high-density information exchange in the air.

Damn it!

The amount of information in this glass of water is just too high!

Yuri's gaze: Poured for Yoona first, then for Taeyeon—what kind of move is this?

Hyoyeon's gaze: Because he didn't dare to pour water for Taeyeon directly, so he poured for Yoona first as cover?

Sooyoung's gaze: No, no, it's because Taeyeon's face was too red, so he brought ice water to cool her down?

Tiffany's gaze: What? It's clearly because he couldn't resist getting closer to look at Taeyeon!

Sunny's gaze: Yes, yes, yes! They probably haven't seen each other for over three months, and they haven't said much at this dinner, Jiang Zhiyu is probably dying to talk to her!

The five pairs of eyes exchanged rapidly, then landed on Seohyun simultaneously.

Seohyun held her wine glass, her expression calm, as if pondering some question.

Sunny winked at her: maknae, what do you think?

Seohyun was silent for two seconds, then tilted her head slightly, and with that academic, serious tone, moved her lips silently:

Perhaps, Zhiyu is waiting for Taeyeon Unnie to say "thank you" to him.

Yuri was stunned.

Hyoyeon's eyes widened.

Sooyoung's mouth hung open.

Tiffany gasped.

Sunny almost crushed the wine glass in her hand.

Seohyun??!!

When did you join our side too?!

And this analysis—is too accurate!

The eyes of the few became instantly fanatical.

Sunny's gaze: As expected of the honor student! This comprehension ability is too powerful!

Yuri's gaze: That's right! Thank you, you're welcome, what has Noona been doing lately—wouldn't that start a conversation?

Hyoyeon's gaze: Perfect ice-breaking tactic! Handing the water is the excuse, waiting for that "thank you" is the real goal!

Sooyoung's gaze: As long as Taeyeon opens her mouth to say thank you, he can naturally continue the conversation, and the two can talk normally!

Tiffany's gaze: Idiot Taeyeon, hurry up and think about it!

Sunny's gaze: Although with your brain, you might not be able to think of this level at all...

Several of them sighed in their hearts simultaneously.

Kim Taeyeon sat in the corner, water droplets condensed on the side of the ice water glass in front of her. A drop of water slid slowly down the side, spreading a small water stain on the table.

Her face was still red.

From her ears to her cheeks, from her cheeks to her neck, red like cherries in June.

She looked at the ice water, at the dense water droplets on the glass, and watched the ice cubes slowly melt under the water's surface.

He had talked about so many ambiguous topics.

He had poured wine for everyone.

He had poured ice water only for her.

Was it because he saw her face was red?

Was it because he noticed she had drunk too much?

Or was it because...

She remembered what he said— "The ambiguity is dragged out until you're sick of it, and they still refuse to confess."

She recalled what he had said — "Thinking you are doing what is best for the other person is actually not good for them."

She recalled what he had said — "Mutual feelings, yet neither dares to take that step."

Her fingers twitched slightly, wanting to reach for the glass of ice water.

But she pulled them back.

Because once she picked up that glass of water, she would have to face that question —

"Should you say thank you?"

"Should you reply to him?"

"Should you... take that step?"

Countless thoughts surged within her, each one like the ice cubes in the glass, clinking together and making a faint sound.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhiyu had already started discussing the script that Yuri had recently accepted.

"The female lead has a crush on the male lead for sixteen episodes?" He laughed, "Then the emotional progression of this character is very important. You can't make her look like she's just waiting; you have to make her look like she's 'growing.' The audience needs to understand why she doesn't confess — not because she's a coward, but because she has more important things to do."

Yuri nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I thought when I was acting it out!"

Hyoyeon interjected: "What about the one you acted in? You liked each other for sixteen episodes before confessing?"

Jiang Zhiyu thought for a moment: "The hardest part of this kind of script is how to make the audience believe that the two people really like each other, and not that the screenwriter is just dragging out the plot. It needs many details — for example, the way the male lead looks at the female lead. Even though he says nothing, the audience can just tell that he likes her."

Sooyoung sighed with emotion: "So good ambiguous scenes are much harder to write than confession scenes."

"Exactly." Jiang Zhiyu nodded, "The confession is the result, the ambiguity is the process. What the audience remembers is always the process."

His voice was steady, his tone natural, as if nothing had just happened.

Kim Taeyeon stared at the glass of ice water, motionless.

Damn.

What does this mean?

She raised her head and stole a glance at him.

He was talking to Yuri about something, his expression focused, with absolutely no intention of looking at her.

Kim Taeyeon bit her lip.

What does it mean?

What on earth does it mean?

She lowered her head, her gaze falling on the glass of ice water.

The ice cubes melted slowly in the glass, making a faint "click" sound.

Her fingers twitched, wanting to touch the glass, but she pulled them back.

Can't touch it.

If I touch it, I lose.

She told herself this in her heart.

But her gaze couldn't move away no matter what.

And all of this was seen clearly by the five pairs of eyes nearby.

Sunny's gaze darted back and forth between Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Taeyeon, the curve of her lips growing wider.

She picked up her wine glass, pretending to drink, using the rim of the glass to hide her face that was about to burst into laughter.

Then, her eyes met Yuri's.

Yuri's eyes said: "Did you see that?"

Sunny's eyes said: "Duh, I'm not blind!"

Yuri's eyes said: "He poured water for Yoona first, and then for Taeyeon —"

Sunny's eyes said: "Right! First for Yoona! What does this mean? Is he afraid that giving it directly to Taeyeon would be too obvious?"

Yuri's eyes said: "Definitely! This kid! He still thinks he's hiding it well!"

Sunny's eyes said: "Hilarious, we saw through his little tricks over a decade ago!"

After exchanging glances, the two of them looked at Hyoyeon simultaneously.

Hyoyeon was holding her wine glass, her lips twitching slightly; she was clearly also holding back laughter.

Her eyes said: "Damn, this glass of water has so much information."

Sunny's eyes said: "Right, right!"

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "Is he using Yoona as a buffer because he doesn't dare to pour water for Taeyeon directly?"

Sunny's eyes said: "Absolutely! Pouring for Yoona first makes it look like 'I'm just pouring for everyone,' and then pouring for Taeyeon makes it less deliberate — but who can't tell?!"

Sooyoung leaned in, joining the army of eye contact.

Sooyoung's eyes said: "What are you guys talking about?"

Sunny's eyes said: "That glass of water!"

Sooyoung's gaze fell on the ice water in front of Kim Taeyeon, and her eyes instantly lit up.

Sooyoung's eyes said: "Damn! He poured water for Taeyeon?!"

Sunny's eyes said: "And he poured a glass for Yoona first to provide cover!"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "Ahhhhhh, this idiot!"

Tiffany also leaned in, and the four of them formed a circle, ostensibly drinking and chatting, but in reality, their eyes were already communicating intensely.

Tiffany's eyes said: "Taeyeon's face is so red —"

Sunny's eyes said: "Duh, her brain is probably fried right now."

Yuri's eyes said: "So Jiang Zhiyu saw her face was too red, and brought her ice water to cool her down?"

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "That's possible! But I think it's more than that —"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "Right! He clearly couldn't resist wanting to get closer to look at Taeyeon, right!"

Tiffany's eyes said: "Yes, yes, yes! Did you notice? When he put the water down, he paused for two seconds!"

Sunny's eyes said: "Two seconds! A full two seconds! What was he doing in those two seconds? He was looking at Taeyeon's face!"

Yuri's eyes said: "Damn, this man..."

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "They haven't seen each other for over three months, right?"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "More than that! They haven't met alone since Jeju Island last time!"

Tiffany's eyes said: "They didn't say much at that gathering either, Jiang Zhiyu must have been unable to hold back for a long time —"

Sunny's eyes said: "Definitely! So he used the opportunity of pouring water to get close and take a look!"

Yuri's eyes said: "Just to take a look?"

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "Just to take a look!"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "So pure — damn, so pure!"

Tiffany's eyes said: "So that 'playing with ambiguity until you vomit but still refusing to confess' —"

Sunny's eyes said: "That's talking about himself!"

The five of them took a deep breath simultaneously, and then looked in another direction at the same time.

Seohyun.

She was sitting nearby, listening properly to Jiang Zhiyu's script analysis, her expression as serious as if she were in class.

But her ears were clearly twitching slightly.

Sunny gave her a look.

Seohyun's gaze moved over, meeting Sunny's eyes.

Sunny's eyes said: "maknae, you saw it too, right?"

Seohyun's eyes said: "I saw it."

Sunny's eyes said: "Any thoughts?"

Seohyun was silent for a second, then blinked.

Seohyun's eyes said: "Perhaps — Zhiyu is waiting for Taeyeon Unnie to say thank you to him."

Sunny was stunned.

Yuri was stunned.

Hyoyeon was stunned.

Sooyoung was stunned.

Tiffany was stunned.

The five of them looked at Seohyun simultaneously, their eyes filled with shock.

Sunny's eyes said: "What?!"

Seohyun's eyes said: "He says 'thank you,' Taeyeon Unnie says 'you're welcome' — wouldn't that open up a conversation?"

Sunny's eyes said: "And then?"

Seohyun's eyes said: "Then he can say 'What has Noona been doing lately,' Taeyeon Unnie can say 'I've been preparing a new song lately,' and he can say 'I'm also preparing a project and would like to hear Noona's opinion' —"

Sunny's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Seohyun's eyes said: "Wouldn't that get them talking?"

Yuri's eyes said: "maknae!"

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "You've joined our side too?!"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "Seohyun is indeed a top student! This comprehension ability is too powerful!"

Tiffany's eyes said: "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, you're welcome, what has Noona been doing lately — wouldn't that get them talking!"

Sunny's eyes said: "Stupid Taeyeon! You need to savor this!"

Yuri's eyes said: "Although with your brain, you might not be able to figure it out at all —"

Hyoyeon's eyes said: "But can't you have a lightbulb moment for once!"

Sooyoung's eyes said: "Just once! Just once would be enough!"

Tiffany's eyes said: "Look at that glass of water! Look! There are even traces of his fingers on the glass!"

The five people's eye communication became more and more intense, almost sparking in the air.

And Kim Taeyeon noticed nothing at all.

She just stared at that glass of ice water, motionless.

The ice cubes melted slowly in the glass, making a faint "click" sound.

Finally, she couldn't help it; she reached out and touched the side of the glass with her fingertips.

The cold sensation traveled from her fingertips, making her shiver slightly.

But that chill could not calm the surging heat in her heart.

She secretly raised her head and glanced at Jiang Zhiyu.

He was talking to Yuri about something, his expression focused, his profile outlined with a soft contour under the light.

She didn't speak.

She just picked up the glass of ice water and took a light sip.

— —

In the private room of the izakaya, the conversation continued.

Jiang Zhiyu was talking about his "commercialization of ambiguity" theory, speaking logically and clearly, from audience psychological analysis to short video dissemination strategies, from script structure to character settings. It was clear and organized, like a business lecture.

Yuri listened intently, occasionally nodding in agreement; Hyoyeon was thoughtful, occasionally interjecting with a few questions; Sooyoung and Tiffany were also chatting enthusiastically, after all, they were all people who had acted in romance dramas and had a natural resonance with such topics. Seohyun was even sitting upright, as if attending a class, wishing she could take out a small notebook to take notes.

Only Sunny, ostensibly listening, was drumming wildly in her heart.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

This vibe is all wrong!

She stole a glance at the quiet figure in the corner — Kim Taeyeon. She was still in the same state, looking down at the empty glass of ice water in front of her, silent as a statue. Occasionally, when Jiang Zhiyu said something interesting, her eyelashes would flutter slightly, but she never looked up.

Sunny sighed in her heart.

This girl has been like this since returning from Jeju Island. If you ask her what's wrong, she won't say; if you ask her what exactly happened with Jiang Zhiyu, she won't say either; if you ask her why the cold war got even worse after going to Jeju Island, she won't say that either. She just mopes alone, working when she should work, sleeping when she should sleep, and everything looks normal — but there is clearly something missing in those eyes.

And what about Jiang Zhiyu? From the moment he entered until now, he only got close when pouring water, and then he sat upright the whole time, chatting enthusiastically with Yuri and the others, without looking at Taeyeon even once.

These two people, who are they trying to suffocate?

The more Sunny thought about it, the more anxious she became. She didn't organize this dinner tonight to listen to some "commercialization of ambiguity" lecture! Her "Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu Cold War Termination Plan," her "Pink Lemm Battle," her "Ultimate Goal of a Laid-back Life" — it was all about to go down the drain!

The more she thought, the more wrong it felt. She kept feeling that if things continued at this rate, tonight's dinner would turn into a "President of TG Industry Analysis Seminar," and then everyone would go home to their own mothers. Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu would continue their cold war, and her Lemm would remain out of reach.

No!

I must do something!

"What's the point of just chatting!"

Sunny suddenly slapped the table, her voice so loud that it startled everyone.

Jiang Zhiyu's words were interrupted, and he turned his head to look at her.

Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, and Tiffany also looked over, their eyes filled with confusion.

Seohyun blinked, seemingly not having switched out of "classroom mode" yet.

Even Kim Taeyeon, who had been keeping her head down in the corner, lifted her eyelids slightly.

Facing everyone's gaze, Sunny bloomed with a bright smile: "Let's play a game!"

"A game?" Hyoyeon was stunned for a moment.

"Yes!" Sunny nodded forcefully, "It's rare that we're all gathered together, just chatting is so boring! Let's play a game!"

Sooyoung was the first to react, her eyes instantly lighting up: "I'm in! What are we playing?"

Sunny looked at Hyoyeon and raised her eyebrows.

Hyoyeon understood immediately, the corners of her mouth slowly rising, revealing a meaningful smile: "Truth or Dare."

"I'm in!!!" Sooyoung practically sprang from her seat, her voice filled with unconcealable excitement.

Tiffany smiled too, her signature eye-smile curving into crescents: "This is good!"

Yuri chuckled "Hehehe," her gaze sweeping meaningfully across the thirty-centimeter gap between Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu.

Seohyun nodded slightly, a reserved smile on her face, but the gleam of gossip was clearly shining in her eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu opened his mouth to say something, but upon seeing the "just try and refuse, see what happens" expressions on the sisters' faces, he swallowed his words and just smiled softly.

Kim Taeyeon's fingers tightened slightly.

She knew this group of sisters too well. Truth or Dare? This wasn't a game; it was a public execution!

But before she could voice her opposition, Sunny had already produced an empty soju bottle from who knows where and placed it in the center of the table.

"Come on, come on! First round! Who's going first?"

"Obviously you spin it, you're the one who suggested it!" Hyoyeon nudged Sunny.

Sunny didn't refuse; she reached out her finger and gripped the bottle neck.

She looked around the circle, her gaze sweeping over everyone's face, finally lingering for a moment between Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Taeyeon.

Then, she smiled.

That smile was full of hidden meaning.

The bottle began to spin on the table.

Everyone's eyes followed the bottle, watching it spin slower and slower—

Finally, the mouth of the bottle stopped steadily in front of Kim Taeyeon.

The private room went quiet for a second.

Then— "Wow!!!"

Hyoyeon was the first to burst into cheers.

"Sunny, well done!!!" Sooyoung slapped the table, laughing until she was doubled over.

Yuri and Tiffany exchanged a look and chuckled "Hehehe" in unison, a sound so meaningful it made one's scalp tingle.

Seohyun pursed her lips, but the amusement in the corners of her eyes couldn't be hidden.

Jiang Zhiyu sat where he was, his expression still calm, a faint smile even lingering at the corners of his mouth. But his fingers were unconsciously rubbing the rim of his wine glass.

Kim Taeyeon looked up at Sunny.

Her eyes were filled with, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Sunny met her gaze and blinked innocently, but the smug smile on her lips couldn't be suppressed.

Taeyeon-ah, you guessed right. I did it on purpose.

"Taeyeon-ah!" Sunny drawled, her tone filled with unconcealable excitement, "Truth or Dare?"

Kim Taeyeon bit her lower lip. Truth? Dare?

She calculated rapidly in her mind. Dare?

She subconsciously swept a glance at the sisters around her—Hyoyeon was winking and making faces at her, Sooyoung's fingers were tapping a rhythmic beat on the table, and Yuri's lips were curled in a meaningful smile.

These lunatics would definitely make her do something...

Her eyes drifted involuntarily in a certain direction.

Jiang Zhiyu was sitting at the other end of the group, holding a glass of freshly poured sake, his expression as calm as if he were watching a performance that had nothing to do with him. The light outlined the soft contours of his profile; his eyes were as clear as ever, and a faint smile even lingered at the corners of his mouth.

Kim Taeyeon's gaze lingered on his face for less than a second before she pulled it back as if burned.

Her cheeks began to burn.

If she chose Dare, these lunatics would definitely make her kiss him. Or something even more excessive.

She was almost one hundred percent certain. No, no, no! Dare was absolutely out of the question!

"Truth." Her voice was very soft, as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Sunny's eyes lit up instantly. "Alright then..."

She cleared her throat, leaned forward slightly, and wore a meaningful smile.

Then she spoke, her voice not loud, yet it exploded in the room like a bomb— "Taeyeon! Is there someone you like!!!"

The moment those words fell, the entire room seemed to ignite.

"Waaaah!!!" Hyoyeon was the first to scream, her voice nearly lifting the roof off.

"Sunny, good question!!!" Sooyoung slapped the table, laughing until she was doubled over.

Yuri stood up directly from her seat, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide as copper bells: "That question is way too direct!"

Tiffany laughed until her eyes curved into crescents, whistling as she did—the whistle was crisp and loud, piercingly distinct amidst the noisy teasing. "Wooo—!!!"

Seohyun sat where she was, her reserved expression finally unable to be maintained; her mouth curled into a brilliant arc, her eyes shining like lightbulbs.

Even the always composed Jiang Zhiyu's expression shifted slightly. A smile still hung on his lips, but something stirred gently in his clear eyes.

Kim Taeyeon's cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, spreading from her earlobes to her neck, even staining her forehead a faint crimson.

Her lips parted slightly, closed, then parted again; she was like a shrimp suddenly thrown into a hot pan, curling up, struggling, with nowhere to escape.

Everyone's gaze was focused on her like eight searchlights, illuminating every expression and every subtle movement of hers in minute detail.

"I..." Her voice was very soft, as faint as a spider's thread in the wind, ready to snap at any moment. "I... don't."

The room went quiet for a second. Then— "Who would believe that!!!" Hyoyeon was the first to jump out, her voice as loud as if she were shouting a slogan.

"Liar!" Sooyoung pointed at Kim Taeyeon, her finger trembling. "You're blushing like that and you still say you don't!"

Yuri crossed her arms, wearing an "I see through everything" expression: "Taeyeon-ah, do you know you have a habit when you lie? You don't dare to look the other person in the eyes."

"Right!" Tiffany nodded vigorously. "When you said 'don't' just now, you were looking at the floor!"

Sunny was even more direct; she braced her hands on the table, leaned forward, and wore an expression that screamed, "Are you kidding me?"

Kim Taeyeon was left completely defenseless by this barrage of attacks. Her face turned even redder, red enough to drip blood. She opened her mouth to say something in rebuttal, but her mind was a blank slate; she couldn't think of anything.

Her lips moved, she wanted to say something, but found she couldn't get anything out. Then—she stood up abruptly. "Yah!!!"

The sound was sharp and loud, carrying a tremor of embarrassment and anger. But her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the opposite side.

Just one glance. Very fast, so fast that almost no one noticed. But Jiang Zhiyu noticed.

He saw the panic, shyness, and a hint of inexplicable grievance in that glance. That gaze was like a startled fawn, bumping gently against his face before quickly darting away.

His expression remained calm, and a smile still hung on his lips. But he spoke. "Sunny Noona."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly. The teasing in the room quieted down instantly. Everyone's gaze turned to him.

Jiang Zhiyu picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, then looked up, meeting Sunny's gaze. "I think that counts as an answer."

His tone was very calm, as if he were stating the most ordinary fact.

Sunny froze. Hyoyeon froze. Sooyoung, Yuri, Tiffany, and Seohyun all froze.

What did he mean by "I think that counts as an answer"? Kim Taeyeon clearly said "don't," right?

But that tone, that look in her eyes, those bright red earlobes, that gaze drifting involuntarily toward Jiang Zhiyu—did that count as "don't"?

Sunny blinked, looking at Jiang Zhiyu's calm face, and suddenly realized something. This man was helping Kim Taeyeon out of a tight spot. Or rather—he was putting a period to it for her.

Regardless of whether Kim Taeyeon's "don't" was true or false, regardless of how much truth or how many lies were in that answer—this question ended here.

Sunny opened her mouth to say something, but meeting Jiang Zhiyu's clear eyes, she suddenly couldn't say anything at all.

In those eyes, there was no questioning, no dissatisfaction, not even expectation. There was only a very calm, very gentle—understanding.

He knew. No matter what Kim Taeyeon's answer was, he accepted it.

Sunny looked at Kim Taeyeon's embarrassed and annoyed appearance, then back at Jiang Zhiyu's calm-as-water face, her mouth opening and closing. It seemed... it really was impossible to keep pressing.

She pursed her lips, and reluctantly let out an "Mm." "I guess so."

She looked at Kim Taeyeon, a smile curling on her lips again: "Taeyeon, sit down. Why are you standing so tall? Showing off your long legs?"

Kim Taeyeon stood there, her chest heaving violently. She glared fiercely at Sunny, then sat back in her seat and finished the drink in front of her in one gulp.

The liquor slid down her throat, and the spicy sensation helped her calm down a little. Her heart was still racing, and the heat on her face hadn't faded, but the suffocating pressure of being stared at by everyone had finally dissipated somewhat.

She lowered her head, her gaze landing on the empty glass in front of her. Then she saw Jiang Zhiyu's hand reach over, pick up the water pitcher, and pour her a new glass of ice water.

"Drink some water." His voice was very soft, audible only to her.

Kim Taeyeon's eyelashes trembled. She didn't look up, just reached out to hold the glass of ice water and softly let out an "Mm."

Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his hand and sat back properly. The atmosphere in the private room became lively again.

Sunny had already grabbed the empty soju bottle, spun it twice in her hand, and announced loudly: "Alright, the first round ends here." She cleared her throat, trying hard to make her voice sound normal again, "Second round—"

She gave it a forceful spin. The bottle began to spin rapidly again.

This time, everyone's eyes followed the transparent bottle, but their thoughts were clearly not on it.

Hyoyeon was still savoring the scene that just happened, unable to suppress the arc of her lips.

Sooyoung secretly glanced at Kim Taeyeon, then at Jiang Zhiyu, silently noting something in her heart.

Yuri and Tiffany exchanged a meaningful look. Seohyun lowered her head, her lips curling slightly upward.

And Kim Taeyeon—Kim Taeyeon kept her head down, staring at the empty wine glass in front of her, the flush on her face not yet fully faded.

She didn't dare look at anyone. Especially not that person.

Jiang Zhiyu was still holding that glass of sake, still not drinking it. His gaze landed on the spinning bottle, his expression as calm as if nothing had happened.

But under the table, his fingers were gently rubbing the rim of his glass. One circle. Another circle.

The night outside the window was growing deeper. The warm yellow lights of the Izakaya shrouded the undercurrents surging in the room. The bottle for the second round was still spinning.