424: Chapter 477 The Old Woman (11)

Kang Seulgi unfolded the slip of paper in her hand, glanced down at it, and then looked up, her gaze scanning across everyone's faces. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly with a smug 'I know you guys can't guess it' expression.

"Neighbor."

She only said those two words and then shut her mouth, wearing a look that said, "That's all I'm saying; you guys guess the rest yourself."

The private room fell silent for a moment. Then, two voices rang out simultaneously.

"Make eye contact with the person sitting next to you."

Zhiyu and Bae Joo-hyun.

In unison again.

After speaking, both of them froze for a second. Then—they looked at each other. That glance was very brief, so short it was almost negligible. But in that instant, their gazes met in mid-air. There was a hint of panic in Zhiyu's eyes, a bit of nervousness, and a trace of joy he couldn't hide. In Bae Joo-hyun's eyes, there was a flash of surprise, a touch of playfulness, and a sliver of 'how is it like this again' helplessness.

Then, both of them looked away at the same time.

Zhiyu lowered his head, staring at the water glass in front of him. His earlobes had turned red again. Bae Joo-hyun picked up her teacup and took a sip. Her expression remained calm, but her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her.

The inner thoughts of everyone else in the room were simultaneously spamming: 'Ooh ooh ooh~ I ship it, I ship it!'

Yeri's eyes darted around, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up into a meaningful smile. In that smile, there was a hint of craftiness, a bit of pride, and a touch of 'you guys guessed wrong' schadenfreude.

"Not right either."

Everyone was stunned.

Joy's eyes widened: "Still not right? Yeri, are you just being stubborn?!"

Wendy nodded in agreement: "Yeah, eye contact, neighbor—isn't it just making eye contact with the person next to you?"

Kang Seulgi couldn't help but speak up too: "Yeri, you really did write 'neighbor' and 'eye contact'."

Yeri shook her head, her tone matter-of-fact: "That's right, I wrote 'neighbor' and 'eye contact'. But—"

She paused, the smile on her face deepening.

"If no one guesses it, then let Seulgi Unnie say who has my slip of paper~"

In Zhiyu's mind, alarm bells were ringing loudly.

Kim Yerim!!

What on earth did you write?!

How is this game getting more and more complicated...

Wait, no.

Isn't this the game he came up with himself?

Zhiyu fell silent. He sat there, his expression so calm that no emotion could be seen, but his heart was already in turmoil. The game he designed, the rules he set, the control he personally handed over to Kang Seulgi—and now, he was trapped by this game, trapped by his own rules, and trapped by this lunatic Yeri.

He sighed in his heart.

How frustrating.

The group fell into silence.

No one spoke, but everyone's eyes were talking. Yeri looked at Joy, Joy looked at Wendy, Wendy looked at Kang Seulgi, Kang Seulgi looked at Lee Tima, Lee Tima looked at Zhiyu, Zhiyu looked at Bae Joo-hyun, and Bae Joo-hyun looked out the window. The crossing of those gazes was denser than any words.

Yeri's gaze said: I know the answer, but I'm not telling.

Joy's gaze said: What exactly did you write?

Wendy's gaze said: Could it be...

Kang Seulgi's gaze said: I know, but I can't tell you.

Zhiyu's gaze said: Kim Yerim, just you wait.

Bae Joo-hyun's gaze said: The night view outside the window is quite nice.

Lee Tima's gaze said—

Lee Tima's eyes were startlingly bright. She was sitting between Zhiyu and Bae Joo-hyun, a position originally arranged by Yeri, who said it was to "facilitate communication." But everyone knew Yeri's true intention. Lee Tima, of course, knew as well. Not only did she know, she was quite enjoying it.

She was the future director of the Variety Department, a future star who would rule the South Korean entertainment industry, and Lee Tima, whose skin was as thick as a city wall. What was this little scene to her?

She pressed her hands together in front of her face, her expression as pious as if she were praying.

"It's me, it's me, it's me—"

She dragged out her voice, with a hint of acting cute, a bit of playfulness, and a touch of the shamelessness of 'just let me act'.

The group looked at her and fell silent.

Joy rolled her eyes: "You're not a neighbor."

Lee Tima said righteously: "I am! To my left is Oppa Zhiyu, and to my right is Joohyun Unnie. If I'm not a neighbor, who is?"

Wendy laughed: "Neighbor means—adjacent seats. You're sitting between them, but you're not in a 'neighbor' relationship with each other. You're separate."

Lee Tima tilted her head: "Then what am I?"

Wendy thought for a moment and said: "You're a third wheel."

The room went quiet for a second. Then, it erupted in laughter. Yeri laughed so hard she slapped the table, Joy laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight, and Kang Seulgi laughed so hard she pounded the floor. Lee Tima pouted, her expression as aggrieved as a puppy being scolded by its owner.

"A third wheel is still a neighbor..."

Zhiyu reached out and lightly patted her head. "Shut up."

Lee Tima obediently shut up, but the smile at the corners of her mouth couldn't be hidden no matter what.

Wendy's gaze fell on the people to her left and right. To her left was Joy, and to her right was Kang Seulgi. It was already confirmed that the slip in her hand belonged to Joy, and once used, it wouldn't appear again. Simply put, Joy's slip was out of the game. So, she didn't need to worry about drawing Joy's slip, nor did she need to worry about doing anything strange.

She only needed to worry—if Yeri's slip was in her hand, what would she do? But her gaze swept back and forth between Joy and Kang Seulgi, and then she withdrew it. It shouldn't be her.

Joy was also looking at the people to her left and right. To her left was Bae Joo-hyun, and to her right was Wendy. Her slip had already been used, so she was now a "free person." She didn't need to worry about her own slip, only about others'. If Yeri's slip was in her hand—

She glanced at Bae Joo-hyun. Bae Joo-hyun was holding her teacup, drinking slowly, her expression indifferent and showing no emotion. Joy looked at Wendy again. Wendy had her head down, thinking about something unknown.

Joy withdrew her gaze and silently calculated in her heart. Things like eye contact were already commonplace in past variety shows. She had made eye contact with Bae Joo-hyun, Wendy, Yeri, Kang Seulgi, and even male idols. It was no big deal. She wasn't afraid.

She was just a little curious—if the slip really was in her hand, who would she have to make eye contact with? Bae Joo-hyun? Or Wendy?

Her heart skipped a beat.

Kang Seulgi was also looking at the people to her left and right. To her left was Wendy, and to her right was Yeri. She was the only one who knew the contents of all the slips, and the only one who knew who had Yeri's slip. But she couldn't say. She could only watch them guess, watch them deduce, and watch them suspect each other.

That feeling was so satisfying.

Yeri was also looking at the people to her left and right. To her left was Kang Seulgi, and to her right was Joy. She was the creator of the slips and a participant in the game. She knew who had her slip, but she couldn't say. She could only watch them guess, watch them deduce, and watch them suspect each other.

That feeling was also very satisfying.

Bae Joo-hyun was also looking at the people to her left and right. To her left was Joy, and to her right was Lee Tima. She was the calmest and most composed person present. Her expression showed no emotion, and her eyes showed no ripples. But the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her inner pride.

Because she knew that no matter whose hand the slip was in, and no matter what the task was, she wouldn't lose. Because she was Bae Joo-hyun.

Zhiyu was also looking at the people to his left and right. To his left was Yeri, and to his right was Lee Tima. He was the most nervous and also the most expectant person present. His expression was calm, but his heart was beating fast. A trace of red still remained on his earlobes from when he made eye contact with Bae Joo-hyun earlier.

He was thinking, if the slip was in his hand, who would he make eye contact with? Yeri on his left? Or Lee Tima on his right? He didn't dare think about another possibility. Because that possibility made his heart race too much.

—

The atmosphere in the private room changed completely the instant Kang Seulgi said those words.

"The note is in—" She paused, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, the smile at the corners of her mouth impossible to hide, "Joohyun Unnie's hand."

Everyone's eyes fell on Bae Joo-hyun in unison.

Bae Joo-hyun sat by the window, still holding that cup of tea which had already gone cold. Her expression was calm, so calm that no emotion could be seen. But under everyone's gaze, she slowly set down the teacup and reached out to pick up the folded note from the table in front of her. Her movements were slow, as if she were intentionally stalling for time, or perhaps enjoying this "highly anticipated" moment.

She opened the note and glanced down at it. Then, she smiled. The smile was faint, so faint it was almost imperceptible. But the slight upward curve of her lips and her slightly crinkled eyes—everyone saw them.

Yeri screamed inwardly: Just as I thought! It really is Joohyun Unnie!

Joy applauded silently in her heart: Mission accomplished!

Wendy breathed a sigh of relief in her heart: Thank goodness it wasn't me.

Kang Seulgi cleared her throat, her voice carrying a hint of formality as if saying, "I'm about to start hosting."

"Please choose! Between Joy and Lee Tima—"

She stopped halfway through.

Because Lee Tima's seat was empty.

The chair was slightly askew, an unfinished glass of juice still sat on the table, chopsticks lay across the bowl, and a napkin was crumpled into a ball—but the person was gone.

Kang Seulgi was stunned. "Where is Lee Tima?"

Just then, a crisp voice came from the doorway. It was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, but the smugness in the tone was impossible to hide.

"Mianhae-yo~ I'm going to the bathroom~"

Everyone's eyes turned toward the door in unison. Lee Tima stood at the doorway, one hand on the doorknob and the other raised above her head, waving gently. Her face wore a smile that said, "I know what you're thinking, but I'm going anyway," a smile as bright as the spring sun and as annoying as a summer mosquito.

Then, she closed the door.

There was a soft "thud."

But in that soft "thud," everyone understood her meaning: You guys carry on, I'm out of here.

The private room went silent for a second.

Then, everyone's hearts shed tears of gratitude at the same time.

Good job, Tima.

Yeri gave Lee Tima a hundred likes in her heart. Joy gave Lee Tima two thumbs up in her heart. Wendy silently thought: This kid has a bright future. Kang Seulgi marveled in her heart: As expected of the future head of the Variety Department.

Then, everyone's gaze moved away from the door and landed on the same person.

Jiang Zhiyu.

In those looks, there was anticipation, urging, a hint of "go for it" urgency, and a meaningful sense of "we've helped you as much as we can."

Jiang Zhiyu's face turned red instantly.

It wasn't just a slight flush; it was the kind of red that started from the base of his ears and spread to his cheeks and neck, making him look like a boiled shrimp. Red as a tomato, red enough to drip blood. He tried his best to maintain a calm expression, but his slightly trembling fingers, his rapid breathing, and his gaze that didn't dare meet anyone's—everyone saw it all.

Joy silently thought: Oh~ He's blushing.

Yeri silently thought: So red.

Wendy silently thought: He's blushing much more than when Wendy confessed earlier.

Kang Seulgi silently thought: It seems it's true.

Bae Joo-hyun looked at Jiang Zhiyu's state, and the corners of her mouth curved up slightly. She raised an eyebrow, a movement so subtle it was almost invisible. But that slight arch of her brow and her slightly narrowed eyes—everyone saw them.

"Joy—" she spoke, her voice very soft, as if sharing a secret.

Joy was stunned for a moment, and then—

"Ah! Unnie!" Her voice was urgent and loud as she sprang up from her seat. "I just remembered, I need to go to the bathroom too!"

As she spoke, she was already heading for the door. Her pace was fast, as if she were running away or chasing after something.

Yeri watched Joy's retreating back, her eyes darting around. Then she stood up as well.

"Ah, well... me too."

As she spoke, she had already grabbed Wendy's hand. Wendy was pulled to her feet, her expression as dazed as a kitten suddenly picked up by the scruff.

"Even though it doesn't seem to have anything to do with me—" Her words were cut short because Yeri was already dragging her toward the door. "Don't pull me! I can walk on my own!"

Yeri ignored her and continued pulling her forward. Joy had already reached the door; she pulled it open and looked back. That look was complex. It held the apology of "sorry," the encouragement of "fighting," the helplessness of "we've helped you as much as we can," and the expectation of "you must succeed."

Then, she pulled Kang Seulgi along and they walked out together.

Kang Seulgi was being dragged, her voice full of reluctance: "I was the conductor! Uh—I'm going to the bathroom too!"

The door closed.

There was a soft "thud."

But in that soft "thud," everyone understood their meaning: You two take your time chatting, we're in no rush.

The private room fell silent.

A deathly silence.

The once noisy space was instantly left with only two people.

Jiang Zhiyu sat there, stiff and upright. His back was straight, his hands rested on his knees, and his gaze was fixed on the water glass in front of him, as if it held some monumental secret. His expression was calm, but his slightly trembling fingers, his rapid breathing, and his tomato-red face—everything betrayed him.

Bae Joo-hyun sat by the window, head lowered, drinking water. Her movements were slow, as if she were savoring something precious. Her expression was calm, but her slightly fluttering eyelashes and her slightly reddened earlobes—everything indicated that she wasn't as calm as she appeared.

Inside, Jiang Zhiyu's emotions were in a state of upheaval.

Aish.

These guys.

What do they mean by "I'm going to the bathroom too"? All five of them going at the same time? Who are they kidding?

In his heart, he cursed Yeri a hundred times, Joy a hundred times, Wendy a hundred times, Kang Seulgi a hundred times, and Lee Tima a hundred times—especially Lee Tima. That brat, actually being the first to run.

But the one he wanted to curse most was himself. Because right now, his heart was beating so fast it felt like it would explode.

A heavy atmosphere. It was so quiet that the wind outside the window could be heard, his own heartbeat could be heard, and her breathing could be heard. Jiang Zhiyu sat stiffly, and Bae Joo-hyun silently drank water. Neither of them spoke.

One minute passed.

Two minutes passed.

Three minutes passed.

Jiang Zhiyu finally couldn't take it anymore. He gave a dry laugh, a sound so soft it was as if he were afraid of disturbing something.

"Should we... wait for them to come back before continuing?"

Bae Joo-hyun set down her water glass, looked up, and gazed at him. Her gaze was calm, like a pool of still water. But beneath that calm surface, what was hidden, no one could see clearly.

"It's just the two of us left."

Alarm bells blared in Jiang Zhiyu's heart.

What does that mean? What does that mean!! Just the two of us left? What does that sentence mean?

Is she hinting at something? Or just stating a fact?

Is she saying, "There's only the two of us, so we can do something"? Or is she saying, "There's only the two of us, so the game can't continue"?

Is she doing this on purpose? Or is it unintentional?

What is she thinking? What does she want him to do?

Jiang Zhiyu's mind was a mess. His heart was beating like a drum. His face was as red as a tomato. His fingers were shaking like a sieve.

He looked at Bae Joo-hyun and opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

Bae Joo-hyun looked at him, her gaze still calm. But the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her.

She was smiling.

Jiang Zhiyu saw it. His heart beat even faster.