161: Chapter 161 An Encounter at the Airport

The next morning, Im Yoona sat cross-legged on the sofa in silk pajamas, clutching a throw pillow. Her eyes were locked onto Liu Zijun, who had just finished washing up, like a predator tracking its prey.

She pouted, her tone carrying an indisputable firmness mixed with a bit of soft, sweet coaxing.

“Joon oppa, I don't care! You must come with me for this endorsement shoot in Japan!”

“You already accompanied Seol-ri on 《Running Man》 and even donated money to her. You two have it so good, being able to date whenever you want.

Hmph! Now it's my turn. You can't play favorites!”

Liu Zijun walked over while drying his hair, looking at her helplessly as he said, “Zhenli is going to China for an event. I originally planned to go with her, but I didn't expect your schedules to clash like this.”

“I don't care about that!”

Im Yoona immediately jumped up from the sofa, sidled up to him, and shook his arm.

“China is very safe, and she has the crew and Han Jaeran along. Seol-ri is a big girl; she can take care of herself.

But I'm different! The filming location in Japan is so remote... I... I'll be scared by myself!”

Seeing that Liu Zijun remained unmoved, she brought out her trump card, standing on tiptoe to lean into his ear, her voice cloyingly sweet.

“Oppa, as long as you come with me, I'll satisfy any request you have, okay?”

Liu Zijun felt his ears itch from her warm breath. He turned to look at Choi Sulli, who was standing by the bar counter, holding a glass of milk and giggling.

Choi Sulli was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, a faint smile on her face and no hint of competitiveness in her eyes.

During this time, she had received so much favoritism—Liu Zijun's parents who loved her like their own, fans who supported her unconditionally, and Liu Zijun's unreserved protection. It made her feel like the luckiest person in the world.

‘It's a good thing I was exposed early!’

She handed the milk to Liu Zijun and said in a light tone, “Yoona Unnie is right. Oppa, you should go to Japan with her.”

“There are so many people in China; nothing will happen.

When your activities over there are finished, you can fly directly from Japan to find me. We can even go sightseeing and eat together in China.”

She paused, then intentionally raised an eyebrow at Im Yoona and said, “Besides, unnie finally managed to snatch Oppa once. I can't spoil the fun, or else unnie will start crying again.”

Im Yoona's face flushed. She reached out to tickle her, but Choi Sulli nimbly dodged.

“Ya! Choi Sulli! Who's going to cry? I'm not like a certain little crybaby!”

Liu Zijun looked at the two of them bickering, his eyes full of doting affection.

He had actually agreed to Im Yoona in his heart long ago, and he did feel somewhat guilty toward her.

Moreover, Choi Sulli was right; the itinerary in China was indeed well-arranged.

It would also be convenient for him and Im Yoona to fly directly from Japan to meet up in China.

Liu Zijun compromised, ruffling Im Yoona's hair with a smile. “Fine, I'll go to Japan with you.”

Im Yoona instantly cheered, wrapping her arms around Liu Zijun's neck and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“I knew Oppa loved me most! Don't worry, I'll be very good!”

Choi Sulli teased, “Yoona Unnie! So, did you call him 'Daddy'?”

Im Yoona immediately glared at her and scolded, “Ya! Choi Sulli! I've noticed you're becoming more and more asking for a beating lately.”

Liu Zijun watched the two of them playing around, shook his head with a smile, and turned to pack his luggage.

Choi Sulli was picked up by Han Jaeran first, while Liu Zijun and Im Yoona set off a bit later.

Wearing sunglasses and a mask, Im Yoona took Liu Zijun's arm and stepped out of the apartment first, unable to hide the excitement on her face.

At Incheon International Airport, after checking in, there was still some time before boarding.

Im Yoona pulled Liu Zijun to browse the airport shops and then waited in the departure lounge.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the first-floor waiting area of the airport.

Im Yoona tugged at Liu Zijun's arm and pointed at the departure hall downstairs. “Oppa, look! Isn't that Seol-ri? And the seniors from 《Running Man》!”

Liu Zijun looked in the direction she pointed. In the first-floor departure hall, Choi Sulli was wearing a blue denim dress, her hair draped over her shoulders, highlighting her fair skin like a fresh and elegant daisy.

She was sitting on a chair, swinging her long white legs, her face full of smiles.

Meanwhile, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Lee Kwang-soo, and Song Ji-hyo were dressed in thick winter clothes, seemingly pleading with Choi Sulli and the others about something.

Several staff members were holding cameras; they were clearly filming the airport punishment segment for 《Running Man》.

Choi Sulli was being teased by Yoo Jae-Suk, her cheeks slightly flushed, while Kim Jong-kook knelt on one knee before her, making a gesture of service.

“Wow, they're actually filming here!”

Im Yoona watched with great interest, pulling Liu Zijun to a spot with a good view and leaning over the railing to watch.

“Seol-ri looks really good in that denim dress, but my white dress from last time was still prettier!”

Liu Zijun laughed and ruffled her hair. “You, always comparing yourself to others.”

Im Yoona huffed, “It's true! Who told someone to only have eyes for Seol-ri?”

Liu Zijun smiled, knowing Im Yoona was just complaining a bit and wasn't actually angry.

This girl was becoming more and more fond of competing with Choi Sulli for his attention.

He just quietly watched Choi Sulli downstairs; she was radiating a warm glow.

Since going public with their relationship, the girl had become increasingly confident and cheerful. That sense of happiness radiating from her very core was visible at a glance.

The filming downstairs continued, with many spectators watching from both levels.

Before Im Yoona could react, Liu Zijun suddenly shouted toward the floor below with all his might, “Choi Sulli, saranghae!”

His voice was loud and clear, piercing through the airport noise and echoing throughout the hall.

Instantly, the entire airport seemed to fall silent.

Passengers turned their heads one after another, looking at Liu Zijun in surprise.

Im Yoona's eyes widened. She looked at the man beside her in disbelief, her cheeks turning bright red. Both annoyed and amused, she gave him a thump. “Ya! Liu Zijun! Are you crazy? There are so many people!”

The 《Running Man》 filming site downstairs was in an even greater uproar.

The VJs instinctively pointed their cameras at Liu Zijun and Im Yoona.

A brilliant smile instantly appeared on Choi Sulli's face, her eyes filled with sweetness.

She nodded vigorously at Liu Zijun, made a heart shape with her hands over her head, and said giggling, “saranghae, oppa!”

The surrounding travelers cheered, taking photos and videos of the two while shouting, “So sweet!” and “How romantic!”

Even the airport staff couldn't help but stop their work to watch the scene with smiles.

Yoo Jae-Suk was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted, shouting exaggeratedly, “Wow! Daebak! We can even run into Ji-Jun here!”

“Wow! Is that Yoon-ah-xi? Wow! Yoona-ah!”

The main PD was overjoyed. He gave a look, and Yoo Jae-Suk immediately said, “Is it convenient to come down and chat?”

Liu Zijun pointed to Im Yoona beside him, who was already utterly speechless. His meaning was clear: he had to listen to Im Yoona; he was just a bodyguard.

Lee Kwang-soo, who had just taken off his winter clothes, had his eyes roll as he ran straight up the stairs. His assigned VJ and two other cameras followed him up.

“Wow! Yoona-ah! Long time no see! I didn't expect to run into you and Ji-Jun at the airport!”

Im Yoona quickly took off her sunglasses and mask to greet them.

Then, under Lee Kwang-soo's enthusiastic invitation, she came down to the first floor!

The group immediately exchanged greetings.

Liu Zijun intentionally stayed out of the camera's frame, but Yoo Jae-Suk wouldn't let him off, pulling him directly to Choi Sulli's side.

“Ji-Jun! Aren't you Seol-ri's bodyguard? Why are you with Yoona? Are you going abroad?”

Liu Zijun said with a smile, “There's no other way! It's the company's arrangement. We workers have to listen!”

Im Yoona had just met Kim Jong-kook, who had returned from buying things, and said with a smile, “Joon oppa is now our company's star bodyguard. I'm very lucky this time; I got approval from the higher-ups to have Joon oppa in charge of my security for this trip.”

Choi Sulli's eyes darted around. She went to Liu Zijun's side, grabbed his arm, and said, “Yeah! Oppa can't go to China with me this time, I'm really sad about it.”

“Yoona Unnie! You have to take good care of my oppa!”

Im Yoona's hand tightened on her bag strap. She glared at Choi Sulli and laughed, “Seol-ri! He should be the one taking care of me, okay? I'm the one he's supposed to protect!”

The two women were about to start bickering again.

Yoo Jae-Suk marveled, “Wow! Yoona and Seol-ri's relationship is really good!”

Im Yoona and Choi Sulli hugged and laughed.

Liu Zijun felt the murderous intent in Im Yoona's eyes and immediately said, “Jae-Suk Hyung, we have to go now, or we'll miss our flight.”

Only then did they call it a day.

Arriving at the boarding gate.

Im Yoona thought of Choi Sulli's surprised, then shy and happy expression, then looked at the smiling Liu Zijun behind her and got even angrier.

She said huffily, “Ya! Liu Zijun, you did that on purpose just now, didn't you! Confessing in front of so many people—what were you planning for me to do?”

“And Choi Sulli, she actually dared to tease me on the show just now.”

“The two of you just know how to team up and bully me!”

Liu Zijun turned to look at her, walked a few steps closer, and said with a smile in his eyes, “Then next time, I'll give you an even more romantic confession, okay?”

Im Yoona's expression softened instantly, but her mouth remained stubborn.

“Who wants your confession! But... you'd better keep your word! It's just that with our current situation, how are we even going to do that? Sigh!”

Liu Zijun thought for a moment and said, “Sorry! Yoona, I didn't think it through!”

Im Yoona shook her head and said, “It's fine! Oppa! I was just saying.”

As the plane slowly ascended, Im Yoona leaned on Liu Zijun's shoulder, staring slightly dazed at the clouds outside the window.