170: Chapter 170 Jung Soo-jung's Decision

Summer nights were always like this—sticky, damp, and hot, making one feel stifled. Jessica Jung sat before the floor-to-ceiling window of her apartment, gazing at the night view outside.

Her fingers unconsciously swiped across her phone screen.

On it was her chat history with Kwon Young-il. The latest message was still stuck on yesterday, when she had tentatively mentioned the need for capital turnover. The other party had only replied with "Busy, talk later," and there had been nothing since.

On the living room sofa, Krystal Jung curled up, her knees tucked against her chest. Her cool face was filled with an anxiety she couldn't hide.

Over the past two days, she had pieced together the full truth from her unnie's intermittent venting.

Kwon Young-il was not only making all sorts of excuses regarding the investment, but he was even being vague about the supply chain resources he had previously promised.

What was even more alarming was that she had accidentally overheard her unnie on the phone just now. Kwon Young-il's tone was exceptionally perfunctory, clearly using a stalling tactic.

Krystal hesitated but finally spoke, her voice as light as a feather.

"unnie, how about... listening to Liu Zijun's suggestion?"

On the surface, her feelings for Liu Zijun seemed to have diminished quite a bit, but she also knew her unnie disliked that man, so she hadn't dared to mention him before.

This younger sister didn't yet know that her silly older sister had already thrown down the gauntlet to Im Yoona.

But at this moment, seeing her unnie's increasingly haggard appearance, a hint of hesitation grew in her heart.

Jessica Jung suddenly turned her head, a flash of stubbornness in her eyes, which was then swallowed by a sense of helplessness.

Over the past two days, following what Liu Zijun had said, she had indirectly tried to get Kwon Young-il to finalize the investment matters. However, the other party either beat around the bush or used "the brand is just starting and requires caution" as an excuse.

How could she not know that things were looking bad? But that ridiculous pride of hers made it impossible for her to lower herself to ask for help.

Jessica Jung bit her lip, her tone carrying a final struggle.

"Let's wait a bit longer. He said he'd give me a clear answer tomorrow."

However, what came the next day wasn't Kwon Young-il's answer, but the news that he had already returned to Hong Kong Island overnight.

The phone call did go through, but he said he had returned for some urgent business and needed to discuss things with the suppliers.

Jessica Jung's hand holding the phone couldn't stop trembling, and her face was as pale as paper.

The 5 billion korean won loan, the newly registered brand, and the already signed letters of intent for cooperation instantly became a mountain crushing her.

Seeing her unnie's distraught state, Krystal's heart also tightened.

She knew that this time, her unnie was truly panicking.

Jessica Jung slowly sat on the floor, tears finally sliding down uncontrollably.

She had always thought she was strong enough to carve out a path on her own.

But in the end, she had been played by her so-called partner.

She remembered Liu Zijun's calm gaze in the conference room that day, and his words: "I'm helping you not because of you, but because of Krystal." Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

She sobbed, showing her vulnerable side for the first time.

"What should I do..."

Krystal crouched down and gently patted her unnie's back.

Seeing her unnie's helpless state, an absurd yet firm thought sprouted in her heart.

She stood up, her gaze becoming unusually determined.

"unnie, it's okay, we'll find a way together."

Leaving her unnie's apartment, Krystal called Choi Sulli and then went straight to Liu Zijun's apartment.

Standing before the familiar door, she took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.

The one who opened the door was Choi Sulli, wearing cute bear pajamas. She looked a bit surprised to see her.

"Krystal? You said there was something urgent?" Choi Sulli stepped aside to let her in. The faint aroma of a meal still lingered in the living room.

Krystal looked around the house and asked, "Seol-ri! Is Liu Zijun... is he not here?"

Choi Sulli shook her head and said, "Oppa is waiting for Yoona Unnie's schedule to end so he can take her back to the dorm before coming back."

Krystal sat awkwardly on the sofa, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

She hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty, "Sulli, I... I want to ask you for a favor."

Choi Sulli pulled her to sit on the sofa and handed her a glass of warm water.

"Tell me. We're best friends, aren't we?"

Krystal's voice trembled slightly as she told her everything about Jessica Jung's predicament.

"My unnie... you probably know about her situation already, right? Kwon Young-il went back to Hong Kong Island, and it feels like he's trying to back out."

"I know Liu Zijun... Oppa can help her."

"But we... we don't want to owe him such a big favor."

Hearing this, the smile on Choi Sulli's face gradually faded.

She looked at the stubbornness and helplessness in Krystal's eyes and instantly understood something.

These sisters both had a pride that refused to admit defeat. Even when they had no way out, they wouldn't easily bow their heads.

Choi Sulli suddenly spoke, her tone calm and without a ripple.

"Krystal, do you... also like Oppa?"

Krystal's body suddenly stiffened, her cheeks turning as red as a ripe apple. Her eyes darted around in panic, but she didn't deny it.

From her first contact with Liu Zijun, seeing him gently take care of Choi Sulli and seeing his composure in the face of danger, her quiet heart had inexplicably fluttered.

It was just that her personality was cold, and knowing about the existence of Choi Sulli, Im Yoona, and the others, she also found it somewhat unacceptable that Liu Zijun had so many women.

After thinking it through last time, she had kept these feelings hidden in the depths of her heart.

Choi Sulli looked at her shy and nervous expression and smiled softly.

She reached out, held Krystal's slightly cool hand, and smiled. "Krystal! Actually, I saw through it a long time ago."

Choi Sulli's gaze became serious, and she said softly, "Love is selfish. To be honest, I don't want anyone else getting involved."

"But if that person is you, I can accept it."

Krystal suddenly looked up, staring at Choi Sulli in disbelief.

She thought Choi Sulli would refuse or even blame her for liking her boyfriend, but she hadn't expected such an answer.

She opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing.

Choi Sulli paused, a flash of mischief in her eyes.

"Since you want to help Jessica Unnie and don't want to owe Oppa a favor, why don't we... make a bet?"

Krystal looked at her in confusion. "What bet?"

Choi Sulli leaned in close and lowered her voice to explain her plan.

Krystal's face instantly turned so red it looked like it could bleed, and her eyes were full of hesitation.

Choi Sulli laughed. "Krystal! Didn't you already have this intention when you came here? Why are you being shy now?"

Krystal glared at Choi Sulli, her brow furrowing tightly.

Thinking of her unnie's helpless state and her long-hidden feelings, she finally gritted her teeth and nodded.

As night fell, Liu Zijun returned home with a smile.

As soon as he entered, he saw Choi Sulli walking over with a glass of warm water, a sweet smile on her face.

"Oppa, you're back? Drink some water and rest."

Liu Zijun didn't think much of it, took the glass, and drained it in one gulp.