184: Chapter 184 Eun-jung, right here?

The designated driver parked the car steadily in a secluded parking spot downstairs from Liu Zijun's apartment.

After turning off the engine, he said softly, "Sir, Madam, we've arrived."

Then he tactfully grabbed his gear and left quickly, leaving behind a dense silence in the enclosed cabin.

The night was thick, and the dim yellow glow from the underground garage lights spilled diagonally through the car window, illuminating their faces.

Their clothes still carried the fatty aroma of korean beef, the slight tipsiness of soju, and the faint woody fragrance from Ham Eun-jung.

Liu Zijun was about to push the car door open when Ham Eun-jung suddenly reached out and pressed down on his wrist.

"Wait a moment."

Her voice was deeper than during the dinner, with a slight raspiness from the alcohol, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet cabin.

Liu Zijun turned his head; by the faint light leaking in from the window, he could see her slightly flushed cheeks and her eyelashes trembling gently.

"What's wrong?"

Liu Zijun's voice also lowered unconsciously, as if the sparks of ambiguity in the air were ignited in an instant.

It added a bit more restlessness to his body, which was already somewhat hot from the alcohol.

Ham Eun-jung didn't answer; she just slowly raised her head, her gaze locking directly onto his eyes.

Complex emotions surged in her eyes—admiration, hesitation, and unwillingness—all finally settling into a desperate courage.

She knew this was her last chance; if she missed tonight, she might forever be stuck in the friend zone, watching other people surround him.

She wanted to be the pioneer for T-ara to win over Liu Zijun.

Her sisters' probing during the dinner, Lee Ji-hyun's initiative, and Park Ji-yeon's bluntness had all planted seeds in her heart.

She wasn't as charming and flamboyant as Lee Ji-hyun, nor as lively and bold as Park Ji-yeon, but facing Liu Zijun, her rationality had long since quietly crumbled through the repeated instances of him helping and taking care of her.

From him clearing T-ara's name to securing the best resources for them, and to his gentle reminders every time they met.

This man's figure had also long since occupied an irreplaceable position in her heart.

She knew she was being absurd and that intervening in someone else's relationship wasn't honorable.

But just as Park Ji-yeon said, when meeting a man like this, being able to get one step closer—even without an official status—was something she was willing to do.

Thinking of this, Ham Eun-jung took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.

She leaned in slightly, with a hint of trembling yet with incomparable determination, and approached Liu Zijun.

In the instant before he could react, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips.

It was a kiss filled with the scent of alcohol and shyness; unlike the lingering passion of adults, it carried a bit of clumsy fervor.

Her lips were soft and warm, with the slight sweetness of soju, touching him cautiously before she seemed to muster all her courage and gave a gentle suck.

Liu Zijun's whole body stiffened, and his mind went blank.

He never expected that the always-rational Ham Eun-jung would suddenly make such a bold move.

The sensation on his lips was clear and scorching, like a small flame that instantly ignited the pent-up heat within him.

The effects of the alcohol exploded completely at this moment, and the desires he had previously forced down collapsed in the face of this sudden intimacy.

He wasn't Liu Xia Hui; facing a woman who proactively threw herself at him and whom he already had feelings for...

Especially in such an ambiguous atmosphere, he simply couldn't resist.

Moreover, Liu Zijun was never a good man to begin with; this sense of excitement made him completely lose his reason.

He raised his hand to cup the back of Ham Eun-jung's neck; instead of pushing her away, he deepened the kiss.

Unlike her shy clumsiness, his kiss was intensely domineering, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

Ham Eun-jung trembled all over at his response, a flash of surprise and panic appearing in her eyes, but her body involuntarily softened, leaning into his embrace.

She could clearly feel his powerful heartbeat, the warm temperature radiating from him, and the possessiveness in his kiss.

This made her both nervous and infatuated, completely forgetting to resist.

The air in the cabin grew hotter and hotter, their breaths intertwining, becoming heavy and hurried.

Liu Zijun's hand slid slowly down her back, feeling her slender waist; the delicate touch from his fingertips made his heart tighten.

He pulled back slightly, his forehead against hers, his nose brushing against hers, his breath fanning across her face, heavy with desire.

He looked at her watery eyes, her flushed cheeks, and her slightly swollen lips.

He asked in a low voice, "Eun-jung, do you know what you're doing?"

Ham Eun-jung's eyes were somewhat dazed, yet she still nodded firmly.

"I know... I like you, Joon oppa, no less than anyone else."

"I know this isn't right, I know you have Sulli and the others by your side, but I can't control myself..."

She raised her arms to hook around his neck, burying her cheek in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled.

"I don't want to have regrets. Even if it's only this once, I want to stay by your side."

Seeing her aggrieved yet determined look, the last bit of hesitation in Liu Zijun's heart vanished.

He admitted that he was moved by her bravery and persistence, and he was also consumed by his own desire.

These little vixens, each one so bold and direct—did they really think he could keep restraining himself forever?

He raised his hand to stroke her long hair, his fingertips grazing her delicate skin.

There was a hint of helplessness in his tone, but even more so, ignited desire.

"You woman, just like them, you're so good at seducing people."

Ham Eun-jung raised her head and saw the desire in his eyes; a shy smile appeared on her face, but she didn't back down, instead proactively leaning closer.

She gave his chin a light bite, as if provoking him, yet also like she was acting spoiled.

This action completely ignited Liu Zijun's fire.

He suddenly pulled her tight, bringing her closer to himself to feel each other's body temperature, his voice low.

"Eun-jung, right here?"

The cabin was small and enclosed; outside were occasional passing vehicles and dim lights, and they could be discovered at any time.

This secret thrill made the desire in the air even more intense.

Ham Eun-jung's cheeks were so red they could almost drip blood; a flash of panic crossed her eyes, but she still nodded heavily.

She reached out to hook Liu Zijun's tie, pulling him closer, a successful smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet full of temptation.

"Yes, right here."

She knew she was being crazy, doing such a private thing in such a public place.

But at the thought that the man before her was Liu Zijun, and that if she missed this, she would never have another chance, she didn't care about anything else.

Liu Zijun looked at the determination in her eyes and that successful smile, and he chuckled low.

This girl usually looked steady, but who knew she was so bold deep down.

He no longer hesitated, lowering his head to kiss her lips again; this time, there was no restraint at all, only pure desire and possession.

Ham Eun-jung closed her eyes and surrendered completely.

The temperature in the cabin kept rising, along with the rustling of clothes rubbing together, heavy breathing, and occasional soft moans.

After an unknown amount of time, the movement in the cabin gradually subsided.

Ham Eun-jung curled up in Liu Zijun's arms, covered by his jacket, her cheeks still flushed.

There was a hint of laziness and satisfaction in her eyes, as well as an imperceptible trace of loss.

Liu Zijun gently patted her back, his breathing gradually steadying.

He looked at the exhausted woman in his arms, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He knew he had gained another tie, another debt of affection.

But things had already come to this, and no amount of regret would help; all he could do was try to treat her better in the future and not let her suffer too much grievance.

Ham Eun-jung leaned in his arms, listening to his powerful heartbeat and feeling his warm body temperature.

She said softly, "Joon oppa, thank you."

Liu Zijun looked down at her, rubbed her hair, and said in a gentle tone, "Silly girl, what are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for not pushing me away."

"I know I'm selfish, but I really want to stay by your side, even if it's just like this."

"I don't seek to gain as much as Im Yoona and the others; all of us in T-ara think this way—we just hope you can take the time to look at us more often!"

Liu Zijun didn't speak; he just held her tighter.

He didn't know how to respond; matters of the heart were never about right or wrong, only about willingness.

He was willing to accept her closeness and give her a piece of tenderness, and that was enough.

After staying quiet for a while longer, Ham Eun-jung climbed out of his arms and tidied her messy clothes and hair, her cheeks still bright red.

She didn't dare look into Liu Zijun's eyes, only saying in a small voice, "I... I should go back."

Liu Zijun nodded and helped her tidy the stray hairs on her forehead.