186: Chapter 186 Jessica Jung Softens Up

On this day, Choi Sulli and Im Yoona had matters outside and hadn't returned yet. Liu Zijun, having given Jessica Jung's younger sister a ride to her company, had returned a step ahead.

However, the moment Liu Zijun finished work and pulled open his car door, a figure emerged from behind a pillar, blocking his path.

Jessica Jung was wearing a sharply tailored suit dress, her long hair tied up in a high ponytail, revealing a slender, fair neck. Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, yet it couldn't hide the stubbornness in her eyes.

She stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the car opposite, her gaze fixed directly on Liu Zijun, carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance and defiance.

Her voice was clear and cold, yet carried a trace of an unyielding tone.

"Liu Zijun, wait a moment."

Liu Zijun raised an eyebrow, stopping his movement. Looking at the woman who had suddenly appeared before him, a sense of helplessness welled up in his heart.

Ever since that night in Hong Kong, he had deliberately maintained distance from her. First, because of Jessica Jung's younger sister's existence, and second, because he felt what happened between them was merely a transaction where each got what they needed, with no necessity for further entanglement.

But clearly, Jessica Jung did not think the same way.

"Something the matter?" Liu Zijun's tone was flat, betraying little emotion.

Jessica Jung straightened up, walking step by step until she was right in front of him, so close he could clearly smell the faint scent of cedar perfume on her. "I want to invite you to dinner."

"No time." Liu Zijun refused without hesitation and turned to get into the car.

Jessica Jung reached out and pressed her hand against his car door, her tone carrying a note of certainty.

"I know you're free."

"I asked others about your schedule. You have no arrangements tonight."

Looking at her determined eyes, Liu Zijun felt a headache coming on.

This woman was as domineering as ever, even going so far as to inquire about his schedule.

He knew that if he didn't agree today, she would probably keep pestering him here.

A flicker of barely detectable delight passed through Jessica Jung's eyes. She named a high-end French restaurant located in Gangnam District, then turned and directly got into the passenger seat of Liu Zijun's car.

Liu Zijun shook his head helplessly.

The car drove through the night scenery of Seoul. Neon lights on both sides of the street lit up one after another, outlining the city's prosperous silhouette.

Liu Zijun watched the taillights of the car ahead, and the face of Jessica Jung's younger sister involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

That aloof yet shy girl. Ever since that night, every time she saw him, she seemed a bit unnatural, the affection in her eyes impossible to hide.

If she found out he still had ties with her older sister, he didn't know how she would react.

Little did he know, that Little Iceberg already knew about Jessica Jung's feelings.

If the Jung sisters really both got involved, the situation would probably spiral out of control.

Liu Zijun rubbed the space between his eyebrows, somewhat regretting his momentary impulse back in Hong Kong.

This Jessica Jung couldn't handle playing the game.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the restaurant entrance.

This was a French restaurant hidden beside a tree-lined avenue. The air was filled with the aroma of red wine and truffles, all exuding the place's style and luxury.

The waiter led the two to a window-side private room on the second floor. The huge floor-to-ceiling window offered a view of the street scene below and the Han River nightscape in the distance.

After sitting down, Jessica Jung skillfully ordered the meal and a bottle of red wine. Throughout the process, she didn't look at Liu Zijun, as if sulking with herself.

Liu Zijun didn't speak, just picked up the glass of warm water on the table and took a sip, his gaze falling on the night scenery outside the window.

In his heart, he was calculating how to make things clear to her, to make her completely give up hope.

The food arrived quickly. The exquisite French cuisine was presented with careful plating, its aroma tempting.

Yet neither of them touched their chopsticks. An eerie silence fell over the private room, broken only by the occasional sound of car horns from outside and the soft background music indoors.

Jessica Jung picked up the wine glass, poured herself a full glass of red wine, and drank it all in one go.

The spicy liquid slid down her throat, bringing a faint blush to her cheeks.

She put down the glass, finally looked up, and stared directly at Liu Zijun, getting straight to the point.

"Why are you ignoring me?"

Liu Zijun's hand holding the water glass paused briefly. He wasn't surprised, just responded calmly, "I thought we had already made things clear between us."

Jessica Jung's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of grievance and anger.

"Made things clear?"

"That night in Hong Kong, you said it was just a transaction where each got what they needed, and afterward, we wouldn't bother each other. But what I wanted was never just a transaction!"

Her eyes were slightly reddened, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

"Since returning from Hong Kong, you haven't contacted me once.

Even when we run into each other at the company, you just act like you don't see me.

Liu Zijun, am I really that insignificant in your eyes?"

Looking at her reddened eyes, a complex emotion stirred in Liu Zijun's heart.

He admitted that Jessica Jung was indeed outstanding—beautiful, talented, with a resilient personality, a goddess in many people's hearts.

But he already had Choi Sulli, Im Yoona, Son Ye-jin, and there was also Jessica Jung's younger sister. Now, Ham Eun-jung from T-ara was getting involved too.

He really didn't want any more complications.

"Jessica Jung, we agreed on it back then. You agreed to it yourself."

Jessica Jung sneered, the grievance in her eyes deepening.

"In your eyes, is what's between us just a bill that can be settled?

Liu Zijun, search your conscience and tell me, do you really not have any feelings for me at all?"

She stood up, walked over to Liu Zijun, and looked down at him from above. Her eyes held a trace of the courage of someone staking everything on one throw.

"Actually, I've known for a long time that I've already fallen for you.

I admit, I'm very greedy.

I'm jealous that Choi Sulli can stand openly by your side.

Jealous that Im Yoona receives your favoritism.

Jealous that Son Ye-jin shares a tacit understanding, tacit understanding (mòqì - tacit understanding/rapport) with you that others can't replace."

"I know I'm being ridiculous, shameless, knowing full well you have so many women around you, yet I still can't control myself."

"But I just can't accept it. Why can they all stay by your side, while I can only be a passerby in your life?"

Looking at this woman before him who had shed all her defenses, revealing her vulnerable side, Liu Zijun felt his headache intensify.

He had to admit that Jessica Jung's frankness and bravery did move him somewhat.

But the moment he thought of Jessica Jung's younger sister, he instantly sobered up.

If both sisters really ended up with him, seeing each other all the time in the future would inevitably lead to conflict.

After all, these two, one is a sister-con and the other is a younger-sister-con!

Liu Zijun stood up, maintaining a certain distance from her, and said, "You're well aware of my situation.

Sulli and the others have been through a lot with me. The bonds between us aren't something that can be replaced on a whim.

Being with you like this... wouldn't be fair to you."

Jessica Jung's emotions suddenly became agitated. She reached out and grabbed his arm, her grip so strong it almost seemed to dig into his flesh.

"Fair?"

"What's fair? Watching you fly off happily with other women while I can only watch from afar, is that fair?

Liu Zijun, let me tell you, what I want has never been fairness, it's you!"

"I only know that I like you, I want to stay by your side.

Like them, to be able to openly be good to you, to share joys and sorrows with you, not like now, where even seeing you requires sneaking around."