95: Chapter 95 So she knew all along.

Inside the cabin, the production team had already arranged the seating in advance.

Liu Zijun's seat was by the aisle, with Han Jaeran next to him.

Choi Sulli, however, was assigned a window seat diagonally in front, sitting with Krystal Jung.

Seeing the seating arrangement, the smile on Choi Sulli's face instantly collapsed; avoiding the cameras, she looked at Liu Zijun aggrievedly.

"Why can't I sit with oppa?"

Sitting in his seat, Han Jaeran glanced at the camera and resigned himself to fate.

"Seol-ri, this was arranged by the production team for the convenience of filming. Just bear with it."

Choi Sulli pouted and walked reluctantly to her seat. After sitting down, she still looked back at Liu Zijun from time to time, her little eyes making Han Jaeran not know whether to laugh or cry.

After the plane took off smoothly, the production staff gave the cameras to the members, letting them film some content themselves.

The members shared their expectations for the New Zealand trip with the camera. Choi Sulli spoke absentmindedly, her eyes constantly drifting toward Liu Zijun.

Seeing that Krystal Jung had fallen asleep, Choi Sulli immediately got up, ran to Han Jaeran's side, and put her hands together in a pitiful expression.

"Oppa Zaeran, can you swap seats with me? I want to sit with Joon oppa for a while; I have so much to say to him."

Looking at her like this and then at Liu Zijun's helpless gaze, Han Jaeran finally compromised.

"Sigh! Fine, fine, I really give up on you. Seol-ri, try to be a bit more discreet.

Otherwise, your oppa's heart will be scared to death by you sooner or later, you know?

Remember to swap back when we start filming later."

"Thank you, Oppa Zaeran!"

Choi Sulli jumped up happily, quickly swapped seats with Han Jaeran, and plopped down next to Liu Zijun.

As soon as she sat down, she turned sideways, hugged Liu Zijun's arm tightly, and leaned her head on his shoulder. Her voice was soft, carrying a trace of imperceptible heartache: "Oppa, you've worked hard."

Liu Zijun's body stiffened slightly as he looked down at the girl leaning on his shoulder. Her short hair brushed against his neck, carrying the faint scent of shampoo.

Liu Zijun raised his hand and gently patted her back, his tone so gentle it could melt water.

"It's not hard. Being able to be with you makes it not hard at all."

Choi Sulli looked up, her eyes shimmering with tears and the tip of her nose slightly red.

"Thank you, oppa. I also want to thank you on behalf of Oppa Soomyeong! The things regarding Unnie Soyeon and the others, you did that too, right?

I know you've done a lot for us—those dangerous things, I know about all of them.

Oppa, don't do dangerous things anymore, okay? I just want you to be well."

She thought of the bloodshed at the Cloud Top Bar and touched the gunshot wound on his chest, a wave of lingering fear washing over her heart.

She knew Liu Zijun's world was full of danger, but she still selfishly hoped he could stay by her side forever, safe and sound.

Liu Zijun's entire body went stiff.

Although he hadn't intended to hide these things from Choi Sulli, the fact that this girl could guess them on her own meant she wasn't half bad!

"How did you know?"

Choi Sulli whispered, "I'm not stupid! I'm actually very smart, okay?"

She laid out her deductions one by one, making Liu Zijun unable to resist praising her: "That's about right. Our Jin-ri is truly impressive!"

"I originally planned to tell you all about JS Investment after we returned to The Peninsula, but our Jin-ri guessed it herself."

Choi Sulli snuggled closer into his embrace and asked, "Is JS using our names?"

Liu Zijun nodded and said, "Kira chose it, and I'm very satisfied with it."

Choi Sulli originally wanted to ask what kind of relationship he had with someone as perfect as Kira, but after thinking about it, she didn't ask.

Those things didn't seem important to her anymore.

Seeing her reassured gaze, Liu Zijun's heart softened, and he reached out to wipe away the tear from the corner of her eye.

"In the future, oppa will stay by your side just like this, seeing the world together."

Choi Sulli nodded vigorously, hugging his arm tightly as if she were holding the whole world.

The lights in the cabin were soft. Outside the window was a sea of clouds at ten thousand meters, white as cotton candy. Sunlight spilled through the porthole, falling on the two of them, warm and cozy.

Choi Sulli pointed out the window, her tone full of longing.

"Oppa, look at the clouds outside. They look like cotton candy."

"Once we get to New Zealand, we must go see even more beautiful scenery."

"Mhm, I'll listen to whatever you say."

Liu Zijun followed her gaze. The rolling sea of clouds was indeed spectacular.

He looked down at the girl in his arms. Her face was full of pure expectation, devoid of her former anxiety and desolation, replaced only by longing for the future.

He remembered the first time he saw her at Choi Soo-myung's funeral—that little girl in a black dress with hollow eyes.

Before, Choi Soo-myung was the beam of light in her world, the reliance she could look forward to.

But when she received that call from Lee Ryuk-hee, how desperate must she have been?

Im Yoona had told Liu Zijun later about how Choi Sulli looked when she went to his house to find him that night.

Her entire person had been completely soulless.

Every time he thought of this, Liu Zijun felt that Lee Ryuk-hee's death had been far too easy.

He then remembered her shining on stage at the Gayo Daejeon, yet still stealing glances at him.

He also remembered the days in the Huaxia Town, where she was like an ordinary girl, learning to cook with family and browsing the markets.

That Choi Sulli was the happiest and best version of herself!

Along the way, this girl had gradually found her smile again, and through this protection, he had also found his own sense of belonging.

But thinking of the detailed report sent by Dr. Klein, a shadow crept back into his heart.

She was too dependent on him, even though he was equally dependent on her now.

While this was good in a way, Liu Zijun still hoped she could have her own independent thoughts.

He wanted her to be able to hold onto hope for the world even without him.

This world is truly terrible, but it also has much beauty.

He hoped the girl in his arms could discover those beauties beyond just him.

As he thought, the idea in his heart became increasingly firm.

After chatting with him for a while, Choi Sulli gradually grew sleepy. She nuzzled her head against Liu Zijun's shoulder, found a comfortable position, and slowly closed her eyes.

Liu Zijun remained still, afraid of disturbing her sleep, his fingers gently stroking her hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

Not far away, Han Jaeran watched this scene and shook his head helplessly. He took out his phone and secretly snapped a photo, thinking that if Seol-ri saw this photo, she might treat him better in the future.

These two were just too clingy.

Meanwhile, the figure sleeping beside him quietly looked up for a moment, covered her face with the thin blanket, and tears flowed down.

The journey from Seoul to New Zealand was long. The cabin gradually fell quiet, with only the slight hum of the plane's engines.

Choi Sulli's breathing was even and steady, a faint smile on her face as if she were having a sweet dream.

Liu Zijun looked at her sleeping face, and a faint smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his own mouth.

New Zealand's sunshine, beaches, pastures, and the smile of the girl beside him constituted all his expectations for this trip.

He knew this would be an unforgettable journey, a unique memory belonging to him and Choi Sulli.