Chapter 76: 'I Love You' Game

[Thank you for the support from 'Yun Hai Yi Ying' and 'yzy252625'!]

"It's a good thing I don't have to join the military; serving in the army in South Korea is really a painful thing..." Li Shenxing said with relief.

Men between the ages of 20 and 30 are required to serve in the military. The length of service varies by branch, but even the shortest term is 24 months. South Korea has a conscription system for men. The service periods for the different branches of the South Korean military are: 24 months for the Army and Marine Corps, 26 months for the Navy, and 28 months for the Air Force. Conscientious objectors are sentenced to prison. Those who fail the physical examination, have exceptional athletic or academic achievements, or have obtained permanent residency abroad and have not stayed in the country for more than a year can be exempted from military service.

If one goes to university, they usually take a leave of absence after their second year to serve for two years, then return to complete their studies. Some choose to pursue a master's degree after graduation, but they must still serve after completing their studies. Only those with serious illnesses or who have made significant contributions to the country may be exempted from service. The training and daily life during service are extremely arduous, and the monthly allowance is only about 180 RMB.

Military service is not just a legal obligation; most people choose to serve voluntarily. South Korean men must undergo a physical examination for military service when they turn 19 (not a physical fitness test). They are then classified into different categories (similar to the old Japanese conscription system, which divided people into three categories: A, B, and C) and notified of their service.

Li Shenxing has British nationality, the same as his father. His stepmother also didn't want him to serve, as she didn't want her son to suffer.

Liu Zaishi has already served, but he also found it a bitter experience. Otherwise, why would there be so many cases of military suicides and draft dodgers in the South Korean military! For male artists in the entertainment industry, serving is something they do only when absolutely necessary. South Korea is too small, and the entertainment industry develops too quickly. If an artist is not frequently in the public eye, they can easily be forgotten. Military service can be a significant blow to a male artist's career.

"Brother Jonggu hasn't called me yet, what a heartless guy," Li Shenxing complained.

"I think he's just holding his breath, trying to achieve something first," Liu Zaishi said.

"We're all brothers, does it really matter?" Li Shenxing pouted, feeling somewhat annoyed.

"Let it go, he has his own thoughts. Besides, you went on your honeymoon, didn't you?" Liu Zaishi patted Li Shenxing's shoulder to comfort him.

Liu Zaishi changed the subject, and the group in the car started talking about other things until the staff found them to continue filming.

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After the filming resumed, everyone sat cross-legged on the mats in a clockwise order: Liu Zaishi, Lee Hyori, Li Shenxing, Daesung, Kim Soo-ro, Yoon Jong-shin, Lee Tae-hi, Park Yijin, and Kim Dong-wan.

"On such a night, it would be a pity to let it pass. So I've prepared a game, a game filled with love, the 'I Love You' game," Liu Zaishi explained the game.

"We've already spent a day together as a family. Through this game, we can express our love to each other..."

"No," Li Shenxing interrupted Liu Zaishi, "If we're a family, shouldn't we drop the formal language? It feels too stiff to use formal language among family."

Hyori also chimed in, "We're a family, but we still can't drop the formal language."

The atmosphere among everyone was still a bit awkward.

"Has everyone had their fill...?" Liu Zaishi tried to change the topic.

"Hey!" Hyori interrupted him before he could finish, "Brother, continue explaining the rules of the 'I Love You' game, don't change the subject."

"Here we go again, the quick and decisive Hyori-style hosting. It's not like this when I'm not around," Liu Zaishi complained.

"The rules are simple: say 'I love you' to the person next to you. The response can be 'I love you' or 'Huh?' If you blush or laugh, you have to accept the punishment from the person next to you."

Hyori said, "This is not in my favor."

"Why?" Liu Zaishi asked.

"Because Brother Zaishi is sitting next to me!"

"What are you talking about, it's not in my favor either."

"Being accepted by Brother would be hilarious."

"Hey!" Liu Zaishi wouldn't admit to that.

"By the way, when the show airs, Brother Zaishi's family will also watch. So, is it okay to confess to someone else now?"

"It's fine, it's just a game! Don't worry about me. Shenxing is here watching you, so what will you say?" Liu Zaishi countered.

"He, he is already mine," Hyori said with a hint of pride.

Li Shenxing smiled at her, not caring, as Liu Zaishi said, it's just a game.

"Let's start."

"Do you accept or not, the 'I Love You' game."

First, Liu Zaishi was the first to confess.

Liu Zaishi turned to Hyori, looking at her sincerely.

Hyori's lips twitched, but she held back.

"I love you."

"Ha ha ha!" Hyori burst out laughing.

"Ha ha ha..."

"Hey, that was too quick, too easy," Liu Zaishi said smugly.

"Please change my seat," Hyori said, indicating that the scene was too beautiful to watch.

"Zaishi's face is a weapon," Yoon Jong-shin quickly added.

"What are you talking about!" Liu Zaishi disagreed.

"Isn't it? Otherwise, say 'I love you' to me."

"This, this is a bit... awkward!"

"This is just a practice game. From the next round, the loser will be punished by being flicked on the forehead by the people on both sides."

"This time, let's start for real."

After shouting the slogan, Liu Zaishi started again.

Liu Zaishi took a deep breath and said sincerely to Hyori, "I love you!"

Hyori tightly closed her mouth, then turned to Li Shenxing, "I love you!"

"Huh?" Li Shenxing raised his eyebrows, not accepting it.

"I, love, you!" Hyori said again, staring at him.

"Huh?" Li Shenxing playfully blinked, still not accepting it.

Hyori steadied herself and turned back to Liu Zaishi, "I love you!"

Liu Zaishi turned around expressionlessly and said to Kim Dong-wan, "I really, really love you~!"

Kim Dong-wan felt a thousand grass mud horses galloping through his mind.

His lips twitched, and he quickly turned to Park Yijin, unwilling to face the face that made him feel uncomfortable.

Before Kim Dong-wan could say anything, Park Yijin glanced at him and burst out laughing.

"You haven't even said 'I love you,' why are you laughing?" Hyori asked.

"Right, Kim Dong-wan hasn't done anything yet!" Liu Zaishi also laughed.

Park Yijin, still laughing, defended herself, "When Brother Zaishi did it, his expression was so funny, I couldn't help it."

So, what Yoon Jong-shin said was right, Liu Zaishi's face is a weapon!

"Anyway, Yijin lost, so she has to accept the punishment. She needs to be loud and use force, no favoritism."

Park Yijin pushed back her bangs, revealing her smooth forehead.

Kim Dong-wan extended his right hand, bent his index finger, and lightly flicked her forehead.

Park Yijin sighed in relief, feeling lucky that Kim Dong-wan was a gentleman, when she heard Lee Tae-hi say, "That was too weak~!"

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