Chapter 16

PARK Ji-hoon's chopsticks paused, and he said, "What's there to look forward to? It's just a show."

"That's what you say, but I'm still excited!" PARK Min-ya said, "I can imagine, my brother will definitely take good care of the other person!" Her words carried a hint of jealousy.

"Are you jealous?" PARK Ji-hoon asked with a smile.

"Of course not!" PARK Min-ya's face turned slightly red as she hurriedly denied it.

"It's just a performance on the show. Once the cameras are off, everyone goes their separate ways. How can it be as close as with a sister?" PARK Ji-hoon said with a smile.

PARK Min-ya lifted her chopsticks and added a piece of egg to his bowl.

"Hehe..." PARK Ji-hoon couldn't help but chuckle, "You say you're not jealous!"

The two were discussing another variety show he was participating in, MBC's "We Got Married." This was a reality show where celebrities pretended to be married, and it was quite popular. Like "Family Outing," he was introduced to the show by the PD. Although he mostly played supporting roles in his previous works, his reputation as a "golden supporting actor" was not low, thanks to media hype. The 2009 drama "Prince Who Turned into a Beggar" had low ratings but was quite a topic of discussion.

Coincidentally, the "We Got Married" production team was also looking for a popular actor to join, and both sides agreed—most lead actors were unlikely to participate in such a show.

The production team did a good job keeping things confidential. Not only was there no news from the outside, but PARK Ji-hoon didn't even know who the female partner would be, let alone have any good feelings. Moreover, because TAEYeon had once participated in "We Got Married," he had a natural coldness towards the female participants—though not hatred, just a lack of interest.

That's why he was acting indifferent.

"Brother!" PARK Min-ya suddenly leaned forward, her face full of curiosity, and asked, "Aren't you at all curious about who the other person is?" She was very curious, so how could PARK Ji-hoon, the one involved, be indifferent?

PARK Ji-hoon shook his head lightly.

PARK Min-ya bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Do you still like her that much?" The "her" naturally referred to TAEYeon.

PARK Ji-hoon's body stiffened slightly, and he slowly said, "I just haven't fully recovered yet." He didn't directly deny it. Their conflict had come suddenly, and even though it was intense, it was hard to erase the two years of feelings they had shared.

"Okay." PARK Min-ya didn't press further; one word, one reaction, was enough.

"Let's eat, no more talk about this," PARK Ji-hoon smiled and said, "We'll know who it is in a few days." Today was New Year's Day, and it was a celebration for her, so he wanted her to be happy.

PARK Min-ya nodded but still looked worried.

Seeing this, PARK Ji-hoon couldn't help but pick up a piece of something and put it directly in her mouth.

PARK Min-ya didn't even see what it was, instinctively opened her mouth, and then her face instantly turned sour. Her mouth froze after one chew, and she glared at PARK Ji-hoon, puffed up with anger.

She wasn't picky, but there was one thing she couldn't eat for some reason!

Coriander!

PARK Ji-hoon, of course, knew this, or he wouldn't have deliberately put it in her mouth.

"If you don't want to eat it, spit it out," PARK Ji-hoon said, feeling a bit guilty when he saw her staring at him with her mouth slightly open. He had been tempted to tease her just now, but now he felt a bit sorry for her.

Unexpectedly, PARK Min-ya's annoyed expression suddenly disappeared. She moved her mouth and actually swallowed the piece of coriander!

PARK Ji-hoon was taken aback by her surprise.

"I still like it when you act like you did when we were kids," PARK Min-ya said after eating the coriander and drinking some juice to clear the taste from her mouth.

When they were kids, PARK Ji-hoon's personality wasn't like this; he often teased her! After their mother passed away, he suddenly became gentle, and then, after dropping out of the college entrance exam, serving in the military, and having a falling out with his father, he became even better to her!

Although this was the case, she could sense the deep suppression in PARK Ji-hoon's heart, and it made her feel a bit heartache. So, every time she saw him act lively, she would be very happy.

Lowering her eyelids, as if just talking to herself, PARK Ji-hoon couldn't help but feel a gentle warmth and smiled, asking, "Do you like it when I tease you like when we were kids?"

"Uh-huh!" Although it was a joke, PARK Min-ya suddenly looked up and nodded seriously. Her heart was already at peace, and she hoped his heart could also be at peace soon!

"I understand," PARK Ji-hoon smiled and said. His eyes flickered, but it was unclear what he "understood."

PARK Min-ya's lips curled slightly, revealing a "cute" smile. She picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of rib, and put it in his mouth, saying, "It's almost cold, brother, eat quickly!"

"Mmm..." PARK Ji-hoon mumbled a few times and then hurriedly lowered his head to deal with the rib in his mouth.

PARK Min-ya propped her right hand on the table, her hand supporting her chin, and watched him with a smile. At home, they were more relaxed.

Every time she saw him enjoy the food she made, she felt a small sense of satisfaction.

"Done!" PARK Ji-hoon finally finished eating and put down his chopsticks.

PARK Min-ya stood up and started clearing the table. PARK Ji-hoon helped her, which he could do.

The table was quickly cleaned, and they washed the dishes together before returning to the living room.

"Is there anywhere you want to go? I won't go to the boxing gym this afternoon, let's go out together," PARK Ji-hoon said with a smile.

PARK Min-ya's eyes lit up, but she then shook her head and said, "There's nowhere I want to go!" She had many places she wanted to go, but it wasn't because of money that she refused. Although they were in a tight situation, she knew that life needed seasoning to be exciting. She was afraid of affecting PARK Ji-hoon!

Unlike the last time, after that report, her popularity was now higher than PARK Ji-hoon's. If they went out together and were photographed, it would be troublesome.

For now, she didn't want to reveal their relationship. One reason was to motivate him, and the other was to continue being his fan.

"Really?" PARK Ji-hoon asked with a light laugh, his eyes red but still smiling.

"Really!" PARK Min-ya saw his red eyes but his relaxed smile and couldn't help but pat his shoulder, saying, "Lie down!"

As a routine, she massaged him every day to relieve his fatigue.

PARK Ji-hoon didn't say anything more and obediently lay on the sofa. This was good; he usually didn't have time to chat with her, so now he could make up for it.

Her small hands began to massage his shoulders. With more practice, PARK Min-ya's technique and pressure control became more proficient.

It felt soft and very comfortable.

"Is there no boy chasing our Min-ya?" PARK Ji-hoon asked to keep himself awake.

"If I say no, will you believe me?" PARK Min-ya said with a smile.

"Of course not!" PARK Ji-hoon said, "Our Min-ya is so beautiful, has good grades, and is so gentle..."

"There really isn't!" PARK Min-ya interrupted him.

"Really?" PARK Ji-hoon paused and then asked, disbelieving.

"Really!" PARK Min-ya said firmly.

"Are those boys blind?" PARK Ji-hoon said, quite unhappy.

"Do you want me to get married so much?" PARK Min-ya reached out and slapped his back hard, saying angrily.

"Just dating, not getting married," PARK Ji-hoon said, grinning.

"My feelings are very serious!" PARK Min-ya said, very seriously.

"Uh-huh." PARK Ji-hoon didn't say anything more. He couldn't even handle his own feelings, so what right did he have to teach her?

Sensing his low mood, PARK Min-ya pursed her lips and added, "At school, I'm not gentle at all!"

"Are you violent?" PARK Ji-hoon asked with a smile.

"I'm not like you..." PARK Min-ya started to say, then quickly stopped and changed her words, "Classmates say I'm a bit cold!"

She wanted to mention PARK Ji-hoon's childhood, but then thought of the recent events and quickly stopped. PARK Ji-hoon lived with his father when he was young, and his father was an alcoholic with a bad temper. How could a child be well-behaved? She had heard from neighbors that PARK Ji-hoon was the "fighting king" in elementary school!

"Cold?" PARK Ji-hoon smiled, finding it hard to imagine her as "cold."

"Not that kind of cold! It's just that classmates say I'm hard to approach," PARK Min-ya explained.

"Oh." PARK Ji-hoon understood. There was this reason, and another reason might be self-consciousness.

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard PARK Min-ya's heavy breathing and said, "That's enough! You don't need to keep massaging." Massaging was a tiring task, and she was a small girl, so she would naturally get tired more easily.

"Next time, if you take off your clothes, it won't be so tiring!" PARK Min-ya didn't stop but pouted and said, "With all these clothes on, it's very tiring!"

"Relaxing a bit is enough," PARK Ji-hoon said with a smile.

"Uh-huh!" PARK Min-ya gritted her teeth and massaged him for a while longer before finally giving up, panting and lying on him, her arms hanging limply at her sides.

"I'll buy another sofa when I have time," PARK Ji-hoon said.

"Do you hate me like this?" PARK Min-ya's voice rose, asking.

"Not at all..." PARK Ji-hoon said with a bitter smile.

"Then why buy another sofa? There are just the two of us, one sofa is enough!" PARK Min-ya interrupted him.

"Okay, I won't buy one," PARK Ji-hoon quickly gave up.

"I handle the outside, you handle the inside!" PARK Min-ya said strongly.

"Okay—" PARK Ji-hoon laughed in response. Does this little one know what this phrase is used to describe?