Chapter 23

Among the nine members of Girls' Generation, Park Ji-hoon was most unfamiliar with the maknae, Suhyun. Back then, a small joke had even made this little one angry, and he was then given a stern lecture by Taeyeon and the other eight. Since then, he has been very cautious and no longer dares to joke with this little one easily.

However, who would have thought, should we say "fate is capricious"? He actually has to be a couple with this little one!

In her, he saw the passage of time. When they first met, the little one was so innocent, like a big child, but now she has grown into a young woman.

Suhyun's face turned slightly red again under his gaze, and she lowered her eyelids.

"I will keep it carefully!" Park Ji-hoon slowly blinked and put away the two card-like items, saying.

"Then, can OPPA write a reply to me?" Suhyun immediately raised her head and asked softly. The little one was even better prepared than Park Ji-hoon!

"Reply? Sure." Park Ji-hoon nodded.

"I still have the stationery!" Suhyun, upon hearing this, immediately turned around and started rummaging through her backpack, not giving him a chance to object.

Park Ji-hoon couldn't help but be stunned. This was not the first time, but he really couldn't grasp this little one's thoughts at all!

Does this mean she wants him to write a reply to her now?

Sure enough, Suhyun handed over the paper and pen.

"Stone pot bibimbap is almost ready." Park Ji-hoon said after taking them, as the sizzling sound could already be heard, and the aroma of the rice was spreading.

"Then let's wait until after the meal!" Suhyun said.

Park Ji-hoon put the paper and pen aside, helped her mix the bibimbap, and then handed her the chopsticks he had used before, taking another pair for himself.

He was very considerate.

"Um—" Suhyun nodded while eating, saying, "It's very delicious!"

Park Ji-hoon smiled faintly, his eyelids slightly lowered. When Taeyeon first came here, she was not as polite as Suhyun, snatching his bibimbap!

He shook his head, dispelling the memories.

Soon, the bibimbap was finished, and a layer of hard pot rice remained in the stone pot, looking very tempting but also very hard. Park Ji-hoon called the server over, added something to the stone pot, and started steaming it.

"OPPA, what is this?" Suhyun asked curiously.

"Barley tea," Park Ji-hoon explained with a smile, "turning it into stone pot rice porridge, which is very fragrant and helps digestion."

"Oh—" Suhyun nodded solemnly, as if she had learned something significant. She was quite concerned about healthy eating.

"I'll write a reply to you." Park Ji-hoon said after wiping his mouth and hands.

"Um!" Suhyun nodded in anticipation, gradually getting into her role. Putting aside her relationship with Taeyeon, she was quite satisfied with Park Ji-hoon.

After writing, Park Ji-hoon handed the letter to her.

Suhyun took it with both hands, looked at it, and her eyes suddenly lit up. She looked up at Park Ji-hoon and said, "OPPA's handwriting is very beautiful!"

Park Ji-hoon smiled and said, "Suhyun's handwriting is also very beautiful."

Suhyun was taken aback, a flush appearing on her face, and she quickly lowered her head to read his reply.

"Phew—" The crew members couldn't help but exhale in unison. Finally, there was a bit of a couple's feeling! Before, it was completely like a brother taking care of a sister.

"To Suhyun," Suhyun read softly, "getting married when we don't know each other well is bound to be awkward. However, there's no need to worry too much; just show your true self. 'Couples' exist to accept each other's flaws. There's no need to treat OPPA as a 'husband' from the start; starting as good friends and potential spouses will be easier..." Her tone was proper, like a broadcaster.

Park Ji-hoon propped his elbow on the table, his hand supporting his chin—just like the pose Park Min-yeo often made. He looked at the steam rising from the stone pot, listening to her voice, his thoughts gradually drifting away.

It felt like a dream!

"Thank you, OPPA." After finishing, Suhyun thanked him softly. He was very considerate and caring, but didn't promise to take care of her, which would have put a lot of pressure on her. He treated her as an equal, so she was very grateful.

Park Ji-hoon then lifted his eyelids, smiled, and asked, "What do we do as a couple?"

"Um—" Suhyun pondered.

The little one's thinking face was very interesting, looking serious but with eyes that darted around like lively fish, occasionally stealing a glance at Park Ji-hoon.

Just then, Park Ji-hoon was looking straight at her, and seeing her cute and mischievous side, he couldn't help but smile faintly.

It was the first time he had smiled without any burden—his pressure was even greater than Suhyun's!

"Ah!" After a brief glance, Suhyun suddenly thought of something, lightly clapped her hands, and took out her wallet, saying, "Exchange photos!"

Park Ji-hoon was slightly stunned, then slowly took out his wallet. Fortunately, the production team had given him a heads-up; otherwise, he wouldn't have had any solo photos in his wallet.

"OPPA, here!" Suhyun handed over her photo with both hands.

After exchanging, Park Ji-hoon looked at it. It was a photo taken during a performance, with a pair of small angel wings on her back. Most uniquely, there was a quote written below the photo: "At the moment when one feels the impulse to fly in the sky, who would still walk slowly?"

"Is this a quote by Helen Keller?" He read it softly and asked.

"OPPA knows too?" Suhyun suddenly looked up, surprised and delighted, her eyes showing a bit of admiration. She could guarantee that she had never mentioned this quote to him before, but he could instantly recognize its source, so his previous words weren't just boasting!

"Since I said it, what do you think?" Park Ji-hoon asked with a smile.

Suhyun stuck out her tongue and lightly tapped her head.

Park Ji-hoon was slightly stunned, not knowing she had such a lively side. After a pause, he said, "Let's exchange phone numbers." Since they were now "couples," he couldn't keep her number on the blacklist anymore.

Suhyun, upon hearing this, pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with dissatisfaction—though she had never called him, having her number on his blacklist was not something easily forgivable!

"Sorry." Park Ji-hoon said softly while fiddling with his phone. It was very light, and the VJ and others nearby could probably only hear the sound but not the words.

Suhyun then took out her phone and pretended to write down his number.

After exchanging, Park Ji-hoon lifted the lid of the pot and served Suhyun a bowl of pot rice porridge. A rich aroma spread, and even the crew members nearby couldn't help but sniff.

"Very fragrant!" Suhyun suppressed her dissatisfaction and praised softly. The fragrance was one thing, but more importantly, it was healthy.

"Call me whenever you want to eat it." Park Ji-hoon said, then paused and added, "I'll give you my address."

Suhyun felt a strange sensation—how he used to run to their dormitory so often, but now he was actively avoiding it!

"Eat more, it's cold outside." Park Ji-hoon changed the subject.

"Um! Thank you, OPPA." Suhyun thanked him softly.

It was very delicious, with the unique aroma of grains, and even before finishing, a warm feeling spread throughout her body, and a light layer of sweat appeared on her temples.

After finishing, just as she was about to wipe the sweat with a tissue, Park Ji-hoon suddenly handed her a clean handkerchief—like the kind used in the past, now gradually replaced by tissues.

"I haven't used it today." Park Ji-hoon said.

"Thank you." Suhyun thanked him and took it. The handkerchief was very clean, plain white, with a faint lavender scent. However, how could a man like him carry a handkerchief? She had never seen him do so before!

"Um." Park Ji-hoon nodded without saying "you're welcome" or similar words. That would have made this little one feel awkward.

Suhyun wiped the sweat, hesitated, and wondered if she should wash the handkerchief before returning it—his temples also had sweat.

"Give it to me." Park Ji-hoon seemed to see her hesitation and reached out to take it, then used the other side to wipe the sweat.

Suhyun looked at his hand again.

"Let's go buy engagement gifts." Park Ji-hoon, though aware of her gaze, did not deliberately avoid it.

"Ah!" Suhyun lightly exclaimed and nodded with a slightly red face.

After settling the bill, Park Ji-hoon took her to a nearby store.

They first bought a pair of silver rings, and then Suhyun picked out a pair of couple's cotton socks and a pair of couple's cups at the department store. She originally wanted to help pay for Park Ji-hoon, but was refused. She had also heard about Park Ji-hoon's crazy schedule, thinking he might be facing some difficulties in life.

What a kind little one.

Unconsciously, four hours had passed.

Apart from her schedule, this was the first time Suhyun had come home so late! Strangely, she didn't feel too much discomfort.

"Thank you, OPPA." After returning to the dormitory building, Suhyun bowed slightly to Park Ji-hoon.

"Um." Park Ji-hoon smiled and lifted his left hand, wearing the new ring.

Suhyun, seeing this, also lifted her left hand, with a new ring on her ring finger.

Park Ji-hoon gently patted her palm and said, "Wear it often!"

"OPPA should too!" Suhyun said solemnly. It was a novel feeling, though it was for the show, she tried to follow the standards.

Park Ji-hoon nodded, watched her enter the dormitory building and disappear, then turned to leave.

It was around 4:30 AM, with only about two hours of rest left.

...

After returning to the dormitory, Suhyun suddenly noticed that the living room light was on.

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