Chapter 36

"Here's a Korean medicine to replenish your energy!" Xu Xian said, "It's from Unnie Tae Yeon." The staff, upon hearing this, thought Tae Yeon was either teasing Park Ji Hoon or teaching Xu Xian how to take care of a man.

However, it sounded different to Park Ji Hoon.

After pursing his lips, he still tilted his head back and drank the bag of Korean medicine.

"Hmm—" Xu Xian even clapped for him gently, as if she were a kindergarten teacher praising a child!

Park Ji Hoon smiled.

"I have bananas too!" Seeing this, Xu Xian, as if performing a magic trick, took out a lunch box from her backpack, which contained bananas and other fruits.

Park Ji Hoon obediently ate them.

"Breakfast is a must!" Xu Xian said while watching him eat the banana.

"I've already had breakfast!" Park Ji Hoon said, almost on the verge of tears.

"Ah!" Xu Xian exclaimed softly.

"But, eating another banana isn't bad either," Park Ji Hoon quickly added.

"Hmm—" Xu Xian nodded slowly, again showing that kindergarten teacher-like expression.

The more they interacted, the more he found her character to be amazing.

It was clear that she was trying her best to do well in the show and to present her true self. Her cautious demeanor was like that of a child who had gone astray and was now trying to get back on the right path, being very sensitive to the gazes around her.

At this moment, what she needed most was affirmation and praise.

So, Park Ji Hoon cooperated, making a "I'm very well-behaved" face.

"Ha!" Xu Xian couldn't help but laugh lightly, and her tense mood relaxed a lot. Although she was a bit happy thinking about meeting him, it was because of the library and the study room. After seeing him, she was still a bit nervous. But now, it was much better.

"Can I touch your hair?" After she finished laughing, Park Ji Hoon asked at the right moment.

"Why?" Xu Xian turned her head to look into his eyes and asked.

"I've always wanted to," Park Ji Hoon explained, "It's so straight and smooth, it makes me want to touch it."

"Hmm—" Xu Xian, after a slight pause, nodded and said, "Sure!"

"Thank you!" Park Ji Hoon said, mimicking her tone, which made her laugh again, before gently grabbing a strand of her hair.

It felt like the finest silk, smooth and soft, with a very good texture!

And it carried a faint fragrance.

Park Ji Hoon didn't hold back with his praise.

The compliments made Xu Xian blush slightly. However, she was very particular about her hair, and Park Ji Hoon's praise felt like a soft feather tickling her heart, making her feel both ticklish and very pleased.

Usually, when she was with her eight older sisters, she heard the most "well-behaved." This kind of praise was new to her, but she didn't dislike it at all.

So, she didn't mind Park Ji Hoon playing with her hair.

They chatted and laughed all the way to the library.

The familiar, solemn atmosphere made Xu Xian feel even more relaxed, and she immediately headed to the "self-improvement" section.

Park Ji Hoon suddenly transformed into a "listener," quietly following behind her and listening attentively to her introductions—though he understood some things better than she did.

Of course, he would nod in agreement and exclaim in surprise from time to time.

Xu Xian's enthusiasm grew, as if she had found a kindred spirit, and she spoke several times more than before! The previous care had only made her less nervous, but now she was truly happy.

"OPPA, do you have any books you'd recommend to me?" After selecting the basic books she liked, Xu Xian suddenly turned to Park Ji Hoon and asked.

"Oh." Park Ji Hoon responded, seemingly picking up a book at random and handing it to her, saying, "This one is pretty good."

Xu Xian took it with some surprise. He didn't seem like the type to be perfunctory, had he been observing all along?

"Whatever Life You Choose, I Will Cheer for You," by... Park Min Ya? The same person, or just a coincidence?

She glanced at Park Ji Hoon in surprise before flipping through the book.

A collection of essays!

Hmm? It seemed to be written in a motherly tone! She glanced at Park Ji Hoon in surprise again.

Chapter One: Find a Man Who Is Good at Breaking Up.

"Even a trivial insult should not be easily spoken."

"If life is compared to a road, it often presents itself as an uphill climb."

Without time to read more, she glanced at the table of contents.

Once thought to be love; praise like a whisper, criticism like a thunderclap... This didn't seem like the work of a high school student.

"OPPA, what is the theme of this book?" After reading the introduction, she suddenly turned to Park Ji Hoon and asked.

"About love, friendship, career, life... What is the meaning of life? Why should we live happily? What constitutes a happy life? It's about these things, a very warm book," Park Ji Hoon said with a faint smile.

Xu Xian's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "I'll choose this one!" It seemed he had really read it, and it matched her preferences. However, she became even more suspicious—was it the same person?

Park Ji Hoon nodded lightly.

"This is a book I really like!"

"This one I've wanted to read for a long time!"

Before she knew it, Park Ji Hoon had accumulated six books, and Xu Xian was still picking out the seventh.

Wandering in the sea of knowledge is usually just a description in books, and out of a hundred people, ninety-nine would scoff, and the last one would be indifferent. But this little girl was a true embodiment of the phrase.

Her face was filled with happiness!

Xu Xian bent down slightly to browse the book titles, and just as she was about to habitually brush her long hair away, a hand beat her to it. Like a startled deer, she straightened up abruptly, and a blush spread across her face like the morning sun.

It was the first time she had been so close to a man!

"I see you often brush your hair like that," Park Ji Hoon said, gesturing and smiling.

"Oh." Xu Xian responded softly, and seeing his clear eyes, she gradually relaxed—her innocent nature made her very sensitive to others' intentions. In his eyes, she saw no ulterior motives, just like when he had taken care of her before, making her feel no pretense.

"Is that enough?" Park Ji Hoon pointed to the stack of books and asked.

"Ah! Sorry." Xu Xian realized and said hurriedly, "I haven't been here in a long time, so I accidentally bought too many."

"It's okay." Park Ji Hoon smiled.

"I'll pay for them myself!" Xu Xian said.

"I can afford this much," Park Ji Hoon said with a smile.

"Thank you, OPPA." Xu Xian didn't insist. She had heard her sisters talk about "men's self-esteem" yesterday; was this it?

After they paid, Park Ji Hoon, under Xu Xian's persistent gaze, bought a few SNSD cards before leaving the library.

"Is it convenient for you, OPPA?" As soon as they stepped outside, Xu Xian asked eagerly.

"Are you really going?" Park Ji Hoon suddenly looked at her seriously and asked.

"Is it inconvenient?" Xu Xian's face was full of innocence.

"No." Park Ji Hoon shook his head and said, "Let's go." He realized he had underestimated her innocence and seriousness. Although she was shy, her eyes were more curious, and it seemed she really wanted to see his study.

They took the bus to the apartment building.

Looking at the apartment building, Xu Xian suddenly understood why he had been so determined.

After asking the staff not to film any obvious signs, Park Ji Hoon led the group to his home.

He wasn't very willing to reveal his home, but he couldn't help it. He was still "haunted" by Xu Xian and didn't want to be labeled as "unreliable."

At the door, Xu Xian blinked her eyes. She was a bit nervous and hopeful, wondering if she would meet the genius sister.

"I just moved in, so the furniture isn't very complete," Park Ji Hoon explained as he led everyone in.

It was very spacious!

The living room was mainly furnished with a sofa, a coffee table, and a TV.

However, everything was clean and tidy, but not sterile. Xu Xian couldn't help but look around, a bit disappointed that she didn't see the genius, whose presence was only noticeable if you knew about it beforehand.

"Sit down," Park Ji Hoon invited Xu Xian, then poured her a cup of hot water.

"Thank you." After thanking him, Xu Xian asked, "OPPA, where's the cup you bought last time?" Her bright eyes carried a hint of inquiry.

"It's on the desk in the bedroom," Park Ji Hoon said.

"Hmm—" Xu Xian nodded, showing that expression again.

"You're not wearing the socks we bought last time!" Park Ji Hoon asked in return.

"That's the only pair, and I washed them last night..." Xu Xian said.

"Didn't they dry overnight?" Park Ji Hoon asked skeptically.

"I don't know which sister took them!" Xu Xian said with a hint of helplessness, "They were gone when I woke up."

Park Ji Hoon was speechless. This little girl wasn't the type to lie. But, did they even mix up their socks?

"Can you show me your study now?" After sitting for a while, Xu Xian asked proactively.

"My study is my bedroom," Park Ji Hoon nodded and said. He preferred to keep his books where he could easily reach them, rather than in a separate study.

Xu Xian nodded, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Wow—" Following him into the bedroom, her eyes lit up in amazement.

There were really a lot of books!

The bedroom was larger than average, with no elaborate decorations. There was a bed, a desk, a potted plant, and a bookshelf taller than a person, almost filled with books!

"Have you read all these, OPPA?" Xu Xian asked in amazement, walking up to the bookshelf and looking at it curiously.

"Most of them," Park Ji Hoon smiled and answered.

"Hmm—" Xu Xian nodded in satisfaction. It seemed she had found a common language with him, and she instantly added two more "sweet potatoes" to her mental tally!

She tilted her head, a bit coquettishly, and asked, "Can I take one down to look at?"

"Of course," Park Ji Hoon nodded.

"Thank you, OPPA!" Xu Xian thanked him and eagerly started browsing.