Chapter 40

How could I not know that today is Park Ji-hoon's birthday?

However, S.M. Entertainment had arranged many activities for Taeyeon, and it wasn't until 11 PM that she finished. Then, together with Tiffany, she hurried to the apartment building where they had met him last time.

Tiffany also felt very guilty for wrongly blaming Park Ji-hoon. Although she had already called him once, she still wanted to make it up to him properly on his birthday. So, she came with Taeyeon.

After arriving at the building, Taeyeon called Park Ji-hoon, fearing that he might refuse.

Not long after, Park Ji-hoon appeared.

"OPPA!" Taeyeon and Tiffany hurriedly went up to him.

"Hmm." Park Ji-hoon responded softly, then looked at the two, who were still in their stage makeup, and said, "It's so late, you didn't have to come. Didn't you already send a text?"

"It's fine, it's not that late yet." When Taeyeon saw him, her expression clearly wavered for a moment, then she forced down her emotions, raised the cake in her hand, and said, "I bought you a birthday cake." She smiled lightly as she spoke.

Tiffany moved her lips, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to speak. How could he have changed so much in such a short time?

Not just his demeanor, but his physique and appearance as well! He wasn't thinner or more haggard, but much more muscular.

"Thank you." Park Ji-hoon nodded lightly in gratitude, then reached out to take the cake from Taeyeon and the gift boxes from both of them, saying, "Let's go inside." It was cold outside, and it wouldn't be good if they were seen.

Although he thanked them, compared to before, there was a hint of unfamiliarity, which made Taeyeon unconsciously bite her lip.

Tiffany's shoulders also trembled slightly.

After entering the elevator, the three of them didn't speak, and the atmosphere became somewhat stiff.

Park Ji-hoon's mood wasn't as calm as he appeared. Taeyeon's right hand was lightly touching his left hand, a cautious gesture that made him feel heartache.

He had an impulse to hold her cool little hand, but he forced it down.

Tiffany, standing behind the two, saw Taeyeon's small gesture and realized how deep the rift between them was! If it were in the past...

At this moment, the elevator arrived, and Park Ji-hoon stepped out first.

The sudden bright light made Taeyeon and Tiffany squint their eyes.

"Tap, tap, tap..." In the quiet corridor, the sound of footsteps was particularly clear. They then noticed that Park Ji-hoon was wearing slippers. Was he in too much of a hurry to go down?

Soon, Park Ji-hoon stopped.

Taeyeon and Tiffany's spirits tightened; they were about to meet his family.

"Come in." After opening the door, Park Ji-hoon finally spoke, "Sorry, we don't have extra slippers."

"It's fine." Taeyeon and Tiffany said in unison.

As they spoke, footsteps sounded, and they both looked over.

Uh!

The person in front wasn't surprising, but the one slightly behind was Krystal?

"This is my sister, Park Min-ah." Park Ji-hoon introduced, "Min-ah, this is Taeyeon, this is Tiffany, call them 'unnie.' You know Krystal."

"Welcome." Park Min-ah bowed slightly.

"Unnie Taeyeon, Unnie Tiffany." Krystal also bowed in greeting.

"Hello, we're sorry to intrude." Taeyeon and Tiffany bowed in return, greeted Krystal, and suppressed their unease. They already knew about Krystal's relationship with him, but seeing it in person still made them feel a bit sour.

Moreover, his sister was so beautiful! She had more charm than in photos, especially in casual home clothes, with a cute bob and two little tiger teeth showing when she smiled, forming a stark contrast to the image they had in their minds.

Park Min-ah was also observing the two, or rather, observing Taeyeon.

Her first impression was that Taeyeon was petite and delicate, the type that men want to protect.

She wasn't very satisfied. The future sister-in-law she expected should at least be as good as her, capable of taking good care of Park Ji-hoon. However, the fact that Taeyeon hadn't given up and was now pursuing Park Ji-hoon added many points in her favor.

Only in times of adversity do you know who is a worried fool and who is a distant scoundrel. Park Ji-hoon's everything, she knew well. He had a wide circle of acquaintances, but the ones he truly mentioned were only a dozen or so, with most being the nine members of Girls' Generation—after that day, Jessica and others had sent messages to encourage Park Ji-hoon.

"Come in." Park Ji-hoon said lightly, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

After entering the room, Taeyeon and Tiffany understood why Park Ji-hoon worked so hard. However, they didn't know that Park Ji-hoon had bought this house to make dating Taeyeon more convenient and to prove his ability to her.

That's why Park Ji-hoon was so indifferent when Taeyeon arrived—hiding his true feelings.

"Smells good!"

They immediately saw the table full of dishes, fragrant and homemade. It must have been Park Min-ah who cooked!

Both of them simultaneously thought of Yoo Ri's evaluation of the aunt—perfect woman!

Immediately, Taeyeon felt a faint sense of inferiority, becoming even more silent. Park Ji-hoon hadn't introduced Park Min-ah to her in much detail.

Park Ji-hoon silently took their coats and put them away.

Park Min-ah led the two to wash their hands.

The brother and sister worked in perfect harmony.

Park Ji-hoon ultimately chose the cake made by Park Min-ah. There were three cakes in total: one made by Park Min-ah, one brought by Krystal, and one brought by Taeyeon and Tiffany.

Blowing out the candles, making wishes, and singing the birthday song.

It should have been a lively and joyful occasion, but for some reason, a heavy atmosphere hung over everything.

Taeyeon and Tiffany had planned how to celebrate Park Ji-hoon's birthday, but now they felt completely overshadowed by Park Min-ah. Watching her arrange everything for Park Ji-hoon, even Krystal seemed closer to him. In the end, they just attended the birthday party like they were at an event, gave Park Ji-hoon their gifts, and left.

It was Park Ji-hoon who suggested it.

"Since you're busy with activities, don't stay too long. Krystal, I'll take you back."

He took a taxi and dropped the three of them off at their dorms and homes.

To avoid being photographed again, Park Ji-hoon didn't get out of the car, just watched Taeyeon and Tiffany enter the dorm building before telling the driver to leave.

Taeyeon's mood was somewhat low.

Being a spectator at the birthday party of the man she liked was a terrible feeling! Last year at this time, she was the main character, even able to make Park Ji-hoon obediently put his face forward for her to "paint" with cake!

"Thank you, Tiffany, get some rest." After returning to the dorm in a daze, she barely controlled her emotions and said to Tiffany.

"Taeyeon..." Tiffany wanted to comfort her but didn't know how to start, feeling sour and uncomfortable herself!

"I'm fine." Taeyeon smiled and said, "He's thinking of me. Our relationship can't be discovered now, it wouldn't be good for Girls' Generation or him."

"Okay." Tiffany could only believe her explanation, then washed up and went to bed.

No matter what, life and work must continue. Park Ji-hoon didn't want to give up, and Girls' Generation was equally important. It wasn't yet time to make a choice between the two.

Actually, some of Taeyeon's loyal fans—those who had followed her since 2008—knew about her relationship with Park Ji-hoon. They had gone from strongly opposing it to tacitly accepting and blessing it, without publicizing it.

Now, she feared that the company would publicize her relationship with Park Ji-hoon and force them to break up. They were already in a semi-breakup state, and if this happened, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold on.

She had nightmares and woke up once in fright.

On the other side, Park Ji-hoon returned home and found the living room already cleaned. Park Min-ah was sitting on the sofa watching TV, and it just happened to be a variety show he was in.

On the screen, he was wearing a bulky mascot costume and being teased by the MCs.

It wasn't too bad.

However, Park Min-ah's face showed no smile, her lips pressed into a straight line, her brows slightly furrowed. Her eyebrows, which were already strong and sword-like, were now even straighter and more sharply raised, like two sharp swords.

She used to laugh at such variety shows, but when it happened to someone she liked and cared about, she only felt heartache and anger!

"It's just a show." Park Ji-hoon walked over, reached out, and gently pinched her nose, saying. He had always liked pinching her nose, making her often say that her straight nose was due to his pinching!

"Hmm." Park Min-ah responded softly, slowly turned her head, and when she faced him, she was smiling. However, her eyes were searching his lips and cheeks for something.

"Where did all these thoughts come from?" Park Ji-hoon said with a mix of laughter and scolding. Of course, he knew what she was looking for!

"Is Brother really not going to continue dating that unnie?" Park Min-ah stuck out her tongue and suddenly asked.

"I don't know." Park Ji-hoon sat down next to her, sighed, and said softly, pausing before adding, "I don't want to be distracted by other things now." Whether it was male pride or the lingering effects of his trauma, he had no intention of dating anyone during this period.

"Okay." Park Min-ah didn't press further, telling him, "Unnie Taeyeon gave you a belt, Unnie Tiffany gave you a pair of shoes, and Krystal gave you a belt too."

Park Ji-hoon looked down at his belt; it wasn't broken!

"Outdated!" Park Min-ah said, "These two belts are this year's popular styles."

"Okay." Park Ji-hoon scratched his head. He didn't care much about such things, and even if he had time, he would focus on studying acting and various professional knowledge, as he had for the past five years.

"Ha!" Park Min-ah laughed lightly, pulled his hand down, and scolded, "Don't make such a childish gesture!"

"I wouldn't do that in front of others." Park Ji-hoon said.

"Okay." Park Min-ah smiled beautifully and asked, "Guess what my gift is?"

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