Chapter 43

"Huh?" Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah looked at the middle-aged man who suddenly rushed out, with puzzled expressions.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt," the middle-aged man said hurriedly, "Let me introduce myself, I'm a talent scout from S.M Entertainment..."

Before he could finish, Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah narrowed their eyes simultaneously, as if they were cut from the same mold.

"Sorry, I've never heard of S.M Entertainment!" Then, Park Min-ah interrupted the man, saying, "Please move aside, we have something to do."

The middle-aged man's words came to an abrupt stop, and he was taken aback. After the two walked past him, he finally reacted and hurriedly caught up, saying, "BOA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, they are all artists under S.M Entertainment!"

They weren't working but were having dinner with friends when he happened to see Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah. Both of their figures, appearances, and even their auras had the potential to be stars! So, he waited for them to finish their meal and followed them out. The man was older, but the girl was truly stunning!

However, Park Min-ah's response genuinely "shocked" him! In this era, there were actually people who hadn't heard of S.M Entertainment? Was he joking?

He was just a talent scout, and even now, Park Ji-hoon didn't recognize him. As for Park Min-ah, she just felt a resemblance to a recently popular "genius" but didn't connect it to the same person.

"Sorry, I don't know you," Park Min-ah stopped and said seriously, "If you keep harassing us, I'll call the police!"

"Uh!" The middle-aged man was taken aback again. It was the first time he had received such treatment. Moreover, this girl actually said she didn't know TVXQ?

Ah! That's right, she must suspect he's a fraud!

The middle-aged man took out his credentials while jogging up and said, "Sorry, I forgot to show you my credentials, which caused the misunderstanding."

Park Ji-hoon frowned, about to say something, but Park Min-ah pulled his hand.

"There's no misunderstanding! This uncle, this is my last warning, if you keep harassing us, I'll really call the police!" Park Min-ah's voice wasn't the sweet kind of a regular girl but was clear and bright like the moon, clean and pure, with every syllable so clear.

Several passersby heard her words and looked over. Girls always tend to trigger people's protective instincts.

"Sorry, I disturbed you," the middle-aged man reluctantly gave up. As a talent scout, sometimes persistence was necessary, but Park Min-ah's assertiveness made him feel there was no room for negotiation.

However, he really wanted to ask if this girl had genuinely never heard of S.M Entertainment or was just saying that to reject him?

He was unwilling!

"Really disappointing!" He faintly heard Park Min-ah mutter, and he had an impulse to go up and tell her about S.M Entertainment's history! But, thinking she hadn't even heard of TVXQ, he could only categorize her as a "quirk."

Throughout the entire interaction, Park Min-ah didn't let Park Ji-hoon say a word. She knew about his conflict with S.M Entertainment, and because of that, she couldn't let him speak.

"Ha!" After walking a distance, she couldn't help but laugh softly.

A talent scout from S.M Entertainment actually approached them!

How interesting!

"By the way, the director of S.M Entertainment, Lee Soo-man, is your senior!" Park Ji-hoon said, half laughing and half sighing.

"Hehe..." Park Min-ah playfully laughed a few times. She never envied others' lives; she had her own scenery and was determined to live her own brilliant life!

Park Ji-hoon knew she was standing up for him. After laughing, he glanced at her cute face and playful smile, feeling a pang in his heart and putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Huh?" Park Min-ah looked at him curiously. Why was he suddenly so affectionate? Was he apologizing for the earlier joke?

"Is this your first time going to the cinema?" Park Ji-hoon asked softly.

"Uh-huh." Park Min-ah finally understood and nodded lightly.

It wasn't just because of financial constraints; the price of being a genius was dedicating all her free time to studying! Studying various subjects, high school, college, in-class, and extracurricular... She didn't want to be a bookworm.

Park Ji-hoon didn't say anything more, just tightened his arm around her shoulder. Letting his younger sister take care of him, he felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.

Park Min-ah moved closer to him.

There was a cinema nearby, a bit far, but it was perfect for a walk.

After the movie, they walked back.

Not at all tired!

"Remember to take me to see your movie when it's released!" Before going home, Park Min-ah made a promise with Park Ji-hoon.

Having someone to take care of made a huge difference in his life, his mood, and even the air seemed different. Park Ji-hoon returned to his regular routine.

Before they knew it, New Year's Eve arrived.

Finally, they could go home together!

There was no luggage, and they could only rest for a day and a night. Park Ji-hoon didn't even bring a change of clothes. After a shower, he put on a clean outfit and was ready to go home with Park Min-ah.

However, they were waiting for one more person.

Yoo Ri.

This morning, Yoo Ri called him and made plans to go home together. Mr. Kwon would drive them, as there were no taxis and the bus wasn't convenient at this time.

This was the first time Park Min-ah and Yoo Ri met, except for the time when Park Min-ah had no memory.

While Park Ji-hoon chatted with Mr. Kwon, Yoo Ri was observing Park Min-ah. In the past few days, she had learned a lot about this genius from her mother and brother—excellent cooking skills, outstanding talent, and well-behaved... She, as a daughter, had never heard such praise from her mother!

Now, seeing her, even her appearance and figure were so excellent, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

Is she a replica of that aunt?

"Thank you, Uncle and Yoo Ri-ssi." Before getting in the car, Park Min-ah said gracefully, without any hint of inferiority or shyness. Even with all her stage experience, Yoo Ri didn't think she could handle such a situation as well as Park Min-ah!

Park Ji-hoon and Mr. Kwon were more familiar, so they weren't as formal.

Mr. Kwon drove, Park Ji-hoon sat in the front, and Yoo Ri and Park Min-ah sat in the back.

"Ji-hoon, how's the movie going?" Mr. Kwon asked after starting the car. He had heard from Yoo Ri.

"It should be released around August. I hope you can come and support it, Uncle," Park Ji-hoon said with a light smile.

"Of course!" Mr. Kwon agreed without hesitation.

Cheerful and generous! Yoo Ri couldn't detect any hint of loneliness from Park Ji-hoon, which surprised her. She didn't realize he had such a strong heart!

"Yoo Ri-ssi, are you starting school this year?" Park Min-ah asked proactively.

"Uh-huh, the Theater and Film Department at Chung-Ang University," Yoo Ri quickly turned and said.

"Yoo Ri-ssi, your dancing is amazing!" Park Min-ah nodded and said. After watching her performance, she admired her abs more than her dancing.

"Your studies are even more impressive!" Yoo Ri said.

Girls often start their conversations with mutual compliments.

Park Ji-hoon and Mr. Kwon chatted for a while and then fell silent, listening to the two girls talk.

Soon, they became familiar and exchanged phone numbers.

However, they didn't have many common topics, so the conversation soon turned to Park Ji-hoon.

"Who usually does the dishes at home, Min-ah or Ji-hoon-oppa?" After getting to know each other, Yoo Ri showed her true colors, being quite playful!

"Cough!" Park Ji-hoon suddenly coughed lightly from the front.

"Hehe..." Mr. Kwon couldn't help but laugh.

"Yoo Ri-ssi, do you think it's better to tell the truth or a lie?" Park Min-ah's eyes twinkled as she looked at Park Ji-hoon, even though she could only see his back, and asked Yoo Ri.

"Of course, the truth!" Yoo Ri also glanced at Park Ji-hoon and encouraged, "It's fine, just say it!"

"Cooking, washing clothes, doing dishes, cleaning... I do all of these!" Park Min-ah said, counting on her fingers.

"Ah?" Yoo Ri was taken aback. Even though she had expected it, she couldn't connect the description of a "once-in-a-decade genius" with these housewife tasks.

"I even wash his socks!" Park Min-ah pouted and continued.

"Cough, cough..." Park Ji-hoon couldn't help but cough again. If this continued, he would want to hide under the seat!

"Really?" Yoo Ri felt a strange sensation. Listening to Park Min-ah, she thought she was a mistreated child bride! But from her tone, there was no hint of annoyance. On the contrary, the way she spoke so easily and naturally proved she didn't mind at all.

Involuntarily, she thought of that aunt again! She seemed to understand why her mother spoke so highly of her. With such talent and such a mindset... she regretted not having such a sister!

"The weather is nice today." Park Ji-hoon suddenly said a classic line for the occasion!

"Ha!" Mr. Kwon, Yoo Ri, and Park Min-ah all laughed.

At this point, if Yoo Ri couldn't see how close the siblings were, she would be a complete fool!

The sister willingly did the housework, and the brother wasn't angry at all about her revelations. This was a true family, without any gaps!

"Can't help it, who am I to him? If I don't take care of him, who will?" Park Min-ah didn't talk about how hard Park Ji-hoon worked or how much effort he put in, but her summary with a helpless look made everyone feel warm, as if they had been bathed in sunlight.

The atmosphere in the car became much more relaxed.

Laughing and chatting, they returned to Goyang City.

Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah thanked Yoo Ri and Mr. Kwon and went home together.

"Brother!" Just before the door, Park Min-ah suddenly stopped, turned to Park Ji-hoon, and called softly, her brows tinged with worry.

His relationship with their father wasn't good.