Chapter 49

PARK Ji-hoon came home very late again.

However, this time was different. He returned with a strong smell of alcohol, completely drunk.

PARK Min-ah was reading a book in the living room. Seeing his state, she was startled and hurriedly got up to support him, asking, "Brother! Why are you so drunk?"

"Drinking with the director, entertaining guests," PARK Ji-hoon explained勉强地. He barely managed to make it home.

"Brother, lie down on the sofa. I'll make some sobering soup," PARK Min-ah said, helping him lie down on the sofa. "Don't fall asleep!" To prevent any accidents, she also placed a basin of water next to the sofa. Then, she helped him take off his coat and wiped his face with warm water... everything was done in an orderly manner.

PARK Ji-hoon felt his mind relax as he returned home, but immediately felt uncomfortable all over.

However, feeling PARK Min-ah's presence and the gentle massage of her small hands on his scalp, his mind gradually calmed down.

"Here!" After some time, PARK Min-ah's voice sounded in his ear. He felt his head being lifted, and he slowly opened his eyes, sitting up.

A bowl was brought to his mouth. He didn't know what was in it, but it was sour and sweet, and very tasty.

Her hands were steady, neither too fast nor too slow, ensuring he didn't drink too quickly or too slowly. PARK Min-ah, who had always helped at home, was no delicate lady.

"Thanks." PARK Ji-hoon said softly after finishing the soup.

"Okay." PARK Min-ah casually placed the bowl on the coffee table, wiped his mouth, and said gently, "Brother, don't move. Rest for a while."

"It's fine, I feel much better now," PARK Ji-hoon smiled and said, "I just drank too much, I'm not sick." His complexion indeed looked much better.

PARK Min-ah pouted but didn't say anything. She knew that with his job, there would inevitably be some social engagements.

"Ah—" PARK Ji-hoon stretched lazily, then leaned back on the sofa and asked, "Did you watch it? How was it?"

"The audience's reaction was good, a lot of positive feedback!" PARK Min-ah knew he was asking about "We Got Married." "But, Brother, you were too cautious, it felt more like siblings than a couple!"

"Um." PARK Ji-hoon responded softly, not offering any explanation. He hadn't let go of his feelings for Tae-yeon, and even on the show, he couldn't act like a couple with Sulli.

"Sulli-ssi is quite nice," PARK Min-ah said, sitting beside him.

PARK Ji-hoon moved a bit to the side and smiled helplessly.

PARK Min-ah's eyes twinkled, and she suddenly pinched his nose. Like a swift kingfisher, she lightly pecked and quickly withdrew.

"Ah!" PARK Ji-hoon called out, unable to laugh or cry.

PARK Min-ah made a small face. She had always been pinched on the nose by him since childhood and had long wanted to pinch his nose!

Just as PARK Ji-hoon was about to say something, his phone rang.

PARK Min-ah quickly reached into his pocket, took out the phone, and glanced at the caller ID. She was stunned for a moment, her expression turning serious. She looked at him and then handed him the phone.

PARK Ji-hoon seemed to have guessed something. He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression instantly became calm, showing no emotion. He pressed the answer button but didn't speak.

The person on the other end paused for a moment, seemingly waiting for him to speak. When there was no response, they finally said, "I watched tonight's 'We Got Married.'" It was a middle-aged woman's voice, gentle but tinged with guilt and longing.

"Uh-huh." PARK Ji-hoon paused for a moment before responding slowly. Then, he tightly pressed his lips together, not wanting to say more.

"In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much." The middle-aged woman continued, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No." PARK Ji-hoon replied with a single word.

"Ah—" The middle-aged woman sighed softly, a sense of desolation arising. After a pause, she continued, "Have you found a new company?"

"No." PARK Ji-hoon replied coolly, not explaining his thoughts. "She" wasn't from the entertainment industry.

"Without a company's support in the entertainment industry, it's very difficult." The middle-aged woman continued, "If anyone bullies you, tell your mother."

PARK Ji-hoon's biological mother!

However, their relationship wasn't very harmonious. As he grew older, he gradually understood his mother's past choices, but emotionally, he still couldn't accept them.

"Uh-huh." PARK Ji-hoon responded coolly.

"Ah—" PARK's mother sighed again. This child always responded like this, but over the years, he had never once reached out to her.

"I'll call if I need anything." The weary, desolate, and powerless sigh made PARK Ji-hoon's stern expression soften slightly. His heart softened, and he spoke.

"Ah!" There was a moment of silence on the phone, then a surprised exclamation. PARK's mother suspected she was hallucinating. After the exclamation, she asked, excited but fearful, "What did you say?" She was afraid it was a hallucination due to her longing!

PARK Ji-hoon didn't want to repeat it, but hearing the trembling voice filled with surprise, his heart couldn't help but contract. He pressed his lips together and repeated it.

"Good, good!" PARK's mother's voice trembled even more, unable to form a complete sentence. Her guilt towards PARK Ji-hoon was no less than PARK's father's. After waiting for over a decade, finally seeing signs of her son accepting her, how could she not be excited?

"Rest early!" PARK Ji-hoon suddenly said, "I need to rest too."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh! Mom will rest now. Take care of yourself." Despite her reluctance, PARK's mother kept agreeing, her eyes welling up with tears of immense joy.

"Uh-huh." PARK Ji-hoon hung up first.

His expression didn't immediately return to normal. He squinted slightly, showing no emotion.

"Brother! Why didn't you tell Auntie about your situation?" After a moment, PARK Min-ah said softly. She and PARK Ji-hoon had agreed as children to never hide anything from each other, sharing all secrets—many things were easier to bear together—so she knew about PARK's mother.

"It's not necessary! It's not a big deal." PARK Ji-hoon shook his head slowly. Although his attitude had softened, it was due to a momentary emotional impulse. In his heart, he hadn't truly accepted his mother. There was a barrier, and his mother had only reconnected with him after he started high school.

"Uh-huh." PARK Min-ah pursed her lips and responded softly.

If PARK Ji-hyun and KIM Soo-ya saw her like this, they would be shocked! The strong, always composed PARK Min-ah actually had a submissive side?

"Phew—" PARK Ji-hoon exhaled a long breath, then suddenly placed his hands on PARK Min-ah's waist and said, "You dared to pinch my nose?" As he spoke, his hands lightly tickled her.

"Ah!" PARK Min-ah screamed and jumped up, turning to glare at PARK Ji-hoon angrily. She was very ticklish!

PARK Ji-hoon smiled at her.

"If Brother wasn't drunk..." PARK Min-ah waved her small fist at him, huffing.

"It's only because I'm not feeling well that I can bully you!" PARK Ji-hoon said smugly. If he were in good health, it would be the other way around!

PARK Min-ah blinked speechlessly. When did he learn to be so childish?

"What?" PARK Ji-hoon teased her.

"Hmph!" PARK Min-ah huffed and returned to the sofa.

PARK Ji-hoon was startled and quickly sat up, adopting a defensive posture.

"Ha!" PARK Min-ah laughed softly, sitting at one end of the sofa. She patted her leg and said, "Look at how scared Brother is! Lie down, I'll give you a massage."

"Phew—" PARK Ji-hoon finally relaxed, patted his chest, and then lay down.

"Am I that scary?" PARK Min-ah pinched his nose lightly, laughing and crying at the same time.

"I'm only afraid of you." PARK Ji-hoon said casually.

PARK Min-ah was stunned, then her eyes, eyebrows, and even her lips softened. Her massage became even gentler.

"Tickles!" PARK Ji-hoon suddenly hummed softly. It turned out that when PARK Min-ah lowered her head, a strand of hair fell and lightly touched his ear, like a tiny ant crawling.

"Ha!" PARK Min-ah laughed softly and lifted the hair behind her ear.

PARK Ji-hoon finally calmed down.

After a while, his eyelids drooped, and he fell asleep. However, he was soon woken up by PARK Min-ah.

Bathing, sleeping.

...

PARK Ji-hoon hadn't even had time to watch the edited broadcast of "We Got Married" when he and Sulli had their third "date."

Indeed, the audience was the most important factor influencing the show's direction!

This time, Sulli was still the one in charge.

She found that, as Yoon-a-ssi had said, PARK Ji-hoon was a good man who could be treated casually! On their first meeting, she had been too nervous and scared, and PARK Ji-hoon had taken the initiative to guide her. On their second meeting, he obediently followed her arrangements. On their third meeting, it was the same.

Yoon-a-ssi really understands PARK Ji-hoon well! A hint of curiosity flashed in the little girl's mind. Of course, it was just curiosity; her thoughts didn't go any further.

Even after Yoon-a's reminder, she hadn't noticed anything more, as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

The staff of "We Got Married" were all complaining about PARK Ji-hoon—during conversations, he acted like an experienced senior MC, supporting the inexperienced new main MC, Sulli, always following her topics and creating the most comfortable and relaxed environment for her.

Proposed topics were always difficult, especially when they required on-the-spot improvisation, with constantly changing themes and a proposer like Sulli, who had a "magical" personality. The difficulty was exponentially increased!

It was really tough for PARK Ji-hoon.