Chapter 6

PARK Ji-hoon was about to suggest that PARK Min-ya rest, but she suddenly said, "Brother, your problem is that you're too soft!"

After saying this, PARK Min-ya looked straight into PARK Ji-hoon's eyes, her face devoid of any hint of jest, filled only with sincerity.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't accept that he should bear all this silently! In his career, it was one thing, as he couldn't help much there, but in other aspects, he could at least speak up.

"Although I don't know the reason, I believe the root of the problem is definitely not with you!" PARK Min-ya continued, "Your character is too soft, and you're too gentle with women, which makes it easy for them to take advantage of you!"

PARK Ji-hoon was silent, feeling a sense of helplessness. She knew nothing, yet she could guess so accurately, which showed that he really was like that. However, was it really a mistake to be too serious about love in the entertainment industry?

"If you put the seriousness you have for your feelings into your career, you could definitely change girlfriends every day!" PARK Min-ya, seeing his reaction, knew she hadn't guessed wrong. She sighed lightly, then the corners of her mouth turned up slightly as she said, "You're just a girl, what are you talking about!"

PARK Ji-hoon lightly scolded her.

"It's the truth!" PARK Min-ya pouted, "Even though I don't understand the entertainment industry, I know this much!" She paused, then looked at PARK Ji-hoon and asked, "Brother, do you remember the warning you gave me?"

PARK Ji-hoon suddenly fell silent, a faint trace of shame flashing in his eyes.

"The greatest laziness in our lives is when we know we have the ability to make choices but choose not to take the initiative to change, instead letting things take their course!" PARK Min-ya murmured, "Brother gave me this warning the first time he tutored me. It was this very sentence that made me gradually discipline myself, leading to the brilliant PARK Min-ya of today!"

At the end of her words, a proud expression appeared on her delicate, palm-sized face.

She indeed had the right to be proud! Among so many high school students in the country, how many could be recruited by Seoul National University before the college entrance exam? And who could refuse the special admission from Seoul National University and insist on taking the exam—just for the honor! She wanted her father and brother to be proud of her! Although there was no concept of a "top scorer" in Korea, she scored full marks in all four subjects, and Seoul National University even arranged a special interview for her in advance to prevent her from being snatched away by other schools!

This time, she came to Seoul to attend the interview on December 27th. Although, according to Seoul National University, it was just a formality, she wanted to make it outstanding!

Honor! She wanted honor!

To make her father and brother proud. Most importantly, to show her brother that she hadn't let him down.

"Brother!" After murmuring, PARK Min-ya called out again softly.

"Hmm." PARK Ji-hoon responded in a low voice, feeling a bit ashamed.

"Be a big star!" PARK Min-ya said, "Then I can proudly tell others that I have a big star brother! Now, when classmates ask me, I'm embarrassed to mention it."

Although he knew she was deliberately provoking him, when he heard the last sentence, a burning sensation still welled up in his heart, as if a drop of boiling oil had fallen on it!

It hurt!

Then, that drop of boiling oil suddenly ignited, turning into a flame that filled his heart, chest, and entire body! "Hmm." Without any grandiose words or gestures, he just responded solemnly.

But to PARK Min-ya, this response was heavier and more joyful than any vow! She hugged PARK Ji-hoon's neck and cheered, "Great!" It seemed she had never doubted whether he could do it.

PARK Ji-hoon smiled lightly. The same appearance, but with a change in attitude, made him seem like a different person, radiant and bright-eyed!

However, there was a hint of indescribable coldness in his eyes, as if something had been frozen.

In the entertainment industry, to succeed, one must pay a great price! He had no prominent background, no extensive network, and no stunning looks, only a resolute determination! Step by step, there was always a chance to turn things around, especially in the entertainment industry, where miracles often happened.

"Then, you can have ten or eight girlfriends, if you want..." PARK Min-ya pouted slightly.

"Are you trying to make me die of exhaustion?" PARK Ji-hoon interrupted her, jokingly.

"Tsk! Men's thoughts..." A faint blush appeared on her delicate face, but her expression was mischievous as she glanced at him, "Brother, you say that, but deep down, you probably wish it were true!"

"Hey!" PARK Ji-hoon scolded, a bit annoyed, preparing to teach her a lesson.

However, PARK Min-ya let go of his arms and quickly ran away like a frightened deer, making a face at him and teasing, "Come catch me, Brother!"

"If I catch you, I'll spank your bottom!" It wasn't clear whether he was embarrassed by her words or annoyed by her lecture, but PARK Ji-hoon jumped off the sofa and chased after her.

"Hehe..." Seeing his change, PARK Min-ya's mood lightened considerably, her steps becoming lighter as she laughed and ran, taunting him.

In the end, she was caught.

However, PARK Ji-hoon didn't really spank her bottom; he just lightly tapped her head and let her go.

While she was taking a shower, he returned to his room.

Seeing the poster of Taeyeon by his bed, he involuntarily paused. He had slept on the sofa the previous night, and now, seeing Taeyeon's poster, a strange feeling welled up in his heart, only to be frozen by the coldness in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he tore off the poster.

"From today, you no longer have the right to love!" He whispered to himself, then put the poster away.

However, despite his thoughts, he stood there for a long time.

Under the light, his solitary figure filled the room with an intangible sense of loneliness.

"Brother!" After a long time, he was startled by PARK Min-ya's voice and quickly responded, "What is it?" He walked out.

PARK Min-ya had just finished her shower, wearing a simple set of pajamas. Seeing him come out, she said, "I'm done."

"Oh." PARK Ji-hoon responded, turned around, and returned to his room to change clothes.

"Brother, bring out the clothes you want to wash!" PARK Min-ya said while drying her hair.

"There's nothing to wash." PARK Ji-hoon replied.

"What about your underwear? I heard that single men don't change their underwear for a long time!" PARK Min-ya asked again.

It sounded like a teasing remark, but PARK Ji-hoon involuntarily paused, a scene from long ago flashing before his eyes—a little girl of seven or eight standing in a young man's room, holding his dirty clothes, refusing to leave, looking stubborn and serious.

"Your underwear needs to be washed too! Mom said that boys your age must wash their underwear frequently!" The childish, clear, yet stubborn voice echoed in his ears.

However, his eyes suddenly dimmed.

"I'll wash my own underwear." PARK Ji-hoon said, then entered the bedroom.

Seeing his back, PARK Min-ya seemed to sense something, her expression suddenly darkening. She bit her lip, forcing back the moisture in her eyes—thinking of her deceased mother.

"Min-ya, be a good girl and listen to your brother. Take care of him like Mom does, okay?" These were the last words her mother said to her, forever etched in her heart.

A while later, PARK Ji-hoon came out in fresh clothes and saw her still standing in the living room. He said gently, "Go to rest."

"I'll wait until my hair is dry." PARK Min-ya quickly put on a relaxed expression when she heard the door open.

PARK Ji-hoon nodded and entered the bathroom.

The first night passed like this.

...

The next day, PARK Min-ya got up early to read. Her excellent grades came from hard work and dedication, not luck.

After PARK Ji-hoon got up, she cooked and tidied up the room.

Just like at home.

PARK Ji-hoon originally wanted to take her out for a walk, but unexpectedly, CHO Da-hee suddenly visited.

"Uh!" Seeing PARK Min-ya in her home clothes, CHO Da-hee involuntarily froze.

"This is my sister, Min-ya." PARK Ji-hoon introduced, "Min-ya, this is my former manager, CHO Da-hee."

"Hello, CHO OPPA!" PARK Min-ya greeted politely with a bow.

"Hello!" CHO Da-hee awkwardly returned the greeting. Men often lose their composure in front of beautiful girls.

After sitting down, PARK Min-ya poured tea for both of them and returned to her room.

"CHO Da-hee, what brings you here?" PARK Ji-hoon asked.

"Oh." CHO Da-hee said, "I've signed you up for a movie audition." He handed him the script.

"Thank you, CHO Da-hee!" PARK Ji-hoon was surprised by his sincerity and dedication, feeling grateful. He stood up to thank him, then asked, "When is it?"

"The time is tight, tomorrow." CHO Da-hee said, "The movie is about to start filming, and the last role, the male lead, hasn't been decided yet. So, it's up to your luck." Without a company to help, and not being a top actor, even the time to read the script was limited, making PARK Ji-hoon's chances slim. However, even a slim chance was worth trying!

"Hmm!" PARK Ji-hoon was slightly taken aback, not expecting the time to be so tight. However, he didn't show any disappointment or dissatisfaction, only a deep, determined look in his eyes.

CHO Da-hee looked at him in surprise. He realized that in just one day, PARK Ji-hoon seemed like a different person! But thinking about the pressure he was under, he understood.

Often, people are pushed to their limits.

"I won't take up your time. Good luck with your audition tomorrow!" CHO Da-hee stood up and said. He had obtained the script through a friend, and he knew no more about the situation than PARK Ji-hoon.

"Thank you, CHO Da-hee!" PARK Ji-hoon didn't try to retain him, seeing him to the door and asking, "When do you have time to come over for a meal..."

"No need!" CHO Da-hee interrupted him, "There's no need for that. I'd rather spend my time helping you get more jobs!"

PARK Ji-hoon didn't say anything more, just nodded lightly.

"Ji-hoon!" CHO Da-hee, before leaving, suddenly looked at him seriously.

"Hmm?" PARK Ji-hoon's eyes showed a hint of confusion.