Chapter 69

"Bro!" Park Min-ah softly rebuked.

A girl, and an idol at that, being told she had a small belly! How could she not be angry?

"I was just joking, don't take it to heart, little Crystal." Park Ji-hoon also realized his words were a bit too much and quickly apologized. They had known each other for so long that they often played around a bit too much.

"Is the great director afraid I'll be mad?" Krystal pouted with a cold face.

"Great director?" Park Ji-hoon immediately understood where the problem lay. His mind raced, and he touched his nose, then slowly cleared his throat before saying, "I was planning to surprise you." He had been so excited and eager to dive into his directorial work that he forgot to tell her about the news! It must have been mentioned by Sulli in the dorm, and then she heard it from Jessica.

"Surprise?" Krystal pursed her lips, clearly not believing him.

"Really!" Park Ji-hoon said with a serious face, "In the movie I'm shooting, there's a role that would suit you. However, the script is still being revised and improved, and I was planning to tell you when I was interviewing actors." No matter how the relationship with S.M. Entertainment was, his relationship with Krystal wouldn't change. He remembered how this little one had dragged him out for a late-night snack when she heard about S.M. Entertainment's pressure on him.

Krystal's eyes lit up the moment she heard "there's a role that would suit you." After he finished speaking, her face was full of joy, and she no longer clung to Park Min-ah. She took a few steps forward, stood in front of him, and asked, "Really?"

"Of course it's real! I said I wanted to surprise you, ah—" Park Ji-hoon said with a look of grievance, rubbing his slightly hit abdomen.

"OPPA, I'm sorry!" Krystal said pitifully, as if she had been the one hit, and even reached out to help him rub it.

"Forget it!" Park Ji-hoon quickly avoided. Although there weren't many people around, it didn't mean there was no one, and it wouldn't be good if they were seen.

"OPPA, congratulations on becoming a director!" Krystal then congratulated him in a flattering manner, like a little cat seeking forgiveness after making a mistake.

"Are you okay here?" Park Ji-hoon asked.

"I'll go back in a bit." Krystal said casually, then asked, "OPPA, when are you having a celebration dinner?"

Park Ji-hoon was speechless. This little one was thinking about the food Park Min-ah made!

"I really forgot to arrange it." Park Min-ah interjected, "When is little Crystal free?"

"Can I let you know when I'm free, sister?" Krystal asked sweetly. Sometimes, this little one knew how to be likable.

Park Min-ah smiled and nodded.

"By the way!" Park Ji-hoon suddenly added, "I should clarify, there's no pay for the role, so you should discuss it with your company." Letting Krystal play a role was no problem. However, he hoped she would do it as a favor from a friend.

"No pay is fine!" Krystal said nonchalantly. An opportunity that fell from the sky, how could she still ask for pay? Being able to play a role in a movie was already very satisfying. After all, she was a new singer who debuted last year. Moreover, she thought about how Park Ji-hoon had gone through great lengths to get this opportunity, and it was very difficult, yet he still thought of her, which made her very content.

Thinking about it, she felt a bit touched.

"Nothing else, go back early so you don't get scolded." Park Ji-hoon said with a smile, suddenly lowering his gaze to follow Krystal's hand movement.

Cool fingers slipped under the edge of his swimming trunks, touching the sensitive skin just below his abdomen, causing a tickling sensation and more shock.

"Um-hum." Krystal seemed unaware of what she had done, responding while helping him pull out the drawstring. At some point, the drawstring had gotten tangled inside the trunks, leaving a faint mark on his skin.

This small action made Park Min-ah look at her differently.

Park Ji-hoon was also taken aback but then understood her character.

"Then I'll go. OPPA, Sister Min-ah, see you later." After fixing it, Krystal said goodbye to the two of them.

"Go ahead." Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah nodded.

Watching Krystal leave happily, Park Min-ah looked at Park Ji-hoon with a meaningful gaze.

"What are you thinking?" Park Ji-hoon lightly tapped her head and said, "She has a childlike personality. When she's angry, she'll give you a cold face and hit you, but when she's happy, she can be as clingy as a little cat."

"I didn't say anything!" Park Min-ah wrinkled her nose and said.

"I can see it in your eyes!" Park Ji-hoon turned and said, "Let's go to the wave pool."

The wave pool here uses advanced computer control systems to create waves up to 2.4 meters high, with the effect of real waves, making it very exciting.

Then came the water slides and the water loop slide. These were the two most thrilling rides, but Park Min-ah loved them and even dragged Park Ji-hoon along.

To repay Park Min-ah's "kindness," after playing these two rides, Park Ji-hoon took her and Park Ji-hyun to a giant skull.

The two looked up curiously.

Suddenly, the skull turned, and a waterfall "whooshed" down, startling the two.

Park Ji-hoon, the instigator, had already fled.

The two, looking a bit disheveled, glanced at each other and chased after him.

Park Ji-hoon led them to the water mushroom, where they played under the drizzling water curtain. The sunlight, air, and laughter turned into dancing notes, caressing every inch of their skin.

After tiring out, they sat on the cable car, enjoying the view of the entire Caribbean Bay from above, feeling incredibly relaxed.

Putting aside all their worries, they thoroughly relaxed and played for almost the whole day, even having lunch at a restaurant inside. They didn't leave until around 4:30 PM.

After returning home, they felt an indescribable sense of well-being, and they slept particularly soundly.

The next day, as expected, Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah became the focus of public opinion again. This time, Park Ji-hyun was also included. Although she wasn't as popular as Park Min-ah, it wasn't difficult to find out her identity.

Fortunately, it was summer break.

However, this time, it wasn't as sensational as the last. Last time, many people couldn't accept it and blindly criticized, forming a strong trend. This time, it was different. It was clear that there was something hidden and unknown. Someone had already found the common point among the three—Park Ji-hoon, from Goyang; Park Min-ah, from Goyang; Park Ji-hyun, from Goyang, and Park Min-ah's high school classmate.

"Are they relatives?" Many people had already guessed a similar answer. It wasn't that the netizens were too stupid and hadn't thought of this before, but because Park Ji-hoon and Park Min-ah didn't look alike at all.

Overall, this time the public opinion wasn't as one-sidedly negative as before. Many people were waiting for the answer. It was already rumored that on July 6th, the production press conference for the movie "Uncle," starring Park Ji-hoon, would be held at CGV Apgujeong in Seoul. The media wouldn't let him off.

Only three people attended the production press conference: director Lee Jeong-beom, Park Ji-hoon, and Kim Sae-ron.

"Hello, Uncle." As soon as they met, Kim Sae-ron smiled and greeted Park Ji-hoon. During the filming, Park Ji-hoon had taken good care of her, and with his easy-going personality, they had a good relationship.

"Hehe..." Park Ji-hoon smiled and patted her head, saying, "Don't be nervous."

"I'm not nervous. I even attended the Cannes Film Festival last year!" Kim Sae-ron's tone was interesting, as if she was enunciating each word.

"It's best not to be nervous." Park Ji-hoon smiled slightly and said.

Perhaps due to the effect of the previous rumors, many journalists were present today, including some uninvited media. While it might not have a significant impact, at least it boosted the atmosphere.

After the filming, the three sat on the stage and answered questions from the journalists on site.

"Hello, everyone. I am Park Ji-hoon, playing Tae-shik in the movie." Park Ji-hoon introduced himself, "It's nice to meet you all." After ten years of being in the industry, this was the first time he was being interviewed as the lead actor in a movie. His feelings were complex—bittersweet, happy, a bit bitter, and filled with passion.

Kim Sae-ron and Lee Jeong-beom also introduced themselves.

The interview began.

"The plot of the movie is simple, a man isolated from the world..." Lee Jeong-beom started by introducing the movie's plot.

Then came the interview with Park Ji-hoon.

"Mr. Park Ji-hoon, this is your first time playing the lead role in a movie. Do you think it will be as successful as your previous works?" The first question was somewhat sharp. However, they didn't use "Beggar Prince" as a comparison, which was a bit considerate.

"I believe this will be a successful movie!" Park Ji-hoon said without hesitation. No matter what, he would say this. As the lead actor, if he didn't have confidence in his work, how could he expect the media to promote it? At the same time, a high-profile attitude could attract more media and audience attention to the movie.

There was a small commotion on the scene, and all the journalists noted down his words.

"Could Mr. Park Ji-hoon share your feelings about acting in this movie?" The second journalist asked. Most journalists had already communicated beforehand and wouldn't make it too difficult for him.

"It was very thrilling!" Park Ji-hoon smiled with a hint of lingering fear, "In the movie, there are many scenes where characters fight with knives. This isn't something I can do alone; it requires cooperation from both sides. One wrong move, and you could cut the other person. During one indoor scene, I had to use a towel to knock a knife away, and it flew past a staff member's head, which was very thrilling!"

Indeed, what he said was very engaging, and many journalists on the scene became curious about the movie.

"Is it true that Mr. Park Ji-hoon also served as an assistant director on set?" Someone asked.

"Yes." Park Ji-hoon nodded and joked, "My profession is very complex, and it's hard to have a clear definition."

"Hehe..." Many journalists laughed. They took it as a joke because he hadn't achieved much in various fields, so it could only be a joke.

"Ji-hoon's professional knowledge is surprisingly rich, and he has a natural talent in this area..." Lee Jeong-beom praised him.

The main focus of the interview was on the two of them, and there were few questions for Kim Sae-ron. However, Park Ji-hoon gave her two opportunities to speak.

Finally, the interview ended.

The journalists on the scene, as if energized, rushed forward and surrounded Park Ji-hoon.

"Mr. Park Ji-hoon, is it true that you and Miss Park Min-ah from Seoul National University were living together, as reported recently?" Compared to the movie, the public was more interested in such gossip.

"Just living together." Park Ji-hoon lightly pressed his lips and answered.