Chapter 79

"Uh-huh!" Krystal completely ignored Park Ji-hoon's expression, fell back, and lay down on the bed. She then slowly stretched out, let out a contented sigh, and closed her eyes. She was so tired and sleepy that she suddenly had the thought that "the bed is the best companion in the world."

"Hey!" Park Ji-hoon called out, half-laughing and half-crying, "You're always so casual. What if I can't find a wife in the future?"

"I'll take responsibility," Krystal said nonchalantly without even opening her eyes.

"You?" Park Ji-hoon was taken aback for a moment before he said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Where are you going to find me a wife?" Although he said this, he didn't "chase" her away. Instead, he softly said, "Go sleep in Min-ah's room." Her complexion wasn't good, and she had been struggling to stay awake when talking to him earlier.

"Hmph!" Krystal wrinkled her nose and let out a faint hum before reluctantly said, "No need, OPPA here is just fine." Once she lay down, she really didn't want to get up again. She had been shooting a drama for the past few days, getting only two or three hours of sleep each night, and even stayed up all night yesterday. Her mind was a blur, and that's why she even forgot to bring her keys.

Park Ji-hoon heard the impatience in her voice—anyone would be impatient after a few days of sleep deprivation and finally getting to lie down. He shook his head, said nothing more, climbed onto the bed, pulled the blanket over her, and gently lifted her head to adjust the pillow.

"Uh-huh—" Krystal let out a soft sigh, turned to her side, and curled up slightly, finding a more comfortable position. It seemed she had really fallen asleep!

This wasn't the first time. When they were trainees, she would occasionally visit Park Ji-hoon and take a nap if she was tired.

The first time, she fell asleep without realizing it, and trust gradually built up.

After adjusting the air conditioner to sleep mode, Park Ji-hoon quietly left the bedroom and closed the door. He planned to take a nap on the sofa, as he still had work in the afternoon and evening, but he didn't tell Krystal.

He pondered the script in his mind and slowly drifted off to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, a clear piano note woke him up.

"OPPA, are you free now? Sica and I are coming over." The message was from Sulli.

"Uh!" Park Ji-hoon rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and replied, "Sure, come on over." It was rare for Sulli and Jessica to have free time at the same time, but why did it have to be today? He didn't think about refusing; he and Krystal had nothing to hide.

He glanced at the time: 10:40. Park Min-ah should be back soon. He went back to the bedroom and saw that Krystal was sleeping soundly. He took a book and quietly returned to the living room. Let her sleep a bit longer; her complexion wasn't good, and she looked pale after removing her makeup, now she had a bit of color.

Girls take a lot of time to get ready, and it was about half an hour before he heard the door open.

Huh? That's not right! It was the sound of the door opening.

Park Min-ah was back.

However, just as this thought arose, he heard voices, more than one, and then Park Min-ah's call: "Brother! Come out and get the stuff."

"Coming!" Park Ji-hoon hurried out.

At the door, Park Min-ah, Jessica, and Sulli stood together, carrying ladies' bags and each holding a gift bag, looking a bit travel-worn.

"Hello, OPPA," Jessica and Sulli greeted him.

"Welcome," Park Ji-hoon said, taking the bags from the three of them. Jessica and Sulli had brought gifts for their first visit, and Park Min-ah had bought ingredients.

The three of them happened to meet downstairs.

After changing into slippers, they walked together to the living room.

"Ah—" Upon entering the living room, Park Min-ah let out a contented sigh, shook the collar of her T-shirt, and said, "It's so hot outside!"

"Go change your clothes," Park Ji-hoon said with a smile. She usually stayed at home during the summer, as she was very sensitive to the heat.

"Okay! Sica, Sulli, excuse me for a moment," Park Min-ah said to the two of them before returning to the bedroom. Although they were the same age, she always called Sulli "sister."

Jessica and Sulli nodded and curiously looked around the living room. It had been about half a year since Sulli's last visit, and the room had changed a lot, with many unique decorations.

"Did Min-ah make all these?" Jessica pointed to the paper cranes, wind chimes, and sailboats, and asked curiously. Being able to visit meant she considered Park Ji-hoon a true friend, so she wasn't too formal.

"Uh-huh," Park Ji-hoon said, getting each of them a glass of juice.

"Thank you, OPPA," Sulli said softly.

Jessica nodded slowly, took the glass, and continued to look around.

Both of them were dressed casually, with light makeup, T-shirts, and capri pants, like ordinary college students, but they had put more effort into their eyes to hide dark circles and bags.

Compared to Jessica, Sulli was clearly more reserved, focusing on drinking her juice.

"Cough!" Park Ji-hoon cleared his throat and said, "Krystal is here too."

"Huh?" Jessica suddenly turned her head, her eyes instantly brightening like a sharp blade, her fine eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she stared at him intently.

Sulli also put down her glass in surprise, blinked, and looked at him curiously.

"Didn't you see her shoes when you came in?" Park Ji-hoon said this first before explaining, "Krystal finished work this morning and forgot her house keys. She looked really bad, like she could faint on the street at any moment, so I let her sleep here."

"How is she?" Jessica couldn't care about anything else and quickly stood up to ask.

"Nothing serious, just tired and sleepy," Park Ji-hoon said. "She's sleeping in the room now." He had seen this condition in Taeyeon and experienced it himself, so he knew it well.

"I'll go check on her!" Jessica said as she stood up.

Park Ji-hoon pointed in the direction of his bedroom.

Sulli suddenly fell silent, lowered her head, and sipped her juice, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Huh?" Park Min-ah came out in fresh clothes and saw Jessica heading to Park Ji-hoon's bedroom while he and Sulli were sitting on the side. She looked at them curiously.

"Krystal is sleeping in my room," Park Ji-hoon explained softly.

Park Min-ah's eyes widened in surprise, glanced at the silent Sulli, and asked, "What's going on?"

Park Ji-hoon explained again.

"Is Krystal okay?" Park Min-ah asked with concern.

"She's fine," Park Ji-hoon shook his head and suddenly reached out to Sulli.

Sulli was taken aback, looked at him, and then followed his gaze to see that she had finished her juice without realizing it. Her face turned slightly red, and she quickly handed him the glass, saying, "Thank you, OPPA."

"You're welcome," Park Ji-hoon smiled, stood up, and said, "Krystal is like a little sister to me."

A hint of discomfort flashed across Sulli's face. She knew there was nothing between Park Ji-hoon and Krystal, but she still felt a bit uneasy, as if something was bothering her.

After Park Ji-hoon got another glass of juice, Jessica returned to the living room and said to him, "Thank you, OPPA." She had seen that Krystal was sleeping soundly.

"No problem, Krystal is like my little sister," Park Ji-hoon said with a smile.

"I'll go cook!" Park Min-ah stood up and said, "Brother, come help."

"Me?" Park Ji-hoon was taken aback, pointed at himself, and then stood up, saying, "Oh! Sica, Sulli, you two can relax."

Jessica saw his reaction and blinked after he turned to leave. It seemed Yoo Ri was right! It was normal for him to help his sister cook when guests came over, but he looked like he was doubting if he had heard correctly.

"I'll help too!" Sulli stood up and followed. She felt a bit embarrassed letting Park Min-ah cook for five people alone.

Jessica had no choice but to follow. She really didn't know how to cook, so she couldn't offer to help.

"No need, Sica and Sulli, go sit in the living room and watch TV, wait a bit," Park Min-ah said.

Sulli thought for a moment and then said to Park Ji-hoon, "OPPA, go sit with Sica in the living room, I'll help here." She remembered his reaction the first time he saw the new house; he really didn't like cooking!

"Okay," Park Ji-hoon didn't refuse.

Sulli looked at the various ingredients in the kitchen, thinking about where to start, when she suddenly felt a pair of male hands reach around her from behind. Her body stiffened, and her heart rate accelerated.

"Done," Park Ji-hoon said after helping her put on the apron, "Thank you for your hard work."

"No problem," Sulli replied, trying to stay calm, but her expression was a bit unnatural. This wasn't the filming site of "We Got Married"! She could feel Jessica staring at them intently.

Park Ji-hoon and Jessica returned to the living room.

Jessica stared at Park Ji-hoon for a moment, seeing his calm expression, and finally couldn't help but ask, "You're not really falling for Sulli, are you?"

"After all, we are fake couples. Isn't it normal to take care of her a bit?" Park Ji-hoon explained softly.

"You and Taeyeon haven't officially broken up!" Jessica frowned slightly, lowering her voice to remind him.

"Just friends. In the past two years, haven't I said nothing about her interactions with male artists from your company?" Park Ji-hoon replied calmly.

Jessica was taken aback, and a light bulb went off in her head—so, the conflict between him and Taeyeon wasn't just a temporary issue, but a long-standing one!