Chapter 80

PARK Ji-hoon quietly drank his juice, his eyelids slightly lowered, not paying attention to Jessica's expression.

"Then why didn't you say anything?" Jessica asked, feeling speechless and a bit angry. Over the past two years, he had never mentioned this, and they had even praised his tolerance! She never expected that he had been bottling it up all along. Tae-yeon indeed hadn't done well, but if he had talked to her directly, they might have had some arguments, but it wouldn't have exploded like that night, and everything that followed wouldn't have happened.

"I thought I could tolerate everything," PARK Ji-hoon said softly, squinting his eyes. Before that night, he had indeed been tolerant, but after reaching a limit, everything finally erupted.

Jessica opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. Who could blame him? He had been considerate and indulgent towards Tae-yeon, and Tae-yeon had never liked any other man; she was just used to their way of interacting, after all, they were friends who had known each other for five or six years in the same company.

However, PARK Ji-hoon's calm expression at this moment made her feel particularly uncomfortable. What was once a relationship they all envied was now shattered, and it was uncertain whether they could reconcile. Her mood was not good.

"What do you think now?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Let it be," PARK Ji-hoon said softly.

"Do you really not want to reconcile at all?" Jessica pressed. Could it be that his feelings for Tae-yeon over the past two years were all fake?

"Let's focus on work for now," PARK Ji-hoon said, his pupils narrowing as if he remembered something. "How can a flounder rolling in the mud and a splendid sea bream fall in love?"

Jessica didn't expect him to say such a thing and fell silent involuntarily. It turned out he wasn't just going through the motions; he had thought a lot, but hadn't shown it. Or perhaps they hadn't noticed.

In the entertainment industry, the hierarchy is the clearest! A little-known artist and a top idol dating is impossible unless both are so in love that they are willing to give up their careers. Even then, once the passion fades, it often ends in tragedy.

Artists who play "Cinderella and Prince" stories every day have the deepest understanding of reality!

It was strange; although they were friends, their relationship wasn't very close, and they didn't know much about each other, yet PARK Ji-hoon had confided in her.

"What about Pani?" After a moment of silence, Jessica suddenly spoke again. "Pani is very upset about the two of you, and you haven't been in touch with her for more than half a year. Whenever she mentions you, she either forces a smile or says nothing. As friends, shouldn't you consider more than just popularity?"

"I didn't ignore her on purpose, and I never blamed her. I've barely been in touch with anyone for the past half year," PARK Ji-hoon said, pursing his lips and pausing before explaining.

"Aren't you free now?" Jessica said.

"Thanks for the reminder," PARK Ji-hoon said softly after a moment of silence.

"Hmph!" Jessica huffed. "It's because of Tae-yeon, but you genuinely consider us friends, not just the current Girls' Generation. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said all this!" After 2009, her popularity increased, and she gained more fans and friends, but she never forgot the PARK Ji-hoon who had openly supported her and the others in 2008!

"You really are sisters, with the same straightforward personalities," PARK Ji-hoon said with a smile.

"Hmph!" Jessica frowned slightly at the mention of Krystal, huffed in dissatisfaction, and asked, "Should we go wake her up?" Every time she thought she understood the relationship between her sister and him, it was soon shattered.

Without realizing it, she had unconsciously sought his opinion. Partly because of his changed demeanor and partly because she knew he had become a director, reality influenced everyone's words and actions.

"Sure," PARK Ji-hoon nodded and said, "It's fine."

In the bedroom, Krystal was sleeping soundly with a blanket wrapped around her. Suddenly, she felt someone gently pinch her nose and instinctively swatted it away.

But a moment later, the hand came back.

Half-asleep, she instinctively frowned and swatted it away again, annoyed, "OPPA, stop it!"

Jessica saw her mistake and couldn't help but smile. Just as she was about to reach out again, she suddenly thought of something, leaned down, and lightly kissed her cheek.

"Hmm—" Krystal only grumbled in dissatisfaction, didn't open her eyes, and rubbed the kissed spot with her shoulder before continuing to sleep.

Jessica frowned slightly. Did she not realize she had been kissed?

She leaned down again, pouted her lips, and pressed them slightly harder against her cheek.

"What?" Krystal finally woke up, called out in annoyance, and opened her blurry eyes to find the culprit.

But instead of PARK Ji-hoon, she saw Jessica!

"Big sister, why are you here?" She blinked, confirming it wasn't a hallucination, and quickly sat up, surprised.

After saying that, she looked around—yes, she was still in PARK Ji-hoon's room.

"I should be the one asking you! How can you just sleep in a man's room like that?" Jessica scolded her with a stern face.

"I forgot my key," Krystal pouted, wiping the spot on her face that had been kissed. It was her sister!

"You wouldn't even know if someone sold you!" Jessica said, seeing her action, feeling even more annoyed.

"I thought it was a mosquito!" Krystal explained hurriedly.

Jessica suddenly felt a headache. Looking at her now, her hair was a mess, her T-shirt was just put on, and her pants were wrinkled... The more she looked, the angrier she became!

At that moment, Krystal suddenly sniffed and her eyes lit up. She threw off the blanket, jumped out of bed, and excitedly asked, "Is Min-ah unnie back?" She smelled the aroma of food, and her stomach was growling!

Jessica couldn't help but feel another headache. She was almost like someone else's child!

Krystal quickly tidied her hair and clothes.

"Do you know his relationship with Tae-yeon?" Jessica said with a serious face. Now wasn't the time to scold her, but her appearance was really frustrating.

"Big sister, I just forgot my key, and I was so drowsy and didn't want to move, so I came to OPPA's place!" Krystal explained.

"I hope so. Take care of yourself!" Jessica looked at her face and finally stopped scolding her. She looked like a flower that hadn't been watered for days, only showing a bit of spirit when she smelled the food.

You've really been through a lot!

"Got it, big sister!" Krystal responded, while linking her arm and walking out.

Jessica took a look around PARK Ji-hoon's bedroom, which was simple and clean, indicating that someone often tidied it. A whole wall of bookshelves complemented the room.

"OPPA!" In the living room, Krystal greeted PARK Ji-hoon casually and then ran happily to the kitchen, exclaiming, "Min-ah unnie, ah! Seohyun unnie." She was surprised to see Seohyun there, wearing an apron and helping Min-ah like a housewife.

She was stunned for a moment.

"Little Crystal, you're awake!" Min-ah turned and greeted her with a smile.

"Little Crystal, are you feeling okay?" Seohyun saw her surprised look and couldn't help but blush slightly.

"I'm fine," Krystal finally reacted, smiling. Despite her usually cold and proud demeanor, she was actually playful and liked to be affectionate with those close to her.

"The food will be ready soon. Go wash up first," Min-ah said with a light laugh, turning back. Artists are human too; they don't look their best right after waking up.

"Yes! I'll go right away," Krystal responded cheerfully, not seeming to mind.

"Little Crystal and Min-ah are close?" After she left, Seohyun couldn't help but ask after a moment.

"Little Crystal is very cute, and we have a lot in common. I get bored at home, and she often comes over to ask for help with her studies," Min-ah explained seriously.

"Oh." Seohyun nodded slowly.

In the living room, after Krystal finished washing up and came out, she suddenly stopped, frowned, and looked at PARK Ji-hoon and her sister sitting on the sofa, asking, "When did you two get so close?" She knew her sister wasn't the type to visit people's homes. If she had time, she would rather stay home or go to a café.

"We've always been friends," PARK Ji-hoon replied.

"Since we filmed 'Running Man' together," Jessica said at the same time.

Their combined answers made a reasonable explanation.

However, mentioning 'Running Man,' PARK Ji-hoon couldn't help but secretly pull his legs together.

"Ha!" Jessica, who was about to hug her sister, saw his action and couldn't help but laugh.

"Big sister, what are you laughing at?" Krystal sat down next to her, a bit annoyed, thinking she was laughing at her!

"Nothing." Jessica saw PARK Ji-hoon glaring at her and pursed her lips, smiling.

Krystal didn't press further and turned to PARK Ji-hoon, saying, "OPPA is too lazy, not even helping with the guests!"

"Isn't Seohyun helping in the kitchen?" PARK Ji-hoon said with a smile.

Krystal's eyes flashed with surprise. What did he mean by that?

End of page

Start of AD

End of AD