Chapter 88

PARK Ji-hoon didn't notice the subtle change in XU Xian's expression and continued to chat with her, helping to alleviate her boredom with a light smile.

After XU Xian finished her hair, the two of them went to the beauty room's lounge to wait for the task card.

"OPPA! I have something to show you." XU Xian had been paying close attention to his expression, hesitating each time she saw his light smile, and finally mustered the courage to speak.

"What?" PARK Ji-hoon turned his head and asked with a smile.

"Just a moment." XU Xian took out her phone, searched for something, and handed it to PARK Ji-hoon, saying, "Sorry, OPPA, I forgot to tell you in advance."

PARK Ji-hoon took the phone with a puzzled look, glanced at it, and his expression visibly darkened.

A wedding photo!

In the photo, XU Xian was wearing a wedding dress!

"What is this?" he asked, his voice somewhat stiff.

"It's the album cover I shot with the seniors from Trax." XU Xian explained and apologized again, "Sorry, OPPA, I forgot to tell you in advance."

"Ah—" PARK Ji-hoon responded, touching his nose lightly with his hand, his eyes fixed on the photo on the phone screen.

Next to XU Xian in the wedding dress was a man in a white suit. He knew it was KIM Jung-mo from Trax, whom XU Xian had mentioned before. Although he pretended not to care, he had still searched for information about this person after returning home last time.

Involuntarily, his expression, which had just relaxed, became serious again.

"The content of the song is..." XU Xian could also sense the sudden stiffness in the atmosphere and tried to change the topic to ease the tension. However, the topic she chose was clearly inappropriate at this moment.

"Let's skip the content!" PARK Ji-hoon said lightly, putting down his hand and swiping the phone screen.

Sure enough, there was another photo, showing XU Xian and KIM Jung-mo sitting in a car, posing for the camera with a V sign.

"It was taken together," XU Xian explained from the side.

"Uh, it's very nice," PARK Ji-hoon said softly after a moment, without looking at her.

His mood was very complicated!

When TAEYEON had taken wedding photos, it was because the situation with Girls' Generation was too difficult, and they couldn't go against the program's arrangements. He had reluctantly agreed after much persuasion from TAEYEON. Even so, he still harbored some resentment. Now, his "wife" XU Xian had suddenly taken wedding photos, which made him think of TAEYEON again, and he felt very uncomfortable!

However, he knew he couldn't blame XU Xian for anything. After all, it was just work, and he and TAEYEON were still in a complicated relationship. Appearing on "We Got Married" was already a stretch for this little girl. But no matter what, she was his nominal wife, and how could she take wedding photos with another man and forget to tell him?

The feeling of wanting to question her but realizing he had no right to do so was even more painful.

He couldn't help but feel annoyed with S.M. Entertainment, knowing that he and XU Xian were on "We Got Married," yet they still arranged for her to take such an album cover! Or perhaps they simply didn't care about his existence.

Moreover, XU Xian's attitude also made him very depressed. Clearly, she was only apologizing for not telling him in advance, not because of the normal work itself.

"Phew—" He couldn't help but exhale a deep breath and asked, "Feeling strange, right?"

"Uh! Very strange," XU Xian nodded in response.

PARK Ji-hoon bit his lip and fell silent. No matter how mature and steady he usually was, he couldn't remain indifferent when it came to such matters.

"Don't be so petty." XU Xian nudged him with her elbow and said softly. Over the past six months, he had been very considerate and gentle, trying not to burden her, making it easy to get along with him. How could he seem like a different person just because of this? She could clearly tell!

The little girl didn't understand the significance of such things to men, or perhaps she didn't take it seriously enough. To her, it was just normal work.

"It's nothing," PARK Ji-hoon blinked uncomfortably and said, "It's very nice." It was already difficult for her to comfort herself this way.

"Uh." Although XU Xian was simple, she could still see that his expression hadn't brightened much. She could only huff and cross her arms out of habit.

The atmosphere was awkward and stiff.

XU Xian felt depressed and couldn't help but sneak glances at PARK Ji-hoon's expression from the corner of her eye.

"Here!" PARK Ji-hoon handed the phone back to her.

"Uh." XU Xian pouted slightly and took the phone.

At this moment, a staff member came in and handed the task card to both of them.

XU Xian quickly got up to take it and then passed it to PARK Ji-hoon. His reaction gave her a vivid lesson, making her realize that such things seemed very important to men!

PARK Ji-hoon had no interest in looking at the task card and pulled it out directly.

"What is it?" XU Xian sat down, leaned in, and placed a hand lightly on his arm, asking. There was a hint of flattery, after all, she had forgotten to tell him.

"2010 Incheon Hallyu Concert special stage?" PARK Ji-hoon frowned.

"Wow—" XU Xian covered her mouth and suddenly sat up straight, exclaiming. She looked very surprised, whether it was due to nervousness, excitement, or some other reason.

"Since we didn't have time to shoot in July, this stage will be a 200-day special anniversary for 'Sweet Potato Couple.'" PARK Ji-hoon continued reading.

"What to do? How to do it?" XU Xian muttered.

"Leave it to you." PARK Ji-hoon put down the task card and suddenly said.

"Ah?" XU Xian was taken aback and stared at him blankly.

"I'm not a singer, I haven't released an album, and I'm not familiar with the stage..." PARK Ji-hoon explained slowly.

"Ah—" XU Xian suddenly felt immense pressure, grabbing her head and groaning. Instinctively, she wanted to find something to lean on, at least hoping to hear some words of encouragement or comfort from him, but found that he was just silently hanging his head, completely different from his usual steady and considerate self.

"I'll think about it!" Seeing his expression, XU Xian gritted her teeth and said. Although he was a man, he wasn't a singer, so the pressure must be even greater for him.

"Uh." PARK Ji-hoon looked up and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

XU Xian wanted to say "It's okay," but found she couldn't bring herself to say it.

The shooting for the day was over, and both of them, or rather XU Xian, needed to go back and prepare before shooting again. PARK Ji-hoon didn't mention cooking.

After parting ways, PARK Ji-hoon went to the filming site, and XU Xian returned to the dorm.

"How did you come back so early?" SOO-YOUNG was still in the dorm and was surprised to see XU Xian return before noon.

"Ah!" XU Xian suddenly remembered the autograph and hurriedly said, "Sorry, unnie, I forgot to get the autograph for you."

"Hey!" SOO-YOUNG immediately called out, clearly displeased. They were like sisters, so they spoke freely.

"Sorry, unnie." XU Xian apologized again.

"What happened?" SOO-YOUNG, not really angry, suddenly noticed her worried expression and asked urgently.

XU Xian explained that the program had asked her and PARK Ji-hoon to prepare a performance stage together.

"Ah—" SOO-YOUNG threw her head back and wailed, turning away and saying, "Sorry, Xian, I can't help you!" She was afraid of being caught and actually ran back to her room!

XU Xian watched her back and sighed helplessly. These unnie's personalities were really too unpredictable! Like children.

However, although SOO-YOUNG said she couldn't help, she was still very thoughtful and told the other members about it in the evening, preparing to brainstorm together.

The nine of them sat together, with TAEYEON also present.

"Didn't he say anything?" JESSICA asked.

"No! He... OPPA isn't a singer, and he hasn't performed on such a stage before, so what could he do?" XU Xian said.

"Isn't OPPA a director? He could at least come up with an idea, right?" YOONA suggested.

"He's been so busy with his movie that he barely has time to eat!" TIFFANY said. After the premiere, her relationship with PARK Ji-hoon had quickly improved, and she knew a lot about his situation. Of course, TAEYEON also knew, but it wasn't appropriate for her to speak up.

"Uh, very busy," XU Xian nodded in agreement.

"I was wrong!" YOONA stuck out her tongue and said.

"He sings very well," TAEYEON suddenly said.

XU Xian, TIFFANY, and HYOEUN's eyes lit up, remembering that at the housewarming party, PARK Ji-hoon had played and sung a bit of "Gee," which was very unique and pleasant to listen to!

"Really?" YOONA, YURI, and the others looked surprised and shocked. They had never heard PARK Ji-hoon sing and didn't know he had this side!

TAEYEON lightly bit her lip and joked, "At least better than YOONA."

"How could that be?" YOONA exclaimed, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Although singing wasn't her specialty, she wasn't that bad, was she?

"Probably about the same level as you," TAEYEON said with a smile, not wanting to hurt YOONA's self-esteem.

YOONA pouted, determined to find a chance to hear PARK Ji-hoon sing!

"Thank you, unnie." XU Xian's worries were already half gone. The rest was choosing a song and worrying about PARK Ji-hoon's stage performance. These were her own responsibilities, and she couldn't trouble the members anymore.

At the same time, PARK Ji-hoon returned to the apartment.

It was strange that PARK MIN-YA didn't come to greet him, and he had even bought her a gift today!

Entering the living room, he still didn't see anyone, so he quietly walked towards the bedroom. The bathroom had water sounds, so he decided to check the bedroom first. If PARK MIN-YA was there, he would give her a surprise.

The bedroom door was open.

"Cough!" PARK Ji-hoon lightly coughed, planning to enter with his hands behind his back.

"Brother!" PARK MIN-YA's voice rang out, and then she walked out from in front of the wardrobe.

PARK Ji-hoon couldn't help but pause in his steps. She had just finished bathing, her hair loose, her skin tender and slightly red, with a fresh scent of shower gel. She was barefoot, wearing a long strapless top that reached down to her hips, and it was unclear whether she was wearing shorts underneath.