Chapter 18

Zhang Chengyuan had originally agreed with Lee Hyori to celebrate after they were both free from their busy schedules, but this period dragged on much longer than expected. It wasn't until FINKL finished promoting their second album and entered the preparation phase for the next one, by late August, that they finally had some personal leisure time.

During this period, while improving his acting skills, Zhang Chengyuan also shot four advertisements and three magazine cover photos. Although these were minor projects and couldn't compare to the instant noodle commercial he did with Jang Dong-gun, they still increased his exposure significantly, preventing him from being forgotten by the audience. His outstanding performance in these activities also boosted his fame in the industry, making more people aware of his real name, "Zhang Chengyuan," rather than just referring to him as "Jang Dong-gun's brother." This further solidified his position in the modeling world and gradually attracted the attention of some large companies, though they only saw him as a potential asset for the future.

Zhang Chengyuan's reunion with FINKL took place in their dormitory, with only the four girls and Zhang Chengyuan attending. This was because Lee Hyori and the others knew that Zhang Chengyuan preferred quiet environments and disliked crowded, noisy places, and he only socialized with people he respected. Therefore, they did not invite any other friends. Additionally, in their hearts, Zhang Chengyuan was their exclusive younger brother, and celebrating his success was their responsibility. They did not want anyone else to intrude and ruin the intimate atmosphere.

Around 7 PM that evening, Zhang Chengyuan arrived at the FINKL dormitory with an empty stomach and empty hands. After ringing the doorbell, Lee Hyori ran out and pulled him inside, closing the door. Seeing his empty hands, she scolded him, "Why didn't you bring anything to eat?"

While taking off his shoes, Zhang Chengyuan replied in surprise, "Hyori-ssi, didn't you tell me not to bring anything and just come with an empty stomach to eat?"

Lee Hyori pinched his cheek and laughed, "How can you be so silly? That was just being polite. Didn't you know?"

Zhang Chengyuan smiled, "Hyori-ssi, I never play polite with you. In my view, it's only natural for a younger brother to eat what his older sister provides. Hyori-ssi, I'm hungry, can you serve me some food?"

Lee Hyori shook her head, a bit dejected, "There's no food, you'll have to wait."

At this moment, Sung Yuri came out and said with a smile, "Chengyuan, please bear with it for a while. Hyori-ssi put too little water when cooking the rice, so it came out too dry and hard, making it inedible. Jie-ssi is making a new batch now."

Zhang Chengyuan tried to suppress his laughter, "I didn't know Hyori-ssi couldn't even cook rice. I've really seen something today. No wonder you were upset that I didn't bring any food."

Lee Hyori glared at Zhang Chengyuan and threatened, "Who said I can't cook? That was just a small mistake. If you keep talking about cooking, I'll cover your mouth!"

Zhang Chengyuan wasn't afraid of her threat. He scooped her up by the waist and lifted her straight up, saying, "Hyori-ssi, how are you going to cover my mouth? Your hands can't reach me now."

Lee Hyori screamed, "Put me down, quickly! Can you hear me? If you don't put me down, I'll kick you!"

Hearing her, Zhang Chengyuan smiled and, ignoring her protests, turned his hands and held her body flat in the air, face up, so she couldn't see the ground. "Hyori-ssi, this way you can't kick me."

Unable to see the ground, Lee Hyori panicked and flailed her arms.

At this moment, Lee Jin and Yoo Chae-young came out of the kitchen, seeing Lee Hyori struggling and laughing, "It looks like Hyori-ssi is practicing backstroke! Her form is really beautiful!"

Lee Hyori struggled to turn over but couldn't break free from Zhang Chengyuan's grip. After a while, she was out of breath and begged, "Chengyuan, put me down, I won't cover your mouth anymore."

Seeing that Lee Hyori was indeed tired, Zhang Chengyuan was worried she might hurt her back if he held her for too long, so he gently put her down.

Lee Hyori wrapped her arms around Zhang Chengyuan's neck and stood up. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she took a deep breath and pinched his ears lightly, panting, "You dare to joke with me? Are you tired of living?"

Zhang Chengyuan looked at her with a smile, his eyes conveying, "You can't do anything to me."

Lee Hyori affectionately stroked his face and took off his glasses, saying, "Why do you wear such ugly things? They cover your beautiful eyes, which are more dazzling than diamonds. You should throw them away."

Zhang Chengyuan took the glasses, folded them, and put them in his pocket, saying, "Hyori-ssi, these are my magic tools. With them, it's much easier for me to go out. Uh? What's that burning smell?"

Yoo Chae-young immediately screamed, "Ah! My spaghetti!" and rushed into the kitchen to save the food.

Lee Jin said, "Hyori-ssi, stop playing. Let's set the table and get the dishes ready."

Lee Hyori and Sung Yuri agreed and walked towards the kitchen. Zhang Chengyuan wanted to help but was chased out by Lee Hyori, who pointed to a large dining table by the wall and ordered him, "Move that table to the center of the living room and sit there. With the sisters around, boys don't need to go into the kitchen."

Traditionally, Korean men are quite patriarchal and never involve themselves in household chores, which has led Korean women to develop the habit of being virtuous and taking care of the home. Although this has changed somewhat among younger generations due to Western influence, Lee Hyori still held the belief that men shouldn't help in the kitchen.

Zhang Chengyuan was a bit surprised but didn't think much of it. He followed Lee Hyori's instructions, set up the table and chairs, and sat down waiting for the food.

Soon, Lee Hyori, Lee Jin, and Sung Yuri brought out the dishes and arranged them neatly. They placed an electric grill in the center of the table, indicating they were going to have a barbecue. They then brought out fresh ingredients like pork belly, ribs, eel, mackerel, clams, and marinated beef, along with various seasonings for the barbecue. There were also side dishes like kimchi, doenjang stew, and perilla leaves, which are common in Korean meals.

The amount of food on the table was enough to feed five or six people, but it clearly wasn't enough for their appetites. Not only was Zhang Chengyuan a big eater, but the FINKL members, after becoming singers, had also developed large appetites. Each of them could eat as much as two people, given their daily physical activities, singing practice, and busy schedules. It's no wonder they never gained weight, even Yoo Chae-young, who was prone to gaining weight, had slimmed down over the past year.

Therefore, they cooked two large pots of rice, but due to Lee Hyori's mistake, the first batch was inedible, so they had to cook two more pots, which would take about half an hour.

After setting up the table, Yoo Chae-young's spaghetti was ready. Thanks to her quick action, there was no significant loss. Zhang Chengyuan got a large plate, while the others each had a bowl, which was enough to satisfy a normal woman. Yoo Chae-young said, "It will take some time to prepare the barbecue. Everyone must be very hungry. Let's eat some noodles to tide us over."

Before she finished speaking, Lee Hyori and the others had already started eating, praising the noodles, "Delicious, delicious." "Chae-young-ssi's cooking is getting better and better."

Zhang Chengyuan also chimed in, "It's much better than instant noodles." For Zhang Chengyuan, who once tried to cut a coin in half to save money, spaghetti was a luxury. It was his first time eating it, and he found it quite unique. However, after eating it a few more times, he might find it no different from instant noodles, just another way to fill his stomach.