Chapter 9

Fin.k.l's dormitory is located in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, not far from their management company, DSP Media. It was provided by the company as a place for the girls to rest when they debuted. Now that Fin.k.l's first album promotion period has ended, achieving remarkable success and shedding the "newbie" label, they generally no longer need to arrive at the TV station hours early to observe the tedious newbie etiquette. As a result, the four girls have more time to rest and usually return home instead of staying in the dormitory, as their own homes are more comfortable and convenient.

This dormitory has become a place where Fin.k.l occasionally stays to bond, only living there when they have a lot of promotional activities.

This is the first time Zhang Chengyuan has come to the dormitory to meet Lee Hyori and the others. Perhaps to avoid unnecessary public attention, Lee Hyori invited him to the dormitory this time. This also indicates that Zhang Chengyuan has become a relatively harmless figure in the eyes of Lee Hyori and the others. He has won the trust of Fin.k.l because he is young, sincere, and very discreet. Whatever Lee Hyori and the others say to him, he keeps to himself, which makes the four girls feel very at ease.

In fact, Zhang Chengyuan is usually quite aloof and only treats a few people, including Lee Hyori, with special regard, considering them close friends. This might be due to the bond formed by the car accident.

When Jung Jun-hyun dropped Zhang Chengyuan off at the dormitory, Lee Hyori and the others had not yet returned. Jung Jun-hyun chatted with Zhang Chengyuan, still appearing very enthusiastic and not minding his cold responses. He might think that if he were Zhang Chengyuan, he would also be cold to those who had hurt him, but he didn't realize that Zhang Chengyuan was not upset about the car accident, but rather still retained some of the aloofness and pride of a Taoist practitioner. In short, Zhang Chengyuan's cultivation was not yet complete, and he couldn't achieve true detachment.

After sitting for a while, Lee Hyori and the others finally returned. Jung Jun-hyun, who was running out of things to say, felt relieved and quickly bid farewell, as being alone with Zhang Chengyuan was too boring and awkward. Although he didn't blame Zhang Chengyuan, the conversation was mostly one-sided, with Zhang Chengyuan not even giving a facial response, making it impossible to continue.

As soon as Lee Hyori saw Zhang Chengyuan, she exclaimed, "Chengyuan, you're finally here! Let me take a good look at you. Oh, how much taller you've grown!" She stood up straight and compared her height with Zhang Chengyuan, saying, "You're half a head taller than me now. Teenage boys really grow fast. I remember in early July at the hospital, you were about my height. The last few times we met, I didn't notice because I was wearing high heels, but today, you're even taller than Yoochun. How much do you eat at each meal?"

Yoochun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yuri also leaned in to examine Zhang Chengyuan closely, as if they were inspecting a product.

Yoochun said, "Not only have you grown taller, but you've also become stronger. You used to be thinner than Jin, but now you have a bit of a manly look."

Lee Jin retorted, "How can I be thin? My legs are very strong; it's just that my cheeks don't gain much weight. Sung Yuri is the one who is really thin."

Sung Yuri countered, "I'm not thin at all. Look, my face is quite plump. I think it's Yoochun who is too muscular." She gently pinched her own face.

Yoochun, hearing this, was not pleased. She hooked Sung Yuri's neck and said fiercely, "Don't talk nonsense. Let me teach you a lesson!"

Yoochun is the tallest among the four girls, about 172 cm, and the most muscular. Because her face is rounder, she doesn't look as pretty as the other three sisters, but her singing ability is the strongest, especially in high notes, earning her the title of Fin.k.l's pillar and strength.

Seeing the three girls bickering, Lee Hyori said irritably, "Chengyuan is still here. He's a boy, and you should pay attention to your image." However, she was only saying this; while speaking, her right hand was already touching Zhang Chengyuan's cheek, praising, "Your skin is so smooth, even smoother than Sung Yuri's. It feels so good to touch."

Hearing this, the three girls exclaimed in disbelief, "How is that possible? Let me feel it too." Each of them extended a hand to curiously caress his face, covering his entire face.

"Wow, it's really smooth. Even Sung Yuri's skin can't compare, but it's not as white."

"Huh? Boys, a bit of a tan looks healthier and more charming!"

"If my skin were this smooth, it would be like a baby's. I could save a lot of time on makeup."

"Are we getting old? Our skin can't even compare to a boy's. Chengyuan, how do you take care of your skin? Sauna? Massage? Beauty salon?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Chengyuan works every day; how could he have time for those things?"

"Hey! Chengyuan's muscles are quite firm."

"Let me feel it too!"

...

The four girls chattered endlessly, examining Zhang Chengyuan inch by inch as if he were a newly bought doll.

While the four girls were evaluating Zhang Chengyuan, he could only stand still like a puppet, letting them touch his face, back, and arms. Finally, when he felt a hand touch his buttocks, he couldn't bear it anymore and pleaded, "Sisters, are you deliberately calling me here to play with me like a pet dog? I'm a person, please be kind and let me go!" He looked even more pitiful than a forgotten, hungry puppy.

In front of Lee Hyori and the others, Zhang Chengyuan, who had almost never interacted with girls in his past life, couldn't be strong. He had been bullied in their few meetings, but he could feel that the four girls were very kind and genuinely cared for him like a younger brother. This might be because Lee Hyori, Lee Jin, and Sung Yuri were the youngest in their families and wanted a good younger brother they could "order around and tease," while Yoochun, although she had a younger brother, would never have one as "obedient" as Zhang Chengyuan.

The four girls finally realized that their behavior might have been a bit inappropriate. After all, Zhang Chengyuan is a boy and a guest they invited. Their faces turned a bit red.

Perhaps because of Lee Hyori's straightforward and boyish personality, she quickly acted as if nothing had happened, pulling Zhang Chengyuan to sit on the sofa and saying warmly, "Chengyuan, sit down. Make yourself at home; don't be too formal." She paused and added, "We might have been too excited to see you today and couldn't help but tease you a bit. I hope you're not upset."

Looking into Lee Hyori's smiling eyes, Zhang Chengyuan couldn't bring himself to say, "I am upset." He replied very straightforwardly, "Of course not." However, his expression was too unnatural, and everyone could see that he felt a bit wronged.

Seeing this, the four girls laughed together.

Perhaps it was because Zhang Chengyuan couldn't lie and didn't take things too seriously that they found him very genuine and considerate, feeling comfortable enough to joke with him freely, thus quickly becoming closer.

Of course, it's undeniable that Zhang Chengyuan's handsome appearance played a significant role in this process.