closer and extended his right hand with a slight smile: "Since you don't want to hug, then... give five"Jung Eun-ji stared at Ji-yeong's face for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled and took a step fo...With a bang, Chi Jingyuan got into the car and shut the door. The howling wind outside was immediately muffled by the sealed car door, and the entire cabin fell silent.

He had just flown back from Hong Kong overnight and was picked up by Park Jae-hyun along with his assistant after arriving at Incheon Airport. On their way to Gangnam District, he sent a message to Bae Ju-hyuk and learned that she was still at the company. He then drove straight to the ** Building and picked her up.

Thanks to the late hour, there weren't many vehicles on the road, and the traffic was excellent. They drove at a fast pace all the way. Even so, it was already past two in the morning now. The entire street they passed through was deserted, with only the occasional deep engine roar sweeping by.

Choi Ji-chang, who was driving, and Park Jae-hyun, who was in the passenger seat, didn't even ask Ki-seung about his business at the company. After seeing Bae Joo-hyuk get in the car, they only responded with a greeting and glanced at him through the rearview mirror before remaining silent, waiting for Ki-seung to give instructions, showing no sign of surprise whatsoever.

As Pool Jingyuan's assistant and manager, they were already very familiar with this kind of thing. After so long, being transparent was a piece of cake.

Ji Jingyuan glanced at the newly received Pei Zhuxuan.

Today she wasn't wearing a hat and her long hair cascaded down, covering her cheeks and obscuring most of her side profile. Her expression was unclear. She wore a pure black cashmere sweater on the outside of which was a patterned coat. Her lower body was dressed in dark-colored casual pants and a pair of light white sneakers.

Although the outfit isn't very sophisticated, it looks quite comfortable. And the hem of the jacket covers a good portion of her thighs, making her appear somewhat petite.

After getting on the car, she first greeted the two people in front of her quietly, then stared at Ji Jingyuan for a few seconds before taking the initiative to sit by the left window, starting to play with her fingers without saying a word.

It's as if Chi Jingyuan had taken the initiative to ask her out.

Although he only glanced at the two men in front of him, Chi Jingyuan understood.

He's not comfortable expressing emotions in front of his teammates, let alone in front of two strangers.

"Brother, let's go..." Chi Jingyuan considered for two seconds, then directly said a location. Cui Jichang nodded without saying a word and directly started the car.

This is JB's area. It's a small park near the EXO dormitory. Anyway, before Pei Zhuxuan said in the text message that she wanted to go for a walk, so why not go there for a walk The dormitory is just around the corner.

Speaking of which, this was actually something Park Chan-ryeol mentioned to Jiyoung before when they were chatting. He said that sometimes when he goes out with friends, he'll stop by. Among EXO members, he's pretty well known for it.

Upon hearing the name, Bae Joo-hyeon didn't make a sound. She quietly turned her head to glance at him before quickly turning away and continuing to play with her nails.

…………

When getting off the bus, Park Jae-hyun winked at Ji Kyung-won, indicating they were waiting for him nearby. Ji Kyung-won nodded and then closed the door, leading the way into the park next to them.

This is a small public park, usually visited by residents of nearby apartment buildings and communities who come here for a stroll after finishing chores. The central fountain is very popular when the weather is hot.

The once lush trees surrounding the area now stood withered and skeletal in winter, their branches a forlorn line against the sky. They seemed lonely and isolated.

Light and heavy, two completely different sounds of footsteps approached from afar. Ji Jingyuan walked in the front, while Pei Zhuxuan followed closely behind, but unlike she was inside the car earlier, her head was no longer buried. Instead, she looked up and kept staring at the back of the person in front, her eyes flickering with a strange light, lips pursed as if thinking about something.

As he walked to the center of the park, Chi Jingyuan's pace slowed. He scanned his surroundings, finding the entire park deserted, eerily quiet. The temperature had also dropped a bit.

He heard the footsteps behind him stop as well. He tightened his collar and was about to turn around to break the silence, saying something casually like, "Oh, by the way, tonight..."

He had only just opened his mouth to speak a few words, and hadn't even had time to turn around, when he felt a figure rush up from behind and press against him. A sudden force slammed into him, causing him to sway slightly. Then he felt himself being held tightly from behind.

Pei Zhuxuan hugged him tightly, her body still trembling slightly. Her hands clasped his waist with great force, and her head was pressed firmly against his back. Even through the thick clothes, there was a clear sense of touch.

Ji Jingyuan was taken aback when he was suddenly hugged. He hadn't expected Pei Zhuhyun to say a word and directly express her feelings so passionately. Feeling her trembling body and the tight grip of her arms, he could understand the tumultuous emotions and nervousness in her heart.

Even for the usually cool-headed and reserved Jennie, this level of proactive behavior is unheard of. It speaks volumes about how turbulent her emotions must be beneath her calm facade since she arrived.

Of course, Chi Jingyuan wouldn't ask, 'What's wrong'

By the time he received the text message at the MAMA venue, he already had a hunch about something.

He was so startled that he froze, his hands raised in the air. He stood there silently, not uttering a word. In the quiet park, all that could be heard at that moment were the beating hearts of the two people standing very close to each other.

She had him a little too tight, making it hard for Ji-yeong to breathe. He reached out, trying to pry Park Chae-hyun's hands apart that were clasped together in front of him.

Tried twice. Couldn't move it.

I don't know if it was because I was too nervous and excited, or afraid he would suddenly fly away, but Bae Joo-hyeon was gripping his hands a little too tightly. Even in the pitch black park, under the dim yellow streetlights, you could faintly see her knuckles turning white from how hard she was squeezing.

A gust of cold wind blew, making his face and hands feel a bit numb. Pool Jingyuan didn't even bother with the discomfort anymore. He let out a soft breath and tucked his hand into Pei Zhuxuan's to keep warm. At that moment, a wave of coldness and a sudden jolt ran through his nerves.

One stood in front, covering their hands as the other embraced them. The one in back buried their head and hugged tightly.

After a long while, Ji Jingyuan felt that the calmness seemed to return to Pei Zhuxuan behind him. He pursed his lips, looking at the hands he was covering in front of him, and chuckled softly: "Senior, are you... illuminating me"

"Bang!"

Pei Zhuhyun didn't speak, she just bumped her head against his back with a dull thud, her thoughts and response already very clear.

... fell silent again, silently feeling the warmth on her body for a while. Bae Joo-hyun pressed her head into Ji-young's clothes, her voice muffled and slightly choked: "You... why did you write what I said into the lyrics."

Now, looking back on the overwhelming and uncontrollable emotions that surged through her body when she first heard "Let It Flow," even now, Bae Joo-hyun is still feeling warm all over.

That feeling of warmth throughout her entire body, with her heart beating rapidly and blood rushing to her head, was truly mesmerizing.

She had all sorts of thoughts and made some judgments, but she still felt the urge to ask.

"Well... actually, it's not about writing your words into the lyrics..."

Ki Chunggu gave a light laugh, tapping lightly on Pyo Ji-hye's hand with his finger: "It was because I heard what you said that this song was born."

"...".

Once the words were spoken, Ji Jingyuan clearly felt Pei Zhuxuan's slight tremble behind him, her cheek brushing against his back.

"...And do you know what would happen if you did that..." Her muffled voice came from behind, but she stopped halfway through her sentence as if the rest was hard to say, embarrassed to speak it aloud.

Although she didn't finish her sentence, she felt the other person should understand what she meant.

"You know what It's just writing a song. I didn't think about it that much..."

However, to Pei Joo-Hyuk's expectation, Ji-Seong's voice from the front was a little doubtful, full of astonishment and seeming to not understand her meaning.

That natural tone of voice made her body stiffen, and the warmth in her heart instantly dropped a few degrees. Her hands, which were tightly clasped around the other person, also loosened slightly.

I thought I could understand what she was thinking, that kind of telepathic understanding didn't appear. Instead, she seemed completely lost and confused by what I was saying.

I don't know why, but there's this feeling of one-sidedness that suddenly envelops me completely. It feels empty and cold all over, it's really unbearable.

Ji Jingyuan suddenly gently pried her hands apart, quickly turned around to face her directly. Pei Zhuhyuk was stunned for a moment and raised her head, meeting his gaze.

Just then, seeing Jiang Chi Jingyuan crouch down with both hands around Pei Zhuxuan's waist, he directly exerted force and lifted her entire person up.

... just like the way Jennie had hugged him earlier, except this time it was face-to-face.

“Ah…” She suddenly felt like she lost her balance, her body shooting upwards for a moment. Pei Zhuhyun yelped in fright, jolted all over. The weightlessness caused her to grab the nearest lifeline – wrapping both hands around Ji Jingyuan’s neck desperately to prevent herself from falling. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, forming a perfect koala hug.

Although she was startled, Bae Ju-hyeon quickly regained her composure. She stared at Ji Kyeong-won with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. Though her eyes were ablaze, there was no sign of resistance in her. Her hands and legs remained securely wrapped around him.

"Of course that's impossible, how could I have thought of nothing I'm not a pao, you know."

Chi Jingyuan continued what he had just said.

After hearing this, Bae Ju-hyeon suddenly fell silent. Her hands tightened on his neck and she stared at him with watery eyes, her lips pursed.

And Chi Jingyuan also looked into her eyes, a glimmer of amusement flashing across his face: "Aren't you wondering if I thought about this Didn't think that hearing these lyrics would make some people go blank, their minds scattered and unable to calm down"

I never thought doing this would cause her to lose control of her emotions. She wouldn't go back to the dorm at night and insisted on seeing someone she had just met a few hours ago who was still participating in an event on Hong Kong Island.

"Aren't you wondering if you wondered that doing this would cause her to have all sorts of unsettling thoughts racing through her mind, making it impossible for her to settle down Perhaps even leading to some rather amusing misunderstandings"

"Speaking at the end, Chi Jingyuan blinked and tilted his head slightly: 'Really'

"

"Yeah." This time, Pei Zhuxuan wasn't at all as flustered and silent as she was before. She didn't seem to want to avoid the other person either, nor did she deny that what he had just said was about her. She simply stared at him quietly.

She gently shook her bangs out of her eyes, craning her neck to stare intently at Chi Jingyuan's eyes without blinking. After biting her lower lip, she spoke: "So, did you think of it"

"Hee hee..." Chi Jingyuan suddenly grinned, raised his eyes and pondered for a second, then pursed his lips: "I didn't think about so much beforehand, but there is one thing..."

As he spoke, he slowly lowered his head and leaned towards Seulgi's cheek.

He clearly felt the other person's body stiffen all at once.

Bae Joo-hyun was both nervous and serious, waiting for his answer. But suddenly, she felt Ji Chang-wook's face slowly approaching hers. She immediately seemed to sense what he was going to do, her heart pounding instantly. However, neither her body nor her mind had any intention of resisting. Although her body temperature rose significantly and her heart beat rapidly, she remained motionless, staring into his eyes.

Just as they were getting closer and closer, to the point where Park Ji-hyun was almost ready, Ki Cheong-won's head suddenly turned in a different direction. Their cheeks brushed past each other, stopping at her ear as he whispered softly, "Is it possible...that this…isn't a misunderstanding"

Suddenly, Bae Joo-hyun felt her heart skip a beat, blood rushing to her face, filled with heat.

>He just finished that sentence and then there was nothing more. At this time, Ji Jingyuan shook his head, squatted down, and loosened his grip, letting Pei Zhuxuan down. He looked at Pei Zhuxuan who stood there stiffly like a puppet after her hands and feet were released. He narrowed his smile and met her gaze for a moment, then got up while casually waving his hand, turning to take two more steps forward:

"Alright, everyone hugged each other and we were clear...Although it sounds quite romantic now, in reality when I was writing the song, it just felt right at the time. I didn't think about it that way..."

He hadn't finished speaking, he had only been standing on the ground for a short while, still dazed, staring blankly at his Park Jimin who raised his head and looked at him. Suddenly, he exerted force, pulling him hard, causing him to lunge forward abruptly. He wrapped his arms around his neck, tiptoed, and directly kissed him with his lips.

Actions are impulsive yet composed, behavior reckless yet earnest, emotions unrestrained yet profound.

Before he could finish his words, they were all swallowed back. He looked at the tightly closed yet trembling eyes so close to his, felt the softness and warmth of their lips, and reached out to embrace them, his body slowly curving inward.

The entire park was deserted, with no sign of other people. The wind whistling through the treetops created an even more serene atmosphere. The cold wind and moonlight wandered around for a long time, finding nothing until finally they only discovered these two people hugging each other.

I don't know how long it took for the two people to separate. Interestingly, neither Chi Jingyuan nor Pei Zhuxuan had any shyness. After separating, the two seemed very natural, one looking up and the other down, both pursed their lips and quietly looked at each other. The moonlight shone in their own eyes but reflected in each other's pupils.

"Is it any better" Ji Jingyuan smiled and took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence.

"Pei Joo-Hyun smiled and smoothed down her slightly ruffled hair behind her ear. Looking at him, she softly replied, "What do you think"

Now, Park Soo-hyeon seems to have calmed down. She's no longer as emotionally charged as before, appearing rather nonchalant. However, under the lights, her flushed cheeks and nose in this chilly temperature add a touch of cuteness to her.

"So, senior was calling me out this late just for this…"

"Aren't you happy" Pei Zhuxuan looked at him.

"I'm happy, so very happy."

"Who knows which insider leaked our rumor back then It's really prophetic." Ji Jingyuan glanced at her face, finding it somewhat amusing. "Looking at it this way, Ai Li didn't get it wrong before."

"Cut."

Pei Zhuhyun's fingers twirled around her hair for a moment before wrinkling her nose in displeasure at the words. However, the corner of her lips curled up slightly. Thinking back to those Yuan fans who had been harassing her online with insults and vulgar language, a rebellious emotion mixed with a touch of smugness arose within her.

They would glance at each other, smile, then break eye contact and casually look around. They stood there like that for a long time.

"Since Senior Joo Hyut's purpose has been achieved... let's go. It's getting late." Ji Kyeong-won took out his phone to check the time. If they didn't leave now, he estimated that he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. He could just go back, wash his face, and head straight to the set.

"Hmm." He didn't refute. Pei Zhuxuan lightly nodded, quickened her pace and walked beside Ji Jingyuan, glancing at his hand a few times. After thinking about it, she still didn't reach out to hold it.

The intimate contact earlier was driven by emotions that surged out of control after hearing Ji Jingyuan's words. Tonight, upon hearing the song "Let It Be," all the pent-up feelings I had were released in that moment like a cocoon breaking open.

It's exciting, wonderful, and I'm very happy.

But when he had calmed down, and rationality, pride, and composure returned, Bae Joo-hyeon thought of many other things.

"Should I just go out and take a car, or walk back"

"Let's walk there. It's quite close to our dorm, we'll get there in ten minutes."

After a brief exchange, the two walked out of the park along the roadside, heading towards their dormitory.

"By the way, is it really okay for you to go back so late Your manager should be staying with you guys, right" Remembering this, Chi Jingyuan asked with concern.

"The manager hasn't been living in the dorm these two days... He just needs an excuse to tell Se-ki and the others." Bae Joohyun glanced at him, pursed her lips and looked up, seemingly considering how to explain it when she went back.

"Do you often lie to them, Juhyeon xi" He found her expression rather amusing and Ji-Seong couldn't help but laugh.

"...And besides, they're not stupid. They actually know a lot of things deep down, they just need an excuse." She looked at the road ahead and calmly retorted.

After releasing the previously difficult-to-suppress emotions and complex thoughts, Bae Joo-hyun felt a sense of lightness all over. Walking side by side with Ji Kyeong-won like this also made her happy. The two kept their hands in their pockets for warmth, twisting their hips slightly and kicking their calves happily with their signature walking gait.

"By the way," she suddenly remembered something and quickly turned to look at Chi Jingyuan, "that thing you said last time about going back..."

This is one of the things she's been most concerned about these days, but because the other party is deliberately playing hard to get, she's a little angry and doesn't want to go ask them with a fawning attitude.

It doesn't matter now...

"Oh, it was about the company meeting discussing EXO's comeback schedule for next year. The head of the planning department mentioned it when they were deciding on the specific dates. I didn't ask in detail, but it seems like it's almost finalized."

Chi Jingyuan glanced at her and recounted the events of that day's meeting, but he didn't know much about it either.

"That's..." Although she didn't know the specific plan, being able to return was already enough to satisfy her. Park Soo-hyun blinked with a hint of excitement in her eyes, then asked, "What about the new member Is it yeri, or Ga Eun, or someone else"

Qi Jingyuan hesitated for a moment, then spread his hands helplessly and said, "I don't recognize any of the names you mentioned."

"How could you be like this" Park Soo-hyuk sounded a little displeased, glaring at him as if she were standing up for someone. "You've met several times at the family concert, twice I was watching right beside you, every time they greeted you respectfully, so you didn't even take it to heart"

"Is that so" Ji Jingyuan recalled, it seemed to be because of this, but he really didn't remember the names of those trainees.

He shrugged. “Forgot about them, maybe they just lack some memorable points. The impression they left on me is nowhere near as deep as the one you made when we first met.”

"What impression did I leave on you the first time we met" Pei Zhuxuan's eyes lit up at his question, and she slowed her pace, gazing at him with interest.

"Hmm…" That was just a casual remark earlier. Now that he thinks back, Ji-won suddenly remembers that the first impression Pei Joo-hyuk gave him was quite average. Neither her figure, aura, nor appearance stood out. If it weren't for Woo Se-hoon mentioning her, he wouldn't have much of a memory.

After a two-second pause, Chi Jingyuan glanced at her and quickly quickened his pace: "Forget it, I won't say anything."

"Oh, here we go again. How can you be so selfish and annoying" Seeing Ji-yeong run away even faster, Bae Joo-hyun's curiosity was once again left hanging in the air. She glared at his retreating figure angrily, shouted a word, and then ran up to him, kicking his shin.

Chi Jingyuan grimaced and pretended to be in pain, poking fun at the previous topic with two sarcastic remarks.

Otherwise, how can you say Short in stature, average temperament, ordinary appearance, pimples on the face, and a pale complexion

After kicking twice, Pei Zhuxuan didn't really take it to heart. The two chatted and laughed as they walked, her legs swinging slightly with each step. At this moment, she probably felt very good. As she spoke, she unconsciously hummed a tune softly.

"The brilliant light obscured by clouds, please eternally illuminate me."

The still air and gentle warm wind always accompany me, come rain or shine.

She sang while bobbing her head, and tapping her feet to the rhythm.

As soon as Chi Jingyuan heard it, he knew she was singing the rap from "Let It Be." The original part sounded particularly unique under Bae Joo-hyun's slightly grandma-like rap.

“Mmmmmm…” Chi Jingyuan clapped enthusiastically, and after she finished singing, he praised her with admiration: “You sang really well. You’re much better than the rappers in our group. You have no idea how hard it was for us during recording.”

"Hahaha..." Pei Joo-hyuk was a little pleased to be praised so directly, couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing. Hearing him say that exaggeratedly, she even glared at Ji-won with a hint of reproach.

Smiling, she suddenly became interested again and turned her head to look at him: 'By the way, you said this song was written because of what I said, then what about that harmony at the end'

Besides the lyrics that represented their deep memories, what impressed her most about the whole song was the harmonious ending, like sunlight melting snow.

"Well...it's based on the sound of your crying." Ji Jingyuan blinked and began to imitate IU's weeping voice: "U~, do I sound like her Very rhythmic, right"

"You, hey!"

Hearing this, I remembered the two times I lost control of my emotions and cried miserably in front of him. A wave of shame instantly flooded my mind.

Pei Joo-hyuk pulled out her tiny fist and punched him hard. Finding that Ji-yeong was still trying to run away, she glared at him and immediately chased after him in her sneakers. After hitting him several times, she started to think about the final harmony of "Go with the Flow" and her own crying voice; they seemed a little similar. She lowered her head, shook her hair, and burst into laughter.

This person really makes her...

It was a 10-minute journey that quickly came to an end. As they approached the street leading to their dormitory district, the two stopped in their tracks.

Looking at the pond in front of him, Pei Zhuxuan suddenly fell silent.

The happy time passed a little too quickly, but when she returned to reality, her thoughts, which had been scattered, came back to life. She and Ji Jingyuan glanced at each other before looking away, staring at the empty wall beside them. After a long silence, she hesitantly opened her mouth: "Jingyuan, you and..."

But having just said the beginning, there was no continuation. Bae Joo-hyeon let out a soft sigh as if she had made up her mind. A gentle smile returned to her face, and she smoothed down her hair and waved at Ji-seong with a nonchalant air, as if nothing had been said just moments before.

"Then I'll be going."

This novel is first published on Traditional Chinese Novel Network.t speak, only listening quietly.He now understands why Choi Soo-ri often exuded that sense of loneliness and disarray.When she was a child, her life wasn't very happy. She was bullied and harassed, an...