novellhall 39, who isn't?
39, who isn't?
When she asked, a mischievous smile unconsciously crept onto Li Jingcheng's lips. He deliberately dragged out his words, a sly glint in his eyes.
"Back then, I was surrounded by a lot of blonde, blue-eyed girls. It was common for me to give them love letters and ask them out for afternoon tea."
Bae Joo-hyun paused slightly as she chopped vegetables, then looked up at him with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
"However," he changed the subject, his tone becoming more earnest and nostalgic, "back then, I was preoccupied with how to get scholarships and how to finish my credits early. I didn't have time for dating."
Bae Joo-hyun listened intently, her long eyelashes fluttering in the lamplight. But then she heard Lee Kyung-sung suddenly lower his voice and lean closer, his voice carrying a hint of seduction, "So, from the day I was born until now, I've never been in a relationship even once."
His gaze was fixed intently on her eyes, his tone half-joking, half-serious, each word exceptionally clear: "Bae Joo-hyun, you'd better cherish me."
Bae Joo-hyun paused for a moment, then gave him a look that said, "Are you stupid?" before turning back to continue processing the ingredients, her ears turning slightly red.
"Who would believe your nonsense?" she muttered under her breath.
Yet, a secret sweetness welled up inside her, as if gently brushed by a feather. She didn't truly doubt him, but her face refused to soften, and she added softly, "..."
"It's as if no one is any different."
She refocused her attention on the ingredients in her hands, but the faint blush on her cheeks clearly betrayed the fluttering in her heart.
Seeing this, Li Jingcheng felt a warm current envelop him in his heart, and his hands moved more nimbly. The bowls and chopsticks had been sitting for a long time and were covered in dust, so he scrubbed them vigorously, but his eyes kept involuntarily drifting to her profile.
Although Bae Joo-hyun didn't turn around, her eyes never left Lee Kyung-sung. A gentle smile subtly curved her lips; she was quite satisfied with his reaction.
So... it's worth it for me to have made a special trip and prepared this dinner for him.
In South Korean social norms, a girl visiting a man's home alone sends a subtle yet clear signal. Does he understand this feeling? Having lived in America for so long, does he still grasp the meaning behind this expression?
Thinking of this, Bae Joo-hyun's heart stirred again.
Deep down, she knew that although they had only known each other for two days, she had truly fallen for this bad guy. However, the stark difference in their circumstances was undeniable. He was a national heartthrob who had shone brightly since his debut, while she was still just an unknown trainee in the practice room with an uncertain future.
The gap is too big, especially considering there are many beautiful women in the Korean entertainment industry. Of course, she is confident in her looks, but she's not arrogant enough to consider herself a national goddess.
She both hoped he would say something, giving this vague feeling a definite definition, and was also vaguely afraid that he would actually confess. At least now... wasn't the most appropriate time.
While I was lost in thought, I was suddenly enveloped by a warm body temperature behind me.
A man's cool, refreshing scent approached quietly, his warm breath gently brushing against the bare skin of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
Bae Joo-hyun's breath hitched, and she froze on the spot.
"after……"
Li Jingcheng's voice came from behind her ear, deep and firm, carrying an undeniable possessiveness.
"I only allow you to cook for me, a person of the opposite sex."
Bae Joo-hyun's heart skipped a beat, then began pounding wildly in her chest like a rapid drumbeat. She frantically pushed back with her elbow, her voice trembling slightly, "Okay, okay... I promise you, I'll only cook for you, one man, for the rest of my life, is that alright?"
She forced herself to remain calm, not even noticing the slight reproach in her tone.
"Get out of the way, stop causing trouble. If you keep delaying, dinner will really turn into midnight snack."
Having received her verbal promise, Li Jingcheng chuckled contentedly, yet lingered for a moment longer at the side of her neck, taking a deep breath—
It was a faint, comforting fragrance emanating from her hair and body.
"Hehe." With a triumphant smile, he retreated to the sink to continue washing the dishes.
Bae Joo-hyun's tense body slowly relaxed, she placed her hands on the edge of the kitchen counter, and let out a soft sigh.
There was no aversion in my heart; on the contrary, it felt like being soaked in warm honey, soft and full. But what followed was a clearer, sweeter kind of annoyance.
Ultimately, those new to love are always filled with delicate considerations and expectations. It's not enough for two people to simply be mutually attracted and see eye to eye to proceed smoothly. The value of emotions, the weight of reality, the uncertainty of the future… each one weighs heavily on their hearts.
At least that's how Bae Joo-hyun sees it.
Even if she likes Li Jingcheng very much, the obvious gap between the two and his nascent and highly anticipated acting career mean that there are risks involved.
Even with the utmost caution, there's no guarantee she won't be spied on. Yet, even so… she still can't resist the urge to get close to him, to see him.
This conflicting feeling entangled her like threads.
Meanwhile, Li Jingcheng was in a very cheerful mood.
Although the company's team is working hard to adjust his debut plan, after all, he is debuting with a lot of buzz and public attention, all the publicity plans need to be carefully considered.
But at this moment, all he could see was that slender figure in the kitchen wearing an apron, and the captivating blush on the back of her neck.
In fact, his attitude towards Bae Joo-hyun was similar to, yet somewhat different from, his attitude towards Im Yoon-ah, who was already a top star, two days ago.
Faced with the radiant and successful Lim Yoona, he subconsciously still harbored the belief that she was a wealthy and beautiful woman who had already achieved financial freedom, while he was merely a goddess with unactivated beauty. However, when faced with Bae Joo-hyun, who was still struggling for her dreams and was pure and beautiful, those realistic considerations simply didn't matter.
If you like something, you like it; why worry about so many gains and losses?
He even thought that if he, a butterfly from another time, accidentally flapped his wings and affected Bae Joo-hyun's fate, causing her to miss her debut opportunity... then he would definitely protect her and take responsibility for her to the end.
The water flowed gently, and the dishes in his hands became as clean as new.
In the kitchen, the aroma of food gradually filled the air, and warm light enveloped the two of them. Each of them had their own thoughts, yet neither wanted to leave this small space. The silent atmosphere was soothing, and they both silently indulged in this unique warmth and peace, briefly leaving behind the disturbances of the outside world and savoring this moment of peaceful solitude.
As night deepened outside the window, city lights began to twinkle. This small space, filled with the warmth of everyday life, seemed to be quietly filled by something soft yet firm, isolating it from the outside world's disturbances, leaving only the tranquility of the moment and the undercurrent of emotions.