039 Liu Zhimin Has Something on Her Mind

Time slipped by, and by the time everything concluded, it was already past nine. Yin Yunhui hadn’t clearly heard what Bae Suzy was babbling about during the interaction segment. All he knew was that in the final wave, he stood in line to take a photo with her using an instant camera provided by the staff, and she even signed it for him.

Consequently, when Yin Yunhui stepped out, his hands were full of things, and he felt a bit dazed. Well, he had to admit that being an entertainer was even harder than he had imagined. He tucked everything that could fit under the seat of his motor scooter and left the rest on the floorboard. Should he have asked his assistant, Ms. Jin, to come pick him up? That wouldn't have been impossible. Yin Yunhui considered it briefly, but decided against bothering her; assistants get tired too. If he had known, he wouldn't have gone out joyriding on his scooter. It would have been much better to just drive; it wasn't as if there was a lack of parking nearby. The Yes24 Live Hall, located right next to the Gwangjin-gu Civic Center, had a free parking lot.

Yin Yunhui glanced at the instant photo in his hand. Bae Suzy’s smile looked too formulaic, and he hadn't even managed a real smile himself, just a slight upturn of his lips. For some reason, he felt that today’s performance—especially the Miss A songs—hadn't seen Bae Suzy at her best. She was still beautiful, of course, but the spirit was missing; there was a dryness in her eyes, a lack of luster. Regardless of the profession, after ten years, it was inevitable to feel some weariness. The mere thought of potentially acting for a decade made Yin Yunhui shudder. He didn't have much loyalty to the acting craft; it was more about imitating the paths of his seniors and indulging a rebellious, free-spirited nature. When he could no longer perform, he would just retire, or maybe switch to directing? Judging by the work of Director Lee Jung-gon, it didn't seem like being a professional was all that impressive. Is that it? Yin Yunhui truly felt he could do it himself. (Director Lee Jung-gon: "I’m terribly sorry to have disappointed you!")

After waiting in the parking lot for a while as the fans dispersed, Yin Yunhui tucked the instant photo into his wallet. Only then did he have a moment to check his phone. *Huh, when did Jimin send me a message?* Yin Yunhui called Liu Jimin back, but no one answered. Not picking up? Blocked!

Yin Yunhui rode his scooter slowly along the Han River toward home, though he planned to stop by Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu for dinner first. While stopped at a red light, his phone rang. Sure enough, it was Liu Jimin. Her first words were full of frustration: "Oppa, can you stop being so childish? Did you block me on that number again?"

"Yeah. Maybe next time I'll use this number to block you too." Yin Yunhui pulled his scooter to the side of the road, away from the traffic lane.

"Don't you dare do that!!!" Liu Jimin sounded on the verge of a breakdown. Older brothers were such creatures; they were the most reliable when there was danger, but when there wasn't, they were the biggest danger of all. Yin Yunhui had a nasty temper, but he didn't act like that with others. Did he really think she was a pushover? I, Liu Jimin, am no soft touch!

"Get to the point. I'm on my way home." Yin Yunhui steadied the items about to slide off the floorboard. He really didn't make a habit of seeking her out to tease her anymore.

"I wanted you to treat me to a late-night snack."

"Huh?"

"Is that not allowed..." Liu Jimin began to play the victim, her voice sounding particularly miserable. She knew this tactic always worked.

"Fine. I haven't had dinner yet anyway."

"What were you doing, Oppa? Why haven't you eaten?" Liu Jimin asked with 'fake' concern, and Yin Yunhui answered honestly: "Watching a show. Where are you? The dorm or the company?"

"Still at the company, of course. I just finished practice. And listen, I’m not asking you to treat me because I’m hungry or out of pocket money—I have something very important to tell you." Liu Jimin tried to build suspense, but Yin Yunhui countered, "That’s a coincidence. I have something important to tell you, too."

"Oh?"

"Wait for me at the company. I’m in Gwangjin-gu, I’ll be there in a flash. That’s all."

"Wait, wait! Oppa!"

*Beep, beep, beep.*

Liu Jimin was stunned.

"Pfft." Kim Minjeong couldn't hold it in; she collapsed onto Ningning next to her and burst into laughter. "Hahahaha."

"Minjeong-ah!" Liu Jimin, annoyed, slapped Kim Minjeong’s backside. Kim Minjeong let out an "Ouch," but a strange expression appeared on her face.

"What are you laughing at!"

"Hehehe." Kim Minjeong pouted, making a coy little face to show how cute she was. "Unnie! I want a late-night snack too!"

"Fine, go get something to eat. I’ll pay for it later." Liu Jimin played dumb, pretending not to understand what Kim Minjeong meant. Kim Minjeong, unhappy, had to spell it out: "Unnie~ I want to go get a late-night snack with you."

"Oh~ so that's it~" Liu Jimin smiled. Kim Minjeong felt her goal had been achieved and grinned back, but then Liu Jimin’s expression shifted instantly: "No."

"Ah~~~~~" Kim Minjeong’s face crumpled, and she dragged out a long, whining note. The little puppy was going to be angry. But being angry was useless. Liu Jimin really did have something to discuss with Yin Yunhui, and it wasn't convenient to have a third party present. So, sorry, Minjeong, maybe Unnie will treat you next time.

The group packed up their things, preparing to leave the company. They were still in Gangnam-gu for now; the company had announced a move to the new headquarters at Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong by the second half of the year, but they hadn't made the move yet. Liu Jimin handed her things to Kim Minjeong: "Help me take these back to the dorm, thanks Minjeong."

"Oh..." The puppy was unhappy. She suddenly blurted out, "Unnie, you aren't planning on not coming back tonight, are you???"

"Huh?" Liu Jimin found it ridiculous. *Kim Minjeong, you’ve grown up, haven't you? Daring to tease your Unnie like that.* "That's right, I'm not coming back tonight."

"Ahhhhh, don't, Unnie! I was wrong, please come back!" Kim Minjeong immediately turned docile. She’d never make that kind of joke again—just kidding, she totally would.

"Alright, go back to the dorm and order delivery." Liu Jimin made the arrangements and stood at the bus stop near the company, waiting for Yin Yunhui to pick her up. She checked her phone; it was nearly ten o'clock. Between a late snack and their conversation, it might drag on until midnight. If it came to that, she really wouldn't head back to the dorm. She could just sleep at Yin Yunhui’s place; the Yin residence was huge, after all, with plenty of guest rooms. But why wasn't Yunhui Oppa here yet? He said he was in Gwangjin-gu, which was just across the way. At the speed he rode his scooter, he should have arrived by now.

Liu Jimin couldn't wait any longer. She sent Yin Yunhui a text, but it remained unread. What was Yin Yunhui doing?