Reboot the heyday

It was a little earlier.

Actually, it doesn't need to be too early, just a week.

Before Eun-jung finally got a vacation and could return to Korea, she saw Bo-ram spacing out by herself and even found a secluded spot.

"Unnie, what's wrong?" Eunjung walked over.

Bao Lan opened her mouth, some words swirling on her tongue a few times, but she swallowed them back, saying only, "It's nothing, it's just that everyone seems to have changed."

Eun-jung stood beside her, silent for a moment, and said, "Unnie, you haven't changed."

These words were like a fine needle, gently piercing the thin membrane of self-deception in Bao Lan's heart.

Yes, nothing has changed. That's why I feel out of place, and that's why I feel a sense of detachment and bewilderment when I wake up in the middle of the night.

Bao Lan sometimes recalls the darkest days after the "exclusion incident," when Wang Taika, like an unreasonable ray of light, forcefully carved into their shattered world. Resources, protection, and even a kind of almost tyrannical alignment—he pulled Crown out of the mire and, naturally, made himself an inseparable part of their lives.

The lady accepted, Su Wanzi fell for her, Hyomin followed willingly, Jiyeon's tightly closed heart was opened, and even Eunjung had long since accepted this gift of fate.

Yes, it's a gift, not a sign of helplessness. Because it's not an unreasonable act of possession, but more like a present given in times of despair, so everyone gives it willingly.

Wang Taika at least has a conscience; he genuinely gave everyone the right to choose. Of course, it's also possible that Wang Taika knows that in this world where everyone is trying to be the worst, he himself is actually a pretty good choice.

But, well, yet.
What about her? What about Jeon Boram?
The gratitude is genuine, and the camaraderie forged in battle is real. Wang Taika can be truly detestable when he's annoying, but when he's reliable, he's genuinely reassuring.

But is that enough? Is it enough for her to, like others, acquiesce to or even anticipate some vague future?

not enough.

Baolan knew very well: it wasn't enough.

She didn't feel that heart-pounding nervousness, that anxious anticipation of loss, or that possessiveness towards him. They could chat and laugh easily, cooperate seamlessly, and even trick people together. Although she was often the one being tricked, there was always a layer between them, something called: feeling.

Having gone through so much, Baolan understands that Wang Taika is charismatic, or rather, possesses a tormenting allure. Baolan isn't a superhero; she's just an ordinary girl. If Wang Taika were to display that kind of charm, she would likely succumb to it too.

But it's clear that Wang Taika probably feels the same way about her. So while there might be some inappropriate jokes, there are still limits. That sense of propriety, which gradually disappears with others, remains intact only with her.

She refused to show even a hint of her charm.

This may be a form of respect, but it also creates distance.

Perhaps Wang Taika really doesn't like the "legal loli" type.

Boram smiled, then turned to Eunjung and said, "I haven't changed. I really wish I had."

This time, I felt like I was the one who was abandoned.

Everyone seems to tacitly agree on this situation. But I genuinely don't have that kind of romantic attraction right now. I didn't before, and I probably won't in the future.

You can't expect to suffer some hardship and wait for someone to save you, can you?

I just don't want to do the same just because everyone else does. I also don't want gratitude to cloud my judgment. That would be unfair and dishonest.

Eun-jung could actually guess what Bo-ram was thinking, but she couldn't speak up because of her current position.

Some things sound untrue, but during her most difficult time, Eunjung also experienced a heartbreak. She genuinely felt a spark for her virtual boyfriend on the show, but a subsequent major setback destroyed everything. She still remembers his disgusted expression, as if he was afraid of being associated with her. Then the show ended, and everything was over. Here, Eunjung doesn't want to mention the rescue story. Wang Taika did save T-ara, but Eunjung didn't develop feelings for him because of that.

Forget it, there's no need to bring it up.

Eun-jung faced the city lights, her voice carried on the night breeze: "Unnie, relax. Don't feel like you've been dragged into a predetermined track. Even though this is the choice we've made, everyone has their own worries, their own thoughts, their own moments of excitement and indifference. Now that you've stepped out of this situation, it's your choice. After all, we are still ourselves."

At this point, Eun-jung laughed and turned around, her eyes shining: "This makes me understand. Maybe the reason I'm attracted to him is that he will always give you a choice. Freedom, it turns out that this is the only thing I've ever pursued in my life."

Bao Lan felt somewhat dazed. She had previously assumed that some people's choices were a matter of "settling for second best because there was nothing better." Now, it seemed she had been biased. It turned out that even the most compassionate person still had romantic love.

So, I'm still the one who got left behind.

There was a strange sense of resentment. Because no matter what choice I made, it seemed like those lights never shone on me.

Baolan nodded: "Okay! In that case, I won't choose it."

Because as long as you don't rush to choose, you'll always have the opportunity to choose.

You can choose to give up, but you can't give up the option to choose.

This is Baolan's matter, so let's leave it at that. Eunjung returned to Korea a week later during her vacation. But she was busy this time. She originally wanted to talk to Wang Taika, but since Wang Taika was busy with his company, she had to temporarily act as his secretary.

This isn't the first time Eun-jung has played the role of secretary. The last time was because of Wang Tai-ka's perverse sense of humor, which made Eun-jung reluctantly take on the role for a while. This time, however, she's used to it.

However, Wang Taika's demands were even more outrageous; he requested a more sexy uniform. Fortunately, the job was legitimate, involving helping to organize some documents.

There was one thing that Eun-jung was really having a headache about.

"Oppa, could you please change into some shorter heels?" Eun-jung said helplessly. Wang Taika was really something else; he just loved seeing this kind of thing. A few centimeters high, without even a platform—a beautiful torture device indeed.

Wang Taika said, "I didn't tell you to run around in this. You can sit there too. I think you'll easily get varicose veins like this."

"I'm wearing them." Eun-jung tugged at her leg helplessly to reveal a thin layer of stockings: "They're flesh-colored, aren't they pretty? That's what you meant, I knew it all along."

Wang Taika stroked his chin: "Wearing this all the time must have been really difficult for you, Panda Jing."

Eun-jung breathed a sigh of relief: "Right? I also think this won't work. And..."

Wang Taika nodded: "Okay, we'll start using bunny girls tomorrow."

Eun-jung gasped: "How about we just go for the unspoken rules?"

Wang Taika's eyes lit up: "That works too."

Eun-jung: "Hehe, just kidding."

When it comes to shamelessness, you can never beat Wang Taika.

However, while Wang Taika thought he was in control, Eun-jung was actually the one in control. After all, if she really didn't want to wear it, who could force her?
I just wanted to see Wang Taika sneaking glances; it gave me such a sense of accomplishment!

He had to pretend to be unwilling and make Wang Taika beg him!

Hehe. (End of Chapter)