Please! My relationship with the girl group leader is purely platonic.

Chapter 55 A Very Satisfying Birthday

The road was so narrow that apart from Seohyun, who was so quiet that she didn't participate in the conversation, no one else noticed Kim Tae-yeon's departure.

Tiffany turned around and saw Seohyun's bewildered little eyes. She opened her mouth, trying to find an excuse, but found that she couldn't find one at all.

After stammering for a long time, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Taeyeon... she said that something was dropped and she went to pick it up."

"..." The youngest member remained silent, only glancing briefly at the black SUV parked by the roadside.

She wasn't stupid; in fact, she was quite clever, and her memory was pretty good. So, after seeing the car, Seohyun asked calmly, "Taeyeon unnie, are you going to pick up that car?"

"..." Tiffany suddenly felt speechless, and because of the maknae's words, the people who were chatting enthusiastically in front of her stopped in their tracks.

Being stared at by so many people, Tiffany felt unprecedented pressure. She took a deep breath, flashed the sweetest smile she had ever had since birth, and smiled with her eyes crinkling, "Kids~ please don't make things difficult for me, okay? I really don't know how to cover for others~"

Unaware that Tiffany had already been exposed, Kim Tae-yeon got into the car. The car started, but it didn't go far before turning into another alley.

Kang Woo-jin handed her the bag containing snacks, gummies, and a gift, smiling as he said, "The gift is an instant camera. It's not very expensive, but... I think you might need it occasionally, and you can take some photos with your friends..."

"Really? Thank you for the gift." She immediately noticed the packaging box in the bag, as well as the gummy candy wrappers lining the bottom.

Kang Woo-jin wrapped the gift box in red patterned paper, just like he would with Christmas gifts, and even attached a large bow to it.

Kim Tae-yeon felt she might not need the Polaroid camera, but she thought that if she brought it to the practice room, some of her energetic friends would definitely take it and take all sorts of photos.

She preferred the small packets of gummy candies at the bottom, especially the fruit-flavored ones, which she liked even more than the Polaroid camera.

The two hadn't seen each other for a while, but Kim Tae-yeon didn't plan to stay too long. She knew Tiffany couldn't keep a secret, and besides, Tiffany was no match for the five or six people on the other side, whose fighting strength was extremely low. Out of concern, she quickly suggested going back.

Jiang Youzhen was a little annoyed. They had only met for two or three minutes, and he was already leaving?

Reluctant to part, he quickly spoke up. Seeing the girl about to get out of the car, he moved closer to her and said, "I'll take you there. I won't drive; I'll walk you."

"I'm fine with anything, but if they see you, don't be all shy and awkward again. Oh, by the way! Aren't you going back to New York tomorrow?" Kim Tae-yeon suddenly remembered this. She put down her hand that was about to open the door and turned to look at Kang Woo-jin.

Jiang Youzhen stopped abruptly and leaned back into the driver's seat. His heart suddenly skipped a beat. The girl's faint fragrance was familiar; it was the same brand of perfume he usually wore. He had given her a bottle when he returned from Denmark last time.

He was delighted to learn that she actually used the gift.

Jiang Youzhen tried to calm himself down, but he stammered nervously as he replied, "Um, tomorrow, I... I will definitely contact you. It's just... the time difference is a bit... but don't worry, I have two phones, one to check the time in China, and one... to check the time abroad."

His answer was hesitant and stuttering, but Kim Tae-yeon heard it clearly. Perhaps the space in the car was a bit cramped, which made the atmosphere between the two a little strange.

Especially when no one is speaking.

Just then, someone's phone suddenly vibrated. Kim Tae-yeon saw that it was an SOS message from Tiffany. She was immediately embarrassed and, disregarding the strange atmosphere between them, she opened the car door and jumped out.

Jiang Youzhen got out of the car and followed beside her. The evening breeze was still a bit chilly, and since they were in an alley, he handed his cashmere coat to the girl. She didn't refuse, and with the residual warmth of the coat, she felt a strong sense of warmth and comfort.

The cashmere material was very comfortable and warm. On the way back to the dormitory, she asked several questions, all of which were curious about what Jiang Youzhen's plans were after returning to New York.

"Preparing for the film's production involved contacting assistant directors I knew before and film prop companies. After graduation, I assembled my own crew, selected locations, and held auditions for actors... Before all that, I also had to hand over the sequels to the production companies for the three films I had previously signed contracts for."

It sounds difficult and time-consuming, but it's actually even more difficult than it sounds. Each task is expensive, energy-consuming, and time-consuming, but once completed, it brings extraordinary satisfaction.

He's always wanted to make his own movie, and this time he finally has the chance.

Kim Tae-yeon's strengths and interests differ from his. Although both are involved in the entertainment industry, they are completely different, so for now, she only considers herself a qualified listener.

She turned to look at Jiang Youzhen's profile and saw that when he talked about these plans, he had a gentle smile on his face and his eyes showed a kind of enthusiasm and seriousness for the things he loved.

She gazed at him, gradually becoming lost in thought.

Even as the two slowly walked to the dormitory building, they could still hear bursts of laughter and playful banter coming from upstairs.

After Kim Tae-yeon came to her senses, she heard the sounds from upstairs and sighed inwardly.

These loudmouths...

"Anders, I might not be able to see you off tomorrow, but please be careful on the road. It's not entirely safe abroad."

"I will."

"Also... I've always thought that the movies and TV series you've acted in are all very good. I've also watched the movies you wrote about. I may not be able to help you, but I think you really fit what those film critics say: you're a very thoughtful and outstanding genius."

This wasn't the first time Jiang Youzhen had heard such praise, but listening to the girl's gentle and slow tone, he couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you for the compliment. If I could, I would love to hear you continue praising me, but unfortunately..."

"What a pity? Is it because you're leaving tomorrow? We can still keep in touch by phone."

The thought of not being able to see the girl for a long time in the future flashed through Kang Woo-jin's mind. He firmly grasped Kim Tae-yeon's wrist, wanting her to stay a little longer.

The warmth of his large, large hands seeped through her clothes and into her skin. The girl stopped in her tracks, turned her head, and looked at him with a slightly bewildered expression.

The dim streetlights shone on him, and only then did the girl realize that his clothes were suddenly a bit thin, while his coat was still on her.

He was clearly dressed up, wearing a cashmere coat and a warm-colored turtleneck underneath. She noticed that he was also wearing the bracelet she had given him on his wrist.

"I'll be staying in New York for a long time, so..."

Jiang Youzhen hesitated for a moment, but when he looked at his reflection in the girl's eyes, his hesitation disappeared. He stepped forward and gently hugged her.

This seemed to be their first hug. He didn't let go immediately, but instead made a low request, "Can we still keep in touch every day?"

Kim Tae-yeon felt her heart beating faster. She involuntarily raised her hand to touch Kang Woo-jin's waist, as if to hug him, but as soon as she put her arm down, she lowered it in fear.

She was afraid of being seen by others, but even more afraid of disturbing or affecting him.

"Okay...of course."

It seems like those days when every contact was like writing a short essay are coming back.

They don't reject it; in fact, they enjoy it.

Hearing laughter coming from upstairs again, Jiang Youzhen released his grip, gently ruffling the girl's hair with a smile. "Let's go upstairs."

Kim Tae-yeon's cheeks were flushed an unnatural pink. She nodded and turned to walk upstairs.

After climbing two steps, she heard gentle voices coming from behind her.

Happy birthday, Taeyeon!

"Thanks"

She went upstairs, feeling a sense of fulfillment. Especially when she opened the dormitory door, the sight of her friends pushing a birthday cake and wishing her a happy birthday made her feel exceptionally happy.

In the alley downstairs, Jiang Youzhen heard the distinct voice from upstairs. He picked at his ear, somewhat surprised.

"Are all singers this loud? They're so energetic..."