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Chapter 1426 Haha

Chapter 1426 Haha

After leaving KBS, Ji Kyung-won and Park Chan-yeol got into the waiting van, which started smoothly and headed towards SM Entertainment.

Chi Jingyuan took over the entire back row, chose a window seat, and began unpacking the gifts he had just received.

He first took out the small box that Bae Joo-hyun had given him from his pocket.

The box wasn't big, but it was very well packaged. It was wrapped in light gray matte wrapping paper, and the edge was tied with a neat silver ribbon in a bow.

With a gentle touch, I untied the ribbon, lifted the lid of the box, and inside lay a layer of soft white velvet, where a small, exquisite pendant lay quietly in the center. The pendant was made of silver, polished smooth and delicate, gleaming faintly in the dim light of the car interior.

What made Chi Jingyuan unable to help but smile was... the pendant was shaped like Pikachu's iconic lightning bolt tail, with a cute, rounded curve and a small logo embedded at the tip.

This is exactly the element he likes.

Looking down, there's a small loop at the top of the pendant, which can be threaded through and worn as a necklace, or hung on a phone as a decoration.

Chi Jingyuan subconsciously touched his phone. The phone was clean and simple, with no fancy accessories that idols usually have, except for the necessary phone case. It was almost too plain.

I guess Bae Joo-hyun always knew that Ji Kyung-won didn't like overly extravagant decorations, so she specially prepared this little pendant... She's really thoughtful.

He casually put the pendant into his pocket and picked up the exquisite handbag that Sana Minatozaki had handed him.

I unzipped the bag and rummaged through it. The bag wasn't very full; it was mostly filled with individually wrapped small gifts, each labeled with a member's name.

Soon, a gift bag with Chou Tzu-yu's name on it and the Chinese words "Merry Christmas" written on it caught his attention.

Chi Jingyuan curiously took out the gift bag with the simple stripes printed on it.

Inside was a small, sturdy cardboard box, neatly and simply packaged without any unnecessary decorations.

Upon seeing the packaging, he originally thought it would contain winter items such as scarves and gloves, or cute dolls.

After glancing at it twice, Chi Jingyuan opened it out of curiosity.

But when he opened the box and saw what was inside, his expression suddenly tightened, and he froze for a moment, his face contorted in shock.

There was nothing in the box that he had expected...

Several pairs of boxer briefs were neatly stacked together. The briefs, in three basic colors—gray, black, and brown—were folded into regular squares with sharp edges.

What Chou Tzu-yu gave him... was actually men's underwear!

Upon seeing these pieces of cloth, Chi Jingyuan's lips twitched, and he was speechless.

A sticky note on the side of the box had a simple line drawing of a little person grinning carefree, with eyes narrowed into slits.

Ji Kyung-won could tell at a glance that it was Chou Tzu-yu's doing.

In addition to these colors of underwear, there was also a bright red pair of underwear that stood out prominently in the middle, making a strong visual impact among the plain colors.

Chi Jingyuan reached out and hooked up the red ribbon, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.

This dark-skinned girl is getting bolder and bolder... Chi Jingyuan can already imagine the sly smile on her face when she chooses this as a gift.

But I must say, it's actually quite a useful item... I'll send a few of the same to Chou Tzu-yu when I have time.

With a stiff expression, Chi Jingyuan closed the box and was about to put it back in his bag when Park Chanyeol's voice suddenly came from the front row:

"...I have to say, Sana is really amazing."

Sitting in the front row, Park Chanyeol, who was playing on his phone, seemed to be thinking about the scenes of working together recently. He suddenly made a comment, perhaps inspired by something he had just seen:

"You know, the kind of person who's really good at flirting. Even when you're just talking or chatting normally, you always feel like you're different from others, and you have your own kind of atmosphere."

"Jingyuan, do you feel this way?"

"A little bit."

Upon hearing this, Chi Jingyuan recalled the rehearsal scene and nodded slightly in agreement.

When chatting, Sana Minatozaki's tone is never flat or boring. She can speak simple short sentences with intonation. Even when she doesn't speak, she will lean forward slightly, and her focused listening posture exudes an indescribable vitality, making people unable to help but focus their attention on her.

Especially her eyes; her gaze always carries just the right amount of moisture. Occasionally, when she looks up, the corners of her eyes are slightly upturned, seemingly unintentional, but actually alluring as if she's coming straight at you.

It certainly has that special charm.

However, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly that Sana Minatozaki's performance was truly excellent. Even someone like Park Chanyeol, who had been in the industry for many years and had always been very perceptive, didn't realize that there was a relationship between Ji Kyung-won and her that went beyond ordinary friendship, and only regarded it as normal working interactions.

"I feel that putting aside looks and figure, just in terms of female charm, Sana is much stronger than Jennie."

Park Chanyeol put down his phone, turned to the side, and continued speaking.

"What about looks and figure?"

Chi Jingyuan blinked and asked.

"Hmm... to be honest, Sana's disadvantages are her average face shape and average leg shape, while Jennie has a more well-proportioned figure, and then..."

Park Chanyeol paused, stroked his chin, and carefully recalled and commented on the matter. Then he suddenly laughed: "It seems that Sana is still better... Kai has pretty good taste. If I were Kai, I would pursue Sana. What a pity..."

"Didn't Kai say he almost caught up?"

Chi Jingyuan leaned back in his chair and pursed his lips.

"Listen to him bragging!"

Park Chanyeol scoffed and curled his lip: "Who can't see it? He's just too proud to say it out loud."

"If someone is so close to catching up with him, wouldn't they try their best to win him over? Just kidding, Sana probably wouldn't even acknowledge him once she heard he wanted to date her... Don't let her being a junior fool you, Sana is definitely not the kind of woman you can mess with."

"Brother's judgment is still excellent."

Chi Jingyuan expressed his sincere admiration.

"You're not bad either... Oh right, this is it."

Park Chanyeol smiled, then suddenly seemed to remember something and handed over his phone: "It's this girl."

Chi Jingyuan took the phone. On the screen was an artistic photo. The girl in the photo was wearing a light-colored dress. She had delicate features and didn't look particularly familiar, but he vaguely felt that he had seen her somewhere before.

"Who is this?" Chi Jingyuan asked after glancing at it.

"Baek Ji-heon... the member of that new girl group who asked me for your contact information, the one I just told you about, is your biggest fan."

Park Chanyeol raised an eyebrow at him, his tone slightly teasing: "She's a real fanatic, the kind of person who'd come home with you if you just beckoned."

"real or fake?"

Upon hearing this, Chi Jingyuan's previously indifferent gaze became interested, and he examined the photo more closely: "I think I've seen her before, at the Tokyo MAMA, but I didn't recognize her as one of my fans... How old is she?"

Chi Jingyuan recalled for a moment, but didn't really remember much. He didn't even seem to respond much when he greeted the girl... Now that Park Chanyeol said this, was she too excited and nervous to speak?

"It seems to be... born in 2003." Park Chanyeol didn't know either, so he picked up his other phone to check and confirmed, "Yes, born in 03."

"crazy."

Upon hearing this age, Chi Jingyuan couldn't help but roll his eyes, instantly extinguishing any lingering thoughts that had just surfaced.

He then looked at the photo from a purely appreciative perspective and objectively commented, "It's alright."

Baek Ji-heon's photo shows her to be of the innocent type; she's not particularly beautiful, but she's quite recognizable.

"So I gave her your contact information?" Park Chanyeol took back his phone and asked.

"Let's do it in a few days... and don't give me your phone number, just add me on KakaoTalk." Chi Jingyuan thought for a moment.

"OK~"

Park Chanyeol gave an OK sign and went back to playing with his phone.

After talking with Park Chanyeol, Ji Kyungwon turned his attention back to the handbag on his lap.

There were also many gifts inside, but many of them were greeting cards with cute and heartfelt messages. For example, Kim Da-hyun and Son Chae-young all sent greeting cards.

This is normal, and Chi Jingyuan actually likes it this way too. Giving expensive gifts that are too formal is not really appropriate.

This kind of gesture, where people feel close and familiar with each other, is the best, as it puts no pressure on anyone.

As he flipped through the pages, his fingertips touched a pair of gloves, and he paused involuntarily.

He slowly took it out... It was a pair of gray gloves, made of coarse hand-knitted material. The stitches weren't particularly fine, and some parts were even a little rough.

There is a small embroidered pattern on the outermost side of the inside of the glove. Although it is woven a bit blurry, you can see that it is a round penguin with an adorable appearance.

Although there was no name written on it, nor any note with blessings, Chi Kyung-won recognized it at a glance...

This was given to me by Minami.

Besides her, no one else would give him something as a gift that he had knitted himself, bit by bit.

He took out the gloves and gently rubbed them in his palm. The knitted fabric was soft and thick, seemingly carrying the unique warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

Just touching it makes it feel warm.

Chi Jingyuan, holding the gloves, suddenly seemed lost in thought.

He remembered that Mina had given him a gray scarf at the end of last winter.

It was also hand-knitted by her, and in order to make it in time for the 100-day anniversary gift of their relationship, she took all the time out of her extremely busy schedule to knit it.

He was really touched when he received that scarf, and he would often wear it in private. However, as the weather got warmer and after the breakup, he never wore it again.

That scarf should be... in the closet at home now. It hasn't been taken out for a long time, and he's even forgotten which closet it's in.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, another winter has arrived.

Thinking of this, Chi Jingyuan fell silent for a moment.

Coming to my senses, I looked at the gloves in my hand.

He noticed that Mina's knitting skills were much more proficient than last year; although the stitches were still not perfect, they were neater than those on the scarf.

Thinking of this ex-girlfriend...

I enjoy knitting quietly, researching various baked desserts, drinking all kinds of flavored sodas, playing games while lounging on the sofa, staying home building Lego, and listening to the sound of thunder and lightning. Every time it rains, I can sit by the window and watch it quietly for hours...

This doesn't look like an idol at all!

This is clearly...

Chi Jingyuan let out another soft breath, gently folded the gloves, and put them back into his handbag.

Finally, he pulled out the last gift from the bottom of the bag.

It was a square box with Nayeon's name on it. Next to the box was a small note with rounded handwriting that read: "Thank you for taking care of me, Kyungwon oppa. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Merry Christmas!"

They're quite polite.

Upon seeing the note, Chi Jingyuan's lips curled into a smile, and he mentally gave it a thumbs up.

He thought it was just a regular little gift, and with a bit of anticipation, he didn't think much of it and gently lifted the lid of the box.

"boom!"

With a crisp snapping sound, a plush rabbit doll sprang out of the box and flew towards his face. The rabbit had a ferocious expression, baring its two large front teeth, its eyes wide open, and holding a small red carrot-shaped knife in its hand, grinning as if it wanted to kill him.

At the same time, a built-in media player started making loud "hahahahaha" noises.

Startled by the sudden turn of events, Chi Jingyuan instinctively shrank back, nearly dropping the rabbit doll in his hand.

"Ashi."

Unable to hold back his curses, Chi Jingyuan was genuinely startled, though he didn't want to admit it.

"What happened?"

Hearing the commotion, Park Chanyeol in the front row immediately turned around and looked at him curiously. "What happened?"

"……fine."

Of course, Chi Jingyuan couldn't admit that he had been pranked by a rabbit.

He quickly pressed the rabbit back into the box, but didn't seal it completely, and the maniacal laughter continued to escape intermittently.

"Hahahaha!"

Park Chanyeol looked him up and down, then glanced at the box in his hand, raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, said nothing, and turned away with a smile.

Chi Jingyuan steadied himself before glaring at the scare box in front of him, which was used for pranks.

The rabbit plush toy was held in place in the box by a spring, wobbling precariously and bending back and forth like a roly-poly toy. Every time it leaned towards him, its ferocious expression, coupled with the carrot knife it was holding, made it seem as if it was about to pounce and bite him.

While fumbling around, Chi Jingyuan discovered a button on the rabbit's back. He pressed it, and the already silly laughter was instantly replaced by an even more absurd voice: "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!!"

Judging from the voice, it seems to be recorded by Lim Nayeon herself. Like the previous "hahahaha," it is a magical laugh using a voice changer.

Ji Jingyuan stared at the still-shaking killer rabbit in the box, finding it all quite comical. Upon seeing this idiotic rabbit with its large front teeth, Ji Jingyuan instantly hallucinated that it was Lim Nayeon.

How stupid is that?

That's so childish!

He frowned, looking at the killer rabbit in front of him wielding a carrot knife, occasionally lunging at him, its maniacal "hahahahaha" laughter echoing in his ears. He felt speechless and frustrated.

But... I really can't get angry.

He couldn't resist reaching out and gently flicking the rabbit's head with his finger. The rabbit seemed to have been hit hard, falling backward, its laughter faltering for a moment before bouncing back up after two seconds and continuing its "hahahaha" laugh.

Chi Jingyuan was amused by its silly appearance and couldn't help but flick it again.

"Hahaha...haha."

"Pfft..."

Played it again.

"Clam……"

After playing for a while, the killer rabbit stopped. Chi Jingyuan and she exchanged a glance. Chi Jingyuan saw her pointing a carrot knife at him with a fierce look on her face.

After staring at each other for a while, he burst into laughter, a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"I really..."

…………

Meanwhile, Sana Minatozaki returned to the company with her assistant. The members had already packed their things and were ready to head to the airport.

Sana is back.

Upon seeing her enter, Kim Da-hyun waved first to greet her. The other members also looked over, and Minatozaki Sana responded with a smile, then briefly reported the rehearsal progress to her manager.

She found an empty seat and was about to take a sip of water when she caught a glimpse of her older sister, Lin Nayan, pacing around in circles before finally stopping next to her.

"Sana~"

Lim Na-yeon walked to the side, her expression natural.

"Ernie."

"Did you give the gift to... Kyungwon oppa?"

Lim Nayeon asked casually, and the other members looked over curiously.

"Of course I gave it to you."

"So... what was Kyungwon oppa's reaction when he saw the gift?"

Upon hearing this, Lim Nayeon raised an eyebrow, maintaining a nonchalant demeanor, but her speech quickened, revealing an undisguised anticipation:

"Did you say anything? Are you especially happy?"

"Nope."

Sana Minatozaki gave Nayeon a strange look and shook her head: "Kyungwon oppa didn't open it at the time, but he was very happy and asked me to thank you."

"Huh? It wasn't opened."

Lim Nayeon was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. She rubbed her heart-shaped lips together, muttered a few inaudible words, and complained, "Who asks someone to help them express their gratitude?"

"That's what I said too."

Sana Minatozaki nodded upon hearing this: "So Oppa said he thanked you himself."

"I didn't receive it." Upon hearing this, Lim Nayeon picked up her phone and looked at it, and Kim Dahyun and the others next to her also glanced at it.

"They're probably busy. Jingyuan oppa and XO are just like us, they have to catch a flight to Japan soon."

Sana Minatozaki thought for a moment and then explained.

Upon hearing this, Lim Nayeon blinked, her expression shifting as if she had thought of something:

"That's it..."