Chapter 115: The First Hurdle of the Date

Once they had traveled a sufficient distance from the house, Chen Zhe and Krystal both slumped back into their seats, exhaling in unison. The pressure exerted by Jessica, Krystal’s older sister, had been truly immense.

"Phew! Krystal, how did you get caught by Noona earlier? You nearly scared me to death. Thank goodness we managed to slip away."

Finally catching his breath, Chen Zhe patted his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. Jessica’s sudden pursuit had genuinely terrified him.

"I didn't expect her to be up so early, let alone chase after us. But at least we got away..."

Krystal took several deep breaths to steady her own heartbeat. She had been even more startled than Chen Zhe; first by Jessica’s sudden appearance behind them, and then by the chase that had nearly stopped her heart entirely.

Just as she began to relax and speak with Chen Zhe, a familiar ringtone cut her off. They both looked toward the source of the sound—it was Krystal’s phone. She reflexively opened her palm, revealing the screen. The caller ID displayed "Unnie." Seeing that name, both of them froze. They hadn't expected Jessica to strike back so quickly, leaving them no time to prepare or concoct an excuse.

"Um, Krystal, I think you’d better answer it. There’s no telling what Noona might do if you don't."

After a long silence, Chen Zhe was the first to recover. He nudged the still-rigid Krystal and whispered his advice.

"If I answer, I won't even know what to say to her! Forget it, I'll just pick up."

Gathering her resolve, Krystal irritably ran a hand through her hair. She hadn't figured out how to handle her sister yet, but she knew there was no turning back. With a deep breath and the look of someone heading to the gallows, she pressed the answer button and held the phone to her ear.

"Yah! Jung Soo-jung, do you want to die? Just wait until you get home tonight—you’re in for it!"

Back at the house, watching the departing taxi, Jessica stomped her foot in frustration as she shouted into the phone.

Inside the car, sitting next to Krystal, Chen Zhe folded his arms and fought back the urge to laugh as he watched Krystal tremble under the verbal assault. However, he noticed Krystal looking at him with a strange expression—one of pity and sympathy—which left him completely bewildered.

"Pfft... Uh, Cheol, my Unnie says she wants to talk to you. She has a few things to settle with you."

Krystal pulled the phone away, covered the speaker with her hand, and let out a snicker. She relayed the message while passing the phone to Chen Zhe, unable to hide her amusement. Upon hearing this, Chen Zhe went stiff. The faint smile on his face froze, and he sat there as if paralyzed by a spell.

"Take it! Don't keep Unnie waiting!"

Stifling her laughter, Krystal shoved the phone closer to his ear, her tone dripping with unconcealed schadenfreude.

"An... nyeong... haseyo, Jessica Noona. Good morning!"

Glaring at the snickering Krystal, Chen Zhe took the phone and greeted Jessica with a hesitant, shaky voice.

***

"Annyeonghaseyo, Cheol, good morning! Wait—hold on, why are you the one answering?"

Hearing Chen Zhe’s voice, Jessica initially responded out of habit. But as she finished her sentence, she suddenly realized: she had told her sister to hand the phone to the boy she was with. Why was it Chen Zhe, the younger brother she had claimed as her own, answering the call?