88: Chapter 88: The atmosphere became subtle and ambiguous.

Kim Taeyeon nearly cut her hand with that slip, causing everyone on set to look over.

Daesung chuckled from the side: "Taeyeon must be too nervous, after all, it's her first time on 'Family Outing'."

He said it without thinking, but Kim Taeyeon's face turned even redder.

She kept her head down, not daring to look at anyone, especially in the direction of Song Tianhao.

Yoo Jae-suk patted her shoulder and said gently: "It's fine, just take your time, no rush. Focus on chopping the vegetables and don't think about anything else."

These words were spoken with deep meaning, and Kim Taeyeon lowered her head even further.

On the other side, Song Tianhao had finished preparing the fish and was washing the knife. Lee Hyori held the plate of fish segments, standing beside him. The slight flush on her face had faded, but her eyes still held a smile.

"President Song," she placed the fish segments back on the counter and leaned against it to look at him, "What else did your grandmother teach you?"

Song Tianhao wiped the knife dry, hung it back on the rack, and turned to look at her: "A lot. Growing vegetables, feeding chickens, fishing, making kimchi, and how to tell if a mushroom is poisonous."

"Mushrooms?" Lee Hyori raised an eyebrow.

"There are many mushrooms in the mountains, but not all of them can be eaten," Song Tianhao said. "Grandmother taught me to look at the color, the shape, the gills, and to smell them. She said the more beautiful a mushroom looks, the more likely it is to be poisonous."

He paused and looked at Lee Hyori.

"People are sometimes like that too."

Lee Hyori was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

She laughed happily, her shoulders shaking: "President Song, are you beating around the bush to say that I might be poisonous?"

"Senior, you're overthinking it," Song Tianhao also laughed. "I mean, some things shouldn't be judged by their appearance alone."

"For example?"

"For example, catching chickens," Song Tianhao said. "It looks difficult, but if you master the technique, it's quite simple. For example, cooking; it looks complicated, but if you take it one step at a time, it's not hard."

He stopped and looked at Lee Hyori.

"For example, being on a variety show; it seems like you need to be funny and perform, but in reality, you just need to be yourself."

Lee Hyori looked at him for several seconds.

Then she turned around, picked up the kitchen knife, and started chopping side dishes, her tone relaxed: "President Song, you really have a way with words. Who did you learn that from?"

"Self-taught," Song Tianhao also picked up another knife and started chopping onions. "Sometimes you have to speak, and sometimes you shouldn't say too much. It's hard to strike the right balance."

"Then do you think you've said too much or too little right now?"

"Just right."

Lee Hyori laughed again, this time with a hint of genuine pleasure in her laughter.

In the distance, Kim Taeyeon was chopping vegetables while watching the two of them chatting and laughing from the corner of her eye. Her chopping motion became slower and slower, eventually coming to a near halt.

Park Hyomin was also watching, but her expression was different from Kim Taeyeon's.

Her eyes were bright, a smile on her lips, and she whispered to Yoon Jong-shin beside her: "Jong-shin Oppa, look at how well Song Tianhao and Senior Lee Hyori are chatting."

Yoon Jong-shin was peeling garlic. Upon hearing this, he looked up and smiled too: "It is quite good. That girl Hyori is usually hard to deal with, but she's surprisingly cooperative today."

"Oppa has magic," Park Hyomin said, her tone filled with undisguised admiration. "He seems to be able to get along with everyone."

"That's true," Yoon Jong-shin nodded, placing a peeled clove of garlic into a bowl. "But Hyomin, you..."

He paused, looked at Park Hyomin, then at Kim Taeyeon not far away. In the end, he didn't finish his sentence, just smiled and continued peeling garlic.

Park Hyomin tilted her head, not quite understanding what Yoon Jong-shin wanted to say, but she didn't press him and continued washing vegetables.

An hour later, all three teams had finished cooking.

Park Jin-young's team made soybean paste stew, stir-fried glass noodles, and grilled pork belly; CEO Yang Hyun-suk's team made kimchi stew, pancakes, and bibimbap; while Song Tianhao's team made spicy braised fish, steamed eggs, and vegetable salad.

The food was set on the long table in the courtyard, and everyone sat around it. As the "Chief," Yoo Jae-suk tasted each dish first and then made an exaggerated expression.

"Wow! This fish! It's amazing!"

He was referring to the spicy braised fish made by Song Tianhao's team.

Lee Hyori proudly lifted her chin: "That's right, our team leader made it."

"Team leader?" Yoo Jae-suk looked at Song Tianhao.

Song Tianhao was serving rice and looked up upon hearing this: "Lee Hyori-xi is the head chef, I'm just the assistant."

"Give it a rest," Lee Hyori waved her hand. "You prepared the fish, made the sauce, and controlled the heat. I just washed some vegetables and chopped some green onions. How can you have the nerve to call me the head chef?"

She said it very frankly, without any intention of taking credit.

Yoo Jae-suk laughed: "It's rare for our Hyori to be this humble."

"I've always been humble," Lee Hyori said, then picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up: "Mmm! It's really delicious!"

She looked at Song Tianhao with serious eyes: "President Song, with your cooking skills, you could open a restaurant."

"You flatter me," Song Tianhao said, and placed a piece of fish for Park Hyomin beside him: "Try it."

Park Hyomin happily picked it up, blew on it, put it in her mouth, and her eyes crinkled into crescents: "So delicious! Oppa is amazing!"

Kim Taeyeon was sitting opposite them. Seeing this scene, her chopsticks paused.

Yoo Jae-suk noticed her expression and smiled to smooth things over: "Taeyeon, your team's pork belly is also very delicious, who grilled it?"

"It, it was grilled by Daesung Oppa and me together," Kim Taeyeon said softly.

"Not bad, not bad," Yoo Jae-suk tasted a piece and nodded. "The heat is just right, and the sauce is flavorful. Taeyeon has a talent for cooking."

Kim Taeyeon blushed, whispered "Thank you, Senior," and then lowered her head to eat, not saying another word.

The meal was finished in a relatively harmonious atmosphere. After dinner, the staff cleared the table, and everyone moved to the campfire in the courtyard. The production team had already lit a bonfire in the open space and prepared mats and blankets.

The sky had completely darkened; the bonfire crackled, and sparks occasionally flew up, shimmering in the night sky.

"Alright, now it's the traditional segment of 'Family Outing'," Yoo Jae-suk said, sitting cross-legged on a mat and looking at everyone. "Truth time!"

Everyone applauded in cooperation.

"The rules are very simple," Yoo Jae-suk said. "Everyone must answer one question. The person asking the question is the loser of the previous round of games. Today's afternoon game, carrying someone across the mud pit, the winners were Song Tianhao's team, and the losers were CEO Yang Hyun-suk's team."

"So, the four from CEO Yang Hyun-suk's team, Kim Jong-kook, Park Ye-jin, Sohee, and CEO Yang Hyun-suk, you each need to answer one question. The right to ask questions is in the hands of the winning team, which means Song Tianhao, Lee Hyori, Yoon Jong-shin, and Park Hyomin, you each can ask one question."

He paused and added: "Of course, the questions shouldn't be too excessive and must comply with broadcasting standards. Alright, who wants to go first?"

The scene was quiet for a moment.

The campfire danced on everyone's faces, casting flickering lights and shadows.

"I'll go first," Lee Hyori raised her hand and looked at the four members of CEO Yang Hyun-suk's team, her gaze finally landing on Kim Jong-kook. "Jong-kook Oppa, my question is: Who is the female artist you most want to collaborate with right now?"

The question was very gentle, even a "gimme" question.

Kim Jong-kook clearly breathed a sigh of relief. He thought for a moment and said: "Hyori, this question... I want to collaborate with many juniors, like Taeyeon, like Hyomin; they both sing very well. But if I have to name one I want to collaborate with the most, it would have to be you, Lee Hyori."

"Whoa—!" Everyone on set cheered.

Lee Hyori laughed: "Why?"

"Because you're hard to deal with," Kim Jong-kook said with a straight face. "Every time I collaborate with you, I feel like my variety show sense improves by a level."

Everyone laughed out loud.

Lee Hyori also laughed and didn't press further.

Next was Yoon Jong-shin, who asked Park Ye-jin: "Ye-jin, what is your ideal type?"

Park Ye-jin blushed and whispered: "Tall, knows how to take care of people, has a nice smile... and cooks well."

When she said the last part, her eyes unconsciously glanced at Song Tianhao.

Although it was just a glance, it was still captured by the camera.

Yoo Jae-suk immediately teased: "Oh? Cooks well? Ye-jin, are you looking at who cooked well today?"

Park Ye-jin's face turned even redder, and she waved her hands: "No, no, I was just... saying it randomly."

Everyone laughed again.

Then it was Park Hyomin's turn, and she asked Sohee: "Sohee, when do you think is your happiest moment on stage?"

It was a heartwarming question, and Sohee answered with a smile: "It's when I see the fans holding their light sticks and singing along with us. At that moment, I feel that all the hard work was worth it."

She spoke very sincerely, and applause rang out on set.

Finally, it was Song Tianhao's turn.

He looked at CEO Yang Hyun-suk.

CEO Yang Hyun-suk also looked at him, his expression very calm, but his eyes held a sense of scrutiny.

"CEO Yang," Song Tianhao began, his tone very polite. "My question is: In your opinion, what is the most important quality for a good entertainment company CEO?"

The question was very formal, even somewhat serious.

The scene quieted down.

Everyone looked at CEO Yang Hyun-suk.

CEO Yang Hyun-suk was silent for a few seconds, then said: "Vision. The vision to see people, the vision to see the market, the vision to see the future. A president can be ignorant of singing, dancing, or Acting, but they cannot be ignorant of how to judge people. If you judge people accurately and provide the right resources, the rest will take care of itself; the artist will shine on their own."

He spoke very slowly, and every word was clear.

Song Tianhao nodded: "I have learned much."

"However," CEO Yang Hyun-suk paused and looked at Song Tianhao, "President Song seems a bit different. You understand how to judge people, you understand the business, and you can even cook and catch chickens. An all-around president?"

There was a hint of probing in these words, as well as a subtle edge.

Song Tianhao laughed: "CEO Yang, you flatter me. I just think that if I'm going to do something, I should do it well. Artists work hard, and I can't let them feel like they're following a president who knows nothing."

CEO Yang Hyun-suk looked at him for a few seconds, then laughed as well: "That makes sense."

The first round of Truth was over.

Yoo Jae-suk clapped his hands: "Alright, now for the second round. For this round, we won't go by game results, but by age. The youngest asks first, and the oldest answers. So, the youngest is... Hyomin?"

Park Hyomin raised her hand: "It's me, I was born in May of '89."

"Good, Hyomin asks first. Who do you want to ask?"

Park Hyomin's gaze swept across everyone's faces, finally resting on Song Tianhao.

"I want to ask Oppa."

The scene erupted in an "Ooh~" sound.

Yoo Jae-suk asked with a smile: "What is the question?"

Park Hyomin bit her lip, seemingly making up her mind, then looked up at Song Tianhao with bright eyes:

"Oppa, between Taeyeon and me, who do you think performed better today?"

The question was thrown out, and the scene instantly went quiet.

Then, a louder roar of teasing erupted.

"Wow! Hyomin, you're trying to stir up trouble!" Daesung slapped his thigh dramatically.

Yoo Jae-suk also laughed: "Hyomin's question is very sharp. President Song, you need to answer carefully."

Kim Taeyeon was sitting opposite, her body visibly stiffening for a moment. She looked up at Song Tianhao, her eyes filled with both anticipation and nervousness.

Lee Hyori leaned back on her cushion, looking at Song Tianhao with a half-smile, wearing an expression as if she were watching a good show.

CEO Yang Hyun-suk, Park Jin-young, and the other seniors were also watching Song Tianhao, wanting to see how he would answer.

Song Tianhao looked at Park Hyomin.

Park Hyomin was also looking at him, not blinking, her expression very serious, but the tips of her ears were red.

The campfire danced on her face, making her eyes look exceptionally bright.

Song Tianhao laughed.

He smiled very gently and calmly, then began:

"You both performed very well."

A very official answer.

The corners of Park Hyomin's mouth dipped slightly downward, and although it was only for a split second, it was captured by the camera.

Kim Taeyeon also lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

But Song Tianhao hadn't finished speaking.

"Taeyeon is here for the first time today, and she's very nervous, but she's been trying hard. Chopping vegetables, grilling meat, playing games—although she isn't skilled, she is very earnest. That earnestness is very precious."

He looked at Kim Taeyeon.

Kim Taeyeon looked up, meeting his gaze, something flickering in her eyes.

"Hyomin is also nervous, but her nervousness manifests as liveliness. She ran the fastest when catching chickens, asked the most questions when cooking, and dared to ask questions during Truth. That bravery is also very precious."

He looked at Park Hyomin again.

The corners of Park Hyomin's mouth turned up again, her eyes curving into crescents.

"So," Song Tianhao said, "you both performed very well, but the ways in which you were good are different. There's no way to compare, and no need to compare. Because you are inherently different."

He spoke very slowly and clearly.

The scene was quiet for a few seconds.

Then, Yoo Jae-suk was the first to applaud.

"Well said! Everyone has their own strengths; there's no need to compare!"

Everyone else followed suit and applauded.

Park Hyomin smiled so hard her eyes disappeared, and Kim Taeyeon also smiled with pursed lips; although it was faint, it was clear she was genuinely happy.

Lee Hyori looked at Song Tianhao, with something else in her eyes.

"President Song," she suddenly spoke up, "you are very good with words."

"I'm just speaking the truth," Song Tianhao said.

"The truth is the most hurtful, but also the most moving," Lee Hyori said, then looked at Yoo Jae-suk, "Oppa, it's time for the next one, right?"

"Right, right, right, next one." Yoo Jae-suk came back to his senses, "The second youngest is... Taeyeon?"

Kim Taeyeon nodded.

"Who does Taeyeon want to ask?"

Kim Taeyeon's gaze swept across everyone's faces, finally resting on Lee Hyori.

"I want to ask Senior Lee Hyori."

Her voice wasn't loud, but by the quiet campfire, everyone heard it clearly.

Lee Hyori raised an eyebrow: "Ask me? Sure, what question?"

Kim Taeyeon looked at Lee Hyori for several seconds, then spoke, her voice very soft but clear:

"Senior, what kind of man do you think is worth trusting?"

The question was simple, but the scene went quiet again.

Everyone looked at Lee Hyori.

Lee Hyori was the benchmark of the South Korean entertainment industry, the "National Fairy," and the ideal type for countless men.

But she was still single, with no shortage of rumors but no confirmed relationships. She had publicly dated a few times, but they all ended without results. The media said she had high standards, that she was difficult, and that she didn't believe in love.

Now, Kim Taeyeon was asking her what kind of man was worth trusting.

The campfire crackled.

Lee Hyori stared at the dancing flames, not speaking for a long time.

It was so long that Yoo Jae-suk was preparing to smooth things over when she finally spoke, her voice very calm and faint:

"A person who won't fawn over you just because you're Lee Hyori, and won't look down on you just because you're not Lee Hyori."

She spoke very slowly, every word sounding as if it were being pulled from her heart.

"When you're popular, he doesn't suck up to you; when you're not popular, he doesn't despise you. When you're in your prime, he reminds you not to get carried away; when you're at your lowest, he tells you not to be afraid."

"When you make a mistake, he will scold you, but after scolding you, he will teach you; when you succeed, he will praise you, but after praising you, he will remind you there's a next time."

She paused, looked up, and glanced at Song Tianhao across the campfire.

"I met one today."

She said.

The scene was deathly quiet.

Even Yoo Jae-suk was stunned, mouth agape, not knowing how to respond.

The cameras frantically focused on Lee Hyori, on Song Tianhao, on Kim Taeyeon, and on everyone's expressions.

Kim Taeyeon sat there, her face looking a bit pale in the reflection of the campfire. She looked at Lee Hyori, then at Song Tianhao, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her knuckles trembling slightly from the force.

Park Hyomin was also stunned, her eyes wide as she looked at Lee Hyori, then at Song Tianhao, then at Kim Taeyeon, her lips moving as if to say something, but nothing came out.

CEO Yang Hyun-suk, Park Jin-young, and other seniors all wore meaningful expressions.

Yoon Jong-shin lowered his head to drink tea, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Daesung and Sohee looked at each other, not daring to speak.

Only Lee Hyori, after finishing that sentence, leaned back on her cushion, her expression very calm, even carrying a slight smile, as if the earth-shattering words she had just spoken hadn't come from her.

Yoo Jae-suk finally reacted, let out two dry laughs, and tried to smooth things over: "Wow, it's rare for our Hyori to praise someone! It seems President Song really performed well today, even Hyori acknowledges it!"

He tried to bring the atmosphere back, but it wasn't very effective.

Because everyone's attention was still on Lee Hyori's words. "I met one today."

What did she mean?

Was Lee Hyori saying that Song Tianhao was the kind of person she wanted?

Or was it just a general statement?

But combining the context, the way she looked at Song Tianhao, and the interactions throughout the day...

The atmosphere at the scene became subtle and ambiguous.

At this moment, Park Hyomin suddenly raised her hand.

"Um..." she said softly, her voice trembling slightly, but her eyes were firm, "I have one more question."

Yoo Jae-suk looked at her: "Hyomin, didn't you already ask one just now?"

"That one doesn't count," Park Hyomin said, her eyes fixed on Song Tianhao, "That question was too cunning, and Oppa's answer was also very cunning. I want to ask a... a question where you have to choose."

She paused, took a deep breath, then spoke, her voice louder:

"Oppa, if—I mean if—one day, Taeyeon and I both need you at the same time, but you can only choose one, who would you choose?"

The moment the question was thrown out, one could even hear the sound of the campfire crackling clearly at the scene.

Everyone, including the staff, the VJs, and the PD, held their breath.

The camera focused on Song Tianhao.

Focused on Kim Taeyeon.

Focused on Park Hyomin.

Focused on Lee Hyori.

Focused on every face, each with a different expression, illuminated by the campfire.

Song Tianhao looked at Park Hyomin.

Park Hyomin was also looking at him, not blinking, stubbornly and defiantly waiting for an answer.

Kim Taeyeon was also looking at him, her lips pursed tightly, her fingers gripping and trembling slightly.

Lee Hyori leaned on her cushion, wearing a half-smile.

Yoo Jae-suk wanted to smooth things over, but opened his mouth and couldn't say a word.

The night wind blew, and the campfire flickered.