Chapter Twenty-Two: The Zhao Line.

Mingyan was diligently studying recipes he had found online. Ever since Jin Mincheol had caught him ordering takeout last time, he had resolved to work hard and quickly improve his cooking skills to a decent level—at least to the point where the food was edible. One embarrassing incident was enough.

“Ah Ning, it’s Jisoo~” Just as Mingyan was pondering what the recipe meant by “appropriate amount,” his phone suddenly rang.

“Gwangsoo, what’s up?” Since it was someone he knew, he didn’t bother being polite.

A voice that sounded quite amusing came through the phone: “If I can’t call you when there’s nothing going on, then when can I? Come out for a drink later, at Inseong’s place.”

“Later… okay. Who’s going?”

“Just the usual guys. The big brothers haven’t seen you in a while and specifically asked for you to come.”

Mingyan and Lee Gwangsoo were good friends. They had met back in 2014 while filming “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” and had smoothly integrated into the circle of the then-leading actor Jo Inseong. When they had free time, the group would often gather.

Mingyan turned off the cooking tutorial video; this was a perfect excuse for Jin Mincheol to order takeout.

“Mincheol,” he called out as he came out of the kitchen.

“Uncle, what’s up?” Jin Mincheol poked her little head out of her room, where she had been arranging her little space.

“I’m leaving some money for you. I’ve got to go out for a bit, so order some takeout and eat on your own.” Mingyan handed her a card and some cash. “And keep this card.”

“Mom already gave me money. I can’t accept this card,” Mincheol shook her head firmly; she didn’t think it was an entitlement for her uncle to spend money on her.

Mingyan put the card down casually. “Take it. Your grandfather gave it to me. If you don’t believe me, ask your sister.”

The little girl watched Mingyan leave and then dialed a number.

“Hi, Mom, I have something to ask you.”

…

Mingyan was very familiar with the route to Jo Inseong’s house. The elder brother liked to have small private gatherings from time to time. Although he held traditional views, he genuinely cared about his younger brothers, which is why everyone was happy to hang out around him.

Mingyan’s strained relationship with Song Joongki was closely related to Jo Inseong. The latter had once been part of the brotherhood, but some matters had recently occurred.

“Busy youngest member is here; it’s really hard to see you now,” a stout man with small eyes shouted the moment Mingyan stepped in.

Kim Kibang, also an actor, was Jo Inseong’s classmate and assistant.

“Little Yan is now a rising star actor. I only had a cameo in ‘Descendants of the Sun’; the male second lead must be busy,” Lee Gwangsoo chimed in. Tall and lanky, he was nicknamed “Giraffe.”

He had played a stall owner selling air guns in that drama.

“From now on, we have to call you Brother Yan when we meet,” Jo Inseong smiled.

“Brothers, I’m sorry,” Mingyan quickly clasped his hands and bowed around. “I’ve really been busy lately. Who would’ve thought the director would pull me into filming again.”

Unfortunately, there was not a single person born in the ’90s in this circle; the youngest, Lee Gwangsoo, was born in ’85.

As the youngest in the brotherhood, Mingyan didn’t have much say.

“Teacher Kim Eun-sook really treats you well. I couldn’t even help,” Jo Inseong admired Mingyan. He had wanted to introduce resources to him, but Mingyan never had any free time.

Mingyan sighed regretfully. “Yeah, if it weren’t for the cameo in the new drama, I would’ve gone on the Southeast Asia trip.”

The brotherhood had gone on a Southeast Asia trip recently, but he was busy filming and couldn’t join.

“Yan is here,” several people said as Kim Woobin came out of the bathroom.

In fact, Mingyan and Kim Woobin had known each other the longest. They had gotten along well when filming “The Heirs,” and it was through Woobin’s recommendation that Mingyan got to shoot “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”

“Woobin, what’s wrong with your nose?” Mingyan pointed at the paper wad stuffed in Woobin’s nostril. To an outsider, it might look like he had been in a fight.

Woobin waved it off nonchalantly. “Nothing, just been having nosebleeds lately. Maybe the weather’s too hot.”

“Woobin, aren’t you and Minah doing well? How come you’re getting nosebleeds?” Mingyan looked puzzled.

Kim Woobin had officially announced his relationship with his girlfriend Shin Minah last year, and their relationship was stable. The brotherhood had all met her.

His comment earned him a flying kick; the youngest member was unruly, even daring to joke about an elder brother’s relationship.

The others laughed as Woobin chased Mingyan around. Having such a young youngest member brought liveliness to the gathering; otherwise, it would just be a tea party for a bunch of men approaching forty.

“Hey, don’t hide here,” Lee Gwangsoo laughed, surprised when Mingyan suddenly darted behind him.

“Gwangsoo, save me.”

“Woobin, alright, sit down and rest a bit,” Lee Gwangsoo stretched out his long arms. “When we barbecue later, have Yan give you extra servings.”

In Korea, the youngest is responsible for grilling the meat, but the expenses are always covered by the older brothers.

Jo Inseong was generous; the younger ones rarely had to pay at gatherings or trips.

“Taehyun’s not here today,” Mingyan plopped down beside Kim Woobin. Among those present, only the two were born in the ’90s, so their banter was more natural.

“He’s got a schedule,” Jo Inseong tossed over two bottles of water. “He’s the most protective of you. Last time on ‘2 Days & 1 Night,’ he didn’t even call me to find you.”

Cha Taehyun was also part of this circle, considered an elder brother figure.

“I was startled when he called that time.”

“Youngest, you better drink more today; you just wrapped filming,” Kim Kibang teased.

For actors, finishing a drama’s promotion period meant entering vacation mode.

Mingyan stretched his wrist. “Bro, really can’t. I’ve got a family now; better to drink less.”

“Are you serious this time?” Even Jo Inseong was shocked.

Mingyan’s character was unquestionable; whenever the brothers needed help, he never hesitated. Only when it came to relationships was he a bit… well, but since they were all men, they understood.

“It’s not what you think. My niece lives with me, so I have to take care of her,” Mingyan hurriedly explained before anyone jumped to conclusions.

A good uncle can’t come home smelling of alcohol; that would leave a bad impression on Jin Mincheol.

Sigh, all for the child.

Lee Gwangsoo breathed a sigh of relief. “You scared me. I almost thought you’d turned over a new leaf.”

“Yeah, but if you’re going to be an uncle, you gotta be steady.”

“I almost thought the youngest was getting married,” Jo Inseong added.

“Bro, I don’t even have a girlfriend, who would I marry?”

“Broke up again?”