Chapter 40: Little Uncle, there is a fragrance in your car.

"The scallion pancakes at this shop are excellent, and you can add quail eggs to them."

Ming Yan pushed the menu toward Karina.

"Oppa, you should order instead," the girl replied, still feeling a bit awkward about the shift in their dynamic. After all, Ming Yan was the one treating her, and he was both more famous and older than she was.

Ming Yan pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands. "Karina, this is a thank-you dinner, so there's no need to be nervous."

He had to admit, Karina had made his first Taekwondo practice session incredibly enjoyable. Who wouldn't want a cute, beautiful young girl as their instructor?

"Oppa, honestly, what I taught you was just the basics. You really don't have to be so formal."

Karina knew her own level; her black belt advantage was only significant when compared to a layman like Ming Yan. In reality, she didn't stand out much at the dojo. She had only been assigned the task of helping him get started because she had met him previously, which was a stroke of luck. It wasn't a big deal.

"Basics or not, you still taught me." Ming Yan pushed the tissue box toward the girl. "A meal isn't a huge matter, so just eat to your heart's content."

He was half-tempted to call his niece, Winter, since she always seemed to enjoy every meal she had.

"Thank you." Karina was indeed a bit hungry.

"Karina, if I remember correctly, you're also a trainee at SM, right?"

While waiting for their food, Ming Yan chatted casually with the girl; it was where he had first encountered her.

Karina nodded. "Yes, I just joined the company recently."

If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have gotten lost last time, which was how she ended up asking Ming Yan for directions.

"You're new too, then? Did you get in through the Saturday auditions?" Ming Yan asked curiously. He wasn't surprised that she was a trainee; after all, her appearance was outstanding. If scouts could find Winter in Liangshan, they would certainly find Karina.

"No, I was scouted through a private audition."

"A private audition?"

"I suppose it's because I was already a little bit famous."

Karina looked at Ming Yan with a touch of pride, but she felt a bit deflated when she noticed he didn't react at all. Right, her level of popularity was hardly worth mentioning compared to the man sitting in front of her.

"Was it because of Taekwondo?" Ming Yan asked, curious. He didn't know much about that world; for all he knew, she might have been a famous "Taekwondo beauty."

The girl's appearance was indeed remarkable; with a little bit of promotion, becoming famous wouldn't be difficult.

"No, I'm an Instagram influencer."

Commonly known as an internet celebrity.

Karina operated her own Instagram account, which focused mostly on selfies. That was how the SM scout had discovered her, even extending an invitation twice before she finally joined.

Winter: *Is there someone better than me?*

Ming Yan had a sudden realization. "Karina, if you've joined SM, do you even have time to practice Taekwondo?"

He didn't know about others, but he was familiar with Winter's schedule—school during the day, practice at the company in the evenings and on weekends. She barely had any time for extracurricular activities, and even then, she was exhausted.

"I haven't come as often since I got my black belt," Karina said, leaning back in her chair, feeling somewhat more relaxed. "I just come by occasionally to let off some steam."

High-impact sports were very helpful for venting emotions. Whenever she felt frustrated, she would come to the Taekwondo studio; after working up a good sweat, she would feel much better.

"Oh, does that mean... I'll have to find a new instructor next time?" Ming Yan asked with an expression of regret. Whether it was polite or sincere, his acting was definitely on point.

For an actor, getting into character was a matter of seconds.

Karina laughed. "Oppa, I'm only a first-degree black belt. You should definitely find someone more professional to teach you. Our dojo has many skilled seniors."

Regardless, it was nice to have her skills acknowledged.

"I'm not looking to compete; I'm just training for a role. You're already a very impressive teacher, Karina."

Ming Yan habitually began to shower her with compliments—a habit that became particularly pronounced whenever he was around beautiful girls. Of course, one could also argue that these were heartfelt praises.

"Oppa, if you trust me..." Karina hesitated. "I can make time to come to the dojo after school, though it won't be for very long."

The girl was acting on impulse; after all, Ming Yan had praised her Taekwondo skills and was buying her dinner. Kids her age were easily moved by small kindnesses. They were prone to developing a sense of duty.

Ming Yan was genuinely taken aback. The girl was far too earnest. He had just been making polite conversation out of habit. Having a pretty girl as a Taekwondo teacher was fine, but he wasn't exactly intent on tethering himself to Karina. He wasn't exactly a saint, but his romantic interests were usually people his own age or older women. A sixteen-year-old kid...

Though, to be fair, few of Ming Yan's ex-girlfriends had a better figure than Karina. Talent was something that couldn't be smoothed over by time.

"Karina, I'd feel terrible if this interfered with your studies." Ming Yan chose his words carefully, fearing he might hurt her enthusiastic heart.

"Oppa, it's fine. I can spare about two hours."

Karina had already made up her mind. She would find a way to make up for that time at SM, even if it meant staying a little longer. She wasn't about to let someone who believed in her down.

Ming Yan had nothing left to say. "Karina, thank you then."

He realized that the more polite he was, the more determined she became, to the point where her speech was becoming a bit dramatic. Fine, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a beautiful teacher. If any problems arose, he could just switch later; it wasn't a major issue.

"Oppa, no need to be polite. I'm just worried I won't be a good teacher."

"You'll be fine."

Ming Yan never scolded a beautiful girl. Since things had reached this point, it was better to have a pleasant collaboration. He was a complete novice, and Karina was at least more knowledgeable than him, so calling her "teacher" wasn't entirely just for show.

"Oppa, why are you opening Instagram?" Karina had intended to exchange contact information, but she noticed Ming Yan was scrolling through the app instead.

"When you mentioned 'contact info,' I assumed you meant following your Instagram," Ming Yan said, waving his phone. "Karina, give me a chance to admire your feed, won't you?"

"Ah~ sure."

Karina hadn't expected this move, and she hurriedly typed in her account handle.

"Go ahead and enter your phone number, too. Then get in the car; I'll take you home."

"Thank you, oppa."

...

After dropping off Karina, Ming Yan went to pick up Winter, who had been practicing at the company.

"Hello, Uncle."

Winter greeted him obediently as she got into the car.

However, she twitched her nose a few times. There was the faint scent of perfume on the passenger seat.