Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 175 Drunkenly Sleeping in Her Boudoir—Yoona's Birthday Shield

The call to wrap up filming rang out.

Jiang Zaihun rubbed his stiff neck and walked towards the exit. Kim Dae-won's familiar black van was already waiting by the roadside.

I opened the car door and got in.

"You must be exhausted."

Jin Dayuan, with a toothpick dangling from his mouth, glanced at him, mumbled something indistinctly, and gestured with his chin toward the back seat:

"Here, your stuff. It was sent from China, so I sent it directly to the company."

There was a well-packaged rectangular box on the back seat.

It was wrapped in shock-absorbing bubble wrap.

It's impossible to tell what's inside.

"Okay, thanks, bro."

Kang Jae-hoon leaned over, took the box, and placed it on his lap, holding it close.

Jin Dayuan started the car and casually asked:
"What kind of treasure is this? It's wrapped up like an unearthed artifact."

"A birthday present for Yoona."

Kang Jae-hoon gave a vague answer without going into details.

Jin Dayuan grunted through his nose, glanced at the tightly sealed packaging again, and didn't ask any more questions.

He knew Kang Jae-hoon; if he didn't say anything, it meant he didn't want to. Or... the item was a bit expensive.

Step on the gas.

The car merged into the evening rush hour traffic.

stop-and-go.

We finally arrived at the apartment building in Cheongdam-dong.

Jin Dayuan stopped the car at the roadside:

"Go ahead. Call me when you're done, or you can take a taxi home yourself."

"Okay, drive slowly, bro."

Kang Jae-hoon got out of the car carrying a rectangular box and watched the van leave. He walked familiarly to the entrance of the apartment building, his finger already habitually hovering over the keypad.

Pause.

I can picture my friends inside, their eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and curiosity as they watch him effortlessly open the door as if it were his own backyard…

It's so embarrassing.

The fingertip ultimately did not press down.

Take out your phone.

Dial Yoona's number.

"Jae-hoon? You've arrived?"

The call was answered quickly.

The background music was soft and the faint sounds of laughter and voices.

"Um, is it convenient for you to pick me up?"

"Wait for me! I'm coming down right now~"

It didn't take long.

The heavy glass door of the apartment building was pushed open.

A figure walked out.

The last rays of twilight, like melting gold, shone down on her.

Kang Jae-hoon's breathing paused for a moment.

It’s Yoona.

But it's also like a completely different person, someone who has been given a kind of fleeting magic.

His signature black hair is gone.

Instead, she had a head of meticulously styled, long, smooth hair that shone like flowing gold.

The bright, almost flamboyant gold color made her fair, almost translucent skin glow.

Eyebrows crooked.

The curve of her pink lips was just right.

Her originally pure and gentle face gained a touch of glamour and vibrant energy from this hair color, which was rare in her daily life, yet strangely blended with her own gentle temperament to create an extremely unique charm.

Come on.

Stunning.

A pure, overwhelming sense of amazement instantly overwhelmed all of Kang Jae-hoon's senses.

They even forgot to blink.

"Hey~"

Yoona waved her hand gently in front of his eyes with a smile:
What are you spacing out for?

"……cough."

Kang Jae-hoon snapped back to reality, realizing his lapse in composure, and quickly handed over the cardboard box to cover it up.
"Happy birthday!"

"Thank you~"

Yoona accepted the box with a bright smile.

It was a bit heavier than I expected.

She curiously weighed it in her hand, then gently shook it, turning her head to look at him:
"What is it?"

"Go up and take it apart, then you'll know."

Kang Jae-hoon looked away.

I didn't dare look directly at that head of golden hair that still shone in the twilight.

"Tch~ So mysterious."

Im Yoona wrinkled her nose, feigning displeasure:
"If I'm not satisfied, I'll make you drink three cups of wine as punishment!"

"Alright, the birthday person has the final say today."

Hear the words.

Im Yoona smiled contentedly, her eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight. Then, very naturally, she reached out and took Kang Jae-hoon's hand.

"Let's go."

"..."

I felt the soft, delicate touch of her hand in my palm.

Kang Jae-hoon hesitated for half a second.

In the end, they couldn't break free.

He let her pull him into the bright apartment lobby.

"Ding--"

Elevator arrives.

The heavy door slid open silently.

Soft lighting, gentle jazz music, and faint sounds of laughter filled the apartment.

Almost the instant the door opened.

Several pairs of eyes inside the room turned to the doorway.

"Meow-"

A black, orange, and white figure leaped lightly off Sunny's lap, its tail held high, and shuffled to Kang Jae-hoon's feet, circling back and forth on his trouser leg.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned down and scooped the little princess, whose fur was glossy and healthy, into his arms.

"Little traitor!"

Sunny, sporting a striking head of burgundy short hair, looked at the calico cat nestled comfortably in Kang Jae-hoon's arms, purring softly with its eyes half-closed, and complained with dissatisfaction:
"I just fed you three freeze-dried treats, and you're already turning your back on me after you ate them? You scumbag cat!"

Jiang Zaihun chuckled, lowered his head and rubbed his chin against the little princess's fluffy head, clearly enjoying this "special pampering."

Change your shoes.

Lim Yoona turned to the side and introduced Kang Jae-hoon:

“You know Sunny unnie; this is Ji-hyun, my junior high school classmate, who now works at a law firm.”

"Hello, Kang Jae-hoon-ssi." Ji-hyun smiled and nodded, her smile bright and generous.

"Nice to meet you," Kang Jae-hoon replied with a smile.

"This is Ok Taecyeon oppa."

"I've heard so much about you, Kang Jae-hoon-ssi."

Taecyeon, with his unique approachability, took the initiative to extend his hand.

His bright and open smile contrasted interestingly with his aggressive physique.

Kang Jae-hoon had heard of him.

Not only is she disciplined in maintaining her figure year-round, but she is also exceptionally intelligent. The fact that she was able to attend a private birthday gathering with a friend like Im Yoona is itself the highest form of recognition for her character.

The pleasantries ended.

Ji-hyun, who had been curiously examining the box in Im Yoon-a's arms, couldn't help but ask:
"Yoona, what treasure are you holding in your hands?"
"Oh, this one!"

Only then did Lim Yoona remember what she was holding.

Just as I was about to start disassembling it.

Kang Jae-hoon, with great foresight, put the calico cat back on Sunny's lap (earning him a "you know what's good for you" look from Sunny), then quickly walked to the kitchen island, picked up a pair of scissors, and handed them back to her.

"Thank you~"

Yoona accepted it with a smile.

But I didn't rush to unpack it.

Instead, the box was carefully placed flat on the coffee table, with an extremely precious sense of ritual.

All eyes were focused on the box.

Even the calico cat curiously climbed onto Sunny's shoulder, looking down at her.

Sharp little scissors cut through the layers of wrapped bubble wrap.

Inside was a long, dark brown hard box.

Open the box.

Uncover the soft silk gauze covering it.

The main body of the gift, held on a matte mahogany stand, is not an ordinary painting, but an embroidered piece as light as mist and clouds.

The image above—

The moonlight was cold and clear.

Silver light flowed.

The fine, delicate strands permeated the entire base color.

A plum branch extends diagonally outwards.

Each petal unfolds gracefully.

The branches are dark blue with a base color, while the flower stamens are a translucent, icy white.

"Wow……"

Sunny gasped softly and leaned closer:
"Is this a painting? The colors are so unique!"

Yoona was also engrossed in watching, her slender fingers tracing the cold branches through the velvet fabric.

however.

Just as everyone was still immersed in that cold and aloof mood and had not yet fully recovered.

The embroidery on the rosewood frame slowly flipped over under the pressure of the fingers.

A completely different scene suddenly unfolded before everyone's eyes—

In the very center of the picture is still that old, gnarled, and vigorous plum tree.

The composition is exactly the same as the front view.

But colors are worlds apart.

The empty mirror in the upper left corner is no longer the "moon" radiating coldness, but rather resembles a newly risen sun. Although its outline remains rounded, it emanates a warm, golden-red light, exuding warmth and vitality.

The dark blue withered branches transformed into a warm and deep ochre color on the back.

Those ice-white petals?
They have all disappeared.

Instead, it is a vibrant, blooming crimson!

The flowers are full and vibrant, layer upon layer, like burning flames. Fine threads pile up to create the plump texture of the petals, and even the stamens are twisted with glittering gold threads, shimmering with delicate and enchanting light under the light source.

The entire picture sweeps away the cold and desolate feeling in front.

It becomes warm, bright, and vibrant, as if at dawn, sunlight pierces through the thin mist to illuminate a tree of flourishing red plum blossoms, full of vitality and exuberant joy.

A sudden change in expression.

Space has been flipped, and time has been reversed.

The cold moon and plum blossoms transformed into the rising sun and red flowers.

Every stitch and thread, within a small space, unfolds a breathtaking cycle of artistic conception.

"Oh my god..."

Im Yoona instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock, her pupils reflecting the bright, blooming red plum blossoms.

This gift is so special.

It completely exceeded her expectations of what kind of gift Kang Jae-hoon would give.

"Like it?"

Kang Jae-hoon's voice pulled Lim Yoon-a back from her brief daze.

"Ok!"

Upon hearing this, Lim Yoona nodded vigorously, her smile radiant from the bottom of her heart.
"I love it so much! It's so beautiful... really, so unique!"

It's less about being obsessed with the artwork itself.

Rather, she was completely struck by this unexpected and ingenious idea.

after all.

The Kang Jae-hoon she knew seemed to be completely out of place with this kind of luxury goods that were full of cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship.

I have a vague feeling that someone else might be giving me advice behind the scenes.

But exploring the origin at this point is pointless.

This feeling of being cherished made Yoona want to immerse herself in this pure joy.

“Click, click.”

A soft clicking sound was heard as a camera took a picture.

Taecyeon, standing nearby, took out his phone and snapped several clear photos of the embroidery from both sides. He looked down and quickly searched for something on the screen, his brows furrowed and his expression focused.

"Alright, alright! You've seen all the gifts, now it's time to put away the pink bubbles!"

Sunny bluntly broke the eye contact between Lim Yoona and Kang Jae-hoon:

"Hurry up, bring out the cake, light the candles, make a wish! Let's get started!"

"I'll get it."

Kang Jae-hoon immediately responded and turned to walk quickly toward the refrigerator.

"Yoona".

"Ok?"

Taecyeon put down his phone and turned to look at Kang Jae-hoon, who was unpacking a cake at the island counter:

"Is your friend...from a wealthy family?"

Im Yoona was taken aback, then realized that Ok Taecyeon was referring to the value of the gift:
"...Is this thing very expensive?"

Of course she knew that the item in her possession wasn't cheap.

But judging from Taecyeon's expression, it probably far exceeded her expectations.

"Very expensive."

Taecyeon nodded affirmatively and tilted his phone screen slightly so she could see the search results clearly.

That's valuation information about Suzhou embroidery, a Chinese intangible cultural heritage with double-sided, different-colored designs, especially collectible pieces.

"This level of craftsmanship and artistic conception is valued at least... 6000 million Korean won on the market."

"That's it?!" Sunny was so shocked she almost dropped the cat, pointing at the seemingly "ordinary" Suzhou embroidery:

"6000 million???"

Lim Yoona was also stunned.

She knew this thing was valuable, but she didn't expect it to be this valuable!
Actually.

Lim Yoon-a knows Kang Jae-hoon's financial situation better than Lee Sung-kyung does.

He suddenly took out nearly a tenth of his savings to buy her a birthday present?!
This was completely beyond the scope of a "friend's" gift, and also beyond her understanding of Kang Jae-hoon's spending habits.

"No, this is too expensive!"

Im Yoona instinctively tried to carefully put the Suzhou embroidery back into the packaging box.

"Eh!"

Sunny quickly grabbed Yoona's hand as she placed the embroidery.

He leaned close to her ear.

He reminded them quickly, speaking at a pace only the two of them could hear:

"Are you stupid! This kind of thing doesn't even have a brand label, how can he possibly take it back and return it?"

"It's fine if he just leaves it to gather dust, but what if he gives it to that girl Bae Soo-ji..."

“Tsk, tsk, tsk—”

Lin Yuner: "..."

She lowered her eyes and stared at the box.

Imagine this meticulously crafted double-sided Suzhou embroidery being moved from its rightful place and ultimately ending up in the most prominent spot in Bae Suzy's apartment...

Then he turned around and thanked himself for his "noble character".

……

This gift.

I must accept this today!

"cough……"

Without changing her expression, Lin Yoona took out the Suzhou embroidery that she had just put in halfway.

It was carefully placed on top of the most prominent TV cabinet in the living room.

The matte mahogany stand steadily supports the silk, and the ice-white and crimson colors reflect each other under the spotlight, instantly becoming the visual focus of the entire space.

It was as if it deserved to be displayed here, not locked back in its box. She even slightly adjusted the angle to ensure both sides could be viewed.

"Ernie."

"Ok?"

"What kind of gift should I give him in return for his birthday?"

This gift was so heavy that Yoona had to start thinking about how to "return" it.

"It's not simple yet."

Sunny's eyes lit up: "Offering yourself in return? This gift is definitely worth it."

"Hey! Unnie!"

Im Yoona lightly spat at Sunny, then glanced at Kang Jae-hoon who was diligently placing 26 candles on the island counter, and quickly pinched Sunny's arm lightly:
"What nonsense are you talking about! We can't let him off so easily..."

Sunny shrugged:

"Then Suzy will be a lucky break for him~"

Lin Yuner: "..."

soon.

Kang Jae-hoon carried a cake with flickering candlelight towards Im Yoon-ah.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

A gentle birthday song filled the small space, with the voices of Ji-hyun, Taecyeon, Sunny, and Kang Jae-hoon blending together.

The candlelight flickered.

The light reflected off Yoona's dazzling blonde hair, illuminating her face as she closed her eyes and clasped her hands in a wish. Her long eyelashes cast butterfly-like shadows beneath her eyes, and a serene smile played on her lips, a smile that seemed to gather all the starlight within it.

Those few seconds of silence carried a kind of devout beauty.

"call--"

Im Yoona opened her eyes, leaned forward, and blew hard.

The candlelight went out immediately.

Sunny clapped her hands and cheerfully went to turn on the light.

The lights come back on.

It dispelled the dreamlike halo.

"Time to cut the cake!"

Ji-hyun immediately shoved the plastic knife into Im Yoon-ah's hand.

The cake was cut evenly.

The sweet aroma of cream mixed with the scent of fresh fruit filled the air.

The "little princess" had somehow wandered over to Sunny's feet again, tilting her little head up and meowing at the cake covered in cream in Sunny's hand.

"No, no, no."

Sunny ruthlessly raised the cake plate high and tapped it on the kitten's wet nose:
"Little glutton, you can't eat sweets."

The cake was divided.

Everyone sat down with their plates, eating and chatting.

Sunny casually picked up a glass of beer and raised an eyebrow at Yoona:
"My birthday only comes once a year, so tonight we have to have a blast and drink until we drop!"

She waved her arm and pointed directly at Taecyeon, who was quietly eating cake next to her: "Taecyeon oppa, aren't you right? Tonight's mission is to get the birthday boy drunk!"

Taecyeon was called out and was about to speak up to smooth things over.

Zhixian immediately smiled and agreed, raising her glass:
"Yes! Yoona, don't even think about running away!"

……

Several glasses of wine were downed in quick succession.

Yoona's fair cheeks quickly flushed a captivating blush.

When Sunny smiled and raised her glass again, leaning closer...

She finally couldn't take it anymore.

Her watery eyes glanced helplessly at Taecyeon, who was chatting animatedly with Ji-hyun, and then at Sunny, who was still enthusiastically "creating" reasons.

At last.

Her gaze, with a hint of pitifulness, lingered on Jiang Zai Xun's face.

That look was incredibly dangerous.

A surge of hot blood, a mixture of protective instincts and some inexplicable impulse, welled up inside me.

Kang Jae-hoon put down the cake plate in his hand, leaned forward, and reached out to block the wine glasses between Lim Yoon-ah and Sunny.

"That's enough, Yoona can't drink anymore. I'll drink the rest for her."

in fact.

He had a general idea of ​​Yoona's alcohol tolerance.

Don’t say anything else.

The "three bottles of Jinro drinking together" in the private room half a month ago is enough to prove that her alcohol tolerance is by no means ordinary. These two bottles of soju should be far from her limit.

Alcohol tolerance is indeed a rather mysterious thing.

When I'm feeling down, one glass is enough to knock me out; when I'm feeling happy, several bottles might not be enough to make me drunk.

But at that moment, Yoona's eyes, glistening with tears and revealing a sense of vulnerability, instantly touched a soft spot in his heart.

This "hero saves the damsel in distress" scene...

It's more like a tacit understanding of "willing to take the bait."

really.

"Wow--!"

Sunny immediately drew out her words dramatically, as if she had been waiting for this moment:
"A hero saves the damsel in distress! What a man! Okay, but according to the rules, you have to drink three cups as a penalty for the birthday boy! Does everyone agree?"

"That's right! Three cups!"

Zhixian immediately laughed and loudly echoed, as if she wanted to stir up trouble.

Looking at Kang Jae-hoon, who was being "besieged" by two women, Ok Taecyeon hesitated, a hint of reluctance on his face, and said tentatively:
"After all, it's a mix of beer and liquor, three glasses isn't a bit much..."

The word "excessive" hadn't even been uttered yet.

Yoona's eyes, which were "pitiful" just a second ago, are now staring at Taecyeon with a "drunken and hazy" look, yet they are extremely oppressive. Her eyes are clearly saying: You dare to ruin my good time? Just try it!

Taecyeon: "..."

The will to survive instantly took over.

Between the electric light and flint.

His unfinished words of advice lingered on his tongue, but what came out was unequivocal support:

"...(Three cups) is too few! I think at least five cups would be more sincere!"

Kang Jae-hoon: ? ? ?

The atmosphere has been raised to this point.

Then he was met with Yoona's gaze, which numbed his reason even faster than alcohol.

Kang Jae-hoon was also acting impulsively.

Say nothing.

He picked up a full glass of beer, tilted his head back, and chugged it down.

"it is good!"

"readily!"

"The second cup!"

"Quickly! Fill it up! Fill it up!"

Sunny and Ji-hyun cheered and urged him on, shoving the refilled glasses into his hands. Kang Jae-hoon accepted them all and downed another glass, his eyes growing brighter with each drink—his confidence in his alcohol tolerance sustained him.

Sunny's smile deepened.

Don't be impatient or impatient.

One cup isn't enough?
Let's do it again!

The atmosphere was heated up.

Every time he "drank on Yoona's behalf," the reason was perfectly plausible, and every time he expressed "respect," he couldn't refuse.

The ways people offer toasts are constantly being updated.

The wine glasses were filled again and again.

One cup, two cups, three cups... the more he drank, the faster he drank. The beer mixed with the undigested cake cream in his stomach turned into a raging tsunami, churning in his stomach and then carrying the scalding heat of the beer straight to the top of his head.

……

After the eighteenth glass of beer was down.

Kang Jae-hoon's vision began to blur and sway, the ceiling light spinning and casting double images. His body swayed uncontrollably, then he fell straight to the side—

His forehead slammed heavily into Yoona's soft shoulder.

The strong smell of alcohol mixed with the clean, woody scent emanating from him sprayed onto her sensitive skin.

Meanwhile, the others were already breathing softly and evenly.

Completely drunk and passed out!

"Aigoo~"

Seeing this, Sunny poked Kang Jae-hoon's arm hard, even though he wasn't reacting at all.

"Look at this... It would be a miracle if he could even stand up and walk in a straight line, let alone go home! Ji-hyun, Taecyeon oppa, I think we should just let him stay here for the night! What if something happens to him on the way?"

“Hmm, I think it’s a good idea! It’s not safe for him to go out like this.” Zhixian immediately nodded in understanding.

Taecyeon glanced at the unconscious Kang Jae-hoon, then at Im Yoon-ah, whose face was flushed but whose eyes were unusually clear, looking down at the head on his shoulder, and finally nodded:
"...Alright, it's not safe for me to take a taxi when I'm this drunk, so I'll trouble Yoona to take me in for the night."

"Then Yoona~"

Sunny winked playfully at Yoona: "The hero is in your hands now! Make sure you take good care of him! Jihyun, let's clean up the battlefield outside before we leave!"

“No problem!” Zhixian responded with a smile, and immediately got up to tidy up the messy coffee table.

Taecyeon and Yoona worked together to lift the heavy, unconscious body and move it towards the master bedroom.

soon.

The living room is tidy and clean.

Entrance.

Lim Yoona bids farewell to her friend.

Have a pleasant evening.

Done.

Sunny then quickly pulled Ji-hyun and Taecyeon away.

He left with a meaningful smile.

"boom."

The door closed softly.

Lin Yoona stood there for a few seconds, her gaze sweeping over the Suzhou embroidery that shimmered with a warm luster under the light, before moving to the closed door of the master bedroom.

She walked back to the master bedroom.

One bedside lamp was on.

The warm yellow light outlined Kang Jae-hoon's silhouette as he lay on his side on the bed, his breathing deep and even. His brow was unconsciously furrowed, as if he were still struggling in his dream to convince himself he could drink…

Lim Yoon-a sat down on the edge of the bed.

She stretched out her slender finger and poked his burning cheek hard:
"Hey, wake up."

"..."

The only response she received was a deeper, longer breath.

Yoona withdrew her hand, looking at his lifeless expression with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

The laughter was for himself: the plan had succeeded perfectly, and he had been successfully kept there.

She was angry at herself: she should have drunk herself into a stupor, her eyes glazed over, and leaned into his arms with a mixture of reluctance and attraction!
It's better now...

The frog was cooked.

The issue is……

It's overripe!

And he just got so drunk he passed out!

It's completely useless!!
What else can she do besides take care of drunkards?!
"...Idiot Kang Jae-hoon!"

Yoona muttered a complaint under her breath, then poked his soft, warm cheek with her finger as if in frustration.

at this time.

"Om-"

The muffled vibration of a cell phone came clearly from Kang Jae-hoon's trouser pocket.

Yoona's fingertips paused.

His gaze fell on the slightly trembling pocket.

Is it information?
Or by phone?

He's so drunk, there's no way he could possibly accept the offer.

In case it's an emergency...

Hesitate for two seconds.

Yoona eventually leaned over and carefully pulled the vibrating source out of his pocket.

The screen is lit.

The glaring white light seemed particularly jarring under the dim, warm yellow bedside lamp.

A preview of a Kakao message that was just received is clearly displayed on the screen:

[From Lee Sung-kyung]: What time will you be back?

(End of this chapter)