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

Chapter 183: The Announcement that "Lip Friendship" Has Become Boyfriend
The van rolled over the asphalt road of the film studio and stopped at the side entrance of the studio. Jiang Zaixun got out of the car, and the afternoon sun shone down on him, making him squint involuntarily.

Just as he was about to take a step—

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi?"

A sweet and somewhat familiar voice broke through the usual noise of the film set and landed in his ears.

Turn around.

Lee Ji-eun stood a few meters away.

The plaid shirt was casually rolled up to the middle of her forearm, revealing a thin silver chain hanging from her wrist. She wore charcoal gray cropped casual trousers.

The trouser legs bunched up at the top of the clean white canvas shoes. A few strands of baby hair fell onto her smooth forehead and neck.

Her face was not heavily made up.

Her skin was translucent white.

Only the lips were slightly moisturized with a matte finish.

He looked as if he had just been soaked in a mountain spring.

Clear and transparent.

clean.

On the edge of this bustling film set, a sense of relaxation, both inappropriate and perfectly fitting, shines through.

"IUxi?"

Kang Jae-hoon was somewhat surprised, and nodded in greeting:
"What are you doing?"

Lee Ji-eun took two steps closer to him.

The canvas soles made a soft sound as they stepped on the rough asphalt.

"I'll be making a cameo appearance."

She smiled, her eyes curving into an arc, like peeled almonds:

“Playing the role of Cindy’s ‘best friend’”.

Closest friends?

Oh.

Kang Jae-hoon instantly remembered the scene they were about to film—

Baek Sung-chan was going to Cindy's house to re-record a video message from friends and family that had been pre-recorded by the guests of "2 Days & 1 Night".

And the so-called "close friends" within the industry...

The script portrays them as typical "plastic best friends," seemingly close on the surface but actually having no way to contact each other in private.

Followed by.

A vivid yet embarrassing memory suddenly crashed into Kang Jae-hoon's mind—

Bae Suzy "snatched" the role of Cindy from Lee Ji-eun.

A silence quickly spread between the two.

He licked his lips, carefully choosing his words:

"That... question about the character Cindy..."

The conversation began.

The rest wasn't so difficult.

Kang Jae-hoon met Lee Ji-eun's quiet, questioning gaze and said slowly:

"It was Suzy who was in the wrong."

He paused for less than half a second.

Keep your back straight.

The upper body is taut at a perfect right angle.

Head drooped.

Lower your stance sufficiently.

"I apologize to you on her behalf."

A standard 90-degree bow, and the duration was long enough.

The exhaust fumes from the parking lot engines, along with the rising smell of tar, rushed over.

In his crouching gaze.

All that could be seen were the clean tips of Lee Ji-eun's white shoes.

As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.

What truly pierces the heart are often those colleagues who appear to be without hostility, or even smiling.

The methods Bae Suzy used to snatch the role of Cindy are well-known and open to debate within the industry.

It's impossible for Lee Ji-eun to be completely without resentment.

If this grudge festers at some crucial juncture in the future, given her current status and popularity, even a slight hint of bias in her words could become the fatal straw that breaks the camel's back in Bae Suzy's career.

This kind of subtle, insidious backlash is more difficult to defend against than a direct confrontation.

"I understand that an apology cannot change the past, and it certainly does not have any real remedial effect."

Kang Jae-hoon straightened up and his gaze returned to her face.

"If you have any suitable ideas or needs regarding dramas, I can try my best to see... whether it's the lead role in a drama of equal scale, or a supporting role with comparable importance."

Does that sound arrogant?

Very arrogant.

What qualifications and abilities does a young actress who has only been in the industry for two years have to secure a leading role in a hit drama?

His network of connections is far from being something that can be guaranteed.

But the source of Kang Jae-hoon's confidence is Hwang Jung-min.

Given Hwang Jung-min's current status and network of connections.

It's not entirely impossible to secure a role as the second female lead in a new A-level screenwriter's work for a student who is still quite promising.

Even if it doesn't work.

He brought several servings of fragrant ginseng chicken soup cooked by Lee Sung-kyung, and went to his master's doorstep to plead and beg... his success rate should be at least 50% or 60%... right?

Lee Ji-eun's eyes seemed to flicker slightly.

She looked at Kang Jae-hoon for a full two seconds before smiling gently:
"Actually, you don't need to be so nervous. The fact that I'm here for a cameo already says a lot, doesn't it?"

resentment?

Lee Ji-eun certainly had such experiences.

Who didn't feel a pang of sadness when they learned their role had been replaced?

But now, looking at the mediocre ratings of "The Producers".

Her resentment, however slight, was dispelled.

If she were to play Cindy, the ratings might not be as good as they are now.

Moreover.

In a world where human relationships are fickle, holding grudges is a dead end.

A generous spirit that can bring a smile to your face is the true calling card.

Instead of getting bogged down in old grudges, it's better to broaden your path.

After all, maintaining appearances is more valuable than turning against each other.

certainly--

If the ratings for "The Producers" explode like "My Love from the Star"...

She definitely can't laugh right now.

But there are no ifs in reality.

The viewership numbers speak for themselves; they are the best painkiller and antidote.

"Besides, I'd rather focus on music right now. As for acting... I'll just leave it to fate. If there's a suitable script in the future that needs Kang Jae-hoon's help in getting me involved, I'll shamelessly ask."

Upon hearing this, the tension in Jiang Zaixun's heart subtly eased.

The flattery came out almost without thinking:
"I've long heard that Ji-eun is a kind and generous person, and today I've finally seen it with my own eyes, and it's true."

"Really? Who told you that?"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

really.

These polite words shouldn't be said carelessly.

If you just go along with "that's what everyone in the industry says" and she presses for an answer like "for example?", the situation will only get more awkward.

In a flash, a figure suddenly popped into his mind—

Yoo In-na!
You are the one!

"We talked about you when I was a guest on Yoo In-na's radio show..."

"Inna unnie?"

Lee Ji-eun suddenly realized, and then stretched out her slender fingers to calculate with great seriousness:

"That must have been two years, right?"

Kang Jae-hoon subconsciously replied:

"what?"

"You went to be a guest on her radio show, that must have been two years ago, right?"

Kang Jae-hoon: ? ? ?

When he went on "Yoo In-na's Raise the Volume," he was still an unknown newcomer.

How could she know?
It seemed like the floodgates were about to be opened.

A series of rapid, crisp sounds, carrying the lightness of a young girl's leaps, came from afar.

Busy and energetic.

"Ji-eun unnie~!"

Bae Suzy's sweet, coquettish voice broke the brief silence first.

She arrived gracefully, her skirt fluttering in the breeze, a smile on her face, and naturally slipped between the two:
I'm so happy you could come!

Lee Ji-eun's expression also switched seamlessly in an instant, holding Bae Suzy's hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile as well:

"Of course I'll support Suzy's drama!"

"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself—"

Bae Suzy turned her body, and her soft arms immediately wrapped around Kang Jae-hoon's strong forearm like vines:

"This is my boyfriend, Kang Jae-hoon."

Lee Ji-eun's gaze slid imperceptibly over Bae Suzy's chest, which was deformed by the pressure of her arms, and then swept over the undisguised affection in Kang Jae-hoon's eyes when he looked at Bae Suzy.

The silence lasted for less than half a second.

then--

A very soft, very short laugh escaped from her nasal cavity.

She met Bae Suzy's clearly wary gaze and smiled:
"Suzy's taste is as good as ever, whether it's choosing roles or boyfriends~" Hmm...

These words are like fine needles coated in powdered sugar.

Kang Jae-hoon disagreed with this.

Bae Suzy's eye for choosing scripts is on par with Lim Yoona's...

None of them are particularly good.

of course.

Many other factors are also involved.

As for choosing a boyfriend...

Kang Jae-hoon knew it perfectly well.

Who do you think you are?

At most, he's not a scumbag.

Bae Suzy naturally understood the sarcasm in Lee Ji-eun's words, but her smile remained sweet enough to overflow with honey, as if her words, though seemingly laced with sarcasm, were simply a compliment.

"The director is waiting over there, unnie, why don't you go say hello first?"

"Alright."

Lee Ji-eun nodded readily, and as she turned away, her gaze lingered on Kang Jae-hoon's profile for a moment.

Her eyes, like willow branches brushing the surface of water, gently rippled outwards.
"Then I'll head over first, Kang Jae-hoon-ssi."

"Ok."

Until Lee Ji-eun's figure disappeared around the corner leading to the director's crew.

Bae Suzy's sweet smile vanished instantly.

She grabbed Kang Jae-hoon's forearm and pulled him into the shadowy corner formed by the huge stack of prop boxes in the studio without saying a word.

They walked very fast.

It's a relatively secluded spot, but still within the film set area.

Bae Suzy looked up at him, the sweetness in her eyes long gone:

"What were you talking about just now? You seemed so reluctant to part."

Kang Jae-hoon looked down at the tips of her curled eyelashes and said:
"The only thing I can talk about with her is you."

This is half true and half false.

Bae Suzy gave a soft snort.

Noncommittal.

She nudged the edge of his shoe with her toe, clearly not easily fooled:
"more specific."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't intend to hide the core part, but he omitted the later casual conversation about "Yoo In-na" and "the radio station two years ago," which could have caused some complications.

She quickly and clearly recounted the cause and process of her apology, his words of remorse on her behalf, and his offer of compensation.

"Apologize?!"

Upon hearing this, Bae Suzy's eyebrows suddenly rose half an inch:

"Why should I apologize?"

Kang Jae-hoon's eyelids twitched at the sudden sharpness:
“I’m afraid she’ll sabotage you behind your back. She’s not low-ranking, and she has a wide network of connections. A single careless word could easily get out and…”

"Just go ahead and greet them!"

Bae Suzy interrupted him, a disdainful smile playing on her lips:

"I'm not afraid of any of that."

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon's throat tightened slightly.

He did overlook one thing—

Bae Suzy is not Lee Sung-kyung, much less the person she was on set who would bow and ask for advice on every single line of dialogue.

Lee Sung-kyung and he had both struggled through hardship together, and a sense of vigilance, as if every bush and tree was a potential enemy, had been ingrained in their bones.

I always leave myself an out.

And the person in front of us is just like Lim Yoona.

They all emerged from fierce competition, their minds honed to a sharp and confident edge, exuding an unyielding strength.

What Kang Jae-hoon considered a proper protective shield, she might see as just an untimely show of weakness, or even a sign of distrust in her abilities.

Ugh……

The road ahead is long and arduous...

……

The silent silence fermented in the narrow cracks.

Bae Suzy looked at the sudden drop in his neck and the tightness of his lips.

The burning anger was extinguished almost entirely, as if a spoonful of ice water had been poured over it.

The hard, shard-like edge in his eyes melted away, transforming into a pool of shimmering water, its surface tinged orange by the setting sun.

The man's clumsy attempts to protect her infuriated her.

Yet it's also like a toffee coated with coarse salt; you only taste the dense, cloying sweetness at the bottom when you savor it deeply.

She just...

I'm not used to it yet.

She doesn't like it when people walk around in front of her trying to shield her from the wind and rain that she never avoids.

It quietly gnawed at the air.

A faint rustling sound came from the depths of the shadows cast by the stacked backdrops.

I don't know if it was a mouse or the wind blowing the paper.

Bae Suzy suddenly raised her hand and pinched his chin with a few fingers.

He managed to lift his drooping head up a little bit.

He forced those eyes, which seemed to hold shards of ice, to look into the depths of his own pupils:
"Thank you, but..."

Jiang Zai Xun was taken aback, and before he could speak, he heard her continue:

"Let me get used to it."

“Adapt to what?”

Bae Suzy glared at him sharply:
"What do you say?"

Those eyes burned like two sparks, making Jiang Zai Xun's brow twitch. His mind flashed back to what had just happened—

The oath she made by wrapping her arms around him.

The pleasing syllables of that word "boyfriend".

And there are the marks of her fingers, half angry and half irritated, that she's pressing into her flesh right now.

The pattern gradually became clear.

"so……"

Kang Jae-hoon's Adam's apple bobbed laboredly as he carefully chose his words:

"I just told IU that I'm your boyfriend..."

He paused for half a second, his gaze probing into her eyes:
"yes……?"

"ah!"

Bae Soo-ji chuckled, her fingers suddenly tightening, pulling his face even closer, her breath carrying the sweet scent of lychee:

"Otherwise what? What kind of relationship do you think we have?"

What is the relationship?
The first thing that popped into Jiang Zai Xun's mind was Kim Dae Won's three cold, absurd words—

Lip-to-lip friendship.

can not say.

If I said that, I'd probably get my neck snapped and thrown into the Han River to feed the fish.

Seeing his hesitant expression and shifty eyes, Bae Soo-ji could easily guess what kind of chaotic thoughts were swirling in his mind.

She pushed him again, clearly annoyed.

Jiang Zai Xun staggered half a step from the angry shove, his lower back hitting the cold, sharp metal corner of the prop box. A gasp still lingered in his throat, but his eyes were already burning with the light in hers.

He suddenly understood certain unspoken understandings.

The arm that was hanging in mid-air suddenly pulled her slender waist into its embrace.

"Well--!"

A muffled groan escaped as the body was smashed to pieces.

Her lips were already firmly sealed.

The force was tinged with anger, as if it wanted to crush all the embarrassment and turbulent dark thoughts that had been provoked by her words into this kiss.

The sweltering breaths swirled into a thick, sticky vortex.

Bae Suzy's fingers, gripping his shoulder blades and shirt, went from pushing him away to tightening their grip.

Each crease created by the folds resembles a white flag of surrender.

"Clap!"

A sudden, dull thud came from above the prop box as it fell to the ground.

The fingers that were tightly wrapped around the back of his neck suddenly stiffened.

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi? Suzy-ssi—?"

The stagehand's hoarse voice pierced through the tarpaulin roof:
"The director's calling! Where are they?!"

Their intertwined lips and tongues separated as if electrocuted.

Bae Suzy's chest heaved as if it were about to burst, the crimson stain spreading from her earlobes down to her slightly open neckline.

Kang Jae-hoon wiped his burning lower lip, his fingertip brushing against the smeared berry red.

Their eyes lingered on that piece of evidence for less than half a second—

"This way!"

Bae Soo-ji suddenly bent down, grabbed his wrist, and squeezed into the gap between two rows of towering foam boards.

Tsk-!
Half a torn venue notice slip was scraped off Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder.

As the two hopped out from behind a pile of miscellaneous items on the side of the shed like rabbits, the janitor's complaints floated overhead:

"What are you hiding? You've gotten me into trouble..."

The sound stopped abruptly when it caught sight of their overly flushed faces and wrinkled clothes.

Then turn your head to look at the other side of the set.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

It was as if they hadn't discovered anything.

But the knowing smile hidden in his eyes was louder than a megaphone.

(End of this chapter)