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

Chapter 199 On the Correct Way to Make Soup: Turn Off the Heat Before Getting Intimate

After Kim Ji-won left.

Kang Jae-hoon tidied up the scattered packaging bags and air pump in the living room, his gaze lingering for a few seconds on the somewhat childish colorful ribbons and balloons filling the room before shaking his head.

He walked straight into the kitchen.

Open the cupboard and pull out a dark brown earthenware pot from the depths.

Turn on the tap.

The rushing water washed away the accumulated dust inside and outside the pot.

Pour in clean water, add a handful of dried kelp knots, cover the stove, and light the fire.

After doing all this, Jiang Zai Xun finally slumped into the sofa. He pulled out his phone, his fingertips rapidly swiping across the screen, browsing the property listings pushed by the real estate app.

Seoul's housing prices are like a runaway horse, dazzling and terrifying to behold.

"Where should we choose a location?"

Kang Jae-hoon's fingers swiped across the screen as he muttered to himself:
"Jiangnan District is definitely out of the question, it's too close to those two. Longshan District, on the other hand, is not bad..."

soon.

The location of one area immediately comes into view—West Ice Cave.

Quickly select the filter criteria:
High-end residential complex, tight security, excellent environment, and unobstructed views...

Screen refresh.

Several brand-new high-end residential projects were showcased in turn.

One of the names and its slogans immediately caught his eye:
【Riverside Cloud Dwelling】

Facing Banpo Bridge and backed by Yongsan Park, it's just a ten-minute walk to the Han River Park Greenway, offering stunning views of the city's green lung and the dazzling river.

Below are some renderings.

The steel frame of Banpo Bridge is silhouetted against the setting sun, while the Han River shimmers like scattered gold. On the other side, the lush greenery of Yongsan Park serves as a natural backdrop, with Namsan Tower clearly visible on the opposite bank.

The expansive view is breathtaking.

Look down again.

The monthly rent is listed in the range of 150 million to 200 million Korean won.

This price is more than three times more expensive than his current cramped and dilapidated apartment in Shengshuidong.

Kang Jae-hoon silently considered it for a moment.

Currently, the account only has a little over 50 million Korean won left. After using 30 million won to prepay a year's rent, the remaining 20 million won is enough to cover daily expenses until the next endorsement settlement period.

I can handle it.

He barely hesitated before taking a screenshot of the property details page, opening Jin Dayuan's chat window, and sending it to him.

The text message bubble flew by with a "whoosh".

Then I dialed the number.

"elder brother."

"Hmm? Jae-hoon, what's up?"

"Take a look at the listings I posted."

The sounds of papers turning and mouse clicking came from the other end of the phone. A few seconds later, Jin Dayuan's voice rang out:
"What, you've finally decided to move out of your 'love nest'?"

"Okay, can you go and check it out in person for me? Once you're sure everything's okay, then we'll make a decision."

"Okay, I'll take care of it. I know the real estate agents there. But...did you seduce that 'lioness' at home?"

"I haven't said it yet."

"Tsk, that's bold!"

Jin Dayuan laughed on the other end of the phone: "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

call ended.

Kang Jae-hoon tossed his phone onto the sofa and rubbed his temples.

—It's definitely time to hire an assistant.

Jin Dayuan is currently managing the agent's work and overseeing the entire rental project, leaving him overwhelmed. He also has more and more trivial matters to attend to, relying on Jin Dayuan for everything. Jin Dayuan is genuinely worried that Jin Dayuan might collapse from exhaustion one day.

Thinking about it.

Suddenly, the clear sound of high heels clicking on the floor came from the stairwell.

“Da…da…da…”

The sound came from afar and approached in a rhythmic manner.

Kang Jae-hoon sprang up from the sofa almost reflexively and strode to the entrance in a few steps.

Lee Sung-kyung stopped in front of the door and was rummaging through her bag for her keys when the security door suddenly opened from the inside.

Seeing Kang Jae-hoon standing in the entryway, Lee Sung-kyung didn't seem surprised, only raising an eyebrow slightly:
"Standing here like a door god?"

"It is the Waiting-for-Wife Stone."

Lee Sung-kyung's feigned coldness was instantly exposed by this remark, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn upwards. Without replying, she lifted her foot to step inside.

Kang Jae-hoon stretched out his arm, blocking the doorway.

"and many more."

"What?" Lee Sung-kyung stopped and turned to look at him.

"Close your eyes."

"How old are you, Kang Jae-hoon?"

This kind of birthday celebration has been a year-round occurrence since I met him.

The next steps are obvious without even thinking.

But how to say it?

I accept that the man I chose is a little silly sometimes.

then.

Lee Sung-kyung verbally expressed her disdain for this "childish" trick, but obediently closed her beautiful eyes.

Perfect cooperation.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately covered her eyes completely with his right hand to ensure she wouldn't "cheat".

Simultaneously.

He helped her, who had suddenly lost her sight and was hesitant in her steps, to cross the threshold. After changing into slippers, he walked step by step into the depths of the living room.

Then, while muttering "Don't open your eyes," Kang Jae-hoon quickly lit the slender number candle in the center of the cake.

"I opened my eyes after counting to three."

"one--"

"two--"

"three--!"

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly opened her eyes.

The first thing that catches the eye is the exquisite cake before her, with soft candlelight dancing in her eyes.

then.

My gaze traveled through the warm candlelight, reaching further into the distance—

Soft, colorful heart-shaped balloons floated on the ceiling, and tiny string lights meandered along the corners of the walls. The lights diffused fuzzy edges in the dim light, softening the rough texture of the cement ceiling.

Silver ribbons hung down, lightly brushing against the back of the sofa. The entire small space felt like it had been stuffed with the core of a fluffy, sweet candy.

To be honest.

This scene completely exceeded Lee Sung-kyung's expectations.

To know.

In previous years, Kang Jae-hoon never missed a ceremony, but the format was often rather rough.

A bare cake plus a random gift (like a dumbbell) and that's it.

But this time?
Visuals, atmosphere, details...

It's clear that they've moved up more than one level.

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze swept quickly and imperceptibly across the carefully arranged corners of the living room before finally settling on Kang Jae-hoon's face.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows on his smug face.

"Did you do it?"

"of course."

Jiang Zai Xun said without changing his expression, "I was alone the whole time."

Liar.

Lee Sung-kyung knows his aesthetic sense all too well—in previous years, it was considered an exceptional achievement if he could even put the right candles on his birthday cake. This room full of girlish charm is undoubtedly Kim Dae-won's doing.

but.

The candlelight on the cake flickered at that moment.

The warm white fairy lights quietly emitted a cozy glow, and the room was filled with colorful balloons surrounding her and him.

Lee Sung-kyung's lips curved slightly.

They didn't expose it.

Following his words, I offered my agreement:
"very beautiful."

Jiang Zai Xun didn't seem to expect to truly fool her discerning eyes. The simple "very beautiful" was already an unexpected bonus. He didn't dwell on the topic and immediately urged her on:
"Make a wish quickly."

Lee Sung-kyung obediently closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes cast a small, quiet fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyes.

The candlelight danced across her face, illuminating the soft lines of her cheeks and the solemnity between her brows. Her hands, clasped together, rested in front of her chin, her posture quiet and devout.

While she closed her eyes to make a wish, Kang Jae-hoon cleared his throat and began to sing a birthday song:

Happy Birthday, dear Bible!

Lee Sung-kyung listened to that familiar, annual background music, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.

At the very same second that the song faded and disappeared into the air.

Her closed eyes snapped open. She puffed out her snow-white cheeks and gently blew on the burning candle representing the number 26.

"call--"

The candle flame went out immediately.

A wisp of extremely light white smoke drifted away.

“The Bible has become greedy,” Kang Jae-hoon remarked abruptly, staring at the cooled candle wick.

"what?"

Lee Sung-kyung didn't react for a moment.

"I've made this wish for so long."

He pointed to a watch face that didn't actually exist on his wrist:

"A full minute and seven seconds."

Lee Sung-kyung glanced at him sideways: "I'm happy to."

His voice was clear and crisp, without a trace of hesitation or embarrassment.

Although she didn't say it aloud, Kang Jae-hoon could tell from the slight upturn of her lips when she closed her eyes and the lingering gentle light in her eyes when she opened them.

Absolutely sure.

That long wish list definitely included something related to him.

"Okay, whatever makes you happy."

The slight smugness on Jiang Zai Xun's face was replaced by a deeper tenderness. He carefully moved the cake, which carried the blessings for her twenty-sixth birthday, away from her and placed it on the small table next to her.

Make room in front of you.

Then he bent down, stretched out his arm, and grabbed an inconspicuous brown paper folder from under the coffee table.

"Here."

He turned around and handed the folder to Lee Sung-kyung:
"birthday present."

Lee Sung-kyung was slightly taken aback.

The tan folder was so deceptive, looking just like the scripts, reports, and even utility bills she usually saw.

If inside there are utility bills... then she might go to someone's grave to pay respects on her birthday next year.

Lee Sung-kyung mentally prepared herself as she reached out and took the package, then opened it.

What came into view was neither a script nor a bill.

Instead, it was a brand-new, smooth-covered property ownership certificate and a string of silver security door keys tied with a simple plastic rope.

She opened the property ownership certificate.

My eyes fell on the clearly printed text on the paper:

[Unit 1102, Building 6, XX Residential Complex, Sangildong, Gaoyang City]

[Area: 32 ping]

[Type: Apartment]

Property Owner: Lee Sung-kyung

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze lingered on the name of the "property owner" for three seconds before she looked up:

"What do you mean?"

"birthday present."

A property ownership certificate as a birthday present?

Isn't it romantic?

"...Romantic my ass!"

Lee Sung-kyung understands Kang Jae-hoon, and by the same token, Kang Jae-hoon understands her just as well.

immediately.

Kang Jae-hoon bent down and grabbed the lighter he had just used to light the candle from the coffee table, pressing it with his thumb. A pale blue flame shot up.

The flickering firelight reflected in his eyes, and he said resolutely:
"If you say no, then I'll burn it right now."

"you……!"

Lee Sung-kyung's breathing became rapid.

She stared at the cluster of fire, her gaze sharp as a knife across his smiling lips.

Finally, it all comes back to his own name.

Gaoyang City.

A small town a 40-minute drive from Seoul.

She secretly flipped through the real estate ads and learned the price of that new development—over 300 million Korean won.

My thoughts are a jumbled mess.

A mix of gratitude and worry weighed heavily on her heart. Anger, like rampant vines, tightened around her throat.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the unpredictable storm of eyes opposite him.

I know the gift has been given.

then.

He flicked his wrist and snapped the lighter shut with a "click".

Then I stepped forward.

He opened his arms and, without saying a word, gave Lee Sung-kyung, who was still clutching the property deed and standing there stunned, a tight hug.

"Don't think about all that nonsense." His chin brushed against her earlobe, his voice muffled in her soft hair, resolute and firm:
"It is my duty to be filial to my parents."

The body in his arms suddenly stiffened.

That bluffing struggle came to a complete halt.

Lee Sung-kyung felt as if her Achilles' heel had been struck; the taut string suddenly snapped. She buried her face deeper into the crook of his shoulder, the tip of her nose brushing against the soft fabric. Her voice held a stubbornness that she was forcibly maintaining:

“...Those are my parents.”

"They're all the same, what's yours is mine, isn't it?"

"……shameless."

His rebuttal, which had no other option, was decisively cut off. His lips pressed forcefully against hers, the soft lips that had just uttered those harsh words, silencing any possible rebuttal.

His hands, which were wrapped around her lower back, slid down and grasped her slightly cool knees through the thin fabric of her clothes. With a sudden effort, he lifted her up in one swift motion.

The sudden weightlessness caused Lee Sung-kyung to gasp softly.

Shift in focus.

They were then turned around and, with a "plop," the two of them landed solidly deep inside the soft fabric sofa behind them.

The temperature in the living room seemed to rise silently by a few degrees.

The lighting was soft.

The air is thick.

In the corner, a string of warm white star lights quietly emitted a hazy glow, enveloping the two people who were tightly embracing.

A faint rustling sound of clothes rubbing against each other filled the quiet room. The fabric sofa, bearing the weight, emitted a soft, rhythmic squeezing sound from its springs.

I do not know how long it has been.

A long, broken kiss finally came to a temporary end.

A subtle, burnt smell stubbornly crept into my nasal cavity through the gaps in my heavy breathing.

Lee Sung-kyung stirred in his burning embrace and sniffed.

"...What's that smell?" Her voice, husky with passion, rang out in confusion beside her neck. Jiang Zai Xun was burying his face in her collarbone, trying to catch his breath, his hot breath brushing against her smooth skin. Hearing her question, she paused, not looking up, but instinctively sniffing.
"I just took a shower..."

"wrong……"

Lee Sung-kyung frowned, her nostrils flaring again as she carefully discerned the persistent smell in the air—like some kind of burnt fiber? And with a strange, damp, acrid odor…

Fragments of flavors from my memory surged, and a cold current instantly shot through my cerebral cortex!

Lee Sung-kyung abruptly awoke from her passionate reverie, the tears in her eyes instantly evaporating, her pupils dilating sharply—

"What are you cooking in the kitchen?!"

Almost the instant she finished speaking, the person on top of her jerked up as if branded with a hot iron!

That tender spring romance vanished without a trace, leaving only a panicked sense of impending doom.

Kang Jae-hoon forced his way off the sofa and from her grasp with an almost contorted posture. Lee Sung-kyung, who was thrown off, bounced on the sofa and watched him scramble and crawl into the kitchen in a disheveled state.

"what--!"

Soon, a desperate, agonizing scream echoed from the kitchen.

At the very bottom of the pot, at its deepest point, a pitiful little puddle of thick, viscous, inky-black tar was bubbling desperately.

A pot of "vital energy replenishment" was thus silently and imperceptibly reduced to ashes under the cover of candlelight, balloons, and the sweet kisses of cake.

Lee Sung-kyung, wearing Kang Jae-hoon's shirt, strolled to the kitchen doorway.

The fabric was loose, the hem barely covering her upper legs. She leaned against the doorframe, her eyes glancing down at the smoking clay pot on the stove. The sticky, black slag was almost fused with the stove, and the strong, acrid smell of burnt food still lingered stubbornly.

She said nothing.

I pulled open the cabinet door under the sink, and the dull "slap" of rubber gloves broke the suffocating stench.

My fingers barely touched the sticky rubber surface—

"Stop swiping."

Kang Jae-hoon grabbed her wrist from behind: "We don't need this pot."

"...Why not...!"

The cold touch of the rubber gloves on my fingertips was still there; I could only utter half a sentence of refusal.

My vision suddenly went upside down.

He was already firmly held in Kang Jae-hoon's arms!

"Kang Jae-hoon! Are you... an animal?!"

Lee Sung-kyung realized what was happening, her cheeks flushed, and she pinched his strong arm.

It was only a few minutes ago... just now?!
That's an incredibly fast recovery of stamina!
Kang Jae-hoon originally intended to take the opportunity to bring up the matter of moving to a different house.

But when he looked down and met those eyes that were surprisingly bright even when they were filled with anger—the emotions inside were already as clear as water, without the slightest trace of the languid haze after their lovemaking.

He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Let's give her a buff that grants her both spiritual and physical recognition first!

then.

She hugged him tightly, turned around, and strode back to the living room where the battle had just ended and the lingering warmth of their love had still lingered.

Footsteps trod across the scattered silver star-shaped strings of lights on the floor. Colorful balloons were bumped and flung wildly once more. The battlefield, which had only recently been extinguished, was once again filled with the smoke of battle—

(...800 words of bumpy road and fabric rubbing sound effects have been cut here...)
The clouds collect and the rain stops.

I do not know how long it has been.

Only the sound of their alternating, gradually calming breaths remained in the bedroom.

In the quiet of utter exhaustion.

Lee Sung-kyung nestled limply in the warm hollow of his chest, like a cat whose bones had been removed. Her cheek pressed against the skin where his steady heartbeat had struck. Her whole body was enveloped in his burning body temperature and breath.

She rubbed her slightly cool instep against the side of his calf to warm it.

Jiang Zai Xun's palm gently stroked her smooth, delicate, and beautifully curved back.

"The Bible."

"Um……"

"Let's find somewhere else to stay."

The person in his arms stirred, slightly raising their head, resting their chin on his chest, their eyes looking at him in the dim light:
"Where to switch to?"

"Longshan District, Xibingku Cave".

Kang Jae-hoon revealed the location that had already been chosen:
"The environment there is nice, and the security is strict. Senior Gong Yoo also lives in that neighborhood."

"how much is it?"

"Thirty million a year."

Before she could blurt out, "So expensive?! Are you crazy?!"

Kang Jae-hoon tightened his arms around her shoulders, gently resting his chin on the top of her head, his deep voice silencing any potential agitation in her:

Now that things are settled with my parents and I have no more worries, it's time to enjoy my own life, isn't it?

The person in my arms suddenly fell silent.

Yes.

for a long time.

The goal that weighed heavily on my heart—to repay my parents and improve their lives—vanished the moment that property deed appeared.

A phased mission, seemingly something she was born to bear, was completed by the man beside her... silently, swiftly, and decisively.
A tremendous sense of vacuum was instantly generated around the target.

The desire for comfort, quality, and self-reward, which had been forcibly compressed and suppressed for too long by unwavering will, surged quietly like a thawing stream.

Why did you grit your teeth and save money to stay in this dilapidated house for so long?

Isn't it all about holding onto money tightly to fill that mountain called "parents' old age"?
now.

The mountain has been leveled.

He's still young, and his career is on the rise. Kang Jae-hoon, on the other hand, is experiencing a surge in momentum.

So, isn't making money... all about improving our quality of life? Isn't it about enjoying a better life?

There's no doubt that Lee Sung-kyung can endure hardship, but that doesn't mean she's the kind of masochist who "makes trouble even when there isn't any."

Once this idea is grasped...

That concern about it being "too expensive" was instantly washed away.

suddenly see the light.

I felt much lighter, and the little knot in my heart completely disappeared.

even.

For some reason... I developed a subtle longing for that unfamiliar "Yongsan-gu, Seobingku-dong," which is worth 30 million won a year.

She said no more.

She simply slumped back into that familiar embrace, her body going limp.

A few seconds later.

It's like he's made some kind of decision.

Lee Sung-kyung emerged from Kang Jae-hoon's warm embrace.

Sit up.

Her long, black hair cascaded down, her fair back exposed to the cool moonlight. She stretched out her beautifully shaped, smooth arm, across Jiang Zaixun's chest.

He reached towards the bedside table.

Open the drawer.

Inside were her neatly arranged little items.

His fingers rustled and explored inside for a moment.

A bank card was precisely clipped out.

She was holding the card.

Turning around, he handed the card to Jiang Zai Xun, who was still leaning against the headboard, looking somewhat bewildered.
"This is what I've saved up over the years. There's 1.6 million in it. You can take it and use it. The password is your birthday."

Kang Jae-hoon stood there, stunned, clutching the silver-white card that still held the warmth of her fingertips.

It's not because the password is my birthday—such a little trick during the ambiguous period is not enough to shake the feelings at this moment.

Rather, the weight and significance carried by this small card are too great!
It's not just a matter of unreserved trust, but also a silent declaration.

—This signifies a profound shift in her understanding and perception of their relationship.

She began to try to fully embed herself in the future vision they were building together, in a softer and more dependent manner.

"you……"

Kang Jae-hoon's throat felt a little dry.

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly turned her head, and her beautiful eyes finally met his.

There was none of the shyness or tenderness he had expected, only barely concealed anger:
"What?! You don't want it?"

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly snapped back to reality!
don't want?

Do not!
Absolutely not!

He is not a fool.

He knew all too well how sensitive Lee Sung-kyung was at that moment!

If he shows even the slightest hesitation, or a guilty refusal of "how could I possibly use your hard-earned money?"—this lion, cornered and with an insanely strong sense of pride, will absolutely explode! 100% explode!

The next second he could blurt out that line—

"Then I don't want your property ownership certificate either!"

Once that sentence is uttered, the nature of the situation completely changes. It transforms from a meeting of minds into a tug-of-war and transaction of "who owes whom," shattering her previous desperate trust and sense of commitment.

"want."

Kang Jae-hoon gripped the card tightly.

The heavy sense of guilt and indebtedness in my heart entwined me even more tightly, like vines.

This money feels like a hot potato in my hand.

But it also represents invisible pressure and a heavier responsibility.

This debt...

It seems we have no choice but to find another way to repay.

Kang Jae-hoon decided to transform his deep sense of guilt into the most primal and passionate... compensatory service through his actions.

He suddenly leaned forward.

The woman, who had just relaxed, was instantly enveloped by the hot breath.

Lee Sung-kyung's not-yet-fully-clear eyes met his burning, deep eyes, which held a certain tragic emotion.

Her inner alarm bells immediately blared wildly!
"...Kang Jae-hoon! You...have you had enough?!"

Before the cries for help could even be uttered, they were once again swallowed up by a familiar, even more turbulent and violent kiss!
afterwards.

Lee Sung-kyung lay sprawled on the disheveled silk quilt, still bearing the marks of their intense encounter, too lazy to even lift her eyelids.

I've finally regained some strength.

He reached out with his fingertips to grab the phone that had been tossed aside on the corner of the bed.

The cold light from the screen illuminated her blushing, satisfied profile and slightly sweaty temples.

The shopping app was opened.

Her fingers flew across the screen, adding various items to her virtual shopping cart with a ruthless, vengeful spending frenzy.

curtain.

carpet.

Coffee machine.

Even various daily necessities for couples.

"Jae-hoon, which style of slippers do you like?"

Kang Jae-hoon was pressed against her from behind, his chin resting on her smooth shoulder, looking at the screen and lazily selecting:
"Minions".

"childish……"

That's what I said, but I've already added the cartoon slippers to my shopping cart.

"Even toothbrushes are getting Minions merchandise?"

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon responded vaguely, his nose brushing against the skin of her neck, inhaling the pleasant scent emanating from her, now mixed with his own.

Lee Sung-kyung's fingertips danced.

Another set of electric toothbrushes with Minion expressions printed on them was added to my cart.

Then--

Hand sanitizer dispensers, toilet brushes, trash cans... everything has been transformed into a bright yellow cartoon style!
They're all so childish!
Shopping carts are expanding rapidly and flooding the screen.

Kang Jae-hoon's chest remained pressed against her back as he quietly watched the rapidly growing, glaring yellow cartoon elements on the screen for a few seconds, his Adam's apple bobbing silently.

at last.

He tightened his grip on her waist, his hand stroking her waist slightly, and hesitated before saying:
"...There's no need to buy so much toilet paper. I'll be staying in this house for a while longer."

The words fell.

Lee Sung-kyung's rapidly moving fingertips suddenly stopped in mid-air.

She froze for a full three seconds.

then.

She was practically forcibly turned off the bed, her long hair whipping around in the violent turn, a few strands hitting Kang Jae-hoon's chin.

Her eyes widened in shock, and her pretty face, which had just been flushed with a lazy blush, instantly froze!
"Kang Jae-hoon!"

Each word hit him like a shard of ice.

"What do you mean?!!!"

Her chest heaved violently, and the silk quilt slipped completely off her shoulders due to her movements. Anger made her fair skin flush light red.

"You want me to move it myself?!?!"

really!

Kang Jae-hoon's mental alarm bells were ringing wildly, and the siren was about to go off!

Even if you've just experienced a soul-stirring connection, even if you've just been stunned by this scalding 1.6 million yuan bank card, even if... you've already been "buffed" four times.

But as long as—as long as the core issue of this "right to future resettlement" is touched upon…

"Don't glare at me yet, let me explain—"

Kang Jae-hoon immediately raised his hands in surrender. Knowing she was fully engaged in combat, he spoke calmly and clearly:
"Calm down. It's not that you have to move it yourself, but that we need to stagger the moving times for now."

"Veteran is still in theaters, you should know better than me how popular I am."

"If... I mean if... we both frequently enter and leave an upscale new residential area. Or... we get photographed moving in together."

"I don't care if I'm photographed. Movie actors don't rely on fans for a living."

Kang Jae-hoon stared directly into her suddenly contracting pupils:
"But its impact on you will be absolutely devastating!"

"Think about it."

"Next drama...you finally got the female lead. The one you're acting opposite...hmm, maybe it's Lee Jong-suk? The camera gave you a close-up."

"You gazed at him with deep affection, the light in your eyes lasting less than three seconds..."

He paused deliberately.

Seeing Lee Sung-kyung's breathing, I instinctively held my breath.

Then--

"The entire screen was instantly flooded with a dense barrage of comments, all of which contained my name... There were even comments like, 'Jungsuk, Lee Sung-kyung's real-life live-in boyfriend is watching you!'"

"The emotions you painstakingly built up and the crucial CP feeling you established with your partner... crumbled the moment the audience saw these comments."

He looked into Lee Sung-kyung's eyes, where a hard, angry block of ice finally cracked open under the sharp edge of his cruel and realistic analysis.

Kang Jae-hoon softened his tone, his focused and gentle gaze enveloping her wavering heart:
"I'm not worried that you won't get a role."

"It's heartbreaking to see you—the character you painstakingly crafted, the performance you poured your heart and soul into, all wasted by these trivial, off-screen things..."

What Kang Jae-hoon talked to her about was entirely about her future job prospects.

Lee Sung-kyung's tense body and the anger on her face relaxed at a visible speed.

She understood the reasoning, of course; it was cruel, but true.

but……

She slightly pursed her lips, turned her face away, and her voice was muffled by the pillow:
"...I've never played the lead role before."

Kang Jae-hoon's heart ached from that little bit of grievance.

All composure crumbled instantly.

He leaned forward.

The touch was incredibly gentle; a tender kiss, filled with tenderness, comfort, and an infinitely solemn promise, gently landed on the tips of her slightly trembling eyelashes.

It feels warm and moist to the touch.

The voice is deep and mellow.

"My Bible will not always be a supporting character."

"Whether on or off screen, in close-ups or long shots—"

"You will always be my queen."

(End of this chapter)