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

Chapter 203 Nuclear Peace Talks Between the Former and Current Presidents
Lee Sung-kyung's gaze fell on Jung Soo-jung's expressionless face, which betrayed her complex emotions, and a subtle curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Here."

"Your ex-girlfriend..."

She gestured with her chin towards Krystal Jung: "Aren't you going to say hello?"

"Sure, let's go together."

The words have not yet fallen.

Kang Jae-hoon held Lee Sung-kyung's large hand—the strength never loosened, but instead wrapped around her soft hand even tighter like a lock, leading her toward Jung Soo-jung, who stood at the intersection of light and shadow.

Lee Sung-kyung was caught off guard by his actions, and her body was passively pulled forward, causing her to stagger.

She stared in surprise at Kang Jae-hoon's sharply defined profile.

in fact……

The moment Lee Sung-kyung uttered the words "My ex-girlfriend is here," she was already prepared to maintain a facade of "magnanimity, tolerance, and non-interference in social circles," while waiting to teach this man a lesson in the harsh realities of life when she got back.

Generosity is reserved for dignified occasions.

When it comes to settling accounts, there are family rules to follow behind closed doors!
But to my utter surprise, he actually dared to drag me along!
Actually.

Kang Jae-hoon is so fearless because he has a clear conscience and is open and honest.

He truly had no lingering feelings for Krystal Jung.

If he had even the slightest doubt or lingering unease, his choice at this moment would definitely not have been to look straight ahead and move with lightning speed.

His current mental energy.

He devoted himself entirely to finding a balance where his three capable wives could each find their own enjoyment.

Maintaining the emotions of these three individuals, allocating their time effectively, and meeting their individual needs were already enough to exhaust him.

Where would I find the extra energy?

How could he possibly have even the slightest thought of provoking his ex-girlfriend?!
That's not called deep affection.

That's called courting death, that's called having a death wish!

and so.

Taking Lee Sung-kyung along is the safest option right now.

It is a respect for the status of "current girlfriend (one of them)" and also a most straightforward declaration - I am completely innocent with her, and I even have to bring you along when I say hello. Isn't that enough to reassure you?
at that time.

As she watched the two figures approaching from afar, their posture intimate, Jung Soo-jung's inner turmoil and complex emotions instantly vanished, replaced by—utter bewilderment!

I'm completely confused!
The kind of blankness that feels like your brain's CPU has completely crashed!

Didn't Kim Ji-won say that he and Bae Suzy are together?
Logically speaking, Kim Ji-won's information shouldn't be wrong, since they film together every day...

So, Kang Jae-hoon and Bae Suzy have broken up?

Or……

Sudden.

A ridiculous idea popped into her head that she dared not even think about deeply.

Just as Jung Soo-jung was in a brief state of mental turmoil, her worldview shattered and being rebuilt, the perfect couple had already walked up to her.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Kang Jae-hoon's "Long time no see" deliberately obscured the "unexpected reunion" in Taebaek City a month ago and the dinner in the cramped restaurant.

Although nothing inappropriate happened during that meeting.

But he knew very well that this matter must never be mentioned. To mention it would be to imply that he was complaining about his comfortable life.

Krystal Jung subconsciously replied:
"……haven't seen you for a long time."

Her gaze lingered on Lee Sung-kyung and Kang Jae-hoon's tightly clasped hands for a moment before quickly shifting away: "You two are dating?"

That question contained a bitterness that only he could understand.

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon answered decisively.

A sour and astringent feeling spread.

Krystal Jung forced a smile, trying hard to appear nonchalant, but ultimately revealing her stiffness:

"...That's great, true love...finally united."

first time.

Lee Sung-kyung merely observed this somewhat delicate "reunion" with a detached and indifferent attitude, adopting a high-handed stance of "I don't interfere with who my husband greets."

But the barely concealed "regret" and "disappointment" on Krystal's face struck a nerve with her.

An inexplicable anger welled up inside me.

accurate.

Extremely unhappy.

So, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, forming a seemingly gentle arc:

"...I still have to thank the person who helped him grow from a boy into a man."

These words, seemingly a thank you, are actually a knife in disguise.

It means: This man is mine now, your "merits" are history, and he has nothing to do with you in the future.

Want to turn back?
dream!

Krystal Jung is not stupid.

These words carry a strong sense of declaring one's current status and cutting ties with the past.

If she were truly free of all worries, she could easily retort with something like, "Don't be so polite, you're only fit to pick up the men I don't want," perhaps even adding a haughty eye roll.

A devastating critical hit!

Enough to break Lee Sung-kyung's defenses on the spot while she was "showing off"!
pity……

It is a pity.

The reason Krystal Jung was present at this fashion week, despite being exhausted from a high-intensity US tour, and was still able to pinpoint the location of Kang Jae-hoon, was because of a hidden hope deep within her—a hope she herself might not have fully grasped, a hope tinged with "perhaps" or "what if"...

If you haven't let go, you lack confidence.

No matter how eloquent you are, it's all empty talk.

but.

As the saying goes-

If you respect me a foot, I will give you a foot in return.

Seeing Lee Sung-kyung's victorious smile, Jung Soo-jung's competitive spirit was instantly ignited!

The loser does not lose the formation!
Since the other party has made a move, there is no reason for me not to respond, let alone back down!
Between the electric light and flint.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Krystal Jung's eyes.

She changed her strategy.

Instead of a direct confrontation, they took a different approach, employing a psychological warfare tactic—

"No need for thanks."

Her voice regained its usual coolness, even carrying a hint of indifferent languor:

"Actually... I really admire you. If it were me, I definitely couldn't stand that his phone case still had a charm related to his ex."

The tactic is that if Lee Sung-kyung is unaware of the situation, it will definitely create a rift of suspicion. If Kang Jae-hoon vehemently denies it, it will confirm that he still harbors feelings for her and is deliberately covering it up.

This is a vicious cycle; no matter how you answer, you'll fall into the trap.

really.

The moment the words landed.

Lee Sung-kyung abruptly turned her head, her beautiful eyes instantly narrowing into dangerous slits, as if to say: Oh? Is that so? You... you've gotten quite capable, huh?

Feeling extremely uncomfortable under such a gaze, Kang Jae-hoon's Adam's apple bobbed awkwardly.

What does it mean to lift a stone only to drop it on your own foot?
At this moment, he wished he could travel back to that restaurant in Taibai City and just strangle that self-righteous version of himself!
Just as Kang Jae-hoon's brain CPU was burning out, trying to find the only way out of the desperate situation.

"Ugh……"

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly let out a soft, remarkably clear sigh. She shook her head slightly, a pitying curve at the corner of her mouth, and her gaze returned to Jung Soo-jung's face, who was momentarily speechless at the sigh.

"I really feel sorry for my sister, still dwelling on such trivial old matters~"

The drawn-out tone carried the weight of a final verdict.

—What you're so hung up on is nothing more than the trash my man forgot in a corner.

Lee Sung-kyung's words, combined with that look in her eyes, were a million times more damaging than any mockery or insults!
It's like the gentlest knife has carved the thought, "You're so long past, it's pathetic that you're still trying to find a sense of existence with these worthless things," right onto Krystal Jung's forehead.

Humiliation. Utter humiliation!!
Jung Soo-jung felt a surge of intense anger and bitterness rush to her head, and her body trembled slightly with rage!

Fortunately.

Years of experience as an idol honed her strong heart and excellent facial expression control, which forcibly activated a "protection program" at the crucial moment, locking away any hint of embarrassment deep within her eyes:

"Yes, the past is like smoke, but unfortunately... the smell of smoke, once it's there, can't be washed off."

Kang Jae-hoon's pupils suddenly contracted!

cigarette?!

How could she know?!

In the period following the breakup, in order to combat the heart-wrenching emptiness and uncontrollable emotions, he did indeed develop a smoking habit.

Very few people knew about it; you could count them on one hand.

Kim Dae-won, his manager who cleaned up his messes by emptying ashtrays; and Lim Yoon-a, who used both gentle persuasion and firm pressure to help him quit smoking.

There was also Kim Ji-won, who was filming "Good Day" in Jeju Island.

So……

It goes without saying who leaked this news.

Kang Jae-hoon could almost picture that girl, clutching potato chips, casually revealing the "secret" during a private get-together with Jung Soo-jung, perhaps out of comfort or perhaps unintentionally to stir up trouble.

They might even use phrases like "Oh, look how much suffering he endured back then" to beautify his image.

This woman knows way too much!
Just as Kang Jae-hoon's thoughts were racing, planning how to deal with Kim Ji-won when he got back—

"Ring ring—ring ring—!!"

A sharp, piercing cell phone ringtone, like celestial music, rang out from Krystal Jung's handbag.

It was almost as if the first syllable of the bell had just escaped through the gap in the handbag—

Krystal Jung's fingers had already darted into her bag with lightning speed.

"Hey!"

There wasn't a single word of greeting or small talk.

"what?!"

Immediately afterwards, a perfectly timed layer of "surprise" and "anxiety" appeared on her face:
"...So urgent?!...Now?!"

"it is good!"

"……I see!"

After explaining this self-directed and self-acted "emergency call".

Krystal Jung immediately hung up the phone.

She didn't want to stay in this backstage arena any longer, where she had completely lost face and become utterly humiliated!
Looked up.

His face instantly switched to a formulaic, apologetic yet extremely distant official expression:
"Sorry, something urgent has come up at the company, I have to go now."

Before the two could react.

Krystal Jung quickly turned around.

The high heels clicked crisply on the ground as she walked with a seemingly relaxed pace, but in reality, each step was a result of her trying her best to control her speed.

……

A brief silence.

Lee Sung-kyung withdrew her gaze from the departing figure and turned to the man beside her.

She gracefully raised her arm, her slender, fair hand spread out between the two of them.

Palms up.

What do you want?
It couldn't be clearer!
Kang Jae-hoon's heart sank suddenly, almost at the fastest speed of his entire life—

He took his phone out of his pocket and decisively shoved it into Lee Sung-kyung's hand.

Lee Sung-kyung lowered her eyes, her fingertips sliding along the curve of the side of the phone.

With just a little force, a gentle pry with your fingernail, the protective shell that's snug against your back can be easily separated.

Exposed interlayer.

She took out the little trinket embroidered with the name she disliked, a symbol of thoughts she shouldn't have. Just like when she first discovered the Bae Suzy photocard hanging on the car's rearview mirror.

His wrist was slightly raised.

Let it disappear forever into the nearest metal trash can.

however.

My fingertip traced the edge of the phone a few times.

finally.

Lee Sung-kyung handed the phone back to Kang Jae-hoon:
"This is the last time, you... handle it yourself."

There is absolutely no room for negotiation.

It was an order, and also an ultimatum.

"!!!"

A surge of overwhelming joy, like surviving a catastrophe, rushed to my head!

Kang Jae-hoon was nodding his head like someone who had been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve and immediately received a reduced sentence, as if he had Parkinson's disease:
"I'll clean it up right away!"

The promises were made quickly and urgently, for fear that the other party would change their mind if there was any pause.

……

at the same time.

Kim Hyo-yeon, who had just gone to the restroom and accidentally got lost, happened to witness the whole thing.

however.

Just as she took out her phone and opened the KakaoTalk chat box with Lim Yoona.

Hyoyeon unnie!

A cool yet unusually strong hand suddenly pressed down on the back of her hand.

—It was Seohyun who came with her.

"and many more."

Kim Hyo-yeon was so anxious she jumped up and down:

"Why are you stopping me?! Yoona needs to know this! This kid is taking what's in his bowl..."

"Ouni..."

Seohyun interrupted her:
"Did you send this message to make Yoona thank you for informing her that her boyfriend was suspected of cheating? Or did you want her to harbor resentment towards you... by deliberately acting as a 'sowing discord' to disrupt their current harmonious relationship without any conclusive evidence?"

"Sowing discord...sowing discord?"

Kim Hyoyeon was completely dumbfounded.

She just wanted to help her best friend catch her cheating! How did she become the sinner who sowed discord?!
That doesn't make sense!
"Even if..."

Seohyun's voice pulled her out of the quagmire of chaotic thoughts at just the right time:

"...If you really want to stand up for Yoona unnie, you should at least have some solid evidence to back it up, right?"

Her gaze swept to the spot where Kang Jae-hoon had just stood.

There was no one there any more.

"Based on the few fragmented conversations we just overheard, do you think giving this 'information' to Yoona unnie will, besides making her upset, causing unnecessary suspicion, and even making her angry at the 'gossip' of the person relaying it, actually help her see the truth?"

yes……

Kim Hyoyeon scratched her dazzlingly dyed light blonde hair, which seemed to be getting in the way at the moment, with annoyance.

There's no evidence whatsoever, just talk...

How much can we trust Yoona?

It might really be a thankless task, and I might even end up being seen as a troublemaker sowing discord between the sisters and their husbands?

"Tsk..."

Kim Hyoyeon listlessly put her phone back in her pocket, but didn't forget to wave her fist in the air in the direction of the passage where Kang Jae-hoon had disappeared:
"I'll let you off the hook today, damn it... just don't let me catch you red-handed next time!"

After saying that, she turned around angrily and tried to walk in the opposite direction.

"Huh? Unnie!! Over here! That's the model's makeup and styling studio!"

Seohyun sighed helplessly, grabbed her sister's sleeve (who had a terrible sense of direction), and forcibly twisted her back to the correct direction leading to the show's exit.

(End of this chapter)