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

Chapter 248 The Blue Fox Miracle: Unexpected Fortune Falls From the Sky!
The van drove smoothly on the road to Xibingkudong.

outside the window.

Seoul at night is ablaze with lights, and neon signs cast long, mesmerizing trails of light on car windows, like a golden river rushing by.

The interior of the car was relatively quiet.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in the back seat with his eyes closed.

It seems like he's resting and recuperating.

But the furrowed brow revealed a torrent of thoughts.

in mind.

Various ideas for raising funds came one after another, only to be quickly rejected by him.

Amidst this anxious contemplation...

Two radiant faces, each with a captivating smile and representing a completely different world, suddenly entered the realm of his thoughts—

【Lim Yoon-a】.

Her substantial personal cash flow is an open secret within the industry.

More importantly, she had already demonstrated her investment acumen and undisguised trust in Kang Jae-hoon's career plans by quietly but decisively participating in the all-rental housing investment project he led.

【Bae Suzy】.

Under the spotlight of being the "nation's first love," her earning power is beyond doubt.

Her complex background and network of connections, if even a small portion of those resources could be leveraged as implicit endorsement, would be a tremendous asset.

A near-mad thought exploded in Kang Jae-hoon's nerve endings:

Perhaps we could persuade them to inject the funds they urgently need, acting as pure investors in their own names?
How feasible is it?

How high is the risk?

Once deeply bound to the tangled and complicated relationship between him and them, it's like dancing on a tightrope.

Any deviation at any step could trigger a chain reaction... the consequences of which could truly be devastating.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly opened his eyes.

A hint of annoyance flashed across his eyes.

He temporarily suppressed this tempting yet potentially dangerous idea.

We must find a more reliable and dependable approach!

jobs.

The huge cash flow generated by his work is the most direct and reliable foundation for him to get out of his predicament at this moment!
"Brother Da Yuan."

"Ok?"

Jin Dayuan, who was always attentive to his emotional changes, immediately responded.

"Have you received any script offers from China?"

"Huaxia?"

Kim Dae-won instantly grasped the core intention behind Kang Jae-hoon's question—quick money!
And it's a huge amount of quick money!
The Chinese market's generosity in paying money is already well-known in the Korean entertainment industry:
Last year, Lim Yoon-a starred in the Chinese historical drama "God of War Zhao Yun," for which her salary was converted to Korean won and reached 40 billion won.
Rain received a salary of 53 billion Korean won for starring in the urban idol drama "Diamond Lover" last year.
Lee Jong-suk's salary for "Jade Lovers" (the sequel to "Diamond Lover"), which he just took on this year, has skyrocketed to 60 billion won!
Now, Song Joong-ki, whose popularity exploded in China thanks to "Descendants of the Sun," is rumored to have been offered a staggering 200 billion won in salary by Chinese film companies!
Kang Jae-hoon's current status and popularity...

Although it is not yet possible to compare with Song Joong-ki at his peak.

However, thanks to his role as Seo Dae-young in "Descendants of the Sun" which dominated Chinese screens, coupled with the recent acquisition of "The Producers" by a Chinese video platform, his previous film credits for starring in "For Love or Money" (although it was a box office and critical flop, it made him a familiar face), and the film that made him famous, "Veteran"...

At this opportune moment.

Whether it's taking on important roles in top-tier blockbuster films or leading a highly-watched TV series.

Putting aside the "artistic risks" such as script quality and production level, just considering the salary alone, given the current market conditions and the fervent pursuit of him...

It's a well-founded estimate that Kang Jae-hoon can earn more than 50 billion won in film fees!
Jin Dayuan took over the train of thought without any hesitation and began to quickly review the known information:
"Have!"

"It's been going on and on."

"There are three major film projects, all of which are Sino-Korean co-productions, with the male lead or an important supporting male character."

"There are even more TV dramas, including historical romance dramas, urban romance dramas, and even suspenseful tomb raiding dramas!"

"However, the quality of the scripts varies greatly, and many projects seem like rushed money laundering schemes..."

"Buzz—Buzz—"

The phone in Kang Jae-hoon's arms suddenly vibrated, interrupting him.

He frowned slightly, opened his eyes and looked at the caller ID—a long, unfamiliar number that didn't seem to be from a legitimate source.

"Hey?"

"Hello, are you Mr. Kang Jae-hoon?"

Without even thinking, Kang Jae-hoon said, "No need."

beep--

He hung up the phone decisively, tossed it back onto his lap, and gestured with his chin towards Kim Dae-won:

"Brother, continue."

"Yes, speaking of the production company, there are two with very powerful backgrounds..."

"Buzz—Buzz—"

It's that damn persistent guy again!

Jiang Zai Xun answered the call again with obvious impatience, and even blocked the other party before they could speak:
"I won't buy a house! I won't buy insurance! I won't take out a loan! I won't speculate in foreign exchange! I won't attend lectures! I'm not interested in anything!"

"..."

The person on the other end of the phone seemed speechless at his rapid-fire questions.

Kang Jae-hoon was about to hang up again.

The male voice rang out again:

"Mr. Kang Jae-hoon, please wait a moment! I'm not a salesperson! We are the official authorized payment center of Premier League Sports! We apologize for disturbing you, but there is an important outstanding message in your account!"

Kang Jae-hoon was stunned.

Premier League... Authorization Center?
"We have verified that you purchased a 200,000 won lottery ticket for Leicester City's Premier League title win through our legitimate cooperation channels on August 16th last year, and then added 10 million won on September 16th to purchase a similar high-odds lottery ticket, is that correct?"

"Yes...that's true."

Jiang Zai Xun's voice unconsciously lowered, and his back involuntarily straightened up a bit from the back of the chair.

Trying to recall in my mind—

Initially, he casually bought "Arabian Nights" at the urging of Cha Tae-hyun and others. He added another one while he was dating Kim Ji-won during filming in Greece, but he was too busy to think about it anymore.

Congratulations, Mr. Jiang!

"Due to Leicester City's performance this season far exceeding expectations, their chances of winning the title have skyrocketed. In accordance with our 'Title Winning Expectation Lock-in Policy,' we are offering you the option to cash out early!"

"You can choose to receive your full bonus now, without waiting for the season to end! Based on the current locked odds, you can choose to receive a pre-tax total of 150 billion Korean won immediately! After deducting withheld taxes, you will receive a net amount of approximately 127 billion Korean won within 3 business days!"

boom--! ! !
Kang Jae-hoon felt as if a bomb had been dropped into his head!
15 billion??

12.7 billion after tax?
"Are you... joking?"

Kang Jae-hoon felt his hands trembling.

“Absolutely not! Mr. Jiang! We are an officially authorized agency certified by the UK Gaming Commission. This is the authorization number you can find in your verified account on the official website: GAM-UK-OPC-02658.”

"You can also choose to continue holding your lottery ticket until the end of the season. If Leicester City ultimately wins the title, you will receive the full prize money of 260 billion won before tax, based on the odds you initially purchased. However, please note that once you choose to claim your prize early, your rights will terminate immediately regardless of the final outcome."

"...I need some time to think about it."

Kang Jae-hoon forced himself to calm down.

"I completely understand, Mr. Jiang. Market volatility is high, and opportunities are fleeting. I believe you will make the wisest choice. If you agree to early redemption, please be sure to call our priority hotline: +44-79XXXXXXXX before 5 PM Korean time this Friday. This hotline is only open for you to ensure your rights and efficiency. Good night."

"beep……"

A busy tone sounds.

Kang Jae-hoon held the phone up for several seconds before slowly lowering it.

He ignored Jin Dayuan's questioning face, immediately pulled out another ordinary phone, and searched with slightly trembling fingers:

Leicester City's current standings

The search results popped up instantly.

The page prominently displays—

Leicester City Football Club top of the Premier League table!

Bookmaker odds: Winner 1.91
That was a grassroots team with odds as high as 1:5000 at the beginning of the season, and was jokingly called a "relegation favorite".

now.

It has taken the top spot with astonishing underdog success!
In stark contrast:

The odds of Trump winning the 2016 US presidential election were only 1 to 150.

The odds for the 2016 Brexit referendum were only 1 to 12.

But none of this can compare to the incredible odds that led to Leicester City's miraculous turnaround!

now.

The football betting center's incredibly astute calculations told him:

This team is almost impossible to upset... so 150 billion is their safety net.

Two paths lie before Kang Jae-hoon:

Redeem in advance —

150 billion won (before tax), approximately 127 billion won after tax.

The deal is final; payment is made immediately.

Persevere to the end—

They might end up with nothing, or they might reap a staggering 260 billion won.

It seems like an either/or choice.

But looking at the stark reality of the data on my phone...

Leicester City winning the title... is it almost a done deal?! Is that £150 billion a stop-loss point set by the bookmakers to avoid even greater losses? Is it a lure to sell quickly and not make every last penny?
Kim Dae-won keenly noticed the dramatic change in Kang Jae-hoon's expression after he finished the call—it was definitely not the reaction one would expect from a sales call.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Kang Jae-hoon forcibly suppressed the rapid beating of his heart and slowly shook his head:
"It's nothing serious, bro. Let's drive."

He needs to talk to someone now.

This person is not Kim Dae-won.

Although Kim Dae-won is absolutely reliable, what he needs at this moment is a more instinctive guidance and peace of mind.

Although full of doubts.

But years of tacit understanding led Kim Dae-won to choose silence.

The car drove silently toward the West Ice Cave.

Watching the taillights of the nanny van disappear around the street corner, Kang Jae-hoon looked up at the familiar building.

The window was lit by a warm yellow light.

Like many nights before, that lamp always silently watched over him, a man who might return or might not.

An indescribable warm current surged up, mixed with the turbulent emotions in my heart.

The elevator goes up.

The door opens.

The familiar entryway.

Lee Sung-kyung was indeed curled up on the sofa, her soft loungewear hugging her shapely figure. She held a carrot in her hand, nibbling on it casually, her gaze fixed intently on the television screen.

The movie playing there was "Descendants of the Sun," a love story between him and Kim Ji-won set in Uruk.

"Is our Bible's healthy meal today so...natural?"

Kang Jae-hoon took off his coat and hung it up, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

The tension and fatigue of the day were instantly healed by this homey scene.

Lee Sung-kyung slowly chewed on the carrot:
"Supplement with some carotene to improve eyesight."

She finally deigned to turn her head and glance at Kang Jae-hoon.

"Otherwise, how can we see clearly the...spectacular performances of certain people?"

His amber eyes shimmered with an elusive light under the lamplight.

"One after another, a military couple who share hardships amidst the flames of war, and another perfectly compatible fox and rabbit couple in Zootopia... Tsk tsk, isn't actor Jiang's love life a bit too paved lately?"

"what?"

Kang Jae-hoon's nose twitched slightly:

"Why do I smell... um... such a strong sour smell?"

He suppressed a laugh, his gaze sweeping over her beautiful profile:

"Whose long-suffering vinegar jar... finally couldn't hold back and spilled it?"

"Hey! Kang Jae-hoon!"

Enraged, Lee Sung-kyung kicked him in the waist with her long leg without hesitation!

Jiang Zai Xun was prepared and grabbed her ankle before she could pull it back.

The delicate and warm touch stirred his heart slightly.

immediately.

His fingers then began to tickle the soles of her feet.

Lee Sung-kyung is extremely ticklish. While trying to pull her foot back, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, and her other foot, which wasn't being held, kicked and thrashed wildly.

"Hey! Kang Jae-hoon! Stop it...!"

"Who told you to kick me first?"

Kang Jae-hoon deliberately didn't let go, and instead scratched even more vigorously.

"I was wrong! I was wrong, okay? Let me go!"

Lee Sung-kyung finally couldn't stand the tickling attack anymore.

Her previous feigned indifference and haughty demeanor vanished, leaving only her adorable exasperation.

Seeing that he had succeeded, Jiang Zaihun let go of her hand, but then pounced on her, pulling her and the pillow into his arms.

Lee Sung-kyung struggled symbolically for a couple of moments, then let him be, only deliberately bumping his forehead lightly with the back of her head and letting out a humph:
"You're so heavy, get up."

"I can't afford it."

Kang Jae-hoon buried his head in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath. It was the familiar lavender scent from home that made him feel incredibly at ease.

“Bible, there is something I would like to hear your opinion on.”

"Ok?"

Lee Sung-kyung responded lazily, but her eyes remained glued to the television.

Jiang Zai Xun then told her in detail about the possibility of early payout of the "Leicester City lottery," and the choice between securing 15 billion in cash or gambling on 26 billion.

Lee Sung-kyung was stunned.

I forgot to eat the carrots.

His expression shifted from astonishment to disbelief and disorientation as he recounted his story.

She doesn't know much about football, but she understands what it means when "odds dropped from 1:5000 to 1.91, topping the list".

This is almost a miracle, with 99% of the work completed.

It took me quite a while to digest.

Lee Sung-kyung slowly said:

"Oh... such a huge windfall..."

"Shouldn't you give a share of the royalties to your 'official CP' who's been working so hard with you for so long... that dear Officer Judy?"

"?"

Kang Jae-hoon was a little confused.

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze drifted back to the television screen, and she pursed her lips:

"Or... how about casting Kim Ji-won, who's paired with Sergeant Seo, in a new drama as the female lead? I think the two of you together... have quite a bit of chemistry."

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

A few seconds later.

He finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"dare you laugh!"

Lee Sung-kyung, enraged, picked up a carrot as if to throw it at him.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately sat up straight:
"The Bible... Remember, the couples I'm paired with in front of others are just work, a storyline, an effect that needs to be created in front of the camera. Only when I'm with you is my whole life."

Lee Sung-kyung was caught off guard by his sudden and heartfelt confession.

Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, concealing the emotions she felt inside.

She deliberately slapped away his hand that was playing with her hair, turned her body to the other side, her back to Kang Jae-hoon, and snorted at the air:
"What's the use of just saying nice things..."

She was still stubborn, but the subtle upward curve of her lips betrayed her true feelings at that moment.

A few seconds passed.

She finally turned around.

The awkwardness on his face faded, and he offered very practical advice:

"Let's redeem it early."

Greed always lurks in that last 1%, but countless unexpected events can wipe out the remaining 99%. Now that you have a sure thing in hand, enough to change your life and potentially the lives of many others, why not?

"It has already far exceeded your initial investment expectations, and even far exceeded the normal returns that can be deduced by rational logic. This number is crazy enough, crazy enough to prove that Lady Luck is exceptionally kind to you tonight. That's enough."

“We’re not gamblers. Only when we have the money in our hands can your film company plans truly begin.”

Her analysis hit the nail on the head.

There wasn't a trace of regret about the 260 billion.

Only his safety and practical success are taken into consideration.

"it is good!"

Kang Jae-hoon nodded emphatically: "I'll listen to you!"

present.

Without hesitation, he used the mobile phone, which was only used to contact the sports lottery center, to dial the only dedicated line number available just for him.

“It’s me, Kang Jae-hoon.”

"Regarding the Leicester City lottery ticket... I accept the early redemption offer. Please process it as soon as possible."

The voice on the other end of the phone was full of formulaic congratulations:
"Understood, Mr. Jiang. We have confirmed your payment request. Please ensure that your prize account information is correct. After deducting applicable taxes and fees, the total amount of 127 billion Korean won will be transferred to your designated account within 3 business days. Thank you for your choice, and we wish you a pleasant life."

The phone hangs up.

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze met his silently.

She didn't say anything, but simply handed the remaining half of the carrot to Kang Jae-hoon.

Kang Jae-hoon did not take the half carrot.

Instead, she reached out and covered Lee Sung-kyung's hand that was holding the carrot.

I didn't let go for a long time.

That slightly dented carrot, like an out-of-place thematic sentence, stubbornly remains in the center of the picture, silently witnessing the subtle symphony of fate—

On the other side of the Eurasian continent, a grassroots team is rewriting the history that should have been engraved on a bronze monument, forging ahead towards its fairytale throne.
In this apartment in Seobyung-dong, Seoul, a new beginning concerning billions of won, and even enough to shake the fate of the local entertainment industry, quietly sprouted amidst the sweet atmosphere of daily life.

It came so unexpectedly, but from then on... it was unstoppable.

(End of this chapter)