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

Chapter 256 Bedroom Battlefield and Chess in the Clouds

The room was left with only messy sheets and scattered clothes, a testament to the chaos that had just transpired.

All sound stopped abruptly.

Lee Sung-kyung picked up the scattered clothes without expression.

One by one, the pieces were silently put back on the body.

Behind.

Kang Jae-hoon lay sprawled on the wrinkled bed like a wrecked ship that had just been ravaged by a storm.

I propped myself up on my elbows and remembered.

However, it involves the muscles that were drained last night and then "squeezed" to their limit this morning.

"hiss……"

Lee Sung-kyung's slender fingers, which were fastening her bra clasp, suddenly paused, and she gave him a cold laugh with her back turned:
"Deserved it."

The last syllable was still lingering with the breath of the previous syllable.

Instead, this indifference lost its deterrent effect.

Click.

The bedroom door was opened.

Then it was closed again.

It isolated the one-sided "reckoning" that had just taken place.

living room.

The morning light is just right.

It was completely different from the desolate "battlefield ruins" atmosphere of the second bedroom.

Bae Suzy had already finished washing up.

He was leisurely leaning back on the sofa armrest, holding a half-eaten apple in his hand.

The moist, red lips pressed against the crisp, sweet fruit flesh, making a clear "crunch" sound.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her fair profile.

His posture was relaxed and carefree.

Of course, the lace panties that caused the trouble had already been picked into the laundry basket with her toes.

Lee Sung-kyung's figure, who had just stepped out of the door, came into her view.

Bae Suzy continued chewing on her apple without stopping.

Lift up your curled eyelashes.

With an undisguised mischievous smile.

His gaze seemed to carry X-rays.

From top to bottom.

Then from bottom to top.

He scanned Lee Sung-kyung's clothes, which she had put back on but still looked wrinkled from "exercise," and her lips, which were noticeably more vibrant from being ravaged.

"Yo~"

"Is this person a reincarnated starving ghost? Are they afraid it'll expire if they're too slow?"

Lee Sung-kyung paused for a second in response to her teasing gaze and words.

He let out a cold "humph" from his nose.

"The person who ate something last night... has no right to speak."

then.

Open the refrigerator door.

"hungry."

"Is there anything to eat?"

He didn't even turn his head.

Bae Suzy waved her "breakfast," which was now just a pit from a fruit she'd eaten, and nodded with her chin toward a storage cabinet in the kitchen:
"Hand-Pulled Noodle?"

Lee Sung-kyung walked in the direction she pointed.

Open the cabinet door.

Sure enough, I saw several packs of ramen with pictures of red broth printed on them.

Click——

The door to the second bedroom was pushed open again.

Kang Jae-hoon cautiously peeked out, bracing himself for the storm.

then.

He then witnessed a sight a hundred times more terrifying than a violent storm—

Bae Suzy sat comfortably on a high stool next to the bar, swinging her bare legs under her nightgown;
Lee Sung-kyung stood in front of the stove, using chopsticks to stir the nearly cooked, yellow, curly noodles.

A strange, warm understanding flowed between the two, causing Kang Jae-hoon to subconsciously rub his eyes.

This style of painting is wrong!

They...didn't fight?
"Oppa~"

Bae Suzy's sudden, incredibly sweet voice startled him.
How's your back?

She waved her phone:

"Do you need me to buy you some supplements? Ginseng? Lingzhi? Maca?"

Kang Jae-hoon maintained his masculine dignity and refused:
Save your breath.

The aroma of ramen in the kitchen was suddenly stirred.

Lee Sung-kyung peeked half her face out from beside the stove, holding chopsticks.

The steam blurred her plain face, but made her cold comment all the more clear:
He's perfectly fine.

"At least in my case...the performance met the standard."

He paused and then added:

"However, its stability needs to be observed over the long term."

Bae Suzy immediately seized the opportunity:

"oh?"

The final note rose in a winding, meandering manner.

"It's just meeting the standard..."

The apple core traced a beautiful parabola as it fell into the trash can.

"Looks like I was too considerate last night~"

She rested her chin on her hand, the strap of her nightgown slipping halfway down her shoulder:

"Should we go back to our room now?"

"again."

"...Should we calibrate the performance standards?"

Gudong.

Kang Jae-hoon's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

His gaze shifted stiffly from Lee Sung-kyung's cold face as she spoke lewd words in a serious manner to Bae Suzy's radiant smile.

This absurd morning drama—

Is it just a hallucination?
"What are you doing standing still?"

Lee Sung-kyung's indifferent voice interrupted his self-doubt:
"Come and get your noodles."

……

The dining table is a rectangular island.

Two beautiful mountains each occupy one side.

On the left is Bae Suzy, who has a radiant smile but harbors murderous intent.

On the right is Lee Sung-kyung, who has a blank expression but makes startling remarks.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the deadly triangle layout.

Suddenly I felt.

Eating while standing seems like a good option.

The air is cleaner, the view is wider, and...it's safer.

I just picked up a mouthful of noodles.

chirp-

Two slender hands suddenly reached out at the same time—

Bae Suzy's shimmering manicure and Lee Sung-kyung's slender, delicate hands simultaneously pressed a poached egg into his bowl. The egg white trembled slightly in the red soup, much like Kang Jae-hoon's tormented nerves at that moment.

"Take up."

Lee Sung-kyung's chopsticks mercilessly pierced the fried egg that Bae Suzy handed her.

"Come on~"

Bae Suzy wiped the soup from the corner of his mouth with her fingertips, then licked it off in an ambiguous manner.

Kang Jae-hoon looked at the two heavy "care" marks in the bowl.

Bite the bullet.

Under the "gentle" gaze of the two women, he began to eat the most unbearable breakfast of his life.

He couldn't taste the noodles at all.

All senses are focused on being alert to the next storm that may erupt at any moment on either side.

Fortunately.

The eerie calm was broken by a cell phone ringing.

It is the Jin Dynasty.

Kang Jae-hoon answered the phone with gratitude.

"President, there's a company meeting in half an hour to discuss the follow-up on the 'Taxi Driver' project and the initial direction of our first self-produced project. We need your leadership."

"Okay, I'll be there in half an hour."

hang up the phone.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at the half-eaten noodles in his bowl, then at the time, torn between whether to bravely sacrifice himself and finish them or strategically abandon them—

Bae Suzy had already stood up.

The skirt swayed.

He went straight into the master bedroom.

Before he could react.

She came out carrying a neatly ironed dark gray plaid suit and a brand-new light white shirt.

"you……!"

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze instantly felt like an icicle piercing Kang Jae-hoon's face.

That look was clearly interrogating—why were your clothes in her closet?!

however.

Before Kang Jae-hoon could argue or beg for mercy...

Lee Sung-kyung abruptly slammed down her chopsticks and bowl.

She went straight up and grabbed the hem of Kang Jae-hoon's T-shirt, pulling it upwards without any hesitation.

"What are you standing there for? Raise your hand!"

Kang Jae-hoon cooperated blankly, like a robotic arm programmed with instructions.

With a soft rustling sound as clothes were removed from her body, Lee Sung-kyung snatched the brand-new shirt from Bae Suzy's hands.

"Raise your hands!"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

Bae Suzy wasn't annoyed that her "job" was taken away. Instead, she picked up the bowl of noodles that was still half full and gracefully walked around to the man who was being "served" by Lee Sung-kyung while wearing a shirt.

Leisurely scooping up a mouthful of noodles:
"what--"

Kang Jae-hoon reflexively opened his mouth, hissing from the heat but not daring to spit it out, puffing out his cheeks as Lee Sung-kyung tightened his tie.

When Lee Sung-kyung suddenly pulled up the zipper of his suit trousers—

"cough!"

The choked noodle soup sprayed precisely onto Bae Suzy's jade-like arm as she reached out to "wipe her mouth."

Strangely, no one got angry.

Lee Sung-kyung even smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt at the lower back.

Their obedience is chilling.

It wasn't until he was pushed into the entryway that Kang Jae-hoon seemed to wake from a dream.

Is this really not a dream?
His courage, born from surviving a near-death experience, and the audacity swelled by being served, led him to make a decision that would be etched into the annals of his reckless behavior—

He gave Lee Sung-kyung a quick peck on the cheek, then swiftly turned and kissed Bae Suzy on the cheek as well.

After the kiss.

He didn't dare look at the expressions on the two women's faces.

He grabbed the car keys from the entryway cabinet and slammed the door shut as fast as he could in his life.

"boom--!"

Kang Jae-hoon ran wildly into the elevator.

He only calmed down slightly when the cool air from the underground parking lot, mixed with the smell of gasoline, filled his nostrils.

He habitually reached into his pocket.

What his fingertips touched was not the outline of his own Hyundai key.

He took it out and looked at it; his heart sank immediately—

It was none other than Bae Suzy's Porsche 911 car key, with a cute heart-shaped charm hanging from it.

In the chaos just now.

He had mistakenly grabbed the keys she had left on the entryway cabinet.

Turn back?

The thought was nipped in the bud as soon as it arose.

He could even imagine the horrific scene that awaited him when he opened the door—perhaps double the "care," or perhaps a new round of "performance testing."

My heart skipped a beat.

Kang Jae-hoon pressed the unlock button.

not far away.

A sleek white Porsche 911 flashed its lights in response.

……

As that overly flamboyant white 911 slid into the basement of the office building where Next Scene Pictures was located, the spring sunshine generously bathed the glass curtain wall in golden light.

In the conference room.

The long conference table was filled with the core members of Next Scene Films.

The atmosphere was solemn.

Kang Jae-hoon's face had regained its usual sharpness and composure.

At least that's the surface.

"Good news."

"We have reached preliminary discussions with Gwangju regarding the 'Taxi Driver' project. Next Scene Films has successfully secured the bidding qualification to become a co-production partner!"

The words fell.

The brief silence was broken by a sudden burst of applause.

Wow! When the president makes a move, it's truly extraordinary!

"I knew there wasn't a tricky project that the president couldn't handle!"

"With the president in charge, our journey at Singapore Airlines is definitely to the stars!"

"..."

The praise from the crowd came like a warm tide, causing a slight ripple in the vanity of the company president in Jiang Zai Xun's heart.

But he quickly pressed his hand down, his gaze sweeping over the excited faces.

The tone suddenly turned somber:

"but--!"

"It's too early to be happy!"

"This is just a stepping stone! A qualification that gets us into the finals!"

“The other party isn’t stupid, especially Director Park Jung-wook, who’s a seasoned veteran! He clearly stated that they will send people to the company for an on-site inspection soon!”

Kang Jae-hoon tapped the table:

"What are the key areas of focus for assessment?!"

"Examine our project's actual operational capabilities! The team's professional competence! Whether the production process is standardized and efficient! This is crucial to whether we can ultimately secure a share, and how large a share we can secure!"

"That's our topic today."

"Everyone, please feel free to share your thoughts."

After a short silence.

The planning director began by speaking:
"I suggest preparing a 'Next Scene Corporate Blue Book.' In it, we won't boast about our achievements, but rather clearly explain our production philosophy, film selection criteria, and differentiated understanding of the Korean film market. At the same time, we can include in-depth analyses of your character portrayals in 'Veteran' and 'Himalaya,' using case studies to demonstrate our ability to understand good stories and good actors."

Marketing manager Li adjusted his glasses and continued:

“We can provide a ‘Potential Market Analysis Report on the Gwangju Uprising’ based on big data, using data to prove to Gwangju that this theme, which carries historical memories, also has attention and commercial potential among the younger generation. It should not be an elitist subject.”

An administrative head also added:

“My proposal is a bit simple and straightforward: set up a visually striking interactive light wall called ‘Founder Path’ at the entrance of the reception area.” “Well, as everyone here knows, the company’s most shining asset right now is you, President.”

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in his chair, his knuckles tapping the table unconsciously.

The solutions... are all very professional.

Data, concepts, personal branding—everything that needs to be covered has been covered.

It's as solid as a brick.

But he always felt that something was missing.

Not sharp enough.

Not enough to guarantee a hit.

Next Scene was unable to stand out from the many competitors.

He glanced at his watch, trying to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd:
"The meeting will be paused for ten minutes. Everyone, relax and clear your minds. We'll continue in ten minutes."

Done.

He then got up and left the meeting room first.

……

President's office.

Sunlight filtering through the blinds cast dappled patterns of light and shadow on the carpet.

Kang Jae-hoon took out a cigarette case from the drawer, knocked out a cigarette, and lit it.

The acrid smoke, when inhaled, slightly suppressed the indescribable irritation in my heart.

White smoke drifted away in the morning light. He stared at the bustling streets of Seoul outside the window, a calm and intelligent face flashing through his mind.

He immediately picked up his phone.

I dialed the pinned Kakao video request.

No one answered the first time.

The call finally connected when he lit his second cigarette and was halfway through smoking it.

in the screen.

Lim Yoona appears to be in a lounge-like area, with some background noise.

"What's wrong? Miss me?"

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze was fixed greedily on her radiant face.

The heavy feeling that lingered in my heart seemed to be lifted a little by an invisible force.

It almost came out of his mouth:

"The wind along the Han River isn't as warm as your breath..."

"Even the light in the dressing room isn't as bright as your eyes..."

Im Yoona in the shot paused slightly.

immediately.

Eyes rolling.

The corners of her lips curved into an irrepressible smile, and even from a thousand miles away, one could feel the soft comfort and pleasure she felt.
"loquacious……"

suddenly.

Her gaze was fixed on the wisps of smoke in the background of the screen on Kang Jae-hoon's side:

"Smoking?"

Jiang Zai Xun then realized what was happening and hurriedly stubbed out the cigarette, which was still more than half-smoked, in the ashtray.
"Cough...I was thinking and didn't notice."

"Something's bothering you?"

Yoona knows him too well and pointed it out directly.

Kang Jae-hoon nodded.

He poured out the entire plan, including the preliminary results from the meeting, Park Jung-wook's inspection notice, the issue of his absence, and his concern that the plan was "solid enough but still lacking something."

"...The team's proposals were all very professional..."

He rubbed his face in frustration:

"But I always felt like I was scratching an itch through a boot, not grasping the string that could make the final decision."

The other side of the screen.

Yoona listened quietly.

Her slender fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of hair that fell over her shoulder.

Think for a moment.

Her red lips slightly parted.

"To be honest, in my opinion, your team's solutions are already professional and comprehensive enough."

"It's your pursuit of perfection at the last minute that puts pressure on you."

"As for your absence, it's actually a good thing."

These words instantly stunned Kang Jae-hoon.

"The inspection team should not be looking at Kang Jae-hoon's abilities alone."

"What they want to see is the system, processes, and professionalism of the team behind Next Scene, the company you've built."

"Whether you're there or not, the company should be running smoothly on a daily basis!"

"This is what a truly promising modern production company looks like, one that can be entrusted with core projects!"

Every word is precious!

A word to wake up the dreamer!

Jiang Jae-hoon suddenly realized.

original.

My own selfish desire to "play it safe" almost became a flaw that exposed the company's weaknesses!

She paused.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled.

They unleashed their most strategic trump card:

"Since you personally must attend the fashion event..."

"Then let Suzy attend."

"As the initial introducer of the project, she will represent you as the 'company's specially invited project consultant' and participate in the reception and communication of the Gwangju inspection team throughout the process."

"It is both legitimate and a good opportunity to showcase Next Scene's soft power and network of connections with the political and business world."

"Moreover, she knows better than you how to deal with those officials, what they want to hear, and what they value—a capability that your professional production team may not currently possess."

This arrangement was a stroke of genius.

It instantly illuminated the uncertain fog in Kang Jae-hoon's heart.

How can she be so smart?

I can always spot the optimal solution amidst the chaos.

"Leave professional matters to professionals."

The other side of the screen.

Yoona elegantly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, but her next sentence still betrayed her personal feelings:

Even if I'm unhappy about you and them... work is work.

"Anyway, in the end..."

The screen shook slightly as she adjusted her posture.

You are mine, and you can only be mine.

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded with a smile.

"So... he hung up?"

The matter was resolved, and I felt much more relaxed.

"Okay, wait a minute!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Lim Yoona hurriedly called out to him.

"what happened?"

"What happened to the two of them yesterday...?"

She deliberately used vague references.

But both of them knew perfectly well who "they" were.

Kang Jae-hoon paused for a moment, then selectively confessed:

"Um, I heard from Suzy that the two of them had a fight."

"fight?"

Im Yoona's eyes widened instantly, and she instinctively turned to her assistant and quickly gave instructions:
"Quick, look at the Korean craze..."

"It's not the kind of hair-tearing you're thinking of."

Kang Jae-hoon quickly interrupted her potentially triggering a media surveillance operation, explaining:
"It was a proper fight in the boxing ring."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Lim Yoona raised her hand to stop her assistant from doing so.

"Who's winning?"

Kang Jae-hoon recalled their drunken state last night and their "energetic" state this morning, and answered honestly:

"I don't know. But I found them at a bar that night and then took them home together."

of course.

As for the chaotic and thrilling aftermath after he got home, and the breakfast this morning that shortened his lifespan, he would never tell anyone.

That's just asking for trouble.

Im Yoona raised an eyebrow and stared at Kang Jae-hoon in the video:
"so……"

"You acted as their protector last night when they were both completely drunk?"

A fine layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on Kang Jae-hoon's back, but he maintained an innocent expression on his face.
"Yeah, I was asleep when the bar owner called..."

Lim Yoona squinted and leaned closer to the camera:

"So, what was the reason they were fighting?"

"It might be because..."

Kang Jae-hoon swallowed hard.

"Where did you stand in the group photo?"

He himself didn't believe this lame excuse.

Im Yoona suddenly burst out laughing:

"Two women who are like oil and water, suddenly becoming so harmonious... there must be something fishy going on."

The camera suddenly switched to the rear camera, pointing at the mirror in the dressing room.

Yoona's red lips were slightly curved in the mirror:
"let me guess……"

"Were the new rules of the game already established while I was absent?"

"..."

The camera switched back to the front view.

Yoona's exquisite face filled the entire screen:
"Jae-hoon, I don't care what consensus they reached..."

The image shakiened slightly, and her voice seemed to come from near and far.
"But remember, you are mine, and you can only be mine."

Before Kang Jae-hoon could say anything, Lim Yoon-a continued:

"You'll need a female companion to attend the Cartier dinner, right? Let Kim Ji-won accompany you."

"what?"

Kang Jae-hoon's brain was still processing this sudden turn of events.

"Ah for what."

Yoona lightly tapped the screen with her fingertip, as if poking his forehead from a distance:
"She has a good image and her temperament matches Gao Zhu's style. Taking her to see the world will be beneficial to your company's artists' future fashion resources."

"Ah...ok."

Kang Jae-hoon subconsciously agreed.

He understands.

This is both a work arrangement and a kind of... balancing act.

Yoona is defining her territory in her own way.

"Remember to compliment her on her dress."

She blinked: "But don't grin like that when you compliment me."

"I understand, I'll only do it with you..."

"Alright, I'm about to get started. Smoke less, you hear me?"

"understood."

"Well, hung up."

The call abruptly ended.

The office fell silent again.

Kang Jae-hoon stared blankly at the blacked-out screen.

The spring sunlight slanted in, illuminating the photo frame on the desk—

In the photo frame.

It was backstage at a concert in Tokyo two years ago.

The lights were dim.

With her face still covered in stage makeup glitter, Yoona looked a little tired but exceptionally happy.

She was facing the camera.

Without any hesitation, he leaned close to Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder.

He made a peace sign with his fingers, his smile was dazzlingly bright, and his eyes were incredibly piercing.

Yes.

This photo.

It was placed here by Yoona herself yesterday.

She said at the time:

"Look at me when you're tired of staring at the screen, it'll refresh your mind~"

this moment.

Kang Jae-hoon was suddenly awakened as if by the warm sunlight.

A chill crept up my spine and up to the back of my head.

Even if Bae Suzy and Lee Sung-kyung team up, their "destructive power" might only be limited to causing him to suffer from lumbar muscle strain.

The woman on the other end of the phone, far overseas, who seemed to have given him the greatest freedom and help, was actually the ultimate boss who orchestrated everything from the cloud, capable of making his heart pound with a mere flick of her finger.

My gaze fell once again on Yoona's bright smile in the photo frame.

But a sudden unease gripped my heart.

He pursed his lips.

He bent down and pulled open the desk drawer on his right.

There wasn't much inside.

He quickly pulled out another, slightly smaller, wooden picture frame from the bottom.

Take it out.

then.

Extend your index finger.

I gently pushed the photo frame of Lin Yoona, which was in the "sunshine special spot," away a little.

I just took this picture frame out of the drawer.

It was carefully placed in the center of the sunlight.