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

Chapter 272 The drunkenness was feigned, but the strategy was real.
After sitting down, Jung Soo-jung sat with her back ramrod straight, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with her napkin. She had thought Kang Jae-hoon would take the opportunity to persuade her to accept the script for "July," but—

"Brother, has filming wrapped on 'Along with the Gods'?"

Kang Jae-hoon poured Cha Tae-hyun a full glass of Moutai, as if she were just a customer who came to share a table with him.

Cha Tae-hyun took a comfortable sip of his drink:

"Yeah, we're filming two movies back-to-back. I just finished filming my first one. Ha Jung-woo is going to be eating dirt in the second one."

—The film "Along with the Gods" can be called the "Avengers" of Korean cinema.

This top-tier production, with an investment of 400 billion won, boasts a cast of A-list stars including Ha Jung-woo and Lee Jung-jae. Cha Tae-hyun's casting as the male lead in such a project is a testament to his established position in Chungmuro ​​(the Korean film industry).

However, this guy's taste in movies is quite unpredictable.

He often rewards himself with a commercially unsuccessful film immediately after finishing a critically acclaimed work, a behavior pattern quite similar to that of Huang Xiaoming, a certain figure in the Chinese entertainment industry who believes in "I want what I think."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly lowered his voice:

"By the way, I heard some bad rumors about Oh Dal-soo. Will that affect the film's post-production?"

Cha Tae-hyun scoffed:
"Who in this industry can withstand close scrutiny? Whether or not negative publicity breaks out depends entirely on—"

He made a money hand gesture: "Capital can turn manure into gold if it wants to preserve time, and can turn sake into poison if it wants to destroy time."

The thunderous roar outside the private room window made the blue-and-white porcelain spoons clatter.

As Kang Jae-hoon gazed at the winding rain streaks on the glass, he seemed to see the bloody storm that would erupt in the future trending topics:
With Kakao and CJ vying for market share, S+ projects like "Along with the Gods" are bound to become targets of attack.

—Ha Jung-woo's abuse of cosmetic anesthetic drugs;

—The sexual harassment scandal involving Oh Dal-soo's theater troupe;
—Even more outrageous… there's a video of Lee Jung-jae “selecting concubines” at his Gangnam club…

Who will collapse first? It's just a matter of whose backer withdraws their protective umbrella first.

"Nothing"

Cha Tae-hyun suddenly turned his attention to Krystal Jung, who was listening intently: "The one in the most danger lately is our Krystal!"

Krystal Jung suddenly looked up and met the shrewd glint in the old fox's eyes.

"No job, no exposure"

Cha Tae-hyun swirled his wine glass, the clear liquid gleaming like jade under the light:

"As you know, the turnover rate in this industry is faster than the tides of the Han River."

"Who, who's unemployed!"

Her rebuttal sounded extremely weak against the backdrop of the rain.

"That--"

"...Would the incredibly busy actor Zheng be willing to grace us with his presence?"

Kang Jae-hoon's voice trailed off amidst the thunder. Though trapped in a small space by the torrential rain, he seemed like a hunter sitting atop a cloud.

Krystal Jung's throat was choked by pride and greed.

It would be a lie to say that I am not moved.

If an actor can't even tell the difference between a good and a bad script, they might as well switch careers and sell seaweed rice rolls.

She knew better than anyone else that this was the perfect springboard to shed the idol label, a passport to Chungmuro ​​(the mainstream Chinese entertainment industry), and the holy grail of transformation that countless idols dreamed of.

But what is the price of being tempted?
As the torrential rain pounded against the windowpane, Krystal Jung saw her reflection in the glass:

She was bare-faced, wearing slippers, negotiating her role with her ex-boyfriend at a restaurant in the early hours of the morning. Meanwhile, the man, impeccably dressed in a suit, wielded considerable power, and the necklace on his collarbone was a recent seasonal gift from the high-end luxury brand Cartier.

The most ironic thing is—

Kim Ji-won's name is listed alongside hers in the script.

My best friend, who used to walk hand-in-hand with me to the bathroom, is now lying in her ex's bed.

She wasn't sure whether she should hate him for his success or hate herself for being the pathetic loser in the comparison group.

at this time.

Cha Tae-hyun leisurely picked up a piece of cold stir-fried vegetables with his chopsticks and paused it on the blue-and-white porcelain plate:

"What a pity... such good ingredients." He shook his head meaningfully, "It's not good to eat when it's hot, and it won't taste good when it's cold."

A pale flash of lightning streaked across the window, illuminating Krystal Jung's fingers clutching the napkin.

"It has nothing to do with the past."

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly tapped the rim of the celadon bowl with the tip of his chopsticks.

The crisp sound startled Krystal Jung, making her eyelashes flutter.
"Kim Tae-ri is too warm, Choi Jin-ri is too gentle. You are the most perfect embodiment of the character in my heart."

"And this story perfectly mirrors your current state from beginning to end. Hesitation, struggle, and then awakening... Isn't this just a natural fit?"

"certainly--"

Kang Jae-hoon raised the Carrera watch on his wrist.

"This project will not wait for anyone."

As the second hand crossed the twelve o'clock mark, his voice cut off the last escape route:
"To answer or not to answer is up to you."

Cha Tae-hyun raised an eyebrow and downed the glass of Moutai.

He originally thought that Kang Jae-hoon would at least try to appeal to emotions, but he didn't expect him to tear off the veil of tenderness so thoroughly.

The red oil from the spicy crab solidified into an amber color at the bottom of the plate.

The rain streaks on the glass meandered like tear glands.

As Jung Soo-jung stared at Kang Jae-hoon's businesslike expression, she suddenly realized that all her inner turmoil seemed absurd.

Unresolved issues with an ex, betrayal by a best friend, and a pathetic competitive spirit—it's all just her own personal chaotic mess.

He doesn't care about the past at all.

All he cares about are projects, roles, and commercial returns.

Cha Tae-hyun's statement, "Use his resources to make your own money," suddenly turned into a raging fire, burning away all pretense.

"I'll act it out."

The moment the two words left my lips, the torrential rain outside the window mysteriously stopped, leaving only the intermittent sound of dripping water from the eaves striking the bluestone slabs.

“A wise choice.”

Hannah's name lingered in his throat.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly burst out laughing.

It turns out that humans really are animals that can be tamed by power. In just a few months, they have already gotten used to subconsciously calling out to that always comforting figure.

"Celebrating a successful collaboration?"

He picked up the white porcelain teapot and poured the emerald green tea into the lotus leaf cup in front of Jung Soo-jung.

Krystal Jung remained silent.

The jade-like rim of the cup made a soft, delicate sound, even more subtle than raindrops.

It was in this subtle silence that...

Kang Jae-hoon's phone suddenly vibrated on the lacquerware tray.

Kim Ji-won: [Oppa~]

Kim Ji-won: [Latex or Spring Mattress for Your New Home?]

Kim Ji-won: [Come try sleeping here tomorrow night! (^▽^)]

Cha Tae-hyun snatched the phone with lightning speed, clicking his tongue in amazement: "These young people nowadays..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kang Jae-hoon grabbed him by the throat and pulled him back, then replied without changing his expression:
Choose the best.

After all, some battlefields do require top-tier equipment to handle.

……

The neon lights faded, and the party ended and the guests dispersed.

The night sky over the Han River unfolds like a silken ribbon, with neon lights shattering into shimmering starlight on the water's surface.

Kang Jae-hoon raised his hand to stop the car, and Cha Tae-hyun awkwardly climbed into the back seat. Before leaving, he winked at the two of them and said, "Get along well."

Watching the taxi drive away, Kang Jae-hoon draped his suit jacket over his shoulders and turned to look at her:

"I send you?"

Krystal Jung glanced at him sideways and shook the car keys in her hand with annoyance.

"That's perfect, you can take me there."

Krystal Jung: "???"

"At 12:30 a.m., drivers go off duty. Designated drivers are more likely to have their travel itineraries leaked, and a drunk driving record can affect the company's listing."

"None of my business."

"oops?"

Kang Jae-hoon turned to the side, his eyes flashing in the darkness: "Is this how you talk to a future producer?"

"I haven't signed the contract yet!"

Kang Jae-hoon walked straight to the matte white Audi A6L not far away and tapped the roof with his long fingers: "Is this the one?"

Without waiting for a reply, he opened the passenger door and got in.

"you--!"

She stomped her foot, but the biting cold of the splashing water on her ankles couldn't compare to the pent-up frustration in her chest.

The car door was opened with such force that the whole car shook, but the person had already comfortably adjusted the seat and even fastened the seatbelt.

“Where are you going?!”

Each word looked like it was squeezed out from between his teeth.

“Seongsudong, Ritsukoku-ro”

The moment Kang Jae-hoon finished giving the address, Jung Soo-jung's fingers, which were setting the navigation, suddenly froze.

She turned her head sharply: "You still live there?" With Kang Jae-hoon's current net worth, a luxury house in Gangnam should be his standard.

"uh-huh."

The neon lights outside the car window cast a flowing glow on his silhouette: "I'm nostalgic."

Krystal Jung's fingernail instantly sank into the leather cover of the steering wheel—

What is he implying?
Which house are you referring to?

Or are you referring to people who used to live there?
Or perhaps... myself?
"Who cares about you!"

She floored the accelerator, and the Audi A6L shot off like an arrow. The sudden acceleration sent Jiang Zai Xun slamming into the back of his seat, frantically grabbing the roof rails.

"Hey, I'm not in a hurry..."

"I'll hurry."

Krystal Jung stared intently at the rain-washed, gleaming road ahead, her voice colder than the car's air conditioning:
"You can't eat a late-night snack if it gets cold."

The car's silhouette cut through the neon lights along the Han River, like a shooting star streaking across the deep blue sky.

The air after the rain was cool. The car window was half-rolled down, and the wind that rushed in carried the damp scent of grass and trees, like some kind of secret whisper.

The moment the red light came on, Krystal Jung couldn't hold back any longer.

As she adjusted her hair, she glanced sideways—

The dappled light and shadow alternately outlined his profile, revealing a sharp and defined jawline, slightly closed eyes, and a thin line between his brows.

The man who once nestled in her palm and acted affectionately now looked both strange and familiar.

"drop--"

The honking of the car behind startled Jung Soo-jung, who hurriedly stepped on the gas, only to hear an untimely "thump" in her chest.

Damn.

She bit her lower lip, her fingers gripping the steering wheel almost fiercely—

I don't know if I'm annoyed by his nonchalant composure or angry at my own crumbling defenses.

Stars shift, cars turn, neon lights grow weary.

"arrive."

Krystal pulled the handbrake, and the sound of the engine shutting off seemed particularly abrupt in the middle of the night.

Kang Jae-hoon lazily opened his eyes: "Thanks."

He unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open the door and got out of the car—but stumbled the moment his feet touched the ground.

"boom!"

The sound of the door slamming was followed by a muffled thud.

Krystal Jung turned her head sharply: "...?"

She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and went around to find Jiang Zai Xun kneeling under a streetlamp, one hand supporting himself on the ground and the other rubbing his temple.

"..."

strangeness.

Just now in the car, weren't you calm and collected, arguing with her head-on?

How come you got so drunk as to be unsteady on your feet as soon as you got out of the car?
—Was it an act?
—Or is it the lingering effects of Moutai that are making it work?
The dim yellow glow of the streetlights enveloped his slightly undulating shoulders, revealing a rare hint of vulnerability.

Krystal's fingers tightened and loosened around the car keys.

"...troublemaker."

In the end, she resigned herself to her fate and took his arm:

"Don't overthink it! I just don't want you to freeze to death on the street tomorrow and cause me to lose my job!"

Kang Jae-hoon stood up with the help of the momentum, a faint smile playing on his lips:
".Um."

He suddenly pressed half of his body against her.

"It's so heavy..."

Krystal Jung frowned and complained, but she stubbornly held on.

A familiar scent of perfume suddenly lingered on his nose, and Kang Jae-hoon, taking advantage of the situation, buried his face in her neck:

"Strawberry flavor..."

The warm breath sent chills down her spine.

"You're definitely quite drunk!"

The old-style apartment building has no elevator.

Krystal Jung practically dragged and carried the person up to the fifth floor.

"key!"

Kang Jae-hoon fumbled for his keychain, but couldn't get it into the keyhole three times.

"..."

Jung Soo-jung was furious. She snatched the keys away and growled through gritted teeth:

"so stupid!"

The door lock clicked open.

The motion-sensor light in the entryway suddenly turned on, illuminating the crooked sneakers and several unopened letters on the doormat.

Krystal threw Kang Jae-hoon onto the sofa, then straightened up, panting, and looked around.

The living room wasn't too messy, but it certainly wasn't tidy either.

Several T-shirts that were "worn but not worth washing" lay across the sofa armrest, scripts were piled up like a tower on the coffee table, and an open book, "Anatomy of Korean Genre Films," lay among them.

A box of banana milk was incongruously sandwiched between the publications of Keigo Higashino and Lee Chang-dong on the bookshelf.

There were no scented candles, no knitted blankets, not even coasters.

This doesn't feel like home.

It's more like a rest stop for travelers.

"Lee Sung-kyung is no longer living here?"

She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth. The question was too deliberate, containing some kind of inexplicable probing.

Kang Jae-hoon lay back on the sofa, his arm draped over his eyes:
"They moved away last year."

The motion sensor light suddenly went out.

In the darkness, Krystal Jung heard her own heartbeat growing louder and louder:

So you've been living alone all this time?

The sound of fabric rustling came from the sofa, and the moment the motion-sensor lights came back on, she saw Jiang Zaixun lower his arms, his eyes clear and showing no trace of drunkenness.
"if not?"

The lamplight seemed to slice through the air between them like a knife. He tilted his head to examine her tense profile, and suddenly smiled:

"What are you looking for? Couple toothbrushes? Women's skincare products? Or... do you want to confirm who I live with?"

The shadows of the trees outside the window swayed, shattering the moonlight into pieces of silver scales.

Krystal Jung suddenly grabbed a cushion and threw it at him: "Stop flattering yourself!"

Kang Jae-hoon caught the pillow steadily, that irritating smile still playing on his lips:

"So angry?"

He slowly sat up straight, propped himself up on the sofa, and reached out to unbutton the first button of his shirt.

Krystal Jung abruptly looked away:

"I just wanted to make sure you weren't lying to me about going upstairs while you were sober."

"So you've confirmed it now?"

"..."

Silence descended abruptly, leaving only the soft ticking of the clock hands in the room.

After a few seconds of standoff, Kang Jae-hoon suddenly got up and walked towards the kitchen:

"drink water?"

"No need."

She neither went forward nor left immediately, but stood there staring at the shadows on the floor—two silhouettes intersecting in the moonlight, yet never touching.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned against the marble countertop and tilted his head back to gulp down a mouthful of ice water:

"Come to the company at 10 a.m. tomorrow to sign the contract."

"……Um."

There was another moment of silence.

Krystal Jung finally looked up and glanced at the clock on the wall:

"I am leaving."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't try to stop her, but just as she grasped the doorknob, he suddenly spoke:

"Thank you for bringing me back."

Krystal Jung's back stiffened slightly: "Just consider it as part of my work."

The moment the door closed, the stainless steel sink in the kitchen suddenly made a "clang"—the plastic bottle she had rejected rolled twice unwillingly at the bottom of the sink.

outside the window.

The dim yellow light of the streetlights enveloped the white Audi as it sped away.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned against the window, his silver lighter flickering between his fingers, striking a cluster of pale blue flames with a "click".

The dim light illuminated half of his profile, while the other side was completely immersed in darkness, just like his soul that had been wandering between light and shadow all these years.

(End of this chapter)