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

Chapter 273 When a stray cat's paws meet a house cat's affection

As the last star faded into the night, darkness crumbled, and the morning light, like an overturned glass goblet, gilded the Han River Bridge with flowing gold.

The morning rush hour traffic flowed like a river. Kang Jae-hoon's Hyundai Santa Fe cut through the morning mist, while Jung Soo-jung's Audi A6L glided into the Next Scene underground parking garage at almost the same time.

Amidst the screeching sound of wheels rubbing against the floor.

He executed a swift drift, his car blocking her parking space two meters in front. He slowly rolled down the window, resting his forearm on the windowsill.

"It seems July is in a hurry to sign the indenture?"

"Stop patting yourself on the back."

Krystal Jung turned off the engine and got out of the car, her high heels clicking crisply.
"My schedule is very full."

"You're taking my parking space first thing in the morning?"

"Ha, Next Scene is so poor they only have one parking space left?"

"..."

The metal doors of the elevator reflected the figures of two people.

Kang Jae-hoon casually draped his suit jacket over his arm, while Jung Soo-jung stood on the other side with her arms crossed, but when she noticed his gaze, she snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Ding.

The elevator door opens.

Kang Jae-hoon extended his gentlemanly hand: "Actor Jung, please."

"Humph."

Krystal Jung glanced at him sideways and stepped out.

Good morning, President!

"Crystal! Oh my god, it really is crystal!"

"..."

Amidst the rising and falling greetings, Jin Dayuan, holding the documents, quickly squeezed through the crowd and whispered in someone's ear:
"This was just faxed by Cha Tae-hyun."

The moment the document was opened, the 4 million yuan transfer voucher fluttered onto the table. The flamboyant handwriting in the remarks section seemed to still carry the scent of Moutai liquor:

Jae-hoon—

Brother, last night

Drink with me x1
Help you promote projects ×1
Assist actor Zheng ×1
The remaining 5% will be considered as a service fee!

"Wow, this guy is really..."

Kang Jae-hoon pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled: "A midnight snack of 2 won in exchange for an 8 million won project, the Wolf of Wall Street should learn negotiation from him."

"Should we return it?" Jin Dayuan asked tentatively.

"No need."

He flicked the voucher: "Just deposit it directly into the account."

The shadows of clouds swept past the window.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly signed his name.

At this point, the external 50% share had been completely divided up.

Kim Ji-won owes 10% of her kindness, Cha Tae-hyun owes 10% of his favors, and CJ owes 30% of his protection money.

When Kim Dae-won took the contract, he noticed Jung Soo-jung standing to the side, and his eyes suddenly lit up:
"Crystal! It's been so long!"

Krystal Jung smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons:

"Wow, it's been two years. Even Broker Kim has been promoted to director."

"It's all thanks to the president."

Kim Dae-won glanced at Kang Jae-hoon: "I hope this collaboration will also help you..." He suddenly paused, "...uh, take your career to the next level?"

"I accept your good words."

Krystal Jung's lips had just curled into a smile when she caught a glimpse of the playful smile on Kang Jae-hoon's face, and her expression instantly turned cold.

Jiang Jae-hoon: “……?”

It's a pity you don't perform Sichuan Opera, a Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

……

The sunlight was just right in the signing room, and the legal department had already prepared the documents.

When Kang Jae-hoon handed over the pen, Jung Soo-jung's outstretched hand suddenly froze in mid-air—that Montblanc pen was the birthday gift she had prepared for Kang Jae-hoon three years ago.

He's actually still using it?

Nostalgia...is it just talk?

A sour and astringent taste suddenly rose up in my throat.

"Jung Soo-jung-ssi, would you like me to get you a new pen?"

The general counsel offered a quiet reminder.

"No need."

She immediately lowered her gaze and held her breath; the scratching sound of the pen tip gliding across the paper seemed to tear apart the old times.
"This one is very good."

With the final signature completed, Kang Jae-hoon stood up and extended his hand to her:
"Pleasant to work with."

Jung Soo-jung hesitated for half a second before slowly and gently placing her hand into his palm, only to immediately feel his thumb lightly stroking the back of her hand.

The ambiguous touch made her heart skip a beat. She wanted to pull her hand back, but because there were people around, she couldn't make a scene. So she gritted her teeth and endured it, instead using her neatly manicured nails to dig her hand into his palm.

Kang Jae-hoon wanted to let go in pain, but Jung Soo-jung suddenly tightened her grip and wouldn't let go.

Under the increasingly puzzled gazes of the crowd, the two lead actors maintained stiff smiles, their hands clasped together for more than ten seconds without letting go.

"It seems you two are really looking forward to the collaboration."

Jin Dayuan smiled and tried to smooth things over.

"Of course I'm looking forward to it."

Krystal Jung then gracefully let go, a slight smile playing on her lips as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Then, I'll leave the follow-up matters to you all."

Without changing his expression, Kang Jae-hoon put his right hand into his trouser pocket, his fingertips gently rubbing the deep crescent-shaped mark in the shadows.

Very well, it's been a long time since I've seen you, and the little wildcat's claws have become even sharper.

……

The afternoon sunlight was shattered in the rippling waves of the Han River. Before the ink from Jung Soo-jung's pen had even dried on the contract, Kang Jae-hoon's Hyundai Santa Fe had already passed through the sycamore-lined road in Samseong-dong.

When driving into the residential area.

The fountain in the green belt is sending up pearl-like water mist.

The real estate agent, seeing the license plate from afar, jogged over and bowed at a ninety-degree angle, almost breaking his back.

"President Kang! This apartment boasts stunning views of both the Han River and the surrounding area, features a German-engineered kitchen and bathroom system, and is equipped with Samsung's latest iris recognition security system."

Kang Jae-hoon twirled his car keys, looked around, and suddenly raised his hand to interrupt the real estate agent's endless stream of praise:
"This is it?"

Kim Ji-won looked up at the six-meter-high entrance hall, her eyes sparkling with tiny starlight as she turned back:

"Oppa, do you think it's okay?"

Kang Jae-hoon's action of pulling out the card with two fingers resembled pulling out a tissue:

"Swipe your card."

Hanna took a half-step forward at the opportune moment:

"According to the artist asset allocation optimization plan, the property ownership will be registered under Ms. Kim Ji-won's name, and the purchase funds will be transferred from your studio's account - which will use the advertising endorsement income from China last month, and the tax aspect can be optimized by 37%."

"Follow the procedure."

As Hanna went with the real estate agent to prepare the purchase contract, Kim Ji-won immediately grabbed Kang Jae-hoon's arm excitedly.

"Oppa, look!"

Sunlight streamed through the 270-degree corner window, bathing her excited profile in a honey-colored glow.

"The floor-to-ceiling windows that cover the entire wall can bring the Han River in!"

She skipped and hopped as she pulled open the hidden door to the walk-in closet, her voice sweet and cheerful:
"This place can hold all our clothes for all seasons!"

Kang Jae-hoon leaned against the marble island counter: "I'm glad you like it."

Kim Ji-won suddenly lunged back and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his chest:
"My absolute favorite oppa—"

She added in a soft, sweet voice:
"I like it so much... I don't even know how to express it."

Kang Jae-hoon chuckled softly, leaning down to give her lips a gentle touch. But as he tried to pull away, Kim Ji-won hooked her neck around his and pulled closer, until he reluctantly bit her lower lip before letting go.

"greedy."

He wiped the tears from the corners of her lips, but his eyes were filled with indulgence.

Kim Ji-won tilted her head and chuckled triumphantly, then suddenly pushed him towards the French windows, sinking into his arms. The entire Han River unfolded before them like flowing gold leaf.
“The Han River looks even more beautiful from here—” Kang Jae-hoon reached out and pinched her excited, flushed cheeks, his gaze sweeping over the rows of buildings outside the window.

Another light has been lit just for him in this vast city. As for how long this light will stay lit—

He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly; at least for now, the story had only just begun.

After Hanna finished confirming the final contract with the agent in the living room, she turned around and saw Kim Ji-won pulling Kang Jae-hoon to sit on the edge of the master bedroom's jacuzzi. Their reflections shimmered in the champagne gold faucet, creating ambiguous light spots.

She adjusted her glasses and laid the contract flat on the marble surface of the island counter:

"Ms. Zhiyuan, please sign here."

Kim Ji-won skipped over to sign the papers.

The moment the pen tip hovered in the air, she suddenly grabbed Jiang Zaixun's wrist—several fresh crescent-shaped marks on the tiger's mouth pierced her eyes.

What happened to Oppa's hand?

She gently touched the red mark with her fingertips.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at the traces without changing his expression:
"It was from a stray cat scratching me."

Kim Ji-won glanced at him suspiciously.

Before I could ask any more questions, the agent bowed and handed me a POS machine.

When the mechanical female voice announced "Transaction successful," Kim Ji-won, whose attention was temporarily diverted, was taking pictures of the Han River outside the window with her mobile phone, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings in the backlight.

She suddenly turned around and pointed the camera at Kang Jae-hoon, and as the image froze, a sweet, playful smile drifted across her face:
"I want to set it as my phone wallpaper so I can see my oppa every time I unlock my phone~"

Kang Jae-hoon chuckled softly, rubbing his tiger's mouth.

I had just been scratched by a stray cat and was bleeding when my house cat started rubbing against me, wanting to put a pet to my wound.

This gentle haven by the Han River has become a sanctuary for felines.

……

The setting sun lazily spilled over the gaps between the high-rise buildings in Gangnam District, turning the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Next Scene conference room a honey color.

The torrential rains of the past few days have washed away the summer heat, and the final draft of the script for "Goodbye, My Soulmate" has been delivered to each of the main creators.

When Kim Ji-won entered, script in hand, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with a honeyed light, but they froze the moment her gaze fell upon the aloof figure by the window—

Krystal Jung was looking down as she flipped through the script.

Their eyes met.

It felt as if tiny ice crystals were condensing in the air.

Krystal Jung let out a barely audible snort and turned her head to look at the rolling cumulus clouds outside the window.

Kim Ji-won pursed her lips and silently walked to the seat diagonally opposite her.

The leather seats let out a soft sigh as the two women each occupied one end of the long table, like twin stars separated by the Han River.

As the executive producer and director of photography took their seats, the meeting room door was opened again.

"Sorry, something came up and I was held up."

Kang Jae-hoon walked in, unbuttoning his shirt with one hand.

Despite the polite tone, everyone knew it was merely a polite expression of humility from someone in a superior position.

The entire Next Scene is his territory, let alone this small script reading.

Everyone quickly stood up and exchanged pleasantries, but he raised his hand to indicate that it wasn't necessary. His gaze lingered on Krystal Jung for half a second without leaving a trace, before he walked straight to the empty seat next to the director.

Director Jung Joo-ri smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Her short, ear-length hair was neat and capable, and her round eyes curved into crescents, giving her a completely harmless appearance.

Only those in the know understand how terrifying this 36-year-old female director is.

After her stunning debut in the independent film "A Girl at My Door," this future winner of both the Blue Dragon and Baeksang Arts Awards has become known in Chungmuro ​​for her delicate emotional portrayals.

Kang Jae-hoon managed to get her involved by using almost all of his personal connections.

"Let's get started now that everyone's here."

Director Julie tapped the table lightly with her ballpoint pen, the crisp sound instantly silencing the microphone.

"First, please have the screenwriting team explain the key points of the localization adaptation."

The young screenwriter pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and stood up:
"The 'long journey' that crosses the continent in the original work is difficult to depict in my country's geographical context, so we chose Jeju Island as the narrative fulcrum—"

The projector lit up a map of Jeju Island, with the azure coastline and the outline of Hallasan Mountain floating on the screen.

"It's far enough, yet not far enough."

The screenwriter traced his finger along the island's ring road:

"Haeun (formerly July) represents the coral reefs of Jeju Island, silent and steadfast; Smile (formerly Ansang) is the wild soul that 'escaped' from Jeju Island to Seoul."

"The character Zhenyu (Yuan Jiaming)..."

The screenwriter suddenly stopped.

"—It is the tide that allows two isolated islands to discover each other."

Director Jolie suddenly chimed in, her round eyes sweeping over Krystal Jung and Kim Ji-won:
"Now, let's hear what the two actresses have to say about their roles."

Before the words were even finished, Kim Ji-won raised her hand to speak:

"I'll go first."

A dimple appeared at the corner of her lips as she lightly tapped the footer of the edited page.

"The character of Wei Xiao (An Sheng) appears to be a wild and unsettled soul, but at its core, she is filled with the emptiness of her childhood."

"All her audacity and flamboyance—"

"It's just a cover for her longing for 'home'. She envies the stability that Ha-eun (July) has, but hates the constraints behind that stability."

Her gaze slowly rose, meeting Krystal Jung's, and she spoke at a measured pace:
"So I plan to keep the smile in an 'unstable' state in the performance—like a smiling mask that could break at any moment."

Director Jolie nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to Krystal Jung:
Where is Ha Eun?

Krystal Jung put down her pen and ran her fingers along the edge of the script:

"The stability of Haeun is itself a lie."

The conference room fell silent instantly.

She smiled slightly, her voice deep yet incredibly penetrating:

"She has known the 'right path' since she was a child, but would she dare to take a wrong step?"

"The house in Jeju Island, the expectations of her family, the label of a model life... but every time she saw that smiling back, she thought 'what if'."

"She knew better than anyone that 'stability' was a cage she had built herself, and she—she even secretly hid the key."

After listening to their explanations, director Julie's smile deepened.

The screenwriting team exchanged glances discreetly.

Their interpretations of the characters were even more profound than the script itself.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze shifted subtly between the two men.

He thought that perhaps the biggest highlight of this film was never the film itself.

……

As the script pages rustled as they turned, the actors' voices intertwined and flowed, giving a preview of the joys and sorrows in the film.

However, when the story progresses to the scene of the breakup between "July" and "An Sheng"—

Kim Ji-won's chest heaved, her voice trembling with carefully controlled emotion:
"He En, do you think you deserve all the stability and security you have? It's all thanks to me!"

Krystal Jung's eyes were icy, and a cold laugh escaped from between her teeth:

"Ha, you'll never know what I want, and you don't deserve to know."

The air froze for a moment.

Director Julie suppressed the glint in her eyes:
"Very good, take a 15-minute break."

As the noise rose, Kang Jae-hoon immediately spun his chair and gave Kim Ji-won a thumbs-up:
"Our Jiwon's emotional transitions are so subtle, and her moments of climax are so precise, amazing!"

Kim Ji-won's lips just curved into a sweet smile—

"laugh."

A clear, cold laugh came from across the street.

Krystal Jung picked up her coffee cup, lowered her eyes, and sipped it, her expression full of sarcasm.

Kang Jae-hoon paused, then turned and said calmly:
"Krystal's portrayal of detachment was also excellent, and she grasped the rhythm of her lines perfectly."

The words have not yet fallen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kim Ji-won's fingertips suddenly curl up, leaving deep marks on the edge of the script.

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

Well, the water that was carried out froze into ice crystals before it even hit the ground.

(End of this chapter)