Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

The day after Chae Soo-bin returned to Seoul, a celebration party for "Goblin" was held at a Korean beef restaurant in Gangnam.

Su Yu initially didn't want to host a dinner. Kim Dong-wook persuaded her for a long time, saying, "The crew has worked so hard for so long; the director, screenwriter, and actors all put in a lot of effort. It wouldn't be right for you not to treat us." Su Yu glanced at him and said, "You decide." Kim Dong-wook then decided to host the dinner.

At 7 p.m., the restaurant's private room was packed with people. The director, screenwriter, Yoon Shi-yoon, Kim Go-eun, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae, and several key staff members were present. Chae Soo-bin sat next to Su Yu, wearing a cream-colored sweater, her hair down, and light makeup.

She had spent two months in Busan, and her skin had gotten a bit tanned, but she looked great. Kim Go-eun saw her and smiled, saying, "Soobin, you've gotten a tan." Chae Soobin touched her face and said, "The Busan sun is too strong." Yoo In-na said, "A tan looks good, it looks healthy."

Yoon Shi-yoon sat opposite him, holding a wine glass, his face already flushed. After "Goblin" surpassed 20 million views, he received six endorsement offers and three scripts, keeping him incredibly busy. He said, "Su Yu, let me toast you, thank you for giving me this role." Su Yu clinked glasses with him but didn't say anything. Yoon Shi-yoon downed his glass in one gulp, then poured himself another and downed that one too. Kim Go-eun, standing beside him, urged, "Oppa, drink slowly," to which Yoon Shi-yoon replied, "I'm happy."

Kim Go-eun had also drunk quite a bit. She was usually quiet, but even less so after drinking, though her eyes shone brighter. She walked up to Su Yu with her glass and said, "Manager, thank you for signing me." Su Yu replied, "You deserve it." Kim Go-eun smiled, drank her drink, and then turned to Chae Soo-bin, saying, "Soo-bin, your boyfriend is really quiet." Chae Soo-bin smiled. "I'm used to it."

Yoo In-na sat in the corner, chatting with Yook Sung-jae. Yook Sung-jae was dressed formally in a black suit and tie. Yoo In-na teased him, "Are you dressed like this for a blind date?" Yook Sung-jae replied, "No, I just came from another event." Yoo In-na asked, "What event?" Yook Sung-jae said, "An awards ceremony; I won a newcomer award."

Yoo In-na paused for a moment, then slapped him hard on the back. "Why didn't you say so sooner!" Yook Sung-jae coughed from the slap and laughed, "I forgot."

The director, drunk, grabbed the screenwriter's hand and said, "I'll work with you again on the next project." The screenwriter, also drunk, said, "Then you have to raise my salary." The director said, "Yes." The screenwriter said, "You said it." The director said, "I said it." They clinked glasses and both laughed.

Su Yu didn't drink much. He held his glass, occasionally taking a sip, but mostly spent his time serving food to Cai Xiubin. She ate with gusto, as if she hadn't had Korean beef in a long time. Su Yu said, "Slow down," and Cai Xiubin replied, "I haven't had it for two months. The Korean BBQ restaurants in Busan are different from those in Seoul." Su Yu asked, "How are they different?" Cai Xiubin thought for a moment. "The meat in Busan is thicker, the meat in Seoul is thinner." Su Yu's lips twitched slightly. "You certainly know how to eat."

Sherry arrived just as the celebration party was coming to an end.

She had just flown back from Japan and came straight here with her suitcase. There was a moment of silence in the private room when she entered. She was wearing a black coat, her hair had been dyed back to dark brown, and her face looked thinner than when she left. She glanced around, saw Su Yu and Cai Xiubin sitting together, and smiled.

"Unnie, sit here." Kim Go-eun patted the chair next to her.

Sulli sat down, took off her coat, and draped it over the back of the chair. Cai Xiubin poured her a glass of wine, saying, "Unnie, you've worked hard." Sulli took it, took a sip, and said, "You've worked even harder." The two looked at each other and smiled. It wasn't just a polite smile; it was a knowing smile—they both knew what the other was thinking, but neither said a word.

Su Yu looked at Shirley. "How's the tour?"

"That's good. The audience in Osaka is the most enthusiastic, while Tokyo's is the quietest." Shirley put down her glass. "You've never come."

The atmosphere in the private room became slightly awkward. Kim Go-eun lowered her head to pick up food, Yoo In-na pretended not to hear, and Yook Sung-jae was talking to Yoon Shi-yoon and didn't notice. Chae Soo-bin paused for a moment while picking up food, then continued.

Su Yu was silent for two seconds. "Busy."

Shirley smiled. "I know. You're busy."

He didn't say anything more.

After the celebration party ended, everyone dispersed. Yoon Shi-yoon, having drunk too much, was helped into a car by his manager. Kim Go-eun and Yoo In-na left together, while Yook Sung-jae drove himself. Sulli hailed a taxi at the entrance, and Chae Soo-bin walked over and handed her a bag.

"Unnie, this is a specialty of Busan. Fish cake, take it back and eat it."

Shirley took the bag and looked at it. "Thank you."

"How long will you be staying this time, unnie?"

"Uncertain. It depends on the company's arrangements."

Cai Xiubin nodded. "Come over for dinner sometime."

Shirley looked at her, her expression somewhat complicated. "Okay."

The car arrived, and Shirley got in. The window rolled down, and she looked at Su Yu. "Su Yu."

"Um."

"Come to the company before you go to America. I have something for you."

Su Yu nodded. The car window closed, and the car drove away.

Cai Xiubin linked arms with Su Yu, and the two walked towards the parking lot. A cool night breeze blew by. She buried her face in the crook of his shoulder.

"What did Sherry unnie give you?"

"have no idea."

"You agreed without knowing?"

Su Yu did not answer.

Cai Xiubin didn't ask any more questions.

Back home, Cai Xiubin went to take a shower. Su Yu sat on the sofa, took out his phone, and saw a message from Shirley. "At the celebration party earlier, I said you didn't come even once, not because I was angry with you. I just said it casually." Su Yu typed, "I know." Shirley sent another message: "Be careful in America. Don't eat hamburgers all the time." Su Yu looked at this line and remembered that Cai Xiubin had said the same thing. He replied with an "Okay."

Cai Xiubin came out of the shower, her hair still wet. She was wearing her old hoodie and walking barefoot over to sit down next to Su Yu. Su Yu took a towel and helped her dry her hair.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

Are you going to the US on Wednesday?

"Um."

"How many days will you be gone?"

"One week."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment. "Then go ahead. I'll wait for you in Seoul."

Su Yu's hands didn't stop moving. Her hair was very soft, and even softer when it was wet. When the towel was used to dry her hair, strands of hair got tangled in his fingers.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Before you leave, could you spend more time with me?"

Su Yu put the towel aside, ran her fingers through her hair, and gently combed it. "I've been staying home with you these past few days."

Cai Xiubin turned to look at him and smiled.