CHAPTER 90: UNROMANTIC REUNION

"YOU’RE the chief of staff of an idol agency?" Wonyoung asked Jameson, very much impressed. "You’re the same age as Summer-ssi, and yet you already hold a high position in a company. Jameson-ssi, you’re doing well."

Wonyoung was eavesdropping on Summer and Im Suji earlier.

But the two ladies excused themselves and stepped out of the restaurant to have a smoke.

I doubt it, though— they’re probably continue their conversation about Dujun Sunbae-nim and Actor Kyumin.

It was a shame that he couldn’t hear the full story of the juicy gossip.

But Wonyoung didn’t get too disappointed because Jameson occupied the seat that Summer vacated.

He’s my target for tonight anyway.

"Oh, my uncle owns the idol company," Jameson said casually, shrugging. "I’m just a nepo baby, Wonyoung Hyung."

"I only hate nepo babies who suck at their jobs," Wonyoung said playfully. "Are you bad at your job, Jameson-ssi?"

Jameson chuckled. "I’ve only started working for my uncle’s company early this year, so I have yet to show results. And, honestly, being the chief of staff for a struggling company is just like being a glorified executive assistant. I just do whatever my uncle tells me to do. He doesn’t listen to me or anyone else. He’s such a boomer."

Pfft.

That was funny, but...

"Struggling?" Wonyoung asked curiously. "Your company is struggling?"

"My uncle’s idol agency is a direct subsidiary of F&E."

"Oh, that fashion company?"

"Yes. Our family owns F&E."

That was impressive.

Wonyoung had already noticed it from the start, but Jameson really turned out to be a rich kid, huh?

F&E isn’t as big as chaebol companies, but it’s a well-loved clothing brand among young people. They manufacture and sell chic streetwear and accessories. That’s why their target market patronizes them, me included. I still buy clothes from their brand.

"Six years ago, my uncle established F&E Entertainment," Jameson continued with his story. "Under his company, he debuted a girl group and a boy group. Both groups had a good start. The kids are talented, after all. But because of my uncle’s shitty management, both groups failed eventually."

Aw.

That’s the sad reality for small idol agencies— no matter how talented the kids are, they’ll still fail if the company doesn’t know how to manage them.

Especially since the idol market was dominated by big idol companies.

"But the kids are resilient— they haven’t given up yet," Jameson said. "That’s why I want to work hard to help Ladies&, &Gentlemen."

Wonyoung almost choked on his soju.

Not only because the groups’ names were awful, but also because he knew the boy group a bit.

"&Gentlemen?" Wonyoung asked curiously. "Sung Mingi’s group?"

Sung Mingi was Bae Gayoung’s boyfriend.

"Yes, Hyung," Jameson said, beaming. "I’m surprised you know them. Ah, is it because you’ve seen Sung Mingi in a drama before? His biggest reason for being an idol-turned-actor was to promote his group. I guess it’s working."

Wonyoung just smiled awkwardly.

It’s not like I can say that I only knew Sung Mingi because he’s my younger cousin’s boyfriend.

"Hyung, since you’re Mingi’s fan, I’ll tell you a secret."

"Is it okay to share it with me when it’s supposed to be a secret?"

"I trust you, Hyung— you don’t seem like a blabbermouth."

"Alright, I’ll keep it safe."

The other people at the table were talking among each other anyway, and no one was paying attention to them.

"Mingi actually got a decent role in an upcoming youth-oriented drama," Jameson said excitedly. "I think the drama is going to be a huge it because, as per the rumors, the casting director put a famous actor as the main character."

"Oh, that’s nice. I’m happy for Mingi."

Jameson smiled and nodded.

But that smile quickly vanished as if the kid remembered something unpleasant.

Oho?

Is there a problem...?

Wonyoung was curious because it involved Bae Gayoung’s boyfriend.

However, he didn’t get the chance to ask Jameson if there was a problem because, surprisingly, Han Myung entered the restaurant and approached him.

"Wonyoung-ssi."

"Yes?"

Han Myung leaned down and whispered in Wonyoung’s ear while covering his mouth with his hands. "I got a call from the house. Apparently, Young Master Baekya is throwing a tantrum because you’re not home yet."

Huh?

The An Baekya I know wouldn’t do that, though?

However, that was not something Wonyoung could ignore.

It’s time to go home.

***

HUH?

Wonyoung was confused when Han Myung brought him to a different car than the one they used to get to the restaurant.

I don’t recognize that car.

Moreover, the car was parked a bit far away from where they had come from.

Plus, the windows were heavily tinted.

Is Myung-ssi trying to kidnap me?

The thought that crossed his mind was valid, but he didn’t feel like his life was in danger.

Hence, he remained calm and quiet.

"Have a good night, Wonyoung-ssi."

Huh?

Wonyoung was shocked when Han Myung quickly bowed to him before running away as if he were in a hurry.

Before he could process anything, the window beside him rolled down.

"Hoobae-nim."

Wonyoung gasped out loud when the most handsome face he had ever laid his eyes on greeted him. "Dujun Sunbae-nim!"

***

DING.

An Baekya opened his eyes when he heard the familiar notification sound.

As expected, the book— aka the System— was floating above his face.

Thankfully, his head had just hit the pillow after taking a shower.

If he had been deeply asleep and awakened by the stupid notification, he would have been pissed as hell.

[An Baekya, you should get ready for your acting debut as a child actor.]

Oh.

An Baekya immediately got up and asked in a low voice (despite being alone in his bedroom): "When will the audition happen?"

[There’s no exact date yet, but it should be in two- or three-weeks’ time.]

That was plenty of time to prepare then.

"Finally," An Baekya whispered to himself, relieved. "I have to succeed while I still have my borrowed time."

***

"SUNBAE-NIM, where’s our Yuhyun?" Wonyoung asked as soon as he sat in the passenger seat of the car. "Did you leave him at home?"

It was already late at night, after all.

Yun Dujun, who was seated behind the steering wheel, frowned. "I thought you were excited to see me, but you asked for Yuhyun instead of asking why I’m here."

"Just answer my question first, Sunbae-nim."

"Our Yuhyun didn’t return with me— he’s in Sweden with Inyeop Hyung-nim’s family."

"Aw, that’s sad. I really miss our son."

"But it seems like you didn’t miss me," Yun Dujun said, almost pouting. "You didn’t give me a chance to say something romantic because you didn’t ask why I returned early."

Aigoo.

Is he sulking?

Then...

"Why do I need to ask a silly question?" Wonyoung shrugged nonchalantly. "You’re obviously here for me, Sunbae-nim. You probably missed me so much that you flew back ahead of your original schedule."

Yun Dujun raised an eyebrow, smiling a little. "Are you that confident that I flew back for you?"

"If not, then did you return early because you missed Actor Kyumin?"

As expected, Yun Dujun’s small smile disappeared instantly. "What are you talking about? And why are you bringing up that person?"

"Because I heard something funny during the dinner party," Wonyoung said, facing Yun Dujun. He even crossed his arms over his chest to assert dominance. "I want to hear your side, so I’m telling you what I heard. Apparently, you had a fling with Actor Kyumin while you were filming in Greece."

Wonyoung was happy to see Yun Dujun after not seeing each other for almost a week.

However, he needed to bring up that unpleasant issue first.

We’re obviously going to be a real couple soon, so we need to talk about this now to avoid misunderstandings later.

"After I woke up from my coma, Myung-ssi told me that you couldn’t go home immediately because you were in a lock-in filming in Greece," Wonyoung said carefully. It wasn’t the time to goof around, after all. "Is that really the reason why you weren’t able to come to my side as soon as I woke up? Or the rumors were true and you were busy fooling around with Actor Kyumin there?"

"I never had a fling with Park Kyumin," Yun Dujun said in a calm yet firm tone. "Yes, he played as my love interest in the drama. But we were just on-screen partners. We never had any kind of relationship aside from being colleagues."

In fairness, Yun Dujun looked and sounded sincere.

But Wonyoung didn’t let his guard down.

After all, this sunbae-nim is a good actor.

"Then why did your fellow actors who worked in the same drama believed that you had a fling with Actor Kyumin?"

"I don’t want to sound like I’m talking behind Park Kyumin’s back, but I don’t want you to misunderstand, Bae Wonyoung," Yun Dujun said, sighing. "The truth is, Park Kyumin asked me to have a dating scandal with me."

"For what? To promote your upcoming drama? But that won’t be necessary. Your name is enough to attract viewers, Sunbae-nim."

"It’s for his ego."

"I don’t get it.

Actually, I do. But I want to hear a proper explanation from Dujun Sunbae-nim.

"Park Kyumin wanted the title of being my first lover," Yun Dujun said awkwardly. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it as if it were an unpleasant memory for him. But the Alpha was doing it to clear the misunderstanding. "I never had a dating scandal in my entire career because I wanted to stay faithful in our marriage, Bae Wonyoung."

Aww.

"Park Kyumin thought that his value as an actor would skyrocket if he became my first lover," Yun Dujun said. "He used to be a child actor, but his career had been stagnant for the past few years. So, he wanted a dating scandal with me to be the talk of the town again. Apparently, that would help him become relevant to the general public."

Ah, I get it now.

"Of course, I turned him down," Yun Dujun said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Should I look for my former manager? He knew what happened during our filming in Greece. You can confirm everything I said with him."

"Sunbae-nim, you fired your previous manager because you found out that he was working as a spy for your mother. What if he lies to me to drive a wedge between us?"

"Oh, that’s possible. Then I’ll look for other witnesses. I can even ask the director and the head writer since I only hanged out with them every break time."

"No need for that— I believe you, Sunbae-nim."

"Really? There’s no doubt in your heart now?"

"Yep," Wonyoung said while nodding. "I only asked because I wanted to hear your side, not because I believed the rumor. Did I make you feel that I don’t trust you?"

"No, not at all. I’m glad you confronted me instead of bottling it up, Hoobae-nim."

Right?

"Are we done talking about Park Kyumin now?"

"Yes, Sunbae-nim."

"Then come here," Yun Dujun said, opening his arms. "I missed you, Hoobae-nim."

Aigoo.

"I smell like alcohol, Sunbae-nim..."

Had I known Sunbae-nim was back, I wouldn’t have drunk.

"You still smell good, Hoobae-nim."

Wonyoung was about to give in, but he gasped when he remembered a stupid mistake he had made during dinner.

I ate tons of garlic earlier and didn’t have time to brush my teeth!

***

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