Chapter 114: Accident
“What’s this?”
A luxurious gold-embossed design.
Inside, only the date, time, and location were written, with just the SJ logo stamped. Simple, yet too concise.
In response to Muyoung’s question, Yusah smiled and took a sip of his coffee.
“My first official charity party under my name is being held at the end of this month. I’d like you to come and grace the occasion, Muyoung.”
“Under your name? Why?”
Usually, it’s just held at the company level, right?
You’re talking as if you’re making a social debut. Haha.
“……You don’t know?”
At the unexpected remark, he seemed flustered.
How would Muyoung know him? They weren’t fellow celebrities, and if not for being an investor, they would never have met.
Muyoung smiled brightly and nodded.
“You’re an investor, aren’t you?”
“Haha. Yes, that’s right.”
Yusah laughed as if amused.
At such a young age, being the investment director at SJ Entertainment—there must be something special about him.
Either his skills are insanely exceptional, or he’s a blood relative of the chairman’s family. Usually, it’s the latter, and the odds were high.
“Anyway, it’ll be fun if you come. There’ll be quite a few familiar faces, too. Celebrities need to gather for people to take notice, right? I hear you’re the busiest person in the industry these days.”
“Oh, it’s not that much.”
“I’d really appreciate it if you could make some time to come. It’s all for a good cause.”
On the surface, that was true. But deep down, it was just a place to build connections under the guise of a greater cause.
If it’s truly for charity, wouldn’t it be more helpful and cleaner to just donate the cost of the party?
“Yes, for a good cause. I understand. I’ll try my best to make it. Thank you for the invitation.”
But Muyoung didn’t think much of it. He simply folded the invitation carefully and put it in his pocket. Seeing this, Yusah stood up.
“It was nice meeting you today. I’m counting on you for the movie. You look even more handsome in person. Let’s make this a big hit, shall we?”
“Yes, I’ll do my best. Thank you.”
“Alright, take care. I’ll be leaving now—I’d just be in the way if I stayed. Haha.”
Yusah flashed a bright smile and looked around at the staff. Then, noticing the director and production team, he nodded in greeting.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Nice set, by the way. Good stuff.”
Click—
As he disappeared, the subtle tension among the team members seemed to ease.
“I didn’t expect Yusah to come.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
“Do you all know him?”
“Don’t you know? He’s the youngest son of the SJ chairman.”
“He’s so handsome, he’s often in the media. Like a modern-day prince. I think he’s not even thirty yet?”
“Ah, I see.”
What a golden parachute.
Ignoring the excited staff, Muyoung looked for his script.
While everyone rushed to prepare for the next shoot, Director Bae Cheolmin approached him.
“Muyoung, can I have a quick word?”
“Yes, Director.”
“It’s about the later scenes. In the script, the protagonist’s body gets a bit thinner. What do you think?”
The protagonist, increasingly influenced by the insomnia group, drinks less and less blood. Muyoung nodded.
“It seems like the right direction.”
“You look great and healthy now. Sorry about this.”
“It’s okay. I lose weight quickly because of my high metabolism.”
“I’d like the skin to look a bit dry, like there’s no moisture. You know what I mean?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Probably the week after next?”
That’s when the next upper-body exposure scene will be filmed.
“Just two weeks, please.”
“Two weeks. Got it!”
It’s a short time for dieting, but for someone managing their body, it’s doable. I’ll ask Taeseok for some advice—he’s an expert at this.
“Let’s resume shooting. Is everyone ready?”
“Yes! Just checking the lighting!”
Director Bae Cheolmin inspected the set, and Muyoung focused on his script until they were ready. Ko Gyeongmin approached quietly and asked,
“So, what was that you received earlier?”
“An invitation. There’s a charity party, and I’m thinking of going if my schedule allows. Can you check the date for me?”
“Charity party? Let me see.”
Ko Gyeongmin scrolled through his phone schedule.
Soon, he nodded.
“That day’s still open. Shall we prepare?”
Wolhain Hotel.
One of the most renowned hotels in South Korea, its towering height exuded an air of grandeur.
The usually quiet and relaxed hotel lobby grew noisy as night fell.
Squeak—
“Hyung, where did you even get this car?”
A luxury foreign car pulled up to the main entrance. Inside, Muyoung checked his face in the rearview mirror as the car slowly moved toward the lobby entrance.
“It’s thanks to the boss. Can’t help it—at events like this, even the car matters.”
“I feel bad about it.”
“Don’t worry. There’s something to gain from it. Go and do well. I can’t go in, but these opportunities don’t come easily. Who knows? You might meet another good investor.”
He’d only heard rumors about the incredible guests, so it didn’t feel very real.
“I’m not sure what to do there. At a charity party, what exactly happens? Is there a separate place to submit donation envelopes?”
At such a naive question, Ko Gyeongmin held back a laugh.
I’m not sure if it’s okay to send someone like him alone.
“For people like you in PR, you’re invited to attend. Donors are mainly those who’ve already contributed, or they might donate to attend the party. The money gathered this way is used for good causes.”
“Oh, I see. I understand now.”
“Alright, we’re almost there.”
In the distance, a crowd of reporters had gathered.
The area was swarming with people due to the event.
A security guard blocked the car’s path and knocked on the driver’s window.
Knock, knock.
“Can I see your invitation, please?”
“Here you go. I’ll move the car right away.”
“Confirmed. The left side is blocked, so please exit through the detour.”
Following the guard’s directions, the car moved forward. As they approached the photo zone, the guard raised his hand, signaling them to stop.
“Hyung, I’ll go now.”
“Okay. Call me when you’re leaving. I’ll be nearby.”
The bellboy opened the car door.
Muyoung, dressed sharply in a suit with his hair slicked back, stepped out slowly. The reporters’ cameras captured him.
“It’s Ha Muyoung.”
“Great lineup.”
“Is he the third actor here?”
“Mr. Ha Muyoung! Over here, please!”
Though tired from the late hour, his body was alert.
He smiled slightly, stood in the photo zone, and waved. Left, front, and right.
“He looks a bit different, doesn’t he?”
“He’s preparing for his next project, I heard. Maybe that’s why?”
“It’s a movie, right? What’s it about?”
“I heard it’s a vampire story……”
It suited him perfectly.
His slightly furrowed brow, pale skin, and sleek black suit accentuated his tall, slender frame.
Muyoung smoothed back his hair and bowed politely to the reporters.
“This way, please.”
It was his first time at this hotel.
Such luxurious accommodations existed in the world. Muyoung entered the grand hall, marveling at the enormous chandelier.
“Mr. Ha Muyoung is entering.”
Squeak—
The door opened, revealing a different world.
Elegant dresses, delicious food, and waiters carrying wine. To Muyoung, it felt like another world, yet everyone else seemed completely at ease.
“Huh?”
Some of the faces were familiar to him.
Famous athletes, actors, singers, models—and even several recognizable business figures were there in abundance.
Muyoung accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
“Oh! Mr. Ha Muyoung!”
Yusah, dressed in a white tailcoat, approached him. Muyoung noticed the bodyguard beside him had an earpiece.
“Hello.”
“Thanks for coming today. This way, please.”
“It’s all so overwhelming, like a different world.”
Muyoung smiled, and Yusah responded with a smile.
“You have to experience different worlds, too. Dagyeong, long time no see.”
“Hi, hi.”
Amid the bustling crowd, he finally met someone he truly knew.
None other than Han Dagyeong, the CEO of Dr. Martel! The two looked at each other and widened their eyes.
“Huh?”
“You two know each other?”
“Our company model… something like that.”
“Oh, that’s great. Dagyeong, can I leave him with you? I have more guests arriving.”
Yusah, looking pleased, left Muyoung in Han Dagyeong’s care. Dagyeong watched him go, smiling wryly.
“As always, he’s just dumping work on me……”
Then, she raised her glass to Muyoung.
Their glasses clinked lightly.
“How have you been?”
“Thanks to you, everything went smoothly, and this month we’re opening in department stores nationwide.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. Congratulations.”
“I should be congratulating you. You won the Best New Actor award, and your drama was a huge hit. I even made a bet with my friends about which newcomer would win. Since I enjoyed the drama so much, I lost the bet.”
Han Dagyeong was also the youngest daughter of a chaebol family, but Muyoung didn’t know that. Someone wrapped an arm around both their shoulders.
“Hey! You two!”
“Yikes. Boss?”
“My lovely ladies are here?”
It was Buyong.
The owner of the house where Muyoung lived, and Dagyeong’s friend. Still the same, with her flippant voice and curly hair.
“Long time no see, Boss.”
“Oh, my dear Muyoung! You’re really making a name for yourself these days?”
“I’m working hard. For the sake of the boss’s assets.”
“Hehe! Thank you, thank you!”
As Muyoung’s fame grew, so did the reputation of the officetel.
Real estate agents were promoting it as ‘the officetel where Ha Muyoung lives.’
“But isn’t the rent too low for how much you’re helping Muyoung? He’d be better off paying monthly.”
At Dagyeong’s words, Buyong covered her mouth with her finger.
The skyrocketing amount. In terms of opportunity cost, Buyong was far more profitable.
“It’s fine. I’m happy with the place.”
“And what about the ghost? Dagyeong doesn’t seem to know.”
“Ah, that—”
There were still some lingering questions. The three stood and chatted for a long time.
Since they were familiar faces, Muyoung could enjoy the gathering comfortably.
“Hello.”
Just then, someone greeted the three of them.
There was something oddly slick about his demeanor. Muyoung bowed in greeting, but he didn’t recognize the man. Buyong glanced at him.
“That’s the son of the Baekgun Entertainment representative.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Why? Because he’s more handsome than the boss?”
“You, I thought better of you—your taste is terrible?”
One of the two giants controlling the film industry, alongside SJ. Technically, he’d be Yusah’s rival. The man extended his hand to Muyoung.
“I’m a big fan of yours, Muyoung. I’m Joo Jungdan.”
“Hello.”
His face was pleasant, but the moment their hands touched—
Whoosh—
Black Smog surged from his palm, wrapping around Jungdan’s arm like a snake, as if to cut off his breath. Startled, Muyoung quickly let go of his hand.
Whoosh!
“Huh?”
Click—
At that moment, the lights went out, and the surroundings fell silent.
The lights came back on, and a beat-heavy song began to play slowly. From the left hall entrance, a famous model began to walk out slowly.
“A fashion show?”
“SJ owns a few fashion brands.”
The unexpected event drew everyone’s attention.
Though it was just the floor, the models walked naturally along the lit path, strutting through the party.
Thump, thump— Thump!
Thanks to this, Jungdan’s attention shifted from Muyoung to the event. The models confidently walked through the crowd……
Whoosh—
“Ah!”
One of the models passing by tripped and fell, pulling down a tablecloth with a crash! It seemed her ankle had twisted in her heels, which were over ten centimeters high.
“Oh my, are you okay?”
“Ah, this……”
As Dagyeong approached her, Jungdan merely wiped the champagne off his collar. Strange, it seemed……
‘Did he just trip her?’
His foot seemed to have gone in front of the model.
“Are you okay? Can you stand?”
“Ah, I’m fine. I’m okay.”
The model struggled to her feet, her face pale. What a disaster at such an important SJ event! She looked around, trying to find someone responsible.
“Oh……”
“You shouldn’t walk on that.”
“I’m fine. Let me go.”
Her legs trembled like a newborn fawn’s. Muyoung hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand to her instead of Dagyeong.
“Let’s walk together.”