Chapter 122: The Signal Flare

The same restaurant where I met Yusah last time.

Muyoung was dressed neatly, waiting for him. While it wasn’t as dark as night, the view was still the best part. A clear, open sightline and a blue sky.

“Mr. Muyoung.”

Yusah approached, calling out to him.

Despite the heat, he was wearing a full formal suit. He sat down, smiling as if Muyoung were truly unexpected.

“Suggesting we eat first, I wonder what this is about?”

“I wanted to return the favor from last time.”

“I must have had a good dream the night before.”

Yusah answered nonchalantly, sizing Muyoung up. He said it casually, but he’s a businessman. Meetings without an agenda are only possible between friends.

“You’ve lost weight since I last saw you.”

“Because of filming. It’ll come back in a few days.”

“I see. How’s the movie shoot going?”

“I think it’s going smoothly. It’s just that Mr. Kang Seongbae has been particularly struggling lately, which is a shame.”

“Ah, it’s come back.”

As the two exchanged light pleasantries, the food began to arrive. Yusah’s question resumed the briefly paused conversation, as if he already knew everything.

“Something’s up, right?”

“I have a question. And something to tell you.”

“I figured as much. It’s not like you’re going to take back your offer, so I’ll hold off on celebrating prematurely. Go on.”

Yusah scrutinized Muyoung’s face like a fortune-teller. His eyes sparkled with amusement. Soon, he burst into laughter, shrugging his shoulders.

“I have no idea what this is about? Ha ha.”

He dipped his bread into the soup and asked,

“Let’s hear the question first.”

“The movie from Baekgun screening in the fourth quarter. How much do you know about it?”

“That’s unexpected.”

He seemed genuinely surprised. Yusah paused, taken aback, then quickly organized the information in his head.

“How much do I know? Hmm… The investment share is quite large at 27%. The director is Park Goong-hoon, and they bought the license for the Russian hit webtoon <D.K. Agent> and adapted it. But this much is probably public knowledge, right?”

There had been a big promotional article about it.

Though at the time, it was early in planning, and the focus was on acquiring the webtoon rights. Aside from the director, nothing else was known. Yusah stopped there.

“Beyond this is industry insider info. Tell me what’s going on, and I’ll consider sharing more. People like us have to watch what we say.”

He chuckled playfully, and Muyoung laughed along.

Joo Jungdan doesn’t seem like that type, though.

Pollen fluttered into view, urging Muyoung on, as if saying, “Hurry, just say it already.”

“Alright. But keep it a secret.”

“I’ll consider that too.”

“I saw Joo Jungdan doing drugs.”

“……!”

The bread fell from Yusah’s hand with a thud.

He looked quite shocked. He stared blankly at Muyoung, then suddenly glanced around. The tables were spaced far apart, but just in case.

Fortunately, it was a quiet time, and no one else was around.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw it myself. I was invited to a BG Line fashion show recently, and I didn’t realize it was a Baekgun event. Anyway, I saw Joo Jungdan doing drugs in the sky lounge club room. I even saw the white powder.”

Muyoung recounted everything that happened that day to Yusah, leaving nothing out, even mentioning the model who helped him.

“Ha ha. Ha ha ha!”

He burst into laughter, covering his mouth with a napkin.

His face flushed with embarrassment, despite the cheerful sound.

“Wow. Jungdan. He’s gone all the way, huh?”

Their bad blood went way back.

Rival families in the same industry. And they were around the same age. They’d always compared and competed with each other, burning through life.

There was a time when their companies collaborated, but there can’t be two suns.

“I’d joked he was a drugged-up bastard, but I didn’t think it was true.”

Yusah shook his head, recalling Jungdan’s past.

…Bearing the same heavy burden, Jungdan seemed to soar effortlessly, while he struggled not to be crushed.

It seemed like both a flaw and a blessing bestowed upon him.

‘Guess it was just a flaw.’

“Jungdan came looking for me. He must have checked the CCTV after hearing about my girlfriend.”

“I couldn’t see his face, so I’m not sure. Anyway, I’m in a bit of a tough spot, but I thought this could be an opportunity for you.”

The food grew colder.

Yusah tapped the table thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.

“High CG involvement—”

And slowly. His gaze fixed slightly askew, he muttered, mechanically sharing what he knew.

“Filming’s almost done, but I heard the editing schedule is long. The production has Russian and Chinese investors. Baekgun’s the biggest. What else? Oh, right.”

He snapped his fingers lightly.

“There were talks of Baekgun investing in Sealing Actors too. Not an acquisition or founding, but as a subsidiary.”

“Sealing Actors?”

“You’d know if you’re an actor. It’s a pretty big agency.”

“Yeah, of course I know.”

How could I forget?

It’s still vivid. The company that first offered me a contract, and Director Park Moonchul, whose face was covered in smog.

I turned them down because they were so petty. Bora took the fall for that.

“So, the movie’s female lead is probably Cha Ye-sol from Sealing Actors? That’s what I heard.”

“Cha Ye-sol……”

Muyoung scratched his chin, trying to recall her face.

“Hold on.”

He searched ‘Cha Ye-sol’ on his phone.

The most recent photo was from a radio appearance, her face covered with a mask. But the hairstyle was similar—long, straight hair down to her waist.

“It might be her……”

“Jungdan’s girlfriend?”

“I’m not sure. Like I said, I couldn’t see her face. But the hairstyle’s the same.”

Yusah took the phone and nodded.

“Hmm. I see.”

“Can you handle it?”

“What’s in it for me if I help?”

“Nothing. And I didn’t ask for help.”

The response was quick and cool.

Yusah looked at Muyoung, seeming equally surprised. Muyoung laughed, stating the obvious.

“I don’t really want anything.”

“What do you mean? Your career?”

“I may not have much, but I’m debt-free, and for my age, I’ve earned a lot… As long as I can act, I don’t care where. Whether it’s a well-equipped studio, the streets, Korea, America, or some remote mountain village—”

Muyoung’s calm words were filled with sincerity.

Not arrogance, but a heavy resolve, as if he’d staked everything on it.

“Oh! Not the mountains, though. I’d have to meet the guardians there.”

That was the limit, though. It wasn’t something that would shake his life.

As long as he could act anywhere and meet his fans, it was enough. That was the only reason he lived.

“But you’re a businessman. Don’t you owe me something for this information?”

“Whether the info’s crap or gold, you’ll have to taste it—”

“If you can’t tell the difference at a glance, that’s a problem.”

Caught off guard by Muyoung’s remark, Yusah fell silent.

How bold. Among the 21-year-olds Yusah knew, no one was like this.

“It’s a rival company. If I were you, I wouldn’t let this opportunity slip. You’re capable.”

Capable of investigating thoroughly and bringing them down.

Yusah leaned on his chin, grumbling as he looked outside. His mind was clearly racing.

“Start with the girlfriend.”

Is she really Cha Ye-sol?

If she is, things will move quickly.

“If she tests positive, we’re already ahead. Whether she drops out of the movie or stays, it’s advantageous for us. Even if Jungdan slips away.”

You said filming’s almost done, right?

If she drops out, the movie could be scrapped or they’d have to recast and reshoot, causing astronomical losses for the producers and investors.

And if she stays?

Who’d watch a movie with a drugged-up actress? Either way, it’s doomed!

“Hey, don’t look at me like that.”

Muyoung raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

“If you try to squeeze something out of me, I’ll run.”

He’d given the opportunity; now it was up to Yusah to seize it. Yusah set down his napkin and chuckled.

“Ha ha ha. Alright. My bad if I offended you. It’s just a habit when dealing.”

“It’s not bad. Either way, it’s a win-win for us.”

Seeming to have said his piece, Muyoung picked up a piece of meat and ate it. Still tasty, even cold.

“Okay.”

Snap!

Yusah’s mind seemed made up as he flicked his hand.

Time to grease the wheels of the company’s stalled growth.

“As an investor, I should look after our actor’s well-being. Understood. The meal was enjoyable, and it looks like I’ve got work to do, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Sure. Want me to pack it up?”

“Ha ha ha. No thanks.”

Muyoung looked up at him, chewing on the meat.

Yusah smiled, running a hand through his hair. Why does he look so refreshed?

“I always seem to have good luck when I meet you, Muyoung.”

At the party and now this.

He tilted his head, staring at Muyoung.

“Of course. I only walk the flower path.”

“And you know, you seem to change when dealing. Like you’re living two lives.”

“Ah, that’s because—”

Muyoung grinned, flashing his fangs. As if ready to devour his prey.

“I’m a vampire right now. There are no nice vampires.”

“Ah, what a shame.”

“Can’t be helped. That’s just how the world works.”

He neatly sliced his steak, shrugging. Yusah watched him, fascinated, then disappeared. Muyoung called over a waiter.

“Boss, another plate, please.”

With the issue weighing on his mind resolved, the hunger that had left returned. Mmm! Delicious!

Grrrrrr—

In the car, Muyoung clutched his stomach, writhing. Bora, reading a book, smirked at him.

“So eat.”

“No, I’ve been eating too much lately.”

My appetite’s back, and I’ve been snacking on everything.

So, I’ve been fasting for a full 24 hours since yesterday’s lunch. Muyoung closed his eyes, intending to sleep.

“Hyung, turn on the radio.”

“Sure. Get some sleep.”

The quiet van.

Filled only with the sound of Bora turning pages, the engine, and the soft voice of the news anchor.

—And in other news, popular celebrity A is under investigation for drug use and distribution. Police are verifying A’s statement and drug test results, and are also identifying alleged accomplices……

“Sheesh. Another one messing up.”

“Who is it?”

“Don’t know. They only said A. But it’ll probably blow up soon. If they’re already under investigation and it’s on the news, it’s as good as confirmed. You guys really need to be careful. Got it?”

“Drugs? I can’t even afford them.”

Bora calmly returned to his book.

Then, Muyoung slowly opened his eyes.

“Hyung, turn up the radio.”

“Huh? I thought you were sleeping.”

“Quickly!”

“Alright, alright.”

Ko Gyeongmin turned up the volume, unable to refuse. Muyoung leaned forward, straining to listen.

—Given A’s fame in the industry, this could turn into a full-blown ‘drug scandal’ depending on the investigation. Police say they’ll release more details later……

Oh ho. This is it, right?

The signal flare announcing the battle between Jungdan and Yusah.