Chapter 2

"Uh—" With a pained groan, Park Ji-hoon woke up from his sleep, his first sensation being a headache. Opening his eyes, he realized he was lying on the sofa, and a few empty bottles of soju were still on the coffee table.

His eyes suddenly darkened.

It seemed that what happened last night wasn't just a dream.

He tried to get up, but as soon as he stood, a wave of dizziness hit him, and he could only fall back onto the sofa, powerless. His tolerance for alcohol wasn't good; he could handle at most one bottle of soju, but last night he had drunk three bottles. It was no wonder he was feeling the aftereffects!

After falling back onto the sofa, he didn't move again but lay there, powerless, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Although he had tried to drown his sorrows in alcohol, everything from last night was still vivid in his mind. Every word and every expression of Tae-yeon was etched clearly in his brain.

A bitter smile gradually appeared on his lips.

However, at this moment, his emotions were surprisingly calm. It wasn't the chilling coldness from last night but a true calmness. His mind replayed the scenes of his past with Tae-yeon like a movie.

He felt a chill and a sense of helplessness.

In the past year and a half, he had been almost perfect to Tae-yeon, even tolerating her participation in "We Got Married" and encouraging her despite his jealousy. In the end, all he got was a "Are you crazy?"

After a while, a faint, self-mocking smile appeared on his lips, and he slowly sat up.

This time, there were no issues. He got up, tidied up the messy living room, and then went to wash up.

His phone was on the sofa. After washing up, he picked it up, but after glancing at the time, he put it back on the sofa.

It was 11:00 AM. After changing into a new set of clothes, he prepared to go out for a meal.

His cooking skills could only be described as "a mess." Moreover, in his newly bought house, there were no ingredients in the kitchen.

He had just changed his clothes and hadn't even put on his shoes when the doorbell rang.

It was Jang Dae-hee, his agent.

"Brother Dae-hee, why are you here at this time?" Park Ji-hoon forced a smile. As his agent, Jang Dae-hee had always been very considerate of him.

However, Jang Dae-hee's usual easygoing expression was gone. After entering the room and glancing around, he immediately noticed the three empty soju bottles neatly placed on the side, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.

He knew about Park Ji-hoon and Tae-yeon's relationship.

"Brother Dae-hee, I just moved in, so I haven't prepared much. I can only offer you hot water," Park Ji-hoon said with a light smile, pouring a cup of hot water and handing it to him.

"Ah—" Jang Dae-hee took the cup and suddenly sighed, asking, "Ji-hoon, did you cause a scene at S.M. last night?"

Park Ji-hoon's face darkened, and he vaguely understood something. Jang Dae-hee had often praised him for being very smart, but regretted his lazy nature.

"S.M. is trying to pressure the company," Jang Dae-hee said directly, seeing that he was mentally prepared.

"Did the company agree?" Park Ji-hoon asked.

"In terms of strength, the company isn't afraid of S.M. However, you know, we haven't been favored in the company, so..." Jang Dae-hee explained.

Park Ji-hoon fell silent.

LOEN Entertainment, his agency, was a subsidiary of Korea's largest telecommunications company, SK Telecom, and owned the largest music streaming site in Korea, MelOn. However, LOEN Entertainment was mainly a distribution company with very few artists and little attention. Considering S.M.'s influence, it wasn't surprising that they agreed to the request.

Moreover, he was only a second-tier actor.

Thinking about this, a bitter feeling rose in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, only becoming more cold.

"I have to take care of my family," Jang Dae-hee said after a moment of silence.

"I understand, I've caused you trouble, Brother Dae-hee," Park Ji-hoon forced a smile. He had no right to demand anything from others, and Jang Dae-hee had always been very considerate of him.

"However, you are still the company's 'top star'!" Jang Dae-hee forced a smile, "The company doesn't intend to suppress you, but..."

"I understand," Park Ji-hoon said calmly, "I won't say anything about this. Besides, I was thinking of leaving anyway." After the end of the year, his contract with LOEN Entertainment would expire. It seemed the company didn't plan to renew it. However, it was already quite good that they didn't comply with S.M.'s request to suppress him.

"Ah—" Jang Dae-hee, who understood his character, didn't try to persuade him. After sighing, he said, "Ji-hoon, you are just too lazy! Otherwise... In the last half month, I'll try to use my connections to get you some jobs." He clearly understood his current situation.

"Thank you, Brother Dae-hee." Park Ji-hoon didn't refuse. One must conform to reality; otherwise, they would be eliminated by it. He had just taken on a mortgage and needed a lot of jobs.

Jang Dae-hee also understood the impact of this news on him, so after saying this, he got up and left. He wouldn't show his inner emotions in front of him.

After seeing Jang Dae-hee off, Park Ji-hoon sat on the sofa, feeling as if his head was about to explode!

He had only been trying to act calm to avoid causing more trouble for Jang Dae-hee and to avoid showing his weakness in front of him. In reality, this news had almost pushed him to the brink!

To make dating Tae-yeon more convenient and to avoid affecting Girls' Generation's rising popularity, he had decided to buy this house. Of course, there were other reasons. He had planned to tell Tae-yeon, but now it was unnecessary.

With a mortgage and an impending contract termination, his current situation was clear.

For a moment, he even regretted his firm decision with Jang Dae-hee! However, he quickly suppressed this thought.

"Only myself..." After a bitter smile, he had no time to feel sad or depressed and began to seriously consider his future life.

Yes, life! If he couldn't even maintain his life, what was the point of talking about work or ideals?

Of course, work was the foundation of life.

However, before he could calm down, his phone rang.

After glancing at the caller ID, he didn't answer, his face showing obvious hesitation.

After more than a minute, the caller still hadn't hung up, so he finally pressed the answer button.

"OPPA! Why didn't you call Tae-yeon!" The caller didn't blame him for taking so long to answer but directly said, with a mix of anxiety and anger, clearly indicating familiarity.

When Park Ji-hoon heard Tae-yeon's name, his eyes involuntarily twitched, as if something had pierced his heart. After a moment, he steeled himself and said, "Pani, please tell her I'm sorry."

Tiffany, Tae-yeon's best friend, an American-born Korean, was a good person who often helped him and Tae-yeon cover up and facilitate their relationship.

"OPPA, go tell her yourself!" Tiffany, thinking he had changed his mind, said in a disappointed tone.

"No." Park Ji-hoon's lips curved into a faint, self-mocking smile as he said calmly.

"Ah?" Tiffany realized she had misunderstood and became nervous again.

"Also, Pani, I'm sorry." Park Ji-hoon continued, "From now on, just pretend you never knew me." After saying this, he hung up and blocked Tiffany's number. Otherwise, he would definitely be "harassed" continuously.

Tiffany, hearing the call end, looked at her phone in shock and disbelief. He had even denied her as a friend just because of that incident? Had Tae-yeon done something else?

No way!

She dialed Park Ji-hoon's number again.

However, she couldn't get through.

"Damn it!" Tiffany finally couldn't help but grit her teeth. Even if his relationship with Tae-yeon was over, she might have scolded him and ignored him for a long time, but friends were friends. How could he pretend they never knew each other?

Those words were so hurtful!

"Are you done, Pani? We're about to leave!" At this moment, SNSD member Yoo Ri's voice sounded.

"Done!" Tiffany quickly put away her phone and rushed out of the bathroom. She had an appointment today and had secretly called Park Ji-hoon during lunch, pretending to go to the bathroom.

She didn't expect such a result!

"So long, I thought you fell in!" Yoo Ri teased her as soon as they met. They had been through tough times together, so their relationship was like sisters.

Tiffany forced a smile and lightly patted her in response.

"Ah—" Yoo Ri noticed and her expression darkened. She sighed, "Tae-yeon's state is really worrying!"

"Who would have thought they would suddenly become like this!" Tiffany said bitterly, "Just before the Golden Disc Awards yesterday, they were still on the phone saying sweet things!"

Yoo Ri fell silent.

After returning, they quickly packed their things and got in the car.

...

Blocking Tiffany's number was a helpless move for Park Ji-hoon. Given his current relationship with S.M., how could he conveniently remain friends with Tiffany? Moreover, with his relationship with Tae-yeon now, it would only be difficult for Tiffany to be caught in the middle.

He didn't blame S.M. for acting so quickly!

However, it was understandable, given what happened last night... Thinking about this, he couldn't help but touch his slightly swollen corner of his mouth.

After calming his emotions and silently apologizing to Tiffany, he began to sort out his thoughts.

However, a delicate face kept popping up in his mind, impossible to erase!

Conflicted and in pain... He spent the afternoon in a daze, forgetting to eat lunch and making many calls. Strangely, he didn't feel hungry, or perhaps this hunger made his mood slightly better.

In the evening, he was awakened by a phone call.

Seeing the caller ID, he suddenly jumped up, pressed the answer button, and grabbed his wallet, rushing out.

...