Chapter 18

Li Shungui swore that although she had only known Wen Jungwoo for less than two months, she never imagined that Wen Jungwoo would display such emotions in front of her. She returned in a daze, as if she had lost her soul. Even when Li Shungui greeted him, he ignored her. Even when Li Shungui, angry, grabbed him and asked what was going on, he easily pushed her away.

He just stared blankly at Li Shungui for a long time, then silently got up from the ground and walked into the small practice room, sitting by the window in a daze. For the next three days, he ate and drank what was given to him but didn't say a single word or give any response. Li Soo-yeong also heard Li Shungui's account of the entire situation.

Seeing Wen Jungwoo's current state, she could understand a little. She comforted Li Shungui, saying that perhaps after this incident, he might come to some realization. In fact, even without Li Soo-yeong saying anything, Li Shungui already knew that Wen Jungwoo was different. Because over these few days, she had been with him, by his side, seeing the occasional sadness and melancholy in his eyes, emotions that she had never seen in him before.

"Do you want to get closer to me as a senior, and I, how could I not want to use you, a junior who is favored by the CEO?"

"By leveraging your position in the CEO's heart, Shungui knows that you and I are close, so I can get into the CEO's good graces through you, thus increasing my chances of debuting."

"I'm not angry that you deceived me, but that what was supposed to be a win for me turned out to be mutual exploitation."

These words, which Wen Jungwoo had never thought of, echoed in his mind. Was this what he lacked? He never knew anyone's true intentions; he had always seen people and their hearts too simply. Taking a deep breath, Wen Jungwoo smiled and turned to Li Shungui, who had been by his side for three days: "Do you love me?"

"M... mo?!" After worrying for three days and watching him sit silently, he finally responded and even smiled. But the first thing he said to her was this. Was he driven mad by the shock?

Wen Jungwoo jumped down from the windowsill and hugged Li Shungui: "You said that if I figured out why you hit me that day, it would mean I had passed the initial test of reading people and socializing, right?"

Li Shungui had a cold expression: "Did you really figure it out?"

Wen Jungwoo shrugged, and Li Shungui pouted: "Then tell me, why did you hit me?"

Wen Jungwoo squinted his eyes and smiled, looking at Li Shungui: "It wouldn't be good to say, at least not for you, who is just beginning to understand these things. It's better left unsaid."

Li Shungui was taken aback, her cheeks slightly flushed, and she turned her head to avoid his eyes: "Putting on airs."

Wen Jungwoo shook his head and laughed, then put his arm around her shoulders and walked out: "Let's go see the CEO. I'm sure he's been worried for a few days."

Li Shungui looked surprised: "You really got it? You can even consider such things now." Wen Jungwoo smiled but didn't say anything.

Li Shungui bit her lip and suddenly said: "Mina unnie has already left SW and returned to school to focus on her studies." Wen Jungwoo paused, then nodded and continued walking with Li Shungui.

They arrived at the CEO's office and knocked lightly. After Li Soo-yeong said to come in, Wen Jungwoo subtly let go of Li Shungui's shoulders and pushed the door open.

"CEO." They greeted and entered. The two of them, who had intended to say something, noticed that Li Soo-yeong was standing by the window, looking out in a daze.

They were taken aback and exchanged glances. Wen Jungwoo gave Li Shungui a look, but she frowned and shook her head, gesturing for him to go forward. Wen Jungwoo, with no choice, stepped up to Li Soo-yeong: "CEO."

Li Soo-yeong came to his senses and saw Wen Jungwoo, but then fell into a daze again. His complex expression made Wen Jungwoo instinctively step back. Li Shungui stepped forward at the right moment: "Dad, what's wrong?"

Li Soo-yeong was silent for a while, then shook his head slightly and walked back to his seat: "Did you figure it out?" Although he wasn't looking at Wen Jungwoo, he knew he was asking him.

Wen Jungwoo nodded and sat down: "I did. I've caused you a lot of trouble these past few days, and I formally thank you for your patience."

Li Soo-yeong, who should have been happy, looked gloomy and responded casually: "That's good. No need to thank me."

Li Shungui bit her lip and stepped forward to ask tentatively: "Dad, is it that SUGER's development isn't going well? I heard they were preparing a new album. Did they run into trouble?"

Li Soo-yeong waved his hand without responding. After a pause, he looked at Wen Jungwoo: "I've already gotten rid of that troublemaker. Talent is useless if one lacks character. You should also control your temper and not be so emotional."

Wen Jungwoo nodded: "Don't worry, CEO, I won't... I'll try not to."

Li Soo-yeong frowned and glared at him, as if he wanted to say something but lost interest. Li Shungui gently nudged Wen Jungwoo, who paused and squinted his eyes in a smile: "As for that trainee, it's not a big loss. Since I'm so outstanding, one male trainee is enough."

Li Shungui stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.

Li Soo-yeong was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head: "You've come to your senses, but now you're being narcissistic?"

Wen Jungwoo squinted his eyes in a smile: "I'm just being honest."

The atmosphere lightened a bit, but Li Soo-yeong still seemed preoccupied. After a while, he spoke to Li Shungui: "Shungui, go out for a moment. I need to talk to Jungwoo."

Li Shungui was taken aback, looked at Wen Jungwoo, then nodded to Li Soo-yeong: "Okay." She turned and left the CEO's office, glancing back at Wen Jungwoo before leaving.

Wen Jungwoo smiled and winked, and Li Shungui wrinkled her nose at her, then closed the door. Wen Jungwoo turned to Li Soo-yeong and slowly put away his smile: "CEO, is it about my training plan?"

Li Soo-yeong was taken aback and gestured for him to come over. Wen Jungwoo stepped up to Li Soo-yeong's side and saw a news article.

"On the evening of April 1, 2003, well-known Hong Kong actor Leslie Cheung fell from the Mandarin Hotel in Central, Hong Kong, and died after failing to be revived at the hospital. He was 46 years old." Wen Jungwoo was taken aback, suddenly understanding why Li Soo-yeong was so emotional. But he didn't understand why a Hong Kong celebrity would affect Li Soo-yeong so much.

"Do you know who he is?"

Wen Jungwoo nodded: "A well-known Hong Kong actor... it says here."

Li Soo-yeong shook his head: "He was a superstar in the Hong Kong film industry... and also in the music industry."

Wen Jungwoo was taken aback: "A superstar in both the film and music industries?"

Li Soo-yeong nodded and gestured for Wen Jungwoo to sit on the sofa next to him.

After sitting down, Li Soo-yeong was lost in thought for a while, then turned to Wen Jungwoo: "People can change at any time, regardless of age or how long it takes. Sometimes, one event is enough."

Wen Jungwoo laughed lightly: "Like how I came to my senses?"

Li Soo-yeong sighed: "Yes. And like the plan I've always wanted to make for you. Your talent is excellent, and you've been practicing dance with Shungui for a month, doing very well in all aspects. If I just trained you to be an idol, it would be a waste. The most important thing is your aura. You don't have the naivety and superficiality of other kids; you have a depth and calmness that is rare for your age. But after a month, I couldn't figure it out. Just as you finally came to your senses... I also had a realization. I thought of how to train you."

Wen Jungwoo was taken aback and looked at Li Soo-yeong: "CEO, you don't mean..."

Li Soo-yeong nodded: "That's right. Before debuting, trainees are given goals based on their strengths and characteristics. Sometimes there's no specific senior, just a path. To be an actor, or a singer, or an idol who can try anything."

Suddenly looking at Wen Jungwoo, Li Soo-yeong's eyes were unusually gentle, filled with uncertainty and a sense of anticipation: "But I don't want you to take these paths. I've always had a dream, and if I can't achieve it myself, I want to train someone to do it. Like the late Leslie Cheung, a superstar in both the film and music industries... What do you think?"

Wen Jungwoo looked at Li Soo-yeong in a daze, speechless for a moment. The atmosphere became silent.