Chapter 4

Lee Joo-young slowly put away his smile and stared at Moon Jung-woo. Moon Jung-woo met his gaze and softly said, "If everything I said about my personal skills is true, I think you should understand why my father tried to stop me, even forcing me to leave home on my birthday." Moon Jung-woo stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the light snow.

"At only thirteen years old, with an IQ of 164, and so many skills. My academic performance is excellent enough to secure a place at Seoul National University. Yet, I inexplicably want to become a star, an entertainer. To pursue a career that is seen as lowly and frivolous by the public." Lee Joo-young frowned in deep thought, while Lee Soon-gyu also stared at his back.

After a while, Moon Jung-woo turned around, leaned against the window, and looked at Lee Joo-young. "You are a father too, put yourself in my shoes. If the daughter in your arms is as excellent as I am, I don't believe you would be content with her pursuing such a career after all the years of hard work and the bright future she is destined for. If that's the case, what's the point of all the hard-earned skills?"

"Mo? Are you saying I'm not as good as you? I've put up with you for a long time, explain yourself clearly!" Lee Joo-young pursed his lips, holding back the aggressive Lee Soon-gyu, and looked up at Moon Jung-woo. "I guess you must have other reasons. From your words and thoughts, I don't think a vague dream could make you choose this path... or maybe it's just a momentary impulse due to your young age."

Moon Jung-woo nodded. "You must be in a difficult position now. You want to take me in and train me, but you also feel it's unrealistic. Not only are you unsure how long my determination will last or if it's genuine, but the family that raised me to this level also makes you hesitant." Lee Joo-young nodded without hesitation. "That's right. Even if you're not unqualified, sometimes being too qualified can also be a reason not to accept you. Given your high IQ and maturity, I believe you understand what I mean." Moon Jung-woo lowered his head, silent. After a while, he touched the bandage on his head and looked up at Lee Joo-young with a smile. To Lee Soon-gyu's surprise, this brat actually had the same smiling eyes as her.

"The reason you want... isn't right here on my head?"

"Ya!" A loud shout startled Moon Jung-woo, and he saw the small face right in front of him. Her black eyes were glaring at him, expressionless. Moon Jung-woo's eyes refocused, perhaps because he had been too preoccupied to notice her presence. Even when she came close and glared at him, he didn't realize it. Lee Soon-gyu put her hands on her hips and stood up straight. "Brat, my father is seriously talking to you, and you're joking around? What does your sincerity have to do with the bandage on your head? Don't want to be a trainee anymore?"

Lee Joo-young smiled at Moon Jung-woo but didn't stop Lee Soon-gyu. Clearly, he also wanted an explanation. Moon Jung-woo paused, looking calmly at Lee Soon-gyu. "It's quite obvious. I just find you annoying. Some situations are not suitable for children to hear, but I have to be cautious because you are the daughter of the CEO. That's why I expressed my attitude this way. Unfortunately... you lack insight."

"Brat!!!" "No need to shout so loud, I can hear you... ugly girl."

Lee Joo-young chuckled and pulled Lee Soon-gyu closer, pressing her kicking foot back. "She's a red-black 2nd dan in Taekwondo. You've already lost the argument. Rushing at her like this, do you want to be completely defeated?" Lee Soon-gyu paused, stopping her struggle but still glaring at him.

Moon Jung-woo didn't look at her but stared at Lee Joo-young. "CEO, the situation isn't complicated. I just can't go home now, and I'm determined to become a trainee. If you think I'm worth your effort, I'll give you the address, and you can go to my house and talk to my father. Once you get there, you'll understand everything you want to know."

Lee Joo-young was taken aback and frowned. "Do you want me to persuade him to agree to you becoming an entertainer?" Seeing Moon Jung-woo nod, Lee Joo-young thought for a moment and sighed. "You're already running away from home. I'm just an outsider, and I doubt I can have much influence." Moon Jung-woo fiddled with the cup and spoke after a while. "No, my father is a very controlling person, but he's also very arrogant. I've already successfully escaped, and before he finds me, you going there will give me a chance."

Lee Joo-young frowned and leaned forward. "Why? In South Korea, there are only a few top entertainment companies. The rest are of varying sizes. Why choose here? You should know that even without comparing to the big companies, SW isn't much better than the others. You have many other options."

Moon Jung-woo pursed his lips and looked up at Lee Joo-young. "I don't have time. Seoul isn't that big, and once he finds me, the only chance will be lost." Seeing Lee Joo-young pondering, Moon Jung-woo spoke softly. "I didn't say it would definitely succeed. I've planned several times before today, and they all failed. Now, the question is simple: do you think I'm worth a try, to talk to my father? If you do, go. Whether it succeeds or not, it's up to fate. If you don't think I'm worth a try, I'll leave now and wait for him to find me. The injury on my head has nothing to do with you. The medical expenses and the cost of a meal will be paid back by my family."

Lee Joo-young was taken aback. "Meal cost? What meal... oh!" He slapped his head and pushed Lee Soon-gyu forward. "Soon-gyu, take Jung-woo to eat something. He must be hungry. Go to the cafeteria." Lee Soon-gyu reluctantly stepped forward and glanced at him. "Follow me. Brat, you're so arrogant to ask for a meal!"

Moon Jung-woo walked forward, wrote an address on a piece of paper, and handed it over. After a moment, he took off the bloody bandage from his head. "Show this to him, and he will agree. As for the conditions, let him set them." Without another word, he ignored the bewildered Lee Joo-young and followed Lee Soon-gyu out of the CEO's office.

Just as he was about to close the door, Lee Joo-young, holding the address and the bandage, suddenly called out to Moon Jung-woo. "How determined are you? I mean, to become a trainee and debut as an entertainer." Moon Jung-woo stopped at the door and turned to look at Lee Joo-young. "If it's just a regular trainee, wanting to debut for money, you would consider taking them in, right?"

Lee Joo-young shook his head. "Your situation is different. If your father is a big shot, me going to talk to him might offend him and affect the company. That would be counterproductive." Moon Jung-woo thought for a moment and nodded. "You're right, but you should still come to my house. Once you get there, you'll see how sincere I am and in what way."

Lee Joo-young laughed. "Again, to your house? It's not a dragon's lair, is it, that you insist I go?" Moon Jung-woo blinked. "I heard that when a good trainee is found, the CEO goes to talk to the parents... it's quite normal." "Oh." The door closed softly. Lee Joo-young looked at the door, then at the address and the bandage in his hand, and sat down in his chair, laughing.

Actually, he didn't need to say more. His conditions were enough for him to be a trainee. He was young, and there was time to learn anything. Unfortunately, the situation was a bit complicated, but not unprecedented. Happiness is the same, but misfortune varies. Ultimately, it's about the family's disagreement and their strong control over the child.

Gangnam District? Lee Joo-young tapped his fingers on the address. The richest place in South Korea is Seoul, and the most prosperous area in Seoul is Gangnam District. This address was in the most luxurious villa area. Such an identity couldn't be ordinary. Should he try? If the result can't be handled, how would he deal with it?

Recalling Moon Jung-woo's eyes, Lee Joo-young suddenly remembered something. He typed on the keyboard, searched for a photo and some information, and pursed his lips, his eyes firm. After a while, he put on his coat, picked up the address, and opened the door to leave the CEO's office. The photo and information were still on the screen.

Walking with her arms crossed, Lee Soon-gyu glanced at Moon Jung-woo. His profile was perfect, but thinking of his sharp tongue, she felt like this face really deserved a punch. If she could land a solid hit, she would jump up without hesitation... oh. He's only fourteen, why is he taller than me?

"Drink more milk, it's good for calcium absorption in your bones." Lee Soon-gyu was interrupted by his words, paused, and glared at him. "Mo?" Moon Jung-woo looked at Lee Soon-gyu. "Aren't you curious why I'm taller than you? Besides being a boy, it's also because you lack calcium." Lee Soon-gyu gritted her teeth. "Mind your own business! I still have a chance to grow! It's none of your business."

Moon Jung-woo shook his head. "No chance." Lee Soon-gyu was taken aback, slowly stopped, narrowed her eyes, and her face darkened, clenching her fists tightly. "Ya. What did you just say?" Moon Jung-woo turned around and looked at Lee Soon-gyu. "Girls develop earlier than boys. At the same age, they're not necessarily taller, but not much shorter either. But you're already a head shorter than me, and I call you 'older sister,' so you must be at least 14. You have at most one or two years left to grow."

Her chest heaved, her breathing became erratic. Watching Moon Jung-woo's back as he turned into the cafeteria, Lee Soon-gyu bent slightly, then suddenly leaped forward, jumping onto Moon Jung-woo's back and tightly gripping his neck with her hands.

"Brat!! I'll make you a dead kid today!!"

Clang, bang, crash!

It wasn't mealtime at the cafeteria, but there were still staff members. They were startled by the noise and looked in the direction of the commotion. The scene they saw made them feel a bit surprised, and then they couldn't help but smile strangely.