Chapter 50

Acting is about deceiving people, but that's too one-sided. However, Moon Jungwoo is an individual; if he wants to think this way and use it as a method, no one can say anything. Who says a method has to be successful? As long as it improves acting, and you find it useful, that's enough. What standard is there for such things? It all depends on personal experience.

But when Moon Jungwoo told Lee Soonkye about this simple yet seemingly effective method, Lee Soonkye immediately became interested. After thinking for a moment, she smiled and high-fived Moon Jungwoo, agreeing to his request for cooperative practice. And it seemed that Lee Soonkye was even more eager than Moon Jungwoo.

"When do we start? Now?" Lee Soonkye looked eager to begin.

Moon Jungwoo, between laughter and tears, considered something: "Soonkye, we only have one chance a day. Do you think that's too few?"

Lee Soonkye stomped her foot with a smile: "A bit few, how about three... five... ten times? Ten times should be about right."

Moon Jungwoo shook his head: "That won't work. It should be educational and fun, but if you only focus on the fun, it loses its meaning."

Rubbing his nose, Moon Jungwoo squinted his eyes: "Let's do it once, just to try. But add one rule: whoever loses has to be punished."

Lee Soonkye was taken aback, looking at Moon Jungwoo with a mischievous smile: "Oh, you said it."

Moon Jungwoo looked puzzled: "Do you often deceive people? You seem very confident."

Lee Soonkye smiled: "That's none of your business. What punishment... how about letting the winner decide?"

Moon Jungwoo nodded: "Reasonable. But let's try it out today. There will be many loopholes the first time, so we'll perfect it before starting officially."

Lee Soonkye's eyes darted, and she waved her hand: "No. The results before perfection still count. The loopholes apply to both sides, not just one."

Moon Jungwoo responded: "Then let's delay the execution and count it later."

"Maximum delay of three days, and it must be executed immediately after three days."

"Choose the order of execution."

"No cheating."

"Let all the company employees supervise."

"Agreed."

They high-fived again, and this time both looked serious. Lee Soonkye had a challenging look: "Moon Jungwoo, would it be too embarrassing for you to hop like a frog while holding your ears and bark like a dog?"

Moon Jungwoo squinted his eyes with a smile: "If I had known you were so enthusiastic about punishing me, I wouldn't have played around."

Lee Soonkye clenched her fists, trying to crack her knuckles, but her small, white hands failed. She put them down and laughed: "Don't blame me, Jungwoo. I actually have a good temper and take care of the trainees. But you came along, not respecting your seniors, and now you're offering me this chance. How can I not teach you a lesson?"

Moon Jungwoo shook his head helplessly, tidying up the milk cartons and bread on the table: "Let's see if you really win before you talk like that. Isn't it too early to say these things?"

Lee Soonkye huffed: "You're still too young. You're too late to understand. You don't investigate things before you do them. Before you came, who in the company wasn't pranked by me? Who wasn't deceived by me? When I said I wanted to punch you for calling me a snarky little princess, it's because you should call me a devious fairy."

"Oh?" Moon Jungwoo threw the milk carton into the trash and suddenly turned to look at her: "Is that so?"

Lee Soonkye raised her head and met his gaze, creating a strong atmosphere between them. It felt like the air around them was vibrating.

The scene switched to the SW small practice room, and the time changed from morning to evening. Everything else was the same, but after a while, Lee Soonkye weakened, looking resentful.

Moon Jungwoo smiled gently, holding a small notebook and looking at her: "Devious fairy, right? Hopping like a frog while holding your ears and barking like a dog... wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

Lee Soonkye clenched her fists tightly, glaring at him: "This doesn't count! You tricked me by saying your father was discussing your debut? Can you joke about such things?"

Moon Jungwoo shrugged: "Didn't you also trick me by saying Suna-ssi was coming back as a trainee? Can you joke about such things?"

Shaking his head slightly, Moon Jungwoo went to the window and opened his notebook, writing something: "I'm quite disappointed in you. When I saw you enter the CEO's office, I almost went to buy a lollipop. I wasted so much brainpower to lure you into the trap, but it turned out to be just a few words, and I didn't even need to talk much."

Lee Soonkye gritted her teeth, glaring at his back, wishing she could pierce him with her eyes. After a moment, she suddenly ran forward, snatched his notebook, and saw the incomplete record of her being tricked. She tore it out, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it aside: "This doesn't count. From now on, no using my father to trick people!"

Moon Jungwoo laughed, pointing at the paper ball: "Cheating, aren't you? We agreed that loopholes are one thing, but punishments must be recorded. You're openly denying the fact of your failure. Who would play with someone so untrustworthy?"

Lee Soonkye's tone faltered, but she stubbornly said: "I don't care. I'm your senior, and I have the right to cancel one punishment."

Moon Jungwoo nodded: "Next time you say you're a girl, you have another right to cancel one punishment. The next time you say you'll help me install the computer, you have another..."

Lee Soonkye's cheeks flushed, and she pushed him hard: "Just once! I promise!"

Moon Jungwoo looked at Lee Soonkye, and just as she was about to pounce in anger, he sighed softly, picked up the paper ball, and threw it in the trash: "Fine, I'll count it as one. But to be honest, I don't really want to continue."

Lee Soonkye was taken aback and quickly said: "I said it's the last time..."

Moon Jungwoo waved his hand: "I'm not afraid of you cheating. It's just that your reputation as a devious fairy is not well-deserved. After all, this isn't a game but practice. If the opponent is too weak, it doesn't help with training." Lee Soonkye's face turned red with anger, and she pointed at Moon Jungwoo, ready to scold him. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Turning around, they saw the trainee who had bought breakfast with Moon Jungwoo that morning.

Moon Jungwoo was a bit surprised because the trainee's expression was very strange. In an instant, Moon Jungwoo realized that the morning incident might not have been kept secret. He walked past Lee Soonkye and deliberately bumped into her. Lee Soonkye came to her senses and remained calm.

The female trainee was named Kim Haju, one year older than Lee Soonkye and Moon Jungwoo. After Xu Meina left, she was one of the trainees who had a good relationship with Moon Jungwoo. However, as Lee Soonkye said, Moon Jungwoo didn't dare to act cute after he "woke up." So, they were just good.

Smiling, she asked with a hint of curiosity: "Nuna, do you need something?"

Kim Haju looked at him, shook her head, and suddenly asked Lee Soonkye: "This morning... was it you, Soonkye?"

Lee Soonkye frowned, puzzled: "What? What about this morning?"

Kim Haju laughed lightly: "Don't hide it from me. You didn't go home last night and returned to the dorm after practice. We all saw it. Then you went to Jungwoo's room downstairs and stayed the whole night..."

Kim Haju paused, not finishing her sentence. Instead, she looked at the two of them: "You're really bold, daring to do such things at your age..."

"Mo ya?!"

"What are you saying, Nuna?"

Lee Soonkye and Moon Jungwoo involuntarily widened their eyes, looking at Kim Haju.

Lee Soonkye laughed and stepped forward: "Unni, are you saying we spent the night together? That's a joke, right?"

Moon Jungwoo looked speechless, his expression full of sadness. Kim Haju subconsciously felt she might have overreacted, but touching her clothes, she became more certain.

Taking out a set of keys, Kim Haju handed them to Lee Soonkye: "These are the keys you left on the doorknob of your bedroom. You opened the door and forgot to take them out. They hung there from last night until this morning. I opened the door to return them to you in the middle of the night, but your bed was clean and the sheets neatly folded..."

Kim Haju paused, shook her head, and handed the keys to her: "Really... I won't tell anyone, but you two should be more careful. If the CEO finds out... after all, you're too young."

Moon Jungwoo suddenly spoke: "Nuna, are you misunderstanding something? She went home last night for a sudden reason, so she didn't return to the dorm."

Kim Haju laughed: "Without taking your keys or your coat, what kind of urgent reason could it be?"

Moon Jungwoo looked at Lee Soonkye: "Take Nuna to see the CEO and let him vouch for you. Otherwise, I won't be able to continue training at SW."

Lee Soonkye paused, looked at Moon Jungwoo, and after a moment, took the keys and suddenly grabbed Kim Haju's hand, her face calm: "Let's go, Nuna. I'll take you to see my father. Ask him where I was last night."

Without waiting for Kim Haju's surprise, she dragged her out of the practice room. Watching from behind, Moon Jungwoo couldn't help but put aside his sadness and various complex emotions. The matter was settled. Kim Haju wouldn't really go to the CEO with Lee Soonkye.

However, Moon Jungwoo's last suggestion was accepted by Lee Soonkye without any emotional fluctuation, and she confidently dragged Kim Haju out. Her expression made it seem like Kim Haju was the one who had done something wrong, which again made Moon Jungwoo acknowledge her.

How could Kim Haju dare to go to the CEO? If it were true, it would be a family scandal. What benefit would she get? If it were false, she would be defaming the reputation and integrity of two company trainees. No matter the outcome, Kim Haju wouldn't have a good ending.

And Moon Jungwoo and Lee Soonkye wouldn't let it end so simply. If Lee Soonkye were to do it, she would probably drag Kim Haju to the CEO's office and then give up. This way, Kim Haju would truly believe... that the two of them had no improper relationship, and she had just misjudged.

Crossing his arms and smiling lightly, Moon Jungwoo thought about his plan to practice acting by deceiving people. Based on Lee Soonkye's performance today, it seemed... he could continue. If this level of skill were used on him, it might be really interesting. Moon Jungwoo was looking forward to it.

(Thank you to I Love Kinggao.xi for the support. I will continue to work hard. O(∩_∩)O)

{Piaotian Literature}