Chapter 71: Lotus

"By the way, Team Leader, why are Baek Sol and Baek No-ya both surnamed Baek? My past life was also as Baek Yu-hyun."

At Han Haeun's words, Yeon Woo smiled.

"Baek No-ya isn't surnamed Baek. It's 'Back.' He's incredibly good at running away, or maybe he always stays behind, so that's why he's called that."

"Ah, I see. Combining English and Chinese characters is quite bizarre."

Han Haeun continued.

"But this time, that 'Back' might become our 'back' support. Baek No-ya said that the debt he owes to the Team Leader can't be repaid with just a story from the past, so he will provide as much information and manpower as possible. He also mentioned that he's already lived enough and if Baek Sol is still alive, he wants to take revenge."

"Baek No-ya is excellent at running away, but he has survived in this world for a long time, so his foundation is quite solid. He will be helpful, but don't trust him too much."

Han Haeun nodded and asked again.

"But what is the favor the Team Leader gave him? Baek No-ya is very devoted to the Team Leader."

"It's nothing much. I saved his granddaughter once."

"…What? How is that nothing much?"

When Yeon Woo was in charge of the domestic department in his past life, Baek No-ya, who was often used as an informant, had his family in danger due to an attack by an opposing organization. At his plea to save his granddaughter, Yeon Woo helped them immigrate to the United States.

At the time, it was only to maintain a good relationship with the informant, but for the one who received the help, it wasn't such a light favor.

"Ah, and about the people the Team Leader mentioned, Byun Hakgyu and An Jun-ho. Plus Ten Entertainment."

At Han Haeun's words, Yeon Woo looked up.

"Right, what did you find out?"

"An Jun-ho's investigation results haven't been officially announced yet, but it seems that a small amount of a drug that is usually mixed with alcohol was detected. He claims that he didn't know and only drank the alcohol he was given."

Yeon Woo nodded as he listened to Han Haeun. He didn't seem like the type to do such a thing, but it was possible he fell into a trap.

"What do you think the punishment will be?"

"Since it's his first offense and the opposing lawyer is experienced, the internal opinion of the prosecution is that it might be a deferred prosecution. Still, as a celebrity, it will be impossible to recover his damaged image."

Yeon Woo nodded at Han Haeun's words. He would need to meet An Jun-ho separately later.

"And about Byun Hakgyu. Recently, Plus Ten has split into several subsidiaries, and these subsidiaries are suspicious. Many recent entertainment industry incidents have originated from these companies."

As Yeon Woo listened silently, thinking about something, Han Haeun added.

"And about the drama you're currently filming, 'Beyond Garam.'"

"Hmm?"

Yeon Woo stopped his thoughts and looked at Han Haeun, surprised by the unexpected word.

"One of Plus Ten's subsidiary actors, Park Kyung-wan, is also in that drama."

"Park Kyung-wan? Hmm."

Park Kyung-wan was the person who subtly provoked him during the action scene shooting last time. He is set to play a significant supporting role in the 12th episode, which starts shooting in a special set. Originally, he was a member of the special effects team but has recently started taking roles with lines in a few productions.

After he provocatively challenged Yeon Woo, Yeon Woo had been cautious, but since there was no further action, he had gradually lost interest.

After reporting all the investigation results and the events with Baek No-ya, Han Haeun left for some business in Incheon, and Yeon Woo returned home to organize his thoughts before falling asleep.

***

The next day, Yeon Woo drove to Daejeon and spent the evening chatting with his mother, who had retired and was at home.

"Hey, big brother is home?"

"Those are Yeon Woo's shoes?"

The front door opened, and the voices of his father and younger sister were heard.

It seemed that his sister's school had ended, and his father had picked her up.

"Welcome back, Father."

"That's what I should say. It's been a while since you came down, our son."

"Big brother! I have a ton of autograph requests. The news spread when you came to pick me up from school last time. You have to do them all."

With all four family members gathered, the house became lively.

"Alright. I'll do a million and leave them."

Yeon Woo ruffled So-hyeon's hair and smiled.

"Everyone, let's eat. The kimchi stew is ready."

"Okay, I'll wash my hands and come."

Father and So-hyeon went to the bathroom to wash their hands, and Yeon Woo sat at the table and laid out the chopsticks.

As an actor, Yeon Woo sometimes wore a tuxedo and attended award ceremonies, which reminded him of the high-end parties he attended as a diplomat in his past life.

However, it was in these ordinary daily moments that Yeon Woo felt he was living a different life from his past.

As he watched his father and sister wash their hands and return to the table, Yeon Woo smiled happily.

"What, big brother, why are you smiling? Did I gain weight?"

"What? You need to eat more."

Looking at the steaming kimchi stew, Yeon Woo made a stronger resolve.

'No matter who they are, I won't let this life be taken away. Never.'

After a joyful meal, the family chatted, and soon it was time for the drama to start.

Ryu So-hyeon sat on the sofa with her smartphone to watch the live chat along with the drama.

Besides the usual green chat window, there were also open chat rooms.

Most of the participants were members of Ryu Yeon-woo or Jin Yu-han's fan clubs, or people who became fans of "Beyond Garam" after watching the first episode yesterday.

- Oh, it's starting!

- Wow, what scene will make my heart race today?

- Excited!

- I can't believe I'm watching KBC 1 channel on time.

So-hyeon watched the live chat until the drama logo appeared, then she looked up from her smartphone and watched the TV with her family.

"Big brother, what's the story today?"

"Really, what's the fun if you know beforehand?"

"Mom, you don't like spoilers? That's what a spoiler is."

So-hyeon's mother chuckled.

"Mom knows that much. I got a fangirling accident from our son."

"Wow, that's a big deal."

Yeon-woo's mother, Lee Sun-ock, spends her days at home watching videos related to her son and checking fan club forums.

In the process, she is gradually learning fan terms and internet culture.

"Stop it, whether it's a traffic accident or a spoiler, focus on the TV. Our son is on."

At his father's words, the family refocused on the TV.

"I have a question for you today. Think deeply and give your answer this afternoon."

The students opened the letter from their teacher, Wang Ham-yun.

- Go out and find out what kind of person you want to be in this world.

Hong Yi-yeon's face brightened as he read the letter and asked his teacher.

"Can we go out today?"

"Yes, go out together, explore, and come back this afternoon with your answers."

Hong Yi-yeon's face brightened, and he jumped up.

He then urged Seo Hee and Yi Jibae, who were sitting next to him.

"Come on! Let's go, gentlemen. I saw willow plum blossoms everywhere on the way here."

Seo Hee and Yi Jibae, who were suddenly pulled up by Hong Yi-yeon, followed him.

Wang Ham-yun watched them leave with a pleased smile.

"How can they be so sincere and pure?"

The scene then showed Hong Yi-yeon leading Seo Hee and Yi Jibae through the market, trying on jewelry, and walking by a tranquil pond.

Seo Hee and Yi Jibae watched Hong Yi-yeon, who was running and laughing in the flower field.

"Tsk tsk. How can he be so reckless? He's been impolite from the first meeting to now."

"Haha. Why does Seo Gongzi dislike Hong Nangja so much?"

"It's not that I dislike her…"

Seo Hee scratched his cheek and evaded the question. Yi Jibae, seeing this, asked again.

"Seo Gongzi, have you thought about what kind of person you want to be?"

"Well, I'm still thinking about it. What about you?"

"I want to be like the flowing river, traveling the vast world endlessly."

"That's a fitting answer for you."

Seo Hee nodded at Yi Jibae's words.

Hong Yi-yeon, who had been admiring the flowers in the field, approached them and asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"We are thinking about the question our teacher gave us. Have you decided what kind of person you want to be, Hong Nangja?"

Seo Hee answered for Yi Jibae.

"Being a calf might be good. You run around so well every day."

"No way!"

Hong Yi-yeon, who had been scowling at Seo Hee, then looked at a woman drawing water by the river in the distance and said.

"I want to be like the river, a precious person who helps everyone."

Yi Jibae's eyes sparkled at her answer, and Seo Hee watched with interest.

"You two gave the same answer, but for different reasons."

The scene then showed Seo Hee, Yi Jibae, and Hong Yi-yeon wandering and enjoying themselves, like a visual photo album.

Among them, scenes showing Yi Jibae's growing affection for Hong Yi-yeon, with his eyes filled with honey, were particularly notable.

Watching Jin Yu-han's performance, So-hyeon was captivated, as if drawn into the screen.

"Wow, what is that gaze? I'm getting excited. Big brother, I have a favor to ask."

"What? What is it?"

"Can you get me Jin Yu-han's autograph?"

Their mother gave So-hyeon a slight glare.

"What? He's handsome. I could become a fan."

"Who said that? I want one too, son."

"Haha. Alright."

So-hyeon, curious about the internet reactions, looked at the chat window, but it was the opposite of what she expected.

- Ah, I'm crazy. I was originally a Jin Yu-han fan, but now I'm also following Ryu Yeon-woo.

└ What do you mean 'following'? I'll report you.

- Is this a drama or a photo album?

- Seo Ji-eun is so lucky.

- Ryu Yeon-woo's looks are insane. Really.

"Hmm? Big brother is more popular on the internet."

"Really?"

So-hyeon's words caught the attention of her father and mother, who moved closer and took her smartphone.

"Hey, why are you doing that? You can see it on the TV."

"We don't know how to navigate it."

"What do you mean? Mom, you always look at fan clubs on the computer all day."

***

At the KBC1 drama department, the head of the department, Hwang Cheol-young, and the director, Lee Sang-hoon, were watching the TV intently.

- So, both of you want to be like the river. What about you, Seo Hee?

- I want to be like a lotus.

- A lotus…? A man wanting to be a flower, what is the reason?

Ryu Yeon-woo, with his handsome features and commanding voice, delivered his lines as if they were stirring the heart.

- The lotus blooms through the mud and lives its entire life in the muck without being tainted by it. I want to be that kind of person.

The scene then briefly showed the faces of Hong Yi-yeon and Yi Jibae before transitioning.

The screen then showed a masked man burning a thatched cottage.

The camera then pulled back to a wide shot, showing the tension-building music and the fires spreading across Kaegyeong.