Chapter 22

After a while, Li Zhong finished the food on his second plate, and Soo-young stood up to say goodbye to Li Zhong. It turned out they had a music show to attend that evening, and the timing was just right so they wouldn't be late.

"Uncle, can you give me your contact information? If anything happens, I can reach you," Soo-young thought it would be better to have a phone number, as it would be boring if she never met such an interesting person again.

"Sure, if you have any questions, you can consult me. After all, I've been in the music industry for a while..." Li Zhong gave his number to Soo-young.

"Hehe, see you later, Uncle." The young girl Soo-young left, and the enchantress Sung Yuri arrived.

"Hey, Uncle, now our big director Li can even attract young girls. What, are we old women not good enough for you?" Sung Yuri sat across from Li Zhong with a glass of red wine.

Li Zhong looked at Sung Yuri, whose face was already flushed. "Xiaoguai, you can't drink, right? How did you end up like this? I need to have a word with Hyo-ri."

Li Zhong wanted to run away as soon as he saw Sung Yuri sitting across from him. After all, the last time he drank too much, he didn't remember what he said to her. If Sung Yuri said anything, it would be very awkward for him.

"What? Don't you like me? Last time you hugged and kissed me, and now you're avoiding me," Sung Yuri's face was truly red, but she still smiled at Li Zhong.

Li Zhong's body stiffened, and he sat down helplessly. "Xiaoguai, I was really drunk last time. If I said anything foolish or did anything to offend you, let's just say no harm done, and you let it go, okay..."

"Hehe, Oppa, it's fine. Nothing happened that night. I just want to know the story behind that name. It might be an interesting story. I'm very interested in hearing it!" Sung Yuri smiled and squinted her eyes, but her face was getting redder.

"Here?" Li Zhong looked around.

"Here." Sung Yuri also looked around.

"Um, if you really want to hear it, let's pick another time and place. It's not appropriate here. And Hyo-ri is calling you," Li Zhong saw that Lee Hyo-ri was already walking over.

"Ah, Hyo-ri?" Sung Yuri turned around and saw Lee Hyo-ri waving to her, signaling her to come over. She nodded at Lee Hyo-ri.

Then she said to Li Zhong, "I'll come find you when I have time. If you don't explain it to me, I'll gather a group of sisters to put you on trial. You'll have to tell me eventually..." She put down her wine glass and walked into the crowd.

Li Zhong let out a long breath, sat there for a while, and then drank the red wine in front of him in one gulp. This kind of occasion really wasn't suitable for him.

Looking at the men and women dancing, the colorful lights, Li Zhong felt a bit nostalgic. He had only rented a conference room at the Shilla Hotel for half a day, which cost 200 million won. This venue was the largest banquet hall at the Shilla Hotel, and the rental and decoration costs were much higher. CJ Group was truly wealthy.

"Maybe I should find a patron," Li Zhong muttered to himself. Then he smiled. If he really wanted to find a patron, why did he put all his assets and even go into debt to make an independent film?

"Hehe, that's enough. I can't stay here any longer. If I stay, something might happen," Li Zhong saw that Lee Jin and Yoo Ju-hyun were free and would probably come looking for him next.

Li Zhong sent a text message to Lee Hyo-ri saying he had something to do and then left.

After eating and drinking red wine, Li Zhong slowly walked down the streets of Seoul. As he walked, he passed a bar street.

Seeing the women dressed in all sorts of colorful, sexy outfits, Li Zhong smiled. This was perhaps the life of Seoul. In the past, he had been too focused on filming and had neglected many things. Now, thinking about it, maybe her leaving him was the right thing, because even if they were together, he wouldn't know how to face her.

From a young age, Li Zhong was a proud person, self-centered. Although his father was unreliable, his mother was a university professor, and Li Zhong himself was very talented. From the start of his schooling, he was a top student, admired by everyone. He also had a beautiful childhood friend by his side, making him the envy of others from a young age.

Especially after returning from abroad, he was seen as a typical eligible bachelor in the music industry. Unfortunately, Li Zhong focused on filming and work. Even though he had worked with many beautiful idols, no scandals ever emerged. This was incomprehensible to others. But those who knew Li Zhong knew that he never brought work into his personal life. His life was separate from the entertainment industry, and no one knew about his family or his lover...

So when Li Zhong went to serve in the military, many people were surprised. Especially his relatives and friends, because Li Zhong had already received a graduate school acceptance letter from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and it was from his most admired mentor. But he gave it up to serve in the military. This made many people curious about why Li Zhong gave up such a bright future.

"Everyone has their little secrets, don't they?" Li Zhong laughed at himself.

At this moment, a commotion came from the subway entrance ahead. Li Zhong swayed over and saw a group of 16-17-year-old high school girls surrounding another girl of the same age. The girl was covered in milk, juice, and ice cream, trembling and frozen in fear. The crowd was watching, but no one stepped in to help.

At this moment, Li Zhong heard the high school girls shouting, "You little fox, we'll teach you for seducing the Super Junior brothers, and for spreading rumors with them. Look at yourself..."

Li Zhong couldn't stand it anymore, and he had also had some wine.

"Enough!" Li Zhong shouted, pushing through the crowd, taking off his suit jacket, and draping it over the girl. He protected her behind him and turned to the high school girls. "Enough! You're criticizing others, but is it right to humiliate someone in the street? You call her a fox, but she's the same age as you."

Seeing the girls stunned by his words, Li Zhong knew they couldn't stay there long. He quickly helped the girl out of the crowd and into a taxi.

"Where do you live? I'll take you home..." Li Zhong said with a look of pity.

The girl, covered in stains, clung tightly to Li Zhong's suit, her head lowered, still trembling.

Li Zhong looked at the girl and comforted her, "It's over now, everything is fine. Where do you live?"

"I, I don't want to go home. Can you take me to a hotel..." the girl sobbed softly.

Li Zhong thought about it and agreed. If the girl went home in this state, it probably wouldn't be good for her either.

Li Zhong asked the driver to find the nearest hotel. After getting out of the car, he took the girl upstairs, opened the room, and told her to take a shower. He washed her T-shirt and shorts and went downstairs to buy a dress at the hotel's shopping area...

After the shower, the girl saw Li Zhong still sitting in the living room, and she let out a long breath, but she was also a bit nervous. Li Zhong saw the girl come out in a bathrobe.

What a beautiful girl, he hadn't noticed before. Perfect, delicate features, milky white skin, long legs, and a height of about 160 cm, just right. Li Zhong couldn't help but admire her.

The girl looked at Li Zhong, blushed, and said softly, "Thank you." Then she looked a bit sad.

Li Zhong collected himself and handed the dress on the sofa to the girl. "I bought a dress for you. Put it on, and the hotel will send your clothes back after they're washed."

The girl looked up at Li Zhong's eyes. Although he had been drinking, his eyes were clear and full of concern, with no other intentions. She took the dress and went to the bedroom to change. When she came out, she also sat on the sofa.

"Can you tell me what happened?"