Chapter 72

Chapter 2 is here, and now there are 999 favorites!!!! I need that +1!!!!!

Main text:

Li Chong carefully held the Swarovski gift box as he left Lotte Department Store, muttering, "Damn, this thing is really expensive." Li Chong felt a bit heartache; the copy of *The Chaser* only sold for 2 million won, but this thing, which wasn't even as big as a copy, cost seven times that. This is what luxury really is.

Li Chong went home and changed into a suit, then casually went to a hair salon to tidy up his hair. He had already spent so much today, and Li Chong didn't want to spend another 1 million won at that fancy hair salon. He decided to save where he could.

Cheng Youli's birthday party was held in the restaurant on the third floor of Lotte Hotel. Originally, Cheng Youli planned to have a private party at home, but after the CEO of SidusHQ, Che Seung-jae, found out, he decided to throw a grand birthday party for her.

There were many reasons for this, but the main ones were two. First, Cheng Youli's contract was expiring this year, and Che Seung-jae wanted to renew it. Second, the wine party hosted by CJ Media last year had really annoyed him. "I run such a large film and entertainment company, and you, from the music industry, start showing off. Sure, you're under the CJ Group, but in this industry, I'm not afraid of you. I need to show you my strength."

By the time Li Chong arrived at Lotte Hotel, it was already 7 PM. Fortunately, the party started at 7:30 PM. Li Chong entered very low-key through the side door. The main entrance was surrounded by a group of fans waiting for their idols to arrive, especially since SidusHQ was a specialized film and TV agency, attracting a large number of movie fans.

"Excuse me, sir, who are you looking for? We can inform them for you." Li Chong was stopped by the security personnel at the door.

Li Chong was wearing a gray suit and holding a Swarovski box, looking just like a delivery person from the mall.

"I'm here for the party. My invitation is in my pocket. You can take it out yourself." Li Chong moved his left side to let the security guard take it.

The security guard was stunned. They wouldn't touch a guest's belongings without a reason, especially not in public, even if the person was a delivery person.

"Ah, Uncle Li, what's wrong?" A very familiar voice came from behind.

"Taeyeon, can you help me get the invitation out of my pocket? I'm holding something." Li Chong said to Kim Taeyeon, who had walked up to him.

"Sure, Uncle, you even brought a gift!" Kim Taeyeon handed the invitation to the security guard and looked at the box in Li Chong's hand, which was clearly a Swarovski package.

Actually, Li Chong had a bit of a show-off mentality. "Damn, I spent so much on this, I should at least show it off a bit and feel good about it." He didn't realize that this show-off would make him spend a lot of money on gifts every year from then on.

"I have a good relationship with Cheng Youli, so I had to bring a gift. Why are you here?" Li Chong and Kim Taeyeon walked into the hall together.

"I told you before that I sang an OST, the theme song for *Fast and Furious Hong Gildong*, 'If'." Kim Taeyeon explained.

"Oh, that OST you mentioned was for their drama?" Li Chong was a bit surprised. The world is really small.

"Yes, that drama. It seems Uncle Li doesn't care about me at all!" Kim Taeyeon, seeing Li Chong's expression, was sure he didn't know she had sung the now-popular OST.

"Cough, cough, well, I've been really busy lately. To be honest, don't tell anyone, but I haven't even watched a single episode of Cheng Youli's *Fast and Furious Hong Gildong*." Li Chong quickly came up with an excuse to cover himself.

At this moment, some people in the hall recognized Li Chong. After all, he was now a hot director. A movie with a 19+ age restriction had become a dark horse with 2.5 million viewers, and the box office was still increasing. It was rare that everyone recognized the acting of the two male leads, so it was likely that several major film awards would come from this movie this year.

Most of the people at the party were actors. When they discovered such a rare species as Li Chong, they wouldn't let him go. Before Li Chong and Kim Taeyeon could finish talking, Li Chong was surrounded by a group of unknown actors. Some threw flirtatious glances, some handed him business cards, and some deliberately leaned against him, making Li Chong feel a series of soft sensations on his body.

"Hey, what are you all doing?" A loud voice stopped the crowd from surrounding Li Chong. By this time, Li Chong's pockets were full of business cards. Everyone looked to see who it was, and when they saw it was Jun Ji-hyun, they all fell silent and respectfully bowed to her before dispersing.

There were two people at SidusHQ who couldn't be provoked: one was Che Seung-jae, and the other was Jun Ji-hyun. Che Seung-jae was the CEO, and Jun Ji-hyun was a national idol and a cash cow for Che Seung-jae, earning a lot of money for SidusHQ over the years, which was why the company had developed so quickly.

"Director Li, are you okay?" Jun Ji-hyun was wearing a red evening gown with a low-cut design that revealed her chest, her fair skin, delicate collarbone, and angelic face. Even Li Chong had to admit she was a stunning beauty.

"I'm fine, just holding something. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so close to me! Thank you, Jun Ji-hyun xi." Li Chong composed himself, trying not to stare, but he couldn't help glancing at Jun Ji-hyun's chest.

Jun Ji-hyun, as if she hadn't noticed Li Chong's gaze, said, "Hehe, you brought a gift for Youli. No wonder she's been talking about wanting to see what you brought. Swarovski? Crystal?"

"Yes, just a small trinket. You'll see it soon." Li Chong found a place to sit and quickly ate some pastries. He had planned to stay up all night with Zhang Xun to finish the script, so he had been busy all day and hadn't eaten lunch. He had intended to eat after finishing, but he was reminded to attend Cheng Youli's party in the afternoon, and he hadn't eaten for nearly a day.

"Hey, Jun Ji-hyun xi, don't you have anything to do? Why are you sitting here?" Li Chong, though grateful for her help, wasn't very familiar with her. Now, with Jun Ji-hyun sitting next to him, holding a glass of wine and watching him eat, he felt a lot of pressure. All the men in the hall were staring at him, making him feel uncomfortable while eating.

"Oh, nothing, I was just tired from socializing and wanted to rest a bit." Jun Ji-hyun said elegantly.

Li Chong's mouth twitched. What was going on? Was she trying to push him into a difficult situation?

"Um... Jun Ji-hyun xi, I have an acquaintance over there. I'll go say hello." Li Chong ate a few pastries and, seeing that his stomach wasn't growling as much, quickly left Jun Ji-hyun's side.

Watching Li Chong flee, "Hehe, what an interesting person, but can he really help me?"

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