Chapter 38

Lunch was a lively affair, and everyone at the table expressed their willingness to work with Li Jingming again if the opportunity arose. Li Jingming was very satisfied; wasn't reputation built through word of mouth? Li Zhiyan had to return to the company for practice in the afternoon, so she was sent back by Jin C, who accompanied her in his nanny car.

Li Jingming's car was still at the company, and Song Shikjae had sent someone to pick him up. Song Shikjae didn't have a Korean driver's license and was busy handling the release of Li Jingming's single album, so he couldn't come to pick him up himself.

Looking at the assistant driving in front, Jessica curiously asked Li Jingming, "Is the CEO of your agency your father? Why is he so good to you, sending a luxury car to pick you up?" This car wasn't the Aston Martin that Li Jingming usually drove, but an Audi A8 that he had provided for Song Shikjae. Li Jingming really liked the design of the Aston Martin, and even though its performance might not be as good as cars in a different price range, the design alone made him willing to pay. However, such a car was too conspicuous in Korea. The Audi A8 was considered the CEO's car for LAD, and the personnel configuration could only be gradually built up, but with Li Jingming's financial support, everything was possible.

"The CEO is my friend, and he's also from the U.S. I'll introduce you to him when I have the chance," Li Jingming said without elaborating.

"Are you going to debut as an actor in the future with your excellent acting skills?" Jessica changed the topic without pressing further about the company.

Li Jingming shook his head, "Not for now."

"Why not? Your acting is really good, and you look very handsome. Wouldn't it be great to be an actor directly?" In Jessica's mind, every Korean artist wanted to be an actor.

"Because what I want, I can't get as an actor," Li Jingming replied.

Jessica didn't ask what Li Jingming was pursuing. She didn't even know what she was pursuing herself. After seven years of training, she was about to debut, but she didn't feel the satisfaction and excitement she had imagined. She was feeling lost and empty, and wanted to confide in someone, which is why she was "taken advantage of" by Li Jingming.

The car stopped near S.M. Entertainment, but Li Jingming didn't let the assistant drive closer to the plain four-story building. He was afraid that Jessica might be seen and cause trouble. Although Jessica had a legitimate reason for being with him to shoot the MV, it was better to avoid unnecessary issues. Recently, TVXQ had returned to Korea, and a bunch of young girls were crowding outside S.M.

Jessica opened the car door and walked out, waving to Li Jingming. Over the past two days, she had experienced some strange and unexpected events, but she also felt inexplicably relaxed. Jessica hadn't taken two steps when Li Jingming opened the door and caught up with her. Jessica was wearing a new outfit, and her original clothes were still in a bag on Li Jingming's car. She had forgotten to take them.

Li Jingming handed her the bag and lightly tapped her head, "Are you so quick to forget the old for the new? Are you going to leave your old clothes with me to keep as a souvenir?" The bag contained not only Jessica's outer clothes but also her underwear.

"Hmph!" Jessica huffed, her forgetfulness wasn't a new thing, and she couldn't help it. She felt a bit embarrassed about almost leaving her undergarments in someone else's car. The wind blew, lifting a strand of Jessica's hair. Li Jingming naturally brushed it back into place. Jessica didn't dodge but raised her face slightly to make it easier for Li Jingming. They looked into each other's eyes, and both felt comfortable with the gesture. At this moment, at 2:02 PM on a warm early summer afternoon, a beam of light tore through the clouds over Seoul, casting a warm glow on the two of them.

A little girl with puffed cheeks in a nearby snack shop was chewing her food, watching the two through the glass. She didn't even notice the rice grains falling onto the table.

Jessica, with her mind full of thoughts, walked into the company, responding absentmindedly to the greetings of the other trainees. She had been at S.M. for seven years and was the undisputed senior among the trainees. Artists rarely came to the company unless they had new projects, so Jessica was like a big sister figure.

When she returned to their practice room, she could hear the noise from outside. Sometimes Jessica wondered how her sisters could always maintain such high energy. She was always exhausted, but these guys never stopped. Especially Yoo Ri and Yoon Ah, who were like boys.

"I'm here," Jessica said as she entered, and everyone turned to look at her.

"Wow! Sica, you, you..." Tiffany stuttered when she was surprised or anxious.

"What's wrong, Pani?" Jessica went over and pinched Tiffany's face.

"How did you suddenly become so beautiful?" Yoo Ri asked curiously, determined to learn this skill.

"Yoon Ah, that's cheating. Just buying new clothes is one thing, but how can a person become so beautiful?" Yoon Ah pouted and acted cute.

"Sica, are you trying to steal Yoon Ah's looks because you can't be the lead vocalist?" Hyo Yeon, who was closest to Jessica, realized she had said something wrong and everyone fell silent. Yoo Ri nudged Hyo Yeon from behind.

Jessica, however, didn't react as everyone expected. Instead, she asked casually, "By the way, where's that short one?" The "short one" referred to Taeyeon.

Seeing that Jessica wasn't upset, the atmosphere relaxed. "That girl is a mystic, who knows?" said the tallest, Soo Young, who was chosen as the leader but rarely seen. Jessica, who had been managing the group for years, didn't feel particularly dissatisfied, but she did have some minor complaints.

"At least she's your senior. Don't call her 'that girl' anymore, okay?" Jessica started to lecture Soo Young. After listening to Li Jingming, her mindset had changed significantly, which seemed even more magical to others. Everyone was surprised by this sudden change, and Tiffany, sitting in the corner, looked worried.

Yesterday, Tiffany found Jessica's phone call strange and called Krystal. The little girl said Jessica hadn't gone anywhere and had been at home, which contradicted what Jessica had said on the phone. She planned to ask Jessica about it when they had a chance to talk alone.

The topic shifted to beauty and fashion, and Jessica shared some tips she had learned from Choi Hyun Jin that morning. The girls were amazed, having no idea Jessica had such skills.

As the group of teenage girls chatted enthusiastically and the topic drifted further, a small head peeked in from the door. "Unnie, you're here. Come out, I have something to tell you." It was Krystal.

Krystal had been having lunch at a nearby snack shop, sitting by the window, and witnessed the "loving" scene. Although Jessica's makeup was a bit different, Krystal, her sister, could recognize her no matter what.

When Tiffany called yesterday, Krystal guessed that Jessica might have skipped out to play. Although Jessica had never stayed out overnight before, Krystal was worried but didn't betray her sister out of loyalty. The scene at lunch, however, changed her perception. The imported business car was usually driven by CEOs or presidents, and Krystal, with her vivid imagination, immediately thought Jessica might have been taken in by a wealthy young businessman. Various exaggerated and dramatic scenarios flashed through her mind, and she rushed to the company before finishing her meal.

"Unnie, where did you go last night?" They were in a corner of the stairs where no one could hear them.

"Dormitory," Jessica said without hesitation.

"Give you another chance, with a hint," Krystal said smugly, "Pani Unnie called me yesterday."

"I was out playing, don't tell Mom!" Jessica confessed when she saw no way out.

"Playing? I don't believe it," Krystal sneered, "Just playing with such a handsome guy?"

"What did you see?" Jessica looked at her sister seriously, unsure where Krystal had seen her and what she had seen.

Krystal crossed her arms, "Are you being kept by someone?"

"Hey! Jung Soo Kyung, what are you saying? How can you talk about your own sister like that?" Jessica was furious.

"I saw it all. That guy drove a luxury car and dropped you off, and you were all lovey-dovey on the street," Krystal said defiantly.

"That's just a friend, and he dropped me off because we shot an MV together," Jessica explained patiently.

"There's definitely something fishy. If it was a legitimate relationship, why park so far away? Anything that needs to be hidden is no good," Krystal said confidently, "You wouldn't have sold yourself for an MV, would you?"

"Sold myself? Hey! Jung Soo Kyung!" Jessica felt a headache coming on and lunged at Krystal.

"Murder! Help! Senior Jessica is going to hit me!" Krystal screamed before Jessica could even touch her.

"Stop screaming, what do you want?" Jessica realized the little girl was trying to extort something from her.

"Hehe," Krystal's face changed, "Sister, take me out for beef."

"Hey! Don't be so greedy," Jessica said angrily, "You're trying to extort beef from me without knowing anything."

"Tsk tsk, sister, you're all dressed in luxury brands, that must cost a lot," Krystal looked her up and down, "Your boyfriend must be rich. You look much prettier, by the way." Krystal took out her phone and took a photo of Jessica, who even posed for the camera.

"If I tell Mom that you're being kept by a rich man, she'll believe it," Krystal waved her phone triumphantly. The "monthly allowance" for both sisters was given by their mother, and Jessica knew her mother would know exactly how much she had. Even if there was nothing, the fact that she had things from someone else would make her mother nag.

"All this was bought with the money from the MV," Jessica said firmly.

"Then I'll really tell Mom," Krystal said, testing her.

Jessica finally gave in. She couldn't resist her beloved little sister. Since she didn't need to buy clothes or shoes next month, she could save the money to take the little girl out for beef. But why did this 14-year-old have so many thoughts? She hesitated and said, "Just one meal, but if you use this to threaten me again, I'll really deal with you!"

"Yay, sister is the best." Krystal hugged her sister's waist, knowing that her sister wouldn't really punish her, "But your boyfriend is pretty handsome, I saw him."

"That's not my boyfriend, just a friend," Jessica said, blushing slightly.

"Not now, but maybe in the future," Krystal said, knowing her sister's shy nature. The blush on her cheeks and her actions on the street suggested that they had mutual feelings and were in the early stages of a relationship. But she knew all of Jessica