Chapter 75

Xiaoming no longer cared about the online commotion in South Korea, as he had already boarded a flight to the United States. The scheduled开机仪式 for "Juno" was on Monday, so Xiaoming arrived in the U.S. on Sunday. Although he was just a nominal producer for now, it would be hard to justify not showing up. After meeting the crew and having a meal together, his identity as a "behind-the-scenes worker" would be more legitimate.

Xiaoming's family knew he was going to the U.S. After Jin Runshu called her mother, Xiaoming was blessed with six private jets from the family "happening" to be flying to the U.S., asking which one he wanted to take. Xiaoming firmly declined, joking that he was now a public figure, and if he were spotted by netizens, it would be a big deal. He had already gained a preliminary understanding of the power of netizens and did not dare to be careless.

In the end, Xiaoming was forced to sit in first class. However, as soon as he sat down, he began to mutter prayers to the gods and spirits, seeking safety. Xiaoming rarely sat in first class, only doing so when traveling with Jin Runshu. Believing the tail of the plane was safer than the front, he now felt very insecure. After finishing his prayers, he still felt uneasy and had no choice but to use his ultimate weapon: "Nuna, a glass of ice water!"

First-class always has flight attendants on standby, so any request is quickly responded to. Not long after Xiaoming called, a glass of ice water was brought to him. He took the water and gave a charming smile, which, combined with his handsome face, instantly charmed the flight attendant. However, she fled in shock at Xiaoming's surprised gaze. Xiaoming didn't hear her mutter, "That kid is underage, that kid is underage, that kid is underage..."

After drinking the ice water, Xiaoming felt much better and was about to take out a book to read when someone took the seat next to him. He was sitting in the middle of the first-class section, separated by a partition, but he could still clearly see his neighbor. It was a woman of extraordinary beauty, lacking the innocence of a young girl but exuding the allure of a mature woman. Even with a veiled lady's hat, her charm could not be concealed. Xiaoming recognized her; she was the one he often referred to as "Seoul's paper shortage," someone who could drive up the price of tissues in Seoul and even all of South Korea: Kim Tae-hee.

"Oh, wow, it's an artist!" Xiaoming said playfully, though he wasn't very familiar with Kim Tae-hee, they had met a few times. "Famous stars are different, even flying first class."

Kim Tae-hee was attending a business event in Los Angeles and had to be there by tonight. She usually flew first class to avoid excessive attention. Not only was she a top actress, but she was also the daughter of a company president, so no one would criticize her for flying first class. However, in the past, when recognized in first class, people would say things like, "I know your father," or rich kids would try to get close. This was the first time she encountered such a reaction, which reminded her of the scene of aunties on the street watching a shoot.

Kim Tae-hee turned and immediately recognized Xiaoming. Not only had he recently gained popularity after his debut, but he was also well-known in the upper circles for his notorious reputation. Unlike Yoon Ji-sun, she had few opportunities to visit the Li family, but her father had pointed out Xiaoming at a few parties and told her some stories about the eldest grandson of the Li family. They had greeted each other before, but only with a nod. Recently, Xiaoming had become very popular, especially with the online buzz about "Xiaoming and the women of CCM Company." While the public didn't know much about Xiaoming, people in the industry knew he was from a prominent family. The introverted Kim Tae-hee had even laughed at home, thinking that even if Xiaoming wanted to misbehave, the elders wouldn't allow it.

Xiaoming's joke had an effect, making him seem less distant. Since they had met a few times, she also joked, "I'm the one who's really surprised. Prince Li, you're flying commercial like us commoners. Are you trying to understand the common people?"

"Ah, Nuna, I'm just a regular person. But you, even if you cover your whole head, you can't hide your beautiful face. Wearing that hat is just unnecessary," Xiaoming said, changing the subject from his royal status to her appearance.

Seeing that Xiaoming didn't want to discuss the previous topic, Kim Tae-hee tactfully avoided it and explained her attire, "I'm just worried about getting sunburned."

"Wow, I didn't know flying had such benefits. If I knew I'd meet a beauty like you, I would have flown more often," Xiaoming said, flattery being the best policy. He planned to ask this Nuna for more support in the future. It was best to resolve industry matters within the industry, and relying too much on external help could give the impression that "Li is just so-so." Therefore, he was also actively building connections in the entertainment industry.

"I rarely go out, and I fly even less. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Kim Tae-hee replied with a smile.

Xiaoming waved his hand, "No problem. If I can't see you, there's still Song Hye-kyo Nuna, Jun Ji-hyun Nuna, Ha Ji-won Nuna..."

The women Xiaoming mentioned were Kim Tae-hee's main competitors. Kim Tae-hee felt helpless; while she was a big star with high popularity, she often faced awkward situations in films. She didn't mind Song Hye-kyo, but the latter two were representative of successful film actresses, and the gap between films and TV dramas put her at a disadvantage. "You mentioned all Nunas. Perhaps our Li has a special interest in older women? I'll make sure to tell the sisters."

"Nuna, don't joke. This is a matter of my lifelong happiness, so don't say it lightly," Xiaoming quickly pleaded. If such news spread, he wouldn't pass the Jin Runshu test.

"Didn't you start the joke? Now it's my fault," Kim Tae-hee found Xiaoming's childlike expression amusing. "You used to be so aloof, just nodding and leaving. Now that you're in the entertainment industry, you know how to please your seniors?"

"That's not aloofness. I was afraid of you and avoided you. After watching 'Heaven's Stairway,' I thought you were a bad woman," Xiaoming said with a misunderstood expression.

"Hey, I'm a bad woman?" Kim Tae-hee's eyes widened even more.

"How can you say that to a senior?" Xiaoming pretended to be scared.

Kim Tae-hee was speechless, "You're my senior? How so?"

"In 2004, you were a third-year student at Harvard, and I was already a fourth-year student," Xiaoming said confidently. "Aren't seniors from the same school still seniors?"

"You can even come up with that?" Kim Tae-hee was impressed. To gain an advantage, Xiaoming's ability to make up stories was astounding. During the filming of "Love in Harvard," Kim Tae-hee played a third-year student at Harvard, and Xiaoming was a fourth-year student that year, but it was all acting. She had wanted to study at Harvard.

"Just a joke. Even if you recognized me as a senior, I wouldn't accept it. I still hope you'll treat me to a meal," Xiaoming said, not daring to really call Kim Tae-hee a junior.

After mastering the art of self-deprecation, Xiaoming was quite adept at dealing with women. While women's thoughts are hard to understand, men just need to know how to please them. Now, Kim Tae-hee felt like she was on cloud nine. Who wouldn't like someone who is lively, handsome, and can tell jokes to liven up the atmosphere? In just a short time, Xiaoming had shifted from "the Li family's eldest grandson" to "a close younger brother" in her mind.

With a loud roar, the plane started. The first-class seats were slightly farther from the engines, but the thought of being in a metal can for over ten hours already made Xiaoming's back ache. As the plane ascended to 30,000 feet, the journey wasn't too lonely as Xiaoming and Kim Tae-hee chatted, but Xiaoming's mind gradually shifted to the situation in the U.S., and he spoke less.

The wide first-class seats could be adjusted, but lying down made Xiaoming even more uncomfortable. He had a habit of sleeping in a specific bed. Xiaoming, who usually practiced Tai Chi on the rooftop terrace every morning, couldn't do it now. No matter how thick-skinned he was, practicing Tai Chi in the airplane cabin would be too strange and risk being watched.

Finally, they arrived at Los Angeles International Airport. Xiaoming thanked the gods and spirits he had prayed to and got off the plane. A luxurious MM car was waiting below. The MM car, with its logo of two M's, one high and one low, was actually a Maybach. Xiaoming had asked Ahn Han-jeon to pick him up and make a grand entrance, but he didn't expect him to rent such a car. Xiaoming wanted to show the people from Kwangguok Film Company and the "Juno" crew that their boss was wealthy, to boost their confidence and let them shoot freely. Americans were known for their snobbery, and without a grand entrance, they wouldn't take him seriously.

"Big sister Tae-hee, if it's convenient, come with me. I have a car, and I'll have my assistant inform the people picking you up," Xiaoming said, having become quite close to Kim Tae-hee after over an hour of effort.

"How can I trouble you, and wouldn't that be too showy?" Kim Tae-hee, though from a wealthy family, had never ridden in a Maybach. It wasn't that her family couldn't afford it, but traditional Korean values differed from those in the U.S. Her father would invest his wealth in his business, and he rarely made a grand entrance outside special occasions. Koreans were known for their resentment of the rich.

"It's fine. You're my Nuna, and everyone knows your family's situation, so there's no need to worry." In the U.S., almost no one recognized Xiaoming, and South Korea had no professional paparazzi, so he felt quite "safe" here.

Unable to refuse his sincere invitation, Kim Tae-hee called the event organizers to have the pick-up person return and informed them that she had arrived. Due to the time difference, she had a whole day to prepare for the event, so Xiaoming invited her to explore Los Angeles with him.

Although they decided to sightsee, they first had to check into their hotel. When they arrived, Kim Tae-hee smiled, realizing that Xiaoming had real ambitions in Hollywood.

Ps: There are many family matters during the New Year, but I managed to finish before midnight.

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