“You’re in Gapyeong, right? With Executive Kang?”

[Dash] Yes. We just arrived at the training center. We’ll take a look around and then leave.

“Is Executive Kang not with you right now?”

[Dash] He’s a bit away at the moment.

It sounded like he was intentionally keeping a distance, but she could faintly hear Executive Kang’s grumbling.

“Je Hun told me that the path lined with cherry trees there is really pretty. How is it? Are the flowers blooming?”

[Dash] They bloom a bit late here. Not all of them, but they should be fully bloomed by the time we come.

“I’m curious about the place. Can you send me a photo?”

[Dash] I’ll send you one. I’m standing right there.

Honestly, I’d rather walk there with him than just see a photo.

Se Kyung swallowed the words bubbling up inside her.

“When do you think you’ll be back in Seoul?”

[Dash] Not before midnight at the earliest. Don’t wait up, sleep. I’ll stop by before going to work tomorrow.

“Okay. Drive safely, and see you tomorrow.”

So, I won’t see him today.

Se Kyung hung up, her face filled with disappointment.

Tossing and turning, she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. As the screen filled with a scene full of spring, her phone buzzed briefly.

“Wow.”

Se Kyung exclaimed softly as she looked at the photo Tae Jo sent. The dark street, illuminated by lights, was romantically lined with cherry trees starting to bloom.

Click.

Immediately after the call, Tae Jo took a photo of the path where he was standing and sent it to Se Kyung. Executive Kang, who had been standing at a distance, approached, poking his head in curiously.

“What are you doing?”

Tae Jo had slightly tilted his phone, so Kang couldn’t see whom he was sending the photo to. Kang looked at Tae Jo with suspicion.

“Who is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The person you just talked to.”

Kang pointed with puckered lips at the phone in Tae Jo’s hand.

The way he had excused himself to take the call and his actions afterward were suspicious.

And what about just now? Taking a photo out of the blue and sending it, then subtly hiding the phone screen from view.

It was almost like…

“Are you dating someone?”

“What are you talking about?”

Tae Jo nonchalantly dismissed Kang’s question and put his phone in his jacket pocket.

“Let’s finish up and go. I’m tired.”

“Why don’t we just sleep here? There are spare rooms in this training center.”

The training center in Gapyeong was managed by JK Group.
The training center in Gapyeong was managed by JK Group.

It was used for small-scale workshops and New Year parties, equipped not only with resort-like accommodations but also with facilities like auditoriums and dining halls.

Beside the training center building, further along the inner path lined with cherry trees, there was a two-story building that Tae Jo’s family used as a villa.

“We didn’t come here to sleep, you know?”

“I know, I know. What, have you hidden a pot of honey in Seoul? Last time you just slept over, but today you’re so anxious to get back?”

Not a pot of honey, but a girlfriend, perhaps.

Tae Jo turned away, ignoring Woo Hyun’s grumbling.

“Are you going to check the annex too? Have you decided to stay here during the workshop?”

“Maybe.”

Tae Jo glanced at the path lined with cherry trees, his voice trailing off.

It seemed like Se Kyung also wanted to come here, judging by her request to send a picture.

It wouldn’t be a problem for him to come back after finishing the schedule, but sending her back to Seoul was a concern.

Even if Manager Shin came along, it would be unreasonable to drive after drinking.

“Ah, can Se Kyung come? I heard about the attendance of the other actors, but not about her.”

“We’ll see, depending on the situation. At least it’s not like last year with an all-day shoot.”

“With all the recent troubling events, coming here to get some fresh air and have a drink might not be a bad idea. By the way, speaking of Se Kyung, do you remember Yoo Na, the one you asked me to pay attention to?”

Suddenly remembering, Woo Hyun clapped his hands.

“Yeah. How was she?”

“I watched her on TV, and she wasn’t bad. The producers seem to have a good opinion of her. I remember her from her group activities with Se Kyung – she seemed to be quite a singer.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I think she was the main vocalist of the group. I haven’t heard her personally, but if her skills are still intact, it’d be a shame to let them go unnoticed.”

Tae Jo had suggested keeping an eye on her, but he hadn’t expected Woo Hyun to look into her past activities.

Woo Hyun might seem frivolous at times, but when it came to work, he was as meticulous as Tae Jo.

“Yoo Na came to the company last time to help Se Kyung, remember? I briefly met her then. She made a good first impression.”

“So, are you considering offering her a contract?”

“Well, I’m more than halfway inclined to do so. But before that, I want to talk to Se Kyung. They seem close, so I expect good feedback. But I haven’t had enough face-to-face time with Yoo Na to fully understand her. Se Kyung, who has worked with her for seven years, would know better. These days, with all the controversies about character, we have to be careful when signing contracts.”

Woo Hyun rubbed his tired face. The entertainment industry was unpredictably turbulent.

Sometimes, even those minding their own business could be hit with unexpected stones.

At times like this, the simple life of their colleague, Seok Ju, seemed the most peaceful.

“Seok Ju said he’ll be here in the evening. He found some exceptional traditional liquor while shooting and said he’d bring it over.”

“You’re staying over then?”

“Yeah. I have to try the liquor Seok Ju’s bringing.”

Woo Hyun smirked, licking his lips.

“Joining the employees for drinks without any reservations.”

“Hey, it’s not like we’re setting ourselves up as authority figures or acting like old fogeys.”

“Saying you’re not an old fogey is exactly what an old fogey would say.”

Tae Jo chuckled and walked on. Woo Hyun stuck out his lower lip, grumbling as he followed.

“Ah, to think I’m walking this beautiful path with Jin Tae Jo!”

Woo Hyun’s voice echoed in the tranquil training center. Tae Jo turned back quietly and retorted with a laugh.

“I don’t like it either, you jerk.”