chapter 15

Chapter 15. Yeonha University (1)

"What's with that expression?" Jin-wook asked Yeon-woo, who was lost in thought. He must have unconsciously made a sad face.

"It's nothing. Here's your watch." Yeon-woo smiled and returned the NIS watch to Jin-wook.

"Want me to give you one as a gift?"

Yeon-woo smiled. "I don't really wear watches. I get a rash on my wrist."

"That's because you're wearing cheap metal. Haha, such a grandpa, despite your looks."

"Is that so?" While he didn't regret his past, dedicated to national security, Ryu Yeon-woo was determined to live a different life now.

While Ryu Yeon-woo was looking at the watch at Son Jin-wook's home…

*****

The Western District Prosecutor's Office Chief entered Han Hae-woon's office.

"Prosecutor Han. At ease."

The investigators, startled by the Chief's unexpected visit, scrambled to their feet. The Western District Prosecutor's Office Chief was a high-ranking official, a third-term chief prosecutor.

"Chief, why did you come in person? You could have just called…" Han Hae-woon also stood up to greet him.

"Haha, I should visit our hard-working Prosecutor Han, shouldn't I?" The Chief approached Hae-woon and placed a hand on his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"I heard you've been investigating someone named 'Jeon Su-hwan.' What's that about?"

"Sir? How did you…?" Hae-woon was surprised that the Chief knew about his personal investigation. It wasn't an official investigation, just something he was looking into on his own.

"I made some inquiries, and it turns out that man is already deceased. I don't know the details of the case, but since he's dead, there's no case to prosecute. So, let's just drop it, shall we? You understand what I'm saying?" The Chief patted Hae-woon's shoulder and left.

"The Chief came down personally? Just who is this Jeon Su-hwan…?" The order must have come from very high up, so high that it was impossible to trace its origin.

****

"Dude, I'm only going because you asked, but do we have to go tomorrow?" Sung-sik grumbled.

Joon-soo looked at him. "Are you seriously complaining about it being Christmas Eve?"

"Hey, even single people can enjoy Christmas Eve."

Joon-soo glared at Sung-sik. "Don't give me that. You already got the limited-edition item. Give it back if you're going to complain."

"I'm just saying… Fine, I'll go."

"Why are we going on a college tour on Christmas Eve?" Sung-sik muttered.

Joon-soo replied, "Do you or I have anyone to meet on Christmas anyway? The tour was only available on Sunday, and it just happened to be Christmas Eve."

Joon-soo had always wanted to visit Yeonha University in Seoul but had consistently failed to secure a spot due to the high demand. The tour, only available on Sundays, happened to coincide with Christmas Eve, and there were open slots.

He had quickly signed up, but he felt a bit lonely and apprehensive about going alone, so he had dragged Sung-sik along.

"Hey, they're giving out a blanket and a pen with the Yeonha University logo!"

"So? You get into college based on your grades, not blankets." Sung-sik shook his head.

"No, seriously, my sister's friend got those, and their grades shot up, and she got into Yeonha University."

"Ugh, you and your unscientific shamanistic beliefs. Fine. We should get some sleep if we're leaving tomorrow. I'm going home."

"Hey, meet me in front of the supermarket at 9 am tomorrow. Got it?" Sung-sik and Joon-soo waved goodbye and parted ways at the apartment entrance.

Yeon-woo and Jin-wook had become much closer after spending the night chatting and discussing acting.

"Good morning, hyung. Hi, Yeon-woo."

"Hi, Sang-woo hyung." As they got into the car, Jin-wook suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Yeon-woo, did you tell your manager?"

"Yes, he said it's fine as long as I get a receipt from any salon and submit it for reimbursement."

"Your agency is pretty relaxed. LN Entertainment. They seem to prioritize their actors' convenience and aren't too strict. Senior Jae-hyuk is also with them, right?"

Sang-woo, who was driving, replied, "Hyung, they have strong backing. It's a popular agency among managers."

Jin-wook paused in thought. "Hmm, is that so? My contract is almost up for renewal, and I received an offer from LN too. Sang-woo, are you interested?"

"Are you taking me with you?"

"Of course! We've been together for five years. We have to stick together."

Sang-woo's eyes welled up at Jin-wook's words.

"Hey, hey, eyes on the road. The light's green."

"Hyung, I love you!"

"Ah, that's a bit much. I might change my mind now." Jin-wook joked, feeling embarrassed.

"LN Entertainment has been very accommodating, and they said they already discussed it with my father before we started filming the drama." Yeon-woo had also decided to sign with LN Entertainment, following Jung Chul-min's advice, as long as there were no major issues with the contract.

"Then we might be labelmates, Yeon-woo."

"I'd like that."

"Wow, all the men in this car are so fond of me."

Hahaha 

They arrived at the salon, chatting and laughing.

"Filming starts after lunch, so we have some time. Should I get us something to eat?" Sang-woo asked Jin-wook as he got out of the car.

"No, it's okay. Yeon-woo and I had a light breakfast before leaving."

"Alright."

Jin-wook entered the salon, followed by Yeon-woo.

"Oh, you're here, Jin-wook. It's cold, isn't it?"

"Not really, I came straight from the car."

Jung Ha-neul, the salon owner and one of the top three makeup artists in the industry, greeted Jin-wook.

"I'd like you to take care of this friend today as well, Ha-neul." Jin-wook gestured towards Yeon-woo.

"Welcome. I received the concept from the on-set team this morning. You're even more handsome in person."

"Hello, I'm Ryu Yeon-woo," Yeon-woo greeted her with a smile.

"Hello, Yeon-woo. You have a face I just want to… work on. Don't misunderstand, I'm talking about makeup, ho ho ho."

The staff guided them inside, and Jung Ha-neul's team meticulously worked on their makeup and hair.

"Do you two have filming tomorrow as well?" Ha-neul asked as she expertly applied makeup.

"Just a morning shoot tomorrow, right, Yeon-woo?"

"Yes, and the day after that is an afternoon shoot, so I'm planning to go home after we wrap up tomorrow."

Ha-neul smiled. "Going home to spend Christmas with your family?"

Yeon-woo and Jin-wook looked at each other.

"Oh, is it Christmas tomorrow?"

"I didn't realize either."

"People in this industry are always so busy they lose track of dates. Well, I have to work too," Ha-neul said, shaking her head.

"Oh, right. Yeon-woo, do you want to stay at my place again tonight?"

"Sure, if it's okay."

"We have to watch Yeo-reum at the awards ceremony. Let's watch it together."

Yeon-woo clapped his hands. "Oh, right, it's tonight!"

"Yeah, and they'll probably prioritize So-hyun's scenes for the outdoor shoot tomorrow because of it."

"Sounds good. It'll be fun watching together."

Jin-wook typed on his phone. "I should ask Joon-ho what he's doing tonight. Three guys hanging out on Christmas Eve."

"Doesn't Joon-ho hyung have a girlfriend?"

"Nope. As far as I know, everyone in our cast is single."

Jung Ha-neul chuckled. "Ho ho, isn't that a bit of a problem?"

"You're telling me."

After their makeup was done, Jin-wook and Yeon-woo headed to Yeonha University for the outdoor shoot.

"Dude, this campus is really beautiful."

"I told you. This university has the most beautiful campus in Korea."

"Oh, and the girls are pretty too. Look over there." Sung-sik and Joon-soo followed the tour guide around the campus.

"Ha… now that I'm here, I really want to attend this university. Maybe your sister's friend was just motivated by the visit and went back to studying."

"Maybe. But that's a good thing, right? We're seniors now; we should focus on studying."

Despite their seemingly carefree attitudes and love for gaming, Joon-soo and Sung-sik had decent grades. They could aim for mid-tier universities in Seoul through early admissions.

"I'll see how I do on the June mock exams. If I have a chance, I'll skip early admissions and aim for regular admissions at Yeonha University."

"Dude, be honest. You want to go to Yeonha University because of Hong Yu-ri, right?" Sung-sik nudged Joon-soo.

Joon-soo rolled his eyes. "I don't know. Why are you asking when you already know the answer? Let's listen to the tour guide. She's saying this is the College of Natural Sciences." He had been secretly crushing on Hong Yu-ri since their freshman year. Now that she had been accepted to Yeonha University through early admissions, he had a new goal.

"Damn it, I'm in too. Let's get into Yeonha University, A brotherly oath for the sake of our friend's love." Sung-sik was also determined to give his all during his senior year.

"Hey, a brotherly oath is between three people, like Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. There are only two of us."

"I don't care. Let's include Yeon-woo. He could probably get in here even if he filled out the application with his feet."

"If Yeon-woo is Guan Yu because their names are similar, which one of us is Liu Bei?"

"Look in the mirror. I don't know who Liu Bei is, but you're definitely Zhang Fei."

Joon-soo looked at Sung-sik, dumbfounded. "Whatever. But I think Yeon-woo will go to Korea University."

"He could probably get in there too. But will he even have time to study next year with his acting career?" They remembered Yeon-woo, who had only briefly returned to school during exams before rushing back to the set.

"Well, he's a monster."

"True…"

"Hey, you know Yu-ri noona likes Yeon-woo, right?" Sung-sik nudged Joon-soo again.

Joon-soo looked at him, exasperated. "I like the Jelly girls too."

"Ah, like that?"

"Yeah, Yeon-woo isn't competition." Both Joon-soo and Sung-sik nodded in agreement.

"But talking about Yeon-woo makes me miss him."

Clap!, clap!

The tour guide, who had been observing their chatter, clapped her hands to get their attention. "Everyone, this is the College of Humanities. The entire building is built in a European style, making it the most unique and photogenic spot on campus."

A crowd had gathered near the College of Humanities, located at the bottom of a hill.

"On holidays like today, many people come here for filming. There's a drama being filmed here today as well." The guide continued, briefly explaining the history of the College of Humanities.