Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Feasting
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The next day, Na Gang-in, Shin Eun-ha, Lee Bo-ra, and Kim Yu-chan gathered together.
They had agreed to meet with the joint investigation unit detective today to explain everything they'd done to rescue Lee Bo-ra.
The meeting spot with the detective wasn't the police station—it was Na Gang-in's production base. If three celebrities showed up at the station, rumors were bound to fly, so they'd chosen this place instead.
The detective marveled at the setup inside the production base.
"Wow. With gear like this, you could even craft Dragon Plate, huh? Explains why it all looks so pricey."
"It's crazy expensive."
"Ah. Haha."
Lee Bo-ra and Kim Yu-chan had arrived in Shin Eun-ha's car.
Lee Bo-ra's eyes went wide at the sight of the production base interior.
"Oh my gosh! What's this place? A secret hideout? It looks totally legit!"
Kim Yu-chan was impressed too.
"Whoa. The sign says Earth Union Workshop, and you've nailed the whole hobbyist vibe. Maybe I should set one up myself."
Shin Eun-ha bragged to Lee Bo-ra.
"This gear isn't just any old stuff. See that big monitor over there? When we were tracking you down, Bo-ra, those four massive screens lit up with a ton of info."
Kim Yu-chan jumped in.
"No wonder you found Bo-ra so quick. Top-shelf equipment."
"Pfft. You know how fussy a master calligrapher is about their brush? Real skill's in how you wield the tools."
After grilling the four of them on every detail of that day's events, the joint investigation detective headed out first.
Once he was gone, Lee Bo-ra struck a haughty pose.
"I'm so grateful for everyone's help this time... how about I treat you all to dinner?"
Kim Yu-chan puffed up with pride.
"I pulled off some seriously epic moves."
"All I remember Oppa Yu-chan doing is screaming in the car... and face-planting down that hill."
"I was pushing for safe driving! And that tumble forward? That was my heroic charge at the enemy. See, it was like..."
"Not saying I'm ungrateful."
"Right? You owe me too?"
"That's why I invited you, Oppa Yu-chan. We'll take Eun-ha's car. That way, we can drink."
Shin Eun-ha grumbled.
"You're doing the inviting—why am I stuck driving? You pulled this when we came here too. Am I your chauffeur now? And I wanna drink as well."
"I'm kinda shaky about driving these days. Every time I get behind the wheel, something crashes."
Lee Bo-ra had been kidnapped not once, but twice. No one could say no to her after that.
"Tch. Fine. We'll take my car."
The four piled into Shin Eun-ha's car. Na Gang-in and Kim Yu-chan took the back seat.
Once they were underway, Kim Yu-chan commented.
"Eun-ha, you drive so smooth. Same car, but it feels worlds apart."
"Wanna see me really step on it?"
"No way. You're not Gang-in hyung. He at least drives like a pro. You'd kill us."
"Kidding. I won't."
"And I love the food Gang-in makes. It's legit delicious."
AI Jeon Ji-in loved food made by others. She'd been hyped ever since Lee Bo-ra offered to treat.
Kim Yu-chan said.
"Eun-ha, swing by my place first. I need my car. Hate going back for it later."
"No drinking then?"
"I'll call a designated driver."
"Got it."
As they passed the neighborhood, Shin Eun-ha spotted a familiar face.
"Huh? What's she doing here?"
She pulled over, rolled down the window, and called out loud.
"Ji-hye!"
Ppf Girls' maknae Choi Ji-hye, walking along the sidewalk, spotted Shin Eun-ha and hurried over.
"Ah! Unnie! Hi! Huh? Teacher! Hello... Kyaa! It's Kim Yu-chan!"
Kim Yu-chan flashed a wide grin, showing his pearly whites.
"She knows me? Fan of mine?"
"Yes! Huge fan! Ah, Ppf Girls' Choi Ji-hye here!"
"I know. Ppf Girls. Running neighborhood events full glam, gym mat ads too. I've watched that wild boar fight vid of yours a bunch."
"Whoa! You know all that? Honored!"
Lee Bo-ra grumbled from the passenger seat.
"Guess she doesn't see me."
Shin Eun-ha replied.
"You're not an idol. Not same agency either."
Choi Ji-hye belatedly noticed Lee Bo-ra and bowed.
"Ah! Hi! Kim Yu-chan was too dazzling—I missed you!"
"Tch. People will figure out that oppas-only-got-looks trick eventually."
Shin Eun-ha asked.
"Ji-hye, never expected to see you in our neighborhood. You live around here?"
"No. Friend had surgery, she's hospitalized here. Just finished visiting."
"Gotcha. Hope she recovers well."
"Where you headed, unnie?"
"Bo-ra's treating to dinner, so there."
"Whoa, yummy food? Lucky."
"You eat yet?"
"Grabbing cafeteria grub at the company."
SAH Entertainment's cafeteria was decent, but nowhere near where they were headed.
"Uh... Ji-hye, you know Penelope?"
"Greek myth?"
"Nah. Restaurant... uh..."
Shin Eun-ha turned to Lee Bo-ra.
"Bring her along? One extra call to Chef Oh should work."
Lee Bo-ra eyed Choi Ji-hye.
Choi Ji-hye clasped her hands, eyes sparkling, swallowing hard.
"Sure, whatever."
"Thank you!"
Na Gang-in opened the door and scooted to the middle.
"Hop in."
"Yes!"
Choi Ji-hye paused as she was climbing in.
"But, Teacher."
"Yeah."
"Middle seat's the worst. I'll take it."
"Ji-hye. Want Natural Gymnastics 2? Hard mode."
"Eyy, you taught the official version last time. Said it was too risky for the CF if folks tried it."
"YouTube's fair game for the risky stuff. Sit here, learn it?"
"Ah! No thanks! End seat's perfect!"
"Get in."
"Yessir!"
After Choi Ji-hye settled in, Kim Yu-chan said.
"Kinda cramped now, right? I'll switch to my car later—stretch out then."
"Ah! Then I'll take the seat next to you in..."
Na Gang-in warned.
"Hey. High schooler. Natural Gymnastics 2 it is?"
"No! This car's fine!"
Restaurant Penelope's head chef Oh Gyu-chul was a TV regular. Choi Ji-hye recognized him on sight.
She bowed quick.
"Hello!"
Oh Gyu-chul recognized her too—but not as an idol.
"Ah! The girl from that Natural Gymnastics CF..."
"Ppf Girls maknae Choi Ji-hye!"
"Haha. Nice to meet you. I do those stretches a lot. Great for warming up."
"Heehee. Teacher taught us good."
"Bring him sometime. I'll hook him up."
"Huh? He's right here."
"Huh? Reservation was five with the add-on... who's the extra?"
His eyes caught Choi Ji-hye's hand—pointing at Na Gang-in.
Oh Gyu-chul blinked in surprise.
"Wait. Gang-in made those gymnastics?"
"Yep. Our trainer teacher."
"But I heard it was based on sports medicine..."
The others knew Na Gang-in had created the gymnastics. But sports medicine? They stared at him.
Na Gang-in shrugged.
"Not wrong."
Oh Gyu-chul was awed.
"Whoa. The more I learn about you, Na Gang-in, the more mysteries pop up."
The food arrived. Oh Gyu-chul loaded them up extra.
"Service, since regulars are always welcome."
Choi Ji-hye gushed.
"Whoa, the portions here are insane."
"Shh."
"Huh?"
"They only do this for us."
"Aha! Top star Kim Yu-chan power!"
"Nah, it's... Eat up. Gotta fuel up in school days."
"Yessir!"
Choi Ji-hye devoured most of that generous service spread.
Sauce smeared on her lips, she raved.
"This is so good! Tastes as amazing as Teacher's cooking I had before."
She'd tried Na Gang-in's food during gym training sessions.
Oh Gyu-chul swung by again, saw the empty plates and her gusto, and beamed proudly.
"I do alright in the kitchen."
"We know you're a pro. Drooled watching you on shows with the unnies. Heehee."
Choi Ji-hye had casually compared Oh Gyu-chul's cooking to Na Gang-in's without thinking. Still in high school, she didn't realize it could come off rude.
Oh Gyu-chul wasn't offended. Just curious.
He'd never tasted Na Gang-in's food, but the hype was real.
"I've been dying to hit that PC bang on a day you're cooking—especially when we're closed. But schedules clash every time."
"Eh, just standard PC bang grub."
"Heard otherwise. Dying to try it."
Na Gang-in said between bites.
"Chef Oh's food tastes better to me."
Oh Gyu-chul chuckled.
"Thanks just for saying that."
"Dead serious."
"Even more thanks. Hahaha."
Choi Ji-hye crushed dinner and headed back to the dorm stuffed.
Ppf Girls were an idol group, but gigs were scarce. No TV slots either. The CF had netted each five million won, but who knew when more would roll in.
At least SAH Entertainment covered the dorm—no rent. Two-bedroom villa meant two per room, but the company cafeteria was a perk since it was close.
Choi Ji-hye got back to the dorm.
As survival idols, Ppf Girls obsessed over food. Leader So Ji-young hit her up right away.
"Eaten? Cafeteria had seafood pasta tonight."
Choi Ji-hye grinned.
"Heehee. Unnie, guess where I went?"
"Visiting school friend, right?"
"Did that. But you know Chef Oh Gyu-chul? TV regular."
So Ji-young pointed at the TV—Oh Gyu-chul on a cooking variety show.
"Duh. Dying to try his food. Bet it's fire."
"It is."
"How'd you know?"
"Ate at his restaurant tonight."
"For real?"
Choi Ji-hye patted her belly.
"Ahh, stuffed. Best meal of my life."
"Spill. Places like that's pricey. How? CF cash?"
"Freebie, duh. Heehee."
"Who from? Hospital friend?"
"Nah. Coming back from visit, car pulls up—bam, Shin Eun-ha unnie! Bam, Teacher Na Gang-in! Bam, Kim Yu-chan!"
"Whoa! Kim Yu-chan!"
The other two crowded in.
Choi Ji-hye excitedly bragged about meeting them and the feast.
They listened enviously. Cafeteria dinner done, but stomachs growled anyway.
Mid-story, So Ji-young raised a hand.
"Hold up. What'd you just say?"
"Huh? What?"
"Teacher Na Gang-in did what?"
"Oh, that? I wanted Kim Yu-chan's seat, so he threatened high-level Natural Gymnastics sequel—YouTube-only risky stuff. I backed off..."
"You should've sat!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Argh, you dense kid!"
So Ji-young thumped her chest.
"People recognizing us out lately?"
"Yeah."
"From CF viewers and YouTube gymnastics fans practicing, right?"
"Y...eah?"
"Drop a sequel now? Massive boost!"
"Oh? True?"
So Ji-young's voice rose.
"Totally!"
Choi Ji-hye had a point.
"But it's advanced. Tough—will folks do it?"
"Basics masters crave the next level!"
"Ah! Right."
So Ji-young stomped.
"How'd you blow that golden shot?"
Choi Ji-hye poked her cheek.
"Dee-heot!"
"Don't grin like that!"
High schooler Lee Yeon-ji had her Keitai Tiger Syndrome surgery at Son Seong-hyeon's hospital, then transferred to the general hospital where Lee Jeong-ho and Son Mi-yeon worked.
Lee Yeon-ji was the daughter of a doctor and nurse here. She'd hung around since kid days, knew tons of staff. They fussed over her quietly.
IV drip in tow, Lee Yeon-ji wandered the halls.
"Ow."
Surgery spot still stung, but bed rest alone bred issues. Some walking sped recovery.
"Once this heals full... idol, college, dating... heehee."
Just thinking made her happy.
"This and that. Uhihihihi."
Leering and giggling, she passed. A Yulmyeong Bio pharma employee spotted her.
"Huh?"
Lee Yeon-ji vanished around the corner.
The employee asked a nurse.
"That girl just now—wasn't she Chief Lee Jeong-ho's daughter?"