#20. Approach (8)

The members were thrilled to hear that our overseas activities were being accelerated ahead of schedule, thanks to the investor's introduction to a local company that would provide top-tier professional support. Jeki's face lit up especially when he mentioned he'd gotten the investor's number to give a proper thank-you.

Seeing the guys' eyes darting around, it looked like they'd all picked up on Jeki's feelings without him saying a word. No one needed prompting—we all agreed to push him forward.

"Hyung's the leader, so he should call and thank her himself."

"Oh, yeah, that sounds good."

"Me?"

"Yeah! We'd love it if you did, hyung."

Of course, no one objected. Jeki tried to play it cool but couldn't hide his excitement.

"Ahem! So, what should I say?"

Uncharacteristically tense, Jeki asked for advice on the call. We huddled up like dating coaches, chiming in with tips.

"Start by melting her with your voice, hyung!"

"My voice?"

"Your voice is killer."

"Right, right. Just drop it low and greet her!"

"Hello, this is Airplane leader Jeki. Ahem~"

"Ahh~"

"Like that!"

"Mmm! I'd fall for it instantly."

"Then what?"

Surprisingly, Jeki took the members' advice without pushback.

"What's gotten into him, agreeing so easily?"

"Jeki hyung's a total lifelong singleton. Says he's barely talked to girls."

"!!"

I might be overwhelmingly handsome, stealing the spotlight, but our guys aren't slouches—they've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠never been outshone by anyone on looks. If they wanted, they could hook up anytime. In this world, guys playing the field isn't a flaw.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠policies practically encourage it.

But the entertainment industry flowed against that current, thanks to jealousy from female fans idolizing idols. Scandals usually involved shady sponsorships anyway.

This time, though, Jeki had genuine feelings first—he wanted to date her.

Alright, hyung will back you hard. Make it count.

A pretty woman's interest feels great, sure. But it can also get tedious. Call me spoiled, but I'd say it's exhausting—women hit on me constantly. The note from the investor stood out only because she was special; otherwise, no big thrill.

Not like jumping every pretty face makes you better than a dog in heat.

Plus, Jeki liked her. No shortage of women around, but group loyalty mattered.

Coached up, Jeki dialed the investor.

"Hello! This is Airplane leader Jeki!"

Ooooh! Full of energy! That voice slays!

The members whispered excitedly from behind, watching intently. Kyungtae hyung snuck to the kitchen for snacks. No popcorn, but cookies worked fine.

Comeback's speeding up—gotta diet hard again. But whatever.

*Crunch crunch* *Munch munch*!

These are fire!

Cookies never failed.

"I wanted to thank you personally. All the members are here. Mind if I switch to speaker?"

—Sure, go ahead.

Switching to speaker, Melissa Kay's voice filled the room.

"We should've met in person, but you said time was tight."

—If I had time, I'd treat you all to something nice, but I'm abroad right now.

"Yes, so we're doing it over the phone. Thank you for the support. We'll make your investment worthwhile—no regrets."

—Just doing what needed doing. Investment isn't just money to me. Not exclusive to Honey Enter either. Glad it mattered, though.

Jeki's cheeks flushed pink. Undeniably pleased, sweet as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠candy.

"Heh heh!"

"Guy talks smooth solo, huh?"

We grinned, watching Jeki's call. A thank-you shouldn't take long, right? He could've hung up ages ago, but kept chatting.

—Gotta go for work.

"Ah! Yes, got it. I'll call again next time!"

—Huh? Oh... sure. Take care.

A whopping 30 minutes. Before hanging, Jeki boldly promised another call—and she accepted. We couldn't help cheering.

"Wooah! Success, hyung?!"

"What the—whining to us, but killing it!"

"Jeki hyung's a natural!"

"Ahem!"

Siblings onto him, Jeki grinned sheepishly, dropping the act.

"Love song incoming?"

"Whoa~ Starting huge! She's chaebol, right?"

"Hey, who cares? She's gorgeous!"

"Love at first sight? What hooked you?"

In exchange for snagging the thank-you call, Jeki endured heavy teasing. Debut just two years in—spring was hitting the members too.

"Haa..."

"What? Work not going well?"

"It's all tangled up. Not why I spent the money..."

"Another simp move? That guy you mentioned?"

"Obviously! Has to be him."

"Gold-digger much? 'Has to be him'? Hmph. Bet it fizzles soon."

"Just stay out of it, sis?"

Melissa Kay. Stunning looks rivaling celebrities, genius investor, chaebol youngest daughter. Family help started her firm, but her achievements stood untarnished by her background.

Folks might think a career woman like her lived a glittering life. But friends and family knew better.

Hard to believe this homebody passes as a genius out there.

She made bank. Yeah, just the money.

"Who're you losing him to this time? Chaeyoung's marriage age, perfect timing."

"Sis!!"

"Ow, my ears!"

"Not losing him!! Never!!"

Not a kid throwing a toy tantrum. Bianca Kay shook her head at her sister's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bad habit.

Thought a few harsh lessons would fix her.

But nope. Pursues fiercely till caught, then ghosts. Loses guys to others, ends with "Guess you're not the one." Virgin despite dating tons—embarrassing.

Why no rage when they steal her man?

Love? Doubtful. But the cash she poured? Easily billions. Had to be love.

Plenty cried blood tears over her. Ahem.

Loving sis, Bianca wrecked her exes and thieves—nightmare futures. Not anymore. Now sympathizes with guys leaving.

Early on, all-in devotion fades; guys get antsy, stray. Natural.

Rumors twisted her as picky; now rivals know better.

Women wait for her to date. Bianca was losing it—good catches, no follow-through.

"How long you gonna live like this? Nearing old maid? Time to pop that cherry, bitch!"

"You know I keep premarital purity! Why sleep with non-fate? You're a virgin too."

"Gah!! Crazy? Me, virgin?! Lost mine ages ago!"

"Liar. Mom spilled—you're a virgin."

"You psycho!"

*Whack!*

"Ow! What?!"

*Whack!*

"Kyaa! Let go? Grabbing sis's hair? How old are you?!"

"Old enough to envy? Gran.ny."

*Scuffle scuffle!!*

Chaebols, same as anyone. After their heated sister spat, 30 minutes later...

Brushing her messy hair, Bianca thumped her chest.

"Ugh, frustrating! You're stressing me to cancer!!"

"Get a checkup. Invested in a clinic—full scan head to toe."

"Shut your trap."

Fixing her weird habit felt urgent, but how? Easier as outsider. Sis meddling? Tricky.

Already meddle tons! No progress!

Fix the psycho, marry worry-free. Bianca itched for marriage.

No good guys, now her stressing me.

Chaebol perk: pick your guy. Fix sis first for peace.

Probe her new crush first. If decent, chat him up.

No threats—genuine fix, he'll cooperate sans guilt.

Acting skills?

Bianca steeled to reform sis. Grabbing intel on rookie idol Jin Haesol? Breeze with her cash and clout.

Day later, report landed.

"?"

Bianca paused at the last note, tilting her head.

"No one knows his school days? Suspicious. Dig deeper."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cost more, but her crew could unearth underwear colors if needed.

She eyed the attached photo intently.

Whoa~ This guy's real? Orphan better, honestly? Can't believe he's single. Idol with this face? Ballsy.

Lucky bastard. Should've been kidnapped dozens of times.

Subtle awe for sis too—pick explained her genius investor rep. Unearthed hidden gems flawlessly.

Chaebols swarm if word spreads. Probably already watching.

This face should've shone in school. "Son-in-law abductions" start young—not new crime. With chaebol power, snatched by 8, raised in-house.

Made sense no school ties.

No need to dig. They'd hide him to avoid kidnapping. I'd keep him home too. Why risk it?

Staring into Haesol's eyes on photo, Bianca felt pulled in. Deep enough to swim.

How's he this hot? Human? Filters, right?

Use him to fix sis, yet couldn't look away.

Bianca caved, ordering staff:

"Get everything on him. Videos, photos—all. Acting? Grab raw footage too."

"Yes."

No questions—loyal nod.

Know him first to handle well. Ahem!

Blind to "fix sis" fading in her mind. Meeting him? Might forget entirely.