Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Backfired Scandal
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Everyone inside the restaurant was busy celebrating their great start to the night, so the parking lot was eerily silent. Not a soul in sight.
Lee Jun-hyung sent a text to reporter Lee Kyung-wook, who was waiting nearby.
He double-checked that no one was around, then headed to his car and opened the door.
Click!
"Oppa!"
"Hey, everyone's wasted right now, so just stumble in casually and stick to Lee Do-jun if you see him."
"That's all I have to do?"
"Yeah. There's a pro reporter hiding nearby who's specializing in this stuff. He'll handle the angles."
"A reporter?"
"Pitch Star's gonna call you sometime tonight or tomorrow. Pick up no matter what. They'll record everything, so swear up and down that you're definitely dating."
The woman wrinkled her nose at the thick stench of booze wafting off him, her eyes rolling with concern.
"You think people won't notice if I go in now?"
"I told you, they're all hammered. If you're that worried, wait out here. I'll text when that punk heads out."
"W-Wait a sec."
Lee Jun-hyung paused as he went to shut the door, furrowing his brow sharply.
"What now?"
"If this works, you'll really hook me up with a role, right?"
"Jesus, how many times do I have to say it? You don't trust me?"
"I do. I just..."
Before she could finish, he placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered sweetly.
"Just trust your oppa. All the other girls got what I promised them, didn't they? It's easier for me to slot you into a role than hand over cash. This is Lee Jun-hyung you're talking to."
But in an instant, his grip tightened, and his voice dropped low.
"So shut up and do as you're told. If anyone sees us together right now, we're screwed."
"Y-Yeah..."
She regretted not turning down the offer from the start. But it was far too late now.
Slam!
The car door shut. Footsteps faded quickly into the distance.
Silence blanketed the summer night once more. Not even the chirp of crickets broke the quiet.
'He's back.'
Lee Jun-hyung returned to the restaurant. I pretended to keep drinking as if nothing had happened.
The screen had only shown up to that point, so I had no idea what came next. But I'd made all the preparations, so I was good.
Still, it felt kinda petty. If you're gonna show me, show the whole thing. What is this, a teaser trailer?
I took a sip of beer, grumbling inwardly, when Lee Jun-hyung plopped down across from me again.
"You drunk?"
"Not yet."
"Really? Thought you couldn't hold your liquor, but you're doing fine. Have more. More."
He topped off my glass without asking. Foam bubbled up as it filled.
'Now that I know everything, this is just ridiculous.'
He'd been feeding me shots all night, and now suddenly beer? Obvious reason: he wanted me out of my seat so his plan could kick off.
Soon as I headed to the bathroom or somewhere crowded, it'd be his chance.
It was so transparent I nearly burst out laughing. I forced my lips down tight.
Can't laugh yet. Save it for later.
"Good, good, you're handling it well. Keep going."
I downed it without protest, and his grin deepened. He chugged his own with gusto.
Let's see how long you can keep smiling.
"If you can't handle more, say so. Step out for some air or whatever."
"I'm good for now."
"Yeah? Don't push too hard. Fresh air helps when you're dizzy."
Lee Jun-hyung put on this nauseatingly fake concerned act, prodding me to go outside.
Yeah, right. If you want to sober up, just stay inside with the AC.
"That's what I'm worried about. You okay, sunbaenim?"
"Me? Fine as hell. Another round?"
"Let me pour for you."
I filled his glass and took another swig of mine.
Bzzz. Bzzzz!
My phone vibrated on the table, face down. I slumped like a drunk and checked the text.
Reporter Kim Isul:
Ready.
Perfect.
The booze vanished from my system in a flash. My heart raced, my mind sharpened.
I pocketed the phone carefully and stood.
"Where you headed?"
Lee Jun-hyung looked up at me, eyes brimming with anticipation.
I hadn't used my item yet, so my face was still flushed as I replied.
"Outside."
Inside Lee Jun-hyung's car, the woman anxiously powered her phone on and off repeatedly. Miss the timing, and he'd make her life hell.
"When's he coming out?"
Better to rip the band-aid off quick and head home. She nervously chewed her nails.
"Shouldn't have said yes..."
She recalled his initial pitch: seduce Do-jun to boost her visibility.
He's the hottest idol in the headlines right now—perfect fodder for promo after debut.
He even promised a decent role as payment.
It hadn't seemed so bad back then. Do-jun was rising fast, and his looks matched her type.
'Not a bad dating partner, right?'
But Do-jun showed zero interest.
At first, it just bruised her ego. But the more she tried, the wronger it felt. Still, Jun-hyung wouldn't let go.
He escalated to threats: don't do it, and she'd never work in this industry again.
Absurd, but with him? Totally plausible.
'...It'll be fine, right?'
She couldn't refuse and ended up here.
Fine, no seduction—just get close. Reporter handles the angle. Three minutes is plenty.
Easier terms, but riskier for her. The whole story would be fabricated from start to finish.
What if it backfires? What if Pida Entertainment sues? Would Jun-hyung even help?
Bzzz!
Her phone buzzed. Frantic, she checked—text from Jun-hyung.
Jun-hyung oppa:
Now.
That punk's out.
Her mind raced, but she was already in too deep. No time to hesitate.
She fumbled the door open and scanned desperately.
Where is he?
"Ah!"
There—Do-jun rounding the building toward a dark spot. His steps wobbled.
She swallowed hard and followed. Her footsteps mingled with the noisy crickets.
True to Jun-hyung's word, he seemed wasted enough not to notice her trailing behind.
After a minute, the area was deserted.
"Hey! Do-jun-ssi!"
Perfect timing. She called out. He stopped dead.
"Out for some air? Me too. Feels nice, right?"
With so many people around, he wouldn't have noticed her absence. She approached, masking her nerves.
He eyed her strangely, silent.
"Nice? It's sweltering out here."
"...Pardon?"
"It's peak summer. Honestly, inside with the AC is cooler."
Something was off.
His speech was too crisp for someone drunk. Streetlight gleamed off his moon-pale face.
"What brings you out here? You weren't at the party table."
He knows. Panic hit. Something was very wrong.
Do-jun, who'd kept his distance before, now closed in.
Is he really drunk? Looks fine. Hides it well?
She couldn't back out now. This was her shot—and missing it meant Jun-hyung's wrath.
She stepped closer too.
"Want me to guess why you're here?"
Do-jun raised his phone. The black screen lit up.
Phone now? Trying to swap numbers?
'No way, idiot.'
She recoiled in shock, but his voice continued.
"What're you doing? Come closer and look."
His tone buzzed with excitement.
He advanced. Distance shrank fast—heart pounding. Nerves? Him? Unclear.
She swallowed, peering at the glowing screen in the dark.
'...Huh?'
How is this photo...?
"You two look real cozy. Same car and everything."
"Th-This is..."
The screen showed her talking to Jun-hyung by the car just minutes ago.
"I said I'd guess why you're here."
His smile hid simmering rage.
"Nailed it?"
She wanted to bolt, legs frozen. His gentle tone persisted.
"Tell the truth about your deal with Jun-hyung now, and I might go easy. What do you say?"
"Wh-What are you..."
"Still not getting it?"
He tapped the screen. More photos appeared.
"This ring any bells?"
Familiar car. Her. Jun-hyung's arm affectionately around her shoulders.
It looked just like a secret lovers' rendezvous...
"Anyone seeing this thinks you're dating him. Who'd believe a dating scandal with me over that? Right?"
"Th-This..."
"Your choice. My side... or this as is..."
Clap clap clap.
Before he finished, applause echoed from behind her. Jun-hyung emerged.
"Damn, bold move. Public date spot like this."
He cackled gleefully. The rattled woman edged toward him.
"O-Oppa..."
"Oppa? You know him?"
"N-No, I mean, right now..."
"Ugh, I get it. You're on a date. Sorry to interrupt... but there's a reporter around?"
Jun-hyung shrugged smugly, flashing his phone.
"Just got the call myself."
Do-jun finally lost it, bursting into triumphant laughter—like he couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Funny?"
Thinking Do-jun was too drunk to grasp it, Jun-hyung explained patiently.
"Dating scandal articles dropping in ten. Oh, with pics? Not a rumor then. Idol dating a civilian? Fans'll love that."
"They won't."
"Punk's got a mouth on him."
"Why? Should I use honorifics?"
"Fucking psycho."
Drunk, clueless—must've pushed him over the edge.
Jun-hyung savored it, all pent-up fury melting away. Do-jun's hardened face was icing.
"That's right, punk. Who told you to act up? Should've stayed quiet if you snuck in on endorsements."
He lit a cigarette.
Boozy haze, muggy quiet streets, Do-jun's dumbstruck face. Perfect storm.
But.
"Done with your bullshit?"
Do-jun asked, amusement lacing his voice.
"Which reporter's writing the dating story?"
Jun-hyung scoffed. Crazy bastard still clueless?
As he lit up with a sneer—
"A rookie idol scandal? Nah, Lee Jun-hyung trapping his drama co-star junior? That's the real headline. Right?"
"...?"
Jun-hyung finally sensed wrongness.
Drunk as hell—how's his speech so clear? Posture steady too...
Then.
"Y-Yes! He told me to do it all! Threatened to ruin me if I didn't!"
"...What?"
"Said no one'd believe the truth! Told me to shut up and obey..."
"Hey!"
Her outburst cut short by his roar. But rage boiled over; he glared murderously.
"What the hell? You crazy? What game is this now?"
She flinched at his lunge-ready stance. Do-jun stepped forward.
"Exactly. But did you really hear from a reporter? Doubt it."
"What the fu..."
"That reporter—Lee Kyung-wook, by any chance?"
Plop.
Jun-hyung dropped his cigarette.
How does this punk know Kyung-wook?
"You said you got the call. Did you really?"
Do-jun's voice brimmed with uncontainable glee, just like Jun-hyung's earlier.
Jun-hyung's heart pounded inexplicably. Dread loomed.
"No way, right?"
Her sudden flip. Do-jun knowing the reporter...
His muddled brain crunched numbers. He yanked out his phone and dialed.
Ring... ring... rejected.
Mistake?
Dialed again. Rejected.
What the hell? Why isn't he picking up!
"...Fuck!"
Rejections piled up. Jun-hyung's face twisted in horror.