Chapter 18: Creating Scandals (Part 1) (First Update Seeking Recommendations)

  In the afternoon, a coffee shop near the company.

  Baoyu and An Junhe, with only a simple makeup, appeared here, ordered two cups of coffee and sat opposite each other. Next to them was a huge floor-to-ceiling window, through which the autumn sun's rays slanted in from the south, shining on the table. The white paint reflected the light again, and the coffee mixed with milk flowed crystal clear in this dazzling light.

  Outside the window, people surged and flowed, walking in groups of three or five, laughing and chatting as they prepared to spend a happy holiday afternoon. Inside the window, at this small table, two people sat facing each other in silence, with only the occasional clinking of spoons against cups breaking the stillness.

  The plan to create a scandal has been launched, and the two are now in a simulated dating state. Of course, the company cannot let them "date" freely, so in this coffee shop, not far from their seat, Ahn Jun-hee and Bae's managers and assistants are scattered around, keeping watch from a distance, and outside the window, there is a car ready to pick them up at any time, and even the company has arranged for "private fans" to take sneak photos.

  To be honest, this feeling is very unpleasant.

  After taking a sip of coffee, An Junhe turned his head to glance at Quan Baogen, who was sitting several seats away. Seeing him looking over, Quan Baogen made some hidden gestures with his hands, signaling for An Junhe to be more proactive and intimate with Bao'er, so that the photos would be more sensational.

  An Junhe turned his head noncommittally and looked at Bao'er, who was stirring her coffee with a spoon in a low-headed and slow manner, feeling somewhat helpless.

  To be honest, as long as it's beneficial to himself, scandals don't matter, even if the so-called scandal is deliberately created, but that's only acceptable when the object of the scandal is also willing. But Baor... she was not willing, and the reason she agreed was just because she couldn't resist the company's orders.

  Of course, he can't resist either, or rather, his rationality tells him not to resist. Kim Young-min is no match for the declining Lee Soo-man, and this time he thoroughly suppressed Lee Soo-man's prestige, which will surely make some of the wavering directors in the company more inclined towards him. Perhaps within a few months, he can gain enough shares (by proxy or agreement) to convene a board meeting and force Lee Soo-man to resign from his administrative position or be directly removed.

  With the support of many shareholders, Zheng Zhi is proud and satisfied. Inappropriate toughness will only cause the relationship between the two sides to break down completely. At present, he does not have the strength to bear such consequences.

  "Senior, I'm really sorry." After a long silence, An Junhe was the first to break the silence, apologetically saying.

  The girl opposite him stirring her coffee paused slightly, lifted her head and forced a smile: "It's none of your business, I just... still feel a bit awkward."

  Seeing that she didn't seem to be secretly angry with herself, An Junhe felt a bit relieved, and smiled as he sipped his coffee: "Heh heh, if we were really taking photos like this together, it would probably look more like we're breaking up."

  Bao'er was taken aback, then burst out laughing. To be honest, the two of them now looked quite similar, sitting opposite each other, one speaking and the other silently lowering their head, just like a couple in a TV drama who had fallen out of love and were preparing for an amicable divorce.

  After laughing, her mood seemed to improve a lot. She casually pushed away the already cooled coffee and looked at An Junhe, suddenly revealing a curious expression: "What's it like to act?"

  "Huh?" An Junhe was taken aback, then came to his senses. She wasn't asking about the "acting" of creating scandals now, but rather his profession as an actor. After thinking for a moment, he shrugged: "It's hard to say, it's just playing someone else, I guess. When filming is easy-going, it can be quite fun, but if the character's inner world changes too quickly and filming is tight, it can be very torturous. When I was in Australia, I lost over 10 pounds, and I still haven't gained the weight back."

  As he spoke, he took off his big tortoiseshell glasses and revealed his gaunt face to her.

  But after hearing his words, Bao'er didn't get scared, instead she became more interested. "I've always wanted to experience what it's like to act, but everyone says I'm not good at acting..." As she said this, her cheeks puffed out slightly, with a look of loss and dissatisfaction, making her suddenly much cuter. "...even though I have free time, I try my best to practice...I think singing and dancing take up too much of my time, to be honest, I'm getting a bit tired of them now, every day appearing in various recording studios, stages, running back and forth between Korea and Japan, it's really exhausting. Even personal interests and hobbies can't be pursued, what do you think would happen if I announced my retirement from the music industry and switched to TV or film?"

  She was very talkative, and as the initial strangeness slowly dissipated, her words poured out in a continuous stream of complaints and inquiries, more like a next-door sister going through a confusing period than a superstar under the spotlight.

  An Junhe gazed at her, smiling slightly: "What's the outcome? Hmm... Ai Wei will jump off the building back to the company, S·M management will collectively commit suicide, millions of fans will be heartbroken and beg desperately, and some people will vow to never get married for the rest of their lives in order to ask God to make you change your mind..."

  "Ugh, why are you being so exaggerated!" Bao'er giggled and lightly kicked him, smiling sweetly.

  Not far away, Quan Baogen, who was monitoring this side, suddenly spat out a mouthful of coffee and splashed it on the face of a Japanese agent opposite him.

  "Sorry, sorry, excuse me!" Quan Baogen hastily pulled out a tissue and handed it over. The Japanese man's face was stiff, and he glared at him fiercely before finally wiping the water stains on his head and body.

  He apologized a few more times, and then Quan Baogen looked at An Junhe again. Over there, the two of them were chatting about something, their faces flushed with excitement, laughing and smiling together, their expressions becoming increasingly intimate. If you looked at it from a romantic perspective, they seemed like a couple in the midst of a passionate love affair.

  But Guan Baogen didn't feel happy at all.

  He knew An Junhe too well, a man who was not very old but had a very mature and stable personality, good at soothing others' emotions. This kind of man was too deadly for a young girl who was gradually entering society and lacked a sense of security. Just now, Bao'er's intimate kick almost made his heart stop beating, really afraid that the fake play would become real.

  I couldn't help but feel resentful towards An Junhe, although I let you take the initiative, there's no need to be so overzealous, what if Bao'er really develops feelings for him, then things will get out of hand.

  Although anxious, he couldn't go forward now and could only make some incoherent prayers to the gods in heaven, staring at that side without blinking.

  ……

  She really likes to try acting, and when talking about these topics, Bao'er talks endlessly. She mentions that in her spare time, she reads books on acting skills or practices acting in front of the mirror, playing a role she loves. Ahn Jun-hee listens with a smile, occasionally adding a few words, but not saying much. In front of this girl, he is suited to play the role of a listener.

  The sun in the afternoon, gradually westward in conversation, slowly becoming orange-yellow sunlight, lazily moving its footsteps, pulling the shadows of all things very long. At a certain moment, suddenly turning his head, looking at the still bustling crowd outside the window, Bao'er suddenly stopped talking, looking at the horizon where the sun was blocked by high-rise buildings, quietly smiled: "I like some literary drama films, no big scenes, just like a cup of clear tea, silently savoring their expression of human nature and social cognition, but my agent never lets me watch..."

  Her smile was somewhat mischievous, but An Junhe could sense the desolation hidden in her tone: "...He's afraid that if I see too much, I'll get depression, haha!"

  It sounds ridiculous at first, how can watching a drama lead to depression?

  That's because her private life was too lacking, she couldn't dress up freely like ordinary girls, stroll around freely, play with friends freely, and even laugh heartily. As soon as she stepped out of the door, her life was always under the spotlight and camera lens, every word and deed had to consider her identity, dressing required matching fashion, wearing accessories also needed attention to trends, walking required holding head high and chest out with an air of confidence, but in dealing with people, she had to be polite and humble. If anything wasn't done perfectly, entertainment and fashion magazines would launch a fierce attack to stimulate sales.

  Such a life is like working all the time, no leisure, no rest, and the only possibility is to hide at home, watch some movies for entertainment, and relax.

  Obviously, drama movies are not for relaxation, watching too many of them can lead to overthinking and possibly even mental problems.

  Looking at the smiling girl gazing out of the window at the crowd, An Junhe fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying: "Want to go out and have some fun?"

  "What?" Bao'er looked at him in surprise.

  He pointed outside and smiled, "It's been a long time since we've felt the festive atmosphere like ordinary people in a crowd, right? Anyway, we have to spread rumors, so we can be justified and not worry about being exposed. Let's go out and stroll around the park and shopping mall, relax ourselves, how about it?"

  "Uh..." Bao'er was slightly stunned, but then revealed a eager expression, yet still somewhat hesitant: "At the agent's place..."

  "Never mind them, we are the ones spreading rumors, they can't control us on the spot!"

  With this reason, Bao'er suddenly became excited: "Great! Now?"

  "Now!"

  After that, An Junhe grasped her warm little hand and stood up to walk out of the coffee shop. Quan Baogen, who had been paying attention to them, felt a sudden jolt in his heart - where were they going? This wasn't part of the script!

  He hastily went forward to stop the two, but An Junhe, who noticed his movement, accelerated his pace and pulled Bao'er away before he could catch up.

  Staring at the two hand in hand, he turned back to him with a haha laugh, and Bao'er even made a ghost face. Then, they quickly ran out of the coffee shop and into the crowded streets outside. His urgent eyes were on fire, and beside him, Bao'er's Japanese agent asked bewildered: "What's going on?"

  "What else can we do? They've run away!" Quan Baogen sighed and pulled the broker: "Hurry up and chase after them!"

  ;