Chapter 119
The rhythmic hum of the SUV's tires on the winding valley highway was a soothing backdrop to the soft, continuous ping of incoming text messages. Haru leaned his head back against the passenger seat headrest, his thumb sliding quickly across his phone screen.
[Raiven: Just escaped a three-hour briefing on the album package concept. My brain is officially seventy percent jelly. Mr. Kim is currently glaring at me because I'm texting you instead of studying the track order.
Haru's fingers danced quickly across the keyboard.
Haru: Only seventy percent? You're slacking😂 And more importantly did you actually eat lunch today, or did you survive entirely on black coffee again?
A few seconds passed before three dancing dots appeared.
Raiven: I had a salad. Mostly because Assistant Manager Li physically placed it in front of me and threatened to confiscate my phone if I didn't finish it.
Haru: Good. Keep eating. If I find out you're skipping meals while I'm away I'm going to have Se-hee send you her absolute worst cooking recipes as a threat.
Raiven: That is cruel and unusual punishment. I'll eat a proper dinner, I promise. How is the road?
Haru: Green. Very green. Alice is currently driving like she's in an action movie. I'll text you when we reach the campsite.
A quiet chuckle escaped Haru's lips as he slipped the phone back into his coat pocket. The phantom warmth of the jade band on his finger, securely tucked away in his pocket for the shoot, felt like a silent anchor.
"Look at you, grinning at your phone like a teenager with a crush," Alice chimed in from the driver's seat, her eyes fixed on the twisting mountain road as the vehicle climbed higher into the forest-clad valley. "I swear, the vacation ended forty-eight hours ago, but your brain is still occupied."
Haru turned his head slightly, a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. "I could say the same about you, Alice. You've been hum-singing since we hit the expressway. It's unlike you to be this... cheerful."
Alice cleared her throat, her posture instantly stiffening. "I am always cheerful when my talent is booked and busy. It's the sound of capital security."
"Right. Of course," Haru drawled, leaning his elbow against the window sill. "How was your dinner on Tuesday night? I hear the Italian place near Mapo is exceptionally romantic this time of year."
Alice nearly swerved, her hands gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. "How on earth do you,who spilled? Was it Mae-rin?! I swear, that woman cannot keep a single thing to herself! I told her in strict confidence!"
Haru let out a bright, ringing laugh, leaning back into his seat. "I'm not offering any answers, Alice. A good detective protects his sources."
"You are infuriating," she grumbled, though a faint, uncharacteristic flush on her cheeks betrayed her. "Just focus on the shoot. We're almost there."
The SUV soon rounded a sharp bend, revealing a sprawling, picturesque camping site nestled at the base of the mountain valley. A crystal-clear stream cut through the landscape, bordered by tall, whispering pine trees. But the natural tranquility was thoroughly punctuated by the heavy machinery of the entertainment industry production trucks parked in a neat line, large white canopy tents, cranes holding high-definition cameras, and dozens of staff members scurrying around in matching windbreakers.
As soon as Alice parked the vehicle, she shifted instantly into her seasoned manager persona. Sliding out of the car, she popped the trunk and began systematically organizing the heavy technical gear and personal bags.
"Haru, grab those cooler bags from the back seat," Alice instructed, already hoisting a heavy duffel over her shoulder. "We brought three crates of premium organic juices and cold brews for the crew. It's a hard shoot; a little caffeine and sugar go a long way in buying goodwill with the camera operators."
"On it," Haru said, stepping out into the crisp, pine-scented valley air. The autumn chill was sharp, but the technical utility jacket Alice had curated for him kept the cold at bay. He grabbed the heavy cooler bags, balancing them easily as they walked toward the main production headquarters.
"Haru-ssi! Welcome!" the main PD called out, bowing politely as Haru and Alice approached. The staff immediately accepted the juices with grateful murmurs, the cold beverages proving to be an instant hit among the busy crew.
As Haru bowed in return, offering warm greetings to the staff, a sudden hush seemed to ripple through the immediate perimeter.
Emerging from one of the custom resting trailers was a tall, strikingly handsome man. He wore a perfectly tailored, dark forest-green utility coat that made him look like he had stepped straight out of a luxury outdoor magazine. His features were sharp, his jawline defined, and his eyes held a glittering, predatory intelligence.
This was Chang-seo a name that meant both prosperous and cunning, a title he had lived up to perfectly across a glittering, fifteen-year career as one of South Korea's premier veteran actors. He was a master of the industry, highly respected, and renowned for his impeccable public image and sharp, versatile acting.
Haru's instincts, honed across two lifetimes, instantly kicked in. He stepped forward, lowering his head into a deep, highly respectful bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Chang-seo-sunbaenim. I am Haru. I've admired your work for a very long time. It's an absolute privilege to be on this show with you."
Chang-seo closed the distance between them, his face breaking into a warm, incredibly charming smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. He reached out, gently grasping Haru's shoulder to raise him from his bow, his touch light but firm.
"Ah, the rising star himself!" Chang-seo said, his voice a deep, resonant baritone that carried effortlessly across the clearing. "No need for such formal bows, Haru-ya. We're going to be sleeping in the dirt and trying to light wet firewood together for the next two days. Let's skip the pleasantries."
"Thank you, Sunbaenim," Haru said, offering a polite, appreciative smile.
"Please, call me Hyung when the cameras aren't rolling," Chang-seo teased, giving Haru's shoulder a friendly, encouraging squeeze. "I heard you haven't done many outdoor variety slots. Don't worry about a thing. As your senior, I'll make sure to take good care of you."
The surrounding staff let out soft chuckles, clearly charmed by the veteran's warm, welcoming attitude toward the younger star. Even Alice looked visibly relieved, offering a grateful nod to the actor's manager.
But as Chang-seo's hand slowly slid off his shoulder, Haru felt a sudden, subtle chill skate down the back of his neck.
Through his decades as Sunghoon, Haru had navigated the shark-infested waters of the highest echelons of show business. He knew the difference between genuine warmth and a perfectly executed performance. There was something in the exact calculation of Chang-seo's smile, a brief, microscopic flash of cold assessment in those prosperous, glittering eyes before the charming veneer snapped back into place.
It was the look of a predator measuring its territory.
Haru kept his polite, humble smile firmly locked in place, but beneath the fabric of his technical jacket, his muscles subtly tensed. The healing-centric camping trip was suddenly starting to feel a lot more complicated.