018 Jiang Huiyuan

The longer the nanny van drove, the more Yoon Yunhui influenced Shin Suhyeon.

Never underestimate the power of Yonsei University’s Divinity School!

Although Yonsei’s Divinity School is more akin to religious studies than traditional theology, and few graduates actually become priests or pastors, their professional training is unquestionably top-notch.

Shin Suhyeon was already halfway to becoming a believer.

Of course, it was hard to say whose believer she was.

When they arrived and got out of the car, Assistant Kim’s expression was very strange.

Not close friends?

You came on so strong right from the start?

Could you maybe consider the feelings of your driver? The hard partition between the cockpit and the backseat is pretty soundproof, but the suspension on this nanny van...

The contrast was overwhelming.

Fortunately, she had previously been assistant to Jung Woo-sung and was already used to this kind of thing.

You see, Woo-sung hyung isn’t exactly innocent either.

When it comes to enjoying himself, our boss Jung is far more skilled than you. Thinking that way, our Yunhui is actually quite decent.

Yoon Yunhui just pretended not to notice Kim’s look. He could only express his gratitude and promise to personally pay a bonus later.

“Want to come to my dorm to say hi to my best friend? Actually, I’m a bit hungry. Want some ramen?”

Shin Suhyeon had sobered up. Women’s moods change so fast—just a moment ago she was shy and delicate, now she was back to their usual brotherly camaraderie.

Maybe she’d tasted the sweetness of it all.

“Kim, you come too. Can’t leave you waiting in the car.”

Yoon Yunhui gestured.

Assistant Kim immediately understood.

“Ah? Oh, okay. Leave the late-night snack to me.”

Eating ramen felt a little too intimate, and Yoon Yunhui didn’t plan to stay overnight with Shin Suhyeon.

This was a regular apartment complex, already quite late with no one coming or going.

After a short wait, Shin Suhyeon messaged her best friend first, and Assistant Kim returned with the late-night food. The three then went upstairs together.

The person who opened the door was dressed in pajamas, exuding pure innocence.

“Hye-won! I’m back!”

Shin Suhyeon was a bit excited; after all, she had just done something mischievous and now was bringing the “bad guy” home.

Kang Hye-won stared wide-eyed. Having just received her best friend’s message, she hadn’t yet grasped the situation, and seeing Yoon Yunhui standing outside was a complete surprise.

“Hey? Why is it you?”

“Your best friend is Kang Hye-won?” Yoon Yunhui was equally surprised. What kind of magical social connection was this?

“You two know each other???” Now it was Shin Suhyeon’s turn to be puzzled.

“No.” “No.”

“Ha, come in and talk. Kim, the ramen’s on you.”

Yoon Yunhui nudged Shin Suhyeon’s shoulder and turned to instruct his assistant.

“Wait a moment!”

Assistant Kim carried the convenience store groceries into the kitchen.

The three strangers sat around the small coffee table in the modest living room.

Shin Suhyeon began the introductions:

“Yunhui, you seem to know her? This is my best friend, Kang Hye-won from IZ*ONE.

I told you before, I was on ‘Produce 48’ and shared a dorm with Hye-won.

Though I was eliminated in the first round, we became very close friends.”

There was no need to explain the bond between girls. Shin Suhyeon frequently appeared in Kang Hye-won’s vlogs. They traveled together, sometimes accompanied by new friends Kang had met after transitioning into acting.

“So can you tell me now? How do you two know each other?”

Shin Suhyeon poured some water, her mouth dry and sour.

“Just acquaintances,” Yoon Yunhui spoke first, adding some water to his cup.

“My childhood friend joined Hye-won’s agency last year.”

That was the absolute truth.

Yoon Yunhui’s childhood friend, Lee Jun-ho, had indeed joined OTR Management, the agency representing IZ*ONE, at the end of last year.

“I’ve been to their company before to visit my friend, and Hye-won and the others happened to be there.”

“That’s true, I guess...” Kang Hye-won had stayed up until midnight, half dazed, but was now fully awake and found Yoon Yunhui’s words quite suspicious.

She had heard that Lee Jun-ho, their department head, was the son of the former vice chairman of CJ Group.

To be childhood friends with someone like that, Yoon Yunhui must be at least somewhat impressive.

Was he an actor? Her best friend was in the same production company as such a person?

Kang Hye-won’s eyes questioned Shin Suhyeon, who awkwardly avoided her gaze.

This was bad.

Could it be that her best friend was being...

Yet their cheerful atmosphere didn’t quite suggest that.

Surely her best friend wouldn’t have done it willingly?

At this point...

Kang Hye-won started eating the ramen on the spot.

Assistant Kim brought the freshly cooked ramen in the pot, topped with a poached egg and ham.

She had saved herself a portion and ate quietly at the side table, not disturbing the others.

When it came to eating, Kang Hye-won was serious. She thanked them and dug in immediately.

If her best friend had done it willingly, there was nothing more to say—respect and understanding.

This was a survival rule Kang Hye-won had learned during her long tenure with IZ*ONE.

“If there’s really something good, can my best friend bring me along?”

IZ*ONE had six months left before their disbandment. Taking advantage of the hiatus, Kang Hye-won had contacted her original agency, 8D Entertainment.

The female boss there was kind to her, no doubt, but the transition from the restaurant business to entertainment had been rocky, producing boy bands that flopped spectacularly.

8D Entertainment had since moved to a professional management system. The current CEO had been a singer and was planning to shut down the acting department.

But Kang Hye-won wanted to act.

Yoon Yunhui had heard slightly about Kang Hye-won’s style, but he hadn’t expected it to be so genuine.

“You two eat too. Why are you just watching me? This unnie’s cooking is really good! Thank you!”

Kang Hye-won was almost showing off half her bowl—she was truly hungry; waiting until midnight wasn’t easy.

“Ah, you’re welcome. It’s also the first time I’ve eaten food my assistant made. I didn’t know she had this skill. Thank you, Kim.”

Yoon Yunhui sincerely thanked her.

In his mind, Assistant Kim was already the all-powerful, indefatigable corporate workhorse.

“Thanks for seeing me home.”

Shin Suhyeon also owed Yoon Yunhui thanks. She was surprised at herself—she realized she was capable of doing such things.

“You’re welcome.”

Yoon Yunhui ate his ramen, the taste truly excellent. After finishing his business, he took a bite full of everyday warmth.

“Get some rest. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Okay, goodbye Yunhui.”

Shin Suhyeon saw them off, then noticed Kang Hye-won had gone to the kitchen to wash the pots and dishes. She followed, first splashing cold water on her face.

Tentatively, Kang Hye-won asked:

“Suhyeon unnie, did you... give it?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Nothing to hide—Yoon Yunhui had shown her great respect. It was clear this was her first time doing such a thing. Feeling secure, she let out all the emotions bottled up since entering the entertainment industry.

Men and women, food and drink—it’s all just like that.

“Wow~”

Kang Hye-won thought her best friend was incredibly impressive.

If she were in the same situation, she wasn’t sure how long she could hold on.

Kang Hye-won truly wanted to debut—otherwise, she wouldn’t have switched agencies three times. Twice she was so close to debuting, but her agencies went bankrupt first. Only after ‘Produce 48’ did she realize her dream.

“How much is my dream worth?”

“What?”

Her best friend suddenly said something puzzling. Kang Hye-won was curious.

“Nothing.”

Shin Suhyeon shook her head, smiling.

“That line was from the independent film I acted in—it expresses its core idea.”

“Hye-won, we’re definitely going to make it big.”

“Yeah!”