Chapter 6: Did You Get Beaten Up?

Qi Huai didn’t really mind taking off his clothes, but Park Seok-jin’s gaze made him feel like thorns were pricking at his back.

The system whimpered pitifully: [Wuli, host oppa is suffering, just think of it as being licked by a cockroach.]

Qi Huai: “…There’s no need to be that graphic.”

His skin was pale, his muscles sleekly defined, from chest to abs all perfectly proportioned. His forearms carried faint veins—sexy but not overbearing.

The makeup artist dusted a shimmering layer of body glitter over his exposed torso, and as the puff brushed across his skin, she nearly drooled.

So sensitive!

Getting goosebumps!

Heeheehee!

As a seasoned tasker, Qi Huai’s acting skills were superb. Unlike technically trained actors, his performance came more from instinct. By becoming the character, he was whoever he acted as.

Coupled with his mixed-race looks and 188cm height, his aura matched that of a powerful mythical demon perfectly—almost as if the great beast Qingluan itself had descended.

Standing to the side, Park Seok-jin’s eyes gleamed. Even the surrounding staff could tell—this rookie actor’s level was something innate, a gift straight from the heavens.

Baek Soo-kyung stared at Qi Huai, full aura unleashed, while overhearing the staff whispering:

“Wow… being mixed-race is no joke.”

“I heard he speaks three languages—Chinese, English, Korean—and he even handles honorifics well. Doesn’t that mean he can cover the markets of three countries? That’s a gold mine.”

“Supposedly his family background is really, really, really good. Not only does he live in Cheongdam-dong, but on banquet day he drove a Ferrari! Wearing a luxury watch worth over 100 million won!”

Even Director Ahn Yonghe behind the camera couldn’t help but sigh:

“Daebak… talent! A born entertainer! I truly have an eye for genius, haha!”

He really has a bright future… Baek Soo-kyung thought.

“Hey, Seok-jin!”

Startled out of his daze watching Qi Huai, Park Seok-jin blinked. “Director, you called me?”

Director An quickly waved him over: “Qi Huai doesn’t seem too used to handling the camera. Please teach him a bit, Seok-jin. Thanks.”

Compared to Qi Huai, Baek Soo-kyung’s performance was somewhat lacking.

Though Choi Min-jun had arranged acting classes for him beforehand, standing under the glaring spotlight with everyone watching made his nervousness and insecurities flare. He looked all the greener for it.

Fortunately, his role—Kim Seung-soo—was a teenager in his past life, so his innocence fit the part. The director praised him, and even Park Seok-jin complimented his potential.

But unlike the original storyline, Park Seok-jin did not tell Baek Soo-kyung, “You remind me of my younger self.”

Instead, he said something like that to Qi Huai.

“Cameras are hard to handle, right? I used to be the same, dazed in front of the lens. I had to practice a lot,” Park Seok-jin said gently to Qi Huai.

Up till now, Park Seok-jin’s eyes had been glued to Qi Huai. To him, that aura, that born-to-be-a-movie-king presence—it was exactly like his younger self.

He thought: The only reason I missed out on the Blue Dragon Best Actor award was Kim Min-kyung’s background. After all, the Kim family is a clan of prosecutors bold enough to investigate presidents. How could I compete with that?

Being a genius but losing out due to bad timing—such obstacles aren’t just for rookies.

[Host oppa, I think you did it!]

The system’s voice was excited: 

[The moment you took off that shirt, Gong 3’s eyes were glued to you. He had no time for the main Shou at all! Just now, their relationship bar wavered between “strangers” and “acquaintances,” but now it’s holding steady at “strangers.” Mission accomplished!]

Really? That’s good then.

Qi Huai expressionlessly put his shirt back on, ready to remove his makeup. This tactic of using seduction wasn’t pleasant, but with time short and the mission urgent, shameful but effective distractions were necessary.

“Your performance just now was excellent.”

From the dressing room doorway came the crisp sound of clapping. Choi Min-jun leaned casually against the frame, smiling warmly, eyes fixed on Qi Huai.

“I heard from the director that your scenes are done? Do you have some time later?”

Qi Huai blinked, surprised—he thought Min-jun had already left. So he had been watching the whole time?

Was he assessing my contract value?

“Yes, I have time. Min-jun Hyung, you mean…”

Choi Min-jun braced both hands on the back of Qi Huai’s chair, leaning down so their gazes met in the mirror. In a low voice, he said:

“How about I take you to visit Woosan Entertainment? No matter what others say—good or bad—it’s just castles in the air. Seeing for yourself is the truest answer, don’t you think?”

Qi Huai suddenly realized talking to Choi Min-jun was exhausting.

No matter what he said, Min-jun always had to spin it into some grand philosophy. Charitably, you could call it profound and meaningful. Less charitably, it was downright dad-like.

Qi Huai lowered his eyes with a faint smile:

“Can I understand this as—after seeing my performance today, Min-jun Hyung is very satisfied with me?”

Min-jun hadn’t expected such directness. He chuckled.

“You’re interesting. And smart. Am I being too hasty?”

Looking at Qi Huai with approval, he said:

“I enjoy working with clever people. I’m guessing you do too. So, do I have the honor of being the manager of the next international superstar?”

Qi Huai was about to say he was still considering it—at least he wanted Min-jun to first ask him, “What are your conditions?”

That would put him in a better negotiating position.

But the system’s next words made him change his mind.

[Oh no! Host… the main shou and Gong 3’s relationship just shifted to “acquaintances”! In just ten minutes—how did that happen?!]

Qi Huai swallowed back his rejection and instead smiled at Min-jun:

“Then I’ll be in your care, Min-jun Hyung. I’d love to see the famous Woosan Entertainment for myself.”

---

Ten Minutes Earlier

Beaten down by Qi Huai’s overwhelming performance, Baek Soo-kyung had retreated into the restroom. He carefully deleted the text message from Choi Min-jun—

“You need to learn to find your own opportunities. Don’t always let others steal your spotlight.”

—and then emptied the trash folder.

Min-jun Hyung was right. While he was still weak, every opponent he faced would outshine him. If he crumbled whenever he encountered someone stronger, he’d never have a chance to rise.

Even when Min-jun wasn’t by his side, he had to learn to fend for himself.

“Well, if it isn’t our junior Baek Soo-kyung. Snatched someone else’s role, got praised by Director Ahn and Seok-jin Sunbae—feeling good, huh?”

Three young actors in costume walked in, smirking. One leaned back against the door, blocking the exit.

The malice was obvious. Baek Soo-kyung froze. “Y-you are…?”

“Ya!” The leader instantly changed expression, cursing as he shoved Baek Soo-kyung’s head with his hand. Baek Soo-kyung’s skull thudded against the stall door with a bang, leaving him dazed.

“How dare you talk to your seniors like that? You’ve been with the company nearly two weeks now, right? Don’t you know who your seniors are here? Or do you think only Seok-jin Sunbae and Go-eun Sunbae count? Didn’t your parents teach you manners, you rude little brat?”

Holding his aching head, Baek Soo-kyung shrank back, terrified. “This is the set… maybe the director will ask me to reshoot later—”

The leader’s eyes widened. “Soo-kyung, are you threatening me?”

Another sneered: “He’s just a rookie, but with Manager Choi backing him, he’s already preparing to soar. Of cours, he looks down on us.”

Baek Soo-kyung shook his head frantically: “That’s not what I meant! I respect my seniors, I’m just slow at remembering everyone in Woosan—”

The leader cut him off with a harsh punch to the stomach. Baek Soo-kyung doubled over with a muffled groan, eyes immediately reddening, tears spilling in pain.

“Looking closely, he’s really pretty. No wonder Manager Choi favors you. How about this?” The leader smirked, grabbing Baek Soo-kyung’s hand and pressing it down toward his crotch. “If you help each of us lick—”

Bang!

“Ah—Seok-jin Sunbae!”

The restroom door slammed open against the wall, then bounced halfway back. Park Seok-jin stood there, looking startled and innocent.

“Oh? There were people inside? Sorry—I thought the door was stuck, so I pushed it a bit hard. Are you okay?”

The one blocking the door quickly clutched his arm, bowing with an awkward smile.

“I understand, Seok-jin Sunbae. Just a coincidence. My fault for standing there. I have something to do, so I’ll leave first.”

And he hurried out.

The other two cursed under their breath but also scrambled away, bowing as they passed Seok-jin. He returned their greetings with a warm smile.

Soon, only Baek Soo-kyung and Park Seok-jin were left inside. Seok-jin placed a “Cleaning in Progress” sign at the door, locked it, then turned to Soo-kyung with a gentle smile.

“So your name is Soo-kyung, right? Did you get beaten up?”