Chapter 160: Dissolve: His Last Choice

With a sigh of resignation, Jungho watched Yoon Jooho’s retreating figure before turning his head back toward the filming site.

Over fifty meters away, Song Hyunsoo was talking with the staff.

“Hyung, I’m getting dragged into this. Hired hands have to obey orders.”

He quickened his pace to catch up with Yoon Jooho. Among the long line of vehicles parked along the road, the Sprinter stood out unmistakably.

Boarding it, Jungho momentarily forgot his tension and busied himself inspecting the interior.

“Wow, it looked impressive from outside, but the inside is just insane. This is the long wheelbase model, right?”

Admiring the headroom that comfortably accommodated his over 180 cm height, Jungho ran his hand along the ceiling.

This was an environment where even someone nearing 190 cm like Yoon Jooho could change clothes comfortably. So they actually bring this model into Korea.

I wonder how much it costs with all the options? Well, given his price tag, this kind of investment is expected.

“You know your stuff. You like cars?”

Yoon Jooho, sitting in the inner seat of the second row, picked up a bottle of water from the cup holder and asked.

“As much as anyone else. I may not be able to buy one anytime soon, but at least I can dream. I always run estimates with Hyunsoo hyung… oh…”

Jungho, excited at actually riding in a car with options rarely seen on the road, trailed off mid-sentence.

After taking a few sips of water, Yoon Jooho closed the cap and smiled bitterly.

“Porsche 911 Shark Blue color?”

“You know it… Hyunsoo hyung’s dream car.”

Jungho answered awkwardly, his gaze unintentionally drifting to Yoon Jooho’s hand.

‘“Yoon Jooho drinks Samdasoo.”’

Song Hyunsoo’s words were true. Well, the water Jooho was holding wasn’t actually Samdasoo, but it also wasn’t the 400,000 won Hawaiian Deep Ocean Water that some YouTuber had ranted about.

Just ordinary bottled water anyone could buy at a convenience store.

How many other rumors could be false?

He wished the rumors about the relentless power trips that got managers switched out often were false too…

“There’s no need to be so nervous. Sit comfortably.”

Yoon Jooho gestured toward the adjacent seat, inviting Jungho to sit, who carefully lowered himself onto the elegant ivory-colored seat, barely resting on the edge.

“You know I’m your boss, right?”

“Huh?”

“Your boss is the one who pays your salary.”

“Yeah… that makes sense.”

“So that means your boss isn’t Chief Nam, and definitely not Actor Song Hyunsoo.”

“……”

Jungho couldn’t grasp the meaning. He waited silently for Jooho to continue.

Yoon Jooho pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the storage compartment beside the cup holder, opened it, and offered it to Jungho first.

“Do you smoke?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Can I?”

“Go ahead.”

Nodding, Yoon Jooho took one, placed it between his lips, and lit it. Jungho’s attention was momentarily drawn to his profile, lowered eyes, and the way he lit the cigarette.

How does his nose look like that? Is it even possible without surgery?

But the whole nation had watched Yoon Jooho grow up. Even in countless YouTube videos from the Prince Yoon Juho Era, that tiny kid already had that exact nose—tall, straight, sharp enough to cut paper.

Yoon Jooho exhaled a thin sigh, sending smoke from between his lips.

Even during adolescence, Jungho never thought smoking men looked cool, and that thought had never wavered—yet, for a moment, he felt the temptation to try a cigarette.

After all, he understood why Chaeyoung and Jooho’s fans kept saying it was about ‘vibes’ and atmosphere. Not just handsome, but something melancholically profound.

“I guess you know I’m not on good terms with Song Hyunsoo.”

After a couple of drags, Yoon Jooho finally seemed ready to get to the point. Jungho tensed up as Jooho continued.

“That won’t cause any problems with your contract. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Okay…”

“But to be honest, I am at odds with Actor Song.”

“Understandable, I guess…”

“So from now on, your role becomes important.”

“Me…?”

Jungho rubbed his palms on his pants, then pointed at his face with his index finger. Honestly, I’d rather just be left out of this.

“You remember the contract clause, right?”

“Which one…”

“To actively cooperate by becoming the eyes and ears for collecting necessary information for the second party.”

“Oh…”

There wasn’t an exact line about being ‘eyes and ears,’ but yeah, there was something along those lines.

“If I start asking Actor Song here and there, it won’t look good. It might seem like personal interest or lingering feelings. But the company has to tightly manage its contracted actors, especially rookies.”

Yoon Jooho shrugged as he spoke, furrowing his brows deeply and taking a long drag from his cigarette.

“So, you mean I’m supposed to report every move of Hyung to you… that’s what you’re saying?”

“……”

Yoon Jooho paused, then raised his eyebrows and nodded.

“Well, you could put it that way.”

Then he added with emphasis.

“Strictly from an actor management perspective.”

Anyone could see he was acting like an ex-boyfriend with leftover feelings. But since he insisted on calling it actor management, Jungho figured he might as well cooperate.

Besides, it didn’t seem like Jooho had completely let go either. If they reconciled and got back together, it might be good for everyone’s mental health.

Jungho nodded and asked to confirm.

“So, I’m not supposed to tell Hyunsoo hyung about this?”

Leaning his elbow on the armrest and resting his chin, Yoon Jooho smiled broadly.

“You’re easy to talk to, Jungho.”

That smile, both angelic and faintly tragic, gave Jungho a slight chill. This man looked like someone who’d do anything to get what he wanted—with a face like first love, all innocent.

He was the one Jungho never wanted as an enemy, even if it meant sacrificing Song Hyunsoo.

When they had met in front of Song Hyunsoo’s car trunk, Yoon Jooho had seemed stiff, but now he appeared much more relaxed. Flicking ash into the ashtray, he spoke quickly.

“Do whatever Song actor needs. Don’t hesitate to use the Kingdom Card.”

“Yes, I will.”

Resting his head against the seat’s headrest, Yoon Jooho pressed his eyelids beneath his palm.

“Song actor is staying at your place, right? Is he sleeping well?”

Yoon Jooho himself looked sleep-deprived.

“I usually fall asleep first, so I don’t really know.”

Opening his eyes and turning to face Jungho, Jooho frowned, looking disappointed.

“It must be cramped for two, but bear with it for now. The company will try to arrange a place as a dormitory soon.”

“Ah… about that.”

Jungho shifted uneasily, rolling his eyes and scratching his cheek, prompting Yoon Jooho to press harder.

“What’s that?”

“Hyung isn’t at our place right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“He was definitely staying there until yesterday, but last night, he took his stuff and left.”

“Left? Where to?”

“……”

Yoon Jooho’s eyebrows twitched. It was astonishing how such a pretty face could look so fierce—the expression turned cold in an instant.

He seemed ready to strangle Jungho if he delayed his answer any longer.

Song Hyunsoo seriously misunderstood Yoon Jooho.

He must like it when I don’t bat an eye even if they hook up.

Bound by contract, Jungho had no choice but to report the actor’s residence truthfully to his employer.

“He’s a straightforward guy. He said there’s an empty room at his place, so he’s moving there.”

Yoon Jooho chewed on his lower lip as if about to bite it off. Grinding his teeth, he contorted the still made-up face harshly.

“Seo Hae. That bastard, seriously.”

■

After passing the West Coast Expressway, Yoon Jooho crossed Seongsan Bridge and was driving along Hangangbuk-ro.

When he had left the site, the sun hadn’t completely set, but now that he’d arrived in Seoul, it was fully night.

His eyes fixed ahead, Yoon Jooho glanced at the monitor beside him.

A call was coming in. He was about to reject it immediately but stopped.

This time, it wasn’t the manager who had been at the site but Director Bang. He reluctantly accepted the call.

[Yoon Jooho, where are you?]

“Why?”

[Lee Manager called me. You suddenly disappeared with your car. Why aren’t you answering your phone?]

“I finished filming and left work. Where I go afterward is my business. Am I supposed to report that too?”

He was scheduled to stay at the filming dormitory until Friday this week.

To prepare for drives or dining out nearby, he had parked his Porsche in the hotel garage in addition to the Sprinter.

Without telling the manager, Yoon Jooho had taken the wheel of that car and left Myeonghaeri.

[You’ve been acting shaky lately, that’s why.]

“I’m shaky? Why?”

[Man, it’s because…]

“Just say it, hyung. Is there some problem with me now?”

[……]

“I got the movie I wanted to start rolling on, and filming is going great. What problem do I have? Tell me.”

Director Bang said nothing, confirming that no one could stop Yoon Jooho’s state. Only a few deep sighs were heard on the other end.

“Don’t worry. I’ll solve one problem and be back today.”

[Hey, what pro…]

Yoon Jooho cut off the call unilaterally. His destination was just ahead.

Normally, he would have entered the underground parking lot, but this time, he chose the front entrance.

Leaving the car with valet parking as if abandoning it, he dashed into the lobby.