Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 50 New Year Countdown: The Extreme Tug-of-War on the Edge of a Battlefield

Sunday, 9:00 AM.

Su Yu was woken up by the vibration of his phone beside his pillow; the noise felt like renovations were being done on his brain. He had gone to bed too late last night, and Cai Xiubin's voice message was playing on repeat in his head—"Every page you write has the warmth of your hand."

These words were more intoxicating than strong liquor, causing him to toss and turn all night, barely managing to close his eyes before dawn.

He squinted and reached for his phone; the screen was already piled high with unread messages. There were messages from Cai Xiubin, Yoon Shi-yoon, and Sulli. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was organizing a fan meeting.

He first opened Cai Xiubin's chat window.

Oppa, are you awake?

My head hurts so much, I feel like someone is drumming inside.

My mom said I clung to a bottle of liquor last night and wouldn't let go, and even did a girl group dance in the living room—it was so embarrassing!

Su Yu couldn't help but smirk and typed back: "Serves you right. Who told you to drink so much? Your mother is being merciful by not throwing you out."

A pitiful emoji replied instantly, followed by another message: "Oppa, are you free today?"

Su Yu raised an eyebrow: [What?]

Cai Xiubin: [I want to see you.]

Three simple words, so direct that there was no way to dodge them. Su Yu stared at the screen, his finger hovering for two seconds.

See you at the company. 2 PM.

The other end immediately sent a bright smiley face; you could feel the excitement even through the screen.

Not long after I put down my phone, at 10 a.m., Shirley's message popped up.

Oppa, did you sleep well last night?

Su Yu rubbed his throbbing temples and replied, "[It's alright.]"

[You're lying.] Shirley's reply came quickly: [You definitely didn't sleep well. Every time you stay up all night writing a script, your voice is hoarse the next day, and your replies never exceed five words.]

Su Yu subconsciously touched his throat; it was indeed a bit dry. This girl's observational skills were practically on par with a criminal investigation team; it was best to avoid lying to her in the future.

"Where are you?" Shirley pressed.

[A semi-basement apartment. Just woke up, bracing for another moldy day.]

Have you had breakfast yet?

Not yet, I'm planning a hunger strike to protest this terrible weather.

【I've already asked my assistant to buy ginseng chicken soup. If they refuse to accept it, I'll have someone throw it in the trash and send you a picture. It's up to you.】

Su Yu looked at the domineering CEO-style handwriting, sighed helplessly, and replied: 【No need to trouble yourself…】

Before the message was even sent, the other party's screen showed "typing," followed by the message: "Stop talking nonsense, just wait."

Su Yu tossed her phone aside and resignedly got out of bed. That's just how Choi Sulli is—she never plays by the rules, she's impervious to both soft and hard approaches, and she only works for her own methods.

At 1:50 PM, at the company.

When Su Yu pushed open the door, Cai Xiubin was already sitting by the window. Today she was wearing a soft white sweater, her hair was casually tied into a low ponytail, and her face was bare, without even lipstick.

The winter sun streamed through the window, shining on her face. The purplish bruise from before had completely disappeared, and her skin was glowing white. She looked as clean as a blank sheet of paper.

"What time did you arrive?" Su Yu casually tossed his backpack onto the table.

"It's 1:30." She turned to look at him, a hint of weariness in her eyes. "I couldn't sleep. Last night, lying in bed, all I could think about was the scene of the wrap party, and... your script."

Su Yu walked over and sat down on the sofa next to her. "Me too."

"You can't sleep either?" She was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that this famous screenwriter would also have insomnia.

"Hmm. Thinking about things."

"What are you thinking about?"

Su Yu turned his head, his gaze falling on her face. "I miss that voice message you sent."

Her face flushed instantly, like a ripe apple. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously tracing circles on her knee. "That voice message... I was drunk, it doesn't count."

"Don't you know the saying 'truth comes out when you're drunk'?"

"That might not be true; it could just be the alcohol telling the story."

"Then say it again now. You're sober, not drinking, and look me in the eye."

She looked up and met his deep gaze. She opened her mouth, her cheeks flushed even more, but finally closed it again.

"I can't say it." Her voice was barely audible.

Why?

"Because I get shy when I'm awake."

Su Yu chuckled softly, reached out and cupped her face, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek. "Then don't say anything. I'll do it."

He lowered his head and kissed her.

This kiss wasn't as tentative and eager as the last one; instead, it was gentle and lingering, like savoring a carefully prepared dessert.

The air was filled with the faint scent of shampoo, and the sunlight streaming through the window cast long shadows of the two of them. Her hand slowly climbed up his shoulder, and her fingertips gently tapped the back of his neck twice, as if to confirm that this wasn't a hallucination.

After a long while, Su Yu finally released her. Their foreheads touched, and their breathing became erratic.

"What were you knocking on just now?" Su Yu asked in a low voice.

"It's definitely not a dream." Her eyes were wet, like a startled fawn. "Oppa."

"Um."

"From now on, you will have to stay at the company every Sunday."

"Why? I'm not a company asset."

"Because I don't have to film on Sundays, I can see you all day long."

Su Yu smiled and pinched her nose: "Okay. Sunday is yours. The other days are the company's."

She glared at him and said coquettishly, "What about tonight?"

"It's a semi-basement at night. Are you coming to inspect the work?"

Her face flushed red again, and she grabbed a cushion from the sofa and threw it at him hard: "Su Yu, you big pervert!"

Su Yu caught the cushion steadily, grinning with an irritating grin: "What did you just call me?"

"Oppa!"

"Not this one. The word from before."

She paused for a moment, then bit her lip: "...Su Yu."

"good."

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the atmosphere was just right, and Shirley's help (or mischief) arrived.

The assistant knocked and came in, carrying a huge insulated bag, saying that Sister Shirley had specifically asked her to bring it. After putting the bag down, the assistant quickly and tactfully retreated, afraid of being blinded by the pink bubbles in the room.

Cai Xiubin looked at the exquisite insulated bag without saying a word, her eyes darkening.

"Eat up. It's a kind gesture, it would be a shame to throw it away." Su Yu opened the bag and laid out the ginseng chicken soup, kimchi fried rice, and several delicate side dishes one by one, the aroma instantly filling the office.

Cai Xiubin took the bowl of ginseng chicken soup, scooped out a spoonful, and took a sip. "Delicious."

"Are you praising the inspirational quote, or the person who delivered it?" Su Yu looked at her with a half-smile.

"You're praising chicken soup for the soul." She put down her spoon, then looked at him seriously. "Oppa."

"Um?"

"She's so good to you."

Su Yu didn't reply, but silently put a piece of chicken on her plate.

"And how do you treat her?" Cai Xiubin asked. "Are you good to her?"

Su Yu thought for a moment and answered honestly, "No."

Why?

"Because I'm nice to her, she'll misunderstand. With her personality, she'll be overjoyed if you give her a little sunshine, and overflowing if you give her a little flood."

Cai Xiubin lowered her head, her fingers tracing the rim of the bowl, and said in a muffled voice, "Oppa."

"Um."

"I won't misunderstand your kindness towards me."

"Oh? So do you think I'm good to you?"

She suddenly looked up at him and said, "Fine. But you're so sarcastic. You meant well, but you sound like you're mocking me."

Su Yu laughed: "Then I'll change? I'll start showering you with sweet words from now on?"

"Don't change." She shook her head. "If you change, you won't be yourself anymore. I like you just the way you are."

Su Yu: "..." Is this a compliment?

At 8 p.m., Su Yu took Cai Xiubin home.

Seoul's winter was bitterly cold. The two walked through the alley, the streetlights casting a dim yellow glow that spread through the white mist. She walked on his right, her hands in her pockets, occasionally stepping on fallen leaves that made a crisp, crunching sound.

"Oppa".

"Um."

"The day after tomorrow is New Year's Day."

"Yes. A new year, a new cycle."

What are your New Year's wishes?

Su Yu stopped and thought for a moment: "Make the company bigger, sign more promising artists, let more people see your work, and let you win big awards."

Cai Xiubin turned around, looking at him with some dissatisfaction: "It's always this. Why is it that you never include yourself in your wishes?"

Su Yu looked at her, the streetlight reflecting in his pupils, making him appear exceptionally gentle. "Yes."

"What is it?"

"you."

Cai Xiubin was stunned. A cold wind howled past, but the tips of her ears instantly burned. Her eyes sparkled, as if someone had lit a lamp inside them.

"Oppa".

"Um."

"Can you please stop being so blunt? It's making my heart race."

"Isn't a straight shot good? It's less strenuous, more efficient, and less likely to cause ambiguity."

"Okay." She tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the cheek, then shrank back like a startled rabbit. "It was really good."

At nine o'clock in the evening, Su Yu returned to that familiar semi-basement.

Pushing open the door, he saw water still dripping from the corner of the ceiling. Drip, drip. This sound, usually extremely irritating, like a countdown to the passing of life, was strangely rhythmic to Su Yu tonight.

He threw himself onto the bed and took out his phone. There was an unread message from Shirley.

Oppa, did you receive the food? How did it taste? It was specially made by my chef.

Su Yu replied: [Received. Thank you. It tastes good, Cai Xiubin likes it very much.]

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

"As long as she's happy. Just eat properly. Don't eat instant noodles all the time; your stomach will cause problems sooner or later, and then I'll have to pay for your treatment."

Su Yu looked at the line of text and felt a warm feeling well up inside him. He replied, "Understood, capitalist."

Oppa.

【Um. 】

What are your New Year's wishes?

Su Yu thought for a moment, then typed: 【Make the company successful.】

Anything else?

That's all.

Shirley's screen showed "typing" for a long time before finally sending two words: 【Liar.】

Su Yu didn't reply. He received another message: [Oppa, my wish for this year has actually come true.]

What is your wish?

[I saw you.]

Su Yu stared at the words, feeling a slight jolt in his heart. He didn't know how to respond. Sometimes, this heavy sentiment was harder to resist than a rejection.

My phone vibrated again.

Just kidding. Don't take it seriously. If you're feeling stressed, just say you lost a truth or dare game. Goodnight.

Su Yu replied: [Good night. Sweet dreams.]

He placed his phone beside his pillow and closed his eyes. A breeze from outside seeped in through the cracks in the glass, causing the curtains to sway gently.

Someone told him, "I saw you." Someone tiptoed to kiss him. Someone, drunk, said, "Every page you wrote has the warmth of your hand." Someone, when sober, couldn't say it, but their eyes spoke volumes.

Su Yu turned over and pulled the blanket over her head.