Chapter 12

As the director had hoped, the viewership ratings for "One Day" steadily climbed alongside the growing buzz. Recently, just by casually opening Naver, one could always find several trending topics related to the drama. On Theqoo forums, discussions about the plot and popular ship posts were sprouting like mushrooms after rain, all boasting high click rates and soaring popularity.

“I hope Duanwu ends up with Haru TT”

“Xi Yu’s ship compatibility is so high~”

“The storyline is really interesting. As a school drama, the atmosphere is great. Because of Xi Yu’s performance, the character of Yin Duanwu feels even cuter.”

“It’s not just a simple love story school drama. Every character is interesting. It’s definitely a show I won’t miss during meals lately.”

For Yin Xi Yu, her career was flourishing with a bright future ahead. In contrast, her progress with Jung Ki Si seemed to have hit a pause button.

“Aren’t you anxious?” Xiao U asked curiously.

Yin Xi Yu was dressed in a Joseon-era hanbok, preparing to film the ancient scenes in the script. If the school uniform look of Yin Duanwu portrayed a lively and spirited girl, then the traditional costume emphasized a much gentler and elegant temperament.

She carefully adjusted the strands of hair near her cheek in front of the mirror, her skin porcelain white, lips a healthy, moist pink.

“Not anxious at all.”

“You can’t expect me to always be the one to make the first move, right?”

A faint smile curled at the corner of Yin Xi Yu’s lips. Thinking of the noticeably more frequent messages from Jung Ki Si these past days, her smile deepened. But was that alone enough? She had made her feelings quite obvious — how could he still be hesitating and testing the waters?

“Even someone who’s used to diving straight in can feel disappointed if there’s no equal response.”

Following the original character’s traits didn’t mean she lacked her own thoughts. Love required sincerity, but it also required a bit of “calculation.” That was the secret to Yin Xi Yu’s flawless success rate in her endeavors.

Xiao U awkwardly refrained from further questioning. As a system composed purely of data, even though it could solve many problems beyond human ability, it would never truly compare to genuine human emotions when it came to matters of the heart.

In the AOMG lounge, Gray and Loco were playing a board game, their laughter and cheerfulness sharply contrasting with Jung Ki Si lying on the sofa, sighing deeply.

Park Jae Beom had just returned from the gym, wearing only a loose sleeveless shirt with his jacket draped over his arm. As soon as he opened the door, the cold air conditioning inside made him shiver. Suppressing an urge to curse, he decisively grabbed the remote and turned the AC off.

“It’s autumn already, why is the AC still on...”

Lee Seong Hwa smiled and said, “We’re wearing jackets; it’s not cold.”

Park Jae Beom: …

Speechless. If you’re hot, just take off your jacket. You keep your jacket on and want the AC on? Are you asking to be scolded?

Park Jae Beom rolled his eyes and then noticed Jung Ki Si lying on the sofa like a corpse, looking gloomy. He paused and silently asked Lee Seong Hwa and Kwon Hyuk Woo with a raised eyebrow: “What’s wrong with him?”

Lee Seong Hwa and Kwon Hyuk Woo exchanged glances and shrugged.

Kwon Hyuk Woo, bolder, whispered, “He’s heartbroken, probably.”

Park Jae Beom raised an eyebrow. Remembering the bizarre, inexplicable text messages from before, it suddenly seemed plausible — but still…

“Who did he fall for?”

At that point, Kwon Hyuk Woo’s expression grew complicated, a mix of schadenfreude and a hint of envy.

“Hey, who else could it be? The only girl he’s been close to recently is…”

Before he could finish, Jung Ki Si’s low voice interrupted: “I heard that.”

Kwon Hyuk Woo immediately zipped his lips and made a silent “zip it” gesture, helplessly waving at Park Jae Beom.

However, with Loco’s obvious hint, Park Jae Beom thought it over and instantly understood. Recently, Jung Ki Si had frequently mentioned that actress’s name. He wasn’t disconnected from the internet, so he naturally saw many viewers of “Transfer 2” shipping Jung Ki Si with Yin Xi Yu.

Park Jae Beom hadn’t paid much attention to who she was exactly, only recalling vaguely that she was quite pretty, with a sweet smile and… very tall?

That thought finally clicked. So the weird text messages he got before were because Jung Ki Si was feeling insecure? Park Jae Beom couldn’t help but chuckle. Who would’ve thought that Ki Si could have moments of self-doubt?

“Is that necessary?” Park Jae Beom teased. “If you like her, just go after her.”

Remembering Loco’s earlier words, his voice faltered for a moment as he cautiously glanced at Jung Ki Si. “Or have you already been rejected?”

Jung Ki Si suddenly sat up, irritably running his hand through his hair. When he wasn’t smiling, his expression was somewhat intimidating.

“No.”

“Then what’s with the doomsday look? You haven’t been rejected yet. I don’t get it.” Park Jae Beom was baffled. Growing up abroad, he always believed in living in the moment, especially when it came to love. If you like someone, that’s it. Why overthink?

Jung Ki Si pursed his lips, his expression sharp. Lee Seong Hwa kindly answered for him.

“Brother was planning to pursue her, but the past couple of days, the female lead has been cold toward him.”

Lee Seong Hwa’s smile was faint. Though often praised as gentle and gentlemanly, only close friends knew of his sly streak.

“Ki Si is afraid he’s just imagining things, that she has no interest at all.”

He had just finished when Jung Ki Si shot him a glare. Resigned, he raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I won’t say anything more.”

Park Jae Beom grew increasingly incredulous. “Since when did you get so timid? If you like her, go after her. If she’s not interested, then find a way to make her like you.”

“Bro, seriously… have you gone backward in life?”

“If someone didn’t know, they’d think you’re some innocent teenager.”

Park Jae Beom rolled his eyes, babbling on with merciless sarcasm.

“Oh my god, Jung Ki Si, you’re 35, not 25.”

Kwon Hyuk Woo was stunned, then glanced at the clearly flustered Jung Ki Si and quietly gave a thumbs-up. Indeed, the boss is still the boss.

Jung Ki Si was initially confused, but when realization dawned, his eyes brightened with newfound clarity.

Yeah, this timid guessing of Xi Yu’s feelings wasn’t his style at all.

He, Jung Ki Si, if he liked a woman, would definitely take the initiative. If Xi Yu liked him back, that would be perfect. If not, he would make her like him.

Exactly like that.

His expression relaxed considerably. Only then did he belatedly realize how sluggish he’d been these past few days. He hadn’t shaved, and his image was at risk. Given that he was ten years older than Xi Yu, if he didn’t take care of himself, what if people thought he was her uncle when they went out together?

He immediately stood up, preparing to go home and freshen up.

“I’m heading out now.” Jung Ki Si decisively said goodbye, patting Park Jae Beom’s shoulder with a friendly smile.

“Jae Beom, thanks.” His deep voice carried a hint of Busan accent, proudly showing off.

“Good bro, as expected.”

Park Jae Beom watched him leave the company briskly, humming a tune, his expression becoming somewhat indescribable.

“Is the power of love… really that strong?”

Kwon Hyuk Woo shook his head. “Bro, you don’t understand how precious love is to someone like Ki Si—so old and single for so long.”

“Especially since the girl is Xi Yu.” Saying this, Kwon Hyuk Woo felt a slight pang in his own youthful heart.

His goddess, huh.

Lee Seong Hwa, standing nearby, momentarily froze his smile when he heard Loco’s words. For some reason, he felt as if he’d been subtly insulted as well.

In truth, Ki Si was only two years older than him. Kwon Hyuk Woo really deserved a smack for his mouth.

Meanwhile, Yin Xi Yu keenly noticed Jung Ki Si’s change.

Since she had begun deliberately acting a bit “cold,” the messages from him had become noticeably briefer. Though text couldn’t convey complex feelings as face-to-face could, some shallow emotions were still perceptible.

She didn’t know what he had been through, but suddenly he had regained his previous enthusiasm, showing even more initiative than before.

Yin Xi Yu was curious but kept a poker face, pretending to be unaware.

Some things would be clear when the time was right. She wouldn’t let momentary curiosity affect the bigger picture.

[Loco said he went to a Chinese restaurant a couple of days ago; the food was quite good. Are you interested?]

Jung Ki Si typed the message, not holding much hope because Yin Xi Yu’s filming schedule had been intense lately, with little rest, let alone time to dine out with him.

He expected another rejection, but minutes later, the young lady’s reply came back, different from previous responses.

Chatty girl: [Is there good Chinese food in Seoul?]

Jung Ki Si’s eyes lit up, sensing a chance, and quickly replied.

Eyelash queen: [Loco traveled to China before. He said the taste is similar, and the owner seems to be Chinese.]

Eyelash queen: [Do you… want to go?]

Yin Xi Yu thought for a moment. She felt she should recover from her “disappointed” mood. Besides, she really did crave Chinese food. Having traveled through so many worlds, whether ancient or modern China, it was undeniably a land of culinary riches. Now that she was at the Korean branch, it was kimchi every day, with several side dishes at every meal—she was starting to tire of it.

Chatty girl: [I want to.]

Jung Ki Si’s lips twitched into a smile. He immediately got out of bed, replying while heading to the wardrobe.

Eyelash queen: [What time do you finish? I’ll come pick you up at the set.]

Yin Xi Yu was about to say it wasn’t necessary; she checked the restaurant’s location—it was quite close to the set. If Jung Ki Si came to pick her up, it would be out of the way, and besides, he couldn’t drive. How would he pick her up?

But just as she typed a polite refusal, she suddenly remembered the scenes scheduled for the afternoon. Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard for a few seconds, then deleted the first few words.

Chatty girl: [Sounds good!]

A little encouragement should help him decide faster, right?

Yin Xi Yu curved her lips into a gentle smile.