Chapter Sixteen: The Absurd Revelation

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“I stand by everything I’ve said, and you’re welcome to verify it. If they agree, I can provide information about some colleagues involved.”
Che Lunhou recounted everything calmly and thoroughly, of course denying any relationship with Suzy. The other party should have known this without being told, since the root of this incident lay in their manipulative tactics—cutting and pasting facts to distort the truth.

Though Che Lunhou nodded slightly in acknowledgment of the young man's account, he harbored doubts. Otherwise, why would Suzy, with such a handsome bodyguard by her side, be the kind-hearted woman who couldn’t bear to see a hero suffer?

There was some chance that she admired heroes, but those in the entertainment industry were known for their realism; he was skeptical. Yet, as the young man pointed out, this incident seemed like a tremendous opportunity for him—a grand plan unfolding in his mind.

At his age, he had struggled for recognition at the newspaper, largely due to a lack of connections. Younger colleagues had already surpassed him. If he could turn this into a major news story, it might just boost his reputation.

But a casual exposé would be meaningless. A detailed strategy was required; he needed to leverage all his contacts to fill in the details, conduct on-site investigations, and ideally depict the tragic figures involved one by one, shaping it into a socially impactful event.

The incident itself was already explosive, but tying in Suzy’s rumored relationship would exponentially increase the public’s attention. He could barely imagine the scale of the ensuing frenzy.

Exposing a celebrity romance might bring only modest acclaim to Reporter Chen, but it ignited his ambition instantly. Could it be that, despite his middle age, his moment of fortune had finally arrived?

“Mr. Che, your sense of justice is admirable. Heroes like you shouldn’t be forgotten by the public. I will fully support this cause. But we need a very detailed plan to present this incident thoroughly to the public.”

Che Lunhou held high hopes—not just for himself but also for the classmates who had been implicated and dismissed. Though a few from well-off families were doing alright scattered across the country, most were ordinary people without power or influence, hoping for stable military careers.

Che Lunhou regarded South Korea’s military academies as predatory lenders. Students only needed to pay low tuition and secure future livelihood guarantees, locking in a long, stable life path for top students—a lucrative deal with minimal exits.

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He jokingly said only two types of people suited the military academy: those born into families with a military lineage, and poor youths like himself with no background, hoping to secure a government salary.

“Reporter Chen, you joke. We just don’t want this matter to spiral out of control. Regarding Ms. Suzy, we’ll need Seoul Sports to release the full footage so fans can see the truth.”

Che Lunhou had not forgotten his primary goal. Since the other side had recorded the entire sequence of events, presenting this evidence would clarify matters far better than empty words. Moreover, the actress hailed from Gwangju and sympathized with those resisting the remnants of the old regime, making her reasoning sound and clear.

The reporter returned confidently to prepare. A complex chain of evidence needed assembling—from firsthand intelligence at the time to the current circumstances of the young soldiers—all requiring meticulous organization.

Che Lunhou’s life, though short, was remarkably legendary. Born poor, he excelled academically through hard work in a small town but couldn’t afford high tuition. He opted for the military academy and entered the armed forces. After enduring significant historical turmoil, he fell from grace. Now, embroiled in rumors involving a famous actress, his story could well become a hit drama script.

What stood out most was his striking appearance—sharp facial features with clear lines, a square chin, and a prominent nose. He exuded a resolute, brave aura, utterly devoid of frivolity, which enhanced his authoritative presence.

Though lacking warmth, he appeared upright, and this very contrast—his dignified appearance amidst the world of entertainment—made him irresistibly fascinating to many women. For example, Seika, a kind older woman to him, said his eyes were firm and bright, reflecting an indomitable and fearless spirit. Though she didn’t perceive affection in his gaze, it felt as if her heart were gripped tightly.

However, Seoul Sports required time to complete such an extensive project. Meanwhile, his glamorous employer seemed to be slacking off: the drama’s filming schedule was dragged out, unlikely to finish this year, often giving the crew breaks—an unusual pace for Korean dramas.

Che Lunhou himself was put on leave. This strange pattern of starting work only to be immediately rested did not relax him. The company was subtly prompting him to leave. Yet, facing Suzy’s pleas, he wanted to wait until the plan was implemented and the kind-hearted boss recovered before making a move.

But a small online leak troubled Che Lunhou. Someone on a forum was spilling information about him, and not all of it was false, which was deeply vexing.

A wealthy young woman had revealed details, claiming Suzy’s so-called bodyguard once frequented nightclubs, gifted like a reincarnated Rasputin or a trusted envoy of a great power. The vivid language made Che Lunhou cringe.

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“The oppa’s name and exact identity I’ll keep secret. He’s such a good person! He even worried I’d waste money and told me not to buy too much alcohol I couldn’t finish. Later, I heard he left the nightlife scene. I really miss those days.”

He hadn’t wanted to cause trouble, and even with a few close acquaintances, he limited his spending on gold coins, mostly just buying them some drinks. Unexpectedly, this only made them more infatuated with him. The leaked information was surprisingly positive, describing how he helped a young woman revise her thesis after their encounters—painting him as both talented and handsome.

“Are you kidding? I don’t believe it. Suzy wouldn’t sink that low. But then again, there’s the Choi Ji-woo case.”

“I looked up Rasputin; the real one’s still in a museum! If this leak is true, even at seventy percent of that level, that bodyguard is terrifying. Won’t he crush the rabbit?”

“Where’s the generosity? Telling you not to buy alcohol? And tutoring with thesis edits? Come back with a more believable story!”

Though this blogger often posted luxury cars and goods from home, few believed these claims, which relieved Che Lunhou. His good deeds had finally yielded some reward when it mattered most.

While most netizens doubted the story, some believed it. Not far away in Hong Kong, a polished older woman read the leak with a grimace, regretting that Che Lunhou had fled too soon. Now that Suzy controlled the situation, he’d be well taken care of. It was infuriating, yet she comforted herself that her junior’s career was destined to be overshadowed by her younger sister Yoona, releasing her own frustration.

“Ah, what nonsense is this! I’m beyond caring now—like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, or a lice-ridden person no longer itching. That kid’s still an amateur, earning a tiny salary from the company yet being scolded by so many!”

Bored, Suzy sat on the floor wearing mismatched socks. Her white dog Damon scurried around her feet, oblivious to the conversation between its owner and Che Lunhou.