Chapter Thirty-Nine: Rasputin’s Entire Case of Hair

"You shouldn't belittle yourself. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armed Forces, the President hasn't forgotten you! But this is also thanks to Lun-hoo. I was worried you would sink into despair; a fine man like you shouldn't be left to stagnate."

At over fifty years old, Zhao Yuanxiu’s two-star rank could hardly be called rapid progress. One must remember that the superintendent of the Army Academy is merely a three-star lieutenant general. However, having spent his career away from combat units and key strategic departments, his reputation as a mentor to countless students notwithstanding, he had effectively lost the chance to compete for that third star.

He took the tea leaves Cha Lun-hoo had brought, gestured for his housekeeper to prepare the tea, and repeatedly motioned for the young man to sit. Though he initially harbored some resentment over their long period of silence, seeing that this fellow had ended up frequenting nightlife establishments stirred a sense of pity for his wasted talent. He could, in a way, understand the shame that kept him from facing his elders and peers.

As the young man’s situation began to improve—aided by the aura slowly being manufactured around him—the veteran from the Hunan region felt the urge to offer a helping hand. A gift in the snow is always more meaningful than embroidery on silk; even if it yielded no direct return, it would at least earn him a reputation for looking after the younger generation.

The faint aroma of tea filled the study. His mentor joked that he should have pursued a graduate degree and stayed on to teach back then, or found a way to become a staff officer at the headquarters; then, things would never have reached this sorry state.

"Back then, we all thought you boys had found a good position; after all, most second lieutenants were sent to the front lines. Who would have guessed that circumstances could be so unpredictable? However, I can offer you a choice: would you be willing to go to the Military Manpower Administration? I have many connections there, and the Chief, Qi Zanshou, is a retired general who, like you, came from the Intelligence Command. He has already made up his mind to move to the Veterans Association."

Like the Army Academy, the Military Manpower Administration is a subordinate agency of the Ministry of Defense. Unlike standard military branches, it employs a large number of non-active duty personnel and civilians, operating almost independently of the Ministry. The Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration holds a rank equivalent to a vice-minister and is usually appointed directly by the President, typically from the ranks of retired non-active duty generals.

Cha Lun-hoo had already made up his mind, but he expressed his heartfelt gratitude for his mentor’s patronage. After analyzing the situation, General Zhao felt a sense of admiration for the young man’s courage in attempting to "stoke a cold hearth"—for everyone knew that the waters in that place ran deep.

"The Veterans Association has nothing if not resources and connections, but whether you can utilize them depends on your own fate. My advice is this: never try to play both sides. No one likes a fence-sitter. Sometimes, don't think about being the chess player; learning how to be a pawn is your immediate priority."

One only needs to look at the sub-associations to understand: the Star Friends Club, composed of conservative retired generals, is primarily made up of those from the Yeongnam region, led by Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Meanwhile, officers from the capital region and the Hunan region form their own factions. Beyond regional divisions, there are further subdivisions by branch and school—for instance, the Second and Third Military Academies of the Army.

"My mentor’s words are wise. Lun-hoo will keep them in his heart. In my current situation, I have no power to choose; I am merely borrowing strength."

Even exposing the recent incident had only worked so effectively because he had leveraged Suzy’s influence. The combination of a trending event and a scandalous twist had created a powerful chemical reaction. Although the Veterans Association might seem low-profile, its assets were equivalent to two Nongshim Groups or 1.5 Amorepacific Groups—a massive corporate scale in reality.

"Who knows, perhaps when I retire, I’ll have to seek refuge with you, Lun-hoo! Keep working hard, young man. At your age, the possibilities are truly infinite!"

General Zhao Yuanxiu laughed heartily. He was only a few years away from retirement, and perhaps this brilliant protégé really could be of use in the future. After all, who would have thought that a man dealt such a losing hand could turn it around by using his descent into the nightlife to hook a famous star and create a major news story?

...

"Soojung, I recall you and that Bae Suzy used to know each other, right? Didn't you girls call yourselves the '94 line'? You were all quite close, weren't you?"

Her older sister’s question left Soojung confused. Back when they were both idols, they had indeed hung out for a while and even had collaborative stages that fans talked about endlessly. But as they each pursued their own paths, they had practically lost touch.

"Unnie, why are you asking about this? Are you trying to get Suzy to promote your products? She seems to have a lot of endorsement deals already; I’m not sure if there would be a conflict."

She couldn't fathom what common ground these two could possibly have. Relying on the connections she’d built over the years, her sister often asked industry insiders to use and promote her brand, *Blanc & Eclare*, but Suzy was now a top-ten actress in terms of fees; Soojung felt embarrassed to ask her directly.

After all, "friends" in the entertainment industry are fickle. When you’re popular, you have many friends; when you’re not, those friendships fade. After years of struggling, the dramas she starred in hadn't seen great success. *Prison Playbook* was good, but as it was a male-led show, she didn't have much screen time.

A few days ago, the crime-action drama *Player*, starring veteran heartthrob Song Seung-heon, finally premiered. She played a very cool getaway driver, but the ratings seemed average—neither good nor bad.

"Promote? I’d sooner stuff these sunglasses into her mouth to make her shut that foul trap of hers! She’s been in the industry for so many years and still lacks any sense of etiquette toward her seniors."

Her sister’s words left Soojung stunned. She knew Suzy—they were young back then, only eighteen or nineteen, and perhaps a bit childish, but Suzy’s tact and social grace were well-known in the industry. How could she have made an enemy of her sister?

"Unnie, what are you talking about? How did Suzy offend you? I remember her being a very nice person. Could there be a misunderstanding? Besides, she just found herself a handsome national hero as a bodyguard; she doesn't have time to bicker with you."

Soojung had seen the photos. He was indeed good-looking and tall; they looked like a perfect match. But as she spoke, her sister’s expression changed. Her face went cold, as if Soojung owed her billions of won. Could it be early menopause? That didn't make sense; a woman of thirty was in her prime.

"You should stick to your little pretty boys. I wonder how he compares to yours? I heard he’s even a year younger than me! Just like yours, I heard he also used to..."

As she spoke, her expression turned bizarre. Soojung felt as if she had uncovered something incredible. The cold glare from her sister seemed capable of piercing through her; in their childhood, this was always the precursor to a beating.

"No way, my god. Are you all playing such dangerous games? Is there really a shortage of men in the world that you have to go to nightlife clubs and pay for them? Is he really that addictive?"

She had always scoffed at the idea of "extraordinary talents." The handsome man looked strong, but could he really be that impressive? Now, she began to wonder if he possessed some sort of Rasputin-like sorcery—a hypnotic power. It was said that the "mad monk" would cut a lock of hair from every noble girl he seduced, and after his death, boxes upon boxes of hair were found in his quarters.

"What do you know! Lun-hoo is a good man; otherwise, how could he have performed such heroic deeds? That Bae Suzy is just playing with him; he’s going to get hurt!"

Facing her sister’s adamant conviction, Soojung’s jaw nearly dropped. This man must have drugged them. Otherwise, her foolish sister might be one thing, but a smart person like Suzy would never be bewitched by him.