Chapter Twenty-Four: Loss Is

Uhey soon heard the news as well, but her reaction was much calmer. "Hwang Tae-kyung?" Anna, helping her pick out clothes to wear, smiled as she replied, "Yes, Hwang Tae-kyung is much more famous than Kang Shin-woo. It's also because you two have been in the news so much lately. If we don't add a little hype, we might attract antis."

Uhey shrugged, unconcerned. "I really don't care. What's planned for today?"

"We still need to practice dancing. Tomorrow there's a beverage commercial," Anna said, glancing at the schedule. "Work isn't too busy lately, so I've booked you for a charity show as well. It'll help boost your positive image."

Uhey listened without comment, knowing Anna would take care of everything for her.

"By the way," Anna hesitated before asking, "Do you feel something different about Hwang Tae-kyung?"

Uhey, holding a piece of bread, dropped it onto her plate with a clang. "Wh-what are you talking about!" Her voice grew louder, and Anna couldn't help but sigh—this was always the start of a cover-up.

"That arrogant man who called me a liar, how could I possibly like him!"

"You seem to be saying too much," Anna remarked, handing her today's outfit and sitting beside her. She took a sip of milk and organized her thoughts before speaking again.

"You're at a crucial point in your career. If you get involved in a romance now, it could hurt your progress."

"Alright, alright." Uhey hastily finished her food, changed clothes, and flashed a playful smile. "Let's go!"

Clearly, she didn't want to discuss the matter further. Anna quickly drank up her milk and followed her out the door.

Today, Uhey seemed unusually cheerful, smiling throughout the car ride.

Anna, however, didn't see anything special about Hwang Tae-kyung. If anything, Kang Shin-woo seemed more promising, though Uhey hadn't noticed. Still, they would take things step by step—perhaps Uhey and Hwang Tae-kyung were simply well-matched.

Anna kept thinking about what Uhey had mentioned: Hwang Tae-kyung called her a deceitful fairy. How had Anna not known about that?

Meanwhile, Hwang Tae-kyung was not only busy preparing for his album release but also organizing a concert. He really didn't want to attend that show.

"Does it have to be me? Can't you pick someone else?" He pointed at his bandmates. "Jeremy!"

Jeremy nodded enthusiastically, "Sure, I'd love to shoot wedding photos with Uhey!"

In previous episodes, they'd taken wedding photos—Jeremy's favorite segment. Imagining himself and Uhey together, he couldn't have been happier.

Manager Ma immediately refused. "Jeremy's too young, he's not suitable for the show."

"Then Shin-woo!"

Kang Shin-woo had been the program's first choice, but due to rumors, they switched to Hwang Tae-kyung. Now, this back-and-forth was pure chaos, and Manager Ma was at his wit's end.

"I'm really jealous of Anna. Uhey never questions her decisions, not even when she's paired with Tae-kyung," he lamented.

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Hwang Tae-kyung snapped, annoyed. Manager Ma realized he'd misspoken and lowered his head to sip his tea.

Cha Eun-sang suddenly laughed, but seeing Hwang Tae-kyung glare at her, she quickly stifled her smile. Yet, for some reason, hearing that Hwang Tae-kyung and Uhey would be on the show together made her feel strange inside.

She also noticed Kang Shin-woo seemed off, a bit dazed.

"Shin-woo, are you feeling alright?" Cha Eun-sang offered him some cookies she'd baked herself. "Try one."

Kang Shin-woo forced a smile, took a cookie, and mechanically put it in his mouth. It tasted bland, and Cha Eun-sang looked disappointed. Jeremy, sharp-eyed, caught the moment and snickered childishly—serves her right for trying to curry favor.

Kang Shin-woo was usually open-minded, but hearing Manager Ma say Uhey never questioned Anna made him feel a little sad.

Still, it was the company's arrangement; none of them had any choice.

He told Hwang Tae-kyung, "It's fine, really. The show is popular now, and it will help us promote the album."

He spoke smoothly, but only he knew the bitterness in his heart.

Hwang Tae-kyung looked very displeased.

Manager Ma continued, "Today Go Mi-nam needs to practice dancing, and you must visit the set and show lots of affection!"

"Affection?" Hwang Tae-kyung asked, irritation evident.

"Yes, plenty of affection!" Manager Ma insisted. "Hug a little, joke around, whatever it takes to cover up the news about your discord!"

That afternoon, Hwang Tae-kyung and Cha Eun-sang were hugging affectionately when Kim Tan burst in. Furious, he not only hit Hwang Tae-kyung but also kissed Cha Eun-sang in the dance studio.

Luckily, only Manager Ma and the makeup coordinator were present, meaning Hwang Tae-kyung was the only one unaware that Go Mi-nam was actually a woman in disguise—though he had sensed something was off during the hug.

Manager Ma locked the studio door ahead of the entertainment reporters' arrival.

Kim Tan and Cha Eun-sang faced off in the studio, while Hwang Tae-kyung's face looked pitiful after the beating. Kim Tan hadn't held back, and Cha Eun-sang felt deeply guilty.

"Kim Tan, what are you doing!" she couldn't help but cry out. "Do you have to ruin my work?"

Kim Tan's eyes were filled with disappointment. "Eun-sang, come home with me. Don't stay here."

Hwang Tae-kyung was sick to his stomach—so Go Mi-nam liked men... But he'd hugged him purely for the commercial, with no ulterior motive!

And even if he did have ulterior motives, the man who just hit him was clearly better than Go Mi-nam.

Wait, that's off topic.

The coordinator dabbed Hwang Tae-kyung's face, making him wince in pain. Manager Ma was furious but couldn't say anything to Kim Tan, whose background was formidable—his brother was a shareholder in H&D. Manager Ma kept signaling to Hwang Tae-kyung to endure it.

Cha Eun-sang was nearly in tears. "I can't go back, Kim Tan. I'm happy here—I have a salary, I don't have to feel inferior, or deal with the humiliation of being a nobody at school. I'm happy. Please, just go live your life!"

Kim Tan was stunned, the light in his eyes fading. Cha Eun-sang felt a pang of guilt, but couldn't bear the pressure. She closed her eyes, refusing to look at him.

Just as Hwang Tae-kyung's anger was about to reach its peak, the door opened.

Manager Ma hurriedly pulled Cha Eun-sang behind him, afraid it was reporters, but it was Uhey and Anna who entered.

Anna had someone unlock the door, and immediately asked, "What's going on? You guys, your practice time is up... And you, sir..."

Anna vaguely felt she'd seen Kim Tan somewhere before.

Uhey, however, noticed Hwang Tae-kyung's face. "Tae-kyung, your face..."

Hwang Tae-kyung quickly turned away, refusing to look at her.

Uhey couldn't help but laugh, deliberately ignoring the always ominous "Go Mi-nam."

With Anna and Uhey present, Kim Tan didn't dare cause any more trouble. He'd read the news about Uhey and Kim Won, and though he didn't know the details, he kept his mouth shut.

Before leaving, he said, "The day after tomorrow is my birthday party. I hope you'll come—it's at my house."

He gave Cha Eun-sang a deep look before departing.

Manager Ma was now full of regret—why had he ever recruited such a troublesome character!

Hwang Tae-kyung wanted nothing to do with Go Mi-nam's face now, so he went to the bathroom to check himself in the mirror, nearly smashing it in frustration.

His face!

Swollen like a pig's head—how was he supposed to be on camera?

Fuming, Hwang Tae-kyung stormed out of the bathroom and grabbed Cha Eun-sang by the collar. "If you don't leave today, then I'll go instead!"

Cha Eun-sang burst into tears, feeling wronged. It wasn't her fault—she'd tried to stop Kim Tan, but his grip was terrifyingly strong, impossible to resist.

Hwang Tae-kyung shoved her aside, sending her stumbling backward. Uhey jumped out of the way to avoid getting caught up in it.

Anna asked, "Manager Ma, with Tae-kyung in this state, can their concert go on?"

Manager Ma's face was clouded with worry.

"And 'We Got Married' needs a new cast," Anna added gloomily. "Otherwise, people might think Uhey is violent."

Manager Ma grew even more frustrated. He'd hoped that Hwang Tae-kyung would boost their popularity, especially with Uhey's album and film success—together, they'd be unstoppable. Now, everything was ruined.

Anna sighed. "Actually, the production team just called me. They want Uhey to move into Tae-kyung's apartment to film some behind-the-scenes footage."

"So what do we do now?" Manager Ma hated to give up "We Got Married," the hottest show at the moment. Suddenly, inspiration struck. "Maybe Shin-woo is the answer. Whatever happens, we'll send Shin-woo."

Uhey glanced at the sulking Hwang Tae-kyung, feeling a twinge of disappointment. She glared at the barely noticeable "Go Mi-nam," her anger rising—every problem seemed to involve him.

Cha Eun-sang couldn't ignore Uhey's strong hostility, and felt a deep pang of sadness.

"Tae-kyung," Uhey ventured, "how about applying a cold compress to your injury?"

She dragged Hwang Tae-kyung to the lounge, pulled out a clean towel from her bag, soaked it in cold water, folded it neatly, and placed it on his left cheek.

Hwang Tae-kyung sat quietly on the bench, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Uhey was a little nervous. She'd only been curious about Hwang Tae-kyung at first; it wasn't as if she truly liked him.

Just as she was thinking, her phone rang.

She answered with a smile, "Shin-woo, what's up?"

Hearing Kang Shin-woo's name, Hwang Tae-kyung lifted his eyes to look at Uhey. He noticed she was beautifully dressed—a long sweater over a short skirt, her slender legs wrapped in black stockings, her figure balanced, her skin smooth, and her smile unexpectedly cute.

...It had to be an illusion.

Kang Shin-woo said, "I heard you'll be appearing on the show with Tae-kyung. Congratulations."

Uhey didn't notice the sadness in his tone, and laughed, "Not really, Tae-kyung today..."

Hwang Tae-kyung, afraid she'd reveal his embarrassing mishap, suddenly jumped up, snatched Uhey's phone, and hung up.

Kang Shin-woo's smile froze, hearing Uhey angrily call out Hwang Tae-kyung's name on the other end.