Chapter 477: I Didn’t Die

Before heading to Cheon Ji-young I went back to Director Zhang Feng.

He seemed calmer now that the thugs had been subdued.

Though he was better than earlier fear still marked his face.

“Director Zhang Feng.”

Zhang Feng looked up from his paper cup of tea his hands still trembling.

“Yes yes. But who are you? Everything happened so fast earlier I couldn’t properly introduce myself.”

Zhang Feng set down his paper cup and stood.

“I’m actress Cheon Ji-young’s brother.”

“Ah her brother? But I was under the impression Cheon Ji-young didn’t have any brothers…”

Zhang Feng asked suspicion heavy in his expression.

“Cousin brother. But that’s not what’s important right now. Aren’t you the one in charge here?”

“Yes I am in charge.”

“Yet when actors were being kidnapped by thugs you did nothing but cower and shake. Is that how someone in charge should act? If I hadn’t shown up you know what could have happened to Cheon Ji-young who came all the way from Korea to film your drama.”

At my sharp words Zhang Feng hung his head low unable to say anything just trembling.

“Director Zhang Feng am I wrong? How can you hide in a corner shaking when you’re responsible for the safety of your actors?”

Beyond the Triad the staff here had done nothing.

The only ones who faced the Triad members wielding hatchets and large knives were the bodyguards who came to protect Cheon Ji-young.

The others just huddled in corners watching.

Even combining all staff members they outnumbered the thugs significantly.

Even excluding those who couldn’t fight that still held true yet no one joined the fray.

No one tried to stop the thugs or protect the actors.

“If you defy them you can’t survive in this industry! Do you understand that?”

Zhang Feng raised his head and shouted his eyes blazing.

“And you expect us to risk our lives fighting them? What do you know about us!”

What’s with this guy? I can’t understand how he can act so righteous when he’s done nothing right.

A bitter laugh escaped me. I stared him down and spoke coldly.

“Hey do I look easier to deal with than the Triad you’re so scared of? Can’t you see who put those thugs you fear so much on the ground? Want to join them?”

“…”

Zhang Feng’s gaze shifted behind me.

His eyes fixed on the Triad members being dragged one by one into the trailer past Manager Ma and the staff.

“From now on Cheon Ji-young will stop all filming and rest in Shenzhen. There will be no shooting until her safety is guaranteed. Ah and we’ll need to replace the director too.”

“Ah no.”

“Don’t think about using the performance contract or anything else to hold her here. Paying the penalty fee will be enough. Or should we handle this the way you’re so afraid of? Take my warning seriously and never show your face to me again. Next time it won’t end with just words.”

I looked around at the staff behind Zhang Feng warning them too.

“The same goes for all of you. What did the actors do wrong to trust people like you?”

The filming site fell dead silent. I shook my head in disgust and turned away.

“Let’s go. It’s embarrassing to even breathe the same air as these cowards.”

I headed toward where Cheon Ji-young was.

* * *

After finishing his call with Kim Mu-hyeok Hao Xun immediately dialed Hu Jintao.

The call didn’t connect right away. Hao Xun sighed and contacted the secretary.

Shortly after a call came through.

After explaining everything to Hu Jintao Hao Xun quietly waited for a response.

– Is that true? Kim’s brother is in China right now? How could we not know about this?

“Yes Chairman. Boss Kim is extremely angry right now ready to go to war. I told him I’d handle it for now. And I didn’t know either about his sister. That Cheon Ji-young was Boss Kim’s cousin sister.”

Hu Jintao clicked his tongue and continued.

– …Well at least it didn’t succeed. If a family member of Kim who should be working with us had been harmed in China… I don’t even want to imagine. How do you plan to handle this Hao?

“I plan to settle it personally. But Chairman do you know about 14K?”

– How would I know about such thugs?

His voice clearly revealed his displeasure. Hao Xun carefully spoke up.

“They claimed to be under the Central Party’s protection. Are they really not connected to us?”

– Not us. You know don’t you Hao? That except for you I don’t work with any Black Society groups.

Of course Hao Xun knew. That he alone was his bullet shield.

But he asked just in case the cautious Hu Jintao might be hiding something.

“I understand Chairman. What should we do if 14K is under Shanghai faction’s protection? It seems Boss Kim will only overlook this if we clean this up completely.”

– Hao you’re right but…

Hu Jintao sighed and trailed off. Hao Xun silently waited for his next instruction.

– Clashing with the Shanghai faction right now isn’t a good choice. Can’t we resolve this through dialogue?

“I also think that would be best but seeing Boss Kim’s reaction I don’t think we can let this slide. You’ve seen his file haven’t you Chairman? He’s extremely devoted to family. And his cousin sister was almost kidnapped by the Triad. If she had been kidnapped…”

Hao Xun knew how the Triads that started in Hong Kong manipulated the entertainment industry.

They exploit female entertainers’ weaknesses to force them into projects they want.

They even force them into providing sexual favors to create connections with high-ranking officials.

If Cheon Ji-young had been kidnapped she might have faced the same fate.

That’s why Kim Mu-hyeok was so angry.

But he couldn’t tell Hu Jintao everything.

– Hao? Why did you stop talking?

“It’s nothing. Anyway it wouldn’t have ended well. I fully understand Boss Kim’s anger and want to accommodate him as much as possible.”

– Are you saying we should fight Jiang Zemin even if that’s what Kim wants?

“Yes that’s right.”

– …Are you saying this for my sake or for Kim’s sake?

Hu Jintao asked coldly.

Momentarily stunned Hao Xun hastily spoke.

“No this is all for your sake Chairman. Boss Kim has influence not just in Russia but also in the U.S. He has both money and connections. Working with him will surely benefit you in the future Chairman.”

– …

“Don’t you know my loyalty to you Chairman? To me you are like heaven and father.”

– Yes I know your heart. Why are you explaining so seriously? So that’s what you think… Then how do we handle this?

Hu Jintao hesitated. Hao Xun knew from long experience that nothing good would come from saying more here.

He quietly waited for an answer. Soon Hu Jintao spoke again.

– We don’t know if they’re still connected to the Shanghai faction right? Then try handling it yourself in between. If they really are connected to the Shanghai faction step back and hand it over to Kim.

“But if we handle this well our relationship could become even stronger.”

– We can’t go to war with Jiang Zemin’s faction right now can we? I haven’t even taken over as Chairman of the Military Commission. So do as I say.

Hu Jintao spoke firmly. Hao Xun sighed inwardly and replied.

“I understand. I’ll handle it that way.”

– If they’re not connected to the Shanghai faction wipe them out completely. Make sure they never do something like this again. And organize those businesses and bring them to me. Did you say Guangzhou?

“Yes. I understand they’re an organization based in Guangzhou with influence in Hong Kong and Macau.”

– That area is firmly held by the Shanghai faction… Can you take it Hao? Have you contacted the public security there?

Wanting the leftovers more than the actual cake. He didn’t like it but had no choice.

Hao Xun once again simply replied obediently.

“I’ll do my best.”

– Good. Contact me when everything is settled. I’ll say it again if the Shanghai faction is involved hand it over to Kim. That’s his problem to handle.

“Yes Chairman.”

Hao Xun ended the call and let out a deep sigh.

He wasn’t always like this.

Hu Jintao who once said he worked only for the people and China had changed at some point.

Now his own safety and greed took priority.

But it was too late to part ways now.

“Did you tell everyone to gather in Guangzhou? Tell them to prepare thoroughly this is war.”

“Yes!”

Hao Xun slowly rose.

All he could do was pray this matter wasn’t connected to the Shanghai faction.

* * *

When I knocked the door of the bus carrying the Myeong-dong Hotel chefs opened.

As soon as I climbed the steps into the bus I looked for Cheon Ji-young.

She looked more relaxed than earlier sipping steaming herbal tea.

The handprint on her face was gone replaced by a bruise.

They marked up an actress’s face like that. Did I let that bastard die too easily?

The head chef tried to stand when he saw me.

I shook my head and gestured for him to stay seated.

“Ji-young.”

Cheon Ji-young looked up at me tears welling in her eyes.

“Mu-hyeok oppa! What about the manager oppa…?”

Sweet naive Ji-young worried about others before herself.

I smiled and sat in the adjacent seat. After wiping her tears with a handkerchief I spoke.

“He didn’t die. I sent him to the nearest hospital so we’ll get an update soon.”

“He won’t be in critical condition right?”

“Don’t worry. Our staff went with him. Just trust us and wait.”

I deliberately spoke more gently to prevent any additional worry.

Though the nearest large hospital was over two hours away I didn’t mention that.

No need to make an already confused person more anxious.

“Are you okay? The swelling will take days to go down. What happened to your face you’re an actress.”

She’d probably never been hit by anyone before.

Noticing my distress Cheon Ji-young smiled slightly and answered.

“It’s fine. It’ll disappear in a few days.”

“I’ve stopped the filming for now. There won’t be any shooting until your safety is guaranteed.”

“But there’s still time left on the contract…”

“Performance contracts and such aren’t important to me. Your safety matters more.”

When I spoke firmly Cheon Ji-young nodded.

She knew well that I never backed down once I made such statements.

“I understand. Sorry. And… thank you.”

“That’s enough. I came to cook you a meal and ended up seeing something awful. Still it’s fortunate.”

“Right if it weren’t for you… But how did you come so suddenly without any notice?”

Manager Ma handed over a cold wet towel. I took it and pressed it against Cheon Ji-young’s cheek.

“A new Chairman was inaugurated. I attended the inauguration ceremony and inspected several companies I invested in. With some time left I came to watch your filming. On the way I asked for some chefs from Myeong-dong Hotel thinking I’d treat you to a meal. Then the head chef himself came? Said he’d cook for you personally. Thank him later.”

“Ah… I was surprised to see Uncle Min-woo too. How long will you stay?”

“I was planning to leave China the day after tomorrow. But I’ll have to stay until this matter is properly settled.”

To me nothing takes priority over my family and my people.

That’s why I crave power.

“Sorry…”

“No it’s fine. Since I’m here I might as well spend more time with you. But why did you suddenly come to China for location shooting? I heard you were filming a drama.”

Though I roughly guessed the reason. She probably wanted to leave Korea and sort out her thoughts after Cheon Su-han’s death.

“Just wanted to. I’d been thinking about it for a while.”

“Well if it’s what you want to do you should do it. You’ve been staying in that trailer right? We’re getting rid of that trailer.”

“Huh? Why? Do you know how hard I worked to get that?”

Though Cheon Ji-young was visibly disappointed the trailer was far below my standards.

“I’ll get you something better. Want one like Hollywood actors use? I’ll bring several trailer vans use them comfortably.”

Only after chatting with Cheon Ji-young for quite a while did I notice Jo-mi.

“Are you alright?”

“What? Ah yes I’m fine. But how will you handle the aftermath?”

Being a Chinese actress Jo-mi seemed to understand the situation. Faint anxiety showed on her face.

“They won’t give up easily. They might even follow us to Korea to cause trouble.”

I pulled up one corner of my mouth and said.

“I’ll handle that. The name 14K will disappear from China in a few days.”