156: Chapter 156 No matter what, girls must protect themselves.

The rain stopped. Residual rainwater dripped from the eaves, hitting the stone slabs of the terrace, making crisp "drip-drop" sounds. It was unhurried, as if keeping time for this warm dinner.

The night sky outside the window had been washed clean by the rain, deep blue like ink. That crescent moon finally broke free from the shackles of the clouds, casting its cold, hazy radiance onto the wet world. Water droplets hung on the leaves of the plants in the garden, shimmering with tiny silver lights under the moonlight.

Dinner was nearing its end; the samgyetang was at the bottom, and most of the dishes had been wiped out. Kim Sae-ron rubbed her round little belly, satisfiedly let out a small burp, and then shyly covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

After a nap and a full meal, her energy was completely restored, and her child-like, exuberant curiosity took over again.

"CEO Oppa!" She leaned against the table, propping her chin with both hands, watching Song Tianhao, who was drinking his soup slowly and methodically, with bright, sparkling eyes. "When you are Acting in movies, are you really scared? Jumping down from such a high place?"

Song Tianhao put down his spoon, thought for a moment, and answered very seriously: "Yes. Every time before filming a dangerous scene, I am. But when the director shouts 'Action,' I have to forget the fear and treat myself as the character."

"Then what if you can't forget it?" Kim Sae-ron pressed on.

"Then we just shoot a few more takes until I'm no longer afraid." Song Tianhao smiled, his tone relaxed. "Or, think about what delicious food I can eat after finishing this scene. For example, the Korean beef at the wrap-up party."

This answer was too down-to-earth; Kim Sae-ron giggled, and Kim Sun-mi couldn't help but smile. Shin Se-kyung lowered her head and pursed her lips, feeling that this man was sometimes truly... unexpected.

"Can CEO Oppa also do magic tricks? I see those magicians on TV; they are so amazing!" Kim Sae-ron's questions came one after another.

"A little bit." Song Tianhao fished a 500-won coin from his pocket and flipped it nimbly between his fingers. The coin seemed to have a life of its own, jumping, disappearing, and reappearing between his slender knuckles. The movements were not flashy, but smooth and natural, carrying a sense of effortless ease. "Do you want to learn?"

"Yes!" Kim Sae-ron immediately sat up straight, not blinking an eye.

Song Tianhao slowed down his movements, teaching her the basic finger techniques step by step. Kim Sae-ron learned diligently, her small hands clumsily imitating him. The coin dropped onto the table several times, making crisp sounds, which drew her own annoyed muttering and the adults' good-natured chuckles.

The atmosphere in the dining room felt exceptionally relaxed and harmonious because of this simple teaching and the girl's innocent and lively questions.

Kim Sun-mi gently wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin, her gaze sweeping over her daughter's excited little face, then looking toward Shin Se-kyung, who was sitting opposite her.

Shin Se-kyung was quietly eating the last bit of rice, occasionally looking up at the teaching scene with a faint smile on her lips, but her fingers would unconsciously rub against her chopsticks, showing that her heart was not entirely calm.

"Shin Se-kyung-xi," Kim Sun-mi suddenly spoke, her voice gentle, "Could you accompany me for a walk? I've just finished eating, and sitting for too long feels a bit stuffy. The rain has stopped; the air in the garden should be very nice."

Shin Se-kyung was stunned for a moment and looked up. Kim Sun-mi's smile was still appropriate, her eyes calm, showing not much emotion. But her heart tightened. Talk alone? Was it because of the conversation at the dinner table just now, or because of something else?

"Okay, okay, Auntie." She put down her chopsticks and stood up.

Song Tianhao was holding Kim Sae-ron's small hand, teaching her how to hide the coin. Hearing this, he looked up, his gaze lingering for a moment on Shin Se-kyung's slightly tense profile before looking at Kim Sun-mi. Kim Sun-mi nodded slightly at him, her smile impeccable: "President Song, may I borrow your garden? You don't mind, do you?"

"Please go ahead. The dew is heavy at night, watch your step." Song Tianhao's tone was as usual, and he lowered his head to continue guiding Kim Sae-ron, "Here, your fingers need to be bent like this."

Shin Se-kyung followed Kim Sun-mi out of the floor-to-ceiling glass doors of the living room, stepping into the cool air after the rain. The scent of damp earth mixed with the fresh fragrance of plants rushed toward them. The moonlight was not very bright, barely illuminating the winding gravel path under their feet.

The city lights in the distance were hazy; nearby, there was only the warm yellow light from the Villa's windows and the faint glow of several ground lights in the garden. The whole world was so quiet that one could only hear the occasional sound of water droplets and the subtle sounds of them walking on the slippery path.

The two walked silently for a stretch, already more than ten meters away from the Villa, arriving at a small fountain. The fountain was not turned on, and the pool water reflected the moonlight, calm and waveless. Kim Sun-mi stopped and turned around. Under the moonlight, her well-maintained face looked calm, but her gaze carried a kind of insightful clarity.

"Shin Se-kyung-xi," she said straightforwardly, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet garden, "What is your opinion of President Song?"

It finally came. Shin Se-kyung's heart jumped violently, and her fingers curled into her palms subconsciously. She had imagined many kinds of opening lines, but this direct approach still made her breathing catch slightly.

She steadied her mind, deliberating her words, keeping her tone respectful as a junior to a senior: "President... is a very good, very professional, and very caring superior. He is very responsible for the artists under him and has given us many opportunities and space."

"Just a superior?" Kim Sun-mi's follow-up question was gentle but carried an unavoidable force.

Shin Se-kyung felt her throat go a bit dry. Under the moonlight, Kim Sun-mi's eyes seemed capable of seeing through all the emotions she was trying to hide. She was silent for a moment; the night wind blew past, bringing a chill that caused goosebumps to rise on her arms.

She heard her own voice, lower than she had imagined, carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling: "He is also... someone who makes people feel at ease and someone one wants to rely on. Being by President's side, one feels... very safe. But I know my position, Auntie."

She said the last sentence with some difficulty, yet it was exceptionally clear. It was said to Kim Sun-mi, but it felt more like she was emphasizing it to herself.

Kim Sun-mi did not reply immediately, just looking at her quietly.

The moonlight outlined the profile of Shin Se-kyung's young and beautiful face, also revealing the trace of confusion, struggle, and a hint of longing that she perhaps hadn't even realized herself in her eyes. Kim Sun-mi sighed softly; the sigh was very light, melting into the night wind.

"Kim Sae-ron entered this circle when she was very young," Kim Sun-mi turned around, looking at the calm pool water, her voice carrying a hint of emotion from having experienced the ways of the world, "I accompanied her and have seen too many people and things. You should also be clear about what lies beneath the glamorous exterior of this circle."

"The so-called 'care,' 'promotion,' and 'resources,' many times, have price tags marked behind them, only the payment methods are different."

She paused, turned her head, and her gaze fell back onto Shin Se-kyung's face, carrying a complex meaning mixed with scrutiny, worry, and even a hint of sympathy.

"President Song..." Kim Sun-mi said slowly, "The way he looks at you is different from how he looks at others. At least, it's not entirely the look of a President looking at an artist, or a senior looking at a junior."

Shin Se-kyung suddenly raised her head, her heart feeling as if it had been clenched by a hand and then suddenly released, beating wildly. Her cheeks uncontrollably heated up, even in the cool night. She wanted to deny it, wanted to defend herself, wanted to say "Auntie, you've misunderstood," but her lips moved, yet she couldn't make any sound.

Because Kim Sun-mi's gaze was too firm, and also because, in some corner of her heart, she was vaguely hoping for, or even... secretly pleased with this "difference."

"Don't be nervous." Kim Sun-mi suddenly smiled, and in that smile, there was less of the previous polite distance, and more of the gentleness belonging to an elder. "I am not here to hold you accountable. I don't have that position, nor do I have that necessity."

"I am just a mother, accompanying my daughter as she rises and falls in this circle, having seen too much and worried too much. I worry about Kim Sae-ron, and also... a little bit about you."

She walked two steps forward, approaching the edge of the fountain pool, her fingers unconsciously brushing over the cold, damp stone edge.

"This circle is not friendly to actresses, especially young, beautiful, and promising actresses who haven't yet established a firm footing. There are many temptations and even more traps. One wrong step could mean an abyss. I've seen too many talented children ruined by so-called 'shortcuts.'"

Kim Sun-mi's voice was very calm, yet every word was heavy. "So, when I saw what President Song did for you—personally picking you up on a rainy day, bringing you back to his home, teaching you Swimming, and cooking for you."

"And those things he said at the dinner table just now, my first reaction was vigilance. It was too perfect, so perfect that it didn't seem real. I even thought about whether he had ulterior motives."

Shin Se-kyung held her breath, her fingers digging into her palms.

"However, after observing for an entire evening, I changed my mind." Kim Sun-mi changed the subject, looking toward the living room window of the Villa that was lit up.

"He is serious about teaching you Swimming; his movements are standard, his requirements are strict; he is truly teaching you a skill, not using it as an excuse to get close. He is serious about cooking; that kind of proficiency and care cannot be faked. When he said he treats you like family, the... openness and sense of responsibility in his eyes also don't look like Acting."

Through the glass, one could vaguely see Song Tianhao bending over, patiently playing something with Kim Sae-ron, his profile focused and peaceful.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Shin Se-kyung again, her eyes becoming gentle and complex.

"Shin Se-kyung-xi, I just want to remind you that, no matter what, girls must protect themselves. Your dreams and your future are more important than a momentary flutter of the heart or so-called 'shortcuts.' In this circle, sincerity is rarer than diamonds, but insincerity is often packaged to look more authentic than sincerity. You must learn to distinguish."

Shin Se-kyung's nose suddenly felt sore. These words—since her father passed away, no one had said them to her for a long time.

Her mother was in poor health, her younger brother was still young, and she had shouldered the heavy burden of the family early on, struggling alone in this complex circle. She was used to being on guard, used to being strong, and used to hiding all her grievances and anxieties in her heart.

Kim Sun-mi's words had no accusation, no disdain, but were instead a kind of empathetic understanding and reminder. Like a thin needle, it gently pierced through the defenses she had been forcing herself to maintain, revealing the soft, inner self that longed to be understood and cared for.

"However," Kim Sun-mi stepped forward and gently patted the back of Shin Se-kyung's slightly cold hand, her tone becoming even softer, "If... if that 'difference' you feel is real. If his care, his sense of responsibility, and the way he looks at you are all real. Then..."

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

She paused. Under the moonlight, there was a clarity in her eyes of someone who had lived through it all, along with a faint trace of reminiscence for the past.

"And don't easily miss out just because you're afraid or because of your so-called 'status.' In a person's life, it's not easy to find someone who is willing to shield you from the rain, patiently teach you survival skills, happily tie on an apron to cook for you, make you feel safe and want to rely on them, and even... make you feel that if you were entrusted to him, your late father in heaven could rest easy."

The word "father" caused Shin Se-kyung's body to tremble almost imperceptibly. She lowered her eyelashes to hide the sudden surge of emotion.

Kim Sun-mi seemed to notice but didn't pry. She simply gave her hand one last pat before turning to look toward the Villa. From there, Kim Sae-ron's crisp, joyful laughter faintly drifted over, piercing the quiet night.

"I'm just a bystander, so I might not be right. How you ultimately choose is your own business." Kim Sun-mi's voice carried the slight chill of the night breeze. "Let's head back. We've been out for a while; Sae-ron must be looking for me."

Just then, with a "plop" from the shadows of the nearby bushes, something jumped into the fountain pool, kicking up a small splash of water.

"Ah!" Startled by the sudden sound, Shin Se-kyung let out a soft cry and instinctively took a small step back. Her foot happened to step on a loose pebble, causing her body to sway.

Kim Sun-mi reacted quickly, reaching out to support her arm. Her fingertips were slightly cool, but her grip was steady.

The two of them looked closely and saw ripples slowly spreading across the pool, with the faint shadow of a frog quickly diving to the bottom.

It was a false alarm.

Shin Se-kyung let out a breath, steadied herself, and looked at Kim Sun-mi with some embarrassment. Kim Sun-mi also let go of her arm, a trace of amusement appearing on her face.

"So it was just a frog." She shook her head. The slightly heavy and delicate atmosphere of their conversation from earlier was largely dispelled by this little interlude.

Shin Se-kyung couldn't help but curve her lips as well, the tension in her heart strangely dissipating a bit. She took a deep breath of the crisp post-rain air and looked up at Kim Sun-mi, her gaze much firmer and clearer than before.

"Thank you, Auntie," she said earnestly, pronouncing each word clearly and slowly. "I will remember your words. I will protect myself, and I will also... look closely and clearly."

She paused, her eyes unconsciously drifting toward the lit window of the Villa, her voice soft yet carrying a certain strength. "But the President... he makes me feel that no matter how complex and muddy this industry is, a beam of clean light still exists.

I want to... get closer to that light. Even if I'm just standing in a place where that light can reach me, that would be enough."

The moonlight fell upon her young face, illuminating the light shimmering in her eyes—a mixture of apprehension, courage, and faint hope. It was not a blind infatuation, but a longing born of reflection and sober awareness.

Kim Sun-mi quietly watched her for a few seconds. In those eyes that had read countless people, there finally flashed a hint of understanding, a touch of emotion, and an almost imperceptible trace of... relief. She finally smiled in relief, her smile becoming much more genuine.

"Alright." She spoke only a single word, yet it seemed to carry a thousand words. "I understand."

The two turned and walked back the way they came. Their footsteps made a soft rustling sound on the damp gravel.

As they neared the door, Kim Sun-mi seemed to suddenly remember something and spoke casually, "By the way, Ms. Se-kyung. Sae-ron has a drama to shoot in the second half of the year, an SBS weekend drama. The director is PD Lee Min-ho. I've read the script; it's quite solid.

There's a role in it as Sae-ron's character's half-sister. It doesn't have a massive amount of screen time, but the character has a lot of depth. If played well, it'll be very brilliant.

I think... your temperament fits that character quite well. How about I have my assistant send you the script outline later? Of course, it ultimately depends on the opinions of the director and the production company, but there's no harm in submitting a resume and doing an audition."

Shin Se-kyung paused, looking at Kim Sun-mi in surprise. This was not just a recommendation for a job opportunity; it was more like... an endorsement, a kindly extended olive branch. She knew that with Kim Sun-mi's status and connections in the industry, an audition opportunity recommended by her carried immense weight.

"Auntie, I..." For a moment, Shin Se-kyung didn't know what to say, gratitude welling up in her heart.

"Don't overthink it," Kim Sun-mi interrupted her with a warm smile. "I just think you're a good fit. You, child, have a natural talent for Acting and are willing to work hard; you just lack a bit of opportunity and luck. In this industry, sometimes you need someone to give you a push. Alright, let's go inside."

In the living room, the lesson had already come to an end. Kim Sae-ron was holding up a coin, excitedly showing it to the two who had just walked in. "Mom! Se-kyung Unnie! Look! I can make it appear here now!"

Her small hand clumsily opened, and a 500-won coin lay conspicuously in her palm. Although it had clearly just slipped through her fingers because she hadn't hidden it well, the pride and excitement on her face were completely genuine.

Song Tianhao stood behind her with a faint smile on his lips. As he saw the two enter, his gaze naturally fell upon Shin Se-kyung's face, lingering for a brief moment, as if trying to read something from her subtle expression.

Shin Se-kyung's heart skipped a beat again when she met his gaze, and she instinctively looked away, though the tips of her ears quietly flushed red.

"Our Sae-ron is so amazing." Kim Sun-mi walked over, hugged her daughter who had rushed into her arms, and ruffled her hair. Then, she said to President Song, "President Song, we've really troubled you today. It's getting late, and the rain has stopped, so we should take our leave."

"I'll have the driver take you home." Song Tianhao didn't try to keep them longer. He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed his driver's number.

While waiting for the driver to arrive, Kim Sae-ron was still a bit reluctant to leave, tugging at Song Tianhao's hem and asking him all sorts of questions. Shin Se-kyung stood quietly to the side, her fingers unconsciously twirling the overly long sleeves of her loungewear. Kim Sun-mi calmly organized her daughter's coat and small bag.

The driver quickly brought the car to the door. Kim Sun-mi led Kim Sae-ron to the entryway. Kim Sae-ron obediently bowed to Song Tianhao and Shin Se-kyung to say goodbye. "Thank you for the dinner and the magic tricks, CEO Oppa! Thank you for playing with me, Se-kyung Unnie! I'll come play with you again next time!"

"You're welcome anytime." Song Tianhao nodded.

Just before stepping out, Kim Sun-mi paused slightly and looked back. Her gaze first landed on Shin Se-kyung, whose head was slightly lowered, lingered for a moment, and then turned to Song Tianhao.

"President Song," she spoke in a calm but meaningful tone. "Se-kyung is a good child. She has a talent for Acting and is down-to-earth. It's just that sometimes she thinks too much, is too stubborn, and easily gets stuck in a rut, being hard on herself. In the future... please take good care of her."

These words were spoken subtly, yet they couldn't be clearer. It was both an entrustment and, to some extent, an endorsement and... tacit approval?

Shin Se-kyung abruptly raised her head to look at Kim Sun-mi, then quickly glanced at Song Tianhao. Her cheeks were crimson, and her fingers tightly gripped her sleeves.

Song Tianhao's expression remained unchanged. His gaze swept across Shin Se-kyung's profile, which had instantly flushed red, before meeting Kim Sun-mi's meaningful look. He nodded, his tone calm and assured. "I will. Rest assured, Auntie."

Kim Sun-mi seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted. She smiled slightly and said no more, leading the still-waving Kim Sae-ron as they turned and stepped into the night. The driver closed the car door, and the black sedan slowly drove away from the Villa, its taillights dragging two receding streaks of light across the wet road.

The sound of the car door closing and the engine fading into the distance eventually vanished.

The Villa suddenly fell dead silent.

The space that had just been filled with children's laughter, the aroma of food, and the subtle dialogue between adults was now left with only the two of them.

The chirping of insects outside the window seemed to grow clearer. The warm yellow light of the living room spilled onto the polished floor. The air felt as if it had suddenly thinned, or perhaps some invisible, tense energy was quietly spreading in the silence.

Shin Se-kyung stood in place, feeling a bit lost as to where to put her hands and feet. She was still wearing his overly loose loungewear, carrying his clean, faint scent, which made her feel even more out of place.

Kim Sun-mi's words before leaving had thrown her thoughts into complete disarray.

She pinched the hem of her clothes, took a deep breath, and tried to make her voice sound calm and normal. "President, thank you so much for today... I'll wash the clothes and return them to you. It's getting late, so I should head back too." With that, she was about to walk upstairs, intending to change back into her wet clothes.

"What's the rush?"

Song Tianhao's voice came from behind her, not loud, yet carrying a force that made her footsteps halt.

She turned around and saw him standing before the massive French window, his back to her, gazing at the night sky which appeared exceptionally deep after being washed by the rain. The moonlight filtered through the glass, casting a cold silver trim over his tall and straight shoulders and back.

"The rain has stopped, but the roads are bound to be slippery, and it's not easy to catch a cab at this hour." Song Tianhao slowly turned around to face her.

The warm light of the living room cast from behind him, keeping his face hidden in slight shadow so that his exact expression was unreadable. Only his eyes, appearing exceptionally calm and sharp amidst the play of light and shadow, stared at her without blinking.

He paused and took two steps forward, narrowing the distance. Shin Se-kyung could smell the faint scent on him—a mixture of crisp soap and a very subtle hint of smoke. Her heart rate accelerated uncontrollably.

"And," he stopped a step away from her, lowering his head slightly. His gaze fell upon her gently trembling eyelashes, and his voice dropped lower, carrying a mesmerizing magnetism in the quiet living room, "your Swimming lesson for today isn't finished yet."

Shin Se-kyung's breath caught. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze. It was bottomless, swirling with emotions she couldn't quite understand, yet which made her heart flutter inexplicably.

"Tomorrow," he looked at her and asked word by word, his tone as casual as if he were asking about tomorrow's weather, "do you want to continue?"