164: Chapter 164 Oppa was so naughty last night...

The water was still rippling slightly. Shin Se-kyung's fingers gripped the icy edge of the pool tightly as she gasped for air. Droplets of water rolled down her cheeks, making it impossible to tell if they were pool water or tears.

But this time, it was pure joy—an extreme sense of satisfaction after breaking through her shackles and proving herself.

She had succeeded. Without reliance on anyone, without luck, she had swum the fifteen-meter distance entirely under her own power.

Shin Se-kyung turned her head to look at Song Tianhao in the water beside her. He was watching her too, his damp black hair plastered against his forehead, water droplets dripping along his chiseled jawline.

Song Tianhao didn't speak, just watched her quietly. In his bright eyes, her currently disheveled yet radiant appearance was clearly reflected, along with an unmasked, pure admiration.

The sunlight was warm, feeling almost scorching on her soaked skin. Her heart drummed in her chest, and she couldn't tell if it was from her strenuous Swimming just now or from this silent eye contact.

After a long while, Shin Se-kyung finally calmed down from that intense emotion. She let go with one hand, wiped the water from her face indiscriminately, and grinned. She wanted to laugh, but her voice was still choked up: "Pre... President, I... I did it."

Song Tianhao finally curled the corners of his lips, a faint but genuine smile. "Mm," he responded, lifting his chin toward the shore. "Come up. Don't soak for too long."

The two of them climbed onto the shore one after the other. Song Tianhao handed her a dry bath towel, then picked up one for himself to wipe his hair and body.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle. The silent, almost overflowing emotion from the water just now had cooled slightly on land, under the warm sun, but it had transformed into something else, indescribable, flowing through the air.

"Go take a hot shower and change your clothes, don't catch a cold." Song Tianhao broke the silence first, his voice returning to its usual steadiness. "See you on the terrace in half an hour."

"Mm." Shin Se-kyung nodded, wrapped the bath towel tightly around herself, and walked back to the Villa. Her steps felt a bit unsteady—a side effect of overexertion—but her heart felt filled with something, light and airy.

Half an hour later, Shin Se-kyung changed into a comfortable off-white cotton dress, her hair blown half-dry and draped softly over her shoulders. When she walked onto the open-air balcony on the second floor of the Villa, the setting sun was just hanging on the horizon, dyeing the sky a warm orange-red.

Song Tianhao was already there. He had changed into light gray linen casual wear, losing the sternness of the day and gaining a bit of laziness. On the small round table on the balcony sat an ice bucket with a slender champagne bottle inserted diagonally, and next to it were two crystal-clear tulip glasses.

"Sit." Song Tianhao gestured to the rattan chair opposite him.

Shin Se-kyung sat down, her gaze falling on the champagne bottle. The golden liquid inside the transparent glass bottle reflected the setting sun, looking exceptionally alluring.

Song Tianhao skillfully removed the foil from the bottle neck, pressed his thumb against the cork, and gave it a gentle twist.

"Pop!" A soft sound, not too loud, carrying a celebratory meaning. White foam poured happily from the bottle mouth and was steadily caught by him with a glass.

The pale golden liquid poured into the glass, and fine bubbles continuously rose and burst, making a faint fizzing sound.

Song Tianhao pushed one of the glasses in front of her, picked up the other one himself, and raised it: "Congratulations, Shin Se-kyung XI. Three days, from fearing the water to independently Swimming fifteen meters—you did it."

His tone was calm, but the light glinting off the rim of the glass in the sunset and the warm colors reflected in his eyes gave this simple sentence a different weight.

Shin Se-kyung picked up the wine glass, the cold sensation traveling from her fingertips. She looked at the swaying golden liquid in the glass, then looked up at Song Tianhao; the overflowing emotions in her heart finally found an outlet. She pressed her lips together firmly, raised her glass as well, and clinked it crisply against his.

"Thank you, President." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear. "Really... thank you very much."

The glasses clinked with a pleasant sound. The two of them each took a sip. The cold liquid, carrying a fruity aroma and a subtle yeasty scent, slid down their throats, with bubbles dancing on their tongues.

"This wine... is delicious." Shin Se-kyung didn't know much about wine, so she could only describe it this way.

"Celebratory wine is always delicious." Song Tianhao leaned back against the chair, his gaze cast toward the setting sun gradually sinking below the horizon in the distance, his profile appearing slightly softer in the warm light.

Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, perhaps it was the complete relaxation of her mood, or perhaps it was these three days of closed-off, exclusive time together that had broken down some sort of barrier, but Shin Se-kyung was talking more than usual.

"Actually... I was terrified of the water when I was a child." She held the wine glass, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the side of the glass, and began to tell her story. "When I was about five or six, I went to the beach with my family and was knocked over by a wave, choking on a lot of water.

Ever since then, let alone Swimming, I was even afraid of a slightly deep bathtub." She smiled embarrassedly. "I didn't expect that a fear I hadn't overcome for so many years would be, in just three days, by you, President..."

"Not three days." Song Tianhao interrupted her, his gaze turning back to land on her face. "It took you three days yourself. I was just the person standing in the water telling you, 'Look, water isn't actually scary.' The one who truly walked into the water was you."

His tone was very flat, as if stating a simple fact. But as Shin Se-kyung heard it, her heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something. She lowered her eyes, looking at the tiny bubbles in the glass, and her voice became softer: "But, if you weren't there, I might... never have dared to walk in."

Song Tianhao didn't respond to this, just took another sip of wine and steered the conversation away: "Tell me about when you first entered the industry? I heard you debuted quite early."

Mentioning this, Shin Se-kyung's eyes brightened. Those slightly silly, amusing anecdotes that had been sealed away due to tension and pressure came flooding back.

"Ah, that..." A flush of embarrassment appeared on her face. "Don't laugh at me when I say this. My first time filming an advertisement was a very small cookie commercial. I only had one line: 'This taste is really good!' It was just a few words, and I NG'd twenty-seven times."

"Twenty-seven times?" Song Tianhao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Mm." Shin Se-kyung nodded vigorously. Thinking about it now, she found it both funny and embarrassing. "The director wanted me to express the 'sense of happiness and surprise from eating a delicious cookie.' I tried all sorts of expressions: widening my eyes, opening my mouth, covering my face, spinning around...

The director said I was wrong every time—it was either too exaggerated or too stiff. Later, I got anxious. It just so happened that we had been filming from morning until night that day, and I was tired and hungry, so seeing the cookie just made me hungrier.

Then, when we filmed the twenty-eighth take, I looked at the cookie, and in my head, I was thinking, 'I can finally get off work and eat,' so I said the line with genuine sincerity. The director shouted, 'OK! Perfect!'"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but laugh out loud first, her eyes curving into crescents. "Later, that director told me, 'Shin Se-kyung XI, that complex look of yours—carrying a bit of grievance, a bit of relief, and mixed with a craving for food—was amazing!' He had no idea that my head was completely filled with Jajangmyeon at the time."

Song Tianhao also laughed lowly, his chest vibrating slightly.

When he laughed, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes became more noticeable, but his overall sense of aloofness faded, making him appear vivid and real. "Very real. Sometimes the best Acting comes from the most real physiological reactions."

"There was another time filming a drama," Shin Se-kyung opened the floodgates, excitedly. "I played a junior who had a crush on a senior. There was a scene where I had to watch from afar as the senior walked with another girl, and I had to express heartbreak while pretending to be strong.

That scene was filmed on a rooftop on a rainy day, with artificial rain, and it was freezing. I spent a long time brewing up emotions and even had tears ready, but as soon as we started filming, I saw the senior playing the role of the senior, because the ground was slippery, walking in a really strange way, like a duck. I immediately broke character and burst out laughing."

"The director was furious and said, 'Shin Se-kyung! Where is your heartbreak!' I apologized quickly, but every time I looked at that senior walking, I couldn't help but laugh again..."

While talking, she mimicked the senior's walking posture from that time. Although she was just twisting her upper body while sitting in the chair, the comedic effect still shone through, and she laughed until she was doubled over after finishing.

Song Tianhao listened with a smile, occasionally interjecting a word or two—either an anecdote about a director or some unspoken rules of a filming set. These were inside stories that someone at Shin Se-kyung's level couldn't access, and she listened in constant amazement, her eyes wide.

"So that's how that shot was filmed?"

"Ah! No wonder that senior looked so strange at that awards ceremony!"

"Oh my god, they actually... in private..."

The setting sun completely sank during their conversation. The sky turned from orange-red to deep purple, and finally to ink blue, with a few stars eagerly popping out.

The automatic sensor lights on the terrace turned on, a soft, warm yellow that was neither glaring nor too dim, illuminating this small table.

Song Tianhao refilled their glasses with champagne. The bubbles were still active, looking like fine golden sand under the light.

Shin Se-kyung was already a little tipsy. Her alcohol tolerance wasn't great, and with her mood completely relaxed, her cheeks were stained a beautiful crimson, and her eyes were misty with moisture, brighter and more vivid than usual.

She rested her chin in her hand, watching the man opposite her, who appeared exceptionally handsome and profound under the light. The emotion deep in her heart, which she had always carefully suppressed—a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and some indescribable flutter—was like the bubbles rising continuously in the glass, becoming increasingly impossible to hold back.

A small embedded speaker on the side of the terrace was playing soft, soothing jazz. The lazy saxophone mixed with the sporadic notes of a piano, flowing into the cool evening breeze.

Another melody ended. After a brief silence, a slower, more lingering tune began to play. It was the classic "Fly Me to the Moon."

Shin Se-kyung's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

She put down her wine glass, the bottom of the glass lightly tapping against the tabletop, making a crisp "ding" sound. Then, she stood up. Due to a bit of alcohol, her body swayed slightly, but she quickly steadied herself.

She walked in front of Song Tianhao, only a step away from him. The warm yellow light shone from the side, casting a soft glow over her, and her off-white dress swayed gently with the night breeze.

She took a deep breath, looked up, her eyes sparkling, reflecting the light and also his figure, and then, she reached out her hand to him.

Her voice, due to nervousness and anticipation, carried a slight, imperceptible tremor, but more than that, it held the firmness of having gathered her courage: "President, to celebrate... may I ask you for a dance?" She paused, her cheeks reddening further, but her voice was incomparably clear, "Right here."

The air seemed to go quiet for a moment. Only the soft jazz continued, the saxophone playing a lingering melody.

Song Tianhao raised his eyes, looking at this hand extended toward him, the fingertips slightly curled from nervousness, and then looked at Shin Se-kyung's eyes, which were filled with starlight, anticipation, and a hint of shyness.

She stood there like a white bellflower quietly blooming in the night, covered in dew, trembling, yet possessing a kind of desperate, all-or-nothing beauty.

His eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. He didn't speak, just put down the wine glass in his hand. Then, he raised his hand and steadily grasped her extended hand.

His palm was warm, with thin calluses, easily enveloping her cool fingers.

Shin Se-kyung's heartbeat instantly lost control, like a flock of startled birds crashing around in her chest. He had actually agreed.

There was no professional dance floor, only the smooth marble floor of the terrace. The lighting wasn't bright enough, and the music was the only rhythm. Song Tianhao held her hand, his other hand gently and gentlemanly resting on her waist, and leading her, he slowly began to step to the beat of the music.

Shin Se-kyung was a bit clumsy at first. She had learned a little ballroom dancing, but that was in a dance studio with clear floor markings, bright lights, and many partners.

Like this, on a private terrace, in the dim light and tipsy night, with only the two of them swaying to improvised music, it was a completely different feeling.

She stepped on Song Tianhao's foot, leaving a faint mark on the surface of his white canvas shoes.

"I'm sorry!" She apologized in a panic, her face turning redder, subconsciously wanting to pull away.

"Relax." Song Tianhao's voice sounded from above, low and deep, carrying a hint of imperceptible amusement. The hand resting on her waist applied a little pressure, steadying her somewhat flustered body. "Just follow me."

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

His steps were steady and elegant, his leading firm yet gentle. Shin Se-kyung gradually relaxed, trying to surrender her body's weight to him and follow his rhythm. One step, two steps, spin, step back... The simple steps, amidst the lingering music and the beautiful night, took on a different meaning.

The evening breeze swept across the terrace, bringing the fragrance of unknown flowers and trees from the courtyard, mixed with the faint, identical scent of body wash on them—the uniform fragrance provided in the Villa's guest bathroom. This realization made Shin Se-kyung's heart beat faster, as if some secret connection drew them closer at this moment.

She quietly raised her eyes to look at him. From this angle, she could only see his sharp jawline and his slightly bobbing Adam's apple. His scent was clean, mixed with a hint of crisp aftershave and the lingering fruity aroma of champagne.

Song Tianhao seemed to notice her gaze and lowered his head slightly. Their eyes met briefly in the dim light. His eyes seemed exceptionally deep in the night, like a quiet deep sea, yet reflecting the warmth of the nearby lights and a small, somewhat flustered her.

Shin Se-kyung felt as if she had been scalded by his gaze. She quickly lowered her eyelashes, her eyes landing on the first button of his shirt. But her heartbeat betrayed her, thumping so hard that her chest ached slightly.

They spun another round. Song Tianhao led her to the edge of the terrace, where the light was dimmer, with only the distant city lights and the sparse starlight overhead as a backdrop. The music remained lingering, with the saxophone playing an intoxicating melody.

Shin Se-kyung suddenly made a bold decision, perhaps egged on by the alcohol, the night, and all the emotions accumulated over the past three days. She tightened her hand that had been resting lightly on his shoulder, and then gently leaned her head against the crook of his neck.

At that moment, she felt Song Tianhao's body stiffen imperceptibly for a split second. The hand resting on her waist, which had originally been just a polite, light touch, now slowly pressed flat against her, his warm palm closing the distance.

With her cheek pressed against the fabric of his shoulder, she could feel the firm, well-proportioned muscle lines beneath the clothes and his steady, powerful heartbeat.

Intertwining with her frantic heartbeat, the two gradually became indistinguishable from one another.

Unbeknownst to them, the moonlight grew brighter, casting its clear glow over the dancing couple. Their shadows stretched long on the ground, overlapping tightly as if they were meant to be one.

The music, the evening breeze, the starlight, the floral fragrance, and the faint scent from the hair of the person in his arms blended into an intoxicating, dreamlike atmosphere.

Shin Se-kyung closed her eyes. She wished time would stop at this very moment. She wished this dance would never end.

Song Tianhao also relaxed his body slightly, his chin seemingly brushing gently against the soft top of her head. He led her, continuing to move slowly to the rhythm of the music, his steps becoming more leisurely, resembling a gentle swaying. Neither of them spoke; only their breathing, interwoven in the pauses of the music, was clearly audible.

Just as Shin Se-kyung was about to drown in this sea of tenderness, the music from the speakers switched without warning. The lingering jazz stopped abruptly, replaced by a fast-paced electronic dance track with a heavy beat, bursting loudly onto the quiet terrace.

The beautiful, romantic atmosphere was instantly shattered.

"Pfft—!"

Shin Se-kyung was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but burst into laughter, her body stumbling slightly due to the sudden tempo change.

Song Tianhao obviously hadn't expected it either. He raised his eyebrows slightly, a helpless yet amused curve appearing on his lips. He let go of the hand supporting her waist and slowly released her other hand.

"It seems even smart speakers have their dumb moments." He shook his head, walked over to the speaker control panel, and tapped the screen a few times. The noisy electronic dance music stopped, and the terrace fell silent once more, with only the sound of the evening breeze blowing.

He walked back. Instead of taking her hand again, he picked up the glass on the table, which still had less than half a glass of champagne, and raised it to her. His expression had returned to normal, though a trace of lingering warmth remained in his eyes.

"One last glass," he said, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night. "To this summer, and to your courage."

Shin Se-kyung also picked up her glass and gently clinked it against his. The cold liquid slid down her throat, carrying a slight bitterness but a stronger, sweet aftertaste. The awkwardness of just now and the regret of being interrupted seemed to dissolve with this sip, turning into a secret, sweet ripple in her heart.

"To you too, President," she said softly, raising her eyes to bravely meet his gaze. "Thank you... for giving me courage."

The glasses were empty. The night had grown deep.

Song Tianhao put down his glass: "It's late. Go get some rest. The driver will take you back to the company tomorrow morning."

"Okay." Shin Se-kyung nodded, a distinct reluctance rising in her heart. These three days felt like a beautiful dream detached from reality. Now, the dream was about to end.

She watched as Song Tianhao turned to walk toward the glass door leading inside, his silhouette stretching long under the lights. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, she took two steps forward and, the moment he pushed the door open, gently wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

With her cheek pressed against his broad back, she could feel his body instantly tense up.

"President..." Her voice was muffled, laced with alcohol and a reckless impulse. "I..."

She didn't finish her sentence. Because Song Tianhao had already turned around, lowered his head, and kissed her.

The kiss came suddenly, yet it felt as though it had been brewing for a long time. It carried the tipsy scent of champagne, the coolness of the night breeze, and an unquestionable tenderness and possessiveness. Shin Se-kyung's mind went completely blank, her body reacting before her consciousness. She closed her eyes, returning the kiss clumsily and shyly.

His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her even tighter into his embrace. The lights on the terrace seemed to grow hazier, and the distant city lights blurred into a soft halo.

The night was still very long.

The next morning, the early sunlight peeked playfully through the gap of the loosely drawn curtains, landing on Shin Se-kyung's eyelids.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. The moment her consciousness returned, the memories of last night flooded in like a tide. The eye contact by the pool, the champagne on the terrace, the dance under the moonlight, that sudden kiss, and then... the chaotic entanglement in the room.

Shin Se-kyung's cheeks instantly flushed red with embarrassment. She carefully turned her head to look at the person beside her on the pillow.

Song Tianhao was still asleep. The morning light outlined his exceptionally peaceful profile in sleep—thick eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath his eyes, a high nose bridge, and well-defined lips... Stripped of his usual composure and calmness, he looked almost... harmless while asleep.

But Shin Se-kyung remembered clearly how those eyes, currently closed, had gazed at her so deeply last night.

And how this seemingly relaxed body possessed such astonishing strength and passion, making her float and sink repeatedly between the clouds and the deep sea, before finally falling into a deep sleep in his arms out of sheer exhaustion.

"Oppa was so bad last night..." she grumbled playfully in her heart, but the corners of her mouth curved up uncontrollably, spreading into an extremely sweet smile. Her body was still somewhat sore, reminding her of last night's wildness, but her heart felt as if it were soaked in honey, full and so light that she felt like she could fly.

She gently snuggled closer into his warm embrace, greedily inhaling his comforting scent.

Not long after, Song Tianhao also woke up. He was in excellent physical condition; even though he had slept late last night, his eyes were clear upon waking. Feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, he looked down, meeting Shin Se-kyung's shy and sweet gaze, which she didn't have time to hide.

"Awake?" His voice carried the deep, husky tone characteristic of someone who had just woken up, making Shin Se-kyung's ears turn hot.

"Mm..." she replied softly, wanting to bury her face in the blanket, yet reluctant to look away.

Song Tianhao looked at her flushed cheeks and neck, and her little expression of wanting to hide yet unable to resist stealing glances. His gaze darkened. He said nothing, only leaning down to kiss the corner of her lips again before letting her go and getting up.

"Sleep a bit longer. I'll make breakfast," he said, casually grabbing his bathrobe to throw on before walking out of the bedroom.

Shin Se-kyung stared at the closed door. Holding the blanket that still carried his warmth and scent, she rolled around on the bed, buried her burning face in the pillow, and giggled silently for a long time before finally dragging herself out of bed.

By the time she finished washing up, changed her clothes, and came to the dining room, a simple breakfast was already set on the table. Perfectly fried sunny-side-up eggs, golden and crispy toasted bread, sliced fruits, and warm milk.

The two sat opposite each other, eating breakfast in silence. Unlike the extreme romance and intensity of last night, the atmosphere now was warm, carrying a quiet intimacy of the morning after. Occasional eye contact would make Shin Se-kyung's heart race, prompting her to lower her head and take a sip of milk to hide it.

"What are your plans for today?" Song Tianhao asked, his tone as casual as if he were asking about the weather.

"Back... back to the company," Shin Se-kyung put down her glass. "My manager Oppa said that the movie script reading starts next Monday, and there are some promotional photos to shoot before that."

Song Tianhao nodded: "Pack your things. The driver will arrive at ten."

"Okay," Shin Se-kyung replied, the trace of reluctance spreading in her heart once more. This short and beautiful "vacation" was truly coming to an end.

After breakfast, Shin Se-kyung took the initiative to clear the dishes. Song Tianhao sat at the dining table, looking at something on his tablet.

Sunlight streamed through the French windows, casting a pale golden glow over him. Wearing a simple white T-shirt and gray lounge pants, with his bangs falling casually over his forehead, he lost some of his usual sharpness at the company and gained a bit of domestic laziness and ease.

Shin Se-kyung finished tidying the kitchen and wiped her hands as she walked out, greeted by this very scene. A corner of her heart melted completely. Gathering her courage, she walked over to his side.

"President," she said softly, "thank you so much for these past few days. I probably... will never forget this for the rest of my life."

Song Tianhao raised his gaze from the tablet to look at her. Her eyes were bright, filled with sincere gratitude and a hint of deeper, hard-to-detect emotion.

"Do a good job Acting." He looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before returning to the tablet. His voice was calm and flat, yet it carried a certain heavy weight. "When your movie is released, I will book out theaters to support you."

This felt like a promise, but also a clear boundary. The special training was over, and the relationship between coach and trainee had come to an end. Last night's romance was just an interlude, and the future would be a relationship between a president and his agency's actress.

Shin Se-kyung understood. There was a tiny, sharp sting in her heart, but more than that, a sense of groundedness from being recognized and a faint anticipation. She nodded vigorously, a bright smile gracing her face: "Yes! I will definitely work hard!"

Just then, the screen of Song Tianhao's phone on the table lit up, and a new KakaoTalk message popped up.

The sender was saved as "Son Ye-jin."

Shin Se-kyung's gaze instinctively swept over it, catching the first few words: "President, thank you for yesterday at the set. Hyo-joo and I have found the right feeling..."

The rest of the message was collapsed and couldn't be fully seen. But immediately after, another message popped up: "Also, I heard you've been specially training Se-kyung-ssi these past few days? It seems she's working very hard. I look forward to seeing her new project."

Song Tianhao picked up his phone, looked at the two messages on the screen, and lightly tapped his finger on the edge, not replying immediately.

Shin Se-kyung stood beside him. She shifted her gaze away from the phone screen to the bright summer sunlight outside the window. The smile on her lips remained, but deep in her eyes, a trace of almost imperceptible complexity flickered.

This summer, the one whose heartstrings were pulled seemed... to not be just her.