28: Chapter 28 I Don't Belong Here

Faced with Son Ye-jin's words that were nearly a confession, Liu Zijun couldn't answer or promise anything.

It seemed this woman was the type to 'board the bus before buying a ticket'—could sleeping together for one night actually result in feelings?

The cinema lights suddenly dimmed, and the light and shadow of the opening advertisements flickered on the large screen.

The entire cinema was a mix of the sweet scent of popcorn and a faint aroma of coffee. Liu Zijun leaned back in his seat, gripping the cold wall of his coffee cup, his gaze fixed on the screen ahead.

She untied her hair, which had been loosely pinned back; a few stray strands fell by her temples, looking quite moving.

In the movie, Son Ye-jin appeared dressed in a white formal suit, her excellent physique prominently highlighted.

Liu Zijun just watched. This was his first time watching a movie in The Peninsula; he didn't recognize some of the words, but he could understand the spoken dialogue.

Seeing that Liu Zijun wasn't speaking, Son Ye-jin suddenly asked, "Do you not like watching this kind of movie?"

Her voice was very soft, almost inaudible against the movie's background music.

Liu Zijun snapped back to his senses and turned his head to look at her, finding her eyes sparkling as she watched him intently.

He shook his head and said in a flat tone, "It's not that I don't like it; it's just that it's been a long time since I've been to a cinema to watch a movie, so I'm a bit unaccustomed to it."

Indeed, such an ordinary setting felt somewhat out of place with his life.

Son Ye-jin found it a bit strange and suddenly pointed to herself in the movie, saying, "In that movie, that button wasn't fastened because the director said it would look prettier that way."

Liu Zijun shook his head, indicating it was nothing.

"Liu Zijun."

She softly called his name, her fingers unconsciously gripping the armrest of the seat.

"That day in Busan, did you think I was being ridiculous?"

Liu Zijun moved his gaze away from the large screen and let it fall on her face.

The light from the screen shifted across her face, making her features appear exceptionally soft and highlighting her anxiety.

Liu Zijun was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "It wasn't ridiculous. Anyone would panic if they were drugged. Besides, you're just an ordinary person."

With a hint of grievance in her tone, Son Ye-jin pressed, "Then why were you so cold to me at the mall? I know that even on that day, you still weren't willing to leave your contact information."

Liu Zijun took a sip of his coffee; the bitter liquid slid down his throat, clearing his thoughts slightly.

"I've said it before: we simply aren't from the same world."

Son Ye-jin repeated those words and suddenly laughed.

"Is it just because you're a bodyguard and I'm an artist? Or because you're Chinese and I'm from The Peninsula?"

Liu Zijun's voice deepened as he said, "Neither. My life is far more complicated and dangerous than you imagine. Getting involved with me won't do you any good."

Son Ye-jin looked at him, a flash of stubbornness in her eyes.

"I'm not afraid of danger. I've lived for over thirty years; what great storms haven't I seen? The intrigue of the entertainment industry is even darker than you imagine."

Liu Zijun didn't respond, simply turning his gaze back to the screen.

He knew that Son Ye-jin still didn't understand.

Her so-called darkness was merely the struggle for fame and fortune in the entertainment industry, whereas his danger consisted of life-and-death trials where one could truly lose their head.

He couldn't drag her into his world; that would be too unfair to her.

Liu Zijun suddenly pointed at the artificial snow scene in the movie and asked, "Son Ye-jin, the artificial snow in the movie is beautiful, isn't it?"

Son Ye-jin nodded with some confusion.

"But beautiful things often carry fatal hidden dangers. And I am the same..."

Sure enough, in the movie, the helicopter crashed, triggering a fire.

Son Ye-jin looked thoughtful.

When the movie ended, the sky outside had already darkened, and neon lights were gradually lighting up the streets of Seoul.

"Could you stay a bit longer? I know a good restaurant by Cheonggyecheon; it's very discreet, so we won't be caught by the paparazzi."

She suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a hint of a probe.

Liu Zijun glanced at her, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded. "Okay."

After leaving the underground parking lot, snowflakes began to flutter again, landing on the car window and quickly melting into water droplets.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Son Ye-jin looked at Liu Zijun's profile as he focused on driving, her gaze full of infatuation. The words in her heart were stuck in her throat, and she didn't know how to say them.

Logically speaking, for Son Ye-jin to be so successful in the entertainment industry, she shouldn't be a 'love brain'.

But why had this woman set her heart on him after just one night?

The restaurant was hidden in an alley by Cheonggyecheon. The storefront was small, with a wooden sign hanging on it that read "Hometown Canteen."

Pushing open the door, the interior decoration was very retro, with old-fashioned wooden tables and chairs. Old photos of The Peninsula hung on the walls, and an old-fashioned record player in the corner was playing soothing music. The atmosphere was warm and private.

The owners were a middle-aged couple who clearly knew Son Ye-jin. Seeing her enter, they smiled and nodded, and looked at Liu Zijun with some curiosity.

However, they didn't say much and led them to a private room on the second floor without asking a single question.

The dishes were served quickly, all home-cooked Peninsula food.

Son Ye-jin poured a glass of soju for Liu Zijun and one for herself. She raised her glass to him and said, "Thank you for being willing to accompany me to the movie today. I'll toast to you."

Liu Zijun picked up his glass, clinked it with hers, and took a sip of the soju.

"You seem to like drinking?"

Son Ye-jin looked at him and placed a piece of pork belly into his bowl.

Liu Zijun said, "When I was abroad before, I would drink some when I had nothing to do."

Seeing the flash of loneliness in his eyes as he said this, Son Ye-jin felt a slight ache in her heart.

She knew that this man had many stories hidden in his heart, but he just wouldn't tell them.

"Just who are you? You say you're a bodyguard, but you can stay in the best hotel in Busan and seem very wealthy. Why would you go to be a bodyguard for Choi Sulli?"

"You even know the fan chants for T-ara, and you'd even argue with the SBS Television Station staff for Park Soyeon and the others."

"You are very good to them."

It turned out she had been paying attention to him and had deduced quite a lot from these things.

Liu Zijun put down his chopsticks and looked at her. The previous aloofness was gone from his eyes, replaced by a bit more seriousness.

"Who I am isn't actually important. What's important is that I don't belong here."

Son Ye-jin frowned and said, "Haven't you already settled in Seoul? You even became a bodyguard at SM Entertainment Company."

"That's only temporary. I came to The Peninsula only to fulfill a promise. Once things are over, I will leave."

"A promise? Is it for Choi Sulli?"

Son Ye-jin pressed, a surge of bitterness rising in her heart.

"Yes!"

"Then what about me?"

Son Ye-jin suddenly raised her voice, her eyes filling with tears.

"I said, what about me? I think you know my thoughts about you."

"Am I really just a stranger you met by chance? You can be so gentle to Choi Sulli and so loyal to Park Soyeon, so why are you so cold to me?"

Her voice carried a sob. She picked up the soju on the table and took a large gulp; the pungent liquid made her cough, and tears fell along with it.

"I admit, that day in Busan, I lost control. But in all my years, I've never had this kind of feeling for a man."

"I know I'm an artist, and I know there are many obstacles between us, but is it wrong for me to follow my heart?"

Liu Zijun looked at her red, crying eyes. His heart stirred slightly, yet he still hardened his heart.

"You're not wrong; I am. I'm not a good person. My hands are stained with blood—lots and lots of blood."

"The word 'love' doesn't exist in my life."

"I can't give you any promises, nor can I give you the future you want."

"You are a normal big star; you should find someone who matches you and live a stable life, instead of following someone like me who could disappear at any time and living in fear."

Son Ye-jin wiped her tears and looked at him, her eyes full of stubbornness.

"I don't care who you are, and I don't care about your past."

"I only know that I like you now, and I want to be with you."

"Even if you have to leave sooner or later, so what?"

"At least for now, you're still in The Peninsula, aren't you?"

Liu Zijun fell silent. Looking at Son Ye-jin's expectant eyes, he remembered the words his Squad Leader had said before his death.

"Ji-Jun, when it comes to love, don't hide when you encounter it, or you'll regret it for a lifetime. You already missed out when you were back home, and now that you've come to take over my position, it's even harder to find love. If I could do it over, I'd hope you never came here."

I have started over, but from the moment I broke through the gates of the Faith Organization's base, there has been no room for regret in my life.

"I will leave here sooner or later."

Son Ye-jin looked at him; the tears in her eyes gradually receded, replaced by a hint of loneliness.

She lowered her head, picking at the rice in her bowl, and said very softly, "I know, and I won't force anything on you. Then during your time in The Peninsula, when you're free, can you spend some time with me? Just like today—watching a movie, having a meal—that's enough."

Seeing her like this, the defenses in Liu Zijun's heart gradually loosened.

He was silent for a long time—so long that Son Ye-jin thought he would refuse—before he slowly spoke: "Okay."

Son Ye-jin snapped her head up, light instantly flashing in her eyes like a child who had found candy.

She looked at Liu Zijun and gave a brilliant smile; in that smile, there was relief and also expectation.

"Then it's a deal. You can't go back on your word."

She picked up her glass and clinked it with Liu Zijun's again.

"Come on, cheers!"