Chapter 40: The Sixth Sense

According to Xia Xing’s understanding, the sequence of events was roughly as follows: Dispatch had intended to stalk and photograph Karina (Yoo Jimin) last night, but instead, they had accidentally captured Xia Xing.

Once Dispatch uncovered his identity, they naturally sought confirmation from the Xia family immediately. Those within the family who had long wanted to expose Xia Xing saw an opportunity and instructed Dispatch to send the photos of Karina and Xia Xing to SM Entertainment. As for how SM would choose to handle it, that was a different matter entirely.

"After receiving the photos from Dispatch, the company only intended to buy back one of them."

"In other words, the company is still insisting on manufacturing a scandal, but they need to choose between Lee Jae-wook and you."

"That’s why I took the liberty of finding you. I wanted to ask your thoughts. If you’re willing to cooperate, I really wouldn't have to be harassed by Lee Jae-wook anymore."

"And if you work with me, who knows? You might be able to follow the trail and sniff out the mole in your family. I can act as your undercover agent."

As Karina explained this, she took sips of her milk tea from time to time, even getting quite serious as she struggled with her straw when it became clogged with taro paste. The "slurping" sound from the straw eased the tense and oppressive atmosphere.

"According to your logic, then, there is no way for me to escape this."

"You’re not wrong. Actually, you’re no different from me; you can’t escape. If you dodge this bullet, you won’t dodge the next one. It’s only a matter of time."

Xia Xing laughed helplessly. If someone truly wanted his identity exposed, regardless of the motive or the method, he certainly couldn't hide from it. Just as Karina said, even if they didn't manufacture a scandal today, who knew what might pop up tomorrow?

Xia Xing mimicked her and took a sip of his milk tea, ignoring the eye-roll Karina gave him, and lamented:

"The two of us, with nowhere to run—should we call this cooperation, or are we just huddling together for a desperate struggle?"

"It’s not as dramatic as you make it sound, is it?" Karina chewed the taro paste vaguely, looking to be in decent spirits as she continued: "Even if it gets exposed, I’ll still have to eat breakfast tomorrow, and I’ll still have to go on with my life after that."

Xia Xing felt a pang of sadness in his nose: "That’s actually quite heartbreaking to hear, yet you’re strangely persuasive when you say it."

"It’s just the way things are. When you’re in this business, you have to be prepared. If you aren't ready to face these frustrations, you might as well go back to being a flight attendant. Though, that’s not necessarily easy either."

"For me... choosing you is just swapping one scandal partner for another, and I might even be under more pressure."

"After all, once a label like 'clinging to a wealthy family' is slapped on me, it will be very difficult to tear off later."

"As for why I still want to work with you, it’s just to struggle a bit within this situation and see if I can seize an opportunity to turn things around."

"Turn things around"—that was an interesting term. When applied to the perspective of an artist and their agency, it meant the artist gaining control over their own career.

"It’s truly pathetic. I’m asking to work with you, yet I can’t even specify exactly what I want." Karina smiled helplessly and added, "But if I were to manufacture a scandal with Lee Jae-wook, I would gain even less from him."

"If you only want to gain control over your own career, I can absolutely help you with that."

"In fact, I might even be able to help you reach even greater heights in the future."

Despite SM’s massive influence in the K-pop industry, compared to a giant like Peninsula International—which spans sectors from food and real estate to finance—the company was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree. If he could root out the mole through this cooperation, Xia Xing’s influence within Peninsula International would rise significantly. By then, helping Karina take control of her career would be as simple as buying up some of SM’s shares on the secondary market.

"Anything more than that, for me, would be like a snake trying to swallow an elephant—too much greed."

"Even if you gave it to me, I might not be able to handle it or digest it."

"Being able to take charge of my own career and do it well—that is already enough."

Surprised by Karina’s self-awareness, Xia Xing’s impression of her changed once more. Reaching her current status as an idol wasn't just about the company or her own talent; it likely had a lot to do with her clear perception of herself.

"But I haven't even told you specifically what I’m going to give you, yet you’ve already agreed?"

"It’s a partnership; trust is a very important thing."

Amused by her affectedly mature tone, Xia Xing spread his hands: "Even so, I can’t give you an answer immediately. I need some time to think."

"I understand... is it because you need to discuss it with your girlfriend?"

Karina’s question came at him like a sudden, cold arrow.

"Yes."

"I’m just guessing, mind you—it’s a completely unreliable sixth sense—but your girlfriend wouldn't happen to be in the entertainment industry too, would she?"

***

"Haha, so that guy actually talked about me for the entire ride?"

Shin Yuna sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking quite satisfied as she gave her sister an arrogant, triumphant look, radiating a "look at how infinitely charming I am" vibe.

"I can tell he’s truly put his heart into you, but as your older sister, I just want to give you some advice from someone who has been there."

"Are you really prepared to date Xia Xing?"

Having finished her short business trip, Shin Haeri returned to Seoul that same day and called her younger sister to her apartment. As she ate the orange her sister had peeled for her, she recalled her experience at Peninsula Entertainment that afternoon.

Usually, when she came over on behalf of Peninsula Food to discuss things like advertising songs, she was met by nothing more than a team leader of her own rank. But today, the moment she parked her car, Peninsula Entertainment staff were already waiting downstairs, as if they had known she and Xia Xing were coming.

Moreover... this meeting was actually hosted and presided over by the Executive President of Peninsula Entertainment, Xia Xianzhi, herself.

Although Xia Xianzhi didn't have much direct interaction with Xia Xing during the meeting, the natural ease when they met, along with their occasional eye contact... it all made one feel that they were incredibly close, just like the closest of kin.

Putting aside these observations, looking at the facts: any project Xia Xing participated in, whether at Peninsula Food or Peninsula Entertainment, was treated with importance by the upper management and progressed very smoothly. It was as if the group was pouring resources into him specifically to help him rise, ensuring Xia Xing had impressive work achievements in a short time.

She had previously assumed Xia Xing was just a distant relative of the Xia family, but now it seemed... it was truly possible, just as Xia Xing had said, that his family background was extremely complicated. For a moment, Shin Haeri even wondered if Xia Xing was the illegitimate son of Xia Xuhe.

"Unnie, I’m dating him, why should I care so much about what his family is like?"

"If he really comes from a wealthy family, the relationships between people in that family aren't measured by blood alone. You’re so naive; you’ll inevitably get hurt."

Having already learned about Xia Xing’s family situation through the internet and understanding some of the reality through her chats with him, Shin Yuna shook her head, completely unbothered:

"First of all, I have my own career and source of income; I don't rely on them. I’m an independent individual. What can they possibly do to me?"

"Besides, if someone in his family tries to bully me, and Xia Xing doesn't stand on my side to consider my feelings or help me resolve the conflict, then I’ll just accept that I misjudged him."

Shin Haeri sighed silently: "That’s for the best. I hope my sixth sense is wrong."