Peninsula: Please, I only want to talk about ordinary people.

Chapter 28 A Friend Who's Not Quite Right

In the arrival hall of Gimpo Airport, the three guests said goodbye to the production team and left in their own vans.

The large equipment boxes of the production team had been loaded onto the truck, and Sun Changyu walked up to Jiang Yongtai with a smile on his face.

"Yongtai, thank you for your hard work these past few days. Could you please send the footage back to tvN one last time? You can come to the editing room tomorrow if you'd like."

According to the original division of labor, Kang Young-tae was only responsible for the location shooting in Jeju Island, and the editing had nothing to do with him.

After the footage was sent back, post-production was handled by Lee Yoon-ho and Son Chang-woo, the other PDs who had stayed in Seoul.

Son Chang-woo is now inviting Kang Young-tae to the editing room whenever he has time, hoping to get him more involved in the production of the show and leave his first resume after joining tvN.

Jiang Yongtai understood the goodwill and nodded with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, Brother Changyu. You can go back and rest now. I'll take some people to send the materials back to the company."

After saying goodbye, he led a small team, carrying the footage on a hard drive, into the car and drove towards tvN.

It was past dusk when we returned to the CJ ENM building in Sangam-dong, and it was completely dark.

The elevator arrived at the floor where the editing room was located. As soon as the door opened, the familiar smell of coffee and all-nighters wafted through the corridor, just like Jiang Yongtai's.

He knocked on the door of the editing room and met Lee Yoon-ho for the first time.

Lee Yoon-ho was sitting in front of the monitor, on which was the original final episode of "Heartbreaking Trip," with the timeline filled with dense markings.

He looked to be in his early thirties, wearing black-rimmed glasses. When he saw Jiang Yongtai standing at the door, he took off his headphones and stood up.

"Producer Lee Yunho, this is Kang Young-tae. I'm here to deliver footage from Jeju Island."

"Ah, Yongtai-xi."

Lee Yoon-ho smiled as he accepted the hard drive containing the materials, his attitude being much warmer than Kang Young-tae had expected.

"Chang-woo has been mentioning you on the phone a lot these past few days, saying that the new PD Kang helped a lot on set. Thank you for your hard work this time."

"I wasn't much of a help; it was all done by Brother Changyu."

Jiang Yongtai bowed slightly, "Senior, you've worked hard here too, overseeing so much footage all by yourself in the editing room."

"I'm used to it."

Lee Yoon-ho gave a wry smile, "Chang-woo had to hand over all the previous editing work to me because he was busy with the special episode."

"While you guys were in Jeju Island, I finished the subtitles for this episode. I was just about to go home and rest when you sent over new materials. Looks like I'll have to wait until Chang-woo takes over tomorrow before I can go home and get a good night's sleep."

Jiang Yongtai nodded, naturally knowing what it was like to eat and sleep in the editing room to save time.

"Give me the materials. You must be tired after working so hard these past two days. Go home and rest."

Lee Yoon-ho didn't say anything more, and just smiled at him.

Jiang Yongtai didn't bother him any longer, put down the materials, and took his leave.

As he walked out of the editing room, he took out his phone from his pocket, remembered the text message from Na Young-seok, and dialed it.

I answered the phone after it rang twice.

"Oh, Yongtai, you're back?"

The background on Luo Yingxi's side was very quiet, with only the occasional sound of keyboard typing.

"Yes, Youngseok hyung, I'm at tvN right now, just got back from delivering some footage."

"I'm here too. Wait for me a moment, I'm coming down."

Luo Yingxi hung up after he finished speaking.

Less than five minutes later, he came out of the elevator, looking like he had been holed up in the editing room all day.

"Let's go sit in a nearby coffee shop for a while. I still need to buy coffee for the 'Mapo Handsome Boys' crew and bring it back."

The two went to the coffee shop next to the building.

It was just past closing time, and there weren't many people in the store. A few young employees wearing CJ badges were sitting in a corner.

Luo Yingxi ordered seven or eight different coffees at the counter, then turned to ask Jiang Yongtai a question.

What would you like to drink?

"An iced Americano will do."

Na Young-seok added to the clerk, "We still have two iced desserts left."

While waiting for his coffee, Na Young-seok leaned against the high table and casually asked:

"What are your thoughts on your trip to Jeju Island? How was your stay with Sun Changyu for a few days?"

"Changyu is a very nice guy, and the team atmosphere is also good."

Jiang Yongtai thought for a moment, "Working with them, the division of labor is very clear, and everyone knows what they are supposed to do."

"Chang-woo is a veteran of tvN, and he's very good at making travel shows. You can learn a lot from him."

The clerk handed over two cups of coffee. Na Young-seok took the coffee, but didn't drink it right away. He tapped his fingers on the inside of the cup twice.

"I heard about what happened to you in Jeju Island. Don't take it too seriously. Seohyun's company has already communicated with tvN, so there won't be any further developments."

He looked up at Jiang Yongtai and said, "Minister Nan Shenghao is looking for you, so don't be too nervous."

Kang Young-tae nodded, holding his coffee, and looked at Na Young-seok.

"Thanks, brother, I understand."

Luo Yingxi placed the cup on the saucer and subtly changed the subject.

"The structure of tvN's variety show department has been adjusted. Although Lee Myung-han is no longer in charge of the variety show department's work, there are still many PDs, and writers are used to asking him for advice."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The program is produced on the front lines, while the rules are written on paper. These two things are not always the same."

"Youngseok hyung, what do you mean by suddenly telling me this?"

Jiang Yongtai picked up his iced Americano, took a sip, and looked at him with some "puzzle".

Actually, he understood the meaning behind Na Young-seok's words.

He was reminding him that although Li Minghan was currently in charge of the drama department, his influence in the variety show department was unmatched by the newly hired head, Nan Shenghao.

However, he didn't understand why he, a newly hired PD, was receiving so much attention...

Na Young-seok clearly proposed to meet first because he had heard that Nam Seung-ho wanted to see him.

Luo Yingxi glanced at him and smiled.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to check on you. You must be tired from running around Jeju Island these past few days, go home and get some rest."

He stood up, picked up the large bag of takeaway coffee, grabbed his own Americano, and the two walked out of the coffee shop, retracing their steps back to the CJ building.

"Yongtai, go back. You are capable. You didn't disappoint me during the interview. Don't disappoint me again."

Na Young-seok smiled as he looked at Kang Young-tae, then waved to him before turning and walking toward the revolving door of the CJ building.

Kang Young-tae sighed as he watched his retreating figure. It seemed that the power struggles within tvN were no better than those in KBS.

Luo Yingxi's words just now were practically a direct imprint of "You are Li Minghan's man" on his forehead.

Do I even have a choice...?

He didn't dwell on the matter, turned around and walked back to the parking lot, found his car, opened the door and got in. There were two boxes of red bean buns he had brought back from Jeju Island on the passenger seat.

He glanced at it, started the car, and drove into the night at Upper Cave.

……

When he parked the car downstairs at Twice's dorm, he turned off the engine and looked up at the apartment building.

He confirmed that the lights were on in Twice's dorm room, then took out his phone and opened his chat with Mina.

"Nan-chan, are you in the dorm?"

In the practice room, Mina sat cross-legged on the floor, turning on her water bottle as her phone screen lit up.

She glanced at the message, then looked up at the distance where Sana Minatozaki and Nayeon Lim were huddled together looking at something on their phones, laughing together.

She looked away and opened the chat window.

Yongtai-san is back? Why is he looking for me?

She thought for a moment, then typed back, "Not here, is there something you need?"

"I'm back from Jeju Island. I brought you a box of Jeju's famous steamed buns. Have you tried them?"

Minami looked at the message and placed the water bottle beside her lap.

She wanted to buy that steamed bun when she was taking photos in Jeju Island, but the line was so long that she had to give up. I wonder if he also had to wait in line for a long time?

Thinking of this, her gaze softened involuntarily.

"That shop must be hard to buy from, right? How long did Yongtai-san queue up? Wasn't it filming?"

"I just bought it on the spot while filming. There was no queue. I bought three boxes. I gave one away, kept one for myself, and gave one to you."

But if you're not in the dorm, I'll have someone deliver it to you later.

What the heck! I thought he queued up for ages just to buy it for himself, but it turns out it was just something he did on the side!

Mina pouted, remembering that he had asked if she was in the dorm, and typed a reply:

"Is Yongtai-san right downstairs in our dorm right now?"

"Yeah, I just came from the company and am heading home."

Upon hearing his words, Mina couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Is this person launching another surprise attack? They only ask if they're even in the dorm after they've already arrived.

"Then Yongtai-san, don't call anyone to run errands. Chaeyoung isn't feeling well and is resting in the dormitory. I'll ask her to come down and get it."

Is it convenient?

"It's convenient. I'll tell Chaeyoung that you're a friend who's here to deliver something. Wait a moment, I'll call her."

"Okay, I'll wait downstairs."

Minami dialed Son Chae-young's number.

"Mina unnie~"

Sun Caiying's voice on the other end of the phone was a little nasal, but she sounded alright.

"Hmm, Chaeyoung, are you feeling better?"

Sun Caiying was curled up on the sofa in her dormitory, with a blanket covering her knees and her phone propped up on a cushion, playing a video.

Hearing Mina's concern, she smiled and said, "I'm much better, unnie~"

"That's good. Chaeyoung, are you in the dorm?"

"Of course not, I didn't sneak out to play!"

Sun Caiying thought that Mingjing Nan was calling to check up on her, so she quickly confirmed it herself.

"Could you go downstairs and get something for me? A friend is delivering something to me and is downstairs right now."

Son Chae-young paused for a moment.

Friend? What friend? Have she met her?

"Oh, I see, unnie. Do I know this friend of yours? Is he downstairs now?"

"Yes, but you don't recognize him. You'll see his car when you go downstairs. I'll send you his license plate number."

"Okay, I'll hang up now, unnie."

"Yes, Chaeyoung, thank you."

Minami hung up the phone and sent a message to Kang Young-tae.

"Chaeyoung is downstairs. Yongtae-san, just give her the things when you see her."

They also sent Son Chae-young the license plate number.

"Okay, I understand."

Jiang Yongtai replied to the message, took the box of steamed buns from the passenger seat, opened the car door, got out, and stood by the car to wait.

In the dormitory, Son Chae-young got up from the sofa and looked down to check her pajamas.

Yes, I can be seen in public.

She nodded, put on a mask, and went out in her slippers.

As she stepped out of the elevator and pushed open the hallway door, she immediately noticed a man standing next to a car not far away, carrying something in his hand.

Son Chae-young frowned.

Could it be this person? Does Mina unnie have male friends she doesn't know?

She approached with mixed feelings, glanced at the license plate, and matched it with the one Mina had sent her. Her brows furrowed even more.

Jiang Yongtai saw a short man wearing a mask approaching him, peeking at the license plate as he walked. He had a feeling about what was going on and asked.

"Chaeyoung-ssi? You mean Son Chaeyoung-ssi?"

"Ah! Yes, I'm Son Chae-young..."

When he called out her name, Son Chae-young instinctively bowed and greeted him.

Jiang Yongtai smiled.

"I'm Mina Xi's friend. I came to deliver something to her. She said she's not in her dorm, so I'd like to trouble you to come down and get it."

"...Yes, Mina unnie told me."

Sun Caiying looked up at him. She had only seen a rough outline because she was far away and the light was dim. Now that she was closer, she realized that this so-called friend looked a lot like him!

Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she instinctively asked:

"Excuse me... sir, how did you and Mina unnie meet?"

Jiang Yongtai would naturally not tell the truth.

"Mina and I met online through gaming. After we'd known each other for a while, she told me that she was actually Mina from Twice. It really shocked me."

He smiled and handed over the box, diverting Sun Caiying's attention from his identity.

"The things are here, thank you for your help, Chaeyoung-ssi."

Son Chae-young took the box, clearly not satisfied with his answer to the question about friends, and was about to ask something else.

Jiang Yongtai had already raised his hand to look at his watch.

"Now that the items have been delivered, I have other things to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. Thank you, Chaeyoung-ssi."

Before Sun Caiying could react, he got back into his car, started the engine, flashed the taillights twice, and disappeared around the corner of the alley.

Sun Caiying stood there, holding the box of steamed buns.

Oh my god, this person... How could Mina unnie make friends with someone like this!

She thought angrily, deciding that she would definitely give Mina a good rant when she returned, and also dig into the relationship between the two of them.

She would never let her Mina associate with any "shady" friends!

Thinking of this, she lowered her head and looked at the box that the stranger had given to Mina.

Hmm? It looks like Jeju Island steamed buns.

Should I eat it all myself, then stuff some prank props inside, so that Mina unnie thinks it's that man's prank?

She frowned, deep in thought...

……

Minami looked at the photos sent by Son Chaeyoung on her phone screen.

On the dining table in the living room, she opened a box, revealing neatly arranged steamed buns inside. She then made a peace sign at the camera.

In the end, Son Chaeyoung did not carry out her "evil plan," not because she was afraid, but because she did not want to anger her Mina unnie!

Mina smiled and typed "Thank you, Chaeyoung" before sending it. Just as she pressed send, a sudden weight lifted from her back.

Sana Minatosaki lunged at her from behind, and Mina Mōi was thrown forward, almost getting crushed onto the wooden floor.

"Sana! I'm going to fall!"

She turned around and looked helplessly at the grinning person on her back.

Sana Minato stuck her tongue out at her and swung her legs on either side of Mina's body.

"Sorry, Mina, practice's over. Let's play!"

Mina was still thinking about the gift Jiang Yongtai had given her in the dormitory, and shook her head.

"Never mind, I'm going back to my dorm."

Sana Minatosaki slid off her back and clapped her hands.

"Oh, then I'll go back to my dorm too!"

"Okay." Mina smiled at her.

Sana Minatozaki grabbed her wrist to pack her things when the practice room door suddenly opened from the outside.

The head manager walked in, glanced around, and his gaze landed on Minatozaki Sana.

"Sana, come here for a second."

"Huh? Oppa, what's up?"

Sana Minato pursed her lips, filled with undisguised resentment towards the person who suddenly appeared at the end of the workday to prevent her from going home.

The manager was clearly used to Sana Minatozaki's little temper and remained unfazed.

"This is important business, let's talk in the conference room."

Sana Minatozaki glanced back at Mina Mina, shook her wrist, and said in a sweet, coquettish voice.

"Mina~ wait for me a moment, okay? Let's go back together~"

Mina sighed helplessly as she looked at her.

"Okay, I understand. I'll wait for you. Go ahead."

"Uh-huh!"

Sana Minatozaki smiled, let go of her hand, and jogged towards her manager.

The two walked out of the practice room one after the other. Before the door closed, half of the manager's voice leaked in through the crack in the door.

"Sana, the company has a collaboration with tvN, and they're planning to have you host a web variety show..."

The door closed, cutting off the rest of the conversation.

Minami withdrew her gaze, her brows furrowing slightly.

tvN? A web variety show? Sana to host it?

A faint premonition rose in her heart: Could this have something to do with Yongtai-san?