Chapter 93: Pack Your Bags
by GideonThe unfamiliar sensation made Jubin flinch.
“Zion, no matter how urgent it is, you shouldn’t use it like that…”
“You can’t use mine.”
Zion smiled, licking the semen from his fingers.
“Don’t lick it. Why do you keep eating it?”
“I told you, it smells good.”
He was unusually obsessed with the scent of the fluids Jubin produced.
His long fingers parted the skin of Jubin’s perineum, now expertly finding and pressing against his prostate.
“…Ngh.”
The feeling was incredible, but what Jubin wanted most was…
“Zion, put it in.”
“You’re always in such a rush. Always rushing me.”
The moment Zion slid inside, Jubin’s inner walls spasmed in ecstasy. Zion immediately began to thrust.
Having too good of sexual chemistry is a problem in itself…
Just then, Jubin’s phone rang, completely oblivious to the moment.
“The, the phone…”
“Focus. Only on me.”
With the vibration of the phone as their background music, they continued to fuck all night.
This moment, where no one could disturb them, was more important.
This was a disaster.
Early in the morning, Jubin’s phone, set to silent, lit up on its own like a living thing. The battery was draining, yet the bright screen refused to go dark.
“Just turn it off.”
Zion, fresh from the shower, sat down opposite Jubin, shaking out his hair.
“I want to, but…”
The phone was buzzing so violently that Jubin was afraid he might accidentally answer a call if he touched it. He could only stare at it, as if this, too, was something that would eventually pass.
“At least put it on airplane mode.”
“Ah, maybe I should.”
Once switched to airplane mode, the phone immediately blocked all notifications and calls, falling silent.
A short sigh escaped Jubin’s lips. He ran a hand through his bangs, licking his dry lips. The Netizen Investigation Team’s investigative prowess and influence were formidable, operating with a power that completely disregarded the wishes of those they targeted.
Eyewitness accounts spread across online communities and social media within hours. Different people took over the investigation at each time interval, using crowdsourcing to rapidly assemble the scattered puzzle pieces.
They even linked videos of unknown dates, self-censoring to determine if it was Jubin or not. At this rate, it seemed impossible for SUB Entertainment—no matter how small they were—to stop the public from concluding the other person in the video was Jubin without an official statement.
Were they looking for a hero? Did they want to craft a drama-like narrative? Or were they trying to invent a conspiracy theory out of thin air? He couldn’t fathom the public’s motives.
“…What do they want from me?”
“The sense of belonging that comes from solving a viral case together is stronger than the actual truth or any well-meaning interest.”
It was an emotion he could imagine, but not one he could empathize with.
“…It’s only a matter of time before everything comes out.”
Terrifying.
The situation was spiraling out of control, and the mere mention of it—even against his will—made Jubin’s chest tighten until he could barely breathe.
I’d rather this fire just burn itself out, he thought, but his anxiety was so suffocating that he could only squeeze his own hands tight.
Sensing his distress, Zion covered Jubin’s hands with his own in a comforting gesture.
“This will all pass,” he murmured.
Just let this blow over, Jubin prayed. But the moment the thought crossed his mind—
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Someone pounded violently on the front door.
“Cha Jubin!”
The voice was unfamiliar.
“Cha Jubin! This is Choi Byeong-cheol from Light Search. Do you have a moment for an interview regarding the Lee Seo-rim incident?”
Light Search. They were a tabloid rag known for sensationalizing gossip. The fact that a reporter from that outlet was here meant this wouldn’t be buried quietly.
“Don’t go out there,” Zion warned in a low voice as he stood up.
Jubin grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back.
“It might be more dangerous if you go out there. You know Light Search’s reputation,” Jubin whispered, his voice low.
“Mr. Cha Jubin! We know you’re in there. Please, give us a moment for an interview!”
The tone wasn’t a request—it was a demand, laced with arrogant pressure.
Zion scowled, clicking his tongue. “Do they think I’m on retainer for interviews? They’re practically hunting me down.”
Jubin kept his grip tight on Zion’s arm, terrified he might burst through the front door in a rage.
“…Let’s just wait for them to leave.”
Jubin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, praying this would all be over soon.
“Mr. Cha Jubin? Just one word! The public is waiting for your statement!”
Please, just go away. I don’t want to be in the spotlight for something like this.
Jubin held his breath, trying to maintain his composure, but Zion finally snapped.
“Sunbae, pack your bags. Now.”
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
How did things end up like this?
“Come on in.”
Zion flung his front door wide open for Jubin.
His pheromones bloomed, filling the apartment with a floral scent. The concentration was so thick that Jubin’s two inhibitor chips wouldn’t stand a chance.
He froze, unable to take a step.
When Jubin hesitated to enter, Zion turned around and urged him forward. “What’s wrong? Come on in.”
This is dangerous. Jubin quickly thought on his feet. “Zion, can you hold my suitcase for a second? I think I left my phone in CEO Moon’s car.”
“Go ahead.”
Fortunately, Zion didn’t doubt his lie.
“Thanks.”
Jubin handed his suitcase to him and hurried back into the elevator.
The person Zion had called after telling Jubin to pack his bags was CEO Moon Woo-jin. He’d told him that Reporter Choi was waiting outside his apartment and that he needed to come and take him away.
If CEO Moon Woo-jin hadn’t dropped everything at Zion’s request and threatened Reporter Choi for loitering on his own doorstep, the reporter might have staked out the house all night, waiting for anyone to emerge.
The reporter had intended to camp out at Zion’s place, expecting him to return, but Moon Woo-jin’s pheromones had been so overwhelming that he couldn’t even cross the threshold.
When Jubin reached the first basement level, he saw CEO Moon Woo-jin, who had just finished a call with the reporters, acknowledge him.
“Why are you down here?”
Jubin approached him and apologized. “I’m sorry, CEO Moon.”
“What’s there to be sorry for? This is why I’m here—to handle things like this.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Seriously, why did you come down?”
“…Could you take me to the hospital?”
“The hospital? Are you sick?”
He was bound to blow a fuse if she told him she was adding another chip to the project.
“I’ve been having terrible headaches lately,” Jubin explained. “I just need to go to my regular doctor for a prescription.”
“You’re just too stressed,” he said, already walking toward the driver’s side and opening the door. “You should have told me sooner. Get in, I’ll drive you.”
As Jubin buckled her seatbelt, she added a quiet request. “Please keep this a secret from Zion.”
“Why? Worried he’ll get anxious?”
“Yes. He’s already worried enough as it is. I’ll just tell him I’m having lunch with you.”
“Alright, do that.”
Explaining the situation in a message would be quicker than talking it through.
Zion, I’m having lunch with CEO Moon. Good luck with your audio recording! See you at home.
She typed, deleted, and retyped the message several times until she had crafted the perfect text—one that would leave no room for doubt.
He took a deep breath and hit send.
The reply came back instantly, clean and devoid of any suspicion.
Don’t ever leave CEO Do Zion’s side. Be careful. See you at home.
Zion, I’m so sorry…
Now, all that remained was to shake off CEO Moon Woo-jin, who was determined to follow him to the hospital.
“CEO, how about burgers for lunch?”
He had already looked it up—there was a gourmet burger joint quite a distance from the hospital.
“I’m not really in the mood for a sit-down meal, so I thought we could just grab some takeout.”
“If that’s what you want, I’ll buy you whatever you like.”
A pang of guilt shot through him as Moon Woo-jin beamed, his expression radiating pure joy. But he had no choice.
“Everyone’s been worried that you haven’t been eating lately. I’m just so glad you finally have an appetite!”
I’m really sorry, CEO.
Jubin decided that since he’d already started lying and acting, he might as well commit to the bit.
“I’ll just go in for my appointment and wait here. Could you do me a favor? They’re handmade, so I think it’ll take a while.”
He added a perfectly timed lie at the end: “And I’m starving.”
“Sure, that’s no trouble at all.”
“What would you like, sir? I’ll order for you.”
“Hmm, just get me the signature burger.”
Jubin intentionally added a few side dishes to the order—things that would take longer to prepare—to buy himself more time.
This has to work…
Before he knew it, they had arrived at the hospital.
Jubin checked his navigation app for the estimated travel time to the burger joint.
“I’ll place the order as I’m heading in. See you in a bit.”
“Sure, I’ll be right here after my appointment. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Now the real game begins, Jubin thought. A battle of timing and intuition.
After checking in at the reception desk, Jubin anxiously watched the clock. His plan was to place the order exactly five minutes before CEO Moon Woo-jin arrived at the burger joint. He needed to stall as long as possible, knowing the chip implantation procedure would take some time.
The tension was suffocating.
Jubin pulled his cap lower and let out a soft sigh.
I can’t believe I’m doing this…
Deceiving someone isn’t as easy as it looks. Even for an actor, this is tough.
“Patient Cha Jubin?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You had a chip added recently. Any side effects?”
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