Chapter 119: I Will Cherish You
by Gideon“Romance isn’t easy for me either. So let’s help each other figure this out.”
You’re the one who gives me the courage and pride to feel like I can achieve anything, even when I’m lacking. I hope I can be that kind of person for you, too.
“As long as you’re with me, I’m invincible.”
You’re the one who taught me this incredible feeling, Zion.
“I’m happy doing anything with you, so you don’t have to feel sorry about my decisions.”
The deeper their feelings grew, the more they vowed never to take each other for granted. Their respect and consideration for one another deepened in tandem.
But sometimes, for each other’s sake, it’s necessary to let things get a little reckless.
Zion pushed back into Jubin’s parted lips.
“Mmm…”
A low, pleased groan vibrated in Jubin’s throat.
A deep kiss like this so early in the morning… I’m not complaining.
After leaving Jubin breathless and dazed, Zion smiled, his gaze fixed on the bracelet now encircling Jubin’s wrist.
“It looks even better on you, hyung.”
If this single bracelet can ease even a fraction of his anxiety, that’s enough.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
They had only shared a simple, visible bracelet, yet it felt as if they had exchanged their entire hearts.
The teaser trailer for Leaf on the Snow had just dropped.
The response was explosive. Thanks to the stellar cast, the video from the production press conference’s photo op was already racking up views.
Ironically, the biggest topic of conversation among fans who had missed Director Bae Eun-hye’s signature storytelling was Cha Jubin—a supporting actor. It was common knowledge in the industry that any man who landed a supporting role in one of her films saw his career trajectory skyrocket.
The individual teaser for Hyeonseo was generating just as much buzz as Segyeom’s.
Jubin took a sip of his lukewarm black tea and scrolled through the online comments from the sofa in CEO Moon Woo-jin’s office. He deftly skipped past the hate comments.
The door clicked open. CEO Moon Woo-jin entered, letting out a long sigh as he greeted Zion.
“You’re here. Still no word?”
“No, sir. It looks like it’s going to take a while.”
“Today’s the deadline. Whether SUB Entertainment’s IPO is a total bust or a super-hit depends entirely on Do Zion’s decision.”
SUB Entertainment had already passed the preliminary review and even submitted the registration statement.
Rumors of a rift between CEO Park Ji-bun and Zion over the contract renewal were swirling, but the industry consensus was that Park would secure the deal at any cost—the company’s survival depended on it.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Zion is SUB Entertainment. The moment he signs, investors’ anxiety will turn into absolute certainty.”
He was more than just an actor; he was a national treasure who had single-handedly elevated the brand value of the Republic of Korea. It was only natural for investors to be so invested in his decision.
“If we announce the contract renewal before the IPO, it’ll finally be Park Ji-bun’s turn to reap the rewards.”
“And I won’t have to be dragged out by CEO Park and forced to drink anymore.”
“That’s the best part.”
He spotted a pen on the floor and leaned down to pick it up.
“I’ve been looking for this pen everywhere. I must have dropped it here.”
As he bent over, a glimpse of a red mark on his neck caught Jubin’s eye.
“CEO.”
“Yeah? What is it?” he replied, blowing dust off the pen.
Now is the chance.
“Did you sleep with CEO Park?”
Silence fell over the room.
The CEO said nothing. Maybe he was too shocked to speak.
Why did it have to be CEO Park Ji-bun?
“Um… Jubin?”
The voice called out, trembling uncontrollably as if trying to steady itself.
“CEO Park, do you like him that much?”
At the question, CEO Moon Woo-jin hesitated to answer. Is he not a lover, but just a simple partner? Jubin finished the rest of his black tea and drove the point home.
“Even though you know he’s an Omega?”
Right then, both their phones buzzed simultaneously. It was the signal that CEO Park Ji-bun and Zion’s contract renewal negotiations had concluded.
“Let’s go eat first.”
Jubin rose from the sofa and walked out of the office, feigning nonchalance.
CEO Moon Woo-jin, his flustered expression written all over his face, let out a sigh and followed after him.
The CEO’s office was stiflingly hot when we stepped inside.
The two men had their sleeves rolled up, a testament to how heated their negotiations must have been, even in the dead of winter. CEO Park Ji-bun, in particular, looked positively miserable.
Looks like he had to make a lot of concessions, I thought.
“Good to see you both,” CEO Park said, his greeting casual, yet his gaze lingered on CEO Moon Woo-jin. Now that I was paying attention, the tension between them was palpable.
“Sunbae, here.”
Zion patted the seat next to him, inviting me to sit. The pleased smile on his face suggested the contract had gone exactly his way.
“You must be starving after waiting so long,” Zion said.
“We can take our time eating,” I replied.
“I ordered sushi.”
“Mmm, sounds good.”
“It’s snowing outside, so we can’t really go out to eat. Eating indoors isn’t a bad idea, either.”
CEO Park Ji-bun sat across from them, his gaze sweeping over Zion and Jubin as if scrutinizing every detail. A meaningful smile played on his lips.
Why is he smiling like that? Jubin felt a prickle of unease.
Just then, Zion’s phone buzzed.
“The dessert gift I ordered must have arrived. I’ll go hand it out to the departments.”
The desserts and drinks he’d ordered for the SUB Entertainment staff a few days ago had finally arrived. It was a humble gesture, a way of saying he hoped for their continued support.
“Want me to help?” Jubin asked.
“I’ll be right back,” Zion replied, gently waving him off.
But CEO Park Ji-bun, who had been watching the exchange, leaned back against the sofa and tossed out a casual remark.
“CEO Moon, why don’t you come help me out for a bit?”
CEO Moon Woo-jin, who had remained silent since entering the room, flinched and asked back, “…Me? Right now?”
He wasn’t a manager, nor a low-level employee, yet his expression was one of utter bewilderment, as if the request were completely out of left field.
Seeing this, CEO Park Ji-bun’s gaze sharpened, his eyes darkening with a strange intensity.
“Yeah. I have something private to discuss with Cha Jubin. Could you give us a moment?”
The sudden, deliberate shift to informal speech left CEO Moon Woo-jin not just flustered, but genuinely troubled. Knowing CEO Park Ji-bun’s personality, this was no slip of the tongue. It was a calculated move, a blatant display of their intimacy for Jubin to see.
Jubin, still unsettled by the meaningful smile directed at him moments ago, didn’t miss the opportunity.
“I was actually hoping to request a meeting myself. This works out perfectly.”
CEO Moon Woo-jin didn’t know what to do, thrown by the sudden, chilling tension in the air.
“Are you two squaring off again?”
Already wary of their history of clashes, CEO Moon Woo-jin threatened to stay put and make them talk right in front of him if things were going to escalate.
“I’m the CEO of MOON Entertainment. Everything has to go through me! Especially if it’s something important.”
Zion, who had been watching the scene from a step away, took the hint and grabbed CEO Moon Woo-jin by the shoulders, steering him toward the door.
“CEO Moon, please help me out here.”
CEO Moon Woo-jin seemed even more flustered, clearly not expecting Zion to step in.
“You should be helping me stop them! What if those two start throwing punches?”
“CEO Park, don’t you dare lay a hand on him.”
Zion turned his head sharply, his voice a low, level warning. It was a threat: touch Cha Jubin, and the contract would be torn up on the spot.
CEO Park Ji-bun had built his acting career on noir roles. His image had become so ingrained that rumors spread that his family had been gangsters for generations.
Since he’d never bothered to deny it, the rumor had practically become public knowledge. He certainly had the build of someone who knew how to fight.
Maybe the rumors aren’t just rumors…
“I don’t hit my own actors,” CEO Park said.
Does that mean he hits other actors? Jubin offered the two men a reassuring, easy smile.
Zion dismissed his worries and nudged CEO Moon Woo-jin’s shoulder again.
“CEO Moon, you should get going.”
“No! If you have something to say, say it in front of me!”
“They just said they have something to discuss—the two of them.”
“Then the three of us can talk!”
The bickering between CEO Moon Woo-jin and Zion dragged on. Moon Woo-jin was stubbornly holding his ground.
“I have every right to be involved in their business!”
“Yes, yes. Now, please leave.”
Still, when it came to sheer strength, Do Zion was the one to beat. Even after the door closed, the commotion continued for a long while.
Only after the noise faded did CEO Park Ji-bun cross one leg over the other and look at Jubin with eyes that betrayed his utter exhaustion.
“What’s with that look? You’re staring at me like a son opposing his father’s remarriage.”
When someone messed with his own, Jubin would quietly observe the situation, waiting until he had fully assessed it before taking action.
This was that moment.
“CEO Moon is like a father to me. He took care of everything for me in place of my parents. And he’s still doing it now.”
CEO Park Ji-bun loosened his tie in frustration and demanded, “So, you’re going to try and stop me from remarrying, acting like a dutiful son?”
“Yes. If I can stop it, I’ll try.”
Tap. Tap-tap.
His thick fingers drummed the sofa arm at a steady pace.
A long silence followed, doubling the tension in the room.
After a moment, he stopped drumming and sneered.
“I have no intention of asking for your permission.”
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