Chapter 129: Reaching Ten Million
by GideonJubin had already applied the ointment. Now, he gently licked the reddened area with his lips, as if the kiss itself were the medicine.
His fresh, bright eyes slowly filled with a pale lime glow.
“When I asked you to marry me, it wasn’t just a way of saying I love you so, so much. It was a real proposal.”
Jubin reopened the case, took out a ring, and slipped it onto his finger. It fit perfectly.
“Marry me, hyung. Let’s go through ruts together and live the rest of our lives by each other’s side. I promise I’ll treat you right.”
From what he’d seen so far, Zion was kinder and more caring than anyone else. All Jubin had to do was try even harder and be the best partner he could be.
First, it was dating. Second, marriage. And third, I suspected, would be the child he so desperately wanted.
“Here, if you want to marry me, put the ring on my finger.”
Zion paused for a moment, then, as if he’d finally made up his mind, slipped the remaining ring onto Jubin’s finger, fighting back tears.
“Don’t be so good to me. If I could, I’d be the Omega. I’ve heard pregnancy and knotting are incredibly hard… I’m sorry I can’t do it for you. I’m always asking so much of you…”
Ah, what am I going to do with this tender, young Alpha? Jubin laced his fingers with Zion’s, his own hand now adorned with the ring.
“I love you so much, Zion. Truly.”
“I love you more. I won’t concede on that.”
“You won’t even budge on the dishes. At least let me win this one.”
“No way. I can’t stand seeing you struggle, hyung.”
Maybe Zion has already given up so much.
Since he couldn’t carry the baby himself, he’d promised to raise it with all his heart if Jubin just did the birthing. He’d even chosen a life of support for Jubin, regardless of what happened to the career he’d worked so hard to build.
Even after returning from an exhausting overseas shoot like today, he’d personally prepare Jubin’s favorite meal. He wouldn’t let Jubin lift a finger, keeping his hands completely dry.
Because Jubin knew how precious Zion’s cherished, tender kindness was, he wanted to do everything for him, to make all his wishes come true.
“I’m a stubborn one myself, but I can’t beat your stubbornness.”
That day, we talked for a long time about our future over his favorite shaved ice.
We decided to wear our couple bracelets and rings only at home for now. We also discussed when to announce our relationship to the fans, which hospital to use if we were to get pregnant, and how to handle his upcoming projects.
In the past, Jubin would have been too awkward to even think about these things, dismissing them as someone else’s problems. But now that they had decided to marry, every single detail felt crucial.
More than anything, he loved seeing Zion so actively planning their future together.
If you’re this happy and thrilled because of me, then that’s all that matters.
Riding the wave of its success in North America, Iconic Mood finally premiered in Korea.
The film had already garnered rave reviews from VIP screenings and press conferences. On opening day, the theaters were already packed with Zion’s fans. The popularity of Leaves on the Snow had also drawn Jubin’s fans to join the ticket-buying frenzy, leading to a complete sell-out.
As they toured for stage greetings, Jubin took the opportunity to connect with his fans up close, delighting them with his signature fan service.
The final stop on their tour was the very same theater where Zion and Jubin had shared their private date.
“Kyaa~! Zion oppa!”
The moment they stepped out of the car in the parking lot, a crowd of fans had already gathered behind the safety barriers, waiting to see them.
“Jubin-ah~ Noona’s here!”
“Over here! Look this way!”
“Hyungs! I love you!”
With each stage greeting, their fan base grew.
To thank the fans who had waited for them, Jubin greeted them from afar, making eye contact as he approached to hand out the chocolates and candies they had prepared.
“Thank you for coming.”
He and Zion had spent the previous night packing these gifts, each one wrapped with a handwritten note expressing their gratitude.
As they stepped into the elevator to head to the stage greeting venue, they found it packed with staff and security guards.
The space was so cramped that Jubin pressed himself as close to the wall as possible. Naturally, Zion’s arm, pressed right beside him, brushed softly against his own.
A heavy silence fell, the kind that made Jubin hesitate to even take a deep breath.
Then, Zion shifted, pressing his body closer to Jubin’s. So slowly that no one else would notice, he extended his pinky finger and tapped it against Jubin’s.
Catching the signal, Jubin stole a glance around before discreetly interlocking his own pinky finger with Zion’s.
The two men kept their eyes fixed forward, their lips curving into the faintest of smiles. It was a moment of shared, secret intimacy.
As the final credits rolled, the staff behind the scenes bustled with activity. Jubin, Zion, and Director Andrew donned promotional hoodies emblazoned with Iconic Mood.
“The Iconic Mood team, please proceed to the stage if you’re ready.”
Led by Director Andrew Jin, the actors followed him toward the prepared platform.
The audience erupted in a standing ovation and cheers. The film’s emotional resonance lingered, and some were still wiping away tears.
As the host announced their arrival, Director Andrew was the first to take the microphone.
“Hello, everyone.”
The audience erupted in cheers at the sound of his slightly awkward but familiar Korean.
“Did you enjoy the movie?”
A thunderous roar of approval swept through the crowd. Director Andrew beamed, switching to English to continue.
With the simultaneous interpreter’s rapid translation, the gap between the director and the audience closed. Jubin stared at the packed theater, his breath hitching as he fought to keep his overwhelming emotion in check.
“Hyung, how does it feel?” Zion whispered, leaning in slightly.
Jubin met his eyes and silently mouthed, It’s surreal.
It felt like only yesterday they had been here, just the two of them, watching a horror movie and wishing for more. Now, this felt like a dream.
Zion took the microphone from the director.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Do Zion, and I played Demit in Iconic Mood.”
Cheers of “So handsome!” and “He’s so cool!” erupted from the audience, sending the energy in the room soaring.
“I actually came to a movie here with Senior Cha Jubin once before,” Zion shared.
As if on cue, a collective “Ooh!” swept through the crowd.
“Back then, Senior was upset because the theater was so empty. But now, I’m just so happy that he got a role in such a great project and that we’re all here together today. I’m glad he doesn’t have to feel disappointed this time. Thank you all for coming.”
Zion’s speech was so polished and heartfelt that Jubin felt a sudden wave of pressure as he took the microphone.
His grip tightening on the mic, Jubin struggled to force the first words out.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Cha Jubin, and I played the role of Huri in this film.”
Sensing Jubin’s slight nervousness, the host smoothly took control of the atmosphere.
“Cha Jubin, did you and Do Zion expect the theater to be this packed when you arrived today?”
“…Uh, no. Looking out at the audience right now… it feels so surreal, it’s like a scene from a movie.”
“Your popularity is just incredible these days, Cha Jubin. Everywhere I go, it’s all about you. Even my daughter is a huge fan. You know how it is—if elementary schoolers know you, you’ve really made it, right?”
The host’s witty joke drew laughter from both the audience and the actors. Thankfully, the tension finally began to ease for Jubin.
“As far as I know, including yesterday’s cumulative audience, we’re just shy of ten million viewers, right?”
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.
The answer to this question was now up to Jubin, who held the microphone. With every theater they visited for their stage greetings today being packed to the brim, the goal was truly within reach. Jubin spoke into the mic, his voice shy but sincere.
“It’s all thanks to you. I love you, everyone.”
His words, sounding like a heartfelt confession, filled the room with an even more fervent cheer.
In that moment, the distance between the stage and the audience seemed to vanish completely.
Jubin quickly handed the microphone over to Director Andrew.
Andrew had been pondering what to say if they actually hit ten million, and now he just blurted it out in English.
“Ten million? If we hit ten million, we’ll come back for another stage greeting! Just invite us!”
Since the United States didn’t have a culture of stage greetings, Andrew found Korea’s film promotion culture fascinating. Right now, he was enjoying the moment more than anyone else.
At the end of that summer, Iconic Mood became the first domestic romance film to reach ten million viewers.
The day they finished the final stage greeting for Iconic Mood, Zion’s condition suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Jubin’s instincts screamed that it was a rut. He immediately called CEO Moon Woo-jin.
“CEO, please clear my schedule for the next ten days.”
—So suddenly?
“Yes. Zion isn’t feeling well, and I need to stay by his side.”
CEO Moon Woo-jin pressed him, asking exactly how sick Zion was, but when Jubin started beating around the bush, the CEO caught on that there were circumstances he couldn’t voice.
“I’ll talk to Joo-won about adjusting the schedule and get back to you. I’ll also inform CEO Park, so you take good care of Zion.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After hanging up, Jubin carefully knocked on the door to the master bedroom where Zion was resting.
“Zion, can I come in?”
“No. Don’t come in.”
His pheromones—thick, sweet, and heavy—seeped through the gap under the door.
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