Chapter 35: I Am Going to Become a Trainee.

"Yuanlong, you can give them an answer now," Ming Yan said to Zheng Yuanlong.

"Alright. Director Kim Na-jung must be getting anxious; she’s been calling me every other day." Zheng Yuanlong couldn't afford to seem too arrogant, so he had to keep up a warm front.

It was exhausting.

Ming Yan rubbed the corners of his eyes. "I’ve studied the script; there are truly no issues with it."

As a student of Kim Eun-sook, identifying the quality of a script was part of his basic training.

Given the quality of "Fight for My Way," if Kim Ji-won and he were to star in it, the lingering buzz from "Descendants of the Sun" alone would save them a fortune in promotional costs. Many fans were looking forward to seeing their favorite couple collaborate again; their enthusiasm was impossible to ignore.

Collaboration, a win-win—that was the best possible outcome.

As for that trivial matter of working with an ex-girlfriend... it was not worth mentioning.

"Then I’m off." Zheng Yuanlong stood up and straightened his clothes. "I don’t think Kim Ji-won-ssi is the type to hold a grudge. If you speak to her properly, it’ll be fine."

To be fair, few people in Ming Yan’s circle who knew the inside story seemed dissatisfied with Kim Ji-won, including Kim Ji-soo. Im Na-yeon, however, did have some reservations.

"I was reckless. If I’d known, I wouldn't have broken up so early." Ming Yan sighed. His temper had been too impulsive. He didn't believe he had the ability to play the "good guy" in front of his girlfriend and his niece at the same time.

"You, you were right to break up with Kim Ji-won-ssi."

"Yuanlong, you’re the only one who understands me."

"She’s a good girl."

Ming Yan watched Zheng Yuanlong rush out the door in a panic, the tissue box he’d just picked up still in his hand, unused.

The world had such a deep misunderstanding of him. Sigh, if Kim Ji-won had actually beaten him up, it might have been better. With her gentle, dough-like personality, she hadn't even made a single phone call since the breakup. She was probably just hiding away somewhere, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

Zheng Yuanlong wasn't wrong—staying away from him was indeed the right choice.

His phone suddenly rang. "Annyeonghaseyo, it’s Ji-soo~"

"Hello?"

"Hello, may I speak to Ming Yan-ssi?"

"Speaking."

"This is SM Entertainment. You are the guardian of Kim Min-jeong. Would you be available this Tuesday to bring her in to sign her trainee contract?" the staff member on the phone said politely.

"Yes, no problem."

Kim Min-jeong was still a minor, so her becoming a trainee required the consent of her guardian. This was different from when the little one was first notified of her acceptance.

Ming Yan put down his phone. He should share this good news with Kim Min-jeong as soon as possible; the little one had been looking forward to trainee life for a long time. Getting into Hanlim Multi Art School was just the beginning; debuting was the ultimate goal.

He greeted Zheng Yuanlong and then quietly left the company. He stopped to buy a cake before heading to pick up Kim Min-jeong from school.

Ming Yan checked the time and scanned the crowd for his niece. The Hanlim school uniform wasn't as eye-catching as the bright yellow of Seoul School of Performing Arts.

"Uncle, aren't you busy today?" Kim Min-jeong spotted him first. A cute girl was walking by her side.

Ming Yan smiled and waved. "Everything is finished. This must be Chaewon, right?"

"Hello, I’m Kim Chae-won. I’ve heard so much about you from Min-jeong; it’s finally nice to see you in the flesh." Kim Chae-won had a bit of a bold streak, and only after the words left her mouth did she realize how it sounded. "Ah, no, I didn't mean it like that!"

In the freezing cold, she turned bright red with embarrassment. She was used to joking around with Min-jeong and had spoken without thinking, making a fool of herself.

"I understand. Min-jeong only just transferred here, thank you for being willing to be her friend." Ming Yan wasn't one to hold a grudge against a pretty young girl.

"You're welcome. Min-jeong is my best friend."

"Chaewon, where do you live? I’ll drop you off." Ming Yan opened the car door, signaling for the two girls to get in.

Kim Chae-won initially wanted to be polite and decline, but Kim Min-jeong nudged her into the car. It was a rare opportunity to show off in front of her best friend; she couldn't let it pass.

Kim Min-jeong suddenly noticed a box on the back seat. "Uncle, why did you buy a cake?"

Oh no, she realized she had never actually asked when Ming Yan’s birthday was. She was a terrible niece.

"It’s to celebrate for you."

"Me?"

"Yes, I got a call today. We can go to SM on Tuesday to sign your trainee contract." Ming Yan didn't beat around the bush; he shared the news directly. Happy things should be celebrated as soon as possible.

"Chaewon, I can finally start training!" Kim Min-jeong happily hugged her friend. The surprise had come so suddenly. The little one had almost thought her trainee life wouldn't begin until next year.

Kim Chae-won’s smile held a hint of envy. "Min-jeong, congratulations!"

SM—that was a major agency; so many people tried to get in but couldn't. If she managed to make it to debut, she would essentially be halfway to success; at the very least, her baseline was guaranteed.

"Chaewon, why don't you come to my place? Let’s celebrate together," Kim Min-jeong said excitedly. She had so much to tell her friend. Kim Chae-won knew a lot of gossip about the trainee world.

"I..."

"Chaewon, you can stay the night, too. You and Min-jeong can share her room." Ming Yan could see his niece’s joy. "If you need to tell your parents, I can call them."

They were just young girls; Kim Ji-soo and Im Na-yeon used to love sleeping over at each other’s houses. After Ming Yan moved into his current place, they had stayed over too.

Kim Chae-won was tempted. Not only could she chat with her best friend, but she could also see what the home of a popular actor like Ming Yan looked like. It was a win.

Ming Yan called Kim Chae-won’s parents, who checked with their daughter and gave their permission. They even apologized for the intrusion and suggested that the two families go out together next time.

"Done." Ming Yan hung up and gave the two girls in the back seat an "OK" sign.

"Yay!"

At fifteen or sixteen, they were at a restless age, desperate for any shred of freedom and personal space.

After returning home, Ming Yan began preparing the celebration for Kim Min-jeong, while the two girls dove into the bedroom, whispering about who knows what.

"Kids, come out and eat!" Ming Yan had ordered takeout and placed the cake in the center of the table.

Kim Chae-won looked at the spread. "Ming Yan oppa, your cooking is pretty good."

"He ordered takeout."

"Min-jeong, don't expose your uncle like that." Ming Yan gestured for Kim Chae-won to sit. "This place has great takeout, try it."

Before the three of them started eating, Ming Yan raised his drink.

"Let’s toast to Kim Min-jeong’s smooth sailing at SM Entertainment."