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Seeing that everyone was looking a bit gloomy due to their own issues, the previously joyful atmosphere had vanished. Anna felt inexplicably guilty. She forced a smile and said, "It's okay, let's talk about it when we get back to Seoul. Brother Jae-seok said that Mr. Li will come out to clarify things, and by then everything will be fine."
Will everything really be fine? Everyone knew in their hearts.
Soon, Mr. Li's clarification report quickly made headlines again, stating that there were no unpleasant incidents and that the recording went very smoothly. However, if a fixed impression had already formed, such a statement seemed more like a crisis management tactic hastily put together by the Running Man production team.
Upon returning to Seoul, the Task Force held an emergency meeting early the next morning.
"I was there at the time and participated throughout; Mr. Li indeed had no unpleasantness afterward and got along well with Anna," Yoo Jae-suk spoke first.
"The problem is, who leaked the filming details? If Mr. Li's side didn't leak it, then our production team has never experienced anything like this before," Haha said.
"Focusing on who leaked the information is pointless now; the key is how to calm the audience's emotions," Miao PD stated.
The studio fell silent. Anna felt wronged but had no way to change the current situation. Just days ago, she felt like she was in heaven; now it felt as if she had fallen into hell.
"Miao PD, just punish me directly; that way we can reduce the public pressure on the production team. If this matter is concentrated on me personally, it won't cause any trouble for everyone else," Anna said, lowering her head and gripping her hands tightly.
"Anna, it's not at that point yet," Ji-hyo comforted her.
"Is there any other good solution? If I’m not punished for this, the audience's anger will eventually spread to the entire show," Anna sighed.
"One thing after another; how did it come to this?" Park Soo Eun said in frustration.
"Just punish me directly; that way we can minimize the impact," Anna insisted.
Another silence fell over them. Anna knew that although this team was smaller than before, they were unusually united due to what they had experienced with Brother Jae-seok. And now that they all knew this incident was intentional, no one wanted to see her punished because of it.
But what could be done now?
Brother Jae-seok remained silent, and Miao PD also kept quiet. A clever Jung Kook had no countermeasures either.
No, there was actually a way—publicly punishing Anna. It was that simple, but none of them were willing to say it out loud.
“Miao PD, I request punishment. If you really don’t want to, then I can only go directly to Director Zhao to resign,” Anna said firmly.
“Anna,” Kim Jong Kook wanted to persuade her but found himself at a loss for words.
“Please, if this is the best way for me to stay with the Running Man production team,” Anna said.
Miao PD sighed, glancing at the silent Yoo Jae-suk. Brother Jae-seok thought for a long time and whispered a few words to Miao PD. After discussing something, both nodded solemnly.
Miao PD adjusted his posture, looked around at everyone present, and then said to Anna, “Miss Anna Zheng, due to your inappropriate methods during work, which have caused mental distress to the Running Man Production Team, actor Mr. Li, and the audience who love Running Man, we have decided to suspend you without pay for one month for observation and adjustment. You will also need to publicly apologize to Mr. Li and the audience. Do you think you can accept this?”
Anna nodded, biting her lip, and said, “Okay, I accept.”
A wave of sighs filled the studio.
“Well then... a press conference will be held tomorrow morning. Mr. Yoo Jae-suk and I will accompany you,” Miao PD said.
“Don’t worry, Anna. Just think of it as a month off. For tomorrow’s press conference, with me and Miao PD helping you out, it won’t be a problem,” Jae-seok said.
Anna smiled faintly; this outcome had minimized the damage. Moreover, Brother Jae-seok was not obligated to attend but chose to do so, which would help deflect much of the criticism.
“Is this really the only way?” Kwang-soo asked anxiously, still frowning.
“Kwang-soo, this is currently the best solution,” Yoo Jae-suk comforted him. “And once the suspension period is over, Anna will be back.”
Kwang-soo thought for a moment; those who had doubts silently nodded in agreement.
Back home after returning from Jeju Island last night, Anna had been unable to sleep due to worrying about this matter. Now, thinking about the press conference scheduled for tomorrow made it even harder for her to fall asleep.
She disliked dealing with those reporters the most. Every time they wanted to come to the show for an interview, Anna would hide far away or walk past with her head down and a hat on.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't seen such news in America that Park Chan-yeol didn't call to comfort her. Anna had never felt so helpless. She could no longer cry to Andy about all her grievances as she used to, nor could she see Park Chan-yeol appear before her when she wanted to.
She had a brother, but the familial bond was gone.
She had a lover, but there was no companionship.
The two most important people in her life would not be by her side.
Anna Zheng, when did you become so miserable?
Her hands were clammy with cold sweat as Anna sat there, her mind blank. She knew that stepping out of here would mean facing a crowd of reporters, and she feared that feeling.
Gradually, without realizing it, she began to tremble all over, her face pale, and her stomach even felt a bit crampy.
"Are you okay, Anna?" Park Soo Eun, who had been by her side, noticed Anna's sweaty forehead and pale complexion and asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Anna forced a smile.
"Don't worry; Miao PD and Brother Jae-seok are here. There won't be any problems," Park Soo Eun reassured her.
Anna nodded weakly.
"Get ready; it's time to go on stage," Miao PD said as he approached.
"Okay," Anna replied, clenching her fists. She stood up, adjusted her breathing, and followed Miao PD and Brother Jae-seok's footsteps toward the reporters, ready to face the impending 'trial.'
Bowing in greeting, the flashes of cameras went off one after another. Anna met the reporters' gazes, but their eyes felt like sharp knives, making her feel as if she were about to be thrown onto an operating table for a bloody dissection.
Anna lowered her head as cold sweat dripped onto the prepared paper filled with words, smudging the text.
Yoo Jae-suk patted her shoulder and said softly, "It's okay, Anna. Keep going."
Anna glanced at Brother Jae-seok, took a deep breath, then stood up on her own, bowed to the reporters, and sat back down. She picked up the apology letter she had written yesterday, trembling slightly, but as soon as the first word left her lips, Anna managed to calm her emotions and present herself with composure.
"Hello everyone, thank you for coming to this press conference. I am the FD of the Running Man production team, my name is Anna Zheng. Regarding the incident in March 2016, when actor Mr. Li participated but was unwilling to play in the mud game due to health issues, I was solely focused on completing the show at that time and did not consider Mr. Li's feelings. Instead, I pressured him to cooperate with the game using contract and penalty issues. I deeply apologize for the emotional harm this has caused Mr. Li and the viewers who love Running Man. I also sincerely regret the negative impact this has had on the program. I, Anna Zheng, seek forgiveness from Mr. Li and the audience and will reflect on my inappropriate actions, accepting any disciplinary decisions made by the production team against me. Thank you once again." After finishing her statement, Anna bowed again and sat down.
The reporters in the audience were busy taking notes and snapping photos. Although Anna had finished speaking, they certainly would not let it go so simply; otherwise, this news would be far too dull.
"Miao PD, what kind of punishment has the production team decided for Miss Anna Zheng?" a reporter asked.
"A one-month suspension for reflection," Miao PD replied truthfully.
Although his tone was brief, there were clearly underlying tensions.
"Mr. Yoo Jae-suk, are you aware of this punishment outcome? Do you think it is too lenient? Or are you intentionally covering for Miss Anna Zheng?" another reporter inquired.
Yoo Jae-suk maintained a serious expression as he answered the question: "This is a result we discussed together and is the most appropriate punishment for Miss Anna. It is neither too lenient nor a cover-up. The principle of punishment lies not in its severity but in whether the individual is willing to reflect and correct their mistakes."
"Miss Anna Zheng, during the filming of that game with Mr. Li, were you solely responsible for that game?" a reporter asked.
"Yes, it was solely my responsibility," Anna replied.
"Miss Anna Zheng, how old are you this year? How long have you been working with the production team?" another reporter asked.
"I am 24 years old and have been in this industry for less than a year," Anna answered.
A wave of disdainful laughter arose from the audience, making Anna feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Miao PD, Mr. Yoo Jae-suk, considering that she is a 24-year-old girl with such little experience in this field, do you think she is capable of handling such independent directing for filming?"
Miao PD responded: "Age does not determine a person's ability. Just like many of our reporter friends here have published headline-worthy news before they turned twenty."
Yoo Jae-suk said, "No one has set a rule that older people cannot go to college, and similarly, no one can decide that a young person lacks the necessary ability. The ones who know whether she has that ability are her colleagues who work with her every day."
"Miss Anna Zheng, do you think you have this ability?" a reporter asked.
"I will just do my best in everything," Anna replied.
"But do you think you have done well in this matter?" the reporter pressed.
"I feel that my approach to this matter was somewhat inappropriate. I deeply apologize for that," Anna said, visibly nervous.
Yoo Jae-suk and Miao PD silently praised Anna's calm response.
"Miss Anna Zheng is young and beautiful, her looks rival those of female celebrities. Do you think this has anything to do with her being favored?" the reporter asked with a sneer.
"The Running Man Production Team is not holding a beauty pageant; we are hiring employees. Please recognize this point. Beauties like Son Ye-jin and Han Ga-in, if they lacked acting skills, the public would not favor them, nor would directors invite them to star in films," Miao PD stated.
"What do you think, Miss Anna Zheng?" the reporter continued to press.
Anna thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Reporter, do you think I am beautiful?"
"Uh-huh, yes," the reporter replied.
"Since you think I am beautiful, yet you continue to press me on questions I do not wish to answer, it seems beauty is of no use," Anna remarked.
In an unexpected comeback, the reporters were momentarily speechless.
"Mr. Yoo Jae-suk, do you also agree with the production team's overly lenient punishment towards Miss Anna Zheng?" the reporter asked next.
"I have already answered this question earlier. The principle of punishment lies in reflection, not in severity. Moreover, there is no such thing as temporarily disagreeing; this punishment is not light for someone who loves this job," Yoo Jae-suk responded.
"Why does it always feel like you are somewhat biased towards Miss Anna?" the reporter inquired.
"This is just a feeling, like how we feel that you are somewhat pressuring Miss Anna Zheng," Yoo Jae-suk said.
The reporters kept firing questions, and Anna felt as if she was being bombarded by their words, leaving her battered and bruised.
On the surface, Anna appeared calm, but with each question she heard and each gaze from the reporters, she felt increasingly anxious, as if she were about to suffocate. Yet, she had to gather her strength and hold on. This intense mental focus made Anna feel sharp pains in her chest, which only grew worse.
Gradually, she noticed her vision starting to blur, unable to clearly hear what Yoo Jae-suk was saying. The ringing in her ears echoed in her mind, and the hair on her forehead was soaked with cold sweat. The world began to spin, and Anna thought she was going to die.
She vaguely remembered wanting to call out to Yoo Jae-suk, who was sitting next to her, before she collapsed onto the table. However, the next moment, she fell limp to the ground, and everything went dark.
"Anna, Anna, wake up..."
As she groggily opened her eyes, familiar surroundings greeted her. Anna had lost track of how many times she had fainted during this period, only to wake up lying in a hospital bed.
Kwang-soo's enlarged face startled Anna.
"You’re awake!" Kwang-soo exclaimed happily.
"I... the press conference..." Anna still remembered it.
"You fainted at the event. The doctor said it was due to excessive stress causing stomach cramps. Brother Jae-seok and Miao PD were originally with you, but they had to leave for company matters. I'm here with you," Kwang-soo explained.
"Oh, I see." Anna sat up.
Kwang-soo also sat by the bed and handed a cup filled with warm water to Anna. After taking a sip, she felt much more comfortable in her stomach.
"Fainting turned out to be a good thing," Kwang-soo said with a smile.
"A good thing?" Anna's lips were still a bit pale.
"The reporters and audience think you were under too much mental pressure, which is why you fainted. The reports have already come out, and public opinion has basically calmed down."
Anna bitterly raised the corner of her mouth but did not speak. Indeed, the public tends to favor the weak, just as they previously favored Mr. Li, who was 'unwell,' and now they favored Anna, who fainted from stress. It all stemmed from one reason, and thinking about it was truly helpless.
"Brother Jae-seok and Miao PD said you answered very well at the press conference. You really surprised them; look," Kwang-soo said as he opened his phone and flipped to a picture. The photo showed him with a pale face, almost rolling his eyes and about to collapse, instinctively reaching out to grab Brother Jae-seok beside him. Looking at it now, it was indeed somewhat funny.
Seeing the terrified expressions on Miao PD and Brother Jae-seok in the photo made Anna chuckle a bit unconsciously.
"You really are something; look at you, almost dying but still trying to grab onto a lifeline. I should have gone with you; that way, you could grab me, and I would definitely catch you," Lee Kwang-soo joked.
Although Anna's body still felt uncomfortable, she glanced at Kwang-soo and said, "Come on, if you had gone, things would have turned out even worse."
Noticing her still pale complexion, Kwang-soo smiled and said, "Alright, I won't bother you anymore. This is the porridge Sister Jingeun brought; do you want some?"
Anna nodded.
Kwang-soo opened the porridge box, set it on the table in front of Anna, and handed her the utensils.
There was nothing serious; after finishing the IV drip, she went straight home.
Upon seeing online that EXO had returned to the country with a large crowd of fans congesting the airport, Anna still had not received his call. Gradually, she shifted from waiting to feeling numb.
When they arrived home, Kwang-soo planned to get out of the car. Anna said, "No need, Brother Kwangsoo. Thank you; I can go in by myself."
Seeing her mood was somewhat low, Kwang-soo thought it would be good for her to have some quiet time. He smiled and said, "Alright then, if anything happens, call me. I'll be there anytime."
Be there anytime?
Anna sighed helplessly in her heart. She smiled and said, "Okay, goodbye."
The sky gradually darkened. Upon returning home and seeing Peter had not eaten all day, Anna first put dog food in his bowl before sitting on the sofa quietly watching him eat.
After finishing his meal, Peter lingered around Anna for a while as if he sensed the smell of medicine from her time in the hospital. He sniffed for quite some time before running to the door and sitting down with a whimper. Anna knew he had been holding it in all day and wanted to go out to relieve himself.
Anna smiled wearily, lifted her spirits, and said, "Don't worry, I have time to spend with you this month." After saying that, she changed into her sneakers, put a leash on Peter, and took him outside. The grassy area next to the Han River was sparsely populated, and Anna let go of the leash. Feeling exhausted, she sat down on the grass and watched Peter play in front of her.
Occasionally, dog owners brought their small dogs over to play, but upon seeing a large dog like Peter, they quickly picked up their little ones and walked away.
Peter seemed sad; seeing his potential playmates walk away made him droop his head and walk over to Anna, wagging his tail gently.
Anna smiled and patted his head. Then she picked up a stick, and Peter instantly perked up. Since Anna was still far away, he bounced over like a big child and picked it up with his mouth. He then raised his head and ran back with a grin. This simple game always brought him endless joy.
Just then, Anna's phone rang. She picked it up to find it was Park Chan-yeol calling. The despair she had felt earlier began to fade away.
"Anna, where are you?" Park Chan-yeol asked in a low voice.
"I'm playing with Peter on the grass by the river," Anna replied.
"Okay, wait for me. I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, Anna couldn't help but smile. The earlier gloominess slowly drifted away. She thought that when Park Chan-yeol arrived, she would give him a good hug and share her grievances and sadness from these past days. Just one embrace could make everything disappear.
However, all of this was merely what she hoped for; everything she envisioned vanished along with Jang Bo-Yeon who came along with Park Chan-yeol.
"Anna sister, are you okay? Brother Canlie just got to the company and rushed over after hearing the news," Jang Bo-Yeon said as she ran over and grabbed Anna's hand with concern.
Anna smiled faintly, lowered her head, pulled her hand away from Bo-Yeon's grasp, and said, "Is that so? Thank you for coming all this way."
She sat back down on the grass again, no longer looking at them. She called Peter back from going to greet Park Chan-yeol and let him continue picking up the sticks she had thrown.
Park Chan-yeol walked over and sat beside Anna. He tried to take her hand but was gently brushed off by Anna.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Chan-yeol asked, ignoring her resistance as he firmly held onto Anna's hand this time.
It hurt a little; Anna frowned but smiled helplessly at Park Chan-yeol's words and said, "Would it have made any difference if I told you?"
"You are blaming me," Park Chan-yeol said.
Anna shook her head and replied, "No, I just have come to terms with this reality."
Jang Bo-Yeon also sat down next to Park Chan-yeol and said, "Sister Anna, you shouldn't blame Brother Canlie. The moment he saw you in trouble, he rushed over. We've been working hard filming in the U.S. lately, and he came to see you without even taking a break."
Before she could finish, Anna suddenly stood up, called Peter back, and reattached the leash. She looked at both of them and smiled, saying, "You’ve really worked hard; thank you for your concern. You should head back to rest soon; we need to go too. Goodbye."
"Anna Zheng!" Park Chan-yeol grabbed Anna's wrist and pulled her close, holding her tightly.
This time, Anna's gaze was different from all the previous ones. Before, he could see anger, sadness, or other emotions in her eyes, but this time, when she looked at Park Chan-yeol, there was an emptiness that made his heart race.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Park Chan-yeol tightened his arms around her. He wished that Anna would cry out to him at that moment.
Indeed, Anna had wanted to do just that; she wanted to pour out everything without reservation and longed for such an embrace. However, seeing Jang Bo-Yeon's beautiful eyes always fixed on Park Chan-yeol made her smile as she gently pushed him away and said, "It's okay; you haven't done anything wrong to me." She held onto Peter's leash and smiled at them, saying, "We need to go back now. Goodbye, and you should rest too; you've worked hard." This time, Park Chan-yeol stood frozen in place, watching Anna's unusually calm figure leave.
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