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墨書 Inktalez
Because they had just finished recording a new episode the day before, the members of the Task Force were particularly complete today. Anna sat in her usual spot, warmly greeting Park Soo Eun and Dong Wan, while Liu Quan Town and Zhang Yuanxiao across from her also looked very happy to see Anna back.
Anna looked at them, her gaze eventually landing on Han Yufei's face, who was smiling in return. Anna raised the corners of her mouth.
"What are you staring at so intently?" Park Soo Eun nudged Anna's arm and asked.
"Nothing much, just went out for a bit and missed everyone. I need to get reacquainted to feel refreshed," Anna replied.
"Did your brain get damaged in America? That's so random," Park Soo Eun shot her a glance.
"This time, Anna returned to the country early and contacted the people in America. They said they could send another person over for training," Miao PD said.
Han Yufei turned his gaze toward Miao PD, and everyone was quite interested in this matter since it was a great opportunity for self-improvement.
"Miao PD, how will the selection be done this time? Still voting?" Dong Wan asked.
"There's no time for that; we leave tomorrow. I heard some information from Anna about the situation in America, so I've decided to send Kwon Ryeol," Miao PD said.
"Ah, we agree; Kwon Ryeol should go and gain some experience," many people said with smiles.
"Good, as long as you agree. Park Soo Eun, please notify Kwon Ryeol later and let him know he needs to go tomorrow. Help coordinate that," Miao PD instructed.
"Okay, Miao PD," Park Soo Eun replied.
"Next filming proposal, Han Yufei, Zhang Yuanxiao, you two explain it to Anna." Miao PD looked at them but noticed Han Yufei with his head down, seemingly lost in thought. "Yufei... Yufei!"
"Huh?" Han Yufei snapped back to reality and raised his head.
"During the next meeting, you can't get distracted, understand?" Miao PD said to Han Yufei.
Han Yufei nodded.
"You and Yuanxiao need to explain the next filming plan to Anna. Later, I will take Dong Wan and the whole team to check out a few filming locations for next Monday. The guest for next Monday's shoot is Mr. Lee Jung-jae, so we mustn't make any mistakes," Miao PD instructed.
"Lee Jung-jae? That... that movie star Lee Jung-jae?" Anna almost stuttered.
"Isn't it exciting to meet such a legendary figure right after coming back?" Dong Wan joked.
Anna smiled and nodded, "I am a bit excited."
"Aren't you afraid of Lee Kwang-soo getting jealous?" Park Soo Eun asked.
"Oh, let's not worry about him for now," Anna replied.
The speaker was oblivious, while the listener took note. Anna merely made a recommendation based on her judgment of the objective environment, but to some with ulterior motives, this became a deliberate act of revenge by Anna.
As the lunch break was about to end, Zhang Yuanxiao had gone to the restroom and hadn't returned yet. Park Soo Eun went to find Kwon Ryeol to discuss study matters, leaving only Anna and Han Yufei in the studio. This space gradually allowed all repressed emotions to surface.
"Did you do it on purpose?" Han Yufei sat down across from Anna.
Anna glanced at her and continued organizing some materials she needed to reference since returning from the United States.
"What?" Anna asked calmly.
"I said, you deliberately recommended Brother Kwon Ryeol to go to America," Han Yufei stared at Anna, the smile on her face finally disappearing in the absence of others.
Anna paused her work, leaned back in her chair, and looked at that face. Perhaps this unfamiliar expression was her true self.
Anna raised the corners of her mouth, her unhurried demeanor only infuriating Han Yufei further.
"Why do you think that?" Anna asked. "If you have a clear conscience, why would I do something detrimental to you?"
Han Yufei sneered, "I really misjudged you."
"That's right, you definitely misjudged me. I am not your previous friend, nor am I the type to endure humiliation like a female lead in a soap opera. Everything I have today is earned through my own efforts, and I will not allow anyone to ruin it, especially not for such absurd and selfish reasons as yours."
"So you deliberately recommended Brother Kwon Ryeol?!"
Anna chuckled and said, "What are you thinking? I don't have that kind of ability. If it were up to me, Miao PD would have chosen Brother Kwon Ryeol. I wonder what the newspapers will write tomorrow. Don't you think?"
"Anna Zheng!"
"Han Yufei." Anna met her gaze, still calm and composed, saying, "Let's leave it at that for now. If next time your hostility towards me affects the development and survival of Running Man, I will make sure you end up in ruins."
"Hah, you're so confident that I'll be the one defeated? I've won once before; this time, I'll win again," Han Yufei said.
"You are wrong. You will forever be a failure because a true strong person does not strive to surpass others, but to surpass themselves. I never thought of comparing myself to you; it is you who has placed yourself in this situation."
"You are not me, how could you know my pain? You don't know, which is why you can say such grandiose words. You have no idea what it feels like to be overshadowed by someone else's brilliance."
Anna smiled helplessly. "Han Yufei, if you really want to live with such a mindset, we will never be able to be friends."
"Friends? Ha, we haven't been friends for a long time. Why do you think we still are? Do you think I'm still that fool who just joined the Task Force and let others bully me? Back then, Park Soo Eun bullied me every day. You had just joined the Task Force not long before that, and I wanted to get closer to you. But later I realized that you and I are completely different. You came here six months earlier than I did, yet everyone is so close to you, and your abilities are so recognized... And what about me? All I could do was swallow my pride and accept your pitying encouragement. That's all I had."
"So that's how you've always thought..." Anna found it hard to believe. What about the Han Yufei she used to know? Were those shy smiles all fake? Hidden behind them were so many grievances and frustrations. What did those beautiful smiles mean?
Anna looked at her and sighed deeply. "Han Yufei, since we can't be friends, let's just keep it as a normal working relationship. I tell you, everything I do is based on my conscience. Revenge against you? I have no such thoughts or energy; my daily work on Running Man, along with my personal matters, is already overwhelming. So from now on, please focus on your work and stop worrying so much; you'll naturally gain everyone's recognition."
"Well then, thank you for your kind reminder," Han Yufei replied sarcastically.
"Whether you believe it or not, just please don't force me to do something truly ruthless."
"Sure, I'm looking forward to seeing what you can actually do."
"Han Yufei, you..." Anna wanted to say more when Zhang Yuanxiao suddenly walked in. Seeing Anna and Han Yufei fall silent made the atmosphere awkward.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Zhang Yuanxiao asked curiously.
"It's nothing; we were discussing the program. Come on in," Anna said with a stiff smile.
As dusk fell, the wind suddenly picked up; the autumn breeze had turned cold. Anna stepped out of the company building, wrapping her coat tightly around herself. A black sedan was quietly parked at the entrance. When it saw Anna walk out, the window rolled down slightly. Although Anna hesitated for a moment, she still got into the car.
"Where are we going?" Anna asked the driver, who had remained silent the entire time.
As expected, he did not answer Anna's question.
Park Chan-yeol's call came through again. Anna glanced at the driver's face through the rearview mirror before answering the call.
"Hello? Chan-yeol," Anna said.
"Are you off work? I finished my schedule early today. Do you want to hang out? I thought of a place I've been wanting to take you to," Park Chan-yeol asked.
Anna bit her lip, trying hard to maintain a smile. "Maybe next time. I have some things to take care of today."
"What things?"
"Just work-related stuff," Anna replied.
"Alright then. If you can't make it tonight, I guess we'll have to wait until next week to see each other," Park Chan-yeol said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Are you all still busy lately?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, because I'm heading to China soon. I'll be gone for a week."
"Okay," Anna said, noticing that the driver had entered a rather traditional Korean building compound. She realized they must have arrived at their destination. "I have to hang up now; there's still something to take care of here. I'll talk to you later."
"Alright, goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, Anna put her phone back in her bag.
"Please get out of the car," the driver said, remaining still in the driver's seat.
"Okay," Anna nodded. "Thank you." Seeing that the driver still did not respond, Anna anxiously got out of the car.
She took off her shoes and stepped onto the dusty wooden corridor. Standing in front of the push-pull door, Anna raised her hand, intending to knock.
"Come in."
Before Anna's hand could touch the door, a steady voice came from inside.
"Alright," Anna said as she gently pushed the door open. There was no luxurious furniture, but the room was simply and tastefully arranged. A middle-aged man sat at a small tea table, having already poured two cups of tea, waiting for Anna to take a seat.
"Hello," Anna said, bowing deeply.
"Please sit," the man said.
"Okay." Anna placed her bag aside and sat down across from the man.
"Please have some tea," he offered.
"Thank you." Anna raised her cup and took a small sip before gently placing it back on the table.
"I am Park Chan-yeol's father, Park Anqing," he introduced himself, his tone devoid of any emotion.
Anna lifted her head and saw the person in front of her up close. This was Park Chan-yeol's father, his hair slightly graying at the temples but still thick, and his slightly plump figure was not at all bulky; instead, it appeared quite dignified. He was dressed in traditional Korean attire with understated colors, but his eyes were strikingly different from Park Chan-yeol's.
In Park Chan-yeol's eyes, even when angry, there was always a gentle light. However, Park Anqing's eyes seemed to penetrate everything, giving off an overly sharp impression despite his calm tone.
“Hello, sir…” Anna said.
“Please don’t call me that; just call me Mr. Park Anqing,” he replied.
Anna felt a bit embarrassed and nodded, saying, “Alright, Mr. Park Anqing.”
“I’ve heard about the situation between you and my son Park Chan-yeol for a while now. I remember you two broke up before, and I agreed with that decision. Why is Miss Anna now foolish enough to want to get back together with my son?” Park Anqing asked.
“What?” Anna instinctively retorted; she didn’t know what else to say at that moment.
“Being with Park Chan-yeol will not bring him any benefits. I believe Miss Anna should have realized this long ago. I know he almost perished in a fire because of you. I only hope that in the future, my son will not face such situations again because of you. Also…”
“Also what?”
“Also, your face resembles that of the deceased girl too much; does Miss Anna know this?”
“I know; it’s Park Sister Yura.”
“Because of this, you are destined to bring more pain to Park Chan-yeol. The two of you are fated to endure suffering together,” Park Anqing said as he picked up the teapot and filled the cup.
“Did you invite me here today just to say these things?”
"That's right, and I believe these things are important... You are still too young, thinking that wanting to be together is love, Miss Anna. Let me ask you a question... If it weren't for all the incredible things that have happened between you, would you still be together?" Park Anqing asked.
Anna truly could not understand what he meant by that.
"I don't understand. If there weren't so many things between us, we would be even happier together, simply enjoying life."
Park Anqing smiled and said, "You are mistaken, child. What truly brings you together are these hardships, these incredible events. I know my son's character well; he is very stubborn. The more obstacles he faces, the more determined he becomes. It is the same with you two. It is precisely because of the various hindrances that you are so stubborn. When will you take a moment to think about whether true love really exists between you?"
"How can you say that?"
"Just because he is my son, Miss Anna. If you truly love my son as you claim, then stay away from him. Trust me, all you bring him is more danger. That boy does not yet have the discernment to see people clearly; I can only correct him."
Anna looked up at the man before her and remembered what Park Chan-yeol had told her before—that his father looked down on his career and dreams. Now she finally witnessed that this father not only disdained his dreams but also his feelings and judgment.
"Mr. Park Anqing, are you really doing this for Park Chan-yeol's sake? Or do you simply believe that his choices are wrong?"
"Letting him pursue such a trivial career as a singer is already my greatest tolerance; I cannot tolerate a woman like you being involved with him. I have seen your news in the papers; since you already have a public boyfriend, why cling to my son shamelessly?"
"I cannot explain that matter to you. And I know that even if I did, you wouldn't believe me. But Mr. Park Anqing, please do not belittle your son's dreams and choices. Even if you find this dream unworthy or insignificant, it is still the most precious thing to him. I don't know if I will bring bad luck to Park Chan-yeol, but at the very least, I want to help protect his dream," Anna said.
Park Anqing slightly raised the corners of his mouth as he examined Anna Zheng, contemplating for a moment before smiling helplessly.
"Youth is wonderful; perhaps if I were young again, I would be as naive as you." At this point, his expression suddenly changed; the atmosphere shifted to become serious and somber. "But remember, naivety can be ruthlessly crushed by reality. Some things are not as simple as you imagine. There are things you cannot see or guess. Child, stay away from Park Chan-yeol; keep your distance from him. Otherwise, if my foolish son finds himself in danger again, it won't be something that can be resolved over tea and conversation. Remember my words."
Anna felt suffocated by the oppressive aura and looked at Park Anqing with fear and unwillingness, wanting to resist but feeling more like she was struggling in vain.
"Just because everything is calm now doesn't mean nothing has happened. The seeds of disaster were sown many years ago, and no one can stop their growth. If you don't want misfortune to affect my impulsive son, remember everything I said today."
What exactly went wrong? What started as a simple matter between two people has become so complicated. Every time I think I've found the source, I discover more and more entanglements that bind me tighter, making it hard to breathe.
Anna indeed kept her promise and said nothing about meeting Park Anqing and discussing these matters. Since what he mentioned did not happen, she decided to live as if it would never happen. Since she couldn't bear to say the word "separate," she would indulge herself this once.
As soon as she stepped through the doors of SBS in the morning, she encountered Jang Bo-Yeon, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. It was an awkward yet strange situation. As they locked eyes, it felt odd not to say something. Just as Anna was about to greet her, Jang Bo-Yeon lowered her head and put on sunglasses, starting a conversation with her companion.
Anna chuckled at herself and glanced outside; the sky was overcast, making sunglasses seem unnecessary.
"Wow, isn't that MESE's Jang Bo-Yeon? She's still so beautiful," Lee Kwang-soo's voice suddenly interrupted.
Anna checked the time in confusion. The members had been notified to start recording at Y Library on Lin Ying Road at nine in the morning, but it was only a little past seven. She had come to the company to pick up some items needed for recording and didn't expect to run into Lee Kwang-soo at this hour.
"Why are you here, brother?" Anna asked.
"I knew you would need those things, so I came to find you. Since I just publicly announced my relationship, I have to make a few appearances together so everyone can see," Lee Kwang-soo replied with a smile.
Anna shot him a disdainful glance. "Then hurry up and wipe the drool off your mouth from seeing Jang Bo-Yeon; otherwise, people will think you've lost your mind since dating me."
Lee Kwang-soo quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "What drool?"
Ignoring him, Anna walked toward the elevator.
"Wow, how sweet! Coming to work together, and Brother Kwangsoo must have come early for Anna," everyone joked upon seeing Kwang-soo and Anna together at Y Library.
"You all just envy us," Kwang-soo said with a smile as he put his arm around Anna's shoulders, subtly signaling her to cooperate.
Anna smiled lightly, feeling a bit stiff, but to others, it seemed like she was just shy.
"Hey, Anna, you're really doing well!" Song Ji-hyo said as she got out of the car and pulled Anna aside. Anna barely had time to greet anyone before being taken to a corner.
"Sister Ji-hyo, what are you doing?" Anna asked.
Ji-hyo looked around to ensure no one was nearby before speaking mysteriously, "I need to ask you, what's going on?"
"What's going on? It's just like this."
"Nonsense, I know you too well. What about Park Chan-yeol? How did it turn into something with Kwang-soo? Is it because of that rumor from a while back?" Ji-hyo asked.
Realizing she couldn't hide anything from Ji-hyo, Anna had to come clean. "Alright, it's true that we're pretending to be a couple."
"What?!" Ji-hyo exclaimed.
Anna quickly hushed her, saying, "Keep your voice down. Besides me, Brother Kwang-soo, Jung Kook, and Brother Jae-seok, you're the only one who knows about this. We can't let more people find out, and don't even tell Gary."
"What does it have to do with him..." Ji-hyo said somewhat shyly.
"Come on, you say I'm keeping secrets from you, but you're keeping secrets from me too. I saw you two walking together in Busan," Anna teased with a smirk.
"Okay, okay, let's keep it between us... But what about Park Chan-yeol..."
"I explained it to him, and he will understand."
"That's good... But if it weren't for Park Chan-yeol, you and Kwang-soo would really make a lovely couple," Ji-hyo said with a smile.
"How is that possible? Brother Kwangsoo and I are the kind of people who wouldn't like each other even if the world ended," Anna replied.
"That's you. How do you know what Kwang-soo thinks?" Ji-hyo asked.
"Don't I know him well enough?"
"Is there really no possibility?"
Anna thought for a moment, "Well... unless one day the moon falls down... then it might be possible."
"Alright, alright, you two even speak the same way; it's truly a Miracle," Ji-hyo said with a helpless smile.
"What?"
"I asked Kwang-soo before, and he said the same thing, except he mentioned that dinosaurs would have to be resurrected for you two to have a chance."
"See, I told you," Anna said with a proud smile.
Suddenly, there was a stir in the Task Force as a deep blue van slowly approached. The door opened, and Mr. Lee Jung-jae stepped out of the car in a sharp suit, making it feel like a movie premiere. Anna almost screamed.
"Alright, enough talk. Everyone back to your positions," Ji-hyo excitedly ran back to her spot.
"That's really cool," Anna exclaimed sincerely, immediately turning into a little fan as she returned to sit beside Miao PD, waiting for the filming to start.
Brother Jae-seok was chatting with Mr. Lee Jung-jae, showing off their familiarity in a way that made others envious. Although they were genuinely close, it was not easy to invite such a guest. After all, having a big star who doesn't act like a diva is infinitely better than some self-important older men who think of themselves as big shots despite not being one. The filming naturally became comfortable and smooth.
Anna remembered a certain Mr. Li, who claimed to be the 'Father of Comedy.' Of course, this Mr. Li was not the same as the movie actor Mr. Li. When this legendary 'Father of Comedy' brought his so-called team to compete with the Running Man members, Anna was completely taken aback when his manager requested that those four words be displayed on the subtitles. She had never encountered someone so bold as to give themselves such a title.
At that time, filled with anticipation, the 'Father of Comedy' faced defeat, and his expression fell completely due to his age. Miao PD had no choice but to ask Anna to discreetly notify Kim Jong Kook to temporarily disappear for a while.
This was the most outrageous experience Anna had since starting her work on Running Man. Now that she thought about it, if Mr. Li could call himself the 'Father of Comedy,' then Mr. Lee Jung-jae must be considered the 'God of Actors'...
"Anna, check Mr. Lee Jung-jae's audio device. Once you confirm it's working fine, we can start filming," Miao PD said.
"Okay," Anna replied.
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