Chapter 32: 32 Candente
Jungsu widened his eyes in disbelief as he found himself once again at the centre of another social media outbreak.
The comments varied from disbelief, to compliments, to practically worship. But this time, it wasn't simply the girls steering the conversation, as men had also joined in.
Either this is photoshopped, or that is Bruce Lee.
It can't be photoshopped. That photographer is a well established, and honest photographer. He had no reason to do this.
Okay. Then that's Bruce Lee.
Hey, maybe he wasn't doing a pushup? Maybe he was just balancing in the air?...
The way his arm is bent does not seem to suggest that. But sure, it's possible.
That's a really nice apartment. Whoever this is must be a fitness freak, and a psychopath. Hahaha! Rich people usually are both!
Someone already checked the location of these buildings. It's that apartment building where some celebrities and rich people live. I think a couple of celebs from Kangsoo entertainment also live in this building.
Wouldn't it be so cool if it was a celebrity?
Yeah, I don't think so. Celebs do train their bodies but... they do that at the gym. This much effort is only for some seriously hardcore professionals. Like Bruce Lee.
Jungsu was simply relieved that the image was not clear enough to capture his face. What he didn't understand was whether or not the photographer posting the picture was legal. But he wasn't about to fight for the rights of a photo where one couldn't even see his face.
Yes, it's me. Jungsu sent to Hyunwoo after zooming into the picture, oblivious to the fire he had started in the internet world.
Jungsu closed his phone, placing it inside his pockets as he waved goodbye to Grandma, leaving behind his old apartment building. Though, he was carrying leftover wonton soup which he would make sure to eat for dinner the next day.
Instead of taking a cab, this time, he was picked up by Hyunwoo in his car. As he opened the door and took a seat next to him, he glanced curiously at the tense expression on Hyunwoo's face.
Hearing him sigh, he fully turned his attention towards him.
"Jungsu..." he trailed off. "what... what exactly? What I'm trying to ask is-?" He stopped talking then, leaving Jungsu looking back at him with a perplexed expression.
"Nevermind." He smiled, pressing his lips together as he continued looking at the road.
Jungsu turned his body back, facing the front as he rested his hands on his thighs. He didn't bother asking him what he meant as it wasn't in the nature of a spy to do so. That would let others know that you didn't know what was happening, or worse, that you didn't belong there. No, Jungsu would simply observe and act from there, or better yet, he would remain silent.
"You've gotten some interview requests piled up. One of the requests is even from I am Silvi. I'm sure you've heard of her, she would be a good start for international exposure."
Jungsu looked over at Hyunwoo from the corner of his eye, parting his lips, then shutting them once again as he swallowed back his words. He did not know I am Silvi, but he would find out.
"We're thinking of setting up the interview for the day after tomorrow. Does that work for you?" Hyunwoo asked, glancing at him briefly in question as they stood at a red light.
"Yes." He said, nodding his head in agreement, wondering what he was getting himself into.
"Just... make sure you don't say anything too odd. And don't even think about talking of Machiavelli or Kant, or any other philosophers!" Hyunwoo exhaled slowly, grabbing onto the steering wheel tighter.
Jungsu's eyes narrowed on Hyunwoo's hands, wondering why he was so frustrated.
"Then... what do you want me to say?" Jungsu asked uncertainly, knowing this was not a question that could be avoided. Even at the risk of being seen.
Hyunwoo pressed his lips together in frustration again.
"Just, talk about regular things. Like regular people do. Talk about how much you appreciate your fans-" Jungsu did not interrupt him to say that he did not currently. "and what you're planning on doing next with your career and other projects. But don't reveal too much, you are bound to the confidentiality clause under the contract you signed with director Beom Seok."
Jungsu's head was now churning at the contradictory statement. He should talk about his work, however, he should not reveal anything that might encroach on the confidentiality clause. Then what was there left to talk of? Jungsu didn't think he could do small talk.
"Sure." He bit out, making sure to hide the grimace on his face.
________________
It was the day of the interview and Jungsu was feeling nervous. He had killed mobsters, jumped off a bridge, been stabbed, shot, and even tortured, and yet, he was feeling anxious. He was so close to running to the doors he had entered through and running away at full speed. But now he was getting his makeup touched up, and Jungsu didn't think the makeup artist would appreciate it if he moved.
From the research he had done, I am Silvi was a Spanish influencer who was nearly fluent in Korean and was hosting the show Silvi in the Spotlight. Jungsu was surprised by the amount of influence Korea had in other countries as the show was quite popular not only among the Spanish and Korean public, but also in Europe and America.
From what he had seen in previous episodes, the conversation between Silvi and the guests seemed to flow quite naturally and comfortably. Jungsu didn't think it would flow that way today however.
As he was ushered towards the host, Silvia, who was currently arranging her hair hanging over her shirt, he steeled himself for the questions he would be asked.
She glanced up at him then, pushing back her light brown hair as her green eyes met his dark ones. Jungsu noted the miniscule changes in her facial expression as her eyes flickered for a brief moment below his chest, before she gave him a winning smile.
Jungsu bowed his head in greeting at her as he sat down in front of her meeting her eyes once again as he offered her the smallest of smiles.
"Candente." She whispered under her breath.
Jungsu tilted his head as he took in her words. Though his Spanish was rusty, he had caught what she had said. Candente was Spanish for either something scalding, or something glowing. He didn't understand why she had said it.
Leaning in closer, he whispered in concern, "Is something burning you, Ms. Silvia?"
Silvia blinked silently, her mouth falling open as she processed the Spanish words that had flown out so fluently from Jungsu's mouth.
"W-w-what? N-n-nothing! Y-you can speak Spanish?" She whispered in a conspiratorial manner, placing the back of her hand beside her mouth.
"Yes, a little." He responded simply, dismissing her as he drew away once he confirmed there was no problem.
Silvia however, was not through with him quite yet.
"Mr. Jungsu, where did you learn Spanish, huh?" She asked excitedly, feeling happy at the thought that she was communicating with somebody else in Spanish after only ever speaking in Korean.
"I would prefer not to talk about that." He said quietly in response, implying that she should not bring this up later. He also hoped that none of the staff had caught him speaking in Spanish as he had barely moved his lips in response to her question.
The staff finally gave the thumbs up for the cameras to start rolling once they'd placed the microphone on Jungsu's clothes. Breathing in, he arranged his facial expression into a slightly more pleasant one, well as pleasant as it could get with him. It was not much, as the camera only seemed to capture his monotonous face.
Once the cameras started rolling, he witnessed the surprising transformation of Silvia into her professional tone and face once she started speaking to the camera.
Jungsu simply stared blankly at her as she dazzled both the camera and the viewers with her beauty and her striking and unique features.
She turned towards him then, as did the camera, to which Jungsu simply stared blankly at both the camera and Silvia. He tried mustering a small dim smile then.
"Mr. Jungsu, it's so nice to have you here today!" She said.
Jungsu responded seriously, "It's a pleasure to be here." The general outline of the interview had been given to him, so this was all going according to the plan.
"I gotta say," Silvia grinned, "when you sat down before me, I was so shocked by how crazy your proportions are! You seriously look like an anime character!"
"Thank you." Jungsu said, bowing his head slightly while furrowing his brows. He wasn't sure what he should be thankful for though as anime characters weren't exactly human. But he didn't think it was meant as an insult.
"But you know..." she trailed off as Jungsu gave her his full attention.
"After our conversation, I was wondering how you got so good." She asked him, going off script, and causing Jungsu's eyes to narrow in response.
"At what...?" He asked cautiously.
"Spanish." She grinned widely, her green eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Sorry?" Jungsu asked, his eyes narrowing as everyone else's eyes widened.
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