*(Heavenly Yuah, President Joo.)
Most of the internal matters of Flame are resolved by President Joo Seok-cheon, who took office, but there were occasional issues that required Heavenly Yuah’s attention.
For instance, the recent issue of the guards’ misconduct.
Although they now work at Flame, they are officially under ‘S&M Guards,’ and since the S&M headquarters is involved, President Joo Seok-cheon couldn’t deal with it rashly.
Since Yuah is the only one in the company who can meddle in S&M headquarters’ affairs, it ultimately meant that she had to step in.
“This is utterly chaotic.”
After reviewing the report, Heavenly Yuah couldn’t help but sigh.
The fact that the report has only come in now—three whole days after the incident—the matter of the guards causing trouble for the contracted actor, and then also engaging in racially discriminatory remarks—it’s a total debacle.
None of it made any sense.
She understood that the guards were confused because she, who used to stay at home, started living at the company, which increased her interactions with outsiders. But this was disgraceful.
“So, in the end you’re telling me one of the guards sparred with Siwoo? Are you joking?”
“That’s what happened.”
“But this was three days ago… yet Siwoo seems completely fine?”
“He won. Mr. White Siu did. Actually, he was the one who requested the sparring.”
“I’m getting the strangest vibe from this.”
The guard who sparred with White Siu was an experienced veteran who had served for years in the Navy Seals.
And yet, not only did Siu request the match, but he also won. It felt like some sort of bizarre comedy.
“What was the issue here? Actually, I don’t need to ask—I can kind of guess. Since you guards follow me so closely during meals or acting practices, it seems the problem is my early-morning exercise routine, right? If that’s the case, why didn’t the guards just exercise with me at the same time?”
“Ah, Miss, it’s your workout attire…”
“Not to sound outdated, but this is the 21st century, right? I’m fully dressed. So why the commotion?”
President Joo hesitated.
Ideally, he wanted to say that wearing that sort of tight leggings was probably more dangerous than not wearing much at all, but he knew it would be futile.
Considering Heavenly Yuah’s personality, which wouldn’t tolerate being suppressed or restricted, dragging this conversation out would only worsen their emotions.
“Furthermore, racial discrimination? Are these people mentally okay? Most of the Flame staff are Korean, yet someone mentions racism here?
“Rick, the captain, will report this to headquarters and ensure a swift return.”
“It’s obviously necessary. Moreover, Rick himself has to take responsibility.”
“Hmm, as much as I want to send all the guards back, it’s not so easy, you know.”
Although the guards are there only to protect her, it seems this incident has crossed a line.
It’s one thing to discriminate against others, but targeting White Siu? That’s a problem.
If White Siu takes offense and decides to return home because of this, it would be a significant issue for Yuah as well since they were just starting to uncover clues about her nightmares. His departure was something she must absolutely prevent.
“Hmph. Fine. Deliver a firm complaint. If this happens again, I won’t hesitate.”
“Understood, I’ll report accordingly.”
“And inform Rick personally. He must establish a proper reporting system. Even if they’re S&M staff, they live in Flame, right? Why has this report taken so long to come up?”
She knew that the headquarters didn’t like the fact that she was in Korea and, consequently, harbored no good feelings toward President Joo.
However, as long as they reside in the Flame building, it’s basic common sense to report to this side. With this report delayed three days and passing through headquarters, it appeared like headquarters were involved, something she wouldn’t tolerate moving forward.
“And warn them not to bother Siwu. If this happens again, they’ll have to face me in sparring.”
“…Yes, that message will be conveyed.”
And with that, the matter of the guards came to a conclusion.
At the same time as filing a letter of complaint to S&M guards headquarters, a separate warning would be issued to the guard captain Rick.
Given that Heavenly Yuah herself had issued the warning, the guards wouldn’t likely act so recklessly again.
The only remaining issue was how to manage White Siu, who seemed as chaotic as a flailing fish.
Even though he isn’t currently shooting for a project, how is an actor supposed to be sparring with guards?
Meanwhile, it’s absurd that he hasn’t taken a single hit and remains utterly unscathed, but honestly, his mental strength doesn’t seem ordinary either.
Ah, so that’s why he assaulted a senior actor during filming, probably.
She could understand his actions since she’d had similar experiences, but it seemed some management was necessary.
“Given the current vibe, it seems the guards need you more than me. Haven’t you set up a team yet?”
“We’re still searching for the right people, but there’s no rush, so I’m carefully considering it. Mr. White Siu is crucial in many ways.”
“In that case, assign a manager from the guards side. As for the coordinator… How about assigning Sister Seo Jin?”
“Sister Seo Jin works with you…”
“I have Aunt Leia nearby, so one person is enough for on-site management.”
After briefly deliberating, Heavenly Yuah decided to lend White Siu one of the coordinators she had been with for years.
With her quick wits and intelligence, she will probably act swiftly before any trouble arises.
She is reliable enough that if anything odd happens, no word will leak out. She would be the perfect fit for White Siu.
In Yuah’s position, since White Siu had become almost as important as herself, assigning one of her trusted people wasn’t in any way wasteful.
And thus, under Heavenly Yuah’s instructions, the White Siu team was swiftly formed.
Starting with Team Leader Seo, one guard, and one coordinator—all under Yuah’s direct influence.
“By the way, how are you feeling these days?”
“Ah, the nightmares? They’re gone. Since moving into this building, I haven’t had a single one.”
“I see, I could tell from your condition that things might be improving.”
Once the official matters were appropriately addressed, the conversation shifted to updates on her situation.
After all, Yuah moved into this building with a purpose.
President Joo was sensitive to this matter, just like Yuah herself, so he wanted to accurately grasp the circumstances.
“The nightmares are completely gone. It’s clear that Mr. Siu has something special.”
“Hmm?”
“Though occasionally, the strange dreams bother me.”
Since moving into the building with Mr. Siu, Heavenly Yuah hadn’t experienced a single nightmare.
How wonderful this felt.
Free from nightmares, she never wanted to return to the days when she was tormented by them.
However, there was one minor issue. She kept having odd dreams instead of nightmares.
Of course, compared to the nightmares, this wasn’t much of a problem, but it was still curious.
After all, Siu kept showing up in her dreams, which seemed unusual in itself.
And the content of the dreams was utterly incomprehensible.
“What kind of dreams?”
“Um… like yesterday, for instance.”
“Go on.”
“I had a dream where I was playing Go. I was wearing a traditional Chinese martial arts uniform, playing Go with Mr. Siu.”
“Really? But wasn’t it that you couldn’t play Go?”
“That’s why it’s strange. But it gets worse. It wasn’t just a normal Go game…”
Recalling the delightful football gaming session with Siu that day, Yuah was dreaming about Siu again.
In the dream, she was dressed in a black martial arts uniform, playing Go with Siu.
She, who doesn’t know how to play Go, was playing it, but the most absurd part was that it wasn’t a regular Go game.
On a Go board the size of a football field, they were using pieces as big as people.
“How exactly do you play Go with pieces so large?”
“Ah, you know, what they do in wuxia movies, where objects float in the air.”
“Ah, levitation?”
“Exactly. That’s how the Go pieces were played. It didn’t make sense, did it?”
“Indeed, it’s quite peculiar.”
“And that’s not all. I suddenly got mad and smashed the Go board.”
“Didn’t you say the board was as big as a football field?”
The highlight of the dream was that, in a fit of rage, she shattered the massive Go board.
Seriously, without any missiles, how could something like that happen?
A supreme master, perhaps?
It seemed that the protagonist of the dream wasn’t an ordinary martial arts expert.
“It seems a little absurd, but still much better than the nightmares.”
“Thankfully. But is it comfortable living with Mr. Siu?”
Living with Mr. Siu and escaping the nightmares was undoubtedly a good thing.
However, the problem was that this kind of lifestyle would likely need to continue for some time.
Given that Yuah was known to be difficult to please, it made everyone worry.
President Joo himself had also invested significant effort in handling Yuah’s preferences.
“Alright… It’s good.”
“Good?”
However, Yuah’s answer was “good.” Not “alright,” but simply good.
It was a generous praise that even President Joo had never heard from her, leaving him a bit startled.
“For some reason, it feels very comfortable with Siu. I don’t know why, but it just feels good.”
“Ah, really?”
Although inwardly disappointed that this newcomer seemed more at ease with Yuah than years of effort from himself, he brushed it aside.
Since Siu made Yuah comfortable, it seemed they could endure this arrangement for a while.
Without clear reasons to change, it was more prudent to continue this way, as an uncomfortable partner was surely more problematic.
“So, I’m thinking about finding a project soon.”
“Good news.”
“And for Siu too.”
“You’re planning to take up a role? Have you finished your acting practice already?”
“Yes, much faster than I expected. He’s more extraordinary than I thought. These days, it’s almost as if we’re learning from each other.”
“…That’s impressive indeed.”
Even President Joo recognized the potential of Mr. Siu, but he was quite surprised to learn he had received such glowing praise from Heavenly Yuah, who was renowned for her critical eye.
What he thought was just a small talent turned out to be something far more valuable.
“It gives me great hope. Now let me look for a project. Also, let’s find roles for Mr. Siu through Team Leader Seo.”
“I see. If they could be in the same project, that would be ideal, though there’s no pressure to insist.”
“I’ll give it a look.”
This would be quite challenging.
There are many directors, producers, and writers eager to work with Yuah, but she was known to choose roles with great care.
This was bound to be even more meticulous since this would be her return to acting after a year-long hiatus.
But opportunities would arise, given the proper search.
His job was to find a script that would appeal to her and present it.
Ultimately, the choice will be hers, so there’s no real need to worry.
“It would be ideal if we could find something where Mr. Siu plays a male supporting role.”
Of course, as per the contract, Siu retained the right to choose his project, so the company couldn’t force him.
They could suggest, but if he refused, there was nothing else they could do.
That said, Yuah was confident that an actor wouldn’t turn down a role in a project she would choose.
