Chapter Eight: More Dangerous Than an Ex-Girlfriend Is...

“Min-tae, how did you sleep last night?”

Mingyan deliberately woke up a little earlier the next morning and prepared breakfast, waiting for Kim Min-tae.

He carefully arranged the food he had bought on a plate, pretending it was something he had cooked himself.

Normally, according to his usual schedule, when he wasn’t filming, he wouldn’t wake up until at least noon; getting up before nine was almost unheard of.

But now that Kim Min-tae was here, the fundamental rhythm of his life had changed.

“I slept well,” Kim Min-tae said. At first, he had trouble falling asleep—homesickness and the awkwardness of living with Mingyan for the first time weighed on him.

But as he thought, the little one eventually drifted off.

Perhaps the hotpot from the night before did its job; a full stomach often aids sleep.

Mingyan gestured toward the breakfast he had prepared. “Min-tae, go wash up, then come eat.”

He yawned widely as he spoke but quickly stifled it.

Kim Min-tae seemed infected by his uncle’s effort to suppress sleepiness, nearly holding back tears as he did the same.

Both were fighting drowsiness, unwilling to leave a poor impression on the other.

Perhaps they didn’t even know why waking early was considered good manners—they just intuitively did it.

Min-tae took his toiletries to the bathroom and found that his uncle had prepared a new set for him: toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, and more. On the shelf below, a small note was stuck: “For the cutest Min-tae.”

Mingyan: Not sure if Jisoo’s idea will work.

It was a bit embarrassing.

“Min-tae, did you see what I bought you?” Mingyan called from outside.

“I did, thank you, uncle,” Min-tae replied, his voice finally a bit louder.

The little one liked the cute pattern on the towel; it was clear his uncle was quite thoughtful.

Still, Min-tae wondered. His mother often said his uncle was unreliable, seemingly about love life issues, yet so far, he hadn’t shown any signs of that.

One thing was certain: Kim Jisoo was definitely not his aunt.

Though shy, fifteen-year-old Kim Min-tae was lively and clever once familiar with his surroundings.

After washing up, he sat at the table, savoring the aroma of the meal. “Uncle, can you cook?”

“Of course. Otherwise, how could I live alone?” Mingyan replied bluntly, determined to put on a big show.

“Have you always lived alone?”

“Moved out after filming started, but before that, living alone wasn’t much different.”

Mingyan’s family situation was unusual. His father frequently traveled between Korea and China, rarely home, and he disliked having a housekeeper. He often ate at Kim Jisoo’s house more than his own.

Once he grew up and had some money, he moved out.

That home… better left behind.

Min-tae had heard about his maternal grandfather from his mother and wisely didn’t interrupt. Adult matters were beyond a child’s concern.

Chewing thoughtfully, he nodded inwardly—uncle’s cooking wasn’t bad at all.

“Min-tae, do you want to rest today or go out and explore?” Mingyan decided to ask his niece. She had just arrived in Seoul; it was better to relax for a couple of days before getting down to business.

Seoul’s vibrancy was incomparable to Yangsan; Min-tae would surely be interested.

“Uncle, I want to visit S.M.”

Min-tae harbored a dream.

He often dreamed of one day standing on stage, basking in the thunderous applause and cheers of fans.

Mingyan was unsurprised. “No problem. I’ll take you there soon.”

That was how it had been with Kim Jisoo and Lim Nayun—excited at the prospect of becoming trainees, though after passing the auditions, complaints about the grueling years of training began.

Besides, they still had connections at S.M.

When Mingyan debuted as an actor, his co-star Jung Soo-jung was an idol-turned-actress from S.M. Though she was a bit of an ice queen and had awkward relations with the company, her current situation was unknown.

“Min-tae, I’m going to make a call,” Mingyan said, rising with that in mind.

“Okay, I’ll tidy up,” Min-tae said, determined not to live a hand-to-mouth life.

He was fifteen, not five.

Mingyan had wanted to be polite but eventually nodded. “Alright.”

They would be living together; constant formality wouldn’t do. They needed to find a way to get along.

As Min-tae packed, he listened to Mingyan’s phone call.

An artist’s social circle was sure to consist of other artists, hopefully members of EXO.

“Hey, my ice princess~” Mingyan’s tone brightened warmly as soon as the call connected.

“You dare call me?” came the chilly reply.

“Soo-jung, don’t act like I abandoned you. I might have a thief’s heart but no thief’s courage.”

Mingyan knew Jung Soo-jung was cold on the outside but warm-hearted. Their on-screen pairing had attracted many fans; there was still a support club online.

Her tone showed no sign of softening. “Someone seems to have forgotten we broke up recently. Need me to remind you?”

“Uh… she told you?”

“Don’t forget, I knew her longer than you did!”

Damn. In all his carefulness, Mingyan had overlooked that.

Soo-jung wasn’t his ex-girlfriend but the more dangerous ex’s best friend.

“My dear Soo-jung, breakups are normal in love. I’m calling about something serious.”

“Oh? And your ex doesn’t count as serious?”

“Of course. I’ll even give you a chance to settle accounts. Dare to come?”

Mingyan was already using provocation for the sake of his niece, playing the game of risking life and death.

Of course, he also hoped to glean some news about his ex.

She was a good girl…

The better the girl, the farther she should stay.

Soo-jung pondered. “Tell me what it is first.”

They’d known each other three years. Mingyan had his flaws but wasn’t without merits; otherwise, he’d have been cut off long ago.

“I have a niece who wants to visit S.M…”

……

Kim Min-tae carefully tidied the table.

At home, he often helped his mother with chores, so he was no stranger to household tasks.

“Min-tae, thanks for your hard work.”

“No problem, uncle. I even sorted the trash.”

“These…”

“Mostly the takeout boxes you ordered.”