The applicants were given a short break while the panel decided who was going to be 'Yian' of the unnamed project.
"Feel free to explore the kitchen and the living room," Director Bong boastfully smiled. "However, do not go into the rooms. I can have you disqualified if ever that happens. Be back in half an hour."
The others excitedly went out of the room to explore Director Bong's house.
Meanwhile, June settled on the seats on the balcony, loving the way the wind went through his hair.
Someone cleared their throat from behind him, causing him to turn around.
"I need to go now," Haruki said, causing June's eyebrows to raise in surprise.
"You're not going to stay until they reveal who passed as Yian?"
"I think we both know I don't have a chance at this," Haruki deadpanned.
'I only came here because I wanted to be friends with you!' Haruki wanted to scream, but he held back, clenching his jaw.
"Well, you're right. You suck at acting. It's great that you're a talented idol," June said, focusing his gaze right back to the scenery.
"Shut up," Haruki sighed. "It's not like you're going to get the part too! Director Bong's comments were a dead giveaway that he didn't like your acting."
Haruki pursed his lips after saying those words. For some reason, he just couldn't control his words whenever June was involved! Maybe it was his natural instinct to be sassy with the younger idol.
"I know," June nonchalantly said. "I'm going to stay since I want to confirm something."
He wanted to confirm whether Lin Zhi truly paid his way into the production.
From an audience's perspective, there were more people who suited Yian better and were undoubtedly more talented in acting than Lin Zhi. Therefore, if he was to be picked, then June was compelled to believe that something happened behind the scenes.
"I'm going now, then," Haruki said. "Bo Wen's waiting for me."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})June nodded. "Tell the baldie that I said hi."
"Hmm," Haruki hummed. "Before I go, I have something to ask."
"Go ahead," June said.
"Are you and Bo Wen friends?" he asked.
Haruki would feel bitter if June became friends with his bodyguard before he even mended their relationship!
"Hell no," June said, causing Haruki to quietly sigh in relief.
The past was still too fresh for June to consider Bo Wen as his friend.
"Why does he call you 'master' then?" Haruki asked as a follow-up question.
June smirked and turned around. "I don't know? Maybe he idolizes me?"
Haruki clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Whatever, man. I'll get going. I still have a schedule later."
"You've been saying that for a while now. Just go," June deadpanned.
With that, Haruki finally left June all alone, making June enjoy the peace of his own presence.
However, that peace was quickly broken when June felt another presence on the balcony.
He froze when he realized who it was. He didn't even need to turn around to know the intruder's identity. The subtle scent of cigarette smoke, poorly-washed laundry, and strong aftershave was a dead giveaway.
"Lin Zhi," June said, not bothering to turn around to greet him.
Lin Zhi chuckled in amusement. Then, June felt Lin Zhi's presence beside him.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})June glanced at him and shook his head.
"Your hiatus didn't serve you well," June deadpanned. "I thought you would take that time to rest. Why do you look even worse?"
Lin Zhi's jaw clenched as he faced June. "And I see that fame is serving you well."
June smirked, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he met his gaze.
"Oh, you know that I'm always serving well."
June thought he would be angrier once he came face to face with Lin Zhi. However, he was much calmer than he expected.
"Well, if it weren't for a certain someone who wanted to expose my doings in Rising Stars, I would definitely look better," Lin Zhi said.
"And that's my fault because?" June nonchalantly asked.
Lin Zhi pursed his lips before shaking his head.
"I see that you're still the same—still so nonchalant and annoying as usual."
"I can say the same thing to you," June smirked.
"I take it back. You're much more annoying now," Lin Zhi quickly said.
"I'm glad," June said.
Lin Zhi wanted to slap the smirk away from June's face. However, knowing what was to come next, his mood was suddenly lifted.
"You know," Lin Zhi started off. "You may have the fame right now, but your fame will not guarantee your spot in this movie."
June stood from his seat and faced Lin Zhi.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"I know," June said. "Money will, right?" he asked.
Lin Zhi was taken aback for a second. However, he quickly recovered since he felt there was nothing to be surprised about anymore. June always had quick wits—always one step ahead.
Therefore, Lin Zhi wanted to capitalize on that.
"Yes," he smiled. "At the end of the day, money is what makes the world go round."
"So, pack your bags, June," Lin Zhi said. "After I become a part of this movie, you'll be seeing a lot more of me…"
"...and who knows? I might come for what you have right now. So, always watch your back."
With that, Lin Zhi left the balcony, leaving June all alone.
Once Lin Zhi was out of the vicinity, June shook his head.
"Still a bastard, eh?" he muttered, also making his way inside the house and back to the room where the panel was already waiting.
For a second, he locked eyes with Hana, and there was a regretful look in her eyes.
At that moment, June already knew.
Money does make the world go round.
Director Bong was on the stage, staring at the nervous applicants in their seats. He appeared like he regretted informing them who had passed and who had not.
However, June knew deep inside his mind that Director Bong had already made up his mind even before the auditions started.
"I'll cut to the chase," Director Bong said.
"We decided that this applicant did the best interpretation of Yian, the main villain of this movie. All of you did a great job, but he was a standout performance," he continued.
Then, he looked around the room once more, his gaze hardening when his eyes passed by June.
A small smile appeared on his lips as his gaze settled on Lin Zhi.
"Lin Zhi, congratulations. You will be our 'Yian' for this movie."
