The autumn sunlight of South Korea filtered gently through the thick curtains into Jiang Hai's bedroom.
Feeling the warmth on his skin, Jiang Hai slowly opened his eyes. Unlike most travelers, he wasn't particularly affected by jet lag. As he stirred, he noticed two women lying beside him, one on each side.
These were the same women who had made their difficult decision the night before. Their tear-stained makeup was evidence of how emotionally taxing the evening had been. Jiang Hai exhaled softly; it seemed he hadn't fully grasped the intensity of what had happened.
The two women were undoubtedly exhausted. Stretching his arms, Jiang Hai carefully extricated himself from between them, dressed, and quietly left the room.
Once the door was closed behind him, he scratched his head, a slight headache creeping in. Honestly, he had never been particularly interested in them and, in fact, couldn't even remember their names.
Originally, the matter had been simple: he was determined to claim the money that South Korea had owed him. That was the price of seizing his plane. But after what transpired last night, Jiang Hai found himself unable to demand it. He wasn't the kind of person to exploit someone after they had made such a sacrifice.
He had, effectively, lost the money. Though he wasn't overly concerned about the thirty million, the loss still stung.
"You're up!" Cheryl Lee called from the living room, already seated on the sofa and watching a Korean drama. She glanced toward Jiang Hai as he opened the door and gave a small, apologetic smile.
She knew he had lost much yesterday because of her efforts. She had tried her best to entertain him, but compared to real money, three women's bodies didn't seem to measure up.
"What are you looking at?" Jiang Hai asked, ruffling his hair as he dressed and sat beside her. He didn't rush to wash up but spoke first.
"I didn't see anything last night. Sorry…" Cheryl Lee murmured, choosing to break the silence.
"It's fine. Forget it. After all, I benefitted from it. But if you really feel guilty, take me out today… for fun," Jiang Hai said with a smile.
Cheryl Lee's tension eased at his words. As long as he wasn't angry, nothing else mattered.
"I've already planned it," she said, enthusiasm sparkling in her eyes. "We'll start at Namdaemun, then Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Blue House. If we have time, Myeongdong. Tonight, after dinner, Namsan and its cable car ride—beautiful at night. I've arranged a party at Apgujeong; there'll be lots of beautiful women."
At that moment, Azarina's door opened, and three people emerged.
"We're going out soon. Are you coming?" Jiang Hai asked.
"Let Azarina protect you. We won't go. You're not that popular here, so avoid crowds," Galina said calmly. It wasn't anger, just duty.
Jiang Hai understood perfectly. He wasn't particularly famous in South Korea, and the pressure on his three companions was immense.
"Alright, we'll follow your advice. Tell them we'll contact South Korea's representatives today for negotiations. Also, if the two women in the room have any requests, accommodate them without causing trouble."
Though the two women had been coerced into accompanying him, something had happened, and Jiang Hai couldn't ignore it entirely. Even without knowing their names, he treated them with a degree of fairness.
"We understand!" Galina said, echoing his instructions. Jiang Hai then washed up, and the three—himself, Cheryl, and Azarina—headed to the hotel breakfast room. Afterward, they borrowed a hotel car for a stroll.
At Seoul's Shilla Hotel, luxury cars were abundant, but Jiang Hai opted for a simple Hyundai Genesis. In China, it cost just over 300,000 yuan—a car that wouldn't attract unnecessary attention in Seoul.
Cheryl Lee drove them toward her planned itinerary.
Less than half an hour later, the two women in the room awoke. They met each other's eyes, seeing shared sadness, despair, and shame. Memories of the previous night returned in fragments, accompanied by lingering physical discomfort. The room felt heavy and oppressive.
Ten minutes passed before Kim Taeyeon sat up and began dressing. Lin Yun'er, seeing her move, quietly followed suit. Once dressed, they stepped out and saw Hua Lisi nearby, working on a computer.
"Oh? You're awake!" Hua Lisi greeted them warmly.
"Hello… where are they?" the two women asked hesitantly.
"They're out. Don't worry—Jiang instructed that the team has already contacted South Korea's top management," Hua Lisi replied.
Relief washed over the two women. As long as Jiang Hai kept his word, their sacrifice hadn't been in vain. Their families and careers were protected, though the memory of last night would linger.
"You should also be open-minded. Jiang Hai is a good person. He said if you have requests or problems, you can tell him and he'll help. Here's his number," Hua Lisi added, handing them each a business card.
The two women hesitated. Was this all they had gained from the entire night? Bitter smiles crossed their faces, but they accepted the cards, put on their shoes, and left the hotel. In the elevator, a sense of numbness settled over them.
Jin Taiyan felt sadness, while Lin Yun'er struggled with the guilt of facing her boyfriend. The price of preserving her family and career left her feeling tainted. Jin Taiyan sighed at her friend's despair, unsure how to console her.
All they could do was try to forget. Jiang Hai wouldn't linger in Seoul forever, and once the matter was over, so would their ordeal.
But fate had other plans.
Li Seung-gi, having realized he had offended Jiang Hai the previous day, used all his connections to track him to the Shilla Hotel. Arriving early, he intended to make amends. Unfortunately, timing wasn't on his side. Just as he prepared to ask about Jiang Hai, the elevator opened—and he froze.
Lee Seung-gi's girlfriend emerged, hair disheveled, clothes untidy. Shock registered on both their faces. He felt as if he'd been betrayed, though Jiang Hai remained oblivious, enjoying his day in Seoul.
They visited all the sights Cheryl Lee had planned. Namdaemun was underwhelming—just a gate. Gyeongbokgung Palace, a sprawling complex, warranted a glance. The Blue House wasn't open to the public, but it offered a rare sight of Seoul police.
After the quick tours, Cheryl Lee took them to a typical South Korean barbecue lunch before continuing the afternoon stroll. Despite the sightseeing, there wasn't much truly remarkable to see in Seoul.