"This body is so dirty…"
Morning arrived, and time rewound to when Jiang Hai and his friends had gone out.
Lin Yun'er and Jin Taeyeon, still recovering from the previous night, came downstairs and unexpectedly ran into Lin Yun'er's boyfriend, Lee Seung Gi. When he saw his girlfriend, disheveled and bare-faced, stepping out of the elevator, he was stunned. Lin Yun'er, seeing his reaction, was even more flustered.
Perhaps there is nothing more embarrassing in the world than this moment—cruel, blunt, and impossible to ignore. Fortunately, it wasn't Jiang Hai who was being put on the spot. If he had been, he might have just said with a shrug, "It's embarrassing… he was a good guy at first…"
Luckily, Jin Taeyeon reacted quickly, pulling Lin Yun'er into the car they had driven yesterday and leaving before Lee Seung Gi could recover. Frantically, he called her repeatedly, but she didn't answer. Lin Yun'er couldn't face him now. Expecting he might come to her home, she avoided it and went to Kim Tae-yeon's place instead.
The first thing she did upon arriving was shower. Yet, no matter how much she scrubbed, she still felt unclean—not physically, but mentally. She wiped the foggy mirror, staring at her reddened skin, tears streaming from her swollen, doe-like eyes.
Hearing the sounds from the bathroom, Kim Tae-yeon approached and leaned against the door. She was at a loss. Last night had been a nightmare not just for Yun'er but for her as well. How could she comfort someone in such a state? And how could she calm herself?
Han Jiaren, born in Seoul, South Korea in 1982, was considered a top student and had graduated from Cheonghee University. She entered the entertainment industry in 2002 via a commercial and later starred in the drama Yellow Handkerchief, which skyrocketed her fame.
In South Korea's idol scene, the most popular stars were not the famous Chinese actresses like Song Hye-kyo or Jun Ji-hyun. Kim Tae-hee, regarded as South Korea's most beautiful woman, led the pack, with Han Ga-in and Son Il-jin rising alongside her. All were top-tier stars in their own right.
Han Ga-in, for instance, had achieved immense popularity right after her debut. She married actor Yeon Jung-hoon in 2005, retired in 2007, and returned in 2010, regaining her fame, only to retire again due to pregnancy. This year, she had given birth, remaining largely out of the public eye.
From the outside, such a family seemed enviable, but reality often fell short of appearances. Han Jiaren, over nine months pregnant, had just discovered her husband's ongoing infidelity. After a heated argument with him upon his return from a social event, she went to a bar alone to drink… and drank too much. Her memories were hazy: being escorted by a woman, entering a room, and being stripped by several women. Then came a dream—an unspeakable dream.
In it, she felt as if she had met her Prince Charming. The feelings—fulfilling, abundant, unforgettable—throbbed through her heart, leaving her adrift, like a boat caught in a storm, until she eventually fell into a deep sleep.
Waking up the next day, naked in an unfamiliar room, she realized what had happened.
"Ah!" Han Jiaren screamed, clutching her hair. Only hours ago, she had been cursing her husband's infidelity—but now, who was she to criticize? The dynamics between men and women were unequal, especially in South Korea. If a man erred, a woman might forgive, but if a woman fell victim, society judged her mercilessly. The thought stung, and tears fell freely.
"Huh? What happened?" The door opened, and Jiang Hai entered, puzzled. Seeing Han Jiaren crying, he froze, then offered an awkward smile.
"Uh, you're awake…" he muttered. Unsure of what else to say, he simply smiled.
"You beast, you bastard, worse than pigs and dogs…" Han Jiaren, finding an outlet for her frustration, launched into a torrent of insults. Jiang Hai, unable to understand Korean, replied, "Sorry, I don't speak Korean. I have things to do now. If you can think of a solution, wait here… feel free to use this room." Scratching his head, he smiled apologetically and left.
Watching him go, Han Jiaren hurled a pillow with all her strength at the door, screaming, until gradually she calmed down. There was no point dwelling on it now—the priority was finding a solution. Unlike Lin Yun'er, who had been devastated, Han Jiaren's resilience allowed her to focus on strategy.
Her first thought: this must remain secret. No one could know, and the police must not be involved. Jiang Hai, despite his Asian appearance, seemed foreign, and if the incident became public, she would be ruined. Worse, if he left the country, she would have no recourse.
Second: her husband must never find out. The thought filled her with bitter sadness. She had been violated, yet she could not speak out. She would have to reconcile with her abuser and persuade him to conceal the matter. Shame and humiliation mingled with resolve.
She dressed quickly, determined to find Jiang Hai. But opening the door, she only saw two women in the living room, watching TV.
Seeing her, they smiled warmly. "Uh, this…" Han Jiaren froze, unsure of what to say.
"Hello, are you feeling unwell?" Cheryl Lee asked, curious. The police had stayed late last night, and the others had left early. Cheryl, too, had risen and been watching TV, aware that Jiang Hai would meet South Korean officials today.
Azarina and Galina had left with Jiang Hai, leaving Wallis Shelley alone.
"No, nothing… ahem… something's wrong. Where's that man?" Han Jiaren gritted her teeth, thinking of her family, her career, and everything at stake.
"Man? Oh, Jiang Hai? He went to a meeting. What do you need with him?" Cheryl Lee asked, feigning ignorance. If Han Jiaren knew he had brought her back yesterday, trouble would have followed.
"I need help. Can you give me his number?" Han Jiaren suppressed her anger and requested it. Cheryl Lee shrugged, handing her Jiang Hai's contact. After noting it, Han Jiaren went into the bathroom to clean herself up, ensuring she looked presentable. Then, cautiously, she descended the stairs. Paparazzi were everywhere, so she moved quietly, got into a taxi, and dialed the number Cheryl Lee had given her.