"Hey, Seung-gi, over here!"
Lee Seung-gi had just arrived at the golf course near Seoul in his limousine when a crowd greeted him. He composed himself in the car, then stepped out with a polite, forced smile. As soon as he did, someone called out to him.
Looking up, his smile widened—but a faint trace of disgust lingered in his eyes.
He recognized the man approaching: MC Mong, once a leading figure in South Korean hip-hop. However, after evading military service, his comeback had been met with lukewarm public reception. Now he was clearly hoping to regain some visibility through events like this.
Lee Seung-gi and MC Mong were connected primarily because they both hosted Two Days and One Night. Outwardly, they maintained a cordial relationship, though Lee Seung-gi privately regarded him with some disdain.
"Brother, you're here so early!" Lee Seung-gi said politely.
"Hey, I had nothing else to do, so I thought I'd drop by. There are quite a few seniors and actors here today—can you introduce me later?" MC Mong smiled, but Lee Seung-gi internally sneered.
The two of them, moving as if perfectly familiar, entered the golf club. At a glance, Lee Seung-gi couldn't help but nod slightly. As expected of the legitimate heir to the Samsung Lee family, his charisma far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Many other artists were present, including Han Jiaren, who had just given birth and hadn't returned to the public eye yet. Everyone, dressed in golf attire, mingled casually. The most dazzling figure, of course, was today's host, Lee Ji-ho. Seeing Lee Seung-gi, he greeted him warmly.
"Seung-gi's here!" Lee Ji-ho said with a smile. The two shared a solid personal rapport. Though not close friends with the Samsung heir, Lee Seung-gi and Lee Ji-ho had a natural chemistry—perhaps strengthened after learning who Lee Seung-gi's girlfriend was, which gave the connection a subtle edge.
"Mr. Lee," Lee Seung-gi said, beaming politely. MC Mong, standing beside him, could only stare in envy and frustration—he longed for the same access, but couldn't summon the courage to speak. It was obvious Lee Seung-gi had no intention of introducing him.
"I saw the news yesterday. Everything's fine, right?" Lee Ji-ho asked, concern evident.
"Nothing happened. Just went to an audition—the results weren't ideal," Lee Seung-gi replied with a careful smile. He couldn't reveal more, but the smile sufficed. Lee Ji-ho returned the gesture with a relaxed smile.
Just then, a group entered the hall, and many eyes followed them. Among the attendees, several showed subtle reactions.
Li Shengji noticed two familiar figures: Jiang Hai and Li Xihuai. Han Jiaren also spotted Jiang Hai and, recalling recent events, instinctively shifted her gaze—but her husband was nearby, so she controlled her reaction.
Li Zhihao's eyes flicked toward Jiang Hai as well. He remembered their past feud, which had begun in Atlantic City when Jiang Hai had observed him playing cards and pursuing Pla Walton. Encounters with Jiang Hai had been unpleasant, and upon returning home, he was warned to avoid trouble.
Now seeing Jiang Hai, Li Zhihao narrowed his eyes but quickly decided against confrontation. He knew he couldn't act recklessly—Jiang Hai's influence, particularly his business dealings in Nan Gaoli, made retaliation risky. A single misstep could have consequences for his family. He simply glanced briefly, then looked away.
Seemingly nonchalant, the two parties passed each other. Jiang Hai and Li Xihuai moved toward the second-floor terrace to rest.
Having arrived early that morning, they had already completed two rounds of golf. Jiang Hai wasn't particularly invested in the sport, so he suggested taking a break, which Li Xihuai readily agreed to.
The golf club's layout was typical: the first floor housed the main hall and electric carts; the second floor contained practice areas for beginners and women, along with lounges and dining areas.
"Jiang Hai." Watching him ascend the stairs, Li Shengji felt a twinge of anxiety. He'd forgotten past offenses due to recent personal matters but was reminded of them now.
"Shengji knows him?" Li Zhihao asked, surprised. Despite being friends with Li Shengji, he didn't expect him to have any real connection. Yet, he knew Jiang Hai's reputation and resources—from his premium pasture grass and beef to his fish business—were world-class.
"Yes… I know of him, but I have a grudge," Li Shengji admitted awkwardly. Li Zhihao smiled, having nothing to hide.
Hearing this, Lee Seung-gi abandoned his initial thought of requesting an introduction. A grudge was best avoided—no need to stir trouble. He maintained a bright smile and let it drop. Perhaps during a break, he could speak with Jiang Hai casually.
"Alright, time to play golf," Li Zhihao announced, clapping his hands to signal everyone. Groups were limited to four players, so only the more skilled participants were selected, while others went upstairs to the lounge. There, they could rest or, at most, meet the Samsung heir.
Jiang Hai, resting in the lounge, noticed the newcomers. Galina prepared tea for him, as he refused to risk drinking anything potentially unsafe. Jiang Hai preferred caution, even in a seemingly safe environment.
When his tea was served, Li Xihuai was impressed. South Korea, though culturally influenced by China, lacked deep tea traditions. While Japan excelled with matcha, South Korea's offerings were modest. Yet Jiang Hai's tea—West Lake Longjing grown by himself—was exceptional.
"Minister Li, try some tea," Jiang Hai said with a smile, offering the cup. His abundance and care for quality impressed everyone present.