Chapter 9: Midnight Tension
The room was tense—so quiet it felt unreal.
No voices. No movement.
Just two people standing in the dim light.
Lee and Mingji.
Lee's fingers suddenly gripped Mingji's chin, forcing his face upward. The touch was rough, invasive.
Mingji didn't react.
He didn't flinch. Didn't speak. His expression stayed calm—too calm—though beneath it, anger simmered, tight and dangerous, like a clenched fist hidden beneath still water.
Lee watched him closely, eyes sharp.
"If you want to," Lee said casually, almost daring him, "hit me."
He leaned closer, invading Mingji's space, his voice dropping lower.
"Go on. Punch me. As hard as you want."
For a split second, it looked like Mingji might actually do it.
Then—nothing.
Instead, Mingji lifted his hand and pushed Lee back lightly, just enough to create distance.
"Leave me alone," Mingji said flatly. "I don't want to talk to you right now."
Lee didn't move.
"Well," he replied calmly, "I'm not leaving."
Mingji's jaw tightened. He inhaled slowly before finally asking the question burning inside him.
"Why are you here?" His eyes locked onto Lee's. "What's your purpose?"
Lee shrugged lazily. "I missed you. I didn't want to stay away."
Mingji let out a short, humorless laugh.
"And the company?" he asked sharply. "You just left it behind? Your brothers are here—so who's handling everything?"
Lee's expression didn't change.
"I'm not the only one who can run things," he said. "There are plenty of people who can manage the company. I did what needed to be done."
Mingji studied him, unconvinced.
"Really?" he said quietly. "Then what's your work here?"
Lee hesitated.
"There are things I can't tell you."
Mingji's patience snapped.
"Then leave my room."
Lee exhaled. "Fine. I'll tell you part of it. Something's happening—something connected to our entertainment company. I had to be here."
He paused.
"I'm not staying for four months," he added. "I'll leave after some time."
Mingji frowned. "Really?"
Then his eyes flicked toward the door.
"How did you even get on this floor?" he asked. "It should be locked."
Lee's lips curved faintly.
"Everyone's asleep," he said. "I came quietly. I know where your room is."
"And you didn't scream," he added softly. "So… here I am."
The silence returned, heavier than before.
Lee said nothing.
Finally, Mingji spoke—his voice calm, cold, and firm.
"You should leave now," he said. "I'm not your partner anymore."
He straightened, professional and distant.
"I'm a judge on this show. And you—right now—you're a trainee. Act like one."
Mingji's gaze hardened.
"This is a warning. If you don't leave by the next round, then leave now. And if you force yourself to stay—don't blame me for what happens next."
Lee tilted his head, lips curling into a mocking smile.
"Oh?" he said lightly. "You're worried about me?"
"If you don't want me to worry," Mingji replied coldly, "then leave this show. This is your last warning."
He paused, then added quietly—but with deadly seriousness.
"Otherwise, I'll go to your mother. I'll tell her everything. Why you're here. Not just you—everyone connected to this."
Lee's smile flickered.
"They didn't disappear," Mingji continued. "They're still here. Just hiding."
Lee scoffed. "Really?"
"Don't pretend you don't understand," Mingji said.
Lee exhaled sharply, irritation flashing across his face.
"I'm not leaving," he said. "I have work to do. Something I need to finish in this show."
He looked away briefly, jaw tight.
"And even I didn't expect my family to be involved," he muttered. "Finding that out hit me hard."
Mingji stepped closer.
"That's not true," he said flatly. "You knew. You know everything."
Their eyes met.
"And you still came anyway."
Mingji didn't wait another second.
He grabbed Lee by the arm and shoved him toward the door, controlled but firm.
"Don't ever come like this again," Mingji said coldly. "Not now. Not ever."
The door shut behind Lee with a dull thud.
For a moment, Lee stood alone in the hallway. His confident mask cracked, revealing something raw beneath—an expression almost pitiful, like a scolded puppy left outside in the dark.
Then he turned and walked back to his room.
Inside, Yan was already there.
Lee stopped.
Yan was holding a phone.
A personal mobile.
The rules were clear—no personal phones allowed.
Lee sat down beside him, closer than necessary.
Yan stiffened. "Where were you?" he asked sharply. "Where did you go?"
"Nowhere," Lee replied. "Just needed some air."
"At this hour?"
Lee glanced at the phone. "And what about that?" he asked lightly. "Aren't those banned?"
Yan's grip tightened.
Lee's tone dropped, sharp and knowing.
"Mr. Yan," he said quietly, "I know everything about you. So don't interfere where you don't belong."
Yan turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Lee smiled—but it was cold.
"You said you're just an intern," Lee continued. "But I know who you really are. So don't stand there smiling like you're innocent."
Yan scoffed softly.
"Oh?" he replied. "And do you think I don't know about you too?"
Lee's smile froze.
"I know who you are," Yan said calmly. "Where you're from. What kind of person you really are."
Their eyes locked.
The air between them sharpened, heavy and dangerous.
No one spoke.
No one looked away.
To be continued…