NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 212
“Ah, yes. Chief. Yes. Haha, the world is quite scary these days, right? Kids who aren’t even adults are doing bad things.”
Being in the entertainment industry, unexpected connections seem to spring up like mushrooms after rain.
“Yes, yes. My father is doing well. Yes, I’ll let him know.”
When emotional and blood ties are added, relationships become even stronger.
Shin Si-woo has expanded his network like a spider web, based on the status of being a famous entertainer and his family background.
The head of the Seoul Metropolitan Investigation Unit was no different.
Later, when he potentially got hooked on drugs, the connections he tried to cultivate came in handy, making Shin Si-woo feel quite pleased.
“Yes~ Come on in. Yes~”
Thud.
As soon as he hung up, Shin Si-woo casually tossed his phone on the sofa and sat down with a grin.
“Phew, ah~ It would have been better if I’d sensed it sooner… I wonder how shocked Ye-rin was?”
How surprised would she be if she realized that there was marijuana in his bag?
Even Ha Ye-rin’s cold face would surely have cracked with shock.
Not having seen that expression personally was truly a regret for Shin Si-woo.
But well… he would certainly have many opportunities to see such a face in the future.
Shin Si-woo pushed aside his disappointment and turned on his computer.
He went online to see if there were any articles related to Ha Ye-rin, but…
[Famous idol H. Drug controversy?]
What appeared in the articles were merely a few fake news articles he had seeded in advance.
Nothing else existed at all.
[Rookies ‘Meteor’ tops music charts with soaring popularity…]
[Rookies break records despite no album sales. Will they continue the legacy of legendary girl groups?]
Rather, reporters were only highlighting the rising popularity of Rookies as they mentioned their digital single topping the music shows.
“Hmmm… What a pity.”
In fact, he hadn’t just sent out fake news this time.
He had let slip the drug issue related to Ha Ye-rin to other major entertainment media and reporters…
“Was there too little buildup?”
It seemed he hadn’t persuaded them sufficiently since he had rushed the preparations.
Well, a top member of a girl group who wasn’t even an adult would be hard to believe if suddenly accused of doing drugs, right?
Moreover, behind Rookies was the enormous NAS Entertainment.
From the reporters’ standpoint, it wouldn’t have been easy to touch Rookies just on a tip.
‘Do I need to use my connections in the media…? But it’s NAS, and I wouldn’t stand a chance in a public opinion war….’
Shin Si-woo’s desire was to isolate Ha Ye-rin in a way that would ultimately force her to quit being an idol and vanish from the broadcast scene.
Taking down Ha Ye-rin, who was currently the most popular, wasn’t easy, so he needed to proceed cautiously and carefully…
“I can’t wait any longer.”
The more he thought of Ha Ye-rin, the greedier he became… rushing things had been his downfall.
Yet still, Shin Si-woo had no intention of proceeding slowly.
The burning thirst inside him wouldn’t go away… whether he was eating or trying to sleep, she kept popping into his mind.
“Ah…, quickly… hurry…”
Just as he was licking his lips in disappointment at that moment…
Ding dong.
“……!”
He jolted at the sudden doorbell.
Most people were unaware of this house’s existence.
Shin Si-woo’s family and YW executives knew he had secured a private house, but they didn’t know the exact address.
So the ringing of the doorbell at his place only meant one thing.
“She’s here.”
In preparation for unexpected visitors, Shin Si-woo pulled his cap low and donned a mask as he stepped outside.
Knock.
At the door, just as he suspected, a package was waiting.
After thoroughly confirming no one was outside, he picked up the package.
Upon breaking the strong tape sealing the box, inside was….
“The quantity has all come as ordered.”
His beloved cigarettes labeled in various languages including Japanese and English, and….
“…this came too.”
[F]
White powder labeled with F, syringes, and unidentified substances were inside.
Shin Si-woo first set aside the cigarettes, then took a look at the ‘new items’ he purchased, switching on his phone to make a call.
Beep beep.
“…Hello?”
“Ah, yes. I received the items well.”
“…Is there a problem? I believe we agreed to minimize calls between us unless necessary?”
“Oh, I wanted to ask a question about the new items I ordered.”
[…….]*
At the inquiry about the new ‘F’ item, the broker fell silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.
“Well, since you’re a VIP, let me advise you… the new items you ordered are on a whole different level from the cigarettes you used to smoke. Transitioning from something weak to something so strong, we are a bit worried.”
“I’ve heard it’s really strong. Is that true?”
“Yes, so please don’t misuse it and enjoy it slowly. You should have the dosing instructions we prepared in advance.”
As he listened to the broker’s response, Shin Si-woo rummaged through the package, finding drug neutralizers, a small electronic scale, and a handwritten, very detailed dosing instruction manual.
While considering the information, he played with the white powder and asked one more question.
“Can I ask just one more thing?”
“…Go ahead.”
“What happens if I just inhale the powder as it is instead of using the method mentioned?”
“……!”
At Shin Si-woo’s question, the broker seemed taken aback. A typically composed broker raised his voice slightly.
“…Then you would die! The amount we sent far exceeds the lethal dose. If fentanyl is absorbed even slightly without neutralization…”
“Yes, what if it’s absorbed just a tiny bit? Just a tiny bit.”
As Shin Si-woo calmed the increasingly agitated broker, he coolly delivered a rather brutal statement.
But…
“…Even then, the side effects are severe. Receptors can be destroyed, resulting in extreme pain, and if things go wrong, it could lead to paralysis and difficulty moving…”
“Total paralysis… that’s nice.”
“…Huh?”
It was Shin Si-woo, not the broker, who spoke with greater cruelty.
Indeed, he smiled faintly as if finally receiving the answer he had wanted, offering only a farewell.
“I’ve heard everything. I’ll ask for your help again next time.”
“…Wait a minute. Are you planning to use this for something strange…?”
Click.
Shin Si-woo hung up while holding the tightly sealed white powder close and jumping onto his bed.
He had framed Ha Ye-rin for marijuana, but that was merely to startle her, and it surely wouldn’t deal any real damage.
Her popularity was at its peak, and she hadn’t actually done drugs.
Through years of underhanded schemes, he could probably wear her down, but that would take way too long.
Thus, Shin Si-woo intended to use this white powder, which had recently become a global issue and was among the strongest drugs.
“It’d be even better if she gets a little limb ache or her neck goes bad, making it hard for her to move.”
If that happened, she certainly couldn’t continue her idol life.
“You don’t have to be an idol. I can take responsibility.”
In this way, as Shin Si-woo envisioned a happy future with Ha Ye-rin, he pondered how to use the white powder in his hand.
Then, suddenly…
Beep beep.
“Hmm…?”
His phone rang unexpectedly.
Swish.
“……!”
Seeing the name that popped up on his phone, he flinched and quickly answered.
[Rookies Ha Ye-rin]
“Yes, Ye-rin…!”
The one calling him was, of course, Ha Ye-rin.
“Uh, um…, uhm…”
Naturally, it was the first time Ha Ye-rin had ever called him.
Hence, as soon as he saw her name, he was engulfed in extreme excitement and trembled as he managed to speak up.
“How did you get my number to call?”
“…….”
However…
“…It’s you, right?”
“……Huh?”
It seemed that the joy was all Shin Si-woo’s.
Ha Ye-rin’s voice over the phone sounded as cold as ice.
Thump.
Feeling another kind of allure, Shin Si-woo evaded and questioned her back.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the one who put my cigarettes in my bag and reported me to the police… How did you manage to get it inside?”
Ah.
Ye-rin must be angry.
‘Cute.’
Shin Si-woo barely restrained a laugh as he continued the call.
“You mean the cigarettes? Police? I don’t know what you’re talking about… Ye-rin, you’re scaring me a bit by calling out of nowhere like this…”
“…That marijuana is yours, right?”
“……”
“I remembered what I saw that day.”
Hearing that, Shin Si-woo recalled his first encounter with Ha Ye-rin.
That day, he had been caught secretly smoking in the broadcasting station’s boiler room.
‘Although I hid it, in the end, she saw it.’
This meant his leash was also tethered to Ha Ye-rin…
“That’s such a shame.”
Shin Si-woo responded with a smile.
“So, what are you going to do? Are you going to report me? Or are you going to tell the company?”
“…….”
“Whatever you do, it’s going to get noisy, right? Isn’t it an inconvenience for those around us? We have little time left to wrap up Rookies’ activities, and we should do it as cleanly as possible.”
At Shin Si-woo’s teasing words, Ha Ye-rin replied in a furious tone.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
“Hmm?”
“So let’s solve this ourselves.”
And then…
“Come to the place where we first met tomorrow, you bastard.”
“What? Wait a minute…”
Click.
She left him with a succinct and impactful declaration, almost like a declaration of war, and hung up the phone.
“……”
Shin Si-woo stared blankly at the air for a moment.
“Ah… What to do… She’s so cute, being so bold without knowing her place…”
He lay back on the sofa while breaking into a bashful smile.
Even such a demeanor from the other was lovely… this must be love.
However, Shin Si-woo didn’t want a girl who was too arrogant.
It seemed like a bit of education was needed for Ha Ye-rin.
And…
Fiddle.
The white powder he was toying with… Shin Si-woo was certain it would be a great help.
“Ye-rin…”
Thus he awaited his meeting with Ha Ye-rin, falling asleep early.