My Personal Stand-in (TaeKook) 4

Kim Taehyung arrived at the company very early.

Kim Taehyung

💭 It’s hard to believe I’m back here again.

Jung Hoseok was currently the managing deputy director of this company. He was the boss’s right-hand man, taking care of everything.

The boss wasn’t in Seoul most of the time; Jung Hoseok basically managed and supervised all of the company’s matters. His connections and position in the entertainment circle were now leagues better than two years ago, thus arranging a job for Kim Taehyung was a walk in the park.

Kim Taehyung

🙂💭 Two years ago—no, for me, just a month ago—I was also an employee in this company. It's strange to think about how much has changed.

In the past, whenever Jung Hoseok introduced jobs to Kim Taehyung, he would deduct the lowest commission fee and treated him extremely well.

Kim Taehyung had been in the company for a long time; he was well-liked and had good relationships with the people there, so he really appreciated this company. He felt that being able to work here was a very good start to his new life

Kim Taehyung came across a few of his old colleagues inside the building but resisted the urge to greet them. In these people’s eyes, he was a complete stranger.

Jung Hoseok brought Kim Taehyung into his office. He smiled as he invited him to sit down and then answered a phone call. After finishing the call, he grabbed his keys and said to Kim Taehyung

Jung Hoseok

Let’s go. I’ll take you to that film studio to have a look around. Our Chief invested over 10 million to make that film studio. Right now, it’s the biggest film studio in Seoul. We get quite a lot of jobs every day, so do some old jobs first, work hard, be active, and who knows, you might fish up a chance to shoot a commercial one day 😃

Kim Taehyung

😊 Hoseok hyung, right now I’m happy as long as I have a job. I’m not planning on thinking about anything else at the moment

Jung Hoseok

Good 😊 A stable and patient person of your age is hard to come by. Work well, and if there’s an opportunity, Hoseok hyung will definitely help you. I know that it’s not easy for you and your mum. I’m sure she must have spent a lot of money on your treatment. Take your time; life has to go on. It’ll get better in the future. 😊

Kim Taehyung was a bit moved. In an outsider’s eyes, Jung Hoseok was strict and unkind, with a sense of craftiness, shrewdness, and ruthlessness, but Kim Taehyung knew that it was a guise he created in order to survive in this circle where good and bad were mixed. Jung Hoseok was actually a guy who was very loyal to his friends.

Jung Hoseok drove him toward Yeouido, taking him to the newly built film studio at the border of the 6th Ring Road. Their boss had leased the first four floors of this large building. The total floor area was over one thousand square meters. The interior had been remodeled into large-scale filming headquarters. Every floor was divided into two districts, each specializing in different focuses that could be changed at any time.

As soon as they entered the building, they saw a few tall and slim, lightly dressed models walking around with exaggerated heavy makeup on their faces. The two didn’t bat an eye at the strange sight and headed straight for the second floor

They passed by a production team in the middle of filming a family comedy drama and then walked to the other side to the district specializing in shooting special effects films. They were currently in the middle of filming a science fiction commercial. The male model’s healthy and beautiful body was wrapped in a skin-tight silver costume, and he was dangling from a wire, flying through the air.

Jung Hoseok

Choi Yeonjun *called out to a white and chubby young man*

The person called Choi Yeonjun immediately ran over and warmly called out

Choi Yeonjun

Hoseok hyung 😃

Kim Taehyung didn’t recognize this person; it was possible he was new.

Jung Hoseok

Let me introduce you to my little brother from my hometown. Help arrange some work for him here. He’s just been discharged from the hospital, so don’t give him any heavy work; try to get him to learn all of the things in the studio. I’ll leave it all up to you.

Choi Yeonjun

Okay, no problem. You can count on me, Hoseok hyung 😃

Jung Hoseok said to Kim Taehyung

Jung Hoseok

Choi Yeonjun is twenty-four this year; he’s younger than you by two years, so you can call him Yeonjun. He’s part of the administration team here and in charge of odd jobs. Follow him and learn as much as you can. There will be opportunities in the future for you to be a planner or stage manager, etc.

Kim Taehyung

*Smiling at Choi Yeonjun* Yeonjun 😊

Kim Taehyung

*Turned to Hoseok* Thank you, Hoseok hyung 😊

Kim Taehyung

💭 When I had just graduated, I also hung around film studios and various sets doing miscellaneous jobs. I’m pretty familiar with this kind of work. I might not be the best at it, but my experience gives me an edge. Even though this old profession of mine is hard work, it’s something I can do skillfully and easily. I feel more and more grateful to you, Hoseok hyung

Jung Hoseok

I’m busy in the afternoon, so I won’t be eating lunch with you. I’ve got to go now.

Kim Taehyung

You don’t have to worry about me, Hoseok hyung. I know how to look after myself 😊

Choi Yeonjun

See you later, Hoseok hyung 😄

Choi Yeonjun was an easy-going and friendly person who interacted with everyone with a smile. After Jung Hoseok left, Choi Yeonjun led Kim Taehyung into the film studio and briefly introduced him.

Choi Yeonjun

We have a new comrade, a lady-killer; you guys all better not be envious. Do your work properly, everyone

The several people who were busy at work responded with a few words of playful teasing.

Kim Taehyung swept a glance around the place. Unexpectedly, there was no one he recognized. Although the mobility of staff and crew members in the entertainment circle was high, only two years had passed, and yet he already couldn’t find even one familiar face. Kim Taehyung couldn’t help but feel melancholic.

Kim Taehyung

My name is Kim Taehyung; please take care of me from now on. This little brother thanks everyone.

Voice from behind: "Kim Taehyung?"

A person who had been adjusting the stage lighting with his back towards Kim Taehyung turned around and silently glanced at him.

Kim Taehyung froze for a moment. He had finally found an acquaintance. This person used to be one of the stage lighting guys at the company. His surname was also Kim, and everyone called him Lao Kim.

Kim Lao

*Standing up and looking at Kim Taehyung* Hello

Kim Taehyung also had a good relationship with Lao Kim in the past. Meeting face to face like this, yet unable to acknowledge him, Kim Taehyung didn’t know how many times in the future he would have to experience this sort of sad and awkward scene.

Choi Yeonjun

It’s almost noon. After lunch, I’ll take you around to show you the ropes. For now, go have a stroll around the place; there’s a lot of interesting stuff here, but don’t go touching the filming equipment; they’re dead expensive *said to Kim Taehyung*

Kim Taehyung nodded and then started walking around, familiarizing himself with his new workplace.

Ever since Kim Taehyung was small, he had always been a people person. He had a generous and tolerant yet principled personality, which made his broad-mindedness obvious to the eye. However, it also meant that people didn’t dare to carelessly offend him.

He was a righteous, honest, and upright person and never used his seniority to bully newcomers. He was witty and could hit it off with just about everyone. Whenever someone around him was in trouble, they always liked coming to him for advice or to lend a hand. The girls and guys who had come into contact with him generally all really liked him. If he wasn’t gay, he would have married a beautiful wife with a great body a long time ago

Using just one lunchtime, this charismatic man got familiar with all his colleagues. When they started work after lunch, he first helped Lao Kim set up the lighting and then went to help the stage props coordinator. For the next few hours, he wasn’t idle for even a second. Although it was a bit tiring, everyone praised him for being a fast learner. Kim Taehyung would then seamlessly play dumb

When they finished shooting the commercial, it was nearly eight o’clock. The director was a real handful; it took him an entire day before he was finally satisfied. Everyone was starving. They rushed to pack up and go to eat.

While Kim Taehyung was helping Lao Kim pack up the equipment, Lao Kim glanced at him twice and sighed

Kim Lao

Your name is Kim Taehyung.........

Kim Taehyung

*put on an act of ignorance* What’s wrong? 😕

Kim Lao

In the past, I used to have a little brother who was also called Kim Taehyung

Kim Taehyung

Oh, I’ve heard from Hoseok hyung about him.

Kim Lao

I don’t know if it’s because you two have the same name, but why do you feel so similar to him? The way you speak, the way you act... It’s also possible that I’m unconsciously giving myself that idea. Actually, he’s already been gone for two years; I can’t remember him that well now either

Kim Taehyung smiled helplessly. He didn’t know what he should say. At this moment, Choi Yeonjun answered a phone call and shouted loudly

Choi Yeonjun

Right now?! Give me a break; it’s already eight. I’m almost gonna go flat from starvation 😫

Male Staff

Yeonjun, is your girlfriend making you go out to buy dog food? 🤣🤣

Choi Yeonjun

*dejectedly hung up the phone. He glared at that Staff member*😠

Choi Yeonjun

Stop talking nonsense. Still laughing? Let’s see if you can laugh any longer.

Male Staff

Why won’t I be able to laugh?

Choi Yeonjun

*A twisted expression appeared on his face* Everyone, stop packing up; today’s work isn’t over yet. A big, big, big, big celebrity is gonna come over to shoot a commercial.

Male Staff

NOOOOOO--

Everyone broke out into dreary cries and screams. Although they frequently had to work overtime to match some celebrities’ schedules and this sort of situation wasn’t rare, today was a Saturday, and they could finally have a day off tomorrow

In the first place, they didn’t have fixed working hours. After working hard all day, everyone wanted to quickly go home to rest. They never expected to be given more work at this time. Plus, they also didn’t know how many days it would take to complete. And what was most heartbreaking was that if they didn’t get it right today, they would have to work tomorrow, which meant overtime again.

Male Staff

Who? Who is it? 😤

Choi Yeonjun

It’s the Great Young Master Jeon. He’s downstairs already and insists on shooting today

A newly hired female assistant suddenly shrieked, startling everyone present. She jumped up and down in excitement

Female Staff

Jeon Jungkook! Jeon Jungkook! I’m gonna see Jeon Jungkook in person! 🤩🤩🤩

All color cleanly faded from Kim Taehyung’s face. His hand trembled uncontrollably a few times

Lao Kim swore resentfully. He lowered his head and saw Kim Taehyung’s frightening complexion.

Kim Lao

Taehyung? What’s wrong? Are you hungry?

Kim Taehyung

*mumbling* Ah, oh, yes, a bit

Kim Taehyung

💭 Jeon Jungkook? How could this be happening? It’s not like I hadn’t thought about the possibility of running into him by working in this industry. I had even planned to avoid any projects he was involved in. But now, on my first day back, I’m forced to face him… I wasn’t prepared for this at all.😰

The shock left him completely speechless

Choi Yeonjun

Kim Taehyung, are you okay? Why do you look so pale? *with concern*

Kim Taehyung

*stood up and said awkward* Yeonjun, I was just discharged from the hospital. I think my body can’t quite keep up. May I go home first? 😟

There was no need to bow his head; he could already sense everyone’s resentful gazes. He, a man, was using the excuse of feeling unwell to escape from working overtime. Above all, he was also a newcomer. Their criticism was unavoidable. If he wasn’t at the end of his rope, he wouldn’t make this sort of request either.

Choi Yeonjun also didn’t want to let him go, as the others would definitely get cranky. However, Kim Taehyung was someone that Hoseok hyung had personally brought over. Hoseok hyung had also frankly told him at the beginning that Kim Taehyung’s health wasn’t good, so he couldn’t make things difficult for him. Thus, he nodded and asked Lao Kim, who was the most senior here

Choi Yeonjun

What do you think? Hoseok hyung told me he had just left the hospital, maybe he really doesn’t feel too well

Kim Lao

*nodded* Let him go home. Look, there’s no color on his face

The other people shot a glance at Kim Taehyung and discovered that he truly did look out of sorts. His body looked like it was on the verge of collapsing. However, as he was perfectly fine working all afternoon and only started having problems when he heard that they needed to work overtime, it was true that it didn’t sound too convincing

Choi Yeonjun

Catch a taxi when you get out. I’m busy here so I can’t leave, or else I would personally send you home

Kim Taehyung

There’s no need, I can go by myself. I’m really sorry everyone, I will make up for today’s share of work next time. I’m really sorry 😔😔

After apologizing repeatedly, he packed up his own stuff, and then headed for the elevators like he was fleeing from something.

Just as he was about to reach the elevator doors, the elevator on the second floor dinged. The doors slowly slid open from the middle, revealing the person inside.

Kim Taehyung’s heart trembled. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and tried to calm himself

Kim Taehyung

💭 Jeon Jungkook won’t recognize me. So why would it matter if we met?

But when the doors were fully open, Kim Taehyung found himself staring at the man who had appeared on the LED screen in that commercial. The man standing there was Joen Jungkook, the twenty-three-year-old film star who was now at the pinnacle of stardom—hot, mighty, and untouchable

Kim Taehyung

💭 Jungkook had grown a little.

Kim Taehyung’s memories of him were still frozen at his boyhood phase—back when Joen Jungkook favored sportswear and jeans, exuding a youthful, brash, and arrogant air. But now, the Jeon Jungkook standing before him was different. He wore a casual suit, looking calm and reserved. His expression seemed frozen on his face—cold and detached, like he had built an invisible wall around himself.

Kim Taehyung had been in the entertainment industry for almost ten years, and he had seen all kinds of beauty. But whether it was three years ago or now, Jungkook’s appearance was still the most perfect he had ever seen. It was as if God had sculpted him with painstaking care, crafting each feature with such precision that it was no surprise he captivated millions. Jungkook’s beauty was otherworldly, and his aura was even more commanding than before.

Even he himself, who thought of himself as someone who had experienced and interacted with all sorts of people, had once been infatuated with Jungkook.

His mind had no way of stopping itself from remembering all the bits and pieces between him and Jungkook. From when they first met, to their final phone call, beginning to end, it was only a period of one year. For Kim Taehyung, those memories were too recent. It was a very strange feeling, as if a person who was still a boy when he saw him last week had already turned into a man when he met him this week. Those two years, which were a total blank to him, had changed everyone, had changed many things. Only he had lost those two years of time, yet he was forced to accept the changes that occurred in those two years.

Kim Taehyung stood frozen on the path leading to the elevators. As Jungkook stepped out, surrounded by a crowd of people, his gaze immediately locked onto Taehyung. It should have been just a fleeting glance, as Kim Taehyung was supposed to be a stranger to him—someone he’d walk past without a second thought.

But when Joen Jungkook saw the complex, indescribable expression in Taehyung’s eyes, it felt like something was pulling him in. His heart started to race uncontrollably, as if something deep inside had been triggered.

Jeon Jungkook

💭 Why does that expression look so familiar?

He bent forward slightly, unable to calm the erratic beating of his heart. He had no idea what was wrong. Why was he so shaken by the sight of this stranger

They stood a few meters apart, staring at each other. The physical distance between them was small, but emotionally, it felt like they were separated by an insurmountable distance—like thousands of rivers and mountains lay between them.

Kim Taehyung felt a sense of hopelessness washing over him. Just like in the past, in front of Jungkook, he felt like he wasn’t himself. He forced himself to remain composed, lowering his head, and quietly decided to take the stairs instead

Just when he passed Jungkook, Joen Jungkook suddenly charged one step forward. Under everyone’s shocked gazes, he grabbed Kim Taehyung’s arm, using so much force Kim Taehyung knitted his brows.

Kim Taehyung abruptly turned his head to face Jungkook, feeling the weight of his towering height, nearly 190 cm, looming over him. It was an intimidating presence that made Taehyung’s heart race even faster. He noticed a spark of recognition suddenly flickering in Jungkook’s eyes, a light that sent a jolt through him.

Jeon Jungkook

*Lips trembled slightly as he spoke, his tone icy and unwavering, a voice that brooked no intervention*

Jeon Jungkook

Who are you? ❄️❄️