Be reborn and be happy to the fullest

As a high-end restaurant that even idols yearn for, its SSS-level status is certainly more than just a name. After the waiter led the two into the private room, the interior was simple yet subtly luxurious. The private and just-right space made Jessica Jung's eyes unconsciously curve into crescent moons...

On the contrary, Li Shuo was unconcerned about such luxurious scenes. After entering, he casually asked the waiter named Xiao A, "Is there anything special about this place?"

"Of course, let me introduce you both. This is the most beautiful spot on the whole street, especially the private room we're in right now. Right across from us is the most famous luxury department store in all of South Korea..."

Li Shuo only heard this much, and didn't listen to anything after that. After all, he was Chinese, and he really couldn't understand the almost obsessive pursuit of luxury goods here.

On the other side, Jessica Jung genuinely liked all of this. After listening attentively to the waiter, she happily hugged Lee Seok's arm and said affectionately, "Oppa, come here quickly, this place is so beautiful! We can see the department store right across the street..."

Lee Seok readily cooperated. After Jessica Jung had enjoyed the novelty for a while, he asked what she wanted to eat and had Xiao A bring the menu. The restaurant served entirely Western food, which Lee Seok didn't find particularly appealing. He only selected some meat dishes and opened a bottle of red wine.

"Oppa, what brings you here today?"

"To be honest, there's only one real reason, and that's to see you..."

"Hehe, you're so annoying, I don't believe you!"

"Really... How about you? Are you still as busy as before? Were you punished last time you came back? If you were wronged by President Kim, you must tell me, and I'll stand up for you..."

The two sat facing each other by the window, and Lee Seok gradually took control of the conversation. Jessica Jung talked more, answering questions about her recent life and also confiding some of her grievances to Lee Seok.

For example, she was not very satisfied with the whole of the group, except for herself. She felt that only the most beautiful Yoona could have a place in the group, and of course, now we also have to add "Oppa's relative" Seohyun.

Well, this is what Lee Seok deduced from Jessica Jung's off-screen voice. This girl is the very smart type. She knew that Lee Seok was Seohyun's brother-in-law, but she still pursued him. Of course, it wasn't entirely because she was head over heels in love with him. There were other, more pragmatic factors as well.

However, Li Shuo never shied away from this. As a mature reborn person, he only pursued wealth and power, hoping to gain the favor of top beauties through these means.

The two shared similar tastes, and their conversation flowed smoothly, revealing a deep connection. At the same time, they tacitly avoided mentioning the relationship between Lee Seok and Seo Hyun's sister.

After a few glasses of red wine, a flushed blush rose on Jessica Jung's cheeks. She leaned slightly closer to Lee Seok, her breath sweet, and whispered, "Oppa, how do you feel about South Korea this time? Will you be staying here long-term?"

Seeing the concern in her eyes, Lee Seok immediately realized that this was a question that Jessica Jung cared about a lot—she treated him as a serious boyfriend and definitely hoped that he could stay by her side for a long time.

"I've been to many places around the world, but this is the place that has left the deepest impression on me..."

Lee Seok spoke in a typical "foreigner's" tone, praising South Korea in every way possible. The veracity of these words was irrelevant; they certainly made the girl happy.

"...So, I'll probably stay here for a long time to come...mainly because there are people I care about here..."

Finally, Lee Seok reached out and placed his hand over Jessica Jung's small hand...

In that instant, Jessica Jung's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but move closer to Lee Seok, pressing her body tightly against his...

With Li Shuo's current level, he can certainly say things that touch a girl's heart anytime, anywhere. However, in daily life, because his status is already very high, he generally doesn't say anything too cheesy.

But things were different when he was with Jessica Jung. In Lee Seok's eyes, she wasn't just a pretty girl; she was a girl group idol he had admired in his past life, and he harbored a "fangirl" complex towards her. So, when he spoke sweet words, they came out exceptionally smoothly...

It started with "Xiuyan, you're so pretty..." followed by her extending her finger to help purse his lips... and then "Don't go home tonight, stay and keep me company..."

Jessica Jung was completely absorbed in the sweet words and actions of the superstar until she suddenly heard these words. She looked up in surprise and saw Lee Seok extend his wrist and point to the time on it:

“It’s already past 10 o’clock. According to my intelligence, your group usually returns to the company apartment around this time. Hmm, Seohyun just messaged me asking about you, but I haven’t replied yet.”

As he spoke, Lee Seok pushed his phone in front of Jessica Jung and gestured for her to answer: "Jessica, I can't lie to Seohyun, so you answer her..."

If it were a pampered girl, she would definitely roll her eyes and say, "You're not easy to fool, so you expect me to fool you?"

But in Jessica Jung's eyes, Lee Seok was perfect. He was a tall, rich, and handsome man who was also gentle and considerate. She could only feel that Lee Seok was giving her the choice: where to stay tonight!
There wasn't really any choice involved. Ever since she and Lee Seok parted ways at the airport and she returned to South Korea, she thought about this man almost every day...

"Oppa, if I don't go back, I need to call President Kim to ask for leave..."

Jessica Jung lowered her head and weakly replied, "Haha, no problem, let's go out first!"

Li Shuo was overjoyed, mainly because his relationship with Jessica Jung had progressed too smoothly, without encountering the slightest setback, and now it seemed they were about to...

"Um"

Jessica Jung responded softly, took Lee Seok's arm, and the two walked towards the elevator together...

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, revealing a man and a woman inside. Lee Seok recognized the woman; she was none other than Nam Gyu-ri's best friend, top Hallyu star Han Hyo-ju. The man beside her also looked quite young, dressed like a super elite.

Li Shuo had some thoughts about Han Xiaozhou, and frowned slightly upon seeing this situation. However, in the short span of time, the two people opposite him greeted him in a natural and generous manner.

"President Li, good evening!"

"Hey, Xiuyan, what brings you out today?"

Li Shuo nodded, composed himself, and greeted Han Xiaozhou with a smile: "Good evening, Ms. Han..."

Their gazes fell on the man, and the man's gaze fell on him as well: both of them looked like they were waiting for an introduction, which is an unspoken rule in South Korea: those in positions of power can wait for others to come to them.

The problem now is that Han Xiaozhou isn't quite sure about Li Shuo's background. He knows that Li Shuo seems to be a powerful overseas conglomerate, so he doesn't know how to compare himself to the man beside him.

As for Jessica Jung, it was even simpler. In her mind, Lee Seok was a powerful figure with connections to the heavens, so she naturally waited for him to come up to her. Of course, she forgot that she was the idol with the lowest status among the four. Theoretically speaking, in such a situation, she should take the initiative to introduce the two parties.

It's not Jessica Jung's fault. She was already excited about her date with Lee Seok today, and the date went so perfectly. Lee Seok was also very attentive to her from beginning to end. How could she possibly let go of her inhibitions now?

The awkward atmosphere remained slightly tense for about ten seconds. Sensing something was amiss, Han Xiaozhou smiled and introduced the two parties:

"Director Zheng, this is Chairman Li from China. He is... um, the founder of the Shuoguo Conglomerate... Chairman Li, this is Director Zheng Shihe..."

After hearing the introduction, Lee Seok immediately became unhappy and even had the urge to turn hostile: "You introduced yourself, I am the chairman of a certain conglomerate. Perhaps I am not as powerful as the conglomerates in South Korea, but I am not someone that a small director can contend with, right? With that, what is Jung Se-hwa pretending to be in front of me?"

At this moment, Jessica Jung finally reacted, hugged Lee Seok's arm, and smiled sweetly, saying, "Director Jung has worked with us before. Although he comes from a modern chaebol family, he doesn't have any of the characteristics of a chaebol. He's very kind and makes friends easily..."

This serves both to explain the relationship between the two parties and to give Li Shuo a heads-up.

Contemporary Foundation?

Li Shuo narrowed his eyes, and two names popped into his mind: Lin Shiya's best friend Zheng Zhenyu, and Zheng Shirong, the former second largest shareholder of Xu's Law Firm.

One of them had helped Jiang Haoyu, who had been made to disappear by Li Shuo, while the other was simply an enemy. Now, seeing that Director Cui seems to be quite close to Han Xiaozhou, it looks like he's another rival in love.

In a flash, Li Shuo raised his chin slightly and said indifferently, "Oh, I see. May I ask if Director Zheng is the heir to the Contemporary Consortium?"

Although the contemporary conglomerate is controlled by the Zheng family, the Zheng family has a huge number of members. Even the old chairman Zheng has many children and grandchildren. Among them, there are probably only two or three who can be called heirs. The rest are just vassals around these few heirs.

So, the subtext of Li Shuo's question is: you have to be at least a chaebol heir to have the right to wait there.

Zheng Shirong was quite shrewd. He immediately realized that the man in front of him was expressing dissatisfaction. He was also a little unhappy and retorted, "The successor of the Contemporary Consortium is a secret that outsiders cannot know. As for the Shuoguo Consortium, since Xiaozhou mentioned it, it must be very powerful, right? But I have never heard of it."

Li Shuo gazed at Zheng Shirong and said calmly, "Don't worry, you'll hear it later, and I guarantee it won't be long, maybe even tonight!"

"puff"

Zheng Shirong chuckled, shaking his head mockingly, "You said later, maybe there's still a possibility, but tonight? What makes you think I'll hear that?"

"Are you unhappy with me? Are you going to have someone investigate me later? You don't need to investigate. I can tell you the answer. You can ask Zheng Shihe. He's not as ignorant as you. Well, no, he only found out about the Shuoguo Group after he suffered a loss..."

Li Shuo leaned forward, pointing at Zheng Shirong with his finger, displaying an arrogant and domineering demeanor. (End of Chapter)