A few days after the incident, Taeyang returned to his routine in his new home. He was still on leave, so he had more time to organize his life, which he rarely enjoyed.
However, one morning, he was startled by the sound of the doorbell ringing repeatedly. Taeyang, still half asleep, walked up to the door with a flat face. When the door opened, he found Jiwon standing there, wearing casual clothes with an oversized jacket and carrying a large paper bag.
"You seriously don't have a maid?" Jiwon immediately reprimanded without preamble.
Taeyang furrowed his brow. "I don't need a maid. I can take care of everything myself. Did you come just to comment on my life?"
Jiwon held up the bag she was carrying. "I brought you food. You should thank me. And you know, I'd rather reprimand you than let you live like this."
Taeyang let out a long breath, then made way. "Come in if you want. But don't bother me for too long."
Jiwon went straight to the kitchen without waiting for directions, checking Taeyang's almost empty refrigerator. "Gosh, you really are a detective who doesn't care about your own life. Even the instant food is almost gone."
Taeyang sat on a kitchen chair, looking at Jiwon who was busy with his luggage and the contents of his refrigerator. "I don't eat at home very often. Besides, I don't have time to cook."
Jiwon shook her head as she opened her paper bag, taking out the ingredients she bought. "Then, I'll cook today. You just have to sit back and watch."
"Seriously?" asked Taeyang in a skeptical tone.
"Yes, seriously. I won't let you starve to death in this mansion," Jiwon replied confidently.
Jiwon started cooking, but somehow, the previously tidy kitchen turned into a small battlefield. Ingredients were scattered, some pots and pans made strange sounds, and mixed scents filled the room.
Taeyang, who was initially silent, finally stood up. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Jiwon turned her head with a serious face. "Take it easy. I'm a pretty good cook. You just have to wait for the end result."
However, when Taeyang tried to help, Jiwon immediately refused. "Don't touch anything! This is my territory now."
Taeyang just shrugged and sat back down, while watching Jiwon who looked serious but also awkward.
After almost an hour, Jiwon finally served the dishes on the dining table. "Voila! Here it is, my best cooking yet."
Taeyang looked at the food skeptically. "Am I safe to eat it?"
Jiwon glared. "If you don't try it, I'll force you."
Slowly, Taeyang took one mouthful. His face remained flat, but he gave a small nod. "It's not bad. In fact, it's quite good."
Jiwon smiled with satisfaction. "Of course! I'm not going to waste my time cooking something that doesn't taste good."
As they ate, they started talking about small things, from Taeyang's work as a detective to Jiwon's college life.
"Why did you move into such a big house?" Jiwon asked suddenly.
Taeyang stared at his plate for a moment before answering. "I needed a place away from the crowds. After everything that happened, I just wanted a little peace."
Jiwon nodded slowly. "That sounds reasonable. But can't peace be lonely too?"
Taeyang smiled slightly. "Maybe. But I'm used to it."
Jiwon said nothing more, but in his heart, he felt that Taeyang was not a person who truly enjoyed being alone.
After finishing the meal, Jiwon helped clean up the messy kitchen. Before leaving, she said jokingly, "If you need a personal chef, call me. But, I'll charge a high price."
Taeyang smiled faintly. "I'll consider it."
When Jiwon left, the house was quiet again. However, this time, there was a hint of warmth left behind. Taeyang gazed at the tidy kitchen, then sat on the sofa, feeling that his life in this new house was slowly becoming more colorful.
Time passed quickly, and that night Taeyang had to return to his job. Although his new home had provided some comfort, his detective work never really left him. The job was always waiting, and this time, he had a big assignment. He had to infiltrate the dark, drug-filled world of a nightclub that was Seoul's largest drug dealing center.
Taeyang's friends and fellow detectives, Jiho and Minseok, join him on this operation. They've worked together for a long time, relying on each other for dangerous missions. Although they don't agree on everything, their cooperation has always been solid.
That night, the three of them were outside the club. Dazzling neon lights emanated from various directions, adding to the tense atmosphere. The sound of pounding bass music and the loud laughter of the patrons could be heard from inside.
"So, we're going in the usual way?" asked Minseok as he checked their communication equipment.
Taeyang nodded, looking attentively at the club. "Yeah, we go in like normal people. Don't draw attention, but make sure we can recognize the people involved. We don't know who we're dealing with inside."
Jiho, the more cheerful of the two, tried to ease the tension a little. "You two are too serious. It's just a little party at most. Drugs will be there, but we're ready, right?"
Taeyang looked at her seriously. "Don't take this lightly. This is no ordinary party. We're going into a drug lair. One wrong move and we could end up dead."
The three of them pretended to be ordinary visitors who came to have fun, as if they weren't detectives undercover. After passing through the entrance, the atmosphere of the club immediately greeted them. Loud music, dim lighting, and the smell of alcohol filled the air.
Inside, the atmosphere was heating up. Taeyang and his friends began to move around, eyeing every corner of the club warily. They wore the right clothes to blend into the crowd, pretending to enjoy the party, while they were actually monitoring the transactions going on around them.
Jiho, acting more casually, stepped up to the bar, trying to approach some suspicious-looking people. Meanwhile, Taeyang and Minseok moved more cautiously, following the flow of people that seemed to lead to the VIP room at the back of the club.
"Over there, in the VIP room," Minseok whispered to Taeyang, pointing to a door at the end of the hallway that was heavily guarded by several large men. "This is the place of suspicion."
Taeyang nodded slowly, fixing his gaze on the two large men standing in front of the door. They were not random people, but Taeyang knew how to smuggle himself in without drawing attention. He suggested that they approach separately.
They managed to get pretty close to the VIP room, but things got tense when one of the men at the door got close to Taeyang. Luck was still on their side when Taeyang thought quickly and asked a casual question to break the ice.
"I heard there's a big party here tonight," Taeyang said in a casual voice. "Are there any spots still available?"
The man looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "The place at the back is full. But if you're serious, you might be able to get in. But be careful, the VIP room is for important people."
Taeyang tried to stay calm. "Thanks, I'll try there."
With a bit of luck, Taeyang managed to distract the man and sneak into the VIP room without attracting much attention. Once inside, he quickly realized that the place was indeed used for drug dealing-the large tables were filled with suspicious-looking people, while some people were seated lounging.
However, as they began to approach the target, the situation became more complicated. A man in a black suit who looked more organized than the others suddenly approached them.
"Why are you here?" the man asked in a suspicious tone, looking at them with a sharp gaze.
Taeyang thought quickly. "We're just enjoying the night, what's the problem?" he replied in a calm yet alert voice.
The man didn't leave right away. Fortunately, Minseok appeared with a cup of drink which he handed to the man.
"Relax, we just came to have a good time," Minseok added with a big smile, which apparently calmed the man down.
However, Taeyang knew they couldn't wait any longer. Their time was running out, and he could sense that this situation would quickly turn very dangerous.
The situation grew tense as one of the people sitting at the VIP table suddenly stood up and walked towards them. He looked suspicious, wearing clothes that were too neat for this kind of atmosphere, as if he wasn't someone who was used to being in a place like this. Taeyang immediately observed his movements, wary. That person was walking with a clear purpose.
"Something seems fishy," Taeyang whispered to Minseok and Jiho. "We need to get out of here, but don't get caught."
The three of them started moving slowly towards the exit, trying not to attract attention. However, right before they exited, someone approached them with quick steps.
"Hey, you guys!" the man shouted. "What are you doing here?"
Taeyang, who was prepared for the situation, immediately responded calmly. "We're just looking for friends. There's nothing to worry about."
However, the man kept looking at them suspiciously. As he tried to contact someone through his cell phone, Taeyang felt the tension rise. He signaled Jiho and Minseok to prepare for whatever might happen.
Soon, the sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance. The club's exit doors opened wide, and in an instant, the crowd began to panic. This was the moment they'd been waiting for. Taeyang signaled his friends to move quickly, to get out of the club before things got even more chaotic.
However, just as they were about to reach the exit, someone stopped them-the person who had been talking to Taeyang. The man had returned with two large bodyguards standing in front of the door.
"Now, you're not going anywhere," the man said, his face full of menace.
"Don't make any more trouble," Taeyang replied firmly, but his eyes never left the bodyguards standing around them. "We're just here to investigate, and if you don't get in our way, this will all go smoothly."
But the male bodyguards didn't seem to understand. One of them came forward, trying to grab Taeyang. With quick reflexes, Taeyang dodged and hit the bodyguard's wrist, knocking him to the floor.
Jiho and Minseok didn't stay still. They jumped into action, dodging attacks and fighting back with the quick movements they had practiced over the years. But even though they were well-trained, the number of bodyguards was growing, and the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Taeyang moved quickly, fighting off the bodyguards who attacked them one by one. His deadly and tactical martial arts moves allowed them to survive. However, even though they managed to take out several bodyguards, the man leading them remained standing at the exit, blocking their way.
"Come on out! We have to leave immediately!" shouted Minseok, while fighting off one of the bodyguards trying to stop them.
At that moment, Taeyang realized that the situation was getting worse. If they didn't get out soon, they could be stuck there longer, and it was possible that the opposing party would tighten the surveillance even more. Outside the club, the sound of sirens grew louder, signaling the arrival of the police. Taeyang decided to make a big move.
"Minseok, Jiho, follow me!" Taeyang ordered.
With quick and swift movements, Taeyang led them out of the club and into the narrow alley at the back, which led to the main street. They ran without looking back, trying to avoid pursuit. However, they knew they couldn't run forever.
Just as they reached the main street, a black car suddenly stopped in front of them. The door opened, and someone waved.
"Come on, hurry!" a voice Taeyang recognized came from the car.
It was their colleague in the police force, who had come in time to pick them up. Without many words, the three of them immediately jumped into the car and sped away from the club, leaving the chaos behind them.
Inside the car, they sat in silence, their breathing ragged after the fight that had just taken place. Although they made it out alive, there was a feeling of anxiety hanging in the air.
"Everything's fine, but we're not done yet," Taeyang said, his eyes focused ahead. "We still have to uncover who's behind this deal. This is just the beginning."
Jiho looked at him, then nodded slowly. "But at least, we managed to gather some information. We'll know more afterward."
Minseok patted Taeyang's shoulder. "We'll do it together. Nothing can stop us."
The four of them drove away from the scene, and although the night was full of tension, Taeyang knew that this mission had only just begun. The events of that night would bring them closer to the main culprit they were looking for. But one thing was certain-the difficulties and dangers would only grow.