The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

LET'S go back a few hours before, right after the broadcast of [Penalty Quiz] ended.

Yujin won the quiz, and as the winner, he was rewarded with a VIP treatment to a famous spa and salon shop in the capital that only catered to the rich and famous. He didn't really feel that excited about it. Because he felt like he didn't really deserve this win.

In his opinion, Astrid should have won. The other was obviously more knowledgeable than him when it came to information about ancient Earth. But because he wasn't that fast in pressing the buzzer, he was always being taken over by Yujin and the other two guests. The fact that Astrid answered more difficult questions than any of them proved that.

Maybe Astrid had a low physique level, that's why his reflexes were also not that fast. Anyway, it's the reason why he was feeling a bit guilty, accepting this reward. After thinking about it seriously, he finally decided to just give his reward to Astrid.

With that decision in mind, he walked towards the waiting room they were in earlier. Because he won, he had to stay last in the studio together with the emcee and Lance Reid. Getting his award and doing some fan service for the audience. As he was doing that, the others all went back.

He wasn't sure if Astrid went back to the waiting room to freshen up before leaving or if the other directly left. Either way, there's no harm on checking.

"Let's go back first to the waiting room and have some make-up artist freshen your make-up," Carmine said, as if reading his thoughts.

But Yujin knew that that was not the case. If Carmine realized that the reason he's walking towards the waiting room was because he wanted to give the reward to Astrid, she would definitely go ballistic on him. Especially after that little teasing the emcee did about his relationship with Astrid.

Even though there's nothing remotely romantic between them, people would still assume what they wanted to assume. Carmine also understood that. So, to avoid any more inflated rumors between him and Astrid, it would be best to limit their interaction.

But in Yujin's opinion, it's not really needed. Because he wasn't attracted to Astrid that way, and he's pretty sure the other also felt the same. So, really, there's nothing to worry about on that front. Except, of course, for nonsensical rumors. But even those things wouldn't last considering that they didn't have any truthful basis at all.

When they arrived at the waiting room, the only one there was Myla Cruise. A make-up artist was there fixing her hair and make-up.

"Did Astrid already left?" Yujin asked.

"Yeah. He and his agent left with Mr. Reid's manager," the other said, only slightly glancing at Yujin and then went back to closing her eyes again.

Yujin tilted his head. Why would Astrid and Ellis leave with Lance Reid's manager when Lance was still here?

He hadn't had  time to voice that opinion because someone suddenly spoke beside him.

"They left with whom?"

Yujin glanced to the side and saw Lance Reid. The other was standing there full of astonishment and disbelief. And then his expression quickly turned to that of anger. But before that could even last, he suddenly looked dejected. Like a puppy abandoned by its master.

Yunjin furrowed his brows. What's wrong with this guy?

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Inside a private room of a certain restaurant...

Astrid glanced at the man sitting in front of him. The two of them were alone because the other requested it. Ellis didn't want to leave him at first, but after much convincing, the other reluctantly left. Well, she didn't really, she was probably waiting at the parking lot of this restaurant.

Under normal circumstances, Astrid wouldn't agree to a request of a stranger. If it's not because of the name the other mentioned, he definitely wouldn't.

Because of that, he couldn't help but remember what happened when he and Ellis were about to leave the studio.

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"Do you want to eat something before going back home?" Ellis asked.

Astrid nodded, agreeing. They only had sandwich for lunch, so after filming this episode, it's only natural to feel hungry. "Yes, let's. I'm already kind of famish."

They first said goodbye to Myla Cruise and her manager before leaving the waiting room.

Astrid was just about to open the door when it opened on its own and Lance's manager walked in. He nodded to the other with a smile before bypassing him. He and Ellis hadn't just walked out of the room when they suddenly heard the other's call.

"Wait, please!"

Both Astrid and Ellis stopped walking and turned back. They saw Lance's manager walking briskly towards them.

"Is there a problem?" Ellis asked when the manager stopped in front of them.

"It's nothing. I'm just wondering if I could talk to Mr. Townsend in private?" the manager asked with a polite smile.

Ellis frowned. "Does this have something to do with Lance Reid?"

Astrid understood why Ellis assumed that. The other was the manager of an actor known to be a playboy who targeted newcomers. Ellis must be thinking that Lance hadn't yet given up on 'getting it on' with a newcomer, that's why he ordered his manager to get Astrid.

He must have only been behaving during filming because of the director. Now that it's over, he's now free to do whatever he wanted. Maybe that's even the reason why he agreed to be a special guest emcee for today's episode.

But somehow, Astrid had a feeling it's not exactly because of that.

"No, it doesn't have anything to do with him," the manager said.

Astrid was confused by the other's tone. It's not like he was trying to protect Lance from their misunderstanding, it felt more like he was saying that Lance was inconsequential in this situation.

Then, suddenly, the manager stepped forward towards Astrid and whispered something in his ear that only the two of them could hear.

"This has something to do with his highness, the prince. I hope Mr. Townsend can cooperate."

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And thus, Astrid found himself going along with this man.