Chapter 119
Kim Seon-ye couldn’t hide her surprise at Cheon Aram’s words, but soon regained her composure and replied with a mix of her trademark hysteria.
“You said you were just an intern manager, right? So why are you suddenly a CEO?”
“Yeah, that was a lie. I’m actually the CEO of TwoBear Entertainment, which belongs to Team Leader Seon and Han Gyeoul.”
“Then why did you lie about that?”
Cheon Aram looked down at Kim Seon-ye as if to say, ‘Why don’t you know this?’
“I heard some disrespectful person is drooling over Team Leader Seon, who is already taken. So I went on a business trip to protect what’s mine. Naturally, if I had said who I was, they would have kept their distance, so I just played it off as being an intern.”
“…Ha.”
Looking quite displeased, Kim Seon-ye ruffled her hair and, with a messy half-covered eye, scoffed.
“CEO? So what? It’s just a two-way contract where money exchanges hands, nothing more.”
Her tone was audacious, as if she were practicing rudeness.
“If you have no ability, it’s only natural you can’t keep what’s yours. And honestly, sticking with your company is a foolish choice compared to sticking with us.”
Cheon Aram laughed at her again.
“Why do you think that?”
“Why, you ask? Because my foundation is far better than some fresh-faced agency’s CEO.”
“Aha, foundation?”
Cheon Aram nodded as if she understood and began to exude that unique aura she had when Kim Seon-ye first caught her attention.
“What’s this so-called foundation you brag about?”
“What?”
“Who’s your backer?”
Meeting the intimidating gaze of Cheon Aram, Kim Seon-ye hesitated slightly, but refusing to back down, she smirked.
“Who’s my backer? Ha, you might be misunderstanding something. It’s not one person; it’s three.”
“Three?”
“Yeah, three. Three directors leading MNet’s practical programs. With a majority like that, if they decide to get things done, no one can stop them. What you see in front of you isn’t just a PD; it represents the will of the entire broadcasting station. That’s why everyone calls me the real power of MNet. Are we clear now?”
Cheon Aram, intrigued, asked, “So three directors… Is that all you’ve got?”
“I’ve noticed your tone has been a bit condescending from the start. Do you think three MNet directors are trivial? You think just because you have the title of CEO, you understand the weight it carries?”
Despite PD Kim Seon-ye’s half-hearted threat, Cheon Aram merely gazed at her with intrigue, emanating her usual pressure, as if urging her to continue speaking.
This attitude seemed to further irritate Kim Seon-ye, who gritted her teeth in frustration.
“…Ah, I remember now. You were from Flower Entertainment, right? Now that the story of Girl 100 is all wrapped up, a late proposal comes in. I suppose you have a connection at MNet? But really, is it worth puffing up your pride over just that? Shouldn’t you bow your head even now?”
“From the sounds of it, you’ve got no cards left?”
“What kind of nonsense about cards are you spouting…?”
As Kim Seon-ye spoke irritably, her face flushed, Cheon Aram just smiled effortlessly and said.
“Well then, it’s time to reveal my cards.”
With that, Cheon Aram took out her smartphone and made a call to someone.
“Long time no see, Mr. Jin-kyung. It’s Cheon Aram. Ah… marriage? Oh, I’m not at that age to worry about that. The reason I’m calling is that I have a small favor to ask.”
As everyone watched the phone call blankly, Oh Yoori asked me.
“Who is she calling?”
“…I’m not really sure. But there’s only one person the president could possibly refer to as Mr. Jin-kyung right now… Is that even possible?”
I had one name pop into my head, but that person wasn’t the type to casually make phone calls like a neighborhood uncle, so I couldn’t be sure.
While I pondered, her call was nearing its end.
“…Oh my, thank you for handling it right away. Yes, I’ll come visit during the Lunar New Year. See you then.”
“Who on earth was she calling…?”
Just as Kim Seon-ye was about to express her displeasure at Cheon Aram’s behavior, suddenly her smartphone buzzed. Annoyed, she checked her phone and, upon seeing the name on the screen, her expression changed, and she hurriedly answered.
“Yes, this is PD Kim Seon-ye! What’s going on?”
Even though she hadn’t turned on speaker mode, a loud booming voice echoed from her smartphone, audible to those around. Kim Seon-ye grimaced as she heard the high-pitched noise next to her ear, sweating profusely while repeatedly offering pathetic apologies.
“I’m sorry. I’ll take care of it right away… Yes, I apologize.”
After finishing the call, her voice trembled as she spoke.
“…Who on earth did you just call?”
Cheon Aram replied nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal.
“MNet President.”
The name that had me pondering ‘Is that person really possible?’ slipped from her lips.
“…Uh?”
“That person is the one who asked me, ‘Are you interested in Girl 100?’ and also the one you casually mentioned.”
“…”
Kim Seon-ye couldn’t even manage a response, merely mouthing words.
“But you know what’s even more fun?”
“…What, what is it?”
“I’m not the only one who knows that person, right? I’m connected to MNet’s vice president and all those directors you brag about. Those connections aren’t just here at MNet, they’re spread throughout the three major broadcasting stations. I mean, it’s tough to make shameless requests to get those people to control a broadcast as much as they’d like, but asking for a little favor to stomp on someone who doesn’t know their place would be easily granted.”
Despite lightly mocking, the atmosphere was slowly tightening around Kim Seon-ye.
“I’ve got ties that trace back to my family from young, and I happen to have a peculiar knack for being well-liked by those folks. The good relationships I’ve built lead to other introductions. So, at least in the entertainment industry, I don’t think there’s anyone who has better connections than me!”
I recalled her initial gaze at me, like a hungry snake.
The oppressive vibe that suggested I’d never see anything good if entangled with her came back to me.
The usual airheaded antics I’d forgotten made me realize that this was closer to Cheon Aram’s true nature.
“If by any chance you’ve got another backer to boast about, don’t bother hiding it. Spill it out now.”
She laughed lightly as she spoke.
“I absolutely won’t lose to that.”
Such a reliable demeanor.
Facing Cheon Aram, Kim Seon-ye, who had been gaping for a while, scratched her head and then provocatively said again.
“…So, do you have another backer? I do. I do! I’ve got ties outside of broadcasting too.”
The business world?
Cheon Aram, sharing my confusion, asked.
“Who is it?”
“The second grandson of Jinkang!”
“…”
Why is Jinkang popping up here?
Cheon Aram and I stared blankly at each other. Remembering our mutual bewildered expressions, it looked like none of us had misheard.
Remembering that I was building something, it seemed I hadn’t misheard after all.
Jinkang, by a great stroke of luck, had quite the connection with us.
Moreover, when it came to Jinkang’s second grandchild, he was nothing more than a notorious troublemaker who caused chaos, earning himself a reputation as a pain in the neck, and later, trying to dodge military service, ended up opening a corporate gate of disaster.
No matter how I thought about it, I didn’t think our connection was any thinner.
“Jinkang?”
“Yeah, Jinkang! The top conglomerate in our country! …Can this boastful crew really handle this?”
Cheon Aram and I exchanged glances, sharing a brief conversation.
“Will President Cheon reach out?”
“No, I think it’d be more effective for Team Leader Seon to handle it this time. As much as I don’t want to say it, that kid prefers talking to Team Leader Seon.”
“…Understood. Then I’ll reach out.”
I opened my smartphone and made the call.
“Hey, Yeoreum. Are you practicing well?”
– Team Leader Seon? Yes, I’ve been working hard! Thanks to you encouraging me during our input activities at the…no, the movie theater last time, I feel like I can practice even harder every day. Oh, I didn’t mean to put pressure on you… I was just wondering… when will the next time be…
Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for small talk, so I wrapped up her words and got to the point.
“Yeah, thanks for thinking that way. Let’s find time soon, but Yeoreum, can I ask you one more thing?”
– A favor?
I summarized the situation as briefly as possible, and Yeoreum let out a small sigh and responded.
– Hah, I guess my second brother is sneakily up to something strange again. He got caught last time and got a scolding from Dad, and I really don’t understand why he’s doing this. Anyway, don’t worry, Team Leader Seon. I’ll take care of it in under a minute.
As Yeoreum’s call ended, less than a minute later, Kim Seon-ye’s smartphone buzzed again.
“Yeah… this is Kim Seon-ye. No, it’s just that… I’m sorry…”
Kim Seon-ye finished the call while repeatedly apologizing in a pathetic voice, staring blankly at me and Cheon Aram as she muttered.
“…Damn, we’re screwed.”
It was a sigh that resembled a declaration of defeat.
[Quest Complete! You have received ‘Enthralling Perfume (Appearance Potential Increase)’ as a reward.]
It was only in the second round that I truly felt it.
Connections are unbelievably sweet.
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