Chapter 93 - Chaebol 2

"Ye Rim!" So ​​Kwang Sik passed through the group of MMA wrestlers as if they didn't exist, or rather as if they were mere subjects, keeping their gaze fixed on the singer, "Isn't it a fortunate event that we met again? Although you haven't answered my phone calls before… I'm glad you still remember me."

"Hey! Who does this idiot think he is to interrupt a conversation?" a voice snapped, annoyed, and Ye Rim turned to the group of athletes, realizing their impatience and outrage. Although Kwang Sik was always a gentleman toward her, it was a fact that he behaved like royalty from the extinct Joseon. But it was also clear that the group of athletes believed much more in democracy than in monarchy.

"Well, guys, let me introduce you, I'm so happy to welcome you all tonight! Haha ha!" In fact, it was always good to receive her admirers, but not all of them together, when everyone clearly wanted special attention. She made the proper introductions, and Ji Woong couldn't help but remark after finding out who the petulant chaebol was,

"Ah, the CEO of that company that came out on TV with a scandal among its directors…! Aren't you supposed to be working overtime to find out who the rats are inside your company?"

Naturally Kwang Sik was not happy with the comment, but was not far behind in his sarcastic comment,

"Our national athlete with a decadent career should spend less time having fun and joining mobs, and spend it better training more, to bring in some titles. Even if lesser ones, don't you think?" 

Ye Rim laughed nervously, saying,

"Everyone has the right to have some fun, and visit an old friend! I'm so, so happy! Come on, let's go in, and…" In the background, she sensed taunts between the members of the two groups, and already figured she'd have to ask Mrs. Song to put them on tables very far apart. The club's security guards, who were only two, since Pearl couldn't either afford or need to pay more, looked to her for tips on what to do.

But to make matters worse, out of the corner of her eye she saw the entrance of Go Hong Gi's gang, and signaled the security to keep an eye on the newcomers. She really didn't want her friends to think she worked at a mafia-run house.

Should she be thankful that both groups were so focused on each other that they didn't even look at the mobsters?

As soon as Ye Rim started working at Pearl, she was very pleased that the atmosphere was very familiar and respectful. Even if she had to sing songs that she then considered 'boring'. It was on Mr Song's birthday that Ye Rim discovered Pearl's intriguing story. When a man named Go Man Sik came to visit him for a drink and a time together.

Just by looking at this man, about the same age as Mr. Go, and the group surrounding him like protective dogs, Ye Rim had thought he could not be an ordinary man. The first thing Ye Rim thought was that this man looked like a man involved in illicit business. And her distrust proved real when she questioned Mrs. Song about who was her father's friend.

Like many of the club's regulars, Pearl's founder was a former soldier during the war. In a twist of fate, Cape Song saved Lieutenant Go's life so spectacularly that Lieutenant Go was deeply indebted to his subordinate. Later, as civilians, Mr. Song pooled his savings and opened Pearl, in a building rented by Mr. Go. However, Pearl was never very successful financially, and Mr. Go was quite lenient for several years regarding rents.

Until President Go's son, Hong Gi found a buyer for the building, which would be demolished to make way for a commercial complex. To permanently dislodge Pearl, in the contract renewal the rent was changed to a prohibitive price to Pearl's business reality. The news was the reason for Mr. Song's stroke, according to his daughter. 

President Go interfered with the 'business' his son now manages by placing a single clause to keep Pearl paying the same rent, without increase, until Mr Song's death: that the rent be paid on the due date, in cash.

Then invariably during the five days preceding the monthly rent payment date, some Hong Gi men would show up just to "remind" Mrs. Song and obviously watch over the club's progress to their boss, who would definitely wish the club close its doors as soon as possible. But the mobster had not yet had the courage to go against the clause the old boss had put in to protect his friend.

The club was now crowded, but the overall mood was not the best. And the Hong Gi jackals quickly realized the belligerent potential of the moment and scattered across the empty tables, forcing the group of athletes, and CEO So and their friends, to sit at side-by-side tables near the stage.

"Ye Rim, Ye Rim! Sing my song! "Ji Woong asked out loud, a bit c.o.c.ky, with the prompt reply from the other table, 

"What do you think Miss Nam is, a jukebox ?!"

Ye Rim just pretended she hadn't heard anything, since she didn't want to exacerbate the mood when So Kwang Sik grabbed her wrist as she took the stage, "Nam Ye Rim, I came to pick you up, don't take too long."

Ye Ri was static, she really hated when people held her wrist this way. And… frankly, he was handsome and charming, but… this 'king of the world' style was so immature! Before the singer could say anything, or break it elegantly though, she heard Ji Woong's angry voice behind her, 

"Let go of her hand, you stupid little bastard. Do you think this is a drama? Let it go now!"

Ye Rim turned to Ji Joong, alarmed and also annoyed, after all who was he to think she couldn't solve this? Well, he was the guy who saved her from the Ukrainian MMA wrestler, but that didn't matter now. 

"Stop it now, everyone…"

To be honest, she didn't see which side started the violence. Just noticed the sudden movement. Wrestlers, security and finally all of them, started to act irrationally, throwing punches, and kicks around her. So Kwang Sik's face deformed with a punch of Ji Joong close to her own nose.

She took two steps back, stunned, hearing noises of broken glass and shuffling furniture, screams and curses. She just felt herself being hoisted to the stage by her arms, and looking up, saw Lee Dae Won, with a worried expression, saying,

"Come on, let's get out of here!"