Chapter 62: Good Bye

Chapter 62: Good Bye

When Kang Gam-Chan announced a 1 billion won investment in Blue Sky, both Kim Gab-Soo and the head of Blue Dragon were delighted. Even though Yoo-Jin's likability had increased significantly after today’s documentary's airing, the success of Blue Sky wasn't guaranteed.

'I can't believe it, 1 billion in cash? Our president really is generous.'

Such a collaborative partnership, where both parties were willing to share the production risk with the understanding that the net earnings would be shared upon success, was indeed a rare and valuable occurrence in this industry.

The elated Kim Gab-Soo burst into laughter. "Hahaha. But don’t you think you are overdoing it a bit?"

"Well, we did cause some trouble this time. It's only right that we do this."

"Wow, it's our lucky day at SBC."

I held my laughter in because I found all of this funny. Blue Sky was bound to achieve the highest viewership ratings this year no matter what. Midway through the drama, both SBC and Blue Dragon would probably regret taking our company’s investment offer. Instead of having the profit split two-way, it would now be split three-way.

And that was not all. If Hoop Entertainment took this opportunity and became one of the main investors, it would be difficult for the drama staff to mistreat our actors.

Jo Eung-Gu stood up to shake Kang Gam-Chan's hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Kang."

Grip!

The two men exchanged a firm handshake and a determined smile.

"Hahaha, why would you thank me? If the drama does well, we'll also benefit greatly. I'm just glad to have this investment opportunity."

“Huh? Is that so? Hahaha. Well, when the day comes, I’ll look forward to being treated to a nice meal.”

After the discussion was over, everyone spent the rest of the time bad-mouthing Ju Kang-Yong and wishing for the success of Blue Sky.

Yoo-Jin's rise was faster than I had expected. From a minor to a supporting role, she quickly gained the attention of even the president of SBC.

***

Leaving the SBC broadcast station, I sat in the passenger seat next to Kang Gam-Chan.

"How's Yoo-Jin doing at the hotel? Is she taking a good rest?" Where Stories Blossom: N♡vεlB¡n.

"She's doing fine. I told her it was okay to eat everything in the minibar before leaving. She was jumping around so happily."

Kang Gam-Chan grumbled, "Do you know how expensive that minibar is? You might as well have robbed a convenience store!"

I scratched my head at Kang Gam-Chan’s light reprimand. "...Coming from the man who had just spent 1 billion won..."

Kang Gam-Chan chuckled at my response. After all, the cost of a minibar at a hotel was nothing compared to a billion won.

After staring at me for a moment in silence, Kang Gam-Chan spoke in a calm voice. "Yoon-Ho."

"Yes?"

"Do you think this drama will be a success?"

"I think so. With the buzz it's created, the star power of Ju Yung-In, and Yoo-Jin's acting skills, it will be a huge hit. Besides, the script itself is fantastic."

As I spoke, Kang Gam-Chan looked at me intently and slowly opened his mouth again. "You seem to be quite logical in your reasoning, but it seems like there's something more than just confidence. Unless I'm mistaken..."

My heart skipped a beat for a moment.

‘More than just confidence? Was it too obvious that I knew the future?’

I quickly shut my mouth, worried I had revealed too much.

"It's strange when you think about it. From choosing a rookie writer's script over Lee Ji-Yeon's to everything that's happened today...it all just seems to be going exactly as you had planned."

Flinch!

I felt a prick of anxiety under Kang Gam-Chan's sharp gaze.

"No, not at all, sir. It was all just a coincidence."

"Is that so?"

Kang Gam-Chan’s eyes reflected a myriad of thoughts as he looked at me.

"Well, I guess it doesn’t matter whatever it is. A cat that catches mice is a good cat, right? If the results are good, that's all that matters. Oh, and I have a gift for you... where did I put it..."

With a deep chuckle, Kang Gam-Chan rummaged through the armrest storage and pulled out a rectangular box.

"Open it."

"Yes, Mr. Kang."

Inside the wooden box were what looked like about five thousand business cards with my name elegantly embossed, made of much finer material than what I had been using.

[Hoop Entertainment]

[Jung Yoon-Ho, Assistant Manager]

"These are expensive custom-made cards. If you run out, just let the planning office know. I've arranged for a special batch just for you."

As I touched the laminated business cards, I was impressed by their quality. I was already an assistant manager just two months after my return.

"Just keep doing as you are now, even if people are jealous of you. And just so you know, the official notice will be out tomorrow."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Kang!"

Kang Gam-Chan patted my shoulder with a bright smile.

On my way back, I soaked in his sage advice.

***

As soon as I arrived at work, I parked my car in the underground lot as always and checked my planner.

"Fucking dumbass! Hell no!"

Ju Kang Yong struggled to climb up the wall with the duffel bag that he was carrying on his back. However, just before he could clear the wall, a taser fired by a chasing officer struck him in the buttocks.

Crackle!

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Ju Kang-Yong, trembling all over, got caught on the wall he was trying to climb over. The duffel bag he was carrying fell, and 10 thousand won bills fluttered out of the opened zipper.

At the same time, his gray jogger pants began to get soaked in a dark color.

The police officers sighed as they watched Ju Kang-Yong foam at the mouth and convulse down the wall.

"He peed himself. He really did."

"Sigh, what a nuisance."

"Ah, man. I just got my car washed today! Talk about bad luck!"

As Ju Kang-Yong listened to the police's crude curses, he had to swallow both foam and tears.

***

When I got on the elevator, I saw that my name had appeared on the wall-mounted LCD displaying important notices of the company.

[Actor Division 2 Jung Yoon-Ho, appointed as assistant manager]

I reached out my hand toward the LCD without realizing it.

Slide.

I felt the slippery film of the LCD against my fingers.

"It's not a dream."

After traveling back in time, I often confirmed my existence through these minor sensations. Then, a message came through KkTalk.

It was from Kim Mi-Hye, the assistant manager of the publicity division who had been a great help in the recent matter.

[Promotion Division Assistant Manager Kim Mi-Hye: Assistant Manager Jung, congratulations on your promotion! Also, Ju Kang-Yong has been caught. (Article link)]

[(Breaking News) ‘Reporter Ju Kang-Yong, Arrested in Emergency’]

-Trying to escape over the wall, Ju Kang-Yong got hit with a taser and peed himself while caught on the wall......

The photo used in the article showed him pitifully caught on the wall, having wet himself.

Everything was truly over. The stories of Yoo-Jin and her daughter Miso no longer needed to be hidden; they had become heartwarming tales.

At that moment, the elevator reached the fourth floor where the Actor Division 2 was located.

Ding!

[The shark has eaten everything!]

The sunbaes in the hallway started clapping for me.

"Wow! Star Jung, no, Assistant Manager Jung now. Congratulations!"

"You really got Ju Kang-Yong good. Trash like him should've tasted bitterness long ago."

"You did a big thing this time, huh? I always said you were the man."

"Hey. You've got to treat us for your promotion today, right?"

I began to bow to the sunbaes to show my gratitude.

"Yes, of course. Thank you, sunbae-nim."

After greeting the sunbaes, I headed to Gu Seong-Cheol's office.

Gu Seong-Cheol burst into laughter as soon as he saw me. "Hehehe."

"Why are you laughing like that, Mr. Gu?"

"Just seeing your face makes me happy."

I scratched my head and laughed along. But then, Gu Seong-Cheol brought up something unexpected.

"The viewers of The Human Stories sent all sorts of things to Yoo-Jin as a gift. What should we do with all this?"

The gifts consisted of rice, kimchi, and even colored pencils for Miso. Some were small gifts, while others were worth hundreds of thousands of won. One lady even sent a new rice cooker, thinking Yoo-Jin's old one seemed worn out.

"We tried to return most of them, but we can’t do anything about those that came to the company without a return address. Take them with you later and discuss with Yoo-Jin what to do. She can take what she wants and donate the rest."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"And Yoon-Ho."

"Yes?"

"Mr. Lee Dong-Min was looking for you. Hasn’t he contacted you yet?"

"Ah, yes. I was just about to go see him."

With Yoo-Jin's urgent issue resolved, it was time to work on Cherry Blossom. However, Gu Seong-Cheol gave a weird expression.

"Mr. Gu, what's wrong? Is there a problem with Cherry Blossom?"

Gu Seong-Cheol let out a deep sigh. "The Cherry Blossom girls...they still haven't received their new song."

"What? Still?"

There was a problem with Cherry Blossom's comeback.