Chapter 229: Harvest (2)

Chapter 229: Harvest (2)

Lee Mal-Soon's request to bring me to Singer Division 1 caused a stir in the meeting room and I was a bit surprised myself.

Even though I had discreetly taken some measures, I didn't expect Lee Mal-Soon to need me to that extent.

Cha Sang-Jin stammered at Lee Mal-Soon's outburst. "I'm sorry, but what do you mean, Mrs. Lee..."

Lee Mal-Soon responded, "What? You said you'd do everything, didn't you? This is what I want. Can you do it? If you can, I'll stay in Singer Division 1."

Though Lee Mal-Soon was straightforward in her demands, Cha Sang-Jin couldn't take her words at face value.

"Sigh~. Ma'am, if you have complaints, please speak openly. I don't understand why you're acting this way just because Team Lead Jung planned some trivial lunch boxes and goods!" Cha Sang-Jin complained.

At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon's face contorted with anger and she slammed her handbag on the meeting room table.

Bang!

The studs on the handbag hit the table and made a sharp sound.

"Some trivial lunch boxes? Some trivial goods? Chief Cha, you better watch what you say. Do you know how happy my fans were at the concert because of those 'trivial lunch boxes and goods'?" Lee Mal-Soon yelled.

Lee Mal-Soon began to berate Cha Sang-Jin with veins bulging in her neck out of anger.

"M-Ma'am..." Cha Sang-Jin stuttered in shock.

The event Lee Mal-Soon provided including high-quality lunch boxes with simple letters inside and affordable goods definitely thrilled her fans.

"What do you think is a talent agent's job? Isn't it to help a celebrity like me not fall behind trends? Huh?" Lee Mal-Soon reprimanded him.

Only then did Cha Sang-Jin realize his mistake; his expression turned troubled.

Lee Mal-Soon started looking around the meeting room.

"I want to sing and stay active in this industry until I die. But to keep feeling this way, I need those 'trivial changes' you speak of. And Team Lead Jung is the one who can make those changes."

The staff in the meeting room began to clear their throats awkwardly as Lee Mal-Soon's voice grew louder.

Lee Mal-Soon looked at Cha Sang-Jin. "Chief Cha. I know you've worked hard for me until now, but it seems like this is the end for us."

"I made a mistake. I can do what Team Lead Jung did for you too. I'll do better from now on, so please..." Cha Sang-Jin pleaded.

However, Lee Mal-Soon's expression turned cold at that moment. After all, she had explained enough and persuaded enough.

Then, Lee Mal-Soon spoke coldly, "Chief Cha, you weren't like this before. Why are you being so petty?"

As Cha Sang-Jin dragged the situation, Lee Mal-Soon glared at Lee Gi-Cheol with her charisma cultivated over 30 years and said, "Mr. Gi-Cheol, this is making me feel uncomfortable. Do I have to keep listening to this?"

Lee Gi-Cheol frowned and stood up. "No, ma'am. You don't have to. We'll do as you wish. I'm sorry for making you come all the way here."

Lee Mal-Soon nodded when Lee Gi-Cheol apologized.

Then, Lee Gi-Cheol asked, "But please let me ask just one question. Are you planning to move divisions with Team Leader Yang as well?"

"Of course. Why? Is there a problem with that?" Lee Mal-Soon questioned.

If Lee Gi-Cheol's answer was no, Lee Mal-Soon would definitely leave the company.

Lee Gi-Cheol made a bitter look on his face for a moment before speaking. "No, I just wanted to confirm to make sure. We'll handle it that way then."

"Thank you, Mr. Gi-Cheol," said Lee Mal-Soon.

Only then did Lee Mal-Soon's face soften. But instead of turning around to leave the meeting room, Lee Mal-Soon looked at me and said, "Team Lead Jung."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm sorry for acting hastily without consulting with you. I heard you got scolded without knowing why. Is that true?" Lee Mal-Soon asked.

"It's fine. Please don't worry about it," I replied politely.

Lee Mal-Soon smiled slightly.

That's when I instinctively realized it was a chance to score more points.

"Oh, and ma'am."

"Yes, Team Lead Jung?"

"May I say something even if it seems meddlesome?"

"Say anything you want."

"At the next dinner show you're having, please consider allowing your fans to come on stage through a story lottery," I suggested.

Lee Mal-Soon lacked interaction with her fans. She was a skilled singer recognized by all, but she thought she had to appear mysterious to her fans like the old-time singer she was.

But she shouldn't do that anymore.

To compete with young trot singers rising with the audition show boom, interaction with fans was essential. After all, a pop culture artist behind the times would only be left behind.

"A story lottery?" Lee Mal-Soon asked with curiosity.

"Why the formal language all of a sudden?" I asked.

"Thinking about it, it's work hours right now," Lee Yung-Jin replied.

'He's pouty. Okay, I should stop joking around,' I thought to myself.

I smiled and told Lee Yung-Jin, "I'll put in a promotion request for you when Master of Mukbang ends, so don't worry."

Only then did Lee Yung-Jin's face brighten. "Okay, Mr. Jung!"

Meanwhile, I made eye contact with Haru who had just finished his makeup.

"Haru, good luck today. You got this!!" I cheered him on.

"Thank you, hyung," answered Haru energetically as he headed to the set which was a replica of the studio apartment.

Haru stood on the set and sent a signal to begin. "I'm ready, Ms. Yoo."

The moment Haru stepped in front of the camera, he immediately switched to filming mode and impressed the staff.

"That kid was born to act."

"Indeed. He's quick and has no NGs."

"The filming speed is 20% faster than usual thanks to him."

"How did Team Lead Jung find such a talent..."

My shoulders lifted involuntarily hearing the staff's constant praises about Haru.

"Alright. Quiet on set. Ready for shoot. Scene 30~ Ready~ Action!"

Haru stretched and began to act when Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted through the megaphone. His acting and voice were so natural that I didn't have to worry about anything at all.

Thanks to that, I left the scene to Lee Yung-Jin and headed to TVM's waiting room to snatch Sung Ho-Jun, whom Kim Dong-Soo was trying to recruit.

***

Avoiding the production staff's eyes as much as possible, I headed to Sung Ho-Jun's waiting room in TVM.

Knock, knock.

"Who is it?"

"Hello, it's Jung Yoon-Ho."

The door clicked open without a word, and Sung Ho-Jun's talent agent and brother, Sung Yung-Jun, greeted me in a low voice. "Come in quickly before anyone sees you."

Without even being given time to exchange business cards, I hurriedly went inside the waiting room.

Inside the waiting room was the slender Sung Ho-Jun sitting on the sofa while playing a mobile game. Sung Ho-Jun was humming and tapping his feet with Bluetooth earphones in his ears.

Seeing this, Sung Yung-Jun frowned. "Hyung, Mr. Jung is here."

But Sung Ho-Jun couldn't hear Sung Yung-Jin's voice with Bluetooth earphones in his ears.

When Sung Yung-Jun shook his head and was about to approach Sung Ho-Jun, I stopped him.

"What is it, Mr. Jung?" Sung Yung-Jun asked.

"I can wait a moment until he's done," I said.

"But it's rude to keep a guest waiting..."

"It's fine. He'll be done soon anyway."

Sung Ho-Jun used to enjoy playing mobile games even in my past life. He used to be an RPG game enthusiast, but he switched to mobile games he could play on set due to filming constraints.

While Sung Ho-Jun was immersed in mobile games, Sung Yung-Jun and I exchanged business cards and introduced ourselves.

"Yung-Jin hyung talked a lot about you, Mr. Jung. He says you're doing great these days," said Sung Yung-Jun.

"That's not true. I've been overrated for sure," I replied humbly.

"Oh, come on. Your reputation has spread even among the talent agents in our company."

While introducing myself to Sung Yung-Jun, I subtly brought up the topic of exercise. Because we had a lot in common as former athletes, our conversation flowed smoothly.

At that moment, Sung Ho-Jun put down his phone after finishing his game and stood up.

'It's been a long time, Ho-Jun hyung,' I remarked inwardly.

Sung Ho-Jun was a meticulous and self-disciplined person, but he was someone who could be very generous outside of business settings.

And Sung Ho-Jun was quite close to me.

Hiding my delight, I took a deep breath and greeted him. "Hello, I'm Jung Yoon-Ho."

At that moment, Sung Ho-Jun gave a peculiar smile before speaking. "Were you waiting for me to finish my game by chance?"