Chapter 128 (1/2)
Chapter 128: Frequent Occurrences in This Industry (2)
TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir
”Oh, Chief Jung.”
Chief Lee Bongjoon tapped his hefty belly as he came over.
”You left long before us, but what are you doing here? What's going on?”
”Same thing we see all the time.”
Seo Jijoon hung his arm on Chief Lee Bongjoon's shoulder as he laughed.
Relieved that the mood was more easygoing than she expected, Seo Eunkyo quickly transformed her 'I'm screwed' expression into an impatient chihuahua's. Her wagging tail was more vigorous than when she was in front of Son Chaeyoung.
'Now that my relations.h.i.+p with Son Chaeyoung is a goner, let's get close to Seo Jijoon!'
Her eyes were filled with such desires.
Seo Eunkyo was about to say something when Seo Jijoon casually said,
”Haa, so embarra.s.sing in another country.”
”Hey, why are you embarra.s.sed? Because you're both Korean?”
”We have the same last name as well, hyung. And our last name isn't common!” {1}
”That's true. It must be a little embarra.s.sing.”
Although they didn't specifically mention who it was, it was clear who they were referring to.
Seo Eunkyo's face reddened.
”It's not like I don't understand what you're feeling.”
His one cheek bulging, perhaps because of candy, Im Joowon clicked his tongue. His sullen gaze landed on Seo Jijoon for a moment before returning.
”Act in moderation. It's pitiful if your jealousy becomes excessive.”
The whites in her eyes bloodshot, Seo Eunkyo shot a look at the weasel team leader. Though it looked like she was asking for help, the team leader was currently being ripped apart by Kim Hyunjo. In fact, Chief Lee Bongjoon and Chief Sung also added a few things.
And I, well, I just watched.
Since everything was proceeding as expected.
In the end, the weasel team leader and chief dragged Seo Eunkyo, who was trembling in rage, and fled as if escaping. I waved my hand at them because Seo Eunkyo was looking back at me with a furious expression. Well, could this be considered a pleasant conclusion?
”You had it tough.”
Kim Hyunjo slapped my back.
”I encounter all sorts of incidents while all the way here in China.”
”These incidents are frequent as you work. You know the saying, 'fight between children become fights between their parents.' Fights between celebrities become fights between managers in this industry. You'll probably be in more tough fights from now on.”
”That's scary.”
”Those who can't handle it all quit, and in the end, this industry becomes bustling with those skilled in psychological warfare. I used to be innocent too, just this industry made me like this.”
”It'll be difficult for a flower cultivated in a greenhouse like me to endure this world.”
I said jokingly, but Kim Hyunjo became serious.
”What are you talking about? You're meant for this industry.”
”Definitely. Jung Sunwoo is a promising talent.”
Chief Lee Bongjoon nodded with a serious expression.
”I bet 500 won that he'll endure this industry until he's being called CEO.”
”I call and raise it 500 won.”
Seo Jijoon said, giggling.
”Let's go inside. The girls are waiting…”
I was saying while glancing inside the restaurant before stopping.
The girls, who had been staring at me with big, bright eyes, were paying attention to something else with awkward expressions. In front of hem stood a well-built man in a suit.
Holding Lee Songha's hand.
Who the h.e.l.l was he?
With no time to think about it, I entered the restaurant.
Then I grabbed the unknown man's arm.
”Oppa!”
The girls looked relieved when they saw me.
Seeing them like that, I grabbed him even more tightly.
”Who are you?”
The man was Chinese. As soon as he was grabbed by me, he stuttered in Chinese before retreating back when he looked behind me. Hearing noises behind me, it seemed that the others came in right after me.
Just then, Im Seoyoung waved her hands and said,
”Euah! It's nothing weird, oppa!”
”It's not?”
Lee Taehee calmly explained,
”This person's son is eight years old and is apparently a huge fan of Songha. Since he was having a tantrum about getting her autograph, he came to ask if it was okay to receive one autograph. We refused everyone up until now so we were concerned there might be problems if we made an exception for him.”
”Then why was he holding her hand?”
”Ah, he wasn't holding her hand. She was receiving a present. Fu Ling Bing{1}.”
Lee Songha opened her hand to reveal a round, flat pancake-like snack.
I let out a short sigh. My body must have reacted first because I had seen a ton of fanatical fans rus.h.i.+ng over.
The man was so surprised that he was hiccupping. I asked Lee Taehee, who was the best at Chinese among the members, to translate and apologize to the man. We also decided to give him a signed CD in secret.
That was how we settled the problem.
Im Joowon stared at me as he said,
”Chief Jung, why didn't you scare Seo Eunkyo with that scary expression? Then I bet she would be too scared to pick a fight with you next time. You're really sca…”
Im Joowon stopped mid-sentence and look around.
Then he suddenly began laughing. He was laughing even why coughing, seemingly having almost choked on his candy. At this rate, he might end up crying.
Laughing, he said,
”With a group like this, I bet we will have no more trouble dealing with fans.”
”Pardon?”
”Do you know about the bouquet effect?”
Wasn't it used for idol groups? If a few pretty idols grouped together, they would look much prettier than being on their own.
But why was he bringing that up now?
”This is exactly the opposite of the bouquet effect. Since we have a group of scary-looking people, we look ten times more menacing.”
Im Joowon gestured to Chief Sung.
”Look, Chief Sung looks like a fox that's more p.r.i.c.kly than sandpaper.”
As if acknowledging it, Chief Sung's eyes narrowed into crescents as he smiled.
”And Chief Kim looks like a walking zombie. Chief Lee looks like a bandit when he's expressionless. Also, this large manager just has droopy eyes. If he wears sungla.s.ses, he'll look just like a gangster.”
Im Joowon, who looked at Kim Hyunjo, Chief Lee Bongjoon, and Lee Kwanwoo in order, lastly held my shoulder.
”And Chief Jung is unrivalled. A big shot amongst scary-looking fellows.”
Neptune held their bellies and laughed when they heard him. Seo Jijoon had already been laughing so hard that it made one concerned about his breathing.
”Really! It'll be difficult to gather a group like this!”
Well, it's not like I don't agree.
Just by looks, the celebrities weren't that far off either.
Lee Songha and LJ looked aloof, and Lee Taehee usually had an indifferent expression. Seo Jijoon was the embodiment of a cold, city man. Im Joowon was slick and handsome but felt th.o.r.n.y.
To be honest, the only one who looked pure and innocent among us was Im Seoyoung.
When I said this, the chiefs laughed up a storm.
I was worried that the mood would be awkward since it was our first time gathering like this, but I was worried for nothing as our table was constantly bustling with laughter like a team that got along really well.
While laughing with them, I suddenly had a thought.
I hoped that the team I made had such a good atmosphere.
-It's Nam Joyoon.
A warm, dry voice rang in my ears.