197 Exploding Popularity (1/2)

VitaQua's new commercial was trending at #10 on the real-time web searches fifteen minutes after the TV commercial was launched.

An hour later, it rose to #6, and had maintained at #3 as the next day dawned.

Yeo Ri was woken up by the loud blaring of her smartphone as endless phone calls rolled in.

It was about 7 a.m., which was not a usual time for her to be getting any calls. Even Mrs. Choi would not usually call her for business until it was about 8 or 9 a.m.

Yeo Ri blearily picked up the noisy machine, her eyes still closed and dazed with sleep.

”Yeo Ri!”

Min Chae's ear-piercing scream greeted her ears.

”Yeo Ri, have you gone online yet?! Things have gotten so crazy!” Min Chae shrieked excitedly.

”What...?” Yeo Ri mumbled lazily. Min Chae's voice had been so loud that even Gun who was sleeping soundly next to her was startled awake. She flashed him an apologetic smile and patted him, as though telling him that nothing was wrong.

Upon realising that Yeo Ri was on a call with her best friend, Gun relaxed and went back to sleep. His first class starts at 10, so it was fine for him to sleep in for a little bit.

Yeo Ri slowly crawled out of bed before paying attention to Min Chae again. Rubbing her eyes, she stifled a yawn. ”What is it, Min Chae-ah?”

”Online! You're all everybody is talking about right now!” Min Chae exuberantly said, urging her friend to check.

”What?” Yeo Ri could not help but mutter in disbelief. It was so early in the morning; she couldn't understand why Min Chae couldn't wait until later to talk to her. However, she kept this thought to herself and walked to Gun's laptop. She pulled out the browser page and skimmed through it to humour Min Chae's request.

However, what she saw almost made her drop her phone.

”Have you checked yet?” Min Chae's voice rang, snapping her out of her stupor.

Yeo Ri frantically scrolled through the trending list.

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[#3 VitaQua girl]

...

[#5 VitaQua commercial]

[#6 VitaQua]

...