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“The one at S headquarters? That’s not allowed.”
CEO Kim Hakseung, who was lying face down, said firmly.
“Why?”
Lee Wooyeon, who was lying face down on the bed far away next to him, asked.
“They take guests in and blatantly ask questions. You have a charm that is mysterious, what are you going to talk about there!”
“Isn’t it okay to say it in moderation?”
“Speaking in moderation, what…!”
CEO Kim, who had spoken, saw Lee Wooyeon’s manager, who was rubbing his eyes in front of him, and bit his lip.
Lee Wooyeon was like a jerk. He could say that he was a natural actor at how well he hid his temper. However, Manager Cha and CEO Kim suffered from an ominous feeling that one day he would not be able to overcome his ugly temper and destroy his image.
“Anyway, that’s not okay. Is there anything else?”
“I don’t have to go to a show program.”
“Don’t you know that it’s common courtesy to go for interviews when doing a movie or drama?”
“I’m going to do a few more interviews.”
“That won’t work. Even the PD called yesterday to ask you to do some PR as much as possible. Right? Inseop-ah.”
“Yes. I got a call yesterday.”
Choi Inseop, who was sitting across from him, answered.
“Since it’s a historical drama, it requires a lot of investment. Of course, they want us to do PR. Of course, he paid for it. Wouldn’t you do that if you were the CEO?”
Manager Cha, who was receiving a foot massage next to him, also helped out.
“Why are you following me all the way here?”
“I also worked hard, but how can I see only the two of you getting a massage?”
There were three joys in Kim’s life.
Fashion, fishing, and massage.
Manager Cha caught CEO Kim humming and quietly trying to take Lee Wooyeon with him to the high-end massage parlour that was not available without a reservation a month in advance. He insisted that he would take him, even if no one else knew it. He was having a public meeting with Lee Wooyeon, so even though he shouted for him to leave, Manager Cha did not budge. Because the only place that CEO Kim hummed was when he bought clothes, went fishing, or got a massage.
In the end, the four men were given a massage in the same room next to each other. Inseop insisted that he would not receive a full body massage even if he died, so he was sitting next to manager Cha and only receiving a foot massage.
“Aren’t there any good talk shows?”
“Lee Wooyeon is not a talk show person. CEO.”
Director Cha, who knows his true nature, carefully expressed his opinion.
“Well. So what would be good? What do you think, Mr. Inseop?”
When Lee Wooyeon’s looked up at him, Choi Inseop jumped up and answered.
“I agree with Mr. Cha’s opinion.”
“Are you in a class meeting?”
Choi Inseop’s face turned red when CEO Kim joked. As his face turned red, the freckles from the bridge of his nose stood out, making him look much younger. Lee Wooyeon noticed that recently. He sometimes looked forward to CEO Kim’s jokes.
“That, I mean, I think.”
Choi Inseop pulled out a notebook from his pocket. He turned over a few sheets of paper and spoke calmly.
“There is a program called “Follow the path of history” by K headquarters. It proceeds like a documentary, but it is a program that deals with people who are important in history. Usually the voice actors narrate, but often the actors also narrate. I heard that they are preparing content related to the era Lee Wooyeon is acting in. If Lee Wooyeon narrates, I think he will probably make the content great. That is all.”
Choi Inseop put the notebook back into his pocket. All three of them smiled and looked at each other’s faces.
“Inseop. When do you go to sleep?”
“Yes? I sleep at night.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha. You really hit the goal.”
CEO Kim laughed like crazy. Choi Inseop realized that he had made another mistake and bowed his head. Although he learned from his father and can use Korean as his native language, he still lacked understanding on the usage of rhetorical questions. In other words, it was difficult to distinguish whether he was actually asking a question out of curiosity or using the rhetorical question form with a different intention.
“When, I mean, … When do I go to bed, did you ask this?”
Only then did he understand the intention of the question asked by CEO Kim.
“Okay. It would be really difficult for you to follow Lee Wooyeon all day long, but why are you doing such an investigation?”
“He does a great job.”
A gentle compliment was added. Like a low class person, who received praise from a very high person, at the words of Lee Wooyeon, Choi Inseop did not know where to put himself.
“I will obey my manager.”
Hearing Lee Wooyeon’s words, manager Cha blew a whistle. Although Lee Wooyeon was polite to the managers, it was unimaginable to follow their opinions.
‘I don’t know what the hell he’s thinking’, thought Cha. On that day too, an emergency call came and he had business to do in the local area. He was prepared to get ten speeding tickets and went to the amusement park where he frantically ran. The two were riding on the Ferris train, soaking wet. With Lee Wooyeon’s voice saying it was the third lap, the manager Cha suddenly thought of what kind of work this bastard was doing.
Later, he asked Choi Inseop what had happened, but he kept his mouth shut and only shook his head. Since Lee Wooyeon, who was like a goblin, had no way to say anything, the manager decided to just quietly pass the day’s work.
“Because Inseop is my fan, he understands me better than anyone else. Isn’t it?”
“Yes, … Thank you for looking at me that way.”
It was a fact that everyone in the office knew that he was a fan of Wooyeon. The report that he submitted along with his resume became a hot topic later, and everyone read it at least once.
“I’m really glad that someone like Inseop is my manager.”
Manager Cha looked at Lee Wooyeon, who said that with his eyes closed, as if he was being absurd.
‘Am I crazy? What’s wrong with him? He is not that kind of person…’
Manager Cha realized that CEO Kim was also making the same expression as him.
“Hey. Lee Wooyeon.”
“Yes. CEO.”
“Aren’t you harassing Inseop?”
“No. CEO!”
The answer came out of Choi Inseop’s mouth, not Lee Wooyeon. Lee Wooyeon let out a pleasant laugh.
“Tell me who I am bullying. You joke too much, CEO. Hahaha.”
“… I shouldn’t talk.”
CEO Kim nodded and turned his head in pain.
“Are there any uncomfortable places?”
“Yes Yes. It’s fine.”
Choi Inseop responded with extreme respect to the masseuse who was massaging his feet.
“Then we will finish it.”
“Thank you.”
He said he would wait in the car, but was dragged by manager Cha to receive a massage, but Inseop was burdened with all of this.
“Inseop, why are you having such a hard time? It’s okay. When would you ever get a service from that frugal CEO?”
Manager Cha muttered as he leaned deep into the leather chair.
“I don’t know about manager Cha, but Inseop deserves service. He was a beginner, so I entrusted him to Lee Wooyeon, just in case, but who knew that he would do such a good job.”
“Just in case? Ha ha ha, CEO. You’re too much. Did you choose my manager with that in mind?”
At Lee Wooyeon’s joke, CEO Kim rolled his eyes and glared at him.
‘How can you say that. This motherfucker. Do you know how hard it is for me to choose your managers! It was so hard I vomited blood! You bastard!’
… CEO Kim’s heart, who could not shout, burned black.
If possible, he wanted to pluck out the root of that evil tongue of Lee Wooyeon. However, since he knows better than anyone how wonderful the effect of that tongue is, he endured it with only his fists clenched.
“So, that’s why he had to choose well. Isn’t it?”
At the words of Manager Cha, CEO Kim said, “Of course,” and nodded.
“You picked well. Very well chosen. So, Lee Wooyeon, you… do well.”
While passing through the many words he wanted to say, CEO Kim glared at Lee Wooyeon.
“I am doing well. Because Inseop did a good job.”
Choi Inseop, who was sitting alone in the chair after receiving the foot massage, only glanced at the direction in which Lee Wooyeon was lying with anxious eyes.
Manager Cha tilted his head. Often strange thoughts ran through his head. The new manager, who claimed to be Lee Wooyeon’s fan, looked nervous to the point that he sometimes felt like he was going too far… he felt somewhat scared to say that it was because he was a fan.
No way. Lee Wooyeon, that pretentious little bastard, must have shown his personality to a newcomer.
Manager Cha pushed the thoughts out of his head and closed his eyes.
“Manager Cha. Did you forget we’re going fishing this weekend?”
“Absolutely. Let’s go this time. I’m going to show you the skills I’ve been honing for this week.”
“Are you two going fishing again?”
When Lee Wooyeon asked, CEO Kim shouted, “What?”
“No, it’s good to see you two because you get along really well.”
“Who else would go fishing with our him. He’s a complete cheater.”
“Why am I a cheater? Why did you take advantage of my bait while I was sleeping while fishing last time?”
“I only checked it because it moved for a moment. Seriously, have you been deceived? You don’t really believe what people say.”
“Anyway, let’s face each other fairly this time.”
“It’s nice to hear that.”
Choi Inseop looked at the two of them like little children, giving and receiving. According to the information that he knew, in Korea, the hierarchy in the workplace is certain, because the two looked like old friends.
“Are you two close?”
Inseop, without realizing it, asked. Then he covered his mouth with the palm of his hand and bowed his head to apologize.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Manager Cha served as a road manager for me when I was a model.”
“Really?”
“Yes. At the time, he was only a road manager. You’ve grown a lot, Manager Cha.”
“It’s not only you who has come far. Who would have known that a wealthy man who worked as a model as a hobby would become a president of an agency.”
Choi Inseop burst into laughter at the conversation between the two people who were fighting each other. He imagined the two of them when they were young.
“…what. So you can laugh too.”
Manager Cha muttered as if surprised to see Inseop like that.
“Yes?”
“You don’t laugh at all. I thought you were the kind of person who didn’t smile well.”
“… sorry.”
Come to think of it, he couldn’t remember smiling properly after coming to Korea. It was correct to say that he couldn’t afford it. CEO Kim, who saw Choi Inseop scratching his head, remembered something and opened his mouth.
“What are you doing this weekend? Choi Inseop.”
“Yes?”
“This weekend. Lee Wooyeon, are you off?”
“Yes. I’m resting.”
It was the last week for Lee Wooyeon, who would start filming the drama next week.
“Does Inseop have any plans for the weekend?”
“No… I don’t.”
He didn’t know anyone in Korea, and there wasn’t much to do. This weekend, he was about to read the original story of the drama that Lee Wooyeon started, and was thinking of making his own plans according to the schedule for next week.
“If Inseop doesn’t have a job then, would you like to go fishing in the East Sea with us?”
“Fishing?”
“You haven’t tried winter fishing, have you?”
“… I haven’t done any fishing.”
“Let’s go. It will be fun.”
“Yes. Come with us. The only thing the CEO has is money, he has a boat and a villa, so you can come barefoot. Of course I’ll give you some rice. Because the CEO cooks spicy fish stew so well. Of course, I will buy you sashimi.”
“Great. If it’s Inseop, I’ll go all out. Let’s go!”
“No, I just… ”
Choi Inseop was going to say no.This was a place where he wanted to stay quietly and leave. He didn’t want to create any kind of relationship here. In particular, if he later caught Lee Wooyeon’s weakness, they were the people who would suffer the most, except for him.
“It must be fun.”
Lee Wooyeon, who had not said anything until then, intervened.
“Of course. It’s fun. No way… you want to come?”
CEO Kim asked, carefully examining Lee Wooyeon’s eyes. No way, he thought. From his smile, CEO Kim was able to grasp the exact meaning behind it.
‘Am I crazy? Why would I go there?’
CEO Kim thought the same. Why would he go there?
If Lee Wooyeon was taken on a trip, it was no longer a trip.
Manager Cha muttered a little saying why was he here.
“Anyway, will Inseop come?”
“I’ll just stay home.”
“What are you doing at home?You said you live alone. What are you going to do alone on the weekend? Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No. It’s not like that…”
“Let’s go. It will be fun.”
Even Manager Cha encouraged him. With no way out, Choi Inseop began to grumble, wondering what to do.
“Why are you forcing yourself with people you don’t like?”
“No, I don’t hate it.”
“Of course you don’t like it. It’s hard to rest on weekends, and if you start filming, you won’t be able to sleep well for the time being. He doesn’t want to, but how can he say no to that? The CEO is sometimes too kind. Ha ha.”
Lee Wooyeon smiled and took the manager’s side. However, if they listened closely, it seemed like it was words that criticized both CEO Kim and Inseop.
“Oh, I think it’s a little bit like that. If Inseop is tired, just rest.”
“No. CEO. It’s not that I hate it.”
“I didn’t think about it.”
Seeing CEO Kim’s shy smile, Choi Inseop felt sorry.
He did not intentionally come to Korea to make friends. He only treated the office people in a clerical tone, and even on days off, he did not leave the house and spent all his alone time. Sometimes contacting his family was all he did in his personal time.
‘Aren’t you lonely?’
It was lonely. It was lonely to the bone. He was so lonely that he did not contact his family often to intentionally poison his heart.
Sometimes he wanted to go out, watch a movie, eat his favorite food, and get some fresh air. He also wanted to try winter fishing. He also wanted to taste the spicy maeuntang, which he had only read in books, and which CEO Kim cooks so well.
“No. The president’s thoughts are not shortsighted. Just I… just…”
Choi Inseop was speechless. He didn’t know what to say. He had never imagined a time like this. He has imagined countless times while lying in bed when he was sick, to travel all over the world looking at travel books, to become the best basketball player in the world, to become a competent doctor and to heal patients, but his boss invited him to a weekend trip. A scene he had never imagined.
“It’s fine. Inseop. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s a boring trip for the elderly.”
Manager Cha also scratched his head.
Thanks to this, the apologetic feeling doubled.
“No. I think it will be a fun trip. I think it’s sure to be a fun trip for older people.”
CEO Kim frowned saying he used the wrong definition, but Inseop was diligently ignoring that part.
“I think it will be a very interesting trip. I think so too. It’s not that I don’t want to follow the old people because I think it’s a boring trip, I just… I am…I will go.”
“Great. Is it okay? You don’t have to force yourself to come.”
“It’s not a compulsion. I will go.”
Choi Inseop answered with a determined face. CEO Kim was like a benefactor who hired him. Manager Cha was also a person who took care of him several times more than other people. Although there were times when they patted his shoulders with a pitiful expression on their face, he was most grateful to the two he met in Korea.
“I will go. For fishing.”
“Really? You aren’t forcing yourself?”
“I’m not. I will go with a happy heart.”
When Choi Inseop bowed his head and said that, Manager Cha burst into laughter. He said, making Inseop’s shoulders straight with his palms.
“I mean, Mr. Inseop speaks very strangely when I see him sometimes. What should I say? Sometimes…”
“Isn’t he like a waiter?”
At the words of Lee Wooyeon, who was lying face down, CEO Kim and manager Cha laughed at the words.
“Puhahahaha. That’s right.”
“Right, that’s it. Where the hell did you learn to speak like that?”
“… Am I speaking like that?”
Choi Inseop had the knowledge that he should talk politely to a boss at work. After going home tonight, he decided he had to find out right away what a waiter talked like.
“If you have time on the weekend, then you can come, and if you think it is unreasonable, you don’t have to. Oh wait.”
Then, Kim’s cell phone rang. Manager Cha handed the cell phone to him.
“Hello. yes, ah, yes Okay. I will be there soon.”
After the call, CEO Kim stood up from his seat. He motioned for manager Cha to stand up.
“Manager Cha. Let’s go. Take me there.”
“Go alone. I’m going to get some more.”
“Don’t you know that I drank wine earlier? Drive me there quickly.”
“Ah, then call the deputy!”
“How can I leave my car to him? That expensive car!”
Manager Cha muttered and stood up from his seat. When Choi Inseop tried to stand up together to see off, CEO Kim shook his head.
“It’s fine. Take it easy. Just go.”
“… thank you.”
“Anyway, I’ll see you on the weekend, Lee Wooyeon, you on the weekend… rest.”
CEO Kim smiled awkwardly and patted Wooyeon on the shoulder. Wooyeon said he’ll think about it.
When the two left, only Lee Wooyeon and Choi Inseop, a chiropractor who was holding his shoulder, remained in the room. After a while, the chiropractor who finished the massage asked Lee Wooyeon in a quiet voice.
“Are there any uncomfortable places?”
“There isn’t.”
“Then we will finish it.”
“Thank you.”
Lee Wooyeon got up. His upper body, tightened with muscles, was exposed. Seeing his broad shoulders, Inseop remembered the broad-shouldered hymn he had made with Jenny. Jenny especially liked the prince’s broad shoulders. She insisted that the splendor of the song should be handed down from generation to generation. Jenny liked to write poetry and make songs. He always wrote works for the prince with her. Of course, the work was never delivered.
Quarterback shoulder.
Jenny always called the prince’s shoulder that way.
“Why? Is there something on me?”
Lee Wooyeon, who was wearing a gown, felt his gaze and asked.
“No.”
Choi Inseop quickly turned his head. It looked like he was looking at Lee Wooyeon’s shoulder, unintentionally. His heart was pounding. His heart was beating wildly with just one fragment of the memory he had for a while.
Inseop pressed his chest with his hands and tried to regain his composure.
“Then I’ll go out first and wait.”
Choi Inseop stood up from his seat. Perhaps it was not an exaggeration to say that a foot massage alone would relieve tiredness, but the steps were certainly lighter than before.
They say this was Korea’s mysterious Qi treatment.
Growing up with a Korean adoptive father, he was able to use Korean as his mother tongue, but in terms of culture, it was mostly new to him. He didn’t say anything, but for Choi Inseop, every day was a series of new things.
When he got home and was organizing his new notes in his notebook, someone tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around, he saw a strangely familiar woman smiling brightly.
“Hello.”
Choi Inseop bowed his head and said hello. Even if he didn’t know her, if she knew him, it was highly likely that she was a person related to work.
“Aren’t yout Mr. Wooyeon’s manager?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Don’t you remember me?”
While Choi Inseop was thinking back on his memories, the woman looked up and down with a strange smile on her face.
“I do remember that day quite clearly.”
“… Ah.”
Choi Inseop’s expression hardened. It was the woman he had seen at Lee Wooyeon’s house a while back. At that time, he was all naked in the shower, so he couldn’t see the other person closely, but the overall impression was memorable.
“Where is he? Did you come with him?”
“… ”
He was conflicted. Looking at the atmosphere that day, it didn’t seem like she broke up with Lee Wooyeon well, but he wasn’t sure if it was okay to say that he would come out after a while.
“Didn’t you come here with Wooyeon?”
“We came together.”
“Then where is he?”
“… ”
Choi Inseop, who was silent for a moment, said, “I’m sorry,” and bowed his head.
“What are you sorry for?”
“I have nothing to tell you.”
Yu Minju’s smiling face turned red. It was only now that she understood what the manager was talking about.
“Hey. Do you know who I am now?”
“…”
“I am Yu Minju. You don’t know Minju?”
“Sorry.”
Choi Inseop just repeated the same words. Yu Minju, angry with his stubborn posture, started yelling at the him.
“Hey, are you crazy? What the hell are you doing right now, manager!”
“…”
“Where is Lee Wooyeon?”
“Sorry.”
“Are you kidding me? This kid.”
For a moment, his eyes flashed. Choi Inseop, embarrassed by the dizzy and tingling sensation, did not even realize that he had been hit in the face.
“You bastard, how cocky.”
Yoo Minju slapped Choi Inseop’s cheek with the palm of her hand one after another. The people at the counter ran towards them, but they did not try to stop her.
This was because even here, she was already rumored to have a dirty personality, so it was difficult to defend someone from her since they were not powerful.
“This kid. Do you not have a mouth? A bastard like you dares to talk to me like that… !”
Someone grabbed her hand from behind.
“Huh… Mr. Wooyeon.”
“What’s going on?”
Lee Wooyeon’s voice was exceptionally low. Choi Inseop just stood there with his head bowed.
“No, I’m telling him… ”
“He’s my manager.”
“Yeah, so I…”
Lee Wooyeon laughed bitterly. He put his face to Yu Minju’s ear and whispered softly.
“If you do this right now,  your image will be ruined, Minju.”
“I mean…Wooyeon contacted me…”
Lee Wooyeon gave strength to the hand that was holding her wrist. Yu Minju said, “Ouch,” and screamed a little.
“You must have been drinking. I will help you.”
“No, I… Aww, put your hands down, Mr. Wooyeon…”
Lee Wooyeon gestured to the employee who was looking at them from the counter. The staff came running.
“I think Minju was very drunk. So, I’m requesting you.”
“Oh, yes. All right.”
“Get her home, and pretend you didn’t see what happened today. Please.”
At Lee Wooyeon’s polite request, the employee blushed and replied that he would of course do so. Most of the shops used by celebrities were strictly confidential, but words were bound to leak out somehow.
Thinking that Yu Minju was enough to be swept away by bad rumors, Lee Wooyeon passed the woman over to the staff.
“Mr. Wooyeon, please tell me… ”
Looking at her, who didn’t even think about keeping her mouth shut, Lee Wooyeon made a slight face. He was the idiot who didn’t recognize that fucking bitch from the start.
“Go in. Please.”
Lee Wooyeon tapped the esthetician’s shoulder and made a glance to take her out immediately. Until she left the door, Minju shrieked angrily. After confirming that the elevator was going down, Choi Inseop raised his head.
“Sorry. It is my negligence.”
“Don’t say that.”
Lee Wooyeon took a handkerchief from his pocket and placed it on Choi Inseop’s nose. Not only was his cheek red and swollen from how much he had been hit, but blood was flowing from one side of his nose.
“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Sorry. Because of me.”
Lee Wooyeon looked at Choi Inseop’s face and continued speaking.
“You won’t bruise, but …There is a wound here.”
Recalling Yu Minju’s hand that was wearing a large diamond ring, Lee Wooyeon clicked his tongue.
“You just have to apply the medicine. It’s okay.”
“Go to the car. I will apply it.”
“No, I will do it.”
“It’s Okay. Don’t be stubborn.”
Lee Wooyeon took Choi Inseop’s hand and dragged him to the front of the elevator. Of course, he did not forget to greet the staff kindly as he left the door.
Lee Wooyeon, who took Choi Inseop to the Benz, sat him in the back seat.
“Where is the medicine box…  ah, here it is.”
He brought the medicine box and sat right in front of Choi Inseop. Choi Inseop couldn’t even raise his head, and only held down his fingers.
“Look up.”
“… ”
“If you don’t turn your head, I can’t apply the medicine.”
“…I-”
Lee Wooyeon forced him to raise his head by sticking his finger under his chin. The two’s eyes met.
Lee Wooyeon squeezed the ointment on the tip of his finger and rubbed it against Inseop’s wounded cheek. The touch of Lee Wooyeon’s beautiful fingers was transmitted to him through pain.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What?”
“That woman, I think she was looking for me. You just had to say I was coming out soon.”
“… I thought you would hate it.”
Lee Wooyeon laughed. What the hell is with this idiot?
“Are you going to avoid doing what I don’t like even if you die?”
“…  maybe.”
“aybe?”
“I will not do it.”
A childlike reply came back, vowing to do good. Lee Wooyeon said in a voice mixed with laughter. He felt like he had a dog that listened well. It was interesting to see his small body trembling in fear while pretending to wag his tail vigorously. The problem was that, as always, Lee Wooyeon hated puppies.
“You are very loyal. Our manager.”
Lee Wooyeon joked, took out a band-aid and put it on Inseop’s face.
“If I tell you to die, you will die.”
Lee Wooyeon said so while looking at his swollen face. After hesitating for a while, Choi Inseop replied, “I will.”
“What?”
“If you tell me to die, I’ll die.”
“… ”
“I will do that. I don’t know if that will happen though.”
Lee Wooyeon, who had been dazed, burst into laughter. It had been a long time. It was not like how he faked his laugh, but he actually laughed out loud.
Lee Wooyeon really wanted to ask.
‘What the hell are you thinking doing this?’
“Why would I ask you to die, don’t you even know how to joke?”
He lightly tapped Choi Inseop’s cheek with his palm. He thought about Choi Inseop’s real age, written on his resume, at the touch of his cheeks as soft as a child’s skin. Did he say twenty-six? Hopefully, he was not a minor.
“Ah… Yes. It’s a joke. I-”
Choi Inseop quickly responded to Lee Wooyeon’s words. Seeing his awkward smile, Lee Wooyeon suddenly had a whim.
“Mr. Inseop.”
“Yes?”
Choi Inseop, who was organizing the medicine box, turned his head.
“Is the East Sea the place you are going for fishing on the weekend?”
With a languid and lovely smile like a cat on a spring day, Lee Wooyeon asked.