Chapter 22
Episode 22
"Alright, now that we've eaten and drunk our fill...
Let's do some quick introductions so our new General Manager can get to know us better."
Club President Wang Mi-yu was pleasantly tipsy by now.
I'd finished about a bottle of soju myself—just enough to feel nicely buzzed. The initial tension had melted away.
"Giggle~ Then I'll go first~!"
Wang Mi-yu raised her glass.
"I'm Wang Mi-yu, President of the Purple Cartel~! Also proudly holding the title of Purple Cartel's #1 Biggest Bust~! Oh, and I'm Jo A-young's right-hand woman too~! Giggle giggle—"
Beside her, Han Ji-yu—dressed in a sleek black dress—cut in with a scoff.
"Are you joking? Anyone with eyes can see my chest is bigger. And let's not even compare—your squishy melons are nothing like my firm, perfect pair. Quality difference!"
Wang Mi-yu rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Tch— Someone's got a lifelong inferiority complex~! Soft is better, you walking boulder. And for the record, mine are bigger!"
From where I sat, both seemed equally... generously endowed. More was always better, frankly.
Watching these two bicker over bust size was its own kind of entertainment.
Wang Mi-yu huffed and continued her introduction.
"Ahem— Anyway~! I also own this building and run a host club called Lumiere Le Blanc. Nice to meet you, General Manager Park Yeong-jin~!"
Clap clap clap—
She finished with exaggerated applause.
"Next! Who's going? Han Ji-yu, why don't you show off that legendary chest of yours? Giggle~"
Han Ji-yu shot her a glare but stood up.
"Fine! I'm Han Ji-yu—owner of the actual best chest in the Purple Cartel. Currently serving as Executive Director at Company K. Looking forward to working with you, General Manager."
Clap clap clap—
Wang Mi-yu fake-coughed "Liar!" but everyone cheered anyway.
"Haha! My turn."
The next woman stood—tall, athletic, her dress straining over shoulders that could probably bench-press me.
"Kim Kang-mi. Former national volleyball player, now a university coach. Let's work well together, General Manager."
Short, tough, no-nonsense. I liked her already.
"Twelve people means this'll take a while~ Who's next?" Wang Mi-yu prompted.
Then—
"...H-Huh? Why is my heart pounding like this...?"
A petite woman with round glasses fidgeted, her voice trembling.
"There... There must be a reason my chest feels so tight... I-I'm Lee Ji-an. A webtoon artist... B-But why are you only looking at me like that, Park Yeong-jin-ssi? That expression... like I'm the only one you want... Isn't this too forward for a first meeting...?"
She clutched her chest, breathless.
"I know it's inappropriate. But if my heart races like this anyway... then it's not my fault, right...? If you really want me... you'd better be prepared to take responsibility to the end, okay...? Running away halfway... would be very troublesome..."
Clap clap clap—
Everyone applauded with "Ooooh~" faces.
Self-absorbed? A little. Eccentric? Absolutely. But her doll-like looks and unhinged charm were weirdly endearing.
"Ahem. Allow me."
A woman in a lab coat (now swapped for a pink lace dress) adjusted her glasses clinically.
"Professor Im Shin-hye, Urology Department at IS University. You and I have met before—as doctor and patient. Remember? That day yielded... meaningful results. I expect your performance to match your test data. That's all."
Clap clap clap—
Ah—her. The doctor who'd administered my PCR test. Back then, I'd only heard her voice through the curtain. Now, face-to-face, she was striking—tall (over 170cm), sharp-eyed, with an air of icy precision.
"Hello, Park Yeong-jin-ssi."
A delicate hand extended toward me. The next woman smiled, winking like a seasoned actress.
"I'm Oh Min-hee—film actress. My real name's Oh Ra-hee. Feel free to call me that once we're closer."
Clap clap clap—
The wink seemed habitual—practiced for cameras. It was surreal seeing a celebrity like her here.
"Hehe~ I'm Baek Bo-young! Just a regular housewife who loves eating~ Mwah!"
Clap clap clap—
A voluptuous beauty with snow-white skin licked her lips while staring at me. I had a pretty good idea what she was hungry for.
"Giggle~ Almost done! Who's next?" Wang Mi-yu nudged.
A woman with an air of quiet intellect folded her hands.
"Professor Na Yoo-ran, Philosophy Department at IS University." Her voice was calm, probing.
"Park Yeong-jin-ssi, tell me—when you look at us gathered here... do you see us as concepts or realities? Are we defined by language, or perceived through primal sensation? We exist beyond labels... beyond meaning. So I ask you—"
She leaned in, eyes piercing.
"Right now... are you thinking? Or are you feeling?"
"Uhhh... haha..."
Clap clap clap—
I scratched my head, laughing awkwardly. How was I supposed to answer that?
Despite her serene, scholarly beauty, her words stirred something primal in me. The urge to conquer that sharp mind burned hot.
"Gulp— Ugh, what is she saying..."
A tipsy voice slurred next.
"Can't understand book-smart types. Hic— I'm Sung Sook-hee. Own a bar in Itaewon. Hic— Yeong-jin-ssi... you like drinking?"
Clap clap—
Whether this was an introduction or drunken rambling, no one could tell. The others clapped loudly to shut her up.
Two beauties stood out in the Purple Cartel right now—one was this drunkard (Sung Sook-hee), the other was the slender woman now stepping forward.
"Hello, Park Yeong-jin-ssi. I'm Ma Hyun-ji—active jockey. Nice to meet you."
A jockey? Now that was unique.
Her face was slightly elongated, shoulders narrow, but her toned physique radiated athleticism.
Almost done.
A woman in lavender-dyed lace removed her sunglasses.
"Kim Yoo-ah. Currently running a business in the States. It's wonderful seeing everyone again like this."
Her gaze landed on me, voice dripping like molten gold.
"And Park Yeong-jin-ssi... I look forward to getting closer."
Clap clap clap—
I nearly choked. Her voice had a metallic allure—the kind that hypnotized men.
Her skin wasn't tanned, but it glowed—like polished bronze under sunlight. Half-lidded eyes simmered with quiet seduction.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
"Alright~! Last but not least—our fearless leader! Jo A-young, take it away~! Giggle!"
"Giggle~ I don't need introductions, but..."
Jo A-young—my mother-in-law—stood, radiating elegance.
"I'm Jo A-young, who loves the Purple Cartel with all her heart~! Everyone, please take good care of our son-in-law, Park Yeong-jin, from now on~!"
Clap clap clap—
As applause erupted, I rose and bowed.
"Thank you. Whatever the Purple Cartel members desire, I'll do my utmost to fulfill. You can trust me—General Manager Park Yeong-jin will always give his best effort."
Woooh!—
Clap clap clap—
I meant every word. Whatever they wanted, I'd deliver.
***
"Giggle~ Now for the next event~!"
Wang Mi-yu pressed a call button, summoning Manager Jung.
Rumble—
A cart rolled in, bearing twelve small wooden boxes.
Each was crafted from dark timber, inlaid with silver veins. Mysterious symbols adorned the lids, sparking curiosity.
Thud. Thud.
The boxes were placed before each member.
"These are gifts for our long-awaited reunion~! Go ahead, open them~! Giggle!"
Click, click—
Lids lifted, revealing glass vials inside.
Crimson liquid sloshed within, casting ruby reflections.
I eyed the box before Jo A-young.
"What is this, Mother-in-law?"
"Hmm... No idea~..."
Even she seemed surprised.
"What is this potion? Has it been tested? What are its properties?"
Professor Im Shin-hye adjusted her glasses, scrutinizing it.
"Tested? Giggle— This is incredibly rare. Only I could gather this many. As for what it is..."
Wang Mi-yu grinned.
"It's the Elixir of Scarlet Bloom! The legendary... Rejuvenation Potion!"
"Hic— The what now? You talking about your tits again? Hic—"
Drunk Sung Sook-hee blinked.
"Wait—the Elixir of Scarlet Bloom...?" Professor Na Yoo-ran gasped. "The fabled potion crafted by ancient mages? The dream of women?"
"Giggle~ Knew you'd know, Yoo-ran~! Education pays off~! Here, I'll go first!"
Pop—
As the vial uncorked, scarlet mist curled upward—like the breath of some primordial being.
The air itself seemed to pulse with latent power.