Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: 500 Points Out of 100
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It was already hot enough, but now it was blazing red. Executive Director Joo no longer had a sense of how the people searching for Cha Dowon would change.
“A giant has been born?”
And this was the real deal.
That was the feeling.
‘It won’t be minor CFs anymore.’
In her mind, Cha Dowon’s value had hit the ceiling.
Of course, he’d always been smart, handsome, and a good actor. But now he was even insightful.
‘And now we add the image of cherishing his family.’
Executive Director Joo gazed at Cha Dowon in the photo. Thanks to the stylist’s attention, his appearance stood out sharply compared to the reporters on the street.
“What am I going to do with you.”
The public’s reaction was hot, but the fans were on another level. Friends had always had a strong fandom, but this surpassed imagination.
‘The fans are insanely powerful?’
A fandom had been born that seemed ready to crush and devour any pebble in Dowon’s path.
‘Honestly, I get it.’
A thriving star suddenly collapsing because of a surprise family—it was natural to be outraged.
“But Dowon, you’ve done something tremendous.”
You satisfied this fandom.
“People love winners.”
Why else say the winning side is our side? They want to share in the joy of victory.
“You fulfilled that, so your fandom is about to get even scarier?”
Executive Director Joo kicked off her shoes and propped her legs on the desk. She stretched and reflected.
‘I thought I’d seen every scenario raising these kids, but I was wrong.’
There were cases like this.
‘A kid with speech skills rivaling a politician actually exists in this world!’
Scary. These young ones nowadays.
“No. It’s Cha Dowon who’s abnormal.”
How did this bundle of fortune roll right in?
Executive Director Joo shook her head. Honestly, he was tricky and finicky to handle, but his value overflowed.
‘I should buy him some meat.’
Executive Director Joo muttered while looking at the monitor.
“Good job, Dowon.”
You worked hard, so now it’s my turn.
Executive Director Joo unlocked her smartphone pattern. Then she made a call somewhere. It was time for Friends to counterattack.
***
“Want a drink?”
Kang Minje asked. I shook my head.
“I’m a minor, hyung.”
“Oh, right. Now that you mention it, you refused back then too.”
“Why bring alcohol?”
“Whiskey. Seeing you just makes me want to drink.”
Steaks littered the table. I silently sliced and chewed pieces of meat.
“You’re recording—okay to drink?”
“A little is fine. Plus, I want to celebrate today.”
I tilted my head.
“Celebrate what?”
“Cha Dowon’s first press conference.”
I chuckled and dug into the meat heartily.
“Eating alone feels weird. No members either.”
“I wanted to dine just the two of us. Told Hajin ahead. Figured you’d want somewhere quiet.”
I chuckled. Well, the press conference had been noisy.
“What can you do? I’m an entertainer.”
Gotta get used to the noise. Silence can be found anytime.
“Saw your press conference today.”
“How was it?”
“500 out of 100.”
“You’re generous.”
I kept eating meat diligently, but the fox cub just drank.
“Watching your conference made me so curious, Dowon.”
“Ah, so you bought dinner to ask questions?”
“Yeah. That a problem?”
Kang Minje blinked. Annoyingly sly, but the meat was good.
“Go ahead.”
“You thought it all through before starting?”
What a obvious question.
“Yeah.”
“Guessed you could turn it around like that?”
“Yeah. Our country’s weak to family. Well, every country is, but ours especially. They set the trap framing it as family, so…”
I speared some grilled asparagus with my fork.
“I had to attack with family too. It worked better than expected.”
“Impressive, our Dowon.”
“That’s why I could do it.”
Kang Minje blinked. Ah, did that sound boastful?
“Hajin hyung, Seungjun, and you couldn’t use this method.”
Kang Minje’s eyes wavered.
“All three have close family issues, right? Too close in relation—hard to make excuses.”
Reject a con artist grandma to protect my sister.
‘This method’s only for me among Zenith members.’
If it were my sister in trouble, even I couldn’t do this.
“I-I see.”
“Well, if your family becomes an issue later, it’ll slide easily because of me. Even unrelated stuff—they’ll associate, ‘Same member, probably similar?’”
Kang Minje nodded.
As expected.
Congrats on dodging the bullet, you bastard.
“Wondered why Minje hyung was treating. Expensive meat makes sense now.”
“No, the meat…”
Kang Minje whispered softly.
“Just wanted to feed you.”
As if, fox cub.
“Well, eating well. Worth the price.”
“Yeah. That’s it. Hajin bawled watching your video.”
“Leader hyung cried? That guy’s sneakily soft. How’s he gonna survive this harsh world, geez.”
Kang Minje rested his chin on the table and asked.
“What about me?”
What’s that supposed to mean? Damn.
“Do I seem soft too?”
“You, Minje hyung? No. You seem stronger than me.”
Kang Minje downed his whiskey again.
“Thought I was stronger than you, Dowon. But today? You’re tougher than I thought.”
“So?”
“Seemed stronger than me.”
“Honored.”
What’s it matter?
“Hey, Dowon.”
“Yeah. What is it, hyung?”
“Will you make me look forward like you do Hajin?”
My brows furrowed. What the hell is this guy saying?
“You want to lean on me?”
“Sometimes?”
“Don’t. Too heavy.”
Damn. What’s he thinking?
“Harsh. You hate me?”
Yeah.
I smiled brightly.
“Why would I hate you, hyung?”
“Then make me look forward too.”
“Why lean on someone stronger than you?”
Kang Minje muttered.
“Jealous.”
Of who?
“Jealous of Hajin and Seungjun. You pity them.”
Whoa.
Chills ran from toes to scalp. Afraid the meat would come up, I said quickly.
“From now on, think I pity you?”
Damn. What’s this melodrama? Eating expensive food and dealing with this crap.
“Oh, you’ll do that?”
“Yeah. Starting now. Geez.”
Kang Minje rested his chin and smiled. I sighed and shook my head. What did this guy eat wrong?
“Congrats—half your risk factor’s gone.”
Not intentional, but whatever.
“Your childhood secret, right? But if your mom’s issue arises, I’ll defend you. Only I know your past.”
For the team, too.
Kang Minje suddenly bowed his head. His hair cascaded down softly.
‘Why’s he acting deep?’
He said nothing. I didn’t wait—just sliced and ate meat. Expensive stuff tasted good.
“I-I see.”
Kang Minje smiled faintly.
“Thought my secret was a weakness, but you could help.”
“Minje hyung?”
“Puhahaha!”
He laughed heartily, tears streaming.
“What’s so funny?”
“No, just hilarious. I see. It could be like that!”
Kang Minje forgot his drink, just kept laughing.
‘It’ll stop eventually.’
I quietly called the waiter. Then smiled brightly.
“One more of what we ate.”
Kang Minje hurriedly stopped me.
“T-That’s course menu?”
“Still.”
You’re paying. Listening to your nonsense? Gotta eat expensive to not feel ripped off. The waiter left promptly. But Kang Minje’s laughter didn’t stop easily.
***
“Hello!”
“Oh, Dowon! Me and my kid are your fans! Come on, say hi to Dowon hyung.”
“Hi, hyung?”
“Hi? Nice to meet you. Ah, thank you.”
I smiled brightly and signed. The housewife-looking lady fussed excitedly, receiving the signed item.
“Mom! Mine!”
“Yes, yes!”
The kid waved back at me as she turned. I waved until the end.
“Kyaa! Real Cha Dowon! Oppa! I love you to death!”
This time, a high school girl in uniform. I smiled brightly.
‘Looks like high school?’
Then I’m the little brother?
“Oppa, why a signing event like this? Not even fan club, promo’s weird!”
“Fan signing later, probably.”
“Still, oppa’s signing at a department store? And 50,000 won probiotics for a sign? Too cheap!”
I smiled brightly and signed silently.
“Complicated circumstances for the organizers, probably.”
“Kyaa! Signed! Right, seeing you like this is enough! I’m totally hooked! Oppa, love you to death!”
The high schooler bounced away. I quietly eyed the back line. About five left.
A staffer whispered beside me.
“Cut it short on purpose. Guerrilla signing, no promo. Probiotic sign-ups sold out like hotcakes.”
“Well, sells well—good.”
“Cha Dowon-ssi! Thank you so much for this for our probiotics.”
“No biggie. You’re the only company that trusted me.”
Once the press conference settled, my first act was ‘repayment.’
‘Executive Director Joo, any advertiser who didn’t flip out then?’
She named this probiotic company right away.
I smiled at the staffer again. Building debts wasn’t bad.
‘Petty revenge on those who did flip out, too.’
Next was a family. They smiled on handshake. Their flushed cheeks were cute—I kept waving.
Soon, the last one.
“Huh?”
Unexpected—I stood up.
“Jung Ji-seok-ssi?”
The middle-aged actor glanced around and approached. I bowed then straightened. Jung Ji-seok alone was fine, but a woman followed.
“Hello.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Jung Ji-seok’s wife, Lee Na-kyung.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Cha Dowon.”
Lee Na-kyung smiled and said.
“You can do the idol greeting.”
Unique lady. Living with Jung Ji-seok influence her?
‘Well, if she wants.’
I straightened, smiled brightly.
“Zenith to you! Hello, I’m Cha Dowon of Zenith.”
“Oh my!”
Lee Na-kyung beamed, hopping.
“Seeing this in person! Honey! I can die happy today!”
“Don’t say that! Leaving me alone?”
“Oh, right. Sorry.”
What’s with this quirky couple?
Jung Ji-seok turned to me.
“I-It’s coincidence.”
Really?
“Asked your manager’s schedule, but coincidence.”
“How’s that coincidence?”
“Right, honey. Not coincidence. Fate.”
“Ah, is it?”
No, what changes with fate?
Bewildered by the couple, Jung Ji-seok grinned.
“Wanted to see you.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Wife wanted too. Came together.”
Damn.
“I’ve been a fan since debut, Dowon-ssi!”
“Thank you.”
“Husband got scolded for ‘adopting you as son’ talk? He’s sentimental like that.”
Suddenly, the wife seemed angelic. Thankfully sensible. She held my hand.
“But when’re you changing your registry?”
“Huh?”
“Seeing you in person—could really be our son?”
“See? Knew you’d like him!”
“Sooner the better. Make a room for Dowon-ssi? Family lives together. Right?”
Serious?
As I froze speechless, Lee Na-kyung covered her mouth laughing.
“Kidding. Joke. Oh, look at you flustered. So cute. Wow, really wanna adopt you as son!”