Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Onboard Party
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Na Gang-in said to Scarlett.
"Well, if it's just tasting the party food."
Scarlett had originally planned to ask Na Gang-in to handle the cooking as well. But after hearing that Jessica's previous suggestion had been shot down flat, she gave up on that idea.
Instead, she didn't back down on something else.
"While you're here, why not enjoy our company's onboard party too?"
Na Gang-in figured it was better to savor the food on deck rather than filling up in the kitchen while just checking flavors.
"Sure, why not. Oh, want some coffee?"
Cheon In-gi Gong had sent over design-related equipment along with a complimentary hybrid semi-automatic coffee machine. It was a high-end model, far beyond household standards. There were still plenty of the service beans that came with it left over.
While Na Gang-in brewed the coffee, Scarlett looked around the inside of the workshop.
She was the president of Omega Tech and also the head researcher.
'What on earth do they make in here?'
A metal plate on one side had dozens of holes laser-cut into it, remnants of the process. She tilted her head.
'The holes are similar in shape but slightly different from each other? It looks just like a jigsaw puzzle.'
It was hard to tell what it was just from the holes. But one thing was clear.
She said,
"You could process that much more precisely with our Omega Tech equipment. These machines are good, but their precision falls a bit short."
Na Gang-in set the coffee down in front of Scarlett.
"They say the rich always want more. Here you are, a big company president trying to steal someone else's gig."
"I just said our gear is better, didn't I? You think we even take on little jobs like this?"
"I'll head straight to Incheon Port tomorrow. I'm swamped with these small jobs, so drink up and get going."
Shin Eun-ha looked at the invitation her manager Park Woo-seop had brought and asked,
"An onboard party off Incheon's coast?"
"Yeah. Apparently, it's a course that heads out into the West Sea and loops around the ocean."
"I always thought the East Sea was clearer and deeper."
"The East Sea's too far from Seoul. Who'd show up if they invited people that far?"
"True enough."
"You in? I already told them you'd come."
Shin Eun-ha shot back,
"Huh? Shouldn't you ask me first before deciding? I'm on a break right now."
"I told the newbie to check with you and get back to them, but the kid messed up. Want me to chew them out like a rat? If you say the word."
"You trying to make me the bad guy? Park Manager Oppa, come on."
"So just let it slide this once."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But why would Omega Tech invite me? They're a U.S. company famous for cutting-edge tech, not entertainment."
Park Woo-seop was mildly impressed.
"Didn't know you had such a grasp of business. I only looked them up after getting the invite myself."
She had first learned of the company back when she was kidnapped by the Jackal mercenary group at that seventh-floor restaurant. Their target had been Omega Tech's president, Scarlett Kelly.
Information on everyone in the building that day had been classified. Shin Eun-ha had been there, so she knew more than Park Woo-seop.
She boasted,
"What's with that reaction? I'm a girl who's super into international affairs and world peace."
"Right."
"But seriously, why invite me?"
She had a hunch.
'Because I was there that day too? We were together at the end, so maybe they see me as a comrade-in-arms? Their president seemed about my age—maybe she thinks of me as a friend?'
Park Woo-seop explained,
"It's not just you. They invited a few hot celebrities lately. One of them's even MCing the party."
"Huh?"
"You don't have to do anything—just show up and shine. You'll get paid for it."
"Ohhh."
She beamed.
"Sweet deal."
"So you're going?"
Attend a party, have fun, and get paid. No extra work.
She asked,
"Gotta do photos, right?"
"They said that's up to you."
"Then obviously I'm going. Oh, right. Can I bring a plus-one?"
Park Woo-seop shook his head.
"Nah. Just the invitees. I can't even tag along."
She pouted.
'This would've been perfect to ask Gang-in Oppa to come with me.'
"Guess no choice. I've been bored lately anyway. I'll head out to sea, get some fresh air, and come back. Plus, see some faces from that tough day before."
The next day, she drove to the pier where the pleasure yacht was docked. There, she spotted a familiar car.
"Huh?"
There's no way she wouldn't recognize it.
She'd been there when Na Gang-in bought the beat-up old thing, and she'd watched him fix it up herself.
The engine bay had been the worst issue originally, but there were a few dents on the exterior too.
Na Gang-in had filed down metal and patched them himself.
Shin Eun-ha had even helped apply some automotive paint. So she could spot it from a mile away, license plate or not.
"Why's this car here?"
She hurried aboard and looked around. Then she saw Na Gang-in.
She scampered over and asked,
"Gang-in Oppa, what are you doing here?"
"Checking the party food today."
"Oh! You cooking?"
"Nah. Just making sure everything's good."
"Aww…."
"What about you?"
Actress Shin Eun-ha flicked her hair back with her left hand.
"Me? I'm the special guest who elevates the party's class just by showing up."
"Gonna eat a ton of good stuff."
"Would taste even better if you made it, Gang-in Oppa…. Oh! So you'll join the party after checking the food?"
"Food'll be prepped before the party starts, so yeah, I'll head up to the deck after."
She giggled and raised her right hand, wiggling her five slender fingers back and forth.
"Heehee. See you then."
Shin Eun-ha stood on deck, letting the breeze tousle her hair as she smiled to herself.
"Coming out like this, the West Sea's pretty nice too. Great breeze, great sky, great ocean…."
Kim Yu-chan approached.
"Eun-ha."
"Everything's great except for you, Yu-chan Oppa."
"What's that out of nowhere?"
"Isn't this straight-up third-wheeling?"
"What's so good? Share with me."
Shin Eun-ha patted her clothes.
"What's your deal? Back off a bit, Yu-chan Oppa. People might think we're close."
"Hey, we've filmed movies together, shot CFs, even drank."
"Right, that drinking night. I was trying to have a drink alone with Gang-in Oppa, and you barged in without a clue."
"That was all for your sake."
"Sure."
Kim Yu-chan explained,
"Truth is, it wasn't about you—it was the movie. If pics leaked and a scandal blew up, it'd tank the box office. I butted in to give you plausible deniability."
"I know that's BS."
"Hmph…."
"Can't come up with another excuse that quick?"
Kim Yu-chan clapped his hands.
"Ah! Truth is, I'm a secret agent…."
"Shut it."
"Got it."
THO Entertainment President Lee Tae-ho approached where they were talking.
"Looks like our movie's leads are gathered here. Nice vibe."
She smiled brightly and greeted him.
"Oh, President Lee Tae-ho. Hello."
Kim Yu-chan objected,
"President Lee, leads? I'm the lead—Eun-ha's supporting. Make it clear, haha."
Shin Eun-ha grumbled,
"See how petty he gets after a little teasing. No wonder he has no friends."
"Hey, I have tons of friends!"
Shin Eun-ha asked Lee Tae-ho,
"What brings you here, President?"
"My brother's the one invited, but I'm filling in."
"Ah, gotcha…."
Shin Eun-ha spotted others.
"Oh? Senior Jang Mi-jeong and Min-ji are here too?"
The two were admiring the yacht from a short distance away.
Lee Tae-ho said,
"They allow family."
"Wow, they told me strictly no plus-ones. Guess that's the difference between a real invite and a booking."
Na Gang-in came up on deck.
The moment Min-ji spotted him, she ran over and clung tight.
"Snack Uncle!"
"You're here too?"
"Making snacks today?"
"Nah. Just watching others cook."
"Aww…. Can't you make some snacks?"
"I'll whip up dessert later."
"Yay!"
Kim Yu-chan watched and said to Shin Eun-ha,
"So that's why you were grinning at nothing? You invite Gang-in?"
"No, he said he's here consulting on the food."
"Figured he'd come?"
She hadn't. She only knew after seeing his car in the lot.
Shin Eun-ha bluffed,
"Of course! Why wouldn't I know?"
The pleasure yacht left Incheon Port and headed out to sea.
Guests enjoyed the party on deck, watching the sunset dip toward the horizon.
Na Gang-in's role was to inspect everything until the food was ready. Once done, he'd join the party.
Party host Scarlett Kelly asked her friend and secretary Jessica,
"Where's Na Gang-in?"
"Stop looking around. He's not here."
"I swear I saw him on deck earlier. Inspections should've wrapped by now."
"He went to make dessert."
"Huh? Didn't he say no cooking?"
Jessica subtly nodded toward Min-ji.
"Won't do it for us, but does for her. That kid begged for dessert."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes.
"What, he's not her dad, is he?"
"Nah, she's Lee Tae-ho's daughter."
Her face relaxed immediately.
"Ah, figured."
"You didn't know."
Na Gang-in returned to deck with mixed snacks and tiramisu-style mixed cake, plates piled high.
Min-ji, scampering around, spotted him and cheered as she ran over.
"Wow! My snacks!"
Kim Yu-chan sidled up slyly.
"Man, mixed cake in ages. Min-ji, mind if I snag some?"
"Sure…. Just a little."
"Got it."
Kim Yu-chan grabbed a few pieces of cake.
Shin Eun-ha approached too.
"He makes mixed snacks often, but cakes are rare."
Lee Tae-ho remembered the taste from before and snagged some.
The people they knew drifted over. Curious about what snacks the actors were enjoying, a few acquaintances of Lee Tae-ho got tastes of the snacks and cake.
Their eyes widened the moment they tried it.
"Huh? These look like hardtack but taste amazing."
"Whoa, this isn't your average tiramisu."
More people came just to try. The heaping plates emptied fast.
Min-ji's face hardened as she watched the pile shrink.
"Uh…."
Na Gang-in said quickly,
"I'll go make a ton more in the galley."
Her face brightened.
"Heehee. Okay. So sharing a bit's fine, but you gotta make loads. I wanna take some home."
"I'll make your special batch separate, box it up as a gift. Galley's got plenty of packaging."
"Special?"
Shin Eun-ha smacked her lips beside her.
"Wow, anything with 'special' is insanely good."
Min-ji said hastily,
"Special for me, please. And package it up."
Jang Mi-jeong's eyebrow twitched up then down.
She'd always believed elementary kids should cut back on snacks for balanced nutrition.
But she knew how good Na Gang-in's snacks were—she'd shared Min-ji's often. She got why the girl acted this way.
Still, couldn't let her daughter live on snacks.
She laid down a condition.
"Min-ji, at home, eat that snack only after meals, as a little dessert."
"Mom, I know. I'm not a baby."
Shin Eun-ha chimed in,
"Min-ji, you are a kid. Still in elementary."
Na Gang-in headed down to the galley and made plenty of snacks and desserts.
He sent the first batch up for party guests since demand was high.
He planned to make Min-ji's special after sending ample party portions.
Scarlett Kelly tried the mixed cake and her eyes went wide.
"Jessica, try this. It's seriously good."
Secretary Jessica marveled at the mixed snacks.
"Wow, incredible."
"Products like this would be a hit if commercialized."
"If a factory could mass-produce it."
"Then do it."
"Even famous patisseries make delicious desserts, but why no mass production? Practical issues make the unit cost too high."
"With enough budget and time?"
"Mass production's doable, but profitability? No way. Too expensive."
"Such a shame. Can't eat this in the States."
"Even in Korea, if Na Gang-in won't make it, you can't."
"Air ship it?"
"If he cared that much, he'd have shown up pronto to the invite."
Scarlett grumbled,
"Why so negative today?"
"Just stating facts."