Chapter 158
Chapter 158
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Shanghai Branch Scandal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Who's this~!"
Bong Kangmin plopped down next to me while I was getting my makeup done and struck up a conversation.
"Isn't this Chef Song, who's been so busy lately?"
"Didn't we see each other two weeks ago during the shoot?"
"That's exactly it—we only see each other during shoots!"
Ah, with the new brand launch and everything lately, I'd been swamped handling work, so I hadn't hung out with anyone for a while.
When was the last time we met up outside of work? A few months ago comes to mind, so yeah, it's been a bit.
I smiled just enough not to mess up my makeup and mumbled.
"Sorry about that. I've been really busy lately."
"Well, yeah. The better business gets, the busier the owner is. I heard the test store was a huge hit?"
"Haha. Word's gotten around that much?"
"What word? You can just tell at a glance."
Bong Kangmin shrugged exaggeratedly.
"That O?O churros from there was all the rage. When it blew up on SNS, even our shop tried making churros for dessert."
"Really?"
"Yeah~. Everyone loved it. They thought it was something you only get at amusement parks, after all."
Our Jaeha really shattered the mold with that idea. Thanks to him, it became a massive hit.
Pride swelled up, and the corners of my mouth curled up naturally.
"At first, I was like, how are they gonna handle a place where the menu changes all the time~? Guess you had something up your sleeve?"
"Aw, come on. Of course."
"Who is it? Did you snag some talent from a good spot? Come on, introduce me~. We're racking our brains coming up with fresh new menus these days."
Bong Kangmin looked at me with sparkling eyes.
They always rolled out new lineups every season, so he must be stressing over the next one's menu.
I waved my hand side to side.
"No can do. Exclusive contract with us."
"Aw~. That's a shame. Where'd you find them? Just tell me that much. You can do that for old pals, right!"
If I didn't tell him, he'd probably throw himself on the floor and kick up a fuss. After a moment's thought, I blurted it out.
"...A blog?"
"What?"
"They say the internet's an ocean of info. You pull some decent talent out of it more often than you'd think."
"No way, that's like finding a needle in a desert. Finding Mr. Kim in Seoul. How do you even...?!"
Fair enough. I nodded readily.
"I'm pretty lucky."
"You're too much~! If even Chef Song's got luck on his side, what are we supposed to do!"
While Bong Kangmin whined, the door opened and the other cast members appeared.
Click.
"Hello~."
"Hello."
"Chef Jung, good to see you."
Jung Haneul came in first, followed by Andrik.
"Good to see you."
"And Chef Ahn's here too."
"Yeah. I'm here?"
As the two showed up, everyone was busy greeting them from all around. Bong Kangmin bounced up like a spring and greeted them too.
"Oh, Chef Jung! Chef Ahn!"
"Chef Bong's voice was echoing down the hall. Stop bullying Chef Song~."
"Bullying?! We were having such a nice chat. Right, Wooyeun?"
"......"
"Chef Song?!"
Ignoring Bong Kangmin's whining, I bowed politely to Jung Haneul.
"You made it."
"Yeah~. How've you been, Chef Song?"
"Good. Thanks for asking."
"Still so formal with the greetings~."
Jung Haneul laughed heartily and patted my shoulder. My makeup had just finished, so I stood up and stepped aside.
That's when I naturally came face-to-face with Andrik, who had been following behind Jung Haneul.
'Come to think of it... is this the first time we've met like this since Jungle Survival?'
My schedule had been packed tight lately, so I'd barely made it to shoots on time and left right after.
"......"
Andrik gave a curt nod without a word. But I could feel his persistent gaze lingering on my arm.
I let out a small chuckle and rolled up my sleeve.
'See? All good as new.'
There was a faint scar, but it had healed cleanly ages ago. Andrik's brows twitched at the sight, then he quickly looked away.
What's got him grumpy this time.
"Wooyeun, you must be swamped too these days? Let's grab dinner, all four of us next time."
"If Chef Jung calls, I'm there anytime."
My exaggerated tone made Bong Kangmin blow up from the side.
"Ah, Chef Song! You gonna keep discriminating like this?!"
Everyone burst out laughing at that. Bong Kangmin shouted playfully too before cracking up.
"Just kidding. Guess I've been acting too busy lately. I'll drop by soon."
"Sounds good~."
Jung Haneul grinned wide. The warm atmosphere was in full swing when...
"......Huh?"
Someone let out a short exclamation.
"Wh-what is this?"
What could it be? As I wondered, a nearby crew member tapped my shoulder.
"Ch-Chef, you should see this......"
His eyes trembled faintly, voice shrinking. Something serious was definitely up.
And it involved me.
I took the phone the staff handed me and read the screen.
The portal site's front page was plastered with sensational headlines.
[News Report] Song Wooyeun 'Shanghai Branch' Controversy... "Guaranteed 50 Million Won Monthly Sales—All Blatant Lies"
[Spotlight on Scandal] Song Wooyeun Sparks New Controversy... Franchise Bullying This Time?
'Shanghai Branch' Victim Franchisees Issue Statement: "We Can't Take It Anymore"
Well.
They really went all out.
Clicking one article, the comments were even worse.
→Does no actual business and just shoves his face on TV lol knew it
→Obsessed with money
→Full investigation needed. Lock him up.
→Scam's clever lol total wordplay
→TV hyped him so much knew something'd stick
→Finally hitting rock bottom
→Hated his guts from the start lol good riddance won't watch any show with Song Wooyeun total bore
→The Song needs a thorough probe
→Guaranteed 50M monthly sales? Said that for real? Straight-up fraud.
Just as expected. They're really fired up.
Scrolling down, comments defending me were getting buried in dislikes, while the haters racked up recommendations.
Wonder if they're organizing this too.
"Ch-Chef Song......"
Oh right, dressing room. Looking up, everyone had seen the articles and wore stunned faces.
They must think it's like a bolt from the blue. I wasn't too shocked since I'd half-expected it.
Though I didn't anticipate this scale.
"You okay?"
"Won't today's shoot be tough?"
Bong Kangmin and Jung Haneul approached first, worry plain on their faces.
Makes sense. Everyone here runs businesses, so they get the gist. Guaranteeing monthly sales in self-employment? Nonsense.
"I'm fine. We still gotta shoot."
I smiled brightly, but their concern deepened. The nearby staff cautiously tried to dissuade me.
"If the shoot's too hard, I can check if we can reschedule."
"No need. Everyone cleared their busy schedules to come. Changing on the spot would be a hassle. Editing time's tight too."
"True, but......"
I knew what worried the staff. If the controversy made me zone out during filming, it'd be a problem.
Squeezing out usable footage ain't easy.
"I'll make sure the broadcast goes smooth, no worries."
"......Got it. We'll start in 10 minutes."
With me saying that much, the staff nodded and headed out to prep. The door clicked shut, and Bong Kangmin and Jung Haneul pounced.
"You sure you're okay, Chef Song?"
"Yeah, I said I am. You're all worrying too much."
"Too much?! Articles everywhere like this. Being fine would be weirder. Don't pretend nothing's wrong."
Bong Kangmin's face turned serious.
"I've been on TV too, getting judged left and right. Some nights I couldn't sleep from the pain. I know best how scary public backlash is."
"......"
"Even if you act tough, I know it hurts inside."
But it really doesn't...
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. Maybe 'cause I got beaten down by the media so much before regressing. This barely tickled.
When the legal battle with Hyunmu heated up, the press dumped distorted articles favoring them one after another.
I became the ungrateful wretch overnight, facing scorn and mockery everywhere.
A photo of me entering court turned into a meme circulating YouTube. That says it all.
So many talented folks out there. They made all kinds of edits with my face.
Compared to that, this is child's play.
But the others clearly didn't see it that way. Bong Kangmin even sniffled.
"You don't have to act strong......! If it hurts, let it out—that's how you get over it! Here! I'll shield you from prying eyes!"
Bong Kangmin whipped off his jacket and spread it wide like a curtain.
"No......"
I pulled the jacket down and continued.
"I'm really fine, seriously?"
Why won't they believe me?
As I made a baffled face, Andrik, who'd been watching quietly, spoke up.
"Got a solution?"
Ho. Turning to him, he added.
"Otherwise, I can't see how you're so calm."
Well, fair point. I'm only chill 'cause I can flip this.
"R-Really?"
"Wooyeun, you have something in mind?"
Bong Kangmin and Jung Haneul stared at me.
I grinned.
"Of course."
I wasn't just sitting around waiting eagerly for the bomb to drop either.