Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Jihyang Township
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It took two hours by train from Seoul, followed by an hour and a half on a bus that only ran a few times a day, to finally reach this rural village.
Even the nearest convenience store was a fifteen-minute drive away. And that one closed at 8 p.m., with no weekends at all.
This was a place where everyone knew exactly how many spoons and chopsticks the neighbors owned.
Jihyang Township.
I took a deep breath. Sssup~, whoo. The scent of earth seeped deep into my lungs.
There were more trucks than sedans, more elders than young folks, and most residents made their living from farming.
That was Jihyang Township.
It was your typical rural village in Korea. With just one exception.
And what was that...?
"Oh my. You're the one who called, right?"
As I was taking in the long-unseen sights, a familiar voice called from behind me.
I turned to see a man wearing comfortable work clothes and a straw hat pulled low to block the hot sun. He looked more like a grandfather than an uncle.
It was the village head.
"Yes, Village Head. I'm Song Woo-yeon."
"Oh dear. A young lady from Seoul all the way out here in this rural backwater."
"As I mentioned, I came in person because I have something important to discuss."
The village head twitched his eyebrows at my words.
"For a young person, you've got good manners. Polite and all. Huh?"
"Oh, no need for that. It's only natural."
"Right. That's what I'm saying. In the end, it's a society where people live together, and dealings are between people. What good is trying to solve everything over the phone?"
Exactly.
There are things you can't see just by shuffling papers from an office.
"As I said, all I can do is gather the village elders. After that, sweet-talking them is up to you. Got it?"
"Of course."
"Then that fellow back there—is he with you too?"
"Yes?"
What was that supposed to mean? I hadn't brought Joeyuk or No Se-hee on purpose.
They were busy enough as it was, so I'd taken the early morning train alone to handle this myself.
But what was this about "that fellow"?
I turned my head in confusion—and froze.
"Hmm?"
He was hiding behind an old village tree, but his protruding shirttail gave him away. And what was with that outfit that didn't fit the countryside at all?
A shirt and jeans. Pure city boy getup.
"Haha..."
The man let out an awkward laugh as all eyes turned to him and stepped out to the side.
He must have realized hiding was pointless. He scratched the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile, a large camera in one hand, and a pen and notebook tucked into his shirt pocket.
'Reporter?'
I couldn't help but think it.
'But what’s a reporter doing in a rural village like this...? Ah!'
-[Economy Newspaper] or something called, saying they want to interview the boss. What should we do?
-Have you heard the reporter's name?
-Yeah. Kang Yu-ha, I think.
Right. There had been that.
At the time, the name "Kang Yu-ha" had seemed vaguely familiar, but I'd brushed it off.
I'd wondered who it was just from the name, but now face-to-face, a fragment of an old memory flashed through my mind.
-Are you Song Woo-yeon, president of [The Song]?
-Yes. And you are?
-Kang Yu-ha from [Economy Newspaper].
His eyes were sunken, his speech hurried like someone on the run.
-I'm investigating Hyunmu. Could we talk for a moment?
I'd assumed he was digging into our confidential contract with Hyunmu. Wondering where the leak came from, I'd politely turned him down.
-Sorry, but not right now. Let's meet next time.
-Wait, just a moment. Ten minutes is all I need. Ten minutes...
-Sorry.
I'd bowed and walked right past.
'Yeah. That was it.'
Even when I learned about Hyunmu's corruption, this reporter was the first person I thought of. I'd dug through all my jackets to find the business card he'd practically shoved into my pocket.
If the court ruling didn't hold till the end, I planned to expose it all.
But...
'It's that reporter. We only met briefly before, but he's got skills.'
He'd sniffed out Hyunmu's dirty secrets and spotted the potential in [The Song], just starting to sprout.
And now, it looked like he'd been tailing me discreetly.
He'd requested the interview first to avoid suspicion. And showing up in this remote village in an outfit screaming "I'm on assignment."
Running into me was proof.
'Well, can't blame him.'
I'd been succeeding beyond all reason.
"You're not here with that Seoul guy, are you?"
The village head's eyes narrowed. It was obvious he was thinking, 'What drifter is this, coming to our village to stir trouble?' One wrong move, and we could get run out.
These rural spots didn't even have inns. What gave this reporter the guts to follow me here?
As the village head's glare sharpened, Kang Yu-ha tensed up, sensing the danger.
No choice.
"Yes, he's with me. My assistant."
"Oh, really?"
The village head's face lit up instantly.
Kang Yu-ha looked baffled, so I shot him a look to play along.
"I was wondering. Our village is a bit touchy about outsiders, you see."
"Haha. Of course. Village Head, this is Kang Yu-ha."
"Pleased to meet you."
Kang Yu-ha bowed awkwardly to the village head, who nodded approvingly.
"Yeah, yeah. All right. Seoul folks, the elders will finish fieldwork and gather at the village hall later. Come then."
"Yes, got it. Thank you, sir!"
The village head waved dismissively and left.
Just me and Kang Yu-ha stood alone in the middle of the village. He cleared his throat and pulled a business card from his pocket, handing it to me.
"Whew, thanks for the save. Kang Yu-ha here. ...But how'd you know my name?"
"I heard about it before."
I took the card. Kang Yu-ha, [Economy Newspaper]. As expected.
"You requested an interview with me."
"Ah! Right, yes. You remembered."
Kang Yu-ha shook off his embarrassment and smoothly pressed on.
"You shot me down cold, so I figured you auto-reject all media. Guess not."
"Haha. Yeah, I don't think I'm ready for interviews. Didn't want to waste your time."
"Oh, come on. Too humble. Your franchise is booming, and I hear people are lining up for franchises."
Subtle probing. A newbie boss might spill everything, but...
I smiled lightly and deflected.
"Really? Hadn't heard. News to me."
Vague neither yes nor no. Kang Yu-ha's expression shifted—he sensed I wasn't easy prey.
"No more buses today, probably. I'm crashing at the village hall tonight. You should too, and head back to Seoul early tomorrow."
That was the most I could offer.
"Haha. Since we're here, mind if we chat a bit more...?"
"Sorry."
He tried sliding into interview mode, so I cut him off.
"You wondered why I turned down the interview? Simple. Timing's not right."
"Not the right time?"
"Spotlight now, and we could wobble. Need to solidify first, then push further with momentum."
Plus, it might draw Hyunmu's ire.
Can't get trampled by a giant before we're even sprouted. Better to scatter brands subtly into daily life for now.
"So, long trip and all, but I'd prefer you leave empty-handed."
Might come off rude. Reporters I knew had egos.
"Whoa...!"
But he exclaimed in admiration. Huh?
Kang Yu-ha's eyes sparkled as he stared at me.
"So that's why? Wow. I thought you might be a figurehead president, but no."
This guy was brutally honest. No filter on his thoughts.
"Future looks even brighter if you built this from nothing."
And quick to show goodwill.
"How about this? Until you say the time's right, no stories on you. But when it is, exclusive feature in our paper. Deal?"
That confident gaze.
He believed I'd grow big enough for an exclusive someday. Or just casting a line for possibles.
Sounded good.
"Haha. A deal, then."
Win-win for me. Worst case, he runs a "Rising Star [The Song]!" piece—I can't stop it. But if I control the timing? Perfect.
We shook firmly. Let's team up for mutual gain.
"Oh, but what's brought you to this countryside?"
"That?"
I grinned at his question.
"You'll see if you come along. Right on time."
I checked my phone and turned.
"Let's go."
To the village hall.