Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Company Dinner
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Chapter 28.
“The reason our singers… ugh! I mean, artists. I couldn’t think of the word. Anyway, the reason our artists have become such a hot topic is all thanks to the passionate efforts of Answer and Manager Min-jun. Let’s have another round of applause!”
People chuckled, their reactions better than before. We were seated at the table next to the CEO and the director.
It seemed Lee Yoo-ah and Seul-bi weren't here. They must both be busy.
“Ha! Well done, Min-jun. I told you I have an eye for talent. Answer, you all worked hard too.”
CEO Park Jae-yong walked in, slinging an arm around my shoulder. It wasn’t a bad feeling.
“But Daepyo-nim… what are you wearing? Is that a straw mat? Aren’t you hot?”
Come to think of it, CEO Park Jae-yong’s outfit… was a coarse garment that looked like something a Mexican character from a classic Western would wear, and it reached down to his knees.
“Ah, come on. Director Sun, you have such good sense, why are you like this? This was hand-stitched, thread by thread, by a master artisan. It looks great.”
“…”
I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or joking. The material and design looked like something you’d find by searching for ‘Go-Stop blanket’ online.
Seul-bi’s expression looked uncomfortable as she sat down. Was it because she couldn't eat her fill of meat in front of the executives?
I took off the shirt I was holding and offered it to Seol-ah, who might be uncomfortable in her skirt.
[Seol-ah is moved by your action. Including bonuses, her favor increases by +2 and trust by +1.]
“?”
Seol-ah looked at me as if asking what it was for, even though she knew my intention.
“To cover up.”
“Ooh.”
“Our Oppa is so thoughtful.”
“The grease might splatter on it.”
“I can just wash it.”
President Gu’s hosting continued.
“For your information, all employees of JD Entertainment get a 20 percent discount at this butcher shop and restaurant, so please make good use of it…”
So this butcher restaurant belonged to President Gu. I thought he was a loan shark in Dok-san dong, but it seemed ‘knife-wielder’ referred to him being a butcher.
The largest shareholder of an entertainment agency being a butcher. I don’t judge people by their profession, but I couldn’t help feeling a sense of dissonance.
“May I say a word?”
“Aigoo, our Director Lee Sun. The microphone cord is short, so please come up here.”
Despite being the largest shareholder, President Gu was very respectful to the director. Could he have been an old uncle-fan of hers?
“Ah, no. I’ll just speak from here.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. Just a moment.”
President Gu dragged the karaoke machine over to where the director was sitting.
*Screech, clatter, clatter.*
Breaking into a cold sweat, the director had no choice but to accept the microphone. Why was I so embarrassed to be here? We needed to get out from under the thumb of the largest shareholder as soon as possible.
“What is this vibe?”
“Feels like she’s about to belt out a tune.”
A bitter smile formed on my face as I saw Seul-bi and Yi-na snickering. They seemed simply happy at the thought of eating meat.
“…I’d like to express my gratitude to Chairman… Gu for arranging this event. However, I hope all our artists and trainees remember that carbohydrates like cold noodles and rice can lead to belly and back fat. Alcohol is also full of sugar, so please drink in moderation…”
The trainees shuddered at the director's gentle admonishment.
“Just need to eat the meat, then.”
“Yup, yup.”
Seul-bi and Yi-na’s passion for meat burned brightly.
*Tssssss.*
Thick cuts of beef, rich with marbling, sizzled over the charcoal fire, releasing their succulent juices.
“This here is that famous white charcoal. If you use bad charcoal, it splatters and gets soot on the meat, but this stuff doesn’t do that at all.”
President Gu’s words, after a few drinks, were tinged with a Chungcheong accent. CEO Park Jae-yong, his mouth watering, reached for a piece of beef that was lightly seared on the outside.
“Wait a bit longer.”
“What? Isn’t it perfect right now?”
The CEO, who seemed to know a thing or two about meat, looked dumbfounded.
“The idea that rare is tastiest applies to meat with little marbling. For meat with this much marbling, the fat inside has to melt completely for it to bring out its true flavor.”
“Huh? Is that so?”
“Want me to give you some raw beef fat? You can try chewing on it and see if it’s tasty or not.”
CEO Park Jae-yong seemed to be imagining himself chewing on raw beef fat.
“Ah. Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”
Though the conversation was only between President Gu and the CEO, the members and staff nodded in newfound understanding.
“It’s almost well-done now, so let’s give it a try.”
At President Gu’s words, everyone’s chopsticks moved to pick up a piece of meat.
“Don’t wrap it in anything. Just a little salt, and experience the true flavor of the meat.”
*Gulp.*
Following President Gu’s instructions, we put the thick pieces of beef, dipped only in salt, into our mouths.
*Crunch.*
*Pshaaa!*
The crispy outer layer of the beef burst between my molars, releasing a flood of juices. It was a moment that shattered the prejudice that well-done beef was tough.
‘It’s so savory!’
Just as President Gu had said, it was tender and had a rich, savory flavor despite being cooked through.
“Wow, this is delicious. The meat tastes like butter!”
Seul-bi was right, it was incredibly good. For a while, everyone except Seol-ah, who was watching the director, focused intently on eating.
Watching the scene with a pleased expression, President Gu enthusiastically lectured on the subject of meat.
*Vzzzt.*
“Excuse me, I need to take this call. It’s a CP from a broadcast station.”
The moment the director left her seat, Seul-bi and Yi-na’s eating speed multiplied.
“…Eat a little slower.”
It was almost painful to watch.
“I’m going to use the restroom for a moment.”
As Min-jun left the table, Seol-ah approached the CEO, who was fiddling with his phone.
“Thank you so much.”
“…For what?”
“For the allowance you gave us.”
“Allowance…?”
The CEO looked clueless.
“Ah! Director Sun already gave it to you? That was fast.”
“Pardon?”
Seol-ah had thought Director Lee Sun had given them the allowance through Min-jun.
“It’s not much, don’t worry about it. Director Sun and I are only taking half our salaries these days, so we don’t have much money either. Please understand.”
“Thank you so much.”
The Answer members expressed their gratitude to the CEO. The TMI session between the CEO and President Gu started up again, and Min-jun returned.
“Haha, isn’t it funny! What kind of name is Gae-jin-sang? Gae-jin-sang.”
“Heh heh heh. It really is. But are there actually people with the surname Gyeon in our country?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Though it’s not the character for ‘dog’ (犬), of course.”
“Even if they were following a family naming tradition, the name Gyeon Sang-jin is too much. It sounds just like ‘gae-jin-sang’ (total jerk). But Daepyo-nim, how do you know him so well?”
President Gu was answering Min-jun’s unspoken question.
“I went to middle and high school with that punk. Of course, I was always first in my class. Hahahaha!”
“Aigoo! You were first in your class?”
“Yes! That’s why I even went to study abroad as an exchange student at an American university that had a sister-school relationship with ours.”
“Oooh! Our CEO Park is quite the remarkable person!”
“Hahaha! If I hadn’t gone into music, I think I’d probably be in politics or lecturing at a university by now.”
Min-jun realized that the relationship between Gyeon Sang-jin and the CEO went back much further than he’d thought. Just then, Director Lee Sun returned to her seat.
“What did the chief producer say?”
“…It was a casting call for Answer.”
“What? Why would a chief producer be calling to cast Answer?”
“…I know, right?”
“Anyway, that’s a good thing. See! What did I tell you? Performing on the Consolation Train leads to success!”
As CEO Park Jae-yong’s face brightened, so did the faces of President Gu and the members.
“It’s one good thing after another!”
President Gu looked at the members, overjoyed.
***
For some reason, the director started drinking, and she began to look more and more intoxicated. As she got drunker, Seul-bi, who had been watching her, also started sipping her drink, and it seemed she’d had quite a bit.
“…I probably shouldn’t have any, right?”
“Hmph. You even have to ask?”
Yi-na’s lips jutted out in a pout when Seol-ah shot down her cautious question.
“But aren’t you supposed to learn how to drink from adults? There are plenty of adults here.”
“Be quiet. I haven’t had a single drop either. What’s so great about it?”
Though she looked more mature than her age, Yi-na was still a minor and seemed to have never tried alcohol.
“So, Answer members, what do you think of our restaurant? If there’s anything that needs improvement, feel free to speak up.”
President Gu’s tone conveyed the pride he felt for his butcher restaurant.
“Me!”
Seul-bi, who seemed a little tipsy, raised her hand.
“Seriously, what era are we in? Why are there tables on top of an ondol floor?”
“Why? What’s wrong with ondol? Isn’t it nice and warm for your bottom? We did it for the ladies.”
He seemed offended now that she had actually pointed out a flaw.
“If you really wanted to do something for the ladies, you should get rid of the ondol. It’s so annoying having to take off your shoes when you come in wearing heels or boots.”
“…You should stop drinking.”
Yi-na and Seol-ah tried to stop Seul-bi, looking flustered.
“Nooo~ Whyyy~ He told me to say something~”
It seemed Seul-bi had a slight, but not severe, drinking habit. I’d have to keep that in mind for the future.
“What’s wrong with taking off your shoes? Is it really that much of a bother?”
“Ugh, seriously! You have no idea how bad my feet smell after being in boots. They get so sweaty.”
“Hah… haha. I didn’t know that! I thought women’s feet didn’t smell. Hahaha.”
Seol-ah, chugging water as if her throat was dry, had an expression that seemed to say, ‘The secondhand embarrassment is all mine.’
Nearly three hours had passed since the dinner began.
The high-quality meat and decent alcohol gradually turned the initially awkward atmosphere into a more enjoyable one. The CEO, his spirits and intoxication level rising, grabbed the karaoke machine and started to sing.
Every song was one he had composed.
“…He really has no shame.”
The director sighed as she watched him.
“I’ll be heading out first.”
President Gu, who had been happily chatting with Manager Ji, turned his gaze.
“Aigoo. You’re a busy person, you should get going. I’ll have my department head give you a ride…”
“That’s alright. I can call a designated driver.”
The director adamantly refused, pulling out her phone.
“I’ll take you home.”
“…It’s fine. I refuse to be a condescending boss who pushes around their subordinates.”
At the director’s words, Seol-ah spoke up.
“We’re heading back to the dorm anyway, so let’s go together.”
Seul-bi’s lips momentarily formed a pout. It seemed her meat intake still hadn’t reached a satisfactory level.
“…Alright, then. Min-jun, I’ll be in your care.”
I liked this cool side of the director. She was a strange person who, despite being so frank, never truly revealed what was on her mind.
“Sun-ah~ Sing a duet with me before you go~”
The CEO called out to the director.
“…Let’s go, quickly.”
At the director’s urging, we ignored the drunken CEO and headed outside. The male trainees followed us out to say goodbye.
“Have a safe trip home, Isa-nim!”
“…Why did you all come out? Eat in moderation and go back inside.”
“Yes!”
However, they didn’t go back in right away. They bowed their heads to me as well.
“Have a safe trip home, Manager Min-jun!”
“Alright. Let’s burn off those calories with practice. Fighting.”
[Charisma Lv 2 activates.]
[Your encouragement temporarily instills passion in the target.]
I could see a blue aura emanate from me and transfer to the trainees, causing their bodies to jolt slightly.
“Fighting! We’ll work hard!”
The director and the members were startled by the trainees’ powerful shouts.
“What the… Why are they like that?”
“Yeah, they’re all being weird.”
Once the trainees went back inside, the members stared at me with curiosity.
“…”
“Min-jun, did you give those kids some kind of drug?”
“No.”
“Then why is their energy level so high? It was the same earlier.”
A strong sense of curiosity glinted in the director’s eyes.
It was the first time I realized just how potent Level 2 Charisma was. If it was like this now, I wondered what the reaction would be when the ‘Charisma’ trait was fully completed.