The Art of the Bait
"If you knew all along, why did you provoke me by saying it didn't feel like real fishing because I couldn't catch anything?!" It was that very provocation that had dragged him into this bet in the first place.
But Tae-hyun's response completely defied Chairman Yoo's expectations.
"Weren't you just imitating Jiang Ziya, Elder? That's why I found it so amusing."
"..."
Chairman Yoo felt a sudden shiver run down his spine.
This punk... knew everything from the very beginning!
Jiang Ziya—the famous sage of old who chose not to enter government office and instead spent his days by the lakeside, fishing for time! In truth, Chairman Yoo's decision to fish here without bait or a hook was directly inspired by that very tale.
Yet this kid, Kim Tae-hyun, had figured out exactly what he was doing and why after just a single glance.
His perception is extraordinary. Truly!
On top of that, he had played completely dumb, waiting for Chairman Yoo to dig his own grave! His sheer talent was one thing, but his devious cunning was downright terrifying.
I thought he'd have a similar personality to Kim Tae-san since they're father and son, but they couldn't be more different.
They might have seemed alike on the surface, but it was a complete illusion. While Kim Tae-san was straightforward and reckless, Tae-hyun only appeared that way. Beneath that facade lay a deeply calculating, insidious mind.
A guy who calculated everything in his head even while tossing out casual remarks!
Chairman Yoo accepted his defeat. It was his loss for underestimating the boy. Had he known what kind of monster Tae-hyun was, he would have approached him with far more gravity.
"Fine, I admit defeat. What do you want?"
"Huh? I haven't thought of anything."
"..."
"I'll let you know when I think of something later."
Chairman Yoo thought to himself, Ah, why is this kid so incredibly exasperating?
He was clearly capable and decent, yet he possessed an innate, infuriating quality that rubbed people the wrong way. Chairman Yoo's instincts were remarkably sharp—especially considering who his granddaughter, Yu Ji-soo, was currently infatuated with!
"Why are your pants soaking wet?!" Kim Tae-san bellowed in disbelief.
How on earth did a kid who went out for a simple stroll return with his trousers completely drenched?
"Ah, I ran into some elderly gentleman and ended up making a bet..."
"What kind of bet?! A contest to see who could get their pants wetter?!"
"No, nothing like that..."
"But did you win?"
Before asking why he made the bet, who it was with, or what it was about, Kim Tae-san's immediate priority was simply: Did you win?
"Of course I did."
"Good. That's all that matters. A man's got to win, no matter what the bet is... Wait, no, that's not the point! You rascal. I brought you here today specifically to introduce you to the Elder, and you show up looking like a drowned rat..."
"If I greet him while sitting down, maybe he won't notice?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Whatever. The Elder isn't the type of person to fuss over wet pants anyway. Follow me."
Kim Tae-san clamped a heavy hand onto Tae-hyun's shoulder and dragged him along. Left to his own devices, there was no telling what kind of trouble his son might stir up next.
"Ah, there he is."
In the distance, Chairman Yoo was exchanging greetings with a few guests. The people paying their respects to him were bowing so low it bordered on excessive.
Unbothered by the display, Kim Tae-san strode over and politely extended his hand.
"Elder, Happy birthday."
"Ah, you've arrived? Good, good. Glad you could make it."
The warmth in Chairman Yoo's tone caused the eyes of the surrounding onlookers to shift. Their gazes practically screamed, Who on earth is that guy?
"And this is my son, the one I mentioned to you."
"..."
"..."
"??"
As Chairman Yoo and Tae-hyun silently stared at each other, Kim Tae-san tilted his head in confusion. Why were they acting like this?
"Excuse me, but what is the meaning of this attire while greeting the Chairman?"
One of the men standing nearby pointed at Tae-hyun's pants and spoke up.
"How disrespectful—"
"That's enough."
"Pardon?"
"I said, that's enough. This happened because of me, so there is no need for you to interfere."
Chairman Yoo cut him off with razor-sharp finality. Flustered by the cold dismissal, the interjecting man retreated with an embarrassed flush.
Chairman Yoo's temperament was legendary. He possessed a fiery personality that would strike down anyone who crossed him like a bolt of lightning. The man had tried to score cheap points only to end up humiliated. The onlookers clicked their tongues in pity.
Getting on his bad side like that... he's finished.
That's what he gets for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
Thank goodness I kept my mouth shut.
And the crowd's perception of the father-son duo shifted dramatically.
He seems to hold them in much higher regard than I thought.
Who are they?
When we chatted earlier, I thought he was just some wealthy real estate mogul... but is that really enough to be on such close terms with the Chairman? Did he gift him a skyscraper or something?
While the crowd spun wild theories, Kim Tae-san remained entirely oblivious and nudged Tae-hyun.
"Wait, did you actually make a bet with the Elder?"
"Yeah. But is this the friend you were talking about? Dad, I know you don't have many friends, but..."
Tae-hyun looked at Kim Tae-san with profound pity. His eyes clearly said: I know you're lonely, but begging someone like this to be your friend is just sad.
"What?! No, you brat! What kind of misunderstanding are you cooking up?"
"You shouldn't impose on others like this."
"The Elder was the one who asked to be my friend!"
As the two leaned in close, whispering furiously, the onlookers watched with intense curiosity.
Is it a private matter we shouldn't overhear?
Just how important is their discussion?
To Chairman Yoo, who was close enough to hear every single word, the entire exchange was utterly absurd.
"Ahem, ahem."
"Ah, my apologies, Elder. By the way, playing dumb when you're the guest of honor today... you're surprisingly devious."
"?!?!"
The crowd gasped in horror at Tae-hyun's casual insolence. What did that crazy bastard just say to the Chairman?!
Yet Chairman Yoo merely wore a sour expression, showing no signs of actual anger.
"I certainly don't need to hear that from the likes of you."
"Aw, come on. What did I do?"
"Go run along so I can speak with the Elder."
Kim Tae-san hissed, shooing Tae-hyun away with frantic hand gestures. He was terrified his son would cause a massive scene if he stayed any longer. Besides, the introduction was over, so his goal was accomplished.
"Sure, whatever. Happy birthday, Chairman. Oh, and..."
"...?"
"If you ever play Pan-On 2, make sure you start in Tyrum City. It's the absolute best."
"Is that so?"
Chairman Yoo nodded absentmindedly, completely oblivious to the malice lurking behind Tae-hyun's words.
It was a classic "misery loves company" trap! Since I suffered like hell in Tyrum, everyone else should suffer too! Tae-hyun smirked.
"Happy birthday, Father."
"Yes, thank you."
Chairman Yoo nodded with a stern, solemn, and dignified expression. The onlookers marveled at the sheer authority he exuded, refusing to soften his face even before his own son, the president of the company.
"Happy birthday, Grandfather!"
"Ah, my sweet Ji-soo! Is there anything you need?"
Yet, the moment he faced his granddaughter, Yu Ji-soo, his stern facade melted instantly!
"Ah, no, I'm fine."
"My goodness, why are you so selfless? You know you can have anything your heart desires. Unlike Seong-woo, you don't have a greedy bone in your body."
"What did I even do..."
President Yu Seong-woo protested weakly. As the son, it was always his lot in life to be the family punching bag.
"Quiet, you fool! Dragging my honorable name through the mud with those corporate fines?"
"T-That was just an oversight!"
"Your subordinate's oversight is your responsibility!"
As the father and son bickered as they always did, Ji-soo sighed and shook her head. She quietly slipped away from the squabble. They had the exact same argument every single time they met!
Don't they ever get tired of that?
Ji-soo scanned the room. It was filled with the usual familiar faces—sycophants who always showed up to greet her grandfather and curry favor with her. Moreover, almost everyone at this gathering was significantly older than her. Finding someone her own age was practically impossible.
Maybe I should just go back to my room and rest... Huh?!
Ji-soo blinked rapidly. She could have sworn she saw someone who had absolutely no business being here. But when she looked again, there he was, standing plain as day!
Why on earth is he here?!
Poke, poke.
"...?"
Someone poked Tae-hyun in the back. Tae-hyun, who had been sitting quietly in a corner proving his status as a certified loner, turned his head.
Standing behind him was a schoolgirl who looked incredibly familiar. Tae-hyun furrowed his brows.
At his reaction, Ji-soo's heart skipped a beat. Did he recognize me?
"Are... are you perhaps Kim Tae-hyun? The one who plays Pan-On 2..."
"I am. And seeing as you're talking to me like this, you must be..."
"...!" Ji-soo clenched her fists in anticipation. Finally!
"Are you Ji-su's older sister?"
"..."
Ji-soo had never hit a single soul in her entire life, but at that exact moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to drive her fist straight into Tae-hyun's solar plexus.
"...I am Yu Ji-soo."
"Huh?"
Tae-hyun tilted his head. The girl standing before him was clearly wearing a skirt. She also shared remarkably similar facial features with the Ji-su from Pan-On. The only real difference was that the in-game Ji-su had a slightly more boyish charm. So, what was the logical conclusion to draw from this?
"Ah, so you're twins with the same name?"
"...I'm an only child."
"Then..."
Tae-hyun realized there could only be one possible explanation. He placed a solemn hand on Ji-soo's shoulder.
"...!"
"I understand your preferences completely."
"What?"
"You enjoy crossdressing, don't you? Hey, don't sweat it. I'm a very open-minded person who respects other people's choices—"
"Why on earth would your brain go there?!"
Crack! With a satisfying thud, Ji-soo leaped up and headbutted Tae-hyun right under the chin.
"I never would have guessed. To think you were crossdressing as a boy..."
"I was not crossdressing! You're the one who completely misunderstood everything!"
She had merely customized her avatar to look slightly unisex, and he had jumped to the conclusion that she was a boy all on his own! Ji-soo's eyes burned with sheer indignation.
"Haha, well, anyone could make a mistake."
"You're literally the only one who made that mistake, Oppa!"
"You could have just told me."
"Ugh..."
Ji-soo hesitated. Correcting him and saying, Actually, I'm a girl, had felt incredibly embarrassing and a bit damaging to her pride.
"T-That was a bit..."
"A bit what?"
"Wait, more importantly, how are you even here, Oppa?"
Eager to change the subject, Ji-soo quickly deflected. She had been too flustered by his presence to think about it earlier, but now that she did, it was highly unusual. Why was Tae-hyun at this exclusive party?
"The guest of honor today... Chairman Yoo, was it? He and my dad became close friends, so I got dragged along."
"Really?!"
Ji-soo's eyes sparkled. To think her grandfather had been doing something so wonderful behind her back! Grandfather, thank you!
She had been highly annoyed with him lately for constantly pestering her about non-existent boyfriends, but all her grievances vanished in an instant. Of course, if Chairman Yoo ever found out about this, he would probably beat his chest in sheer despair!
"Does that mean you'll be coming over often?!"
"Huh? No. It's not like birthdays happen twice a year."
"...But they're close friends! Close friends are supposed to meet up all the time!"
"Look, I get that my dad and the Chairman are close, but I'm not close with anyone here."
"You're close with me!"
A fierce fire ignited in Ji-soo's eyes. The intensity was enough to make Tae-hyun instinctively take a step back.
"Are... we?"
"Of course we are! There is absolutely nothing strange about close friends hanging out often!"
"I-Is that so?"
Tae-hyun wasn't entirely convinced, but Ji-soo's aura made it clear that any counterargument would be highly dangerous.
"So you have to visit often from now on, and we'll hang out... Anyway, it's a promise, okay? A promise!"
Before he knew it, Tae-hyun found himself hooking his pinky finger with Ji-soo's to seal the vow.
Wait... did I just get played?
An inexplicable sense of unease washed over Tae-hyun, but before he could dwell on it, Ji-soo had already sealed the deal with a triumphant smile.