Chapter 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: High Ratings Dinner
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We arrived at the dinner venue and got out of the car a bit earlier than the promised time of seven in the evening.
As I was greeting the staff, Park Min-ha stepped out of a familiar car, dressed more casually than usual.
"Junior, all set?"
"Of course. That's why I got here early and waited."
"I don't mean that. I mean ready to drink?"
She continued in a voice full of delight.
"Teacher Lee Sun-jeong is famous for being a total boozehound."
"Really?"
"Yeah. When she gets drunk, she drinks alone, but until then, she loves drinking with others."
"Ah......"
Wasn't this about getting drunk because of Teacher Lee Sun-jeong, not Lee Jun-hyeong?
I was a little worried, but it was just for a moment. A few days ago, I might have broken out in a cold sweat hearing this, but luckily, today's me had a secret weapon.
💤 Fatigue is Due to Lack of Sleep:Recovers the user's fatigue. (Injuries not affected.) (Owned: 8)
I couldn't buy more, but I still had items left.
As long as I didn't suddenly pass out, I had items that could reset my liver eight more times.
'If I'd known, I would've stocked up more.'
I didn't think much of it when they were sold for 1 coin each in the shop, but now that I couldn't buy more, it felt like such a waste.
When the time price had gone up, I'd regretted the coins spent on items, but that's just how the human mind works.
'Still, I can't hold back now.'
I knew exactly what that bastard Lee Jun-hyeong was planning for tonight. If I got taken down even with these, I wouldn't be human.
"And I plan to drink with you, Junior."
"Of course we'll drink together."
It's a company dinner; we can't drink separately. Plus, with Park Min-ha by my side, even Lee Jun-hyeong wouldn't force drinks on me freely.
"No, every time you drink, I have to join you."
"Pardon......?"
I was briefly flustered by those words coming from her kind, smiling face. Then Park Min-ha continued in a whiny tone.
"Drinking alone is no fun."
No. With how many people at this dinner? Who drinks alone? Just this spot alone had at least 50 seats prepared.
'Teacher Lee Sun-jeong likes drinking together, right? You two drink. Please.'
I just gave an awkward smile, and she waved it off with a laugh.
"Haha, kidding. Drink in moderation. Of course, until the teacher gets drunk, we'll drink together."
That was when it happened.
"You two are already here?"
Speak of the devil, Teacher Lee Sun-jeong arrived right on cue.
Starting with her, seats began filling up one by one. I could feel the tension building as more people arrived.
Most were preoccupied worrying about whether today's ratings would come out well.
I was actually worried about myself, but now that we were here, ratings weren't a big concern.
"Wow, I'm not late today, but there sure are a lot of people."
A carefree voice rang out. Lee Jun-hyeong pushed through the crowd toward where the actors were gathered.
"Yeah, Jun-hyeong's here."
"This is my seat, right?"
He sat down next to Park Min-ha, naturally ending up facing me.
Bzzz!
Right then, my phone vibrated. Pretending it was a call, I stepped out and checked it. A text from Reporter Kim I-seul had come in.
You're really in the car!
Photo secured!
'......She's insane.'
Goosebumps ran over my whole body as I read the text.
Of course, I didn't doubt the System. But part of me didn't want to believe it, and truthfully, it was hard to.
But having it confirmed by someone else's eyes made it feel entirely different.
My neck stiffened.
'I really almost got screwed.'
I even felt a bit grateful to the System suddenly.
Yeah, I'll work hard and buy some time. Thanks for saving me. If you can spare a few more items, hook me up.
But the System didn't respond.
'Cheap bastard.'
I wanted to check with my own eyes if a woman was really in the car, but if I did something stupid and spooked them into changing plans, it'd be trouble. This was enough for now.
I turned back toward the restaurant.
"There's a really great place; I'll treat you next time, Teacher. Let's go with Min-ha and Yeo-ul too."
As soon as I entered the restaurant, I heard Lee Jun-hyeong's voice, amped up way higher than on set.
This guy, scheming to bury someone and chattering away all excited?
'Let's see how long you can keep smiling.'
I replied to Reporter Kim I-seul.
❤
Five minutes before broadcast.
A huge TV was showing an electronics ad.
The restaurant, rowdy just moments ago, was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the clinking of chopsticks had stopped long ago.
"Come on, everyone, don't just sit there—let's make some bets! On the drama's final ratings!"
Eventually, Walljomo Pictures' CEO Lee Sung-hoon stood up, forcing cheerfulness.
Ha Chae-rim, the producing PD sitting beside him, tried to stop him in embarrassment.
"Oh come on, CEO! You're jumping the gun."
"8%."
"Pardon?"
"If it goes over 8%, I'll talk to the company and send the whole staff on a resort vacation!"
Kim Shin-hyo PD's bold pledge heated up the cooled atmosphere. The assistant director jumped in excitedly.
"What if! What if they don't send us?"
"8% would put it in the top 20 cable ratings ever...... If they don't, I'll lie down in front of the bureau chief's office!"
"I'll join you if that happens!"
"Ugh, CEO!"
Ha Chae-rim PD shot him another glare as Lee Sung-hoon cheered like he was already drunk.
Her look screamed, What kind of outsourcing CEO plans to flop in a broadcaster's bureau chief's office?
But words once spoken couldn't be taken back. Riding the mood, the actors started making pledges one by one.
Lee Sun-jeong spoke first.
"I'll go with 5%. Should I dance in front of everyone?"
"If Teacher dances, I'll dance too. But mine's 7%."
"Hey, Min-ha. What does that make me? You do 5% too."
"How about we both do 7%? Honestly, the script's great, and even we thought it looked good on screen."
"See? Popular kids are full of confidence."
Their exchange drew big laughs. Meanwhile, another ad ended.
Putting off the other actors' pledges, the assistant director pulled out his phone.
"Alright, connecting to the live site now."
He called the broadcaster's main control room right away. After a few connection tones from the speakerphone, it connected.
"What's the prelim rating now?"
- $%@#!
"What?"
Maybe because it was speakerphone, the voice was muffled and hard to make out. Plus, the background sounded oddly chaotic.
As everyone perked up their ears, the assistant director maxed the volume and shouted clearly.
"What? Can't hear! Say it slowly. What's it at now?"
At that moment, 'Oh, My Cat' started airing on the TV. With the opening music, silence fell over the dinner table again.
How much would it be?
First-episode ratings didn't decide everything, but a strong start meant a good chance at a strong finish.
Then, a booming voice exploded from the phone speaker, shaking the restaurant.
- I-it's 6.7...... No, 6.8% now!
"......What? How much?"
The assistant director doubted his ears. Everyone else did too.
- No! Breaking 7% now! Insane!
The excited shout shattered the silence like magic, unleashing cheers.
"Woooah! 7%! This is historic!"
"Most dramas starting at 7% hit over 10% final!"
Even Kim Shin-hyo PD, who predicted 8% final, widened her eyes like a rabbit at the surprisingly high start.
With Park Min-ha and Lee Jun-hyeong as leads, and Writer Seo Ji-hye's script, but cable channel plus Do-jun's scandal—they'd expected around 5%.
This was a refreshingly strong launch, beyond comparison.
"PD!"
"CEO!"
On one side, Walljomo Pictures' duo clasped hands in joy. Having shaken off production cost worries, it was natural.
"Server, more snacks and drinks here!"
The tension vanished as if it never was; the dinner turned lively. Everyone relaxed, munching snacks, sipping drinks, and watching the drama.
❤
"Hey."
I looked up at the sudden call. Lee Jun-hyeong was eyeing me with a soju bottle in hand.
"My arm's gonna fall off. Take it."
I wanted to snap, 'Why me?' but there were eyes everywhere.
I obediently held out my glass.
Glug glug.
As he filled it to the brim, Lee Jun-hyeong said,
"Your shoot's wrapped, right."
"Yes."
"Guess we won't see your face around anymore."
That was the plan—if not for you.
"Hearing it was your last shoot made me feel bad just letting you go. I'm your senior, your hyung, after all."
"Haha."
"Good results make everything good. Ratings are high, so let's bury the hatchet. We could do variety together."
Well, well.
Just looking at Lee Jun-hyeong's face now, he seemed sincere.
If I knew nothing, I'd have fallen for that acting. No wonder he's a top actor.
"Yeah, sure. We fight, make up—that's how it goes."
Then Teacher Lee Sun-jeong, oblivious to it all, patted his back and chimed in.
"Good thinking. Why fight among folks in the same field? Wash it away with drinks tonight."
"Haha, of course, Teacher."
Lee Jun-hyeong said that, glancing at me with a fleeting, odd look. So brief, you'd miss it without suspicion.
Then he switched right back to a smiling face.
I smiled back. Let's see who smiles last.
Right now, you suit a scowl better than a smile anyway.
"Come on, drink up."
"But I'm kinda weak with booze."
"Oh?"
He paused briefly. Then a thicker smile crept onto his lips.
"Well, that's why we have company dinners—to get wasted. Drink freely. Your manager's here."
"Hey, you!"
Teacher Lee Sun-jeong cut in again.
"Don't force the kid who says he's weak. Drink with me. You drink with who wants to."
"Then we all drink together."
"Fill my glass first."
She handed her beer glass to Lee Jun-hyeong. Then she grabbed the soju and poured generously.
"T-Teacher?"
"Yeah?"
"This is soju."
"Right. Somac."
Lee Sun-jeong calmly added a splash of beer to the clear glass, tinting it faintly.
......Somac? 9 parts soju, 1 part beer?
"Hey, what're you doing. Give him your glass."
"M-Me too?"
"Who else?"
Guess it was my turn. I instinctively swallowed and held out my glass.
......Fine, I have items.
"Cheers, drink."
"Teacher?"
"What?"
Lee Jun-hyeong half-stood, butt lifting off the chair as he yelled,
"Why's that bast—no, give him just beer!"
"He said he's weak. You hold your liquor."
"N-No......"
"What're you gonna do getting the kid drunk. Drink."
And so began the subtle stare-down between me and Lee Jun-hyeong.
He tried everything to get me drunk.
If I knew nothing, I'd think he just loved pushing drinks, but knowing his dirty intent made me scoff inwardly.
"Jun-hyeong, let me pour for you this time."
"Yes! Let's try Min-ha's pour."
Park Min-ha smiled brightly and picked up the bottle.
"Huh? Huh?"
And again, Lee Jun-hyeong's glass filled with soju.
"I heard you love soju, Jun-hyeong. Not big on beer, right?"
"Who said......!"
"Yeo-ul unnie mentioned it."
She beamed, filling his beer glass to the brim with soju. Her flawless beautiful smile left Lee Jun-hyeong clearing his throat awkwardly and taking the glass silently.
Look at that smug lip twitch.
"Our junior wants one too?"
"Yep, pour for me."
I wanted to say no, but took the beer to lower his guard.
Several rounds went like that.
But......
"Come on! Drink!"
'Is he really insane?'
Even after Teacher Lee Sun-jeong and Park Min-ha force-fed him like no tomorrow, his tongue was just a bit slurred, but he still looked fine.
Lee Sun-jeong, who'd been chugging with him nonstop, was exhausted; Park Min-ha sat beside her, keeping her company.
'How strong is this guy's liver?'
Forcing it down tasted awful anyway, but now I worried how many 'Fatigue is Due to Lack of Liver' I'd burn.
"Take my glass."
With the obstacles gone, he gleefully kept pouring for me.
"Huuu......"
My glass wasn't a well; how was the booze not running out? When would that screen scene from the System happen?
Then it did.
"PD! Congratulations!"
'Huh?'
I'd heard that somewhere before.
I reflexively glanced aside. The scene I'd been waiting for was finally unfolding.
Near the TV, a tipsy assistant director was brown-nosing Kim Shin-hyo PD with a sycophantic grin.
"Ratings are climbing live even now!"
"Really? This late?"
"Final's looking near 8%?"
The already hyped dinner mood ignited further. Everyone was so drunk now, they might not notice if someone vanished.
Scrape.
Amid the noise, I clearly heard a chair slide back.
A quick glance: Lee Jun-hyeong was furtively slipping away, looking around.
My mind sharpened like I'd been doused with cold water. Now the real fun began.
I waited for Lee Jun-hyeong to return, then ritualistically sprinkled the full soju glass onto the floor.