Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Bini gnawed at her nails.
From what Elder was saying, it sounded like Woo Ji-hyun would be a tough get.
She'd figured a fresh debutante like him would be an easy contract once a meeting was set up, but the reality was the exact opposite.
"Even now, I'm begging and pleading just to get him to consider it. I'm a rapper by trade, but that guy's not."
"Can't you ask him for me? With me there too."
"Who knows. He's a bit of a wild card himself, so I can't make any promises."
"A wild card?"
"Yeah, a wild card who pretends to be normal. Not that he's weird or anything. He's usually pretty chill. But he has these quirks that pop out now and then."
Elder grinned as he pictured Woo Ji-hyun.
No surprise from someone in the arts—Woo Ji-hyun's personality wasn't exactly ordinary.
Of course, compared to Lee Woo-hyung, he was tame.
'And his personal life is surprisingly squeaky clean.'
He hadn't reached Elder's level of wealth and fame, but Woo Ji-hyun's achievements were nothing to sneeze at.
Climbing to the top of any field wasn't easy.
Yet Woo Ji-hyun had done it at a young age.
Unlike Elder, he'd been steadily building his career since twenty.
"Really? I thought he was super straightforward and safe, the way he writes those punchy lyrics. Ordinary people get ordinary hearts best, right?"
"He's got a good personality too. Just a little odd. The issue is whether he'll do it or not."
"Can you at least set up a meeting? He might be a fan of mine. Or maybe our group."
"He does like girl groups. The classic uncle fan type."
Elder recalled Woo Ji-hyun foaming at the mouth during a drunken rant about some girl group they'd been drinking over.
Same age as Elder, but that night, he was pure uncle fan material.
Totally different approach from Lee Woo-hyung.
Like he was idolizing people from another world.
"Then it might be even easier."
"Nah. He's super professional about work. And after his big break this time, his rates shot up. He's sensitive about his value. Knows exactly what he's worth."
"So that's why I need your help, oppa!"
Bini threw herself at Elder with some aegyo.
As she did, she slyly loosened the gown she'd had wrapped tight around her.
Letting it slip open naturally as she clung to him.
"I can probably swing a meeting. But after that, it's on you. You know favors don't seal deals, right?"
"Of course. I'm just asking for backup. Not to make the contract happen for me."
"Got it. I'll reach out."
"Now?"
Bini's eyes went wide as rabbit eyes at Elder pulling out his smartphone right away.
A decent amount of time had passed, but it was just past 6 a.m.
No wonder she looked flustered.
"Yeah, the guy's an early riser. Un-artist-like. Usually up between 5 and 6, so now's fine. Better to ask quick since we've decided."
"I guess..."
Bini trailed off.
Even with close friends, getting a call mid-sleep wouldn't go over well.
And no one knew artists' sensitivities better than her.
– Yo, Mr. Number-One Rapper.
"Figured you were up."
– Early bird gets the worm. Gotta hustle to become a landlord. Can't rake it in like you, so I push harder.
On speakerphone, Woo Ji-hyun's voice rang out clear.
But Bini noticed Elder's expression first.
Like he was saying 'See? Told you' with his eyes.
"Can we talk?"
– Yeah, but no lyrics requests. Swamped lately.
"Come on, between us? You'll keep getting these once royalties hit. Even for lyricists, my track record's not something you ignore money-wise."
Bini's face fell.
Because of the "swamped" part coming through the speaker.
But Elder stayed chill.
– We'll see. Not feeling it yet.
"What's keeping you so busy?"
Elder smoothly changed the subject.
Still giving her that 'trust me' look.
Bini leaned in, hands up in a fighting pose, ears perked.
* * *
At the chicken joint's second floor from last year's year-end party, Woo Ji-hyun tipped his glass.
It was the after-party following the first Creative Academy graduation ceremony.
And next to him sat An Jin-jeong, who'd gotten even closer through this academy.
"I'm seriously crashing at your place tonight?"
"Go for it. Plenty of spare rooms. But it's a hike from here—are you sure?"
"Better than a motel. And you'll drive me to Songnae Station, right?"
"Of course I will."
Woo Ji-hyun raised his 500cc glass of beer and makgeolli mix.
Dropping her off was no big deal for him.
"Cool then. Motels are fine, but checkout times suck. I wanna sleep solid."
"Make yourself at home. There's killer jjajangmyeon nearby too."
"Kuh! Awesome!"
"What's got you so happy?"
An Jin-jeong, matching Woo Ji-hyun's first drink with somae, turned at the sweet voice beside him.
There was Im Seung-hye leading a pack of female trainees, sliding into seats at the table.
Eyes sparkling, every one of them.
"Gonna crash at Ji-hyun's tonight. So I'm drinking free."
"How's your tolerance, teacher?"
"Huh. Not bad. Just black out the next day sometimes."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The women burst into giggles at An Jin-jeong's lame bravado.
He was fun in class and clearly a riot at drinks too.
"But Ji-hyun oppa, you cool with that?"
"Huh? Why am I oppa and he's teacher?"
An Jin-jeong narrowed his eyes, 500cc glass in hand.
Same instructors, but his title was different.
"Ji-hyun oppa's twenties like us. And post-graduation, he's oppa now, not teacher. Right?"
"Call me whatever. Teacher, writer, oppa."
Unlike playful Im Seung-hye, Woo Ji-hyun didn't seem fazed.
Cool as ever, he said his piece and raised his glass.
Im Seung-hye and two others snatched empty glasses like they'd been waiting.
"Pour for us too."
"No self-pours at a company dinner."
"Hmm."
An Jin-jeong squinted.
At thirty-three, he saw right through the girls' game.
But cockblocking felt wrong.
To twenty-somethings, he'd just sound like a boomer.
'Still, nine years older than Ji-hyun...'
They were same-year zodiac, so he didn't even see her as a girl.
But the age gap with Woo Ji-hyun wasn't small either.
"What's up?"
"Dunno. Why do you think? Must suck with all the competition."
"Huh?"
Im Seung-hye's eyes went round.
What're you talking about?
But An Jin-jeong just gave a knowing smile, no elaboration.
"I'm curious too."
"Huh? You don't know?"
"Nope."
An Jin-jeong whipped his head around.
Met innocent Woo Ji-hyun eyes.
With a subtle 'this is annoying' vibe.
'Ha ha ha!'
An Jin-jeong chuckled inwardly at the familiar look.
He knew exactly what Woo Ji-hyun was thinking.
'You're in for it now.'
After glancing at Woo Ji-hyun, An Jin-jeong's gaze pityingly swept the three women.
Looked like a rough road ahead.
"Not my business anyway. My youth project's priority."
"Huh? Broke up with your girlfriend?"
"Yeah, few days ago. Kept fighting, making up, repeat—till we split."
"Whoa."
An Jin-jeong played it casual, but switched to a soju glass and filled it.
The three girls across from him perked up too, eyes wide with interest.
Nothing juicier for early-twenties girls than someone else's love life.
"It's fine. Life's meetings and partings. Love's no different."
"True."
"Wait, you know? Aren't you a perpetual singleton? No dating in your twenties?"
The women's eyes sparkled brighter.
Woo Ji-hyun rarely shared personal stuff, so they hung on every word.
"Not totally single. Just buried in work in my twenties. Stuck in the army twenty-three months."
"Whoa. Wasting that prime time. Work's great, but date too!"
"Right!"
"Totally!"
The women chimed in before An Jin-jeong finished.
Just twenty-one, but they agreed hardest.
Woo Ji-hyun's face stayed meh.
"Thinking about it now anyway. I'm twenty-nine."
"Good call. Start meeting girls. No need to date exclusive—just get experience. You short on cash? Car? Place? Looks..."
An Jin-jeong trailed off.
Improved since a few years back, but Woo Ji-hyun wasn't drop-dead gorgeous.
"Bro, you cut off at the most obvious spot."
"Looks are average, sure, but you've got charm overflowing! That signature cool-guy vibe?"
"Thanks for finding my appeal that way. So, self-pour time? Make it three years no dating for you."
"What?!"
An Jin-jeong panicked.
As Woo Ji-hyun turned to him for the pour, he yelped and grabbed his glass in a fluster.
But it was already empty.
"Bro, just accept and go with it. Easier that way."
"No way! I'm thirty-three! Still in my prime!"
An Jin-jeong frantically filled his soju glass, clinked hard with Woo Ji-hyun's, and downed it in a flash.
"Seung-hye-ya."
"Yeah, oppa."
"Jin-jeong hyung seems lonely. Got any pretty noonas around? Bonus if from Gangwon-do."
"Gangwon-do's..."
Im Seung-hye, now casually calling him oppa, eyed An Jin-jeong.
Way too far from her Seoul life.
"Seoul's fine by me. Lived there before. Distance doesn't matter in love."
"Impressive resolve."
"Gotta have that grit to land a beauty!"
"A beauty, huh..."