Chapter 115
Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Once Again, Writer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Elder wrinkled his nose at Woo Ji-hyun's retching.
But Woo Ji-hyun stood his ground.
He believed honesty was the greatest virtue a person could have.
And to survive in a couple's world, he had to stick to his principles.
"Aren't you going a bit overboard?"
"I think I'm the one being too lenient. Couples shouldn't rub it in the singles' faces."
"You've got me there. Fine, next time we meet, I'll bring some friends or my sister. Since Ji-hyun oppa hates the clanging chains."
"Ahem! Adults are fine by me. Just no teens."
Woo Ji-hyun subtly revealed his preference for younger women.
They were burdensome if too young, but he saw no need to narrow his options unnecessarily.
Plus, there were plenty of mentally mature women younger than him.
"So all guys really want is young and pretty, huh?"
"Not all, but why limit your choices? Wider net's better, right?"
"Hmm."
Bini eyed Woo Ji-hyun with deep suspicion.
Sweat beaded on his forehead under her gaze.
"All guys are the same. Pretty's enough. Younger... even better."
"What was that?"
"N-nothing, just mumbling to myself."
Elder waved his hands frantically.
Freed from Bini's sharp stare, Woo Ji-hyun savored the melody still playing through the speakers.
He tapped the table in rhythm with his fingers.
"The track turned out great, didn't it?"
"It's got a unique charm. But you're really doing both vocals and rap? Why not feature on it? Or if you want rap, make a separate track."
Woo Ji-hyun glanced at Elder.
A duet between the two might be better than cramming two styles into one song.
But both Elder and Bini shook their heads.
"Would our secret relationship get exposed over this?"
"I'd rather use it as cover—say we have to meet for music work."
"No way. Too risky."
"Isn't this risky enough?"
Woo Ji-hyun stared pointedly at them both.
The couple exchanged awkward laughs.
"It's decent, but not a total hit. Next track, then."
Click-click.
Elder double-clicked the mouse in a hurry.
The second track began playing.
"Oh?"
Woo Ji-hyun's eyebrows twitched at the first note.
Unlike the first track's simple appeal, this one hooked him instantly.
A mid-tempo number that instantly sparked a story in his mind.
Scribble-scribble!
He started jotting lyrics in his notebook.
Not wanting to miss a single spark of inspiration.
'What the... this oppa?'
Bini peeked over, eyes sparkling, then went blank.
Unlike his unsure demeanor, Woo Ji-hyun's lyrics were pure gems.
And not from a man's view.
Like a novelist, he dashed off a woman's perspective effortlessly.
'Amazing, right?'
'Totally. This guy's a genius too. Not some lucky fluke.'
To avoid disturbing him, they conversed with lip movements.
The message came through clear.
'Told you. He's incredible. Innate talent. Still needs polishing, though.'
'Yeah. Even this level is insane.'
Untrained, Woo Ji-hyun's lyrics felt a bit scattered.
The meaning landed, but prose-like.
Yet the base track was so strong—trim it right, and it'd be gold.
No, nailing this one track would be a win for Bini.
* * *
Woo Ji-hyun visited Frontier Management's office after ages.
Manbai Publishing in Taiwan wanted to meet the original author.
They also needed to discuss martial arts novel rights.
"Hey."
"Ji-hyun hyung!"
"Oppa!"
After quick greetings with Min A-rang and the staff, Woo Ji-hyun headed to the webtoon team's partitioned workspace.
Lee Hye-seong and Lee Ji-seong, deep in work without chatter, looked up sharply.
Ha Jong-su and Jang Yu-ri bowed toward him next.
"Long time, everyone. Hope you've been well."
"We're the same as always. Work, work, work. Even dreaming of drawing protagonist Nam Ki-yeon."
"I'm on backgrounds."
The siblings sighed in unison.
Woo Ji-hyun found it adorable.
Sorry for their toil, though.
"That's a good thing. Jobs are scarce these days. And the benefits here rock."
"Stable at least. Paychecks on time."
"Plus raises starting this year!"
"Earn what you work for. Only fair."
Lee Hye-seong and Lee Ji-seong grinned wide.
Just thinking of the raise brought smiles.
"Oh, belated congrats. Wanted to say it in person, not over the phone."
"Webtoon team's effort too. Not just mine."
"Ehehehe!"
"But you'll have to enlist soon."
Lee Hye-seong's bright face darkened instantly.
He was twenty-two now.
Physical done, just waiting for enlistment date.
College deferment? No—employed, so straight to service once scheduled.
"Ah, forgot about that..."
"As someone who's been there: dodge if you can. Learn more outside. Military fans might enjoy it, but drop the fantasies."
"Already sounds awful."
"Hahaha!"
Woo Ji-hyun patted her shoulder as she clutched her head.
But his comfort fell flat.
"Oppa, oppa. You see Elder often?"
"Calling him like a friend?"
"Hehe! He's not here. Public figure too. And calling him Elder oppa feels off—he doesn't even know me."
"Now and then. Both busy, so not often."
"So jealous. Bet you sing and work together."
Lee Ji-seong looked genuinely envious.
Hands clasped tight.
Meanwhile, Ha Jong-su and Jang Yu-ri hung back.
Newer hires, less close than the siblings.
"You two worked hard too. Thanks for the in-novel illustrations. Your idea?"
"Oh, yeah. Naver's doing it already, so practice for us. Not half-assed, though."
"I know. Quality's obvious."
"Thank you!"
Ha Jong-su bowed deeply.
Lots riding on that thanks.
Their names were in the Taiwan-launched God of Martial Arts, Return webtoon.
"Keep it up. Especially Jong-su—son of a god, right?"
"I'll grind with pulverized bones resolve!"
"Not asking that much. Same for Yu-ri."
"Y-yes!"
Different fields, but Woo Ji-hyun was unparalleled in pure lit.
Jang Yu-ri looked up to him, learning synopses on the sly—hence the tension.
"Writer-nim. Manbai Publishing's due soon."
"Ah, got it. Coming."
Time flew despite short chat; Woo Ji-hyun stood.
The team rose too.
"Sit. I'm no CEO or major shareholder."
"But you're the face! Frontier's star writer!"
"Flatterer."
"Haha!"
He ribbed the now-cheerful Lee Hye-seong and left for the familiar meeting room.
"Tea?"
"Half banmal, half honorifics—pick one."
"I'll do what I want."
"Fine. Iced Americano for me."
"Still chilly—café au lait or cappuccino?"
Winter lingered before spring.
Min A-rang suggested warmer options.
"Cool and refreshing's best."
"Get brain freeze, then talk."
"Still in my twenties."
"Tomorrow, thirties knock."
She grinned playfully, humming 'Around Thirty.'
"When I'm thirty, you're next. One year apart—cut the age jabs."
"I'm further from it than you."
Teasing his age to the end, Min A-rang left.
Pre-arrived Jo Jin-gu spoke.
"Haha. Same as ever?"
"Yeah, but that's her charm. Always energetic."
"True. Our company vitamin. Work ethic's top-notch."
"Guests here."
Woo Ji-hyun and Jo Jin-gu turned to the door.
Yeom Tae-seong ushered in one man, one woman.
Jo Jin-gu didn't recognize the woman with Feng Wei-yan.
"Long time, President."
"Hello, Executive Director."
Shock brief; Jo Jin-gu flashed business smile, shook hands, offered seats.
"Nice to meet you. Chae Nam-hee in Korean. Interpreter and Manbai Publishing staff."
"Pleasure. Jo Jin-gu."
No standout beauty, but intellectual vibe; Chae Nam-hee introduced fluently.
She eyed Woo Ji-hyun expectantly.
"Hi. Woo Ji-hyun."
"The writer himself."
"Yes."
"Read your novels—dying to meet you!"
From pro to fan in a blink at his polite greeting.
"Haha. Thanks."
"Feng Wei-yan."
"Woo Ji-hyun."
He shook with today's key guest next.
Talk turned to future contracts.
Buoyed by God of Martial Arts, Return's success, Manbai eyed his full catalog.
Especially Taiwan—中华圈 nation, huge on wuxia.