Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Revealed
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This is a work of fiction and has no relation to any real names, events, organizations, place names, or individuals.
Chapter 48: Revealed
Lee Hye-seong let out deep sighs.
His gaze was fixed on one corner of the desk.
"Why are you so down? Weren't you prepared for this?"
"I was. But seeing it for real is messing with my head."
"There's no way out of it. Just accept it."
"You wouldn't get it. A man's feelings like this."
Lee Hye-seong closed his eyes, his face gloomy.
In his mind, he pictured himself in combat gear, fully armed, scampering through the mountains like a dog.
"Going there doesn't mean you'll die. Sure, some don't make it back, but most come out fine. Don't make such a fuss."
"You're really jinxing me today, sis."
"I get where you're coming from, oppa, but take it easy. Don't forget this is the workplace."
"Right. The job..."
Lee Hye-seong bowed his head, thinking of his enlistment date, now just a month away.
With that hanging over him, he couldn't focus on work.
"While you're off serving, I'll sharpen my skills hard. Don't worry about me—just protect the country and trust in me."
"Haa..."
"Something wrong? I could hear your sighs from outside."
"Oh, Deputy Min."
Lee Ji-seong flashed an awkward smile at Min A-rang, who poked her head through the door.
They'd worked together for a while now, but he still kept a certain distance with her.
"What would be wrong? It's just his enlistment date came through."
"Yeah, it's about that time. No college deferment since he's not a student."
"That's why he's super jealous of me. Haha."
Ha Jong-su grinned teasingly.
And sure enough, Lee Hye-seong was staring at him with pure envy.
"Can't be helped. For a guy, the military's basically forced labor."
"I really don't want to go..."
"All I can say is come back safe."
"Ugh..."
Even Min A-rang's consolation didn't lift Lee Hye-seong's spirits.
If anything, it made him sink lower.
"But what's up with Ji-hyun hyung? No contact at all. I sent a KakaoTalk, and it's still unread."
"He's probably shooting a promo video for Q&D Management. Heard it's a two-day, one-night shoot."
"Shooting promo for another agency okay?"
"Yeah, Boss approved it, and it's good for the industry. Mutual benefits, no big issue."
"Hmm. How's the writer recruitment going?"
Min A-rang's face darkened.
As Ha Jong-su worried, Frontier Management's situation wasn't great.
Short-term, no major problems.
But long-term, securing writers was essential.
"Boss is hustling for it, but it's tough. Good writers who you can trust are limited. Publishers and agencies don't let them go easily. And the ones they do release? We don't sign 'em for a reason."
"What about growing our own? Like an academy for rookies and amateurs."
"We're considering that. But our company's not big enough yet."
"Oh, right, forgot about that."
"Don't worry too much. We're fine for now. Serials are doing well, webtoons steady. Next works in prep."
This time, launching new series with webtoons simultaneously.
No big worries for a while.
With undefeated top dog and face of the company Woo Ji-hyun at Frontier Management.
'Still, kinda hurts. No word at all? That trainee prettier than me?'
Min A-rang pouted.
Imagining Woo Ji-hyun with young, pretty trainees made her chest burn for some reason.
She knew he wasn't big on women, but still—idol trainees.
And Woo Ji-hyun was a healthy guy.
'Can't stand it. Gotta video call him later.'
Min A-rang bit her lip.
She wanted to call now, but overtime tonight.
Writers left in droves, but work didn't shrink.
Plus, Taiwan trip coming—needed to clear the deck.
"Um..."
"Yes?"
"No, Deputy Min, you look kinda scary. Just peeking in like that..."
"Ahaha. Sorry. Back to work, then."
Realizing her posture, Min A-rang flushed and pulled back.
But even after she left, the awkward vibe lingered.
"Deputy Min seems off today, right?"
"Totally."
"Wonder what's up?"
Jang Yu-ri tilted her head.
Min A-rang, usually the perfect career woman, felt weird today.
"Everyone has off days. Too perfect, and you lose that human touch."
"That's why you like her?"
"Ahem! What're you talking about?"
"Hehe! Don't worry. Our little secret."
Jang Yu-ri smiled meaningfully.
But Ha Jong-su couldn't brush it off.
He quickly checked on the Lee siblings.
Since she said "our," gauging their reactions.
"Huh?"
Lee Hye-seong was still sighing endlessly, Lee Ji-seong buried in work.
Zero interest in their chat.
"Guessed right? Half-shot in the dark."
"What!"
"But tough luck. Opponent's too strong."
"It's not like that. Just caught off guard."
Ha Jong-su waved it off firmly.
No way he'd dare dream.
She'd said at a company dinner younger guys weren't her thing anymore.
"Giving up early? My dad said men need grit."
"Old saying: 'No tree stands after ten strikes.' Doesn't fly now—ancient history. Not that it applies to me, anyway."
Catching his slip, Ha Jong-su dove into work, avoiding Jang Yu-ri's gaze.
"Fine, whatever. Atmosphere's messy today."
Lee Hye-seong spaced out, Lee Ji-seong silent worker.
Ha Jong-su red-faced at his desk. Jang Yu-ri shrugged.
Only normal one here was her.
'Least it's not boring.'
Nothing funner than tangled guy-girl drama.
Perfect romance fodder for an aspiring webtoon artist like her.
So Jang Yu-ri observed the office vibes, smirking inwardly.
* * *
Recruiting girl group trainees? Dorm was top-notch.
Pretty pension anyone would envy.
But joy ended there.
Crew didn't skip dinner, nah.
"Barbecue party," they said, then hit 'em with missions and quizzes for tomorrow's breakfast.
Woo Ji-hyun and the juniors, fresh from showers, scrambled with day's hint haul to solve.
"Haa. Exhausted."
"Today's dragged forever."
Writers along? Quizzes near impossible.
Promo for Dream Note platform—famous works as questions. Webnovels easy.
Five active writers crushed most.
Trouble elsewhere.
Mystery to romance, SF fantasy, BL—Woo Ji-hyun and crew panicked.
Near-zero knowledge.
"Gonna die. Legs jelly, can't walk."
"Me too. Ran like hell, whole body's cramping."
Lee Jang-hu slumped, kneading his body.
Massage didn't ease the aches.
"But you got the attention you craved? Got closer too."
"What's it matter? I'm second fiddle. All eyes on Ace."
"Not me—uncle vibes with the age gap."
"Mom says that's the danger zone. Fell for Dad that way, got married."
"Then use it."
Lee Jang-hu, twenty-seven.
Late twenties, still prime.
Woo Ji-hyun pepped him.
Dad succeeded? Son could too with effort.
"Easy to say..."
"Don't rush. Girls sense it. Slow like mist rain. Plus eyes watching. Focus on bonding first."
"You noticed too, hyung?"
"Would be weird not to."
"Kids didn't."
Lee Jang-hu smirked.
His three juniors? Desperate Tiramisu approaches, like ants in pants.
Despite Nam Hee-gyu glaring, they tried everything for contacts.
"They know, but time's short."
"Honestly, I'm antsy too. Disband tomorrow morning. Debut next month? Harder to meet."
"So who you like?"
"Uh..."
Lee Jang-hu blushed.
Just thinking made him happy.
"Look at you, young love. No overlap? That'd be mess. Eh, your fight, not mine."
"Hyung, too cold to the dongsaengs?"
"Grown men. Why meddle? Life's my way or bust. Do you, stay sane."
Woo Ji-hyun said cynically.
Zero intent to nag advice.
Love's between two anyway.
"Ji-hyun oppa!"
As Lee Jang-hu grumbled, Tiramisu ran up in comfy dorm wear.
Nam Hee-gyu followed, expertly herding the juniors.
Vet manager, cutting writer advances smooth.
"Slacking too comfy?"
"Gotta rest when resting. First real workout in ages—body's screaming."
"Already? You're not even thirty!"
Maknae Si-ha laughed, smacking Woo Ji-hyun's shoulder.
After a day stuck together, treated him casual.
"Right on the cusp, maybe."
"Such an ajusshi, oppa."
"To you girls, yeah. Ten years on Su-ryun and A-rin. Eleven on you maknae line."
"Not much difference."
Jung In-i said coolly.
In showbiz, ten-eleven years? Pocket change.
"Environment thing? You girls are chill."
"Can't ignore surroundings. Oppa, question: You talk to Elder much?"