Chapter 161
Translator: uly
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: He is back
Two men appeared at the Curve Entertainment office, which still didn’t have its own building.
One was a rapper who anyone could see had a free spirit, and the other was a young man with a completely opposite style.
Yet they were wearing identical sunglasses, as if they’d coordinated as a set.
“Of all things, why did it have to be this?”
“Exactly. It’s not like they’re couple sunglasses.”
“I’m more pissed off about it.”
“Me too.”
Woo Ji-hyun scowled and glared at Elder.
But at that look, Elder made a strange expression.
It was only natural for him to feel upset.
After all, there was only one person in the world who could wear the same sunglasses as him.
“You aren’t dating someone, are you?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah?”
Elder’s eyes widened for a moment.
It was an answer he truly hadn’t expected.
But Woo Ji-hyun acted as casual as if he’d just said he’d had breakfast.
“Why are you so surprised? It’s not weird for someone my age to date.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just weird that you’re admitting it so easily.”
“I’m not a public figure.”
Woo Ji-hyun laughed in disbelief.
For celebrities, it was better to keep things hidden unless they were going public, but that wasn’t the case for him.
On top of that, the Maestro on the Field ad had been completely forgotten by the public, so no one recognized him anymore.
At most, people who’d seen Dream Note’s promo video might squint at him suspiciously.
“Oh, right. You’re not a celebrity.”
“You’ve been out of it lately, huh?”
“I’ve been busy. Prepping a new album, dealing with stuff I’ve started everywhere. As you know, I need to make a ton of money.”
“I know. I’m chipping in too.”
Elder grinned.
He felt secure precisely because Woo Ji-hyun was helping out.
It was a big, unspoken boost.
“Thanks.”
“That’s not why I’m doing it.”
“Hmm. Why’s our writer Woo so prickly today?”
“Because of the sunglasses?”
“Yeah, I’ll take mine off. His Elder-ness graciously yields.”
Elder spoke as if bestowing a favor.
They were already inside the building anyway, so no direct sunlight would hit them if they removed their shades.
Plus, it’d embarrass Woo Ji-hyun a bit.
“Too late. Everyone who matters has already seen.”
“Heh. Everyone knows we’re close anyway, so just accept it. So, what’s your girlfriend like?”
“A woman who’s beautiful in body and soul?”
“Perfect? Aside from my girl, was there anyone else like that?”
Brrr!
Woo Ji-hyun shuddered.
He’d thrown the first jab, but Elder landed the critical hit.
That left Woo Ji-hyun speechless for a moment.
“So you admit it too?”
“I want to deny it, but I can’t say no. The backlash would be too scary…”
“Heh heh heh! So you’ve finally realized it. Her terror…”
Elder, who’d been laughing, let out a deep sigh at the end.
His girlfriend was lovable and beautiful, but just as tough— that was Vinny.
“That’s why I feel so relieved. Mine’s different.”
“You don’t know that. It’s still early days. Who knows what’ll happen later. Women have a hundred faces built in.”
“Fair. That’s why I’m praying it doesn’t turn out that way.”
“Good times.”
Elder shrugged.
Things couldn’t be better right now.
At the same time, he felt relieved that Woo Ji-hyun had finally started dating.
The guy made good money and had talent— he couldn’t understand why he hadn’t dated before.
“It’ll only get better. We should live happily.”
“Damn right.”
Elder probably only knew the surface reason.
But fundamentally, it was the same.
Woo Ji-hyun smiled faintly and pressed the buzzer for the Curve Entertainment office.
Beep!
-Who is it?
A very businesslike woman’s voice came from the speaker by the buzzer.
Instead of answering, Woo Ji-hyun looked at Elder.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Elder here.”
“What?”
Elder looked dumbfounded.
But Woo Ji-hyun was confident.
Saying his own name wouldn’t get through to anyone here— zero chance.
Elder, on the other hand, had VIP status.
-Ah, we’ll open the door!
As if to prove it, the woman’s tone changed.
The door opened before she even finished speaking.
“See? That’s why I used your name.”
“They’d have opened for Cain too. They must know about today’s meeting.”
“Nah. They would’ve hesitated for a sec. ‘Cain? Sounds familiar…’”
“No way. You’re on the visitor list.”
Elder shook his head.
Woo Ji-hyun had a habit of undervaluing himself sometimes.
Even if their fields were different.
‘No, it’s not a different field anymore.’
Woo Ji-hyun wasn’t the old Woo Ji-hyun.
The reluctant collaborator was gone.
With the plausible name Cain came a business card listing all the hits he’d produced.
The music industry was no longer a separate world for him.
“Even if I am, they might not recall right away. I’m not famous.”
Bzzz!
“That’s not true, Writer— I mean, Cain.”
As Woo Ji-hyun finished speaking, the firmly shut door opened.
Nam Hee-gyu appeared.
“Manager.”
“Thank you for coming all this way. And nice to meet you. I’m Nam Hee-gyu, Mr. Elder.”
“Hello.”
Nam Hee-gyu, who’d smiled warmly at Woo Ji-hyun, turned and bowed politely to Elder.
He didn’t forget to hand over his business card.
“Please, both of you come in. The girls just finished practice and are cleaning up. They’ll come out as soon as they’re ready.”
“They don’t have to.”
“No, they do. It’s only right to greet the composer and lyricist. Especially since it’s your first time, Mr. Elder.”
“I don’t mind.”
Unlike the etiquette-focused Nam Hee-gyu, Elder replied coolly.
This was purely a meeting.
No contract yet.
So Tiramisu’s presence or absence didn’t matter much.
“They want to say hi. They’re big fans of you personally, Mr. Elder. Ah, musically, of course. Your songs are just that good.”
“Thank you.”
Elder responded calmly to the praise, which bordered on rave reviews.
He acknowledged it himself, so he didn’t deny it.
And musically, Woo Ji-hyun had no grounds to knock Elder either.
Thud.
Following Nam Hee-gyu’s lead into the meeting room, Woo Ji-hyun carefully surveyed the interior.
Having visited Apple Entertainment a few times thanks to Elder’s PriOs, he naturally compared the two.
“What’re you staring at so intently?”
“Oh, my next work’s about the entertainment industry. So I’m doing some in-depth research.”
“Hoo. Entertainment story? With an actor or singer as the protag? How about basing it on me? Like a novelized autobiography.”
“That’d flop hard without even trying.”
Nam Hee-gyu coughed awkwardly.
He’d burst out laughing but forced it down, making a weird noise escape.
Elder scowled deeply at the same time.
“Why? Here’s a prime example of success.”
“Autobiography is autobiography. Totally different genre from novels. Web novels have to be fun, period. Readers today aren’t bored enough to slog through boring stuff. There’s so much else to enjoy. Hell, just hand ’em a smartphone and they’re set for the day.”
“Too brutally spot-on. No room to argue.”
“Hahaha. You two are really close. Like real-life bros.”
“Sadly.”
Woo Ji-hyun shrugged at Nam Hee-gyu.
What was funny was Elder making the exact same face and gesture.
“What do you mean? I’m the one who should be sad. I lose either way.”
“Yeah? Then let’s coolly part ways here. You go your music path, I’ll take the web novel road.”
“Come on, after all the time we’ve spent together? How can you say that so coldly? What kind of relationship is this?!”
“No relationship?”
Nam Hee-gyu laughed openly now.
Their bickering felt just like lifelong best friends.
And it wasn’t just him— the female staffer who entered with a tray of drinks had her lips twitching as she held back a smile.
“Friends or foes?”
“If foes, I’m heading home. Feels like my part’s done.”
Woo Ji-hyun stood as if he really meant it.
Elder and even Nam Hee-gyu jumped up and grabbed his arm.
“Hey now. Where you going? A man who draws his sword sees it through!”
“Hahaha! Please have a seat.”
“Didn’t plan on actually leaving.”
Woo Ji-hyun sat back down with an awkward smile at their overreactions.
He quietly downed the orange juice in front of him.
“How’s your schedule today? Pretty packed, I assume?”
“Nah. We’ve got time for a good talk. This guy’s basically unemployed anyway.”
“Not unemployed. Living off savings. I stacked plenty.”
“Yeah, rich unemployed.”
“Khkh!”
Woo Ji-hyun didn’t deny it.
Like most young people these days, one of his grand dreams was to be a rich slacker.
Of course, with the prerequisite of owning buildings.
“Just need a backpack and it’s perfect.”
“Already looking into it.”
“So, you both have time today?”
“Yes.”
Woo Ji-hyun and Elder answered in unison.
Nam Hee-gyu nodded, looking a bit more at ease.
If they weren’t super busy, no need to rush adjustments.
“Then let’s talk terms. Here’s the contract we prepared.”
“Hmm.”
Elder took the contract Nam Hee-gyu handed over— clearly prepped in advance— and grew serious.
He scanned it with a sharp eye.
With friends, he might skip contracts for cash, features, or equivalent, but he and Curve Entertainment weren’t there.
So he checked meticulously.
“If anything’s lacking or you want changes, say so. We’ll adjust within reason right away. If it’s beyond me, I’ll contact upstairs immediately.”
“No need. Conditions aren’t bad— actually generous. The amount’s quite high?”
“That’s how badly we want your track, Mr. Elder. Assuming it’s solid, of course.”
“But you’re handing me production for the whole album? Isn’t that risky?”
There were precedents, but strictly speaking, Elder and Tiramisu were total strangers.
If they’d built the team together, maybe, but an outsider producing the entire album was a big gamble for them.
Elder pointed it out directly.