Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Relieved that the topic had shifted, the man asked a question.
Lee Woo-hyung shook his finger vigorously in response.
"At least it's a guy, so that's a relief."
"Hey now. If you're already whipped, I'll be disappointed. Isn't rebellion the basic spirit of a rapper? Especially with an age gap of nine whole years!"
Lee Woo-hyung emphasized the words "nine years" in particular.
The man's already pale face grew even whiter.
It wasn't just that "nine years" stabbed like a dagger; the number nineteen was also engraved in his mind afterward.
"Could you not emphasize it so much...?"
"I'm jealous, that's all. I never had that kind of experience."
"...You should meet someone too. Just meet one."
"Unfortunately, I have no connections in that age range. Even during my break, I did photoshoots and appeared on variety shows."
Lee Woo-hyung wore a genuinely regretful expression.
Of course, meeting someone didn't guarantee dating them.
"So what do you want me to do about it?"
"What do you mean? I'm just saying I'm jealous. You're boldly walking a path I've never trodden."
"Enough chit-chat. Who's coming? Tell me."
"They'll be here soon. This guy's freakishly punctual about time."
Knock knock knock.
No sooner had Lee Woo-hyung finished speaking than a knock echoed through the room.
Lee Woo-hyung grinned and checked his wristwatch.
The door slid open.
A silhouette entered the room.
At the same time, the man's eyes slowly widened.
He now understood why Lee Woo-hyung had said that.
"Hey. Oh?"
Meanwhile, Woo Ji-hyun, who had entered the room casually, spotted Lee Woo-hyung and raised his hand in greeting—only to jolt in surprise upon seeing the man seated next to him.
Just as the man had recognized Woo Ji-hyun at once, he too had instantly recognized the man.
"Ta-da! How's that for a surprise?"
"Writer Woo Ji-hyun?"
"Elder?"
Lee Woo-hyung grinned as he alternated glances between his two equally stunned friends.
It seemed the gift he'd prepared had landed perfectly.
"Oh? You know me?"
"Of course. I'm a fan of Maestro on the Field. I'm really enjoying your ongoing serialization, God of Martial Arts, Return."
"Whoa."
Woo Ji-hyun was as shocked as he'd been upon first meeting Lee Woo-hyung.
He never could have imagined that Elder, the most famous rapper in the hip-hop scene right now, was a fan of his.
But if shock was the measure, Elder was no slouch either.
He hadn't anticipated Woo Ji-hyun showing up here at all.
"Nice to meet you."
"N-Nice to meet you too."
The two finally composed themselves and exchanged greetings, though their expressions remained dazed.
"Alright, enough greetings. Sit down first. It's rude to leave food sitting there untouched."
"Hey, you could've given me a heads-up."
"It's a surprise. Why spoil it?"
"You didn't have to make it a surprise. Just say we're meeting up."
Woo Ji-hyun clicked his tongue.
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense.
Elder nodded in silent agreement.
"Then you wouldn't get to see this hilarious scene."
"So it's all about your entertainment in the end."
"Of course. Heh heh!"
"Unbelievable."
Woo Ji-hyun tsked his tongue, followed by Elder.
He considered himself an oddball, but Lee Woo-hyung was proving no less quirky.
"By the way, you know we're all the same age, right?"
"Yeah."
"Obviously."
"So let's drop the formalities. We only need to be polite for greetings."
At Lee Woo-hyung's natural lead in the conversation, Woo Ji-hyun and Elder exchanged looks.
They soon nodded with identical smiles.
"Let's keep it casual."
"Yeah, we're friends. No need to be stiff."
Elder flashed a grin at Woo Ji-hyun's words.
Though it was their first meeting today, the vibe wasn't bad at all.
No, it was actually much better than when he'd met Lee Woo-hyung.
With that, Elder dropped the formal speech without hesitation.
"I knew you two would hit it off. There's a reason they say birds of a feather flock together."
"What's gotten into you? Quoting proverbs now? You been reading books lately?"
"I read books every day. Just focused on genres, that's all. And I catch movies here and there—I'm a real culture enthusiast."
"Culture enthusiast? Sounds like a total ajusshi."
Lee Woo-hyung furrowed his brow at Elder's mutter.
He couldn't accept that description at all.
"If I'm an ajusshi, then you are too!"
"I own it though? That's why I even made a song about it. Oh, wait—hasn't dropped yet?"
Elder tilted his head.
Though only three years into his debut, his prolific activity made him momentarily unsure.
He hadn't registered the sound yet, but he'd performed it live.
"The title's Ajusshi?"
"Yeah. Captures exactly how I felt at twenty-five. I went through a lot young, so my face aged a bit."
"Same here. That's why I clung desperately to skincare once I started making money."
"Oh, really? I went all-in on dermatology. Botox and everything."
"I didn't go that far..."
Lee Woo-hyung found himself sidelined by their nonstop skincare talk.
He was a complete novice on the subject.
Never paid much attention to it anyway.
"Alright, enough of that. Let's have a drink. Food's here—let's knock one back properly."
"You don't drink though?"
"You two can drink."
"I drove here."
Woo Ji-hyun let out a chuckle at Lee Woo-hyung's bold declaration that he wouldn't drink.
But he didn't push.
He knew all too well how rigorously Lee Woo-hyung managed himself during the season.
"Just call a driver. Or crash here. My place is nearby—sleep it off and head out tomorrow. Or go to that guy's place."
"We're not that close yet."
Elder waved his hand awkwardly as attention turned to him.
Sure, they'd gotten friendly, but not to the point of crashing at each other's homes.
But the biggest reason was something else.
"It's 'cause of another reason, right? You don't know when your girlfriend might show up."
"Of course you can't go then. Gotta respect privacy."
"What's this? You're not usually like this."
"It's our first meeting today. Gotta show some courtesy. Worst case, crash at your place."
Clink clink!
No sooner had Woo Ji-hyun spoken than Lee Woo-hyung set out soju glasses.
He poured cold water into his own and filled his two friends' glasses himself.
"Exactly. To that end, cheers. Booze fixes awkwardness."
"Yours is water."
"Cut me some slack—my job's special. Think I don't wanna drink? I'm holding back with effort."
"Fair enough. I respect that. One drink might seem trivial, but not to me. It's about knowing your limits. You're doing great in that regard, Woo-hyung."
Woo Ji-hyun nodded like an elder brother praising him, prompting Lee Woo-hyung to scoff.
What was funny was Elder nodding in agreement beside him.
"You guys...!"
"The non-drinker can wait. Cheers to us."
"Sounds good."
Lee Woo-hyung had set the table, but the toast was just between Woo Ji-hyun and Elder.
He looked exasperated, but they paid him no mind.
"Ahh! Good stuff."
"Yeah. Soju's hitting different today."
After a few rounds, not only Woo Ji-hyun but Elder's faces had flushed.
Empty bottles lined one side of the table.
Lee Woo-hyung was nowhere to be seen—probably in the bathroom.
"Honestly, I was shocked twice today. Once that you were here, and again at how laid-back you are."
"My media image is a bit prickly, yeah. Being a rapper plays into it. I know I'm not the friendly type."
"You're not much of a talker either. But that's not what I meant. I had this preconception that celebrities are hard to approach, tough to befriend. They seem like they live in another world from regular folks."
"Nah, another world? We live in the same Korea. Just lifestyles differ a bit."
Elder waved it off.
He got the intent, but he didn't fit that bill at all.
"Not 'a bit' from what I've seen."
"Sure, some live in a way that breeds relative deprivation. Some have that elitist vibe, like you said. But not everyone's like that. And it's not just in entertainment."
"True. By that logic, Woo-hyung's a bit of an odd case too."
"You're the same. At your age, no one's succeeded that much in genres."
Woo Ji-hyun smiled awkwardly at the flattery turned his way.
No need to brag, but no need to deny it either.
"Man, you live and learn. Getting props from Elder. Hell, drinking together too."
"I'm amazed too. First time meeting a writer. Soccer player's a first via Woo-hyung. Heh heh!"
"Same for me."
"What're you two giggling about?"
As Woo Ji-hyun and Elder chuckled, Lee Woo-hyung returned, looking as pristine as when they'd started—the only one not drinking.
"About how surreal this meetup is?"
"So you've realized my greatness? Don't forget I made this happen."
"Yeah, thanks. Hooked me up with ads, now celebs. Truly grateful, bro."
Woo Ji-hyun snarked as Lee Woo-hyung spread his arms wide like demanding worship.
But Lee Woo-hyung just grinned happily.
Elder merely snorted quietly.
"Ah, if only there was karaoke gear here."
"The sober guy's talking karaoke?"
"Why not? Best vocals come sober. Plus, hear the hot rapper live."
Lee Woo-hyung eyed Elder with a subtle tone, gaze screaming he wanted his songs.
Elder shrugged and nodded toward the room.
"Not here. Would disturb others."
"Isn't there karaoke nearby? Bet we could find one."
"Probably. Problem is, I don't know where we are."
"FYI, I'm from Incheon. Don't come to Seoul much."
Woo Ji-hyun raised his hand sheepishly.
Incheon? Fine. But Seoul geography? Not his strong suit.
He'd know Hongdae or Sinchon, but Gangnam? Lost.
"Wasn't asking you anyway."
"Good to know."
"But do we have to hit karaoke? I'm good right now."
"Me too."
He loved singing, but it didn't have to be tonight.
They were having plenty of fun already.
As a writer, just hearing stories from other fields made the night meaningful for Woo Ji-hyun.
Not just anyone could have a gathering like this.