The Host Battle Ignites
Kim Namhu had fucked Han Ji-yeon everywhere in her home.
In the garden, in the bedroom, in the living room, even in the shower while it steamed up.
After that relentless release, her lips carried a Buddha’s smile heavy with satisfaction.
“I’ll make dinner. You should eat and head out.”
Han Ji-yeon had never been one to cook at home.
She disliked having anyone else around, so she kept no full-time housekeeper, but twice a week a cleaning and cooking service arrived and left everything spotless.
Still, for this man who had pleasured her so thoroughly, she felt a strong urge to give him something more.
Thus, after a long time, she boiled a pot of doenjang jjigae on her own.
She spread out the side dishes the housekeeper had bought.
“Oh my, this is a feast!”
Kim Namhu ate with genuine delight.
He had lived in a gosiwon and always dined out for meals.
Of course he missed home-cooked food.
Watching him, Han Ji-yeon smiled with quiet delight.
As a woman, this was the first time she had tasted such joy.
**
Only three days remained until the end of the month.
The battle among the Aces remained fierce, while the newcomer’s victory was a foregone conclusion.
Cha Ji-hoon and Shin Yong-geom, who had strutted with their chests out, now wore long faces and no longer mentioned bets about senior and hyung treatment.
Lee Sang-soo gathered all the hosts.
“Hey, only a few days left this month. You’ve all worked hard. The Queen’s sales record this month? I thought you’d do your best, but you surpassed even my expectations.”
His face was filled with a smile.
“So, before I forget, aside from the prize I’m giving out, I’m throwing one million won in cash bonuses to every single one of you today!”
The hosts cheered with joy.
No one hated free money.
Lee Sang-soo had one more announcement.
“And here’s something else.”
All the hosts turned their attention, hoping for good news.
“Since the store is doing so well, the owner is throwing a party after all. Clear your schedules for the end of the month.”
The hosts groaned in disappointment.
No one enjoyed the owner’s company.
“Ah, I remember.”
Kim Namhu’s memories surfaced one by one.
Han Ki-ju.
The only daughter of one of the richest families in Gangbuk, she had simply bought The Queen because she wanted a host bar.
‘Buying a host bar just because you want one. I really don’t understand rich people.’
Han Ji-yeon was rich too, but her empire ended at owning a few buildings.
Han Ki-ju, however, was on a whole different level—she could not step across Gangbuk’s borders without setting foot on her family’s land.
After buying The Queen, she only used it for rare birthday parties and rarely visited.
Lee Sang-soo visited once a month to give brief reports.
‘She didn’t even show up like this before?’
The Queen’s sales had surged the moment Kim Namhu joined, and things were changing in ways no one had imagined.
‘Is she curious about something?’
Kim Namhu felt a spark of excitement at the thought of what would happen when he met the woman again.
**
The end of the month arrived.
The bonus distribution went smoothly.
The Ace with the highest sales for the month was Choi Moon-ho.
The competition among Aces had been intense until the final moment, and it seemed some luck had tipped the scale.
The newcomer, of course, took the overwhelming prize—five hundred thousand won.
Every other host received the previously announced one million won bonus.
No one felt the need to be particularly jealous.
After one in the morning, The Queen quickly closed for the company party.
No extra customers were allowed; all hosts simply waited.
At two in the morning, Lee Sang-soo gathered everyone.
“Everyone ready?”
“Yes.”
“It’s the owner’s party, so let’s all be cheerful and smiling.”
The hosts looked visibly unhappy.
It was only natural.
Hosting was about drinking.
A party couldn’t be enjoyable if one was simply drinking expensive alcohol.
Moreover, Han Ki-ju had no real interest in The Queen.
There was nothing about the event that could count as a bonus for her.
“Then let’s go.”
Following Lee Sang-soo, the hosts filed out.
The destination was a French restaurant that stayed open late at night.
Right now, however, the doors stood wide open with all staff waiting.
‘Nothing’s off the table when money’s involved.’
Han Ki-ju had bought the entire French restaurant’s operating hours with her cash.
Delicious dishes were already laid out—perfect for a wealthy woman.
Each host claimed a seat and sat down.
Since the owner had not arrived, they could not touch the food, so they simply sipped wine.
Lee Sang-soo gave his final instruction.
“Everyone, drink at your own pace. Don’t overdo it. Eat moderately, have fun a little, and we’ll leave.”
Not long after, Han Ki-ju walked in.
Her long hair was tied back, wearing simple track pants with no designer labels.
A small clutch rested in her hand.
She looked like an ordinary woman in her twenties.
But Kim Namhu knew better.
Everything about her—the clothes, the bag—was undeniably high-end.
She hated exposing that she owned luxury items, so every brand mark had been removed.
She bought designer goods not because of status, but because of guaranteed quality.
‘That’s the kind of thing only true rich people would do.’
And the money she spent on her body was no small fortune.
She received regular massages and skin treatments.
Each bill easily covered a new designer bag every month.
For her, money was simply a natural part of life.
She had been born rich and had never known otherwise.
“Hello, everyone. Long time no see.”
Han Ki-ju smiled warmly and greeted them.
She took the head seat at the French restaurant and settled in naturally.
Lee Sang-soo stood and bowed respectfully.
“You’re putting us on the spot again, Ms. Han. Please, no such formalities.”
Han Ki-ju was far younger than Lee Sang-soo.
She always reacted that way.
But as far as he was concerned, he could not be too old for the owner.
“Everyone, you were waiting for me and must be hungry. Order anything you want. Let’s do a toast first and then eat comfortably.”
Han Ki-ju rose, picked up her wine glass, and the other hosts followed suit, raising theirs.
Every host was looking at her.
She looked like a queen with her own harem.
“You all worked hard this month. Let’s drink it down.”
She drained her glass in one go, treating the wine like beer.
She then sat back down and chatted happily with those around her.
At the head seat sat the core of The Queen.
The former Ace who now led all the hosts, Lee Sang-soo.
The three current Aces.
They could not help but enjoy themselves in the company of a woman.
Even the rivals who usually eyed each other like dogs and cats had, for this moment, created a warm atmosphere and worked together.
‘This industry really has no limits.’
Kim Namhu watched the table from afar and thought to himself.
Although Han Ki-ju was not particularly interested in host bars, she was still the owner.
She had every reason to maintain a social presence.
No Ace, no matter how great, could put on airs in front of her.
She poured Choi Moon-ho—currently the highest-earning Ace—another full glass.
“Moon-ho, you were incredible this month again.”
“Luck played a part.”
Choi Moon-ho downed the wine in one gulp.
Hosts were usually not supposed to get drunk, so this kind of drinking was rare for them.
But Choi Moon-ho had learned that Han Ki-ju liked to be called a drinker and enjoyed serving others.
He drank with a carefree smile, even though his body had suffered.
“Of course. That’s our Ace for you. I’ve seen you hand over the Ace seat to others a few times, but Moon-ho still holds it most of the time.”
Han Ki-ju praised him and poured more.
“Take care of your body. If you get alcohol poisoning at your age, there’s nothing you can do about it. Right?”
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
It was her unique brand of teasing—separating words from actions.
Choi Moon-ho, who had never let even the Main touch him, was now drinking like a good dog.