Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Ji-a's Demons and Factory Check
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Alcohol Addiction
Kim Young-gil, Ji-a's father, was an alcoholic. He was blackout drunk, completely unresponsive.
Villain, Sociopath, Alcohol Addiction
Kim Ji-a's stepmother, Kim A-yeon, was a nasty piece of work.
The Villain trait meant irredeemable by nature, and Villain + Sociopath made her the devil incarnate.
"What brings you here?"
Kim A-yeon asked.
"Ji-a, let's go."
"Huh?"
"We'll talk outside."
Instead of answering, he grabbed Kim Ji-a's wrist and dragged her out of the house.
There was no upside to engaging with a devil like Kim A-yeon.
The best policy with devils was to keep your distance—no contact, no involvement.
"Hungry?"
"A little."
"Come on. Let's eat and talk."
He found a beef bulgogi restaurant and ordered two bulgogi set meals.
"Like bulgogi?"
"Love it."
Kim Ji-a was a bulgogi fanatic. Beef bulgogi, bulgogi pizza, bulgogi toast, bulgogi spring rolls—she loved them all.
"I figured it's best not to get tangled up with your stepmom, so I got us out quick."
"That woman's awful. She threw out my favorite doll and makes nothing but bean rice, knowing I hate it."
Cursing was routine when her dad wasn't around. Just recently, she'd even been hit mercilessly.
"I really, really hate her. She's a devil in human skin."
"Man, that must've been rough."
"Don't even ask. The house felt suffocating just breathing there."
"Talking contracts with your stepmom seems pointless, so I'll meet your dad instead."
Ji-a's father was an alcoholic, but at least not a villain.
Impossible to talk when wasted, but feasible in a sober state.
"Give me your dad's number."
"Sure."
He got the number and asked in detail about her father. He learned several facts.
1. Her father worked at a mid-sized company.
2. He didn't drink during the day.
3. After work, he drank until blackout.
4. When drunk, he hated his daughter.
"Normally? Does he hate you sober too?"
"No, only when he drinks."
Sounded like the type fine sober but flips when booze hits.
Meet him sober during the day, and the contract should go smoothly.
Just keep Kim A-yeon out of it, and everything should fall into place.
"Did Ye-jin sign?"
"Yeah, just did."
"So she'll live in a dorm in Seoul?"
"Yep."
They'd bunk in a Seoul apartment for trainee life.
"Why the smile?"
"Just happy. Living with Ye-jin, Seoul life, trainee stuff—exciting."
"It won't all be fun. Dorm life's tough, practice brutal."
"I know. I'm ready."
"Why do you want to be an idol?"
Through talk, he got a rough sense of Kim Ji-a.
She craved fame. Idol, YouTuber, singer—whatever, she wanted success and spotlight.
Not for money, not success itself, not even honor.
One reason.
Filling the love denied by parents with attention, affection, and adoration from fans as a celebrity.
"Ji-a, eat up."
Pitiful, starved for love.
Jin-seong gave her his share of bulgogi. Two portions wouldn't cut it, so he ordered one more.
"Want bingsu?"
*Nod nod.*
Bought her sweet-tangy fruit bingsu.
"Here. Pocket money."
Slipped her four 50,000-won bills.
Favorability: 90
Inner Thoughts: Old man... like....
Inner Thoughts: Wanna hit karaoke.
Jin-seong checked his watch.
"Gotta swing by the factory. Later, you, me, Ye-jin—karaoke trio?"
"Yes! Awesome!"
Her face lit up bright.
Empty one-room was boring and lonely solo. She hated loneliness.
"See you soon."
"Hurry back."
Jin-seong hailed a cab to YSP Pharma Factory. As it neared the gate, the guard stepped out.
"No entry for non-staff..."
The guard trailed off.
Window down, head out, eyes met.
"Hey."
"President? Good day, sir! Come on in."
Gate opened.
Paid the fare, got out.
⚡ Stamina: S
Good Person, Diligent, Honest, Positive
YSP Pharma's second employee was guard Kim Kang-moon, hired after a street run-in.
Inner Thoughts: Life here's heaven compared to apartment guarding. Good pay, tasty food, kind staff.
Inner Thoughts: Old job had bully residents—misery. Here, no bullies. Love it.
Inner Thoughts: Wish my daughter worked at YSP.
Free room and board let him save over 85% of pay.
Kim Kang-moon was truly grateful to Jin-seong for the guard gig.
"Still on shift?"
"Yes, sir."
"How's the factory vibe?"
"Fantastic. Everyone's diligent and passionate."
"Company cafeteria?"
"Top-notch. We're all thrilled."
Staff joked they worked for the food, not the pay.
"Any inconveniences?"
"None."
"For staff?"
"Doesn't seem so."
"Good to hear."
Entered the plant.
Production team hyper-focused, oblivious to his arrival.
Admin same: meticulous orders, earnest inquiries.
R&D no different. Team leader Ha Seon-jin and researchers poured into new products.
'Researchers...'
Placed three under Ha Seon-jin. Not geniuses, but elite-plus.
R&D hires prioritized character over skill. Wanted good folks for Ha.
'Suffered under jerks—give her the best team.'
YSP R&D policy:
1. Top researchers.
2. Generous funding.
3. Share results.
YSP overall:
1. Hire top talent.
2. Boost welfare.
3. Share sales.
"President?"
Ha Seon-jin spotted Jin-seong watching fondly mid-experiment.
"When'd you arrive?"
"Just now."
"Good day, sir."
"Hello, President."
"Hey, everyone."
Greeted the team.
"New product on track?"
"Wrapping up."
"What is it?"
"Maca-based vitality booster. Boosting absorption and efficacy, minimizing side effects."
"For men?"
He'd heard maca was good for guys.
"No, unisex. For all ages and genders."
"Hmm."
Jin-seong stroked his chin.
"Vitality booster..."
Muttered, deep in thought.
"Hm... Vitality... Team Leader Ha, how about unisex but effects skewed male-friendly?"
"Male-focused?"
"Yeah. Target men. 'Vitality for him. Great boyfriend gift.'"
Vitality boosters sold better to men than women.
Pack in male-appealing features for big sales.
"Oh? Sounds good!"
Ha was on board.
"Whoa, love it!"
"Premium price it—should fly."
"Smart promo, strong branding—jackpot."
Researchers pumped too.
'Need a VP for YSP. System to run smooth without me.'
He'd vet interviews himself.
Brainiac VP to set direction, products, org chart.
Left YSP.
Met Seo Ye-jin, Kim Ji-a. Hit coin karaoke with the girls. Jin-seong grabbed the mic.
Sang.
"Whoa, mister, you sing better than expected."
"...Not tone-deaf level."
Seo Ye-jin flashed a genuine smile, Kim Ha-na a forced one.
Inner Thoughts: Whoa... tone-deaf, pitch-deaf... Mister can't sing at all....
Inner Thoughts: Figures from a boomer—old picks, sings terribly.
Inner Thoughts: Wished he'd sing me something sweet... Guess I gotta sing for him....
Inner Thoughts: Boomers shouldn't touch mics, honestly.
Hurt by the girls' inner thoughts.
'Sigh... Next talent... singing?'
Girls sang.
Seo Ye-jin did a heartfelt ballad. Her voice had magic to stir souls.
Kim Ha-na picked upbeat with vocal punch. Insane high notes.
'Amazing.'
Idol-level, singer-caliber voices. Felt their genius anew.
"Oppa!"
Met A-young.
Everland trip planned.
"Whoa, extra pretty today?"
"Hehe, am I pretty?"
"Yeah, super cute."
A-young woke early for date: hair, makeup.
Yellow dress from department store, sandals.
Ponyta hair clip.
"Ten times? Twenty? Prettier than usual."
"Hehe, put in effort."
Blushed at compliments, shy smile, fiddled with long hair.
Affection: 90
A-young's affection hit 90 unnoticed. Highest among girlfriends.
Cab time.
"No license yet, oppa?"
"Me? Need to, no time."
"Get it. I'll gift a sweet sports car."
"Got it."
Cute gf nagging license.
Soon.
"Game going well?"
"Ugh, dunno. Frustrating. Snag #1, lose it next day, snag again, lose again."
Choi A-young in fierce #1-2 battle with Pajeon-ko. Neck-and-neck.
She wanted decisive #1.
"Pro teams scouting hard lately."
"Pro gamer?"
"Dunno. Kinda want, kinda not."
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