Episode 154: The Two Pills in the Water Bottle
There were two pills in the water bottle. One was [Our Family Health Vitamin], a simple vitamin. The other was [Appetite Control Pill (Permanent)].
[Can arbitrarily control appetite.]
Yoo Eun-ha had stronger food cravings than the average person. If she could control her appetite, it would definitely help with her diet.
"Eun-ha, have you ever thought about doing a broadcast?"
"A broadcast?"
"Yeah, something with a diet concept. It could help you gain some fame."
Yoo Eun-ha's face darkened instantly.
"I think broadcasting sounds good, but... I'm a bit worried. What if people call me fat? And what if I fail the diet? What if they say, 'Weak-willed pig. Knew she couldn't do it'?"
In truth, Jinseong judged that Yoo Eun-ha's chances of failing the diet were overwhelmingly higher than succeeding. She'd desperately asked him for diet coaching, grasping at straws. Whether she'd succeed was still up in the air.
"It's fine."
Jinseong smiled gently.
"Eun-ha, ignore the stares from people whose faces you don't even know—the malice, the hate comments. What matters is you dieting, working hard, and becoming a better version of yourself. Other people? They don't matter one bit."
His smile was so kind.
"Diet? You can absolutely succeed. That dream of becoming a singer after losing weight? You can make it happen for sure. I'll help you as much as I can, so don't worry about a thing."
It was strange. His gentle smile oddly put her at ease. Her worries strangely melted away under his certainty. Her sharp intuition whispered to her: Trust the CEO. Follow him, and you'll get rice cakes even in your sleep. You'll definitely succeed.
She nodded. After some thought, she nodded.
"Got it. I'll give it a try."
"Good choice. You'll definitely succeed at the diet and become a beautiful singer representing our country."
Me, a top Korean singer? A beautiful one at that? She couldn't honestly believe it.
"Thank you."
Strangely, her mood lifted. Her sharp intuition whispered that it could really happen. She was convinced.
Yoo Eun-ha had probably failed at diets before because of her [Gluttony (F)] talent. It sparked her cravings, and every bite she took made her balloon up.
[Growth Talent Ticket (Permanent) used.]
[Applied to Gluttony (F) talent.]
[Yoo Eun-ha's Gluttony (F) talent has been changed to Growth type.]
By using the Growth Talent Ticket, he'd eliminated the root problem. Higher-grade Gluttony talents allowed eating more, prevented easy weight gain no matter how much you ate, and reduced damage from heavy food intake.
With proper use of the Gluttony talent and the appetite pill? She'd definitely succeed at dieting.
"Hello? I'm Yoo Eun-ha. Nice to meet you."
Before exercising, they filmed with the camera.
"I'm starting diet content. I'll do my best."
He guided her workouts. It wasn't much—stretching, stationary bike, slow walking. Minimal intensity to avoid strain.
"Huff! Huff! Haaah!"
Less than 15 minutes in, Yoo Eun-ha was panting hard.
"Haaah! So tough! Haaah!"
Exercising with her oversized body was torture. After just 20 minutes, she was drenched in sweat.
"Good. Good. You're doing great. Really well."
He encouraged her, slowing the treadmill further.
"Slowly. As slow as you can. You got this."
10 minutes bike, 1 hour treadmill, finishing stretches.
"Good work."
Clap clap clap clap. He applauded with a pleased smile.
"Huff, huff, haaah. Th-thank you."
She was sweating buckets, exhausted.
"Tomorrow, after quitting and clocking out, come straight to the gym."
"Yes."
In exchange for her signing bonus and living expenses, Jinseong advised her to quit. She'd focus on dieting full-time, learning singing, dancing, and etiquette in her spare time.
The diet coaching session ended successfully.
"Take care. You worked really hard today."
"Yes. Thank you. See you tomorrow."
He escorted her out of the building.
"Jeong PD, edit and upload the video."
"Yes, sir. What's the channel name?"
"Hmm—."
He crossed his arms, lost in thought. What should the channel be called?
'Yoo Eun-ha's Challenge'? He shook his head. No, weird.
'Challenging Yoo Eun-ha'? Shook his head. Bad vibe.
'Yoo Eun-ha's Success Story'? Not bad.
"Yoo Eun-ha's Success Story. Let's go with that for the channel name."
"Oh? Sounds good. Got it."
"Thanks."
"You got it. Leave it to me."
Jeong PD replied brightly and energetically.
Jeong PD was a family man. Divorced, raising three kids alone.
"Jeong PD, head home today and work from there."
"Pardon?"
"Kids are waiting at home, aren't they? Go on."
"I'm fine."
"Log your hours after. I'll pay overtime."
At Jinseong's kind smile.
"Sir...."
Jeong PD got choked up.
"Thank you for the consideration. I'll work hard."
"Yes. Do that. Oh, and."
Jinseong pulled an envelope from his pocket.
"Here. Buy the kids something nice."
It held 1 million won in Shinsegae department store gift certificates.
"Thank you. Thank you."
Jeong PD bowed deeply to the much younger Jinseong.
Jeong PD is capable. A good guy. One of my people.
Raising three kids alone in Seoul? It had to be brutally tough.
I take care of my own.
"Get in."
"Yes, sir."
She climbed into the car. Jinseong in the driver's seat, Secretary Han Jiyu in the passenger seat.
"Hungry?"
"Starving."
"How about chicken?"
"Sounds good."
"Any chicken brand you like?"
"I like Jjコba."
"Whoa! Jjコba's great. Thigh meat with rice cakes? Perfection."
"Exactly. So delicious."
Dinner was settled: Jjコba boneless.
Truth be told, Jinseong preferred BBQ over Jjコba. He buckled up, started the engine. The Mercedes gifted by A-young glided out of the underground parking.
Jinseong drove the Mercedes to work himself, but used a driver for business trips.
They arrived at the destination.
She'd been excited about gaming with the boss on the way home. But now at her door, anxiety hit.
"Come in."
She let Jinseong inside.
"How's the dorm? Livable?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Jinseong scanned the place.
Pretty tidy. Few belongings made it feel a bit empty.
"Juice?"
"Sure."
He got mango juice and drank it. They ordered chicken. Sat side by side on the sofa, gaming.
Mid-game.
"Wanna lie down comfortably?"
"Pardon? No."
"Go ahead, get comfy."
He subtly yielded the sofa. Han Jiyu, catching on, sprawled out. Jinseong sat in a chair, gaming.
"Lying down gaming after work melts away all stress."
"Do you get a lot of stress usually?"
"No."
Secretary Han Jiyu was a hardcore homebody. Going out was stress in itself.
"Work tough?"
"It was at first, but now the rewards outweigh it."
"Yeah? Curious what was tough and what's rewarding."
"Honestly, interpersonal stuff."
Dealing with people was hard.
"You and everyone treat me kinder than I deserve, so working together is fun."
Ironically, people made work enjoyable.
"Feels good being overtreated, and seeing the company grow with my efforts is satisfying."
Secretary Han Jiyu glanced at Jinseong, phone down.
"Gaming together after work seems fun too."
Twice as fun as solo.
"Let's game together sometimes."
"Sounds good."
They paused chat, focused on the game.
Delivery's here.
They ate Jjコba, cool canned beer too. Gamed for a while.
Han Jiyu rubbed her eyes with her hand.
"I'll head out. Had a blast today. No need to see me off."
"Take care."
He left.
Jinseong's lip twitched.
Nice! Finally generated affection.
Tomorrow, subtle skinship.
He called a designated driver.
Chicken night today, huh.
He found a roast chicken place.
"Huh? Sir?"
Ran into Yoo Eun-ha.
"Working here?"
"Helping Mom."
"Ah."
Han Jiyu flopped onto her bed.
Body...
Shower woke her up.
So hot...
Lying there, lewd lust surged.
Why so hot?
She touched her nipple. Strangely, Jinseong's face came to mind.