Unlimited Paid Leave and Lingering Shadows
Na-young scarfed down two more bowls before heading home. She said she had some stuff to pack for her officetel.
"Whoa, damn... they cleaned this out completely."
I let out a hollow laugh at the pots scraped bare to the bottom. No dishes to wash—they'd polished them spotless. With no choice, I boiled up another batch to fill my own stomach.
I pulled up YouTube and searched for the Suljigi channel.
It was a channel that invited celebrities, famous civilians, VTubers, and streamers for boozy drinking parties. The lineup was so star-studded, I wondered who was behind it—turns out, I recognized the face. Kim Hyun, the maknae of the famous boy group New Wave.
After the group disbanded, the other members pivoted to solo artists, actors, composers, even variety show hosts—but Kim Hyun couldn't land anywhere and faded into obscurity.
'Channel's been up a little over a year.'
Whatever he'd been up to, he'd racked up 2 million subscribers in a year and a half. The guest list of celebs and civilians was insanely impressive.
'Must be riding Go Jeong-uk's connections.'
The guy had once dominated the industry, so it made sense he'd still have contacts. The entertainment world talked a big game about blacklisting and cutting ties, but behind the scenes, they kept lines open for favors. As long as you stayed connected, even disgraced stars could lend or borrow networks on the down-low.
I'd brought up Go Jeong-uk because I'd found the link to this channel.
'It all connects like this.'
New Wave's leader had been Go Jeong-uk himself. If it were me, I wouldn't give that bastard the time of day after he tanked the group—but Kim Hyun must still be in touch. Hell, he might've even helped kickstart his VTuber success.
'Time to dig. Wonder what turns up.'
I pulled out my phone and called my info guy.
"Hyung, it's me."
"Yeah, Ji-hoon. Was just about to call you. You up in Seoul?"
Park Geon-woo, the Siswatch reporter celebs feared most. We went way back, like real bros.
"Still at the house. Heading up tonight since I start work tomorrow."
Sorry I couldn't stick it out, let's grab drinks if you're not beat, next week works too—this hyung always had a ton to say whenever I called.
"We'll see each other next week anyway, so drinks then. Calling 'cause I need a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yeah. You know Go Jeong-uk, right?"
"Know him? I broke that story. But why him?"
I laid out what I'd seen in the Trouble Cookie. That he was still talking to Kim Hyun, the Suljigi channel seemed shady, they were probably up to no good—I fudged the source but asked him to look into it.
"This info solid?"
"Solid. I can send you the video."
"Ha, that prick still hasn't learned. Send the vid my way. I'll check the channel right now."
"Thanks, hyung."
"Thanks? You're my lifesaver—this is nothing. Hit me up when you get to work."
"Got it."
I hung up, stared at the screen, and grinned.
'You went through hell back then.'
When I was covering the celebrity drug ring, the suppliers caught wind and tried to kidnap Geon-woo hyung. It went down in Siswatch's underground parking lot. I'd shown up for another appointment and stumbled on it.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing!"
I charged the shady guys and spotted Geon-woo hyung, slumped over. We weren't as tight back then, but we'd grab meals now and then.
"Fuck off! Raaah!!"
I darted in and dropped the two outside, but the driver leaped out with a knife and slashed my shoulder. Fists I could've handled, but a blade? Gangsters lived up to the rep.
"You fucker, die—!!"
I grabbed whatever was nearby and chucked it, holding out till people rushed over. As it got noisy, the bastard peeled out in the car. I collapsed, memorizing the plates as it sped off.
Spent weeks in the hospital, and Geon-woo hyung visited whenever he could, tearing up, calling me his lifesaver. Turns out the supplier was a real monster—trafficking between Cambodia and Korea, multiple murders, Interpol's most wanted.
"If they'd nabbed me then, I'd be dead. Had no idea that fucker was the source."
The case exploded from there—top stars, politicians, chaebol scum all dragged in. They raided their Gangnam club hideout, and portals were flooded with articles for weeks.
"I'll do anything you need—just say the word."
That's how I scored a veteran Siswatch reporter as my ace in the hole. I didn't care about methods to fix problems; he didn't for scoops. He'd nail down what those bastards were up to before Na-young's shoot.
I got to the office early and greeted everyone who'd helped with the funeral one by one. Good work, hang in there, lunch on me, hit me up if it's tough—stock phrases, but their concern was real. Just like my dedication to the job and company.
Didn't waste those three years—felt pretty good. Now just submit the resignation and hand off smoothly.
Back at the office, I explained to Team Leader Seo Chan-ho. As expected, he blew up.
"You punk! You messing with me? Wanna see me lose it? If I let you go, Yu-ra'll kill me!"
"Don't overreact. I've tamed her temper over the year. Anyone can take over now."
"Even so, no way. Think it over again, please!"
I endured his freakout for over 30 minutes till he wore down and said he'd talk to the CEO. The boss wouldn't sweat one lead manager quitting—deal's as good as done.
But a legendary major leaguer once said: It ain't over till it's over.
"The CEO wants to see you."
"Me?"
"Yeah. I've done my part. Go sweet-talk her."
I took the stairs on purpose, pondering why the CEO summoned me. Min A-young of Mir Entertainment was the youngest granddaughter of Geumyoung Group Chairman Min Young-bin. Chaebol third-gen.
Geumyoung was hardcore patriarchal, no exec spots for daughters. Fed up, Min A-young broke out early, bought the struggling Mir Enter a decade ago, and built it into a powerhouse.
Why call in a quitting lead manager when she'd let a founding exec walk without blinking?
Her secretary opened the door to the CEO's office.
"Hello, ma'am."
A picture-perfect career woman sat at the desk opposite.
Tight blouse and jacket hugging her curves just right, bodycon H-line skirt, sheer black stockings wrapping those long legs—it was a sight for sore eyes. Mid-30s, but she looked younger than Na-young, probably killer skincare.
Beauty that'd broken hearts of chaebol heirs, but alas, married. Hubby was from similar stock, running a finance firm.
"Ji-hoon, you're here. Won't take long—have a seat and wait."
"Yes, ma'am."
Laptop, big monitor, desk buried in papers. I sat quietly on the sofa, waiting her out. About 10 minutes in, Min stood, stretching. Her full breasts gathered center, bouncing with the motion. Dizzyingly hot rebound.
She crossed her legs opposite me, sipping from her tumbler. Right on cue, the secretary brought my coffee.
"Sorry to keep you. AR team's been a headache."
"No, it's fine. But... why'd you call me?"
"Why? You quit. Team Leader Seo begged me to talk you out of it."
This guy—said he'd done his part, what the hell did he do!
No choice, I spun the saddest tale for Min: Grandpa specifically asked me to run the guesthouse, gotta do it solo with no time, burned out after three years, always dreamed of being a manager—last bit was bullshit, but I blurted it.
She couldn't know my deal anyway.
"Hearing about your resignation here, after seeing you mostly in hospitals, kinda sucks. Don't like the company?"
First met her when I saved Geon-woo hyung and got hospitalized. Saw her twice more there; first one-on-one at the office.
She didn't know my routine of shoots and stations.
"Love the company. But can't betray Grandpa's wish... hope you understand."
I wanna fuck my brains out too!
"Hm, your face says you're set... "
Stubborn, they said, but she folded quick.
"Still, I don't wanna let you go..."
Huh? What?
"Here's the deal. Unlimited paid leave. Paychecks every month. Try managing, and when you're like 'that's enough,' come back. I'll hold your spot."
Speechless. Unlimited paid vacation?
"Guesthouse, right? I'll visit sometimes—give me a room. You won't say no to the CEO, will you?"
"No, guests are fine, but... why? Why give me unlimited leave?"
No reason for her to go this far. We'd barely met.
"'Cause I like you, obviously. I never let go of what I like."
She flashed a bright smile.
Like me? What the—?