Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Enthusiastic Investor
-----------------------------------------------------------------
She always dressed impeccably, but today she had put in even more effort.
Standing extra long in front of the mirror, she heard a sigh from behind her. Executive Director Yoo clicked his tongue.
"Do you really have to go to such lengths? It's not that important, and there's no rush, is there? I heard the secretary's office had a real headache adjusting schedules."
His calm yet scolding tone would normally have set her off, but today she was all smiles, beaming nonstop.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"I know! I got it!"
She was buzzing with excitement. The thought of seeing him soon had her absolutely thrilled.
She had met far more famous and impressive people before, but imagining meeting the author purely as a fan had her heart racing.
'Hee hee!'
Executive Director Yoo shook his head at her childlike, radiant grin. There was no stopping her.
"How do I look?"
She spun around with a grin, and Executive Director Yoo replied.
"As beautiful as ever. Just add a touch more dignity, and it'd be perfect."
"I'll work on it. Let's go."
They headed to the hotel under the group conglomerate.
She didn't really need to go in person, but she decided to accompany Executive Director Yoo. Since this meeting was fueled by her personal interest from the start, she floated on air the entire ride to the hotel.
"Twenty-five minutes left. Would you like some tea?"
Entering a room in the hotel buffet reserved for VVIPs only, she casually picked up a glass of water like it was routine.
"This is fine."
"Understood."
Executive Director Yoo stood by the door instead of sitting, as if preparing to greet a guest.
Tremble, tremble.
Watching her legs shake in a way so unlike her usual composure, Executive Director Yoo wondered what could possibly have her this worked up, but he kept his mouth shut, knowing he'd find out soon enough.
About ten minutes later?
There was a stir at the door. People arrived one by one, guided into the room.
"Hello. I'm Jeong Hyun-woo."
"I'm Go Ye-jin."
Five tall, handsome men followed. They were an idol group called DM, on the cusp of debut. He'd heard she wanted to cast them in the drama.
Then Team Leader Min Choi entered, bowing politely.
The room suddenly felt packed with so many people.
Only now did Executive Director Yoo take a seat. He had planned to introduce the president himself, but she shot up first and handed her business card to one man with a deep bow.
'Oh, President... dignity...'
She flashed a cheeky grin.
"I'm Isara. Thank you for making time in your busy schedule."
Author Jeong Hyun-woo took the card and greeted her naturally. Executive Director Yoo twitched an eyebrow at the sight.
'Not bad.'
He didn't seem intimidated. No groveling, and he had a solid presence.
Facing Isara, the conglomerate heir and drama investor, without flinching—Executive Director Yoo realized he needed to revise his impression.
'No rookie.'
As he assessed Jeong Hyun-woo that way, Isara spoke up.
"I'd like to start filming as soon as possible."
Executive Director Ye-jin jumped in right away. This pre-meeting had been arranged in just three days, but it seemed they'd prepared thoroughly.
"We still need to recruit a drama writer and adapt the script—that alone will take a lot of time, won't it?"
There were procedures, sure, but sometimes money made them all irrelevant.
Isara was living proof.
"We can do it simultaneously. Plus, the original is so excellent that adaptation shouldn't be too hard. Every part is entertaining."
Her strong endorsement even made the original author's cheeks flush a bit. Gilding the lily should be done in moderation.
Ye-jin sensed it in that moment.
'She's got a crush.'
Call it a woman's intuition. Even without that, the blatant favoritism was impossible to miss unless you were oblivious.
Isara smiled and continued.
"I have connections with a few directors, so if you give the okay, we can hold auditions right away. Script adaptation can start next week."
That fast?
"Sixteen episodes, total production budget around 100 billion won. As the original author, have you thought about which role you'd like any of these actors to play?"
100 billion, tossed out casually—that was a glimpse into the world of true wealth. And they were pushing side-reading scripts to boot...
"Not really... No one specific in mind."
He wasn't big on the entertainment industry, but truthfully, he created fictional characters when writing. The only real person he'd modeled after was the nation's top idol.
Pausing to catch her breath, Isara chimed in with "I see!" and glanced around.
"These must be the ones debuting soon, right?"
DM answered with a resounding "Yes!"
"I can feel the energy. That's promising."
Their looks were solid too; with decent acting skills, they'd surely gain fans.
"Leave all the scheduling to us."
Talks flowed about notifying once the director and actors were cast, reviewing the adapted script, or meeting on set—mostly led by Isara.
She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the whole situation.
With such an eager investor, there was no reason to refuse, and no one raised objections, so the meeting went smoothly.
Only Executive Director Yoo occasionally wore a discomforted expression.
'Please...'
He just wished she'd show some presidential grace.
The hotel food was excellent, so everyone ate their fill, and it was about time to wrap up when Isara extended her hand for a shake.
"Looking forward to more great works."
"Thank you for this opportunity."
The two presidents shared bright smiles.
"By the way, Author, have you ever thought about doing a fan signing event?"
"She's a fun one."
Back in the taxi to the goshiwon, I thought of Isara and said so.
We split into taxis due to the crowd; riding with me were Ye-jin, Jin-seong, and Team Leader Min.
"..."
Ye-jin hesitated a moment, then chuckled softly.
"Your fans are really devoted, Author. A signing event before the drama airs sounds like a great idea."
It couldn't be pure fandom throwing around 100 billion. She was a businesswoman too—investments needed potential. Capitalism was ruthless, and the market unforgiving.
'Casting will be key now.'
I'd review the script myself, so the story wouldn't go off the rails.
But acting and direction would make or break the drama's appeal.
After arriving at the goshiwon and briefly recapping the meeting, we parted ways. At the stairs, Ye-jin lingered and looked at me.
"President, no thoughts on dating?"
"Out of nowhere?"
"You're in your prime."
"Doesn't that apply to our Executive Director too?"
I smiled back, and Ye-jin blushed slightly before asking.
"Sometimes I wish you'd take it easy."
"I am. Every day, when I need to."
Mostly when scouring the internet for 'Number Authors'—that was the most relaxing.
Writing demanded responsibility, decisions as president carried weight, but just browsing cleared the mind.
"You ate well today too. With you."
"...H-how's the next work coming along?"
"Same as always. I'll revise once and send it over."
"Yes! A romance fantasy! I'll be waiting. But don't overdo it."
"Got it. Head in. Rest well tonight. Take care of yourself first."
I waved and climbed the stairs. I'd told her to rest, but knowing Ye-jin, she'd finish her work before sleeping.
"Whew, days fly by in a blur."
Meeting the investor hadn't made the drama feel real yet.
I was reminded that writing suited me best— it was what I did most comfortably.
After changing and washing up, I sat at my desk and noticed a missed call.
"Hm? Number 11?"
Kim Cheol-su, the total flop, useless brother, and hopeless college student, had reinvented himself as a top-five revenue earner in the writing world.
He'd zigzagged due to misguided direction, but this debut performance was a smash hit.
He knew his weaknesses well: his prose wasn't polished yet, so quantity over quality. While others uploaded one chapter, he did two.
His rankings bounced between 7th and 10th, but revenue stayed high.
He snatched up his phone like he'd been waiting.
-Author?
"Yes! President! Hope you've been well!"
-Haha! Of course. You too, no issues?
"Yep! I called to thank you properly in person sometime!"
-Thanks? You're the one who made the great work.
"No way! Without you, I wouldn't have come this far! Call anytime, I'll be there!"
-Got stockpiled chapters?
"Yes! Always plenty ready!"
-How about this weekend?
"I'll head right over!"
After hanging up, Kim Cheol-su grinned at his monitor.
Can you believe this?
"Heh heh heh..."
He'd passed 200 chapters recently. Eight whole volumes. Sales were strong, readers plenty, so he'd drag it out longer.
First time writing a long epic, but abundant comments and enthusiasm made sitting down effortless.
"Oppa! Dinner!"
At the call from the living room, he stepped out, smirking crookedly at his sister at the table.
"Oppa? Dinner?"
She flinched, gritted her teeth, then forced a smile.
"Brother dear, please have your meal."
"That's more like it."
For two months now, he'd been giving her allowance. Not life-or-death, but she'd need full financial independence to defy him going forward.
And she wasn't the only one.
"Son, tough day? Lots of meat in the stew—finish it up. Gotta build stamina for work!"
Monthly revenue: ten million won.
Annual salary equivalent: 120 million.
Mom now bragged to friends and acquaintances nonstop: "Ho ho ho! My son!"
A dropout earning more than his dad—textbook life reversal.
"Heading to the department store tomorrow briefly."
The two women perked up at his words.
"Department store out of the blue?"
Mom's eyes held subtle anticipation.
"Oppa, what time? Can I come too?"
His sister was more direct.
But his goal was gifts for the company visit.
'Might as well do some filial piety while I'm at it.'
Once treated like dirt over cold rice, now he brimmed with confidence. Money earned was money to spend—relieved stress too.
A weekend trip to the department store, then the company. Could footsteps feel this light? The uphill to the office was effortless.
"Heh heh."
The 'Monthly Heaven Author' title empowered him, drawing out smiles. Self-esteem up, he even greeted strangers first now.
Like now.
"...Where've you been? Are you the author?"
Someone loitered in front of the company, so he asked.
"Ah! Yes! No! I mean, yes!"
What? He stared at her, baffled.
Head bowed low, face hard to see, but her personality was obvious at a glance.
"I'm an author too."
"Ah! Another author! P-pleased to meet you!"
Number 8 and Number 11 had met.