Chapter 1143. Opening for Business (3)

‘She’s completely different from the image I had of her...’

Lee Hyeon-Ju stared at the scene before her eyes, her expression one of genuine interest. The takeaway coffee cups rested on the table in front of her, while the chair beyond them was currently empty.

After arriving in the break room, Choi Yeon-Ha excused herself to visit the ladies' room for a bit. Which meant Lee Hyeon-Ju was alone by herself, at least for the time being.

‘...It might be Miss Choi's way of giving me time to organize my thoughts.’

Whether this was a conscious act of consideration from Choi Yeon-Ha or not was unknown. Whatever the truth was, though, it did give Lee Hyeon-Ju enough time to think about the person named Choi Yeon-Ha.

Now that she had met the top actress in the country in person, how should she describe the initial impression?

The ‘real’ Choi Yeon-Ha seemed like a totally different person from what Lee Hyeon-Ju had heard and read about.

Lee Hyeon-Ju's role was to assist Kang Jin-Ho.

Her job description was handling the Martial Assembly’s finances and the related paperwork. However, the

reason

for her handling the financial side of the organization was to improve the Assembly and turn it into something even better.

And the person leading this transformation was undoubtedly Kang Jin-Ho.

In the end, everything in the Assembly revolved around Kang Jin-Ho. That meant someone assigned to the executive role in the organization must have a good understanding of Kang Jin-Ho's surroundings.

Lee Hyeon-Su was surprisingly lackadaisical in this kind of thing, which forced Lee Hyeon-Ju to act on her own and investigate Kang Jin-Ho's situation despite her already hectic schedule.

Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't be pleased to hear this, but to ensure the Martial Assembly's continued survival, she simply had to do this.

That investigation concluded that Choi Yeon-Ha was a... snob. An arrogant and foul-mouthed witch!

‘Which makes sense.’

Choi Yeon-Ha was beautiful. This concept might be seen as anachronistic in the modern era, but... No, actually, that was not right.

Precisely because of how the current era was like, 'beauty' could become a powerful weapon for a woman.

That meant a woman possessing Choi Yeon-Ha's level of beauty had nothing to fear in this world.

She didn't have to work hard to earn money, fame, and maybe, even glory. The whole world went out of its way to please her and curry her favors. Since that was the case, why should she care about other people's feelings and pretend to be humble and kind?

Some said that beautiful roses had thorns. But that was a truly dumb statement as far as Lee Hyeon-Ju was concerned.

Beauty didn't beget prickly thorns.

The truth was, everyone was born with thorns. But life had taught them that sticking their thorns out everywhere would only disadvantage them.

Sometimes, one had to match other people's pace even if one were in a foul mood. Sometimes, one had no choice but to brush aside other people's attacks as if they didn't affect them. Doing so would earn one the evaluation of "having a good personality," which helped one extract more benefits from around them.

People referred to this process as one getting rounder. Getting more mature.

What a nice concept that was, that one had to get rounder and softer to fit in with the rest of society. However, this concept also hinted that one couldn't possibly survive society's coldheartedness without conforming, without their edges getting duller and softer.

What about Choi Yeon-Ha, though?

She didn't need to do any of that. Even if she stuck her thorns out everywhere, people getting pricked would try to overlook their pain and suffering so as to not offend her.

Everyone said they were fine with her as-is, so why should she change who she was?

That was why Choi Yeon-Ha being a snobby, stuck-up b*tch should not come as a surprise. That much was more or less excusable in the context. However...

‘It seems it’s not as simple as that.’

The 'real' Choi Yeon-Ha was different. She wasn't just a snobby b*tch who haughtily looked down on others. She was quick-witted. And obviously smart. To top it off, she was also fully aware of her situation.

She knew how to push her opinions forward without upsetting other people too much, although some might still accuse her of overstepping her mark a bit.

All in all, Choi Yeon-Ha was craftier than Lee Hyeon-Ju had bargained for.

‘Again, not all that surprising, really.’

Choi Yeon-Ha was Kang Jin-Ho's girlfriend, after all! She couldn't have been the type to place all her faith in her looks since Kang Jin-Ho would have never accepted someone like that.

‘Besides all that, though...’

What did the one-and-only Choi Yeon-Ha want from Lee Hyeon-Ju?

The break room's entrance opened, and Choi Yeon-Ha stepped inside. She lightly dusted her hand, then while smiling brightly, sat on the empty chair. "Sorry. I didn't get the chance to visit the ladies' room earlier, you see?”

“

Oh

, no. It’s fine, Director.”

Choi Yeon-Ha and Lee Hyeon-Ju smiled at each other. For now, they both were in the observe-and-analyze mode.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from the Assembly... No, the chairman, ma’am.”

Choi Yeon-Ha cutely tilted her head when Lee Hyeon-Ju said that. “Really?”

“...Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s weird. Mister Jin-Ho’s not the type to talk to other people about me, you see? It might have been nice, in a way, if he had been one of those dimwits who can’t wait to boast about his pretty girlfriend to everyone he meets, but that’s not who he is. Wouldn’t you say?”

“

Oh

...”

Choi Yeon-Ha grinned again. “That’s enough of a preamble, wouldn’t you agree? I’m not saying this is annoying me. I merely wanted to be in a cordial relationship with you where we don’t have to worry about empty pleasantries. A relationship where we are at ease around each other and can enjoy each other’s company without worrying about optics. How does that sound?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju smiled without saying anything.

‘She’s not a pushover, either.’

Although it was rather amusing to think about how it happened, Choi Yeon-Ha was undoubtedly Lee Hyeon-Ju’s superior.

If one took into consideration all the work Lee Hyeon-Ju had put in for the Martial Assembly, her remaining as head of some department while an outsider like Choi Yeon-Ha becamine a director was unfair and nonsensical.

However, Lee Hyeon-Ju wasn’t dissatisfied with this situation. That was because she wasn’t naive or dumb enough to be jealous of a directorial position with no actual authority or power in the organization.

Still, regardless of whether she had the authority or not, Choi Yeon-Ha was Lee Hyeon-Ju’s superior in MK’s hierarchy.

Most people in Choi Yeon-Ha’s shoes would try to use their position of power to put Lee Hyeon-Ju in her supposed place. To them, it’d be worth a shot regardless of whether it worked or not.

However, Choi Yeon-Ha didn’t seem interested in doing that. No, she actually lowered herself to extend a hand of friendship toward Lee Hyeon-Ju.

Lee Hyeon-Ju studied Choi Yeon-Ha for a few silent seconds before gently smiling. “Director?”

“Yes?”

“Do you mind if I ask you why you’re doing this?”

“I don’t follow?”

“It’s just that I don’t quite understand why you’re trying to be nice to me. After all, if you want something, you can speak directly to the chairman instead of going through me.”

“Oh... You mean, him?” Choi Yeon-Ha made a weird face while replying. Lee Hyeon-Ju couldn’t help but chuckle at that obviously unimpressed expression.

“Uhm... Do you mind if I call you Miss Lee?”

“No, it’s fine, ma’am.”

“Well, then. You don’t like me, do you?”

“...I’m sorry?”

Choi Yeon-Ha smirked softly. “Not many people would be too pleased by an outsider suddenly joining their company. Especially when said outsider gets a position above theirs in the hierarchy. I’m sure everyone would feel aggrieved by that.”

“Oh, you meant that. No, ma'am. My situation is a little different,” Lee Hyeon-Ju urgently waved her hand. She should set the story straight when she had the chance. “I don't have any prejudices toward outsiders joining MK, although it might be a different story for the other organization.”

“Eii, that’s not possible.”

“I'm being serious, ma'am. I don't know how much you've heard about what MK was like before the launch, but! From my perspective, every director is an outsider to a certain extent. If we get technical about it, even the chairman is an outsider to me.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lee Hyeon-Ju affably smiled. “I wouldn’t get any work done if the presence of outsiders upset me. Besides, the world has changed. You can take over any spot in the organization as long as you have the qualifications for it. Rather than blaming the outsider for swooping in and taking your job away, the right mindset is to blame yourself for not being qualified enough to make that job yours.”

Choi Yeon-Ha weightily nodded. “Hmm. That is a rather idealistic way of viewing things.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, Miss Lee. But people can't be idealistic in everything all the time, though. You are unhappy about me being here, aren't you?”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Ju couldn’t readily answer after the conversation had veered this far.

That was when Choi Yeon-Ha smirked smoothly. “There you go. That's what people are really like.”

“...I’m not quite sure what you wish to demonstrate by doing this, ma’am.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju’s facade slipped a little just then.

Was she unhappy? Of course she was. Who would be pleased by this development, by this situation?

Even if the position had no real authority, who would be happy about someone at a similar age as them but with zero achievements to speak of snatching a position higher in the hierarchy than theirs?

“It’s probably the same story for everyone, though,” said Choi Yeon-Ha. “I mean, I haven’t done anything to deserve the position of a director in MK.”

“Ma’am, as far as I’m aware, MK Entertainment is MK’s subsidiary in name only, and the two companies aren’t really related.”

“Even if that’s true, upsetting news is still upsetting, isn’t it?”

“...”

As it turned out, Choi Yeon-Ha was pretty good at poking at someone’s wounds!

“So, imagine the source of your unhappiness bypassing you to speak directly to the chairman,” said Choi Yeon-Ha while crossing her legs and resting her arms on the table. She then leaned closer. “What do you think will happen next?”

“...”

“I'll get designated as a detestable b*tch in record time, right?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju subconsciously began massaging her temples.

‘Now I know Choi Yeon-Ha is smart. Very smart, in fact!'

Choi Yeon-Ha's awareness of her standing could only be described as 'perfect' at this point.

Much to Lee Hyeon-Ju's surprise, the top actress in South Korea was very conscious of other people's opinions.

‘Still...’

Openly revealing stuff like this didn't seem like a good idea to Lee Hyeon-Ju, however.

Still, this approach certainly felt novel and fresh, so there was that.

“I'm sure I must look like an idiot who doesn't know anything in your eyes, Miss Lee.”

“...No, not to that extent.”

“However, from my perspective, it’s your side that doesn’t know anything. I at least have over fifteen years of experience in slogging through the hellish industry called the entertainment sector, you see?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju's brows rose up slightly. She began seeing Choi Yeon-Ha in a new light just then after realizing that she hadn't thought of that.

Choi Yeon-Ha brightly smiled. “That's how I learned to figure out who in the production company I should speak to, to ensure everything is plain sailing. You say I can talk directly to the chairman? Yes, the chairman backing me would be great. But his support will most likely be in the form of more money or his subordinates being nagged to death. That would be all. Something like that would only fracture my relationship with the people I'd be directly dealing with.

“Miss Lee, I've already figured out who I'll be dealing with as the director of MK Entertainment.”

“So, what you’re saying is...” Lee Hyeon-Ju quietly spoke while studying Choi Yeon-Ha’s face. “What you’re doing right now isn’t about winning the in-house power games, but it’s more like a strategic maneuvering from you in order to run MK Entertainment the way you see fit?”

“Although your assessment is a bit blunt... Yes, something like that?” Choi Yeon-Ha replied while reclining against her seat. However, her gaze remained locked on Lee Hyeon-Ju.

Their battle of nerves was drawing to a close.

“I’m saying we should work toward a win-win scenario for both of us. Just a little bit of uninterrupted support from your side, and I know I can turn MK Entertainment into a success story. And doing so will assist greatly with boosting the MK Group’s public image.”

“...”

“Please help me, Miss Lee. If you do, I’ll also do everything in my power for your sake.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju began contemplating her options. In the end, it all boiled down to benefits and losses. And, according to Lee Hyeon-Ju’s calculations...

“...Director Choi Yeon-Ha?”

“Yes, Department Head Lee?”

“I understand what you’re proposing. However, there is still one more wall stopping you from achieving your goal.”

“I see. But walls can be torn down last time I checked.”

“Yes, my sentiments exactly. That’s why...” Lee Hyeon-Ju deeply smiled. “Rather than conversing like this over a cup of cold coffee, I’d like to discuss our cooperation in-depth over something more substantial, like an expensive meal.”

“Great! Tell me when and where. I am a master at providing some of the best meals in town, you see? A full course of scrumptious feast, if that's what you're hankering for.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju smiled brightly.

‘This is pretty good.’

A relationship where both parties used each other? What was wrong with that?

The worst kind of relationship was the one where the parties involved could not use each other. On the other hand, the best kind, at least when viewed from society's perspective, was the one where all parties benefited from using each other, resulting in the relationship sustaining itself continuously.

Of course, Lee Hyeon-Ju had no thoughts of limiting herself like that.

“We'll have a lot to talk about, then. Just like how much you need me,” Lee Hyeon-Ju grinned deeply. “I also have a lot to get out of you, you see?”

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

“I’m happy to hear that I have something you want, Miss Lee,” Choi Yeon-Ha smoothly smirked. “In that case, how about we start now?”

“Sorry?”

“Can you tell me what exactly Mister Jin-Ho does in the company?”

“...Sorry??”

“And he's not getting distracted by some annoying hangers-on, now is he?”

A hint of perspiration broke out on Lee Hyeon-Ju’s forehead.

Choi Yeon-Ha really was a formidable opponent, now wasn’t she!