Chapter 612: Sung Na-Ra (1)

Zhou Shishi's kick was so fast that Ryu Shin couldn't dodge in time and could only raise his arms to shield his face.

Thud!

Ryu Shin managed to block the kick with his arms but couldn't keep his balance and collapsed onto the hood of the car they had arrived in.

Bang.

The sound of the hood reverberated. In that instant, Zhou Shishi stepped on the front bumper and launched herself into the air. Then she drove her foot down toward Ryu Shin, who was sprawled on the hood.

Whoosh~

Ryu Shin hurriedly rolled his body to the side.

Crash.

The hood caved in exactly where Zhou Shishi's foot struck. Zhou Shishi pulled her foot out and immediately launched a flying kick at the dodging Ryu Shin.

However, Ryu Shin was no easy opponent either. He narrowly avoided the ambush as Zhou Shishi flew in with a kick, then grabbed her ankle and threw her.

Whish.

Zhou Shishi flew through the air. Yet she twisted her body midair and landed stably on the ground. She moved with an unreal agility, like something out of an action movie. Without a hint of fatigue, she lunged at Ryu Shin once again. The security guards hesitated, unsure whether to intervene since the fight didn't involve any of their VIPs.

I couldn't just watch anymore, so I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. Even as I ran toward them, Ryu Shin and Zhou Shishi were exchanging blows with murderous eyes.

Just as I got close, Zhou Shishi, locked in an even battle, landed a spinning back kick on Ryu Shin.

Whoosh.

Her leg moved so fast that it struck Ryu Shin square in the chest.

Thud.

"

Ugh!

"

Ryu Shin was flung backward and slammed onto the ground. Zhou Shishi, not wanting to miss the chance, quickly closed the distance and threw a punch.

At that moment, I just barely caught up and managed to grab her fist.

Smack!

My hand throbbed. Her small hand held incredible power due to her overwhelming speed.

Zhou Shishi looked shocked. It was the expression of someone who couldn't believe her fast punch had been blocked.

"M-Mr. Jung? H-How..."

I lowered her hand and said, "I don't know what's going on, but talk it out. You're in Korea right now.."

At that moment, Ryu Shin, who had collapsed on the ground, clutched his chest and got up. "Damn... you monster."

When the insult was hurled at Zhou Shishi, who had just calmed down, she responded coldly. "You'd better shut your mouth if you want to stay alive."

I tried to calm her down again. "Shishi, wait a minute. First, can you explain what's going on? What the hell is all this?"

Zhou Shishi turned her gaze silently toward the car. Wang Long stepped out slowly and approached expressionlessly. He looked not at me but at Ryu Shin and spoke.

"You've got guts showing up here, Ryu Shin."

Ryu Shin scowled. "I just came to have a quick word with Chief Jung. Guess I picked the wrong time."

"Just tell me why you're here."

Ryu Shin brushed the dust off his chest and replied. "I told you, I came to talk to Chief Jung."

I asked Wang Long, trying to understand the situation. "Wang Long. What on earth happened in China for this to happen?"

Wang Long spoke with a chilling expression I had never seen before. "That bastard attacked my father with the Triads."

"What?"

"The Triads were stopped by the police we called in, but at that moment, Ryu Shin tried to stab my father himself. He failed, of course, thanks to Shishi."

"If something like that happened, you should've told me!"

"Telling you wouldn't have changed anything, and I didn't want to upset you."

When I looked back at Ryu Shin, he nodded as well. "At the time, we were desperate as well. We had no choice."

He admitted they resorted to violence to recover the funds blocked from Chairman Jiang Wei.

Then Ryu Shin looked at me and said, "But that's all in the past. I came here today for something else."

"What is it?"

"Could we speak privately?"

But I firmly shook my head. If he targeted Deputy Director Wang Min, who was like family to me, then he was my enemy too.

"Say it here."

At that, Ryu Shin adjusted his posture politely and conveyed Jiang Wei's message. "Mr. Jung. Our Hwayeon Media plans to re-enter the Korean market. Would you consider partnering with us?"

"I believe I already turned down that offer before."

"The Chairman asked me to make one final attempt. The terms are 49% shares, CEO position, an annual salary of one billion won, and yearly dividends. Additionally, we'll provide you the keys to the most luxurious H Villa penthouse in Apgujeong, a Binz sedan, and a Ramborghini. You'll also be given unlimited authority over talent selection. Initial capital will be around ten billion won, with another hundred billion planned by year-end. What do you think?"

It was the most extravagant offer I had ever received. Nevertheless, no matter how much money was involved, it didn't tempt me. What I wanted was a life with the members of Faithful, the family at Hoop Entertainment, and people like Wang Min who saw me as their own child.

"I'm not interested in any of that. Tell Chairman Jiang Wei that if he sets foot in Korea, I won't let it slide!"

As I resolutely refused, Ryu Shin replied with a grimace. "Understood. I'll deliver your message to the Chairman."

Ryu Shin bowed respectfully, then turned around and drove off.

Watching him disappear, I said to Wang Long, "So that's why your father sent Shishi."

"Yeah, just in case."

"Still, try not to attack first next time. This is Korea you're in."

Wang Long nodded and looked at Zhou Shishi. "Shishi, you heard that, right? From now on, only move with Yoon-Ho's permission."

Zhou Shishi nodded. "Yes. Understood."

Now that Wang Long knew what Ryu Shin was planning, he said he would prepare accordingly.

"Thanks."

"There's no need for thanks. By the way, we were heading to SBC for the I.O.A meeting. What about you?"

"I'll drop off Mr. Han at his house and come with you. We've got some things to discuss anyway, so ride with me."

"Alright."

But just then, Han Yoo-Sik came out of the car and said, "You don't need to drive me. I'm just around the corner. You two go ahead."

Waving his hand, Han Yoo-Sik disappeared into the alley on foot. I bowed slightly and pointed Wang Long toward my car.

Without a moment's rest, we headed to SBC. We were on our way to discuss

Project I.O.A

and to catch up on matters with Wang Long.

***

After leaving Cheonho-dong, Ryu Shin gritted his teeth against the stinging pain. His chest ached from the spinning back kick, and his arms trembled from blocking the earlier blow. Because of that, the steering wheel shook and the car swerved.

Ryu Shin had no choice but to pull over.

Screech.

"Damn... Zhou Shishi, that bitch. She's even stronger than before..."

Ryu Shin parked by the roadside and checked the arm that had blocked the kick. It was swollen and bruised. Judging by the worsening pain, it seemed the bone was cracked.

On top of that, the pain in his chest was growing stronger. Though he tried to act fine, the damage was more severe than he had expected.

Eventually, Ryu Shin sighed and called one of his subordinates.

"Yeah, it's me. I'm in Cheonho-dong. Send someone to drive. My arm's damaged and my chest feels off too. I think I need to go to the hospital."

After hanging up, Ryu Shin took a deep breath and called Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei answered the phone.

-It's me. How did it go?

"I delivered the message exactly as you said. But that Jung Yoon-Ho bastard showed no interest at all."

Jiang Wei responded coldly.

-Hmph... Then he'll have to pay the price for refusing my generosity...

"I understand. But after doing some checking here in Korea... Jung Yoon-Ho's position is nowhere near what it used to be."

Ryu Shin had come to Korea with the private funds Jiang Wei provided, and had been investigating Jung Yoon-Ho. In just a few months, Jung Yoon-Ho had grown to the point of forming connections with several corporate presidents.

-

Tsk

... So he turns out to be a tiger cub, huh?

"Yes. What you sensed back then was spot on. Whatever you're planning, you'll need to prepare more aggressively if you want to match him."

-Got it. We'll proceed assuming he's the biggest obstacle to Hwayeon's re-entry into Korea. I want daily reports from now on.

"Yes, sir. But I might not be able to move much for a while. My arm has a fracture."

-Your arm? Did Jung Yoon-Ho hit you?

"No, sir. It was Zhou Shishi."

-What? That crazy bitch isn't with Wang Min but in Korea?

"Yes, sir. It seems she came with Wang Long and Ling Ling. And her kicks are even heavier than before."

-

Ugh

... Fine. I'll send someone else to handle the annoying work. You focus on Ling Ling and finding partners in Korea.

"Understood."

-Also, once you find suitable partners in Korea, contact me immediately. We're planning to launch Hwayeon Media Korea by the end of this year, so securing allies by then is crucial.

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

-Good. Then get some rest.

After hanging up, Ryu Shin started sweating cold. His arm was swelling quickly, and the pain was intensifying. But more than the pain, what consumed his thoughts was how Jung Yoon-Ho had caught Zhou Shishi's lightning-fast punch.

Even when he had sparred with members of the Korean national boxing team, none of them had matched that speed. He would need to update his data on Zhou Shishi's combat ability.

But more importantly, he had to update Jung Yoon-Ho's to special-grade.

***

On the way to SBC, Wang Long explained what had happened in China.

"I'm telling you, those maniacs came at us with Chinese chef knives."

I got to hear in detail just how fiercely Wang Long and Wang Min had fought to stop Jiang Wei. With the Triads involved, things had been more dangerous than expected. Nevertheless, Wang Long seemed to treat it all like some kind of war story. He said disputes among the Chinese elite were notoriously brutal, comparable to Korean chaebol heirs and military generals' kids fighting with steak knives in the streets.

I asked, "Are you like that too?"

"Nope. Not at all. Anyway, Korea's safe, so they won't be able to pull stunts like in China."

"Still, the company will assign a 24/7 security team to Ling Ling, so don't worry too much."

"I know you'll handle it. I'm not worried at all."

Wang Long had seen the security post I had set up in the alley where Yoo-Jin and I lived, so he trusted me deeply.

"Oh. And my father had something to tell you in case you ask why we didn't tell you what happened beforehand."

"What did he say?"

"That helping family is just natural. So don't feel bad about what happened because of it."

He spoke like getting attacked while trying to stop Jiang Wei didn't matter. It struck a chord. We were of different nationalities and blood, yet Wang Min treated me like a son.

My voice trembled slightly. "Tell your father... I understand. Truly."

"Okay."

By then, we arrived at SBC. Just as we parked, a van driven by Jung Sang-Bong pulled in behind us.

Whirrr.

The side door swung open, and Ling Ling hopped down holding Zhou Shishi's hand. Since she had been in the car earlier, Ling Ling had no idea what had happened outside.

Seeing the broadcasting station, she couldn't contain her excitement and started bouncing around. Then suddenly, she took a deep breath.

Lily, who had followed her out, tilted her head at the sight. "Ling Ling, why are you sniffing around like that?"

"I'll be all alone once you and oppa go back, so I'm trying to get used to the air here quickly."

Ling Ling thought that adjusting to the unfamiliar Korean air would help her adapt faster.

Moved by her little sister's mature reasoning, Lily teared up and hugged her tightly. "Ling Ling, maybe I should stay too. I won't go back to China."

"No, unnie. This was my choice. And you still have to get married!"

"But still..."

"It's okay!"

Despite her adorable looks, Ling Ling gave a very grown-up response and looked up at the SBC broadcasting station.

Then she pointed her index finger at the station's sign and shouted, "I'm going to become I.O.A!"

Everyone smiled warmly at Ling Ling's confident declaration. Ling Ling was already one of the two pre-selected members for I.O.A, but what she meant now was that she aimed to become Asia's top idol.

'

Yeah. I'll make sure of that.

'

Smiling, I said to her, "Alright, Ling Ling, let's go. Hee-Joo, Ran-Hee, and Mr. Lee Dong-Min have already arrived and they're preparing for the prep meeting for

Project I.O.A

."

"Okay!"

Ling Ling lowered her hand and walked into the SBC building with the others.

***

Once inside the SBC building, requests for appearances poured in from all directions.

The station's PDs weren't just trying to recruit Yoo-Jin and Lee Tae-Poong, but also Cherry Blossom, Seo Yeon-Woo, and Haru. I did my best to reassure the production teams that I would arrange the schedules and finally made it to the elevator.

At that moment, Lee Woo-Jong, PD of SBC Radio's

Afternoon Music Show

, appeared.

Afternoon Music Show

was a visual radio show that had become quite popular with younger audiences.

"Mr. Lee, long time no see."

"Oh, Chief Jung."

Upon seeing Lee Woo-Jong, Ling Ling instinctively bowed. "Hello~ I'm Ling Ling!"

Ling Ling's cheerful greeting made Lee Woo-Jong smile. "Is she someone new you're developing?"

"Oh, this is Ling Ling, one of the pre-selected members for this season's I.O.A."

"Ah, so she's the one. Selected with Hee-Joo, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Please take care of her."

"I, Ling Ling, will do my absolute best~!"

Even the usually prickly Lee Woo-Jong looked pleased.

"Good."

When it came to leaving a good impression as an idol, no one did it like Ling Ling.

But then Lee Woo-Jong quietly leaned closer and asked, "So is

Project I.O.A

only accepting complete rookies?"

The upcoming

Project I.O.A

auditions, starting in two weeks, were open to anyone who didn't belong to an agency.

"No, we're accepting anyone without an agency."

"

Hmm

. That's what I thought."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Why? Do you have someone to recommend?"

"Yeah. I just did a live radio segment with the girls from FIVE Angels... There's a girl, Sung Na-Ra... she's sweet and polite, but her talent agent said they're planning to drop her. Every time she comes in, she seems uneasy around the other members and it bothers me. So I was wondering if she qualified. If she does, I thought I'd suggest the I.O.A audition to her."

My heart started pounding.

Sung Na-Ra was the girl who committed suicide just a month after I founded Top Entertainment before the regression.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: December 12, 2022]

-05:00 p.m.: Sung Na-Ra deceased, Funeral Room No. 2, Gangbuk Chilseong Hospital. (Note: Presumed suicide due to bullying by Leader Lee Jin-Sil and other members of FIVE Angels.)

Because of her kind personality and pretty looks, Sung Na-Ra had quickly gained a personal fanbase regardless of her group's overall popularity. But that also made her the target of envy from other members of her group, FIVE Angels.

Eventually, she was ostracized and kicked out for supposedly not fitting the team. The truth was, FIVE Angels was a manufactured girl group entirely funded by the parents of their leader, Lee Jin-Sil. Sung Na-Ra had simply been expelled because she fell out of Lee Jin-Sil's favor.

Afterward, Sung Na-Ra's contract with Ace Entertainment was also terminated. She survived by working part-time jobs and eventually made a comeback as an idol by ranking fifth on the audition program

Living Again as an Idol

.

During that time, she signed with Top Entertainment. But upon encountering Lee Jin-Sil again at a broadcast station, she became the target of abuse and bullying. This led to depression and, in the end, to her suicide. She followed her late parents who had died in a car accident, leaving behind her grandparents and three younger brothers.

I had handled everything after Sung Na-Ra's death. Knowing that she would be released from her group around this time, I had already planned to bring her into the I.O.A auditions to prevent the same tragedy from happening.

'

Na-Ra, this time... you need to live.

'

As if fate itself had arranged it, she was placed right in front of me. Having a year's worth of experience in FIVE Angels, Sung Na-Ra had a high chance of passing the audition.

But even if she didn't, I still intended to bring her to Hoop Entertainment to protect her life and because I didn't want to repeat the mistakes I made in the past.

I nodded. "I understand. I'll meet her and recommend the audition."

"Alright. See you later."

After exchanging farewells, we got into the elevator. We got off on the 7th floor and headed to the SBC meeting room where

Project I.O.A

planning meeting was taking place.

But along the way, I heard a commotion coming from the lounge.

-Hey Na-Ra. Must be nice having the cameramen only film you just cause you've got a pretty face.

-Fuck. Just thinking about it pisses me off. Even when Mr. Lee Woo-Jong asked you to speak earlier, you could have at least shared the spotlight. Don't you have any sense?

-You think you're so special? If you're that amazing, just go out and shoot the show by yourself!

I recognized the voices—they were the members of FIVE Angels.

And the one being bullied was, of course, Sung Na-Ra. Fate was toying with her again.

I said, "Sang-Bong, take Ling Ling and the others ahead."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"I've got something to take care of."

Without waiting for a reply, I headed toward the lounge where the voices were coming from to save Sung Na-Ra.

But as I arrived in front of the lounge, I was met with an utterly ridiculous scene.

'

What the hell is this now?

'