Chapter 683: One Lucky Day

[@BJ MarcoPolo]

[Live viewers: 1,430]

-Incheon Airport Instargem live broadcast.

-Han Sun-Myung appears at Incheon Airport.

-Currently, there is a 100% chance he's fleeing to Hawaii.

(Comments)

-Oh~ this is wild! Shouldn't someone call the cops?

-That bastard. I knew he'd pull something like this.

-Acting exactly like one of those fake foreign types with black hair...

-He's already been reported to the police.

-I heard that about 50 people besides me have already called it in.

-It's over for you, Han Bong-Pil.

-Bong-Pil?

-Yeah, that's his real name. Han Bong-Pil lol.

...

The viewer count on the Instargem live stream was climbing fast. In other words, that was how huge Deok-Bae's popularity was. And if stuff like this was getting broadcast, it meant Reporter Yeon Da-Hee from LiveStar had probably become a Deok-Bae fan too.

"I'll have to buy her dinner sometime."

Meanwhile, the video showed Han Sun-Myung and his father heading to the ticketing counter at the airport.

***

At Incheon Airport, Han Sun-Myung—formerly known as Han Bong-Pil and listed as Steve Han on his passport—nervously glanced around while bouncing his leg with his cap pulled low. Two bodyguards and his father, CEO Han Ji-Cheol, stood beside him.

"Dad. You're sure I can get out, right?"

"Yes. I told you, didn't I?"

"Okay. Then stay behind and take revenge for me, alright?"

"Of course! I'll crush that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho, bit by bit."

Meanwhile, check-in began. Han Sun-Myung kept his head down and handed over his passport and first-class ticket to the airline staff. But at that moment, the staff member subtly reached under the desk and pressed a silent alert button. Then she stalled, pretending to examine his passport.

Han Ji-Cheol snapped in frustration. "What's taking so long? This is first class! Can't you see my son's under stress?"

"

Ah

, well..."

That's when the airport police came rushing over, speaking through their radios.

Chhk.

"Target Han Sun-Myung has been spotted. His height is 180 cm. He's wearing a red cap pulled low."

Han Sun-Myung panicked and bolted. "Shit!"

However, the airport police tackled him before he could get far.

Thud.

Han Sun-Myung hit the floor face-first like a squashed frog.

"

Oww

..."

His cap flew off, revealing his face. Then passersby started shouting.

"Wait. Isn't that Han Sun-Myung?"

"What the hell? Was he trying to flee the country?"

"Wow~ what a piece of work."

"Total trash..."

Passengers clicked their tongues and started pulling out their phones to film Han Sun-Myung sprawled on the floor.

Just then, Han Ji-Cheol, the head of HANS Law Firm, rushed over and tried to stop people from taking photos of his son. "W-what do you think you're doing?"

However, people didn't care that he was a law firm CEO. They just pointed fingers and cursed.

"Raise your kid right!"

"No surprise. Like father, like son!"

Soon, Deok-Bae's fans had turned their wrath on Han Ji-Cheol too. And it didn't stop there.

Clatter clatter clatter.

Half-empty plastic bottles flew toward Han Sun-Myung and Han Ji-Cheol. Some people even threw trash bags. The pile of garbage in front of the two looked like a message saying they were the trash.

It was the most humiliating moment in both Han Sun-Myung and Han Ji-Cheol's lives.

***

As the video ended, follow-up articles poured in.

[Mr. H Caught While Fleeing the Country! (Footage Provided)]

[Garbage Rain on Mr. H at Incheon Airport.]

"With all that trash, it's like playing 'Where's Waldo.'"

Han Sun-Myung and his father were screaming inside a heap of garbage, but they couldn't stop the public fury. Thankfully, his travel ban had been in place ahead of time. Finally, Han Sun-Myung had been caught.

"Bye-bye, Bong-Pil~"

There was no need to worry about Han Sun-Myung anymore. And just like that, I got out of bed feeling refreshed.

"Today's off to a great start, huh?"

Humming, I headed toward the bathroom.

***

After finishing my shower, I had a quick meal and left for the office. At 2 p.m., there was a company-wide meeting about our employee stock ownership program.

Driving into the alleyway where Hoop Entertainment's office in Apgujeong was located, I spotted the sign for JU Entertainment. Ju Yung-In's one-person agency sat right by the entrance to our building, so I always had to pass it. For some reason, I had a fleeting suspicion that it was intentional.

Just then, I noticed Ju Yung-In standing outside JU Entertainment, talking on the phone.

'

Why's she out there on the phone?'

At that moment, Ju Yung-In saw my car and waved. I ended up stopping in front of JU Entertainment.

Skrrt.

I rolled down the window, and Ju Yung-In leaned in. "Why didn't you answer your phone, oppa?"

'

So she was calling me.

'

"

Ah

~ I had it on silent. I have too many ad inquiries coming in for Deok-Bae."

When I pulled out my phone from my inner pocket and gave it a shake, Ju Yung-In nodded.

"But what is it? I really gotta run to the company for a meeting. Can we talk later?"

Hearing this, Ju Yung-In grinned. "Oppa, you're looking for a white knight, right?"

'

Huh? Where the hell did she hear that?

'

Just as I was about to ask, Ju Yung-In looked straight at me and said, "I'll be your white knight."

'

Ju Yung-In wants to be my white knight?

'

When a company went public, not just anyone could buy up all the shares. There was a cap on how many shares one person could purchase. That was the reason Choi Eun-Tae and Kang Gam-Chan were gathering white knights through their networks. I was doing the same—recruiting insiders to buy into employee stock plans and friendly outsiders to act as white knights, increasing the total number of shareholding allies.

And yet, Ju Yung-In somehow found out and now offered to be my white knight when Hoop Entertainment went public. It was a generous offer, but since I had no idea how she got wind of it, I couldn't answer right away. The fact that I was even looking for a white knight was a top-secret matter shared only with Choi Eun-Tae and Kang Gam-Chan.

I glared at Ju Yung-In and asked, "Where did you even hear that?"

Ju Yung-In smiled sweetly. "Why? Will you accept me if I tell you?"

"It's not about accepting or not. If you don't tell me, I have no intention of ever seeing you again."

I had no patience for childish games. My blunt tone made Ju Yung-In flail her hands in surprise.

"

Oh,

please don't misunderstand. I mean, Hoop Entertainment was clearly heading toward going public and you're a shareholder set to receive 3% from Mr. Choi Eun-Tae. At a time like this, it's common sense to gather allies, isn't it?"

It seemed like she had made an educated guess, but that alone didn't fully explain it.

Just as I was about to press further, Ju Yung-In added another reason.

"And starting a couple days ago, a lot of people from that savings bank started coming into our building's Mirinae suite. I invested a bit in Mirinae too, so I ended up in a few of their conversations... but the amount of money being tossed around didn't match a normal drama production. That's when I figured it out—

ah,

Bank President Choi Yung-Ho is using Mirinae for more than just dramas. Once I put those pieces together, the answer was obvious."

Ju Yung-In had pieced it all together from Choi Eun-Tae promising me 3 to Choi Yung-Ho's recent moves.

'

Right. This is exactly who she is.

'

Ju Yung-In's ambition for upward mobility was matched only by her sharp instincts for opportunity. I had always known this about her, but every time I experienced it firsthand, it still surprised me.

"Seriously, you're something else."

Ju Yung-In smiled again. "Then... you'll take my hand, right?"

I could tell that Ju Yung-In had changed from how she was before the regression. In the past, she would have tried to use this situation for her own gain. But now, she genuinely wanted to help me.

I hesitated for a moment, but in the end, I decided to accept her help. This war had to be won no matter what.

"Alright. And... thank you."

Maybe surprised by how easily I accepted, Ju Yung-In stammered a little. "W-well, I only want you to succeed so I can succeed too. That's all."

"Got it. I'll do my best."

"

Oh,

and knowing you, I figured you wouldn't tell Yoo-Jin even if you accepted my offer. So I already sent her a Kk Talk message. She said she's in too. The more people we have, the better, right?"

'

Yeah... that does sound like something Yoo-Jin would say.

'

After all, she always wanted to help more than I ever did for her. Since Ju Yung-In already knew, I would have had to tell Yoo-Jin anyway, but now I didn't have to.

"You only sent it to Yoo-Jin, right?"

"Of course."

Then suddenly, a question popped into my head.

"Hey... you didn't just call Yoo-Jin because you're outcast from everyone else, right?"

Ju Yung-In flared up. "Outcast?! Who are you calling an outcast!? I just don't deal with people who aren't worth my time, that's all!"

'

Yeah, that's exactly Ju Yung-In she is.

'

"Alright. Just make sure no one but Mrs. Ahn Yung-Hee finds out you're with me."

There was no way to hide something like this from a talent agent, who knew every detail of her life. In that case, it was better to be upfront and pull her firmly to our side.

"Don't worry about that. She's already fully on board. Now let's seal the deal."

"Seal the deal?"

"This."

Ju Yung-In reached into the car and extended her pinky.

'

It's not like we are kids...

'

Still, since she was offering help, I played along.

"Sure. Let's do it."

Humming softly, Ju Yung-In hooked her pinky with mine. "Pinky promise~"

Then she pressed her thumb.

"Stamp~"

Just as I was about to pull my hand away after the stamp, she held on.

"Oppa. Open your right palm."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

I did as she said, and she lightly brushed her palm across mine. "Copy~"

'

Copy? What now?

'

Then Ju Yung-In cupped my right hand with both of hers like placing a patty inside hamburger buns.

"Laminate~"

"What... are you doing?"

Ju Yung-In tilted her head. "What do you mean? Oppa, you really don't know this? Even kindergarteners know it."

'

Ugh, she just had to jab me where it hurts.

'

"Sorry. I didn't go to kindergarten..."

Ju Yung-In flinched, clearly caught off guard. "Th-then what about elementary school? Didn't you do it there?"

"I was too busy catching frogs and crayfish during elementary school."

Even more flustered, Ju Yung-In added, "Then what about Miso? You live with her!"

"Miso only does the promise and stamp part. Is this a generation gap thing?"

"What the—"

I chuckled. "I'll teach it to her later. Miso would probably find it fun."

Just imagining Miso doing it made me smile.

Ju Yung-In muttered under her breath, "

Aw,

come on. You could at least smile like that at me too."

"What, are you a kid?"

Her lips pouted slightly.

I asked, "But aren't you scared? I mean, investing in stocks can lead to losses."

Ju Yung-In let out a short laugh. "Scared? Honestly, if you become a key shareholder in Hoop Entertainment, the stock price is bound to rise. Why would I be scared to back someone who succeeds all one hundred out of a hundred times?"

'

She might know me better than I do

.'

Just then, my phone flashed with a message notification. It was on silent, so I couldn't tell who it was from.

"Go on, check. I bet it's Yoo-Jin. She's secretly, no, openly, super impatient when it comes to you and Miso."

Ju Yung-In wasn't wrong, especially since she mentioned she told Yoo-Jin about the white knight stuff earlier. When I checked, sure enough, it was a message from Yoo-Jin.

However, it wasn't a regular message. It was an invite to a group chat.

[Jung Yoo-Jin (Lovely♡Yoo-Jin) has invited you to a group chat.]

[Accept / Decline]

'

A group chat?

'

Curious, I tapped "Accept." But the moment the group chat's name appeared, I froze in surprise.

[Devoted (The Association of People Who Love Jung Yoon-Ho)]

'

Devoted?

'

Then I saw the list of participants.

[Participants: Me (Jung Yoon-Ho), Jung Yoo-Jin (Lovely♡Yoo-Jin), Jung Miso (Miso Angel❤), Lee Tae-Poong, Kang Ha-Na, Haru, Kim Sae-Ri, Yoo Eun-Ah, Woo Yeon-Hee, Yang Eun-Bi, Park Sang-Gyu, Choi Deok-Bae.]

It was a new group chat formed with the core members of Faithful from before the regression. Using the investment opportunity as an excuse, Yoo-Jin had brought everyone together.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: Tada~ Oppa has joined the group chat!]

The greetings started flooding in.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: Oppa, I heard from Yung-In that you're looking for a white knight! You should've told us first! (pout) (angry) (rage) (fury) (explosion) (fangs) (dragon roar) (screech) (pterosaur)]

Yoo-Jin threw in a flurry of emojis to playfully show her outrage.

[Miso Angel❤: That's right! Uh-huh! Go Mommy! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you were wrong this time! (huff) (toot~)]

'

Miso, what do you even know about this? Why are you cheering for your mom?

'

I couldn't help but laugh. Then more Kk Talk messages started pouring in at once.

[Lee Tae-Poong: Hyung. If you're going through something hard, please talk to us too. Everything we've achieved is all thanks to you.]

[Haru: I'll go with Mom.]

[Sae-Ri: Yoon-Ho oppa always tries to carry everything alone! Like that giant in Greek mythology holding up the sky—Aristotle!]

[Yang Eun-Bi: Sae-Ri, it's Atlas, not Aristotle. But still, I agree with what you said. You should've told us too, oppa.]

[Sae-Ri: Close enough! As long as the meaning gets across! Like "ten thousand things go smoothly"!]

[Yang Eun-Bi: You mean "heart-to-heart"!]

[Sae-Ri: Eun-Bi unnie, do you wanna fight!?]

[Woo Yeon-Hee: Guys, let's not fight here. Oh, and oppa, us Cherry Blossom members will join in too.]

[Eun-Ah: Oppa, I'll give you my bankbook and seal. Use them however you need.]

[Park Sang-Gyu: Mr. Jung. I don't have much, but I'll put in everything I can.]

[Deok-Bae: Hyung, I'll take all the ads I got recently. That should cover some shares, right?]

'

They've changed...

'

My heart swelled so much I just stared blankly at my phone screen. Back before the regression, the same group under the name Faithful had resented me. Yet now, they were all expressing their willingness to give everything for me.

I watched the incoming messages for a while in silence, then with trembling fingers, I typed my response.

[Jung Yoon-Ho: I was short-sighted. Please help me. In return, I promise to win this battle for shares and give back many times what you've invested.]

Responses came flooding back.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: I don't care if I lose the money, so don't feel burdened.]

[Miso Angel❤: I'm on your side too, Uncle Yoon-Ho! I love you!]

...

Since my regression, this was the happiest moment, second only to saving Miso. Those who once hated Jung Yoon-Ho had now become people who loved him.

Just then, a grumble came from beside me. "Why don't I get invited to that group chat?"

Seeing the cheerful chatter in the Devoted, Ju Yung-In pouted and sulked.

"I didn't make the group. If you're that bothered, ask Yoo-Jin."

"

Hmph.

Forget it."

Despite her words, Ju Yung-In was clearly jealous while stomping her little feet.

I was about to tell her I needed to get going when Director Ahn Yung-Hee came out of the building, glancing around. "Where is she... Oh! You were talking to Chief Jung~"

I smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Ahn. I was just about to head over now."

"

Ah

~ I see."

Ahn Yung-Hee had clearly come out because of Ju Yung-In's schedule. After telling Ju Yung-In I would see her later, I stepped on the gas.

Heading toward Hoop Entertainment about fifty meters ahead, I made a promise to myself. Once I win this war, I would make sure everyone who entrusted me with their hard-earned money gets a huge return.

'

Choi Man-Sik. Compared to you, the loner, I've got a million times more going for me.'

Unlike in my past life, I now had friends and allies, and that made me incredibly proud. But more than anything, what made me happiest was that from today, Faithful no longer existed and only Devoted remained.

'

Devoted - The Association of People Who Love Jung Yoon-Ho.

'

Sure, the name was a little embarrassing, but just for today, I wanted to enjoy that embarrassment.

***

After parting ways with Ju Yung-In, I reached the underground parking garage.

Meanwhile, I couldn't shake the thought that everything was going so smoothly today. I had woken up to the news of Han Sun-Myung's arrest, then Ju Yung-In suddenly offered to help me.

'

Maybe the rest of the day will go this well too?'

Soon, I would have to convince Actor Division 2 and Division Jung employees to buy into the employee stock program. Then I needed to go down to Busan for the

Project I.O.A

regional preliminaries, and I still had to recruit more white knights.

It was a packed schedule, but with this momentum, I felt I could handle anything. Still, I would need something in my stomach.

'

Maybe a hot bowl of ox bone soup before hitting the road.

'

Humming to myself, I stood in front of the underground elevator. That's when my phone buzzed.

Buzz~

[Everyday V12.2]

[Notification: February 26, 2021 - A new schedule entry has been registered for Kim Sae-Ri.]

Tonight, Sae-Ri was scheduled to appear as a guest judge at the Busan auditions for

Project I.O.A.

But the newly added schedule for Sae-Ri was alarming.

'

Just when I thought today was going perfectly

...'