Chapter 688: We Are Friends, Aren't We? (5)

In a narrow alley next to Oasis Entertainment, Team Leads Gong Tae-Sang and Jeon Yoon-Gi rushed at me again, swinging clubs. But since the alley was so narrow, the eight men behind them couldn't move forward. They just stood there holding their clubs.

In that instant, I pressed myself against the left wall. Up against the wall in a narrow alley, there was only one direction from which a club could swing. And since I stuck to the left wall, it became harder for right-handed people to swing properly.

Just by ducking my head, I was able to dodge their swings easily.

Whoosh~

Gong Tae-Sang's club once again sliced through the air just above my head.

Thunk!

The club hit the wall and bounced off from the recoil. I didn't miss the opening and drove an uppercut straight into Gong Tae-Sang's jaw.

Thud.

Gong Tae-Sang collapsed instantly, knocked out cold. Beside him, Jeon Yoon-Gi, who was about to swing his club, flinched and reached to support him. I used that moment to punch Jeon Yoon-Gi square in the jaw.

Thud.

In an instant, Jeon Yoon-Gi passed out while still standing. As a result, the two men collapsed together like dominoes.

Thump.

The two of them were knocked out in the blink of an eye, and the rest of the gang members tensed up completely. I didn't waste the moment. I sprang forward and began throwing punches.

Wham! Wham! Wham!

With each punch, another man blacked out and dropped. It was game over.

***

The alley was now lined with ten unconscious bodies.

Gong Tae-Sang's phone, lying in front, kept ringing.

『BOW~ BOW~』

I stepped over the bodies and returned, pulling the phone from Gong Tae-Sang's inner pocket. From the speaker, a familiar voice was shouting.

-Hey! Tae-Sang! Don't you lay a finger on Chief Jung! Are you listening?!

It was the voice of Jang Jong-Gu, the president of Oasis Entertainment.

I lowered my tone and answered.

"Did you send them, Mr. Jang?"

-Huh? Chief Jung? Why are you the one answering this call...?

Rather than explain it a hundred times, I figured it would be faster to show him.

"One moment. I'll call back via video call."

I hung up and made a video call on my own phone. When the call connected, both Jang Jong-Gu and Hyun Oh-Sung appeared on screen. Wiping off sweat, I flipped the camera to show the ten men unconscious behind me.

"Team Lead Gong is sleeping."

Their faces turned pale the moment they saw the bodies sprawled on the ground.

-S-Sleeping? They look completely out of it!

"Well, same difference. Anyway, if you didn't like my proposal, you could've just said so. I would've given you another option."

Jang Jong-Gu hurriedly spoke.

-No, no! We didn't send them, I swear! Please believe me!

He must have panicked, afraid I might tell Hyun Oh-Sung that he had gone after his mistress.

"Then... did Mr. Hyun Oh-Sung send them?"

This time, Hyun Oh-Sung cleared his throat.

-If anyone laid a hand on you, it'd be war. Why would I? Team Lead Gong acted on his own!

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

-Believe me! If we wanted to take you out, we'd have done it in the president's office!

At that moment, Gong Tae-Sang, the first to go down, tried to get up.

"

Ughhhh

..."

I immediately drove another punch into his jaw.

Smack.

Thud.

Gong Tae-Sang passed out again, collapsing on the ground. Clicking my tongue, I turned my head to see Jang Jong-Gu and Hyun Oh-Sung both clearing their throats.

Come to think of it, Jang Jong-Gu and Hyun Oh-Sung weren't the type to pull something this sloppy.

'

Then I should stop here too

.'

If I pushed further, a real war might break out. However, I couldn't let it slide completely.

"I understand that neither of you were involved. But that doesn't mean you can wash your hands of this and pretend it never happened, does it?"

Jang Jong-Gu sighed.

-Just tell me what you want.

"Do I really have to say it out loud?"

-Wait... are you asking for money?

Finally, we were speaking the same language.

"Well, if you offer something reasonable, maybe my nerves will calm down a bit. You know, something like... a stack?"

-A stack? So... around a million won...?

'

Are you kidding me?

'

I frowned deeply, and Jang Jong-Gu quickly corrected himself.

-...I mean, how about ten million?

Now I was getting annoyed.

"Mr. Jang, is your life worth ten million? Seriously, a group of armed thugs just attacked a civilian with clubs! If I hadn't been quick, I'd be buried in a ditch right now!"

-

Ugh

... then... how about a hundred million...?

Honestly, it still felt a bit low, but at least he was showing some sincerity.

"To be honest, it's still not enough. But since you're making an effort, I'll accept it."

Jang Jong-Gu looked at Hyun Oh-Sung. When Hyun Oh-Sung nodded, Jang Jong-Gu let out a sigh.

-I'll pay it tomorrow when we terminate Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri's contracts.

"Alright. Then what should I do about these guys behind me? Should I call Soo-Chan to clean up, or...?"

-Forget it. Just go. We'll take care of it.

"A wise decision."

I clapped the dust off my hands and said.

"Then I'll see you at 9 a.m. tomorrow."

It was like earning a hundred million in fight money without even stepping into round one. Naturally, my steps on the way back felt a little—no, a lot—lighter.

***

When I returned to Sajik Gymnasium, the

Project I.O.A

Busan audition had wrapped up.

I told Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri that I had secured the contract termination intent letter from Oasis Entertainment. They and Sae-Ri hugged each other tightly, crying tears of joy.

Not long after, Lee Soo-Chan and Lee Ho-Jae arrived with the shantytown elders, and the younger guys who flew into Gimhae Airport began trickling into the gym as well.

Lee Soo-Chan saw Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri in person and exclaimed that it was a jackpot recruitment.

"They are beyond my expectation."

"Their looks aren't even the main thing. Give them a year of lessons, and they'll be lead-role material. Raise them well."

"Yes, hyung-nim!"

Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri were also satisfied with joining Reverse Entertainment. Besides the contract and dorm, we had also promised their mother a job at the new Reverse Entertainment cafeteria. Later, we moved to the grilled fish restaurant where their mother, Lee Hyun-Sook, worked and held a celebratory dinner.

After hearing our offer, the twins' mother shed tears as she responded.

-Thank you, Mr. Jung, Mr. Lee.

Moved by her tears, we promised to make Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri top-tier actors.

The next day, I headed to the president's office at Oasis Entertainment with Shin Hyo-Joo, Shin Hyo-Ri, and their mother, Lee Hyun-Sook.

When we opened the door and entered, Jang Jong-Gu and Song Ha-Yoon were already waiting inside, looking as if death had come for them. There was no doubt they were still shaken from yesterday.

As soon as I sat down, I reviewed the prepared documents and told Lee Hyun-Sook she could go ahead and sign. Once she signed the contract termination form, Jang Jong-Gu placed a black bag on the table.

Thud.

"This is the... consolation money I promised you yesterday."

It was clear the black bag contained a hundred million won we had agreed upon.

I looked at Jang Jong-Gu and smiled. "Mr. Jang."

"What?"

"I'll cut the consolation money in half, so can I ask you for a favor?"

Jang Jong-Gu's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Yes."

"What is it? If it's something I can do, I'll do it."

I pointed to Lee Hyun-Sook, who was sitting next to me. "Please transfer fifty million won into the account of Mrs. Lee Hyun-Sook. Mark it as a penalty fee."

"Huh? You're not taking it yourself?"

"No."

Lee Hyun-Sook looked uneasy beside me, but I had told her before we came in to stay quiet no matter what happened.

Jang Jong-Gu tilted his head. "I mean, I'm fine with it...but you're not planning something, are you?"

"Well... I got carried away yesterday, but taking a full million started to feel a bit greedy. And since Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri are getting a new start, I thought it'd be better to end things on a good note."

Jang Jong-Gu stared at me suspiciously. But before he could think further, I casually threw out, "

Oh

~ if you don't like it, then forget it."

As I reached for the bag, Jang Jong-Gu quickly yanked it back. Pretending to give in, I let go of the bag.

"You're so impatient. Alright, fine! Just half! I'll wire fifty million as a penalty fee, okay?"

"Then please send it right now. Is that possible?"

"Of course!"

"Also, please issue a document confirming the penalty was paid."

"Okay!"

Jang Jong-Gu immediately turned to Song Ha-Yoon. Relieved, Song Ha-Yoon quickly printed the paperwork. After writing in the fifty million won figure, she signed it. Then she swiftly made the bank transfer, worried I might change my mind.

Ding.

"It's done. Please check."

Lee Hyun-Sook blinked and checked her phone. "F-Fifty million won... came in. Mr. Jung, here."

I glanced at the phone screen she showed me.

'

Balance: 50,350,000 won

...'

Aside from the money I had just arranged, she had only three hundred fifty thousand won to her name.

I nodded silently and turned to Jang Jong-Gu again. "We may have had our differences this time, but I hope we can greet each other with a smile next time."

Jang Jong-Gu and Song Ha-Yoon both nodded with stiff expressions. They were still anxious that I might tell Hyun Oh-Sung about their relationship. However, I wasn't obligated to put their minds at ease.

Once the contract was finalized, I left Oasis Entertainment with Lee Hyun-Sook, Shin Hyo-Joo, and Shin Hyo-Ri.

Ding.

We passed through the lobby, opened the glass door, and got into the car parked in the lot. As we pulled away from Oasis Entertainment, Lee Hyun-Sook, sitting in the front passenger seat, finally asked the question she had been holding back.

"Mr. Jung... why are you giving me this money?"

"

A

h. In the future, if Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri become successful in the industry, there's a chance Oasis Entertainment might try to get them back. The money proves the contract termination-since they paid a penalty. Even if they try to tamper with the paperwork, this will serve as evidence."

'

I have other dirt on them, but who knows how things might change

.'

That was the reason I arranged both the document and the fifty million marked as a penalty fee. It could serve as legal proof if Oasis Entertainment tried anything later. Cutting the amount in half had only been a bait to stop them from thinking too much.

"Then now that we have the proof, I'll just withdraw the money and give it back. No, I'll transfer it to you right now," said Lee Hyun-Sook.

I smiled gently and shook my head. "No. Please use it to settle in Seoul."

Lee Hyun-Sook, Shin Hyo-Joo, and Shin Hyo-Ri were now starting their lives in Seoul. Lee Soo-Chan would handle the dorm and most other things, and they would receive salaries. But still, having some real money in the bank would give them peace of mind.

"W-What? M-Mr. Jung, no! I can't accept that."

She waved her hands, saying all she needed was a place to lie down and that she could gather some money once she closed the restaurant. However, I drew a firm line, saying it would only lead to misunderstanding if the money came back to me. Besides, I already had billions sitting in my account. I wasn't in any rush for cash.

Though Lee Hyun-Sook didn't know what to do at first, when I told her to accept it for her daughters' sake, she finally bowed her head. Tears welled up in Lee Hyun-Sook's eyes, heavy with emotion.

"You're being so thoughtful... I don't know how I'll ever repay this debt..."

"You're Sae-Ri's friend's mother, aren't you? If you really want to repay me, please take good care of Sae-Ri. She's alone in Seoul."

Lee Hyun-Sook nodded. "Yes. Once I move to Seoul, I'll take care of Sae-Ri like she's my own daughter."

In the back seat, Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri gripped their seatbelts tightly and bowed their heads.

"Mr. Jung, we'll work really hard!"

"Mr. Jung, we'll treat Sae-Ri well!"

Having more friends around Sae-Ri-that was enough for me.

Afterward, the three of them promised to wrap up their lives in Busan as soon as possible and move to Seoul. The twin sisters had to complete their school transfer before the new semester began.

From outside the window, seagulls cried joyfully and the fresh breeze of the Busan coast drifted into the car.

That salty chill tickled the tip of my nose in a pleasant way.

***

After dropping the family off at their home in Gwangalli, I returned to Sajik Gymnasium.

It was the second day of

Project I.O.A

, so I took care of the areas I had missed. I then met with Lee Dong-Min to talk about buying into the employee stock ownership plan. He said both singer divisions had the money prepared, so I didn't need to worry.

"There's no need to worry," said Lee Dong-Min.

"Thank you. Then I'll head up to Seoul today and come back down tomorrow evening."

Today was Saturday and tomorrow Sunday, meaning public broadcast music shows. Sae-Ri, currently ranked Number one with 'Firefly Bridge,' and Seo Yeon-Woo, ranked Number two with 'Hwayeonga,' both had schedules. I needed to take them to the broadcast station.

However, we were all returning to Busan tomorrow afternoon. The Korean auditions for

Project I.O.A

would end on the 28th, and we had to host the closing event. I also had to return to meet Wang Long, who was flying in on a private jet. I needed to ask him to be our White Knight.

Lee Dong-Min smiled. "You're really putting in the work."

"Well, this is what we all do, right?"

"I guess so. Well, good job."

I gave a bow and headed toward the parking lot. Lee Soo-Chan had also finished preparing to escort the elders to Seoul.

"Hyung-nim, then I'll see you in a bit."

Today, Lee Yeon-Sil from the orphanage and Mother Michaela were coming to Seoul for regular checkups. We had also scheduled a visit to see Kang Eun-Gi-something we hadn't managed last week.

I said, "I'll drop the kids at the station, then head straight to your company."

Lee Soo-Chan nodded. "Yes. We'll take Yeon-Sil and Mother Michaela up. Just call us when you're done. Oh... and hyung-nim."

"What is it?"

"I heard from Miss Yoo-Jin. You're looking for a white knight?"

"Yoo-Jin told you that too?"

Lee Soo-Chan scratched his head. "I bugged her a lot. I told her to contact me immediately if anything happened to you. She called me today."

"Yeah, things turned out that way."

Knowing I usually didn't accept help, Lee Soo-Chan asked cautiously, "Then... Can we be your white knight?"

But this time, I answered honestly. "Can you really help? You guys are buying up half of Ace Entertainment. You don't have much cash left, right?"

Unlike before, I decided not to avoid help anymore. If I collapsed, the sorrow it would bring them would be far worse.

Surprised by my response, Lee Soo-Chan's face lit up. "We've got plenty of money! More than we can spend!"

"Yeah right. But if things loosen up, I'll ask."

"Okay!"

Seeing Lee Soo-Chan grinning made me smile too. I patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks."

"Hey~ just think of it as payment for introducing us to Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri," Lee Soo-Chan brushed it off casually, easing my burden.

Today reminded me that I had many people on my side.

***

After dropping Sae-Ri and Seo Yeon-Woo at the station, I picked up Mom and Lee Yeon-Sil before heading to the southern detention center. With Lee Yeon-Sil now visibly pregnant, my mom, Lee Soo-Chan, and I helped her to the visitation room.

Clunk.

The door opened and Kang Eun-Gi walked out, looking thinner than before but smiling. Tall and handsome at 185 cm, he looked like a model.

"You... came."

At Kang Eun-Gi's words, Lee Yeon-Sil immediately started crying. "You've lost so much weight, oppa..."

"I just lost the fat... I'm healthier now."

Seeing his pregnant wife, Kang Eun-Gi was at a loss for words. Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil gazed at each other through the acrylic partition, and we waited quietly for them to finish.

After soaking in the sight of his wife, Kang Eun-Gi turned his gaze to me. Then suddenly, he dropped a bombshell.

"Yoon-Ho. I've been granted a March 1st special pardon. I'm getting out the day after tomorrow..."

Someone was trying to take Kang Eun-Gi's life—again. And this time, the culprit was more obvious than ever.

'

Oh? So that's how it is, huh? Fine. Let's see what you've got.

'