Chapter 819: What Fate is (2)

On the default 70-inch TV inside the living room of Unit 409 at DH Villa, Episode 11 of

The Boat Village People

, a drama that ended 18 years ago, was playing, showing a fishing boat entering port.

『Bwooooom~』

A foghorn sounded from the boat as it approached a small harbor. On the port side of the Joy, which was flying a full catch flag, stood a man.

He wore a white short-sleeve shirt, his short hair neatly cropped. His features were sharply defined as if carved with a chisel. His tanned skin glowed under the sun. The man radiating rugged masculinity on screen was none other than the younger version of Yeon Sang-Jin from 18 years ago.

Yeon Sang-Jin had been a man from Seoul whose only experience with the sea was walking along the sands of Haeundae Beach. Yet in the drama, he stood casually with one foot up on the portside railing, enjoying the breeze like a man who had spent his whole life at sea.

Just like President Kang Gam-Chan had said, it was incredibly natural for a debut performance. He even carried the ease of a seasoned actor. The fact that someone like Yeon Sang-Jin had remained unknown due to the failures of incompetent talent agents was heartbreakingly tragic.

At that moment, Yeon Bo-Ra began to cry upon watching her father on the screen. "Dad..."

Yoo Jung-Hee also let out a torrent of tears as she spoke. "I don't know much about acting, but seeing it again... I think you're right, Mr. Kang. He used to get terrible motion sickness, but he doesn't show it at all. That must mean he's good at acting, right?"

Kang Gam-Chan nodded as he watched the screen. "Yes. In fact, he was badly seasick during that scene. But the moment the camera rolled, he transformed. Even the local fisherman steering the boat were amazed."

Yoo Jung-Hee couldn't take her eyes off her husband's face on screen and kept nodding. "No wonder. On filming days for that drama, he'd come home completely exhausted. I remember him skipping dinner and going straight to bed."

"Yes. He couldn't even eat on set."

Yeon Bo-Ra murmured in awe with her voice trembling. "My dad's... seriously cool."

Yoo Jung-Hee nodded in agreement with her daughter's words. "That's right, Bo-Ra. Your dad. He really was that cool."

Suddenly, the screen changed.

Clack.

The sea was a different color now. The boat was twice the size of the previous one, and the name had changed to

Our Joy

. There were now six people aboard. It was a later scene from

The Boat Village People

, where Captain Yeon Sang-Jin had found continued success, bought a bigger boat, and hired more crew.

This time, Yeon Sang-Jin was bundled up in thick clothing with a beard covering his face. Standing at the bow, he waved both hands. He was calling out the names of his beloved wife and child from within the drama.

『Honey~』

『Bo-Ra~』

At that moment, Yoo Jung-Hee clutched her chest, reached toward the TV, and called out her husband's name.

"Sang-Jin...

sob

..."

At the same time, Yeon Bo-Ra, startled to hear her name on screen, turned to look at us. "Mr. Kang, Mr. Jung. Why... Why did they say my name?"

Kang Gam-Chan explained in Yoo Jung-Hee's stead as she wept uncontrollably. "Back then, the child's name in the script was Yeon-Hee. But Sang-Jin accidentally called out your name since you'd just been born. It was technically a blooper, but the director said the emotion felt so real that he decided to keep it. So from that point on, the character's name in the show was changed to Bo-Ra."

"My dad... called my name?"

"That's right. Even I had forgotten, but Chief Jung reminded me and it all came back. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner."

Back at the company, I managed to track down Yeon Sang-Jin's work on MeTube. That's when I noticed something unusual about

The Boat Village People

. The child character in the drama was named Bo-Ra, just like her.

The last name in the show was Kim, not Yeon. Still, the name matched. I went straight to Kang Gam-Chan and asked if he knew anything about it. Right away, Kang Gam-Chan remembered something he had long forgotten.

I asked Kang Gam-Chan if he could help me find the original tape, and he rushed over to the broadcast station, digging through their entire archive. It wasn't easy to locate the footage in that dust-filled archive room, but thanks to his connections and the influence of Hoop Entertainment, what should have been impossible became possible.

Kang Gam-Chan then returned with a USB containing only the clips featuring Yeon Sang-Jin, carefully edited together. Because of that, I was able to show the two women a vivid image of Yeon Sang-Jin from 18 years ago.

With Kang Gam-Chan's explanation, Yeon Bo-Ra understood how her name had ended up in the show.

Yeon Bo-Ra looked at me and bowed her head. "Thank you, Mr. Jung."

She was grateful not only for being able to face her father from 18 years ago but also for being led into this world her father had loved so dearly. I accepted her thanks with a gentle smile, silently hoping that Yeon Bo-Ra's father in heaven would bless her journey as an actress.

A moment later, Yoo Jung-Hee, now a bit more composed, bowed to me and Kang Gam-Chan. "Thanks to both of you, I was able to see my husband's face again. I'll never forget this kindness."

I had worried it might bring back painful memories. But instead, they looked lighter as if an old weight had been lifted.

Wiping her tears, Yoo Jung-Hee now pointed at the screen with a joyful smile. "Bo-Ra, your dad is really cool, isn't he?"

Yeon Bo-Ra nodded. "Yeah, Mom. He looks even cooler on video."

"That's right. And your dad was such a good actor, wasn't he? He couldn't even eat raw fish and just the smell of the sea made him gag, but doesn't he look like a real fisherman?"

"Yeah. Not awkward at all. He totally looks like one."

"Exactly. So let's both work hard and show your dad in heaven what you can do. Got it?"

Resolved, Yeon Bo-Ra clenched her fist. "Okay, Mom. I'll work really hard so when I meet Dad someday, I can brag about it."

"That's my girl. Then I'll work even harder as well to support you all the way."

Yeon Bo-Ra shook her head. "No, Mom. If you work any harder, you'll collapse. You're already working 12-hour shifts. Now that I've got my signing bonus and I'm making about two million won a month, you should cut back. And once I get into college, I'll debut and start making money too. Okay?"

"Come on. I'm strong, so don't worry about me. Look. Check out these arms."

Yoo Jung-Hee lifted her slim arm, pretending to show off imaginary biceps. Yeon Bo-Ra did the same and claimed she had more muscle, raising her equally thin arm.

Right then, the TV showed a close-up of Yeon Sang-Jin smiling softly. It was as if he was reacting to the scene unfolding here. His face carried a gentle and affectionate smile.

At that moment, an alarm rang from the kitchen.

Ding~

Yoo Jung-Hee stood up. "

Oh

, right. Just a moment."

I paused the video. The frame froze on Yeon Sang-Jin's radiant and toothy grin.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I baked some cookies. I wanted to offer you something since you came."

Yoo Jung-Hee went into the kitchen and pulled freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from the built-in oven. Then she opened the fridge and brought out a small whole cake and some drinks.

"Please sit and have some. I meant to serve something right away, but it slipped my mind."

Yeon Bo-Ra lifted her chin proudly. "My mom actually studied baking. She had to stop because of her job at the soup restaurant, but she's really good. The Blooming staff tried them earlier and gave a big thumbs-up."

As I thanked her and reached for a cookie, its shape struck me as oddly familiar. Looking closely, it matched the cookies we received as a gift the week 'My First Love Story' ranked #1 in its tenth week.

"Wait... aren't these the support cookies you sent us before?" I asked.

Yoo Jung-Hee blushed and replied. "

Ah

... yes. I wanted to send something to cheer you on, but everything else was too expensive, so I sent cookies instead."

"You should've told us. Sae-Ri was practically tearing the place apart trying to find out who sent them. She loved them but couldn't find where to buy more."

"Really? Then I'll bake another batch for her."

I picked up a cookie and held it out to Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr. Kang, please try one."

"Sure."

Crunch.

As soon as he bit into the crispy-yet-chewy cookie, Kang Gam-Chan's face lit up in surprise. "

Oh~

this is good!"

I smiled without realizing it as I tasted the chocolate chip cookie myself. Then, on a whim, I tried the cake too. Yoo Jung-Hee had brought out a strawberry Basque cheesecake. The top was layered with whipped cream and strawberries, while the base wasn't sponge cake but Basque cheesecake.

Scoop.

The spoon slid smoothly through the cake, and I took a bite. The combination of sweet cream, savory cheese, and ripe strawberries created a perfectly balanced, heavenly taste.

When I offered some to Kang Gam-Chan, he took a bite and widened his eyes again. "This is the work of someone who studied this professionally, Mrs. Jung-Hee."

"Yes. I studied for about a year while my husband was alive, but I had to stop after Bo-Ra was born."

Yeon Bo-Ra turned to her mom in surprise. "Really, Mom? You quit because of me?"

Yoo Jung-Hee smiled softly, apologizing with her eyes. "It's fine. I don't regret it. You were a thousand times more precious than any school."

Overwhelmed, Yeon Bo-Ra threw her arms around her mother.

At that moment, an idea struck me. "Mr. Kang, how about we hire Mrs. Yoo Jung-Hee as our company's exclusive pâtissière? We already spend so much on thank-you gifts for the fans who attend weekend music shows. Just serving these cookies and cakes would cause a stir."

When I suggested appointing Yoo Jung-Hee as the company's dedicated female pastry chef, Kang Gam-Chan nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Jung-Hee, would you be interested in becoming our company pâtissière, just like Chief Jung suggested?"

"Pardon?"

"I'll offer a base salary of three million won a month, plus weekend overtime pay. This will be separate from the two million we're supporting Bo-Ra with."

Still holding Yeon Bo-Ra, Yoo Jung-Hee blinked in disbelief. "I don't know if I can..."

"I believe you can, Mrs. Jung-Hee. There's a space in the basement of our building originally set up as a cafeteria. You can work there. If you ever need extra help, just let us know."

"But I don't have a pastry certificate."

"What matters is your skill, not the certificate. And if you want one, go ahead and get it. We'll cover the cost, whether it's a university program or private academy."

At that, Yeon Bo-Ra lit up and grabbed her mom's arm. "Mom! Do it! That way you don't have to travel far for work. Right?"

Yeon Bo-Ra begged, and Yoo Jung-Hee replied with a trembling voice. "I may not be good enough, but I'll do my best. I'll also enroll in a professional course to learn new recipes."

"Yes, we're glad to have you."

Just like that, not only Yeon Bo-Ra but also Yoo Jung-Hee became part of the Hoop family.

And at that moment, it felt like Yeon Sang-Jin's frozen smile on the paused TV screen grew even warmer.

***

Today was the day after Hoop Entertainment's stock market debut, and the current time was 1 p.m.

In the first-floor living room of the house in Cheonho-dong, everyone gathered: members of Cherry Blossom, Kang Ha-Na, Park Sang-Gyu, Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, Ju Yung-In, President Han Yoo-Sik of Mirinae, and talent agents from Division Jung including Do Ran-Hee, and Lee Yung-Jin.

Though President Jin Sung-Joon, Acting President Jin Ah-Ram, and President Shin Jong-Ki couldn't attend due to company matters, they had all sent congratulatory messages.

Every person here had played a major role in Hoop's successful IPO. And today's lunch was a special treat prepared by Landlord Jung In-Ji, who treated me like her own son.

On the long table made from pushing several tables together, a feast was laid out. The menus were japchae, boiled pork slices[1], savory pancakes[2], grilled fish[3], and braised monkfish[4]. It was so much food that they were enough to break the table legs.

On the living room TV, a stock broadcast was running. Hoop Entertainment's stock price hovered at 109,000 won. Just like yesterday, the price was nearing the upper limit again. However, no one was paying attention to the stock channel. Instead, all eyes were on the table and everyone was licking their lips.

Then, Jung In-Ji appeared with Yoo-Jin from the kitchen carrying a dish of braised short ribs[5].

"Alright! Special galbijjim coming through~ It's hot! Make way, please~"

Though a top star outside, Yoo-Jin preferred to act like a normal person at home. She was helping Jung In-Ji in the kitchen, even wearing her favorite Power Tuff Girls apron.

Right behind them, Haru and Ju Yung-In emerged from the kitchen carrying more dishes.

"Jeongabok coming through~"

Jeongabok[6] meaning 'complete family fortune,' was a traditional dish symbolizing family happiness, also known as "Happy Family" in English. It was filled with health-boosting ingredients like sea cucumber, conch, dried abalone, and mushrooms. Jung In-Ji had learned to make it directly from a chef from China, and it was clear she had put her heart into this dish for the celebration. I hadn't expected jeongabok to follow the galbi, so it caught me off guard.

But what surprised me even more was Ju Yung-In. Before my regression, whether during dating or after marriage, she always had someone else do this kind of thing. She never lifted a finger when it came to serving food. Yet now, here she was, not ordering someone around but helping carry dishes herself. Her change felt unfamiliar. It was even shocking.

Then I heard Miso's excited voice nearby. "Grandma! These galbi are huge!"

Jung In-Ji lifted her chin with pride. "I got the best prime ribs just for you today, Miso."

Miso gave her a double thumbs-up. "Grandma, you're the best!"

Jung In-Ji shrugged with a proud grin. She had made a fortune by investing in stocks on my advice, but clearly, Miso's compliment made her far happier.

Once all the food was set on the table, I stood up from my seat. "May I say a few words?"

I looked around at the people gathered here today. These were the ones who helped bring Hoop Entertainment's stock public.

Jung Yoo-Jin, now rising fast thanks to

Hwaranjeon

. Cherry Blossom members, gaining attention as guest judges on

Project I.O.A.

Lee Tae-Poong, who had brought in back-to-back ten-million viewers with

Jiri Mountain

. Choi Deok-Bae, active both in

Omniscient Point of View

and

Hwaranjeon

. Kang Ha-Na, who had become a MeTube sensation through daily music shows. Park Sang-Gyu, currently filming

Doppelgänger

and

Haze

. Haru, making waves in food CFs and

The Foodie Nomads

. And of course, our little star Miso, stealing hearts on every variety show.

Before the regression, they had all gone their separate ways. Now, they were together again and smiling. Even newly made connections like Ju Yung-In were here, beaming.

Just seeing all these people I had once lost gathered again like this meant I had achieved half my post-regression dream already. There was still a long road ahead, but today, I wanted to soak in this joy. After all, Hoop Entertainment had successfully gone public and a triple upper limit was just around the corner.

I calmed my racing heart and bowed to everyone. "It's all thanks to you that we've come this far. I truly appreciate it."

Just then, Miso shouted in her bold voice. "Thank you, Uncle Yoon-Ho~~!"

Yoo-Jin followed right after. "Oppa. We're the ones who should thank you. Now lift your head."

As I slowly raised my head, I saw everyone smiling brightly.

Then Lee Tae-Poong spoke up. "If it weren't for you, hyung, I wouldn't be here. So I should be the one thanking you."

Choi Deok-Bae chimed in while holding Han-Ul's hand. "Same for me, hyung. You saved me and Han-Ul. Helping with a stock listing is the least I can do."

Kang Ha-Na nodded with a big smile. "Right. You even helped debut my mom and me. Whatever you need, just say the word. I'll help however I can!"

Park Sang-Gyu nodded as well. "My wife waking from her coma was all thanks to you, Chief Jung. So what wouldn't I do? Honestly, you don't need to thank us. We owe you hundreds of times more."

Sae-Ri and Eun-Ah from Cherry Blossom both nodded too. "Exactly, oppa. We're the ones who are grateful. Without you, Cherry Blossom would've been gone."

To think such grateful and grounded people were my artists, my chest swelled with pride again. I felt so lucky to be surrounded by genuinely good people in this new life.

With a rush of emotion, I said firmly, "Alright. Then I'll make sure this success feels like just the beginning!"

Yoo-Jin, Haru, and Lee Tae-Poong had upcoming projects. Kang Ha-Na and Cherry Blossom had new songs releasing soon. Choi Deok-Bae and Park Sang-Gyu were mid-filming. I made it clear that I intended to make every one of them the top stars of Korea and of all Asia.

Everyone burst into cheers in response.

At that moment, Miso tilted her head. "Huh? The graph froze."

At Miso's words, everyone turned toward the screen. Just as she said, the graph had stopped moving. On the second day of trading, Hoop Entertainment's stock had reached 118,300 won. As expected, we hit another upper limit. It was a perfect triple upper limit.

Do Ran-Hee clenched her tiny fist and trembled slightly. Having fainted after yesterday's surge, she tried to stay composed today.

That's when Lee Tae-Poong suddenly stood up, fist raised. "It's a triple upper limit!"

Everyone's eyes turned to Lee Tae-Poong as he shouted triumphantly. Belatedly realizing what he has done, Lee Tae-Poong scratched his head in embarrassment.

"

Hahaha.

I said it on behalf of Ran-Hee noona..."

Do Ran-Hee gave him a look. "Tae-Poong... why sell me out like that? I was trying to stay quiet today."

Lee Tae-Poong closed his eyes tight and shouted again. "Ah, whatever. It's a triple upper limit~~"

Everyone burst out laughing and joined in. "That's right! Triple upper limit~~"

Just as the room exploded in cheers, my phone rang.

[Caller ID: Chairman Choi Eun-Tae]

I picked up, excited.

"Yes, Mr. Chairman. Did you see? We hit a triple upper limit!"

-I did. That's why I called. And now, the transfer of Hoop Entertainment shares is ready.

At last, the shares owned by President Choi Man-Sik were coming to me. Choi Man-Sik's stake was known to be around 12%. Choi Eun-Tae had promised to top it off with an additional 3%, bringing the total to 15% for me. At Hoop Entertainment's current market cap, around 700 billion won, that meant 1% was worth 7 billion. So 15% was over 105 billion won.

I hadn't been too greedy about money since my regression, but the thought of holding over 100 billion in stock made my heart race a little.

Just then, Choi Eun-Tae said something unexpected. He explained that the shares for me weren't actually 15%.

-Actually... It turns out Choi Man-Sik held even more stock than I originally estimated. So when I added it all up, the shares coming your way are...

1.

Boiled pork slices

☜

2.

Savory pancakes

☜

3.

Grilled fish

☜

4.

Braised monkfish

☜

5.

Braised short ribs

☜

6.

Jeongabok

☜