"President Oppa, my head hurts so much, ahh~"
"Oppa, my head's killing me too, aish~ I totally forgot the address!"
"Oppa~"
"Oppa, ah…"
"Stand up straight, aish!"
Lee Jin-woo's stern face snapped the feigning-drunk women to sobriety.
"Managers, take them to the dorms. Make sure they get inside before leaving."
"Yes, President." Roh Yoo-ran and Sung Ok-ri bowed 90 degrees, smirking oddly.
These three girls thought they could charm the president with some flirting and beauty tricks to snag the best resources.
Did they not know their president was a wolf who wouldn't budge without a feast?
A lustful, ravenous wolf!
No meat, no favors.
The managers were curious to see which of them would win his "favor."
They didn't know everything about him, but he was clearly from a major family—not just some lucky rich kid.
With his backing, their modeling careers would soar.
They could even cross into acting.
But winning him over required real effort.
Petty tricks and small bribes wouldn't cut it.
Naive!
"Let's go." Calling a driver, Lee Jin-woo and Yoon Hye-na got into the Land Rover.
"Manager Roh, they…"
Seeing Lee Yeon-jung's confused look, Roh calmly said, "That's not your concern. Instead of worrying about irrelevant things, focus on how to nail the TV shopping model gig in top form."
The three exchanged glances, bowing. "Yes, Manager Roh, we'll work hard."
Lee Jin-woo had no idea his "secrets" were exposed by the system.
After being teased by those three black-stocking vixens, he was burning with frustration.
The car stopped downstairs, and the driver left.
Click!
The doors locked from inside. The driver walked off, muttering enviously, "Money's nice, huh."
Adjusting her skirt and buckling her belt, Lee Jin-woo said casually, "Find time to look at houses."
"You're moving?" Yoon Hye-na wiped lipstick residue from her lips.
"Not just me—us. Let's move together. This place's environment is too rough."
Yoon Hye-na thought for a few seconds. "Sang-woo's still in school, and Mom's just settled here."
"Don't you want him in a better school? Sang-woo's personality—he'll get bullied here."
School violence in South Korea was notoriously bad, even at elite schools.
"But rent elsewhere is too high."
Money, the heaviest stumbling block in life.
"Leave it to me. Just find the houses."
Unlocking the car, he added, "Oh, and keep them close—across from each other is best."
Huff, huff~
Dropping the barbell plates, Lee Jin-woo struck a pose in the mirror.
"Perfect!" Lowering his raised arm, he glanced at the quiet bedroom door.
Curious, he wondered if something was up today.
Click~
The door opened, and Yoon Hye-na rushed in. "Sorry, I'm late."
"What happened?" He slung a towel over his shoulder, heading for a shower.
"Nothing, I'll start breakfast." She kicked off her shoes, scurrying to prep.
"Ramen okay?"
"…Ramen's too plain. There's seafood downstairs—toss in a couple."
"Ye~"
Yoon Hye-na, puzzled, opened the fridge's freezer, pulling out the only seafood.
Two rock-hard Boston lobsters.
"Wow~ Ramen with this?" She was dumbfounded.
Who pairs palm-sized lobsters with ramen?
So, poor folks don't even deserve ramen?
By the time Lee Jin-woo emerged, breakfast was ready.
Two copper pots faced each other on the table, lobster meat sliced into uniform cubes, reassembled atop the noodles, fragrant and appetizing.
Picking up chopsticks, he saw no system warnings.
Nice~
Ramen once in a while hit the spot.
If he couldn't even have that, he'd feel deprived.
People are greedy—always wanting what's out of reach, tiring of what they have.
Looking at Yoon Hye-na's flawless face, he wondered, When will I tire of this?
After their oddball ramen breakfast, she washed dishes while he watched news on the couch.
They reached the company at 9:15.
Learning Yoon Sun-young and Lee Yeon-jung went to SBS with their managers, he was pleased but curious why Son Yoon-joo stayed.
She bowed 90 degrees, saying earnestly, "I wanted to wait for you, President, before deciding where to go."
He teased, "Want me to be your manager?"
"No…" Son Yoon-joo waved awkwardly. "I just want your opinion—CJ or SK, which should I choose?"
In South Korea, one word was inescapable: chaebol.
She wanted his take on which side to pick.
Or, as her manager suggested, try the big three broadcasters and test her luck.
"Luck" was really a clash of connections, funds, backers, and industry clout.
SBS's shopping show was popular, even attracting idols as "guest hosts."
A rookie like her had no shot at hosting.
Hosting sounded humiliating, clashing with her career.
But to some, it was a goldmine.
Not everyone prized vanity over income.
That job was coveted in certain circles.
"CJ, CJ E&M." Since she was serious, he'd pave the way himself.
His company needed a standout "product" to gain fame.
Son Yoon-joo was Zy Entertainment's first star product.
Opening doors at CJ E&M wasn't too hard for him.
CJ was still tied to the Seoul Lee Clan's bloodline.
No matter how much they despised each other, their private dealings could fill a 400-episode chaebol drama.
Wishing the other got hit by a truck, wiping out their whole family.
But their interests were hopelessly entangled.
The Jeonju Lee Clan was part of that. Asking for a shopping host slot should be no issue.
But who to call?
(End of Chapter)