novel-bin Chapter 357: Ju Yung-In (3)
Chapter 357: Ju Yung-In (3)
Chapter 357: Ju Yung-In (3)
President Zhou Xiaoyan of Shanghai New Media Inc. apologized on behalf of Vice President Deng Chao for the commotion and increased Ju Yung-In's appearance fee by over 30%.
Ju Yung-In's initial fee for Wolf of the Battlefield was 5 billion won, but it was raised to 7 billion won in one go.
"Our Vice President Deng Chao made a mistake. Please forgive him, Team Lead Jung."
Thanks to Deng Chao's confrontation, Ju Yung-In's fee increased and Hoop Entertainment's standing became more solid.
On top of that, my position grew even stronger than before. "Understood. Then let's consider this matter settled."
"Thank you."
After finalizing the contract, we took a commemorative photo.
Deng Chao reluctantly posed for the photo before slipping away. Meanwhile, Jang Tae-Yoon stayed behind as he was eager to collaborate with Ju Yung-In and displayed a completely changed attitude.
Now, no one at Shanghai New Media Inc. would dare interfere with us.
***
Wang Long booked me a suite in Shanghai Peninsula Hotel on the same floor as Ju Yung-In. Before he left, he told me to rest well and that we'd see each other in the morning.
Seo Yeon-Woo fell asleep as soon as he took a shower as he hadn't slept a wink the night before due to the excitement of his first overseas trip.
After showering, I lay on the sofa in the spacious living room of the 100-pyeong luxury suite.
It was 11:40 p.m. and the prediction about tomorrow morning's scandal involving Ju Yung-In remained unchanged.
[Everyday V11]
[Date: October 18, 2020]
-09:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, handling follow-up responses.)
"Who could be writing this article?" I muttered.
I hadn't been close enough to Ju Yung-In to be captured in a single photo from the moment we finalized the contract until I arrived at the hotel.
"Are they really fabricating something or what?"
At that moment, the hotel doorbell rang suddenly.
"What's this? I didn't order any room service..."
I rubbed my damp hair and walked toward the door. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Yung-In."
A chill ran down my spine for a moment. If a photo were taken now, it would confirm the dating rumor.
I responded without opening the door. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"I need to talk to you."
"It's late. A reporter might see you, so please go back for now."
"I've already checked and no reporters are around. And... if you don't open the door, I'll just stay here."
One thing that hadn't changed about Ju Yung-In from my past life was her persistence.
"Please take a step back from the door for a moment," I replied.
I looked through the peephole to check outside. Only after seeing that no reporters were around did I open the door slightly.
Ju Yung-In stood there in a simple white t-shirt and jeans.
"What brings you here at this hour?" I asked.
Ju Yung-In's eyes widened in surprise like a startled rabbit and her ears turned bright red. "Uh, um... well..."
Ju Yung-In couldn't continue and lowered her head deeply. It seemed she had misunderstood since I had come out in a bathrobe.
I quickly clarified the situation. "I'm wearing clothes under the robe, so don't get the wrong idea."
Ju Yung-In looked up and retorted with a flustered expression. "W-what do you mean by the wrong idea! I-I never thought that!"
"Let's just say you didn't. Anyway, why are you here? Is there something you need?"
Ju Yung-In glanced around the surroundings nervously. "Could we talk inside? People might see us out here..."
Ju Yung-In had a point. If we were seen talking like this, it could easily lead to rumors. It would definitely look suspicious with me leaning against the door in a bathrobe and her pleading to be let inside. "Fine, come in for now."
"Thank you."
A deep rose fragrance surrounded Ju Yung-In as she walked past me, reminding me of the scent I was familiar with in my past life.
After letting her in, I closed the door and checked through the peephole again. Fortunately, there were no reporters. However, the future event remained in the planner.
'Is it not because she came here?' I wondered.
Feeling somewhat reassured, I walked away from the door and headed to the living room.
There, Ju Yung-In had taken a seat across from the spot where I had been sitting earlier on the sofa. She looked at the tablet on the table and the Chinese TV that was playing, and then clicked her tongue. "Have you been working until now?"
"It's just for local research."
"All you do is work, work, work~ You know, if I think about it, you're kind of a workaholic. You know that, right?"
"More importantly, why did you come here alone?"
Ju Yung-In pouted slightly. "Mrs. Lee had a stomach ache and she's resting for a while. I couldn't bring her with me when she's unwell, could I?"
After answering, she glanced around the suite. "By the way, it feels like your room is bigger than mine. I knew it—Director Wang Long is probably lying when he says he's my fan. He's actually your fan, isn't he?"
"Let's not change the subject. What do you want to talk about?"
Ju Yung-In nodded in agreement. "I just came to thank you for today."
Ju Yung-In's persistence made it clear that she wouldn't back down without an answer.
"I'm sorry, but I have to keep my head down. You know how I've been at odds with the Suhyaejong line. I don't have the time or energy to be distracted by romance right now."
After realizing how difficult it would be to stop the formation of Top Entertainment, I couldn't afford to be swept away by emotions.
Ju Yung-In bit her lip slightly and pressed on, "Is there really no chance you'll change your mind...?"
"There isn't."
Ju Yung-In finally pulled away from me and let out a sigh. "Oppa. You're... so difficult."
She shook her head as if she couldn't believe what kind of person I was.
I stayed silent and waited for her to gather her emotions.
After a few deep sighs, Ju Yung-In managed to brush off her disappointment. "Let's just pretend I never made that suggestion today. Ugh~ this is so embarrassing."
"I've already forgotten it."
Ju Yung-In's earlobes turned red, likely from the sting of being rejected. "Then since I got rejected, can we at least talk more comfortably from now on? It's so stiff when you keep your distance and I don't like it!"
"Let's take it slowly. Step by step..."
"Fine. But promise you'll loosen up before the end of the year!"
Ju Yung-In got up and fanned her face with her hand. "Tsk. How many times do I have to get turned down by one guy?"
She muttered to herself, then spoke with renewed determination. "Anyway, I'm going to give this project my absolute best. I'll prove that I'm a level above Jung Yoo-Jin, so you'd better be ready."
She returned to her usual confident demeanor as if she hadn't just been feeling down.
'Yes. That's the Ju Yung-In I know,' I remarked inwardly.
I nodded. "Understood. From tomorrow, talent agents from Ace Entertainment will be handling your schedule. But if anything comes up, call me right away."
"Of course. You're still my agent while I'm in China, oppa."
Ju Yung-In gave me a smile that was a bit too bright before heading toward the door. Her steps were unsteady, but I didn't say anything or offer any support. I knew that whatever words I could offer or any help I could give wouldn't bring her any comfort right now.
Just then, I stopped Ju Yung-In as she was about to leave.
"Wait a moment."
The time was 11:55 p.m., and the schedule in my planner still hadn't disappeared yet.
"Check if anyone's outside before you go."
I looked through the peephole on the hotel door and spotted a man in a hoodie and a cap standing in the hallway. He was wearing a mask, making it impossible to identify him.
'Is that a reporter?' I wondered.
I stepped back from the peephole and spoke. "Someone's outside, so wait a bit before leaving."
"Alright."
Ju Yung-In and I stood close, almost sharing the rose-scented air between us as we silently waited for the man outside to leave.
My heart began to beat a bit faster, but I chalked it up to nerves and ignored it.
After a moment, I checked through the peephole again. 'He's gone.'
Then, I glanced at my planner for confirmation.
[Everyday V11]
[Date: October 18, 2020]
-09:00 a.m.
([NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, handling follow-up responses.))
'So it really was a reporter,' I thought.
With the deletion of the scheduled event, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
"Phew~"
"Is he gone?"
"Yes, he's gone. You can leave now."
"Okay..."
Ju Yung-In answered weakly and hurried out with her head down as soon as I opened the door.
Click.
As I closed the door, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me.
Just then, a new notification popped up.
[Notification: A new schedule for 'Jung Yoo-Jin' has been added on October 18, 2020.]
"What is it now?"
The moment I hurriedly checked the new schedule, a dumbfounded laugh escaped me.
[Everyday V11]
[Date: October 18, 2020]
-10:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Entertainment All Times Reporter Gu Ji-Am. Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho with a photo! Handling follow-up meeting)
Reporter Gu Ji-Am from Entertainment All Times who had been on the same flight as us turned out to be the one planning to break the dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and me.
'So it was you, Reporter Gu?' I scoffed.
Gu Ji-Am had a history of questionable activities. Since we were in China, where such matters could be dealt with more directly, there was a way to handle him cleanly.