Chapter 221. An Unexpected Attack (3)

“Siyan, Siyan Department Store, huh. Don’t tell me why you never left this place for the past few days was all because of…”

President Choo ManJi’s touching expression made KangYoon scratch his bearded chin awkwardly.

“At first, I created proposals for both possibilities. As you originally intended to, one was to send to Hayas Department Store, and the other was for Siyan. I sent the two business proposals to both stores on the same day. Siyan Department Store showed a positive reaction, while Hayas did not give feedback at all. Not even a negative one.”
“…That’s strange. There’s also the fact that I didn’t get to see anyone in charge and now this.”
“Perhaps there’s something that they don’t want us to find out?”

Hearing that, President Choo ManJi felt a shiver run down his spine.
KangYoon continued speaking calmly.

“I think we’re already past the point of no return with Hayas Department Store. From now on, we need to focus on working with Siyan.”
“…I feel like I lost to Kang ShiMyoug now.”

When KangYoon heard that, he shook his head.

“No, it will be different this time.”
“Different? How?”
“Would you have a look at page 3?”

President Choo ManJi flipped over the papers that KangYoon had given him.
There, he saw the dates of DiaTeen’s photoshoot and the public promotion date of both department stores.

“Now that I think about it, Hayas and Siyan’s discount event period overlaps. Hahaha. That’s a coincidence.”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s one of the reasons why I chose Siyan. We can’t stay still after getting beaten up, no?”
“Of course, that’s right. Haha, hahahaha.”

KangYoon’s words made President Choo ManJi laugh his heart out.

***

A few days later.
The contract between Yoonseul & ETM Entertainment and Hayas Department Store was broken.
Although there was the matter of the contract penalty, ETM Entertainment stepped in, the problem with the contract penalty fee was settled before the two sides erupted in battle.
President Choo ManJi had predicted that they would be fighting for a long time over legal issues but was surprised to see that it was settled so quickly.

“…The problem was settled much more easily than I thought.”

President Choo ManJi was on the wheel, and he tilted his head as he didn’t understand.
KangYoon, in the passenger seat, solved his questions.

“They probably decided to put this under the cover without a word since they have something they don’t want us finding out.”
“So it would have been troublesome even if we did end up working with them. They would have asked us to do all sorts of things.”
“Yes. They might have asked for unreasonable things. Oh, is DiaTeen’s photoshoot going well?”

Today was the day of the photoshoot.
As such, KangYoon and Choo ManJi were heading towards the photoshoot studio after they finished work.
President Choo ManJi stopped the car in front of a traffic light and spoke.

“Well, I’ll have to go there to find out. Although ETM told me to leave it to them, their eyes are different from ours.”

The two quickly headed to the studio.
When they arrived, the photoshoot had just entered a period of rest.
President Choo ManJi greeted the buyer and headed to the photographer looking at the photos taken until now, while KangYoon headed to where DiaTeen was.

“…Hmm.”

President Choo ManJi looked at the photo where Joo YeAh was wearing a dress while wearing a golden wavy hair wig and frowned.

[What is it?]
[Nothing. Is YeAh’s expression a little awkward?]

The photographer blinked several times, hearing President Choo ManJi’s question.
He didn’t know whether the photo theme was wrong or the photos themselves were incorrect.
While looking through the photos, President Choo ManJi’s expression became worse as well.
He eventually went to KangYoon, who was having a conversation with DiaTeen.

‘President Lee.’
‘What is it?’

When KangYoon asked back, President Choo ManJi replied in a small voice.

‘The results are too mediocre.’
‘How is the buyer reacting?’

At KangYoon’s question, President Choo ManJi shook his head.

‘He’s not saying much. Maybe he didn’t see the photos, or maybe he wants us to do something… I don’t know what he’s thinking. It looks like the photographer doesn’t work well with the girls.’
‘That’s troublesome.’

KangYoon made a bitter expression.
The photographer was someone recommended to them by ETM Entertainment, and he specialized in taking photos for album covers. Although they wanted to hire a photographer specialized in model shoots, there weren’t any available, so they went with someone capable that had some time.
The result was this.

“Composer, is there trouble?”

Joo YeAh, the visuals member of the group, looked towards KangYoon with curiosity. KangYoon then alternated his glance between her and the photographer.

“Can you follow me for a sec?” “Whoaaa?”

Being dragged by KangYoon so suddenly, Joo YeAh was brought up to the photographer.
The photographer was very nervous since KangYoon, and the photo model approached him this time after a visit from President Choo ManJi.

[Wh, what is it?]
[Can we have a look at YeAh’s photos?]

The photographer pouted a little before telling his assistant to bring the photos.
KangYoon flipped over each of the photos with Joo YeAh wearing a dress while wearing a wavy wig and fell into contemplation.

“Wait, my eyes look wrong.”

Joo YeAh tilted her head while looking at the photos.
She was supposed to give off a soft gaze-look, but it turned out very awkward.
The buyer, managing Director Ding Hanwei, who was quietly watching all this time, approached them.

[Is something not going well?]

Joo YeAh flinched since the buyer sounded very cold.
KangYoon replied calmly with his awkward Chinese speech.

[The photos… are a little awkward. So I’m checking them.]
[Is that so? Let me see… Fuu. I really don’t get it. Do as you wish. I’m good as long as I have results.]

He turned around.
Although he acted like he wasn’t bothered to say anything, his eyes had sunk.

‘So he intends to watch.’

KangYoon realized the buyer’s intent.
He turned around to the photographer.

[I’m sorry for asking this, but can we do this scene again? I think our girls weren’t up to par here. I’m sorry about this.]

Although there was some mistake on the photographer’s part, KangYoon didn’t blame him and blamed the model instead.
Hearing that, the photographer also made an awkward expression and spoke.

[…Alright. I’ll do my best.]

The photographer nodded at kangYoon’s words.
The photoshoot resumed.
The photographer, unlike before, spent a lot of time in each shot.
He readjusted the lights and put a lot of effort into the props.
The assistants became busier, and the photographer asked a lot of things from the models.
The girls of DiaTeen had some trouble making the right expression, and the photographer shot many photos in order to not miss out on any shots.
KangYoon and Choo ManJi watched as all this unfolded.
The buyer was surprised as well.

‘Well, aren’t we pushing them too hard now?’

The buyer approached and whispered to KangYoon, but he shook his head.

‘We have to have the people change their assumption of the Siyan Department Store after looking at those girls, don’t we?’
‘But they’re working too hard…’

The buyer had seen many photoshoots of many photo models until now, but this was the first time he saw one that had such an effort invested.
After that tall man spoke a few words to the photographer and the models, the very environment around here had switched.

‘He’s good.’

The buyer quietly called for his secretary and instructed to look into ‘that man’.
The photoshoot continued.
The results were worth the day of effort put in.

[Thank you all for your work!]

Along with the words from an assistant, the photoshoot that began in the morning finally saw its end.

“President Lee. Thank you for your work.”
“You too, President Choo.”

KangYoon had a look at the clock and saw that it was going past 11 p.m.
The members of DiaTeen had practically buried themselves in their chairs, while the photographer and his team also looked exhausted.
KangYoon approached the photographer and his team.

[Thank you for your work today.]
[You too, team leader.]

KangYoon’s official position in this place was ‘Planning Team Leader.’
KangYoon turned around with the photographer to face their backs on everyone else before handing him an envelope.

[What’s this…?]
[It’s just a form of appreciation from me since you worked so hard today. Why don’t you go to the hot springs and relieve yourself and your team of fatigue a little?]
[Whoa… thank you very much.]

Seeing the photographer reacting joyfully, KangYoon turned around with a smile.
Soon, the sound of cheers could be heard.
Hearing that, President Choo ManJi asked with a confused expression.

[What did you tell them for them to act like that?]
[Haha. I want to know too.]

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders.
There was no reason for him to report spending his own money.
Han HyoJung of DiaTeen looked up towards President Choo.

“…Presideeeent.”
“Well done, everyone. It’s late right now, so let’s go re…”
“Me~ fooooood.”
“……”

Does she not know that she’s supposed to be on a diet?
While KangYoon chuckled, President Choo ManJi’s eyes twitched.

***

Although KangYoon was absent, World Entertainment was rather peaceful.
White Moonlight had regular activities, and the other singers also got ready for their next event. The company was doing well.
Well, if there was one problem, it was that all the artists were too enthusiastic.
Late evening.
Lee HyunJi was listening to a song made by Lee HyunAh.

“…You want to release an album with this song?”
“Yes.”

Lee HyunJi paused the music and put her hand on her chin.
HeeYoon, who was with them, added.

“It’s a good song. It’s a song that is different from HyunAh-unni’s usual song. It’s honest and sad… it’s an emotion that only a girl in love could convey, I guess?”
“So composer Lee thinks it’s okay?”
“Yes. Definitely.”

HeeYoon’s eyes were filled with confidence.

“There aren’t many effects added. It’s tranquil. But… does it fit the current trend? Hm…”

Honestly, the lyrics were okay, but the slow accompaniment was not to her liking.
Lee HyunJi was at a loss.
If it were KangYoon, he would have allowed the artist to forge ahead if their will was strong, but Lee HyunJi was more careful about everything.

“…The president would have let me do this, though…”

Lee HyunAh grumbled in a quiet voice, but Lee HyunJi shook her head.

“Perhaps, the president is someone who can make a song big in some way or the other. However, I don’t have such talents. Why don’t you work on it for some more time and go to the president with it?”
“……”

Lee HyunAh found it unfortunate, but she couldn’t speak anymore.
Lee HyunJi’s logic was flawless.
After Lee HyunJi left the studio, Lee HyunAh heaved a sigh.

“Aaah, the director is hard as always.”

HeeYoon agreed.”

“You’re right. But she’s right as well. Why don’t you take it to Oppa after all?”
“…No.”

HeeYoon’s eyes widened, hearing the unexpected answer.

“Unni.”
“I want to try persuading the director with this song. Won’t it mean that the public would like it if the director likes it? Let’s make the song so that everyone will like it. Miss composer, please have a look over it again. Please.”

When HeeYoon nodded, Lee HyunAh was filled with motivation again.

***

In China, President Kang ShiMyoung’s plans were going very smoothly.
He worked very well with the company he cooperated with while in China, and the contract with Hayas Department Store was like a smooth drive like driving in the Autobahn.

‘If this goes well, we can make our debut with this…’

Japan and now China.
If both were successful, it would no longer be a dream to catch up to MG’s scale.

“Heheheh.”

President Kang ShiMyoung had come here to meet Director Liu Yang of Hayas Department store and ended up laughing to himself.

“People should always work with other people. In this industry, people are everything.”

Grabbing the attention of Director Liu Yang.
He felt that this was a godly move.
Soon he was guided by the secretary to the director’s office where Director Liu Yang was waiting for him.
The short, chubby man with small eyes, Director Liu Yang, greeted him.

[Welcome. Hahaha.]

The two talked about the regular discount event that would start in another hour.

[The girls of Wincle were quite cute. I was shocked when I watched the photoshoot.]
[Thank you for looking at them in a positive light.]
[Hahaha. I have enormous expectations for this event. It’s not just me. The president thinks the same. If things go well this time, let’s collaborate on many other things in the future.]
[Well, I’d be thankful if you do.]

President Kang ShiMyoung smiled.
The two had a leisurely tea time together when the telephone started ringing.

– Director. The president wants you to come to his office immediately.
[The president? Okay. I’ll go right now.]

Director Liu Yang put his coat on and told President Kang ShiMyoung.

[I’ll be right back. Please wait for me. Let’s go to the hot springs together or something.]
[Very well.]

As President Kang ShiMyoung didn’t have anything else for today, he waited in Director Liu Yang’s office while using his smartphone.
However, Director Liu Yang didn’t come back even after an hour had also passed though he said that he’d be right back.

‘Did something happen?’

‘He tilted his head. President Kang ShiMyoung felt strange and had a look at the entrance of the department store.
When he looked down, he saw many people crowding the place.

‘Did something happen?’

Did going with Wincle have a converse effect?
If that happened, there should be fewer people, so that didn’t seem the case.
While he brought up questions in his mind, Director Liu Yang returned.
Unlike when he left, his face was flushed this time.

[Ha, ha!]
[Director. Did something… happen?]

When President Kang ShiMyoung asked carefully, Director Liu Yang shouted with fiery eyes.

[Siyan, those trash at the Siyan Department Store decided to scout those dregs. Ha. That’s perfect…]
[What? Dregs? What’s…?]
[DiaTeen those Korean things. They modeled for Siyan in their discount event period. Ha, it wasn’t just me. All the directors were called to the president’s office this time. Haha….]

President Kang ShiMyoung felt like he was stabbed in the back.

‘Ch, Choo ManJi! That man! Hah! There was a reason he was staying quiet!’

There was a reason why he stayed still despite the broken contract with Hayas Department Store.
He kept watching President Choo ManJi’s movements, but he never seemed to have visited any other department stores from the reports he received.

‘DiaTeen VS Wincle? Hah!?’

He felt his vision darkening as this turned into a battle between two Korean idol groups.