Chapter 236. The Day Even Planes Don’t Fly (1)

“Hey, hey, hey. Have you seen the internet?”
“Did CSAT (college entrance exams) get harder or something?”
“Not that! This one, here!”

The girl wearing thick make-up showed the article to the other girl, and the others were all making a fuss about it since the people mentioned in the article were all people they liked.

“Does this even make any sense? It wasn’t just Min JinSeo, but the entirety of World. But why?”
“I wouldn’t know. Isn’t that Ji YoonSeon, a daughter of a super-rich company or something? Maybe she’s arranged to marry the president of World… kya!”
“Oh my! That’s huge news!”

One girl snorted since it was simply too absurd.

“Hey! That can’t be right. World’s president in an arranged marriage? My older cousin works in that area, and she told me there’s no person as clean as he is in the industry. Super rich and arranged marriage… that’s just nonsense.”
“Why? I might be right, you know?”
“You aren’t.”

The girls gossiped about many things, but there was no clear conclusion.
However, one thing was clear.
Ji YoonSeon’s relationship with Min JinSeo was cemented to everyone.
As they were nearing class, Ji YoonSeon entered the classroom.

“Hey, hey. There she is.”

Unlike before, the girls only whispered amongst each other while looking at Ji YoonSeon, and did not talk bad about her. No, some of them even sent looks of envy.
Not long later, Min JinSeo, who had a hat on, entered the classroom as well.

“Hi.”
“Hello.”

Ji YoonSeon and Min JinSeo prepared for the class like always.

‘Wow…’
‘YoonSeon’s waist is so thin!’
‘The two get along so well with each other.’

Though there were a lot of rumors, rumors with evil intent like before were gone.
Some even admired Ji YoonSeon for being Min JinSeo’s friend.

(T/N: Now this is one thing I don’t like about this novel. The author treats the general populace too much like “NPCs” if you know what I mean. They are ‘blindly affected by MC’s actions’ with no ability of criticism from them.)
(E/N: So true, it feels like unless you’re a protagonist, you’re an NPC)

***

“Both of you, thanks for your work.”

KangYoon praised Assistant Managers Han ChangMoon and Kang Ha-In for doing a splendid job promoting World’s actions in attending the wedding.

“Not at all, president.”

When Assistant Manager Kang Ha-In smiled awkwardly, KangYoon shook his head and continued.

“Journalists are interesting people. They want to write people’s backstories rather than the stories we want them to write. They are challenging for us to deal with. It’s not easy to manipulate them like how you did. Both of you did a splendid job.”
“Not at all, president. We only answered your expectations.”
“I only just found out how capable you are. I should have recognized beforehand…”

KangYoon asked them to put their full effort into promotion in the future as well.
World Entertainment’s jobs were being divided into different fields.
When the two of them returned to their seats, Lee HyunJi came to KangYoon’s desk and put a cup of hot coffee on his desk.

“Can we talk a little?”

KangYoon stood up as he received the cup.

“Sure.”

The two of them headed to the rooftop.
Cool winds were blowing on the rooftop.
Lee HyunJi leaned against the rails and looked up at the sky.

“The weather is good.”
“You’re right.”
“Looks like this year will be a smooth one. We had a not-so-difficult growth this year.”

KangYoon agreed with her.

“That’s true. But the ones we had been preparing for until now came to fruition. Now, World Entertainment is acknowledged as a big company, and MoonHee saw success in Japan. We got more employers and…”
“There’s one more left.”

KangYoon noticed what she was referring to.”

“So you’re referring to ItsFine.”

FinesTok’s music service.
They had been preparing a long time, and the development was almost finished. Yet, they weren’t given permission to do business.

“President Ha is doing all she can, but she said that it wouldn’t be easy to get permission. It seems like the pressure from the existing companies is big.”
“I did think that it won’t be easy, but…”

KangYoon sighed.
He stepped into this business, hoping to change the music sales business’s fundamental structure where the distributors were currently taking a considerable share…
It wasn’t easy to do so.
The existing companies weren’t idiots.
However, he couldn’t stay like this forever.

“Looks like I should meet up with President Ha.”
“Alright. Let’s talk about this later than, shall we?”
“Yes. And also, are preparations coming along well with Eddios?”

The topic changed.
Lee HyunJi nodded her head with a faint smile.

“Yes. You know how skilled Producer Oh is.”
“That’s good. They need to release their album before the end of the year…”

After talking, KangYoon immediately headed towards FinesTok’s headquarters.
President Ha SeYeon came out to the lobby to greet KangYoon herself.

“It’s been a long time. President Lee.”
“It has. How has it been for you?”
“I want to say good, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been good recently. I wish I were doing as good as you….”

President Ha SeYeon smiled bitterly and led KangYoon to her office.
KangYoon listened to the current situation regarding FinesTok’s music service with a solemn expression.

“…So the permission to do business is being delayed due to various reasons.”
“Yes. At first, they used insufficient technology as an excuse. But you know that we do not lack technology at all, right? I, of course, refuted every single one of their points before applying for permission again. But then they used the reason that we’re too small as a company.”
“The scale of a company is important when it comes to doing business?”

KangYoon frowned, which made President Ha SeYeon bite her lips as well.

“They told us that we require a stable source of profit as well as a stable supply of funds to provide a stable platform for the customers. But the funny thing is. The scale of our company isn’t like before.”
“There’s almost no one that doesn’t use FinesTok in Korea. You’re even servicing other countries. Moreover, you’re also doing a lot of other business with that basis too…. Oh.”

KangYoon exclaimed before continuing.

“…So, they just don’t want us dipping our hands into the honey pot.”
“Yes. I think that’s their meaning. Do I need to file administrative litigation or something? This is getting tiring.”

KangYoon felt bitter as well.
ItsFine was a project that World Entertainment had invested into.
Leaving aside monetary losses, at this rate, he might have to stop this business without it even starting.

‘We should make it so that they simply cannot refuse the proposition. That means we need to form a general opinion from the others.’

However, the existing companies weren’t fools.
If ItsFine decided to use the media to form a general opinion, they would do the same.
If it comes down to a dogfight, people may start being annoyed by it, negatively affecting his plans.

KangYoon closed his eyes and fell into contemplation.

‘We need to make it so that they have no choice but to accept. It’s fine if it takes time. Then what about overseas?’

Opening his eyes, KangYoon asked President Ha SeYeon.

“How’s the overseas business of FinesTok?”
“You might call me boasting, but we have full control over the Asia region. The automatic translation system and the mascot merchandise was successful. Although we aren’t seeing good results in China due to their policies, we are gradually gaining market share in South East Asia and Japan.”
“Then why don’t you start the service from other countries?”

When he said that, President Ha SeYeon’s eyes widened.

“We’re planning to expand to other countries in the future… but right away?”
“Yes. Let’s start the service in other countries first. We’ll gradually gain market share there, and then…”

KangYoon’s eyes gleamed.

“When we get to a certain point, we’ll form a mass opinion and make them accept the proposal.”

This wasn’t easy.
However, President Ha SeYeon gained the will to fight from KangYoon’s words.

***

D-7.
There was a week left until the big day for the examinees.
Min JinSeo headed to the academy like any other day.
Before classes started, one of the academy teachers brought a big box and gave the students the box’s contents.

“It’s rice cake.”
“Uuugh… I’m so nervous.

(T/N: There’s a superstition in Korea that eating rice cake before CSAT will get you into the college you want because it ‘sticks’ – and you’ll make yourself ‘stick’ to the college you wish to. Meanwhile, the opposite is eating seaweed soup, because it’s ‘slippery’ and you’ll ‘slip up’ your test. Though, in recent years, many have proven again and again that nutritionally, it’s the opposite.)

The students received a sticky rice cake and talked about how they were all very nervous.
Although many of them here had experienced the test once or even twice before, the pressure from that day was always immense.
After handing out the sticky rice cake, the teacher spoke.

“There’s now a week left until the exam. I prepared this gift in hopes that you’ll have results equivalent to, no better than your efforts until now.”
“Thank you!”
“Also, don’t litter.”

The teacher left, and the students talked about how nervous they were about the test as they ate the rice cake.

“Dammit! That day is here?”
“I hope it never arrives.”
“This will be my third time, but I’m still nervous.”

Min JinSeo and Ji YoonSeon weren’t that different from the others.

“JinSeo, aren’t you nervous?”
“I am. You’re nervous, too, aren’t you?”
“Of course. No matter how many times I take it, CSAT is just… ugh.”

Ji YoonSeon didn’t even want to think about it and shook her head.
As there was only a week left, most of the classes focused on summarizing what they learned until now.
The students were very focused in order to take away one more thing from the classes, and the teachers also made a final sprint.
After classes ended, Min JinSeo headed home riding the car that Kang GiJoon drove.
She rested a little at home before the private lesson.
Min JinSeo’s day was filled with studying.

“Who received the favor of Kublai Khan in the Yuan Dynasty as a former merchant and eventually gained the position of a high official?”
“Marco Polo.”
“Good. Then what’s the title of the book that he wrote to introduce the state and culture of the east to the west?”
“The Travels of Marco Polo.”

In her private lesson learning World History.
Min JinSeo was going over the critical points given to her by the rather strict-looking glasses-wearing teacher.
The teacher was impressed with Min JinSeo’s knowledge of world history as she was so fluent when answering.

‘’Well done. With this, you should be able to get grade 1 for sure.”
“Not at all. It’s all thanks to you.”
“World History was your strong point. Perhaps it’s because you had an acting career in China.”

(T/N: Grade 1 means she’s in the top 4%.)

Her room was lit until 11 in the night.
Only after the teacher of the private lesson went back did Lee HyunJi return home.

“Director-unni.”
“My dear JinSeo. Have you been studying?”
“Yes.”

Lee HyunJi lightly hugged Min JinSeo.
Then, she handed over a paper bag.

“What’s this?”

When she took out the contents, she found the highest-grade chocolate from the R Brand, which was very expensive.

“Rice cakes and yeot (sticky taffy of sorts) is piling up at the company, so… I think this would be the best choice.”
“Thank you, unni.”

Min JinSeo hugged Lee HyunJi.
At that moment, her phone rang once, indicating that she received a message.

“Sir?”

She received three photos from KangYoon.
Her fans, who somehow found out she was taking the exam, had sent over sweets and many other snacks, wishing her luck.
Min JinSeo burst out laughing when she saw those photos.

“Hahaha. What’s all that?”
“Things you need to eat?”
“…I think my teeth will rot if I do.”

When Min JinSeo made a complicated expression, Lee Hyunji shrugged.
The next day.
When Min JinSeo returned home after classes, the things she saw in the photos yesterday were delivered right to the door.

“Hahaha.”

Min JinSeo blinked several times while looking at the presents pile in one corner of the living room.

“Should I have paid more attention to social media…?”

Min JinSeo made a complicated expression.
If she had an account, she would be able to say thanks…
As she had no online activities yet, she didn’t even have a FinesTok page.
At that moment, she received a message.

– Send me a picture I can upload to the website.

The message was from KangYoon.
Min JinSeo immediately took a selfie with the presents in the picture and sent it to KangYoon and a message she wanted to convey to the fans.
An hour later, she opened World Entertainment’s website, and there was an article about her with her photo on it.

– JinSeo, I hope you do well on the exam!
– My goddess~ wish you luck!
– I’m also taking the exam this time. T^T Let’s do our best!

She felt empowered by the encouragement of her fans.
That night.
Before her private lessons, KangYoon visited the house, saying that he wanted to give her some rice cakes.

“Thank you.”

Min JinSeo blushed a little after receiving the rice cakes from KangYoon.

“This isn’t anything much. Where’s Team Leader GiJoon?”
“He went out for a little. Do you need him?”
“No, not really. You must be having a hard time studying aren’t you?”
“…Yes.”

Min JinSeo sighed briefly.
Although she usually didn’t express her hardships, she was honest when it came to KangYoon.

“I heard that studying was the easiest thing to do, but that’s clearly a lie. Studying is really hard.”
“Hahaha. Learning something is always difficult.”

KangYoon and Min JinSeo talked with each other for a little before KangYoon stood up.
As he had a meeting with a producer from a TV station, he had to go.

“You should stay for a little more.”

When Min JinSeo expressed her pity, KangYoon patted her head and replied.

“Only when I work can everyone sing at ease.”
“…Even so… it’s a pity. It’s not easy for the two of us to get time alone like this.”
“I need to get work done now so we can rest easy later.”

Leaving Min JinSeo behind, KangYoon headed to the door.
At that moment, Min JinSeo grabbed his hand.

“Sir, wait.”

Wearing his shoes, KangYoon turned around.

“What is it?”
“I want something from you?”
“Something from me? What is it?”

When KangYoon made a confused expression, Min JinSeo bit her lips before taking a large step towards him.

“Your lips.”

Then, she quickly stuck her lips against his.
KangYoon’s eyes widened due to the sudden ambush.

***

D-Day.
Today was the day of CSAT.
Many students prepared years just for this day, yet many of them wished for this day to never arrive.
Min JinSeo woke up early just as she always did and was packing her stuff after tying up her hair.

“Did you get everything?”
“Yes.”

As she planned to go to work after taking Min JinSeo to the exam venue, Lee HyunJi was wearing her work attire when she drove Min JinSeo to the venue.
As they arrived earlier than everyone else, there wasn’t much traffic.
When they arrived, many people from Min JinSeo’s fan club were waiting for her.

“Ah…”

Just how did they find this place out?
Min JinSeo was touched to see the ten-or-so fans here.
The fans cheered for her and wished her luck.

“Thank you.”

Min JinSeo shook hands and hugged everyone there.
The fans were touched due to her fan service, and they all thought it was worth it to have come here early in the morning.

“Then I’ll be off!”
“I hope you do great!”

Leaving behind her fans, she entered the exam venue.