CH 386

'That's him?'

Han Eun-Sol inadvertently frowned a little. He didn't expect to see a man like that.

'This isn't about me, so why do I feel so unhappy?'

Despite being kicked around and abused constantly by Choi Yeon-Ha, Han Eun-Sol was still her manager. And to managers, the talents under their management were practically their business cards. Not only that but they could also be considered their other self, their alter ego. Their absolute everything.

Depending on how Choi Yeon-Ha's status was perceived, Han Eun-Sol's status would also rise or fall. It was the same story with the treatment, too. The better the treatment Choi Yeon-Ha received, the better it'd also be for Han Eun-Sol.

That was why he wished for Choi Yeon-Ha to become the highest-rated actress in South Korea, at the bare minimum. He prayed for her 'stock' to soar high into the sky and eventually reach the stars beyond.

In that case, what would be the base requirement for any man wanting to become Choi Yeon-Ha's beau? They needed to satisfy at least three categories first. Money, prestige, and good looks.

Those were 'basic' requirements, of course. Additional requirements included an acceptable fashion sense, a good personality, and a sense of humor. Being considerate didn't even need to be mentioned since something like that was stating the obvious.

'Ah! Is this what I think it is?'

Han Eun-Sol suddenly had an epiphany in front of some orphanage on why mothers-in-law always seemed dissatisfied with their daughters-in-law. He opened his eyes super-wide and scanned the mystery man sitting on the bench one more time. “Noona, are you sure that's the guy?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“No, it's just that…” Han Eun-Sol grimaced. He knew he shouldn't say this, but the question still managed to claw its way out of his throat in the end. “Noona, are you here to buy something privately? Like, some kinda second-hand goods?”

Choi Yeon-Ha blinked her eyes in confusion. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I mean, look at him! Just what kind of a meeting is this for him to…”

...Show up looking like that! Look!

Which insane motherf*cker would dare to show up to a meeting with Choi Yeon-Ha in a worn-down tracksuit and equally worn-out sneakers?! Just who!

“Gee whiz. Really...!?”

That was a clear middle finger to the talent under Han Eun-Sol's management! Something like this could not be allowed! Han Eun-Sol was willing to understand someone without a fashion sense, but that man's attire wasn't that. That man simply didn't care!

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted. “Stop talking nonsense and park the car already.”

“Eh?”

“It's already late, you know. I need to get out, so park the car. And quickly leave, okay? Don't worry, I'll call you later.”

“H-hang on, noona!” Han Eun-Sol panicked slightly. “It's no good for me to leave now. If I do, you'll look like a senseless woman who brings her manager along for her private business.”

“R-really?”

Han Eun-Sol nodded while thinking, 'You're already a senseless woman, though.' “I think you should act like this. You have come, but it's more like you're giving him your time of day. To show him that you're a very busy person.”

“No can do. If I say I'm busy, he'll tell me to go and take care of my business first.”

“...?”

Is this for real?

What on Earth was about to happen in this place? Han Eun-Sol stuttered a little as he came up with another plan. “I-in that case, let's say you came here right after dealing with a film shoot.”

“I already told him I was asleep earlier, didn't I?”

“...Ah. Shoot.”

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted while looking at Han Eun-Sol, who seemed somewhat flustered and at the end of his wits. “Just let me out and say hello before leaving, okay?”

“But, what if he asks me why I'm here?”

“Don't worry since he's not gonna.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yeah. He won't care about you. I mean, he's not even interested in me, so why would he be interested in you?”

“Heol…”

Were they dealing with an alien? How could a man be disinterested in Choi Yeon-Ha!

Of course, people had their preferences and styles they liked. Han Eun-Sol believed Choi Yeon-Ha was the prettiest among all the female celebs in the country. That didn't mean she'd be the ideal woman for every man, though.

Of course, that story was only applicable when Choi Yeon-Ha was stuck to one's TV screen. If any of the prospective hopefuls met Choi Yeon-Ha in real life, they would probably immediately run for the hills! Who cared about her styles and whatnot!

Han Eun-Sol could only endure the abuse from this wackjob with a personality disorder because her looks could purge all the negatives out of his mind. And Han Eun-Sol felt sad knowing that wasn't an exaggeration.

“Anyways, park the car already!” Choi Yeon-Ha yelled shrilly.

“Ah! Y-yes!”

When Han Eun-Sol parked the car, Choi Yeon-Ha took her time and slowly opened the door. As if her anxious demeanor until now was a lie, her new movements practically screamed, 'I'm not harried at all.'

'As expected of my noona!'

The acting experience of ten years hadn't suddenly abandoned her. Look at Choi Yeon-Ha, gracefully bringing out her acting chops even though she wasn't in front of a camera!

After confirming Choi Yeon-Ha's exit, Han Eun-Sol also quickly climbed out of the car. He wanted to see the face of this bizarre man at least once.

Kang Jin-Ho's head was lowered, his attention focused on his phone. He heard Choi Yeon-Ha's approach, then slightly raised his head.

'...Heol?'

What the heck...? Why does it feel like that man's radiating light?

And... What's this? How can a man look that good?

S-sure, why not? But, still...!

Kang Jin-Ho's facial features weren't simply on the level of 'handsome'. Han Eun-Sol was dead sure of his evaluation here. After all, men with gob-smacking good looks, enhanced with full makeup, were dime-a-dozen in the entertainment sector.

But this man was... even after being compared to those good-looking men...!

'...How can his foundation be that perfect?!'

Han Eun-Sol was screaming inwardly. That man hasn't done anything to himself! No makeup, no waxing, and he couldn't have received aaaaany beauty tips from anyone judging from his clothes!

However, Kang Jin-Ho's so-called bare face could still grab Han Eun-Sol's attention. That seemed like an ominous sign.

'Ah? Hang on a second!'

Didn't Han Eun-Sol see that man somewhere before...?

“...Kang Jin-Ho?” Han Eun-Sol's jaw nearly hit the floor.

'I-i-isn't he that dude from Yeon-Ha noona's TV show? Right, he's the dude that acted opposite noona in that one scene and caused an uproar!'

Just like how the brightest candle burned the quickest, the impact of Kang Jin-Ho's TV appearance was quickly forgotten by the masses. However, Han Eun-Sol could still vividly recall all the hullabaloo surrounding that appearance, even now. How could he not, when the scene of Choi Yeon-Ha flipping the agency half on its head in her quest to head-hunt Kang Jin-Ho and turn him into an actor was burned into Han Eun-Sol's memories!

But why was that man here?

Choi Yeon-Ha greeted first. “Hi! Were you waiting for me?”

“No,” Kang Jin-Ho briefly shook his head. “You've arrived sooner than I thought, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“I thought I was late, though?”

“Well, if you say so. Mm...?” Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly while getting up. “Didn't you drive here?”

“Eh? Oh, uh... My schedule was... Wait, what happened to your car, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Well…” Kang Jin-Ho scratched his head. “Yeong-Gi drove it to our destination.”

“I don't understand,” Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head. “Why is Mister Yeong-Gi driving your car?”

“We wanted to train the kids, but the location here is too small for what we have in mind, so we settled on a place some distance away. However, we didn't have any buses and had to use every vehicle we owned, and…”

“Ahh, so that's what happened. And you were thinking of hitching a ride in my car?”

“Yes. That was my plan, but now…”

The mood suddenly turned weird when the conversation got this far.

'I messed up!'

Han Eun-Sol broke out in a flood of cold sweat when Choi Yeon-Ha shot a sharp and quick glare at him.

Had Choi Yeon-Ha driven her car here as originally intended, she and Kang Jin-Ho could've gone on their merry way about now. However, Han Eun-Sol just had to offer his advice and ultimately mess up this situation.

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Choi Yeon-Ha grimaced a little. “What should we do?”

“Well, we can always grab a taxi,” said Kang Jin-Ho while shrugging his shoulders.

Han Eun-Sol hurriedly raised his hand. “H-how about I give you guys a ride?”

“Mm? It's okay. We can get there with a taxi.”

“No can do, Mister Jin-Ho!” Han Eun-Sol adamantly raised his objection. “If Miss Yeon-Ha was seen traveling somewhere with a man in a taxi, it's going to make the front page of all major newspapers. And taxis have black boxes as well. That will be an absolute no-no for us.”

“Mm, I see... I didn't think about that.” Kang Jin-Ho slightly bowed his head at Han Eun-Sol. “In that case, we'll be in your care.”

“A-ah, yes, sir!” Han Eun-Sol tensed up and hurriedly got back inside his vehicle.

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly climbed into the backseat, and Choi Yeon-Ha followed suit by taking the spot right next to him.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at her. “Aren't you going to take the front passenger seat?”

“I'm not much of a fan of riding in the front, you see,” Choi Yeon-Ha smiled awkwardly and replied.

...Noona, you were riding shotgun with me to get here!

I might have understood your choice if we were in a minivan, but this is my car! Besides, I'm not a chauffeur, you know!

Hang on... I am a chauffeur, aren't I?

Han Eun-Sol suppressed this unexplainable anger bubbling up inside his chest and carefully depressed the accelerator. Once the vehicle was on the move, Han Eun-Sol felt the tumbling thoughts in his head calm down a little.

'Okay, so... It was Kang Jin-Ho all along?'

Kang Jin-Ho's name was... 'fairly' famous within the talent agency's corridors. Choi Yeon-Ha losing her mind trying to coax Kang Jin-Ho into acting played an active part in that, of course. Mostly, though, Choi Yeon-Ha rushing to Kang Jin-Ho's pizzeria every night after shooting wrapped up for the day was too unforgettable for most people.

However, no one imagined that romantic feelings would develop between the two of them!

'Which isn't all that surprising, really.'

The way Han Eun-Sol saw it, Kang Jin-Ho didn't have much to offer besides his stunning looks. The thing was, though... Choi Yeon-Ha had already maxed out her Good Looks Resistance stat by now. After all, she had spent years in various environments filled with countless good-looking people, so it seemed inconceivable for Choi Yeon-Ha to lose herself to a man's handsome facial features.

'In that case, what's going on here?'

Han Eun-Sol could only groan deeply. Kang Jin-Ho didn't seem to have any notable plus points besides his facial features. As far as Han Eun-Sol could tell, Kang Jin-Ho didn't have a good personality or sense of humor. What about money, then?

His financial status was obviously unknown, but something about Kang Jin-Ho's previous demeanor suggested he wasn't the type to throw money around, even if he was swimming in wealth. Besides, look at his attire! That wasn't how a man interested in wealth would dress!

Most of all...!

'Noona is also loaded, you know!'

The amount of money deposited into her bank account every time Choi Yeon-Ha filmed a commercial would exceed what most people get to touch in their lives. So, why should someone like that get hung-up on some dude's wealth?

'Gee whiz. The more I think about this, the more confused I get...'

Han Eun-Sol glanced at the backseat with the rearview mirror. He could see Kang Jin-Ho relaxedly leaning against the seat, and Choi Yeon-Ha was sitting 'demurely' next to him. Quite literally, too!

'Noona, please don't be so nervous! Please!'

People might think a rat or something is scurrying around back there!

'...Ah, I see. Noona doesn't know what her character is...'

Choi Yeon-Ha was a consummate professional. Regardless of her situation, she could perfectly realize her character as long as she was serious about it. However, from what Han Eun-Sol could see...

It seemed Choi Yeon-Ha still hadn't settled on what kind of a character she needed to play. No wonder she was acting so nervous and confused.

Choi Yeon-Ha couldn't bear the awkwardness anymore and broke the silence first. “B-by the way, is it really nothing more than training?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded slightly. “Yes. Now that I think about it, you aren't really needed there. I mean, you aren't going to participate in the boys' training, after all. Should we turn the car around?”

“N-no, that’s not necessary. I'm curious, so I'd like to see it for myself first. This experience might help out with what I'm thinking of.”

“Mm, that could be true.”

“Yup, it is,” Choi Yeon-Ha grinned softly. “By the way, you seem more relaxed than the last time, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“That's because I know what needs to be done,” Kang Jin-Ho calmly replied. “Events can happen at any time. What's important to remember isn't worrying about the event itself but finding a way to respond. When we were chatting last time, I wasn't sure what we must do, but now we know. In that case, there's no need to hesitate.”

“Aha…”

Han Eun-Sol smiled contentedly while watching the duo in the backseat chat with one another.

'...I have no idea what you two are even talking about!'

Words were meant to be understood by people, or was Han Eun-Sol mistaken about that?! For crying out loud, why was this duo beating around the bush like that! Besides, why was Choi Yeon-Ha nodding like that as if she just heard one of the greatest truths about the world!

Inside this car was a den of confusion. Anyone looking for chaos would find it in here!

Kang Jin-Ho pointed at a large structure nearby. “That's our destination.”

“Mm? Isn't that a training center?” Han Eun-Sol tilted his head.

“Yes, it's that building.”

“We're going there? But, isn't that an indoor training center for a pro sports team?”

“It is,” Kang Jin-Ho coolly replied. “I rented it.”

“...? H-hang on. You rented it? A pro team's training center? Really?!”

“Yes.”

“B-but, how? Do you know someone from the team?”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “No, I don't. I just rented it, that's all.”

“O-okay. But how did you do that?”

“With money, of course.”

Han Eun-Sol blinked his eyes again. “You rented a pro sports team's training center with money? I'm pretty sure they would still say no, though?”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I gave them a lot of money.”

“...”

Han Eun-Sol had to revise his evaluation somewhat when Kang Jin-Ho replied nonchalantly.

'Yup, he's rich.'

And incredibly rich, to boot!