"Wow~" Son Kyung-sik was stunned.
"Oppa's so good, ottoke~"
"I'm in my dream~"
Three stable high notes. Lee Jin-woo cheered inwardly, Yes!
Son Kyung-sik's face turned serious. So tiny, yet such explosive power.
Wow~ Daebak.
"Jin-woo, you found a gem." His envy flattered Lee Jin-woo.
"Think so? Aigoo, how's this kid so cute…"
"Aish~" Son raised a fist, ready to swing.
This punk, showing off now?
Shibal, what dogshit luck.
"Skin's rough. For multi-platform growth, whiten up. Whitening's key… Look, my skin's way fairer now."
Son pointed at his face, flaunting like a playful kid.
"Aish~ Two grown men, what's this?"
Pushing him aside, Lee Jin-woo pointed backstage. "Oh, it's over."
He bolted like an escapee.
"Hey, that's how you talk to Three Inches? Come on, I wanna see the future solo queen. Jin-woo, get me her autograph!"
Lee Jin-woo's heart skipped. How'd he know?
But as Son caught up, hyping a bright future, he realized it was a misunderstanding.
Just optimism, not prophecy.
Phew, close call…
"Unnie, really?"
"Ne, you did great, amazing. Ah~ President's here."
Seeing IU's starry-eyed, beaming smile, Lee Jin-woo naturally patted her head.
"Aigoo, our Ji-eun was incredible today."
Whoosh~
Her chubby cheeks flushed red.
"Ne, President." Hands clasped at her waist, head down, right toe tapping the floor.
She twisted shyly, side to side.
"Happy?" Na Yoo-ran asked, like a doting mom.
"Ooh~" IU pouted, nodding gleefully.
The President's praise? Too thrilling.
"Haha, aigoo~ Our IU's just too adorable."
Son Kyung-sik morphed into a doting dad, eyeing IU like he'd steal her.
"Hey~ What's this 'our'? No 'our' here." Lee Jin-woo scoffed. "Stay back. Don't eye our IU, got it?"
"Yah~ That's how you talk to elders? Kid, you're on my turf."
"As an elder, you shouldn't steal from juniors. No shame?"
"Aish~" Son was speechless. This kid's skin was thicker by the day.
[Ding, First Shot Fired task completed. Reward calculating.]
Since her debut ended, it kept saying "calculating," still unresolved.
Waiting for follow-up results?
"Let's go. Time for drinks to celebrate."
Son Kyung-sik, patriarch vibes, led the crew to a diner.
Lee Jin-woo moved to follow, but Son stopped him. "Forgot what I said?"
He froze, then headed to another elevator.
In the basement garage, Kim Sung-hoon stood by the Land Rover, right arm in a cast, face ashen.
Hearing footsteps, his eyes darted up.
Then…
Thud.
He dropped to his knees toward the sound.
Ignoring his pain, Kim Sung-hoon slammed his head to the ground.
Thud, thud, thud…
"President Lee, jebalhamnida, forgive me, jebal, jebal."
By the Land Rover, Lee Jin-woo crossed his arms, leaning on the door, smirking at the groveling Kim Sung-hoon. "President Kim… Sung-hoon-ssi~ What should I do with you?"
"Please forgive me. I'll do better. President Lee, I beg you, give me a chance to reform, jebal, jebal."
"Hm~" Sensing malice flicker like a warning light, Lee Jin-woo wanted to squash him like a bug.
But he was a slimy slug—crushing him would leave a mess.
Aish~ Disgusting, so disgusting.
"Sung-hoon, you hate me, don't you?"
"No, never, really, President Lee, please forgive me."
"It's fine, really." Crouching with a faint smile, he teased, "Bury that hatred deep. Don't show it, got it?"
"Otherwise, things get worse… Unconvinced? Be born better next life."
"Sung-hoon~ Take that hate and leave. Leave Seoul. Never show up again. Or you'll lose your company, everything. Clear?"
His hand on Kim's shoulder felt tremors.
Kim Sung-hoon was wrestling inside, wasn't he?
Time to fan the flames.
"Sung-hoon, know what you are to me? Trash, trash—lower than bugs, got it?"
The trembling surged. A collapsing roar erupted. "Yah~ Shibal, you dog, I'll kill you, aah~"
Smack!
A slap to his raised head. Kim Sung-hoon's fierce glare blurred.
Head wobbling, he slumped left, collapsing.
"Aish, why can't people see themselves clearly?"
Shedding his jacket, Lee Jin-woo tossed it aside, grabbing a finger-long fruit knife from the car.
He sliced his pristine shirt to match the wound's spot.
Unraveling Ha Joo-hee's careful gauze, he balled it, pocketing it.
"Aish, really." Glaring at Kim Sung-hoon, he grumbled, "This is for you, got it?"
The knife traced the wound, fresh blood seeping from the healing cut.
"Hiss~" Sucking air, he wiped the bloody knife, slipping it into Kim's hand.
"All set." Nodding, he dialed Chief Ahn.
"Jin-woo, not done? Food's here, hurry."
"Already here." Opening the diner door, he waved, hanging up.
Seeing his suit swapped for a childish trendy hoodie, Son Kyung-sik chuckled. "Haha, think you're still a kid?"
"Hey, I am a kid." Lee Jin-woo stood firm.
Son's laughing face froze. He'd almost forgotten—this guy, bantering like an equal, was his son's age.
Aish, bad luck, real bad luck!
"IU, stick to juice."
She was too young for drinks, and he didn't want alcohol wrecking her voice.
Sure, soju was like watered-down liquor, barely potent.
But as Zy's future vocal queen, better not.
"Ne, Chairman, President-ssi, thanks for everyone's care."
IU bowed cutely, toasting with juice.
"Aigoo, so sweet. Why isn't she my daughter?" Son Kyung-sik downed his drink, shaking his head regretfully.
IU's cheeks flushed, sitting back, turning her cup to her manager. "Unnie, thanks for your hard work. To you."
"Our IU worked harder. So young, aigoo, breaks my heart." Na Yoo-ran hugged her, eyes brimming with joy.
This kid, just too lovable!
"Ah~ Unnie." IU's hair a mess, she squirmed shyly to escape.
But Na Yoo-ran, overflowing with maternal love, wouldn't let go.
"Aigoo, just a quick hug, just a bit!"
"Hahaha…"
Son Kyung-sik roared with laughter. "Jin-woo, your company's vibe is great!"
"Yeah, smaller crew, just starting. Hope this vibe lasts."
"Keep it up, you got this." Son smirked.
Youthful ideals—everyone had them.
At his age, you learned reality trumped ideals.
Ideals? Leave 'em to the young.
"Beef hotpot's here."
"Come on, dig in, don't hold back."
"Manager Na, let IU go, or she'll starve."
"Aigoo, our President's worried."
"Hahaha, yeah, total heartache. With such a caring President, Ji-eun's set, right?"
"Ne~" IU's chubby face bloomed red, sipping soup, thoughts drifting, ears crimson.
Aigoo, what's that little head dreaming about?
Buzz~
"Oh, Rep Yoon, what's up?"
"President, at the dinner? Sorry to interrupt, but someone's here to see you."
"Yeah, speak."
"The lady who visited your place is here, waiting outside your office."
"Been long?"
"Yes, an hour."
"Got it. Offer her coffee. I'll be back soon."
Hanging up, Yoon Hye-na muttered, holding the receiver, "She's had three cups already."
At the diner, Lee Jin-woo cracked a sterile egg into raw beef, stirring vigorously.
Once the beef and egg blended, pulling silky strands…
He set the bowl down, ready to eat with rice, when big, innocent eyes blocked his view.
"President, looks so good. You're a pro at mixing beef!"
"Hm?" He laughed, amused. "Want some?"
IU pursed her lips, nodding hard, eyes screaming, Please, please, just a bit, aah~
Cute—lethal, absolutely lethal!
(End of Chapter)