Chapter 200: |
THE OS HOTEL Gangnam.
In the luxurious restaurant on the top floor, Kim Minhan was waiting for someone.
"It's about time she arrives."
The woman Kim Minhan was waiting for was someone he had met at a fan cafe called ‘Kang Jinseok Fan Club,' which was a community with a slightly older age group.
"You've never been late for an appointment before. Is something wrong?"
As Kim Minhan checked his watch with such minor concerns, a moment later, a woman behind him spoke, breathing heavily.
"Whew, sorry. Something came up suddenly, so I'm a little late."
Kim Minhan stood up and looked at the woman.
"No problem, I just got here too. Inspector."
"Haha, right."
Kim Minhan gave a charming smile and scratched the back of his head, and then the woman sat across from him. Afterward, she took out a business card from her pocket and handed it to him.
"I'm officially an employee at OS International starting today."
"Congratulations. Your salary must have increased significantly."
"In exchange, my pension has decreased. That's the only thing I had while working in public service."
Kim Minhan chuckled lightly at the woman's playful complaint.
Kim Minhan examined the business card the woman handed him.
[Executive Director of Legal Affairs, OS International, Lee Minyoung]
"Executive Director of OS International. I'm not sure if I can address you informally. Shouldn't we be recruiting someone like actor Kang Jinseok?"
"If Kang Jinseok comes, shouldn't the CEO come instead of me? I had a meeting with the CEO earlier, and it seems even the CEO finds it hard to see Kang Jinseok's face these days."
"… The CEO is feeling down? That oh-so-high-and-mighty CEO?"
"Yes. I didn't know either, but when I saw him, he seemed like a very down-to-earth person."
While the two were chatting, the waiter came to take their orders. Despite the already expensive restaurant, the menu they ordered was quite high-end, considering.
"Please wait a moment."
After the waiter left with a respectful greeting, Kim Minhan awkwardly smiled and said, "Minyoung, aren't you pushing it too much? It's several times more expensive than what I bought last time."
"I earn several times more than a professor, so I should buy something several times more expensive. And here, OS International employees get a discount."
"Even with a discount, it must still be quite expensive."
"Well, then, next time, Minhan, you can treat me. When are you free?"
Even though they had just met, Lee Minyoung was already casually planning their next appointment. As someone experiencing the subtle beginnings of romance for the first time in his life, Kim Minhan felt grateful.
After exchanging light greetings and casual conversation, Kim Minhan asked, "Um, Minyoung, it's not that I want to nitpick, but I'm just a bit curious. Why were you late today? You always used to come at least 20 minutes early."
"Oh, that."
Lee Minyoung set down her utensils, took a moment to think, and then spoke with a faint smile.
"I received a call from Director 1."
"If you mean Director 1 from KL Entertainment, the former Director 1, right?"
"Yes. He was released from prison today."
"Ah… time has already come to that."
The incident where KL Entertainment, under the direction of Director 1, attempted to sabotage Jinseok systematically under the orders of Lee Youngkyung was not just a simple entertainment industry issue. It involved numerous figures in politics and business, making it a matter of great interest even to those not interested in the entertainment world. The trial of Lee Youngkyung and Director 1 was unusually broadcast live.
"And during that live broadcast, Lee Youngkyung not only swore at Director 1, who appeared as a witness but also physically attacked him."
Fortunately, if there was any fortune in this situation, it was that compared to Lee Youngkyung, Director 1 received a relatively lenient punishment. Of course, having served a prison sentence, it wasn't entirely lenient.
"It feels like that incident happened just yesterday… time flies."
Afterward, the two shared various stories. They talked about their respective jobs, but inevitably, the main topic was Jinseok.
As time quickly passed, it was time for the restaurant to close.
They left the restaurant and headed towards the parking lot.
"So, I understand that you'll decide on the location for our next appointment."
"Oh, about that."
"Yes?"
"Would you be interested in a short trip to Japan next weekend? Our full-fledged member of the ‘Kang Jinseok Fan Club,' Ms. Haruna Yomi, has invited us. She recently got discharged and mentioned wanting to try the ramen place where actor Kang Jinseok used to go. It might be nice if we all go together."
"The ramen place that Jinseok used to visit?"
"Yes. It was a popular ramen shop during the peak of ‘The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World.' It's still maintaining its popularity."
As a fan of Jinseok, it was an iconic ramen spot in Japan, drawing crowds during the show's heyday. It continues to be popular even now.
Since it was a place Lee Minyoung also wanted to visit, there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, now that she had transitioned from being a busy ‘prosecutor' who worked even on weekends to a ‘director' with guaranteed personal time on weekends, she had the flexibility.
Lee Minyoung smiled brightly and said, "Sure. Oh, while we're at it, should we ask Ms. Yeo Hyemin, another club member, if she wants to join? It's been a while since all our club members went together."
"…"
Honestly, Kim Minhan wanted to go with Lee Minyoung alone. However, upon reflection, he realized that he wouldn't be able to entertain her. So, going with other members seemed like a good idea.
After a moment of thought, Kim Minhan nodded.
"Sure. I'll bring it up in the group chat. It would be great if everyone could go together."
Those who had received help from Jinseok continued to lead ordinary lives, sharing a common thread that went beyond the ordinary.
-The End-