You Promised Me, Mr. Lee San-ha - Chapter 83



Only Noblemtl

Episode 83: When one door closes, another door opens (4)

Bae Eun-ji soon regained her composure.

… … And then I fell asleep right away.

After laying the unconscious Bae Eun-ji on the bed.

“… … .”

I went outside and made a phone call.

It took about three rings for the other person to pick up the phone.

A very secretive and suspicious voice.

[what’s the matter?]

“I have a favor to ask.”

[With my mouth closed?]

“… … One big one might stick in.”

[Hmm. I don’t accept things I’m not sure about.]

You seem like a picky person.

‘The deal might be more complicated than I thought.’

In that case, it would be better to take a gamble.

Eliminate ambiguity and achieve certainty.

“Then I guess I have no choice but to change my words. I will definitely give you one big one.”

Was it effective to change the style to a direct approach?

[Hahahahaha-.]

A satisfied laugh bursts out from the other end of the phone.

[Wow, that’s great. You already know how to play with this body.]

The person on the other end of the phone continued speaking.

[So. What are your requests?]

“… … .”

I took a deep breath.

And then he started saying expressions that he would never have used normally.

“I’m trying to pick someone up… … .”

Dark villa stairs.

In the darkness where a cold wind blows.

[Heh heh heh heh heh heh – You found me, sweetie.]

The dark curtain continues to weigh on us.

at that time.

[Oh my – this is a burn. If someone heard me, they’d think I was a big boss!]

[Oh, why are you talking to the new member of our team! The team leader is going to die!]

From the other end of the phone, I can hear someone tapping my back and Manager Kim scolding me.

Only then did the dark forces reveal their true colors.

[Anyway. Just tell me who it is. I’ll do a proper background check.]

Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam continues speaking in a serious tone.

[If you’re saying something like that, then of course there must be a reason for it. I should help you.]

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

[Nice to hear. But what does it mean to give me one big one?]

“I thought you said you’d give me some news material.”

[I’m disappointed. I thought you’d try to fix my fortune. Okay, I understand for now. Send me the order via message.]

“Yes! Thank you!”

I shouted loudly and lowered my head.

* * *

A few days later.

I visited a crab specialty restaurant.

A high-end restaurant with rooms featuring sliding doors.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam sat next to me.

And across the table… … there was this hapless, scruffy looking bastard strutting around.

This kid was none other than PD Son Seong-woo.

“Why are you treating me to something so expensive?”

It’s a really annoying way of speaking, just as I’ve heard.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam shook my hand with a smile, without showing it.

“We have to do this much when we’re hosting the best PD in Korea! This place has just opened, so it’s really clean and nice. Hahahaha!”

An essential skill for working adults: ‘a fake smile that feels genuine.’

When will I be able to learn that skill and use it in the hunting grounds?

PD Son Seong-woo also smiles and shakes hands.

“Oh, I should be the one thanking you. I want to thank you again for the last EDM.FG. It was a completely botched project, but thanks to TLT Times, we barely managed to save face~.”

EDM.FG is an abbreviation for EDM Final Grand prix.

I tried to depict a fiery showdown between DJs mixing EDM, but… … the problem was that it wasn’t very popular.

In the end, EDM.FG recorded the lowest viewership ratings among the programs PD Son Sung-woo handled.

But at that time, Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam contributed a defensive article as usual, which brought some public attention to the program that was on the verge of disappearing without a trace.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam answered in a coquettish tone.

“Thanks to PD Son, we have a lot of news stories these days, so our views are really high! And I’m also really grateful that you give us the source code before the broadcast… … . It’s a shame that we can’t buy you something more expensive because of the budget! Hahahaha!”

“It comes back to the viewer ratings, so isn’t it about helping each other?”

The two people’s conversation continues endlessly.

I have come to realize once again the collusion between the broadcasting and media industries.

At that time, PD Son Seong-woo started to show interest in me.

“But this person… … ?”

“Oh, yes, I am Su―.”

Are you trying to keep me from saying the words ‘trainee reporter’?

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam cut me off completely.

“He’s the guy who told me to get rid of him, he’s like my right-hand man, he’s always picking up articles that are so good… … He really is a treasure trove!”

“Oh, really? If he’s Team Leader Yoon’s right-hand man, then I have to trust him.”

He said, handing me his business card.

“Please take care of me from now on~ hahahahaha.”

“Yes. I am the one who needs your help.”

What I just said is sincere.

Because I desperately need to make a fool of myself to get rid of this author.

Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam continued speaking.

“Okay, let’s start with a congratulatory drink! Congratulations on the success of Project 108!”

“Thank you. Let me say it again, it’s all thanks to the TLT Times. Ahhhhh.”

Most drinking parties among working people are a series of awkward exchanges like this.

A way of speaking that gradually gains benefits in the most friendly atmosphere possible.

Social life is not easy.

Anyway, Yun Yeo-gam and Son Seong-woo continue talking about the old days.

… … I ended up like a sack of barley that had been borrowed.

‘If you do this, the angle won’t come out.’

Let’s wait a little longer for now.

If you wait, I’m sure he’ll talk to me one more time.

* * *

An hour has passed.

But why do we still laugh and chat about old entertainment shows?

It wasn’t even a story about the entertainment show itself, and most of it was behind-the-scenes stories from the filming set, so I didn’t have any room to get involved.

‘This isn’t an atmosphere where you can rub shoulders with the typical rookie spirit and humor.’

There hasn’t been any real opportunity yet.

I tried a brief strategic retreat.

“Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom… … .”

I came out of the room and headed into the hallway.

Then he asked the owner of a crab restaurant passing by.

“Sir, where is the bathroom?”

That moment.

“Eww!?”

The boss who discovered me fell backwards in shock.

Kkudangtang.

… … What the heck? Do I look that scary?

But the one who looks scary is actually the owner of the crab restaurant.

One of his wrists has been replaced with a hook and one eye is covered with a patch.

Even the world’s Peter Pan would have a hard time dealing with this.

‘Huh? But that’s strange. Why does it look familiar?’

I stared at the boss’s face for a while.

Then, the crab restaurant owner trips over my feet.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I washed my hands of it! I don’t take secret photos or stalk you… … . I’ve become a completely different person!”

“… … ?”

I could only stare blankly.

“… … !”

Now I remember.

Where have I seen that face before?

“Could it be Kim Hyun?”

A piece of trash who stalks Bae Eun-ji and makes a living by taking secret photos.

A despicable opportunist who lied to me during my new employee interview.

……but.

He seems to have changed a lot since I last saw him.

‘Especially the appearance.’

Have you repented since boarding the deep-sea fishing boat?

I immediately picked up my phone and sent a text message to Hong Jeong-hwa.

[← Sister, I met Kim Hyun. Do you know where I saw him?]

[→ Crab restaurant? The food there is worth eating.]

[← How did you already know?]

[→ He contacted all his school friends. They said he had changed and such. So I asked him to show his sincerity and he gave it to me for free. I went with my family and ate 2.48 million won worth of food ^^]

‘That’s a bit much… … .’

[→ According to him, it’s winter so crabs are delicious. You should try that too.]

It seems that the obsession with ‘hair’ is still ongoing.

Anyway, I guess I can at least say something.

“But since we’re old friends, please cut it down a little.”

“Oh, of course! I’ll take care of most of it today. If you need anything else, just let me know. Just make sure that no bad rumors spread… … Please. I’m not the old Kim Hyun… … .”

Kim Hyun-i offers a free deal before you can even ask for a discount.

Well, thanks to that, I was able to have a say in the drinking party.

“Yes, thank you. The crab is really delicious. I will enjoy it.”

I expressed my gratitude and returned to my seat.

And he opened the sliding door and said confidently.

“I paid first. Enjoy without any worries.”

The two people looked startled and embarrassed.

“What?! No, that’s not it, Sanha! I have a law card, so why!?”

“Oh my~ If the youngest one buys it, I’ll be so shameless~.”

I answered with a smile.

“Actually, this house is owned by my friend. And I also need to start making connections in the broadcasting industry. How can I not put in this much passion and sincerity to serve such a great PD? It’s nothing compared to the investment cost for my future.”

A performance with all one’s might.

It was a good thing I watched a lot of political thrillers.

Seongwoo Son was delighted and even clapped.

“Yaaa …

“Well, can I ask you one question? It might be a little rude, but… … .”

“Why are you taking so long? You’re Team Leader Yoon’s right-hand man, so speak comfortably.”

Preparations and permission have been granted.

I ask a question I’ve been preparing for a long time.

“I’m writing an article about Project 108, and… … I can’t help but feel the comments are too much to ignore. So, is the judging fair?”

At that very moment.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam immediately dissuades me.

“Sanha, what kind of nonsense is that! Of course it’s being done fairly! I’m sorry. He’s not used to being a reporter yet… … .”

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam speaks exactly as the script says without a single mistake.

Now I think I understand why we always drink and talk about old stories.

‘Was it meant to get Son Seong-woo drunk?’

Team Leader Yoon is truly a scary person.

Right then.

“Hey, it’s okay. That’s what happens when a young reporter does that. It’s good because you have the spirit.”

Seongwoo Son waved his hand.

He has no choice but to forgive me.

It’s thanks to Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam’s ability to create a very soft atmosphere.

“Since you asked, I should answer, right? Of course, everything is done fairly.”

An obvious and obvious answer.

This is also an expected reaction.

Here’s one more question that might be the perfect way to wrap things up:

“Haha, I see. But what if, what if there’s an error or something?”

Conditional statement.

This question has been at the heart of the trap that has been laid all along.

but.

“No, that’s not true~ I’m telling you, we’re exactly right.”

He answered in a pattern he had never seen before.

“Our counting system is incredibly accurate. It’s a very expensive outsourced system, so it doesn’t miss a single vote.”

“Ah… … . I see… … that’s right.”

Is it because we met for business?

Seongwoo Son doesn’t say even the slightest empty words.

Originally, I was going to take empty words and force them to do it.

But… …I never thought a person could be this shameless.

I quickly put Plan B into action.

‘You were trying to take it too easy. If that’s the case, then you have no choice but to take the more difficult but more certain path.’

Open the status window and check his list of appointments.

… … .

And within that list.

‘Okay. This is it!’

I was able to discover a clue that I never imagined.