Park Seok-jin appeared so suddenly that Baek Soo-kyung had no time to mask his expression.

However, Baek Soo-kyung himself knew that Choi Min-jun was right. Given the gap in experience between him and Park Seok-jin, no matter how much he acted or disguised himself, Park Seok-jin would see through him at a glance.

So there was no need to cover up; he could say or do whatever he wanted. It didn’t matter if it was obvious that he was trying to flatter Park Seok-jin. Once he caught Park Seok-jin’s eye, Park Seok-jin would tell him how to win favor.

“Seok-jin sunbae! Sorry for making you laugh,” Baek Soo-kyung hurriedly wiped his eyes with his sleeve, then suddenly froze, “It seems I got your costume dirty, Seok-jin sunbae… what should I do…”

Park Seok-jin stared into Baek Soo-kyung’s rabbit-like eyes and suddenly smiled: “It’s okay; no one cares about that. If anyone scolds you, just say it was me.”

Baek Soo-kyung nervously pressed a tissue against the water stain on his sleeve: “That wouldn’t be right; it’s clearly not your fault, sunbae.”

“People who are too pure will be eaten up by the entertainment industry.” Park Seok-jin took the tissue from Baek Soo-kyung, casually rolled it up a few times, and threw it into the trash can. “Who is your manager?”

Baek Soo-kyung: “Choi Min-jun’s manager.”

Park Seok-jin paused, then after a few seconds said, “So it’s him.”

“Huh?” Baek Soo-kyung looked at Park Seok-jin in confusion, “What did you say, sunbae?”

Park Seok-jin looked at Baek Soo-kyung gently: “I mean, you need to learn to become stronger. When I first started, I endured the same criticisms as you. Directors and scriptwriters were very satisfied with me, but there were always some seniors of a similar age who caused me trouble out of jealousy. Letting them bully you like that won’t do, Soo-kyung.”

Park Seok-jin’s friendly attitude and gentle tone completely eased Baek Soo-kyung’s guard and nervousness. He lowered his head, his doll-like eyelashes curling slightly upward, looking very pitiful, and unintentionally spoke his heart: “Seok-jin sunbae is right, but my mind went completely blank just now, and I didn’t know what to do.”

Park Seok-jin continued to comfort patiently: “It’s okay. Temporary weakness doesn’t mean permanent weakness. Isn’t a bow and arrow supposed to be drawn back first before it can shoot far? Wipe your eyes first.”

He handed Baek Soo-kyung a fresh tissue, watching him wipe the delicate face messily, reddening the fair corners of his eyes. “You have many scenes coming up in a few days, right? Are you free this weekend? I’ll act opposite you?”

Baek Soo-kyung first stared blankly, then was filled with joy: “Really? Thank you, Seok-jin sunbae. I’ll study hard!”

Park Seok-jin gently twirled a strand of Baek Soo-kyung’s lifted hair with his fingertip, satisfied: “You’re a hardworking, eager learner, Soo-kyung.”

—

W Entertainment Building
Senior Manager’s Office

“What’s wrong? The contract is finalized, shouldn’t you be happy?” Choi Min-jun asked Qi Huai with a smile, clearly in a good mood.

Although Qi Huai had changed the original contract period to two years, Choi Min-jun thought: two years is two years; that’s enough time for many things.

“I’m quite happy,” Qi Huai nodded with a forced smile.

He thought about how Baek Soo-kyung and Park Seok-jin, in corners he couldn’t see, suddenly went from “strangers” to “acquaintances.” He almost laughed with frustration.

His eyes, dark beneath his eyelashes, were beautiful and frightening. The system shivered: [Host oppa, don’t get sick from anger.]

Qi Huai was surprised: “Angry? How could I be angry? Accidents during missions are normal. I’m used to them, just like how you haven’t fixed your bugs yet, but I’m not mad, right?”

System: [Sniff…]

Host is scared!

“Are you free tomorrow?” Choi Min-jun printed a new schedule and handed it to Qi Huai. “If there’s nothing important, free up tomorrow. As a new artist, the team needs to get to know you first to figure out what resources suit you best.”

Qi Huai nodded, looking at the long list on the schedule—from variety show planning meetings to film discussion meetings—including what he thought was the only one related to him: the new artist packaging planning meeting.

“Do I have to attend them all?”

Choi Min-jun said, “The new artist packaging meeting has top priority. If you have time, you can audit the others. Do you understand? You’re a new artist with few resources and little fame, so the more you show your face at the company and in film and variety groups, the better. Especially the film group meetings; President Yoon should attend.”

“President Yoon?” Qi Huai was stunned.

Choi Min-jun sipped his coffee, observing Qi Huai’s expression: “Yes, Yoon Nam-hyuk. Son of Chairman Yoon of the Woosan Foundation and president of Woosan Entertainment. I thought Director Ahn, with his temper, would take you to meet him at a banquet. Haven’t you met him?”

Qi Huai replied lightly: “I did meet him once but didn’t say much.”

Choi Min-jun gave a meaningful smile: “It’s okay. As long as he doesn’t dislike you… anyway, you’re now an artist under W Entertainment. Getting on well with President Yoon will benefit your future, right?”

Qi Huai looked at Choi Min-jun uncertainly and simply said, “Mm.”

—

Next day
Woosan Entertainment top-floor office

Assistant Liu placed the materials for the afternoon meeting on Yoon Nam-hyuk’s desk in order.

“These are the latest series planning documents submitted by the production team, featuring works by Screenwriters Lee and Kim, all currently very popular subjects.”

“The TV station also submitted ideas for three new programs, two of which are amateur variety shows popular in the last two years—low cost but potentially effective for ratings.”

“There’s also the new artist packaging meeting from Choi Min-jun’s management side; one of the artists is…”

Beep beep—!

While reviewing Woosan Entertainment’s film and TV plans for next year, Yoon Nam-hyuk’s thoughts were interrupted by his phone’s ringtone. He frowned instantly.

Assistant Liu glanced at the name “Yoon Taemin” on the phone and wisely stayed silent.

Yoon Nam-hyuk gestured for him to leave, then answered coldly: “Father?”

On the other end, Yoon Taemin’s voice was unreadable in emotion: “I heard you caused trouble for your older brother again?”

Yoon Nam-hyuk sneered: “Besides complaining to you, what else can he do? Is he begging you for help again?”

Yoon Taemin’s tone grew stern: “Is that how you treat your father and older brother? Sarcastic and ironic? Is that how your mother taught you when she lived with you alone?”

Yoon Nam-hyuk clenched his pen tightly, controlling his tone: “Father, a bastard son—I already call him ‘older brother’ out of the greatest respect.”

Yoon Taemin softened his voice: “Since you dislike him, then show you’re determined to inherit the family business. Understand? When you take my place, you can send him to the US.”

Yoon Nam-hyuk couldn’t help but scoff.

He thought: If you can send the bastard abroad, why bring him back at all? Just to raise them all and pick the better heir?

Raising two half-brothers together, stirring rivalry while blatantly favoring one—this is what a father should do?

“Inherit the family business, determination?” Yoon Nam-hyuk repeated coldly.

Yoon Taemin firmly said: “Yes, determination. The Yoon family’s business empire needs more hands. I’m old with a bad heart. Your older brother is useless. You should marry soon, have children, and shoulder family responsibilities, so the Yoon family’s wealth continues… Regardless of your health, medical methods can fix it. I’ll find you a smart, young, sensible partner. That’s what you need to focus on now.”

Minutes later, the call ended.

Yoon Nam-hyuk angrily swept everything off his desk.

Black ink spread on the carpet, and he stared blankly at the growing stain, feeling a suffocating dark weight.

Half of the Yoon family’s wealth belonged to his mother, especially Woosan Entertainment, which was mostly her life’s work.

But since his mother died in a car accident, Yoon Taemin spent years removing her from the fortune.

Everyone knew Chairman Yoon, but few remembered the late President Hyun Hyung-jun’s daughter, Hyun Si-young.

The “smart, young, sensible partner” in his father’s eyes was just another “mother,” unfortunately.

He wasn’t interested in women, nor did he want anyone to repeat his mother’s path. He wasn’t interested in the Yoon family fortune; he only wanted his mother’s share.

Yoon Nam-hyuk picked up the landline: “Assistant Liu, I’m going to the production team meeting now. Have them prepare.”