Chapter 46: The RC Meeting

The receptionist at RC Entertainment was very enthusiastic towards Qi Huai. She led him all the way to the conference room, and only when they were near the door did she hesitantly ask if she could have his autograph.

It was only then that Qi Huai, who had been focused on his mission, realized that the mini-series had already brought him so much popularity.

“Oppa, please post more photos on Instagram,” the receptionist said, her hands clasped together, her eyes sparkling. “Please.”

Qi Huai smiled and agreed, signed an autograph for her, took a photo with her, and then politely said goodbye before entering the conference room.

To his surprise, Kim Min-kyung was already waiting for him in the conference room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Qi Huai said, slightly surprised, as he scanned the empty conference room, which held no one but Kim Min-kyung. “Is it just you, Min-kyung hyung?”

Logically, there should at least be a manager or an assistant present…

Kim Min-kyung rested his chin on his hands, smiling at Qi Huai like a cunning fox. “What’s there to be sorry about? I was just looking for a place to sit and play on my phone. We still have fifteen minutes until our scheduled time. You’re not late. Sit down.”

Qi Huai smiled and found a place to sit.

Kim Min-kyung stared at Qi Huai, a strange, intrigued smile on his face.

Qi Huai couldn’t help it. “What’s wrong? Why do you keep looking at me?”

Kim Min-kyung blinked. “I’ve been watching your hit drama The Witch’s Law recently. I even asked Director Lee Seung-yoo for some of your behind-the-scenes footage and promotional photos… You don’t think I’m a pervert, do you?”

Qi Huai smiled and shook his head. “We’re about to work together. It’s understandable that Min-kyung hyung wants to know more about me. After all, I have very few works. Besides troubling Director Lee Seung-yoo, there’s no other way. It’s not just you, hyung; I’ve also watched many of your films to learn.”

Kim Min-kyung’s interest was suddenly piqued. “Really? Which of my films do you like the most?”

Qi Huai thought for a moment. “The Righteous Assassin and Truth Within Reach. The others are also very good, but I like these two the most.”

Kim Min-kyung was a natural talent. His spiritual energy was palpable even in his debut film. Although Park Seok-jin’s acting was also very good, he was indeed overshadowed by Kim Min-kyung. This was an indisputable fact.

Kim Min-kyung was pleased. “Is that so~ It seems Actor Qi likes dark, suspenseful works. Then Director Baek Se-won’s new film is very suitable for you. He really found the right person.”

Qi Huai smiled faintly and didn’t speak.

Kim Min-kyung continued lazily, “You’re very talented, Qi Huai. I’ve seen your resume. You started as a model overseas, so your sense of camera and expressiveness should be good. At first, I didn’t really believe you could pass the audition, because Director Baek’s standards are very high. But you were stunning on the day of the audition. Your gaze was excellent, and your emotional explosiveness was very strong. You handled whatever difficult questions were thrown at you with composure. You’re indeed a natural talent.”

Kim Min-kyung had been called an acting genius since his debut, but now it seemed Qi Huai’s talent was far greater than his. If he starred in a few more well-written works and met a few more directors who could discover his special qualities, perhaps the next few Blue Dragon Film Awards for Best Actor would go to someone else.

Qi Huai smiled. “It’s because the screenwriter’s script is excellent, and Director Baek Se-won also has his own unique style. That’s why I had a good feeling when I got the script, so naturally, my performance during the audition was good.”

Kim Min-kyung laughed. “So modest. Ah, a quality I don’t have… Did you know? RC Entertainment is in desperate need of artists like you. Have you considered switching companies?”

The change of topic was a bit sudden.

Qi Huai couldn’t tell if this was Kim Min-kyung’s own idea or if Eun Chul-woo had asked him to say it.

He feigned helplessness. “I just signed with Woosan a little over a month ago. This is too far off for me, Min-kyung hyung.”

“Far off? Not necessarily~”

Kim Min-kyung swirled the iced coffee in his plastic cup, watching the ice cubes collide, his tone full of meaning. “It’s just a matter of the contract termination fee. If you’re really interested, perhaps a generous benefactor would be willing to pay it for you. You wouldn’t have to pay a single penny yourself.”

He winked at Qi Huai. “But you’re so charming and have so much potential. Nam-hyuk is head over heels for you. He probably won’t let you go easily. Haha, if you want to snatch something from our President Yoon, you have to go all out, right?”

Qi Huai’s lips curved into a smile.

Is that so? he thought. Yoon Nam-hyuk is head over heels for me? Then why hasn’t he sent me a single message since this morning? Is his phone broken, or does he just not want to?

Both of their smiles were full of hidden meaning. However, just as Kim Min-kyung finished speaking, an assistant knocked on the door. “Min-kyung hyung! Aigoo, the brand representatives are already in the conference room. How can you be hiding here? It’s not appropriate not to show up, is it?”

Kim Min-kyung looked at him. “What brand representatives?”

The assistant looked speechless, almost cursing out an “Aish.” “Hyung! The watch, the watch! Look at the luxury watch on your wrist. Didn’t we schedule a meeting with the brand today?”

“Ah, I completely forgot! Oh my God!”

Kim Min-kyung slapped his forehead and quickly apologized to Qi Huai, repeatedly assuring him that he would just make a quick appearance with the brand representatives and be right back, and that Qi Huai shouldn’t be angry.

“It’s okay, Min-kyung hyung. I don’t have much to do this afternoon.” Qi Huai stood up to see him off, smiling and saying he didn’t mind amidst the assistant’s profuse apologies and frantic bowing.

After the two left, the office fell silent again.

Qi Huai sat quietly at the conference table. On the table lay his phone, its screen dark and silent.

Since he had left Yoon Nam-hyuk’s house, besides the occasional news push notification and messages from work group chats, his phone hadn’t lit up once.

Is this the answer?

Qi Huai let out a small sigh and put his phone away.

Knock, knock, knock—

A sudden knock on the door.

Qi Huai snapped back to reality. “Come in.”

The conference room door was slowly pushed open. The System let out a “waaah” in Qi Huai’s head. Its jinxing mouth had been right again. The person who entered was Eun Chul-woo.

“Chairman Eun?”

“Good afternoon, Actor Qi.” Eun Chul-woo nodded with a smile. “Min-kyung’s assistant just told me that unreliable fellow not only mixed up his meeting time with the brand, but he also left you alone in the conference room. That’s just too rude. I’ll be hosting you in his place now. I hope you don’t mind, Actor Qi.”

Qi Huai smiled. “Chairman Eun must be very busy. There’s no need to come over personally.”

Logically, this meeting was to arrange the time for him and Kim Min-kyung to get familiar with each other. The meeting should at least start after Kim Min-kyung returned.

But from the sound of Eun Chul-woo’s words, it seemed Kim Min-kyung wasn’t coming back.

On purpose?

Eun Chul-woo smiled. “Director Baek specifically told you not to bring your assistant or manager, to be a real intern. Although it’s for the film, you are, after all, only 22. You must have felt very uneasy coming here all alone, right? Instead of facing staff you don’t know at all, wouldn’t it be more relaxing to talk with me, since we’ve had soju together… Or, just think of it as giving me a chance to have Min-kyung owe me a favor.”

He sat down opposite Qi Huai without waiting for a reply and handed him a schedule. “Here, this is the schedule we’ve discussed with the director. Take a look.”

Discussed?

Qi Huai was slightly surprised. “Aren’t we supposed to discuss it today?”

He opened the file. There were three pages inside, densely packed with notes on the times Qi Huai needed to work at RC and his tasks.

Eun Chul-woo: “Min-kyung has three assistants in rotation to ensure there are at least two people with him at all times. The assistants are responsible for driving, making healthy meals, running lines, shopping, tidying his room, accompanying him on shoots, coordinating work, and so on. They basically have to do a little bit of everything.”

Eun Chul-woo paused and said helplessly, “The director hopes you’ll take on as much work as possible. It would be best if you could reach a state of being proficient yet impatient, with a hint of annoyance in your eyes when you look at Min-kyung. That way, the emotion will be right. Are there any tasks here that you’re not good at? Like cooking or cleaning.”

Qi Huai: “No.”

Eun Chul-woo was surprised. “You can cook too?”

Qi Huai nodded. “I know a little bit of Chinese, Western, and Korean food.”

Eun Chul-woo couldn’t help but praise, “Ah… it seems Actor Qi is not only a natural talent in acting, but also in life.”

Qi Huai said politely, “You’re too kind.”

Eun Chul-woo observed Qi Huai’s expression and suddenly laughed. “Actor Qi is very calm. It seems Director Baek’s wicked little plan has failed.”

Qi Huai: “?”

“This is your first time working with Director Baek. You probably don’t know, but that guy is a detail freak, so much so that he wishes every prop on the set had its own characteristics and emotions. Although that’s an exaggeration, detailed character portrayals and unexpected plot twists are the hallmarks of his films. This is not only reflected in the content of the film, but also in his cultivation of actors. This is also why all new actors in the Republic of Korea want to be in his films.”

Eun Chul-woo chuckled. “The reason he arranged so much work for you and didn’t let you bring your assistant or manager was actually to see you get flustered and embarrassed… Dissatisfied with your superior’s arrangements, but having to grit your teeth and accept it. That’s how your character, Yuan Jae-seok, was when he first joined the police force. It’s a pity you’re so calm. Director Baek is going to be disappointed.”

Qi Huai was helpless. “Is that so? Being meticulous is a very good quality. No wonder his films are world-renowned.”

Regardless of the character of the original comic’s main group, all the directors, screenwriters, and other entertainment industry staff Qi Huai had met so far were very dedicated. He had a good impression of them.

Eun Chul-woo smiled at Qi Huai. “Being good at discovering talent is also a very good quality, isn’t it?”

Qi Huai was the candidate Director Baek had specifically invited to audition, so that wasn’t wrong. But the other’s expression made Qi Huai feel a bit strange.

Could it be…

Eun Chul-woo’s eyebrow twitched slightly. He smiled and continued, “It seems Actor Qi has guessed it. That’s right. It was me who saw your excellent performance in the mini-series and recommended you to Director Baek. That’s why he sent you an audition invitation. Doesn’t that count as the third favor you owe me?”

[What?] The System was a bit confused. [Attack Dog Number Five means he noticed you before the audition? But Baek Soo-kyung was also in the mini-series, and he appeared before you… No, no, the plot summary should mean that Eun Chul-woo only became interested in Baek Soo-kyung after the film started shooting, right? But now the person he’s interested in has become you. Could he be a career-oriented person who only falls for acting talent?]

What a strange fetish…

Although it’s still a bit better than Park Seok-jin’s.

Is that so?

Qi Huai found it strange.

From their first meeting until now, all of the other’s actions had seemed a bit deliberate. Recommending him to Director Baek was a deliberate attempt to get to know him. Telling him the audition results early was a deliberate show of goodwill. Even the timing of the falling Christmas tree was just too perfect.

Did Eun Chul-woo treat Baek Soo-kyung like this in the original comic? Why did he like Baek Soo-kyung in the first place? His looks? His acting?

Just now, Kim Min-kyung had mentioned terminating his contract and switching companies. Could it be that Eun Chul-woo was just representing RC and was simply interested in his potential and commercial value? If it was just a business move, why would Eun Chul-woo have to be so ambiguously flirtatious and misleading?

Before Qi Huai could figure it out, he heard Eun Chul-woo sigh, “Actor Qi, you still haven’t repaid me for the second favor. You owe me a meal. And now you’re going to owe me a new favor. If you keep owing me more and more, I’m afraid you’ll have to spend a lifetime repaying me~”

The System was horrified. [Flirting! This is flirting! What lifetime? He clearly means a lifetime in bed! He wants to sleep with you, Host Oppa, I can see it! Disgusting!]

Qi Huai: “…”

Perhaps Qi Huai’s speechlessness was a bit too obvious, because Eun Chul-woo suddenly laughed. “Did I startle you? Was I too direct? Sigh, I grew up in the UK and then studied in France and the US after I came of age. So when it comes to expressing my feelings and thoughts, I’m often so direct that I sound shocking.”

“But I’m sincere,” Eun Chul-woo said, his gaze serious as he looked at Qi Huai. “When I saw you in the mini-series, I just thought this new actor had a lot of potential, so I recommended you to Director Baek. But on the day of the audition, when I saw you in person, I realized that you’re my ideal type… So I couldn’t help myself. I shamelessly revealed the audition results to win your favor, and I even brazenly asked for your contact information.”

Eun Chul-woo lowered his eyes and smiled. “Actually, I also arranged for that Christmas tree. You saw through it, right, Actor Qi? A little trick, just to chat with you. I hope you’re not angry with me. It’s really my first time doing something like this.”

System: […Don’t believe him. He had a three-some with Kim Min-kyung and Baek Soo-kyung on set. How can he be a good person?]

I strongly suspect that the reason this pure-blooded Korean tanned himself so dark was so that people couldn’t see his expression when he lies!

“Is Chairman Eun confessing to me?” Qi Huai laughed softly, asking very directly, his deep eyes seeming to see right through him, staring straight at Eun Chul-woo.

Before the other could answer, Qi Huai continued, “If me passing the audition was just a means for you to satisfy your personal desires, then I can give you an answer right now. First, I have no intention of switching companies, or even of developing a long-term career in the entertainment industry. Acting is just a personal hobby. Second, I have someone I like now. Besides him, I have no intention of developing an ambiguous relationship with anyone. I hope you can understand, Chairman Eun.”

He rearranged the schedule and pushed it across the table to Eun Chul-woo. “There are many new actors who are more outstanding than me. Filming hasn’t started yet. There’s still time. You can reconsider, Chairman Eun.”

Eun Chul-woo was stunned.

He seemed not to have expected this reaction from Qi Huai.

Up until now, in his mind, Qi Huai was that vain young man who was obsessed with renting luxury goods and cars and had gotten into debt because of it. His acting and looks were indeed extraordinary, but so what?

There were too many people in this world who loved money, loved power, and were not content with their current situation. And these people were also divided into different ranks. Qi Huai was just a particularly talented one among them, but in essence, they were all the same—they wanted to climb up, which was why they would choose Yoon Nam-hyuk, wasn’t it?

Just like him and Kim Min-kyung.

It was precisely because of this that Eun Chul-woo felt that if he just threw out a small olive branch, Qi Huai would follow it. Then, he would either play between him and Yoon Nam-hyuk, or choose the one with the higher bid. That would be normal, right?

Sincerity wasn’t important; the result was what mattered most. But no matter what, it shouldn’t be this result.

Eun Chul-woo was silent for a moment.

Qi Huai, on the other hand, was getting annoyed.

The matter from this morning was still unresolved. Yoon Nam-hyuk still hadn’t replied to him.

Then there were Kim Min-kyung’s ambiguous but meaningful words, followed by the sudden appearance of Eun Chul-woo. Ideal type? 99 out of 100 Korean guys say that. It’s a copy-pasted line.

If he were really the original comic’s Love Interest #6 or anyone else who longed to climb the social ladder, it would indeed be profitable to play along with his game. But unfortunately, he wasn’t.

Before coming to this world, he had always been happy to take his time completing missions, playing the role of the devoted second male lead or the returning white moonlight, assisting the main couple while observing what the Mastermind called human happiness.

But after coming to this world, in just over a month, his heart had become more and more chaotic.

The plot summary was vastly different from the reality, and there were also missing character traits. He had thought it was just a simple R-19 manhwa, 70% holy light + 30% push-and-pull angst, and the protagonist shou was also a stereotypical innocent and pure little pitiful thing who only cared about romance.

But in reality, the indebted little pitiful had turned into a green tea, white-eyed wolf.¹ The perverted manager was not only driven by his lust but also had ulterior motives, and seemed to be a pawn of some behind-the-scenes mastermind… This country wasn’t large, but the powers of the chaebols, politics, and the entertainment industry were intertwined. What other characters were there that he needed to pay attention to, that he didn’t know about? What plots would unfold where he couldn’t see, and then set off the butterfly effect? He had no idea.

Only the wicked Love Interest #1 was a cute, easily flustered creature who put on a fierce front in front of him, and was also the culprit who had thrown his heart into turmoil. But even Yoon Nam-hyuk, with the scars on his back and his hot-and-cold attitude, seemed to have his own secrets.

Perhaps I should be more forceful in completing the mission? Qi Huai thought. For example, immediately quit the entertainment industry and focus on my overseas business, and then frantically throw money at Baek Soo-kyung to let him soar?

Or just throw a few hundred million won at an illegal organization to have them kidnap Baek Soo-kyung like they did with Choi Min-jun, and send him overseas to develop, completely isolating him from the original love interests?

There were many ways.

But he didn’t want to do any of them now.

「The happiness of those with human genes comes first.」

This was the purpose of his mission.

Not to complete the mission.

But to find happiness for himself.

Qi Huai just wanted to ask Yoon Nam-hyuk, it’s almost evening, why haven’t you replied to me yet? What does that mean? Are you not planning to meet? Is this your answer? For real?

He wanted to drag him out and beat him up.

If the System hadn’t been blocked this morning, it probably would have jumped out and complained: Host Oppa, the note you wrote this morning was like a breakup letter. Were you just acting cute? You clingy Alphas…

“Did what I just said put pressure on you?”

Eun Chul-woo, who had been stunned for a long time, was the first to snap back to reality. He looked apologetic, his gaze sincere as he looked at Qi Huai. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything else. I hope you don’t feel burdened, Actor Qi. It’s just my first time meeting someone who fits my ideal so perfectly. I couldn’t help but lose control of my emotions and wanted to let you know how I feel…”

Qi Huai smiled faintly. “A brief encounter is not enough to understand a person. How can you talk about an ideal type? There are still a few days before filming starts. You should reconsider.”

“Wait!”

Eun Chul-woo stopped Qi Huai, who was about to get up, and said helplessly, “Your talent and my feelings for you are two different things. Although I recommended you for the audition, the person who decided you passed was Director Baek. If an important role’s actor quits before filming because of me, Director Baek will definitely not let me off the hook. Just think of it as helping me out. Let me owe you a favor, okay?”

For the rest of the time, Eun Chul-woo no longer brought up anything unrelated to work. They finalized the time for Qi Huai to be Kim Min-kyung’s assistant, as well as the general tasks. Qi Huai also learned a lot about Kim Min-kyung’s daily habits, and the meeting was concluded.

Before he left, Eun Chul-woo walked him out. He hesitated, then said softly, “Qi Huai, I’ve actually heard a little about what’s going on between you and Nam-hyuk. His temper isn’t great, and he has a heavy family burden. The recent news about you two must have made his family very angry. It must have been very hard for you, Actor Qi?”

Qi Huai looked at him without speaking.

Eun Chul-woo spread his hands apologetically. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean anything else. I’m just a male animal trying to pursue what I love. Although my methods are clumsy, my attitude is sincere. Compared to Yoon Nam-hyuk, I’m more suitable for you, both in terms of personality and family. He has an entertainment company, and I have one too. I’ve even cultivated the youngest Blue Dragon Best Actor. RC and Woosan’s resources are comparable. It’s more than enough to cultivate another Best Actor. And I’m not bad-looking, right? If our relationship goes well in the future, we can get married overseas, have our wedding in my father’s castle, with no family to stand in our way. So, please pay some attention to me, Actor Qi. Look at me more, look at the person who is more suitable for you.”

System: [Yuck… if you choose him, I’ll look down on you.]

Qi Huai: …

When the mission first started, the System thought Baek Soo-kyung was the most innocent and cute, at least according to the Mastermind’s data, the most task-doers had found happiness with the original shou.

But now, the System was a staunch supporter of the Host Oppa x President ship. It would spit on anyone who dared to break up its OTP! And it would be very sticky and a very big glob of spit!

Of course… it also depended on the Host’s own decision. Sob sob sob, it didn’t want its OTP to sink, and it didn’t want Host Oppa to be unhappy. It was so hard being a System.

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After Qi Huai left RC.

Eun Chul-woo stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the sunset, the afterglow fading. He curled his lip into a cold smile and thought, Has someone he likes? Has no intention of developing an ambiguous relationship with anyone? Ha, I’d like to see if there’s such a thing as sincere love in this world.

In the conference room next door.

In a small lounge less than ten square meters, Kim Min-kyung was leaning back on the sofa, playing on his phone. The sound of Tetris blocks breaking, bo-bo-bo, came from it.

He had a smile on his lips, his eyebrows raised, looking like he was enjoying the game. Probably only his family and Eun Chul-woo, who knew him exceptionally well, could tell that he was not in a good mood at all.

An assistant pushed open the door and was stunned to see him. “Min…?”

Kim Min-kyung made a “shh” gesture. The assistant quickly nodded and shut up, came in, closed the door, and then asked in a low voice, “Min-kyung hyung, aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting with Actor Qi and the others next door?”

Kim Min-kyung smiled and shook his head, continuing his game. “I’m lazy, you know. With Chairman Eun willingly doing things for me, why should I get involved?”

The assistant was used to seeing Kim Min-kyung slack off, so he just chuckled. “Then you can rest. I’ll go out first.”

After the assistant left, Kim Min-kyung’s smile disappeared. He stared at the game in a daze and thought, “Chul-woo, remember what you promised me. Don’t catch feelings.”

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1. Green tea, white-eyed wolf (绿茶白眼狼): A combination of two Chinese internet slangs. “Green tea bitch” (绿茶婊) refers to someone who appears innocent and pure on the outside but is actually manipulative and calculating. “White-eyed wolf” (白眼狼) refers to an ungrateful person who betrays their benefactor. The combination describes Baek Soo-kyung as someone who appears innocent but is actually ungrateful and manipulative. ↩︎