Chapter 143: Retry (2)
The long-awaited day of Choi Sang-Woon’s discharge had finally arrived. The company commander and the first sergeant strongly patted him on the shoulder.
“Great job getting this far, Sang-Woon.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“Do your best once you become a working member of society. Actually, I guess you’ve gotta take some time to adjust back to society, right?”
“I was thinking of doing that, but I’m going to return to school for now.”
Sang-Woon had enlisted right after graduating from high school, so he had not experienced freedom as a university student yet. He wanted to experience university life first.
He briefly said his goodbyes to the base’s officers, and all the soldiers who he had gotten close to over these last two years. The sky that he looked up at after passing through the barricades of the guardhouse could not be any clearer. He was still in front of the base and wearing his military uniform, so it had not yet hit him that he had finally been discharged.
The bus happened to be at the bus stop the moment he reached the road.
Sang-Woon asked, “Does this go to the city?”
The bus driver replied, but Sang-Woon couldn’t hear what he had said.
Sang-Woon said unconsciously, “Speak up, soldier.”
Sang-Woon was bewildered. The bus driver fully understood without getting offended, and kindly said again that the bus did go to the city.
Sang-Woon paid the bus fare and took a seat at the very back. He then slapped himself on both sides of his cheeks and said to himself as if brainwashing himself.
“You’re an ordinary civilian now, Sang-Woon. Get your shit together.”
He had decided his first task was to wash away his army habits that he had been dyed by.
***
Kang Ra-Eun climbed onto Shin Yu-Bin’s car as soon as the broadcast recording was over. Chief Jung, who had been waiting for her in the car, greeted her.
“Welcome back. Good work.”
“How long have you been here for, Chief Jung?” Ra-Eun asked.
Only Ra-Eun and Yu-Bin had been in the car until they had arrived at the broadcasting station, but a passenger had been included before she knew it.
Chief Jung explained, “I had a meeting regarding Ga-Ae around the area. You know that Ga-Ae announced her new album, right? It’s been super hectic for me lately, having meetings with people to choose which channel to play her debut stage on.”
Ra-Eun had also heard from Han Ga-Ae that she would be appearing on shows again soon to advertise her new album. She had even watched her stage practice for her new song. If she remembered correctly, it was a fast-paced song that fit perfectly with Ga-Ae’s tastes of dance songs. Her performance was amazing as well. It was practically guaranteed to be high up in the charts once it was announced, so her agency also had high hopes for her.
However, Ga-Ae’s comeback and Ra-Eun’s show appearances did not have much in common; if Chief Jung had a meeting in the area, he could have just drove back to the agency in his own car. There was no need to come see Ra-Eun at the broadcasting station, so she guessed that Chief Jung had a reason for coming to see her.
“Is there something you have to tell me?” Ra-Eun asked.
Chief Jung looked at her as if he expected her to say that.
“I like how quick-witted you are, Ra-Eun. It makes it easy for me to get to the point.”
There was no need for him to aimlessly beat around the bush. Ra-Eun also preferred for people to get right to the main issue if they had something to tell her.
“Everyone I’ve met has been dying to know how you’ve been lately,” Chief Jung mentioned.
“I mean, it’s not that hard to figure out,” Ra-Eun answered.
She had not been involved in any productions, but she had been appearing on various programs. Chief Jung was talking about the former.
“They’re wondering about the next production you’ll be starring in. They’ve also been expressing to me their desire to have you star in their productions.”
It was understandable for them to be curious, since Ra-Eun had not starred in a single film or drama since One of a Kind of Girl. It was not because she had no offers; rather, she was flooded with casting offers without even lifting a finger. There was no actress more popular than Ra-Eun lately. She was taking a break not because she couldn’t be chosen, but she wasn’t choosing.
“You’ve been going through the synopses, right?” Chief Jung asked.
“Yes.”
“So? Is there anything you’ve taken a liking to?”
Chief Jung was also hoping for Ra-Eun to resume her career as an actress soon, but her answer had completely betrayed his expectations.
“Not yet.”
“You haven’t found anything you liked?”
“You could say that.”
To be honest, that wasn’t entirely true. Among all the synopses that she had received, there were some high-quality ones that would become famous among the public for a very long time. However, Ra-Eun decided to keep waiting for just one reason.
“A huge one will appear soon enough,” Ra-Eun answered.
“A huge one?”
“Yes, so don’t worry so much.”
She had already decided on the second film that she would star in. It was a production that would become the seventeenth Korean film to ever reach ten million in total audience attendance.
Chief Jung usually trusted Ra-Eun since everything had gone exactly like she had said so far. Hence, he couldn’t simply deny her when she was so sure of it.
“Okay, I got it. I’ll wait until then,” Chief Jung stated.
Ra-Eun came to realize once again how nice it was to work with someone on the same page as her.
***
While she was on break from her acting career, Ra-Eun decided to focus on the business work that she had been neglecting. Today, a social party would be held where prominent figures of the financial world would gather. Park Seol-Hun usually went in Ra-Eun’s place, but she decided to attend herself this year.
Ra-Eun was wearing a dress that was on par with the one that she had worn during the Film Awards. The mermaid dress that accentuated her waist and hip lines naturally turned people’s gazes to her.
Seol-Hun, who had attended the party with her, said while looking at her oddly, “I heard you hate wearing dresses. What made you dress up today?”
“To engrave into the heads of everyone here that I'm the chairwoman of Levanche.”
There were still a fair number of people who were not aware that Ra-Eun was the chairwoman of Levanche. It was understandable, since she had not been able to fulfill her duties as a chairwoman lately due to her busy schedule. Hence, she had taken this chance when she had no production work to show all these prominent figures that Levanche was her company.
It could also be considered a form of marketing, since there was no one here who did not know Kang Ra-Eun. Like she had thought, people were greatly surprised to find out that she was the chairwoman of Levanche.
Seol-Hun, who was in a tuxedo, escorted her to an area where the most people were gathered.
“Hello,” Ra-Eun greeted.
The figures of the financial world became round-eyed in shock from the sudden appearance of a top star. However, not all of them were surprised. There were a few among them who already knew that Ra-Eun was a successful businesswoman, the most prominent among them being Chairman Ji of Do-Dam Group.
“You’ve always been beautiful, but I guess it’s nothing compared to how you look after going all out!” he praised.
“Thank you very much, Chairman Ji.”
A simple smile was enough to charm everyone around her. People started gathering around Ra-Eun soon after, instantly making her the main character of the social party.
She was especially popular with the second and third-generation male chaebols. They were still young, so their desire to get closer with her couldn’t help but be much stronger. Some of them were going beyond friendship and even appealing their romantic interest in her.
No matter how much money they had, or how good-looking they were because they took very good care of themselves, Ra-Eun did not bat an eyelid. Rather...
‘They’re so goddamn annoying.’
They were nothing more than nuisances to her. The people she wanted to get close to weren’t mere second or third-generation chaebols, but the current leaders of the conglomerates. Ra-Eun had absolutely no intention to let her revenge drag on for ten to twenty years. Hence, she had no reason to get closer to the heirs who would inherit the company in the far future.
Although, it would be a different story if they would be inheriting the company very soon, or just one other exception... If they used to be her classmate.
“You’re so blinding that I can’t even look at you directly.”
Ra-Eun narrowed her eyes at Park Se-Woon.
“Don’t say shit like that. It makes me cringe.”
Ra-Eun exuded an aura on par with that of a goddess, but her mouth was as foul as always. Se-Woon knew how she usually was, so he was not all that bewildered by her sudden use of profanities.
“That aside, what are you doing here, Se-Woon?” Ra-Eun asked.
Se-Woon was the son of Park Yi-Myeon, the chairman of Dumont Trois, which had grown to become the indisputable top of baking companies. He was also shunned by his father due to his delinquency, which was why Ra-Eun had not tried to be friends with him during her high school days since nothing would come out of it.
She had thought Se-Woon would never be allowed to attend such a gathering since his father hated him, but he had proudly attended.
“Father has been slowly coming to acknowledge me,” Se-Woon said.
“What? How?”
“You know, I just worked my hardest.”
People were not able to change overnight, but they were definitely able to slowly change over time. Se-Woon might have grown up thanks to Ra-Eun, because he was no longer the son who always disappointed his father. He had become the son who was trying his best to raise his qualifications little by little while sincerely learning how to run the company.
It could also be because he was trying to look good in front of Ra-Eun. Whatever the reason was...
“I’m glad you’ve become a better person,” Ra-Eun remarked.
Se-Woon smiled at her honesty.
“Oh, Ra-Eun. Do you have time on Friday evening two weeks from now?”
“Hm? Why? Are you asking me out on a date?” Ra-Eun asked.
“I’d love to, but I can’t since it’s obvious you’ll turn me down. It’s for something else.”
“What is it?”
Se-Woon answered, “I’m thinking of holding a class reunion on that day.”
Ra-Eun did not need to think for long, since she would be able to meet her friends again after a long time.
“Okay. I’ll try to make time.”
It would be the first class reunion that she would attend after graduating from high school. Sang-Woon popped up in her head.
‘I guess I can’t tease him by calling him Mr. Soldier anymore now that he’s discharged.’
It was a shame.
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