Come Back

“Who was that person earlier?”

“Who? That bastard who ruined work today?”

Choi Hong-seo nodded.

“Vice President of ARA Electronics. Eldest grandson of the founder of Hanseo Group.”

“ah…”

“You’re not one of those guys who hang around here, you don’t even know the conglomerates?”

President Myung spoke as if ignoring him, but Choi Hong-seo let it slide.

ARA Electronics… Hanseo Group…

It is true that even if someone is not a tycoon, he is not interested in them unless they are a person who shows their face in the entertainment industry. However, even Choi Hong-seo did not know names like ARA Electronics or Hanseo Group. After all, Choi Hong-seo was a Korean. To that extent, he was not at the highest level in the reception room.

Somehow… I thought that President Cho, who was always arrogant, would keep his temper in check even in front of the richest people… He really was an amazing person.

“When the founder died, it wasn’t the eldest son who became the group’s chairman, but the second son. His name was Lee Woo-yeol. That Lee Woo-yeol is the uncle of that kid earlier.”

“… … ”

“Can you explain it more simply? That bastard is Lee Seo-kyung’s cousin.”

The famous president frowned as he pointed upstairs with his finger. His expression was grim, as if he was talking about his parents’ enemy.

At the name Lee Seo-kyung, Choi Hong-seo’s eyes briefly twitched.

The second son of the owner family of Hanseo Group. The headache of Hanseo Group, in charge of the Knox Hotel Shanghai branch. Lee Seo-kyung.

“The second son, Woo-yeol Lee, took all the lucrative businesses like hotels, distribution, and construction, and the eldest son, Hae-seong Lee, took electronics, finance, insurance… things like that. At the time, these were relatively unimportant businesses within the Hanseo Group. The ones who grew them into the ARA Group were that kid and his father.”

Choi Hong-seo also vaguely heard the news that Hanseo Group and ARA Group would soon complete the separation process. It was news that the entire nation should know.

“That family has been completely devoid of ability since the founder. Whether it’s the eldest son or the son, there’s no shame. Even the eldest daughter is in charge of the Hanseo Group right now. It’s a very fortunate thing for the Hanseo Group and the future of the country. Look at that crazy bastard Lee Seo-kyung taking over. The country’s economy was uprooted and left behind.”

In front of Lee Seo-kyung, the non-existent tail was wagging so much that it almost fell off, and in places where there were no children, the famous CEO ground his teeth while calling out to this child and that child.

“이서경 그 개새끼 중국으로 보내버려 줘서 내가 진짜 그 집 장녀한테 선물이라도 보내고 싶은 심정이라니까?”

The famous president crossed his legs and squinted his eyes as he brought the cigarette to his lips.

Lee Seo-kyung was, so to speak, a big shot among the ‘entertainment’ customers of President Myung. Not only was Lee Seo-kyung the biggest spender, but she also had the biggest personality. Because of that, she was a piece of human garbage that even President Myung, who was also trash, wanted to avoid.

Moreover, the reason Choi Hong-seo entered the entertainment industry in earnest was because Lee Seo-kyung took a picture of Choi Hong-seo.

Because of that, ironically, Lee Seo-kyung was an enemy to both President Myung and Choi Hong-seo.

“You’ll survive after that kid leaves Korea, right?”

““… … ”

Even if that kid leaves Korea, your kid is still here. Do you think I can live there?

I wanted to shoot that shot at the shiny face of the model, but Choi Hong-seo just took a few sips of water instead. Then he turned his head away.

“I guess he doesn’t like hanging out with celebrities?”

“Where is the tycoon who doesn’t reveal his pastime? It probably wasn’t your style.”

The famous CEO snorted.

Is that so? Is it because I don’t like it that you stopped dancing? Because you’re not interested?

“Well, maybe she’s just not interested in men at all.”

The famous CEO tilted his head as he shook the ashes into the ashtray on the table.

“I saw your reaction after you acted… I don’t think it was a total dud… But, I’m concerned that you kicked me out of the room. I think you’re trying to entice Director Kang to cast another lead while we’re gone. Director Kang isn’t the type of person to listen to others when casting…”

“… … ”

“Eight, shit! So why did that kid suddenly get involved there? It was almost time for the investigation to get to you!”

As if he had missed a bite of rice that was already cooked, the famous president felt sorry and resentful. He extinguished his short cigarette carelessly in the ashtray and muttered in a voice that did not seem to have let go of his anger.

“Anyway, who would say that he’s a common person?”

“Are you a normal person?”

The famous president snorted as he took out a new cigarette from his pack. “He’s famous. He’s the model student of the third generation of the conglomerate, Lee Hae-seong.”

It was a nickname that had a somewhat sarcastic nuance.

“Please don’t get your hopes up too high. Just because he’s a model student doesn’t mean he has great morals or ethics. He’s just an FM who doesn’t know anything but work.”

The famous businessman muttered with barely any movement in his lips, holding the filter of a new cigarette in his mouth.

“You know this because you’ve crawled this far on this earth. There are those who play openly and those who play in secret. Those who play without anyone knowing are actually more shameful.”

The famous CEO, who had lit a cigarette, pointed upwards with his finger again with a confident expression.

“That guy is probably a pervert just like Lee Seo-kyung.”

I somewhat agree with the bullshit philosophy of the famous CEO that there are only those who play openly and those who play quietly. That has been Choi Hong-seo’s experience so far.

Those who shout that the world must change are, in the end, the oppressed people of the world today. There is no one who shouts that the world must change while belonging to the privileged class. There is no one who is privileged but does not want to enjoy privilege. I have never met such a person.

Beyond the wide-open folding doors, a mocking laugh erupted from the garden pool. It seemed as if some high-ranking person had forgotten social status and age and jumped into the pool full of models.

Anyway, I don’t have to entertain you today…

Choi Hong-seo stared blankly at the swimming pool and the sparkling night view of Seoul beyond the swimming pool, thinking about that.

A model student from the third generation of a conglomerate.

It was three days later that I met ARA Electronics’ Vice President of Understanding again.

@

Officially, the weekend was a holiday for ‘Layered’. But there were quite a few exceptions that made it impossible to rest. That day, a performance was scheduled for a party that had rented out an entire underground members-only club.

“Everyone, make sure you don’t make any mistakes. The stage is a stage, but VIPs are welcome! Huh? Don’t stand there sullenly and bluntly! Smile brightly! Kim Young-joo, it’s about you, Inma! Are you listening?”

President Myung, who rarely accompanied them in person despite the holiday schedule, warned them about the same thing several times. Unlike President Myung, who looked anxious, the members other than Choi Hong-seo did not seem to be very nervous.

“Anyway, those people are probably curious about Hongseo hyung. Do they even care about us?”

“So, you little punk, don’t let Hongseo’s name go to waste, so at least do a good job as a sidekick!”

Even just looking at the hair, makeup, and outfit that were more elaborate than when appearing on music shows, it was clear how much importance CEO Myung put on today’s schedule.

It was a party to celebrate the inauguration of a third generation of a conglomerate family as a managing director, who was only thirty-nine years old. It was a private gathering attended only by close acquaintances. That meant that it was not a proper party. Choi Hong-seo was silent the whole time, even in the car he was driving, because he thought that the party could lead to ‘reception’.

The interior of the members-only club was decorated more luxuriously and extravagantly than most hotel clubs. It was a new world that could not be imagined just from the outside, where there was not a single conspicuous sign.

Before going on stage, I had to first greet the star of the day. From here on out, things were different from the usual schedule. Sometimes, an official would come to the waiting room to greet and take a commemorative photo, but it was rare for a singer who had been paid to come to work to go to the host’s place and ‘greet’.

The protagonist, who was sitting on a wide and soft sofa almost like a bed right in front of the stage, was already somewhat drunk.

“Thank you, sir, for inviting our kids today. This is ‘Layered’ from UB Entertainment.”

The protagonist stood up from his seat, trembling, at the bowing greeting of the famous CEO.

“Oh, right. Our secretary’s office recommended some of the most popular people these days… Wow, they’re all really cool. I appreciate you coming to a party hosted by an old man like me despite your busy schedule.”

“What are you saying, sir? It’s our honor. Congratulations on your promotion… Ni… Da.”

As he listened to the CEO’s words that were like a flowing stream of water, the protagonist approached Choi Hong-seo and gently grabbed his wrist.

“How much do you weigh? Do you weigh 50 kilograms?”

At first glance, it sounded like a gentle and affectionate voice, but of course it wasn’t genuine affection. Rather, it felt like a sarcastic tone, as if he was belittling and ignoring the other person, and giving them a leg up.