IWDAR Chapter 16

“You’re the first person to sit in the company infirmary before even officially signing a contract, Han Wooyoung.”

 

“……I’m sorry.”

 

“Save your useless apologies.”

 

Tae-uk said so and lightly pointed at Wooyoung’s leg, which was still in a cast.

 

“When will your cast come off? It seems you have quite a few bruises, not just on your leg, but also on your arm.”

 

“I… understand it’s about seven weeks. But I’ve been in the hospital for a while now, so I can move around pretty well. I went to the hospital a few days ago and they said I should be able to get the cast off sometime this month.”

 

“Just one more question. Are all those injuries you’ve sustained related to the incident where you asked me for help?”

 

Only then did Wooyoung realize that Tae-uk hadn’t asked him why he was injured.

 

Not out of any particular consideration for Wooyoung, but likely because he was innately uninterested in others.

 

“It’s not the entire reason, but it was the catalyst.”

 

“I see.”

 

Silence fell again after Tae-uk’s quiet reply.

 

Feeling somewhat tense, Wooyoung clasped his hands together.

 

“As you know, Wooyoung, there’s a code of ethics in this industry. Poaching contracted trainees is unacceptable.”

 

Wooyoung listened quietly to Tae-uk.

 

He didn’t know much about the inner workings of the entertainment world, but he knew that terminating a contract was never easy.

 

If a contract included an absurd clause like a penalty of about 20 times the contract value, its weight couldn’t be ignored.

 

Just what method did he use to make Hyun-jong, blinded by greed and acting recklessly, shut up and hand over the termination agreement?

 

“But in the end, such ethics are just superficial reasons.”

 

“…….”

 

A straight back, slender nape, lightly closed lips.

 

An attitude of calmly assessing the situation without uttering unnecessary words.

 

All of Han Wooyoung’s mannerisms were flawless, like a well-bred young master from a prestigious family.

 

Tae-uk’s gaze, observing Wooyoung, was intense.

 

He had felt it before, but it was astonishing how Wooyoung maintained his composure without the slightest flicker, even though he must have been aware of the gaze directed at him.

 

He looked like he would blush and act naive with the slightest provocation.

 

Of course—whether his inner self was as steadfast remained unknown.

 

‘Not yet.’

 

Tae-uk’s lips curved into a faint smile.

 

Moe Tae-uk’s face, which had exuded an air of weighty silence that made it difficult to approach him, took on a completely different atmosphere with a single small smile.

 

“If there’s justification and proper vested interests involved, poaching a trainee is not difficult at all.”

 

Wooyoung, who had been momentarily captivated by Tae-uk’s face, slowly caught his breath at his words.

 

Justification and vested interests.

 

‘Blackmail.’

 

A situation where Hyun-jong, who had invested considerably in Han Wooyoung, lost all his fighting spirit and had no choice but to give up what was his.

 

It was nothing new, rather, a predictable event that could very well happen.

 

‘If he’s a businessman with proper business acumen, he’ll surely pay attention to even the smallest details.’

 

Wooyoung was well aware of his own genius.

 

In the world of art, sometimes more important than unconditional humility was a clear understanding of one’s own abilities. 

 

The moment one loses objectivity, the world they had built would also crumble.

 

That’s why he had thought of recording himself singing, and using it as leverage to create a situation where he could audition despite having an existing contract.

 

He had faith in the proactiveness, ambition, and innate desire of a man like Moe Tae-uk, who led such a massive business.

 

“I enjoyed the song you sang, Han Wooyoung. It as good”

 

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

 

“Enjoyed it, huh…”

 

Tae-uk, resting his chin on his hand, looked directly at Wooyoung with a languid gaze.

 

Letting out a light laugh, Tae-uk finally admitted, 

 

“Yes. As you said, Wooyoung, I quite enjoyed it.”

 

Good enough that he hadn’t passed it on to the casting team but had personally instructed Do-hoon to handle all of Han Wooyoung’s contract matters.

 

Enough to lament that the word ‘enjoyed’ couldn’t fully express the shock he felt at the time.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“…….”

 

Wooyoung, who had been listening calmly to Tae-uk’s words, bowed his head.

 

He felt relieved that he hadn’t done something completely useless.

 

“Have you eaten?”

 

So when he was suddenly asked about a meal, Wooyoung’s poker face faltered.

 

“……Yes?”

 

“We can’t discuss contract matters in the infirmary forever, can we? I haven’t had lunch yet because I was waiting for you.”

 

“Uh, the time is…”

 

Wooyoung fumbled with his empty pockets, having no phone. Tae-uk, watching the comical scene, said, 

 

“It’s two o’clock.”

 

“It’s already… that late?”

 

“Yes, it’s already that late.”

 

Tae-uk nodded and stood up.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Huh?”

 

So suddenly?

 

When Wooyoung, who had been reacting calmly to everything that had happened to him, suddenly wore a blank expression, a subtle sense of satisfaction flickered in Tae-uk’s eyes.

 

Tae-uk took Wooyoung to a Korean restaurant not far from ON Entertainment.

 

Wooyoung had thought Do-hoon, who had driven them, would also be joining them for the meal, but he hadn’t.

 

Flustered, Wooyoung cautiously asked Tae-uk, 

 

“Isn’t your secretary eating with us?”

 

Tae-uk tilted his head at Wooyoung, who seemed concerned about Do-hoon.

 

“When did you become so close with my secretary?”

 

“I’m… not particularly close with him…”

 

Having never used the expression “close” in his life, Wooyoung’s cheeks flushed involuntarily.

 

Tae-uk, staring intently at him, said in a flat tone, 

 

“I’m not the kind of evil boss who starves his employees, so don’t worry.”

 

“Oh, that’s good.”

 

“…….”

 

Tae-uk looked dumbfounded at the innocent reply, but Wooyoung didn’t notice.

 

As soon as Tae-uk appeared, the manager in charge of the hall respectfully greeted him, as if a reservation had already been made.

 

Following the server’s guidance, they entered a private room and saw a tranquil space adjoining a small garden.

 

It was a beautiful place, like a painting, with a tastefully decorated pond, stone walls, and trees.

 

Wooyoung, who liked nature, swallowed the admiration that threatened to escape his lips.

 

Only Tae-uk noticed the brightening of Wooyoung’s expression as his attention was captured by the garden.

 

While the server who had shown them to their seats briefly left, Wooyoung was adjusting himself on the soft, plush cushion when a strange woman appeared.

 

She was dressed differently from the manager and servers in the hall.

 

She wore a well-fitting green dress and had striking features like an actress on TV.

 

“Mr. Mo, it’s been a while.”

 

The woman said, wearing a picture-perfect smile.

 

“It has been a while.”

 

“I was quite worried that perhaps something had made you uncomfortable during your last visit, as you hadn’t been to our restaurant for a while.”

 

“President Seo’s food is beyond reproach. I’ve just been a bit busy lately.”

 

“I saw the article. There was quite a buzz about the completion of the largest concert hall in the country. Congratulations on completing such a significant project. My congratulations.”

 

The woman, who bowed her head with a gentle smile, seemed to be the owner of the Korean restaurant.

 

“Shall I prepare your usual meal?”

 

The woman glanced briefly at Wooyoung, who was blinking his eyes awkwardly, curious about the identity of the young boy – Wooyoung really did look like a child to her – that Mr. Mo had brought. However, she didn’t ask anything about his identity.

 

It would be more accurate to say that she pretended not to notice anything at all.

 

“Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

 

“No, I don’t.”

 

Wooyoung shook his head slightly as he sat demurely. Tae-uk nodded.

 

“Please prepare the usual. He’s a valuable talent at our agency, so please take good care of him.”

 

At Tae-uk’s playful words, both the woman and Wooyoung were startled.

 

“I always treat Mr. Mo’s guests with the utmost care. You’ll have a satisfying meal.”

 

The woman smiled brightly, gave Wooyoung a light nod, and left the room.

 

Left alone with Tae-uk, Wooyoung looked at the man with a bewildered expression.

 

“Um, CEO Mo.”

 

Tae-uk, sipping the warm tea the server had provided, turned his gaze to Wooyoung, who had called him.

 

Wooyoung unconsciously swallowed nervously, meeting Tae-uk’s pitch-black eyes, which showed no trace of emotion.

 

“Is it really true that I’m becoming part of ON Entertainment just like this?”

 

“If not, why would I be having a meeting and a meal with you today?”

 

“But I haven’t even auditioned yet…”

 

“You seem to have forgotten that you personally sent me the music file.”

 

“That was… meant as a request for an audition opportunity if you liked it.”

 

“And I’m giving you that opportunity now. The opportunity.”

 

Tae-uk’s cool, black eyes stared directly at Wooyoung.