Chapter 52: 52 There Should Be No Secrets Before Me
52. There Should Be No Secrets Before Me
'Seo Arin? They invited Seo Arin too?'
The reason for Ryumin's surprise was simple.
In previous regressions, even when parties were held, Seo Arin was never there.
'I guess the future changed because they found out we live in the same apartment?'
Well, that's fine.
It doesn't change much even if Seo Arin is here.
"Ah, you're here, Actress Seo."
As Ma Gyeong-rok greeted her, Seo Arin bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, I was a bit late because I went to a colleague actor's funeral."
"No, it's understandable for such a reason. More importantly, please say hello. This is our company's major shareholder I mentioned before."
"Hello. I'm actress Seo Arin..."
Seo Arin, who was greeting, belatedly looked at his face and was surprised.
It was a familiar face.
"Didn't you two come to hand out rice cakes when you moved in before?"
"Yes, that's right."
"So it turns out the major shareholder was my neighbor. Nice to meet you."
Though Seo Arin smiled with her eyes, she inwardly harbored doubts.
-He looks younger than me but he's the major shareholder... Surely the CEO isn't playing a joke?
Ryumin had unintentionally made her suspect Ma Gyeong-rok.
"Um, brother."
"Yes?"
"Is that person in front of me really S-Seo Arin?"
As his brother whispered in his ear, Ryumin opened his mouth in an "ah".
'Come to think of it, I didn't tell him.'
He briefly explained to his brother's ear.
That Ma Gyeong-rok was Seo Arin's sponsor and An Sang-cheol was the manager he assigned.
"Wow..."
Seeing his brother gaping like a fish, Ryumin was lost in thought.
Whether he too should be admiring Seo Arin like his brother.
'That level of beauty would normally draw attention, right?'
Compromising to just glance without admiring, Ryumin looked at Seo Arin furtively.
As if interested in her pretty appearance.
Ma Gyeong-rok, who didn't miss this, twisted his lips into a grin.
'He's young, so young. Even a prophet is a man after all? I made the right call inviting Seo Arin.'
Feeling satisfied, Ma Gyeong-rok spoke to the four people.
"You must be hungry, please help yourselves to the meal without hesitation."
Ryumin, Ryuwon, Ma Gyeong-rok, An Sang-cheol, and Seo Arin.
The five people filled their plates with food from the buffet and brought them to the table to eat.
Though it was a small number compared to the size of the banquet hall, Ma Gyeong-rok didn't mind.
He preferred the smaller number.
'The prophet will feel overwhelmingly welcomed.'
Contrary to his words not to feel burdened, Ma Gyeong-rok hoped he would feel burdened.
"How's the food, Major Shareholder? I specially told the chefs to pay extra attention."
"Ah, it's delicious."
"How about your brother next to you? Does it suit your taste?"
"Huh? Oh, yes! I've never eaten anything this delicious in my life."
"I'm glad you find it delicious."
'It was worth pushing the chefs.'
Ma Gyeong-rok smiled and ate a piece of steak.
After chewing and swallowing the meat, he asked a question he was curious about.
"By the way, why did only your brother come and not other family members? What about your parents?"
"My brother is my only family. My parents passed away..."
"Ah. I'm... I'm sorry to hear that."
Ma Gyeong-rok himself regretted it.
'Damn it, why did I ask such a question? I ruined the good mood!'
He felt like the meat he just ate might come back up.
Ma Gyeong-rok glanced at Ryumin.
"..."
Seeing his gloomy expression, his own mood sank as well.
'Damn it, damn it! I should keep my mouth shut until the mood improves.'
As Ma Gyeong-rok who needed to gain the prophet's favor, he had no choice but to be this cautious.
Clink- Clink-
The meal continued in a quiet atmosphere.
With no one speaking, only the sound of utensils clinking could be heard.
'Someone needs to liven up the mood...'
Ma Gyeong-rok's eyes flicked towards Seo Arin.
If someone needs to liven up the mood, it has to be her.
'Actress Seo, look here, Actress Seo!'
Though Ma Gyeong-rok called with his eyes, Seo Arin didn't notice and just focused on eating.
It was natural for wrinkles to form between Ma Gyeong-rok's brows.
'This damn woman...'
With only silence flowing, he felt his blood curdling.
But the meal that seemed like it would last forever was coming to an end after several trips to fill plates.
As the five gathered for tea time, Ma Gyeong-rok finally opened his mouth.
"Can I see you separately for a moment? Actress Seo?"
"Huh? Ah, yes."
Seo Arin followed Ma Gyeong-rok with a puzzled face.
Stopping at a suitable spot, Ma Gyeong-rok lowered his voice.
"Listen, Actress Seo."
"Yes, CEO."
"Was the meal delicious?"
"Ah, it was very very delicious."
"Do you think I called you here just to eat?"
"Excuse me?"
"As a female celebrity, shouldn't you entertain like one?"
"..."
Seo Arin's expression hardened at the blunt statement.
"When the mood sours, isn't it your job to fix it? Do you think I invited you here just to eat my food?"
"I-I'm sorry... I thought you just invited me to the party..."
"How can you survive as a celebrity with such poor awareness? No, being a celebrity isn't important now. If you don't survive the next round, your job means nothing."
Seo Arin bowed her head like a new employee being scolded by a department head.
"I'm sorry..."
"Didn't Director An tell you who that person is?"
"The major shareholder... isn't he?"
"He's both the major shareholder and a prophet."
"A-a prophet?"
Seo Arin blinked her rabbit-like eyes.
"Yes, a prophet. Literally a unique job that can see the future."
"Ah..."
"Do you understand now? Why you need to entertain him? How helpful would it be to know information about the next round in advance?"
Ma Gyeong-rok suddenly brought his hand to Seo Arin's cheek.
Seo Arin flinched at the cold touch.
"Why are you just sitting there with such a good face that can enchant men? Shouldn't you try to seduce him somehow, whether by agreeing with him or smiling with your eyes?"
Ma Gyeong-rok's hand tapped her face.
It was an action that hurt Seo Arin's pride.
"If you're a celebrity who lives off your face, use your talent actively like one."
"With all due respect... I'm an actress. Not a face model..."
"An actress? Kuku."
Ma Gyeong-rok unconsciously let out a sneer.
"Yes, I acknowledge you're a good actress. But do you think you became popular just because of your acting skills?"
"..."
"People value first impressions. Of course, appearance takes up the largest portion of first impressions. You're able to maintain your current popularity thanks to that appearance. If your looks weren't great, do you think I would have even glanced at you?"
Seo Arin's expression hardened like stone at these cutting words.
Her eyes looked moist, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
"Don't cry. It's disgusting to cry as if you're the victim when I didn't say anything wrong."
"..."
Shocked by the word "disgusting", Seo Arin couldn't continue speaking.
The tears that were about to come out retreated.
"Shall I guess what you're thinking now? You must feel upset and resentful. You're probably bewildered too, having never heard such harsh words before."
"..."
"But endure it. If I, as the CEO, opened up opportunities for you to succeed as an actress, shouldn't you repay that debt? Even if the world is in this state, calculations should be settled cleanly."
"..."
"So let's end the conversation here. If we take too long, it'll look strange to those outside."
Ma Gyeong-rok tapped her cheek once more.
"Act properly, properly. Whether you seduce him with that pretty face, or lift your skirt to seduce him with your body, use any means necessary to win over Major Shareholder Ryu."
"..."
"Why aren't you answering?"
"I-I understand..."
"Good. Now we're going back to have a drinking party, so serve drinks next to Major Shareholder Ryu and try to seduce him. I'll be watching to see if you do it properly. If you really hate it, just think of it as acting."
"Yes..."
"Then let's go."
Ma Gyeong-rok and Seo Arin returned to their seats.
An Sang-cheol and the Ryu brothers were sitting awkwardly looking at empty teacups.
"Did you wait long? We had a lot to talk about."
"What did you talk about?"
Ma Gyeong-rok answered Ryumin's question without hesitation.
"We talked about business a bit. As you know, Actress Seo is an actress I'm nurturing, right?"
Though the expression "nurturing" bothered him, Ryumin remained silent.
He could find out what they talked about by probing their inner thoughts anyway.
"Well, since the meal seems to be over, shall we move to another place? We need to have round two. Haha."
Ma Gyeong-rok laughed and gave Seo Arin a look.
While moving to another location, Seo Arin subtly approached Ryumin's side.
But she just hesitated without speaking first.
'I told her to make a move, why is she hesitating?'
As dissatisfaction appeared on Ma Gyeong-rok's face.
Ryuwon, who was nearby, gathered his courage first.
"Um, you're Actress Seo Arin, right?"
"Yes? Yes."
"I'm a fan. Y-you're much more beautiful in person than in photos."
"Ah, thank you."
"If-if it's okay, could I take a picture with you later when you have time..."
"Ah, of course."
Seo Arin smiled brightly.
For a moment, Ryuwon made an ecstatic expression as if struck by Cupid's arrow.
'The younger brother is more eager than the older one?'
Watching this, Ma Gyeong-rok changed his strategy.
Tap tap tap-
While moving, he quickly sent a text to Seo Arin.
Seo Arin picked up her phone at the sudden message sound.
[Ma Gyeong-rok: Change of target. Get close to the younger brother first.]
Having to make a move on a fan who approached without ulterior motives.
Seo Arin's face quickly darkened.
'If she wins over the younger brother first, the older one will naturally fall too. We'll be able to easily get information about the next round as well.'
The corner of Ma Gyeong-rok's mouth rose slightly.
Since he said he was Seo Arin's fan, it should be easier to approach him than his older brother.
Shortly after, the five people arrived at a dark room.
"This is a private room prepared for VVIP guests. You can order unlimited songs, drinks, and snacks."
It was clearly no different from a singing room.
"Uh... Alcohol? But I'm still in middle school..."
As Ryuwon said dazedly, Ma Gyeong-rok waved his hand as if there was nothing to worry about.
"It's fine. It's fine. Your brother can drink soda. Director An."
"Yes."
"Order the VVIP special course here. Add brandy and whiskey too. Ah, and soda."
"Understood."
While An Sang-cheol went out to place the order, Ryuwon looked restless.
He didn't expect to suddenly experience adult drinking culture like this.
Unable to watch anymore, Ryumin sighed and said.
"CEO Ma Gyeong-rok."
"Yes, Major Shareholder."
"I can't drink alcohol. Not to mention my brother."
"Ah... Is that so? You must have spent your school days very wholesomely. Haha, but since you're of legal drinking age now, maybe you could experience it this time..."
"Excuse me, Actress Seo Arin."
"Yes?"
Interrupting mid-sentence, Ryumin pushed his brother's back.
"Could you take a picture with my brother outside?"
"Ah, yes."
As the two went out, only Ryumin and Ma Gyeong-rok remained in the room.
"CEO."
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'm easy?"
"What do you mean all of a sudden..."
"You seem to have forgotten my job is a prophet? Do you think I, who can see the future, wouldn't know about your conversation with Actress Seo?"
"..."
"How can we do business together like this?"
Ryumin said with a displeased expression.
"CEO. There should be no secrets before me."
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