Big Life

Chapter 236: It’s A Declaration (5)

“Aigoo, Jae-In. I must have been so nervous and stiff that a lump grew on the side of my neck.”

“Look at you all whiny, Mom. Shall I massage your neck?”

“I was just joking. You should quickly change out of your clothes and wash up, too.”

The family had just returned home from a dinner arranged by Nam Gyu-Ho. Myung-Ja still found both Nam Gyu-Baek and Nam Gyu-Ho difficult to talk to. They had an expensive dinner today, but she couldn’t recall how the food tasted, and the floor they sat on just felt like a thorn cushion throughout the meal.

‘No way, I’m getting a chaebol son-in-law when it’s hard for normal people like me to meet even one of them in their lifetime? Will Jae-In even be happy living with them?’

Myung-Ja couldn't express her worries and held them close to her heart. The only knowledge she had about chaebol families was all she had learned through TV dramas. Was it completely fictional, though? And would her precious daughter go through all kinds of untold hardships if she were to get married into their family?

“Mom, Mom.”

“Huh? Yes?”

“What are you thinking about so seriously? Take off your coat already.”

“Ah, okay...” Myung-Ja secretly let out a sigh and headed to the bedroom. At the same time, Ha Jae-In went to wash up and change into a fresh set of clothes. She soon stepped out of the toilet drying her hair with a towel, humming a melody.

‘So happy~’

She had been waking up happy these days, and every day was like a dream. The date of the wedding with her beloved Nam Gyu-Ho had been set, and she was counting down the days until then. She would at times have needless delusions, like doubting if the world was going to end before that day arrived.

‘Oh right, Jae-Gun said he was doing some sort of special show today.’ Ha Jae-In quickly grabbed the remote control and switched the channel when her face changed, and she knelt on the floor.

A live broadcast appeared on the screen, showing the host, a few reporters, and the main guest, Ha Jae-Gun.

[Writer Ha Jae-Gun's popularity is soaring at an alarming rate this year as well. There were rumors of him where people wondered if Writer Ha Jae-Gun was really a single person or a team of writers before he began to appear on TV shows.]

[Well, it’s not surprising for those rumors to be going around. His speed of writing is so fast, and almost all of his novels so far held the best of both worlds, in the commercial and literary aspects. More importantly, his profile on the internet has a long list of achievements.]

[That’s right. The latest issue would be his most recent publication, Market Place, which has achieved over 800,000 copies sold, as well as the recently announced online game, The Breath, that is being developed by Nextion. But the largest hot topic of them all would be the horrific success that the movie Storm and Gale is showing currently, right?]

[Yes. The movie has reached over 10 million audiences in Korea, and more importantly, it has exceeded over 90 million viewers in China.]

[90 million, reporter? Not 9 million, but 90 million?]

[Stop acting like you didn’t know about it. Haha. But yes, this humongous number is twice the population of Korea. And we’re talking about Storm and Gale, which was produced with capital funding from China, but it’s still a Korean movie with Korean actors.]

[Yeah. Of the two lead actors, Ms. Yang Ying spoke in Chinese and acted as a Chinese individual, but the movie is still undoubtedly a Korean movie.]

[From China’s perspective, this is definitely a movie from overseas. And it’s unprecedented for any foreign movie to achieve over 90 million audiences in China. Here’s a clear example: There’s a movie in China called Gweyogi, which was ranked second in the box office in China with a 65 million audience. But it was pushed to the third because of Storm and Gale.]

[That’s amazing, Reporter Park. That means the gap between both movies is over 25 million.]

[Indeed. When the movie was first released and reached 60 million viewers, it was a hot topic as well. These figures show us that the China market is growing. The monthly box office sales there in February this year hit a record high and was even ranked first in the entire globe.]

[Yes, we have prepared the information that Reporter Park had just mentioned too. Let’s see it on the screen, shall we? This was taken from China’s National Film Fund office, where we can see that the monthly profit exceeds 6.8 billion Chinese yuan, which is equivalent to 1.2 trillion Korean won. In terms of viewer count, that’s about 192 million, almost nearing 200 million viewers.]

[What’s even more surprising is that every Chinese national watches 1.7 movies in a year. They don’t even watch movies twice! See the potential in the market? And there’s no way we can’t miss bringing up Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s martial arts novel here. I’m actually a fan of his, but…]

“What’s this? Are they talking about Jae-Gun?”

“Yeah, Mom. Come watch it with me.”

“Okay, I’ll bring over some apples.” While Myung-Ja went to grab a couple of apples, Ha Jae-In’s eyes did not once leave the screen, and the reporter’s voice was getting strained with enthusiasm.

[Martial arts novels originated in China. And Writer Ha Jae-Gun had published a few of them under his pseudonym, Poongchun-Yoo. A company called Teencent said that they have to bring it into China. He has proven his potential through and through over here.]

[Yes, and they have brought up the Records series in the recent Korea-China cultural exchange meeting, right? Although they had brought it up, nothing has been confirmed yet. This was all coming from a phone interview with Writer Ha Jae-Gun, so what do you think about this, Reporter Park?]

Ha Jae-In smirked subconsciously. As Ha Jae-Gun’s sister, she knew the answer to this. And Myung-Ja slid a slice of apple into Ha Jae-In’s twitching mouth.

“Did Jae-Gun say he’s going to drop by today?”

“I’m not sure. I should give him a call now.” Ha Jae-In picked up her phone. As she was about to press the dial button, a call came in first.

“Speak of the devil. Hello, Writer Jae-Gun.”

— What? Are you speaking ill of me with Mom?

“No way. We’re watching Issue Plus right now. The host and panel are making a fuss, saying that you should release the Records series in China. Are you watching it?”

— No, I’m working on the synopsis. I have to do a final review and finalize it before the meeting with Teencent tomorrow. So, I’m sorry, noona, I can't go home today.

“Don’t be. You’re flying tomorrow, so you should rest early tonight, too. Ah, Ha Jae-Gun. Mom keeps poking me, asking to talk to you on the phone. Wait a bit.”

“Hello? Son, have you had dinner? Are you feeling ill anywhere?” Myung-Ja began shooting questions immediately after taking over the phone from Ha Jae-In.

Ha Jae-In sniggered as she reduced the volume of the TV, as it was much better listening to her younger brother’s voice than listening to the TV discussion about her own brother.

***

“Was that auntie?” Lee Soo-Hee asked.

“Yeah, she’s worried about everything, knowing that I’m going to China.” Ha Jae-Gun replied as he put the phone down.

Ha Jae-Gun had made the decision to rewrite the Records series, and he was scheduled to fly to China the next day to obtain materials and information for Records of the Modern Master.

All he had prepared for his trip was a medium-sized suitcase. Teencent had prepared everything, from flight tickets to local transport, accommodation, and everything else he might need during the trip, which made things especially convenient for Ha Jae-Gun.

“I’ve packed my bag, and CEO Kwon said that he would pick me up tomorrow morning, so I just have to work on the synopsis until then.”

“You should at least sleep for a while.”

“I can sleep on the plane.” Although he said that, Ha Jae-Gun still put faith in Seo Geon-Woo’s cup. He would be able to recover his energy in the morning with a cup of coffee from it, even if he had stayed up the entire night working. It was only a pity that he couldn’t share the cup's fantastic effect with Lee Soo-Hee.

Tadadadak! Tadak! Tadadak!

Ha Jae-Gun’s eyes were still fixed on the monitor screen in front of him as he began typing away on the keyboard.

He had no idea how long it had been, but he heard a low sigh and Lee Soo-Hee’s murmur from behind. “You’re too much, Ha Jae-Gun.”

“Hmm? What about me?”

“Are you really going to just work the entire night away? I mean, you’re flying tomorrow, right?”

“I’m not migrating for real, I’ll be back in three weeks, so why...” Ha Jae-Gun trailed off as he turned around.

Lee Soo-Hee’s hair was tied into a high bun. The skirt she had on before was now by her ankles.

“I’m going to shower now,” Lee Soo-Hee said with a grin and a provocative look. She was well aware of how Ha Jae-Gun would go crazy when her pale neck was revealed with her hair tied up.

“If you apply cream on my back, I’ll rub yours too.”

“Huh? Okay.” Ha Jae-Gun followed her without hesitation. How many storms passed as they migrated to the bathroom and then to the bed?

Ha Jae-Gun didn't use Seo Geon-Woo’s cup until dawn as he lay beside Lee Soo-Hee with his arm becoming her pillow. The most comfortable and happiest rest he could ever get was in Lee Soo-Hee’s arms.

***

[Exclusive, Ha Jae-Gun visits China! Captured with state-level treatment!]

[Over 100 security guards stationed at the capital’s international airport, Beijing]

[Transport list provided for Ha Jae-Gun by Teencent costs over 900 million won?!]

[Ha Jae-Gun and the friendly handshake with Liu Bao, the Department Head of China's Central Publicity Department. What did they talk about?]

[The hotel room where Ha Jae-Gun is staying costs 4.7 million won per night?!]

[Teencent Pictures’ representative: Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s visit is purely a leisure trip.]

‘Wow, the reporters act fast.’

Kang Min-Ho leaned against the subway doors as he read the news on his phone, clicking his tongue. He was well aware of Ha Jae-Gun’s visit to China as he was also a member of the writer’s office.

It was afternoon, and Kang Min-Ho was on his way to the writer’s gathering organized by Star Books. He didn’t want to attend the gathering, as all his subsequent novels after Great Demon Lord of the Other World were all contracted with Laugh Books. Aside from that poorly performing novel, there was no other point of contact between him and Star Books.

‘If it weren’t for the invitation from Deputy Lee, there’d be no reason for me to attend the gathering... Damn, if it were someone else or Deputy Ko who called, I would have rejected attending right away.’

Deputy Lee was the one who looked out for Kang Min-Ho in a lot of ways when he signed the contract with Star Books. But since he received the invitation call from Deputy Lee, he had no choice but to agree to it out of recognition and loyalty.

The gathering’s venue was still the same as the previous authors’ gathering in the past—the same Korean restaurant at the time. Kang Min-Ho thought he had arrived relatively early, but there were already quite a number of others present. He recognized a few of them and waved in their direction.

“Wow, Writer Kang Min-Ho. You are glowing after announcing your wedding.”

“Thank you for those words. My worries have reduced recently, so I’ve been having a good life. Hahaha.”

“I’ve read all your novels published through Laugh Books. I’m so envious of you, Writer Kang. You’re getting married to such a pretty female writer; your novels are doing well, too. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“I don’t have the talent, so I can only bury my head into writing. Plus, the market is doing well these days. Furthermore, people say that this is an era where writing web novels as if you’re keeping a diary would even make you money.”

Kang Min-Ho exchanged conversations on different topics with the writers and even greeted the Star Books employees, including Deputy Lee. After more writers had arrived, the editor-in-chief, Park Kyung-Wook, opened the gathering with a welcome speech.

‘Is that all…?’ Kang Min-Ho tilted his head, looking at the relatively empty venue. It wasn’t just an illusion; the attendance had definitely decreased. The attendance today was less than half of the last gathering.

‘Star Books has indeed weakened a lot these days. Their hit novels aren’t doing as good either.’ Kang Min-Ho took a sip from his drink, not paying attention to Park Kyung-Wook’s welcome speech.

The alcohol tasted better, unlike before. He was now fully enjoying himself at the authors’ gathering, which he never knew could become such a pleasant event.

“Hello, Writer Kang Min-Ho. I am editor-in-chief, Park Kyung-Wook.” Park Kyung-Wook came over to greet Kang Min-Ho after the dinner officially started.

Kang Min-Ho smiled awkwardly, nodding in response. “Yes, hello.”

“I have been enjoying your novels after Return of the Demon Lord. They were amazing with great story development.”

“Thank you, and sorry. I’m not sure if I can still appear at this event when my other novels are being published with another company...”

“No way, you still have Great Demon Lord of the Other World signed with us; it doesn’t matter if you have signed your subsequent novels with other companies. Please don’t be worried about it. Here, have a glass.” Park Kyung-Wook filled Kang Min-Ho’s glass and continued, “We will be ecstatic if you could sign another novel with Star Books again in the future.”

“Ahaha...” What else could he say here? Kang Min-Ho dropped his head slightly.

“Please sign a novel with us if you have any, Writer Kang. I will make sure to offer you the best conditions. Here, let’s have a toast.”

“Thank you.”

Park Kyung-Wook finished saying his formalities and left the table, going about to work on the other writers. The business-like smile on Kang Min-Ho’s face had disappeared without a trace. Strangely, he didn’t like Park Kyung-Wook at all.

“Oh right, Writer Kang Min-Ho,” a writer who sat beside Kang Min-Ho started. “You’re working in the same office as Writer Ha Jae-Gun, right?”

“Um, yeah… Not every day, though.” Kang Min-Ho glossed over his answer, as most would ask him all sorts of questions or requests when they learned that they were working in the same office. It was exactly why he desperately wanted to avoid the topic entirely.

“The Records series is printed out in hardcover. Why the decision all of a sudden?”

“What…?” Kang Min-Ho put down his glass in shock. “The Records series is being printed in hardcover?”

“Yes, they’re printing 50,000 copies of each novel for sale in the bookstores. I’m quite close to Deputy Ko, so I heard about it from him. But isn’t he retracting the license after the contract ends? Are they doing something else with the Records series?” said the writer before showing Kang Min-Ho their phone.

The writer hadn't lied. There was a banner advertising the hardcover copies of the Records series showing on the screen. However, was Ha Jae-Gun aware of their move?