Chapter 78….
Getting an Apology
[Since human emotions can change at any time, in any way…]
The answer was clear.
It wasn’t wrong. Unless you’re constantly keeping guard, you never know when or where something bad might happen.
“Unbelievable.”
[First, we need to check how much and in what way the evil spirit has possessed him. Only then can we come up with a countermeasure.]
The task that started for Yeonju’s salvation was gradually growing bigger and bigger.
“For now, like I said—let Mansoo drive him over, and then let the elder check. Only then can we figure out what to do next.”
[Right. Let’s do that.]
And so, in an even more complicated state of mind, all I could do was wait for the time to come.
A restaurant where privacy was properly ensured.
Inside, the space was large enough for more than ten people to sit, but only three were present.
One was Jang Sang-soo, the relaxed-looking CEO of Pure Entertainment.
Another was Yeo Si-yeon, with an anxious face.
And the last one, sitting slouched with a scowling expression, was none other than Kwon Soo-hyun.
“Try sitting there with that face later too, see what happens.”
“…I wasn’t.”
It was sarcasm. A warning that if he kept that attitude, he’d be dealt with.
His posture was rebellious, but his voice was deflated.
Soo-hyun already knew the baseball bat in the office had been broken.
So the only thing left leaning in the corner was the golf club.
That wasn’t something meant for hitting people. Compared to a bat, it was much worse.
Despite his defiant pose, Soo-hyun sat cautiously, and glanced across at Si-yeon.
“…It’s been a while.”
“…Yeah.”
Though Si-yeon was older and more experienced, Soo-hyun wasn’t the type to care about that.
“You’re pitiful too, getting tangled with that beggar.”
His tone was insolent, but Si-yeon let it pass.
Seeing her reaction, Soo-hyun’s expression twisted.
“You ignoring me?”
His behavior was closer to a thug than the Hallyu star he was known as.
But no one thought it strange. Everyone knew this was his true face.
“You going to keep talking like that when Actor Woo arrives too?”
“…No.”
“Remember why you’re here today.”
At CEO Jang’s pointed words, Soo-hyun pouted but eventually replied,
“Yes.”
“Even a punk needs to know the time and place. Tsk.”
The reason Jang scolded Soo-hyun was simple—he was worried Soo-hyun might lose his temper and make a mistake in front of Su-han.
Seeing this, Si-yeon’s face darkened even more.
Perhaps noticing her expression, Jang turned to her.
“Smile.”
“Sorry?”
“Brighter.”
It was a short, commanding tone. Si-yeon forced a smile.
“Yes.”
“What are you, a tragic heroine? That’s how you smile?”
When Soo-hyun muttered again, Jang furrowed his brows at him.
That silence was broken when a voice came from outside the door.
I’ll be bringing him in.
It was Chief Gu Bong-han, who had gone out to escort Woo Su-han.
“Oh! Please, come in!”
The door opened and Woo Su-han appeared.
Jang instinctively looked behind him, then smiled faintly in disappointment.
That was because following Su-han was none other than GB Entertainment’s Chief Park Yu-chun.
“Now, was there any need for Chief Park to come too, when it’s just a simple meal?”
To Jang’s light remark, Park simply bowed in greeting.
“Hello.”
“Well, sit down. It’s been a while, Actor Woo! I’ve heard so much about you from Chief Gu, it feels like I’ve seen you more than once!”
“Hello!”
At Jang’s ambiguous comment, Park’s brow twitched.
But he kept calm and took his seat.
Jang, glancing at Park with satisfaction, sat back down.
Everyone was seated, except Chief Gu, who stood at the entrance with hands neatly folded.
“Chief Gu, sit down. This is a meal, not a ceremony.”
“Yes.”
Only then did Gu stride over and sit next to Soo-hyun, across from Park.
At the head of the table sat CEO Jang. To his left were Soo-hyun and Gu, and to his right, Si-yeon, Su-han, and Park.
“Well then, I’ve already ordered food. But before that—didn’t our Actor Kwon Soo-hyun insult Actor Woo Su-han last time?”
“I just got hit, that’s all.”
Su-han immediately corrected the softened wording, and Jang looked momentarily dumbfounded before continuing.
“…Yes, exactly. A serious matter. One must never strike another person. So, to apologize and clear the misunderstanding, I arranged this meeting.”
“Thank you!”
At Su-han’s quick bow, Jang smiled in satisfaction and looked at Soo-hyun.
Soo-hyun, trying to look natural, spoke:
“Ahem. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Actor Woo, I’m sorry about that day. Let’s forget the past and get along from now on.”
Wow, that apology was neat.
If anyone overheard, they’d think it was just about bumping shoulders on the street.
I was dumbfounded.
For beating someone up, wasn’t that apology way too simple?
My gaze automatically shifted, not to Kwon who apologized, but to CEO Jang at the head table watching this scene.
Mister, even you can see this isn’t right, yeah?
“Ahem.”
At Jang’s short cough, Kwon slowly stood, bowed nearly ninety degrees, and said:
“I truly… apologize.”
Now it finally looked like an apology.
So, elder, what do you think?
[Well, this is…]
The reaction wasn’t great.
Was it worse than I thought?
But aside from that black aura swirling faintly, he just looked like your typical scumbag or worn-out old man.
If I hadn’t already heard from investigations, I’d have thought the same.
Maybe his skill was in wearing masks.
In life, you meet people like that sometimes.
Especially among the homeless or the downtrodden, masks are common.
You’d think beggars have nothing to steal from each other, but even they have things they cherish.
And in a capitalist world, very few are born beggars. Some still have something left, and others try to exploit it.
Sometimes people wear masks to share alcohol or food.
Sometimes, to steal that last precious thing.
That’s exactly what this guy looked like.
“Well, what can you do. A grave mistake was made. Honestly, I’d tell him to beat you back as much as you were hit.”
“Oh?”
Ah… that phrase caught my ear, and before I knew it—
“…Ahem. But still, in our line of work, such matters are sensitive.”
“Yes. And yet, the very man who pulled it off is sitting right here. Hahaha.”
I prodded a little.
But instead of getting angry, Jang burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! As expected of Actor Woo! That’s the spirit of a man! Strong character, yes! A real man!”
…What do you mean “man”? I’ve always been one.
Why do they keep confirming my gender?
I unconsciously glanced at Chief Gu.
He smiled warmly back at me.
For the record, he thinks I’m his close buddy.
Damn it… remembering how I fell for that whole “I married twice” story makes me want to go back and punch my past self.
Later, I heard the truth from my senior.
Yes, he married twice—but one ended in abandonment, the other nearly in suicide until Jang cleaned it up.
It was practically forced marriage.
And I, back then, accepted his messed-up views on relationships without question… What the hell was I thinking?
“…Oh dear, looks like the wounds are deep. Your face doesn’t look good.”
Whoa.
It was CEO Jang who pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts.
Yes, sir. My body was hurt by Kwon, and my heart was hurt by Gu.
“Your words touched me deeply, CEO Jang. It’s truly sad to be a celebrity.”
In other words, I regret I can’t punch him back.
Oh, he got it?
At my words, Kwon clenched his teeth, but Jang’s gaze made him shrink back.
Sharp eyes, that man.
I guess that’s why he’s at the head table.
“As I said, incidents like that must never happen again.”
Chief Park wrapped it up cleanly.
Of course, the cause was slightly—just slightly—on our side too.
But in negotiations, saying that makes you an idiot.
If the other side is apologizing, you don’t add, “I was wrong too.” That’s for friends, not rivals.
Still, the elder possessing me kept staring at CEO Jang, ignoring even the food.
Not a good sign. Looked serious.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen her for a few days.
And now, faint dark-gray energy was floating around my senior’s body next to me.
“Hm? What’s this? A thread?”
I pretended to brush something off her shoulder, flicking it away.
I saw the hazy aura disperse in real time.
“Well now. They say you two are close, and seeing this, it looks good for an elder. But as a company head, it makes me worry.”
Jang was openly setting the stage.
Wait. Was the apology already over?
Damn, I must have messed up. I wanted to drag it out more.
But while I was distracted by my senior, the topic had moved on.
Still, it was only the start of the meal. Opportunities would come.
“No need to worry. I’ll handle things properly.”
Chief Park quickly stepped in to block.
To which Jang chuckled and replied:
“Eh, come now. Isn’t it too strict? What’s wrong with meeting people? And what’s the harm if they get close?”
“Caution is necessary. Actor Woo is still a rookie.”
“That’s true. But in today’s world? He’s not even an idol.”
His words weren’t wrong, but from his mouth, they lacked all persuasion.
Maybe that was because I knew his true face.
Jang spoke soothingly, as if persuading Park.
“Something like a fling? Great thing, isn’t it? Back in the day, you were either friends or lovers—scandals were unavoidable. But these days? Even if something happens, you just say, ‘We were just flirting for a bit,’ and it blows over! Isn’t that nice?”
Basically, he was pushing us to date.
As if saying: Even if a scandal breaks, you’ll have an excuse.
“They’re just getting along because of their roles. It’s better if people around don’t misunderstand too much.”
“Wow, seriously.”
“Hm?”
Sorry. That exclamation slipped out loud.
Chief Park—never thought he was such a stiff guy.
If he’s this uptight, will I even be able to date properly in the future?
Now I kinda feel like changing agencies.
