Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

The moment Wang Long heard that Zhang Xuan was forcing Ju Yung-In to pour drinks, he couldn't contain his anger and erupted.

"Where the hell is that bastard Zhang Xuan right now?" Wang Long yelled.

Wang Long was the son of Wang Min, the deputy secretary of Shenzhen. Privately, he addressed the president of Shanghai New Media Inc, as "uncle." His true identity was kept under wraps within the company and known only to the president until now. However, he was ready to take this opportunity to reveal his identity to Zhang Xuan.

"He's at a club called Le Parmang about five minutes away from here by car," I answered.

"Is that so? Hold on a second."

Taking advantage of a pause in the club music, Wang Long made a phone call. Though I couldn't understand the fast Chinese, I was able to catch a few key phrases like "uncle," "that bastard," "company's disgrace," and "can't you get rid of him?"

Once Wang Long ended the call, the loud club music resumed.

"Let's go quickly," Wang Long said to me.

We got up from the table and headed straight outside. Having found a taxi waiting near the club entrance, we jumped in right away and urgently told the driver our destination.

The driver frowned at the short distance that won't even take five minutes, but his expression changed instantly when Wang Long pulled out a $100 bill.

"Hold on tight! I used to be a racer in Itaewon during my prime!" The driver exclaimed.

"If you get us there in three minutes, I'll give you another $100."

The driver's eyes lit up when I translated Wang Long's words.

"I'll take you there in no time! Hold on!"

The moment the car took off with a roar, we were thrown back into our seats.

"Wang Long, what are you planning to do when you meet Director Zhang?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I've talked to my uncle. I'll take care of that bastard myself."

"Take care of him, how?" I continued pressing.

"I said I'll handle it!"

"Hey, but he's a director."

At that moment, Wang Long whispered his true identity to me—that he was the son of Wang Min, the deputy secretary of Shenzhen, and the person he called uncle was the president of Shanghai New Media Inc.

I feigned surprise even though I already knew his identity. "A-are you serious?"

"Don't tell anyone else."

"O-okay. Got it. But doesn't Director Zhang know you're Wang Min's son?"

"No. My uncle is the only one who knows in the entire company."

"No wonder he's been acting so fearless. I thought it was strange how he treated you."

In China, the children of high-ranking officials from the Communist Party were called the "Princelings" while their sons were referred to as "Guan Er Dai," meaning the second generation of Princelings.

Wang Long was one of these "Guan Er Dai." Unlike Korea where the government and business sectors were separate, the Chinese Communist Party controlled both, wielding immense power.

Having studied in the United States for a long time, Wang Long had been keeping a low profile. Nonetheless, as a Chinese, he still valued face and reputation.

Perhaps because he felt humiliated in front of me, Wang Long scratched his head in frustration. "This is so embarrassing. Just pretend you didn't see anything later and stay out of it. I'll handle it cleanly."

The still fuming Wang Long began to mutter curses in Chinese.

Meanwhile, the driver thought that the insults were directed at him and sped up even more.

"We're almost there now!" The driver cried out.

In the meantime, I made a call to someone who could handle the aftermath of this situation.

-Yoon-Ho, are you there?

"Yes, Mr. Kang. I'm sorry for contacting you so suddenly."

-It's fine. Why do you sound so urgent though? Did something happen to Team Lead Wang Long or something?

"No. Actually..."

Without revealing Wang Long's true identity, I explained that we were on our way to pick up Ju Yung-In together.

Soon, Kang Gam-Chan's praise followed.

-Well done. Even if they are not from our company, we should never abandon an actress asking for help. Especially since she’s an actress we've nurtured, too. Where exactly are you now?

"We're on our way to Le Parmang."

-That's perfect. I'm nearby too, so I’ll be there in five minutes.

Kang Gam-Chan explained that he happened to be in the same area for a meeting with another company.

In the meantime, we arrived at Le Parmang.

Screech.

When the car came to a halt, the driver was sweating profusely from concentrating so hard. "Huff, huff, huff. Here we are, sir."

It took exactly three minutes to get here.

Without a word, Wang Long pulled out another $100 bill. "Thank you."

"Th-thank you!" The driver muttered while taking the bill with his tired, trembling hands.

We left the driver, got out of the car to bow, and headed toward the entrance of Le Parmang. As soon as we arrived at the entrance, two security guards blocked our way.

"We're full," claimed the guards.

Wang Long took out his wallet and handed them two $100 bills. Seeing the money, the guards' faces brightened as they stepped aside. "Actually, there is one spot left. I'll guide you."

One of the guards stuck close to us and started talking into his radio. "We have a VIP entering! I repeat, we have a VIP entering!"

I was amazed by the fact that the treatment changed drastically with just a little money.

I tried calling Ju Yung-In again while heading to the basement but the call couldn't get through, and the schedule related to Lily's death still remained as well.

Suppressing my pounding heart, I continued to walk down to the basement. I could see numerous rooms on both sides as I walked down the corridor.

At that moment, Wang Long showed ten $100 bills to the guard guiding us and asked, "Which room is Ju Yung-In in?"

After the excited guard had a few exchanges over the radio, he finally got an answer saying that it was room 3.

The guard began to act like a waiter as soon as Wang Long handed over the bills and politely guided us. "This way, please."

After winding through the corridors for a while, it became clear why Ju Yung-In couldn't leave easily.

"Here it is, sirs."

The guard who led us bowed politely, and Wang Long took out another ten $100 bills.

"Share this among yourselves. When Mr. Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment arrives, bring him here."

The guard quickly bowed when I translated Wang Long's words. "Thank you, sir! I'll bring him as soon as he arrives!"

When we opened the door to room 3, a ridiculous scene unfolded.

Zhang Xuan was complaining in Chinese with a deeply furrowed brow, while Ju Yung-In was refusing to pour drinks with her arms crossed.

Lee Chan-Dong was sweating profusely while trying to calm Ju Yung-In down.

"Yung-In, just pour one drink. Let's not make a scene."

"Doesn't he have hands to pour his own drink? If he really needs someone to pour him a drink, then you do it, Mr. Lee!" Ju Yung-In retorted.

"Why are you being so difficult? Just pour one drink and he'll let us leave," Lee Chan-Dong replied in annoyance.

"Are you kidding? Do you really think he'll let me go if I pour one drink?"

"You're driving me crazy. Please, give me a break."

At that moment, the frowning Ju Yung-In made eye contact with me. Her face lit up instantly as she exclaimed, "Yoon-Ho oppa!"

Ju Yung-In tried to come out of the room when she saw me, but Lee Chan-Dong quickly blocked her way.

"Wait, what do you think you're doing right now? How dare you! This isn't a place for you to come in!" Lee Chan-Dong yelled.

"What do you mean? Then is this a place for you to yell at an actress, forcing her to pour drinks for men?" I rebuked him.

"What?"

Sensing that something was going wrong, a drunken Zhang Xuan intervened. "I see that Team Lead Wang is here. Let's sit down and talk over a drink. Why raise your voices in such a nice place?"

Wang Long simply gave Zhang Xuan a cold stare and replied, "Director Zhang Xuan. The President has ordered you to return to China immediately, so pack your things and prepare to leave."

"What? What did you just say to me?"

"I said get the fuck out of here and go back to China immediately!" Wang Long cursed.

When Wang Long, much younger than him, raised his voice, Zhang Xuan who was pretending to be solemn also lost his temper as he couldn't believe a young man was talking to him like that.

"W-Wang Long, you bastard! How dare you!"

However, Wang Long only scoffed and spoke quickly in Chinese. Only Zhang Xuan, Wang Long, and I understood what was said because Lee Chan-Dong could only speak English.

"Hey, Director Zhang Xuan. Have you ever heard of Deputy Secretary Wang Min of Shenzhen?" Wang Long questioned.

"Why is he being mentioned here now?" The drunken Zhang Xuan asked in return.

"Think carefully about why his name has been mentioned in this context."

The moment Wang Long's eyes flashed, Zhang Xuan tilted his head in confusion. "That's the man known as the Tiger of Shenzhen...but why…wait. He can't be related to you... wait... no, it can't be..."

Zhang Xuan started to tremble with disbelief in his eyes.

Wang Long looked at Zhang Xuan and spoke coldly. "That man is my father."

At that moment, Zhang Xuan staggered and collapsed onto the sofa. "No way... H-how is that possible..."

The power held by high-ranking officials in the Chinese Communist Party was on a different level from that of ordinary politicians. With the exception of those higher in the hierarchy, they wielded almost absolute power in controlling the media, military, police, and the courts.

A high-ranking party official could control all social infrastructure, which meant they could completely destroy Zhang Xuan if they wanted to.

Ignoring the dazed Zhang Xuan, Wang Long turned to Ju Yung-In and bowed his head.

"I apologize, Miss Ju Yung-In. I understand you must be confused by this sudden situation, but this has nothing to do with me."

Ju Yung-In asked me with her eyes wide open, "O-oppa, what is he saying?"

"He says he's sorry."

"What? It seems like they said a lot more things, though. Are you translating properly?"

Since Wang Long had been speaking in Chinese, I had to translate.

"Yes, he was just saying he's sorry in a long-winded way."

I didn’t translate the part about Wang Long's father but only translated that Zhang Xuan would be dismissed from Shanghai New Media Inc.

"What do you mean? Zhang Xuan is no longer a director?"

The fuming Lee Chan-Dong asked Zhang Xuan in English, but Zhang Xuan, still in shock, had no strength left to respond.

That's when Kang Gam-Chan burst into room 3. "Yoon-Ho! Are you here?"

The moment Kang Gam-Chan walked in, Lee Chan-Dong protested sharply. "Mr. Kang, what is the meaning of this?"

Kang Gam-Chan scoffed. "That's my question to ask. What do you think you're doing? I came because I heard Ace Entertainment was stealing our invited guest."

"Wh-who said such nonsense..." Lee Chan-Dong stuttered.

"That's enough. Ace Entertainment must be ready for a showdown with us if they're doing this," Kang Gam-Chan snapped back.

Realizing the situation was dire, Lee Chan-Dong quietly backed down.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding here. It's not what you think…We just heard that Mr. Zhang from Shanghai New Media Inc. was in Korea, so we brought Miss Yung-In to greet him."

"You expect me to believe that?"

Kang Gam-Chan turned his gaze to Ju Yung-In without giving Lee Chan-Dong a chance to explain the situation.

"Hey, Yung-In. I was hoping you would be better off when you left our company. Why are you hanging out with such trash?"

Ju Yung-In shouted with a distressed expression. "It wasn't my intention! I was tricked into coming here!"

"I’ve always told you to double and triple-check! No amount of caution is ever enough!"

Unable to respond, Ju Yung-In remained silent as Kang Gam-Chan sighed. "Sigh. Never mind. I was too harsh on another company's actress. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be, Mr. Kang..." Ju Yung-In said in a low voice.

When Kang Gam-Chan looked around at the chaotic scene and asked me what had happened, Wang Long stepped in to explain.

"Director Zhang Xuan will be returning to China soon. In the meantime, I will be the one representing Shanghai New Media Inc. in the contract discussion."

Kang Gam-Chan raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"Yes, our President can confirm. Would you like to call him?"

Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Alright."

As soon as Wang Long made the call on speakerphone, a deep male voice answered in English.

-Team Lead Wang Long, what's the situation there?

"Sir, Mr. Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment is here with me. You are on speakerphone, and Director Zhang Xuan is here as well."

President Zhou Ho-Yeon of Shanghai New Media Inc. immediately apologized.

-Mr. Kang Gam-Chan, I apologize for the disgraceful behavior. Director Zhang Xuan's actions were personal misconduct and do not reflect our company's stance at all.

"I understand. But is it true that Team Lead Wang Long has full authority to negotiate this partnership?"

-Yes, it is true. From this moment on, all of Team Lead Wang Long’s statements will be considered as coming from me. Our legal team will send the delegation letter by fax shortly.

"Understood. In that case, we will restart the negotiations from scratch."

Wang Long continued the call briefly after turning off the speakerphone while Kang Gam-Chan looked around.

Kang Gam-Chan shook his head at the still-dazed Zhang Xuan. Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to Ju Yung-In.

"Yung-In, I'm leaving now. Do you need a ride home?"

"Yes, please take me home."

As Ju Yung-In replied, Lee Chan-Dong urgently grabbed her hand and said, "Yung-In, we brought a car too. Why would you…"

Ju Yung-In shook off Lee Chan-Dong's hand. "No thanks. I won't be getting in your car ever again, so keep that in mind!"

Ju Yung-In pushed past Lee Chan-Dong who stumbled back onto the sofa.

As Ju Yung-In walked past me, she whispered just loud enough for me to hear. "Oppa, thank you for coming right away."

When Ju Yung-In hid behind Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Gam-Chan drew his attention back to me.

"And Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, from now on, you will handle the partnership contract with Shanghai New Media Inc.!"

This meant that I, the team lead, was now in charge of the contract instead of Director Lee Gi-Cheol and Chief Kim Dong-Soo.

Ristretto's Thoughts

Jung Yoon-Ho doesn't understand why women keep falling in love with him when he acts like this. SMH

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