Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 445: Hwangryong Film Association (4)

At the entrance to the VIP Club Lucy, two guards blocked my way. "All the rooms are full today."

Aware that Club Lucy was a place with only private rooms, I said, "I made a reservation."

"Oh, my apologies. The name on the list is..."

Before they could check the list, I pulled out the cash I had prepared in advance: it was 1 million won in cash. If the two guards split it, that would be 500 thousand won each.

"The reservation is valid, right?"

The guards nodded. "I'll escort you to Room 7 right away."

As expected, money served as both an ID and a pass here. Room 7 was quite spacious, but that wasn't where I wanted to go.

"No, take me to Room 11."

"Room 11 is the smallest room, so it might be uncomfortable for you to use..."

"I came alone. I don't need a big room. I just want to spend some quiet time, so give me Room 11."

Room 11 was the smallest room in Club Lucy, and it was also close to the female employees' lounge and restroom, which made it the perfect spot to get Go An-Na.

"Understood. I'll escort you there."

"By the way, has An-Na come in today?" I asked.

The guard grinned. "She just clocked in. Shall I call her for you?"

"Yes."

The guards spoke directly into the intercom. "A VIP guest has entered. Miss An-Na is requested in Room 11."

I walked past the door opened by the two guards and headed downstairs to uncover the secrets of Bang Sang-Yung and to see an old friend.

***

Following the familiar hallway, I arrived at Room 11. The restroom and the female employees' lounge were right next door.

I ordered a 1-million-won course that I wouldn't even drink and waited for Go An-Na to arrive. She never answered her phone while working, anyway.

Click.

The door opened and Go An-Na came in, carrying a silver tray with drinks and snacks. Since this was a VIP social club rather than a karaoke bar, the standard attire was a two-piece outfit.

Go An-Na, whose beauty could rival that of a celebrity, appeared in a pink two-piece. She was 171 cm tall with long straight hair reaching her waist, and her skin was so clear it seemed transparent.

Her light brown eyes were particularly captivating, making anyone who saw her think she was stunning.

Go An-Na was startled to see my face. "What the...Yoon-Ho, is that you?"

I raised my hand to greet her. "Hey~ How have you been?"

Go An-Na put down the drinks and snacks and immediately started grumbling. "Do you think I've been good? I've got a so-called friend who never contacts me whether dead or alive."

I scratched my head. "Sorry... about that."

Like me, Go An-Na also had no friends. Moreover, she thought her job was shameful, so she didn't keep in touch with our friends from the orphanage either.

However, Go An-Na's job didn't matter to me at all. Since those from the orphanage often struggled to even find common part-time jobs, it wasn't unusual for them to end up working in manual labor or bars.

Although I pretended to be glad to see her after a long time, Go An-Na didn't stop nagging. "If you're sorry, meet me outside and buy me gukbap[1] and soju to apologize. Why waste money coming here?"

"All you have to say is nagging after a year? You really don't change," I replied teasingly.

"Cut the nonsense and answer me. Why are you here?"

"The truth is, I need to dig into Director Bang Sang-Yung from my company and Director Lee Dong-Gu. They are both here as guests today and I need your help."

It was best to be honest with Go An-Na. We had been close since childhood because we never hid anything from each other.

Go An-Na leaned back on the sofa and complained. "Well, you wouldn't have come here if it wasn't for something like that. Alright, I'll help."

As expected, she agreed readily.

Go An-Na added, "Then you owe me gukbap and soju. When will you treat me?"

I smiled. "Whenever you call me."

"Great. I'll call you before the year ends. Your number's still the same, right?"

"Of course."

However, that's when Go An-Na started taking out the drinks and snacks she had brought.

I asked, "What are you doing?"

"I can help for free if it's your request. This stuff's expensive, so I'm sending it back."

I grabbed the tray she was holding. "Don't."

Go An-Na smirked. "Yoon-Ho, I heard you're doing well these days. Making a lot of money, huh?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "You can hear my news all the way here too?"

"Of course. Everyone from the entertainment industry who comes here talks about you. How could I not know? My boy's become a big shot."

"Big shot, my foot. I'm still a small fry."

"Oh, come on. You're as humble as ever. But seriously, you and I have no one to rely on, and even saving every penny isn't enough. Why waste money? Save it."

Go An-Na insisted on not taking my money despite her own difficulties. Nonetheless, I had no intention of letting that happen.

"Forget it. I'm here to spend freely today. And if you act like this, I'll feel uncomfortable and won't be able to see you again. You know I can't stand being in debt, right?" I asked.

Maybe it was because I said I might not see her again, but Go An-Na sighed deeply and set the tray down. "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

I took out two items I had prepared in advance from my pocket. One was a small recorder, and the other was a packet of hangover relief pills and liver detox supplements.

"Record the conversation between Director Lee Dong-Gu and Director Bang Sang-Yung, then pass it to me. I'll make sure you're protected."

Looking at the items I placed down, Go An-Na smirked. "If they were tycoons or politicians, maybe. But someone like Director Bang or Director Lee? They can't dare to touch our club's staff."

"Still, it's better to be prepared. And your madam covers everything if you pay her, doesn't she?"

Go An-Na smirked. "Your preparations are thorough as always, Jung Yoon-Ho."

Go An-Na downed the hangover relief in one gulp and slipped the small recorder into her pocket. "Press once to record and press twice to stop, right?"

I nodded.

"Alright then. Don't worry and just wait here."

With that, Go An-Na left the room.

While waiting for her to return, I pressed the bell again and ordered more drinks I wouldn't even touch. "Put it on the V3 course."

The V3 course was a setup worth 10 million won.

The waiter who came to take the order bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir!"

"And tell the madam to come personally," I said, handing over another tip of 500 thousand won. It was an excessive tip for a regular waiter, but it was best to spread as much money as possible in a place where money equaled power.

"T-thank you, sir"

My title shifted to "sir" in an instant. Every penny was precious, but now was the time to spend it.

For Go An-Na's safety, scattering money as much as possible was the best move.

***

Lee Dong-Gu and Bang Sang-Yung sat closely in Room 3 of Club Lucy.

The table was filled with premium liquor and female employees sat beside them.

Another woman entered the room, but Lee Dong-Gu paid no attention and began shouting. "Director Bang! What is this nonsense? Do you know how much trouble I went through to get Professor Han to come to Samcheonggak tomorrow, and now Team Lead Jung isn't showing up?"

"I apologize. That guy, Team Lead Jung, is too sharp. He just won't fall for anything," Bang Sang-Yung said with a solemn look.

"Then what do you plan to do now?"

"I've gotten the paparazzi to tail Tae-Poong. Also, I'm planning to send a rookie actress to approach him tonight."

Lee Dong-Gu's face red from drinking changed expression. "Are you planning to blackmail him?"

"Yes. Once we take photos of them together, we can force Jung Yoon-Ho to come by tomorrow noon."

Only then did Lee Dong-Gu laugh. "Not bad, Director Bang."

"So Mr. Lee, please ensure Mr. Han Jung-Joo is brought to Room 12 of Samcheonggak tomorrow. It's the room with the glass window."

"I'll take special care of that. Just make sure Team Lead Jung gets to that room."

"Understood."

Bang Sang-Yung finally let out a sigh of relief. "But how are the other judges doing?"

Lee Dong-Gu responded while accepting the drink poured by a female employee. "Lee Tae-Poong has six votes and Oh Ji-Seok has four."

Bang Sang-Yung frowned. "We only have that much even with Suhyaejong gathering their forces?"

"Only that much? Let's be real here. Wasn't Lee Tae-Poong's popularity through the roof this year? Even a 6:4 split is a miracle!"

Realizing his mistake, Bang Sang-Yung quickly bowed his head. "I'm sorry, sir."

As Bang Sang-Yung lowered his head, Lee Dong-Gu cleared his throat and replied. "Ahem. Anyway, we need to make Han Jung-Joo and his allies step down voluntarily. Once I become chairman, we'll place our people in key positions. Then we can flip the votes from 6:4 in our favor."

"With the two votes for the Best Actor chosen by netizens, one for first place and one for second, we can add those to the jury votes to make the total 7:6 in Oh Ji-Seok's favor. Right?"

"Exactly. We'll win narrowly, but it'll look convincing."

At that moment, Go An-Na sitting next to Lee Dong-Gu discreetly got up. She had already recorded everything she needed.

Just then, Lee Dong-Gu grabbed Go An-Na's wrist. "Where do you think you're going?"

Go An-Na's heart sank. If they discovered she was recording, something terrible might happen. Nonetheless, she kept her composure and answered quickly, "Where would I go, leaving you behind? I'm just heading to the restroom, so don't worry."

Lee Dong-Gu glared at her suspiciously. "Don't tell me you're..."

Go An-Na's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a calm expression.

Lee Dong-Gu squinted and asked, "You're not planning to sneak into another room and disappear, are you?"

Relieved, Go An-Na let out a small laugh. "Haha. You two came during the first shift, so there aren't any other guests right now. If you're that suspicious, why not come with me?"

Finally, Lee Dong-Gu let go of her wrist and relented. "Be back in two minutes."

Go An-Na pouted. "It's a big one!"

At that, Lee Dong-Gu burst out laughing. "Fine, five minutes."

"Oppa, I'm constipated!"

"Don't joke while I'm drinking. Alright, be back in ten!"

Go An-Na grumbled as she left the room, heading quickly to Room 11 by the restroom.

***

Go An-Na came back to the room and handed me the recorder. "Here you go."

I pressed the play button, and the conversation between Bang Sang-Yung and Lee Dong-Gu played clearly. I finally had evidence to cut off Bang Sang-Yung.

"Thank you, An-Na."

"Don't thank me. I need to head back immediately, so hurry and leave. And... make sure to stop that rookie actress from approaching Mr. Lee Tae-Poong."

"Got it."

Go An-Na stood up again to leave but looked shocked as she glanced at the table covered in bottles of alcohol. The liquor alone on my table amounted to 10 million won.

"What the heck? Are you crazy ordering the V3 course?"

"I had to hit 10 million won to make sure you wouldn't get blamed no matter what. And since I told the madam not to open any of the bottles, she seemed thrilled."

Go An-Na stared at me silently. "Yoon-Ho, you... have changed a lot."

'Of course. I had come back after returning ten years into the past,' I remarked inwardly.

"So, do I look bad now?" I asked.

Go An-Na shook her head. "No. You look confident. I like it."

For a moment, a shadow flickered across Go An-Na's face before disappearing. It seemed like my changed circumstances made me feel distant to her.

I replied Go An-Na. "An-Na, you said you'd leave this industry. Let me help you. How about quitting this job now?"

Go An-Na stood up. "I can't. I haven't saved enough for Yoo-Na's tuition yet. I need to move us to a better place and save more for her studies. I still have to work."

I wanted to tell her she would never escape this place if she kept going like this. However, saying that would be meaningless without a concrete plan to offer her. It would only hurt her.

As I still had urgent matters to deal with tonight, I decided we would talk about it over gukbap and soju someday soon.

I nodded. "Alright. Let's discuss it another time."

Go An-Na stood with her subtle scent of hydrangea filling the air. "Sure. I need to get back now."

"Go An-Na."

"What?"

"What excuse did you use to leave the room?"

Go An-Na chuckled. "I said I was going to take a dump."

"Oh... good luck..."

Judging by Go An-Na's expression, it seemed convincing.

Click.

When the door closed, I called the madam again.

The madam of Club Lucy entered with hearts practically glowing in her eyes. "My, my~ sir, what can I do for you this time?"

Thanks to the 10-million-won V3 course I had ordered earlier, she was acting unusually friendly.

"I want to leave a tip for An-Na. Is that possible?" I asked.

"Oh my~ you're so generous."

"Cut the chatter. Can I leave the tip?"

"Of course. The house takes 30% and the rest goes to An-Na."

I handed over my card and replied. "On one condition: no matter what happens tonight, An-Na must not be harmed."

The madam took my card and smiled brightly. "Even if you sell the president's secrets, I won't question it."

"Good. Combine it with the previous orders and charge a total of 20 million won. The amount excluding the liquor cost is An-Na's tip."

The madam's face lit up. After all, I was boosting the revenue without drinking a single drop.

"Got it~ I'll charge it right up to 20 million won."

When the madam pressed the intercom, a waiter brought in the card machine. From her seat, the madam entered the amount and swiped my card. The moment the transaction was approved, the receipt was printed and her face brightened further. @@novelbin@@

"Would you like a ride home, sir?" she asked with a smile.

"No, I prefer to walk."

The madam called out to the waiter, "Thumbs-up! Escort our VIP guest to the entrance with care."

"Yes, madam!"

The waiter, who had received a 500-thousand-won tip from me earlier, used his phone's flashlight to light my way. "Follow me, sir."

After ensuring Go An-Na's safety one last time, I left Club Lucy without incident.

That's when Jung Soo-Hyuk, who had been waiting for me at the entrance, rushed over. "How did it go?"

"It went well. I spent the full 20 million won, though."

"Who cares about the money? What about the results?" he asked anxiously.

I smiled. "I believe you'll be more than satisfied."

I played the recording, letting the voices of Lee Dong-Gu and Bang Sang-Yung fill the air.

At that moment, Jung Soo-Hyuk broke into a wide grin. "Finally, we can take Director Bang down."

"Yes, I think so, too."

With the evidence secured, Jung Soo-Hyuk hurriedly called Kang Gam-Chan.

By tonight, we would cut off Bang Sang-Yung for good.

1. Gukbap is literally soup and rice together. Depending on the soup, the gukbap changes. ☜