LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The short training period ended just a week after it started.
In that brief time, Gyeoul proved her diligence and talent, receiving a contract offer.
So, just a week later, Gyeoul came to me, leading her grandfather along.
They wanted me to check the contract for them.
I advised that hiring a lawyer for reviewing contracts would be more reliable.
Having past experience before regressing made it not too difficult for me to check the contract, but I knew my current status as an unemployed person had no credibility.
Still, Gyeoul and her grandfather hoped I would give it a look.
They believed I would view the contract from Gyeoul’s perspective more than anyone else.
Thinking they were such kind-hearted people, I finally accepted their request.
“I don’t think there will be any problems with your contract. In fact, it seems the contract is written in a very favorable way even within SS. They probably have a high opinion of Gyeoul.”
“Phew, what a relief.”
“Teacher Taeyang… sniff.”
Our native crybaby Gyeoul seized this moment to start crying again.
I pulled out Gyeoul-special tissues and handed them to her.
“Don’t cry, Gyeoul. It’s a happy thing, so you should smile. You’ll have plenty of reasons to cry during your trainee life ahead.”
Then Gyeoul made a strange face, unable to decide whether to laugh in joy or cry at the grim future ahead.
In the end, perhaps joy won out as she smiled brightly and said,
“It’s all thanks to you, Teacher Taeyang! I really think you’re a genius!”
“Aw, how is it all my fault? Seventy percent of it is because you did well.”
It wasn’t completely my fault.
“And the real genius is you. To erase habits deeply rooted in your body in just five days isn’t something anyone can do. Don’t get cocky, just keep working hard.”
We celebrated the successful contract with warm smiles, painting each other’s faces with compliments.
“It must be a busy season, but thanks for coming. I sent some gas money to your account. Check it out.”
At Gyeoul’s grandfather’s words, I checked my account on my phone.
Despite the expression, the amount wasn’t something to be considered just gas money. It was similar to the amount for a lawyer checking a contract.
For me, who was working part-time to save seed money before joining SS, it was incredibly sweet money.
“Thank you. I’ll use it wisely.”
Gyeoul’s grandfather nodded in satisfaction and asked.
“How long does it take to debut?”
“I can’t give a definite answer to that. It varies greatly depending on whether there are ongoing projects and what the ideal vision of the project manager is. Debuting during that time isn’t just about effort.”
SS was not some newly founded company run on a wing and a prayer.
It was one of the prestigious agencies that had built a systematic system over the years.
In line with its reputation, those with talents like stars were burning their youth as trainees at SS.
To debut, you need to surpass all of them and prove that you’re the brightest star.
It’s a miraculous event that requires a combination of luck, timing, talent, and effort.
Well, aside from these difficulties, it was safe to say that Gyeoul, chosen by Cheon Jong-hoon, was almost destined to debut in Alcest.
“Will that soft-hearted kid be able to hang in there?”
“She can do it. She has the talent for it. If the person in charge has eyes, they won’t miss that talent.”
I said with a playful smile.
“Above all, Gyeoul is pretty, isn’t she? Very much so.”
“Well, my granddaughter is indeed pretty.”
“Um… I think I’ll go wash my face since my nose keeps running!”
For some reason, Gyeoul ran away with her cheeks turning bright red.
She must have been embarrassed by the compliment about her beauty.
It was quite amusing that someone who looked like that had no immunity to being called pretty.
I couldn’t help but worry that it might be the influence of Yeji, the devil of Jeonnam and a master of gaslighting.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Yes, I’ll gladly take on the role of listener if that’s okay.”
He said while watching Gyeoul dash toward the bathroom.
“Do you know that girl is biracial?”
“Yes, Gyeoul told me.”
“That child’s mother, my daughter, didn’t want to inherit an uptight family and said she’d go study abroad. Naturally, I didn’t allow it.”
Grandfather Gyeoul spoke candidly.
“With little time left to learn as an apprentice, she wanted to escape to study abroad? I shouted that I wouldn’t support such nonsense and told her to save up her own money if she’s so determined. Then she went off for a working holiday to Australia. Just like that, disappearing without a chance to stop her.”
He gazed at the clouds in the sky with narrowed eyes.
“It was infuriating. But, as a father, I also worried about my daughter. I was concerned about whether she would meet strange people or face racial discrimination.”
The clouds drifted peacefully and slowly across the sky.
It flowed peacefully and slowly.
“But when I look at SNS, it seems like the world is happy and living well. I sometimes thought, ‘That’s all that matters.’ Until she suddenly returned to Korea, revealed she was pregnant, gave birth, and ran away.”
He chuckled bitterly.
“Every time I see that child’s face, I can’t help but think of that useless dad she doesn’t even know and that annoying daughter. That slimy feeling kept wriggling inside me.”
His face was filled with intense self-loathing.
“…This is a narrow-minded mindset, isn’t it? It’s not the posture of an aged adult. But you see, it’s not easy to sort out human feelings.”
Even if you know the problem, fixing it is a whole different issue.
It wasn’t because Winter Grandfather was particularly a worthless person.
That’s just how people are.
“I managed to get by until before entering school, but afterwards, I made excuses to focus on my work to live up to the title of ‘father-in-law’ and neglected that child. I didn’t care at all about what that child saw or thought.”
He muttered, “What an irresponsible guardian I was.”
“Living like that, at some point, I suddenly questioned myself. ‘When was the last time I had a conversation with that child?’ I mean, when was it? …How long do you think it’s been?”
“Well, judging by what Grandpa is saying, it can’t be a short time, so maybe around three months?”
This was me trying to stretch it as long as possible.
“Three years.”
That’s why I couldn’t hide my shock at Winter Grandfather’s words.
“…Three years?”
“Yeah, three years. Totally out of my mind.”
I was left speechless.
“I’ve heard stories about that girl Yeji. I knew she was a clever one, but I didn’t know she’d pull something like that. Aside from what you know, there are also money-related issues connected. You know, borrowing money under the pretext of friendship.”
…Don’t tell me she was hustling?
“I thought I was sending money generously, but then I couldn’t understand why Gyeoul was in such a state, and it all clicked.”
“That crazy girl really… Ah, forgive me. I misspoke in front of you, Grandpa.”
He kindly laughed at my slip of the tongue.
“‘Misspoke’ my foot. That damn girl deserves all the curses thrown at her. But, I’m preparing a lawsuit against anyone I can get involved with, so don’t dwell too much on that scum. Sending a kid’s life down the drain is nothing to a rich old man.”
“Don’t even get me started. Sending some rich old man’s brat into a pitiful life is child’s play.”
I cheered inwardly.
I felt a refreshing satisfaction with Gyeoul’s grandfather’s fiery revenge.
“But all this is just fixing the barn. It’s way too late to do it now.”
“No, it’s not late at all.”
He shook his head at my words.
“I don’t think I’m qualified to protect that child. But you seem to have what it takes.”
He looked at me seriously.
“Can I ask you to support that child like you are now? Money is not an issue, so I won’t give you a shabby paycheck. I don’t expect you to waste much time on it either. So you might as well think of it as a side job.”
Just then, Gyeoul rushed back in after using the bathroom.
In that short time, she must have retouched her makeup because her face shone with freshness.
“…Take your time to think it over.”
Gyeoul’s grandfather stepped back as if to give me time to ponder.
I sincerely appreciated his consideration and thought seriously.
In truth, it was a foolish thing to contemplate.
Becoming the road manager for Alcest upon joining SS would inherently involve supporting and caring for Gyeoul.
It was exactly what her grandfather desired.
So if I accepted this offer, it would be like getting paid twice while working.
Considering he offered 300 for lodging, that monthly salary wouldn’t be small either.
What if I used all that money to buy shares in SS?
The one on the rise with high-flying rejuvenation.
“Gyeoul.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s see each other for a long time.”
“Okay!”
I beamed happily at my client. No, Gyeoul.
The path to success was paved brightly.
Now, I just needed the employment manager introduced by Cheon Jong-hoon to contact me, and it would be the beginning of the royal road.
[Quest Completed! You are awarded the fragment of the future ‘Medium’ (no financial gain limitation).]
The quest confirmed the reward, putting an exclamation mark on it.
It was delightfully sweet.
Wow, life is so easy.
I laughed at the pathetic difficulty of success and let my happy imagination run wild.
*
A month passed.
Still no contact from the SS recruitment officer.
“Why is that?!”
I liked the pathetic difficulty. Damn you, Cheon Jong-hoon!