The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees – Chapter 27 – New Stage (2)

Author: CleiZz

Seo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-seong had already left.

Until Victory’s comeback showcase was over, I wouldn’t be seeing them.

And as for me—

“Yoon-hoo, don’t just eat the stuffed cucumbers. Try some of the other dishes too.”

It had been a while since I sat down for dinner with my grandfather.

Smiling at his concern, I scooped up a spoonful of rice with braised soybeans instead of the cucumber kimchi.

“That’s right. It’s good to see you eating well.”

“Grandpa, don’t worry about me. Please eat too.”

“Just watching you eat makes me full.”

“Don’t say that.”

With a pleased expression, my grandfather picked up his chopsticks. He really did seem to enjoy simply watching me eat. We continued our meal in comfortable silence.

Then—

“Yoon-hoo.”

My grandfather quietly called my name.

“Will you be all right?”

I knew exactly what he was worried about.

It had to do with running WF Entertainment.

After all, in the process of establishing the company and bringing in its members, I had poured in an enormous amount of money. Even though it all came from my personal assets, from his perspective, it must have been a heavy concern.

He had always supported me in managing the agency, even telling me to freely use AMA’s resources—but still, he worried.

Understanding that, I set my chopsticks down and replied,

“I’ll be fine. It may affect AMA negatively at first, though.”

“Yes, the backlash will be strong.”

His expression was clouded with concern.

And it was only natural.

Just the news that AMA had entered the entertainment business would be enough to send the stock price into turmoil.

Now add to that the rumor: that AMA had acquired a small agency, one with nothing to its name but a single failed idol group.

Of course, the stock price would plummet.

But—

“I can stabilize it within three months. If you’re too worried, I’ll reveal myself.”

The fact that WF Entertainment was backed by AMA was known only to Victory and a handful of insiders. Even fewer knew its CEO was AMA’s chairman’s grandson.

But it was bound to come out someday anyway.

Even if it were revealed now, it wouldn’t be a major problem. Similar cases had happened before.

But my grandfather shook his head.

“I trust you.”

His voice echoed quietly through the dining room.

“Don’t pay attention to the noise. I’ll handle what I can on my end. You, Yoon-hoo—just keep your eyes forward and move ahead.”

I was truly grateful to be his grandson.

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“There’s no need for thanks. Now, let’s finish dinner. Enough business talk.”

“Okay.”

We picked up our chopsticks again, chatting lightly here and there as we ate.

“Are you getting along well with that young man? I heard the student you saved is also living with you.”

“Yes. I should’ve told you earlier—sorry.”

“There’s no need to tell me everything. Yoon-hoo, do you think I wouldn’t trust your judgment? So, how are things with them?”

“Yes, although they’re both away at the moment because of work.”

“I see. Then it must feel a little lonely.”

The chopsticks holding the stuffed cucumber kimchi froze midair.

[AMA Chairman Kwak Jin-tae actively pushing investments in K-pop development … official news to be announced soon]

The headline came from a media outlet closely tied to AMA.

***

[Guys (0 online)]

Is this for real?

🔗 https://n.news.itspatch.com/article/277/0003122117?cds=news_media_pc

King Entertainment got acquired? Did Gaechul finally get arrested for making those trash music videos?

?[LoveMyBoys]: I rushed here after reading the article;

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Is this for real?

?[LoveMyBoys]: Yeah.

[New agency info dropped;;]

🔗 https://n.news.itspatch.com/article/277/0003124117?cds=news_media_pc

Parent company: AMA.

Is this actually happening??

?[LoveMyBoys]: Are you kidding me? Why is AMA suddenly in the picture???

?[Let’sSucceedBigdol]: For real, why AMA of all things 2222

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: 333

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Look at this; remember what the Chairman said a week ago? (link_[Chairman Kwak Jin-tae of AMA, actively pushing investments for the development of K-pop … an announcement soon to come])

?[LoveMyBoys]: Damn, it really is trueㅠ Our boys are about to taste the power of capital gain…

[LOL AMA is insane]

Of all things, buying a no-name agency with only a failed idol group lol. Did Chairman Kwak lose his mind?

Buying out a flop group from some no-name company lol, has Chairman Kwak lost it or what?

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: Look in the mirror.

?[ㅇㅇ]: I do, I’m handsome.

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: Look in the mirror.

[Guys, aren’t you curious?]

Who could be the head of WF Entertainment? Who’s running the agency now? And how did they even find out about our boys and swoop in to buy the place that we’ve been raging about? Honestly, it hurts to admit it, but weren’t we the only ones who even cared…

?[DaebakMuseExists]: Sadly, true…

?[LoveMyBoys]: Whoever it is, please let it not be another Gaechulㅠ

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: 22222

?[Let’sSucceedBigdol]: 33

[If I had to bet on the CEO]

I think it’s that male fan who showed up in the fansign event review that went around on another forum.ㅇㅇ

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: I thought the same lol. Out of nowhere, a male fan? For our boys? Sure, he’s handsome, but suddenly a male fan showing up was pretty random, right?ㅠㅠ

?[LoveMyBoys]: What if it was all part of a bigger plan…

[I’m the one who wrote that fansign review (proof inside)]

Here’s the verification pic…

(Image_20□X0421)

So actually, after the boys’ stage ended, I followed that male fan, lol.

Not because I was personally interested—it just seemed like he wasn’t familiar with our forum, so I wanted to introduce it to him. (That’s how sincere he looked about supporting the boys.)

But then he went backstage.

Later, I spotted him at that café near the broadcast station—you know the one. He was there, and while I couldn’t see exactly who he was talking to, thinking back now, it might’ve been one of our boys.

?[LoveMyBoys]: Omg

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: Crazy

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Fr??

?[Let’sSucceedBigdol]: Wow…

[So guys, question.]

Is that male fan really confirmed to be the CEO?

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Dunno, but let’s just call it confirmed.

?[Let’sSucceedBigdol]: 2222

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: 33

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: I’ve come on a pilgrimage. Please make me the top student in the whole school.

***

“CEO?”

I closed the tablet I’d been looking at and raised my head.

“What’s the matter?”

The person standing before me was a well-known producer who’d been scouted for a huge sum from a major entertainment company.

His name was Chris—but he was Korean.

“I sent you Sol’s materials by email, but you haven’t read them. You didn’t even check your messages.”

“Ah, sorry. I had something else to take care of first.”

I opened my inbox and saw that he’d forwarded me documents about Ji Ye-chan, the former Victory member who had left the group.

“Thanks.”

“No problem, CEO! But there’s something I’ve been curious about—mind if I ask?”

“Go ahead.”

“Are you planning to bring Sol back into Victory?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Well, honestly, I’m a little concerned.”

Chris scratched his cheek before continuing.

“I mean, he left before his contract was even up, just because the group wasn’t doing well at the time. Fans might not react well to that…”

At that very moment, the same topic was trending in the community—‘What if Sol had stayed with Victory?’

“It’s fine. Do you think I wouldn’t have already considered that?”

I’d faced issues like this more times than I could count. And I knew exactly how to handle it.

“Leave everything regarding Sol to me. Chris, you focus on Victory’s full album.”

“Haha, right.”

Chris chuckled softly. I gave him a faint smile in return and picked up my coat.

“Heading out?”

“Yes. You know what they say—strike while the iron’s hot.”

As I slipped my coat on, I said, “I’ll go meet Sol for a bit. If anything needs my approval, just leave it on the desk.”

“Got it, CEO! Have a safe trip!”

I gave a light nod, then paused before stepping out.

“Clear Victory’s schedule for today, please.”

“Of course! But starting next week…”

“I know it won’t be possible.”

Victory would be diving into their first full-length album next week.

The deadline was just two months—a tight squeeze for a full record. No wonder Chris was reluctant.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, CEO!”

With that, I left for the place where Ji Ye-chan was working.

***

Ji Ye-chan was working at a barbecue restaurant.

It was a well-known spot that had even been featured on TV several times, though I wasn’t very familiar with it myself.

“Ye-chan! Customer!”

“Yes!”

The owner spotted me walking in and immediately called for Ji Ye-chan. He rushed over with quick steps, his bangs hanging low over his brows—almost as if he were hiding something.

“Welcome. How many in your party?”

“Just one.”

“Ah, this way, please.”

He led me to a table.

“Is this seat okay for you?”

“Yes.”

“And what would you like to order?”

“Hmm…”

I pretended to glance at the menu before speaking.

“Mr. Ji Ye-chan.”

His eyes widened.

“How do you know my name?”

“Because I was a fan.”

At that, his expression froze. I ignored it and pressed on.

“Compared to your days in Victory, how’s the work treating you now?”

“…Did CEO Kim Sang-cheol send you?”

He clearly didn’t buy the ‘fan’ excuse. Well, this wasn’t the first time—whenever we met, Ji Ye-chan always suspected I was one of Kim Sang-cheol’s men.

And it seemed this time was no different.

“…I won’t be taking your order. Sorry, but please leave.”

“I see the menu says everything has to be ordered for at least two people, right?”

“Can’t you hear me? I told you to leave.”

“Then I’ll take ten servings of pork belly.”

Ji Ye-chan frowned and glared at me. I only shrugged.

“On second thought, ten might not be enough. Make it twenty.”

“No, I said leave—!”

“CEO!”

His voice was cut off by a cheerful shout.

“CEO hyung, we’re here!”

Cheong-ryang’s voice rang out first, followed by Lee Nak-hwa’s chatter.

“You said you’d treat us to meat today! Can we really eat as much as we want?”

“Think you can handle it?” Shin Yoo-soo teased.

“Why not?” Lee Nak-hwa shot back.

As the two bantered, Lee Nak-hwa suddenly froze.

“Sol-hyung?”

His eyes went wide.

“It is you, right?”

Ji Ye-chan, flustered by the members’ sudden appearance, took a few steps back—then abruptly bolted, shoving past them as he rushed out.

“Hyung! Ye-chan hyung!”

The youngest’s voice echoed after him, but Ji Ye-chan didn’t stop. He darted straight out of the restaurant.

“Hey, Ji Ye-chan! Where are you going?!”

The owner shouted after him, but Ji Ye-chan never looked back.

“…Ye-chan hyung.”

Lee Nak-hwa stared in the direction Ji Ye-chan had run off, lips pressed into a grim line. Haneul placed a steady hand on the nervous youngest’s shoulder and spoke in a firm tone.

“CEO.”

I cut him off before he could continue.

“Please, sit down.”

“Samgyeopsal’s fine with everyone, right?”

“Huh? Y-yeah, sure… I mean, that’s fine, but…”

Cheong-ryang scratched his head awkwardly. At his answer, I waved the owner back and ordered twenty servings of pork belly. Victory’s members were still standing there, restless and uneasy.

“Don’t worry about Sol. Someone should’ve caught up to him by now.”

“Caught him? Who would—?”

Haneul and Shin Yoo-soo asked simultaneously, eyes widening in surprise. I just smiled instead of replying.

“Come on, sit down. Think of this as your last feast together.”

Starting next week, they would begin work on their first full-length album, and it had to include all six members of Victory—the ones who had been together since their debut. Anything less simply wouldn’t work.

After 365 regressions, I knew for certain: Victory failed every time without all six. Even if another member replaced Ji Ye-chan, it still ended in ruin.

So…

‘You’ve got this, Kang Ye-seong.’

Because the only one who can reach Ji Ye-chan is you—Victory’s leader, and his friend.

Author's Thoughts

🔢 Number Slangs

22 (이이 / 이십이) → “Same here,” “Me too,” or agreement/acknowledgment.

33 → Stronger agreement, like “Same here again,” “Triple yes,” or emphasizing “I totally agree.