<Episode 87>
After finishing work and meetings, I checked the time and saw that it was already nearing lunchtime.
‘If it’s Kang Woojin, he’ll really show up.’
Since I had already handled the tasks that needed to be done in the morning, I started monitoring social media, something I could stop at any time, and also checked Spade’s stage outfits.
“Putting them in expensive clothes definitely had an effect.”
I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“I expected it would, but not to this extent.”
Spade’s outfit style had completely changed.
Currently, Spade Joker was wearing outfits that matched their “game” concept clothes with a unique flair.
They had a cosplay-like feel: detective, prosecutor, magician, and so on.
It strayed a bit from the original concept, but the response wasn’t bad.
[Are they a prosecutor today? I’m so curious what outfit they’ll wear tomorrow. Stylist-nim, thank you. I hope you make lots of money.]
↳ I just want the stylist-nim to be happy. I don’t ask for anything else.
↳↳ LOL now everyone’s calling them stylist-nim.
↳ They’re such a feast for the eyes. The “game” concept is expanding in such a fun way.
All I told them was not to worry about money and just do what they wanted, and this was the result the stylist created.
‘To think someone this talented just fell into my lap.’
This coordinator had originally been hired simply because they could be deployed quickly on-site.
But they kept producing top-tier results like this, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful.
‘I really hope they stay with us for a long time.’
Kim Jawook and Spade Joker weren’t the type to make things difficult for her, so there probably wouldn’t be any major issues.
[Is it really okay for me to watch something with the stylist’s soul poured into it for free? Thank you so much.]
↳ Truly the best stylist.
↳ I’d do anything for this person.
↳ They really bring out our boys’ strengths perfectly.
‘And with this level of praise, their job satisfaction shouldn’t be low. It’ll help their career too.’
I was lucky.
This episode felt like things were going even better than the previous one.
Bzz
At that moment, I got a call from Kang Woojin.
“Hello.”
[We’re heading toward your company now. Do you know a good restaurant nearby?]
The restaurants around here, packed with office buildings, were always crowded at lunchtime.
“I’ll send you the address. I’ll head out now as well.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, I sent Kang Woojin the name and address of a restaurant I had reserved.
It wasn’t right in front of the company; it was about a 15-minute drive away.
‘I should get going too.’
Even though it wasn’t quite lunchtime yet, I got up from my seat.
“I have an appointment, so I’ll head out first. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Yes, sir.”
After giving the employees a customary greeting, I headed to the restaurant.
The traffic wasn’t as bad as rush hour, but it was still congested because of lunchtime.
I tapped the steering wheel lightly with my fingers.
I ended up arriving about 10 minutes later than the estimated time.
“Do you have companions?”
As I entered the restaurant, an employee asked.
“I’m John Raid Lombardi. A middle-aged couple and a man around my age wearing a cap should have arrived earlier.”
“Ah, your reservation. I’ll guide you to Room 3.”
“Thank you.”
Following the staff member, I arrived at Room 3.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
I opened the door and stepped inside.
“Oh my? You’re just arriving now?”
“Mother.”
She was sitting right next to Kang Woojin, practically glued to him. Anyone looking would think he was her son instead of me.
“We already ordered.”
“Yes.”
I naturally sat next to my father.
“How long have those two been like that?”
“They were chatting nonstop in the car, and before I knew it, they had become best friends.”
My father burst into laughter as he watched them.
“So I fell over, and it hurt so much I couldn’t even speak.”
“You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
“I’ve got amazing reflexes.”
“That’s a relief. Our John was also very athletic. We even received offers to have him become an athlete when he was young.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He was so active that he couldn’t stay still at home, so we had him do sports.”
“Him…?”
Kang Woojin scanned me up and down, clearly unconvinced.
“Now that I’m older and also the head of a company, it’s natural for me to change. You can’t stay energetic forever.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“Well… I understand.”
Aside from his appearance, the current John Raid Lombardi was very far from being an energetic person.
“What did you do today?”
“We went to Gyeongbokgung.”
“What? It must’ve been crowded.”
“Since it’s a weekday, it wasn’t that bad. There were more foreigners.”
Kang Woojin replied casually.
“But didn’t you say you’d be busy since your drama is starting soon?”
“Me? I’m practicing my acting thoroughly, so it’s fine. For this drama, I don’t need to build my body… in fact, the director said it’s better if I feel more ordinary.”
“Ordinary.”
That was something his face could never achieve.
“Your food has arrived.”
The staff entered with the dishes.
“Please enjoy.”
They quickly set the food on the table and left.
“Are you planning to keep sightseeing this afternoon as well?”
“Yes.”
Kang Woojin answered firmly, as if it were obvious.
“…Fine. Do as you want.”
“I will.”
And so, the meal properly began.
“John.”
“Yes.”
“About your company.”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it still too small? You’ll need to hire more employees soon.”
“I’m already looking for a place to move. We’ll need more practice rooms too.”
“In that case, we’ll help you move.”
At the sudden offer, my chopsticks froze midair.
“You’ll help?”
“Yes. Seeing how well you’ve built your business, I want to lend a hand. Of course, it won’t be free… We’ll recover it later as an investment, just like before.”
This wasn’t a small amount of help.
Honestly, it was a very tempting offer.
‘If I expand the business with my parents’ help, I wouldn’t need to use much of the company’s finances. The scale would grow while remaining stable. No matter how much money you have, it’s never enough.’
But I couldn’t accept it.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline. A lot of people are starting to take an interest in my business now. If it becomes known that I expanded using my parents’ money, many people would react negatively. There are already quite a few who dislike me for being a ‘gold spoon.’”
“Gold spoon?”
My father, being American, didn’t understand the term.
“It means someone born with a gold spoon… basically, a child from a wealthy family.”
“I see. So Korea has a term like that.”
“Yes.”
“Well, we’re indeed well-off, so being called that is understandable… but it’s a shame we can’t even help our son’s business.”
“I’ll manage well on my own, so don’t worry.”
“If you insist that strongly, then we have no choice.”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, unlike my real parents, they didn’t try to force me.
“Then we’ll support you. If anything becomes difficult, tell us anytime.”
“I will.”
After the meal ended, I stopped Kang Woojin because I had something to discuss with him.
I should have brought it up yesterday, but he had talked endlessly about travel, and I missed the chance.
“May I ask you for a favor?”
“What kind of favor?”
“The youngest member of Spade Joker, Leejoo, received a drama script. But I don’t have an eye for scripts. I was hoping you could take a look at it.”
“Sure.”
Unlike my expectation that he might ask for something in return or set strange conditions, he agreed readily.
“Where’s the script?”
“Here it is.”
I handed him the script I had been carrying.
“Oh? This one? Then I don’t think I need to read it.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve already seen it.”
That meant it was a script Kang Woojin had rejected.
“May I ask why you turned it down?”
“Oh, it wasn’t anything big. If I took this role, I felt like my image would get completely fixed. The main character is a stoic but thoughtful and righteous priest, right? So even though the script itself is good, I declined. Leejoo would’ve been offered the junior priest role, right?”
“That’s correct.”
Kang Woojin had accurately guessed Leejoo’s role.
“The script is good, and the director and writer aren’t bad either. It’s perfect for getting into acting.”
I suddenly saw him in a different light.
‘He really is serious when it comes to work.’
“I recommend it.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. If my juniors do well, that’s good for me too. And honestly, I wanted to owe you one… no, the CEO a favor.”
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