I came out of the projection room and headed toward the screening hall. The audience and reporters invited to the VIP premiere were coming out, unable to hide their excitement. "Wow! Two hours just flew by!" "That was insane. Where did my time go?" Director Park Sun-Jae's intense direction from the very beginning delivered a refreshing shock to everyone who attended the premiere. At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki, who had been waiting in front of the screening hall, raised his hand and called us over. "Chief Jung. This way." Next to Shin Jong-Ki stood Ahn Yoo-Joo, Park Sun-Jae's wife and the production chief. Along with Lee Eun-Joo, I headed toward the restricted area beside the screening hall where Shin Jong-Ki was standing. Shin Jong-Ki went in first and opened the door, revealing an office used by LT Cinema staff. After greeting the employees inside, he went straight to the branch manager's office and opened the door to a small room about seven pyeong in size, furnished with a desk and a sofa. Shin Jong-Ki sat in the seat of honor on the sofa. "Come on, everyone. Take a seat." Ahn Yoo-Joo, Lee Eun-Joo, and I each sat on either side of the sofa. Shin Jong-Ki spoke in an animated voice. "Actually, I called you here in a hurry because I'm thinking about expanding the number of screens." LT Cinema was the second-largest theater company in the industry, with around 1,000 screens. Moreover, Shin Jong-Ki personally owned over 30% of the shares aside from LT Entertainment's holdings. For this reason, it was practically his private company. That meant screen allocation could be adjusted at his sole discretion. Excited by the good news, my voice naturally grew louder. "How many more are you thinking of adding?" Originally, only about 100 screens were allocated for Jiri Mountain since Park Sun-Jae was a rookie director. However, after Lee Tae-Poong was cast in the lead role, that number had already increased to 300. In response to my question, Shin Jong-Ki smiled and spread out the five fingers on his right hand. I opened my eyes wide and asked back, "No way, 500 screens?" That level of screen count was a privilege usually reserved for imported blockbusters. Then, Shin Jong-Ki raised his left hand and held up one more finger with a playful grin. Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "Hahaha. That's right. And I've already shared today's reaction with CK Cinema. They said they'll allocate around 400 screens too." The distributor LT Entertainment had also secured 400 screens from CK Cinema, a subsidiary of CK Entertainment. In other words, the film would be released on 1,000 screens just between those two chains. And including small and mid-sized theaters, Jiri Mountain would open on a total of 1,200 screens next week. Then Ahn Yoo-Joo smiled and said, "Mr. Jung, you were the casting director for Jiri Mountain, right? That's why we're sharing this with you." Originally, screen allocation was a matter decided between the production and distribution companies. But they were telling me because I also served as the casting director for Jiri Mountain. I smiled broadly and expressed my gratitude. "I did see my name in the ending credits. Thank you, Mrs. Ahn." "Not at all. We're the ones who should be grateful." Shin Jong-Ki, listening to our conversation, burst into hearty laughter. "Anyway, you're not against expanding the screens, are you?" "It'd be strange if I were." "Well, the thing is..." Shin Jong-Ki trailed off, and I could tell this was the real reason he had called me. "As you saw earlier, the premiere response was even better than expected. So I was wondering if you could support Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo for about two weeks to go on a stage greeting tour?" Usually, actors appeared on variety shows and other TV programs around the time a film was released. As their exposure on television increased, they began landing advertisement deals. But if they skipped TV appearances to go on stage greeting tours, they risked losing out on lucrative ad income even if the film succeeded at the box office. However, both Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo had already asked if they could meet more audiences in person, so my answer had already been decided. Yet, I added a condition because there was something I wanted. "If you agree to just one condition, I'll get their approval no matter what." Shin Jong-Ki's eyes lit up. "Just say it. What is it?" "If people show they're following Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo's Instargem accounts at the theater, please give them a discount on the popcorn set." Currently, Lee Tae-Poong's Stargram account was practically dormant, and Go Jae-Soo had only just created his. To support their future activities, it was essential to boost engagement on their accounts. I figured a discount event at theaters could rapidly increase their follower count. Shin Jong-Ki looked at me quietly, then burst into laughter. "You rascal. You're trying to milk me dry, aren't you? Hahaha." Popcorn was a highly profitable product for theater owners. Movie revenue got split with producers and actors, but popcorn profits belonged solely to the theater. And unlike expensive movies, popcorn only needed corn kernels, salt, caramel, and butter—making it a high-margin item. I shrugged. "I need to be able to tell my actors I got them something too." At that moment, Lee Eun-Joo grumbled to Shin Jong-Ki. "See, I told you earlier when you were chatting with Chief Ryu Shin that we should've secured another project." Lee Eun-Joo looked regretful as if she had just been outmaneuvered by me again. At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki stared at Lee Eun-Joo and spoke. "Team Lead Lee~" "You're promoted to managing director starting today. I'll issue the formal notice later this week." "Pardon? You're seriously promoting me?" "Yes. Effective immediately." Lee Eun-Joo looked stunned. "Ah, okay. Thank... you." But just then, Shin Jong-Ki smiled with satisfaction and added, "Now that you're a managing director, you should start acting like one, right?" "That's right. So, Managing Director Lee, wrap up the event negotiation with Chief Jung here and secure our next project!" Now a managing director, Lee Eun-Joo gave Shin Jong-Ki a bewildered look. "Wait, wait. You promoted me just for this?" Shin Jong-Ki looked thoroughly pleased. "Exactly. That's why I promoted you. Look, when the president makes a mistake, the managing director steps in and cleans it up, right? Now, now, go secure that next project, Managing Director Lee." Of course, the promotion didn't come free. Suddenly a managing director, Lee Eun-Joo gave Shin Jong-Ki a look of disbelief. Yet she quickly composed herself, turned to me, and grabbed my arm. "Chief Jung~~" "Give me a project. No, hand it over. You're not leaving until you do." She held on so tightly it felt like the blood circulation in my arm might stop. Even as a professional used to doing what I'm told, I didn't expect this much enthusiasm. Nevertheless, I couldn't give an answer that easily. "How much of a discount can you offer on the popcorn?" Just then, Lee Eun-Joo seemed to have an idea and grinned at Shin Jong-Ki. In a hurry, Shin Jong-Ki shouted, "A thousand won! Nothing more than a thousand won!" Lee Eun-Joo scoffed and shouted like she was getting revenge. "Do you know how expensive popcorn is? A thousand won discount won't cut it. If we're doing this, go big!" "Ugh... You got me. Fine. I'll leave it to you, Managing Director Lee." Lee Eun-Joo turned to me. Then she made a clear proposal. "Honestly, a nationwide event would be difficult. But at the locations where the two actors do stage greetings, if fans show they're following them, we'll give a 30% discount on popcorn. The ad slogan will be 'Today's popcorn is on Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo.' But only if you promise to give us the next project." A 30% discount on the popcorn set was a significant deal. It seemed fair enough. I nodded. "Alright. Let's do that." Lee Eun-Joo extended her hand and I shook it firmly. But as she kept holding my hand, Lee Eun-Joo asked, "So, what's the next project?" Somehow, I felt like I had just gained a formidable new rival. The project I was planning to propose to LT Entertainment was Happy & Happy. It was a youth drama about a male high school student raising a dog named Happy and a visually impaired female student with a guide dog also named Happy. The two meet, grow together, and share tears and laughter. The screenplay had been written by Director Na Eun-Hae, who was currently working as a drama writer. "I'll talk to the director first before saying more." "So you already have something in mind." "Yes, but it's only a rough synopsis for now. I need to refine it before I can show you anything." Lee Eun-Joo was curious about who the director was, but I couldn't tell her. "Sigh~ You're really tight-lipped. Alright. Contact me once you've met with the director." Once the negotiation wrapped up, Shin Jong-Ki finally brought up Ryu Shin. "Oh, and Chief Jung." "Thank you. Thanks to you, today's premiere avoided a disaster." "You don't have to say that. It's part of my job." "No, seriously. If you hadn't been able to operate the projector, just imagine what could've happened. All the reporters were there. If the projector had stopped, what a humiliation that would've been." Shin Jong-Ki said he had been shocked when he saw the message from Lee Eun-Joo. "Anyway, I won't forget what you did for us this time." He was expressing sincere gratitude, saying he owed me a debt—and this was coming from the heir of the LT Inc. Shin Jong-Ki also promised that from now on, he would respond jointly to Ryu Shin and Hwayeon Media. Thanks to Ryu Shin, LT Entertainment and I were building even stronger ties. 'Thank you, Ryu Shin. You really are the shadow supporter.' "Now then, shall we head out? We should go greet the people waiting for us." Outside, Lee Tae-Poong and the members of Faithful were waiting for us, so we all stood up. We were stepping out with the great news of expanding to 1,000 screens. When we came out, some of the audience still lingered at the photo zone, unable to leave. The VIP actors were sharing their thoughts with the press, and the members of Faithful were also giving interviews to waiting reporters. Seeing my beloved people praising Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo's performances made me smile involuntarily. Suddenly, Shin Jong-Ki looked at me and spoke. "You... really do care about those kids, don't you?" Shin Jong-Ki said my expression changes when I look at the members of Faithful. I had never seen the look on my own face, but I had no intention of hiding it. Making them smile and helping them succeed. After all, that was the purpose of my second life. "Yes. I really care about them." Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "Got it. If they matter to you, they matter to me too. I'll look after them from now on." "Thank you, Mr. President." Just then, the group that had finished their interviews waved as they approached. Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In smiled brightly at me. "Oppa! Where were you?" "Yoon-Ho oppa! Still working, even now?" Then Lee Ji-Yeon and the rest of the writing team came over too. "Yoon-Ho~ where'd you go?" Kang Si-Ah and Miso also called out. Following them were Wang Long, Lily, Lee Joon-Soo, and even the boy group Extension—everyone I knew was coming up to greet me. At that moment, I felt a fullness I had never experienced before my regression, thanks to the people surrounding me. And right then, I made a silent vow that I would protect them until the end of my life. 'I will protect their smiles and lives no matter what.' After the VIP premiere, we had a wrap-up party that also served as a farewell for Wang Long and Lily. Before the regression, I saw the members of Faithful on the hospital bed. Now that I was having a gathering with them , the reality of the regression truly hit me. Maybe that was why I felt a bit giddy and drank more than usual. But perhaps because I was so happy, I barely felt hungover the next morning. After relieving my hangover with a bowl of bean sprout soup[1], I headed to Incheon Airport around lunchtime with Wang Long, Lily, Ling Ling, and Zhou Shishi. While we sat in the VIP lounge at Incheon Airport chatting, the refueling of the private jet outside the window was nearing completion. Wang Long let out a sigh, realizing it was time to go, and held my hand. "Please take good care of our Ling Ling." "I'll treat her like my own little sister." Lily also wiped away tears and grabbed my hand. Then she said in clumsy Korean, "Yoon-Ho! I only trust Yoon-Ho! I trust no one but Yoon-Ho. Ling Ling is stupid—no, I mean... too naive, so please take care of her!" "Don't worry. Next time we meet, Ling Ling will already be a star." Ling Ling nodded beside her. "Pfft~ Unnie, you worry too much." Though she was aware that Lily's Korean was still rough, Ling Ling grumbled about being called stupid. But just then, Lily stretched out her long right hand and cupped Ling Ling's cheek. "How could I not worry? You're... my little sister..." At that moment, tears welled up in Ling Ling's eyes. "Unnie..." Lily gazed at her young sister warmly and smiled with her eyes. "Listen to Yoon-Ho oppa. It'll be hard and lonely, but this is the path you chose. You must overcome it, okay?" "Good. Let me give you one last hug before you go. My little sister." Lily spread her arms wide, and Ling Ling ran into her embrace. She had been acting like she could handle everything on her own, but she was still only in her first year of high school in Korean age. Zhou Shishi would be by her side, but the thought of being away from her family and on her own made tears stream down Ling Ling's cheeks. After a long, tearful embrace, the two slowly let go. It was time to part ways. "Unnie. Tell Mom and Dad I said hi." "I will. And call me every day." At that moment, a door on one side of the VIP lounge opened. An attendant stood waiting, signaling that everything was ready. I also said my goodbyes to Wang Long. "I'll talk to the company about what happened with Chief Ryu Shin once I'm back in China. We'll handle it and I'll update you later." "Alright. Take care." Wang Long and Lily waved goodbye as they departed. At that moment, Ling Ling burst into tears in Zhou Shishi's arms. Zhou Shishi hesitated for a second, then gently patted Ling Ling's head. Now that Lily was gone, she knew she had to be both the bodyguard and the older sister in Korea. However, now was the time for Ling Ling to grow strong and stand on her own. "Alright, Ling Ling and Shi Shi. Let's go. We've got a shoot at the broadcasting station today. We also need to stop by the salon." We had to pre-record a segment for Project I.O.A, so there was no time to rest even today. Ling Ling quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve. Then she responded energetically, "Yes, Mr. Jung!" It was touching to see how brave Ling Ling was, even though she was parting from her family for her dream. "Ling Ling. If you succeed big soon, you'll be able to see your family again. Just hang in there a bit longer." And so, we left the VIP lounge. As we headed to the parking lot at Incheon Airport, I began checking the articles that had come out the night before. [Jiri Mountain Opens a New Frontier in Horror Thrillers.] [Lee Tae-Poong, A Father Who Gave Everything To Protect His Daughter!] [Go Jae-Soo, The Emergence of a New Monster Rookie!] [A 1-Hour-40-Minute Runtime. A Nonstop Parade of Tension.] With the premiere of Jiri Mountain having been a huge success, the entertainment news sections were filled with articles about the film. But just then, the article I had been waiting a long time for was starting to appear. 'There it is, finally.' Another storm was about to hit the entertainment industry. 1. Bean Sprout soup ☜