Star Jung (2)
Kang Ji-Yung stared at me and asked why I had left Yoo-Jin's shooting set to go to Cheonho-dong.
Although Lee Ji-Yeon was impressed with Yoo-Jin and revised the script for her, it was true that I had lied to Kim Dong-Soo. Fearing that things might get worse if I lied again, I confessed everything that had happened, omitting unnecessary information and telling only the cause and conclusion.
Upon hearing my explanation, Kang Ji-Yung softened her stern expression and smiled.
"You would have been punished if there had been an accident on set, but fortunately, you managed to ensure things were in place before leaving…All right. Let's forget about the written statement as well."
"I'm sorry?"
"Well, you prevented a gas explosion and saved many people."
I couldn't help but smile when Kang Ji-Yung winked and removed the need for a written statement. Contrary to her stern appearance, Kang Ji-Yung was actually an understanding lady. However, I couldn't accept her offer because Kim Dong-Soo was likely to kick up a fuss over this.
"Thank you, but it's alright. I'll write the statement."
"Oh wow~. What a responsible man you are."
Kang Ji-Yung, who made a joke, still reeked of alcohol.
"Okay, do as you please. By the way, I came here in the middle of a drinking session and can go for some more. Shall we move on to the third round? Hahaha. It's on me tonight! Let's go!"
Kang Ji-Yung began to sing, craving for more alcohol.
The cold image of the division chief had vanished and she seemed to be in a merry mood as if she might break into a dance at any moment.
'Can she even dance in that tight Channy dress?'
But Gu Seong-Cheol turned down her suggestion.
"Yoon-Ho, you must be tired from everything that happened today. You can go home now."
Gu Seong-Cheol sent me a signal with his eyes, telling me to leave before Kang Ji-Yung forced me to go with her.
"Huh? Sunbae, what are you doing right now? Come on. Let's move on to the third round."
"Yikes. Chief Kang, you are way too drunk for a third round. I'll take you home. Sniff sniff. Ugh, you smell like alcohol."
"Huh? I'm not drunk! I'm telling you, I'm not drunk~. Sunbae, let go of me. I said let go!"
"See? You are definitely drunk. Look at you staggering."
Kang Ji-Yung refused and waved her hands, but Gu Seong-Cheol stepped in front of her to stop her.
At that moment, I remembered Kang Ji-Yung's nickname.
'Barrel.'
Barrel was a nickname given to Kang Ji-Yung because she would drink a whole barrel of alcohol all by herself once she started drinking.
'I'm gonna die if I end up drinking with her!'
I quickly bowed and said goodbye.
"I'll see you tomorrow!"
"No~. Take me with you~! Mr. Yoon-Ho, no, Star Jung! I'll cut your salary again if you don't take me with you~!"
"Hey, Chief Kang. Stop bothering a newbie. You're not a kid anymore. Come on, I'll take you home."
'She is simply drunk and spouting nonsense.'
I hurriedly took the elevator to the underground parking lot.
There, Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon from Actor Division 2 was leaning against the wall with a teasing expression, waiting for me.
"Shall we go for a drink?"
***
When I arrived at Prada Chicken[1] and shared what had happened in the meeting room, my direct superior Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu was overjoyed as if Korea had won a soccer game against Japan[2].
"So, you crushed Chief Kim Dong-Soo's pride?"
"Yes, sir."
Then Ju Yung-Hoon started teasing me, asking how I would deal with the aftermath.
"By the way. What are you going to do about the consequences? Kim Dong-Soo is known for holding grudges, you know. Haha."
"I should be fine as long as he doesn't kill me."
"Wow~ Yoon-Ho. You've become much braver after pulling off a big one, huh? What happened to you?"
"Ah, come on."
'Apart from the fact that I had traveled back in time, everything else remained the same.'
Everyone seemed slightly puzzled by my changed demeanor, but they warmly accepted it, saying they preferred how I was now than before.
It was evident that everyone was happy over the fact that Kim Dong-Soo, who always underestimated Division 2, was screwed over.
After about ten minutes, Gu Seong-Cheol joined us after sending Kang Ji-Yung off in a cab.
"Alright, enough with the chit-chat. Let's fill our glasses."
"Though it might be anti-climatic, we should head home to see our families on a good day like this. Let's not drink too much, okay? Great work today, everyone."
Hearing Gu Seong-Cheol's words, I stood up and bowed.
"I apologize for causing trouble today."
"What trouble?"
"Days like this happen once in a while when you're working. Don't worry about it!"
I was touched by the encouragement from my sunbaes in Actor Division 2. After all, these were things I had never experienced during my time at Top Entertainment.
At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin, my colleague, looked at me with a bright smile on his face.
"Thanks for the drinks, Star Jung!"
My heart began to pound.
'Wait. I'm paying? How much do I even have?'
I immediately reached into my pocket to search for my wallet. I couldn't remember the last time my wallet was this light. Now that I had returned to the past, I remembered I no longer had my old Hermos wallet which was always stuffed with 50,000 won and 100,000 won bills, and my face twitched upon seeing the price for the chicken and beer.
'Jung Yoon-Ho, you are in your twenties now. Pull yourself together.'
I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. Although I only had 5 million won in my bank account at the moment, money shouldn't be a serious issue for someone who knew the future like me.
"Don't mention it. I'm sorry for causing trouble for everyone today. Please eat to your heart's content!"
"Wow, Star Jung. You've become a new man after appearing on the broadcast."
"Yes. Keep up with the good work. But try not to leave the set if possible, alright?"
Then three more orders of fried chicken were served.
I looked at the golden crispy fried chicken, the red seasoned chicken with ketchup base sprinkled with peanuts, and the oven-baked chicken with sliced garlic chips and soy sauce served on the table.
Everyone raised their glasses full of beer for a toast.
"Yoon-Ho. You lead the toast today," Gu Seong-Cheol said.
I stood up and raised my glass.
"For Actor Division 2 of Hoop Entertainment~!"
"For Actor Division 2 of Hoop Entertainment~!"
After the toast, everyone hastily began to down their beer. I, likewise, gulped down my beer in one breath.
Gulp, gulp.
Fizz.
The creamy foam and the fizzy carbonation traveled down my throat as I downed the beer.
'What a refreshing sensation! This is so good.'
I almost shed tears because I hadn't been able to drink anything cold or carbonated in the month leading up to my death. After putting down the glass, I reached for a chicken drumstick. Consumed by my appetite, I transformed into a ravenous beast, tearing into the chicken drumstick.
As I bit into the tender, succulent meat, I felt like I had ascended into heaven.
This meal was my well-deserved reward for changing Yoo-Jin's life and saving Miso.
And just like that, December 12th, which had once been my worst nightmare, was turning into a blessing.