Promotion
Sung Min-Suk of the publicity division continued to report on Yoo-Jin's advertisement proposal while holding his tablet.
"They offered 30 million won for a one-year contract?"
"Yes. It's quite a good deal for a rookie like Miss Yoo-Jin."
Not only Kang Gam-Chan but also Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol looked pleased. Typically, the amount for a rookie actor ranged between 10 million to 20 million won for a one-year contract.
Furthermore, the opportunity to raise Yoo-Jin's profile through a commercial was a positive thing for Yoo-Jin's career.
'30 million won isn't a small amount, but…'
Still, the me in my past life would have never accepted such terms. If I leveraged the fact that Yoo-Jin had received an offer from Lee Ji-Yeon, I could raise the amount to at least 50 million. However, everyone except me in the meeting room seemed content and inclined to accept Burger Queen's proposal.
'What should I do? Should I just let it go this time?'
In contrast to my discomfort, everyone was busy smiling at the good news.
"By the way, they said they are in a hurry and want a decision by tomorrow."
Upon hearing Sung Min-Suk's additional comment about Burger Queen's urgency, Kang Gam-Chan suddenly turned his gaze toward me.
"Let's see. Yoon-Ho, what's your take on this?" Kang Gam-Chan asked with a sly expression.
"Um…may I speak my mind?"
"Of course. Feel free to say whatever you want."
With Kang Gam-Chan's permission, I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.
"I think we should delay that contract."
At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol exclaimed in surprise with a perplexed expression.
"Yoon-Ho, didn't you hear they are in a hurry?"
Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head in confusion and Sung Min-Suk wore an expression which suggested that he thought of me as being audacious.
However, Kang Gam-Chan seemed amused and asked.
"So, how long do you think we should delay the contract?"
'Did he notice my intentions?'
"How about till next week? I think it would be best to observe the situation for just one week."
"What? But why would we…"
Kang Gam-Chan pacified Gu Seong-Cheol who looked bewildered.
"Chief Gu, calm down and assess the situation. How many years have you been in this industry?"
"It's been a full fifteen years for me, sir."
Kang Gam-Chan playfully replied to Gu Seong-Cheol's answer.
"Fifteen years, huh? You're still a rookie. Ha ha ha."
"If we play hard to get and Burger Queen decides to go with another model, won't we be at a loss?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked as he scratched his head.
While Gu Seong-Cheol still seemed uncertain, Kang Ji-Yung had a different take on this matter.
"No, Mr. Gu. It seems there's something up considering how much they're rushing. We shouldn't appear too eager. Waiting a bit more seems to be a good idea."
'Yes. Now we are talking.'
Hearing Kang Ji-Yung's judgment, Kang Gam-Chan gave a slightly satisfied look. Then he called out to Sung Min-Suk standing beside him.
"Team Lead Sung. Could you check the current live search rankings?"
"Huh? Oh, yes, sir. It's…un…"
The flustered Sung Min-Suk quickly regained his composure and tapped away on his tablet.
"First place is Petite More. Fourth is Burger Queen's Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin, and fifth place is Cherry Blossom…"
Everyone in the meeting room was stunned.
"How could you guys claim to work at an entertainment company when you are so slow? Are you all dimwits? How can you guys be even worse than Yoon-Ho!"
"Oh…"
"We apologize, Mr. Kang."
Only now did everyone grasp the situation and understand my intention.
"Yoon-Ho. No, Star Jung."
"Yes, Mr. Kang."
"You've got sharp eyes. You might as well be promoted to assistant manager."
I felt as if my heart had dropped.
'Being promoted to assistant manager in my third year was fast, but becoming an assistant manager in just my first year!?'
Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung beside me looked shocked as well.
"Why are you all so surprised? Don't you know our company operates on a performance-based system?"
Indeed, Kim Dong-Soo had quickly risen through the ranks thanks to the very same performance system.
"But still. This is too fast, Mr. Kang. There's still much for Yoon-Ho to learn…" Gu Seong-Cheol said with a worried expression.
However, Kang Gam-Chan was adamant.
"It's not without precedent, so why are you all so worried? Didn't we promote Kim Dong-Soo to assistant manager in his second year?"
Then Kang Ji-Yung retorted.
"Chief Kim Dong-Soo was almost into his second year when he got promoted. But promoting Yoon-Ho who hasn't even completed one year is…"
Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand and cut Kang Ji-Yung off.
"That's enough. Are we so timid that we can't try new things? You guys handle any minor disturbances and promote Yoon-Ho to assistant manager once Jung Yoo-Jin's next drama is decided!"
Kang Gam-Chan stood his ground, refusing to entertain any further disagreements. No one dared to counter his assertive statement.
"And Chief Gu."
"Yes, sir."
"Leave the Burger Queen advertisement negotiations to Yoon-Ho."
"I'm sorry? To Yoon-Ho?"
"Yes. It seems Yoon-Ho knows how to play hard to get. Make sure you assist him but let Yoon-Ho handle most of the negotiations. I want to see what he's made of."
Hearing Kang Gam-Chan's bold statement, my heart began to race wildly.
'He is really entrusting advertisement negotiations to a first-year employee?'
Even if I had caught Kang Gam-Chan's eye, this felt too fast even for me.
"Um, Mr. Kang…"
But Kang Gam-Chan immediately cut me off.
"End of discussion. You'll learn by doing, so I'll leave it to you. No one in this room knows Yoo-Jin's worth better than you."
Everyone looked astonished, but Kang Gam-Chan exuded unwavering confidence. It seemed my earlier comments had left a deep impression on him.
'Well, refusing further wouldn't be so polite of me.'
I stood up and bowed to Kang Gam-Chan, grateful for the opportunity he'd given me.
"I'll do my best, sir."
"Good."
Right now, my career was growing at a rate many times faster than in my past life.
'Thank you, Mr. Kang.'
***
Sitting in the backseat of a Rose-Rise, Lee Ji-Yeon spoke to Kim Soll-Ip.
"Soll-Ip~."
"Yes, Ms. Lee?"
"You saw Yoon-Ho's expression earlier, right?"
"I did."
"A guy with that kind of look in their eyes doesn't change their mind easily. He didn't even flinch when I pressured him."
"What do you mean…?"
"I mean even though he said that he will ask Yoo-Jin about it, it seemed like he had already made up his mind. You know it too, don't you? Nothing can escape my eyes."