Chapter 66: Dahye’s New Beginning

AC Entertainment Agency, CEO’s Office.

CEO Hwang Seunghwan alternated between the financial statement and the debt report spread out on his desk, letting out a deep sigh. He was so absorbed in the reports that he didn’t even notice the coffee on the edge of his desk growing cold.

Every single number seemed to extinguish the passionate fire that once burned inside him.

Fourth quarter deficit last year, a decrease in advertising contracts, the failure of the rookie debut project.

There wasn’t a single good piece of news.

It was a string of nothing but setbacks.

“If this keeps up, it’ll be hard to stay afloat......”

The CEO absentmindedly picked up his coffee cup with one hand, only to put it down again and sigh heavily. Cold coffee could always be reheated, but the numbers written in the report were not so easily resolved.

“CEO!”

Just as he was mired in worries, unable to see any solution.

The office door flew open roughly, and Chief Lee Yulgok hurried inside.

“What is it, Chief Lee?”

Seeing Lee Yulgok gasping for breath, CEO Hwang Seunghwan braced himself, worried something big had happened again, and anxiously waited for his next words.

“Th-there’s an in-investor who says they want to invest in our company.”

“What?! An investor? Did you just say investor?”

He pushed himself off the back of his chair and leaned toward Chief Lee, asking again if he’d heard correctly.

“Yes, an investor has appeared.”

“Who... who is it? Who’s this investor?”

“Well, it’s the student who came to today’s audition, you know? That student says they want to invest ten billion won in our company.”

“What? Ten billion?”

“Yes, um, but he says he wants to make a proposal directly to you, and if you accept, he’ll invest.”

“A proposal, huh... but are you sure about this? You’re not joking, are you?”

“I’m serious. He’s waiting in the reception room right now.”

“......”

CEO Hwang couldn’t speak for a few seconds. Countless possibilities and variables flashed through his mind. Ten billion. That number alone carried enormous weight. It was the very word he’d been desperately wishing for lately.

Since the latter half of last year, key advertising contracts had dwindled and casting investments saw low returns, making it absolutely necessary to attract outside investment. Yet he’d been frustrated, unable to find a suitable investor.

But now, at this moment, a student cast as a model was directly offering a ten billion won investment. He was at a loss for words.

He’d told them to bring in models who could make money, but it turned out they’d found a chaebol family’s young master.

If there was a proposal, he didn’t even need to hear it to know.

“......Let’s go now.”

There were plenty of rich young heirs playing around in show business for fun. Today’s model was clearly one of that type.

Hwang Seunghwan, still half-standing, slid his feet away from the desk and left the office.

---

Outside, the spring sunlight was gently pouring down.

The sound of dress shoes drew nearer as the door opened. A man in his mid-to-late forties and Chief Lee entered together.

The one who came in with Chief Lee must be the CEO of this agency.

“Hello. I’m Hwang Seunghwan, CEO of AC Entertainment.”

Even before sitting down, CEO Hwang bowed deeply toward my father and introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Jaeil. This is my son, Yoo Seunghyun.”

“Hello.”

I bowed my head in greeting, following my father’s brief introduction.

“I believe Chief Lee has conveyed our intentions to you.”

After the introductions, my father moved smoothly into the main subject in his calm voice.

“Yes. I heard about the investment, but to be honest, I was very surprised.”

The CEO gave us a brief, searching look.

He probably thinks we’re from a chaebol family, doesn’t he? I can’t blame him for guessing that.

I’d think the same if I were him.

“I’ll be straightforward. I want my daughter, Dahye, to grow as a model and actress here. If you help her do that, I’ll invest in this company. My initial investment is ten billion won. As long as my daughter settles in well here, I’ll continue investing as needed so you won’t run short on funds.”

A chairman’s aura radiated from my father’s presence.

Money really does change a person.

It was a moment that showed just how powerful wealth could be.

“Since you’re investing in our company, of course we’ll honor your wishes. But, your son...?”

The CEO, who’d been maintaining his dignity, suddenly seemed to shrink as if he were my father’s subordinate, and then turned his gaze to me. I was the one who’d attended the model audition, so it was understandable he was curious why I wasn’t being mentioned.

“I only attended the audition for the experience. I’m not interested in modeling.”

I resolved his curiosity.

“......”

The CEO was momentarily at a loss for words, stammering uncertainly.

It felt like watching a funny comedy skit.

“Haha, I see. Experience is always good.”

After a moment of silence, the CEO finally forced his mouth open. The twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed his slight embarrassment.

“I’ll take responsibility and do my best to train your daughter.”

Eventually, the CEO promised with a face full of confidence that he would look after Dahye well.

“In that case, we’ll leave it at that. Please contact us once the contract is ready.”

My father rose from his seat with a dignified smile. I stood up as well, following his lead, and we headed off to the place where my mother and Dahye were waiting.

“Thank you for entrusting your daughter to AC Entertainment. We’ll visit you with the contract as soon as it’s ready.”

The CEO politely saw us off, and we slowly exited the building.

Once outside, the air felt fresh and clear.

“Dahye.”

My father quietly walked over to Dahye and bent his knees slightly.

“I didn’t know you felt that way. Your brother told me. From now on, this will be your stage. Go and do what you want. I’ll support you as much as I can.”

My father’s stern face was now filled with warmth.

“Huh?!”

Dahye blinked her big eyes, looking between me and our father. Her expression showed disbelief, but inside, her emotions were clear. The faint hope and growing anticipation were written plainly on her face.

“Whether it’s as a model or an actress, do your best. From now on, when school ends, someone from here will come to pick you up.”

AC Entertainment decided to assign Dahye a dedicated driver and provide direct care.

They even gave her a van usually reserved for superstars.

From now on, once school was over, Dahye would be receiving her training in Cheongdam-dong.

“Can I really do it?”

Dahye kept blinking, unable to hide her amazement.

“Of course. You can do anything. Try chasing your dreams here.”

“Yeah! I’ll do my absolute best, Dad!!”

Dahye slowly nodded, then broke into a lively smile and answered in a clear voice. Everything might still feel unfamiliar, but I believed Dahye could do it well enough.

As the warm sunlight fell across Dahye’s shoulders, I stood quietly beside my mother and smiled.

---

Steam rose in gentle curls above the breakfast table. The main dishes were braised short ribs and soybean paste stew.

Mom served up the ribs, which she’d carefully marinated and simmered until tender, watching our faces as she set the dish down. The stew was packed with zucchini and tofu, with matsutake mushrooms arranged elegantly on top.

“Seunghyun, is it really okay to invest in that company?”

Dad was the first to pick up his spoon and asked if we should continue investing in AC Entertainment.

Though he said otherwise yesterday, he still looked a little uneasy.

“Yes, it’s a trustworthy company. Don’t worry.”

Why was I so confident?

It’s simple.

I’d seen the company’s name pop up often enough on TV and in news articles, so I had no hesitation about investing.

Though it was just a small agency now, in the future, it would become well-known for its solid financials and famous models and actors.

How did I know?

Writing web novels naturally taught me these things.

If I hadn’t gained such information, I would never have made such a reckless investment.

“If you’re that certain, I’ll trust you and won’t bring it up again.”

Was it because of my actions so far?

Dad showed me an almost infinite trust.

Instead of dismissing me as a minor who knows nothing, he treated me as an adult and respected my decisions.

“Yes!”

I answered cheerfully and picked up my spoon.

“Dahye, eat your soup before it gets cold.”

“Okay.”

Dahye placed a big piece of short rib on her rice and took a full bite, then followed it up with a spoonful of soybean paste stew. Her face lit up at the taste of a warm home-cooked meal.

“Man, this is how soybean paste stew should be—nice and spicy. Right, Seunghyun?”

Dad, after tasting the stew, offered his enthusiastic approval and a look of shared delight.

“That’s right, the redder the soybean paste stew, the better. Grandma always made it this way, remember? Grandpa loved it, so that’s how she cooked it. I still remember that taste.”

Memories of Grandma running her restaurant in Bukhan Mountain Fortress came to mind. She gave me infinite love.

If she were still alive, I would have repaid her kindness many times over.

I missed her terribly.

“Everyone, try the braised ribs too. They’re delicious.”

Dad picked up a piece of rib loaded with meat and placed it in my rice bowl, giving me a thumbs up.

“It really is good. It melts right in your mouth.”

“See? Your mother’s cooking has gotten even better.”

“I’ve always been good, you know?”

Mom laughed contentedly at Dad’s praise, finally picking up her own spoon. Amidst the gentle conversation, the family’s affection quietly piled up on the breakfast table. For the first time in a while, everyone enjoyed a relaxed morning together.

Ding dong.

Just then, a sound broke the flow of pleasant conversation.

“I’ll get it.”

Dahye lifted her head and walked over to the intercom.

“Who is it?”

I paused mid-bite and watched Dahye as she answered.

─ We’re from Nurturing Group. Is this the Yoo Seunghyun household?

A thick male voice came through.

“What? Where did you say?”

Hearing that unfamiliar name, our family exchanged puzzled looks.

All those confused gazes landed on me.

“Does Nurturing Group hold contests these days or something?”

Dad offered the most plausible guess.

“No. I... huh? Wait a minute...”

I shook my head, about to say no, when a memory flashed through my mind.

‘Nurturing Town!!’

There could only be one reason Nurturing Group had come looking for me.

I swallowed hard and, as if in a trance, got up from my chair.

My father and mother’s eyes followed me as I moved.