Chapter 36 : Child’s Heart

When I first went back to the past, the newspaper company was who I tried to contact through Cha Kang-hyuk.

However, in the process of reporting the Woo Jin-gon case, I got to know the producer and writer of SBC’s “That Curious Day” current affairs program, so there was no need for that anymore.

Currently, there’s no other place that can report the sudden acceleration incident with more impact than here.

“Thank you for visiting despite your busy schedule.”

“Not at all, Lawyer. We should be the ones thanking you.”

The frank-looking producer in his late 30s took a sip of coffee and smiled brightly.

It was a situation to laugh about.

Because the chaebol third-generation club episode garnered almost double their usual viewership ratings.

Considering the mass media constantly plastered with Woo Jin-gon, the ripple effect would be even greater.

“The head of the current affairs bureau’s mouth was wide open. We updated our highest viewership ratings.”

“Congratulations. It’s all thanks to both of you for powerfully conveying the truth.”

“Oh my. We both know that’s not true, don’t we?”

At my congratulations, the producer and writer simultaneously waved their hands and pointed at me with both hands.

“It’s all thanks to the secretary. The materials you sent were so excellent that we barely had to touch them.”

“The writer just said what I wanted to say. We just added a spoon to the materials you sent.”

“That’s not true at all. I just organized the existing facts and sent them to you.”

“Hahaha. You even decided on the title and sent it, how could that be?”

“Even I was a little surprised by that. It was just a file title.”

“Hehe. How could such an intuitive title only be used as a file name? It was clear to anyone that it was specifically chosen as an episode title. Did you really not intend it at all?”

“I won’t deny it.”

At my answer, the producer burst into hearty laughter.

It seemed he really liked the title I came up with.

“I’ve been bothering you constantly because of the broadcast this time, and I’ve realized you have a knack for broadcasting. Have you considered being a broadcast writer instead of a law firm secretary?”

“Oh, really. We actually have an open position for a junior writer, and if you join our team, I’ll take good care of you!”

“You two must be joking, but I feel good. Thank you for the compliment!”

“…I’m serious.”

“I’m more serious than ever…”

The writer and producer said with serious expressions in an instant.

Their hands and feet were perfectly in sync; I wondered if that’s why they were on the same team.

Looking at their serious faces, I couldn’t help but twitch the corners of my mouth.

“Ah, you smiled. So you’re accepting my feelings?”

Hey, writer. To use such a line between women…

I shivered, rubbing the goosebumps on my arm, and couldn’t find a place to look. Then the producer next to me rebuked the writer.

“For a woman to say such a line to another woman. I’m disappointed, writer.”

“Disappointed? If I had a junior like that, how comfortable… no, how reliable I’d be. I hear she’s a well-known hard worker… no, a talented person here too. She’s exactly the junior I’ve been looking for!”

“Um… may I ask the source of that rumor?”

I had a rough guess, but I asked to confirm.

Then the writer exclaimed with a bright expression.

“It was Lawyer Yoon Yi-hoon, who was with us when we received the video briefing last time!”

As expected…

I subtly glared in the direction of Lawyer Yoon’s empty seat instead of him.

“I have pride in my work. So I’ll just gratefully accept your kind offer.”

“A servant… no, a talented person who even has pride in her work. What a waste. It’s alright. I’ll be waiting anytime!”

Cough.

The comment was a bit much, but I forced a smile and nodded.

Along with the thought that if I got caught there, I’d definitely be a servant.

Anyway, we were in a position to ask for a favor now.

I carefully opened my mouth.

This was also why they had come directly to our company today.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to visit in person today. I was planning to visit you if you requested it.”

I hadn’t only sent Cha Kang-hyuk’s materials from the beginning.

I also sent Lee Chil-hong’s case along with it.

It was a kind of strategy.

‘The Cha Kang-hyuk case, even if it wasn’t here, there were many places to report it.’

The material itself was so good.

It was a case that garnered the attention of the entire nation.

And the follow-up story was perfect.

The chaebol scoundrel turned out to be wrongly accused, and the one who framed him was a friend of 25 years.

He wasn’t as much of a chaebol as Cha Kang-hyuk, but he was still a chaebol.

What greater reversal drama could there be?

Besides, Cha Kang-hyuk would have gotten their contact information for any broadcasting station, not just SBC.

‘There’s no way the producer and writer here wouldn’t know that.’

So, when I first reported it, I sent Lee Chil-hong’s case along with it.

Those who have been in broadcasting for a long time wouldn’t misunderstand the meaning.

It was called a bundled set.

It didn’t matter which broadcasting station the Cha Kang-hyuk broadcast aired on.

It would attract enormous attention anywhere.

But the sudden acceleration incident was different.

First, I excluded current affairs programs that were aired as a 1-hour exclusive.

This was because the subject matter itself was difficult to fill an hour.

Also, I looked for a program with a somewhat stable viewership.

This was because it couldn’t attract as much attention as Cha Kang-hyuk.

This was the decisive reason I chose “That Curious Day.”

This program had maintained its time slot for 7 years, making it a veteran.

‘One episode consisting of a total of three segments, with 19 minutes of airtime per segment, and a loyal viewership that has maintained the same spot for 7 years.’

They would know what I knew.

In fact, considering only the viewership ratings and time slot, the true king of current affairs programs was someone else.

The writer and producer, who had just been livening up the atmosphere, spoke in a serious tone.

Now it was time to work.

“Of course, we could have called you two to the broadcasting station. However, from our side, we judged that while it might not have the same impact as Cha Kang-hyuk’s general manager, it was worth broadcasting.”

“Yes, Producer, you’re right. We received something, so it’s our turn to give back, but apart from that, we judged that we needed to hear it directly from the lawyer in charge of the case.”

“You received it.” I thought they’d mention Cha Kang-hyuk once, and I was right.

I subtly glanced sideways.

Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun seemed to be thinking the same thing.

That’s because I had told Lawyer Ahn before reporting both cases to the broadcasting station.

‘Lawyer, the time has finally come.’

‘What time are you talking about?’

‘The media that will cover Mr. Lee Chil-hong’s case, which we’ve been searching for. I think it might be possible without anyone else’s help.’

‘Are you planning to report it by bundling it with General Manager Cha’s case?’

‘Yes, it’s a kind of deal. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to express it that way, though.’

‘What’s wrong with it being a deal if it helps an innocent person? On the contrary, I’m embarrassed that I didn’t think that far. And…’

Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun paused for a moment before speaking.

‘It’s unlikely, but… I had a thought that Ms. Yoo-hee might have foreseen all of this from the beginning. I guess I’ve been so surprised by so many things that I’m having these silly thoughts, which aren’t like me.’

‘Hahaha. It’s not silly, but as you said, that’s unlikely, right?’

…Lawyer Ahn, just how far do you see?

As he said, it’s true that I hoped for and planned this much.

From the moment I first went back to the past.

However, I can’t deny that things worked out better than I expected.

Finished with my thoughts, I signaled Lawyer Ahn with my eyes.

He nodded.

Lawyer Ahn fully entrusted this matter to me.

This was because it was my idea to publicize the case through broadcasting in the first place.

“Can I understand that you intend to conduct Lawyer Ahn’s broadcast interview today?”

“Yes, that’s right. We came to get an interview with the lawyer in charge of the case. The camera director will be here soon too.”

“Haha, you should have given me a heads-up. Then I would have been mentally prepared.”

“Our broadcast also has the charm of being raw and unedited. Trust us and proceed.”

“I trust you, Producer. Before that, my secretary has something to say.”

“I’m always ready to listen to Secretary Kim’s opinion. She’s someone who can make a broadcast even better than us.”

“…My skills are not even amateur when it comes to broadcasting, so I don’t know what to do with myself when you say that.”

“Oh my, so modest too. I really want her, I really want her.”

Writer, don’t say such scary things…

I hear that the place they work is just as demanding as our company.

All-night filming and editing.

Plus the thrilling deadlines that come every week.

Perhaps I might experience an even worse hell than in my last life…

Feeling my life threatened, I quickly got to the point.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll prepare and send you materials that might be helpful for the broadcast, like last time, and…”

“Okay, thank you!”

Hey, writer, don’t just accept it so readily without even thinking.

‘They trust me too much…’

I never knew receiving such full trust could be so chilling.

Cold sweat trickled down my back at the writer’s immense trust.

“If you prove yourself again this time, I’ll really carry you here on my back!”

Should I not prove myself… no, that’s not it.

I don’t know why I’m getting kidnapping threats over something like this, but this time, I’ll work even harder.

Just like always.

There’s another reason for this.

‘Although I only agreed to receive an initial fee upon the prosecution’s decision not to indict or the court’s acquittal.’

It would be good to receive it if we win, but that’s not the reason.

The first reason is to resolve the deep-seated resentment of Lee Chil-hong’s family.

And the other is.

‘If this works out, I’ll be gathering a piece for my revenge.’

After Lee Chil-hong’s trial, Lee Kang-ho and his wife open a small restaurant with one small room attached.

This is so they can directly care for their son there.

The name of that restaurant is Asim, meaning “child’s heart.”

‘To dominate South Korea with just their cooking skills.’

They say you never know about life.

Who would have thought a shabby 10-pyeong restaurant would turn into an elegant tiled house?

Building a relationship with Lee Kang-ho and his wife will definitely help with future endeavors.

Because that place will become a sanctuary for high-ranking officials.