小火星

Chapter 295: Breather (5)

‘Oh- it’s bigger than I thought.’

It was partly because he wanted to do something good, but also because he was concerned about his younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah, and the fan club ‘Kang’s Heart’. Since it was the last day of his break, he planned to show his face briefly and then leave.

At first, his mood wasn’t too bad.

It was because he saw his younger sister as soon as he arrived at the children’s center.

‘There she is. Haha, why does she look so awkward?’

He found Kang Hyun-ah in the hallway at the entrance of the hall. Her serious demeanor as she talked with the ‘Kang’s Heart’ members was amusing. Already thick with his concept, Woojin almost burst into laughter without realizing it.

Why on earth was she being so serious?

Knowing all about Kang Hyun-ah’s overall life, Woojin, being her brother, found her current appearance to be pure comedy. At this point, Woojin was filled with the idea of teasing Kang Hyun-ah. However, he held back.

‘Still, she is the president of Kang’s Heart after all.’

She has her own social position too. Isn’t she the president in her own right? Moreover, if Woojin acted as usual with Kang Hyun-ah, his current poker face would be broken. Therefore, Woojin stopped walking while looking at Kang Hyun-ah in the hallway about ten steps away. He planned to enter the hall after she left.

However, this intention was disrupted.

“Hey- this is really too much.”

It was because of a middle-aged man who suddenly appeared from the hall. Was he drunk? At least in Woojin’s eyes, it seemed that way. A plump man in his 60s with a flushed face. He suddenly started picking a fight with Kang Hyun-ah, and Woojin, watching from a distance, frowned. It wasn’t an act. He was genuinely annoyed.

Still, he decided to observe for a moment.

There was no need for that.

The drunken man. No, the guy who called himself the CEO of a sponsoring company of the children’s center was crossing the line more and more as he talked to Kang Hyun-ah.

What the hell is that crazy bastard doing?

At this point, Woojin’s emotions were close to anger. He was getting pissed off.

‘Only I can scold her.’

There’s a saying that an brother might bully his younger sister at home, but can’t stand it when others criticize her. That was exactly Woojin’s situation now.

Woojin’s ‘no-back-down’ nature was ignited.

Even before Woojin gained his void space, he was never one to be easily pushed around. As long as he wasn’t bothered, there was no problem, but he wouldn’t hold back if provoked.

He went straight.

The timing was when the sponsor company CEO threw his closing remark.

“Make sure to tell that Kang Woojin. Next year, do more than just a measly 10 million.”

“You can tell directly.”

Woojin walked straight towards where his sister and the sponsor company CEO were standing, and as soon as he reached them, he looked down at the drunken man. Woojin was full of irritation but tried to hide his emotions as much as possible. Nevertheless, his eyes were cold.

The sponsor company CEO was clearly flustered by Woojin’s sudden appearance.

Does that matter to me?

“100 million.”

Kang Woojin easily pledged an enormous sum of 100 million won. And that wasn’t all. He even replaced the sponsor of this children’s center on the spot.

Things took an unexpected turn.

Though Kang Hyun-ah might have been upset, she didn’t expect her oppa to go this far. She was flustered, looking back and forth between Woojin and the sponsor company CEO in confusion, and so were the members of ‘Kang’s Heart’. The sponsor company CEO, with his flushed face, had his mouth slightly open but seemed unable to speak. He could only look up at the indifferent face of Kang Woojin.

On the other hand, Woojin.

“Yes, CEO~nim. Thank you.”

With his phone to his ear, Woojin thanked Choi Sung-gun. He didn’t explain the current situation. Nevertheless, Choi Sung-gun was nonchalant.

“That children’s center? Yeah, connect me with them.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll take care of the rest. Do you have time to explain later?”

“I’ll call you back later.”

“Alright. Wrap things up well.”

The phone call involving hundreds of millions of won ended in just a few tens of seconds. Although a huge amount was mentioned, Choi Sung-gun did not ask Woojin for any particular reason. This was because he knew Kang Woojin well. If Woojin was taking action, he must have had a reason.

Whatever the case.

-Swush.

Lowering his phone, Woojin spoke in a low voice while looking at the sponsor company CEO, who was stunned in front of him.

“The sponsor of this children’s center has just changed.”

“…H-hey.”

“You’re still speaking informally.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Start by apologizing first.”

Woojin calmly pointed to Kang Hyun-ah standing to his left.

“I’m used to being spoken to informally because of my job, but this person here is the president of my fan club.”

“……”

“She’s not someone who should be spoken to informally by you.”

A cold voice. Kang Woojin’s aura was overwhelming. At this, Kang Hyun-ah felt like she had just downed a refreshing drink, but she was also puzzled. This was completely unlike her usual oppa. Hadn’t she thought something similar before? But given the situation, she kept her mouth shut for now.

Woojin’s stern voice echoed again.

“Apologize.”

Soon, the face of the sponsor company CEO, already red from alcohol, turned even redder as he gauged the situation.

‘Damn it.’

He had just intended to give those fan club kids a hard time and leave. But who would have thought Kang Woojin would appear so suddenly? However, the situation had grown too big to gloss over. Moreover, his pride as the sponsor company CEO wouldn’t let him apologize.

Therefore, he.

“Hmmph!”

He pretended to be tough, quite unlike Woojin.

“I-I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

At that moment.

“What is going on here?”

An old man’s voice interrupted from the hall. Looking back, it was the mayor of Jinju standing there. Around him were local dignitaries and staff from the children’s center. The sponsor company CEO was visibly flustered.

“…Ah, it’s nothing! Just a brief talk. That’s right! Because Kang Woojin-ssi came here!”

The sponsor company CEO’s pride quickly crumbled in front of the mayor of Jinju. Regardless, the mayor of Jinju.

“Hmm.”

He glanced at the imposing Woojin and assessed the situation. Then, he turned his gaze to the sponsor company CEO, whose face was flushed from alcohol.

‘What has this guy done again?’

It seemed the sponsor company CEO was someone who frequently caused troubles. Anyway, the mayor turned to the children’s center staff.

“Close the doors, please.”

“Pardon? Ah- Yes!”

Following the mayor’s orders, the entrance doors to the hall were closed, blocking the onlookers’ view. The mayor then walked straight towards where Woojin and Kang Hyun-ah were standing. The sponsor company CEO tried to intervene.

“Excuse me, Mayor~nim!”

The mayor raised a hand to stop him. Instead, he asked Woojin and Kang Hyun-ah.

“Nice to meet you, Kang Woojin-ssi. Before that, can you tell me what happened?”

Woojin remained silent. It was Kang Hyun-ah who started explaining. She told everything that had happened to her. During the explanation, the mayor sighed several times.

Finally.

“Haa-”

Having heard everything, the mayor brushed his balding head and looked at the sponsor company CEO beside him.

“CEO Park~nim.”

“…Yes, yes, Mayor~nim.”

The mayor’s voice was gentle but firm.

“I’ve told you several times before, haven’t I? Not to cause unnecessary trouble. I don’t understand why you keep doing this.”

“……”

“I’m finding it hard to tolerate anymore. First, apologize to the people from ‘Kang’s Heart’ here.”

The sponsor company CEO, gauging the situation, cleared his throat and bowed his head slightly.

“Um, I’m sorry.”

“Still speaking informally.”

“Ah! No, Mayor~nim. I am sorry.”

“Sigh, and It’s decide that as of today, you are no longer the sponsoring company.”

“Yes, Mayor~nim. Ah! What?!”

“We can’t have a sponsoring company whose CEO causes this much trouble be the sponsor for a children’s center, can we?”

“…Ah, no, but.”

“Let’s not make this bigger and do as I say.”

“……”

The sponsor company CEO, or rather, the CEO whose company had been the sponsor, was at a loss for words and turned pale. However, the mayor of Jinju, without concern, spoke again while looking at the unperturbed Woojin.

“It seems we’ve caused you inconvenience when you came to rest in your hometown. As the mayor, I apologize.”

Woojin, with his tone unchanged, responded.

“It’s fine.”

“More than that, there’s no need for you to take on the role of this children’s center’s sponsor. I can handle the resolution of this matter. The members of ‘Kang’s Heart’ have already made donations.”

“No, my offer to donate and become the sponsor was sincere.”

Woojin replied nonchalantly.

“From now on, I will take responsibility.”

Afterwards.

Peace returned to the children’s center thanks to the mayor of Jinju’s intervention. For now, the drunken former sponsoring company CEO apologized several times to the mayor and Kang Woojin before leaving the premises. His initial bravado had disappeared. He truly looked like a defeated soldier trudging away.

He must have realized it wouldn’t be good to get on the mayor’s bad side.

Afterwards, the mayor returned to the hall, and Kang Woojin exchanged a few words with the members of ‘Kang’s Heart’.

“You’ve worked hard today. I should have come earlier.”

“…Ah, no! More importantly, oppa! No, Woojin~nim! Could you shake hands with us?!”

“Me too!”

Although they had been actively participating in the fan club and had seen Woojin in person before, it was their first time seeing him this close. Woojin, slightly calmed down, thought.

‘Haa- First, calm down.’

While maintaining his concept, he softened his voice a bit.

“Of course.”

He didn’t just shake hands; he gave hugs and even signed phone cases and papers. The fan club members left the children’s center jumping with joy, and Kang Hyun-ah had been quietly staring at her oppa’s face since earlier.

“Oppa.”

Woojin lowered his voice as he glanced around.

“Hey, go home now.”

“But oppa.”

“I said go. I’ll wrap things up here. Listen to me, before I cut off your allowance.”

Kang Hyun-ah suddenly bowed 90 degrees.

“Thank you for your hard work, oppa-nim!”

Woojin let out a small sigh as he watched Kang Hyun-ah’s retreating figure running away, then entered the hall where many people were waiting for him.

As expected.

“Oh my!! Kang Woojin-ssi! It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Haha, indeed, you look very handsome! I heard you’re taking on the role of the children’s center’s sponsor from today?”

“And you’re even making an additional donation!”

Local dignitaries, staff from the children’s center, and everyone who participated in today’s event flocked to Woojin. Even the mayor of Jinju, whose face now looked somewhat proud, was no exception.

From this point on, Woojin was overwhelmed.

“How about it, could you take a picture with us, Woojin-ssi? Ah- If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to.”

“It’s okay to take pictures.”

Given the 100 million won donation and his new role as the official representative of the children’s center sponsorship, Woojin had to fulfill the schedule. He took group photos several times with the mayor and local dignitaries. Although the YouTube team from the Jinju City Hall requested an interview, Woojin declined.

In the end, Woojin stayed there for about an hour.

The last person Woojin spoke to was the mayor of Jinju. His expression was much brighter compared to the beginning.

“Hahaha, Kang Woojin-ssi. Thank you so much for today. Many unexpected things happened.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ah- but about the ambassador role.”

“I don’t think I can. Due to my schedule.”

“Is that so? I understand. Then is it alright if today’s visit is reported in the news?”

“Yes.”

After finishing the conversation with the mayor, Woojin briefly spoke to the staff of the children’s center.

“I’ll connect you with our company.”

It was to facilitate the sponsor change. After giving a simple farewell, Kang Woojin left the hall. What was unusual was.

“……”

“……”

A brief silence spread through the hall. Then, a few seconds later, something resembling a loud cheer exploded simultaneously.

“Wow!!! Kang Woojin looks amazing in person!!”

“At first, he seemed a bit cold, but he’s so polite??!”

“The aura is just… completely incredible.”

“An actor is truly an actor. It definitely wasn’t an ordinary aura, right?!”

By this time, Kang Woojin was already in his beloved car parked in the external parking lot.

“Ha- things got a bit out of hand.”

He clicked his tongue lightly as he started the engine. The destination, of course, was home. When he arrived home, Kang Hyun-ah rushed to him, but Kang Woojin easily overpowered her. That night, Kang Woojin, Kang Hyun-ah, and their parents gathered for dinner together.

It was Kang Woojin’s last day of rest, after all.

“Woojin, you’re going to be busy again, right?”

“Oppa! Give me some info about ‘Beneficial Evil’! So I can post it on the fan cafe!”

It was a lively dinner, but Kang Woojin felt quite at ease.

‘It’s been a while, this kind of thing. Really, how long has it been?’

It had indeed been a long time since the whole family gathered. This kind of time wasn’t bad either.

However.

‘I’m starting to feel a bit restless too.’

As comfortable as it was, he also had a strong desire to return to being ‘Actor Kang Woojin’. Had he become a workaholic already? He wasn’t sure, but after finishing dinner, Kang Woojin said goodnight Kang Woo-chul and Seo Hyun-mi, and then lay down.

And then.

-Poof!

He poked the black square attached to the script he had brought. Soon, Woojin’s vision was filled with the dark void space.

“Let’s see-”

He began to bring out the actor Kang Woojin.

Monday, the 28th, around noon.

Kang Woojin arrived at the officetel in Samseong-dong from Jinju at about 12:10. In the parking lot, a familiar van was waiting right on time. Of course, it was the van to pick up Woojin.

“Hyung-nim!!”

The first to greet Woojin was the burly Jang Su-hwan. He was more energetic than usual. Since Woojin was on break, his team members also had their vacations.

Soon, Kang Woojin got into the van and headed to bw Entertainment.

bw Entertainment was a battlefield. It was hard to find any traces of its startup days now. The staff, once dozens, had grown to hundreds, and many top actors had joined. Anyway, Woojin entered the considerably expanded CEO’s office.

The ponytailed Choi Sung-gun, who had been buried in work, approached with a smirk.

“Did you rest well?”

Kang Woojin equipped his full concept mode after a long time.

“Yes, CEO-nim.”

“There’s a lot to talk about the Jinju incident, articles, and various other things. But first.”

Choi Sung-gun picked up a transparent file from his desk and handed it to Woojin.

“They said there will be added scenes in episodes 1 and 2 of ‘Beneficial Evil’. It means the running time is increasing.”

In other words, there were changes to the script.

*****

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