K-Producer C27 Unexpected development

The live show continued, and as Byul-ho glanced at his expensive watch, his eyes widened slightly. The time read 7:31 PM.

"I'm sorry, everyone," he said, quickly standing up. "I need to go. There's something I forgot to take care of."

The Ascend members exchanged curious glances as Byul-ho hurried out of the room. After a moment of hesitation, they turned off the TV and headed to their rooms in the building, their minds still processing the evening's discussions.

Meanwhile, Byul-ho rushed out of the building, mentally berating himself for losing track of time. He had completely forgotten about his meeting with Min-ji, which he had hastily arranged earlier that day.

As he jogged to the nearest bus stop, he recalled the text he'd sent her, asking to meet at a certain restaurant in Gangnam. He shook his head, frustrated with his own forgetfulness.

He quickly pulled out his phone and sent a text to Min-ji:

"Sorry for the delay. I'm on my way."

The bus pulled up just as Byul-ho reached the stop. Byul-ho boarded along with a few other passengers, finding a seat near the back. As the bus lurched forward, he leaned back, his mind racing.

The meeting with Min-ji about the Starlight Entertainment shares was crucial, and he couldn't believe he'd almost forgotten about it. As the city lights flashed by outside the window, Byul-ho took a deep breath, composing himself for the important conversation ahead.

He knew this meeting could potentially change the course of his business ventures. Despite the rush and his earlier irritation with Min-ji, Byul-ho was determined to approach the situation with a clear head and strategic mind.

As the bus made its way through the busy streets of Seoul, Byul-ho mentally prepared himself for the negotiation to come.

***

Min-ji sat at a table in the modest restaurant, her eyes frequently darting to her watch. She was wearing a refined outfit that was both respectable and beautiful. Her knee-length pencil skirt paired with a silk blouse and a tailored blazer made her stand out in the casual setting.

Many patrons glanced her way, admiring her elegant appearance. If not for her driver, who was discreetly keeping watch from a nearby table, she would have likely been approached by several interested men.

As the minutes ticked by, Min-ji's frown deepened. She was growing increasingly annoyed at Byul-ho's tardiness, especially given the importance of this meeting.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Byul-ho burst through the restaurant door. He quickly spotted Min-ji and made his way to her table, looking slightly disheveled from his rush.

"I'm so sorry for being late," Byul-ho said, slightly out of breath as he sat down across from her.

Min-ji's eyes narrowed, her frustration evident in her tone as she responded mockingly, "Oh, I'm surprised you remembered our meeting at all, CEO Jeon. I thought perhaps managing your idol group had made you too important for such trivial matters."

Byul-ho winced at her sharp words, knowing he deserved her irritation. "I truly am sorry, Min-ji-ssi. It won't happen again."

Min-ji raised an eyebrow, her voice cool. "Well, now that you're here, shall we get down to business? I believe you mentioned something about selling your shares in Starlight Entertainment."

Byul-ho smiled, a hint of resignation in his voice. "That's right. There's no need for you to keep up the pretense of friendship anymore. I'm willing to sell my shares."

Min-ji remained quiet, her gaze fixed on Byul-ho, leaving the food and drinks on the table untouched.

Confused by her silence, Byul-ho asked, "Why are you so quiet? Shouldn't we be discussing business?"

Min-ji's eyes flickered to the untouched meal before meeting his gaze again. "Shouldn't you be eating the meal I ordered for you first?"

Byul-ho glanced at the food, surprise evident on his face. "Oh, I thought this was for you."

Min-ji shook her head. "No, I ordered it for you."

Byul-ho raised an eyebrow, a mix of confusion and curiosity crossing his features. "Well, I won't reject your good intentions then," he said, taking a small bite of the food.

After swallowing and taking a sip of his drink, he asked, "Shall we get down to business now?"

Min-ji nodded, but what she said next caught Byul-ho completely off guard. "Actually, I'm not that interested in acquiring your shares anymore."

Byul-ho's eyes widened in surprise. "What? But wasn't that your intention for approaching me in the first place?"

A small smile played on Min-ji's lips. "I won't lie. At first, that was indeed my motivation. But over time, I've realized something..." She paused, her eyes meeting his. "You're actually an interesting person to be with, Byul-ho."

Byul-ho sat there, stunned by Min-ji's unexpected confession. The atmosphere in the restaurant seemed to shift, the background noise fading as he tried to process this new development.

Byul-ho's expression shifted from astonishment to suspicion. He wondered if Min-ji had become so engrossed in her manipulation that she was continuing the charade even when her goal was within reach. Yet, as he studied her face, he couldn't be certain. In their interactions so far, Min-ji had always been reserved, rarely showing her true emotions.

To his further surprise, a slight blush crept across Min-ji's cheeks under his scrutiny.

Feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, Byul-ho reached for his glass of Cass and took a long sip.

Finally, Min-ji broke the silence, her voice carrying a hint of defensiveness. "Why are you looking at me like that? If you're thinking I'm interested in you in... that way, you're wrong. I'm not talking about romantic interest." She paused, seeming to gather her thoughts. "I just find you interesting because you're not like others I've communicated with before."

Byul-ho set down his beer, his mind racing to process this new information. Min-ji's words seemed genuine, yet they opened up a whole new realm of questions and possibilities.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Min-ji's face. "Not like others, huh?" he mused aloud. "Care to elaborate on that?"

After a moment of silence, Min-ji spoke, her voice soft but clear. "You're... different, Byul-ho. Most people who approach me are after something - my family's wealth, my looks, or both. They put on a show, trying to impress me or curry favor."

She paused, her eyes meeting his. "But you... you've never tried to impress me. Even when we started talking, it was always genuine. You spoke your mind, shared your ideas, your dreams. You didn't change your behavior just because I'm from a wealthy family."

Min-ji's gaze dropped to the table for a moment before returning to Byul-ho. "When we talked about music or business, you were passionate, knowledgeable. You didn't agree with everything I said just to please me. You challenged my ideas, made me think."

She smiled slightly, a rare expression for her. "And despite knowing my initial motives, you still treated me with respect. You didn't look down on me or try to manipulate me back. It was... refreshing."

Min-ji's voice grew softer. "Over time, I found myself looking forward to our conversations. Not because of any ulterior motive, but because I genuinely enjoyed talking with you. You're intelligent, driven, and surprisingly kind. That's not something I encounter often in my circles."

She finished, her cheeks slightly pink again. "That's what I mean by interesting. You're not like the others, Byul-ho. You're... you."

Byul-ho studied Min-ji carefully, processing her words. He realized that if this was an act, she would indeed be a remarkable actress. But knowing Min-ji, he believed she was genuinely expressing her thoughts for perhaps the first time.

He could see in her eyes that this wasn't a romantic confession, but rather a revelation of someone discovering a new perspective on life beyond business and manipulation. It dawned on him that Min-ji had likely never been in an environment where she could truly be herself, always having to maintain a certain image as her family had taught her.

Byul-ho felt a pang of understanding. Min-ji was interested in him because he represented something she had never experienced - someone who didn't constantly mind his image, who was comfortable being himself and loving who he was.

For a moment, a wave of guilt washed over Byul-ho. He knew that while Min-ji wasn't aware, he had also engaged in his own form of manipulation, playing against her tactics. However, his actions weren't malicious; he had simply been acting as himself while being aware of her motives.