I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 22
My head drooped forward heavily.
I was nodding off.
I quickly slapped my face with both hands.
Smack. Smack. Smack.
Mother looked at me with concern and scooped me into her arms.
“Sung-guk, are you sleepy?”
[I’m sleepy, but I can’t fall asleep.]
I shook my head vigorously.
“Sung-guk, let Mother put you to bed.”
[What are you saying! I can’t sleep right now.]
I quickly wriggled free from Mother’s embrace and began toddling around the room.
Right now, Mother, Kim Mi-young, and Father were having a serious discussion about bringing Lim Sun-mi into the agency.
I couldn’t possibly miss such an important adult conversation.
Father’s expression was clouded with worry.
“If Lim Sun-mi comes on board, setting aside the terms themselves, can we actually handle it?”
“Her manager will move with her, and we’ve already agreed on that. There are about two projects under contract negotiation, but they’re both at the stage where we just need to sign the contracts. She wants to sign the contracts as soon as she transfers to the new agency.”
Kim Mi-young explained in detail what she had discussed with Lim Sun-mi.
Despite being a high school graduate, Kim Mi-young had cut her teeth at Samjeon Entertainment. When it came to work, she was reliable.
“Instead of an upfront signing bonus, she wants a three-year contract with a 9-to-1 split ratio. To be honest, even if we take just 10% of Lim Sun-mi’s advertising, drama, and film contracts, our company would make a solid profit with that structure.”
I toddled on.
I wandered aimlessly around the room, nodding along.
Lim Sun-mi was more shrewd than I’d expected.
In an era where countless entertainers lived their entire lives with their families siphoning off their earnings, she had cleverly distanced herself from hers, and now she was preparing seriously for her future.
In three years, Lim Sun-mi would be in her mid-to-late thirties.
In the early 1990s, the position of a female actress in her mid-to-late thirties was one that steadily narrowed, with retirement through marriage being one of the entertainment industry’s established patterns.
Father looked at Kim Mi-young with a troubled expression.
“If this happens, we’ll truly become a proper company. We’d need to put in the effort, but honestly, I’d like to do better at what I’m doing now.”
“Honey.”
Mother interjected.
“What if I worked?”
“So-young…”
Father stared at Mother blankly for a moment.
“I studied accounting after finishing high school, and I worked in accounting before. I learned things over three years of high school, and I have work experience, even if it was brief. I can understand and manage the company’s finances and accounting. If you keep handling external matters like you do now, I can take care of the company’s internal operations.”
Mother had a certain resolve about her.
Kim Mi-young added her support.
“Sung-guk’s father, think about it. I think it’s a good proposal. We’ll need at least one person to manage the company’s operations once we bring Lim Sun-mi on board, and there’s no one more trustworthy than Sung-guk’s mother.”
“Honey, I want to work.”
Mother gently pressed Father.
“What about Sung-guk and Min-guk?”
[Don’t worry about me. I can change diapers on my own now.]
“You know that aunt who often looks after Min-guk? I’ve seen how well she works, and Min-guk likes her too, so I think we can trust her with him.”
“But you’re at an age when children still need their mother’s hands….”
Father’s face hardened.
I toddled over and pretended not to notice as I smacked Father’s back. Whack!
[Father, snap out of it. For this household to get back on its feet, dual incomes are essential.]
“Sung-guk, don’t do that.”
Father lifted me up effortlessly.
Against the strength of a father still in his twenties, a three-year-old was utterly powerless.
“So-young, I understand how you feel. Let’s take some time and think about this seriously.”
“Of course. Honestly, until we sign the contract, no one knows anything. Once Lim Sun-mi’s contract is finalized, there’s no rush to start working after that.”
“Wow, just thinking about working again makes my heart race. I should dust off some of those old things I studied back then.”
Mother’s face was quite animated.
* * *
Lim Sun-mi regarded Shin Sung-joong with a poker face.
Shin Sung-joong’s face was flushing red.
“Sun-mi, you can’t do this to me.”
“What do you mean I can’t?”
“I took you in when you had nothing and raised you. Now you’re telling me you won’t renew your contract?”
“I believe I’ve already repaid what you did for me when I was struggling, and then some, through my earnings.”
“Tch—.”
Finally, Shin Sung-joong snorted derisively.
Then he leaned forward.
Lim Sun-mi stood with her arms crossed, regarding Shin Sung-joong with ease.
She could see exactly what card he was about to play.
“Sun-mi, you know what happens when I open my mouth?”
“….”
Lim Sun-mi waited persistently for Shin Sung-joong’s next words.
“You know, if I spread rumors throughout the Securities District—”
“I can no longer work with you, Director Shin, conducting business so filthily.”
“Hey! Do you know who I am?”
“Of course I do. Naturally. The day those rumors spread anywhere, you won’t be able to survive in this industry either. Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung won’t stand by and watch me, his exclusive Samjeon Electronics model, sink into the gutter. You know what happened to Jeon Shin Entertainment when they fell out of favor with the Samjeon Group, don’t you? There’s not a single production in South Korea that doesn’t need a Samjeon Electronics advertisement.”
Shin Sung-joong fell silent.
Instead of words, he clenched his fists tightly.
Jeon Shin Entertainment had failed to prevent a drug scandal involving an actor who worked as an exclusive Samjeon Group model.
That incident damaged the Samjeon Group’s image, leading to a damages lawsuit that completely destroyed the agency.
Lim Sun-mi rose gracefully from her seat.
This was the moment her Chanel tweed jacket and skirt truly shone.
“Director Shin, thank you for everything. And I hope that when we meet again, you’ll still be the representative of Shinsung Entertainment.”
“What?”
An angry Shin Sung-joong rose to follow her, but Lim Sun-mi simply turned and walked out of the Shinsung Entertainment representative’s office.
And her lips curved upward.
At last, I had escaped from the tedious Shin Sung-joong.
The thought flashed through my mind that perhaps all of this was thanks to Sung-guk.
None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t met Sung-guk.
* * *
July 4th, 1994.
The sports newspapers reported Lim Sun-mi’s contract renewal on their front pages.

The heat was already becoming unbearable.
I watched Mother and Kim Mi-young as they arranged the office.
[Why do my armpits keep sweating?]
I lifted my armpits toward the electric fan and dried them off.
Mother and Kim Mi-young were moving the desk back and forth, testing different positions.
“Sister, if people found out that Lim Sun-mi’s new agency doesn’t even have a proper office, they’d be shocked.”
“What does someone like us who works freely need with an office anyway? And what kind of office is this? It’s just one one-room apartment in our building.”
“Thanks to this, I can work near the children, and it’s wonderful.”
So my first talent agency was a one-room apartment in the multi-family residential building where I lived.
A tenant happened to be moving out, and it was also an appropriate choice to ease Father’s worries about Min-guk and me.
Once we placed a desk and chairs in the one-room apartment and set up a table, it looked roughly like an office.
Mother laughed softly as she watched me dry my armpits in front of the electric fan.
“Sung-guk, isn’t the office nice?”
I shook my head.
[Was I too direct? I should boost Mother’s mood a bit.]
I nodded vigorously.
“Sister, it seems Sung-guk likes it.”
“Sung-guk, you know, great things always start humbly.”
[I’ve never experienced such a humble beginning before, so I wouldn’t know, Manager Kim. By the way, aren’t you installing an air conditioner? The summer of 1994 is supposed to be the worst heat wave!]
Mother and Kim Mi-young were also sweating profusely.
“Sister, it’s really hot this summer, isn’t it?”
“It’s only early July, and if it’s this hot already, I’m worried about how much hotter it’ll get.”
Ring, ring, ring.
“Sister, a phone call!”
Mother startled and pointed at the telephone with her hand.
“That’s Sung-guk’s mother’s responsibility from now on.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
Mother hurriedly answered the phone.
“Hello. This is SKJ Entertainment. Yes. I’ll confirm the schedule for Friday, July 8th in the evening and call you back.”
Click.
Mother hung up the phone and placed her hand over her startled chest.
“Sister, I just received a call from Samjeon Electronics’ planning department.”
“What is it?”
“July 8th is the birthday of Jeon Jae-hyung’s eldest son. They’re throwing a birthday party at the Samjeon Hotel Diamond Hall in the evening, and they’re asking if Sung-guk could attend.”
July 8th was Jeon Tae-guk’s birthday—a day I could never hope to match in any way.
I crossed my arms.
[What is this, some kind of power trip? I’m not going! Absolutely not!]
Kim Mi-young pulled out her notebook and checked the schedule.
“Sung-guk’s clothing shoot is next week, so Friday should work fine. Let me negotiate the time and hourly rate.”
[Hey, Manager Kim. I said I’m not going!]
As I grumbled, Kim Mi-young pinched my cheek as if I were adorable.
[Manager Kim, don’t touch my body.]
“Aww, you’re so cute. Sung-guk, I’ll order your favorite jjajangmyeon that day.”
[Jjajangmyeon?]
Gulp.
The embarrassingly loud sound of me swallowing echoed.
I hate Jeon Tae-guk, but I want to eat jjajangmyeon.
I grabbed my brow with my tiny fingers.
[Jjajangmyeon or Jeon Tae-guk. Now that’s a dilemma.]
“Sister, now that you mention it, we should grab lunch too. How about a Chinese restaurant?”
[Mom, I want jjajangmyeon.]
I quickly raised my hand.
“Sung-guk and I will share a bowl of jjajangmyeon.”
[Mom, I can eat a whole bowl by myself now.]
Just then, the doorbell rang and Lim Sun-mi’s voice came through.
“Is this the famous SKJ Entertainment?”
“Oh my, welcome!”
Mother greeted Lim Sun-mi warmly.
“Perfect timing. We were just about to have lunch. Sun-mi, would a Chinese restaurant be okay?”
“I’m starting a film next month, so I’m on a diet. I came to give you this. It’s a money tree plant. SKJ Entertainment needs to hit it big too, you know.”
Mother quickly accepted the money tree.
“Thank you so much.”
Lim Sun-mi noticed me pouting and came over.
“Sung-guk, isn’t it hot?”
I deliberately spread my armpits open and sat in front of the fan.
[Sun-mi noona, can’t you see I’m standing in front of the fan with my armpits spread wide open?]
Lim Sun-mi turned to look at Mother.
“Sung-guk’s mother, let me buy you an air conditioner as an opening celebration gift.”
“That’s not necessary. We’ve managed fine with the fan all this time.”
[Living without air conditioning has been enough for me even now. I’ve had plenty of experiences living like a commoner, so just accept it, Mom!]
“I need to look good, but one money tree isn’t enough. Actually, I’ve already placed the entire order. The summer was so hot this year that there’s a huge backlog of contracts, so they said it would take a few days.”
I gave Lim Sun-mi a thumbs up.
[I thought I was dying from heat rash all over my body, but thank goodness. Thanks, Sun-mi.]
Kim Mi-young handed Lim Sun-mi a cold glass of barley tea.
“This doesn’t affect your diet, so it should be fine, right?”
“Of course. By the way, my next film shoot has a lot of location work, so I’m counting on you.”
“Don’t worry. I’m already meeting with the film company tomorrow to arrange everything, starting with accommodations.”
“I’m fine with everything else, but I’m a bit particular about where I sleep.”
“Of course you should be particular. Sleep is the most important thing. Don’t worry about that. If there’s anything else you need to check on, just tell me without hesitation. I need to know all those details so I can take care of them.”
“Then I’ll jot down some notes tonight and call you early tomorrow morning.”
“Yes!”
Kim Mi-young answered quite professionally now.
[Manager Kim, all of this is thanks to me. So hurry up and order some jjajangmyeon.]
* * *
“Sung-guk, it’s morning. Time to wake up!”
[Ugh, I don’t want to open my eyes.]
I rolled over in bed.
If it weren’t for the money, I would have rather died than go to Jeon Tae-guk’s birthday party.
“Sung-guk, wash up and brush your teeth.”
[Mmm. Mmm.]
I rubbed my sleepy eyes as hard as I could.
And before I knew it, I nestled into Mother’s arms with familiar ease.
[Ah, Mother’s arms were always so warm. Why didn’t I appreciate this before my regression?]
Mother stroked my hair with her hand.
“Sung-guk, would you like to rest at home today? Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s son said he really wants to see you, but if you don’t want to go, you can rest.”
[Mom, what are you talking about? Appearance fee and ten million won. I’d go to Kim Il-sung’s birthday party beyond the 38th parallel instead of Jeon Tae-guk’s, let alone this. Oh, that’s right….]
At that moment, a certain incident flashed through my mind.
The sweltering summer of 1994.
Kim Il-sung of North Korea had died.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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