The Daughter of a Conglomerate Family Has Debuted - Chapter 62

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Chaebol’s Daughter Debuted

Episode 62

“Th-the room is on the second floor?”

“Yes.”

The members were pushed into the room by me, and only after closing the door did they relax and rush toward me.

“What? Your house is totally amazing! Ryu Ji-ye! What’s your real identity!”

“I was really shocked when the driver came to pick me up…”

I don’t have much to say about the house.

I just smiled awkwardly and stayed quiet, while Han Da-min, who had been looking around the room with wide eyes, finally came to her senses and approached me.

“A-anyway, it’s been a while! Ji-ye, have you been well? How’s your health?”

The members finally asked about my well-being.

“We were worried because we couldn’t contact you. You didn’t collapse, did you?”

“You barely slept during our training camp. It wouldn’t have been strange if you really collapsed, so I was really worried.”

“We said not to overdo it, but when we noticed, all five of us were pulling all-nighters. Ha!”

Once we started having our usual conversations, the members quickly returned to normal and began chatting comfortably.

The conversation topics were recent updates and reviews of the group song.

Not just me, but all the members had aftereffects from the training camp, and they said they had a hard time focusing on recovering their condition for two days.

They were surprised and worried when articles about us came out right after our profiles were revealed.

As soon as the articles appeared, Min Ha-young’s Love Me Idol videos that had been buried for a while started getting uploaded again, and so on.

“Did you see it? I think it was the ‘Jeongseok Idol Only Farm’ channel. That gossip channel.”

“Ah, I just blocked it. I happened to see mine once, and it kept showing up in my algorithm. Did something else come up?”

“Yeah. They titled it ‘Serious Start Plan Contestant Condition’ and used yours and my photos as thumbnails.”

“Geez, they’re still doing that. I was a regular on that channel’s thumbnails. During Love Me Dol.”

Han Da-min and Min Ha-young spoke matter-of-factly.

How much must these people have suffered to talk about such painful things so casually?

‘Jeongseok Idol Only Farm’ is famous for harsh criticism and has many supporters, making it a troublesome channel.

I’ve been targeted by them too.

Because of that damn album-selling busking, I was dragged around by all sorts of gossip channels including ‘Jeongseok Idol Only Farm’.

Anyway, while I was dealing with side effects, it seems the members really went through a lot too.

If they can discuss so casually that their faces were plastered all over that channel, how worn down must they have become?

I felt upset on their behalf.

‘…That aside.’

The atmosphere seems okay though?

We got a bit bitter talking about gossip channels, but so far there doesn’t seem to be anything that would break up the group atmosphere.

All the members seem to be in pretty good spirits too.

What would happen if it’s revealed that I’m from Hongjin Group?

Or would the atmosphere turn bad when I try to draw out Choi Song-i’s true feelings?

While the members were chatting, I glanced at Choi Song-i who was fiddling with her mobile phone.

‘Even if that’s the case.’

I need to ask what I need to ask. Song-i’s condition has been strange since the training camp, and I can’t just ignore this.

We’re already noticing that Song-i has lost motivation, even though we’re not talking about it.

Among ourselves, we could cover things up saying good is good and proceed with the competition, but the viewers will definitely notice.

For the sake of future competitions, it’s definitely better to address this.

At that moment, Choi Song-i looked up from her mobile phone and our eyes met.

I opened my mouth without hesitation.

“But Song-i. What did you mean by what you said before?”

“What I said?”

The members stopped talking and looked at Song-i and me.

I pretended not to notice the members’ gazes and spoke firmly to Choi Song-i.

“You asked why I try so hard. You said don’t I know.”

This isn’t an accusation, I’m just purely curious.

I spoke gently with a warm smile, trying my best not to make the atmosphere hostile.

Then Choi Song-i rolled her eyes and nodded slightly, saying “Ah, that.”

“I did say that.”

“Why try so hard? You said that to Ji-ye? Song-i, what does that mean?”

Han Da-min asked with a confused expression.

Choi Song-i flinched and looked around at the members’ gazes directed at her.

“Ah…”

Then she leaned back slightly, seeming burdened.

I turned my body to block the members’ gazes and asked Choi Song-i once more, kindly.

“You said don’t I know, but I really don’t understand. What did you mean by that?”

I really don’t intend to corner you. I’m just asking, so don’t be defensive and speak comfortably.

I appealed with my eyes and expression to Choi Song-i, who was watching the members with eyes like a cat meeting strangers, that I had no aggressive intentions.

Only then did Choi Song-i open her tightly closed mouth.

“Can I say it? If you say it’s okay, I’ll tell you. That thing.”

“That thing? That I’m Hongjin Group’s daughter?”

When I spoke with a calm expression, Choi Song-i flinched and widened her eyes.

What’s the big deal about this?

I didn’t want to be misunderstood, and family stories are nothing more or less than TMI on competition shows, so I just didn’t mention it.

It’s really not a big deal that doesn’t need to be hidden.

“…Hong Jin?”

“Hong Jin, that major corporation?”

“Ji-ye is Hongjin Group’s daughter? Did I hear that right?”

Of course, the members were shocked by that not-big-deal, but anyway.

Choi Song-i nodded awkwardly, then glanced at the members again and spoke, pretending to be calm.

“I thought you would know since you’re from Hongjin Group. Since Hong Jin is supporting Start Plan.”

At her words, the members’ gazes toward me became strange.

Hong Jin is supporting Start Plan. And Ryu Ji-ye is Hongjin Group’s daughter.

As contestants, anyone would think of that strange connection upon hearing this.

Moreover, Han Da-min who had been active in the industry for years, and Min Ha-young and Seo Ra-eun who had competition show experience.

They must have been through a lot.

But I was confident. As confident as I was, I spoke confidently.

“I really don’t know much. Even at the group level, they only did PPL and don’t really have connections with broadcasting.”

I wiped away any trace of laughter and looked at the members.

“You’re not having strange misunderstandings, are you? I didn’t pass the audition using connections.”

“…”

What, you all don’t believe me?

Ah, of course it’s understandable not to believe. I wouldn’t believe it either. There are so many parachute appointments in the entertainment industry.

But listen. Others might not know, but don’t you all have things you’ve seen and heard directly from me?

“You all know better. I worked honestly and hard. My parents only gave permission after I passed the audition, and they hoped I’d drop out as soon as possible and focus on studying.”

“…I believe you.”

Han Da-min, who had been staring at me blankly with her mouth open, unable to manage her expression, spoke quietly.

“Thinking about it, that’s true. You worked so hard, and you’re so good at everything, why would you need to do such things?”

She had a quite rational expression. Then Min Ha-young nodded too.

“Th-that’s right… Ji-ye really worked hard… If you had gotten in through connections, you couldn’t have worked that hard.”

But Min Ha-young didn’t look like she had completely let go of her suspicions.

Her pupils shook confusedly, trying to believe but still uncertain.

What parachute appointment would admit to being one?

She probably trusts her own experiences from Love Me Idol more than me, whom she’s only known for a little over a month.

However, since they came all the way to visit my home, they probably don’t want to ruin the atmosphere, so they’re trying to believe me because they have to protect the team.

On the other hand, there was someone who truly believed in me.

“That’s right, exactly. Ji-ye isn’t that kind of person. I didn’t misunderstand anything, so you don’t need to worry.”

Seo Ra-eun stroked my back reassuringly and held my hand.

Ah, this person really is such an angel.

I wasn’t particularly upset or disappointed, but I felt comforted by Seo Ra-eun’s warm touch.

Just then, Choi Song-i, who had been quietly listening, frowned deeply and firmly grasped my other hand.

“Why is everyone acting like this? I never said Ji-ye unnie was a parachute hire.”

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