The Hit Song of This Life Is Revenge - Chapter 15

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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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In This Life, the Hit Song is Revenge
Episode 15
Ping-.
Ping, ping-.
The moment she arrived at the airport, her phone shrieked in rapid succession.
Messages flooded across the lock screen.
The wheels of her suitcase clicked sharply against the tactile paving blocks.
Lee Jae-i caught her breath for one more beat to the rhythm of that sound, then turned on the screen.
The first things that caught her eye were her aunt’s texts.
A string of messages mixed with subtle threats stretched down the screen.
[What is this money you left behind!]
[Send me your account number, right now!]
[As soon as you arrive, contact me. Lee Jae-i.]
Jae-i had left all the money she exchanged under the sofa, along with a brief note.
It was money she intended to give, but she knew the tussle would drag on, which was why she did it this way.
As expected, it was a good idea to leave it behind.
She tapped away on the keypad.
[I arrived safely, Auntie. Next time I visit, buy me something delicious. I’ll be in touch again.]
[I told you to send your account number!]
After a few more rounds of pushing and pulling, her aunt took a step back.
[I’m going to leave it exactly as it is, so you must come and use it next time! I wonder who you take after to be this stubborn.]
It felt like her aunt was describing herself, so Jae-i let out a small laugh.
The next message she checked was from Representative Kang Ki-baek.
[I have set a meeting date with the production team. Please check the detailed schedule below and contact me.]
Jae-i arched her eyebrows as she verified the date.
“Three days from now?”
She immediately pressed the dial button.
The ringing stopped before it could chime a third time.
– Jae-i, did you arrive safely?
“Yes. What about you, Representative?”
Originally, they were supposed to take the same flight, but he had departed a day early due to an urgent matter.
– You’ll probably need to adjust to the time difference, so if you feel uncomfortable, let me know. I’ll inquire to see if we can adjust the schedule.
“It’s fine. I’ll keep the date you mentioned in mind.”
If it were up to Representative Kang, he certainly wouldn’t have rushed things so hastily.
For the meeting date to be this early meant the production team wanted that specific day.
Even then, they likely had no choice but to agree after seeing the brand value of Star Entertainment.
She didn’t want to cause trouble for Representative Kang.
And, conversely, a faster schedule was actually better.
– For now, rest today. Let’s meet and talk before the meeting date.
Jae-i hung up the phone and fell into thought for a moment.
‘A meeting…’
If a spot for an overseas contestant remained, the probability of appearing was high.
However, she couldn’t entirely cast away her doubts.
Rather than simply increasing the number of cast members, the production team wanted a ‘story.’
That must have been the reason an overseas contestant appeared in the first place.
Furthermore, viewers don’t watch competition programs simply to listen to songs.
‘Singing alone won’t cut it.’
She needed something definitive to secure her appearance.
What aspects should she actively appeal to during the meeting?
The possibilities aligned themselves in her mind one after another.
The dramatic nature of her participation, the storylines that could be drawn out.
‘No.’
Jae-i shook her head.
They were attractive, but they lacked a decisive blow.
‘In that case… what about Baek Song-ha?’
Song-ha would absolutely appear on that program.
As the designated candidate for winner.
A competitive dynamic with a ‘contestant who has no choice but to survive until the end.’
On top of that, what if the balance of skill was appropriately matched?
A smile spread across Jae-i’s lips.
“That’s the picture the person in charge would want.”
Inwardly, she quietly pictured Song-ha and repeated to herself.
‘But, it won’t be the picture you want.’
* * *
At that same hour, Baek Song-ha calmly pulled out her phone in front of the practice room.
‘It’s done.’
Within the schedule that proceeded exactly as planned, a cold thrill enveloped her body.
It was a sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time.
[ Guide to Changes in Solo Song Evaluation Time.
Hello, YU Entertainment trainees.
The previously scheduled solo song evaluation time has been changed.
Please ensure you check this so that no confusion occurs.
• Original: 2:00 PM
• Changed: 11:00 AM
※ The original weekly evaluation will proceed normally at 4:00 PM.
※ In case of lateness, it will be regarded as an absence and excluded from the evaluation.]
After checking the notice, Baek Song-ha slowly slid her phone into her bag.
The alarms of the other kids hadn’t rung yet.
‘It seems it went through properly this time.’
“Song-ha. Is it really okay for us to use this practice room today?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
The trainees who followed Song-ha widened their eyes at the sight unfolding before them.
The space they had entered was a place permitted only to currently active singers.
It was a practice room equipped like a stage with expensive microphones and audio systems.
It was a dreamlike place for anyone.
Song-ha had invited the kids into that sweet space.
Though wary, the kids moved their steps as if possessed by the atmosphere.
Song-ha glanced at their dazed expressions and stood in the center of the practice room.
“You know today’s solo song evaluation is really important, right?”
At that question, the kids’ eyes flashed simultaneously.
Eyes like flames containing solid determination.
Baek Song-ha scanned those eyes one by one and lowered her voice by a tone.
“Aren’t you curious why I brought you guys here?”
Stepping closer one by one, the kids held their breath and listened intently.
“A group will be formed with the trainees appearing in this season of I’m Your Singer Season 3.”
Song-ha continued more quietly, almost in a whisper.
“I want our group to be filled with talented kids. That’s why I rented this practice room separately, too.”
She had explicitly said ‘our group.’
At those words, the kids’ emotions surged like a violent wave.
And simultaneously, a certain rumor brushed through their minds.
The rumor that a group was being structured around the only daughter of Daekyung Group.
The kids faced each other, sharing anticipation and tension.
“You have to do really well. Appearing there is just the beginning. You understand what I’m saying, right?”
“Yeah!”
Their voices gathered into one, harboring a firm resolve.
“I rented it for exactly four hours starting from ten o’clock. It’s right before we go to take the evaluation.”
The contagiousness of ambition is remarkable.
As soon as one child’s eyes shone, the rest exhaled a hot energy in succession.
A chilly smile spread across Song-ha’s lips.
According to plan, the notice would arrive for the kids here around 10:40 AM.
Since options like an additional opportunity due to non-delivery also had to disappear.
A time where they could arrive just right if they checked immediately.
That amount was appropriate.
Song-ha checked the clock.
10:30 AM.
Clap-!
She gathered the kids’ attention with the sound of a clap.
“All the audio tracks are installed on the equipment. You can play them through that, so let’s collect the phones. It’ll only cause a distraction for no reason.”
“But, what if an alarm comes for the weekly evaluation notice change…”
One child hesitated.
Song-ha moved her steps resolutely and spoke clearly.
“Do you not understand what I’m saying?”
In an instant, the air sank heavily.
Rumors travel fast among trainees.
In particular, talk like someone having left circulated in a flash.
As if suddenly remembering something, the posture of the child who had spoken straightened up.
“Oh, no, it’s nothing!”
The complexion of the child who pulled the phone out of her pocket turned white.
Song-ha stared intently at the phone.
“W-why…?”
“Please, let’s understand the first time. I told you it causes a distraction.”
‘Ah!’ Letting out a short lament, the child turned off the power of the phone.
The remaining kids voluntarily pressed the shutdown button and handed them over to Song-ha.
The phones piled up neatly in a corner of the practice room.
“For the next hour, focus entirely on practice.”
“Just us?”
“Are you going to go out to eat lunch? Since there isn’t even enough time to practice, I’ll go buy it.”
“We’ll really be working hard!”
At those desperate eyes, Song-ha barely swallowed the ridicule that was leaking out.
She left the phones behind, but it didn’t matter.
One hour.
‘The time is perfect for letting one’s guard down.’
Furthermore, doing it this way ensures there won’t be any issues later either.
A plan must be thorough, but the exit must be even cleaner.
The kids turned off the power themselves and submitted their phones,
And the devices were in a place where they could be checked at any time.
“It’s their own carelessness, after all.”
After taking a few steps, the sound of music could be heard immediately.
Song-ha quickly shifted her steps toward the main building.

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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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