Chapter 1027: Her Plan (2)

"Gong-Ju!!"

Jin So-Mi threw open the glass door and ran inside. When she saw me, she stopped in her tracks.

"Chief Jung? Why are you here?"

I shrugged. "Why else? I'm the one who told him to send you that photo."

Breathing hard, Jin So-Mi looked at Jin Taek-Soo. "Jin Taek-Soo. You tricked me?"

Jin Taek-Soo answered apologetically. "Sorry, noona. I just couldn't fool Chief Jung. Besides, he says he even knows who Gong-Ju's father is, and that's something even I don't know."

Jin So-Mi asked in a trembling voice. "Did he tell you who it is?"

"No. He didn't tell me that much."

Jin So-Mi's eyes snapped back to me. "Jung Yoon-Ho. You were bluffing, weren't you?"

"Busan. Mr. Oh. Want me to keep going?"

The moment I mentioned words that could hint at the identity of Jin Gong-Ju's father, Jin So-Mi began trembling.

I said, "You'd do well to remember that there are fewer secrets in this world than you think."

Jin So-Mi's shrill voice echoed through the hospital lobby. "I'll keep that in mind. More importantly, where's my daughter? Is she in the emergency room? Or was the whole thing a lie?"

"Keep your voice down. You'll wake Gong-Ju."

Jin So-Mi flinched. "Wake her? Is she in a coma?"

"No. She's undergoing a sleep study. She hasn't been able to sleep from the shock of being abandoned by her mother."

Thud.

Jin So-Mi sank to the floor and let out a long sigh. "Sigh... I fell for it again..."

Her expression showed both resentment and relief. After breathing heavily for a while, she staggered to her feet and spoke to Jin Taek-Soo. "Jin Taek-Soo. I'm never answering your calls again, so keep that in mind."

"Noona. It's..."

Jin So-Mi turned away with a cold expression.

At that moment, however, I grabbed her wrist. "Where are you going?"

Jin So-Mi glared at me fiercely. "Let go."

"If you leave like this, I won't take Gong-Ju."

"Why? What's wrong with my Gong-Ju? She's a gold mine who'll make you money the moment you scout her, so why would you turn her down?"

"Money might be the most important thing to you, but my actors matter more to me. I can't take Gong-Ju without knowing what you're planning. The moment I do, I'll be dragged into it whether I want to be or not."

Before the regression, Jin So-Mi had been smarter and more calculating than she was now. That was why her plans had rarely left any openings. The current Jin So-Mi, however, was still lacking in many ways. She wasn't even ruthless enough to keep her composure after seeing a single photo I'd casually sent her. I couldn't follow her half-baked plan and risk dragging myself and my actors into it.

Jin So-Mi glared at me for a long time before finally confessing the truth. "I'm going to work as Kim Ae-Ja's secretary."

"What?"

"I went to Cheongju Prison today and met her. I officially got the job as her secretary."

Jin So-Mi explained that she had received too much money from Kim Dong-Soo to refuse his proposal.

"The offer had been on the table for months, but I'd been avoiding it. That bitch Kim Ae-Ja is famous for threatening the families of anyone who crosses her when things don't go her way. I sent Gong-Ju to Taek-Soo because I was afraid she'd get hurt."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. My life may be a mess, but my daughter can't live like her mother. She's only... eight years old."

Jin So-Mi's voice trembled as she spoke. As expected, just like before the regression, she had done all this because she cared about her daughter. I understood the whole situation now, but the most important question remained.

"I understand all that, but why did you send Gong-Ju to me of all people? I stood in your way during Miso's custody battle."

Jin So-Mi hesitated for a moment before carefully explaining why. "I know you hate me and despise me. Still, when I saw you let Gong-Ju and Miso play together, I realized you didn't hold anything against Gong-Ju. That's why I thought you'd take her in. And... I was certain that once the Jung Yoon-Ho I know accepted Gong-Ju, you'd protect her no matter what happened. You're the kind of person who'd risk his life to protect his own talents."

It was a little unsettling to hear that a woman I considered an enemy trusted me more than anyone else.

"So please take Gong-Ju in and look after her. If you don't, I don't know what Kim Dong-Soo or Kim Ae-Ja might do to my daughter."

Kim Ae-Ja wasn't the kind of person who would hold back just because her target was a child star, so I was somewhat concerned.

When I didn't answer immediately, Jin So-Mi grew anxious and began pleading. "If you're hesitating because you still resent me for what happened before, you can hit me until you feel better or do whatever you want. If you want me to kneel, I'll kneel. If you want me to crawl on the floor, I'll crawl. If you want me to lick your shoes, I'll do that too, okay? Just please protect my Gong-Ju."

As I considered what to do, Jin So-Mi finally began to kneel. At that moment, I caught her arm.

"You don't need to do this. I'll take care of Gong-Ju."

Jin So-Mi asked in a trembling voice, "Really?"

"But on one condition."

"What is it?"

"From now on, always answer when I contact you."

"How am I supposed to do that when Kim Ae-Ja and Kim Dong-Soo will be around me?"

"I'll get a new number and contact you through Kk Talk. Tell them I'm an ex-boyfriend who's stalking you. Whenever you hear from me, call me back when the situation allows."

"You're planning to get inside information through me, right? Got it. Leave it to me!"

Jin So-Mi eagerly offered to help me, but I flatly refused. "No. Don't do anything. To put it plainly, you're far too inexperienced right now. If you try something like that, you'll be caught immediately. Staying still will help me more."

Unlike before the regression, the current Jin So-Mi wasn't capable of going up against Kim Ae-Ja or Kim Dong-Soo. If she tried to help me and they caught her, I would be the one more likely to suffer for it. In other words, I had to take control of this entire situation using my knowledge of the future.

"Then why are you telling me to answer your calls?"

"Kim Ae-Ja, Kim Dong-Soo, and I can't coexist under the same sky anyway. It may take some time, but I'll make sure they're both put behind bars. Until then, I'll warn you in advance about the most serious things they'll try to make you do, so you don't cross the line."

Thanks to what I knew from before the regression, there were certain things Kim Dong-Soo and Kim Ae-Ja would do that absolutely could not be allowed. I told her I would warn her about them beforehand.

"Wait. Maybe I'm not understanding this... Are you trying to save me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"By my standards, you've already been punished enough. And once Gong-Ju becomes part of our company, you'll be the family of one of the talents I'm responsible for protecting."

Jin So-Mi's eyes showed shock.

"And even apart from the things I warn you about, don't cross the line if you think something is dangerous. If you do, even I won't be able to help you."

At first, I hadn't intended to forgive her either. However, the moment she said she would give everything she had to help me, I decided to forgive her. Part of it was because I felt sorry for the difficult life she had led, but there was another reason I needed to forgive her.

Before the regression, when Jin So-Mi was known as the "Black Widow," she had been far more capable than she was now and had committed countless wrongdoings while staying within the bounds of the law. On top of that, she had been so meticulous and intelligent that even I, the second-in-command at Top Entertainment and the best in the industry, couldn't deal with her easily.

If I could help her and stop Jin So-Mi from becoming the "Black Widow," I could save countless talents who would otherwise fall victim to her in the future.

At that moment, Jin So-Mi, who had been silently staring at me, slowly bowed her head. "All right. I'll do that. And I'll repay this debt with my life, Mr. Jung."

At her sudden use of polite speech, I bowed in return. She was no longer an enemy, but the family of one of my talents.

"Until you can get away from those two, I'll take care of Gong-Ju and raise her well. Mrs. Jin."

Jin So-Mi's bowed body began trembling even harder.

***

Jin So-Mi told me that Kim Ae-Ja planned to try to split up Daechon Inc. as soon as she was released. She also told me that Kim Ae-Ja was planning to meet with Kim Dong-Soo and all kinds of entertainers and make a massive investment in the entertainment business to crush me.

I had expected something along those lines, but now that I had heard it directly, I knew I needed to prepare even more thoroughly.

"Understood. I'll warn the chairman of Daechon Inc. once again. And if you ever find yourself in trouble, blame everything on me. Kim Ae-Ja will lose her head and won't be able to think rationally."

"Got it."

"And speak casually to me like you normally do. That way, you won't slip up."

Jin So-Mi hesitated before nodding. "O-Okay."

At that moment, Jin So-Mi's phone buzzed.

She explained, "I ditched the lawyer who went to Cheongju with me at a rest stop and took a taxi here, so she's been cursing me out over text. She's a beginner driver, so she's crawling along, but I think I'll have to meet her around Yangjae and pick her up."

"Understood."

Before leaving the hospital, Jin So-Mi gazed at Jin Taek-Soo and spoke. "Taek-Soo. I asked Chief Jung to take care of Gong-Ju, but you know you're the one I trust, right?"

Jin Taek-Soo grinned. "Of course. Oh, and Noona."

"Yeah?"

"What will you do if Mr. Jung somehow gets Kim Ae-Ja locked up again?"

"There's still Kim Dong-Soo."

"Well, he said he'd put Kim Dong-Soo behind bars too."

"I don't know. I've never thought about what comes after that."

That was when Jin Taek-Soo spoke. "When that time comes, grant me one request."

"What request?"

"Promise you'll grant me anything. Then I'll let you go."

Jin So-Mi glanced at the clock and sighed. "Fine. I'll grant you anything. Happy? I'm leaving."

At that moment, Jin Taek-Soo spoke to Jin So-Mi's back as she turned away. "Noona. I'll tell you my wish right now. If Mr. Jung does what he said and takes down Kim Ae-Ja first, then gets rid of Kim Dong-Soo, marry me for real."

Jin So-Mi stopped and turned her head. "W-What did you say?"

"You heard me. I said, let's get married."

"Jin Taek-Soo, you..."

"So don't do any weird hospitality work or get involved in anything like that again. Got it?"

"Hey..."

"Why? Are you so sick of your ex-husband that you don't even want to look at another man now?"

Flustered, Jin So-Mi refused. "You'll regret it. So make another wish."

"No. I'll never regret it. Do you know how long I've loved you? So when all of this is over, let's get married again. That's the only wish I have."

Jin So-Mi silently looked into Jin Taek-Soo's eyes. When Jin Taek-Soo met her gaze without wavering in the slightest, she drew a long breath and muttered to herself. "I always thought I was the unluckiest bitch in the world, but I was wrong. The greatest blessing of my life was right beside me."

Looking regretful, Jin So-Mi nodded at Jin Taek-Soo. "All right, Taek-Soo. If that day really comes... then I'll grant your wish."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When that day comes."

That was when Jin Gong-Ju's voice came from the far end of the hallway. "Dad... where are you...?"

Flustered, Jin So-Mi lowered her voice. "I have to go. Gong-Ju can't see me. And thank you, both of you. I mean it."

Jin So-Mi let go and fled the lobby as if running away. On her face, however, was a natural, beautiful smile I had never once seen before the regression.

That was when Jin Taek-Soo watched Jin So-Mi disappear with a wistful look, then cautiously asked me. "Mr. Jung. How long will it take to get noona out of there?"

"I plan to finish it within a year."

The schedule entry for the founding of Top Entertainment still remained in my Everyday.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: November 11, 2022]

-1:00 p.m.: Top Entertainment founding ceremony.

I didn't know how Top Entertainment would be established, but one thing was certain—Kim Dong-Soo would be at the center of it. So I had no intention of letting either Kim Dong-Soo or Kim Ae-Ja, who planned to join forces with him, walk away quietly.

Even after hearing that it would take a year, Jin Taek-Soo spoke with hope in his eyes. "Understood. And if possible, please make it a little sooner."

"All right."

"Then let's hurry. I think Gong-Ju is having a nightmare."

Forcing a smile, Jin Taek-Soo hurried toward Jin Gong-Ju, who was calling for her father.

I followed behind him and answered silently.

'Don't worry, Mr. Jin Taek-Soo. The first attack will begin within a few days.'

***

Jin Gong-Ju's sleep study would take the entire night, so I left Jin Taek-Soo at the hospital and returned home.

As I opened the garage door and parked the car, a Kk Talk message arrived from Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon.

[Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon: Thanks for the information. I'll make sure I'm even better prepared to fight my sister.]

I had sent her the information Jin So-Mi gave me before leaving the hospital, and she replied that she would prepare for Kim Ae-Ja's release by special pardon in a few days.

I immediately replied through Kk Talk.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Let's meet briefly the day before the special pardon. I have something in mind.]

[Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon: Really? All right. I'll keep that evening free. Let's meet with my father too.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: All right.]

By the time I finished messaging her about meeting the day before Kim Ae-Ja's special pardon, the clock on my phone showed 9:30 p.m. on June 1.

I got out of the car and entered the lit living room on the first floor. Yoo-Jin and Miso were sitting together, watching the vote-counting broadcast for The People's Choice: 2021 Local Elections. Jung In-Ji had gone on a trip with Writer Lee Ji-Yeon and her family visiting from the United States and hadn't returned yet.

"Oh! Uncle Yoon-Ho's home!" Miso, who had been watching the broadcast, quickly ran over to greet me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho. What happened to Gong-Ju?"

I answered, "She's fine. She's getting some tests done and sleeping. She'll be discharged tomorrow."

Having spoken to Jin Gong-Ju on the phone, Miso let out a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin quickly wrote on her tablet and showed me what she thought.

[Jin So-Mi didn't seem like the kind of woman who'd abandon her daughter just to save herself. Something feels strange.]

I didn't want to lie to the two of them, but to protect Jin Gong-Ju, I had to let them believe for the time being that Jin So-Mi had abandoned her.

"Well, we can't know every detail of someone else's family situation."

At that moment, Miso stamped her feet and shouted, "That lady's mean!"

Miso rarely got angry, but now she was even stamping her feet. Earlier, when she spoke to Jin Gong-Ju on the phone, Jin Gong-Ju had sobbed that her mother had abandoned her.

Yoo-Jin hugged Miso tightly, stroked her hair, and comforted her.

Miso looked at her mother and asked, "Mom. Can I be extra nice to Gong-Ju? She's my friend."

Yoo-Jin looked saddened and wrote on her tablet.

[Of course. Gong-Ju must be having a really hard time, so be a good friend to her.]

Miso nodded repeatedly. "Okay! I'll cheer Gong-Ju up."

Miso put a finger to her forehead and began thinking of a way to cheer Gong-Ju up. Her kindhearted reaction brought a warm smile to my face.

At that moment, the announcer on TV shouted excitedly.

-We've just confirmed the first projected winner among the metropolitan mayoral elections nationwide. Incheon mayoral candidate Go Joon-Taek is projected to win, defeating candidate Yoo Sung-Joon by fifteen percentage points! Let's go live to the scene for an interview.

The TV screen immediately changed to show Go Eun-Seo's father, Go Joon-Taek, and Han So-Ye wearing flower garlands and holding microphones. Go Joon-Taek's victory speech followed.

'That's good.'

Only after seeing Go Joon-Taek win did I finally let out a sigh of relief.

Today, I had stopped the attack targeting Yoo-Jin and recruited Cheon Song-Hee in the process, changing her life. I had also gained the chance to help Jin Gong-Ju and Jin So-Mi, and on top of that, I had confirmed Go Joon-Taek's victory.

My entire body felt ready to fall apart from exhaustion, but my chest swelled at the thought that my efforts had changed several lives for the better.

At that moment, my phone buzzed.

Buzz.

I checked my vibrating phone and saw a call from Go Joon-Taek. The TV had already moved on from his victory speech and returned to the studio broadcast. It seemed Go Joon-Taek had called me the moment his live interview ended.

I answered and congratulated him first.

"Mr. Assemblyman. No, Mr. Mayor. Congratulations on your victory."

-Hahaha. Thank you. I couldn't mention it on TV, but I wanted you to be the first person I thanked over the phone.

"Not at all. I hardly did anything."

-What do you mean, you hardly did anything? Thanks to you, I reflected on my mistakes and was able to approach the voters with greater sincerity. My arrogant wife changed because of you, and so did my daughter, who used to care only about her pride.

"I'm sorry. I know what I said must have upset you."

-No. I deserved it. Anyway, now that I've won, I'll make sure to keep the promise I made you before.

Now that he was the mayor of Incheon, Go Joon-Taek was saying he would keep his promise to keep Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon of the ruling party in check.

"I'm counting on you."

-Likewise. Then I'll see you again sometime.

"Yes, Mr. Mayor."

Hearing someone thank me for changing their life left me with a strange feeling.

Tap, tap.

Yoo-Jin tapped my arm. When I looked at her to see what she wanted, she pointed at Miso. Miso still had a finger pressed to the side of her head and was deep in thought.

"Miso. Are you still thinking of a way to cheer Gong-Ju up?" I asked.

Just then, Miso clapped her hands, beamed, and proudly exclaimed. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! I thought of a way to cheer Gong-Ju up!"

"What is it?"

Miso grinned and began explaining her idea.

However, the idea Miso had come up with was utterly absurd.