Chapter 1476: Going Home (1) |
Inside a certain hotel’s restaurant…
Beads of cold sweat caked Kang Jin-Ho’s forehead.
Why? Because he could see Choi Yeon-Ha, currently sitting right in front of him, was emitting the aura of sheer dejection and depression, one intense enough to pierce the heavens and crush the earth below!
Usually, it was Han Eun-Sol’s role to try his best to console the talent under his management, but not this time. Even he was scratching at the plate with his fork, his expression even more wretched than hers.
It’s not like they were Kim Gu lamenting the loss of their mother nation, so how…[1]
How could someone be so depressed like this? Kang Jin-Ho was truly mystified by this development and had to ask Choi Yeon-Ha again.
“So, what you’re saying is, it looks like you will have to give up on the American film role?”
“Yes,” said Han Eun-Sol instead of Choi Yeon-Ha. “We just can’t do anything about noona’s scheduling conflicts.”
He groaned deeply over and over again, his fork scratching the plate faster and faster.
Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Is the two overlapping such a big problem?”
“Well, if both productions were in China, or in America for that matter, we could have made it work, you see? But it’s impossible when they are in two separate countries. It’ll take too long to travel between the two.”
Han Eun-Sol frowned deeply in bitterness.
The thing about filming was that it didn’t happen continuously day after day. Depending on the scenes being filmed, actors not involved might end up doing nothing for a week, sometimes even for longer. Or they might be forced into a grueling shooting schedule lasting for several days.
So, in theory, starring in two different productions at the same time could be doable as long as the filming schedules could be moved around. But Choi Yeon-Ha’s problem was the distance between China and America.
“It’s over twelve hours on a plane between the two countries, you know? And then, we gotta get to the airport and clear the customs, too. All in all, each trip will take at least fifteen hours. So, one round trip will be over thirty hours in total…!”
Choi Yeon-Ha groaned loudly.
“Even if we can make the filming schedules line up, traveling such long distances will take a toll on me for sure. You might not notice it if you only travel occasionally. But it’s safe to assume that all the traveling will half-kill me by the end. I mean, I’d have to travel back and forth at least twice a week, so…”
Even Kang Jin-Ho had to agree that was asking for too much.
“My stamina’s gotten better lately, but even then… I don’t think I can make it work,” said Choi Yeon-Ha. “Even if we somehow move the schedule around to accommodate me, my performance will still suffer if I’m too exhausted during the shoot.”
Han Eun-Sol cautiously glanced at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Noona, how about giving up the Chinese production instead…?”
“Are you crazy!” Choi Yeon-Ha glared at him sharply. “This is not the issue of missing out, okay? No, it’s trust! We’ve already signed contracts and got the filming schedule agreed on with the Chinese, okay? If I pull out of the production just because I’ve found something better, the industry will stop trusting me, and no one will want to work with me again!”
“I know that, but… It’s because missing out on this part is too much of a loss, noona.”
“No, I won’t do it. I can’t do that to the crew members who put their faith in me, okay? That would be wrong. What’s so good about Hollywood, anyway? If it’s not meant to be, so be it. I’ll never break professional promises I’ve made.”
Han Eun-Sol slowly nodded. He agreed that this was the right attitude to have, that this was the right way of doing things. Besides, he understood her personality well enough to know that she’d never break contracts herself, anyway.
She was the type to see things through till the end, no matter how hellish the job was. In fact, she had never whined once during the shoot, had she? Even if her dressing rooms had to bear the brunt of her wrath most of the time!
Yes, Han Eun-Sol knew all this, yet still couldn’t help but ask again. Because this opportunity meant that much to Choi Yeon-Ha.
I mean, the part they are offering her is substantial, after all!
Han Eun-Sol couldn’t remember if any Korean actor had been entrusted with a part this important in the history of American cinema. That was how good this part was, yet she must walk away from it because of some stupid scheduling conflicts?
“It’s fine. Leave it,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with some determination, then began cutting into the steak on her plate with a knife. “That’s life, okay? Life is full of ups and downs. If you get something, you’re bound to lose something else, too. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll get other opportunities later. Let’s just call this a missed opportunity and move on.”
“…Got it, noona.”
Han Eun-Sol sighed deeply just then before staring at the steak resting on his plate. He didn’t think he’d be able to stomach this.
He was impressed by how Choi Yeon-Ha could even think about eating food right now. If he was in her shoes, he’d have locked himself up in a room and wallowed in his misery or something.
“Excuse me. If you don’t mind me asking…” Wiggins, who had been silently listening, asked while making a weird expression. “This part in the American film production you’re talking about… Is it that important?”
“Uhh… I’m not sure how to answer that since you’ve asked an exceedingly obvious question,” Han Eun-Sol replied.
Wiggins noticed the grimace on Han Eun-Sol’s face and chuckled wryly. “No, no. That’s not what I meant, but as in, how important it is to our business operation?”
“Uh…?”
Han Eun-Sol faltered, but thankfully, Choi Yeon-Ha replied for him.
“It’s very important.”
She used a napkin to dab the area near her lips and sipped on wine before furrowing her brow. “Really? Wine? Does everyone here only drink booze or something? Eun-Sol, can you get me a cup of soda?”
“Mm? Get me cola as well.”
When Kang Jin-Ho quickly chimed in, Choi Yeon-Ha gave him a brief side-eye before resuming her explanation.
“It depends on how I do, but as long as the film proves to be a box office hit, it will open so many doors for us. We’ll now have direct access to Hollywood, after all. Our agency has quite a few pretty girls, and we’ve started signing up male actors recently, too, so we can supply our talents if Hollywood producers are looking for actors for certain roles.”
“I see. So the issue is not as simple as the prestige of the role itself, but there’s also the impact to our business operation to consider.”
“Yes. Let’s not forget, the level of salaries on offer is on another scale in America. The money the top Korean stars get paid is only about what mid-tier talents get paid in Hollywood, you see? You’ll get paid more for a nice part here than working your butt off for the whole year back in Korea. And, if things go well and you get lucky… You’ll become a global superstar.”
“Hmm…” Wiggins slowly rubbed his beard as a strange little smirk floated up on his lips. He then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho. “How about it, my lord?”
Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Mm?”
“Since this is a business-related matter, isn’t it fine for us to support Miss Choi’s endeavor? It’s as she has said earlier. This isn’t about her own personal success, but MK’s success.”
“Mm, sure. That’s true, but…” Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. “You want us to buy a fighter jet and give her a ride or something?”
“My lord, your sense of humor can amaze me sometimes. No, I’m thinking about the gate.”
“Mm?”
Wiggins casually shrugged. “We can just connect China to America using a gate. As luck would have it, we’ve recently installed a gate in America, haven’t we? One gate having three destinations isn’t all that challenging to achieve. Although, we’d need the Master’s permission if we wish to include Europe.”
“Huh…”
Kang Jin-Ho grew a little dazed. They could do that?
“Would America be okay with it, though?”
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t be. Besides, if I remember correctly, our deal with the Americans should include a clause about supporting MK’s business expansion into North America to their best abilities.”
Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “And why is such a clause even present in the contract?”
MK wouldn’t be operating a business in America, so what was the point of having such a clause?
Lee Hyeon-Su suddenly chimed in. “I added it in, sir.”
“…”
Kang Jin-Ho’s head slowly turned to his side.
That’s right! We have a dude among us who will do strange things like that!
Lee Hyeon-Su enthusiastically gulped the wine down as it was beer before putting his glass down. “Assembly Master? If you’re not going to drink that wine, maybe I…”
Kang Jin-Ho slowly pushed the glass of wine he hadn’t even touched toward Lee Hyeon-Su. “So… You were responsible for adding such a clause? Why?”
“Well, because you never know, sir. It’s not like this contract will be in effect for only one or two years, anyway. We could be running a business in America in ten years, so I figured I might as well. Of course, I didn’t think it’d come into effect so soon.”
“…”
Kang Jin-Ho had to hand it to Lee Hyeon-Su. This dude could be one hell of a smart guy at times!
“I guess the Americans found the clause insignificant, judging from their lack of resistance to it, sir. Even if there wasn’t any clause, I don’t think it’ll pose a problem, though. I mean, we just want to use the gate a bit, so what could possibly be a problem? It’s not like we’re asking them to set up a dedicated immigration office there or something, anyway.”
“But what about their border security?”
“Again, not a problem, sir. We’re not terrorists, after all.”
“Mmm…”
Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded while letting out a soft grunt.
This was an easily solvable matter when he thought about it. Sure, there were real-world issues like visas and clearing immigration, but… Didn’t he already have an excellent team of administrators capable of handling such things?
Kang Jin-Ho curiously asked. “Okay, that’s America sorted. What about China, though?”
“That should be easy as well, sir. After all, we’re in an alliance with the Chinese government, aren’t we?”
“…”
Ah, that’s right. There’s that.
“Sure, it’s an alliance in name only. And our relationship is more like two rivals busy praying to our ancestors and to heaven for the other’s swift destruction, but it’s still an alliance, isn’t it? What excuse can they even use to stop us if we say we’re building a passage to ensure a quicker response in case our allies need help? More crucially, though, the one who will be traveling back and forth will be Miss Choi, anyway.”
Wiggins smoothly took over the baton just then.
“We can have people stationed at all the destinations. That should make for a trouble-free journey. The timing is fortunate, since our side now finally boasts people capable of performing such roles. I’m sure we’ll have no shortage of volunteers. Although, I’d rather bring mages from the Round Table instead.”
Lee Hyeon-Su blinked his eyes. “Huh? Why?”
“Simple. I can’t stand the thought of those idiots enjoying all-expenses-paid vacations in foreign countries! They still have so much to learn left, after all! That’s why I’d rather hire the Round Table’s mages.”
“…”
Lee Hyeon-Su stared weirdly at Wiggins. What happened to this gent? Wasn’t he more… reasonable in his approach in the past? Like a typical Westerner?
Apparently, one’s environment would reshape a person accordingly; Wiggins was acting like a tenured professor who loved to make the lives of his postgraduate students difficult for fun. Not just any professor either, but a Korean one at that!
Lee Hyeon-Su shook his head. “Then, the only thing we gotta think about is the operating cost of maintaining a gate like that. Will this business venture be enough to cover the costs?”
“Mm, the money is…”
“All the salary I make will be deposited into the company’s account,” said Choi Yeon-Ha. Her firm declaration stopped the discussion between the Assembly’s people even before it could start. “I don’t understand what you three are talking about, but it sounds like you have a way to solve my problem. Isn’t that right?”
Wiggins nodded. “Yes, Miss Choi. We certainly do.”
“Then it’s decided. My salary should be enough to cover the cost, yes?”
“Mm…?”
Wiggins tilted his head slightly. He had no idea how much the Americans would pay Choi Yeon-Ha, after all. Then again…
“Miss Choi, I’ll be honest. Money itself isn’t important in our discussion. Neither MK nor the Assembly is suffering from a lack of funds, after all. No, what we’re curious about is if this business venture is worth the trouble of supporting you.”
“I will make it worth the trouble,” said Choi Yeon-Ha, her eyes burning brighter now. “It feels like some people within MK think of the entertainment side of the company as a window dressing, a loss-making department that only exists to make us look good on paper. But let me show you what ‘cash cow’ looks like in real life!”
“You don’t have to go that far, though…?”
“No, I want to do this.”
“Oh… of course.” Wiggins grinned wryly, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho. The final say in the matter belonged to Kang Jin-Ho, after all.
He glanced back at Wiggins. “How tricky will the installation be?”
“Not at all. It’ll be on the level of a Sunday stroll, really. Since I have helpers, a day should be enough to finish the installation, my lord.”
Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “I see. Having a gate installed in China should come in handy one day.”
He had to swim in the ocean and even break through North Korea to escape China. So, having a magic gate that allowed you to teleport in and out of there instantly would mean… The Assembly could instantly dispatch a combat force in case of an emergency!
Even if such a combat force didn’t do anything else besides protecting the portal and creating an escape path for the combatants already on a mission in China, the portal would’ve already proven its worth several times over.
“And using the already-activated gates shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. Let’s do it,” said Kang Jin-Ho while nodding slightly.
He didn’t want to rely on the Martial Assembly’s resources to support Choi Yeon-Ha the individual. That would be crossing the line. However, this was about MK. Besides, Wiggins and Lee Hyeon-Su were obviously keen, which changed the story somewhat.
I’m grateful.
Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t dense enough not to realize that those two were trying to help him out here. For now, all he could do was thank them in his mind.
Choi Yeon-Ha frowned deeply. “But what is this gate thing you keep bringing up?”
Wiggins grinned brightly. “You’ll find out tomorrow, since we’ll be using it to travel back to Korea.”
“…? I thought we’d be traveling on a plane?”
“I assure you, our way will be more interesting.” A meaningful grin etched on Wiggins’ face. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to thank me for…”
“Well, I guess I owe you, Mister Jin-Ho. Thanks!”
“…”
Wiggins’ smile froze on his face when Choi Yeon-Ha thanked Kang Jin-Ho instead. Even though he said she didn’t have to thank him, it still felt super-weird to see her thanking someone else.
Wiggins grew a little downtrodden while feeling like a circus bear just then.
1. Kim Gu was a Korean independence activist and a statesman, who is revered in South Korea and is also considered one of the greatest figures in the country’s history. ☜
