Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 335

335. A Fool’s Hope is a Sure Disappointment (2)

Objectively, it wasn’t a threat.

‘So what? That’s how I’m going to take it.’

He was smiling, but like the twisted words he spoke, Yeon-woo’s true feelings were also skewed.

‘So why are you bullying my kid, huh?’

It was an exaggeration to call Trevi a fan, considering how famous he was.

And he was too big and imposing to be called a kid, but…

‘To almost get kicked out of the company just for liking someone. How can this be allowed?’

To be precise, it wasn’t that Trevi was being kicked out, but that Trevi was cutting ties with the company.

But that fact wasn’t important to Yeon-woo.

What mattered was this:

-My fan, Trevi, almost suffered disadvantages at his company because of me!

And Yeon-woo was extremely soft-hearted towards fans who liked him.

If they had just ignored him, he would have let it go.

But the moment Trevi’s agency got involved.

This kind of situation was practically inevitable.

‘You can’t even support him, yet you’re running your mouth off?’

If they hadn’t written nonsense on social media, the situation might have been different.

[We always trust and support Trevi.]

What good is it to just talk?

[He is a great artist and has a wonderful pioneering spirit to forge his own path.]

Even the word ‘pioneering spirit’ felt unpleasant.

Doesn’t it refer to the spirit of confronting difficult and challenging tasks to achieve results?

‘Why is collaboration between artists considered a pioneering spirit?’

So, the company that Trevi worked so hard to build couldn’t even trust its own artist.

Strictly speaking, it was a bit far from the truth, but this was also irrelevant to Yeon-woo.

Once Trevi was recognized as a ‘fan.’

To Yeon-woo, Trevi was nothing more and nothing less than a lamb to be protected and defended.

No matter how globally successful Trevi was.

No matter how imposing the tattoos covering his arms and legs were.

No matter how his broad shoulders and chest, built from exercise, overwhelmed most ready-made clothes.

‘No one can touch my fans.’

To Yeon-woo, he was like a delicate little flower… well, not quite, but someone who needed to be protected.

And one more thing.

That wasn’t the only thing bothering him.

‘Who dares to see him as an obstacle?’

A person he already disliked was saying things he hated, so he couldn’t help but dislike him even more.

“Ahahaha… Mr. Kang. I think there’s some misunderstanding. If my words offended you, I apologize in advance…”

“Certainly, a new challenge does seem like a challenge.”

The corners of Yeon-woo’s lips quirked up.

The president’s eyes twitched, caught in the binding gaze.

“Fortunately, Mr. Bill seems to like Trevi’s ‘new challenge.’ I’m not mistaken, am I?”

“…Of course! Absolutely. You have no idea how much I wanted to hear this song to the end. How much I pestered Trevi.”

“You probably didn’t know I wrote the lyrics and composed the music.”

“Cough, cough. Ahem. No. Please don’t misunderstand. My heart can’t take it.”

“But isn’t it true that it’s not a misunderstanding? I think I clearly saw you panicking earlier.”

“That… Ahem. That’s because anyone would be surprised to see someone who created such a wonderful song.”

“Ah. I see. Then Mr. Bill would welcome anyone who creates wonderful songs, regardless of who they are.”

“Of course, that’s right. Absolutely.”

He was clearly speaking with a smile, but strangely, he felt pressured.

With his position as president, parrying sharp words was nothing.

But strangely, each word from this ‘Mr. Kang’ felt like it was inflicting serious damage.

Even though he was speaking with a smile, it felt like sharp blades were flying from all directions.

“Then you’ll sincerely welcome UTT, whom you just signed with, not just formally, right?”

“Of course. Of course…?”

“Ah. I’m so glad that Mr. Bill is such an open-minded person. Seeing the things being said about Trevi these days, it’s sad that there are still so many kinds of discrimination.”

“That is… I have nothing to say.”

Yeon-woo smiled brightly.

“I’m not saying anything to Mr. Bill. I just thought that if talented friends can’t show their skills due to external factors in a discriminatory environment, it would be a loss for all of humanity.”

“You’re very… thoughtful.”

“You’re welcome. I believe in Mr. Bill. I can rest assured knowing that Mr. Bill, who sincerely supports Trevi’s ‘new challenge’ and has an eye for recognizing wonderful songs, is here.”

And then, as a finishing touch, another radiant smile.

‘You’re going to be out of your mind, Mr. Bill.’

Another thing that bothered Yeon-woo since coming here was this.

Even though it’s the 21st century, discriminatory views still remain.

Of course, no one says anything outright.

Maybe on the internet, but not to your face.

But the subtle temperature of the gazes was impossible to ignore.

‘K-POP is popular, they say.’

Could it be that it’s decreased to this level?

Anyway, considering how famous K-POP is, the number of artists actively working overseas is surprisingly small.

‘The bigger problem is that they don’t even realize they’re discriminating.’

Isn’t that why Korean artists aren’t being treated fairly overseas?

For example.

If Yeon-woo, not Trevi, had released the new song.

‘The reaction would have been very different.’

It wouldn’t have been as enthusiastic as it is now.

It’s a bit of a strange direction, but anyway.

There might have been more negative stories than friendly ones.

‘If I’m like this, what about UTT?’

[Yeon-woo, look at this.]

[These guys are crossing the line?]

[I’ll remember this. I’ll be sure to visit them tonight.]

You can tell just by looking at the baby kitten hissing and getting angry.

After the beginning, Dong-ja-ryeong diverted the topic on his own, but…

“What are you doing?”

[Aaaani?! I didn’t do anything?! I definitely didn’t look at the internet?!]

“You know you can’t Alt-Tab because your hands are too short, right?”

[Kkeueung……]

It seems he was trying to be considerate and do it secretly.

But like the internet addict he is, Dong-ja-ryeong repeatedly failed.

As a result, Yeon-woo realized one thing.

That subtle discrimination still exists in this world.

‘Even the president of a global record label is like this. Can I leave the UTT kids in a place like this?’

The answer was simple.

No.

‘How could I leave the kids I raised!’

They’re already having a hard time, and they barely managed to get their lives on track, but if the president is like this, how can they work overseas?

So, Yeon-woo decided to add some spice.

And give them a taste of their own medicine.

“That’s a great idea!”

That’s how this plan came about.

‘A fool’s hope is a sure disappointment.’

‘Indeed, a fool’s hope is a sure disappointment.’

Mr. Bill was overwhelmed by Yeon-woo’s manipulation and coaxing, and obediently gave the answers he wanted.

He probably doesn’t have the leeway to give any other answer due to the overwhelming pressure and influence that’s taking his mind off things right now.

‘I hope he doesn’t try to deny it later. Well, there’s a witness next to me…’

Have you ever heard that words have power?

[Aigoo. That president is done for. He’s caught in the linguistic trap he created.]

Dong-ja-ryeong, who was inside Trevi’s hood, clicked his tongue.

Linguistic trap.

Literally, the power that words possess.

[I’m glad he answered obediently, though. Right? Otherwise, the night would have been a bit rough.]

Sak sak.

Dong-ja-ryeong groomed his tiny front paws and smiled slyly.

Whatever the case, he’s sincere towards Yeon-woo.

He expressed great regret to the label president who didn’t take a single action while negative opinions were taking up 50 percent.

[Hmph. I’ll have to see how well he does from now on.]

Without knowing that Dong-ja-ryeong was sharpening his knife like that.

“Haha… The cat is very cute…”

Mr. Bill desperately tried to change the subject.

Since some time ago, Dong-ja-ryeong had been following Trevi around, and going out was no exception.

He climbs on his shoulder or goes inside his hood…

Thanks to that, Trevi is said to have earned the nickname ‘cat-fool’ these days.

“I trust you will keep your word.”

“Y-yes. Of course.”

Maybe Mr. Bill doesn’t know why he’s answering so obediently.

But he had no intention of telling him.

‘Okay. I’ve solved the rest too.’

The method of forcing him to enforce the words he himself uttered was not that difficult.

Perhaps after this time, Bill, the president of one of the three major labels, will be known as a thorough meritocrat.

*

It was a satisfactory result in many ways.

‘You have to live repaying people, after all. Yes.’

Among the words the spirits in Madam Kang’s shrine told him, there was such a saying.

-If you sit by the river and wait, someday your enemy’s corpse will float down.

It’s an old proverb passed down from China, and its meaning is this.

‘It’s a teaching that you don’t have to lose yourself by being blinded by revenge and buried in it…’

They also added that if you do something you wouldn’t normally do just to get revenge, you’ll end up ruining yourself even more, so you should maintain your composure.

What did they say?

If someone is so bad that they harbor resentment, they’re either someone who has already harbored a lot of resentment from all over the place, or someone who will, so someone will take care of stabbing them, or something like that?

‘Something about the teachings is a bit strange?’

That’s what he thought at the time.

Perhaps it’s because these spirits are modernizing as they accept new things, but the teachings are a bit…

Even as a child, he found it strange and asked again, and the spirits told him to just remember this.

‘A gentleman’s revenge is too early even in 10 years, so just be patient for now!’

But Yeon-woo didn’t exactly agree with that.

‘No. I’m going to die of frustration waiting for my enemy’s corpse to float down, so what am I supposed to be patient about?’

The limit of what he can endure is until the completion of the process of making revenge perfect.

‘Koreans have to do things quickly, after all.’

Well.

It’s not like he had a great Sprite shower [a feeling of refreshment], but.

Anyway, he definitely got what he wanted.

That’s why the president looks so out of it.

“In any case, I’m glad that we’ve come to such a good agreement in many ways.”

“That’s… Yes. I’m also very honored to be able to work with a wonderful artist like Mr. Kang.”

Would it be a mistake to think that the president’s smile looks painful?

‘I’ve squeezed him dry, so there’s nothing I can do.’

It’s the same everywhere, but there’s bound to be a difference in treatment between rookies and professionals with tremendous experience in many ways.

That was the same for Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo, who is like a rookie in this industry.

But after happily taking the president’s soul away, it was easy.

“The profit share ratio is like this…”

“The record master will be held by us…”

“The settlement period will start from this month and every month…”

“The company will bear the cost of promoting the song and activities related to the song…”

“Concerts and tours as well…”

It was worth getting coached by Trevi in advance.

Thanks to that, Yeon-woo was able to sign a contract with conditions that matched Trevi, or even better than Trevi, even though he was a rookie.

Whether it was because he took his soul away or something.

Anyway, Mr. Bill obediently said okay to the crazy conditions.

[No matter how I think about it, he’s the real deal. Who would tell you their contract terms in such detail… It’s all confidential… There… touch it a little more there…]

In addition, he added a special clause.

-In the event of other issues, including racial discrimination issues during activities, the company must unconditionally protect the artist.

Other issues and unconditional protection will include a lot of concepts, so you can rest assured.

At least he wouldn’t have to see his own fan, Trevi, being mistreated by the company.

“Okay, let’s wrap it up now.”

Now, all contract procedures will be completed once we both sign.

Once the signing is done, everything will be completely and perfectly finished.

It was a truly satisfactory result.

But.

“…Just a moment.”

Mr. Bill’s hand, which was about to sign with a gold-embroidered fountain pen, stopped.

“Is there a problem?”

“…I can’t sign it like this.”

Mr. Bill, who seemed to have lost his mind, paused.

Then, he suddenly declared with a serious expression.

“I can’t sign it like this!”

“…?”

“Mr. Kang. Please sign with us!”

He even suddenly knelt down.

“I’m doing it now…?”

“No. Not just a contract for the song, but as an exclusive artist…!

What.

Is this person crazy?