Bamboo Forest Manager

Progress

– Hello?

What I know from having some connections with internet broadcasters is that their broadcast voice is different from their everyday voice.

Some people intentionally separate the two, but I’ve heard that even if it’s not deliberate, their tone and manner of speaking naturally change.

– Hello? Who is this?

But the voice coming through the phone now was no different from what I had heard in the videos.

Rather, the emotional restraint almost made me choke up in that moment.

“Is this Mr. Shin Min-bae? You’re currently operating on YouTube as ‘Fact Murderer.’”

– Ah, did you contact me for an advertisement inquiry? Or was it a tip? I have a separate email written down-.

“I’m Yoon Ji’s ex-boyfriend.”

“Hmm? Do you have something to report?”

Fact Murderer.

A YouTuber who has recently gained tremendous popularity for producing targeted videos about Oh Yoon-ji.

The fact that the daughter of a murderer is living lavishly, and that a large corporation is involved, is certainly a topic that piques public interest.

You could say he’s currently one of the most talked-about individuals in South Korea, in a good way.

“I didn’t come to report; I contacted you to take down the video. Everything in it is a lie.”

– Ha, hahaha. Who sent you? Did you get paid?

“I’m saying this for your sake. Take down the video immediately. We want to settle this verbally as much as possible.”

– We?”

Fact Murderer asks, drawing out the words as if looking for a catch.

– ‘We’? Are you perhaps a representative from Star Studio?

“……”

“Or are you from the Universe Group?”

Listen to that low, laid-back voice.

It seems he thinks he’s caught something big.

“Yes, that’s correct. So please stop. We do not wish for this to escalate to a legal battle.”

– Hahaha! Are you threatening a mere YouTuber!?

“This is not a threat. I sincerely hope you stop here and apologize.”

– Apologize? What should I apologize for? Shouldn’t you apologize for deceiving people while defending the murderer’s daughter from Universe Group?

“……We have continued to give you chances.”

– Yes! Go ahead! Do whatever you want! Let’s see if I stop! You’ll need to move quickly! To protect criminals!

Click.

After hanging up, I let out a long breath.

Then, Choi Jin-ah, who had been sitting on the sofa next to me, cautiously asked.

“Are you okay? What if he makes another video from that call?”

People have changed, but their innocence remains.

“I provided the source for you to make a video.”

“Excuse me?”

“Is that all? I received a call from a number I’ve never seen before. The voice and tone were exactly the same as when they were broadcasting.”

“Hmm?”

“They must have recorded it perfectly. And they’ll use this to make a video. They’re even threatening us because they want to cover things up on our side.”

“W-What?! Then…”

“That’s what they intended. I’m sorry, but I have no intention of negotiating.”

So I pretended to reach out intentionally.

To make them think they’ve won for sure.

“I will break this without a doubt.”

So that no further words could escape.

“Have you talked to the producers, Jina?”

“Yes, there were quite a few who showed interest right away. Among them, I’ve started discussions with some skilled people—”

Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!

At that moment, my phone rang.

I thought it might be James reaching out.

– Seo Ye-rin –

The call I least wanted to receive had come.

“Ahem.”

After an awkward cough, I glanced at Choi Jina. At her gesture to answer the phone, I stood up.

“Hello?”

– Woo Jina, where are you right now?

“Back home.”

– Are you okay? Should we come over?!

– Hey! Kim Woo-jin! Don’t think weird things! I know it’s really unfair, but just try to stay calm for now!

Is Arin with them too?

Hearing their voices somehow puts my mind at ease.

It’s ridiculous.

Just a moment ago, I was so angry. But just talking to them like this calms me down.

“I’m not thinking anything strange. Don’t worry.”

– Wow! I’m most scared when this guy talks so normally!

– Ujina! If you’re going to go hit someone, call me! I’ll hit them for you! Whoosh! Whoosh!

– You can’t just put them in a drum, pour cement, and drop them in the sea!

– Um… I can’t do that for you.

“I’m not hitting anyone, you guys. What part of the movie have you watched?”

Anyway, what a fuss.

– Ujina. Should we stay by your side?

– Hey, I’ll let my parents know, so if you want to stay at our house, just say so.

That’s quite tempting.

“You guys don’t worry, just decide where to go after this is over.”

– Are you joking? How can we go out in a situation like this!

– Right! You have to stay next to Yoonji!

“No, we can go on a trip.”

The kids were looking forward to it, so we can’t not go.

“I’ll finish it up quickly.”

– …….

– …….

At my words, the two fell silent for a moment. Did they feel something?

In the midst of this, Seo Yerin spoke up.

– Premature?

“Hey.”

From noble mtl dot com

– Ujina, do you prefer red or black for the s*xy swimsuit?

“……Red.”

– Oh, this is insane, you crazy kids.

– Ah, why! Ujini said it’ll be over soon! I believe in our Ujini!

– Has he ever finished quickly when he said he would? Last time, he said it would be 10 minutes when he was with me-!

“Ariin prefers black.”

– Ugh, you b*stard!

Yoo Arin yelled loudly and then let out a deep sigh.

—

– Whether it’s black! Naked! Damn, I’ll do anything! Just don’t struggle and come back quickly!

– Exactly! I’ve become a body that can’t be satisfied without Woo-jin!

“Haha.”

– Hurry back!

– But Woo-jin, if we have s*x on the plane, it’ll be an aerial release—!

– That’s a crime, you idiot!

Thud.

Just talking to those two makes me feel a surge of energy in my body.

With a full heart, I return to Choi Jin-ah, who tilts her head as she sees my expression.

“Did something good happen?”

“There’s a good person by my side.”

“Your girlfriends, I see.”

“Ahem.”

“Anyway, if we keep passing information on our side, the PD said he’d gather a team and start working in real-time. He’s making such a fuss about risking his broadcasting life.”

“It’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about.”

At that moment, my phone rang again.

Finally, the long-awaited contact from him had come.

“Hello.”

– Oh, I found Jin Mi-ae.

James’s blunt voice.

Jin Mi-ae was the person Oh Cheong-min mistook for Oh Yoon-ji’s mother.

From what I heard, it seemed there had been some money-related talk, so he was thinking of going to see her directly.

Even though it hadn’t been long, he found her quickly; apparently, the other party was quite careless.

“Where are you? I’ll come right over.”

– It’s fine if we handle it ourselves, you know?

“Still, I’m the one who asked, so I should go.”

Hmm? Wait a minute.

“Did you, by any chance, go there directly?”

– …Hmm, isn’t that right? You asked me to handle it quickly.

“Wow, were we that close?”

—

Let me know if you need anything else!

– You said we should drink. It feels like everything is being postponed because of this.

What the hell is this guy?

“Do you, by any chance, like me?”

– That’s nonsense! If your space group builds connections, it benefits us too! Your other older brothers hardly interact with others!

Ah, that’s true.

The eldest brother is busy with company matters as the vice president, and the younger brother has completely distanced himself from that kind of thing.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

– No, don’t come. It might draw unnecessary attention here. We’ll take you.

“Then thanks.”

– Just buy some expensive drinks.

“I’ll let you choose between soju or the first one.”

Click.

As I hung up, a chuckle escaped me. Choi Jin-ah was grumbling about how I could laugh in this situation, but isn’t it funny?

“The fact that the killer of facts thinks I should be moving busily.”

“You shameless person! Who do you think is to blame!”

“No, it’s the funny part.”

“……What’s funny about it?”

“It’s funny.”

Saying this feels a bit off, but doesn’t he think I should be the one working hard?

He’s watched too many movies and dramas.

“Why would someone with money move?”

Sitting down, giving orders, listening to reports, and summarizing.

That was all I had to do.

* * *

“The stock prices keep falling day after day, shareholders are in an uproar, and employees are anxious.”

Inside the chairman’s office of the Space Group.

The eldest son, Kim Jae-woon, was quietly listening to his father’s words.

“Just because you took that one kid under your wing.”

It had always been like this.

His father’s low yet heavy voice felt as if it were pressing down on his entire body.

“There’s even talk that the second kid and Oh Yoon-ji are likely having an affair.”

“I saw it.”

“And we threatened them, right? It sounds like Woo-jin’s way of speaking.”

Though the voice was altered, I recognized it immediately upon hearing the tone, because it was family.

“That’s right.”

“Now, cut ties with Oh Yoon-ji.”

“……”

“Un, that guy has been careful not to touch his business, but after all, he is still my son. Naturally, he will rise up through the roots.”

“Chairman.”

“Cut it off. Sever all ties related to Oh Yoon-ji and deny everything. In times like this, we must be fiercer than the public to keep the anger from coming our way.”

Kim Jae-woon did not respond.

He barely managed to spit out the words that felt stuck in his throat, recalling his younger brother’s face.

“Woo-jin said he would handle it himself.”

“Because he’s emotional. He can’t accept it.”

“Chairman. No, it’s not just that. He was the one you chose as your successor. Can’t you trust him in a time like this?”

“……”

For the first time, the chairman’s gaze, which had been scanning the documents, turned toward Kim Jae-woon.

The emotion in his eyes was unmistakable disappointment.

“In important matters, you’ve become the eldest brother, not the vice-chairman.”

“……”

“This is why I chose Woo-jin as my successor. Look at him now, swinging around to protect his own interests.”

There were no words to retort.

Yet, even so, he did not feel regret.

“If, in this situation, Woo-jin really achieves results…”

“……”

“Are you aware that your position is at risk?”

Deep down, he still believed that Kim Woo-jin was the most suitable candidate for the next successor.

The eldest son pretended otherwise, but he knew that his heart was still soft.

Kim Jae-woon answered with a self-deprecating smile directed at himself.

“I’m the youngest brother who left home because I didn’t want to see myself crumble.”

“…….”

“No matter the outcome, I want to indulge that brat’s whims.”

At those words, the chairman closed his eyes tightly and replied.

“Indeed, you are not the one.”

“…….”

“I’ll give you a little more time. But if you can’t resolve it in that time, I will not hesitate to cast you aside.”

Oh Yoon-ji too.

And you as well.

With that, the chairman had no more words and returned his gaze to the documents.