Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1329. Exploding (4)

Sometime later, after several rounds of drinks had been exchanged already...

All this time, Han Eun-Sol and Choi Yeon-Ha held themselves back from bringing up the contract signing.

Han Eun-Sol grimaced slightly. Wasn’t this basically a war of attrition at this point?

The party that brings up the business first would be revealing how pressed they were. At least, that was what this atmosphere alluded to. With the situation like this, it became so much trickier to talk about what Choi Yeon-Ha and Han Eun-Sol had come here for.

However, that didn’t mean they could idly chat about unnecessary fluff and waste time.

Choi Yeon-Ha and Han Eun-Sol silently exchanged their gazes.

Wu Chao spoke loudly. “That TV drama you filmed? That was great, Miss Choi! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It would’ve been better if our channel had broadcast it, though!”

Choi Yeon-Ha gently smiled. “We also think that was a missed opportunity.”

“If that happened, I’m sure you’d have become even more famous, Miss Choi! Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I believe we can change that when I get another opportunity to shine with your company.”

When Choi Yeon-Ha smiled at him, Wu Chao guffawed loudly. “Yes, yes! You’re right!”

His complexion was already red from all the alcohol intake.

“But, here’s the thing...”

At the start of the “proceedings”, it was Zhao Xu who spoke all the time. After a few rounds of drinks, though, he became completely silent, while the drunk and emboldened Wu Chao became much, much more talkative instead.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds, you see?” Wu Chao turned his head and stared at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Can you guess why?”

“No, I don’t... Mm, maybe you don’t like something about me, Mr. Vice President.”

“Ahahahah~! Of course not! When you’re this stunning up close!”

As she listened to the interpreter, Choi Yeon-Ha’s cheeks twitched ever so slightly.

Argh! If only I could act as I’d like to!

She oh-so wanted to drop a heel kick in the face of Wu Chao right about now.

Choi Yeon-Ha wouldn’t have minded brushing that comment aside if it had come from someone else, but listening to this uncle was triggering a serious spike in her blood pressure. Was it because she was trying her hardest to ignore Wu Chao leering at her chest and legs since a while ago?

“It’s because this problem is no longer in my hands.”

Han Eun-Sol sneakily inserted himself into this conversation. “My apologies. We are not all that knowledgeable, and that’s why... Do you mind giving us a more detailed explanation?”

“No, I don’t mind. Besides, you already know, don’t you? Our government ordered us not to hire Korean actors,” said Wu Chao, then energetically gulped the liquor in his glass. He put the empty glass down, then stared openly at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Now, then! Can you do me this favor? I’d love to drink liquor poured by a beauty, you see?”

“Of course. That’s not difficult at all.”

Choi Yeon-Ha casually grabbed the bottle and began pouring the booze into Wu Chao’s empty glass.

That was when Han Eun-Sol noticed the bottle trembling precariously in her hand and grimaced deeply while clutching at his own thigh.

She’s gonna hold it in, right? Right?

Or not? Maybe she wouldn’t be able to hold her anger, after all?

Han Eun-Sol would’ve much preferred if Choi Yeon-Ha could settle on one of the options. If not, he might keel over from a heart attack pretty soon!

“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I enjoyed booze this good!” Wu Chao guffawed after gulping the liquor down his gullet. But then, he sighed loudly next. “I also would love to enjoy booze like this again, but the tide has turned against us, Miss Choi. Unless the government changes its mind, there ain’t much we can do.”

Choi Yeon-Ha frowned. “That means we won’t be working together, after all.”

“Indeed, indeed. However, have you ever heard of this saying before?”

“Which saying are you talking about?”

“The heavens will never block all of a man’s path.”

The interpreter translated what Wu Chao said, then added more explanation herself. “It’s a similar saying to the Korean proverb of ‘There will always be a hole you can rise through even if the heavens collapse’.”

Was Wu Chao talking about a Chinese proverb? Choi Yeon-Ha nodded slightly, prompting Wu Chao to gesture theatrically.

“Thankfully, though! A certain high-ranking personage within the Party has set his eyes on you. What I’m trying to say is... The doors will open for you pretty easily if we can change that person’s mind. He’s a veeeery powerful person, you see?”

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes to slits. So, what Wu Chao was saying boiled down to...

Getting a job in China should have been impossible due to the government’s restriction on all things Korean, but Wu Chao had a connection to a big shot within the CCP who could squeak open the doorway just for her. Or maybe someone within the deliberation committee responsible for issuing that restriction in the first place. He could put in a good word for her. That was the gist of it.

Choi Yeon-Ha asked, “Do you know this person well, Mr. Vice President?”

“Of course, of course! That’s why I’m here, you see? I’m not the type to waste time on useless endeavors, you know?”

Wu Chao gulped down more booze again.

He was drinking that strong liquor like water. Even though it was strong enough to make Choi Yeon-Ha shudder from the fumes alone when she brought it close to her lips!

But the real problem wasn’t with how high the alcohol content of this liquor was. No, it was with how quickly Wu Chao was drinking it. His complexion had turned beet-red in no time at all. Even his irises had grown dull at this point.

“That’s why~! We only have to convince him, okay? Then! Our viewership will go through the roof! And you, Miss Choi? You’ll make big money! And everyone can go home happy.”

Wu Chao suddenly brought his face real close to Choi Yeon-Ha’s.

“And if the talks go well, the amount you get paid will go up by a lot, too~! I guarantee it. Of course, I can’t do that openly, since they’ll be watching, but... I’m talking about under the table, of course.”

“...”

When Wu Chao’s face got close enough to almost touch hers, Choi Yeon-Ha subtly clenched her fists. However, he returned to his seat right away and put his empty glass down before she could do anything.

“That is, if things go well for you.”

This bastard is really getting on my nerves!

Choi Yeon-Ha did her absolute best to suppress her boiling innards. Was he making all these mistakes because of the booze? Or was he brazenly sexually harassing her? She couldn’t figure it out. Of course, he was being incredibly rude either way, but she needed to know which was which in order to better formulate her response.

Choi Yeon-Ha asked, “Then... Are you going to convince this person for us?”

“Nope, not me.” Wu Chao waved his hand dismissively. “If I could do that, why would I be here? I would already have convinced him and sorted this situation out by now. No, the one who’s gonna convince him ain’t me, but you, Miss Choi.”

“I’m... sorry?”

“It’s a great opportunity. A truly great one. An opportunity like this doesn’t come around often. As long as you can grab it with both hands, Miss Choi? You will pave an extremely smooth road for yourself in the Chinese entertainment industry. And no, I ain’t talking about a shabby little back road here, okay? Yes, you will really live a glamorous life filled with untold riches! That is the power of a great nation like ours.”

Han Eun-Sol tilted his head after failing to understand what Wu Chao was saying. However, Choi Yeon-Ha definitely understood the meaning behind his words, and her expression grew hard, cold.

She curtly said, “Then, our discussion here is over.”

Wu Chao glanced at her. “Will you meet with that person, then?”

“Thank you for your time. We should call it a day here.”

Choi Yeon-Ha tried to get up and leave. But Wu Chao was faster. He reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and pushed her down.

“Ah, ah. Stop. Don’t be hasty, now.”

“Do not touch me, please. I’m warning you.”

“All I’m saying is listen to me. Don’t get angry, okay? I’m not saying something useless here, Miss Choi.”

Choi Yeon-Ha shot a sharp glare at Wu Chao, but he simply responded with the most odious grin his face could conjure up.

“...Fine. I’m listening.”

“Miss Choi, Miss Choi... You were lucky. That TV show you were in? That show shouldn’t have been such a hit. No, no. Let me rephrase that... You shouldn’t have gotten a role in that show in the first place.”

“...”

“Only the ‘approved’ actors can get roles in shows like that, okay?”

“Approved? By you?”

“No, by the people in much higher places. Only when they approve of you can you become a big star in this industry. You simply got lucky once, that was all. But luck like that doesn’t happen twice.”

Choi Yeon-Ha subtly bit her lip again.

“Most of you think other avenues will open up. But no. That ain’t gonna happen. You’ll fall into despair at that, then start searching for a new path forward. But by then, you won’t get an opportunity like this one. There’s only one difference between a top star and a regular actor. And that is... Did they grab the opportunity when it presented itself? Or are they filled with regret after missing their opportunity?”

Wu Chao smirked deeply.

The truth was, he had done this quite often. Half of the actresses he had talked to responded similarly to Choi Yeon-Ha. However, only a handful managed to maintain their attitude right till the end.

That was because the mighty force called reality was too much to endure for them.

“I’m not the one making this proposition. And no, that person hasn’t made it, either. This proposition comes from the Party itself. You should be honored. After all, it means the Party is willing to accept you as a part of our family. An opportunity like this might come once in a decade. Maybe. Once you say yes, you will receive the same level of respect as Chinese actors. Not only you, but the other actors your agency represents, too. You will become rich in an instant.”

Choi Yeon-Ha shot back. “I’m already rich, though?”

“No, you are not. The idea of wealth in that tiny piece of land you call your country and what we think of wealth in our country are like looking at heaven and earth. The so-called wealthy people in your country aren’t even considered rich in ours. In other words, you have no idea what real wealth is. You don’t know what being a truly wealthy woman means.”

That was when Zhao Xu, who had been maintaining his silence until then, sneakily butted in.

“Miss Choi. Chinese stars don’t have to work overseas. Money earned in China far surpasses what they can earn in other countries around the world, you see? When Chinese people love a celebrity, we shower them with money. It’s time you learn about this.”

“...”

Zhao Xu continued to speak like a snake. “Just be a grown up this time and close your eyes. Let it happen. In a way, you could say this is a royal favor granted from the above. Do you have any idea how many actors are fighting for an opportunity like this? So, for such an opportunity to land on the lap of Gaoli... Oops, I mean a Korean like yourself, not a Chinese! You should consider it an honor.”[1]

The corners of Choi Yeon-Ha’s lips subtly curled up.

Wu Chao took that grin as her permission and sneakily reached his hand behind her. And then... he wrapped his arm around Choi Yeon-Ha’s waist.

“It’s not a bad proposition, all things considered. Besides, it’s not like you haven’t dated a man at your age, no? So, while you’re in China, make yourself available for a fling or two. Of course, I gotta act as the middleman here, so it’s only fair that I get my share, too. Am I right?”

Wu Chao’s hand crept lower and lower. Eventually, he began running his disgusting hand all over Choi Yeon-Ha’s hips. But she simply maintained that smile without saying a word.

Han Eun-Sol finally figured out the contents of what Wu Chao had said and shot up to his feet. “What do you think you are doing?!”

“Sit down,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

“But, noona!”

“I told you to sit down.”

“...”

Han Eun-Sol’s face reddened as he glared murderously at Wu Chao, before sitting down in anger after Choi Yeon-Ha stared at him.

Wu Chao tutted loudly. “My, my. Tsk, tsk... This is why we told him not to join us. A youngster who doesn’t understand the ways of this world is kinda spoiling the mood, no?”

Choi Yeon-Ha glanced at Wu Chao and smiled. “It’s because he’s young. Please try to understand.”

“Hmm...? You want me to be more understanding, eh?”

“Yes. Besides all that...”

Choi Yeon-Ha pushed her empty glass toward Wu Chao.

“Please fill it up for me.”

“Eh?”

“Fill it up with liquor, please. Didn’t you say we need to share booze together to become friends?”

“Aha, that? Of course, of course!”

Wu Chao guffawed while pouring liquor into Choi Yeon-Ha’s empty glass. She then gulped down all that strong booze in one go.

“Hah, hahaha! I knew it. You truly are a gutsy heroine, Miss Choi!”

“Keuh...!”

Choi Yeon-Ha wiped her lips with the back of her hand, then grabbed a nearby liquor bottle.

Wu Chao pushed his cup toward her. “Now, now! Fill mine up, too! Now we shall become one family! And enjoy success together!”

Choi Yeon-Ha stared at the bottle for a second or two, then put it down before grabbing the nearest beer bottle instead.

“Mm?” Wu Chao tilted his head. “I’m not a fan of beer, though?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll come to love beer very soon.”

“Eh?”

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly at Wu Chao, then suddenly got up. Unable to hold on, his hand faltered and withdrew.

That was when Choi Yeon-Ha’s smile transformed into a smirk. “Don’t drink one cup at a time like some punk and just drink the whole damn thing in one go, okay?”

“Huh?”

Choi Yeon-Ha powerfully swung down the beer bottle and smashed it into Wu Chao’s skull.

SMACK!

As the sound of something shattering echoed in the room, Wu Chao clutched at his head and fell off the couch, screaming.

“Aaaaaaaaaahk?!”

“V-Vice President?!”

Zhao Xu freaked out and hurriedly got up.

Chaos descended into this room in the blink of an eye. Only Choi Yeon-Ha maintained a relaxed expression, but she still shouted at Wu Chao busy clutching at his head.

“Who the f*ck do you think you are, you stinking son of b*tch! I told you not to touch me! Imma crack your skull!”

Her roar broke through the walls and rocked the entire building.

1. “Gaoli bangzi” is a Chinese derogatory slang term denoting people of Korean ethnicity. ☜