Chapter Seventeen Planning in Progress (Part 1)

  The number of words is a bit less, I was delayed this afternoon ~

  One more, seeking recommendations!

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  "He wants to debut with an OST? Solo?"

  The spacious office was unlit, with dim light, only a faint daylight penetrating the curtains, bringing in a faint illumination, and also casting a solemn and majestic shadow on Li Xiufull's figure, which was back to the window.

  At least for Quan Baogen, at this time, the figure that could only be seen in outline due to backlighting made him feel extremely pressured.

  Sweat kept beading on his forehead, and he didn't dare wipe it away. His waist bent in a slight bow as he said in a low voice: "Yes, President!"

  Then there was silence, Li Xiufull didn't speak again, with both hands on his shoulders, quietly sitting behind the table, thinking about something. The quiet atmosphere made Quan Baogen's tension even more intense, anxious and regretful.

  He didn't know how he got confused, An Junhe's words made him think that this matter might be possible, and he even forgot Li Xiufan's tyrannical personality. It wasn't until now, facing each other, that he suddenly realized his own recklessness.

  Li Xiuman is not easy to mess with, from the founding of his company, through over a decade of ups and downs, which artist dares to make demands on him? If he gets angry, whether it's himself or An Junhe, they'll probably both be ruined, never able to turn things around in this circle.

  All sorts of sad thoughts emerged in his mind, but now he was already standing here, and it was too late to regret. Quan Baogen had no choice but to grit his teeth and persevere. At least fighting to the end was better than giving up halfway. If he retreated now, let alone others, he would lose respect for himself.

  "From the day he joined the company, I said that he is your responsibility, whether it's good or bad depends on your performance."

  After a long wait, Li Xiufang finally spoke up. The first sentence seemed to have nothing to do with the current matter, but Quan Baogen didn't dare interrupt and listened attentively, his heart racing like a prisoner waiting for sentencing.

  Behind the desk, Li Xiufull looked at him and tapped his fingers lightly on the desktop, continuing: "...... So, tell me, do you agree with his idea?"

  Wei Baogen hung his head low, the sweat dripping from his forehead stinging his eyes. Li Xiufang's tone was very calm, making it impossible to discern what kind of emotions he was feeling, but precisely because of this, the pressure he exerted on others was even greater, for you never knew when he would suddenly erupt and leave you dead without a burial place.

  After hesitating for a long time, under the increasingly heavy pressure, Quan Baogen gritted his teeth and made up his mind. He raised his head and said in a hoarse voice: "Director, I also agree with his idea!"

  "Oh..."

  Perhaps he had finally made up his mind, although Li Xiufull's emotions were still unreadable, but Quan Baogen felt a sudden relief, as if he had jumped out of prison and was feeling exhilarated.

  He no longer spoke, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. The intense heartbeat also slowly calmed down as he stood still, quietly waiting for the verdict of the person in front of him.

  Is it tolerant permission or thunderous opposition?

  At this point, although he was still nervous, it didn't matter anymore. Saying those words of support meant that his fate and An Junhe's were now inextricably linked... or rather, their fates had been tied together from the moment he took responsibility for An Junhe. They would rise and fall together, just like before. If he retreated at this critical juncture, then such a person without principles and perseverance would not even be worthy of his own respect.

  The stale air in the room echoed, so quiet that even the sound of the two people's breathing could be heard. After waiting for a long time, Li Xiufull, who had been silent behind the table, slowly stood up, his fingers pressed on the edge of the table, and with a gentle pace, he walked around the table and stopped at the corner, where there was a photo frame standing, with an old photograph inserted inside.

  The scene frozen in the photo is a small coffee shop, with a beautiful coastal scenery as its backdrop. Several young people stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the coffee shop door, smiling brightly at the camera.

  The photos have been yellowed by the passage of time, and their original colors can no longer be seen. Only those smiling faces remain clear and vivid, jumping out from the paper.

  Her fingers brushed over the photo and Li Xiu Man suddenly asked, "...... Is this a picture of us taken when Hai Ming Wei had just opened?"

  Rather than asking, it's more like a monologue of reminiscence. Looking at the photo, Quan Baogen suddenly felt his eyes sting, and he nodded slightly as if to cover up, forcing a smile: "Yes, yes, it was in '85 when the company president had just returned from abroad, and I had just graduated from college. The job market was tough back then, so I ran all the way from Jeonbuk to Incheon before finding work at President's Hemingway."

  "In '85... " Li Xiūmǎn suddenly let out a sigh, "...time really flies, I didn't think that you and I have already been together for almost 20 years..."

  It was unclear whether it was the contrast with the young Li Xiuman's energetic and carefree appearance in the photo, or the effect of the light, but at that moment when he let out a sigh, Quan Baogen suddenly realized that time had indeed been carving away at them like a knife, leaving wrinkles on both him and Li Xiuman as they stepped towards the twilight of their lives. Looking back, the past seemed to have faded away like the yellowed surface of an old photograph, losing its original colors, and he couldn't help but wonder when it would all disappear, just like the thinning emotions that had already reached a dead end.

  "Get out!" Li Xiufull ordered.

  Quan Baogen bid farewell in a daze, turned around and walked out the door. Just before the door closed behind him, a cold voice came from the office again:

  "Bao Gen, this is the last time!"

  His hand tightened slightly on the door handle, and although he had a premonition, when he heard this sentence, his heart still skipped a beat.

  He cleared his throat and said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you, Xiūmǎn brother..."

  "Crack!"

  The door is tightly closed, completely separating the inside from the outside...

  ……

  An hour later, Ahn Jun-hee, who had been waiting in Gwon Bo-geon's office, finally got the news he wanted. The company had agreed to let him sing an OST song for his debut. However, as per their agreement, the company would only be responsible for submitting his song, and whether or not the drama team chose it was up to them. The company wouldn't spend a single penny on PR, nor would they take care of anything else. In return, Ahn Jun-hee didn't have to pay the company's activity fees - which was 50% of his singing fee!

  However, this last one was cancelled by An Junhe. The company now treats him with a cold attitude, which is reasonable. Any brokerage firm does not like artists who are too self-willed. If it were not for the face of Quan Baogen in Li Xiuman's place, which allowed the company to make decisions, he would probably be frozen immediately as a negative example to warn others.

  But such coldness is only temporary. As long as he can create profits and bring income to the company, past events can be forgiven.

  There is no eternal enemy, only eternal interests!

  So that last one is unnecessary, anyway he doesn't lack that bit of money, canceling it can just show his attitude and lay the foundation for both parties to get along in the future.

  "Junhe, what song are you going to sing?" Quan Baogen asked.

  After returning from Li Xiufull's office, he was depressed for a while, but then he perked up again. He also came to realize that what was gone could not be retrieved, and since things had developed to this point, he would have to fight for himself and Ahn Jun-hee, which would inevitably lead to conflict with the company and the president. Even if he continued to feel down, it wouldn't change the facts. If his feelings for her had faded, then so be it; as long as he could prove himself, everything would be fine. But if he couldn't prove himself, what was the point of having the president's favor? He'd still just be stuck in the position of department head for years to come.

  ;