"Three Inches."
"Aigoo, our Jin-woo's here."
Son Kyung-sik laughed heartily. "This is Zy Plus's president, my nephew."
"Director Choi, MBC's true pillar. This building's glory is all thanks to him…"
"Chairman Son, too kind." The chubby, squinting director sat steady.
As head of MBC, one of the big three broadcasters, a junior didn't warrant standing.
"Director Choi, first meeting. Please guide me."
"Haha, with Chairman Son here, we're all family, right? Haha…"
Lee Jin-woo smiled. "Yes, you're right."
"Really? Haha, sit!" Director Choi leaned forward, upright.
"Jin-woo, can I call you that?"
"Of course."
"Your uncle and I go way back. Any issues, come to me, haha…"
"Let's get to business." Son Kyung-sik opened, finally addressing the proposal.
"I read the plan… good. Cast?"
Lee Jin-woo presented a prepared list. "My draft. These are the best fits."
The list was unchanged—he craved fame most.
Next, ad revenue splits. Cast was secondary.
In entertainment, only obscurity was feared.
Fame drew people like bees to flowers.
"Our Jin-woo's ambitious!" Director Choi said admiringly to Son.
He nodded, smiling. "This list ensures ratings."
With Yoo Jae-suk as MC, the show's floor was set.
The ceiling depended on collective effort.
Profits? The station took the lion's share—60%, thanks to Son's face.
Lee Jin-woo's face wasn't worth that much yet.
The remaining 40% was for him and Son to split.
Digital rights, streaming, overseas licensing—all to be negotiated.
The morning was spent hashing out details.
Normally, underlings handled this.
But Lee Jin-woo had no one, so he stepped up.
Out of respect, Director Choi and Son joined personally.
"It's late. Let's grab a drink to celebrate."
Details settled, Director Choi suggested a toast.
Lee Jin-woo stood, smiling. "Director Choi, any good spots? My treat."
They chatted and laughed, heading out.
"MC Park Sun-young, we're celebrating. Join us!"
Passing the open office, Director Choi called her.
Seeing the embarrassed woman jog over, Lee Jin-woo found her familiar.
"Park Sun-young's our new staff. Look out for her, eh!"
Noticing his gaze, Director Choi asked with a suggestive look.
"Of course." Lee Jin-woo replied openly.
Gray office skirt, white blouse rising and falling, nude stockings elongating her legs.
"MC Park, President Lee admires you. Sit here and chat."
At the restaurant, Director Choi pressed her to sit beside him.
Lee Jin-woo smiled politely; she bowed in greeting.
Glancing down, she saw his gray sweatpants' outline, blushing and marveling inwardly.
Food and soju arrived. He poured for Son and Director Choi.
Waiting for a return pour, Director Choi sat unmoved.
Seeing his expression, Son stood, chuckling. "Jin-woo, I'll pour."
"Thanks, Three Inches." He raised his cup, shielding the edge for a full pour.
Park Sun-young, a beat late, quietly filled her own.
Normally, you didn't pour your own, but context mattered.
All three could ignore her.
"To…" Director Choi raised his glass, brimming with flair.
"To meeting." Lee Jin-woo cut in, clinking with Park Sun-young.
This left Director Choi facing his back.
His flamboyant face soured instantly.
"Director Choi, let's drink." Son raised his glass, smiling but cold-eyed.
What was with this guy today?
Did he think he could sit equal with chaebols?
Calling him "Director Choi" was courtesy for the deal.
Lee Jin-woo poured for him, and he didn't reciprocate? Really…
During drinks, Director Choi tried raising the deal multiple times, but Lee Jin-woo deflected.
Son got his point—he was expressing displeasure.
Should he mediate? Son weighed the pros and cons.
Glancing at Lee Jin-woo, chatting happily with Park Sun-young, her laughter nonstop.
Director Choi realized his earlier slight upset him.
But bowing to a junior? Unacceptable.
He was MBC's director, overseeing all operations.
His status and rank outstripped the other.
A small entertainment company, even chaebol-backed, still needed him.
A young man's tantrum? Fine.
Once reality hit, it'd fade.
Plus, MC Park was there to smooth things.
But things didn't go as he thought.
"Director Choi, pour for our Jin-woo."
Son chose family over a lackey.
Compared to the old man, he liked the young.
Fresh, vibrant, making him feel younger.
"Chairman Son…" Director Choi's face darkened, alcohol dulling his senses.
He forgot—here, only one privilege mattered, one you're born with or never have.
"We're all family, right?" Son's icy gaze sobered him.
Forcing a smile, he grabbed the bottle. Lee Jin-woo raised his cup, giving him an out.
Park Sun-young felt the chaebol's power again.
"Please, Director Choi, take care of the deal."
His toast restored Director Choi's color.
And his place.
Crucial—before the deal started, he wasn't taken seriously.
Once it began, more issues would arise.
If he didn't clarify his status now, with Son here, would he later cry to a parent like a kid?
"Haha, that's right, family." Son gripped their shoulders, shaking them.
The earlier tension dissolved.
Some things feel tough before doing, but once done, they're nothing.
"Jin-woo, another round." Pouring for him, Lee Jin-woo returned the favor.
Glasses clinked, Park Sun-young joined, and the celebratory mood finally set in.
Dinner ended with Director Choi helped into his car.
Leaning out the window, clutching Lee Jin-woo's hand, he babbled like an old friend.
"Jin-woo, next time, we drink hard."
He nodded, telling the driver to drive safe.
Watching them leave, he approached Son's Mercedes.
"Need a ride?" Son asked.
"Nah, got stuff to do." Their eyes flicked to Park Sun-young by the door.
Son pointed, teasing, "Young guys, pace yourself."
"When I'm your age, I'll slow down." His jab made Son scold playfully.
As he fled the car, the driver pulled away, Son's smile lingering.
"Chairman, you like President Lee."
Hearing the driver, Son chuckled. "Interesting young man."
With him, he felt younger.
No youth had ever been so at ease before him. Let's see how far you go.
Watching the car fade, Lee Jin-woo turned to the flustered Park Sun-young.
"Let's go. I'll take you home."
"Mm."
With Son Yoon-joo's event ongoing, he left the van for her and Yoon Hye-na.
Hailing a taxi, Park Sun-young gave her address.
In the car, his arm naturally pulled her close.
She looked forward shyly, squirming briefly before settling against his chest.
At her apartment, he held her close, entering the elevator.
He never asked her opinion, and she silently let him lead.
Until the door opened, and he pressed her roughly against the wall.
Panting hotly, she murmured reservedly, "Isn't this… too fast?"
"Mmm~"
Zzt…
The electronic lock clicked, and the room fell silent.
Clouds from nowhere veiled the bright moonlight.
Late at night, Park Sun-young woke in a daze.
The frenzy before passing out replayed like a looped tape.
The collapsed dining table and sofa confirmed her memory.
Her gaze shifted to the empty spot beside her, fingers tracing the lingering warmth.
He hadn't been gone long.
Click.
The bathroom door opened, Lee Jin-woo emerged, dripping.
Seeing her dazed on the bed, he smiled gently. "Awake? You okay?"
She nodded blankly, not grasping his words.
Why ask if she was okay?
Trying to stand, her legs gave out, dropping her back.
Wincing slightly, "seven inches" flashed in her mind.
So, "you okay" wasn't just polite.
(End of Chapter)