Ch. 14 · I Became a Secret Millionaire Landlord Overnight, So I Was Planning to Just Slack Off and Take It Easy at Work, But Why Are All the Top Stars Obsessed With Me?!

—Trot Chart: No. 9

Before long, Love's Shuttle Bus entered the top 10 on the trot chart.

And things started going crazy.

"W-what? What in the world?! Is this actually going to become a mega-hit?!"

Myunghoon Song, a director from the A&R team, came all the way down to Team 5 just to make a fuss.

For the record, Director Song was the one most convinced Love's Shuttle Bus would flop. Not out of spite, though—he was just genuinely worried about me.

"It's not too late to switch to another song."

"If this flops, Manager Lim, we are all going down!"

His eye for talent was atrocious for a director, but he wasn't a bad person.

"Yes, it looks like it will be a mega-hit."

"…It's true the momentum is great, but aren't you being a bit too confident?"

"Because it's a fact."

It was still only number 10 on the trot chart, not even cracking the top 100 on the overall chart.

But making it into the top 10 on the trot chart—a chart tightly held by existing hits—meant it had gained real momentum.

"It's going to climb higher."

"How far?"

I thought about it for a second and answered honestly.

"Number one."

"Number one on the trot chart…? Isn't that impossible no matter how big a hit it is? Do you know how many legendary songs have been ruling that chart for years?"

"Not that. Number one on the overall chart."

"…What?"

I replied while looking at the appraisal message.

[Verdict: Overall Chart No. 1 (Long-Term Reign)]

"And it's not just going to briefly dip its toes in, either. I think it'll hold the number one spot for a long time."

* * *

Long-term usually meant staying at number one for more than a month.

Even briefly touching number one and coming back down would be an achievement worthy of family honor. But a whole month?

That was a difficult feat even for top-tier idols backed by an army of a million fans, yet it felt entirely possible.

Because it wasn't just the appraisal message—the way things were playing out across the board was unusual.

"Attention all mothers and fathers across the nation! HypeTrain is here to introduce this week's hottest trot song! You've all heard Love's Shuttle Bus, right? Wait, you haven't? Once you get on, you can never get off! Love's Shuttle Bus is departing! All right, all aboard!"

Trot fans usually watched U-Tube rather than using standard music streaming sites.

It started with the independent U-Tuber, 'HypeTrain.' People who aren't into trot might not know him, but his 200,000-subscriber count was absolutely terrifying.

With him leading the charge, all kinds of trot channels began covering Love's Shuttle Bus.

—Trot Chart: No. 4

—Overall Chart: No. 78

It finally broke through the overall chart.

"Broke through" didn't do it justice.

It was starting to demolish it.

—Trot Chart: No. 2 ⇨ No. 1

—Overall Chart: No. 47 ⇨ No. 29

It hit the long-awaited number one spot on the trot chart, and cracked the top 30 on the overall chart!

At this point, the chart rankings didn't even matter anymore.

Soon, event venues all over the country would be flooded with Love's Shuttle Bus.

This means the investment I made turned into a mega-hit!

A massive crowd also flocked to Sena's new official U-Tube channel.

The U-Tube revenue alone will be staggering.

"I-is this a dream?"

Sena asked with a completely dazed expression.

I looked at her with satisfaction.

When I thought about how hard she would work to rake in cash for me from now on, she had never looked more beautiful.

"I told you it would do well."

"…Thank you. It's all thanks to you, manager."

"Y-yes, that's right… It's all thanks to you, Manager Lim!"

The Janggu Player, who had also become a hit composer overnight, chimed in with his own thanks.

Well, honestly, it really was all thanks to me.

Since I've worked hard, it's time to go back to being a slacker who gets paid for doing nothing.

"Thank you for giving us such a wonderful song, Mr. Janggu Player. I wish you all the best in your future creative work."

"Why do you… sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"Are you planning to sign another contract with Star Entertainment by any chance? Didn't I tell you this is a predatory company you shouldn't even associate with?"

"I'm going to keep signing contracts with you in the future, manager."

"???"

"Actually, multiple agencies contacted me, but they all just talk big on the surface. None of them truly care about me the way you do, manager. I want to keep working with you."

I never cared about you, though?

Sena nodded along, her expression clearly saying, 'You're the only one who cares about us, manager.'

"You'll have a lot of work ahead of you too, Singer Sena. Good luck."

"Why are you talking to me like that? We're going to keep working together anyway."

"We are not working together."

"What…?"

Sena was now destined to tour every corner of the country, raking in cash wherever she went.

Team 5, on the other hand, lacked the resources to support her.

It wasn't at all because I didn't want to work… okay, honestly, it was.

"…So you're telling me to go to another team? After everything we've been through together?"

"Yes, it's for your own good, Singer Sena—"

"But what if I don't want to?"

"???"

Sena glared at me, looking exactly like the bratty kid she'd been when I first met her.

"I don't care if I make a little less money. I am absolutely not going to another team. I'm going to keep working with you, manager."

This was turning into a real headache.

I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't budge.

"You're abandoning me now?"

"No, I'm not."

"You promised to take responsibility for me!"

"…Could you refrain from saying things that could be easily misunderstood?"

It wasn't that I didn't understand how Sena felt.

She'd already seen the absolute worst of Star Entertainment, so of course she didn't want to transfer to another team.

Sigh, this is all because Star Entertainment is a shitty company!

Some might ask, "Why stay at such a trashy, exploitative company?"

The answer? Precisely because it is a trashy, exploitative company!

Since they're so evil, I can slack off without feeling a single shred of guilt.

Could I slack off at a normal company? No—I'd have to work with a sense of duty.

Star Entertainment was just perfect for me.

At any rate, I needed a plan for Sena.

…Since I have to work her to the bone to recoup the investment.

But doing the hard work myself was out of the question. I'd suffered enough up to this point.

That meant there was only one solution—offloading the work!

The problem was that Team 5 had no manpower.

It wasn't that there were absolutely no road managers besides Minho, but they were utter trash and perfectly suited for Team 5.

Still, I couldn't make Minho do everything by himself.

Left with no choice, I went to see the head director.

As luck would have it, the team leaders from the head director's faction—specifically from Teams 1, 2, and 4—were all gathered together. Not that I cared.

"Please give us more staff."

A cold silence settled over the room.

* * *

Head Director Soohyuk Kim called an unofficial emergency meeting strictly for his inner circle.

The topic: Chanwoo Lim.

To think Sena Lee would score such a mega-hit.

It was unbelievable.

Breaking into trot was like threading a needle to begin with, and their ragtag team consisted of nothing more than an amateur composer, an amateur arranger, and a total rookie singer.

It wasn't just the head director—everyone had expected Chanwoo to fail miserably.

To the point where they'd even worried about offending the chairman of BH, their investor.

Yet, as if mocking everyone, Chanwoo had taken those unpromising assets and turned them into a commercial blockbuster.

It couldn't even be dismissed as mere luck.

From beginning to end, it was entirely Chanwoo's ability.

Dammit.

If Chanwoo had been part of his own faction, Head Director Kim could have genuinely celebrated his success. After all, Chanwoo's credit would have been his credit.

But Chanwoo was openly opposing him.

"…What are we going to do about Chief Manager Chanwoo Lim?"

"We can't just leave him be like this."

The team leaders raised their voices, and Head Director Kim made his decision.

"I will give Chanwoo Lim an ultimatum."

Right then, the secretary informed him that Chanwoo had arrived.

"Let him in."

The gazes of the head director and the team leaders instantly locked onto Chanwoo.

Despite being the sole target of the very executives who practically held the reins of Star Entertainment, Chanwoo didn't show the slightest hint of nervousness.

Has that punk always been someone with this much grit?

He wasn't.

Back when he was in charge of Ina Kim, he'd been a total pushover—just a good-natured, ordinary manager.

He must have been hiding his claws.

And waking those claws… was Head Director Kim's own blunder.

Regret came too late, but what was done was done.

"I came here on business."

"No, I will speak first."

Head Director Kim cut Chanwoo off and spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Transfer to Team 2. The chief manager position happens to be vacant right now, so I will specially—"

"But, I don't want to?"

"!!!"

A chief manager was the most senior manager on a team. Considering Chanwoo was only in his third year, it was an amazing offer. Yet he rejected it before even hearing the whole story.

Head Director Kim ground his teeth but controlled his temper.

"If you don't care for the chief position, how about the A&R team or the planning department? Given the ability you've shown this time, if you gain experience in the planning department, a director role could be within reach."

A director was a position that could be called the crowning jewel of an entertainment agency.

Making such an offer to Chanwoo, who hadn't even studied the relevant field for a job that wasn't for just anyone, was giving him an absolutely monumental opportunity—

"What if I don't want to?"

"!!!"

The team leaders gasped.

Rejecting even an offer like this carried a clear message.

Chanwoo had absolutely no intention of reconciling with Head Director Kim.

What was even more chilling was Chanwoo's expression.

Just look at that calm, nonchalant face.

Didn't he look like he was mocking the notorious viper, Head Director Soohyuk Kim?

Head Director Kim asked through gritted teeth.

"…Then what on earth is it that you want?"

"Hand over more staff to Team 5."

A chilling silence, deeper than before, settled over the room.

The team leaders gulped and stared at Chanwoo.

He's openly revealing his ambition now…!

What else could asking for more staff mean?

It surely meant he intended to properly build up Team 5 to clash with the head director!

"…Is that truly what you want?"

"Yes, please give us more staff."

Chanwoo tilted his head as he looked at Head Director Kim, who was practically snarling at him.

To the very end, his innocent act was utterly loathsome—a deliberate mockery.

Slam!

After Chanwoo left, Head Director Kim vented his fury.

"That bastard! How dare he look down on me just because he tasted a bit of success!!!"

"Calling it 'a bit of success' might be an understatement—he scored an absolute mega-hit. Word must have spread, because even the artists on our team are talking about wanting to transfer over to Manager Lim's side…"

"Team Leader Oh? Shut your mouth! It's because you're so utterly clueless that you're stuck in Team 4!"

"N-no, I was just stating the facts…"

"I said shut up!"

Just as Head Director Kim grimaced from an oncoming stress migraine—

"Head Director, w-we have an emergency!"

At the grim expression of the PR team leader bursting in, Head Director Kim's heart dropped.

"…What emergency?"

"Ina Kim caused an incident!"

"!!!"

Ina Kim was Star Entertainment's top VIP celebrity.

This was a far more serious matter, completely incomparable to the situation with Chanwoo.

But—

"I-Ina Kim mentioned Chanwoo Lim…"

Chanwoo Lim… again?

The PR team leader stuttered for a moment before simply turning his phone screen toward them.

[Top Actress Ina Kim Names Former Manager Chanwoo Lim as Greatest Benefactor of Her Career]

[Manager Lim is the person who supported me when I was most shaken. Without Manager Lim, the current me wouldn't exist.]

* * *

What's wrong with her now…?

I looked at the interview Ina gave with a sour expression.

Well, there was no need to read too deeply into the actions of an unhinged bitch.

At any rate, I headed to a movie set for the first time in a while.

It was for Hyunah's shoot.

Minho was originally supposed to accompany her, but he had recently become too busy with Sena's schedule.

Since we were short-handed, I came instead.

"You… didn't forget about me, did you?"

Hyunah pouted, looking slightly miffed.

…To be honest, I'd completely forgotten.

Right then—

"Manager Lim? It's been a while. Have you been well?"

"!!!"

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

Turning my head, I saw a gorgeously striking, beautiful actress.

It was Ina Kim!

Well, it was a movie starring Ina, so it wasn't like I hadn't expected to run into her.

The problem was—

…What's with the fake act?

She was smiling at me with an innocent face.

"It's been a while. (I don't care, so) keep up the good work."

After a brief greeting, I averted my gaze.

I saw Ina's eyebrow twitch slightly at my attitude, but fortunately, she didn't say anything more and quietly headed back to her dressing room.

As I watched her walk away—

[Would you like to appraise Actress Ina Kim?]

I pondered for a brief moment before answering yes.

It was just out of pure curiosity.

[Ina Kim]

Type: Actress

Rank: SS

Potential: EX

S-rank wasn't the limit? To think she's SS-rank.

Her potential was even EX-rank—the kind you only see in a generic OP munchkin novel.

She had truly terrifying stats, fitting for Star Entertainment's top star.

But then—

[Special Note: Currently standing at a critical crossroads that will determine whether she becomes a washed-up, failed actress or a Cannes Best Actress Award winner.]

Get the latest chapter and best reading experience at www.novatls.com

—Trot Chart: No. 9

Before long, Love's Shuttle Bus entered the top 10 on the trot chart.

And things started going crazy.

"W-what? What in the world?! Is this actually going to become a mega-hit?!"

Myunghoon Song, a director from the A&R team, came all the way down to Team 5 just to make a fuss.

For the record, Director Song was the one most convinced Love's Shuttle Bus would flop. Not out of spite, though—he was just genuinely worried about me.

"It's not too late to switch to another song."

"If this flops, Manager Lim, we are all going down!"

His eye for talent was atrocious for a director, but he wasn't a bad person.

"Yes, it looks like it will be a mega-hit."

"…It's true the momentum is great, but aren't you being a bit too confident?"

"Because it's a fact."

It was still only number 10 on the trot chart, not even cracking the top 100 on the overall chart.

But making it into the top 10 on the trot chart—a chart tightly held by existing hits—meant it had gained real momentum.

"It's going to climb higher."

"How far?"

I thought about it for a second and answered honestly.

"Number one."

"Number one on the trot chart…? Isn't that impossible no matter how big a hit it is? Do you know how many legendary songs have been ruling that chart for years?"

"Not that. Number one on the overall chart."

"…What?"

I replied while looking at the appraisal message.

[Verdict: Overall Chart No. 1 (Long-Term Reign)]

"And it's not just going to briefly dip its toes in, either. I think it'll hold the number one spot for a long time."

* * *

Long-term usually meant staying at number one for more than a month.

Even briefly touching number one and coming back down would be an achievement worthy of family honor. But a whole month?

That was a difficult feat even for top-tier idols backed by an army of a million fans, yet it felt entirely possible.

Because it wasn't just the appraisal message—the way things were playing out across the board was unusual.

Trot fans usually watched U-Tube rather than using standard music streaming sites.

It started with the independent U-Tuber, 'HypeTrain.' People who aren't into trot might not know him, but his 200,000-subscriber count was absolutely terrifying.

With him leading the charge, all kinds of trot channels began covering Love's Shuttle Bus.

—Trot Chart: No. 4

—Overall Chart: No. 78

It finally broke through the overall chart.

"Broke through" didn't do it justice.

It was starting to demolish it.

—Trot Chart: No. 2 ⇨ No. 1

—Overall Chart: No. 47 ⇨ No. 29

It hit the long-awaited number one spot on the trot chart, and cracked the top 30 on the overall chart!

At this point, the chart rankings didn't even matter anymore.

Soon, event venues all over the country would be flooded with Love's Shuttle Bus.

This means the investment I made turned into a mega-hit!

A massive crowd also flocked to Sena's new official U-Tube channel.

The U-Tube revenue alone will be staggering.

"I-is this a dream?"

Sena asked with a completely dazed expression.

I looked at her with satisfaction.

When I thought about how hard she would work to rake in cash for me from now on, she had never looked more beautiful.

"I told you it would do well."

"…Thank you. It's all thanks to you, manager."

"Y-yes, that's right… It's all thanks to you, Manager Lim!"

The Janggu Player, who had also become a hit composer overnight, chimed in with his own thanks.

Well, honestly, it really was all thanks to me.

Since I've worked hard, it's time to go back to being a slacker who gets paid for doing nothing.

"Thank you for giving us such a wonderful song, Mr. Janggu Player. I wish you all the best in your future creative work."

"Why do you… sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"Are you planning to sign another contract with Star Entertainment by any chance? Didn't I tell you this is a predatory company you shouldn't even associate with?"

"I'm going to keep signing contracts with you in the future, manager."

"???"

"Actually, multiple agencies contacted me, but they all just talk big on the surface. None of them truly care about me the way you do, manager. I want to keep working with you."

I never cared about you, though?

Sena nodded along, her expression clearly saying, 'You're the only one who cares about us, manager.'

"You'll have a lot of work ahead of you too, Singer Sena. Good luck."

"Why are you talking to me like that? We're going to keep working together anyway."

"We are not working together."

"What…?"

Sena was now destined to tour every corner of the country, raking in cash wherever she went.

Team 5, on the other hand, lacked the resources to support her.

It wasn't at all because I didn't want to work… okay, honestly, it was.

"…So you're telling me to go to another team? After everything we've been through together?"

"Yes, it's for your own good, Singer Sena—"

"But what if I don't want to?"

"???"

Sena glared at me, looking exactly like the bratty kid she'd been when I first met her.

"I don't care if I make a little less money. I am absolutely not going to another team. I'm going to keep working with you, manager."

This was turning into a real headache.

I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't budge.

"You're abandoning me now?"

"No, I'm not."

"You promised to take responsibility for me!"

"…Could you refrain from saying things that could be easily misunderstood?"

It wasn't that I didn't understand how Sena felt.

She'd already seen the absolute worst of Star Entertainment, so of course she didn't want to transfer to another team.

Sigh, this is all because Star Entertainment is a shitty company!

Some might ask, "Why stay at such a trashy, exploitative company?"

The answer? Precisely because it is a trashy, exploitative company!

Since they're so evil, I can slack off without feeling a single shred of guilt.

Could I slack off at a normal company? No—I'd have to work with a sense of duty.

Star Entertainment was just perfect for me.

At any rate, I needed a plan for Sena.

…Since I have to work her to the bone to recoup the investment.

But doing the hard work myself was out of the question. I'd suffered enough up to this point.

That meant there was only one solution—offloading the work!

The problem was that Team 5 had no manpower.

It wasn't that there were absolutely no road managers besides Minho, but they were utter trash and perfectly suited for Team 5.

Still, I couldn't make Minho do everything by himself.

Left with no choice, I went to see the head director.

As luck would have it, the team leaders from the head director's faction—specifically from Teams 1, 2, and 4—were all gathered together. Not that I cared.

"Please give us more staff."

A cold silence settled over the room.

* * *

Head Director Soohyuk Kim called an unofficial emergency meeting strictly for his inner circle.

The topic: Chanwoo Lim.

To think Sena Lee would score such a mega-hit.

It was unbelievable.

Breaking into trot was like threading a needle to begin with, and their ragtag team consisted of nothing more than an amateur composer, an amateur arranger, and a total rookie singer.

It wasn't just the head director—everyone had expected Chanwoo to fail miserably.

To the point where they'd even worried about offending the chairman of BH, their investor.

Yet, as if mocking everyone, Chanwoo had taken those unpromising assets and turned them into a commercial blockbuster.

It couldn't even be dismissed as mere luck.

From beginning to end, it was entirely Chanwoo's ability.

Dammit.

If Chanwoo had been part of his own faction, Head Director Kim could have genuinely celebrated his success. After all, Chanwoo's credit would have been his credit.

But Chanwoo was openly opposing him.

"…What are we going to do about Chief Manager Chanwoo Lim?"

"We can't just leave him be like this."

The team leaders raised their voices, and Head Director Kim made his decision.

"I will give Chanwoo Lim an ultimatum."

Right then, the secretary informed him that Chanwoo had arrived.

"Let him in."

The gazes of the head director and the team leaders instantly locked onto Chanwoo.

Despite being the sole target of the very executives who practically held the reins of Star Entertainment, Chanwoo didn't show the slightest hint of nervousness.

Has that punk always been someone with this much grit?

He wasn't.

Back when he was in charge of Ina Kim, he'd been a total pushover—just a good-natured, ordinary manager.

He must have been hiding his claws.

And waking those claws… was Head Director Kim's own blunder.

Regret came too late, but what was done was done.

"I came here on business."

"No, I will speak first."

Head Director Kim cut Chanwoo off and spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Transfer to Team 2. The chief manager position happens to be vacant right now, so I will specially—"

"But, I don't want to?"

"!!!"

A chief manager was the most senior manager on a team. Considering Chanwoo was only in his third year, it was an amazing offer. Yet he rejected it before even hearing the whole story.

Head Director Kim ground his teeth but controlled his temper.

A director was a position that could be called the crowning jewel of an entertainment agency.

Making such an offer to Chanwoo, who hadn't even studied the relevant field for a job that wasn't for just anyone, was giving him an absolutely monumental opportunity—

"What if I don't want to?"

"!!!"

The team leaders gasped.

Rejecting even an offer like this carried a clear message.

Chanwoo had absolutely no intention of reconciling with Head Director Kim.

What was even more chilling was Chanwoo's expression.

Just look at that calm, nonchalant face.

Didn't he look like he was mocking the notorious viper, Head Director Soohyuk Kim?

Head Director Kim asked through gritted teeth.

"…Then what on earth is it that you want?"

"Hand over more staff to Team 5."

A chilling silence, deeper than before, settled over the room.

The team leaders gulped and stared at Chanwoo.

He's openly revealing his ambition now…!

What else could asking for more staff mean?

It surely meant he intended to properly build up Team 5 to clash with the head director!

"…Is that truly what you want?"

"Yes, please give us more staff."

Chanwoo tilted his head as he looked at Head Director Kim, who was practically snarling at him.

To the very end, his innocent act was utterly loathsome—a deliberate mockery.

Slam!

After Chanwoo left, Head Director Kim vented his fury.

"That bastard! How dare he look down on me just because he tasted a bit of success!!!"

"Team Leader Oh? Shut your mouth! It's because you're so utterly clueless that you're stuck in Team 4!"

"N-no, I was just stating the facts…"

"I said shut up!"

Just as Head Director Kim grimaced from an oncoming stress migraine—

"Head Director, w-we have an emergency!"

At the grim expression of the PR team leader bursting in, Head Director Kim's heart dropped.

"…What emergency?"

"Ina Kim caused an incident!"

"!!!"

Ina Kim was Star Entertainment's top VIP celebrity.

This was a far more serious matter, completely incomparable to the situation with Chanwoo.

But—

"I-Ina Kim mentioned Chanwoo Lim…"

Chanwoo Lim… again?

The PR team leader stuttered for a moment before simply turning his phone screen toward them.

[Top Actress Ina Kim Names Former Manager Chanwoo Lim as Greatest Benefactor of Her Career]

[Manager Lim is the person who supported me when I was most shaken. Without Manager Lim, the current me wouldn't exist.]

* * *

What's wrong with her now…?

I looked at the interview Ina gave with a sour expression.

Well, there was no need to read too deeply into the actions of an unhinged bitch.

At any rate, I headed to a movie set for the first time in a while.

It was for Hyunah's shoot.

Minho was originally supposed to accompany her, but he had recently become too busy with Sena's schedule.

Since we were short-handed, I came instead.

"You… didn't forget about me, did you?"

Hyunah pouted, looking slightly miffed.

…To be honest, I'd completely forgotten.

Right then—

"Manager Lim? It's been a while. Have you been well?"

"!!!"

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

Turning my head, I saw a gorgeously striking, beautiful actress.

It was Ina Kim!

Well, it was a movie starring Ina, so it wasn't like I hadn't expected to run into her.

The problem was—

…What's with the fake act?

She was smiling at me with an innocent face.

"It's been a while. (I don't care, so) keep up the good work."

After a brief greeting, I averted my gaze.

I saw Ina's eyebrow twitch slightly at my attitude, but fortunately, she didn't say anything more and quietly headed back to her dressing room.

As I watched her walk away—

[Would you like to appraise Actress Ina Kim?]

I pondered for a brief moment before answering yes.

It was just out of pure curiosity.

[Ina Kim]

Type: Actress

Rank: SS

Potential: EX

S-rank wasn't the limit? To think she's SS-rank.

Her potential was even EX-rank—the kind you only see in a generic OP munchkin novel.

She had truly terrifying stats, fitting for Star Entertainment's top star.

But then—

[Special Note: Currently standing at a critical crossroads that will determine whether she becomes a washed-up, failed actress or a Cannes Best Actress Award winner.]

Get the latest chapter and best reading experience at www.novatls.com

Chapter 14

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Chapter 14

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