Cheat day

The person who is burdened(3)

Really? It can’t be helped.

-I’m sorry, bro.

“No.” “Then, let’s meet next time.”

-Yes.

Cha Ji-chan put down his smartphone and leaned on the desk.

I made dozens of calls since morning, but not a single person gave a positive response.

It wasn’t difficult because the people I used to be close with didn’t respond.

What made Cha Ji-chan despair was the fact that he knew all too well that this matter was not something that could be appealed to emotionally.

They were people who had cleared their personal broadcast schedules for half a month to walk all the way to Busan.

They all willingly agreed to collaborate because of the advantage of being able to appear on WTV and Netflix, but now it has reached a point where production itself is impossible.

WTV also showed a skeptical attitude, and the production company Letteral advised them to look for another company, saying they wouldn’t charge a penalty fee.

Only WH Electronics, which highly valued Cha Ji-chan, remained, while all the other sponsors who had lined up promised to return next time.

“Phew.”

Cha Ji-chan sighed.

There was no next.

If “Walking to the Sky,” which caused a nationwide uproar, gets canceled and they have to pay a huge penalty.

The situation where it couldn’t even be held and ended up in vain would remain in the minds of the entire nation.

Even if Cha Ji-chan comes up with a good plan next time, he will still carry the stigma of someone who couldn’t even start a major event.

Chajichan knew better than anyone that opportunities are given to those who succeed.

“Boss.”

Producer Ahn Sang-kyu opened the door and came in.

“…….”

Cha Ji-chan didn’t even have the strength to answer.

“I contacted all 141 people.”

Cha Ji-chan leaned on the desk and asked with his head bowed.

“Speak.”

“I couldn’t reach the 17 people, so I left a message, and I spoke with 124 people.” They said they would attend for 23 minutes.

Producer Ahn Sang-kyu conveyed the situation with great difficulty.

In an effort to fill the 100 spots promised to WH, I called all the first-round applicants, but the number of participants kept decreasing, and now, with the strategy meeting just a day away.

Eventually, most people ended up giving up.

Cha Ji-chan and PD Ahn Sang-kyu couldn’t say anything either.

After such prolonged silence, Cha Ji-chan finally spoke.

When I was in 9th grade, our class came in last. I was in Class 8, but I came last in all the midterms and finals of the first semester.

“…….”

“You can’t study worth a damn, but you still get in a bad mood?” It’s infuriating because they even call the homeroom teacher a jerk. I felt like I wanted to show you something.

“…….”

“So I told the class.” Let’s aim for first place in our sports day. Let’s get together and practice during the summer vacation.

“…….”

“There’s no way.” They won’t even listen to it. Still. 음. “Still, it wasn’t the whole class, but I used to meet up with my close friends every morning to play soccer and basketball.”

“…….”

“But on the first day, let’s work out for an hour or two and then go to the PC bang.” I have to come in first. So I said, let’s try harder, let’s work harder. But they said it’s a hassle. When I asked if he wanted to be first place, he said, “So what if I do?”

Cha Ji-chan turned his head.

“I guess I was still being overly dramatic on my own.”

PD Ahn Sang-kyu didn’t know how to comfort him.

It was impossible to win Cha Ji-chan’s heart with just a few words. Realistic issues like penalties or already paid money were even more so.

“Seong-kyu.”

“Yes.”

“Back then, I couldn’t understand, so we fought.” Don’t you have any pride? Let’s try to get first place, something like that. I resented it too. But now I understand. Everyone has their own circumstances, right? There are also dependents.

“Boss…….”

“Still.” Still, I will do it. When have we ever received sponsorship from a big corporation? Do you remember when you first joined the company?

Without money to rent an office, we lived together in the one-room where Cha Ji-chan lives and grew the current 2.4 million subscribers of Jimkun TV.

“First.”

Cha Ji-chan spoke with determination.

“If this goes wrong, the next one will be in 10 years.”

Ahn Sang-kyu had the same thought.

Once broken, trust could not be easily restored. It was a metaphorical expression saying that it would take twice as long because it was done based on the image built over five years.

Second. 2.467 million people are watching. My wealth is all of that. “Is there really an idiot who would lose all their money just because they’re scared of losing 400 million?”

Ahn Sang-kyu swallowed hard.

The cost the porter invested in this matter was 410 million won.

It wasn’t an amount that would immediately determine the fate of the Jimkkun channel, but it wasn’t something to be ignored either.

The company’s reserve fund was 500 million won, and since most of it had been used, there was no capacity to respond in case of an emergency.

Some might call him foolish for throwing away 400 million won, but Cha Ji-chan was seeing the situation more clearly than anyone else.

Cha Ji-chan judged that subscribers, rather than buildings or cash, were the true assets of a porter.

“Walking to the sky” was a situation that anyone could see had to be canceled, but still, there were bound to be people who would be disappointed.

“None.”

“Yeah.” There will be people who understand and people who are disappointed. However, being remembered as someone who didn’t keep their promise is a blow.

“Yes.”

Third. 500 people are waiting.

“…….”

They were the people living in the organization that had promised to donate.

“I can’t pretend not to know.”

Ahn Sang-kyu could not answer.

If it seemed foolish, it was foolish; if it seemed great, it was great for a reason.

“I won’t let you and our kids go hungry.” If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just sell it off.

Cha Ji-chan scanned the room and said.

Even PD Ahn Sang-kyu hardened his resolve at the mention of selling the five-story building that encapsulated the past five years of Cha Ji-chan and the porter.

So, trust me this time too. “Follow me.”

“Of course.”

Cha Ji-chan smiled slightly.

“Prepare a lot of refreshments for tomorrow.” Do you happen to know? If you make it look convincing, they might come looking for it.

“Yes.”

Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Despair hung in the seminar room of the porter’s office.

It was because no one had shown up just 10 minutes before the ‘To the Sky on Foot’ strategy meeting.

Yesterday, it was reported that “Walking to the Sky” was removed from the WTV schedule, and even the 23 YouTubers who had initially planned to participate expressed their intention to withdraw last night, early morning, and this morning.

As the event start time approached, the sponsors who had been sought after began to leave in droves, and the staff were at a loss for what to do.

“Director.”

A WH Electronics employee spoke to Director Kim Ki-tae.

“We should be on our way back too.”

Director Kim Ki-tae let out a long sigh.

WH Electronics has been trying to change smartphone purchasing trends recently. It was because the younger or younger generations were gradually distancing themselves from WH’s smartphones, causing a sense of crisis.

While preparing and implementing countermeasures in various areas, Kim Ki-tae’s eyes fell on Cha Ji-chan.

Young passion, success, and positive influence—all the images that Kim Ki-tae desired were embodied.

Because of this, while observing Cha Ji-chan, Baek Seung-yong’s car hit the jackpot, giving Kim Ki-tae confidence.

He convinced the higher-ups that WH Electronics could revitalize its image with “Walking to the Sky.”

Even though it was excluded from the WTV schedule, they did not give up any hope.

However, now there was truly no sign of hope.

“At least say hello before you leave.” We’ve worked together all this time.

“Yes.”

Kim Ki-tae approached Cha Ji-chan with an employee in tow.

“Jichan.”

“Director.”

I’m sorry. It’s unfortunate.

“No.” Thank you for all your help so far.

Kim Ki-tae doubted his eyes.

Even in this desperate situation, Cha Ji-chan was smiling.

“It seems like things went well for you.”

Kim Ki-tae changed the subject to the penalty fee. They judged that they could be so relaxed because they had either prevented or reduced significant damage.

It got incredibly messed up. Because it looks like I’m going to have to go alone on the trip that was supposed to be with 200 people.

“Yes?”

Cha Ji-chan just smiled slightly and nodded without saying anything else.

It meant that I hadn’t misheard.

“I heard that the production has been canceled.”

“I originally did it alone.”

“…….”

“Even though it’s a bit disappointing, it’s just returning to the way things were, so you don’t need to worry.”

It was reckless.

“Are you planning to go through with it alone just to get some sympathy votes?”

Kim Ki-tae saw Cha Ji-chan’s choice as nothing more than an action relying on luck.

For that reason, no one would extend a hand to Cha Ji-chan.

Go. Zero Coke.

At that moment, someone’s voice echoed in the silent seminar room. Even though I didn’t make a sound, it seemed unusually loud.

“Side dishes?”

Cha Ji-chan leaned his face towards Kim Ki-tae and called for the side dishes.

Banchan-yong raised his hand to greet and awkwardly bowed his head after making eye contact with Kim Ki-tae.

“Are you working?”

Banchan-yong asked cautiously.

“Uh…….”

When Cha Ji-chan couldn’t give a clear answer, Kim Ki-tae took a step back.

Let’s have a chat. We’ll be on our way now.

“Please come in.” Thank you for coming.

Cha Ji-chan and Kim Gi-tae shook hands.

Jichan approached Banchanyong.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean, what?” “Come today.”

“You said you wouldn’t come.”

“Me?”

Cha Ji-chan pondered for a moment.

I contacted others, but I didn’t call Banchan-yong.

It was because of the conversation we had on Sunday that we judged Ban Chan-yong wouldn’t participate.

“Always talking about loyalty, and look at you now.” What is this? Are we going together?

“Side dishes…”

“Use a separate room.” 어? I can’t sleep with my brother.

“This bastard!”

Cha Ji-chan jumped up and put a headlock on Ban Chan-yong.

Ah! “Let go of this!”

This cute little guy. 어? You’re so cute, I could die.

As Cha Ji-chan was delightedly choking Ban Chan-yong, two people entered the seminar room.

“Hyung Sang-kyu, is Margaret not here?”

Baek Woo-jin asked PD Ahn Sang-kyu, who was standing at the door.

“Uh, yeah.”

“How come Marguerite isn’t here while we’re preparing the refreshments?” You’re a real piece of work.

Baek Woo-jin took the beans and sat down.

“Baek Woo-jin.”

Cha Ji-chan released his arm that had been around Banchan-yong’s neck and called out to Baek Woo-jin.

Baek Woo-jin ate his snacks and looked at his smartphone, not caring about what anyone else said.

“Hyung.”

Cha Ji-chan shifted his gaze.

Joo Ji-seung, who was sitting at the same table as Baek Woo-jin, just raised his hand and smiled.

“How did you get here?”

Cha Ji-chan asked Ju Ji-seung.

“How could I possibly come?” We were going together. “Is there no seat?”

There’s nothing missing. It’s everywhere.

Baek Woo-jin pouted and said.

“You said you had something to do.”

Cha Ji-chan asked Joo Ji-seung and Baek Woo-jin.

“I don’t know.” Ah, hurry up and start. There’s no time.

Seeing Baek Woo-jin mumbling, Cha Ji-chan smirked and put him in a headlock just like he did with Ban Chan-yong.

“아! 아! 왜! Whywhywhywhy!

“Why is this so cute?” 어?”

“Jiseung hyung!” 형! “Help me!”

“Chanyong, where was the Diet Coke?”

“Excuse me.” I’ll bring it to you.

“Is there anything else?”

“Narand cider.”

“Isn’t it good with me?”

“악! Chajichan!

“Jichan, do you want to go out for a drink with me?”

The moment the side dishes arrived, Kim Ki-tae, who had stopped in his tracks, stared at the suddenly noisy seminar room for a while.