Chapter 896: You’ve waited a long time, haven’t you? (25)

Six hours.

Not even a full day after sending the proposal, a reply came back from Haeshion.

—We’ll sell.

—Okay.

—Should we draft the contract right away?! The contract!

—Uh... let’s take it slow...

Word was that the amount offered by the company had been extremely satisfying.

“So now we’re adding another company to our organization chart.”

“Right.”

Lemon Entertainment already had several subsidiaries.

There was the cable TV station NBS, and Studio LM, which produced various content, films, and dramas.

On top of that, DNS Media operated as a sub-label.

Negotiations with SNH Entertainment were also ongoing, and if that deal went through, along with Haeshion’s label, they would have three labels under them.

The reason for acquiring multiple labels was simple.

—Even if I fail, one of them will hit big~

Surprisingly, that really was the logic.

In business terms, it was called risk diversification.

Since the company didn’t yet have a long history in idol production like the traditional “Big Four,” it was a strategic choice.

You couldn’t just create multiple successful idol groups easily.

Good music alone wasn’t enough—visual direction, concept design, and experience all mattered.

So they acquired companies that already had that expertise.

This hip-hop label acquisition was similar.

—We don’t really know hip-hop that well...

The company’s producing team were top experts in mainstream music.

But in hip-hop, they couldn’t compete with dedicated rap labels.

Until now, Junghyun had relied on external help whenever he worked on mixtapes or needed guidance.

“But now we don’t have to.”

I said to him,

“Imagine it. You can just go to him anytime, buy him a meal, ask questions.”

“Ooo...”

“Now that we’re in the same family, it’ll be easier to collaborate on albums too.”

Ri Hyuk commented,

“So basically, you bought the company because things felt awkward.”

“Hey.”

“I’m just stating facts...”

“Ri Hyuk, no one likes blunt truth.”

His eyes widened.

“That’s not true. I like honesty.”

“You’ll lose friends.”

“...!”

“You said you like honesty.”

As sharp words flew, I rubbed my ears.

My poor ears.

After the storm passed—

“Anyway, are you guys done packing?”

Tuesday morning.

Junghyun and I lounged on the couch in sweats while the other three packed for the fishing variety show.

“Biju.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you bringing cooking tools?”

“In case we cook.”

“They’ll cook for you there.”

His bag was full of items for the others—

Motion sickness pills for Ri Hyuk, sticky caramel for the youngest, raincoats...

“Ri Hyuk.”

“Yes.”

“What are the three bags?”

“Emergency kits.”

“...Do whatever you want.”

At least he was better than Jiho.

“Jiho.”

“Yes.”

“Your luggage?”

“I need luggage?”

He held up his phone.

“Anything else?”

“Oh! Right!”

“Yeah.”

“Portable charger!”

...Not what I meant.

Junghyun said,

“It’s freshwater fishing. Nothing special needed.”

“Yeah, nothing like the ocean.”

We recalled Thailand—

Fighting sailfish in rough seas.

Compared to that, this would be easy.

“You guys should’ve experienced the ocean.”

“Yeah, they don’t know the terror of nature.”

“That wasn’t just any ocean. Sharks and sailfish.”

“It was basically the Grand Line.”

The others looked unimpressed.

“Here we go again...”

“We’re leaving.”

They linked arms and walked out—

Crash!

All three fell.

“....”

“....”

“Are you okay?”

“We’re fine...”

As they left, I thought—

Biju running to claim rooms, Ri Hyuk wobbling in wind, Jiho touching everything he shouldn’t.

“Junghyun... are they going to be okay?”

“It’s freshwater fishing.”

“...Right.”

What could go wrong?

Goesan, North Chungcheong Province.

Filming preparations were underway by a lakeside.

The banner fluttered.

[Welcome! NewBlack!]

[Congrats on your comeback!]

PD Lee Junhee checked everything carefully.

‘It has to be perfect.’

Not just because NewBlack were global stars—

‘Saviors.’

They had revived the show.

“Manho, look at them. Feels like a king is coming.”

“Well... it’s NewBlack.”

Even Kang Manho smiled.

Still—

‘Will they do well?’

Without Wooju and Junghyun, it was uncertain.

‘Feels funny... but not quite.’

He planned carefully—

Then—

“I’m so excited!”

The cast buzzed.

“Today’s special guests!”

A car arrived.

Red carpet rolled out.

Petals thrown.

“Hi~!”

Jiho ran forward.

“Hello!”

Ri Hyuk and Biju followed.

Jiho greeted brightly.

“It’s an honor!”

The atmosphere heated instantly.

Then—

“Many of you must wonder...”

Ri Hyuk continued—

“Can we be funny without Wooju and Junghyun?”

“The answer is yes.”

“We are Biriho!”

Laughter.

“Wait, aren’t you here to promote your album?”

“Oh right!”

They performed “White Night.”

Even outdoors—it was stunning.

Staff gasped.

“Wow...”

After the stage—

“Kim Biju!”

“Seo Ri Hyuk!”

“Wang Jiho!”

They instantly turned cute again.

Then—

“How do you feel?”

“We’re honored!”

“Fishing experience?”

Jiho raised his hand.

“I’ve fished since I was five.”

“Sounds like bragging.”

“It’s true!”

Ri Hyuk added,

“I studied theory.”

Biju smoothed things out.

The PD smiled.

Perfect pacing.

“Today’s challenge—freshwater fishing!”

Fish listed.

“Eel too!”

Rules explained.

Then—

“We’ll give you backup.”

“Who?”

“Robotics team from KAIST!”

“A robot?!”

It descended.

Ri Hyuk teared up.

But—

“Looks weak...”

Then—

Photos attached.

Wooju. Junghyun.

Suddenly—

‘Strong.’

“Let the match begin!”

Cheers.

Lines cast.

“Ri Hyuk, just throw it.”

“No.”

He aimed perfectly—

Cast!

“Nice!”

Five minutes later—

“Something’s biting!”

“Ri Hyuk!”

“Pull!”

The rod bent.

‘It’s big.’

He fought carefully.

Cameras closed in.

‘I’m the star today...!’

Then—

“It’s a carp!”

“Wow!”

Almost—

But—

The carp thrashed.

“Wait—!”

Splash!

“Ri Hyuk!”

He fell in.

Safe—but—

‘The carp—!’

It charged.

“Hey! Stop!”

Thump! Thump!

The carp rammed him repeatedly.

“Help! It’s attacking me!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Thus—

The legendary moment:

[The Revenge of the Carp King]