# Chapter 30
The members followed behind me, seemingly trying to deliberately block Han Sijin from approaching me.
When Seo Irun nodded to Jeong Chan, Jeong Chan went ahead and found an empty conference room.
He then gestured to us, and we made our way there.
Han Sijin didn’t follow us anymore, and we continued the meeting as if nothing had happened.
Though Han Sijin’s absence would immediately cause significant damage, rumors of discord among members had been circulating because of him, so we would need to properly resolve this issue eventually.
From that moment on, we finished the meeting without any mention of Han Sijin, as if his name had become taboo.
After finishing the meeting, when we went out, Han Sijin, who had been pacing in the hallway unable to come in, tried to approach me.
But Seo Irun and Cha Yeonwoo glared at him fiercely and protected me.
I told them to continue with their individual practice and went up to the CEO’s office.
Hyung was fortunately there, and he seemed to find it strange that I was looking for him at that time.
“What is it? Why are you here? Is something not going well?”
He examined my expression.
“What’s wrong?”
I was about to speak, but it wasn’t easy.
I knew that once I spoke here, it would be irreversible.
“Hey, Kang Seomin. What is it? Don’t make me anxious, just tell me quickly.”
“Hyung.”
“Yes.”
“I think… I want to stop now.”
“…What?”
Doubt filled his eyes.
“Why? Things are going well. Everything is going well, so why suddenly?”
“They’ll do fine without me now. No, I think it might be better if someone else takes over. Things are on track now, and only good things lie ahead.”
But I feel like I’m ruining it.
It was strange.
Until I entered Hyung’s office, I had intended to talk about removing Han Sijin.
I was going to say we couldn’t keep someone who was damaging the team atmosphere and constantly fueling rumors of discord, but why did I…
But I kind of understood.
Seo Irun and Lee Dagyeong.
I was scared because the impure games I was playing with them were becoming increasingly enjoyable.
Even while thinking that I should end it now, I couldn’t bring myself to say it and couldn’t control myself.
My heart felt heavy at the thought that our relationship would inevitably lead to ruin.
Those guys will become stars.
They’ll stand tall in places I can’t dare to reach.
If I told them I was the grandson of the Seyoung Group Chairman, they might continue to associate with me, thinking we’re roughly on the same level, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to win their hearts that way.
Whatever the case, it was right to end this relationship now.
If this relationship were to be exposed later, it would also cause problems for the kids.
I didn’t want to hold them back.
“It just… seems like the right thing to do.”
“Kang Seomin. What’s going on? Hmm? There’s something, isn’t there.”
Hyung was persistent.
He knew how much I cared for the members and was proud of the achievements made in a short time.
He and Noona found me so admirable, saying that because of me, Seyoung Media couldn’t treat Hyung carelessly, and Uncle’s faction had gained significant power.
However, he seemed to prefer me exerting my presence as a member of Seyoung, rather than just because Uncle’s faction had gained power.
Because Hyung was like that, it wasn’t easy to deceive him.
“You know, they’ll eventually find out who I am. They might feel betrayed then.”
“That could be true… but if you’re worried about that, you could tell them now.”
“It’s an important period now, and I don’t want to surprise them.”
Hyung didn’t respond to that.
He seemed to know that I had already made up my mind and was being stubborn.
“You seem tired. Alright, let’s do that. If you want to do something else, just tell me. Do you want to take a break for a while?”
“Yeah…”
But when I heard those words, I felt depressed.
It was also frightening that I could easily get what I wanted because of my position, that things would happen immediately just by saying them.
“Even if you quit being a manager, you can still stay at Grand Tamer. We can promote your position. Or you could become the CEO. I have many responsibilities elsewhere, and you’re the one who has grown this place to what it is, so do as you wish.”
Hyung seemed to be testing me.
Seeing my expression get worse instead of better when he said he would let me do as I wanted, he seemed to think this wasn’t truly what I wanted.
“Kang Seomin. You don’t seem to know what you want either, so instead of deciding alone, how about meeting Noona?”
“……”
“I think that would be good.”
While I couldn’t answer, Hyung nodded.
He said not to decide anything yet and to talk again after speaking with Noona first.
“Thank you, Hyung.”
Hyung didn’t give any other reply to that and returned to his seat.
I quietly left the CEO’s office, stood in the hallway for a moment, and sent a message to Noona.
[Noona. Are you free this evening?]
From Noona, who must be one of the busiest people in South Korea these days, a response came back in less than ten seconds.
[If my little brother asks for time, of course I should make time, right? Where should we go? What do you want to eat? Noona will buy you something delicious. Let’s go somewhere nice. I’ve found a good place, is it okay if we go there?]
[Yes, Noona.]
[I’m looking forward to it! Then should I send a car when you finish?]
But then, as if she suddenly remembered my situation, she sent another message.
[Ah, that won’t work, will it? Since you haven’t revealed who you are.]
[Yes. If you tell me the location, I’ll go there.]
After arranging the appointment with Noona, my heart felt heavier.
What did I want to hear in that meeting?
What did Han Sijin want to do?
Why was he angry?
When my thoughts returned to that, my head started throbbing.
I couldn’t understand how I managed to hold on until the time I was supposed to meet Noona.
People approached me from all directions, but I didn’t seem to respond properly.
Seeing me like this, several people expressed concern, even suggesting that I should go home early today and rest.
I said I would be fine and held on a bit longer before heading to the meeting place.
I told the members I had someone to meet and that others would take them to the dorm today instead of me.
Seo Irun looked at me with concern and nodded.
“Don’t think about anything else and rest well, Hyung. You need to rest. You’re pushing your body too hard.”
Holding back from saying that those weren’t words he should be saying, I nodded.
Han Sijin wasn’t there where the members had gathered.
But I didn’t care.
I was also tired and exhausted.
Honestly, I no longer felt like looking after him.
I was planning to drive, but it seemed impossible, so I took a taxi.
I thought about postponing the appointment because I wasn’t feeling well today, but since this was an issue I had to address eventually and I desperately needed Noona’s advice, I went ahead with it.
But that wasn’t such a good idea.
Seeing Noona enter, I stood up from my seat, but I staggered and collapsed to the floor.
Before I fell, I heard Noona calling my name and running toward me.
Noona, with the help of her executive secretary, moved me to a hospital, and I was admitted to a special room in the Seyoung Group’s general hospital.
Even after hearing that it was just overwork and stress and that my body was healthy, Noona couldn’t stop worrying.
Even when I woke up, Hyung and Uncle kept calling, and Noona was explaining the situation to them.
When I woke up, I felt so clear and refreshed that I was even embarrassed.
“You! I told you to take care of your health! Did Noona say that or not?”
Noona hung up the phone when she saw I was awake and came over to scold me.
Looking at her, I couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re laughing? After scaring people like this, you’re laughing?!”
I had never heard such words before.
Those scolding words with strange rhythm and timing that often appear in movies and dramas.
I never had occasions to receive such reprimands, accompanied by back slaps, from close family members.
So hearing those words from Noona wasn’t unpleasant, but rather felt warm and happy.
Noona was a peculiar person.
Looking at her face, it seemed as if she understood everything about what I was thinking, what I was feeling, and why I had such an expression.
“Do you want something? Are you thirsty?”
“No, Noona.”
“Speak comfortably. I’m here to take care of you, I should do something.”
“I’m really fine.”
Noona asked what I had wanted to talk about when we met.
“Noona. I think I’ve been doing a lot of things wrong.”
Then Noona nodded.
It was strange that she nodded just from hearing that.
No, you’re really doing well.
I thought she would say that no one else could have done as well as you, but she didn’t.
I didn’t understand Noona’s attitude, so I looked at her, and she smiled and said:
“You’re having problems with the members, right? I thought you were getting along well, but the members are acting strangely and making you feel bad, right?”
“Did you talk to Hyung?”
“I did talk to Seungwon, but he didn’t say anything. Others probably feel it too.”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you think is the reason ‘Crop Five’ has been so successful?”
“…What?”
The success factors of ‘Crop Five.’
Numerous people had analyzed the market and put their heads together to find the answer.
And numerous answers had emerged.
