# Chapter 20
“Rather than just introducing the book like this, now Novelist Seong Giha…”
Thinking he had stalled enough time since it was supposed to be just a five-minute delay, Mo Eunje glanced to the side, and the producer by the main camera made a big X with his arms. It meant the guest had not arrived yet. The content writer beside him kept sending messages and calling Seong Giha. From the moment he heard about the five-minute delay, something had felt off.
It would be better to ask the viewers for understanding by explaining that he was running late because he wasn’t feeling well and had stopped by the emergency room. But Seong Giha had earnestly requested not to mention it, saying his parents would be watching the broadcast and would worry. That meant Mo Eunje needed to use his skills to stall for time until Seong Giha arrived.
Though he had said he would be five minutes late, that time had already passed, and somehow it seemed like the five minutes would become ten, and the ten minutes would eventually become thirty—an ominous premonition. But even with no concept of punctuality, would someone really be 30 minutes late, emergency room visit or not?
Honestly, from the moment he saw the drinking photos, he’d been suspicious about whether Seong Giha had really gone to the emergency room. Of course, there was the possibility that the photos taken earlier had been uploaded this morning, so he was cautious about criticizing him thoughtlessly.
“I’d like to bring him out right away, but the author needs some time to prepare mentally as he’s quite nervous. So, to give him a moment to take a deep breath, I’ll first introduce some passages that resonated with me and left an impression.”
It was fortunate that he had copied the page numbers he had marked in the bound copy during rehearsal onto the side of the cue card. Mo Eunje checked the page numbers and calmly turned the pages from the beginning of the book. While a live broadcast couldn’t be helped, when uploading to the channel, they would mix the footage from the multiple cameras currently filming from various positions, so they would likely skip directly from the initial greeting to when Seong Giha appeared.
“What I needed to realize that the feelings hidden under the guise of friendship were actually love was your small gesture and a fleeting moment. In the winter of my twentieth year when the first snow fell, as the thick snowflakes covered the city in white, my heart was completely covered by you as well. When you smiled playfully and blew away the snowflake that had landed on the bridge of my nose…”
His quiet and serene voice, suited for dawn, gradually filled the studio.
Seong Giha arrived at the studio at 11:27 AM, after Mo Eunje had read all eight passages he had checked. The producer gave a signal, and nearby, the content writer was holding up a sketchbook with “Introduce and bring in Novelist Seong” written on it.
If he was going to be this late, it would have been better for the channel to post an apology notice and delay the live broadcast by 30 minutes. But what fault did the production team have when they were the first to arrive and complete the shooting preparations? The blame should fall on Seong Giha who said he would be about five minutes late but was 27 minutes late.
“I apologize for taking up all the time alone as there were so many good passages.”
While Mo Eunje was speaking, Seong Giha greeted him with a nod and sat on the two-seater sofa diagonally across. Tae Igyeol was glaring at Seong Giha with burning eyes. While everyone else wore polite smiles, a strange situation unfolded where only the one who had been burying his nose in his phone checking stock prices without any interest in the live broadcast showed open hostility.
“Everyone, you’ve waited a long time. We have with us Novelist Seong Giha, who wrote ‘On Friendship That Can Only Be Love.’ Hello, Novelist.”
“Hello, I’m Novelist Seong Giha. It’s been a while since I greeted everyone. Nice to meet you.”
As Seong Giha, dressed sharply in a burgundy suit, opened his mouth, a strong smell of alcohol wafted out. Despite that, he must have stopped by a shop, as not a single hair was out of place, and his makeup was so perfect that not a single pore was visible. Contradicting his claim of having been lying in an emergency room bed, the volume of his hair at the back of his head was fully intact.
“Have you calmed down a bit now? The readers have been waiting to see you, Novelist Seong Giha.”
“I’m sorry for keeping everyone waiting. This is my first full-length novel, and since today is the publication date, I’m very nervous. ‘Book of the Month’ is my first official schedule, so I was extremely nervous.”
“Yes. I can relate because I remember not being able to sleep properly from the night before when my first full-length novel was published.”
“I think it’s because this is the time when the writing that only my publishing house family and I have seen is being publicly presented. But having Novelist Mo Eunje, whom I wanted to get to know, host this makes me feel quite reassured.”
“I’m glad I can be of help. First, congratulations on publishing your first full-length novel. ‘On Friendship That Can Only Be Love,’ published today, is a story about a first love that had to be buried in memory. When you were writing…”
There was some unavoidable overlap with what Mo Eunje had said while stalling for time waiting for Seong Giha to arrive, but after that, the live broadcast flowed smoothly. Mo Eunje continued his questions while occasionally glancing at the cue cards, and thanks to Seong Giha’s good conversational skills, he was able to proceed smoothly.
However, unlike Tae Igyeol, who adhered to the principle of being 15 minutes early and had a positive influence, Seong Giha had shamelessly stolen Mo Eunje’s time. His unavoidable circumstances were his own, and there was no reason or need for others to accommodate them. Sometimes, even the most basic and trivial actions, like keeping time commitments, can determine the image and evaluation of a person.
“I’m sorry. You went through a lot because of me, didn’t you?”
As the broadcast ended, Seong Giha apologized to Mo Eunje and offered a handshake. After briefly clasping hands and quickly letting go, Mo Eunje asked a polite question for the sake of image management.
“I heard you went to the emergency room. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. It’s good that I made an early salon appointment. Even at the emergency room, I sat while getting an IV drip because I was worried about messing up my hair.”
Too dumbfounded and speechless to respond properly, Mo Eunje just gave an ambiguous smile. If he had really gone to the emergency room, Mo Eunje suspected he might have received an IV to sober up. His face instinctively started to scrunch up, wondering how much alcohol one had to consume to emit such a terrible smell, like someone who had been drowning in alcohol. If they talked any longer, he felt he might suffocate from the alcohol smell.
“We need to move quickly. There’s another schedule.”
Tae Igyeol, who had approached at some point, urged with a frown.
“Yes, Novelist. We’ve finished later than expected, so even if you leave now, it’s questionable if you’ll arrive at the next venue on time.”
Manager Yoon Hyesu chimed in. Today’s only schedule was hosting the “Book of the Month,” but it seemed like the two had joined forces to rescue him. No, given Tae Igyeol’s personality, he wasn’t the type to join forces with anyone, so it would be more accurate to say that Manager Yoon was following Tae Igyeol’s lead.
“I’m sorry. This happened because of me. I wanted to treat you to a meal after the broadcast, but you have another schedule right away.”
“Yes, there’s an event in the provinces.”
Mo Eunje gladly picked up the spoon from the table set by Tae Igyeol and Manager Yoon Hyesu. He also thought that using the excuse of having a provincial schedule would prevent further detainment.
“Then, Novelist, could you give me your contact information? I’d like to buy you a drink as a way of making up for today.”
Since Mo Eunje had no intention of giving out his contact information from the start, he had even less intention of having a drink together. He discreetly glanced at Tae Igyeol.
“Our novelist is quite sensitive and doesn’t use his phone in everyday life. The agency handles all official schedules, so please contact the agency if necessary.”
Tae Igyeol spoke dryly and matter-of-factly with a threatening gaze and a fierce expression. Having done this several times, the words now flowed automatically like a machine.
“I’m Manager Yoon Hyesu. I’m in charge of Novelist Mo Eunje, so you can contact me.”
Taking it a step further, Manager Yoon even handed a business card to Seong Giha. The predecessor had been quite sensible, but Manager Yoon Hyesu was also quick-witted, on another level.
“Then I’ll be going first. Congratulations on your new publication.”
“Ah, just a moment. I brought this especially for you. Thank you for hosting today.”
Seong Giha handed over a copy of “On Friendship That Can Only Be Love.” When Mo Eunje took it and glanced inside, he saw a handwritten signature and a phone number written on the inside page.
“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”
As Mo Eunje smiled his public smile and greeted him, Seong Giha gave a meaningful look and made a calling gesture with his hand. Just as he was about to add something, the producer, who had roughly wrapped up the scene, approached with a hearty laugh, and Seong Giha, who had been cautiously observing, closed his mouth.
“Our MC, you really went through a lot today. I don’t know what we would have done without Novelist Mo.”
“You worked hard too, Producer.”
“Oh, what hard work did I do? I feel so indebted to our MC. If you have time, please join us for a meal. I also have something to propose.”
“A proposal?”
“Our ‘Book of the Month’ conducts a live broadcast once a month. I was wondering if Novelist Mo Eunje would consider becoming the permanent MC. The higher-ups sent down an order after seeing you host today.”
“Let’s talk about that separately, Producer. Our novelist has an immediate schedule after this. Please leave first with Igyeol, Novelist. You’ll be late at this rate. I’ll set up a formal meeting with the producer and follow right after.”
Manager Yoon Hyesu made a calling gesture and then pushed Mo Eunje’s back. Despite meeting for the first time today, her work style was quite appealing. Mo Eunje, pretending to be busy, politely greeted the staff and left the studio with Tae Igyeol.
