The Famous Millionaire

Hyunwoo’s heart sank abruptly. He vaguely expected Chan might reach out to him on that.

On the other hand, Hyunwoo couldn’t understand Chan’s move. As far as the animation site was concerned, Chan was much more knowledgeable and professional than he. Why would he want to entrust Hyunwoo with that?

As if he read Hyunwoo’s mind, Chan said, “What do you think is the reason Story Mecca could make such a big success?”

Hyunwoo wanted to reply that it was because of Story Mecca’s organized system, but that was not the correct answer. If Chan had expected that kind of answer, he would have not gone to the trouble of entrusting him with that.

Hyunwoo said, “I think it’s because you have secured lots of good writers and novels.”

Nodding his head, Chan said, “Exactly. I’m a lucky businessman. I have worked with good writers from the start. Without them, Story Mecca would not have been created.”

That was true. That’s why he spent billions of won every year to find new writers.

“Do you think animation is different? No matter how good a system you have, you can’t attract readers without good content. In that respect, I think Ani & Funny is a provider of excellent content.”

“Well, Ani & Funny is only a start-up company. It is pretty small in terms of size, compared with its rivals. In particular, it is like a mom-and-pop store, compared with the subsidiaries of BNB.”

But Chan shook his head and said, “There is nothing perfect in this world. Do you think BNB can be the light of the world like your company?”

Hyunwoo had nothing to say.

Though he did not know much about BNB, he could not say yes or no. As far as he knew, BNB was far from it.

He vividly remembered that when Ani & Funny submitted Tuti & Angelica to Talent Donation broadcasting for its special program competition, BNB tried to scout its competent staff.

Chan continued, “The problem is that most of the animation companies are just like BNB. Basically, they exploit weak companies for their own profits.”

Hearing Chan’s explanation, Hyunwoo could figure out what he was trying to say.

Hyunwoo waited until Chan was done with what he had to say.

And then he opened his mouth, “In fact, I was planning a similar business model.”

Hyunwoo briefed him on his plan on an animation-based Story Mecca; it made Chan’s face bright.

“Indeed, we have something in common. But there is only a little time in one’s life. Just start it before it’s too late.”

“But I am not ready yet. I don’t have enough content to open the animation site, and in particular, I don’t have any knowledge or system about a serial site.”

“Why do you think you have to do it alone? There are several companies uploading their animated works to Story Mecca. As the contents of Ani & Funny are so unique, they’re now buried among other works. And I can help you maintain the site, so don’t worry at all.”

Hyunwoo felt confident when Chan said that. It seemed as if his vision of animation Story Mecca was around the corner.

And he became more ambitious, too.

He felt he could give students more opportunities to realize their dreams if they could use animation Story Mecca. If he could find and raise talented students, they could be the pillars of Ani & Funny in the future.

Full of expectations, Hyunwoo asked, “Brother, is it possible to make content through a gradual contest by using Story Mecca?”

“What do you mean by a gradual contest?”

Hyunwoo explained his idea. To make an animated work, there are several stages of work.

First of all, there should be a story and the characters that fit the story. Facial expressions of each character should be developed, along with a storyboard and its layout.

All this work can be done through the gradual contest at each stage of the work.

And then when a good animation work is completed, it will be sent to the low-budget animation workplaces in Vietnam and China for its final production.

Hyunwoo said, “I am thinking of hosting the content on a quarterly basis. For example, if I need three contests for one animation, a total of 12 contests can be held per year.”

“That will cost a lot of money.”

“We can make the size of the prize money small. This is supposed to be an amateur contest anyway. Don’t you think it is appropriate to limit the total prize money to 500 million won per year?”

“You have to take into account the expenses for the contest judges. More contests mean more expenses.”

Hyunwoo already had judges. He was going to use the students with Ani & Funny as well as the registered members of its internet cafe as the first-stage judges of the contest.

The final entries would be judged by the expert groups.

Chan nodded and said, “That sounds good. Let’s start with one as a trial. Then we can find a better way.”

Hyunwoo’s heart was full.

In fact, he didn’t want to use the upcoming contest only to find animated stories. He wanted to find talented writers through that, so Ani & Funny could raise and hire them.

“Wow, time flies so fast! I didn’t know my time was up while talking with you.”

Hyunwoo looked at the clock. It was already 3 pm.

“Let me take my leave here. I’ve got a family appointment.”

“Sorry, I think I have held you too long.”

“No, not at all. We can talk about our business later. How about the same time this coming Sunday?”

“That’s fine with me.”

“Okay. See you then for more details on this. Let me bring my man who is running the site. You can ask him if you have any questions.”

“Got it.”

Chan left, and Hyunwoo went down to Ansan.

One week passed quickly.

Hyunwoo’s heart began to beat quickly on Friday when he thought of meeting Chan again on Sunday.

I can see Brother Chan two days later. Wow!

At that moment he received a call from Suji.

“Any plans tomorrow?”

He had a lunch appointment with Chan on Sunday, but no particular plan on Friday and Saturday.

In a cheerful mood he answered, “Well, I’ve reserved tomorrow for you, expecting your call.”

“Cheee… you’re now quite silver-tongued, hoho.”

The next day, he had a date with Suji.

Come to think of it, he had not met her for a long time.

Though she was busy, Hyunwoo was much busier with lots of work.

Strange enough, once he scheduled a date with her, some other important business stood in the way, delaying his date.

As he had not met Suji in a long time, he was more thrilled and excited. After enjoying hot sex with her at a hotel, he touched her body.

Suji also felt happy and moved her finger on his chest to write something playfully.

And then she suggested, “Why don’t we travel together?”

“Travel? Where?”

“Let’s go to the east coast to watch the sunrise. And we can enjoy driving along the coast.”

He felt a sting in the heart. When she suggested going on a journey, he thought she was planning a trip in the near future, but she wanted it tomorrow.

It was a difficult suggestion for him to accept. For he had a lunch appointment with Chan Yun tomorrow.

Of course, he could enjoy the sunrise as long as he could come back to Seoul before noon tomorrow.

“As a matter of fact, I have an important lunch appointment tomorrow. Can we just come back after watching the sunrise?”

Suji’s fingers, which freely moved around on his chest, stopped. Her face also hardened.

“Sorry, I would like to cancel it, but this is too important for me. Please understand me.”

“Is that such an important appointment?”

Hyunwoo told her about his new business plan with Chan and Story Mecca. But she felt it was his excuse.

Hyunwoo was aware of what she wanted. She wanted him to realize how precious a woman she was, not how important the appointment was.

“You’re my one and only woman, Suji. But we can stay together all the time, and go to travel anytime. But I am not sure when I can make an appointment with Chan.”

Suji remained silent.

When Hyunwoo stopped talking, there was a moment of silence.

“Was it because of that?” She murmured to herself in a feeble voice. It was just loud enough to stab him to the heart, “Who told you so? Did you say we could stay together all the time? Today could be the last day if I left you abruptly.”

Hyunwoo’s heart sank at that. Never did he dream something like ‘separation’ would come out of her lips.

“What the heck are you talking about? What do you mean you can leave me?”

“Who knows what could happen tomorrow? Today and tomorrow will never come back once it passes.”

Hyunwoo was speechless.

She had a point, but she was thinking of the extreme.

Wrapping her face with both hands, Hyunwoo said, “You’re right, Suji. I should have found more time for you. Let me promise. Let’s go on a trip for one night and two stays next weekend. But I can’t cancel my appointment tomorrow. Please understand me.”

“You promised me the same thing last week that you would spend time together with me this weekend. And you did two weeks ago, too.”

That was true. She suggested to him that they go on a trip every weekend, and he promised.

But he had to make some important appointments as the weekend was approaching, so he kept delaying until the next weekend.

In retrospect, such appointments were not that important. He could cancel or delay them if he wanted.

He took his appointment with Suji lightly. For he could spend time with her anytime he wanted.

But he was clearly mistaken. Suji was the type of woman who could leave him anytime she made up her mind.

Suddenly, Hyunwoo felt a sense of crisis.

“I really mean it this time. Let me find the time for next weekend. I promise.”

Suji let out a sigh and replied in a feeble voice.

“Okay.”

Hyunwoo felt so sorry.

I won’t make any appointments next weekend.