Chapter 39

"From today, I will be your teacher."

"Oh... Teacher, hello."

"Ha..."

Three people, three different sentences. Though brief, they revealed a lot. The solemnity of Lee Joo-young, the casualness of Moon Jung-woo, and the shock of Lee Soon-gyu. After a while, it was Lee Soon-gyu who reacted first, slamming the table and standing up, pointing at Moon Jung-woo and shouting angrily: "Hey! Moon Jung-woo! What kind of attitude is this? Do you know what it means for Father to take you as a student?"

If Moon Jung-woo were still the same as before, he would have asked, "Why do you sound like a henchman in a TV drama? Just to shout and rattle off your master's glorious history or impressive background when he introduces himself and others don't realize how great he is?"

However, although the current Moon Jung-woo wouldn't say it so directly, the playful look in his eyes made Lee Soon-gyu bristle again. But Lee Joo-young, smiling, waved his hand to interrupt: "Soon-gyu, he doesn't understand, don't blame him."

Coughing lightly, Lee Joo-young slowly put away his smile and looked at Moon Jung-woo: "It's not what you think, like being my student is a great fortune or something."

"But do I need to give some gifts and perform a grand ceremony?" Moon Jung-woo looked at Lee Joo-young, his eyes full of questions.

Lee Joo-young was taken aback, unable to laugh or cry: "No. Just listen to me."

After a moment's thought, Lee Joo-young spoke: "Unlike your dance teacher, acting teacher, or other skill teachers, the title is the same, but the meaning is different. I am responsible for guiding your overall direction in the future."

Moon Jung-woo began to understand. When he was in China, where did his intelligence show in learning? It was in his learning ability. Not just in the quality of learning, but also in the methods. Language and text are rooted in culture. For example, the phrase "he left" can have different meanings depending on the context.

It can mean someone left a place, or it can mean someone passed away. So when Moon Jung-woo learned Chinese, he didn't read textbooks but martial arts novels. Learning through entertainment, his comprehension was faster. Of course, there were things he couldn't understand due to his limited experience, and he only grasped the basics. But gradually, as he read and asked questions, he knew his chosen learning method was correct.

Even a farmer, an old man who tills the land, if you ask him about martial arts novels, he can explain them with great interest. What is inner strength? What is lightness skill? What are sects, and so on. Among these, there is a master-disciple system. Opening a martial arts school can take in many disciples, mainly for the purpose of making money.

But there is another kind that happens to the protagonist, who always jumps off a cliff or enters a deep mountain and meets a hermit or a high-level master. Seeing your unique bone structure, they take you as a disciple and teach you martial arts. They don't do it for profit; they even provide you with food and drink. They impart all their knowledge to you. If you are bullied in the world, they can help you get revenge.

Looking at Lee Joo-young, Moon Jung-woo had a strange expression. He wasn't that tall, and as for being old... He then turned to look at the angry Lee Soon-gyu, secretly criticizing her. He almost forgot that there is usually a spoiled or capricious little sister. She should count as one, right? Just that she entered earlier and was nine months older, or... should he call her senior sister?

"Hey!" Moon Jung-woo was startled. He saw Lee Soon-gyu standing in front of him, her chest heaving, almost ready to bite him: "My father is talking to you and taking you as a student. You actually dare to daydream?!"

Moon Jung-woo wouldn't admit it, his face calm as he shook his head and pushed her away to look at Lee Joo-young: "No, I was just trying to understand... what the president meant by this teacher."

Lee Joo-young smiled and called Lee Soon-gyu back, asking: "Do you understand now?"

Moon Jung-woo pondered for a moment and nodded: "I understand. It's just a bit... unclear."

Lee Joo-young gestured: "What's unclear? You can say. We need your willingness to work towards a common goal."

Lee Soon-gyu frowned: "Father, this brat is so ungrateful. Why don't we just...?"

"Kick him out?" Lee Joo-young asked with a playful smile.

Lee Soon-gyu's tone faltered, pouting and glaring at Moon Jung-woo but saying nothing.

Moon Jung-woo shook his head helplessly: "Soon-gyu, I'm talking with the president. Go play outside for a while, don't keep jumping around."

Lee Soon-gyu was taken aback, her face calm as she looked at Moon Jung-woo, her eyes narrowing. The truly angry Lee Soon-gyu wouldn't make a big fuss. Slowly raising her arm, she pointed at Moon Jung-woo but was defeated by Lee Joo-young's words: "Soon-gyu, go out for a while."

Moon Jung-woo thought he would glare at her and threaten her. But unexpectedly, she didn't even look at him, paused, and then left the room.

The door slammed shut. Lee Joo-young smiled and shook his head, looking at Moon Jung-woo: "Don't always tease her. Once you get used to it, you might offend seniors after debuting."

Moon Jung-woo squinted his eyes in a smile, saying nothing. Lee Joo-young paused and spoke to him: "You're calling me president again. It seems you want to understand the true meaning before deciding whether to call me teacher, right?"

Moon Jung-woo waved his hand: "No, I want to call you teacher, but after hearing you, it seems there's more to it, so I didn't..."

Lee Joo-young nodded, stood up, and went to the window, looking at the traffic outside: "Actually, I know you already understand. If you have any doubts, ask now."

Moon Jung-woo was silent for a moment, looking at Lee Joo-young's back: "President, you know my goal as an idol. I don't want to be in an industry where you can succeed just by learning a skill. The president is the head of state, but the social skills he cultivates are also a tool for the president. In comparison, an artist might not succeed even if they are very talented."

Lee Joo-young suddenly turned his head: "Are you afraid that the path I show you will restrict you?"

Moon Jung-woo shook his head: "I just want to ask how far you went in this industry. How many years have passed since then?"

Lee Joo-young and Moon Jung-woo looked at each other, and after a while, Lee Joo-young laughed. Shaking his head, he sat back in his chair and looked at Moon Jung-woo: "I know your goal as a trainee waiting to debut, and I can solemnly tell you that you chose the right industry."

Seeing Moon Jung-woo lean forward, Lee Joo-young smiled: "I was very successful back then, considered the pioneer of Korean GROUPSOUND, the lead singer of 'Runway.' I was a better lead singer than my younger brother, Lee Soo-man... Do you know Lee Soo-man?"

Moon Jung-woo nodded: "Yes. The founder and major shareholder of SW's parent company, and the president of S.M. Entertainment."

Lee Joo-young was taken aback, shaking his head: "Yes. It's quite embarrassing. I was a better lead singer, but in terms of business..."

"You're off-topic. You're not talking about him now." Moon Jung-woo smiled and gently reminded Lee Joo-young.

But Lee Joo-young seemed to be getting interested, leaning forward and speaking: "Why don't I introduce you to him? I can guarantee your family won't know. Many call him teacher, but the true disciples are probably only BoA."

Moon Jung-woo frowned slightly: "President, using your own brother to test me, I don't think I'm that important... or that you don't trust me."

Lee Joo-young, who didn't look like a president at all, laughed and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, just talking nonsense."

Smiling, Lee Joo-young looked at Moon Jung-woo: "You lack a lot. A teacher's role is to fill your gaps, but the path ahead is one you must walk yourself."

Lee Joo-young took off his glasses and placed them on the table: "But it's also possible that you achieve so-called perfection and yet fail to become famous. You might fade away and be forgotten in this industry. This is entirely possible. There's no reason, no explanation."

Leaning forward, squinting his already small eyes, Lee Joo-young looked straight at Moon Jung-woo: "But this is also the charm of this industry, and the reason you pursue your goals... Do you agree?"

Moon Jung-woo was taken aback, looking at Lee Joo-young. If Lee Joo-young knew what he was thinking at that moment, he would probably go crazy like Lee Soon-gyu.

They really are father and daughter. Their eyes are the same size. I feel sorry for that girl Soon-gyu. When a child is born, there's a 50% chance of resembling either parent, but she ended up looking like her father. The ugly girl I haven't called in a long time, could it... be a delayed curse?

(Thank you, Ai de Nishen, for your support. I will continue to work hard to repay your support. O(∩_∩)O)

{Piaotian Literature}