No More Thug Life, I’m Playing Music

Chapter 057. Student Music Festival (2)

A month had passed by in the blink of an eye.
Not a single day had been wasted; I had been focused on wrapping things up.
I didn’t know how this would end, but since I had given it my all, I had no regrets.

“See you later~”
Choo Minji opened the passenger door and got out.
“Alright, take care and prepare well.”
Ducheol, sitting in the driver’s seat, waved his large hand.
As soon as Minji walked away, Ducheol turned to me.
“Hyung, I have a report about the matter you asked me to look into.”
With a serious expression, he pulled a stack of papers from the console box.
Just then, the traffic light changed, so I reached out and grabbed it.
“I’ll take a look. Focus on driving.”
“Yes, hyung.”
I unfolded the paper that had been folded in half.
The first page had a photo of Professor Han Gwangsook along with the words “Who is Han Gwangsook?”

“Ha…”
I widened my eyes from the very first line.
“Second daughter of the Hanshin Group?”
“Yes, hyung. Surprisingly, the professor is the daughter of Chairman Han.”
Hanshin Group.
Ranked 3rd in the Korean business world, a colossal conglomerate with over 57 subsidiaries, including construction, retail, and manufacturing.
It was a company that couldn’t even be compared to the JS Group, where I worked.

“Wait…”
Something felt off.
Anyone with even a little interest in this area would know that there was no one like Professor Han in the Hanshin family.
The only daughters there were two wild, middle-aged women.

“Mm…”
My suspicion was cleared up on the next page.
“Illegitimate child…”
“Yes, hyung. From what we found, she is the only child of the second wife.”
It was known that there were no children other than the legitimate ones, but it seemed that wasn’t true.

“How did they find out? If they really tried to hide it, it shouldn’t have been discovered.”
“Well, it doesn’t seem like a huge secret. If you look below…”
There were a few items listed about the assets owned by Professor Han.
One of them was Hanshin Hotels & Resorts.
Below that, there were descriptions of shares in other subsidiaries and gift shares, but I didn’t pay much attention to them.
What mattered right now was that the entire Hanshin Group’s hotels and resorts were practically owned by Han Gwangsook.

“That explains it…”
Now the mystery about the Hanshin Resort, which we visited during the music camp, made sense.
From the floors that were purely piano practice rooms to the grand banquet hall decorated like a performance venue, it seemed like the entire building had been designed for music.

“I knew they had money, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”
“Yeah, when I first saw it, I could tell something was different. It just had that aristocratic vibe.”
“True.”
“After all, chaebols are chaebols.”
“Still, compared to the other siblings, it’s a bit lacking.”
“Well, everything from over there to over here is Han Gwangsook’s. With that, she won’t have to worry about money for the rest of her life.”
Ducheol pointed at the front windshield.
Beyond the window, the towering Hanshin Hotel could be seen.
Next to it, there was a large dome-shaped building connected by a glass bridge.
That was the Hanshin Concert Hall.
The second largest indoor performance venue in the country and the place where the Student Music Festival was taking place today.

“Ah…”
Come to think of it, when I had wanted to practice the pipe organ before, Professor Han had reserved the entire place for me.
At the time, I had just thought she was talented, but now it all made sense.

“I need to get closer to her.”
“You should definitely hold on tight, hyung.”
Ducheol gave a thumbs up.
I chuckled lightly and turned to the next page.
It was the last one.
It mentioned that JS Art was working on a business related to concert planning in collaboration with the National Art High School, and that Han Gwangsook had strongly criticized the project.
That was the end.

“…Is this the conclusion?”
This didn’t seem like a strong enough reason for JS to go after Han Gwangsook.
“Yes, hyung.”
“Seems like even Nam Saengyi is past his prime.”
“Well, that guy…”
“Huh! How did you know I had him do something?”
“It’s obvious.”
“Sorry… I was supposed to gather this discreetly…”
“I never said that.”
“Eh?”
“I told you to discreetly check the safe.”
“Ah… Of course, I’ve been searching the safe very discreetly.”
“I know. That’s why it’s taking so long.”
“Sorry, hyung…”
I lightly tapped Ducheol’s shoulder as he swallowed nervously.
I wasn’t trying to scold him.
I was just worried that he might have forgotten.

“No need to apologize. Anyway, this isn’t enough. It doesn’t make sense to target an authority figure for something like this.”
There must be something more behind it.
My gut told me so.
“See if there’s anything related to Korea University.”
“Yes, hyung.”
Before long, the car descended into the underground parking lot.
It didn’t even take a hundred meters before the car came to a stop.
The sound of parking attendants blowing whistles and car horns filled the air.
From art high schools to schools with orchestra clubs, students from all over the country were gathering for the Student Music Festival, so the entrance was packed.

“Why are there so many people?”
Ducheol clicked his tongue and scratched his head.
After waiting a little while, the car stopped in front of a parking attendant who was waving a flashing light.
As with the other cars, the attendant approached the driver’s window.
“It’s completely full up to the third floor. May I ask what brings you here?”
When Ducheol rolled down the window, the attendant froze for a moment.
“Wh… What?”
“Performance.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, but may I have your name?”
“Jung Seojoon, Baekjung.”
“Ah!”
The parking attendant’s face brightened, and he gestured to the back.
Then a man dressed in a suit ran over breathlessly.

The man who arrived next flinched at Ducheol’s imposing appearance before quickly putting on a professional smile.

“I’ve been sent by the chairman. Please follow me this way.”

“Oh, really?”
Ducheol flashed a broad grin and glanced at me, mouthing silently, “You need to secure this connection.”
I nodded subtly, acknowledging Professor Han’s resourcefulness.

We bypassed the long queue under the guidance of the parking attendant and parked at a spot closest to the entrance.
As we got out of the car, murmurs rippled through the crowd around us.

It’s Baekjung.
It’s really Baekjung.

The stares were reminiscent of the past, though the undertones were slightly different, leaving me with mixed feelings.

“By the way, that…”

“Should I grab some coffee?”
Before I could even say a word, Ducheol preempted me. He had been with me long enough to anticipate my needs.

“Yes, just the usual.”

“Alright, I’ll be back in a moment.”
He turned and headed toward the escalator.

As he moved through the crowd, people naturally parted to make way for him.
Today, he was dressed in a gray suit, carrying a luxury handbag he didn’t often use, and accessorized with gold necklaces and bracelets. Judging by his polished look, he likely had plans after the event.

“Excuse me, but… who is that gentleman?”
The man guiding us cautiously asked.

“He’s my manager. He’s a good guy.”

“Oh… I see.”

Now that I thought about it, this was the first time Ducheol would actually watch me perform.
He had always declined in the past, but today, for some reason, he had decided to accompany me all the way to the venue.
Perhaps he was finally serious about managing my career.
It was hard to figure out his intentions.

Soon, we arrived at the backstage area beneath the stage.
Faint music drifted down from above.

The Student Music Festival had started some time ago, and since I was the final act, my arrival had been timed accordingly.

We entered the hallway reserved for staff.
The long corridor was lined with multiple waiting rooms, and students carrying instruments were bustling about.
Stage crew members scurried around, preoccupied with their tasks.

—Wow, it’s Baekjung. Unbelievable!
—So handsome it’s crazy.
—Ahh, he looked at me!

Many heads turned my way, and doors to waiting rooms began to open as students peeked out.
Some greeted me shyly, while others squealed excitedly among themselves.

While most reactions were positive, not everyone was impressed.
—Look at him walking all proud.
—Not as polite as I expected.
—What genius? Just a pretty face.

I brushed the comments aside.

Thinking back, I was always called Baekjung, then and now.
But the difference between the whispers now and back then was like comparing the quarrels of kindergarteners to the knife fights of adults.

Of course, back then, I hadn’t heard the comments directly.

“…”
I suddenly remembered how I had snapped during the camp and threatened a male student over my shoes.

—I think he just glared at me…
—Did he hear what you said?
—How could he from this distance… wait, he’s looking again!

No matter what, life had become more tiring since the success of ABLEZ.

Following the man guiding me, I reached the waiting room at the end of the corridor.
A sign on the door read Jung Seojoon (Baekjung).

Inside, there was a large vanity and a spacious sofa.
The room was clean, but the table was a bit messy—empty drink bottles, half-eaten snacks, and candy wrappers were scattered about.

“Oh!”
The man in the suit hurriedly waved his hands in apology.

“I’m so sorry! This was being used by Im Hajoon earlier, and it looks like it hasn’t been cleaned yet.”

As he scrambled to tidy up, I waved it off.

“It’s fine. I’ll only be here for a short while. I can just sit on the other side.”

“But…”

“Really, it’s okay.”

I just wanted to close the door and shut out the noises from the hallway.

After sending the man away, I sat on the sofa and noticed a pamphlet on the table.
The first page featured the words “Guest Performances” alongside photos of me and Im Hajoon.

It reminded me that Im Hajoon was performing earlier today.
I had meant to come early and watch him since I enjoyed his music on YouTube, but I’d been too busy preparing.

“I was hoping to chat with him…”
I sighed with regret and used the pamphlet to sweep the table clean, brushing the trash into the nearby bin.

As I leisurely passed the time, the waiting room door suddenly burst open.

A man with bright yellow hair and a mischievous yet slightly defiant face entered.
It was Im Hajoon—someone I had only seen in photos and videos until now.

“Oh?”
I stood up in surprise and was about to greet him when he narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger at me.

“You…”
Then his expression softened, and he grinned exaggeratedly, lifting the corners of his mouth dramatically.

“Ahh! You’re that guy!”

Just as he seemed excited, his face suddenly hardened, and he glanced at the table, as if searching for something.

“Hey, by any chance, did you see…?”

Before he could finish, another person walked in through the open door.
Wearing a black suit with a short haircut, his expression was far from friendly.

“What the hell!”
The man barked as he stormed in, his tone aggressive.
Swaggering toward me, he gave my shoulder a hard shove.

“What’s your deal?”
“…….”
“Who do you think you are, being here? Huh?”

I stayed silent, baffled, as the man shoved me aside again, this time gritting his teeth as he glanced at the empty table.
“Shit…”

He turned his glare back to me.
“Where’s the candy that was here? Huh?”

I couldn’t help but think he must be insane to be so worked up over a single piece of candy.

“Tell me where it is, you bastard! Hurry up!”
He grabbed the lapel of my jacket as if trying to choke me.

“Heh.”
A laugh slipped out, both incredulous and amused, which only made the man twitch his upper lip in irritation.

“You laughing? You’ve lost your damn mind, huh? Hey, I’m a gangster. A real gangster, you know.”
“Oh…”
“If you don’t want to disappear without a trace, tell me where that candy is right now… H-Holy shit!”

The man’s words were cut off as his eyes widened in fear. He immediately let go of me and stepped back, his face drained of color as he stared behind me.

“Ma-Mabakki hyung?”
Mabakki… that name…

I turned to see Ducheol standing in the hallway, holding coffee cups in both hands and blocking the corridor completely.

So this nutjob was from the JS? I suddenly felt a pang of pity for him.

“What’s this?”
Ducheol’s low voice rumbled as he stepped into the waiting room. He handed one of the coffee cups to Im Hajoon, who had been standing idly.

“Hm?”
Im Hajoon took the cup, his expression showing genuine curiosity. He looked as intrigued as the students who had gathered at the door to watch the commotion.

“What’s this?”
Ducheol repeated, this time walking toward me and the other man. His tone was the same, but his expression was vastly different—a vicious scowl twisted his face.

“I-It’s been a while since I last saw you!”
The man stammered, bowing deeply in terror.

“Close the door.”
Ducheol’s command was sharp.

“Me?”
Im Hajoon pointed at himself with a finger, looking both confused and intrigued.

“Close it.”
“Y-Yes!”

Im Hajoon quickly shut the door, though the murmurs outside became even louder, speculating about gangsters being present.

Ducheol loomed over the bowing man.
“Lift your head.”
“Hy-hyung….”
“I said, lift it.”

Grabbing the back of the man’s head, Ducheol forced him to stand upright. The man avoided eye contact, staring at the ground instead.

“Relax your neck before I rip your head off.”
“S-Sorry!”

From behind, I heard Im Hajoon mutter under his breath, “This is insane… pure gold.”

“Hy-hyung… why are you suddenly acting like this? If I’ve done something wrong…”

The man stammered, but Ducheol cut him off by gripping his lips with his free hand.
“Stop flapping your lips and talk properly, will you?”

The man trembled violently, unable to nod or even meet Ducheol’s eyes.

“Tch.”
I was mildly worried that Ducheol might actually break him, but I had no intention of intervening. If I did, Ducheol might back down too easily, ruining the dynamic.

“Hey.”
Ducheol released his grip on the man’s lips and bent down to meet his eyes.
“Let me ask you again. What did you just do? Whose body did you lay a hand on?”

“I-I…”
“I told you not to flap your lips, you dumbass.”

“I… I…”
The man’s eyes darted around, his expression betraying that he didn’t fully grasp the situation. He didn’t seem to understand my relationship with Ducheol or why this was happening.

“This bastard’s crazy.”

Letting go of the man’s head, Ducheol placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it with just three fingers.

“Ahhh!”
The man groaned, his body curling in pain.

“Hy-hyung… please….”

“You’re impossible to talk to. Where’s Park Deuksu, that little prick?”

“Wh-what? Wh-why bring him up all of a sudden… Ahhh!”

“That bastard’s here. I know it. So tell me where he is.”

Ducheol knew? Park Deuksu was the CEO of JS Art. It seemed Ducheol had another reason for accompanying me to the concert hall.

“Ahhh… Hyung…”

“Alright, let’s start with your right shoulder, you little shit.”

“Wait… the…”

From behind, a voice interjected.

“Park CEO is at the hotel lounge next door.”

It was Im Hajoon, scratching his neck casually as he spoke.

Ducheol turned to him, surprised.
“What did you say?”

“I overheard him saying he was meeting with some vice chairman.”

“Vice chairman?”

Ducheol’s eyes widened as he turned to me.
“Kim Changsik?”