Chapter 21: I Know Your Little Secret

The dimly lit office of Moon Woo-seok, the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, was engulfed in an eerie silence, save for the faint ticking of a modern, minimalist clock on the wall. The room was a stark contrast of dark marble floors and sleek, contemporary furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the cityscape beyond, where neon lights blinked like scattered stars in the vast urban sprawl. Despite the breathtaking view, Moon Woo-seok was anything but relaxed.

Seated behind an imposing mahogany desk, Moon Woo-seok rubbed his temples, his patience wearing dangerously thin. Across from him stood Jin Yu-jin, his expression somewhere between desperate and defiant. His usual bright, innocent face had twisted into something sour, marred with frustration.

"Hyung, listen to me!"

"Hyung, let's talk—just five minutes!"

"Hyung, please—"

Moon Woo-seok snapped.

"For the last time, stop calling me Hyung." Moon Woo-seok's voice was cold, and clipped, a sharp contrast to Jin Yu-jin's imploring gaze. "You will address me as CEO. We are not friends, nor are we brothers. Our only relationship is that of an employer and an employee. Know your place."

Jin Yu-jin's face contorted at the words as if he had physically stung. The room seemed to close in around him, the weight of the conversation pressing against his chest. He had always known Woo-seok to be cold, but today's words felt like a death sentence.

He wasn't dumb. He knew what was happening. Moon Woo-seok was cutting him off. What do I do if he pushes me away?

His contract was his lifeline, and if it was severed, where would he go?

Moon Woo-seok watched him silently, his gaze turning cold and indifferent.

Then, in one swift movement, he stepped closer—invading Jin Yu-jin's personal space.

"Your singing does not affect me anymore," Moon Woo-seok stated flatly as if declaring a death sentence.

Jin Yu-jin's fingers curled into fists.

"So, I'm terminating the contract."

"CEO... please. You can't just terminate our agreement like this," Jin Yu-jin whispered, his voice shaking slightly.

Moon Woo-seok leaned back, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. There was no trace of sympathy in his gaze. Instead, he smirked, an almost cruel amusement flashing across his eyes.

"I can, and I will, " he signaled to his assistant, who promptly presented a termination contract, which was final and absolute. Along with it was a generous compensation package—an amount that would silence most dissent.

Jin Yu-jin's fingers trembled as he stared at the document. His heart pounded against his ribs. This wasn't just a job—it was his identity, his purpose, his survival.

"Sign this, and I'll compensate you generously—money, resources, whatever you want."

The paper felt heavy in Jin Yu-jin's trembling hands.

"I don't want the money," Jin Yu-jin whispered, his throat dry.

"Then sign it and leave," Moon Woo-seok said, unmoved.

Jin Yu-jin didn't move; he just looked at Moon Woo-seok with a pitiful expression.

Then, Moon Woo-seok suddenly laughed.

"You won't sign? Fine."

He leaned in, close enough that only Jin Yu-jin could hear him.

And then he whispered something.

Jin Yu-jin's eyes widened in horror. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. His gaze snapped up to Moon Woo-seok's smug expression. He knew. He knew.

The contract lay before him, but it might as well have been a death warrant.

Moon Woo-seok leaned back with a smirk. "I know your little secret, Jin Yu-jin."

Jin Yu-jin's breathing hitched.

"If you want to stay in this industry," Moon Woo-seok added casually, "be humble. Be obedient."

His voice was calm, but his words carried a deadly weight. He added, "Don't be like Ryu Seo-woo who liked troubles and made my head hurt."

Jin Yu-jin gritted his teeth, his fists trembling.

Moon Woo-seok simply turned his back on him, ending the conversation.

Jin Yu-jin had never felt so powerless.

---

At a small rental house tucked in a quiet Seoul neighborhood, morning sunlight seeped through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the modest living space. The aroma of freshly cooked rice and side dishes wafted through the air, a sign of a familiar morning routine.

Ryu Seo-woo was already up, moving efficiently around the tiny kitchen as he plated breakfast. His back ached slightly from the exhaustion of the previous day, but he pushed through. He had promised his sons a warm meal before school, and he always kept his promises.

He had arrived home late the previous night, but before heading to bed, he quietly entered his children's room. His three little treasures, sleeping soundly. Seo-woo's heart swelled.

Leaning down, he gently kissed each of their foreheads. "Good night, my loves."

Then, he quietly returned to his own room.

With the food set, Seo-woo wiped his hands on a dish towel and headed toward the triplets' room.

"Rise and shine, my little monsters! You'll be late for kindergarten!" he called, pushing open the door.

A bundle of tangled blankets stirred, and three identical heads peeked out with messy bed hair.

Immediately, three little heads popped up from their pillows.

Seo-min and Seo-jin yawned and stretched their arms, while Seo-jun rubbed his eyes sleepily.

But the moment the word "late" processed in their little minds, they sprang to life.

They rushed to the dining table, only to find their father still busy setting up their plates.

Seo-min and Seo-jin ran straight to him, hugging his legs tightly.

"Daddy!" Seo-min grinned.

"Daddy, you're back!" Seo-jin beamed.

Seo-woo chuckled, ruffling their hair.

Seo-jun, however, stood with his arms crossed. "What time did you get home last night?"

Seo-woo blinked. Then, he laughed.

"Why do I feel like I'm the child and you're the father?"

Instead of answering, Seo-woo reached out and messed up Seo-jun's neatly combed hair.

Seo-jun's jaw dropped.

"D-Daddy!"

His younger brothers immediately giggled and tugged on Seo-woo's sleeve.

"Me too! Mess up my hair too!" Seo-min pleaded.

"Me too, me too!" Seo-jin chimed in.

Seo-woo, amused, proceeded to gently mess up their hair as well. The triplets giggled uncontrollably, and the morning was filled with joyful laughter.

The walk to the kindergarten was a short one, but Seo-woo cherished every second. Holding their small hands, listening to their endless chatter, seeing their excited faces—it was moments like these that made all his struggles worth it.

The kindergarten was lively even before the school day began. Teachers in warm coats stood by the entrance, greeting each child as they arrived. Some parents chatted amongst themselves, while others hurriedly kissed their children goodbye before rushing off to work. A large, colorful sign above the gate read "Sunshine Kindergarten" in bubbly letters, accompanied by a painted sun with a wide, beaming smile.

Seo-woo crouched down to his sons' level, brushing their coats to ensure they were snug against the cold.

"Alright, my little troublemakers," he said, his voice playful. "Time to head inside before you're late. Also, your dad put something inside your bags. You can share them with your classmates, okay?"

The triplets were shocked yet excited to see what their dad had put inside their bags.

Seo-min and Seo-jin grinned and immediately reached up to hug him, their tiny arms squeezing him as tightly as they could.

"Bye, Daddy!" Seo-min chirped.

"I'll be good today, I promise!" Seo-jin added, though Seo-woo had serious doubts about that.

Seo-jun, the eldest, remained still for a moment before looking up with serious eyes.

"You'll pick us up later, right?"

Seo-woo smiled and gently messed up his hair.

"Of course, buddy. I always will."

Satisfied, Seo-jun nodded firmly before taking his younger brothers' hands and leading them through the entrance.

Seo-woo remained by the gate, watching as the triplets disappeared into the sea of children. The warmth from their hugs still lingered on his skin, and he sighed, feeling a mix of love and responsibility settling in his chest.

As he turned to leave, he checked his status window.

[STATUS WINDOW UPDATED]

Name: Ryu Seo-woo

Age: 27

Health Status: Good

Financial Status: Debt Accumulated (House loan: 10 million won; additional personal loans outstanding)

Talent Skills:

· Singing: S+ (Condition to Activate: Completing 50 quests) (34/50)

· Parenting: A-

· Cooking: B+ (Fixed)

· Charisma: S (Fixed)

· Composing: S-

Temporary Privilege:

· The host can sing for a week (12 hours left).

Seo-woo's eyebrows twitched. The clock was ticking on his privilege, and with everything on his plate, he had little time to waste.

Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders. There was still so much left to do.

Little did he know that someone was watching him as he walked back home.

"Those... three little chipmunks were his sons? He already had children? I can't believe this."

Then, he called someone on his phone and said, "We need to meet in person as soon as possible. It is urgent."

---o---

"Little Theatre"

Ryu Seo-woo: "So you saw me as a troublemaker who made your head hurt."

CEO Moon Woo-seok: "Did I say that?"

Ryu Seo-woo: (-____-)

CEO Moon Woo-seok: "Wife, I was wrong."

CEO Choi Min-ho: Watching from afar while eating popcorn.