Chapter 53: The Driver Writer, Writer Zheng

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“Mr. Cha, the chairman specifically instructed that once you arrive, you must pay him a visit.”

They had specially sent someone to prepare his onboarding paperwork, but it was this final request from such a prominent figure that caught Cha Lunhou off guard. Before coming, he had researched and familiarized himself with this man’s history—his military and political career spanning several administrations, making him something of an indomitable force.

“Chairman Kim Jin-ho? Why would he want to see someone like me, just a low-ranking soldier? We’re neither from the same hometown nor did we attend the same military academy. Surely he doesn’t want to meet this so-called hero,” Cha thought, puzzled yet still followed the secretary into the towering elevator. Real estate in Seocho-dong, Seocho District, was incredibly precious—one of the wealthiest areas in the southern region of Korea. Besides various top-tier commercial complexes and comprehensive art spaces, it housed the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Central Court, making it the heart of Korean culture, art, and law.

Owning such a skyscraper here spoke volumes about the association’s financial strength. From both location and scale, it completely overshadowed the rather modest JYP.

Straightening the corner of his suit, Cha reminded himself that he was not only facing the association’s highest leader but also a senior military figure.

Born in the 1940s, this man had been a student at Korea University before joining the army in the 1960s and had lived a life of military and political service. He had fought civilians in Vietnam and in Gwangju, earned merit in the First Battle of Yeonpyeong Island against the North, proving himself adept both at home and abroad.

His exceptional ice-skating skills even left the legendary Baekma Lu Tianzi in awe. He had once crossed paths with Commander Jang Se-dong at the Army Headquarters’ Personnel Staff Department and had served as deputy commander of the 30th Security Regiment, handling the aftermath of the Gongjeong-dong incident. There, he saved General Park Sang-beom, who would later become chief of the presidential guard for President Lu Kaka—a life story full of grandeur.

After retiring as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he quickly became a trusted figure for the legendary pro-democracy leader Kim Dae-jung. As chairman of the Land Cooperative, he led the Kaesong Industrial Park project, a man of both literary and martial talents with exceptional skills.

Upon entering and looking up, Cha saw two calligraphy paintings hanging on the wall—an amateurish work by Baekma Tianzi titled “Armored and Sharp,” and another piece handwritten by Kim Dae-jung reading “Prosperous Nation, Strong Military.” The two pieces complemented each other in an abstract way, but the elderly man behind the desk was somewhat disappointing.

The man Cha envisioned as the Korean equivalent of Feng Dao was instead a frail, decrepit old man with an unhealthy complexion, embodying the very decay of the association itself. The sense of age and decline was uncomfortable.

“So this is our Lieutenant Cha Lunhou? Truly young, looks almost like my grandson’s generation. At my age, I wouldn’t have such boldness!” the old man joked unconvincingly.

Born in 1941, the old fellow was skeptical of anyone risking their future for some vague sense of justice. Having navigated his own path with careful diplomacy, he had seen many young people trying to make a name for themselves by pushing boundaries.

“Chairman Kim, you flatter me. I’m just a coward afraid of getting punished, with no real courage. Your heroic deeds at the First Battle of Yeonpyeong Island—that’s real bravery,” Cha replied.

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The young man’s clumsy flattery made the old man smile. The older one grew, the more he enjoyed reminiscing about past glories. His thirty-five-year military career had seen him rise from second lieutenant to general—an especially rare feat for someone not from the military academy at that time.

Now serving as chairman of this so-called association, he was nothing but a figurehead. Among these people were factions from the navy, air force, military academy alumni, and the Yeongnam faction. He himself had never been army chief nor a military academy alumnus. It was precisely because of his good relations with all sides, combined with his advanced age, that he secured this position.

This time, the Democratic Party asked him to extend more support—clearly signaling they intended to play this card further, hoping that with resources, he might achieve greater results. This granted the young man more opportunities and challenges.

“Do your best! After all, a retired career soldier your age is a rare breed. The welfare department doesn’t have much complicated business, so it’ll help you get familiar with the work.”

Cha Lunhou was undeniably a rising star in recent news. Originally a national hero, his popularity surged even more due to rumors involving a female celebrity. Perhaps his influence could bring something new to the welfare department.

Cha had already grasped his role, and the prospect of the upcoming autobiography filled him with anticipation. Fame was indeed a powerful thing. But could Reporter Chen truly turn him into a celebrity? Or was more outside help needed?

...

“You, damn girl, actually followed me! Planning a rebellion? Growing wings and no longer listening to your sister, huh?”

Looking at her younger sister lying on the sofa, engrossed in her phone and refusing to respond, Big Sister Xika, who had barely calmed down after a few days, was furious again. Just last time at the café, the sister had said those things to her—did she think she’d be happy being lectured by an outsider?

Xiu Jing looked down on this woman who lost out in the battle for men but returned to hit her own sister hard. She snorted disdainfully—she would show her that she was a novice in external battles and no better in internal ones.

“Keep snorting, and you’ll turn into a little pig. We have a reality show mid-year, you’ll lose all your fans looking like that.”

The American travel reality show would document the changes in their lives over five years. The sisters still had a substantial fan base, and feedback had been quite positive.

Xiu Jing was taller and more robust in build; after gaining some weight, she appeared sturdier, which troubled her. She realized she really needed to change herself.

Many fans commented that her looks had declined significantly compared to her younger days, but she was only 25, about the same age as her sister’s ‘little man’—this should be her peak years!

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Perhaps her broad forehead was a drawback, but her receding hairline had indeed accelerated. If it continued this way, she’d have to consider hair transplantation. Doctors advised her to find a boyfriend to balance her hormones, but she was too lazy even to move.

“This can’t go on. I want to reclaim my former self. Your little man even said many of his old classmates were my fans! Maybe he’s one too, just too shy to say.”

But Xika Big Sister paid no heed to her younger sister’s vanity, treating it as mere background noise while boasting about Cha Lunhou’s impending rise as a writer.

“You and your Sungkyunkwan University? Lunhou just went there casually to ease his family’s burden by choosing the military academy. Now he’s publishing a book, and you still haven’t graduated.”

The artist’s Sungkyunkwan University wasn’t highly prestigious. Crystal had entered through a relatively easy celebrity selection process, not by strict examination. Its drama department wasn’t outstanding either, somewhat proving her decent learning ability, but after slacking off, all her effort dissipated.

People were strange—when busy and mentally stressed, they could tap into their potential. Once relaxed, the tension slipped away.

“When will my education be enough for you to mock? First, I’ll get into university, then we’ll talk! Or maybe you should write a book too!”

Having been enrolled for seven years without graduating, Xiu Jing felt she needed to find opportunities to improve. People were already ridiculed for graduating in six years, and Sungkyunkwan’s prestige and difficulty only increased.

“I’ll write, I will write a novel! Then you can call me Writer Zheng!”

Xika Big Sister decided to follow in Cha Lunhou’s footsteps and write an autobiographical novel, allowing them to exchange writing experiences—a good thing. She would title it *Shine*, telling the story of her dazzling life since debut.