Chapter 10: About His Past

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“Youna, are you reading a romance novel? Why are you holding that tablet and crying like this?”

“Your eyes are all red. You haven’t been reading all night, have you?”

The sudden voice of teammate Lee Chaeryeong broke through. Looking out at the brightly lit street outside the window, Shin Youna finally realized she had completely immersed herself in the story of Xia Xing.

They say that those born after 2000, as natives of the internet age, have all their embarrassing moments captured in high definition.

Accordingly, the growth trajectory of this generation—whether intentional or not—is often caught in some form by the internet and preserved indefinitely.

Out of a pure, heartfelt curiosity about Representative Xia, Youna wanted to understand him but didn’t dare to chat directly on KakaoTalk.

So she typed “Xia Xing” into the browser, adding keywords like “Takashi Kashiwabara” to find more information about him.

He had once attended Longshan International School and was admitted to Seoul National University as the top student in his major. Wherever he went, he was always on the list of campus heartthrobs.

From there, she could dig deeper by searching forums or the school’s official website for news related to him.

For example, discussions about Xia Xing’s background in Longshan International School’s anonymous posts, or award-winning essays he had written since childhood…

It was through these various posts and gossip that Shin Youna pieced together a scattered and perhaps not entirely accurate past for Xia Xing.

“This is even more tear-jerking than a romance novel.”

The girl wiped the corner of her eyes and flipped the tablet around to show Lee Chaeryeong, explaining:

“An artistically gifted but impoverished father, a rebellious mother born into a wealthy family who wanted to break free from parental control, using their newborn child as a bargaining chip to secure a life of luxury abroad.”

“Abandoned in Korea, he was forcibly renamed by his grandfather and grew up without family companionship. Even though he lived a life envied by many for its luxury, he never had the chance to open his heart to anyone.”

“Though he longs for care, growing up in such a cold family environment has made him fearful of close contact.”

“That’s why, despite his handsome face, he’s never accepted any girl’s confession.”

Lee Chaeryeong, uninterested in such lengthy text, pushed the tablet aside and picked up the remote from the coffee table:

“Do things like this really exist in the real world?”

“Sounds just like a romance drama—a perfect tragic male lead.”

“Shouldn’t there be an angelic girl who comes along to light up his loneliness?”

“But honestly, I prefer watching TV over reading novels.”

Seeing that her usually close elder sister had no interest in the story she wanted to share, the girl sighed softly, quietly curling up in another corner of the sofa, crossing her long legs and continuing to browse the articles she had found online.

One of those was an award-winning essay published in the Longshan International School newspaper in 2011—“A Lonely World is a Supermarket.”

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The author was Xia Xing from Class 6-1.

In the essay, Xia Xing began by describing a lone figure shopping in a supermarket, watching other children cry to their parents for gifts.

Having never lacked material things before, it was the first time he realized that life seemed like a gigantic supermarket, with each person living on a shelf trying to sell themselves.

From the child pleading for toys to job seekers handing out resumes, to husbands arguing with their wives over chores…

In this lonely world, everyone seemed to have to shout with the loudest voice, like bright packaging on shelves, crying out:

“Please look at me more, understand me a little better.”

When Shin Youna read the last sentence Xia Xing wrote in the essay—given what she knew of his background—she couldn’t hold back tears again.

“Perhaps… I, who only wish to receive more care from family and friends, should also bravely shout out that sentence.”

“Please look at me more, understand me a little better!”

So… having grown up so lonely, he must deeply long to be understood and accepted, right?

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Meanwhile, inside the not-so-serious conference room of Peninsula Foods Marketing Company.

Xia Xing, who didn’t even remember what essays he wrote in elementary school, was confidently presenting his work report.

“Although the total budget for market promotion is ample, our department has allocated the endorsement budget quite reasonably.”

“JYPE is also looking for a brand that can elevate its value.”

“Considering this, we have more bargaining power in contract negotiations.”

Hearing this, the head of the marketing department raised his hand and interrupted.

“Mr. Xia, what’s the specific endorsement fee?”

“The exact amount hasn’t been confirmed yet, but during the initial contact, I probed them with about 70% of the estimated fee, and they didn’t object.”

“I believe signing NMIXX or ITZY shouldn’t be too difficult.”

When the leader was waiting for a precise answer, words like “believe” and “I think” were the easiest to irritate the other party.

Kim Sun frowned and cleared his throat. Just as everyone thought he was about to criticize Xia Xing, what he said next was shocking.

It also cemented the rumor that Xia Xing had powerful backing.

“As a newcomer, your work ability is quite good, and it’s great that you achieved such negotiation results.”

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“You’ve already said the total market promotion budget is sufficient, so allocate 50% more of it to endorsements.”

“Go ahead and sign both ITZY and NMIXX. I’ll personally apply to the head office leaders for approval later.”

After the meeting ended, Xia Xing sat at his desk, still reviewing what had just happened.

If Kim Sun, as the marketing head, was flattering the higher-ups and currying favor with the obviously well-connected Xia Xing, then his behavior was somewhat understandable.

But how could the chairman of Peninsula International—the head office leader who would review the report—approve such a request?

Signing a girl group as the spokesperson for a newly launched product was already extravagant enough.

Now bundling NMIXX and ITZY together was a decision with very low marginal benefits.

This would not only multiply the marketing department’s subsequent workload but might also hinder product promotion due to lack of focus.

How could the notoriously profit-driven Xia Xuhe approve such an application? If he didn’t at least scold Kim Sun, that would be surprising.

Moreover, the total budget was already exceeding what was reasonable for a new product, making everything even stranger.

Thinking this through, Xia Xing stood up and headed toward the stairwell, dialing Xia Xuhe’s number.

The moment the call connected, without waiting for a word, Xia Xing straightforwardly expressed his doubts.

The response was an indifferent chuckle from the old man:

“In that position, you must fulfill your duties. Not everyone has the chance to call the chairman’s office directly like you.”

“The purpose of having you gain experience at the grassroots isn’t just to improve your business skills, but to let you understand a truth.”

“Every group or individual has their own interests and motives. If you can’t grasp some things, it just means you’re too naive.”

Ignoring the old man’s slightly oppressive tone, Xia Xing retorted plainly and clearly:

“No matter how naive I am, you can only rely on me.”

On the other end, Xia Xuhe seemed accustomed to this back-and-forth with his grandson, disregarding Xia Xing’s frustration and trying to change the subject:

“By the way, how are things going with that Xue Yun?”

“When are you bringing her to meet this old man?”