High Teen Society

Chapter 11: Back To School

"Remember, that plump, balding one with the glasses is Jin Yeonsoo." Jay reminded me in a low voice. "And the mean-looking one with the hook nose next to him is his wife Jin Rahee."

"Plump, balding, glasses man Jin Yeonsoo." I repeated to myself nervously.

"But don't call him that when you talk to him." Jay told me sharply, shaking a finger at my face.

"Obviously!" I hissed, offended that he'd think I was that stupid.

"And the wife's name?"

"Jin Rahee." I answered. "And they have two children named Tan and Ilsan, like the city Jungwon lives in."

"Good. Now remember, the goal is to seal an investment from this man." Jay explained. "He is one of the richest men in the entirety of South Korea. Imagine how much he could contribute to Primetime Co's development."

Jay and I were in a fundraising gala, hosted by none other than the CEO of ZTEKA Electronics, the same man that Jay was telling me to approach. Jay thought it would be a good idea for me to start socializing with other wealthy people and start putting my name out there, so I won't have to keep living in the shadows of Sim Jaejoon all the time.

Wonyoung once told me that I had the potential to be an exceptional socialite just like her, and I had been holding onto that compliment ever since. I told Jay about it, and he sat me down one day, quite literally pulling out a file of every single student in Gwanglim Academy to tell me who their parents were, what their family business was, and who was important to remember.

Jin Yeonsoo didn't have familial ties with anyone in Gwanglim, but he knew James Park, so Jay managed to get an invitation, and I was his plus one in his father's stead.

Jay poked my waist and whispered, "The people they were talking to just left. Come on, we have to approach them before someone else swoops in."

So I grabbed a wine glass from one of the waiters' tray even though I didn't really like to drink wine, and began taking long strides towards the billionaire and his wife, my heart stuck in my throat. Jay was right behind me, smoothening his plain, black Mandarin suit.

The couple dressed in all white looked up at me in the middle of their conversation. Jin Rahee smiled politely. "May I help you?"

"My name is Kim Sunoo. I'm very honored to be here tonight." I managed to say, color rising to my cheeks. "I have such great respect for you both. Mr. Jin, I have read your book Won. It was very informative and enlightening, and I got a good sense of what running a multimillion company was like. And I know Mrs. Jin is always behind these wonderful charity events."

"That's very sweet of you, child." Jin Yeonsoo remarked, offering his hand. "Do I happen to know your parents?"

"My father passed away a long time ago. And you wouldn't know my mother, she's unemployed at the moment." I explained, shaking his hand. "But my stepfather is the CEO of Primetime Co., a construction company based in Seoul." At the mention of the word stepfather, Jin Rahee withdrew her hand, which she had also offered alongside her husband.

Jin Yeonsoo and Jin Rahee looked at each other knowingly and had begun to turn their backs on me, when Jay spoke up frantically. "M-My name is Park Jongseong, Mr. and Mrs. Jin. Heir to Sinar Tours and Evolve."

That seemed to pique their interest well enough.

"James Park's son? My, my, no wonder you have his striking looks." Jin Rahee commented while her husband agreed, completely ignoring my presence at once.

"Sunoo may only be Sim Jaejoon's stepson, but he is very eager to learn about the industry." Jay told them, bringing the attention back to me. "In fact, he has managed to convince both of my parents to invest in Primetime Co. They are a very reliable company and you'll find that your money will be in good hands." My head snapped towards my boyfriend. Why is he lying about this?