Chapter 142
"Do you know me?"
Soo-hyun arrived at a nearby cafe with Alan.
Junwoo and Jaehee were sitting in different seats and looking in this direction, and Soo-hyun was sitting opposite Alan.
"Yes, I can't say for sure, but I think so."
"I don't know you."
"Haha, of course. It's the first time we've met in person."
'What is this person talking about?'
Alan smiled at Soo-hyun, who had a suspicious look on his face.
"SHN Piano Sonata No. 1 in C-sharp minor, Op. 1."
'Huh? That's Beethoven's song.'
Alan said to Soo-hyun, who was wiggling his eyebrows.
"Maybe you remember. There was a drama called Emperor's Game in which they tried to sign a contract to use your song as a soundtrack, but you refused."
'I remember. At that time, I refused because I didn't want to make money from Beethoven's songs.'
Soo-hyun said, adjusting his seat.
"Oh, you're from that area."
Alan CP's eyebrows twitched.
'Even though you're Korean and studying abroad in Austria, if you don't know HUO, which is currently the most famous broadcasting station in the United States, it means you have no interest in broadcasting.'
"I remember that story being concluded a long time ago. I have no intention of receiving royalties for that song," Soo-hyun said.
"Why is that?"
'The reason musicians make music is the same. They have a desire to show the world their inner self. There is no artist who does not want to be known by many people. So why is this young man rejecting this golden opportunity? No, that's not the problem now.'
"Oh, I think you misunderstood. I've already given up. If the artist refuses and we keep asking, it will become coercion."
"Then…?"
"Did you film a documentary in Ghana?"
The words written on the vest that Jo was wearing came to Soo-hyun's mind.
'Ah! Sorry. I forgot. That broadcasting station was HUO, right!'
"That's right," said Alan. "Yes, there's a movement against elephant abuse not only in the United States but all over the world."
'Has that happened?'
Soo-hyun looked very happy.
'As expected, the gap is here.'
Alan quickly searched his phone and showed it to me.
"Look at this. US senators, representatives, and even Hollywood actors have expressed their intention to join the anti-abuse movement after watching the documentary. Yesterday there was an in-person protest in Oklahoma, USA. The Thai government is in serious trouble over this, haha."
Soo-hyun's face gradually brightened as he looked at the screen that Alan showed him. He felt as if his dream had come true. Soo-hyun, who had been looking at the screen for a while, put down the phone and smiled.
"That's good."
Alan nodded.
"Right? Our HUO has been covering news about elephant abuse daily since the documentary was aired."
Soo-hyun looked a little surprised.
"Thank you very much, CP."
"I'm sure Soo-hyun is very interested in protecting elephants," Alan said in a sly tone. "But there was a problem."
"What's the problem?"
"Yes, it's a big problem."
"Is there a problem with the elephants?"
"Yes, that's right."
Soo-hyun adjusted his seat and leaned forward. Alan, who had been watching Soo-hyun's changes closely, spoke with a very worried expression.
"When the Thai prime minister stated that the government could not interfere in the livelihood of its people, world public opinion turned against elephant tourism. As a result, many local businesses that were barely making a living closed down."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Alan shook his head.
"They are living beings, SOL."
'SOL? How did he get that nickname? Oh, it came out in a documentary. But what does he mean by "living being"?'
"The local company had to close down due to financial difficulties," Alan said. "In addition, no one is willing to buy elephants with such serious injuries. So what happens?"
Soo-hyun had a surprised expression. Any elephant that had never lived in the wild would probably starve to death. He spoke urgently.
"What about the elephants?"
Alan saw a young man with eyes full of genuine concern, biting his nails anxiously.
'Have you ever met such a pure person in your life? I came here to use SOL to get a news story. But that look in his eyes… Should I use this kind of person?'
The conscience inside Alan's head struck hard against his chest.
"SOL."
"Yes?"
"Let me be honest with you."
"Yes… Are the elephants really helpless?"
"No, that's not the story."
"Are you sure?"
"There are many people in this world who seek to take advantage of others for their own benefit."
'What is this old man talking about all of a sudden?'
"There is a person sitting right in front of you who has those same thoughts," Alan continued.
Soo-hyun tilted his head.
"No. I came to use you."
Junwoo, who was sitting a little further away and pretending not to listen, spat out the milk he was drinking. Suddenly, Jaehee poured milk on himself and looked at Junwoo.
"Did you hear that now?" Junwoo asked.
"…"
"That old man said he came to use Soo-hyun."
Jaehee slowly wiped his face with a tissue and then said.
"Do you want to die?"
"Hey, is that the problem now? This is the problem. Have you ever seen someone who came to use him say something like that?"
"Oh, I'm sorry..."
"Just stay quiet and watch."
"Okay..."
Alan smiled as he looked at Soo-hyun with a perplexed expression.
"I will use you to increase the ratings of the broadcasting station's programs."
"Are you using me?"
"Yes, I will. So you can use me too."
'How should I use it?'
"How?"
"Isn't the safety of the elephants what you want?"
"Yes, that's right."
"HUO will send the elephants to the African savannah without any problems. The climate is different, but where you live is not a desert, but a jungle, so the Thai elephants will be safe, right?"
"I would be very grateful if you could do that."
"Well, now that we've given you what you wanted, you should pay us back in return, right?"
"…"
'I guess using means using the other person to get what you want and giving the other person what they want. Of course, it would be more appropriate to call it a contract, but Soo-hyun doesn't know much about that.'
"What do I have to do?"
"We will broadcast it. SOL will personally pick up the Thai elephants and send them back to Africa."
"Me… in person?"
"Yes, you will ensure the safety of the elephants and we will make you a hero who returns the abused elephants to nature."
'I don't understand. In the end, isn't he the one who ensures the safety of the elephants and also becomes a hero?'
"And what does HUO get?"
Alan laughed.
"Haha, you're really unstoppable. I'll get straight to the point. Do you want to be a hero?"
Soo-hyun shook his head as if there was no need to think about it.
"No."
"That's all."
"Yes?"
"People who don't want to be heroes. People who don't want to be famous. If they become famous, that's the price you'll pay."
"…What is that?"
"I've been following your activities. From the Chopin Competition to the Beethoven Competition. You've also performed for the poor elderly in Korea. But I haven't seen a single article that interviewed you directly. Do you hate journalists?"
"It's not like that in particular, but I don't want to go out either."
"So, from now on, let's do it. Of course, with HUO. No other broadcaster."
Alan CP said with a smile.
"Elephants are very expensive."
'Elephants are expensive? Are these people thinking of buying all those elephants in Thailand?'
Alan read Soo-hyun's thoughts and said.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. No matter how much opposition there is to elephant tourism, the elephants are their private property. They should be purchased at a fair price. Of course, they will be sold at a low price."
'Now I understand. HUO spends money to buy elephants and then sends them back to Africa. At this time, the plan is to use Soo-hyun as a catalyst to launch a broadcast to return the abused elephants to nature and use the popularity of the broadcast to recoup the money spent. We don't know how much it will cost or how much they will make, but what they are after is not money but increasing the value of the broadcasting station.'
Alan said to Soo-hyun, who was worried.
"And one more thing. It would be great if you could play a comforting melody for the elephants that will be returned to their natural habitat, as you did with Toto. I think it would look great in the movie."
'Rather, that's something Soo-hyun would like to ask.'
Soo-hyun looked at Jaehee and Junwoo. Junwoo, who had been pretending not to listen, gave a thumbs-up, and Jaehee nodded slightly. It seemed that his friends had the same opinion. Alan noticed the look in his eyes and realized that the job was done, so he took out the papers and said.
"I'm a minor, so I need my parents' consent. Can I meet someone named Ji-ye?"
Soo-hyun hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.
"There are other people I need to ask for permission from before that."
Alan was a little surprised. He must have done a thorough investigation in advance. The legal guardian was Park Ki-jun, chairman of Geumhwa Asian, and the actual guardian was a woman named Kim Ji-ye. Soo-hyun had just said that there were other people who needed permission.
"Who are you talking to? Can I meet you?"
Soo-hyun shook his head.
"No. They can only see me."
A deep curiosity appeared on Alan's face.