This Life’s Hit Song Is Revenge

Chapter 10

The air inside the recording booth settled into silence, as though a storm had just passed.

She was satisfied.

She had immersed herself so deeply in the emotions that she couldn’t even remember the rhythm.

When the song ended, she took a moment to steady her breathing.

As the emotions faded, the scenery before her slowly came back into focus.

Beyond the glass wall—

Gibaek was staring at her.

Jaei waited for his reaction.

He didn’t move.

‘Don’t tell me… he didn’t like it?’

She shrank slightly.

Nothing was more subjective than emotion.

“Ahem… ahem.”

Pretending to clear her throat, she coughed quietly.

Only then did he move toward the microphone.

“You can come out now.”

Still watching his expression carefully, Jaei returned to the sofa.

Even her breathing became quieter.

What was he trying to say that required this much silence?

He turned his chair around.

His face remained stiff as he spoke.

“I’m not sure how I should say this.”

Thud.

Her expectations instantly shrank.

Sentences that started like that rarely ended well.

Should she offer to sing another song?

As that thought crossed her mind—

“I think the feedback will be long, so I’ll keep it to one sentence.”

Jaei inhaled sharply.

“It was perfect. Let’s write the contract.”

Fireworks exploded inside her head.

‘YES! YES!’

She had to suppress the urge to celebrate.

The words wouldn’t come out.

After swallowing once, she finally opened her mouth.

Growl—

In the quiet room—

Her stomach alarm rang like thunder.

‘Have I lost my mind? Why is my ambition coming from my stomach?’

Looking at her with amusement in his eyes, Gibaek spoke.

“Let’s eat first before writing contracts. It’ll be troublesome if you collapse.”

Embarrassed—

She squeezed her eyes shut.

* * *

The smell of toasted cheese.

The scent of crispy dough.

And the salty aroma from slightly charred pepperoni.

Her stomach reacted automatically.

After being seated by an employee, a cheerful server approached.

After listening to Gibaek’s order, the server checked again.

“[We have a couple’s event today. Interested? We can make the dough heart-shaped. No extra charge.]”

“[Yes! Please do that.]”

Jaei answered without hesitation.

Free special service?

You take it.

After the server left, Gibaek rubbed his chin.

“They said it was a couple’s event. Is that really okay?”

“Didn’t you call me honey~ earlier?”

At her shameless response, Gibaek pressed lightly against his temple.

A faint smile spread across his lips.

When they cut into the pizza—

Cheese poured out like a waterfall.

‘Wow. Cheese bomb.’

Jaei unconsciously leaned closer.

Warm buttery aromas from the thick crust filled the air.

The pizza wasn’t huge—

But the height made it surprisingly filling.

Still—

Dessert was non-negotiable.

She requested the menu.

She wanted ice cream.

Unfortunately, the server said they had just run out and suggested something else.

“[No, then it’s okay. Thank you.]”

When they stepped outside—

The streets felt much more alive.

People walked faster.

Crowds grew thicker.

As Jaei looked around—

Gibaek pointed toward the riverside path.

“The weather’s nice today. Want to walk?”

She had liked the relaxed feeling from earlier.

She wanted to walk too.

But—

They still had to sign the contract.

That concern disappeared with his next sentence.

“The lawyer is preparing the documents and bringing them over. They’ll be late anyway, so the timing works.”

“Then… shall we?”

They walked side by side like an ordinary couple.

The scenery stretched endlessly beyond the railing.

Maybe because her only experience was bridges over the Han River—

She knew this was a river.

Yet it looked more like an ocean.

Her eyes kept moving.

She took a deep breath.

No salty smell.

Though somehow—

It looked like if she dipped a finger in, it might still taste salty.

Following the path into the park—

She spotted a white truck.

“Luckily, it’s here today too.”

“What truck?”

“The ice cream truck. You wanted some, didn’t you? Go choose.”

The timing was perfect.

The sun had started burning her skin.

And she still wanted ice cream.

Excited—

She hurried over.

“[Strawberry ice cream with coconut jelly topping!]”

“That’s an unusual combination.”

“That’s yours, CEO.”

“Oh. Is that so?”

His eyebrow lifted.

Then he answered.

“Then I’ll order yours. [Vanilla ice cream with Cheetos, please.]”

Jaei gently grabbed his wrist.

“…That’s too cruel.”

Shrugging—

He changed the topping to chocolate chips.

The texture was closer to gelato than ice cream.

Chewy and rich.

Perfect with toppings.

Click—

Hearing a camera shutter somewhere—

Jaei turned quickly.

“Is something over there?”

“No. I just heard something.”

Gibaek looked around.

Then smiled.

“It’s summer. Maybe a bug flew by.”

That was possible.

But—

She was certain she heard a camera shutter.

Looking around—

Nobody held a camera.

It was scenery worth capturing.

Still—

That shutter sound felt strange.

“Let’s go.”

Following Gibaek—

She tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling.

But it clung to her like a sticker stuck to her side.

* * *

She wanted to sign immediately.

Instead—

She only reviewed it.

‘You shouldn’t rush contracts. We’re prepared on our side. If you want better conditions, tell us.’

For a rookie—

The terms were already generous.

‘Review it slowly. If there’s nothing bothering you, sign next time we meet.’

He added that employees would also be at the festival venue.

She should observe everything before deciding.

A man who delayed signing contracts himself.

Strangely—

That made him more trustworthy.

There wasn’t really anything she wanted changed.

Still—

She nodded.

Considering his cautious personality—

Showing trust this way seemed better.

Holding the files Gibaek sent—

Jaei spun a pen around.

The song from the recording studio wasn’t suitable for festival performances.

So she received another one.

‘It’d sound better if I changed this part.’

If she changed only the bass during the dragging melody section—

The sound would become much richer.

Yoo Yeongjae had recognized her talent.

He used to record Jaei’s voice and occasionally send it to company composers.

‘I should’ve asked them to teach me composition back then.’

Those songs were released under other composers’ names.

Back then—

She was simply happy people loved songs she made.

She never realized how foolish she had been.

Among them—

Was even a massive hit by A-two, Baek Songha’s group.

‘I really was crazy.’

Thinking of Baek Songha—

Jaei decided something.

Composition lessons must absolutely be included in the contract.

A singer who could compose—

Was much more attractive.

“For now, let’s practice!”

* * *

A few days later.

The festival began.

Other teams had finished rehearsals long ago.

Jaei only managed to attend the final rehearsal.

She arrived at the venue.

“Over here, Ms. Lee Jaei.”

Beside Gibaek stood a man who looked exhausted beyond words.

“I’m Producer Han Myeonggeun from Star Entertainment. I was shocked when the CEO said he personally cast you.”

“Hello.”

Producer Han excitedly explained.

“We’ll rehearse in performance order. You’re fourth. Fireworks are prepared for the chorus, so don’t be surprised.”

Producer Han kept talking endlessly.

Gibaek finally interrupted.

“Producer Han. Explain slowly.”

Then he turned toward Jaei.

“And Ms. Jaei—I suddenly have something urgent. I don’t think I’ll be able to watch rehearsal.”

She understood.

He was busy.

“But I’ll still monitor the live feed from the venue. We’ll talk about the contract when I’m back.”

“Yes! See you later!”

Maybe this short time was all he could spare.

His long legs carried him away quickly.

Producer Han—

Who felt like a walking guidebook—

Explained every detail of the venue.

There wasn’t even room to ask questions.

As her turn approached—

Producer Han moved close and whispered.

“Only do seventy percent during rehearsal. Don’t give everything away. Sound check and movement check only.”

She understood.

Smiling slightly—

She nodded.

Even though the stage was huge—

Without an audience—

She wasn’t nervous.

After finishing rehearsal and stepping down—

She noticed other performers staring.

“You were supposed to do seventy percent! The next team’s gonna hate you!”

She hadn’t even done fifty.

Producer Han wore a troubled expression.

He muttered about adding more fireworks.

Then—

A voice echoed from backstage.

“Please check this!”

Ordinary words.

Yet Jaei’s body reacted as if struck by electricity.

‘This is the title song and concept for the group debuting this time.’

The memory overlapped perfectly.

This wasn’t imagination.

‘That voice.’