Between Us is X (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
“It’s not about getting slightly higher royalties or guaranteeing massive sales. Right now, what matters most is establishing a good image and gaining recognition among our first official Korean customers.”
The staff member quickly added, subtly adjusting their posture.
“Since we’re both taking time out of our busy schedules for this meeting, I’ll be direct. We’re well aware that has a deep understanding of our works—especially the ‘Marsi Medsen’ edition—but we’re honestly a bit concerned about whether you can guarantee more promotional opportunities or exposure compared to other partners.”
“Of course, there are many companies bigger than ours…”
“I’m disappointed too. I’d love the chance to collaborate with again in the future.”
The staff member declined firmly yet tactfully. Eun Su bit down gently on the inside of her cheek.
She couldn’t just walk away now—but nothing else came to mind to strengthen their pitch.
At that moment, Ju Han, who had been sitting silently the whole time, finally spoke up.
“There’s one thing we haven’t mentioned yet.”
The staff member looked puzzled. Ju Han gave a meaningful smile.
“We can ensure ’s furniture appears weekly for over a month in an upcoming WhatPlus variety show that’s expected to generate significant buzz. Would that condition be acceptable?”
Eun Su’s eyes widened even more than the staff member’s.
What’s gotten into him? Why’s he suddenly going all out? Was that why he came along?
But Ju Han kept his gaze fixed squarely on the staff member, not even glancing at Eun Su beside him, and continued calmly.
“It’ll be even more effective than a standard PPL deal. PPLs not only cost a lot but can also backfire if overdone. In contrast, WhatPlus naturally integrates products into its content, while the brand supports the show’s promotion. Naturally, the more popular the content becomes, the greater the promotional effect.”
The staff member scrutinized both Ju Han and Eun Su with slightly sharper eyes.
“That’s a condition I haven’t heard elsewhere… Is it really possible? What show is it?”
Though slightly suspicious, they clearly showed immense interest.
Realizing there was no turning back, Eun Su forced a smile onto her lips.
“Well… I can’t disclose specifics due to embargoes, but we’ve been confirmed to appear on an original WhatPlus variety program.”
“Is that finalized?”
“Yes. And since our workplace serves as the main setting, our products will naturally appear frequently—seamlessly and without causing viewer resistance—on a global OTT platform.”
Eun Su concluded calmly.
“If you’re inclined to consider this positively, we’ll prepare more detailed materials on our end.”
[This is the timeline separator]After the meeting, Ju Han and Eun Su stepped outside the hotel.
Standing dazed like they’d lost their souls, Ju Han suddenly turned sharply to face Eun Su.
“How could you say we’re appearing on that show right there?”
“Why did you have to say it?”
Eun Su’s face was full of disbelief.
“You’re the one who brought up an additional condition without any prior discussion, Kim Ju Han!”
“I mentioned it because I thought if we explained the situation to Jang Sol Hee, she might agree to provide the location or props—but then you went ahead and sealed the deal by saying we’d appear on the show….”
“What…?”
Eun Su struggled to regain her composure and replayed the earlier scene in her mind.
Wait, what exactly did he say?
“We can ensure ’s furniture appears weekly for over a month in an upcoming WhatPlus variety show expected to generate significant buzz.”
He really only said that…?
Her vision went dark, her mind went blank. Eun Su chewed tightly on her innocent lips.
Damn it. This is a major disaster. How am I supposed to fix this?
Noticing Eun Su’s deathly pale face, Ju Han spoke quietly.
“Let’s just wait and see. If still says they can’t proceed with the contract, then it just ends there.”
“But what if they agree to the contract based on that condition?”
She never imagined they’d end up in a situation where they couldn’t celebrate whether the deal fell through or succeeded. Ju Han let out a heavy sigh, his expression as troubled as Eun Su’s.
“We’ll figure it out when we get there. We can sign the contract first and then say our appearance got canceled and offer sponsorship instead.”
“Changing our story like that is fraud. How do you plan to handle it if they push back hard?”
Ju Han replied coldly.
“You’re the one who created this impossible situation.”
“Sure, I messed up—but you were the one who started it!”
“Are you blaming me right here and now?”
Their voices began to rise.
“What’s with this 2-to-1 nonsense? If I’d known we’d clash this badly and cause a mess, I’d have come alone!”
“Is this really the time to split fault percentages? You’re 100% at fault—you!”
A hotel staff member retrieving their car from valet parking glanced over nervously. Watching a couple argue in broad daylight right in front of the hotel might’ve been entertaining for a random passerby—but as an on-duty employee, it was awkward.
“…Sorry.”
Ju Han, noticing the staff member belatedly, quickly took the car keys.
Back in the car, heading silently toward , a chill hung heavily in the air.
Ju Han spoke first.
“Anyway, appearing on the show is absolutely out of the question. Find a way—any way—to get out of it. If the deal can’t happen without that, then we’ll just walk away.”
“It’s not that simple to give up!”
“Does it look simple to you?”
Ju Han’s tone was unusually resolute. Seeing his rigid profile, Eun Su’s eyes turned cold.
He must really hate pretending to be a couple.
Of course, she didn’t want to do it either—but his adamant refusal somehow stung.
Fueled by a mix of resignation over her reckless decision, subtle pettiness, inexplicable stubbornness, and contrarian pride, Eun Su muttered,
“What if we just do it?”
“Do what?”
“Appear on the show.”
Squeeeak!
The car, caught by a red light, came to an abrupt stop. Ju Han turned to her, utterly exasperated.
“Are you serious? Are you joking? How can you even say that?”
“You think I want to do this? I’m trying to tell you just how crucial this contract is!”
“You’re absolutely…”
Ju Han swallowed a sigh as he watched Eun Su’s innocent retort, then turned his head away. His eyes, fixed straight ahead, darkened deeply.
It was a familiar feeling.
The moment Eun Su seemed hateful to him.
It wasn’t dislike—never that. He could never truly dislike her. Yet this pain, sharper precisely because of that, remained something he still couldn’t explain.
You act as if you have no idea how I feel—and I can’t understand you at all.
Do you really think we can convincingly fake being a couple?
Even if we’ve become as numb as we are—can our broken selves really be so casual about it?
Casual enough to fake closeness, casual enough to use it as a means to get what we want?
Shoving down the whirlwind of thoughts in his head, Ju Han managed only one sentence.
“Is it really that easy for you?”
But right at that instant, the car behind honked loudly. Eun Su, missing Ju Han’s words, frowned and asked,
“What?”
Ju Han’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his foot pressing harder on the accelerator.
“Never mind. Forget it.”
[This is the timeline separator]The next afternoon, Jae Rim, So Min, and Seon Kyung gathered quietly in a corner of ’s first floor. Seon Kyung whispered,
“What’s going on? The vibe between the CEO and Manager is seriously off.”
“Right? It seems like yesterday’s meeting with the staff went really, really wrong.”
Jae Rim chimed in worriedly. So Min murmured to herself,
“But didn’t they say they’d review it positively? So it’s not completely ruined yet, right?”
Jae Rim nodded thoughtfully, glanced around again, and lowered their voice further.
“But they came out swinging like they were ready to fight —so why do the two of them seem to be fighting each other instead?”
“That does seem a bit odd…”
Just then, Eun Su hurried down from the second floor. Jae Rim and So Min quickly scattered, and Seon Kyung approached Eun Su.
“Manager, is something going on?”
“The staff just called—they’re coming to see our showroom.”
“Really?”
Seon Kyung’s eyes widened. As Eun Su passed by heading downstairs, she relayed the message to Ju Han too. Hearing the staff was coming in person, Ju Han pushed off his desk with one hand and stood up crookedly.
“Right now?”
“Yeah, I told them it was fine to come anytime, and they said they’ll be here in about thirty minutes.”
Are they coming straight from their meeting with ? Why go through the trouble?
More wary than hopeful, Ju Han clicked his tongue against the inside of his mouth.
Soon after, the staff arrived. Guided by Eun Su, they carefully inspected the showroom before heading up to the second-floor office. Ju Han, Eun Su, and the staff member sat facing each other, each with a cup of tea in front of them.
The staff member began,
“We presented your additional proposal to the company and discussed it internally. Some felt that show sponsorship is something other partners could easily provide as well.”
So they’re saying there’s no unique advantage and therefore won’t sign with us?
Similar thoughts flashed through both Ju Han and Eun Su’s minds. Were they referring to ? Had they already finalized a deal with them? Then why come all the way here?
“But we believe nothing would have the same impact as both of you personally appearing and mentioning the products.”
Hearing this, Ju Han and Eun Su instinctively turned to look at each other, as if on cue. Simultaneous waves of hope—that this was nearly done—and anxiety—that this shouldn’t be happening—washed over them.
Just as expected…
“So, may I ask specifically what kind of content your show will feature?”
What do we do? Hey, what now?
Exchanging desperate glances yielded no solution. Finally, Eun Su hesitantly spoke.
“It’s… a couple-observation variety show. It reveals the daily lives of couples who work and date together…”
“A couple?”
The staff’s voice rose a full octave. They stared wide-eyed, alternating between Ju Han and Eun Su.
“Work and date together… So you two are…?”
“Huh? No—well, yes, I mean….”
Before Eun Su could stutter further, Ju Han quickly stepped in.
“It’s confidential. Top secret.”
Regardless of the truth, he felt they needed to shut this down immediately. To his surprise, the staff member’s face flushed slightly as they clasped their hands together.
“This could be huge! A relationship-observation format sounds really trendy—and since viewers will see your actual workplace, this location would naturally become part of the show. Ah, so that’s what you meant earlier when you said the products would stay exposed!”
“Well, yes, exactly.”
“Knowing you two are an actual couple completely changes the impression. It conveys affection, stability, and trust—wouldn’t you say?”
With us? That couldn’t possibly be true—could it?
Eun Su almost blurted it out but instead just blinked silently.
“There’s strong alignment with our brand identity—I believe this will create exceptional synergy.”
Unlike before, the staff member now spoke with clear conviction.
“I’ll report this directly to upper management right away. I’ll strongly advocate for partnering with . Just please prepare the broadcast-related materials—the appearance contract, program synopsis, things like that.”
“Huh? Yes… sure…”
After a few more exchanges, the staff stood up to leave. Ju Han and Eun Su walked them to the door, offered polite farewells, and were left alone again—just as they’d been the day before outside the hotel.
Ju Han looked at Eun Su with grave seriousness.
“What are we going to do about this?”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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