Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: In the Heat
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I blinked, pulling myself together.
'A bit hazy, huh.'
I couldn't let the fever get to me. Stay calm. Before my regression, this happened all the time. No sleep, part-time jobs—my condition was never good.
'I'll be more careful next time...'
Compared to back then, this was paradise. Just one shoot.
I exhaled a hot breath. First, focus on reality.
I knew exactly what to do in this state.
'When your mind's fuzzy, tackle things in order.'
I handed my precious phone—the key to the cheat—to the manager first.
"Manager, here. Hold onto this for me."
"Huh? Sure. Wait, what's wrong with your face?"
Ah, it's showing. This won't work on camera.
"Oh, just excited again."
"Excited... about the shoot, right?"
What else is he imagining? This manager.
My head spun, making it hard to stand. Spotting something perfect, I grinned.
'What's a manager for if not times like this?'
I leaned my dripping-wet head against his back. His shirt would get soaked, but he'd understand.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Ah, craving some human warmth."
"Huh?"
"Let's walk to the set like this."
I nudged his back with my forehead. He shuffled forward hesitantly.
"Hey, Cha Dowon. You seem off."
"Yeah, yeah."
"You're burning up, aren't you?"
"Ah, thinking about the shoot must've heated me up."
"Huh?"
Don't overthink it. Too lazy to come up with excuses.
"Hey, Cha Dowon. Call it my gut, but you have a fever."
Damn. Sharp instincts.
"Nope."
"Hey, come on. No way. Let's go to the hospital."
Here we go again.
"Manager Heo Yongdam."
"Huh?"
"Trust me a little. I need to shoot now."
The goddess of opportunity was winking at me. No hospital.
"This isn't your first or second time."
"And every time, the hospital said I'm fine. I even got full checkups after that hit-and-run. Nothing wrong."
"Hey, but you're feverish now."
"Trust me."
I smiled faintly. Hospital now, and everything's ruined.
'I used the cheat for the shoot and got this fever. Wasted effort otherwise.'
The manager shook his head.
"Dowon!"
"Not going."
Ah, so annoying.
"Aigoo, such stubbornness!"
"Gotta be stubborn to climb higher."
"Higher?"
"I've only climbed one step. Not enough. Far from it."
Why call me ambitious again?
I kept nudging him with my forehead, smiling faintly.
"Aigoo, driving me crazy!"
The manager stopped suddenly and supported me.
"Manager, your clothes are getting wet."
"So what? My kid's burning up but insists on underwater shooting?"
"Just in case, no ambulance. Don't tell the members. If you trust me."
"Threatening me now?"
"In two hours, it'll drop. Probably."
"How do you know!"
"Gut feeling. My gut's good."
I kept walking. Way easier with support.
A staff member approached right then.
"Oh, Dowon. Time to get in the water... Huh?"
I quickly slipped free from the manager's grip. Then flashed a bright smile.
"Ah, manager said he was cold, so I hugged him."
"Aigoo! You two are so close."
"What can I say. Can I go in now?"
I shed my robe immediately. The manager watched worriedly.
"You... really..."
"Shh. Don't want to mess up the shoot."
"Driving me nuts. For real."
Before he could say more, I climbed down the ladder into the water. He clutched my wet robe, staring anxiously, so I beamed back.
Soon, an underwater shoot assistant swam over.
"Dowon, you'll swallow a lot of water. Worried."
"Have to for a good scene."
"You're so young but impressive."
"Greedy. Stronger desire for great shots than most."
The assistant was impressed.
Ah, time to hype it once more.
"Plus, I have a feeling."
I smiled brightly.
"A good scene's coming."
If this goes viral on video sites, perfect.
'Can't miss this chance because of fever.'
Maybe the haze was sharpening my thoughts.
No. Haven't decided the most important part.
'What expression?'
Ilyul from *Melody's Narrative* lived exhaustingly. How to act it? As I pondered lightly, the director called from above.
"Dowon! How will you sink? What would Ilyul do?"
Why ask that?
'T-testing character understanding?'
Then I'll deliver. I smiled languidly.
"He'd smile."
The director's eyes widened. Why? It's right. Ilyul's exhausted, so probably smiles while falling.
"Huh, surprised. You nailed Ilyul."
Passed the test. I feigned humility.
"Great character. Ilyul is."
Honestly, outshone the protagonist. Liked him instantly.
'Feels oddly familiar.'
Like someone I know.
Pleased, the director smiled genuinely.
"Then, smile as you sink. Dowon."
"Yes."
"Sorry for making you swallow water."
I shook my head. As he stepped back, the assistant said,
"Be careful, Dowon."
"Will do."
"Safety first. Always."
Standby call came. Hose in mouth from the assistant, I eased into the water.
'Sinking scenes usually close eyes.'
But Ilyul? Eyes open till the end.
Assistant removed hose, signaled.
I smiled faintly, sinking slowly to the bottom.
Underwater, only muffled hums. Focus on acting, senses fade.
Not Cha Dowon sinking. Ilyul.
'Intense pressure, strong pride, jealous type...'
Half desperate resistance, half surrender.
'But once sinking...'
He'd give up everything. Smile from that.
'Cheat effect's amazing.'
Normally breathless by now, but fever trade-off was perfect.
I kept faint smile, sinking.
Light far off, but no reaching.
How long? Assistant swam urgently. Hose in, confirmed breathing, signaled up.
I signaled back, surfaced. Air hit skin.
"Puha."
I gasped raggedly. Director from monitor above yelled,
"Cha Dowon! Perfect!"
Of course. Paid with fever for this.
'But thanks first.'
To assistant: "Thanks to you, safe shoot."
"Aigoo, no."
Up steel ladder fully out. Crew eyes different—impressed.
"Dowon, robe."
"Yes."
Didn't notice during, but dizzy now. Manager gripped my waist tight.
"Dowon, you okay?"
"Yes."
"Robe on. Can't even dress yourself."
He draped thick new robe. Dripping, I headed to monitor.
"Dowon. Really good. See?"
"Aigu, Director. Can our kid sit? Looks like boiled dried radish after shoot."
Some expression. Boiled dried radish? Why that?
"Aigoo! Staff, chair!"
"Ah, I'm fine."
"Sit quick. Your color's awful."
Oops.
"Dowon, tough?"
"No, fine. Manager's over-worried. Tired, sure."
"Nonstop sinking in water, yeah."
Sat comfy, eyed monitor.
'Wow.'
Couldn't hide smile.
'This is incredible.'
Common drama sink from lit surface. But flawless. Cinematic camera, splashes—art.
"Will edit later, but amazing. Teaser material."
Anyone'd think I'm lead.
'Wouldn't mind.'
Smiled faintly, bowed head.
"Thanks for great scene."
"No. I asked impromptu off-script. I'm grateful."
"Good it turned out. Viewers judge."
"Young but so humble."
Heavy praise.
Then, staff stirred. Knew without looking.
'Toilet guy's back.'
Lead finally here.
Took forever. Constipated?
'No. No one spends hours in bathroom.'
He waited.
'Till staff begged to shoot.'
Pervert. Always knew. Enjoys powerless pleas? Abnormal.
'Service jobs taught me—these guys are infuriating.'
'Anyway.'
Time for points.
Director's face anxious instantly. I whispered smiling,
"Not lead, in teaser? Weird. Fine."
Director eyed Jeremy. Mouth honest murmur.
"No. Want to. Badly."
Huh.
'This'll land big?'
Glanced at respected senior.
'Might devour him?'
Our senior. Thanks. Served him on platter—feast ready.
Director to me:
"Dowon, no more shoots?"
"Yes."
"Right."
Deep sigh. Understood—dreading Jeremy shoot.
"Good work."
"Yes, Director. See you soon."
"Looking forward."
Stood. Suppressed dizziness; manager grabbed waist.
"Dowon. Let's go quick."
"Fine. Greet crew. Owe them."
"Look! Feverish still!"
Greeted underwater staff one by one. Warmer than entry.
'Two hours up?'
Sure enough, body lightened suddenly.
"Manager."
"Yeah, yeah. Hospital."
"Fine now."
"Huh?"
Pushed his arm away.
"Check fever."
His rough hand on forehead.
"Huh? Really normal?"
"Told you to trust."
"Hey, not a lizard—fever up and gone?"
Felt like flying. Walked brisk in wet clothes.
"Lizard then."
"Hey! Make sense!"
"Shower room? Ah, there."
Shoot done, but murmurs. Jeremy yelling afar.
'Fever side effect gone, but cheat-pierced lips linger.'
Our senior nailing it. Staff scrambling visible.
"Wow, they're restarting. Poor them. Lead like that—drama okay?"
"Dunno. Might cut his parts."
"Lead role—how?"
"Who knows. Happens sometimes."