Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Still a Baby
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Even if the court took circumstances into account, it was obvious the pen-wielding thugs would go overboard.
"Yes."
"But don't just take the hits. Dodge! Avoiding is the best defense! Seungjun?"
He gave a wry smile.
"Yes, Executive Director Ju."
"And take Manager Heo Yongdam with you."
Lee Seungjun blinked. Executive Director Ju hurriedly explained.
"Manager Heo Yongdam. He might look laid-back, but... wait, is he laid-back?"
Executive Director Ju gave an awkward laugh.
"He's sturdy. And he has talents in odd areas."
"What kind of talents?"
Executive Director Ju made a small gesture with her hand. Lee Seungjun cautiously leaned in. She whispered very softly.
"He turns situations weird."
Lee Seungjun was uncharacteristically flustered.
"Pardon?"
"When he's around, you know. A serious drama turns into a sitcom in seconds. Even grave matters become comedy sometimes."
R-Really?
The bear-like idol seriously recalled the past.
'Maybe kinda?'
It happened occasionally.
"Plus, he's surprisingly good in a fight."
He was righteous and a skilled driver too. Well, he was laid-back, sure.
"For the time being, Manager Heo Yongdam will be your dedicated manager."
"Yes."
"Don't worry too much. I'll find a way somehow."
Executive Director Ju clenched her fist.
"Thank you."
"Any schedule today?"
"Yes. I need to head to the salon now."
"Alright. Work hard."
Lee Seungjun nodded and stood up. Watching his slow exit, Executive Director Ju sank fully into the sofa.
She had a lot on her plate today.
"Director! Here's some cold water. Oh? Why do you look so drained?"
Executive Director Ju gave a wry smile.
"Coffee too, please. Something sweet. Oh, and a cola."
"Got it. Wait, what happened?"
"Hahahaha."
She let out a long sigh.
"What the hell is going on in this world."
"Pardon?"
"Poor guy. There are just too many scum out there who'd deserve a thousand lashes and still not enough."
She closed her eyes and muttered.
"But ruining an image in an instant is effective. Bastards. Victims get hated anyway, and perpetrators get completely done for."
She sometimes thought.
'For idols, isn't a good family background essential?'
If that's solid, trainee days aren't so bad.
"This world is always fucking bullshit."
She muttered that and chugged the cold water. No matter how much she drank, the frustration wouldn't fade.
***
Employee A, who worked at the luxury department store, was having the worst day ever. It was like a convention of complainers—every moment felt like hell.
'Ugh.'
She sighed and looked up. Was it because she'd been groveling to all those awful customers up to her knees? She really just wanted to go home today.
'Do I really have to make money like this?'
Exhausted didn't even cover it. She wanted to drop everything and run.
That's when it happened. From afar, a man with an unusually imposing build approached.
She thought absently.
'Long legs.'
The way those long legs moved felt oddly like a video clip. And it wasn't just that—his shoulders were perfectly broad too.
'Is he... a celebrity?'
The other store staff were already sneaking glances at the young man. Employee A tried not to act the same as them. But she couldn't help her eyes drifting over.
'Who is he?'
He wore a hat and mask, but his face was small. He was clearly trying to hide, but his whole vibe screamed celebrity.
Following behind the young man was a man in a suit, hurrying along.
The young man said.
"Are my steps too fast?"
The moment she heard his voice, A realized.
'Cha-Cha Dowon! It's Cha Dowon!'
She wasn't even a huge fan, but he was an idol plastered everywhere. Thanks to those tempting video site algorithms, she'd seen him a few times and knew.
'Why is Cha Dowon at a luxury store?'
The young man quickly scanned the store—impressively so—then stopped in front of a black wallet.
"What about this one?"
"I-I'm not great with these. But I know my wife's tastes."
"I see."
"For reference, my wife prefers knives over wallets."
The young man presumed to be Cha Dowon glanced at the manager, then back to the wallet.
A peeked at the item he was eyeing.
'Who’s it for?'
No way, a girlfriend? Cha Dowon?
'Celebrities are all like that.'
They say "only fans" but hook up among themselves.
Then, the presumed Cha Dowon said.
"This suits hyung's taste. Looks like it'll last about ten years."
Oh my. Hyung?
She smirked inwardly.
'Not a girlfriend. It's for his brother... wait, no. He could call a boyfriend "hyung" too. You think I'm that naive?'
The suited man replied.
"I see. So this is what Minje likes. But ten years?"
"Ah, it just caught my eye. Like something similar he's used. Well, maybe five years."
Oh my?
She apologized inwardly.
'Real brother, huh. Minje—Kang Minje?'
She knew Kang Minje too. He popped up or got mentioned in every Cha Dowon video.
'Are they really that close?'
Close enough to buy luxury gifts here?
Honestly, it surprised her a lot. Her heart fluttered for no reason.
'Come to think of it, he's so cool.'
She'd thought he looked young and cute on screen, but in person, he was tall and sleek.
'Great proportions.'
Tall, long legs. And just from one word, she could tell.
'Polite too.'
Her job let her gauge that from voices alone. A world away from the jerk who'd made her kneel today.
That's when it happened. Cha Dowon slowly approached her. Feeling her heart pound, she clenched her fists. Sweat beaded on her palms.
"Could I see that wallet?"
"Y-Yes, yes, p-please wait a moment, s-sir."
She stammered oddly in her fluster. The young man in the black mask seemed amused, his eyes crinkling in a smile.
'Oh, oh my.'
He smiled!
In that instant, Employee A's mind went blank. Her sweaty hands trembled, breath short.
'What did I just see?'
Why smile like that? You're making my heart race!
Oblivious or not, the young man kept smiling softly. She desperately deep-breathed and managed mechanically.
"Th-That item, sir?"
"Yes. Do you have it in black?"
"Y-Yes! We do!"
If not, unnie would fly overseas to get it!
She rushed to check stock. The young man chuckled, shoulders shaking. Embarrassment finally hit her.
'He'll think I'm ridiculous.'
But the presumed Cha Dowon said something unexpected.
"Good. Looks like it's in stock."
"I see. But it might not be?"
"I've heard that sometimes."
"From whom?"
Cha Dowon whispered softly. But A heard clearly.
"From someone who's not around anymore."
Oh, oh my.
'Wh-who?'
Curiosity bubbled up. She nearly asked outright but bit her lip.
Then, the suited man asked exactly what she wanted to.
"Who is that?"
Yes, who? Who's not around now?
"There is. Someone like that. Lucky I never met them—forever."
The answer was vague. And finally, she found what she sought.
A placed the item on the display stand and walked out calmly. Praying her makeup hid her flush, she said.
"Here it is, sir. Would you like to see?"
The presumed Cha Dowon approached again. As the tall, perfectly built young man looked down, her chest fluttered faintly.
"H-How is it?"
"Yes. I'll take that one. It's a gift—can you wrap it?"
Of course! I'd wrap the whole store if you asked!
"O-Of course, sir."
The idol handed over his card. She hesitated briefly.
"Ah...."
It was unfamiliar. She'd seen countless cards in her job, but this was unexpected.
The presumed Cha Dowon smiled awkwardly.
"The limit should be fine."
The card had cute character designs—like a kid's debit card.
"D-Dowon-ssi."
The suited man unintentionally revealed the young man's identity.
"The benefits are the best on this one. Uncle recommended it."
Oh my god.
'A normal person would look weird with that...'
Celebrity privilege? Or just because it's Cha Dowon? Suddenly so adorable, she clenched and unclenched her fists.
'Right. Still a baby.'
She'd almost forgotten amid all the swooning.
"Dowon-ssi, the limit's really okay?"
"Yes. I checked."
"Sorry for asking. You don't spend much usually, Dowon-ssi."
"No need to apologize for that. I barely have time to spend anyway."
Cha Dowon looked around again.
"Might as well spend a bit. Since I'm here, maybe get something for unnie too. Her birthday's far off, though."
What, unnie?
The luxury store employee deflated instantly.
'Yeah. Idols are all like that.'
Dating on the sly. Especially Cha Dowon.
But after all the excitement earlier, it felt disappointingly predictable.
"Your actual older sister, the med student?"
"Yes. Though she'd say buy a house instead with that money."
Oh my.
'Real sister?'
She felt bad again for no reason. Our Dowon really loves his unnie. And buying her luxury bags.
'Envious.'
Must've saved a country in a past life. Med student too? Wow.
'Good genes all the way. Our Dowon.'
Cha Dowon scanned the store, pausing at a handbag. He examined it from angles and said.
"Uh, do you have this in black?"
Yes! Of course! If not, unnie goes overseas—what's that? I'd raid every store nationwide!
"I-I'll check, sir."
The employee flew to confirm stock. Cha Dowon watched, chuckling again.
"You seem thrilled about the sales boost."
No! Unnie's heart isn't about that! Dowon-ah!
'It's just seeing you that makes me happy!'
But she couldn't say that. Trembling, she checked—popular item, luckily in stock.
The employee returned with the handbag on the stand.
"Here, sir! Take a look!"
Cha Dowon beamed.
"Yes."
Our Dowon is blinding just existing. Unnie must be so happy.
She showed the bag as carefully as possible. Cha Dowon smiled brightly.
"Yes. That one, please. Can you wrap it?"
"Of course."
Cha Dowon offered the cute card again. Her hand twitched but she processed it.
No limit issue, naturally.
'Well. Our Dowon is top-tier among Korean idols right now.'
Just look around the department store—his face was everywhere.
'Heard he's a middle schooler paying tons in taxes.'
Cha Dowon took back his card and said.
"You have parking validation, right?"
Oh my, my brain.
"Yes! Of course!"
She hurriedly handed it over. Cha Dowon took it cheerfully and passed it to the suited man.
"I'll ship unnie's bag."
"No need."
"It's what I can do."
"Our unnie will call right away if she gets this. Say it's wasteful."
Smiling like that, Cha Dowon was a painting come to life. The employee quelled her trembling heart again.
'Stop making unnie's heart race.'
Where's that calming pill? Where'd I put it?
With everything done, she said.
"Here you go, sir."
"Ah, thank you."
Cha Dowon picked up both large shopping bags.
"Dowon-ssi, let me..."
"I'll carry them. Not heavy."
No. They are. Wallet maybe not, but the bag has weight.
'Our Dowon, is he okay like this?'
Cha Dowon turned slowly. It looked pitifully sluggish.
Without thinking, she blurted.
"S-Sir?"
Cha Dowon half-turned.
"I-If it's not too much trouble, could I get an autograph....?"