Chapter 189
Translator: penny
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Not Really Suspicious
“That…… you’re not thinking of causing an accident or anything, right?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“I’m just a high school student. You’re thinking some pretty scary thoughts.”
“No, even if it’s not you, Dowon-ssi, a relative could do it.”
“That’s a scary thought too.”
I kept searching. Manager Han apologized readily.
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Whatever. Just tell me.”
“Huh?”
“How do you raise kids?”
Suddenly, the manager rubbed his forehead with a handkerchief. I stared at him blankly. For some reason, he couldn’t answer.
***
I quietly turned the page.
‘Ah, so that’s how it is.’
It was a whole new world. I seriously kept reading the instructions.
‘No liver at all.’
Fascinating.
I was studying hard when suddenly a small scream came from in front of me.
“Eek! What are you?”
It was a familiar voice. I looked up and then bowed my head.
“Ah, Bitna sunbae-nim.”
“What’s that book?”
What else.
I held it up so the title was clearly visible.
‘Baby Food Made Easy’
It was the book the manager had brought. He hadn’t forgotten to mention his daughter had grown up eating this.
“No, I’m not asking about the title. What is it? Why are you reading a baby food book?”
“Ah…….”
I started to answer, then suspiciously glanced around. I could feel the staff’s ears all turning our way.
“I’m going on a variety show. A parenting program.”
At that moment, a few staff members nodded.
‘Guess they were curious.’
Then just ask. Why just sneak peeks.
“Ah……. They still do those?”
Bitna sunbae shook her head.
“It was a trend a few years ago.”
“Yeah. It was.”
“And you’re going on that?”
I smiled brightly and replied.
“Yes. It’ll be a godsend for Zenith.”
“Hmm.”
Bitna sunbae crossed her arms.
“Not a bad move?”
“You’re being harsh, sunbae-nim.”
“You can’t just go on every program willy-nilly, no matter how popular you are.”
Is a parenting show willy-nilly.
I closed the book and said.
“It’ll probably be tough.”
“In what way?”
“There are so many types of baby food, and it changes by age. The kid hasn’t been decided yet, so I don’t know how old they’ll be.”
I wonder what to make that they’ll eat well.
“Yeah, right. So you were reading the book to make the kid?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t the writers usually make it all for them? They just pretend.”
Huh?
“Usually the writers make almost everything, and they just pretend to.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Then one article about the truth came out, and parenting shows faded away.”
I didn’t know that.
“I see. But I’m going to make it myself.”
It wasn’t hard. But there were quite a few steps to prepare in advance.
‘They call it a hassle. This.’
I wonder how many months old the kid will be.
‘That kid will be Zenith’s savior.’
But I couldn’t do anything about the casting.
Then Bitna sunbae said.
“Cha Dowon.”
“Yes?”
“Our ratings are skyrocketing.”
Seoyul’s narrative? What’s new. Didn’t you expect this?
“It was a highly anticipated show from the start.”
“They’re praising your acting.”
That was obvious too. But I couldn’t say that.
“All thanks to you, Bitna sunbae-nim. The lead actress handled it so well that ‘Iryul’ had it easy.”
“You’re such a smooth talker. But are you okay?”
With what?
Bitna sunbae nodded toward the right with her chin. I smiled brightly.
‘They’re glaring daggers.’
Why is our sunbae like this.
“The drama’s a success, so why glare at me.”
“You ate up the lead’s screen time.”
“Hmm, that’s a misunderstanding.”
“There are articles.”
Of course there would be. I already knew.
“Articles saying your screentime increased because you’re close to the writer.”
“Rebuttals will be out soon.”
I smiled with all my heart.
“The truth that I’ve never even met the writer will come out soon.”
I could tell at a glance those articles were from their side. Maybe that’s why. Our side responded immediately.
“I hope it stops there.”
I rested my chin on my hand and muttered.
“My fans are having a hard time. Zenith fans are fighting everywhere because of me.”
“You have a lot of fans.”
Well, yeah.
“I don’t want to worry them, but the noise keeps coming.”
Not that I could block it in advance.
“Sunbae-nim.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been feeling it lately. Am I really that popular?”
Sunbae’s brow furrowed. I quickly made excuses.
“It just doesn’t feel like before.”
“You’re popular. You were already, but after that live broadcast or whatever, it exploded.”
“Ah, no way. Does that make it explode like this?”
Bitna bit her lip with arms crossed and said.
“What do you think I said? Our drama’s ratings are skyrocketing!”
Aha.
“So it’s the drama’s fault.”
“What! You’re so annoying!”
“But it’s a bit different. ‘Flower’s Choice’ had high ratings too. Ah, that was as a child actor.”
My doubts cleared up nicely.
“When drama ratings are high, actors’ stock rises too. That’s it.”
No wonder the CF offers piled up.
‘Before, I’d take whatever came, but…….’
Executive Director Joo was picking only the high-value ones now.
“You’re bragging, right?”
“Sorry. It just felt weird. I was only thinking about working hard. I knew there were side benefits, but…….”
I smiled brightly.
“With so much to think about, I couldn’t gauge it well.”
Bitna sunbae still glared at me.
“Sounds real.”
“If that’s how it came across, sorry.”
“Annoying, but real.”
Bitna let out a big sigh.
“Whatever. I’ll let the bragging slide.”
Very honored.
“Thanks to this drama, I gained a lot too.”
“Like what?”
“As an idol, people are sharp about my acting. Finally, they’re saying good things.”
I smiled and bowed my head.
“Congratulations.”
“I hear you’re getting ‘ratings guarantee’ offers now too?”
“I see.”
Obviously.
“You’ve had back-to-back drama successes?”
“Not all leads.”
“Next one will be lead?”
“Who knows.”
I quietly looked at the ceiling. The studio ceiling was a bit high.
“I think I’ll focus on Zenith for a while.”
Kang Minje had started preparing his third album right after finishing his solo.
‘Ambitious one, he said.’
A real golden goose that lays songs if you feed it radish soup. Minje hyung.
‘Suddenly making Ki Jaeyoon do abs…….’
Thanks to that, Ki Jaeyoon groaned every day. Then Kang Minje bargained with a sixth of a hamburger patty.
-Jaeyoon-ah. Do today’s abs and vocal training, and I’ll give you this.
So Ki Jaeyoon trained every day. And the PR staff turned it into their own content.
‘Is Zenith okay like this?’
Less like a cool idol group and more like a group raising Ki Jaeyoon.
Lost in thought, Bitna sunbae said.
“Ah, your album’s out?”
“Yeah.”
“Coming out steadily. But if it were me…….”
Bitna sunbae looked around and whispered.
“I’d focus on acting.”
I stared at her blankly.
“Groups disband and that’s it, but acting lasts.”
Aha. That’s what she meant.
I smiled a little.
“I’m Zenith’s Cha Dowon.”
“Y-yeah, groups are important too.”
“Yeah. But I think Zenith will go higher than Cha Dowon.”
Some groups succeed together, others shine individually. But I felt Zenith was the former.
“You’re young, that’s why.”
“Well, I like acting too. But…….”
I thought of Lee Seungjun. Groups could face sudden crises like that.
‘Maybe going solo would be easier.’
But I was Zenith’s Cha Dowon.
‘We haven’t reached the top yet.’
How thrilling must that be.
I confessed my true feelings to Bitna.
“I love the stage.”
“Oh my.”
“Dancing amid cheers. That’s what most idols love to become one.”
Bitna nodded. Well, sunbae’s an idol too.
“I get it. Damn.”
Bitna shook her head.
“You make me want to get back on stage for no reason.”
“Honored.”
“Got it. Be careful then.”
I stood, bowed. Bitna smirked and vanished from sight.
‘She’s kind.’
Advice to focus on acting from experience?
‘Well, acting’s good, but the stage…….’
I closed the baby food book. Then Manager Han approached slowly.
“Manager-nim. Am I really that popular?”
“Huh? You’re stating the obvious.”
“Hmm, after the drama ends, parenting variety and third album prep, right?”
“W-well, yeah?”
I picked up my smartphone.
“Then I can do some housework.”
“Huh?”
“There’s someone running for office. Election activities since last week.”
The gap in polls with the opponent was wide.
‘Our aunt’s really great, but lacks recognition.’
But strangely, no one knew she was Cha Dowon’s relative.
‘Aunt’s side isn’t promoting it…….’
Why be so ethical about this.
‘Before regression, just a high schooler. Not anymore.’
I grinned while swiping the screen. First, get permissions from many people.
Soon, the call connected. I calmly explained.
‘Perks of a celebrity nephew.’
Use it, aunt. It’s okay for you.
‘Before regression, you were the only relative who helped without conditions.’
Same after.
Elections are unknown till announcement, but I didn’t want such a big loss.
The call ended soon. I said to the manager.
“Manager-nim, we might need to go somewhere later.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Hmm, Seoul XX District. Ah, before that, I need practice.”
Wonder if I can do well. A bit worried.
“Huh?”
“Ah, you just park for a bit.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not really suspicious. Five minutes tops.”
The manager blinked. I smiled brightly. Honestly, a bit embarrassing, but nothing compared to sprinkling rose petals on Kang Minje.
***
‘Noisy as hell.’
C, the cosmetics store part-timer, irritably eyed the promo truck. Every election season, these undying vehicles circled.
‘They’ll go elsewhere soon, but I hate it.’
The aunt running for congress shook hands vigorously. C, majoring in film at nearby uni, pouted and restocked cosmetics.
‘Business is slow today.’
Hope store sales are okay. Then my part-time pay…… Ah, sold some early month?
No work, just stray thoughts. Glancing at the election vehicle again, an odd car pulled to the shoulder.
‘Huh?’
That a van? Celebs ride those?
‘Real celeb?’
She stepped out unconsciously. Felt like she had to.
‘Oh my?’
Van door opened, long legs appeared. C blinked. Full body out, unmistakable.
‘A celeb!’
Proportions unreal. Face tiny too.
‘Who?’
Mask and hat on. Black shirt, pants. Why so different.
C thought the celeb would just stand.
‘Huh, huh?’
But the celeb walked, removing mask. Suddenly, C couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Cha, Cha Dowon?”
Instinct beat reason. She opened smartphone video app. Her gut said: film this.
Phone focused on Cha Dowon. He glanced around lightly, walked forward. C followed.
‘Election truck?’
Cha Dowon still wore hat. Maybe why few noticed yet.
Cha Dowon locked eyes with someone on the truck. Then, insanely upbeat music blasted from the truck.
‘Th-this for election?’
Rhythm too fast. Overkill.
That thought hit.
Suddenly, Cha Dowon took off his hat.