Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Setting a Trap
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79. Setting a Trap
2022.04.02.
I answered right away.
“Yes! I'm going!”
“Oh dear, no time to eat anything. Want some fizzy sugar water at least?”
Was she talking about soda?
“I'm fine. Could you give me my smartphone instead?”
The manager handed over the smartphone from his pocket. I pressed the keypad C. Then, leaning slightly against the wall so the screen wouldn't be visible, I tapped the display.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Sa Hyeok's gaze fixed on Cha Dowon for 2 hours starting 5 minutes from now]
[Changed. Side effect: Back of the head will sting for 2 hours starting 5 minutes from now.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
A laugh burst out of me.
‘What an interesting side effect.’
I handed the smartphone back to the manager once the cheat was done.
A staff member came looking for me again.
“Dowon, are you ready?”
“I'm going!”
I jumped up and dashed to the set.
The camera director explained the movement as soon as I arrived. I nodded along as I listened.
‘Are you watching? Sa Hyeok.’
Let me show you something fun.
My heart pounded. The moment I imagined myself on camera, a thrilling buzz swirled in my head.
Feels good.
“Standby! Cue.”
I walked weakly along the path the camera director had indicated. Even though I was wearing wedding attire, right now I was the king's son-in-law who had lost his beloved princess and was marrying another royal lady.
The camera moved backward following my footsteps.
I quietly gazed at the sky. It was simple but difficult acting. In the script, it was the sky I'd always looked at with the princess, but now I was seeing it alone.
‘Regret, longing. Injustice. Anger.’
It had to contain all those emotions.
I turned to the camera again, putting strength into my eyes. Now, the son-in-law vowing revenge walked slowly forward.
“Cut!”
I snapped out of the emotions and ran straight to the monitor. The director checked it with me and gave a thumbs-up again.
“No NG again? Director?”
“Dowon nailed it. Wow, that emotional arc is killer.”
“Hope the viewers see it well.”
“Of course they will. Impossible not to. On to the next scene.”
The back of my head stung. I turned to look at Sa Hyeok. I deliberately made a surprised face, as if I hadn't expected him to be watching me.
‘Aha.’
His pupils shook.
‘Bingo.’
Sa Hyeok was agonizing over the male lead's emotional line. For a guy who'd reached top-star status, hanging around a set where he wasn't even shooting screamed trouble.
‘How's that?’
But what if a child actor delivers a perfect performance here?
Sa Hyeok wouldn't know what hit him.
‘You've got two choices.’
Copy me, or do something completely different from me.
‘Can't wait to see which you pick.’
The first would shred his pride to bits. The second? Not ideal for him, but it was a serious problem too.
‘Because we're playing the same character.’
Think you can avoid overlapping with me? No, can you deliver a perfect performance in a totally different way? Sa Hyeok?
‘Impossible, right?’
Then you'll flop. You.
He still couldn't tear his eyes off me. For my one audience member, I flashed a bright smile.
“Next scene. Dowon, get ready.”
“Yes. Going.”
I passed by him casually. My mind buzzed with excitement.
‘It'll take time, but revenge is revenge.’
Making a scandal with Kang Minje? You dare?
‘Damn.’
I clenched my fist and released it. I forcibly held back the urge to grind my teeth.
“Standby!”
I focused on the acting. Whether it was real or not, this petty revenge was quietly fun.
***
Yoo Hajin grinned, holding an A4 sheet and our album. I paused my ab workout in the living room.
“What's this?”
“Sign it for me.”
I nodded. But I couldn't figure out why Yoo Hajin was handing me this.
“I started doing a kids' show.”
“Ah, won't make much money.”
“Yeah. But the kids want your signature.”
I chuckled and signed the A4 sheet.
“What's their names?”
“Jihyun, Flower Country, Us. Oh, and write that eating carrots well makes you grow tall for us.”
Cute.
I shook my head and did as Yoo Hajin asked.
“Thanks. My mom worries about us. Says we're picky eaters.”
“How's the job?”
“It's alright.”
“Can't imagine why kids want my signature.”
“They said you're a cool big bro.”
I tilted my head.
“Probably 'cause the age group's close. Kids think you're cool.”
A snicker escaped me.
“Funny. I'm just doing it to make money.”
“Well, Dowon bro has a capitalist mindset, but not with pure kids.”
I handed the signed album to Yoo Hajin and asked.
“So what about Hajin bro? Capitalist? Sincere?”
“Half and half?”
We shook our heads and laughed.
“Kids' show isn't bad. Worried the kids might cry if we go with a tougher concept later.”
“Yeah?”
“How long you gonna do it?”
“Just started. It'll fade out naturally when we get busy.”
Yeah, probably drop it once the album drops.
“Suits you well, though.”
“You think? Oh, Dowon. Got something to tell you. From Manager Joo.”
I paused my ab workout again.
“Congrats.”
“Birthday's far off.”
“Next month, settlement's 500 million for you.”
I blinked.
“When'd I earn that much.”
CFs pay well, huh.
I resumed my ab workout. Yoo Hajin shook his head in disbelief.
“What? Not happy?”
“I am.”
“No, you should be more excited.”
I smiled a little.
“Idols have short careers.”
“Hey, still, 500 million...”
“Lots of people never touch that in a lifetime. I know.”
Tough for a middle school third-grader to earn 500 million legally.
“Thought you'd be jumping for joy.”
“I am. Just not enough.”
“Why?”
I stared straight at Yoo Hajin. If 500 million was my amount, how much was his?
“Can't even buy a proper apartment.”
Well, depends on location, but Seoul's a stretch.
“And I've got a lot to spend on.”
“You in debt?”
“No. I'm a middle schooler.”
Ah, when's auntie running for congress again?
‘Elections are all about money.’
How much does a congressional run cost?
‘I remember auntie saying life got tough after one election...’
I kept doing ab workouts.
“Still far off. 500 million? Try 5 billion.”
Then maybe buy a building for passive income.
“500 million's big money...”
“It is. But reality is it's short too.”
“Reality...”
Yoo Hajin slumped his shoulders.
“Why, Hajin hyung?”
“Nah, I was gonna invest.”
“Just put it in savings. If tax worries you, buy a house.”
“Where?”
“Along subway lines, won't lose out. But how much settlement?”
“200 million?”
“Tricky. Deposit it first, get some real insurance with good coverage. Nothing weird. Hajin hyung, invest carefully. Profit yes, but lost money doesn't come back. Gotta respect money.”
“R-Right. But how do you know all this?”
I quietly shut my mouth.
‘Say I worked real estate and model houses part-time before? Nah, won't buy it.’
Boundaries between investment and speculation, what is policy. Where does infrastructure come from and go. Vague memories of serious thoughts flickered.
“Huh? Dowon?”
Nothing to say. Silence is best. I just kept doing ab workouts quietly.
That was when the dorm front door opened.
Luckily, Yoo Hajin's attention shifted.
“Manager hyung?”
The plumpish manager got straight to business.
“Dowon. Go to the awards tomorrow.”
Out of nowhere.
“Just me? Not even year-end, awards this time of year?”
“1st Asian Enter Awards. Variety 'Rural Life' got invited.”
Awards that probably won't have a second edition.
“I'm just a one-ep guest, that okay?”
“They insisted.”
If they call, go.
“Stylist rushed the clothes over.”
“Noona worked hard.”
“She's in a frenzy to dress you pretty tomorrow.”
“Guess I should get her something.”
I stopped the ab workout and stood up.
“What were you talking about?”
Yoo Hajin jumped in.
“Oh, investing. But Dowon says buy along subway lines.”
“Huh?”
Damn.
I decided to quietly bail.
“Gonna shower and sleep.”
I slipped into my room fast. Luckily, leader and manager didn't follow.
***
“Pretty. My masterpiece.”
Stylist Noona's eyes sparkled. I smiled and handed her the bread I'd bought that morning.
“Have some.”
“Bought it for noona?”
“Yes.”
Stylist Noona clutched her chest and let out a weird moan.
“Kyaa~ I'm drunk.”
“You drank?”
“No. Aigoo, our Dowon. Noona really likes you. No power trips, brings food. Noona treasures you. Dowon, may this kindness last a thousand years.”
I chuckled and shook my head.
“Power trips are weird anyway.”
The moment you do it, downhill starts, and you're the last to know.
‘Like Sa Hyeok.’
Stylist Noona pinned something to my waist.
“Our Dowon will be the prettiest.”
“Handsome's better if anything.”
“Enjoy it while young. Moments like this aren't forever. Anyway, know who's at the awards?”
I shook my head.
“You don't? Sa Hyeok, and Rural Life means Yumi too, right? Heard the whole Rural Life team does red carpet together?”
She knows more than me. First one I really didn't. Second, I knew.
‘Our Sa Hyeok, see you again.’
Hope drama shooting's going well. That little poop I sprinkled should start stinking soon.
‘Heard he's clashing with the director a lot.’
Long time no see your face.
“Time to go.”
“Yes.”
I stood up.
“Fighting! Nail the red carpet! I'll enjoy this!”
“You worked hard too, noona.”
“Handsome face and pretty words.”
Leaving Stylist Noona's praise, I went to the manager. Far off, the dazzlingly dressed 'Rural Life' team was visible.
I greeted them first.
“Long time no see.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
“Still so beautiful.”
In her later years, Yoon Mi-hyun smiled and linked arms with me.
“Our Dowon still talks so well. How about going with us?”
“An honor.”
Eun Seongju linked her arm on the other side.
“Aigoo, so sweet.”
“Doing well?”
“Same as always. Yumi too.”
I turned and greeted Yumi again. The natural village vibe was gone; now she was Korea's top female singer Yumi.
A staff pointed the way.
“Get in this car, get off, and just go forward.”
We entered the large limousine. Yoon Mi-hyun asked a staff inside.
“Who's interviewing before us?”
“Heard it's Sa Hyeok due to schedule mess.”
I smiled brightly.
‘Enemies meet on a log bridge? Nah, red carpet.’
See you sooner.
“Sa Hyeok means we get overshadowed? No, with Dowon maybe different?”
“Overshadowed?”
“If higher-tier ahead, reporters' cameras don't come. Sneaky popularity gauge.”
Got it.
“No way. With three legends like you here.”
Yoon Mi-hyun covered her mouth laughing.
“Really speaks pretty.”
The limo stopped soon. I got out first, helping each one out one by one.
Camera flashes sparkled.
‘Like starlight.’
That's why they're stars.
Yoon Mi-hyun and Eun Seongju each took my arms. I smiled, escorting the two beauties.
Then.
“Oh dear!”
Yoon Mi-hyun suddenly wobbled. I quickly grabbed her shoulder.
“What to do...”
Yoon Mi-hyun muttered embarrassed.
“Heel broke.”