Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Sister's Love
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"Did I teach you to do that?"
"Want to watch?"
"Oh, no."
Anything else she might have handled, but seeing Cha Dowon's kiss scene would surely upset her stomach. For the sake of proper nutrition, Cha Sora quietly turned her gaze to her tray.
"Ah, I want to kiss our Dowon real passionately once, too."
She couldn't stand munching any longer. She quietly stood up from her seat.
"Sora?"
"My stomach's not feeling great. I'm heading out."
She cleared her tray and let out a sigh.
'What the hell are you doing, you.'
Something welled up inside her. She quickly made a call. Her brother picked up after a long wait, probably busy.
-Sis?
"When did you film that kiss scene!"
"You mean the music video? A few months ago?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's work."
Right. Kissing is just work to you?
Cha Sora tried to suppress her boiling emotions. Fine. It's the same as me, a med student, seeing patients naked. Yeah. That's it. It has to be!
But something else pissed her off.
"Why are you carrying people around! Are you some iron man? Did I raise you to be a suitcase?"
She was really upset. She didn't raise him to carry old ladies on his back!
Cha Dowon fell silent.
"Hey! Answer me."
-Sorry, sis.
Damn.
The wind suddenly went out of her sails. Cha Sora squatted down in the cafeteria hallway.
"Why are you apologizing?
-No, just... I wouldn't like it if I saw you carrying someone around either.
"You didn't do anything wrong. Don't apologize for something you didn't sin over."
Laughter came through the smartphone. Cha Sora sighed deeply.
"You healthy?"
-Yeah. Of course.
"Super busy?"
-Yeah. But it's good. Sis, I'm getting about 500 million next month.
"What? 500 million?"
Idols make bank? Is that why people become idols?
-Want anything? Gift-wise?
"Don't waste money on stupid stuff, just save it. Kid doesn't know the fear of money. Scared of taxes? Buy houses along subway lines then. You're like a middle schooler who doesn't get money scares— if you can't invest, just hoard it. What gifts? Spend wisely!"
Her brother went quiet for a moment.
-Puhahaha!
"Hey, why are you laughing?"
-No, just... so you, sis. Okay. I'll spend wisely. But really, nothing you want?
"I'd starve before taking a gift bought with your snotty money. Whatever. Eat properly. Hanging up."
Cha Sora cut the call curtly.
As things quieted down, her jumping emotions settled. She sniffled, stood up, and sighed.
'Hope he doesn't blow his earnings on weird crap.'
His voice sounded bright, which was a relief.
"Worried, for real."
No matter how cool others said he was, to Cha Sora, Cha Dowon was still the kid with the constantly runny nose. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
'Still, I trust him.'
She quietly walked away.
Honestly, she was happy her brother was succeeding.
***
"Fuck!"
The glass bottle shattered. Sa Hyeok's manager flinched with every one.
'What's his deal?'
For days now, Sa Hyeok showed no signs of calming. Truth be told, the manager knew why.
'Ratings?'
"Flower's Choice" had started airing. The Thu-Fri 9 PM drama nailed buzz from episode 1.
'Cha Dowon's a rising star, alright.'
Acting genius—real genius? Skeptical industry folks got properly smacked by Cha Dowon.
'Maybe a genius...'
Child actor Cha Dowon as male lead swam like a fish in water. Even the manager forgot time watching. With many like him, episode 1 hit 20% ratings.
'If that was it, fine...'
The child actor shone. Ratings climbed per episode. The kid's finale even hit 35%. Industry buzzed with smash hit talk—then adult lead appeared.
'Total flop.'
Another glass bottle shattered noisily. The manager eyed the sharp shards.
'What's broken is that bastard's pride.'
Sa Hyeok boasted different acting from the kid. Director tried dissuading, but his stubbornness was unstoppable.
Sa Hyeok always said then:
'Who invests in this drama without me!'
Prideful director swallowed tears and proceeded. Result: 50 pages of "bring back child actor" posts.
Worst acting, lost his mind. Bring back Cha Dowon. My male lead ain't like this.
Communities outside were a mess too.
'Why'd he act like that...'
Just following the kid's emotional line would've avoided this trash.
Ratings now curved downward.
Verdict was harsh.
'Child actor great, adult ruined the drama.'
Still mid-20s thanks to early hype. Network praised it as decent, but hid disappointment.
'Next time, let Cha Dowon do adult role too.'
Higher-ups' words trickled down.
Sa Hyeok hurled another bottle.
Crash-
A shard grazed the manager's cheek. He wiped the cut, bowing deeper.
"That shitty bastard, how dare he!"
Sa Hyeok was already wasted.
"Hey, manager!"
"Yes!"
"My phone!"
Manager handed the phone with his bloody hand.
"Fucking hell! Blood on it!"
"S-sorry."
"You shithead, do it right! Right!"
Sa Hyeok smacked the manager's head, swiped the screen. Unlocked, he called someone.
"Hey, long time? Nah, just... dig into that bastard a bit."
What scheme now? Blood dripped on fancy marble floor.
'Digging'll turn up dirt. Something. That member beef was overkill. Find good stuff. Weaknesses galore? No one's spotless. Come on, pros."
Who? Manager knew.
'Cha Dowon?'
Male lead child actor. Hot new star. Good rumors too.
'Even buys stylists bread?'
Manager heard plenty.
Nice, polite. Works hard at everything. Even excels.
'Agency Friends ain't bad.'
Friends prez tough cookie. Meant solid defense in PR wars.
'Will Sa Hyeok get his way?'
Oblivious, Sa Hyeok kept talking.
"It'll work. Dig. I'll pay. How much?"
Poor Cha Dowon.
"Expensive? Fine. It's Sa Hyeok. Got money."
Finally spotting manager, he shooed like a fly.
'Get out.'
Manager quietly turned, left. Closed door, muttered.
"Crazy fuck."
Living room trashed. Manager pondered: call cleaners, next schedule.
'Fucking sucks.'
Betray him? Really want to.
Thought of rabbit-like daughter at home. Reached for pic, realized: blood crusted on hand.
"Damn."
Curse slipped out. Really wanted to smack his head hard again.
***
"Life's a success if you have one friend to call when it's tough."
Lee Seungjun eyed the camera.
"You got a friend like that?"
No need to answer. Better not. Lee Seungjun struck a pose again.
"Make friends. You need 'em."
Photographer for Shin Sang Distribution winter sportswear was skilled, but chatty flaw.
Many models lost focus because of him.
Lee Seungjun didn't care. Ignored chatter, did his job quietly.
"You're so quiet. Not mute, right?"
Lee Seungjun posed silent again.
"Done. Wanna see?"
Lee Seungjun nodded, stood by monitor. Photographer patted model shoulder.
"Not really mute, huh?"
He finally replied.
"I can talk."
"Whoa, scared me. Deep voice."
Picky on what surprises him. Lee Seungjun eyed photos quietly.
"How's it look?"
"Looks fine to me, but pro like you sees different."
"Oh?"
Photographer patted back.
"Hey, looks good even to me."
Got it. End of answers for him. But friend's advice surfaced.
'Reply if staff talks. You'll get misunderstood.'
Cha Dowon's advice worth heeding. So Lee Seungjun replied, annoyed.
"I see. Glad it came out well."
Photographer grinned at reply.
"Yeah? Right. Right. I shoot good."
"You really do."
"Aw, you know your stuff. Alright, wrap. You eat?"
Lee Seungjun shook head. Shoot days, nothing eaten. Not extreme thinness model, but diet control basic.
"Big guy like you collapses? Eat something. Don't forget eating joy. That's longevity."
"Got it."
No appetite though. Ask manager for protein bar? Then—
Smartphone buzzed message. Lee Seungjun unlocked quietly.
-Curry's ready.
Short, but enough. Lee Seungjun smiled, bowed to photographer.
"Heading out."
"Huh? Yeah, bye."
Lee Seungjun hurried to change. Steps oddly light. Thought of Cha Dowon's food.
'Tastes good no matter what.'
Younger friend great cook. Lee Seungjun, no food attachment, still anticipated his dishes.
'Curry, huh. Yum.'
Starved all day? Craved Cha Dowon's curry fast. Steps quickened.
***
"What's with the curry?"
Ki Jaeyoon eyed curry, eyes sparkling. I whispered to him.
"Ki Jaeyoon. At least set table."
"You only boss me around!"
"Not craving curry?"
Ki Jaeyoon jumped, grabbed bowls, sides. Brat. Free meal, still mouths off before working. I stirred curry.
"Oh, curry?"
Manager shuffled over, pulled sides.
"Manager, have some?"
"Skip me, I'd sulk. Taking your bowl."
Super hungry?
"Usually two bowls fine, but your food goes down tons weirdly. Mira nags."
"Just eat two?"
"No way! How cruel! Dropped from five to four with tears!"
Tell him one, he'd cry.
10-person cooker—enough? Pondering, Yoo Hajin and Kang Minje arrived.
"Dowon's food. Missed it."
I stirred ladle, said.
"Lee Seungjun's missing."
"Seungjun shooting?"
"Messaged. He'll eat if comes."
Served curry, sat. I scooped homemade curry bite. Still tasty.
Across, Ki Jaeyoon shoveled, said.
"But why curry?"
"Tell after eating."
"Ah, don't tease. What?"
"Might regret hearing?"
"Regret fine, spill quick!"
I looked around, smiled.
"All agree with Ki Jaeyoon?"
Others nodded.
"No regrets then."
Manager waved hands.
"No! No!"
Fine then.
"Made someone step in shit. Curry came to mind."
All paused mid-bite.
"Told you you'd regret."
Yoo Hajin blinked.
"Ah, uh, y-yeah."
"Curiosity not always good."
"Hahaha."
I quietly ate curry. Paused brief, but stomachs strong—resumed eating.