Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: A Leisurely Morning and Grocery Run
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Even though I hadn't touched a drop of alcohol at last night's dinner with the cast, I woke up to a pounding headache like a hangover.
'I should have just gone to bed early.'
I got home late, sent thank-you texts to everyone for all their hard work, and ended up falling asleep way too late.
No wonder my head hurt.
"Ugh...."
Groaning, I peeled the Rabbit Princess off my chest—she was fast asleep, oblivious to the world.
'Maybe I'll take it slow getting ready today....'
Rubbing my throbbing temples, I strode into the living room and yanked the curtains open wide.
Warm sunlight poured in.
The sky was a clear, paper-white blue.
The weather was so perfect, it felt like the right day to air out the place properly.
I headed straight to the balcony and flung the windows wide. A cool breeze blew through. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
My headache eased up a bit.
Stretching out my stiff body, twisting this way and that, I let out a big yawn.
"Kuh!"
Back to ordinary life.
No rush to get ready, just this easygoing pace—it put my mind at ease.
'Time to make some breakfast?'
I stepped into the kitchen, whipped up a simple morning meal, and nodded to myself.
Perfect.
'Now to wake Yu-na?'
Right on cue, Yu-na appeared, rubbing her eyes with her tiny hands.
The cute pajamas In-cheol gave her as a gift suited her perfectly.
Wonder where he got them.
I'll have to ask him later.
"Daddy, good.... yawn. Morning."
"Go wash your face first. We gotta eat before kindergarten."
"Okay."
"...Wait, no. Yu-na? Wanna take a bath with Daddy for old times' sake?"
Yu-na's eyes went wide.
Nod nod! Her enthusiastic head-bobbing made me chuckle.
After dropping Yu-na off at kindergarten, I came home and flopped onto the center of the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
My afternoon schedule was a total blank slate.
Drama filming had wrapped yesterday, so no more gym sessions with the manager to get in shape.
That's why last night, I'd asked the CEO to let me know if any variety show offers came in....
'What was it he said again?'
Something like, take a few days off and just relax completely?
As if a few days off would change anything for me.
No real hobbies like other people.
No places I particularly wanted to go....
Well, the leisurely morning was nice, at least.
I reached lazily to the side, grabbing a bag of snacks from the shelf.
Rustle. Rustle.
Mushroom-shaped chocolate cookies.
One of the gifts from the staff—I'd swiped it from Yu-na right before bedtime. My spoils of war.
Munching away contentedly on her snacks while scrolling randomly on my phone, I suddenly sat bolt upright.
'Delicious steak recipes...?'
Looking at the steak cooking methods made me want to try making one myself.
Grill up a steak for dinner?
I jumped up energetically and opened the fridge to check.
"Ah.... No ingredients at all."
All that was inside were the various side dishes Kim Mi-so had made for us.
Plus some chicken breast and eggs.
I wrinkled my nose and slammed the fridge shut. I was sick of chicken breast and eggs for a while.
Guess I have to go buy some....
'Oh, right—there's a big mart right nearby?'
I suddenly remembered the huge supermarket just around the apartment. It was so close, no need for the car....
Yeah. Let's go now.
I changed out of my pajamas, geared up for the mart, threw on a hat and mask to cover my face completely, and headed out.
Step. Step.
As I cut through the park lightly and kept going straight, I spotted a very familiar back ahead.
'Wait, is that...?'
Excited, I raised my hand and called out.
"Hey! Jong-min!"
Sure enough. My eyes didn't lie.
The guy who stopped and turned was my neighbor, Lee Jong-min.
He walked over to me.
"Oh, hey. Jun-seo. Where you headed?"
"To the mart. You too, by any chance?"
I eyed the small basket in his hand, and he nodded.
"Yeah, exactly. You as well?"
"Drama just wrapped, so I'm thinking steak at home."
"Perfect timing then. I was heading out for some ingredients we're low on. Wanna go together?"
"Sure, I'm good with that."
And so, Lee Jong-min and I walked to the nearby mart together.
"By the way, how's Ha-yul doing?"
"Ha-yul had drama filming this morning, so she and my wife headed out early."
"Ah.... She's the same age as Yu-na—must be tough. I heard she's shooting a long drama series? That's what you mentioned during our chat last time...."
"The long drama wraps soon, but.... I'm getting more and more worried. Isn't she pushing too hard from such a young age...?"
His expression darkened.
"She's handling way more than I expected."
"......"
Last time, he said he wouldn't stand in the way of his daughter's dreams....
Guess the packed schedule has him concerned.
'Well, makes sense.'
Same age as Yu-na, and already steadily working as a child actor. If she were my daughter, I'd worry just the same.
"It's not like anyone's forcing her, right? All we can do is cheer her on and keep a close eye."
"......"
"Has Ha-yul said she doesn't like it?"
"No. Every time she comes home from filming, she tells me all about what happened on set."
Lee Jong-min's face brightened instantly, and he kept talking without pause.
He was a total daughter fool, just like me.
Didn't realize he'd brag about her this much.
"So Ha-yul.... Ah! We're here. Carts are over there if you need one."
My energy deflated.
Just hearing about it drained me. I nodded faintly and leaned on the cart I'd grabbed.
Meanwhile, Lee Jong-min unfolded his basket wide.
"Oh! By the way.... Jun-seo, any plans to rejoin that 'Daddy, I Love You!' variety show with Yu-na?"
"...Pardon?"
He scratched his neck awkwardly as I answered half-heartedly.
"Ah, well.... I saw you two on a rerun, and you were hilarious. Just asking as a fan. Haha!"
A fan, huh....
Yeah, my fans had been asking about that on StarStar. When we'd join 'Daddy, I Love You!' again.
I shrugged.
"If they invite me and Yu-na back, sure, I'd do it."
"As your fan, I'd love to see you on that show again."
"Me too."
While Lee Jong-min stepped away to take a call, I quietly browsed the veggie aisle packed with all sorts of produce.
What ingredients did I need again?
I pulled out my phone to check: green onions and garlic.
Besides that....
Asparagus.
No matter how hard I looked, it wasn't here. Guess I can sub in another veggie?
That one looks similar enough.
I bagged some celery—which looked the closest—and tossed it in the cart.
"Now for the rest...."
As I scanned around,
Sniff sniff. What's that smell? A faint, appetite-tingling aroma.
Like I was possessed, my feet stopped at the tasting station.
"Mandu on sale! Try some before you go. Buy one pack, get a kimchi mandu free."
"Sausages discounted too. Sample one—small, soft texture, perfect kids' side dish."
"Coffee discount event starting!"
I eyed the sizzling mandu station where the dumplings steamed.
Freshly fried mandu glistened with oil. I swallowed hard, staring intently, when—
A friendly-looking ajumma smiled and offered me one.
"Wanna try?"
"Oh, no...."
I waved it off, then paused.
'I forgot—I don't have to hold back anymore. Just one?'
I nodded slightly.
Pulled down my mask, took the mandu, and popped it in.
Juicy burst.
Salty soy sauce and meaty flavor.
Heavenly.
"These are seriously good. Gimme one—no, two packs."
I grinned as I said it, and the ajumma's eyes widened.
"Oh my! You're that famous daughter-doting actor Lee Jun-seo, right? No way! It is him!"
All eyes turned my way.
"Who's that? A celeb? Oh! It's that daughter-doting thug Young-seok!"
"Does that mean So-ah's here too?"
Ajummas gathered around, eyes darting everywhere.
Then they started asking where Yu-na was, and I broke into a sweat.
"Uh, well.... My daughter's at kindergarten, so she's not here—too bad."
"Aw, really? What a shame."
"Ah! Try this? Freshly grilled—eat it hot."
"Sample this too."
"Here's a sausage for you."
With few customers around, only the ajummas manning the stations recognized me as an actor.
Lucky break.
If I'd come later, I couldn't have shopped in peace.
Look at them now.
Offering me their samples one by one, putting me in an awkward spot.
"Um, that's enough...."
"Aigoo, so tall and handsome."
"Right? Hohoho!"
I was edging away awkwardly when Lee Jong-min returned, looking seriously upset.
His arrival chilled the mood, and the crowd scattered like they'd seen a ghost.
Perfect timing.
"Hey, Jong-min? Everything okay? You look down...."
"Actually.... My wife insists on inviting you over for a proper dinner tonight. She asked me to check if you're free.... Is it alright?"
"Oh, yeah, sure...."
He sighed heavily.
"Whew, good. She was pressuring me so much to invite you...."
His big frame but soft personality cracked me up.
"Hahaha! This time I can eat whatever I want—no holding back."
"Then we should stock up big. Any must-haves?"
I declared firmly.
"Anything but chicken breast or egg dishes."
We bought just enough ingredients for breakfast and dinner tomorrow and headed home, right around Yu-na's pickup time.
I stashed the meat and veggies in the fridge, tidied up quick, and stepped out.
Perfect timing—the New Sprout Kindergarten bus pulled up right at the apartment gate.
Yu-na hopped off the bright yellow bus and barreled into my arms.
"Daddyyy!"
Been a while since I picked her up like this.... I scooped her up effortlessly and stroked her cheek.
"What's on your face?"
"Hehehe. Daddy, we had dictation at kindergarten today, and I got 100—twice! Yu-na did good, right?"
"Ooh, really? My girl's so smart!"
Praising Yu-na, I noticed the bus had already left.
Haven't thanked the teacher in charge of safe drop-offs yet....
Oh well.
Nothing to do but greet her next time.
I shrugged lightly and set Yu-na down gently.
"Yu-na, we're eating at the neighbors' tonight. You know Ha-yul?"
Flinch.
Yu-na flinched.
Then she furrowed her brow like she was thinking hard, but it smoothed out quick.
"Yeah. Sounds good. Hehehe."
"Alright.... Let's swing by home first, then head to Ha-yul's later."