Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Sledding Shenanigans
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We hurried to our destination.
We had originally planned to just fill our stomachs at the rest area, but we ended up wasting a lot of time sending away the swarming fans.
"Ah, whose fault is it that we're late...."
At Ahn Jeong-su's small grumble, I grumbled right back.
"...Is this my fault? We wouldn't have if someone hadn't gone off for snacks."
"Hmm, whose fans got us held up and made us late?"
"......"
I had nothing to say to that.
The fans who had gathered didn't seem to care what Ahn Jeong-su was up to.
They were practically all my fans.
'No, wait a second.'
Thinking it over, Ahn Jeong-su had just stood there watching me struggle amid the fans.
So I had something to say too.
"Hyung, you were just watching."
"My little bro looked too impressive to interrupt. Ah! Jun-seo."
"Yeah?"
"Got a question. Your daughter—she's not pulling that princess act like she did on the shoot before?"
Ahn Jeong-su abruptly switched topics, tilting his head.
"What're you talking about?"
"Is her princess syndrome cured? That was cuter.... What a shame."
Ah, so that's what he meant.
"Ah, so you're saying Yu-na doesn't look cute to you now?"
"Hey! When did I say that! One wrong word to you two, and I'll have anti-fans!"
While he broke out in a sweat making excuses, I turned my gaze out the window.
And clamped my mouth shut tight.
It was a bit childish.
But this was payback for leaving me hanging.
We soon arrived at the ski resort entrance.
While Ahn Jeong-su went off to buy tickets, I straightened Yu-na's fur hat.
"No catching a cold, so never take off the hat. Got it?"
"Yes! I won't take it off no matter what."
"Keep those gloves on too."
It was her first time at a ski resort, so it was obvious, but even as she answered loudly, Yu-na's eyes were elsewhere.
Her pupils sparkled brighter than usual, fixed toward the interior.
"Daddy, when do we go in?"
"Soon."
Right on cue, Ahn Jeong-su came back waving the tickets.
"Jun-seo, wait long?"
"Not really."
"Yeah? Let's head in then."
With that, we passed through the entrance and stepped onto the ski resort's white snow.
Look left, look right.
All around was pristine white, dotted with people in colorful masks and fur hats.
Without the cameramen, it'd be hard to tell who I was, right?
The thought crossed my mind, so I glanced at the cameramen.
Four cameramen and staff.
Because they were sticking with us, people quickly recognized us and started whispering.
"Honey. That guy...."
"Huh? Isn't that actor Lee Jun-seo?"
Two people approaching me more and more.
'No, wait...!'
A chill ran down my spine as I scanned the surroundings.
In that short time, Ahn Jeong-su had taken the kids and moved ahead.
Even my assigned cameraman looked busy filming Yu-na right now.
"...Excuse me, you're actor Lee Jun-seo, right?"
"If you're not busy, could we get a photo? We're fans...."
"Please."
The couple-looking man and woman lifted their goggles and pulled out their phones.
If I stayed put, the same mess from the rest area would happen again.
And.
If I allowed one fan service, I'd have to do it for everyone else.
'Yeah, reject them all here.'
Decision made in a flash, I gave an awkward smile and naturally put some distance between us.
"Ah, sorry."
"Huh? Just a photo...."
"Sorry. We're in the middle of filming."
"Ah.... Got it? Too bad."
I apologized again to the very disappointed couple, then hurried over to Ahn Jeong-su, who seemed like a safe haven.
"Jeong-su hyung! We stick together!"
"Who said to lag behind?"
"Uncle's the slow one."
"Hey, what do you mean slow."
Ahn Jeong-su burst out laughing, clutching his stomach at Su-jin's words.
"Hahaha! Good one, son."
"Yeah. Daddy's the slowpoke."
Even the reliable Yu-na chimed in.
I was speechless.
"......"
"Let's get to the rental shop. I'll explain how to ride step by step."
"...Yeah."
We grabbed our rented gear and followed Ahn Jeong-su outside.
"Everyone! Keeping up?"
"Yes!"
Why did Ahn Jeong-su, so pumped today, feel so embarrassing....
My face burned.
His son Su-jin seemed to feel the same, following with his head down just like me.
How long did we walk?
Only after reaching the farthest corner did Ahn Jeong-su finally stop.
"Alright! Halt here! Follow my instructions now. You could get seriously hurt. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"You two aren't answering?"
Ahn Jeong-su's gaze fixed on us.
Even in the corner, his booming voice had drawn a big crowd of onlookers.
Face still burning, I covered it with my hand and answered softly.
"Yes...."
"Hey! Too quiet!"
That was when.
"...Daddy, this is weird. Please don't use that weird voice. I'm so embarrassed I can't even show my face."
Su-jin's sharp jab, beyond his years. I jumped on the chance.
"Yeah. Hyung, just be normal."
"Hmm.... You two hate it, so now I wanna do it more? Fine. We're going with this."
"Yeah?"
"Hahaha!"
I knew the guy—if he said it, he'd do it. Despair washed over me inside. Ignoring our feelings, Ahn Jeong-su cranked his enthusiastic voice even louder.
"Ready to listen?"
"Yes! Yu-na's ready!"
"Hahaha. Good. We'll start with equipment names. This one that goes under your feet is called a plate...."
In the end, we got lectured by Ahn Jeong-su in front of the onlookers.
How to attach the plate to boots.
How to hold the poles safely.
Other precautions.
The endless explanations dragged on, and boredom overtook the embarrassment—yawns came unbidden.
It got so bad that....
Even the onlookers wandered off.
Even Yu-na couldn't take the boredom anymore and stopped responding.
"Now, how to move forward...."
While Ahn Jeong-su was deep in his explanation, Yu-na tottered over to my side.
"Daddy, let's just do sledding. Okay?"
"Boring, huh?"
"Yes. Not fun at all."
Su-jin stared blankly at Yu-na, then marched up to Ahn Jeong-su—who was still droning on—and kicked his leg.
"Daddy! This isn't fun at all. Stop already."
Hearing my thoughts voiced for me felt so refreshing.
Only then did Ahn Jeong-su seem to catch on.
He scratched his cheek.
"For real?"
"Yu-na wants to sled. Let's just go sledding."
Leaving his regretful expression behind, I focused on Yu-na.
She looked drained.
"Then, sled hill now?"
"Really? Yes! Yu-na loves it."
Grrrrowl.
A cute rumble from Yu-na's belly demanding food, as she beamed innocently.
I burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Lunch first."
"Hehehe. Yes!"
And so we did.
Headed back to the rental shop to return the gear.
We left the ski resort, filled our bellies, and headed to a nearby sled hill.
The thrill of sliding down on a sled. The speed sneaks up on you—even I, an adult, found it fun.
But.
Three times, four, five....
Nonstop sledding with Yu-na had me worn out now. Time for a break.
"Kyaaa!"
"Aaa."
I let out a weak yell mimicking Yu-na, and soon the tube came to a stop.
Yu-na hopped right off the sled tube and tugged my arm.
She still brimmed with energy.
"Daddy! Let's go up again quick!"
"Can we rest just a bit first?"
The reason was simple.
The slope we'd been riding wasn't the toddler one—Yu-na had to ride with a guardian.
Otherwise, she'd be stuck on the gentle toddler slope right next door....
"One more time. Pleeease?"
"...Yeah, okay."
I dragged myself up weakly.
We were hauling the big tube up when a massive scream erupted from Ahn Jeong-su right nearby.
"Waaah!"
"Ah! Geez! How many times now! Daddy!"
I turned my head.
Su-jin and Ahn Jeong-su were sliding down, sprawled in a ridiculous pose.
What the heck were they doing.
"Hahaha! That's Ahn Jeong-su, right? He's even funnier than before."
"Was he always that type?"
"He seems way more entertaining now."
I nodded along a hundred percent with the guardians murmuring about how funnier he'd gotten.
His character had definitely shifted. To a more immature image than before.
Five minutes waiting in line.
We climbed back up the slope with Yu-na, and the safety attendant grinned.
"Having a blast, huh?"
"Yes. Super fun. Even more with Daddy."
"Hahaha! Yeah? Head to spot 2 this time."
I moved to spot 2.
Spot 1 next to us was for the cameraman.
Only after the people ahead cleared out safely did we follow the safety attendant's directions.
"Kyaaa!"
As we sped up going down.
Suddenly Yu-na threw both arms up.
Thwack!
My chin took a hit, and I staggered—reflexively wrapping both arms around Yu-na.
My body tilted sideways more and more.
In the end, just like Ahn Jeong-su moments ago, I slid down separated from the tube.
Thud-thud-thud!
"Hey! A-are you okay?"
The safety attendant waiting below rushed over and checked on me.
Wanted to say I was fine, but....
My chin was still throbbing.
I slowly got up and shuffled aside. All the while, Yu-na in my arms just grinned innocently.
I plopped down on the ground using her soft cheek as a pillow and yanked off my glove to rub her cheeks wildly.
"Hehehe."
Yu-na's smile was impossible to hate.
I let out a small laugh and pinched her warm, soft cheek.
This was my minimal punishment.
"If you're hurt, I can escort you to our first-aid station...."
I looked up and met the safety attendant's worried eyes head-on.
The throbbing had eased, so I flashed a grin and replied.
"I'm good."
Only then did the safety attendant let out a deep sigh of relief. He'd clearly been genuinely worried when I tumbled while holding Yu-na.
Anyway.
"Aaak!"
"Aaaak!"
Familiar screams rang out again.
I kept pinching Yu-na's cheek and looked toward the noise.
"Ah, seriously! Daddy! I said stop!"
"Hahaha! Thought it'd 'pump' this time—total fail."
The two, separated from their tube sled, jumped up and started bickering.
"Hey.... Shouldn't you check on them?"
The safety attendant replied coolly.
"They've got the energy to fight, so they look fine. If they're hurt, they'll go to the hospital themselves."
"Huh?"
He let out a heavy sigh and muttered.
"Never thought someone'd try board tricks on a sled hill...."
Ah, no way.
So that's why they kept falling off the tube....
Couldn't snowboard at the ski resort, so he was taking it out here?
"Whew...."
I was shaking my head when.
A weird noise came from nearby.
"Euu pru? Hehehe."