Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Variety Show Contract
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Once the contract was signed, both of their faces lit up with astonishing brightness.
Were they expecting me to suddenly change my mind and back out? The main PD quickly snatched up the freshly signed document.
"The contract is complete. Thank you for making time in your busy schedule."
"Not at all. I'm the one who's grateful for this great opportunity. Thank you."
"Oh! Let me get you some more drinks. Please wait just a moment."
An awkward silence fell after Kim Eun-young headed to the counter. Ahn Ki-hoon, who had been furtively glancing at us, silently moved his lips.
It seemed like he had something to say to me.
"Do you have something to say?"
At my question, he finally spoke up.
"Jun-seo, you shot to massive popularity with your debut project. And now you've already lined up your next one and wrapped it up so quickly."
Why was he saying this to me? I pondered it deeply, but I couldn't fathom his intentions at all.
"......"
As I sat there speechless, he hurriedly corrected himself.
"Ah, that came out a bit weird."
"...What do you mean?"
"You took a supporting role in a long-running sitcom. Your next project was supporting too. No break in between—aren't you exhausted?"
He added,
"I heard the rumor that you collapsed. So I was worried you might be pushing yourself too hard...."
Only then did I understand what he meant.
He was concerned about my health.
With all my memories resurfacing, it must have been referring to that collapse.
There had been rumors about it, chalking it up to a rookie's excessive passion.
At first, Director Han Mun-jin took a ton of heat for it. People were like, "How hard did you work him to make him collapse?"
It happened right when I was taking a break for psychological therapy, which fueled it even more. I released a statement and some recent photos to clear things up, and it eventually died down....
Thinking back on it now made my face burn.
Every rookie wants to stand out, so they pour everything into whatever comes their way.
'Take actors, for example.'
Trying to impress the director with ad-libs not in the script.
Or overdoing acting practice to hone their skills until their body breaks down....
That's exactly what happened to me.
"And now you're jumping straight into a variety show with no break.... I just worry it's too much."
"Hey! You jerk!"
Kim Eun-young came rushing back with the drinks and smacked Ahn Ki-hoon on the head.
Smack!
It was a crisp sound.
"Why!"
Ahn Ki-hoon, caught off guard by the sudden hit, furrowed his brow and raised his voice.
But Kim Eun-young smacked him hard again.
"Why would you ask something like that!"
She grabbed the back of his head and bowed toward me.
"I'm sorry. This junior of mine...."
"Ah, it's fine. More importantly, there are really no precautions to worry about?"
"Ahaha. Yes. Kids that age are always full of surprises. As long as you watch them carefully without letting them get hurt, it's all good."
Tug. Tug.
Feeling my clothes being pulled, I glanced sideways.
Yu-na was beaming innocently and offering me a cookie.
"Daddy, this is really yummy."
Her lips were covered in cookie crumbs from devouring all the complimentary ones.
They looked just like a mustache.
I couldn't help but laugh.
The moment I look away for a second, this happens.
"You eat that, Yu-na. Daddy's full, so I don't really want any."
After gently brushing the crumbs from her lips, I looked back at Ahn Ki-hoon and Kim Eun-young.
"Filming starts next week, right?"
"Daddy... When are we going home?"
"Yes. Come to our studio next Saturday morning, and the camera crew will start following you from there."
"Got it. Then...."
"Daddyyy. Eat this. Pleeease?"
She kept whining, so she must have been getting bored.
I quickly downed the drink Kim Eun-young had brought, stood up, and extended my hand to them. It was an unspoken goodbye, signaling we'd wrap up and head home.
"Pleasure working with you."
"Same here. Looking forward to it."
Cameras would soon be installed in our cramped little home. Steel myself, I called in a cleaning service and had the place scrubbed top to bottom.
Couldn't exactly air our dirty laundry for the whole world to see.
And while we were at it, I figured we'd replace our worn-out dishes too. Right now, Yu-na and I were heading to the department store.
Vroom!
"Hehehe. Beep beep! Yu-na's coming through."
I glanced at Yu-na, who was gleefully driving the electric car.
Same as always.
Even though her face was masked.
Her voice drew eyes anyway.
"Oh my! That kid is so cute."
"But who's the guy next to her? He's tall.... And that physique is no joke."
"Is he a model?"
What to do.
A brilliant idea struck, and I pulled a candy from my pocket. It was one I'd snuck for before dinner, but now it was perfect.
If I gave it to her now, she'd quiet down for sure.
"Ahem!"
The lingering stares made it impossible to call her name, so I drew attention with a fake cough.
"Daddy, are you catching a cold? Oh! Candy!"
Her eyes went wide the moment she spotted the candy in my hand.
"I'll give you the candy, but you have to stay quiet until Daddy says it's okay?"
Nod! Nod! Nod!
"Okay, say 'ahh'?"
I pulled down her mask, popped the candy in, and pulled it back up.
Finally, Yu-na's mouth went silent.
"Good. Keep the promise today, and I'll buy you a toy."
"Okay."
I patted her head as she whispered softly in reply.
How is she this adorable?
We resumed walking and soon arrived at our destination, the Hyper Department Store.
But Yu-na was acting strange.
She suddenly started looking around like she was searching for something.
'Ah, she brought the electric car.'
The priciest toy car had theft risk written all over it.
Guessing she was hunting for a parking spot again, I cautiously asked.
"Where were you planning to put it?"
"Hehehe. Over there."
Her tiny finger pointed exactly where I thought: the Hyper Department Store's first-floor parking lot.
Spot on.
Just watching her whip her little head around searching for a spot told the story.
If this got caught on camera and aired.... Viewers might clutch their hearts and become Yu-na fans.
Would she end up more popular than me?
The thought popped up out of nowhere.
Yu-na had found a spot and was turning to park.
Ah, not the time.
I hurried to stop her.
"Y-Yu-na. Not there."
"Why?"
"I told you last time, right? That's for big cars to park."
"Oh...."
With drooping brows, Yu-na pulled out of the spot and came to my side.
"Then where?"
"Hmm. How about over there?"
I pointed to the bike rack.
Someone might steal it if we left it there, but at least there was CCTV right in front.
Yu-na eyed the spot dubiously but nodded.
"Okay."
She drove up to a corner crammed with bikes, parked, and hopped down.
Then she did something odd again.
She shoved her face into the back and pulled something out. A little piece of paper.
She unfolded it and stuck it on the car's hood, grinning in satisfaction.
'What on earth?'
Curious, I peeked over and burst out laughing.
"Pfft!"
Scrawled on the paper in Yu-na's crooked handwriting: "This is Yu-na's! Don't touch!"
No one would dream of taking it—it was too cute.
"Hehehe. Daddy, let's go now!"
She ran over, grabbed my hand tight, and urged me inside.
She'd promised to be quiet.
Sighing softly at Yu-na, who'd totally forgotten, I figured it was fine as long as she was happy.
The Hyper Department Store buzzed with energy.
We moved to the dishware section, where the crowds thinned out.
Dishes sparkled under the lights.
Cute cups and plates in whimsical shapes.
This was where extra caution was key.
With Yu-na along, one slip could mean breaking something and footing a hefty bill.
Sure, we'd saved enough now to live worry-free....
But wasting money pointlessly still stung.
"Wow! They all sparkle!"
"Don't touch anything randomly."
"Okay."
Even as I said it, I couldn't shake my worry about Yu-na.
'What to do.'
Holding hands might be safest. Decision made, I reached for hers.
"Wanna hold Daddy's hand while we walk?"
"Really?"
"Of course."
Her tiny, cute hand slipped perfectly into my big one. Her wriggling fingers tickled.
That soft, squishy feel....
Utterly addictive.
"Let's check out the cups first."
"Okay! Can Yu-na pick her own?"
"Yeah. Go wild."
As we ventured deeper, I spotted someone suspicious. A man in a mask like us, with a kid Yu-na's age.
Another celebrity?
That's exactly the vibe.
His well-maintained muscles and perfect proportions screamed regular trainer.
Should I aim for a build like that?
"Daddy! Daddy! Kitty here!"
"Huh?"
Yu-na's call snapped me back. She was pointing at a cute cat-shaped cup.
She loves this that much?
I picked it up—nice and light.
Perfect size too.
"Yeah? Want this one?"
"Yes! Yu-na wants the kitty cup."
"Then Daddy'll take the puppy one?"
I grabbed the dog-shaped cup right beside it. Ideal size for an adult—I liked it.
Cups in Yu-na's favorite animal shapes all around.... And maybe plates with animal prints too?
Someone approached from behind.
"Excuse me."
I whipped around at the voice. It was the suspicious guy I'd been eyeing.
"Aren't you actor Lee Jun-seo?"
My body tensed at his words.
"Hmm, no? But you look just like him."
"Ah, I am, but.... Who's that?"
"Terribly late on introductions. Name's Ahn Jung-su. Ring a bell?"
I gaped at his unmasked face.
Ahn Jung-su? The one I knew...?
The soccer star who'd represented Korea at the World Cup ages ago.
He'd vanished after retiring, then popped up on variety TV out of the blue.
'Dad, I Love You!' or whatever it was called.
With his son, no less.
Regaining my wits, I saw he was offering a handshake. I wiped my hand furiously on my clothes and shook.
"Nice to meet you."
Ahn Jung-su grinned and nudged the kid hiding behind him.
"This is my son, Ahn Su-jin. Name sounds kinda girly, huh?"
"Ah, this is my daughter, Lee Yu-na. Yu-na? Yu-na...."
Yu-na had vanished from my side.
My heart plummeted.
'Where'd she go?'
She'd been gripping my hand tight.
Just then.
Yu-na's voice rang out from afar.
"Waaah! Daddy! Daddyyy!"
Hearing her, I sighed in relief, hand to chest.
"Phew...."
"Ahaha! Look away for a second, and that's what happens. Been there. Shall we go together?"
"...Sure."