Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Viral Family Moment
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I headed toward the sound of Yu-na's voice with An Jeong-su.
Passing the section displaying kitchenware.
It wasn't until we entered the pet supplies area that I spotted Yu-na.
*Sigh, there you are.*
I rubbed my throbbing forehead.
She was so engrossed in staring at the tiny fish tank that she hadn't even noticed me.
*What am I going to do with this little troublemaker...*
First, I slipped my hands under her armpits and hoisted her up. Supporting her chubby bottom, I adjusted her into a comfortable position, and only then did she turn her head.
There were limits to being defenseless.
Even though I'd suddenly picked her up, Yu-na didn't struggle at all.
If it had been someone else instead of me...
I definitely needed to give her a proper scolding about this.
"Yu-na, you didn't even tell Daddy..."
"Daddy! Can I eat this?"
"...Huh?"
Her unexpected question startled me so much I wondered if I'd misheard.
A fish smaller than an anchovy, unnamed...
Who in the world would look at someone else's pet fish and think about eating it? Probably no one on Earth except Yu-na.
That's what crossed my mind.
"Uh, um... well..."
I was fumbling for words, unsure what to say, when An Jeong-su, who had been quietly watching from behind, burst into hearty laughter.
"Ahaha! This is hilarious."
"I-is it?"
I could proudly show her off anywhere as my daughter.
I'd always thought that...
But this was the moment I felt embarrassed by my own daughter.
*Haa, what to do with our Yu-na.*
My plan for the day had been to shop for kitchenware just the two of us and then grab lunch at a nearby restaurant.
But now...
Everything had gone off track.
Because An Jeong-su and his son An Su-jin had joined our schedule.
"I heard from our PD this morning. You're joining us, right?"
"Yes, I heard we'll meet again next week for filming."
I answered while watching Yu-na carefully pick out her own bowl.
Even though I knew it was rude.
There was a reason I couldn't help it.
An Jeong-su's son was just too close to Yu-na.
"Hmm, so what brings you here?"
"Our home kitchenware is worn out. We're installing cameras at home soon, so we're replacing everything."
"Then... what's your next schedule? If it's okay..."
Why was this guy acting like this since earlier?
I turned my gaze to him, who kept forcing the conversation.
His face, revealed without the mask.
His tanned skin and short hair were striking, and his appearance was all too famous.
I could tell just by looking around.
People who recognized him—and us—were starting to gather and whisper.
So it had come to this...
I no longer needed to hide my face either. I slipped off my stuffy mask, and gasps rose from around us.
Eavesdropping, all I heard were compliments on my looks.
Yu-na must be uncomfortable too, so I should take her mask off. I approached slowly, lifted her up, and removed it.
Was it because I reached out suddenly? Seeing her clear eyes widen in surprise made me chuckle.
"Why so startled?"
"You said I couldn't take it off..."
"It's fine. We're already busted."
I turned and smiled at An Jeong-su's son, pouring all my "don't like my daughter" vibes into it.
But.
An Su-jin was just staring at Yu-na's face, completely entranced.
It was already too late.
"Haa."
Our daughter was too cute for her own good. I turned back to An Jeong-su and finally gave him a late reply.
"We're about to head downstairs to eat lunch at the restaurant."
"Ah, if it wouldn't inconvenience you, Lee Jun-seo, could my son and I join you?"
"It's not inconvenient. It's just..."
I glanced around and trailed off before continuing.
"The stares from people around are a bit burdensome, you know? I wanted to shop relaxed..."
"Oh no, am I bothering you?"
His expression darkened gradually.
The whispers from the gathering crowd grew louder. What if this sparked some controversy?
Sweating bullets, I hurriedly waved it off, flashing the brightest smile I could to show it was fine.
"Ahaha. No, not at all."
Only then did his face brighten.
"Really? That's a relief."
After that, we chatted while selecting kitchenware, and by lunchtime, we entered the restaurant.
"Wow, isn't that An Jeong-su?"
"Su-jin's there too, so yeah. But... who's the handsome guy next to him? He looks familiar..."
"Ah! You know, the doting dad gangster from *Guard the Pojangmacha!*."
"Yeah? And his doting dad daughter So-ah's there too? She's so cute."
The whispering crowd.
Some didn't recognize me yet.
Lunch in peace was out of the question...
Following An Jeong-su, I sat at an empty table and naturally placed Yu-na on my lap.
An Jeong-su, who had been silently watching me, quietly spoke up.
"Um... if it's not too much trouble, could I ask for an autograph and a photo?"
"Yes?"
His sudden request startled me, and I unconsciously gripped tighter.
"Daddyyy. Can't... breathe."
"Oh, sorry."
I loosened my hold and turned my gaze.
An Jeong-su continued.
"Actually, my wife is a big fan of yours, Jun-seo. If I could get an autograph and photo..."
Here's what he said.
While cleaning his room, his wife found emergency cash he'd hidden away.
When she pressed for where it came from, he finally confessed.
*3 million won.*
It wasn't a small amount, so they fought, and he hoped to smooth things over with my autograph and photo.
*An autograph and photo...*
Not a hard request.
What was he planning to buy with that money?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked An Jeong-su, who wore an awkward smile.
"What were you going to buy with all that cash...?"
"A computer."
"......"
Just a computer?
How much could that cost...
That he'd saved 3 million won for it?
Lost in thought for a moment.
I heard his mutter.
"My money... allowance is so small. I scrimped and saved so hard..."
His image differed so much from what I'd imagined that I burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha!"
"It's not funny... With such a tiny allowance, I worked so hard to save it."
"Ah, that must've been tough."
"So... the autograph and photo."
"Of course I can. Want a photo with Yu-na too?"
"That would be amazing. My wife is a fan of both you and Yu-na. She's hooked on the still-airing *Guard the Pojangmacha!*..."
An Jeong-su was more talkative than I thought.
Was he always like this?
"...Where should I sign?"
"Oh, one sec."
He got up right away and headed to the gathered crowd.
He chatted with a student there and borrowed a notebook and marker.
"Here, please."
"Ah, sure..."
I was impressed by An Jeong-su's social skills. Was that how I'd warmed up to him so quickly?
Evening was approaching before I knew it.
We parted ways with An Jeong-su after promising to meet again, a bit reluctantly.
On the way home.
Dragging my tired body, I trailed behind Yu-na as she scooted along in her electric ride-on car.
"Hehehe. Going home."
I envied Yu-na riding around without walking.
I should look into getting a car soon. Relying on public transport was getting tiring.
With my driving experience from my past life, getting a license wouldn't be hard.
So much to do.
*Most importantly, an agency.*
Director Han Mun-jin said he'd recommend a good one.
But I couldn't just sit around sucking my thumb. I'd promote *High School 2022* on the upcoming variety show.
Other shows would try to book us then. I didn't have stamina for everything, so I'd pick what I liked...
I'd be busy soon, so I needed a manager to handle my schedule.
*And...*
A personal car too.
Sorting my thoughts, I arrived home before I knew it.
I went straight in, bathed Yu-na first, then soaked in the tub alone to ease my fatigue.
"Haa, this is paradise..."
After a leisurely wash, feeling refreshed, I heard a strange noise from the living room.
"Hehehe. Really? Yeah. That's right. I went with Daddy. We saw a kitty cup there... Ah! Fishies too."
Definitely Yu-na's voice.
Who was she talking to?
Sneaking closer.
Passing the kitchen quickly, into the living room—Yu-na was chattering away on my phone.
"There with friends... Huh? Daddy!"
Shaking my wet hair with a towel, I approached Yu-na.
"Who were you talking to?"
"Seol-hwa unnie!"
"...With the senior actress?"
Yoo Seol-hwa's urgent voice came through the phone. I took it from Yu-na's hand and held it to my ear.
"Daddyyy. Yu-na wants to talk."
"Ssh! Later."
I gently peeled off Yu-na, who clung to my leg like a cicada, and hurried to the balcony.
Only after catching my breath could I focus on Yoo Seol-hwa's words.
"Ah, sunbae-nim. Could you start over from the beginning?"
-Hey! You're really doing *Daddy, I Love You!*?
"Yes, but... why?"
-The buzz is insane right now. Sending you a link on KakaoTalk. Check it out.
Click!
The call ended abruptly.
Tilting my head, I opened the overflowing chat room and clicked the link she'd just sent.
*...What? Did he post that photo on SNS?*
On An Jeong-su's Stargram, there was a picture of Yu-na and me smiling cozily together.
And the tags...
#NewFamilyMember, #CutenessMax.
#DaughtersAreTheBest, #SonsAreTheBestToo.
I froze.
Comments flooding his account.
I slowly opened the comments and scrolled through. Most asked who the cute princess and handsome man in the photo were.
*And...*
My Stargram followers were rising in real-time.
Was this a dream...?
They'd plateaued around 120k.
Now over 1.4 million.
I definitely hadn't given An Jeong-su my account.
Yet people found it and followed—someone must've spread the word.
No other explanation.
-Finally, your daily life is revealed.
-This is precious. I'll wait quietly. So, when do you join?
-Tell us when you're appearing!! Hyung-nim! I'll watch live!
-The time to dump all the saved crap is near. Where's your house?
-Finally seeing Yu-na's everyday self. So excited.
Scary comments dotted here and there.
Fans furious from my lack of posts were intimidating.
They wouldn't come to the house, right?
The thought crossed my mind.
*Nah, would they really shit?*
Shrugging lightly, as I reached for the balcony door.
Yu-na was pressed right against it, brows furrowed.
She seemed mad I'd taken the phone.
"Haa, guess I need to call back."