Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Contract Signed and Profile Photos
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"With this, the contract is complete."
Do Bong-seok quickly snatched up the freshly signed contract. The remaining copy was, of course, the one I needed to keep.
'Now I have an agency of my own.'
I slowly reached out and picked up my copy of the contract.
Then I neatly folded it and tucked it into Yu-na's little bag.
"Ahem! Shall we take some photos for your profile today as well? You're the first actor I've seen without one."
No sooner had the CEO finished speaking than young women entered the office.
Carrying clothes and makeup tools.
'What? Why are they coming toward me?'
There was something intimidating about their eyes.
"Jun-seo, you were filming that show 'I Love Dad!' right? It'd be great to capture the photo shoot for your profile pics."
"So... you mean take the profile photos right now?"
"Yes, exactly as you're thinking."
I felt an unspoken pressure in the CEO's smiling face. It seemed like there'd be consequences if I didn't comply.
That smile was downright menacing...
"Come on! Take him away."
Before I knew it, my arms were pinned, and I was being dragged off.
I quickly changed into the outfit the staff had prepared and was taken to a nearby salon. The marble floor sparkled like the night sky preserved in stone.
Luxurious decorations and uniquely shaped lights at a glance.
And potted plants that blatantly revealed the owner's perfectionist nature.
I gripped Yu-na's hand tightly.
I couldn't let her wander off alone and knock over one of those pots—that would be a nuisance.
Oblivious to my concerns, Yu-na kept trying to head elsewhere.
Look at her now, squirming to free her hand.
"Daddy! Daddy! Let go of my hand."
"No."
The object of Yu-na's gaze right now was the most precarious potted plant.
"What should I do in a situation like this..."
I muttered softly and stared at the man nearby holding a camera.
It would be perfect if he could watch Yu-na for just a bit.
Or rather...
'What did he eat in such a hurry to end up like that?'
Forgetting my dilemma, I channeled my inner detective, eyeing his red lips and the red stains splattered on his clothes.
'No Chinese restaurant smell soaked into his clothes, so not jajangmyeon.'
Then what could it be...
"Excuse me?"
I snapped to attention at the call from the designer, whose sharp eyes suited his glasses perfectly.
"Ah, yes! Were you calling me?"
A basket full of styling tools hung from his waist, jingling with every move.
"You're Lee Jun-seo, the one the CEO said was visiting today, right? And the cute little princess in your arms is your daughter, Lee Yu-na?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"Yeah! It's Yu-na!"
His eyes curved into crescents at Yu-na's confident reply.
"First, Jun-seo? Let me guide you to your seat. The cute princess will get her trim from another designer—not me."
"Yes, got it."
"Yesss! Got it."
I moved the boldly replying Yu-na to the seat beside me and slowly stood.
Then I turned my gaze to her.
If I left her alone here even briefly, there'd be no one to watch her.
The people who'd gone to find an outfit for her still hadn't returned, and I couldn't entrust her to the man filming us.
So...
'Haa, no choice.'
I let out a deep sigh, bent my knees to meet the blankly seated Yu-na's eye level, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"...Yu-na? Can you sit still and be good for a little while? Daddy's going to get a cool haircut."
"Hee hee hee. Yu-na's good."
It had been a while since I'd heard those words.
'Alright, I'll trust her this once.'
I gently stroked Yu-na's head, then turned and followed the designer.
"Have a seat here."
"Yes."
I sat in the guided spot and turned to look behind me.
Yu-na was sitting primly, head held high.
It put my mind somewhat at ease.
'Yeah, she's growing up now.'
She can behave.
I turned back to face the mirror straight on, and the designer asked.
"What style are you going for?"
Hm, a style I want.
Wouldn't the designer know best? This was for profile photos—an important matter. Messing it up by insisting on something would be disastrous.
After some thought, I gave my answer.
"...I'll leave it entirely up to you."
The corner of his mouth curved up.
"Got it. I'll do my best."
Yu-na rolled her eyes, glancing at the man beside her and Daddy for cues.
Potted plants filled the corner.
Among them, red berries caught her eye. They looked just like the sweet cherries she'd eaten as a snack at New Sprout Kindergarten.
'Why isn't anyone eating those tasty things?'
Convinced they were cherries, Yu-na swallowed hard.
She glanced back at Daddy. He'd kept making eye contact earlier, but now his eyes were closed.
"Ah, your skin's so clear—you must get consistent care."
"Ahaha. No, not really."
"Come on. No blemishes at all. The elasticity is insane."
Now was her chance.
With the chair reclined for a facial massage, this was the perfect timing to act alone.
Hop!
She hopped down and covered her lips toward the cameraman.
Like she was on a secret mission.
Sneak. Sneak. Sneak.
She reached the corner packed with plants without anyone noticing and checked her surroundings.
Luckily, just one person.
No one else paid her any mind besides the cameraman.
"Alright. Now's the time. Ugh!"
Even stretching her hand high.
Even on tiptoes.
She couldn't reach the berries.
'In that case...'
Hop! Hop!
Jumping high, she finally touched the bright red berry with her outstretched hand.
She clenched her five fingers and successfully plucked it.
"...Gulp!"
Yu-na swallowed as she watched juice burst from the berry.
The shape differed from the cherries at New Sprout Kindergarten, but it looked just as delicious.
'Sweet smell...'
Swallowing again, Yu-na popped the small berry into her mouth.
Nom. Nom.
The cameraman diligently filming her struggled to hold back a laugh.
'...Is this kid a natural entertainer?'
Having seen countless quirky kid moments, he thought she'd outshine the 'I Love Dad!' kids and draw massive popularity.
Even now...
Just watching.
He couldn't stop smiling.
'Like a princess in the woods.'
The scene captured on camera truly resembled a fairy-tale princess.
Vines reaching the ceiling, plants as tall as adults, and Yu-na's smile shining brighter than any flower.
The cameraman unwittingly murmured softly, then clamped his mouth shut. He'd caught a great shot—his voice ruining it would earn him grief from the editor.
So he always had to be careful.
Shaking off stray thoughts, he sealed his lips and focused on Yu-na.
What would she do next?
Predicting her moves was tough, making it endlessly entertaining.
'Will she go for another berry?'
Then it happened.
Yu-na paused, tilting her head and staring at her hand.
Her delicate, fern-like hand and cute lips were stained red. Traces of her vigorous berry-eating.
So...
'She'll go wash her hands in the bathroom.'
Once again, defying expectations.
Yu-na rubbed her hands vigorously on her clothes to clean them, then wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
Unaware of the juice smeared everywhere.
The cameraman let out a groan.
'Too adorable.'
She thought she'd hidden it perfectly.
Traces were all over her clothes and face... His mouth itched to tell her, his hand trembling.
"Whew, perfect. Your looks are so outstanding, I agonized over it."
I gazed at my reflection, turning my head side to side.
He hadn't cut much hair, yet the style was completely transformed.
Calm yet aloof vibe.
That was my first impression of the change.
'Pros really are different.'
I'd been startled at first when he reclined the chair and fiddled with my face. His intense gaze was intimidating...
Luckily, I quickly realized it was a massage and stayed still.
"Hmm..."
I furrowed my brow, then slightly lifted the corners of my mouth, testing my facial muscles.
It felt easier to use them than before. The massage? The style pleased me, and so did the service.
"I went with a trendy recent style... You don't like it?"
"Ah, no, I love it."
I smiled and replied to the designer.
But he seemed skeptical of my sincerity.
Kept explaining the style, after all.
"For a calm vibe, parting it to show your eyebrows and forehead is ideal. Really."
"No need to explain. I truly like it. Can I come here for future maintenance?"
"O-of course. Naturally. Here's my card. Book anytime except Tuesdays. If you want another designer..."
He fumbled handing me his card, rambling on.
That's when a young woman's head popped out from behind my designer.
Piercings and a headscarf.
A style bursting with personality.
"Hyuk-chan oppa. All done?"
"What? You? Prep finished?"
"Perfectly. Look over there."
She pointed to a spot filled with toys that would captivate kids' eyes.
Prepared for kids who couldn't sit still, it seemed.
"I'll go fetch the cute guest now. Please relax in a comfy seat, sir."
I hurriedly bowed politely toward her.
"Please take good care of my daughter."
"Leave it to me."
I chuckled at her thumping her chest with brimming confidence.
It didn't match her tough-looking appearance.
"Now, where's our cute guest..."
She stared right, trailing off.
My designer did the same, gaping frozen at one spot.
'What are they staring at in shock?'
Sensing something off, I turned toward where everyone looked.
Ah, shocked at that sight, huh.
It didn't even surprise me anymore.
Just a sigh escaped.
"Haa."
She'd caused trouble again. Yu-na's state was a total mess.
Her pale cheeks bore bright red stains, and the same red something smeared her clothes and tiny hands.
Does she think no one would notice?
Dad Becomes a Top Actor