Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: One Month Later
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A month had passed before I knew it.
Summer had arrived in full force, with the heat reaching its peak. In the meantime, I'd earned enough living expenses to toss out all of Yu-na's ragged old clothes and fill her wardrobe with brand-new outfits.
Of course, this time I didn't forget the shoes.
"Yu-na, which one do you want to wear?"
I'd laid out yesterday's purchases on the floor and let her pick.
The reason for that was...
Capturing Yu-na in all sorts of looks on my phone and posting them to my private Instagram had become a new hobby.
The reactions weren't huge yet, but no big deal. I hadn't started it to get famous anyway.
I smiled faintly as I watched Yu-na deliberate carefully.
"Hmm, Yu-na likes this one best!"
In her tiny hands was a bright yellow sundress.
*Click!*
I caught her pure smile in that fleeting moment on my phone.
"But, Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"Where are we going today?"
"Oh... Today we're going to meet that scary director from last time."
Last night, while I was washing up, I'd gotten a sudden text from Director Lee Han-sol.
He wanted me to come to his office tomorrow at a specific time. Said he had good news. And to come as early as possible.
I'd changed into some casual clothes before Yu-na and checked myself in the mirror.
For some reason, I felt like I needed to look neat and put-together today.
So I went with a crisp white dress shirt and black slacks that matched it well.
This should look sharp enough, right?
"Daddyyy... Help me."
"Huh? What are you doing?"
Yu-na had shoved her hands into the head hole and was wriggling around.
She'd tried to change by herself, it seemed. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Why didn't you wait for me to help?"
"But... I wanted to put it on quick."
I flipped the dress off her right away and helped her into it slowly.
"What do you do when Daddy dresses you?"
"Hands up high!"
"Haha, that's my smart Yu-na."
I straightened the dress on her and snapped another photo.
"Daddy! How's Yu-na look?"
She spun in place, beaming so cutely it made me grin ear to ear.
*No matter what she wears, it suits her perfectly.*
I could feel how much my feelings had changed from that first time I saw her.
Back then, I'd thought of her as this poor kid who'd suffered like I had in my past life.
But now...
"Daddy, all done. Let's go!"
"Alright. Let's head out."
Yoo Seol-hwa arrived early at the conference room and took her seat, waiting for the others.
*...I wonder what this is about?*
The director had called her yesterday.
He had something important to say and wanted all the cast members to attend if possible.
*"I hope it's not bad news..."*
The door burst open.
Someone strode into the conference room.
*Thud. Thud.*
It was Yoon Mi-jeong, who played the protagonist's mother.
Even in her fifties,
she looked remarkably young for her age thanks to diligent self-care. You could easily pass her off as a decade younger.
"You're early."
"I just got here. Unnie, do you know why the director called us?"
"Hmm, no clue."
Yoon Mi-jeong took the seat right next to Yoo Seol-hwa out of all the available spots.
One by one, others trickled in, filling the empty chairs.
"How've you been?"
"Haha! Great, of course. I heard you've been working out, sunbae. You've slimmed down a lot!"
"You think so? Haha!"
They chatted about this and that, waiting for Director Lee Han-sol to arrive.
Yoo Seol-hwa glanced around at them all, then leaned in close to Yoon Mi-jeong beside her and whispered.
"It's been a while since we were all together like this."
Yoon Mi-jeong shrugged.
"Yeah, tell me about it. First time since the script reading?"
"Oh! Right. Unnie, I found this promising newbie. Mind if I recommend him to Michael Entertainment?"
"We're not really taking newbies right now... You know how the CEO is."
The head of Michael Entertainment had no patience for anyone without talent—she'd boot them out without a second thought.
She valued skill and ability above all for any entertainer.
Yoo Seol-hwa flashed a confident smile.
"Don't worry about that."
"Huh?"
"Here's the thing..."
Yoo Seol-hwa quietly recounted what had happened on set, making sure no one else could hear.
Yoon Mi-jeong's expression shifted dramatically.
"Seriously?"
"Isn't it amazing?"
A working actor getting led around by some rookie? Yoon Mi-jeong couldn't believe it.
"Hmm..."
"Should I recommend him to the CEO?"
Yoon Mi-jeong shook her head.
"I'll check him out myself and decide."
She had that kind of pull, even without being the agency head herself.
She was the CEO's most prized actor.
Yoo Seol-hwa's eyes widened at the promise to see for herself.
"Really? But that might be too late!"
"If this newbie really acts on the level of a pro..."
Yoon Mi-jeong smirked.
"I'll put in a word with the CEO."
*Creak.*
Right on cue, the conference room door opened.
Director Lee Han-sol had finally arrived.
"Everyone here? Then let's get straight to it."
We finally reached the fifth-floor conference room.
I sent off the staff member who'd escorted us and swallowed hard.
Was it okay to go in now?
I could faintly hear the familiar voice of the director from inside.
And others too.
"Daddy, aren't we going in?"
"We are..."
I grabbed the handle and strode in confidently. Everyone stopped talking and stared at us.
Director Lee Han-sol and a bunch of famous actors.
Yoo Seol-hwa and Kang Min-woo were there too.
"Huh? Jun-seo. What are you doing here?"
As everyone stayed silent, Yoo Seol-hwa spoke up first.
I bowed politely and answered her question.
"The director contacted me."
All eyes immediately turned to the director.
"You're here. Take an empty seat for now. We were just about to hand out the revised scripts."
"...Pardon?"
"Don't just stand there—sit down."
"Got it."
I hurried to an empty chair and settled Yu-na on my lap.
"You've probably guessed already."
The room went dead silent at his serious tone.
Director Lee Han-sol pressed on undeterred.
"This is actor Lee Jun-seo and his daughter, whose role we've expanded enough to tweak the script for. Please introduce yourselves."
*This is the good news?*
I quickly pieced it together, stood up in a fluster, and raised my voice.
"I'm Lee Jun-seo, playing the thug this time. I'm a rookie, but please take care of me."
"Please take care of us!"
Yu-na bowed after me, and positive reactions rippled around the room.
"Let's do our best, junior."
"If he caught Director Lee's eye, he must have skills. Looking forward to it."
"Let's make it great together."
But.
One person.
A young man staring at me with heavy eyes raised his hand.
"Is this really okay?"
The cheerful mood plummeted.
Undeterred by the chill, he kept glaring at me.
"You're changing the script we were already using just for one guy? What does that make all our memorizing and practicing?"
He had a point—a hundred times over.
The script had been overhauled to add a minor role like mine. All their prep time felt wasted.
Still...
I wanted to seize this chance.
The director, stroking his chin, changed his expression.
"Hmm, fair point. Actor Lee Jun-seo."
"Yes?"
"Open the script you just got to the front. Can you show us a bit of page 13?"
"...I can."
"Daddy can do it!"
A smile I'd never seen crossed the director's face at Yu-na's words.
"How long to memorize?"
I skimmed the section he mentioned, glanced at the guy still glaring, and replied.
"Ten minutes is plenty."
This wasn't bravado.
The lines were short, so memorizing was quick. I could prove it right now.
But I needed a little time to grasp the character's backstory. People's hearts don't change as easily as you'd think.
The same went for characters in the story.
"Really just ten minutes?"
I nodded at the director's question.
Then I carefully reviewed the plot from page one, focusing on the events.
*'He gets chased by cops in an alley, trips, and gets hurt.'*
And with the heroine's help...
They start getting closer?
There were a lot of changes from what I remembered.
*'He wants to thank her for hiding him, but can't spit it out and just hovers around.'*
Fun personality for the character.
I glanced at the director.
*This isn't just 'good news' level!*
This was a solid supporting role.
*But why does he keep hanging around the heroine without speaking up?*
It wasn't romantic interest at all... Expanding my role had created a glaring setup flaw.
Should I mention it?
These things were tricky.
In my past life, I'd pointed out a vague setup once and regretted it big time.
Ten minutes flew by.
The director tapped the table.
"Actor Lee Jun-seo. Ready?"
"Yes, sir."
Page 13 opened in a park.
Yoo Seol-hwa spots Yu-na by chance and gets an idea.
"Actress Yoo. Let's start."
"Ah, yes."
"Actor Lee Jun-seo. Help your daughter with her lines too."
I nodded slightly.
Yu-na's character in the story was Kim So-ah.
I was Kim Young-seok.
A nameless extra before, but now a supporting role with a name.
Yoo Seol-hwa cleared her throat with a small cough, hand over her mouth.
Then her acting began.
"Huh? That kid..."
A calm narrator voice followed her line.
"She eyes So-ah and sneaks closer on tiptoe."
"Wait just a sec... Gotcha!"
As expected.
Even just her voice painted the scene vividly in my mind.
*Yu-na's line next.*
I leaned to her ear and whispered.
"Say 'weird lady.'"
"...Weird lady?"
No idea why she said it like a question... But Yoo Seol-hwa didn't miss a beat.
"Want the unnie to buy you cotton candy?"
It was a sitcom, so even this had to be funny. The script noted her approaching with a ridiculous expression.
*My turn now?*
I glanced at the young guy glaring fiercely. Watch closely. I'll prove I belong here.
For a real run-through, I steadied my breath and spoke.
"What're you doing to my daughter!"
I crammed in an exaggerated swagger—way over the top.
It was a sitcom.
No need to play it straight.
*The reactions are solid.*
Gasps of admiration all around.
Pretty good response.
Yoo Seol-hwa continued.
"N-No, I mean, uh..."
Her stammering voice dripped with fear.
"Speak prop—!"
*Poke! Poke!*
Lost in the scene, but Yu-na on my lap jabbed my side.
"Daddy! Daddy! Yu-na needs the bathroom..."
Oh...
We hadn't even really started...