Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: When Will the President Arrive?
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I wondered when the president would show up.
Having finished my workout early, I wandered into the agency office.
It was boring. Way too boring.
It was 2 p.m. now.
Everyone else had gone out for lunch, leaving just In-cheol in the office.
With such a tight shooting schedule, what was this about a variety show? I wanted to turn it down quick and head home...
Creak. Creak.
My manager was hunched over his desk in a tiny chair that didn't suit his build.
The chair looked like it might snap any second.
But what was he typing so furiously?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I sneaked a peek at In-cheol's computer screen.
[Guard the Pojangmacha! - Supporting Role] [Limited CF – Filming]
[High School 2022 - Supporting Role] [I Love Dad! - Short-term Appearance]
I was watching him meticulously log my activity record when...
"Huh? When did you get here?"
In-cheol turned, and our eyes met. As he stood up, the little chair let out a loud groan.
"...Just now. But what's that?"
I pointed at the screen, and he answered casually, like it was no big deal.
"This is a document of your activity record, Jun-seo. Normally, you'd take it around to variety show PDs, introduce yourself, and ask for their favor... but with all the love calls pouring in for you, it's pointless. I'm just making it anyway."
"...Then don't bother."
"It's my job. Oh! About the gym today..."
I cut off the manager mid-sentence and lightly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Today, I'm just talking to the president about the variety show gig and then heading home. And I already hit the gym before coming here, so no worries."
The corners of In-cheol's eyes drooped.
"Ah... Then you still need to stick to your diet."
"Got it. Got it. Get back to work."
Just then, the president and the staff came in, patting their bellies.
Spotting me, President Do Bong-seok called out gruffly while picking at his teeth.
"Jun-seo. Come with me."
***
"Make yourself comfortable. We've got a lot to talk about."
"Uh, sure."
I sat on the sofa, gauging his mood, and he brought over some chilled drinks.
"So, have you given it any thought?"
"You mentioned yesterday about trying a variety show. With my tight shooting schedule, it seems tough."
He chugged his drink and furrowed his brow like it was no issue.
"We can work around the schedule. You just don't wanna do it?"
"It's not that I don't want to."
"Good enough. Check this out."
He fiddled with his laptop and turned it toward me.
'Photos of Yu-na I posted on my long-term account.'
Why was he showing me this?
Something to do with variety shows?
As I looked up to ask President Do Bong-seok, he spoke first.
"Don't just look at the pics. Read the comments."
"...Okay."
I opened the comments as he said and read them one by one.
-Is it true Yu-na called a drone a fairy? Tell us the truth!
└If it's real, I wanna see it too!!
└Me too!! Where'd you hear such precious info? Spill!
-A friend told me. They said her dad really knocked down and smashed a rock. For real?
└Lmao, hilarious just imagining it.
└Share more episodes if you have them!! So curious! Driving me crazy!
Everyone was asking about episodes I hadn't even shared yet, verifying if they were true.
Had the seniors spilled them on other shows?
That was the only explanation that made sense.
As I looked up, the president leaned back and spoke.
"Seeing this, PD Park Shin-woo is pushing to put you on a special episode of '2 Days in the Countryside.' Of course, they'll call the Guard the Pojangmacha! cast too."
I suddenly remembered watching '2 Days in the Countryside.' on MiTube.
True to its name, it was a show where they went to the countryside and showed daily life.
So, this time I'd be doing a variety show with Yu-na too.
Should I give it a shot?
"What do you think? Up for it? You just play around and share a few episodes. You've got a free night and two days, right?"
"But won't everyone's schedules need to line up perfectly? Won't that be tough?"
"That's for the PD to handle."
"......"
Fair point.
It did sound tempting.
We hadn't gone far for fun with Yu-na yet, and if she'd enjoy it like at the pool...
Using the variety shoot as an excuse to play with everyone could make great memories.
I nodded right away.
"Yeah, I'll do it."
"Haha! Straight shooter, I like it!"
A faint smile crept onto the president's face.
"You think so? Haha."
Even if I firmly refused, he wouldn't force me on anyway.
I hadn't met him often, but his eye for people was spot-on...
"Honestly, if you'd said no, I was gonna film a scene forcing you out the door."
"...Pardon?"
"It would've been a shame. That sounded way funnier..."
What the hell?
My head went blank, like I'd been whacked with a hammer.
"P-President? Didn't you say it's still in planning?"
"Truth is, the shoot's set for two days from now. No other time works for everyone."
I was speechless.
It was getting confirmed this fast?
Hadn't this been the plan all along?
The president kept going.
"I'll text you the address tomorrow, so head there in two days. Haha!"
I let out a deep sigh and leaned back like him.
If I had no choice, why drag me all the way here...
***
Time flew, and soon it was the day to film the variety show with the sitcom crew.
I stuffed essentials into my bag and glanced around.
"Anything else I need?"
"Daddy! Daddy! This is a must! Yu-na's ZingZing No. 5!"
Yu-na was pointing at the electric car.
Even after the contract ended, Limited had sent it for us.
Hadn't they signed a new child actor? Yet they still sent us new products. Amazing...
"Daddy, I need it... Can we bring it? Pretty please."
I snapped to, and Yu-na was clasping her hands, begging.
Her language skills had improved; her pleading pose was different now.
'This is lethal.'
Her earnest eyes hit harder than usual, sparkling like stars in the night sky with that moist gleam.
"...Yeah, it'll be fine. Sure."
"Yayyy!"
My resolve crumbled, and she bounced around in joy.
Whatever.
I turned my attention back.
Spare clothes and underwear, towels.
Toiletries and first-aid kit. Check.
Going to the countryside—should I skip Yu-na's workbooks? After a moment's thought, I grabbed five.
Stuffing in whatever else I deemed necessary bloated the bag like Yu-na's tummy.
No room for more.
"...Maybe buy a suitcase later?"
"Daddy! Yu-na packed everything too!"
Yu-na had snuck back with her little bunny bag, raising her hand high.
That tiny thing, barely big enough for a few snacks, was stuffed so full the cute bunny looked like a pig.
"Daddyyy. Hug?"
"Yeah. Got it. Just sling this on."
I shouldered the bag, double-checked the locks, and scooped up the trailing Yu-na.
Rustle. Rustle.
As expected, the bag was full of snacks. It rustled with every move.
Even on picnics, she packed more snacks than lunch...
"Daddy, ZingZing No. 5 too!"
"Daddy's hands are full, can't grab ZingZing. Want a piggyback?"
She shook her head vigorously.
How is she this cute?
Seeing her like this made me want to tease.
I poked her chubby cheeks and grinned mischievously.
"Hmm, then... leave Yu-na home and just take ZingZing?"
"Nooo!"
"No worries. We'll bring ZingZing for sure. But you gotta do your workbooks too. Deal?"
"Hehehe. Yes!"
Yu-na and I had no idea.
That her precious ZingZing No. 5 was fated to be confiscated by the PD.
***
The drive from Seoul to the remote countryside took a full three hours.
Long haul, so my manager gladly took the wheel.
I was so grateful.
To keep him from getting bored, I kept the conversation going.
"So you're saying you haven't watched the drama I'm in? Kinda disappointing."
"I've seen all your dramas, Jun-seo. Don't worry."
"Hmm... Really? You said movies are more fun than dramas these days."
"By the way, has everyone else arrived? We seem to be the last. They saying anything?"
"Ah, we'll see when we check."
I pulled up the sitcom crew's group chat right away, but something felt off.
It was too quiet. Way too quiet.
Bad vibe. I scrolled up from the lively parts.
Yoo Seol-hwa: When are you guys getting here! I'm almost there. If you're later than me, no soup for you! Yu-na excluded.
Kang Su-ho: 10 mins out. Black car ahead looks like Seol-hwa sunbae?
Yoon Mi-jeong: Seol-hwa, not me too, right?
Yoo Seol-hwa: Sunbaenim, obviously not.
Kang Su-ho: Oh, and I'm sunbae too.
Yoo Seol-hwa: As if!!
Kang Su-ho: Arrived. Seol-hwa, why no reply? Something wrong?
Shin Dong-hyun: Sorry for being late! Just about to arrive!
Shin Dong-hyun: Why's everyone quiet?
Shin Dong-hyun: I'm here!
Then nothing after they all arrived.
'No way... They took their phones?'
That's exactly what it felt like.
Well, phones or no, it'd be fine.
With Yu-na, I'd never be bored without one.
I was certain.
"Looks like everyone's there."
"Really? Hope I'm not getting you in trouble for being late, Jun-seo."
"Nah, don't worry."
Yu-na, who had been sleeping soundly, stirred and whimpered softly.
"Daddyyy... When do we get there?"
"Soon."
Her eyes flew open round at "soon."
"Really? We here?"
The well-behaved lap-sitter wiggled her butt to peer out the window.
Just over this hill.
"Soon" was true.
We arrived, unloaded everything from the trunk.
"I'll take the electric car."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Daddy, up there?"
"Yeah, let's go up together."
"Yesss!"
We hauled our stuff one by one up the small hill.
About halfway up, two staff blocked us.
"Hold up. Jun-seo and Princess Yu-na, right? For this shoot's concept, we're confiscating all electronics."
As expected.
I glanced at Yu-na.
Her hard-fought ZingZing No. 5.
As it passed from manager to staff, her face hardened.
"Nooo! ZingZing No. 5!"
Yu-na reached out desperately, like her treasure was stolen.
Well, to her, it was treasure.