Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Water Fights and a Board Game Bet
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After ending the call, I let out a deep sigh. I'd come to the valley to have some fun, but work had cropped up anyway.
She told me to ask him?
Here's what the CEO said.
She wanted to hang our photos in the agency lobby like they do for the other actors.
But unfortunately, the photographer in charge of our shoot had a scheduling conflict and it got delayed.
So she was thinking of asking Lee Jong-min for my photo...
"Will it just burden him unnecessarily?"
From what I'd seen of his personality so far, he'd definitely accept gladly.
That didn't mean there was any guarantee he wouldn't feel pressured.
"Hmm..."
I'd have to gauge the mood later and ask.
In a way that minimized any burden.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
The kids who'd been playing came running barefoot over the gravel.
They exchanged glances and grinned before flicking water at me.
The water splashed everywhere without hitting me much, but I played along and collapsed onto the mat.
"Ow! I'm dying! Stop!"
"Hehehe. Yu-na beat Daddy!"
"Not yet, Yu-na. Keep attacking!"
I'd been taking their weak attacks and playing along, but as things quieted down, the stream of water aimed at me intensified.
Squinting, I saw the kids were using water guns.
This wouldn't do.
Under the relentless assault, I fumbled around and grabbed a big water gun.
This was the one I'd brought.
It was cheating for an adult to use a weapon against kids, but...
Two against one was cheating too.
And now the kids had water guns.
I boldly aimed mine at Yu-na and Ha-yul and fired.
Unlike their puny streams, the water from my gun was powerful.
"Eek!"
"Ha, surrender! Mister! We surrender!"
Ha-yul and Yu-na didn't run from my barrage. They just raised their hands to block the water.
This...
Was more fun than I thought?
I paused the attack and carefully stood, aiming at them again.
"So...
Why'd you attack me?"
If no one had played along, it'd have been awkward, but luckily quick-witted Ha-yul went with it.
"P-please spare me. This was Yu-na's idea. I didn't do anything wrong."
Blame-shifting while groveling cutely, Ha-yul's act made Yu-na flinch and protest innocently.
"Daddy! That's not true! Ha-yul's a liar! I never said that!"
"If you just spare me..."
Ha-yul picked up a small pebble and held it out to me. It sparkled like a gem in the sunlight.
"I-I'll give you this."
"Why give that to me?"
"Please send me back unharmed."
It really looked like she was offering a gem as ransom for her life.
Her earnest expression nailed it.
"Not bad, huh?"
Even in this impromptu roleplay.
I was impressed by Ha-yul's quick thinking in using props around her.
"She's got some serious talent."
...
Should I keep going a bit?
I kept the water gun trained on her and smirked.
"Fine. I'll make an exception and spare you. Provided you dodge this water gun's attack, that is."
Was she too immersed?
I'd aimed at Ha-yul without noticing Yu-na tugging my pant leg, her eyes welling up.
"Daddy! She's lying! It's really... a lie. Sniff. I didn't say to attack first..."
Yu-na pursed her pouty lips and wiped her tears with tiny hands.
'This was Yu-na's idea.'
Probably because of that line?
Her sniffling protests made it obvious.
I set down the water gun and scooped up Yu-na, who was bawling. I gently wiped her wet cheeks.
Her cheeks were cold.
But her tears were so warm.
"It was just pretend. Daddy believes everything Yu-na says. So stop crying, okay?"
"Sniff. Sniff. Really?"
"Of course. Who else would believe our girl if Daddy doesn't?"
Only after Yu-na's tears stopped did Yoon Si-won and Lee Jong-min, who'd been watching from afar, approach.
"As expected of an actor. Jun-seo, you totally change when you're acting. Scared me there."
"You're really good at improv. Who'd our girl take after to act so well?"
At Lee Jong-min's question, Ha-yul put her hands on her hips and declared proudly.
Just like Yu-na.
"Obviously Mom. If she took after Dad, her lies would show all over her face. Right, Mom?"
Lee Jong-min wilted at Ha-yul's sharp jab, shoulders slumping dejectedly.
When should I ask?
I'd planned to casually bring it up over lunch while gauging the mood, but Yu-na and Ha-yul kept interrupting, foiling me several times.
And now.
We're back at the pension, sitting in a circle preparing a board game.
Not the right vibe to bring up work.
No helping it.
I'd have to see how things go later.
"Ahaha! Jun-seo, you know the rules? Can we start?"
I shook off my thoughts at Lee Jong-min's question and nodded.
"Give me a minute. First time with this game, so I need to read the instructions."
It's a game where you roll dice and buy world cities one by one.
"World Tour Marble."
I'd heard of it.
But never played it myself.
As I pored over the small rulebook, laughter erupted ahead.
"First time for you, Jun-seo? Won't go easy just 'cause of that."
"Loser does the dishes? That's what makes it fun. Right, honey?"
"Ahaha! Exactly."
What was this con artist couple?
Putting penalties on a newbie like me? Seemed unfair...
Oblivious to my thoughts.
Yu-na declared confidently.
"Daddy never loses!"
"Tch! My daddy doesn't either!"
Before I knew it, a showdown between our families was set—without my input.
The game began.
"Daddy, hurry!"
"Got it. I don't need rushing. Watch closely."
The two dice left my hand.
Roll. Roll.
As they stopped, Yu-na shouted.
"Daddy! Ten!"
Impressive how she calculated like other kids her age now.
But I couldn't smile.
My piece landed on Uninhabited Island.
Right from the start...
"Ahaha! Uninhabited Island's great. My turn? Rest easy."
Lee Jong-min's roll was five. They'd bought that city, so as long as Yu-na didn't land there, it'd be fine.
"Yu-na, roll well."
"Okay!"
Yu-na grabbed the dice and flung them outward hard.
Not like that...
Luckily Ha-yul quickly retrieved the far-flung dice.
"Just roll gently. Like this."
Roll. Roll.
"...Got it."
Still mad?
Yu-na coolly replied to Ha-yul and rolled obediently.
The result...
Unexpectedly, another ten.
Ha-yul and Lee Jong-min burst out laughing. Even Yoon Si-won, spectating, joined in.
"Ahaha! Both chilling on Uninhabited Island. Ha-yul's turn."
"Hehehe. Watch this, Yu-na."
After that, we took multiple trips to Uninhabited Island.
But they kept landing on our expensive properties, deciding the winner quickly. I shrugged, flashing a victory smile at the losers.
"Such bad luck. Ha, game's too easy. Way too easy. Ahaha!"
"Easy. So easy. Ha-yul, you really suck at games. Hehehe."
He stared at the dejected Ha-yul, head bowed. Then suddenly he held up one finger solemnly.
"...Double or nothing?"
"What's in it for us?"
"If you need my help, I'll assist anytime."
His words made my eyes light up.
"The lobby photo."
I could use the game penalty as a shield to ease the burden?
If he seemed reluctant even a little...
I could play it off as a joke.
Quickly scheming, I smirked.
"Sounds good. Actually, I had a favor to ask. Ahaha!"
"Really?"
"Let's go again!"
Unlike the first round, their luck was strong this time.
Now it was who bankrupted first.
That was the game.
In the suffocating tension, Lee Jong-min rolled casually. He seemed indifferent to winning or losing, unlike us.
"Ever traveled abroad, Jun-seo?"
"Uh, yeah... no, actually never. You?"
"Ahaha! I go often for work. Until last year, I was in France... Ah! Safely passed. Your turn."
A famous photographer, huh?
I handed Yu-na the dice he'd rolled and cautiously asked.
"Don't know the industry well... but you're famous, right?"
"Yeah. Embarrassing to say it myself, but pretty famous."
Tap. Drip.
Lee Jong-min's eyebrow twitched.
Yu-na narrowly avoided their expensive city.
"Our girl's turn."
"Uh, yeah!"
"Land on it. Land on Yu-na's land..."
I chuckled at Yu-na cursing Ha-yul.
It was just a game.
Did she have to go that far?
Tap! Drip.
The dice rolled.
As they stopped, Yu-na's lips curved up.
Mine did too.
'We win.'
It landed on Ha-yul's London.
Ha-yul now had two choices.
Sell her properties to the bank for toll or admit defeat and go bankrupt.
I grinned mischievously at the pondering Ha-yul.
"Aw, too bad. Sell all your cities? Or bankrupt?"
"......"
Ha-yul looked downcast.
Hurt from two losses, probably.
I tried to console her sensitively, but Yu-na smirked just like me and said.
"Hehe. Landed on mine. What now, Ha-yul?"
"...I lost."
"Yay! Yu-na wins again!"
Elation and defeat crossed faces as Lee Jong-min shrugged lightly, conceding.
"We lost. You had a favor, right? What is it?"
Scratching my neck, I asked carefully.
"Honestly, asking via game feels off... Say no if you want. Got it?"
"Ahaha! What is it? You're making me nervous."
Just then.
Yoon Si-won returned with prettily cut fruit and joined in.
"Feel free. He'll help with anything he can."
I swallowed dryly.
Then I looked Lee Jong-min straight in the eye seriously.
"Would you take a photo of me and Yu-na? We want it for our agency lobby."
"......"
I watched his expression.
He blinked, then burst out laughing. Was something weird in what I said?
The thought passed.
He stopped laughing and spoke.
"If it's that, of course. Anything else? I'm premium help, you know."
Whew.
No reluctance or annoyance. Didn't seem burdened.
"...That's it."
"Really nothing else?"
I nodded at Yoon Si-won's repeat. Honestly, nothing else to ask.
"You'll do it?"
At my question, he jumped up.
"Ahaha. Perfect timing. Old gear's in the shed behind the pension. Shall we go now?"
"N-now?"
"Sun's setting. Prime time. Let's head out."