Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Moonlit Masterpieces
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As he said, there was filming equipment in the warehouse behind the pension.
Lighting and reflectors to make the model stand out, and even Lee Jong-min's camera.
Once all the gear was set up, we got down to business and the shoot began.
The blazing red sunset made the valley scenery even more beautiful.
Following Lee Jong-min's directions, I struck poses and threw myself into the shoot.
"Okay, Jun-seo. Turn to the side and raise your arm high. Perfect."
Click! Click!
Yoon Si-won's movements holding and adjusting the reflector beside him were so natural.
She must help him out a lot usually.
Otherwise, their coordination wouldn't be this seamless.
"Now, move freely."
At his instruction, I turned my head this way and that, flashing gentle smiles.
Click! Click! Click!
"Have you done modeling before? Your expressions and movements are so natural."
"I-Is that so?"
"The sun's setting, so I need to shoot the next model soon... Yu-na?"
"Yesss!"
Yu-na, who had been waiting quietly beside Yoon Si-won, came running over excitedly.
Lee Jong-min knelt down to meet her eye level and asked,
"Yu-na, can you do what uncle says? It might be harder than you think."
"Hee hee hee. It's okay."
"Then... how about going in there?"
Splash!
She kicked off her shoes and socks and jumped into the stream, and the shoot started right away.
Meanwhile, I sat on the ground, watching Yu-na from afar.
She followed Lee Jong-min's directions on her own, beaming with a bright smile.
It was a truly delightful sight.
Click! Click!
How much time passed?
The sky had turned pitch black, revealing stars and a full moon shining exceptionally bright.
Yet the shoot still wasn't over.
"Okay, Jun-seo, for the last one."
"Yes."
"Could you climb up on that big rock over there? Strike whatever pose you like."
My jaw dropped the moment I looked where he pointed. The full moon danced beautifully along the rippling water.
If I were there...
It would make a stunning picture.
"I'll make sure you don't ruin the scenery, so hurry up."
"Ah, yes!"
I carefully climbed up and stood in the center. As soon as he gave the signal, I struck various poses.
Click! Click!
In the hushed silence, only the shutter sounds echoed, and I had a gut feeling then.
An amazing photo had been captured.
The shoot ran longer than expected, so we didn't eat dinner until late at night.
For lunch, we'd had samgyeopsal while listening to the stream babble.
Pork again...
'Barbecue party.'
Swallowing my tears, I cut the mouthwatering meat into bite-sized pieces for Yu-na.
Just looking at it made my mouth water.
The glossy sheen from the fat.
The juices oozing from the cross-section.
On my diet of chicken breast only, even the smell was torture.
How delicious would this barbecue taste out here? Maybe I could break my diet just for today? Shaking off the endless temptation, I fed a small piece into Yu-na's mouth.
Yu-na kicked her cute little feet happily as she ate, smiling with delight.
"Daddy. Ahh. More."
"Yu-na, chew thoroughly and eat slowly. Finish what's in your mouth first."
Nom nom.
"Ahh! All done."
"Good girl."
Smiling, I fed her the next piece into her tiny mouth.
Nom nom.
Her chubby cheeks puffed with every chew. Yu-na cupped her hands like a flower bud and grinned at the world.
Is it that good?
Lee Ha-yul, watching Yu-na enviously, tugged at Yoon Si-won's clothes.
"Mommy! Me too! Me too!"
"You can eat by yourself."
"No! I wanna eat like that too. Pleeease?"
"Sigh... Here."
Her tone was exasperated, but her actions were incredibly tender.
Yoon Si-won smiled warmly as she fed Lee Ha-yul a piece.
It was a heartwarming mother-daughter scene.
'She's changed so much.'
Tug. Tug.
Not to be outdone, Yu-na suddenly yanked my clothes and opened her mouth wide.
Who does she take after...?
In this warm, cheerful atmosphere,
Only one person had a sour expression.
'Lee Jong-min.'
He flipped the barbecue in a daze, staring blankly at the beautiful night sky.
His mind seemed elsewhere.
Yet he grilled the meat to crispy perfection.
Is he just that good at cooking?
Then,
Lee Jong-min suddenly flinched.
Yoon Si-won, who had been watching him, sighed and stood up. She took the tongs from him and asked,
"Honey, what's wrong? Some worry on your mind?"
"S-Sorry. A great idea just hit me. I'll head in first. Sorry!"
What was that about?
As I watched Lee Jong-min's back, Yu-na patted her belly and leaned back.
Hey, that's dangerous!
With no backrest on the chair, I quickly supported her back with my hand, but Yu-na, oblivious to the danger, wouldn't sit up straight.
She had just gone completely limp.
"Sip! Yu-na, sit up straight."
"Yesss."
Her tiny lips, glossy and shining, were smeared with ssamjang.
I'd fed her everything—how did it get this messy?
I pulled out a tissue and wiped around her mouth clean.
"Eat well?"
"Yes. Can I go inside now?"
"Don't forget to brush your teeth."
Lee Ha-yul suddenly jumped up from across the table and came running.
"Yu-na! Let's play hide-and-seek!"
"Yeah! Hee hee hee. Let's go inside quick."
They look like besties now?
Ever since the massive photo session with me, her attitude toward Lee Ha-yul had totally changed.
I hope they stay close...
'Yu-na will handle it fine.'
I shrugged as I watched the kids go, then picked up my chopsticks.
Huh? When did it all get cold?
The chicken breast on my plate had cooled completely.
A quick taste...
The chicken breast, which should be tender, had turned tough and dry.
'Need to re-grill it.'
As I stood with my plate,
My eyes met Yoon Si-won's as she grilled the remaining meat. Awkward air settled in, and we exchanged sheepish smiles.
"Gonna re-grill that?"
"Yeah. It's gone tough."
After I placed the chicken breast on the grill, she moved it to where the embers still glowed.
"Dieting must be tough. Out here in a great spot like this, and you can't even eat freely..."
I shrugged lightly.
"Gotta stay camera-ready."
"You look plenty sharp already."
"Ahaha..."
The awkwardness spiked, so I munched raw veggies by the grill. She picked up some meat with the tongs and ate too.
Gulp.
"...Tastes better outdoors."
"Yeah."
A brief silence.
We glanced at each other and burst out laughing at the same time.
It wasn't even that funny.
The sheer absurdity of our awkwardness just cracked us up.
"Wanna fill up quick and clean up?"
I nodded quietly.
Lee Jong-min didn't show up even after cleanup.
What on earth is he doing...?
While Yoon Si-won finished dishes in the kitchen and prepared food for Lee Jong-min, who hadn't eaten,
I closed my eyes and counted.
"...Forty-nine, fifty! All hidden?"
"All hidden!"
"Uncle! You can find us now!"
I could guess where the kids hid just from their voices.
I slowly opened my eyes and turned toward the voices.
Lee Ha-yul was in the big room.
Yu-na was in our room.
Smiling, I pretended to search the room where Lee Ha-yul hid first.
"Hmm, can't find you? Where'd you go?"
Giggle. Giggle.
Her wiggling feet peeked from under the curtain. She giggled, thinking I really couldn't find her.
Lee Ha-yul is so straightforward.
I pretended to look around, then left the room and went to where Yu-na hid.
Yu-na...
Hid in the most obvious spot.
Hiding under the blanket? It's not like she's protesting "I'm right here! Find me!"
Rustle. Rustle.
If you're hiding, stay still.
I strode forward, and the bulge twitched.
"Hmm, nothing here."
I glanced around casually and turned away.
Didn't want to find her too quick and switch roles. This was the quietest, most relaxing time.
'Second floor next?'
I raised my voice so the hidden kids could hear.
"Did you hide upstairs? I'm coming up!"
"Heh heh. You're playing along great."
Yoon Si-won, done cooking, approached and handed me a tray with sandwiches.
"This is..."
"Give it to him on your way up. He must be hungry."
"Ah, he's upstairs?"
"Please."
"Then, could you handle Yu-na? It's almost bedtime; she needs a bath."
"Got it. Go on up."
I went upstairs, pushed open the half-closed door, and entered.
In the dark room, with no lights on, Lee Jong-min stared at the monitor, clicking mouse and keyboard.
Tap. Tap! Click!
Does he not notice me?
I peeked at his screen: our photos on the laptop, in the middle of editing.
Rule is: don't disturb when someone's in the zone.
I set the tray on the side shelf and turned to tiptoe out quietly.
"Ah! Jun-seo! You're here? I just finished editing. Wanna see? It's a masterpiece."
"Yes?"
"You'll be shocked."
He grabbed my wrist and plopped me in his seat.
"Take a look. What do you think?"
I turned to the monitor where his finger pointed.
"...Wow."
My jaw dropped again.
A beautiful backdrop of moonlight on the stream, surrounded by fireflies for a dreamy vibe.
'The fireflies were added on purpose, right?'
Me, reaching into the air.
"If we hang this in the agency lobby... it'd be too much pressure."
He nodded in agreement at my mutter.
"Feels a bit overkill for the lobby."
"...It's too good—that's the problem."
"Wanna see more?"
Before I could answer, he clicked to the next one.
This time, me holding Yu-na, smiling with my eyes.
Blended perfectly with the red sunset.
Way too grand for the lobby.
Who knew he was such a talented photographer...
"......"
"I'll send the edited files to your number first. The model was great, so the results turned out amazing."
I couldn't respond.
Just possessed, flipping through the photos on screen, admiring them.
Back to daily routine after the short trip.
After a long morning battle against Yu-na's picky eating, dropped her at kindergarten.
I had a shoot scheduled, so heading to set with the manager.
"Yawn..."
He glanced at me worriedly as I yawned hugely.
"You look exhausted. Want some meds for fatigue?"
"No... I'm fine."
Last night.
Pondered which photo to send the CEO among so many, ended up pulling an all-nighter. Sent them all at dawn...
"Ah! Jun-seo. Heard? Fan cafe membership topped 100k. Congrats."
"...Oh, really?"
Fan cafe at 100k members.
Seems big, but also small. My StarTalk followers alone are millions.
Huge gap.
"So, after this project, to connect with fans..."
"Ah, hold on."
I cut him off and pulled out my ringing phone.
It was the CEO.
"Yes, CEO. Did you check the photos I sent?"
-...Jun-seo. What are these photos?
"Aren't they masterpieces? Couldn't pick just one."
-......
No response.
"CEO?"
-...Wanna use these for a pictorial? No, I need to talk to the photographer first. Jun-seo, sorry, but could you give me his number?
His contact?
I have Lee Jong-min's number, but sharing without asking feels wrong.
"...I'll ask him first. So, CEO, please wait a bit."
-Hey! Don't hang up! Wait! Lee Jun-seo!
Click!
As I ended the call, the manager's phone blared. He checked—probably the CEO.
"He's calling me too? What photos did you send to get Do Bong-seok so riled up?"
I smirked.
"Some incredible ones."
"Huh?"
"You'll see later."