Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: How Old?
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Scene 43
How Old?
Lee Jae-yoon ended the call, his expression grave.
Chief Secretary Jeong Dae-su, who had come up to the room, exchanged words with him, his own face serious.
“I will add more security personnel.”
“Don’t just add more, bring it to maximum capacity. And the security team is for defense, right? Secure some people who can do the heavy lifting, too.”
Chief Secretary Jeong, feeling that Lee Jae-yoon might be escalating things too much, cautiously offered his opinion.
“How about we ask for help from the local police?”
Lee Jae-yoon shook his head.
“We’ll consider that after we’ve recovered the footage.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll prepare everything immediately.”
As Jeong Dae-su left to make the arrangements, Lee Jae-yoon threw off his gown and quickly changed his clothes.
“How dare they touch my sister?”
He didn’t know who they were, but they had recklessly threatened and intimidated her. Manager Park’s report mentioned something about the mafia, but he had scoffed when he heard the targets were Korean immigrants who owned a farm.
Even in Korea, there were local bigwigs who lorded over others with a posse of thugs. It seemed they couldn't kick the habit even after moving abroad.
‘I’ll make them pay dearly.’
Returning to his quarters, Chief Secretary Jeong Dae-su assembled the executive team.
“I don’t care if it’s a security firm or a PMC. Find a place with skilled people. A company that’s loyal to its employer’s demands. Get me their numbers!”
Everyone had been resting but came running. At Jeong Dae-su’s command, they moved with perfect coordination.
A short while later, contracts were immediately drawn up with two security firms and one PMC.
After arranging to charter a vessel to Malta, Chief Secretary Jeong reported back to Lee Jae-yoon.
Having checked out of the hotel, HS Energy departed for Malta, accompanied by over twenty bodyguards and a five-man team of professional mercenaries.
*
The person who showed the biggest change after the news that Yu-hyeon was the drama’s co-writer was Jo Seong-hyeon, the actor playing the male lead.
Normally, he would have been mingling with the lead actors and livening up the mood, but since arriving in Malta, he had been quiet and his actions sluggish.
The reason was Yu-hyeon.
It wasn't that he felt jealousy or anything of the sort toward a non-celebrity, but he couldn't help but feel subtly compared in terms of physique and appearance, which made him want to avoid being near him.
But to think that man was the co-writer. He felt that, personal feelings aside, he could no longer afford to be an outsider.
Of course, that didn't mean he had suddenly taken a liking to Yu-hyeon, or that his hesitant, uncomfortable feelings had vanished. It was just that he had a reason to keep their professional relationship as actor and writer on stable ground, and he was acting accordingly.
‘It’s not like we’ll be seeing each other forever. While we’re here, let’s just maintain a reasonable distance and avoid any awkwardness.’
Even if it was a co-writing credit, the main writer was Kim Seong-hui, and Yu-hyeon was, at best, a rookie. He thought of him as an assistant writer. He assumed Yu-hyeon had landed this position thanks in no small part to the influence of his wealthy father. This was a sentiment shared by the other managers, except for Choi Pil-yeon.
‘Otherwise, it’s impossible for someone his age to suddenly appear as a writer for a drama of this scale.’
As he was reigning in his thoughts and trying to blend in with the mood, Han Mi-ra said something strange.
‘Urus Club? What is she talking about?’
Jo Seong-hyeon, as well as the other actors, wore puzzled expressions, as it was the first time they were hearing this.
‘No way. That can’t be right. Being a co-writer for this drama is already a stretch. The Urus Club? What nonsense.’
In response to Han Mi-ra’s words, Kim Seong-hui nodded and began talking about the original novel.
‘What? For real? If that’s the case… it means that guy, Camu, was the main writer, not Kim Seong-hui.’
An unknown rookie writer. A guy born with a silver spoon, throwing his father’s money around. And on top of that, annoyingly good-looking. To think he wasn't any of those things, but a figure who ranked even higher than Kim Seong-hui.
He already felt like a line had been drawn between himself and Yu-hyeon, but now it felt like a solid wall had been erected.
Jo Seong-hyeon stared at Yu-hyeon with an expression of utter disbelief.
Unlike Jo Seong-hyeon's dazed and hesitant reaction, the actresses responded immediately.
A series of remarks and exclamations, typical of actresses, followed. Yu-hyeon simply nodded with a composed expression.
Just then, President Kang Man-dong joined the conversation.
“Writer-nim, instead of these formal titles, how about we all just call each other by name and get along casually?”
At Kang Man-dong's words, everyone waved their hands as if to say they couldn't possibly do that, but he continued.
“As you can see, where I live and all… and this kid, Yu-hyeon, being an only child… he grew up with almost no friends. That’s why he’s become so blunt and quiet.”
Kang Man-dong moistened his throat with some wine and went on.
“It’s not like there’s a huge age gap. How about you all treat him like a friend? Calling each other older brother, younger brother, that wouldn't be so bad. Or would that be difficult for you actors?”
At Kang Man-dong’s words, everyone’s eyes sparkled. To be on casual, friendly terms with the writer of the Urus Club, not just any writer? There was no reason to dislike that idea.
Jo Seong-hyeon, who had shrunk back again at the mention of Yu-hyeon being the original author and screenwriter for the Urus Club, craned his neck as if seizing an opportunity.
‘Right! No matter how great he is, if I make him my younger brother, that’s that. No, it's even better. I’d be the Urus writer’s older brother!’
Jo Seong-hyeon could vividly picture his social media followers exploding. The number of ‘likes’ he would get, and the amount of buzz the title “the Urus writer’s older brother” would generate!
Jo Seong-hyeon looked at Kang Man-dong and Yu-hyeon, as if asking if it was really okay. Kang Man-dong, having been the one to suggest it, had no reason to object, and Yu-hyeon also nodded as if it didn't matter.
Yu-hyeon had felt a brief moment of discomfort at his father’s suggestion to act like friends, but he changed his mind when he realized it might help speed up the drama filming.
Jo Seong-hyeon immediately began to inquire about their ages.
“I’m not sure about other countries, but in Korea, age is a pretty important part of our culture.”
Jo Seong-hyeon trailed off, asking Yu-hyeon his age. He looked younger than him at a glance, but he couldn't just blurt out, ‘You be the younger brother.’ So, he laid the groundwork first. Then Kang Man-dong chimed in again.
“That’s right. Koreans should follow Korean culture.”
Once Kang Man-dong voiced his approval, Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim joined the conversation.
“For us, it would be an honor to be on such terms. We’d get to be the Urus writer’s older sisters. Would that be okay? Camu… I mean, Yu-hyeon?”
“Oh my, then… does that mean we’ll be your older sisters, Yu-hyeon? Hohoho.”
Using his Korean name, Yu-hyeon, instead of his foreign name, Camu, Seong Ye-rim and Lee Ha-na subtly brought up the topic of being older sisters and a younger brother.
At that, Kim Seong-hui, who had been enjoying her wine, let out a “*Cough!*” as if she had choked.
‘Have they all lost their minds? Check his age before you run your mouths, you fools!’
Yu-hyeon looked at the three of them and nodded.
“You’re suggesting we do it the Korean way?”
Jo Seong-hyeon, Lee Ha-na, and Seong Ye-rim nodded repeatedly with expressions that said, ‘We’re Korean, after all!’
“So, how old are the three of you…?”
“I’m 27.”
Jo Seong-hyeon was the first to state his age.
“We’re both 26.”
Lee Ha-na said, pointing to herself and Seong Ye-rim, indicating they were the same age.
“Ah, I see. I’m 28.”
When Yu-hyeon revealed his age, the three, who had been all smiles, suddenly looked shocked, their faces screaming, ‘Huh? What? No way!’ Jo Seong-hyeon, in particular, looked as if he had just seen the ghost of an ancestor.
“You’re Seong-hyeon, right?”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
“Call me hyung.”
“...”
“And you two are the same age?”
“Yes…”
“Call me sunbae-nim.”
“What? No, why…?”
He told Jo Seong-hyeon to call him ‘hyung,’ so why were they supposed to call him ‘sunbae,’ not ‘oppa’?
“Is there some other title you’d prefer to use?”
“Since Jo Seong-hyeon is calling you hyung, of course we should call you oppa.”
Seong Ye-rim raised her voice as if to ask why he was discriminating against them.
“You’re actresses, though. I feel uncomfortable being too casual, as if you were my little sisters. I tend to be strict with those younger than me.”
“No! Please, just do it. Yu-hyeon oppa.”
Kang Man-dong, who had been watching the conversation with a look of anticipation, promptly took Seong Ye-rim’s side.
“That’s right. If some get to be brothers and sisters while others are treated formally, that’s discrimination.”
“You think so too, right, sir?”
“Of course. What kind of world do we live in? Everyone should be treated equally.”
As Kang Man-dong nodded repeatedly, Yu-hyeon reluctantly gave in, saying, “Alright, let’s be siblings.”
“Yes, oppa! Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Seong Ye-rim!”
Seong Ye-rim was so delighted she was all smiles as she reintroduced herself.
‘Are they the type to willingly create trouble for themselves?’
Yu-hyeon let out a small chuckle.
“Alright. Ye-rim. Ha-na. Seong-hyeon. I can call you that, right?”
“Yes!”
“Of course.”
“Uhm, yes.”
Jo Seong-hyeon looked quite shocked to find out he was the younger one, not the older brother, but he quickly fixed his expression.
On second thought, it didn't matter when it came to increasing his social media followers and ‘likes.’
Kim Seong-hui watched Kang Man-dong’s pleased expression and clicked her tongue.
‘He never misses an opportunity when an opening appears.’
She had noticed from the start that he wasn't fond of the formal titles like ‘Writer-nim’ and ‘Actor-nim.’ And now, Kang Man-dong had successfully pushed their relationship to the next level.
“Well, that’s it for me.”
As Yu-hyeon rose from his seat, everyone looked at him as if to say, ‘Why so soon?’
“Shouldn’t you all wrap it up soon, too? You have a shoot early tomorrow morning.”
*Hey guys, if you want to finish filming in two weeks and go back to Korea, you need to be diligent.*
“Ah… right. The shoot is early in the morning.”
Kang Man-dong was about to ask why he was leaving so early but quickly shut his mouth when he heard about the early morning shoot.
‘Well, today isn’t the only day.’
*
It was the dead of night, with still two hours to go before sunrise. Yu-hyeon woke up and changed into his workout clothes.
He wasn't one to neglect his exercise routine, but in a situation where danger could strike at any moment, he needed more than just ordinary physical maintenance; he needed his body to be sharp.
Heading outside, Yu-hyeon took a light jog around the farm before turning toward the warehouse on the outskirts.
‘The light is on?’
Arriving in front of the warehouse, Yu-hyeon tilted his head in confusion.
This warehouse was set up as a gym, so besides himself, no one else had a reason to be there.
He slid the door open and saw his father furiously pounding a punching bag.
“Father?”
“You’re here?”
“What are you doing up so early?”
Kang Man-dong answered Yu-hyeon’s question with one of his own.
“What time do you think they’ll get here?”
“Since they happen to be in Italy, they’ll either arrive within the time frame, or they might just send their people.”
“Marcos told you that?”
“He’s surprisingly well-connected. And since this is something you’re concerned about, he looked into it right away.”
Kang Man-dong nodded as if that was good news.
“He looks like he should be a fighter in some underground ring, but he’s surprisingly capable.”
“Father, I’ll handle HS on my own.”
“What are you talking about? The Executive Director lady is a kids’ fight, just like you said, but that president fellow, that’s a grown-up’s fight. I should be the one to finish it.”
Kang Man-dong shuffled his feet, then lashed out with a side kick, sending the punching bag flying.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to have a match with that president…”
“Am I a kid? To be throwing punches at my age.”
“Then why are you here at this hour?”
“It’s not about why I’m here at this hour. This is the time I work out, too. The older you get, the more thoroughly you have to take care of your body.”
“Ah… right. That’s a good idea.”
Nodding as if he understood, Yu-hyeon began to stretch.
“By the way. There were a lot of people yesterday, so I kept quiet, but…”
“...?”
“You invested? 3.3 billion won, at that?”
“It’s not my money.”
“Not your money?”
“No. It’s from a creative support fund from the tourism board. I connected them.”
“Ahem. Is that so?”
“Yes. Where would I get 3.3 billion won to pour into a drama? What about you, Father? You spent over 1.1 billion won without telling me?”
“I did no such thing.”
“Are you saying Writer Kim was lying?”
“I merely said that’s how much it would cost to use this place as a filming location.”
The two, who had been questioning each other about making investments without discussion, turned away with awkward expressions.
While it wasn't entirely unintentional, it turned out that the father and son had invested billions with just a few words between them.
“If other people find out…”
“That should never happen.”
The two looked at each other and nodded silently.
“How about a round of sparring? It’s been a while.”
“You’ll break a bone.”
“Just go through the motions! Just the motions! If we go until someone breaks a bone, is that even sparring?”