Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: She's Hooked!
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It works!
"Mm... um..."
"Ah..."
In front of my eyes was a woman wearing a half-broken expression.
She had a visitor's badge around her neck that read 'Han Jung-hwa'.
From what I'd heard, she was the manager of Venaris's advertising department or something like that. Just looking at her, I couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.
'This... seems like more of a shock than I thought.'
She must have really liked the character Han-seo quite a bit.
That must be why she'd tried to cast an unknown rookie like me as an advertising model... and not just any model, but for cosmetics, the flower of celebrity endorsements.
Maybe, in her heart, the character Han-seo was something like her ultimate bias.
For Han-seo, whom she'd adored like that, to turn out to be a woman.
From my perspective, it must have hit her like learning "Plea was actually a man."
'Mm... what to do. For now, I should probably try to comfort her somehow...'
The shock was so great that even after twenty minutes, she still hadn't snapped out of her meltdown.
If this dragged on, we'd just waste time, and my life's first 'advertisement'—which I'd secretly been hoping for—would go completely down the drain.
'Even if it fails, it's not a total loss. In that case...'
With that thought—that I had to try something to move the conversation forward—I quickly gathered my emotions and opened my vocal cords in that familiar tone.
*
Han Jung-hwa.
She had the look of a stern secretary, with black horn-rimmed glasses, black eyes, and black bobbed hair. Even in her mid-thirties, she maintained a beauty that hadn't faded thanks to consistent care.
But because of her sharp impression and icy personality, no one could easily approach her. She was the manager of the advertising department, exuding an untouchable aura.
However, this woman—nicknamed "She-Fox" in her department and reigning as an object of fear...
At this moment, half out of her mind, was mumbling in a dazed voice.
'What is this... Han-seo... Han-seo is a woman... Han-seo...'
Manager Han Jung-hwa still couldn't come to grips with the unbelievable reality.
She knew full well that dramas and reality were different, so she'd come prepared to some extent.
After all, this person had rejected their offer—the advertising deal from Venaris that others would kill for. So she figured they must be pretty bold, or maybe just as picky as she was.
But for Han-seo's true identity... for actress Chae Soo-jeong's true identity to be a woman.
It was like the guy she'd been crushing on suddenly saying, "Turns out, I'm a girl," while flashing his chest.
'...Should I... just go back?...'
Lost in a dizzy haze, Han Jung-hwa started hating everything—work included.
At that moment.
"...Are you alright?"
"?!"
The next instant, a familiar yet androgynous voice rang out.
That soothing, sweet sound caressed her heart so gently that Han Jung-hwa, already feeling faint, lifted her head without realizing it.
One person stood before her eyes.
Seeing them, her pupils suddenly dilated.
The person hadn't changed clothes or done any new makeup in the meantime.
The large breasts visible even now clearly proved this person was a woman.
Yet at this moment, with the atmosphere suddenly flipped...
Gazing at Chae Soo-jeong's form, Jung-hwa unwittingly murmured in a small voice.
"Han... seo... Big... Brother?"
It was that exact person she'd only seen on screen all this time.
Han-seo, the one who'd made her heart race, was sitting right in front of her.
And right now, Han-seo was looking at her with that signature subtle gaze.
Not at Su-ryeon, not at anyone else—just her.
Looking solely at Han Jung-hwa, Han-seo wore an expression brimming with genuine apology.
In this dreamlike moment that felt like she'd stepped into the drama itself, Han-seo spoke in a voice thick with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Han Jung-hwa. You must be disappointed that I'm a woman. I sincerely apologize for unintentionally hurting your feelings."
"N-No... not at all. Han-seo... Ch-Chae... Soo-jeong... ssi. Apologize...? Big Bro... Soo-jeong-ssi didn't do anything wrong! N-Not one bit!"
Desperately denying it in response to 'Han-seo's' words, which even carried a hint of sadness, Jung-hwa replied.
Han-seo showed a slightly relieved expression, then directed a calm smile straight at Jung-hwa.
The smile that Jung-hwa truly adored.
The exact smile Han-seo always gave Su-ryeon in the drama...
"I'm relieved to hear you say that. Thank you for forgiving me, Ms. Han Jung-hwa."
"N-No... not at all... hehe..."
A honey-dripping, picture-perfect sweet smile.
Overwhelmed by this intensely rewarding 'prize,' Han Jung-hwa unwittingly broke into a goofy, melted grin.
At that moment.
'Gasp! Wh-What am I...'
Finally regaining her senses, Han Jung-hwa jolted in shock.
For a split second, Han-seo's appearance before her eyes—yes, it truly felt like they'd appeared—had captivated her heart without her realizing.
Fortunately, she'd pulled herself together before showing too disheveled a side, but she'd nearly created an embarrassing black history moment at the worst time.
However, setting that aside, from the previous situation...
No, even now, seeing 'Big Brother Han-seo' with the slightly large chest smiling calmly before her eyes, she gained one certainty.
'This... works regardless of gender!'
Though Venaris was in dire straits lately, Han Jung-hwa hadn't risen to manager at such a young age through gambling alone.
Despite the string of bad luck, her eye for advertising model potential was the real deal.
And in that regard, the person before her—Han-seo, no, Chae Soo-jeong—had qualities that were utterly tantalizing.
For a fleeting moment, even knowing she was a woman, her heart had been swayed and released.
With this overwhelming aura and acting prowess, capturing consumers' hearts was entirely possible.
The only issue was that she'd come looking for a male model and met a woman instead.
In a normal case, she'd have to lick her lips in regret and leave.
But...
'No big deal... We're overhauling all male and female models anyway. And considering the new product launch...'
She could slot her into the female model spot they were still scouting for, per standard procedure.
Plus, factoring in the new product's features, the drama airing schedule, and the ad rollout timing, she could adjust accordingly...
'If played right... I could turn this situation into a huge win...'
It might be a bit of a gamble.
But if this deal fell through, she was done for anyway.
Better to trust her instincts and eye and go all-in.
With her quick calculations done.
Han Jung-hwa opened her mouth in a voice laced with seriousness.
"Pardon me earlier. Let's get straight to business, Ms. Chae Soo-jeong."
*
'This actually worked?'
The contract lying before my eyes.
Examining the finalized version, I couldn't help but feel inwardly surprised.
Not at the contents, but at the decision of this woman named Han Jung-hwa to actually push the contract my way and sign it.
Honestly, even while acting, I'd thought it was a bit of a stretch, but I hadn't expected it to land this well.
Regardless, now I held a contract in my hands... and one with pretty favorable terms.
3 billion won for the ad appearance fee.
Plus incentives if results were good,
And on top of that, they'd accepted my condition...
To let my daughter audition for a kids' cosmetics ad.
Truth be told, I'd wanted to just demand they hire her outright as a model, but as a total newbie getting her first ad gig ever, asking that far was too greedy.
Feeling a twinge of regret,
But also harboring hopes that my daughter could breeze through this, I maintained Han-seo's acting with a smile.
"Thank you. I'll do my best."
"Looking forward to working with you, Ms. Chae Soo-jeong. Um... and..."
"Yes?"
Han Jung-hwa, blushing as if embarrassed about something.
She spoke to me, who felt a light curiosity, with a slight stutter.
"Th-That is... could I ask... one favor? If it's okay... that voice, just this line once..."
She hurriedly scribbled something on a memo pad nearby.
As she handed it over and turned on her phone recorder at the same time,
Sensing her genuine fan heart, I felt quite grateful as an actor and delivered the line with maximum emotion.
*
"That's all for the report."
"Oh, and I heard, Manager. The ad model contract went through smoothly?"
"Luckily. If you're done, get back to work."
Manager Han Jung-hwa spoke in her usual curt tone.
Even after closing a major deal like the contract, she showed no joy—just her typical sharp edge.
Section Chief Choi Jung-hyun, finished reporting, and Manager Lee glanced at each other warily before cautiously exiting the manager's office.
"Her personality's always been nasty, but... that she-fox seems even pricklier lately, doesn't she?"
"The mood's been tense. Word is, if she doesn't turn sales around this quarter, she's out."
Manager Lee lightly mimed a throat-slash.
Rumors swirled of a massive purge soon, so it was quite possible.
Of course, was that good? Most likely not—they, aligned with Manager Han Jung-hwa, could lose at least half their ranks.
Like it or not, if the manager fell, they'd get hit too, so they had no choice but to pour everything into work.
"Still, good thing—the contract worked out, and they're already planning, right?"
"Heard Team 1 started already. Manager's kicking off something big-scale. Guess we wait and see."
From a suffocating deadlock, a slight breather had opened up.
With a bit of relief, plus resolve for the coming frenzy, the two section chiefs returned to their desks.
Meanwhile.
"Phew... done."
Manager Han Jung-hwa had just wrapped up her immediate tasks.
Guidelines set, instructions given—now she just waited for results from below.
A brief moment of leisure arrived.
Confirming no one was in the room once more,
She carefully plugged in her earphones.
What followed was a modest yet precious treasure from this deal.
A gift just for her, from 'that person' beloved by so many.
-"You're... mine forever. Han Jung-hwa."
"Haaa..."
That voice gently melted away her pent-up stress.
Enjoying her secret solo hobby, Manager Han Jung-hwa awaited tonight's next episode with a pounding heart.
Anticipating the moment this massive secret—known only to her among viewers—would be revealed.