Chapter 41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Bridge Second Loading
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The materials were a bit sparse since I only had what I'd downloaded from the email, but with all the plans in my head, I headed confidently to the meeting spot.
Entering the cafe, I found it packed even though it was dinnertime.
I grabbed an empty seat and prepped my laptop for the explanation.
Ding-a-ling.
Lifting my head at the sound of the cafe door opening, in walked U Dahee herself.
Unlike yesterday, she was dressed casually.
She wore a loose-fitting white three-quarter sleeve tee with some abstract frame-like design in the center.
Below that, gray shorts and comfy sandals as she glanced around.
"Over here~."
Our eyes met, and she waved with a bright smile, peering outside.
Wondering who was out there, I followed her gaze.
A man in matching gray training shorts pulled up, parking before coming in with her.
From the way they held hands, I could tell he was her husband.
"Hello."
I stood and gave a polite bow with a professional nod, and U Dahee beamed back.
"Oh~, hello! Nice to meet you."
I greeted her husband beside her as well.
He took off his sunglasses and returned the bow.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Choi Hyeok."
He looked pretty built, like he'd just worked out. No reason to pay it much mind, but his tanned skin, chiseled face, and solid frame gave off an intimidating vibe automatically.
"Ah, yes. I'm Nam Siu."
"Sorry about this~. We were out, so I figured he'd listen in too~."
I nodded at U Dahee's words and turned my open laptop toward them.
"All the full materials are at the office, so I just brought what I have. I'll start with the storyboard."
Just as I was about to dive in, U Dahee raised a hand.
"Mind if we order drinks first?"
"Oh, yeah, of course. Sorry."
"No worries~."
Her tone carried a relaxed ease.
Even in simple clothes, her tall frame and killer figure made heads turn—guys in the cafe sneaking glances her way just from the training outfit.
And her husband's ripped muscles, casually on display, weren't exactly approachable either.
While U Dahee went to order, he spoke up.
"I heard it's just the two of you filming. That right?"
"Uh..., yes."
His sharp gaze was intense; I glanced at the counter where a long line of customers had formed.
"My wife's been retired from acting for a while now. I'd appreciate you taking good care of her, but..."
"Mm... Yes, no need to worry."
His deep, resonant voice would intimidate most people on first meeting.
I certainly felt the pressure—not to say anything dumb.
"This is what I do."
He handed me his business card. Given his build, I'd half-expected gym owner or athlete.
Yegrina Lunchbox
Cognitive dissonance hit as I took it.
"I run a small business."
"Here's mine."
As we exchanged cards, U Dahee returned.
"Shall we take a look at the storyboard?"
"Yes. I'll explain from the beginning."
I walked them through the full schedule from day one to the end.
I mentioned the concept too, and she said she'd handle her own outfits.
"You'll be filming solo, though. You okay with sound and lighting...?"
It wasn't condescension—genuine concern in her eyes.
As a former actress, it made sense she'd worry.
"Yes, so I'm keeping the concept light. Minimal gear."
She nodded along, smiling contentedly by the end.
"Dayoung was right."
"...?"
"She said your skills are the real deal."
I could only manage a wry smile.
Now I knew why those two had been grinning about me yesterday.
As I closed the laptop and got ready to leave, I overheard them talking.
"Wish I had a cute little brother like Woohyun~."
"Mm..."
Her husband looked a bit displeased. He clearly adored her too much, anxious but unable to voice it.
"Or maybe join Dayoung at Woohyun's company?"
"...You said no work."
"Still~. It's so boring~."
Her speech and mannerisms reminded me of U Dayoung.
"Woohyun's so adorable, teasing him is fun~."
Choi Hyeok looked awkward at that.
"Of course~, my hubby's cool and dependable~."
She caught it and gently stroked his cheek.
He glanced at me flustered, and our eyes met. I flashed a big smile.
"You two make a perfect couple."
"..."
No reply left me a bit embarrassed.
"See you Monday, then."
We all stood with our goodbyes.
Even heading out, they never let go of each other's hands.
U Dahee gazed at her husband Choi Hyeok with eyes full of love.
It felt like seeing an SNS power couple in person.
"Get home safe~."
"Yes~. Siu, see you Monday~?"
"Yep."
After they left, I trudged home, sorted my laptop, then searched his card on my phone.
"Whoa..., bigger than I thought."
Fans ordered from them for their fave celebs—the bentos looked premium and well-stocked.
And a legit big company; tons of reviews and proof pics online.
"That's how they crossed paths..."
Connections to celebs explained meeting U Dahee.
Scratching my cheek to turn off my phone, one ad caught my eye.
[Yegrina Lunchbox Delivery Notice]
[Closed temporarily for a week-long catering gig next week to assist with filming.]
Fans had apparently booked them out entirely.
"Insane..."
Curious, I checked the price—mind-blowing for just lunchboxes.
"A whole week..."
I scratched my head, Choi Hyeok's anxious face flashing in my mind.
"That's why he was worried. Damn, whatever. Not like I'm gonna do anything."
We wouldn't even see each other at the company ongoing, plus cooldowns. No interest anyway.
Training U Dayoung and future skits were plenty satisfying.
"Worst case, same company? Yeah, sure, I could."
But one-offs meant sweating immersion and discomfort.
Basically, brain fry to craft the story.
I pocketed my phone, stood, and pulled out the Scenario Book.
Immersion: 89%
Discomfort: 18%
Time had passed, and they were definitely dropping.
In a week, both would hit rock bottom.
Short synopses were tough to boost immersion with.
"Hm...?"
Scratching the book with my pen, the shimmering wait time appeared.
[Use points?]
Resetting wait time cost points.
"..."
I hesitated, then closed the Scenario Book and stood.
"Gotta write the scenario first."
Plenty of time to reset after.
Another shot at mastery.
"A week's worth will ache my brain again."
Guess I wasn't human after all.
Thought I'd wrung it dry, but the bottom still stirred.
Tap tap tap.
Started with U Dahee's character setup.
"...Loves her husband, but his clinginess burdens her sometimes..."
Rough frame done, new file: pages of character fleshed out.
"And..., a little brother like Woohyun..."
Well, I was the little bro anyway. Still using honorifics, but scenario and time would fix that.
"Mm... Tone this down a bit... Early parts should stay straightforward."
Typing, muttering to sort thoughts.
The character took shape.
Done: two full pages of one person. Impressively detailed, even to me.
"Damn... Gotta handwrite all this..."
Loved the character, but transcribing? Hands already hurt thinking about it.
"Next, story... She retired, so... Marriage comeback debut."
Felt like I was the novelist now.
Shaping real people into my vision—wild.
Back when I first got it, no clue how to use it.
Sunday.
Slept like a rock, woke and reviewed the story again.
"Need to proofread too..."
Ruffling my messy hair, read through.
Just a day later, awkward spots jumped out.
Click.
Edits done, grabbed pen and opened the Scenario Book.
"...Smoke first."
Stuck a cig in my mouth, headed to the bathroom. Opened the small window, lit up, calmed my nerves.
"Influence too..."
Might see U Dahee again or not, but wanted to leave a good impression.
My version of "good" differed from the common sense one, though.
Back in the chair, pen in hand, pressed down hard, writing word by word.
"Haa~!"
Finished: thick stack.
"Good."
Set pen down, stretched arms. First page of the scenario finally lit up.
1%