Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: That Man's Way of Apologizing (2)
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Telling them the exact reason for the shipwreck would have them fainting on the spot, so I just told them to shut up. Sometimes, it's better if the truth stays buried. They listened well, which was commendable, but...
'Isn't this actually worse than doing nothing?'
If there's such a thing as a happy hell, this has to be it. What kind of suffering is it to endure in a place where everything is the absolute best? Woo Do-gyeom clearly had no concept of limits.
"Since you know the investor, Mr. Yeonwoo... could you put in a good word for us? I'm really, truly sorry to ask something so bizarre."
If even this level-headed guy was saying that much, it meant he was desperate.
"Alright. I'll talk to him." Yeonwoo let out a sigh.
* "Mr. Woo Do-gyeom."
People who could dominate any space with their presence alone were incredibly rare. Woo Do-gyeom was undoubtedly at the top of that elite group. It was a different kind of presence from Kwon Sung-hyun's.
'Is this his office or a filming set?'
The assistant director had reluctantly given up one corner of the studio being used for shooting. And since the studio's backdrop happened to look just like a typical chaebol office, there wasn't the slightest sense of incongruity. The handsome man reviewing documents at a table overflowing with luxurious aura smoothly lifted his head. The moment his cool eyes turned to Yeonwoo, a smile played on his lips.
"You came."
It was the relaxed attitude of someone who had expected him to show up here.
"Why the hell are you here of all places, Mr. Woo Do-gyeom?"
He had his own office, so what was this absurd situation of working here?
"As an investor, I'm providing some welfare in hopes that the movie I funded does well."
"Welfare?"
Welfare? His face had filled out a bit from eating well after the ordeal on the island had left him gaunt, but everyone's expressions were so strained it was killing them as they kept stealing glances over here. They were pretending not to notice, but they were clearly hovering around, deeply bothered. Even Yeonwoo, just standing there, could feel it immediately, but this guy... Was he not looking around at all?
'If he paid even a little attention, he'd see the staff aren't thrilled—they're dying over there. ...No, wait. Thinking about it, he's not the type to care about stuff like that anyway.'
Woo Do-gyeom probably never even considered looking around in the first place. He'd never had to worry about anyone's gaze before. So this probably wasn't really for the staff.
"Of course, there are other reasons."
There was likely some ulterior motive.
"I figured as much."
"It's not anything malicious. I just thought that if I stayed here, Gun might come to see me."
"That's exactly what makes it malicious."
"Why? I'm not kidnapping him, threatening people around him, or buying him off with money."
"Pardon?"
Isn't that obvious? More importantly, what the hell was this guy spouting?
"I've been sitting here quietly, just waiting for him to show up. Pretty obedient, right?"
The meaning of "obedient" must have changed.
"It's a stretch to call that 'quietly.'"
"Why?"
"It'd be better if you just admitted you were deliberately tormenting them."
"Tormenting? Why would I torment the people making my movie?"
"Then why are you feeding them so damn much? Are you trying to make their stomachs explode?"
At least he wasn't possessed by a demon. That was a positive. Everything else was a negative, though.
"I just felt bad for how hard they'd worked and wanted to fatten them up quick. I can't have rumors going around that Woo Do-gyeom starved his people."
"Moderation. Do you know the word? Moderation?"
"Is there any reason to hold back? It's not like money's an issue. You don't skimp on food. Hunger sharpens people. It can even make the dog you've raised turn on you."
Woo Do-gyeom's eyes flashed coldly for an instant.
"What you give comes back to you. Didn't it this time too?"
"......?"
"I fattened them up good, and they played their roles perfectly."
"What roles?"
"They successfully reeled in Gun like this, didn't they?"
This guy, seriously. How long had it been since he'd knelt and admitted his wrong, and he was still pulling this?
Just as Yeonwoo opened his mouth to retort, Woo Do-gyeom continued first.
"Of course, that's not the only reason. Even if Gun doesn't believe it, my intention to reward you properly was sincere."
[Truth]
"...."
A cheerful ding rang out, and a Status Window for Intent Discernment appeared above Woo Do-gyeom's head. Tsk. Did it have to butt in at this exact moment? Swallowing a sigh of regret, Yeonwoo replied.
"Do you have to do this here? People are watching."
"It's not my fault if they're the ones watching me."
With such a distinct and overwhelming presence, it was probably nearly impossible not to notice him. But hearing it laid out like that, it wasn't entirely wrong.
"And you, Gun?"
"Pardon?"
"What about you? Am I on your mind?"
"Who wouldn't be bothered by you?"
Everyone in the studio was staring at him like heroes about to slay a demon. How could anyone not be bothered?
"Good."
"......?"
"You're supposed to be bothered—that's why I came."
It was a bold statement, especially after he'd denied it earlier.
"You've been avoiding me since that day, and my patience isn't infinite."
Woo Do-gyeom added,
"I'm worried too, you know."
"Worried about what?"
"If you get into danger while I'm not around, that'd be a problem. I haven't even fully repaid you yet—what if something happens?"
"Excuse me?"
Yeonwoo was dumbfounded. His posture slanted involuntarily.
"That happened because of 'that' thing. No, more than that— who was it that turned a safe schedule into a death trap in the first place?"
The culprit who had made a harmless shoot deadly just shrugged.
"If you had any conscience, you wouldn't say stuff like that, Mr. Woo Do-gyeom."
He was a career offender. And he knew it, yet he'd shoved him into that hell anyway.
Woo Do-gyeom, the predator who devoured anything.
The Status Window clearly displayed Woo Do-gyeom's occupation. The descriptor "devours anything" was obvious. It meant no holds barred.
"Your expression isn't great, Gun."
"Of course not. Whose fault is that?"
"Mine."
"You know it?"
"Didn't you tell me yourself? That it was my fault."
He acted like he wouldn't have known if Yeonwoo hadn't spelled it out.
'Somehow, I could totally see that guy pulling that off...'
I'd read somewhere that there were a lot of psychopaths among group chairmen, CEOs, and professional executives. Not in a bad way. They were just hyper-specialized in cold calculations of profit and loss, maximizing rational thinking over emotions.
'Exactly like that guy.'
The description fit him to a T, no complaints there.
'He did apologize later, saying he was sorry. But thinking back, even that felt off.'
Less like genuine remorse to everyone and more like... he'd only done it because Yeonwoo had gotten mad at the time?
"So you said you'd take responsibility and apologize?"
"I'm giving compensation bigger than any apology, aren't I?"
Woo Do-gyeom tilted his head as if asking what was wrong. A few perfectly styled strands of hair fell to the side. It was a stark contrast to Yeonwoo's frustrated tension—the picture of calm.
"Anyway, I like how you're reacting, Gun."
"......?"
"I can see your boundaries. And once you see them, you want to cross them."
"What nonsense is that? You're in the way, period. Stop the ridiculous food torture. And quit camping out here."
"Fine. Seeing you will have to satisfy me for now."
Surprisingly, Woo Do-gyeom backed off cleanly. He snapped his fingers to summon someone, gathered his documents, draped a long coat over his broad shoulders matching his tall frame, and strode out of the studio without a hint of lingering.
".......?"
"......?"
Question marks popped up over the heads of those peeking awkwardly from their hiding spots.
"He really... left?"
"What? He seemed like he'd never budge, so why'd he suddenly go?"
"Because Mr. Yeonwoo told him to?"
"No way that's it, right?"
"But what else? The investor cleared out completely. He took everything—no way he's just stepping out for a smoke."
"Hey, get it right. The investor smoked inside too, remember?"
"Right... he did."
"So... Mr. Yeonwoo really did make him leave...?"
The eyes of those who'd been nervously watching turned to Yeonwoo.
"Whew..."
Yeonwoo sighed. Woo Do-gyeom. Annoying to the very end. Even when he backed off unusually obediently and you wanted to think better of him, the aftermath ruined it. Look at those eyes full of curiosity!
'This is maddening.'
Dealing with the hassle was left entirely to Yeonwoo.
* "Reshoots?"
-"Yeah, we think adding a bit more emotional depth would help. That scene after the breakup where they reunite. The director said it felt a little weak there. Ms. Yeon Do-hee said she'd match your schedule, so when are you free? If you're good, we can jump right into reshoots. That okay?"
"Hit another snag?"
-"Haha... yeah."
The assistant director on the other end of the line chuckled awkwardly.
-"Man. Even with you dropping by sometimes, if we're still struggling this much, reshoots really are necessary."
"Got it. Oh, by the way, any more issues with 'that side'?"
-"No, thankfully it's still holding up. Otherwise, the director's state would be even worse. He's so sensitive..."
The assistant director called it a silver lining amid the misfortune. After Yeonwoo had visited the set, Woo Do-gyeom's relentless supply bombardment had temporarily halted. Apparently, they'd been getting appropriate amounts delivered since then. The buffet truck showed up the next day as usual, and everyone trembled, but thankfully, it wasn't overflowing like before. However,
-How did you get that hellish torment to stop, Mr. Yeonwoo?
-Doesn't the investor scare you? My legs went numb every time our eyes met. Weren't you afraid?
-Eyes? Just sharing the same space gave me chills.
Instead, Yeonwoo had to field a barrage of questions.
-He said no one complained, so he thought it was fine. And everyone seemed satisfied with the food. When I told him, he just said okay and left without a fuss.
No one could believe it. Was that for real? Was that lie the truth? But Yeonwoo couldn't tell them the actual truth. He brushed it off vaguely, and though they remained puzzled, they didn't press further.
-"Anyway, check your schedule and get back to me."
"Yep. Will do."
The assistant director's voice, now familiar from all the calls, cut off as the line ended.
"Call from the production company?"
Kwon Sung-hyun emerged from the kitchen, apron on, and asked.
"Yeah. They want to do reshoots."
"Ah."
Kwon Sung-hyun approached and held out a small bowl. When Yeonwoo's eyes asked what it was, he brought it to his lips with a "try it."
“What does it taste like?”
“Delicious.”
“How’s the seasoning?”
“Just right...?”
“I made it a bit blander since you usually eat lightly. Good?”
“Yeah. Perfect.”
Yeonwoo accepted and finished the taste test almost reflexively. Kwon Sung-hyun looked pleased and headed back to the kitchen to adjust the flame.