Chapter 95
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Turning Crisis into Opportunity
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Su-ah and I have been keeping things somewhat proper(?) since that day.
Just kisses and petting so far.
And only when we're alone at Su-ah's place.
Outside, we stick strictly to our actress-manager relationship.
That day, Su-ah had been incredibly bold, but afterward, she went back to being her usual pure and innocent actress self.
The fresh, naive Su-ah.
Now, even just holding hands turns her face bright red.
I have no idea how she managed to charge at me naked that day.
I don't want to rush things with this Su-ah.
She's like a refreshing balm for my heart.
I just want to preserve that innocence for as long as possible.
"Sun-hu. That guy's still not picking up."
In the car that morning.
Su-ah, staring at her phone, spoke up.
"That guy? Actor Joo Jung-hwan?"
"Actor? He doesn't deserve the title."
Joo Jung-hwan, the actor playing the male lead in this drama.
If he no-showed today, it'd be three days straight.
The damage to the other actors and crew was piling up big time.
"Broadcast's in less than three weeks. They're not swapping leads now, are they?"
"No way. He'll come back."
"Even if he does, tell him to get lost. This isn't a joke."
Three days since our fight, and still no contact.
At this point, it wasn't just a no-show—it was a disappearance.
"What do the agency say?"
"They're looking for him. Who knows if they really are."
Su-ah was uncharacteristically pissed at his irresponsibility.
Mom had been griping at home too, so what could I say?
Where the hell was that guy and what was he doing?
I'd forgive him if he came back now.
Though the others might not.
This drama mattered to both Su-ah and Mom.
Ruining it like this was just unforgivable.
"Actors, please gather in the conference room."
"Another meeting? Wait here a sec, Sun-hu."
At the broadcasting station.
Su-ah grumbled as she headed to the conference room.
It wasn't just Su-ah.
Everyone on set was on edge—actors and staff alike.
The atmosphere was a powder keg ready to blow.
Filming was backed up with no lead actor, so nothing was progressing.
They'd hit the limit on shooting solo scenes early.
Being somewhat involved in this mess left me uneasy.
No matter how much they said it wasn't my fault, my mind wouldn't settle.
"Um, here, have some coffee."
"Huh? Oh, thanks."
Suddenly, a paper cup appeared in front of me.
I looked up and recognized the face.
"Ah. From that time."
The kid who'd helped move set props.
And thrown coffee at Joo Jung-hwan.
"Sorry. I did something stupid back then."
The part-timer apologized glumly.
"No way. You saved me that day. For real."
If not for that coffee, things could've gone really south.
"Still, it feels like it's because of me he's not showing."
"Nah. No chance. He's the weirdo here. Don't blame yourself."
The kid seemed to be feeling the same guilt I was.
I'd been kicking myself thinking it was my fault too.
So I just parroted the comfort I'd heard.
"Hope he shows soon. Hate seeing his face, though."
"Yeah. Hate the sight of him."
The kid and I shared a laugh.
Felt oddly close, like more than strangers.
Maybe because we'd been through the same ordeal?
"I'm Jin Sun-hu. Here as Hwang Su-ah's manager."
"Oh, right. I'm Kim Sun-ha, part-timer on set. High school senior."
The kid took off their cap and bowed.
Long hair cascaded down as the cap came off.
"You're a student? You looked so young."
"H-how old are you, oppa? Wait, can I call you oppa?"
"Twenty-one. Call me whatever's comfy. What should I call you?"
"Just Sun-ha."
"Ah, okay. Nice to meet you, Sun-ha."
"Drop the 'ssi.' I'm the baby here—no one calls me that."
"Got it. Nice to meet you, Sun-ha."
"Yeah. Sun-hu oppa."
Her beaming smile was cute.
Glad we could hit it off.
Nothing unites people like a common enemy.
"But can a high school senior do part-time like this? Isn't it too late sometimes?"
"Yeah. I'm working to support my family, so it's fine."
Oof. That's rough.
Didn't want to pry into something sensitive.
If she's cool with it, I shouldn't make a fuss.
Best to play it off.
"Set part-time pays okay even if hourly's low—long hours, good earnings. Long breaks too. And you get to see celebs you like."
"Makes sense. Which celeb?"
"Used to like Joo Jung-hwan. Hate him most now. Time to switch."
"Y-yeah. Probably smart."
Throwing coffee at her fave's head.
Kids these days are fearless.
"Sun-hu!"
Lost in chat with Sun-ha, Su-ah called urgently.
Meeting ended quicker than expected.
"Ah. Sorry."
"No worries. Go ahead."
I left Sun-ha bowing and ran to Su-ah.
"Sun-hu, hurry! Big trouble!"
"Huh? What?"
"Check the news! News!"
Su-ah shoved her phone in my face.
A headline from that gossip rag famous for celeb scandals.
'[Exclusive] Famous Actor Joo Jung-hwan Sued for 20 Billion Won Fraud'
What the hell? Joo Jung-hwan?
"20 billion?!"
I yelled without thinking.
"He roped everyone into some coin investment, took their money, and ghosted."
My jaw wouldn't shut.
What was I even reading?
I blinked and scrolled through the article.
Joo Jung-hwan sued for fraud.
Over 30 known victims so far.
Damage exceeding 20 billion won.
Mistresses, family, relatives, fellow actors, agency staff.
Numbers could climb higher.
He's incommunicado.
No official word from his agency.
Reportedly, he dumped nearly 10 billion of his own too.
"That's 30 billion."
My head spun at the figure.
Insane to amass that much, crazier to lose it all on coins.
What about the people who trusted him?
"You didn't invest, right, Su-ah?"
"Why would I? Don't need that crap."
Good.
Mom? Nah, probably not.
They weren't close anyway.
But what about filming now?
Can they keep using this guy?
"They're swapping him. Air it with a fraudster, and it'll tank before premiere. Change now, might salvage it before public turns."
No verdict yet, but ghosting screams guilt.
Unbelievable.
No disaster like this.
"So who takes Hwang Jin-woo's role?"
"That's what the meeting's about. Won't decide anything sharp... Ah!"
Su-ah looked at me like she'd had an epiphany.
Like she'd shout Eureka any second.
"What's up?"
"You do it, Sun-hu!"
"Huh? Do what?"
"Be the replacement actor!"
She said it like it was genius.
What the hell was she on about?
"I'm no actor. No way I could."
"Just come! Try it!"
One thing I'd learned about Su-ah lately:
Meek usually, but when she snaps, she's a bulldozer.
Charges headfirst at what she wants, no brakes.
"Su-ah. Hold on. Seriously."
"Win or lose, just try. It's a pinch hitter anyway—no one'd top you. Your acting? Me and Teacher Im Shin-hye vouch for it. Two top actresses endorse you—that enough for an audition? Director, writer, everyone'll see it right away."
"Calm down. Can't waste their time like this. Everyone's on edge."
"Ughhh~~!"
Su-ah whined and tugged my arm, but I wouldn't budge.
Made no sense to throw an unproven rookie into a major drama lead,
Plus, bad vibes—I step up, might catch stray fire.
Like with Joo Jung-hwan... that jerk last time.
Looking back, he'd been on edge too.
Blown his cash and others' on bad coin bets.
No wonder he flipped over a glance.
Me hitting him? Probably planned to shake Mom down for settlement cash.
Ugh. Loser.
Now everyone's that frayed.
Didn't want to pour gas on the fire needlessly.
"Sun-hu. They say opportunity knocks three times in life. Know that?"
Su-ah wasn't giving up.
When tugging failed, she switched to persuasion.
"Two chances already slipped by unnoticed. This might be your last shot. Don't know your dream, but miss this, might never get it."
Last chance.
Dream.
Her words hit home.
First image: Mom's face.
My dream, my wish—a family with Mom.
Not as mother and son.
As man and woman, husband and wife.
For that, I need money.
Massive sums to weather any storm.
Not something a newbie earns slaving years.
And there's a deadline.
Mom's fertility window won't last forever.
No clue when it ends.
Need big bucks fast.
Maybe coin gamble like that vanished idiot.
But coins need seed money too.
So yeah, like Su-ah said.
This might really be my last shot in life.
"...Su-ah. Can you help me?"
"Yes!!"
Su-ah answered joyfully.
It wasn't about can or can't.
I had to.
Acting's the easiest thing for me.
My whole life had been one big performance.
Win or lose.
Hate or praise.
I decided to go for it.