Chapter 85
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Visitors from Korea
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After safely wrapping up the first performance, the RUN shows in England were cruising along smoothly day after day.
Siu, here, have some water.
Thanks, Gordon.
Having just finished Monday morning rehearsal, I gladly gulped down the water Gordon handed me.
It had been a month since the run began, and next week would mark the end of our stay here.
This time, the final show was set for Christmas Eve.
The mere mention of Christmas Eve brought back memories of my debut back in Korea on an eve like this.
Along with the shocking sight of my dad in a Santa outfit.
I shook my head vigorously to erase the image.
Whats wrong? Dizzy? Got a fever?
Spotting this, Gordon beside me freaked out and pressed his hand to my forehead.
Nuh-uh, Im fine. Its nothing.
Scared me there.
Amazingly, as rehearsals continued, Gordon was acting like he was my actual dad.
Id apologized so much that I finally told him no more sorrys needed.
From then on, he started taking care of me hand and foot.
Some troupe members even teased that he might as well be a servant.
That made me think of Oliver for a second, and I shot back that Gordon still had a long way to go.
The problem was, Gordon overheard it.
He moped around for a day, but I didnt sweat it.
No one could surpass Oliver, after all.
Afternoons Team B rehearsal, right? So whatre you up to today, Siu? Tomorrows a day off too!
Since it was Monday, the double-cast teams were splitting rehearsals between morning and afternoon.
I was on Team A, and ours was done.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, was a precious day with no shows or rehearsals.
The troupe members, thrilled for a rare break, were buzzing about gathering tonight.
Jessica knew how grueling their schedule had been, so she didnt try to stop themnot tonight, anyway.
She did warn them to party without wrecking their condition, though.
Yeah. If youve got nothing going on, wanna let us show you a whole new world, Siu?
At one actors question, the others crowded around excitedly.
Oh yeah, perfect. Todays the day Ill make you love British food for sure.
Me too! Lets hit my favorite restaurant for round two.
Hey, you lot arent thinking of dragging Siu to a pub, are you?
Gordon scowled and tried to rein them in.
It didnt work a bit.
I, meanwhile, listening to all this, just looked bored.
Hmm.
Whats that, Siu? You dissing British food right now?
Come on, Siu. Once you try the real stuff, its different. You just havent had the good kind yet.
Sensing crisis from my reaction, they piled on quick excuses, but my mind was made up.
Real British food? Yeah, right.
Listen up, descendants. History doesnt change that easily.
No matter how much they hyped it, it was pointless.
Even recalling the food Id eaten my whole previous life, nothing among so-called British traditional dishes stood out.
My tongue, tamed by Korean food and Moms nourishing meals as Han Siu, wouldnt be satisfied.
Mm, its not that. Id love to join, but not today.
Honest truth wouldnt fly with them, so I flashed a bright smile to soothe them.
What? Prior engagement?
No way, Siu. Too soon to give up. Its only been a month? Dont write off British food yet.
Persistent bunch.
I shook my head, determined to shut it down for good.
No, its that a friend from Koreas coming today. Gotta go pick them up.
A friend? Ooh, who?
Whos coming? Girlfriend maybe?
Siu, youre still young. Plenty more romance in your future. Got it?
At the word friend, they got even more hyped and chattered away.
Surrounded by their gossip, I mumbled apologies and stood up.
Time to head out.
Anyway, cant make it today.
Thats cold, Siu
But next time, yeah? Lets plan for it.
I bolted from the rehearsal room like I was escaping a conspiracy.
It wasnt like I had zero hopes for British food.
Great weather today.
Mustve been perfect for flying.
Eung!
I was riding in the car Uncle was driving, with Mom beside me, heading to the airport.
Heathrow for the first time in ages.
It was bustling with people of all races, as always.
Siu! Over here.
After parking, we linked up inside with the three-person pre-scout team from LSBs variety show Boy, Walking Through Britain, whod arrived in the UK ahead of time.
Hello.
Not too tired?
Eung, Im good.
This wasnt our first meet with the pre-production scout team prepping the variety show.
Uncle and Mom exchanged warm greetings with the crew too.
Theyd come around the same time I did and had been scouting ever since.
Some stayed put in the UK, others flew back and forth, from what I gathered.
In the meantime, wed met up a few times to sync.
Theyd even filmed some of my RUN prep rehearsals while they were at it.
Sorry to make you work on your one day off in ages.
Crazy, hes only six and busier than us.
Thanks to watching my rehearsals, the crew was totally smitten.
Theyd become even bigger fans after seeing me act.
So much so that they fussed over my condition almost as much as Mom.
No worries. I really wanted to come today.
They smiled warmly at me sitting on an airport bench, declaring it proudly.
Then one pulled a shopping bag from their luggage, like theyd just remembered.
We got this for you, Siu.
Wah! Thank you!
Thrilled by the surprise, I dug out the gift inside.
The crew had prepared sweet chocolate cookies and a tea set.
We heard you love tea.
At first, we couldnt believe it.
Whoa, Ive never seen this tea before. Thank you.
I bowed from my seat at navel level, and they stomped around cooing over how cute it was.
Eat up, Siu.
Well get you more if you finish it.
Wah! Lets all share later.
Theyd been amazed at first by my tea habit, but now they went out of their way to cater to it.
After thanking them, I handed it to Uncle.
He tucked the gift safely into his bag.
Times flying.
Alright, lets start filming
Checking their watches, the crew hustled to set up.
True to docu-variety style, they aimed to capture my daily life and travel without missing a beat.
Id heard about it beforehand, but starting so bare-bones still made my eyes go wide.
Hm? Were starting? PD Kim and hyung Yeon-su arent here yet, though?
My puzzled face filled the camera frame.
Nam Yeon-sus spacious, quiet apartment.
The usually pristine, wide living room now had his massive suitcase splayed open.
Nam Jin-yong was late home again today, buried in work.
With no dad around and no moms meticulous care from his childhood, Nam Yeon-su had been packing alone since morning, grunting all the way.
His manager Kim Sung-hoo stopped by mid-day to help, and the housekeeper tidied some, but the luggage still overflowed.
Mm, this about does it?
It was his first trip abroad so far away, so Nam Yeon-su pored over his clumsily written checklist, agonizing.
Then came the door lock beepNam Jin-yong was home.
Startled from mulling on the living room sofa, Nam Yeon-su dashed to the entryway.
Welcome home?
Yeah.
Nam Jin-yong glanced at the suitcase as he crossed the living room.
But that was itno further words.
As he headed for the master bedroom, Nam Yeon-su mustered courage and called out.
D-Dad!
? What?
Hed stopped his dad, but words stuck in his throat.
Fidgeting, Nam Yeon-su squeezed his eyes shut and bowed deeply.
Thanks for letting me go. I-Ill do great in England!
His always strict father.
Nam Yeon-su feared him, but craved his approval.
At just eight years old, he was at that age craving parental attention.
Hed forced a smile to say it, but Nam Jin-yongs face stayed icy upon hearing the thanks.
Maybe I shouldnt have said anythingpanic rising, he ducked his head.
Then came Dads heavy sigh.
Yeah, shouldve kept quiet.
Hed hoped saying thanks would let him show off packing alone like a big boy, but nope.
Nam Yeon-su. Head up.
Y-Yes, sir.
His cold tone snapped Nam Yeon-sus head up.
Listen well. This isnt a vacation. Dont get too excited.
Y-Yes
Its not some fun variety showits to showcase you properly. Treat it like a drama or movie shoot: give it your all. No slacking.
Back came the stern lecture.
His pleas piled on, disappointment flickering across Nam Yeon-sus face.
But only for a moment.
He smiled and nodded again.
Got it, Dad. Dont worryIll do you proud.
Watching quietly, Nam Jin-yong added one last reminder.
And dont let that kid outshine you.
Variety or set, actors who lose their edge are done. Got it?
Yes.
Sius not like that
The thought stayed locked inside.
Pack up roughly and hit the sack early. Dont ruin your condition getting hyped.
Yes.
Even the final words came cool and clipped.
Without a single warm farewell, Nam Yeon-su set off for England.
He met up with the LSB crew alongside his manager and boarded the flight.
En route, he read the British newspaper his manager had fetched.
It featured an article with Han Sius face.
Hee hee.
Nam Yeon-sus expression brimmed with excitement and anticipation as he gazed at it.
Hed studied English hard before coming.
Thanks to that, he pored over the article in English, reading it multiple times.
Tons of tough words meant imperfect translation, but it didnt matter.
The article content wasnt the pointHan Sius face jumped out clear as day.
His top must-do in England? None other than catching a RUN show.
Schedules kept him from seeing the Korean run.
Sung Ji-hoon had asked via manager if hed come, but he couldnt clear time.
Yet here he was, heading to far-off England to watch his friends show.
Nam Yeon-su swung his legs in thrill.
What stage would Siu put on this time?
What would they talk about during the trip?
Just thinking made him happy.
Yeon-su, look out the window.
Wah.
After the endless flight, London finally came into view outside.