Chapter 86
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Nam Yeonsu's Arrival
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Do I really have to hold this?
Yeah, yeah, its so cute. Yeonsus gonna love it.
I was gripping a huge placard that read Welcome to England, Nam Yeonsu! in big letters.
I stared down at it with a sullen expression, but the production crew was making even more fuss beside me, saying they were so excited.
Not thrilled about it, but they told me to, so what could I do?
The camera was still rolling right now, too.
This is acting, acting.
I love this placard so much.
Holding it makes me so happy...
I hypnotized myself and forcibly tugged the corners of my mouth into a smile.
I hope the real Nam Yeonsu likes seeing this.
Otherwise, all my effort would go to waste.
Oh, looks like theyre coming out soon!
At the production crews shout, I looked toward the arrival gate.
Id just seen the announcement that the flight from Korea had landed, so I figured theyd be out any minute.
The arrival gate doors opened, and people who looked Korean started trickling out here and therethey mustve been picking up their luggage.
They said Kim Sanho and the rest of the variety show crew were coming together, so theyd have a ton of equipment.
At the suggestion to wait a bit more, I shook the placard while scrutinizing the people exiting the gate.
Siu!
How long had we waited?
Along with four or five carts piled high with luggage, Nam Yeonsu, Kim Sanho, and the rest of the crew finally appeared.
Wow, Yeonsu hyung.
I flapped the placard enthusiastically to welcome Nam Yeonsu.
Was it because it had been so long?
Or maybe seeing Nam Yeonsu all the way in England made it feel extra nice.
Seeing his face made my chest tighten a little.
I missed you!
Nam Yeonsu said something to his manager, then trotted over and hugged me tight.
The greeting was more intense than I expected.
Uh, uh. I missed you too.
I set down the placard and caught Nam Yeonsu as he barreled into me.
I patted the back of Nam Yeonsu, who was hugging me tightly.
Our warm moment was captured perfectly on camera, of course.
Long time no see.
How have you been?
Nam Yeonsus manager exchanged cheerful greetings with my uncle and mom.
And right beside us, an even rowdier group was greeting each other.
Jo PD! Its been forever. You look like youve lost some weight?
Try eating British food for a week, sunbae... Youll end up just like this.
It was the documentary variety crew led by Kim Sanho.
Kim Sanho, reuniting with his team after so long, clapped his juniors on the shoulders, telling them theyd worked hard.
You know the real grind starts now, right?
Saying something so brutal with such an innocent smile...
Not exactly encouraging, but whatever.
Hehe, Siu. Did you see that article about you on the street today?
Nam Yeonsu finished the intense hug and looked at me with sparkling eyes.
Of course Id seen the article he was talking about.
The troupe members had brought the newspaper to me first thing that morning, so I couldnt miss it.
For real? Did my photo come out good?
Yeah. I even took a picture so I wouldnt forget.
...You took a picture too?
Nam Yeonsu showed me the photo hed snapped of my article on his managers cellphone.
I made a face like Did you really need to do that?, and Nam Yeonsu burst into cheerful laughter, like it was the funniest thing ever.
His bright smile after so long lifted my mood too.
Yeonsus got a great expression on his face.
Right? Told you. This combos a hit. The cactus brothers chemistry will keep going strong.
The production crew filming us grinned contentedly.
You doing okay? Anything new besides that?
Yeah! But Im in England now, so my schedules tricky. New projects probably next year. Youre not tired, Siu?
Hmm. No show last night or tonight. No practice today either.
Our conversation naturally shifted to catching up.
When we were filming The Cactus Flower Bloomed, we saw each other every day, so we didnt need to, but once shooting wrapped, we had zero chances to meet.
Wow, must be exhausting. How much longer?
About a week. Not really tired anymore. Im used to it now.
Cool... Siu. Can I come watch you practice sometime?
Practice room?
He said it so casually, but Nam Yeonsu looked amazed and suddenly asked.
Yeah! I wanna see you practice before the show... Is that okay?
Hmm, Id have to ask the troupe.
Nam Yeonsu pleaded cutely with me, then glanced at the production crew.
Reading his eyes, I looked at Kim Sanho first.
Can we film in our practice room?
Jessica would probably say yes.
Especially since it was Nam Yeonsu who wanted to visit.
Joey Su had told me Jessica had been curious about him for a while.
Nothing more certain than checking directly.
I figured Id show Nam Yeonsu off to Jessica, so I gauged Kim Sanhos intentions.
If it was just Nam Yeonsu visiting me in England, I could call ahead and thatd be it, but now we had a huge entourage.
Filming someone elses show prep in a foreign country felt iffy too.
Theyd handle the filming permissions, right? Right?
I shot Kim Sanho pleading looks.
Kim Sanho whispered with the crew, having overheard us, then said,
Lets do it then. Ill contact Rainbow Pictures and the UK team now. Siu, can you pass the word? Then well take over negotiations.
Sure, sounds good.
I nodded at Kim Sanhos words and pulled out my cellphone.
No official practice today, so probably tomorrow.
Hello? Jessica? Joey Sus there too?
As I started the call in natural English, Nam Yeonsu gaped at me from the side.
I quickly explained the situation, then handed the phone to Kim Sanho.
Ahem, hello?
His pronunciation was rough, but Kim Sanho managed the English conversation pretty smoothly.
This feels more natural. Better than Yeonsu going to Sius theater.
Great footage. Hope it works out.
The crew showed no complaints about the sudden schedule change, just excitement.
It felt like a show everyone was truly making together, not some rigid template.
There was a script and schedule, sure, but it was loose.
Only two main cast members.
Han Siu and Nam Yeonsu.
Kim Sanho had said for this variety show, hed prioritize whatever we wanted to do.
The pre-planned schedule was just a loose guidelinewe could adjust freely as we liked.
Didnt expect you to change the schedule this fast.
The call with Jessica mustve gone well.
As expected, I nodded like I knew it would.
Even while frantically making calls, Kim Sanho grinned at us.
You said to tell you if we wanted anything.
Haha, right. Good. I wanna see your free-spirited Europe trip. Whatever you want, just say it.
For real?
Of course. This spur-of-the-moment idea looks like gold already. Jessica Brown might even appear on my show.
Oh, really.
So thats why you like it?
I stared up at Kim Sanhos face sparkling with anticipation.
Not enough with just us two?
At my bold question, Kim Sanho let out a big Hahaha!
Seriously, bringing you on board was a godsend.
Nah. Its just the start.
Yeah, Im looking forward to it. You too, Yeonsu. That reunion hug was perfect. Even made this uncles heart swell.
Really?
Yeah, really. Keep it up like this. Its super fun right now.
Nam Yeonsu visibly relaxed at Kim Sanhos words.
Wonder how much his dad had hounded him before coming to England.
My face almost scrunched up at the thought, but remembering it was all being filmed, I barely kept it together.
Theater sides good to go too! They said okay.
Okaythen shall we hit Sius practice room tomorrow?
Woo!
Nam Yeonsu cheered with raised arms, and we all left the airport together.
The next day, I arrived at the practice room I commuted to daily, bringing the film crew and Nam Yeonsu.
Originally, Nam Yeonsu was supposed to tour England alone until my RUN show ended.
The concept was him scouting spots with the crew for where wed go, or resting during the day and meeting me at the hotel in the evening for quick shoots.
Hed been slated to film solo, but starting with me on day one had him beaming.
That happy you dont have to film alone?
Duh. What if I film hard by myself and it all gets cut for being boring...
Okay if it gets cut with me?
Gah, no. It wont get cut.
How do you know, hyung.
Teasing Nam Yeonsu, I headed down the hall and flung open the practice room door.
Im here.
At my entrance, the troupe members prepping for practice whipped their heads around.
Siu!
Our superstars here!
Theyd heard from Jessica and Joey Su alreadythe actors came running over excitedly.
Welcome. To England.
Oh my god, they said hes Sius friend, but hes so young. Famous like Siu in Korea?
Hes Sius senior.
Amid the flood of welcoming English, Nam Yeonsu stiffened a bit, flustered.
N-Nice to m-mee... tch...
The troupe cracked up at Nam Yeonsu fumbling his nervous English.
This is going on Korean TV? Nice to meet you, Korea!
Me too! Put me on Korean TV!
On one side, the British actors were goofing off in front of our camera.
Youre not gonna stop them, Jessica?
Why should I? Theyre welcoming Sius crew. Looks great.
I let out a deep sigh at Jessicas sly grin.
Joey Su and Jessica stood side by side, watching the lively actors fondly.
Heh, hello? Jessica.
Oh, Yeonsu. Glad to see you. I really wanted to meet you.
Uh, um...
Nam Yeonsu shot me a desperate help look at Jessicas rapid-fire words.
I jumped in quick.
Jessica, Yeonsus not as fluent in English as me. Speak slowly and simply, please.
Ah, got it. Ive gotten too used to you in every way.
Jessica nodded and switched to slow, simple English.
Nam Yeonsus face brightenedhe could follow this.
He even managed halting responses.
Though hed sneak peeks at me mid-sentence, like Is this right?
As expected.
His dad was so pushy, Id guessed, but hed clearly had pretty intense early education.
He seemed more comfortable with English than Id worried.
Anyway, Yeonsu. Sius friend means you act as well as him?
Oh, then lets see some acting.
Whoops. The troupes interest in Nam Yeonsu was bigger than I thought.
The British actors expectant eyes bored into him relentlessly.