Chapter 31: Even the Wind Knows Their Hearts, But Our PD...
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Even the Wind Knows Their Hearts, But Our PD...
A day ago, at the Cheongdam dermatology clinic Lee Yu-jin had visited.
Director Jung waited for Lee Yu-jin to enter, recalling his conversation with Yoon Se-rang.
‘Director, I’m thinking of introducing a client to you.’
‘If it’s a referral from you, Ms. Se-rang, they are always more than welcome.’
This clinic, which operated for the general wealthy from Monday to Friday and catered exclusively to the ultra-high-society VVIPs on Sundays, ran strictly on a referral basis.
However, Yoon Se-rang had never introduced anyone before.
Naturally, Director Jung’s expectations were sky-high.
‘You probably won’t know who she is. She’s a rookie who hasn't even debuted yet.’
‘Is her family wealthy, by any chance?’
‘Just ordinary middle class.’
‘Pardon? You know how our VVIP system works...’
‘Just trust me and see her once. You’ll actually end up being very grateful to me. If you want to repay the favor, forget everything else and just give me a gold bar.’
‘Excuse me?’
Since Yoon Se-rang was so confident, he had scheduled the appointment for now. He was dying of curiosity to see what kind of woman she was.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The moment the door creaked open.
The moment that innocent, straight hair tucked behind her ears and that impossibly pale face were revealed.
The moment those perfectly slender, long legs—unconcealed despite the penalty of wearing cheap three-striped slippers—finally stepped fully into the examination room.
Director Jung, absurdly enough, found himself agonizing over how many grams the gold bar for Yoon Se-rang should be.
How can a human look like that?
It was the first time in his life he had seen such a beauty.
It felt as if an elf from Norse mythology was wandering around Seoul, pretending to be a citizen by dyeing her hair and wearing human clothes.
As the head of a famous dermatology clinic in Cheongdam-dong, he had encountered many members of the upper class and top stars.
However, the woman before him was of a different species entirely.
Director Jung felt grateful that he was a married man.
He felt that if he didn't have even that flimsy layer of protection, he might have been mindlessly bewitched and led to ruin.
To be honest, he didn't clearly remember how he finished the initial consultation.
He had a faint memory of his mouth telling her not to come back while his inner self scolded him, asking if he’d gone mad.
After all, if one wanted to reign as the top dermatologist in Korea, shouldn't they have a client like this as a VVIP regular?
“Can I really contact you anytime if a problem comes up? Even in the middle of the night?”
“Of course. That is the essence of our clinic’s VVIP service. Please don’t mind the time at all; feel free to inquire whenever, whether it’s night or the crack of dawn.”
“But is the consultation fee really only that much?”
“Haha, if we charged VVIPs more, how could we call it a VVIP service?”
To Director Jung, it was a cute misunderstanding that only brought a smile to his face.
“All consultation fees are the same. It’s just that VVIP clients usually prefer expensive care services. However, Ms. Yu-jin, your skin is already perfect and requires no such care. There’s no reason to waste money.”
“Then what’s the charge for inquiring in the middle of the night?”
“Remote inquiries are a free service. Please don't worry about it at all.”
“Wow, I thought high-society service would be something intimidating. I’ve seen a whole new world today.”
I’m the one seeing a new world right now.
Finally, Director Jung hurriedly called out to Yu-jin’s back as she left the room.
“Even so, three 1.5-liter bottles of Coke a day is too much! Please, try to cut it down to two!”
“I’ll try.”
Thud.
Feeling completely drained, Director Jung closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling the heat that had pooled in his lungs.
“Wow... seriously, how can a person look like that?”
Everything about Lee Yu-jin, from her features to her skin, was perfect.
Even though he had only examined her face, neck, hands, and arms, he couldn't find a single tiny mole. And this was despite her never having received a single skin treatment in her life.
I’ve never seen a case like this before.
She was a client who generated zero revenue through medical services.
However, such a client provided the clinic with immense intangible benefits just by being a VVIP.
She would elevate the trust other clients had in the clinic and boost his own reputation.
If I could, I’d pay her a reverse premium just to keep her coming.
Unfortunately, that was illegal.
Director Jung prepared to receive his next client, the daughter-in-law of the Baekhyun Group, who had arrived unexpectedly.
However, as soon as Han Ji-woo entered the examination room, she cut straight to the point.
“Can you pass a message to that lady? I’d really like to meet her again.”
“Curator Han? ‘That lady’? I’m not sure what you’re talking about...”
“Don’t play dumb, Director Jung. You know exactly who I mean.”
“...”
The moment she said ‘that lady,’ Director Jung instinctively knew she was talking about Lee Yu-jin.
“I sincerely just want to become friends with her, so for my sake, please just pass the word. Tell her Curator Han Ji-woo would very much like to meet her again. I’m asking politely.”
Because the staff had guided Yu-jin through a different exit, Han Ji-woo hadn't been able to run into her again.
“You know I don't usually make requests like this, Director Jung.”
Director Jung had no choice but to give the best answer he could.
“I will do my best.”
“You really have to. I’m counting on you.”
“At the very least, you won’t be able to claim that I didn't give it my all.”
“As expected of our Director Jung, you’re always the best.”
“I said I’d do my best, but I also said I can’t guarantee anything...”
That was what had happened yesterday.
*
“Oh, come on. Me, in a CF? You’re going too far.”
I suppressed the urge to burst out laughing. I didn't want to hurt Yoon Se-rang’s feelings.
“From the perspective of a diamond spoon, she probably just found it fascinating that a bronze spoon was in the same space as her. Even I find it kind of cute when I occasionally run into Ab-Sil-Gold plankton.”
“Ab-Sil-Gold?”
“They’re the bottom-tier ranks in the game I play—Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. They’re like an endangered species; you’d have to build up good karma for three generations just to brush past one.”
“Is that like being an untouchable? I don’t get why they’re endangered, but anyway, what are you going to do?”
“Well, I...”
“Wait.”
Yoon Se-rang cut me off.
“Listen to everything I have to say first before you speak.”
“Pardon?”
“Listen to all the good things that will happen if you get close to Curator Han Ji-woo.”
“I don't think I need to hear it. It’s usually a tragedy when a bronze spoon gets close to a diamond spoon.”
Just like how the Ab-Sil-Gold players who run into me in-game lose their minds and give up.
I find them cute, but they fear me.
“I might be a bronze spoon in reality, but I’m a Challenger spoon in the game. So I know very well. If you get tangled up with the top tier the wrong way, your mental state gets shattered.”
“Just listen. I’m doing this because I’m afraid you’ll cling to me later, crying and asking, ‘Unnie, why didn't you explain it to me point by point back then?’”
Yoon Se-rang went on to list the benefits of befriending Han Ji-woo.
It sounded... sweet, I suppose.
But I had the experience of numerous past lives where I died on the battlefield without even enjoying a fraction of my natural lifespan.
It rarely ends well when a commoner gets close to a noble or a lord. Just like how a Bronze-Silver-Gold player can never build a true friendship with a Challenger.
I gave her soulless reactions like “I see,” and “Is that so?” until the end.
Yoon Se-rang eventually stopped with a sigh.
“Fine. I don’t need to tell you anymore.”
“Good work.”
“Anyway, don't blame me later for not stopping you, okay?”
“Yes, yes, don't worry.”
“I’ll handle Director Jung. He’s a sharp man, so he won’t let anything show. You act like you didn't know anything either.”
“Will I even have a reason to see him again?”
“Did something happen? He told me he’s so grateful for the introduction that he’s giving me a 100-gram gold bar as a gift.”
I almost blurted out a request to split it in half, but I barely held back for the sake of my dignity.
“He told me I don't need any special care and to only come back if I have skin trouble.”
“Is that all?”
“Well, I’ve never even imagined a life where skin trouble exists.”
“You... little...!”
“My goodness. Do you know how shocked I was to find out that a medical department for ‘skin beauty’ even exists?”
“Hey!”
Yoon Se-rang clenched her fists, trembling with frustration but unable to actually hit me. I playfully leaned in and bumped my forehead against hers.
Her reaction was similar to when I teased my young nieces, which made it fun.
“...You, if you ever meet Curator Han Ji-woo, don't you dare act like this.”
“I won’t meet her, and I won’t act like this.”
“I’m saying this because I’m afraid she’ll be completely bewitched by you.”
“She’s not even a man, so what’s the big deal?”
“Curator Han Ji-woo has a son about your age, you know?”
I froze as a chill ran down my spine, but then I realized she was laughing silently.
It was revenge for my joke just now.
*
PD Jang Hyun-soo asked Lee Yu-jin.
“Have you ever shot a bow before?”
“Yes. When I was young, I tried a traditional archery experience at a Gukgung museum.”
“Oh, does your body still remember it?”
“Probably? I might not be the smartest, but I’m good at anything involving my body.”
“Then our martial arts director will only need to help you with your posture a bit.”
Lee Yu-jin held a large traditional bow, wearing a palace maid’s dress instead of martial attire. Naturally, she wore a veil over her face.
Martial Arts Director Hwang Tae-jin, who approached to guide her posture, could only let out a silent exclamation of admiration.
The radiant palace ceremonial dress, her hair pinned up with a hairpin, and the relaxed stance as she held the bow comfortably.
All of it blended together to create a beautiful archer straight out of a rare painting.
This girl... everything she does is art, everything is a masterpiece.
“Ms. Yu-jin, I’ll explain. First, your left hand goes like this...”
After a few minutes of instruction, Hwang Tae-jin shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Your body remembers everything, doesn't it? There’s nothing more to teach you regarding posture.”
“What, Director Hwang? You’re done already?”
“Done or not, the instructor at that Gukgung museum taught her very well, and she remembers it perfectly.”
The maid-warrior Yeon Si-ho’s main weapon was the Haeju Sword.
It was the vessel for her soul itself.
Therefore, Yeon Si-ho didn't use a bow, but due to Jung Yoon-ah’s script revisions, a single archery scene had been added.
“There are no lines. Just take the most stylish stance you can think of to fire the arrow. Easy, right?”
“Ugh, my head feels like it’s going to explode. I’ll give it a try.”
“Just be comfortable. Even if you throw the bow instead of the arrow, it’ll still look like a killer shot with you in it.”
“What if I actually do that?”
“I’d love it.”
Lee Yu-jin grumbled, “You take jokes too seriously, just like Ji-hye,” and moved to her position with the bow and arrow.
Her long, voluminous colorful skirt fluttered lightly at her feet, leaving an aura of elegance in her wake.
The actors and staff who had gathered around the set watched with intense curiosity and expectation.
This was a phenomenon that occurred every time Lee Yu-jin filmed an action scene.
Whirrr. Whirrrr.
The surrounding wind grew violent, fiercely blowing Yu-jin’s hem and her pinned hair backward.
Despite the headwind, Yu-jin didn't even blink, waiting only for the cue sign.
“Ready, cue!”
As if it had been waiting for the PD’s signal, the wind grew even harsher.
Yu-jin’s hair, which had been firmly held by the hairpin, tossed violently.
When her slender hand lightly pulled out the hairpin, her thick black hair scattered magnificently as if regaining its freedom.
The onlookers were completely captivated, watching in a daze.
The specially made prop hairpin elongated like an arrow.
Yu-jin notched the elongated hairpin arrow onto the string, pulled it taut, and glared at the target.
Whirrrrr!
The wind grew even more ferocious.
Completely immersed in aiming at an imaginary enemy in her mind, Yu-jin didn't even realize that the fierce wind had finally stripped away her veil.
The veil that had been stubbornly hiding her white face flew away as if carried by the wind, and the onlookers let out an involuntary, silent gasp.
It was simply beautiful.
The person before them was not just a simple maid-warrior.
She was a being who possessed both endless strength and peerless beauty, a woman with a magical charm that pulled people in as if they were enchanted.
Everyone had the same thought.
A little more...
I want to see her from closer up...
The sight of her in the radiant palace dress, elegantly drawing the bowstring with her long hair fluttering in the wind.
A face so beautiful it seemed as if a god had crafted it with the utmost care.
Just as everyone was barely suppressing the urge to step closer to take in the sight...
Just as they were straining to keep their eyes open against the harsh wind to catch even one more second of her...
Just as everyone’s tension was pulled as taut as Yu-jin’s bowstring...
“Cut! Cut! NG! Hey! The veil flew off! Someone get Ms. Yu-jin’s veil back to her!”
“Huh? When did this fall off?”
“Oh boy, our Yu-jin was completely immersed. Hey, I said get her the veil. Don't we have a spare?”
The prop manager was looking at PD Jang Hyun-soo with eyes full of resentment.
And everyone understood the meaning behind that look.
Because they all felt the same way.
You cut it there?
Wow, I want to string the PD up...
Stinging glares were piercing his entire body, but PD Jang Hyun-soo was nonchalantly checking the sky.
“What’s with this sudden wind?”