As the conversation wrapped up, Director Yoo Ji-ha and CEO Goo Seong-do began squabbling over the contract.
“Come on, you’ve gotta pay him more. Hyeon’s not some rookie. He’s good! That web drama he did airs on cable next month. He used to be really popular as a child actor.”
“The supporting actor rate isn’t bad.”
“Don’t give me that crap.”
“I said no.”
“Then promise you’ll cast him in your next project.”
“Ugh! Why are you clinging like a ghost? How the hell am I supposed to know when I’ll even have another project?”
“You’ll assist on someone else’s project at least.”
Though annoyed by Goo Seong-do’s interference, Director Yoo eventually gave in and agreed to a higher appearance fee. Watching this mess of a negotiation unfold like some back-alley deal, Yoon Do-yeong blinked in disbelief, while Kang Hyeon looked at Goo with admiration.
“Jeez… This place is a circus.”
Yawning lazily, Lee Hyun-sook pointed upstairs and said to the bewildered Yoon Do-yeong,
“If you’re tired, go rest up there.”
“I’m fine.”
“The upstairs is clean. I make sure it stays that way.”
“Okay…”
Do-yeong gave an awkward smile and took a sip of his nearly empty coffee.
“Um, Do-yeong. So, in the scene where the prosecutor’s interrogating—”
“Just a second.”
Though he’d already given feedback on the weak points in the script, Oh I-seul kept pestering him with more questions, and his nerves began to fray. Just then, his phone vibrated with a message. He used it as an excuse and slipped upstairs. Seeing him blatantly dodge her, Oh I-seul looked embarrassed and fell silent, hastily typing notes into her phone.
As Hyun-sook had said, the loft space only had a four-person table. Do-yeong pulled out a chair, sat down, and checked his phone while listening to the conversations happening below. He reopened the photos he’d checked in the car earlier and scrolled down to the newly received ones.
One photo looked like a screengrab from a hallway CCTV feed. Lee Ji-gyeong’s face was faintly visible, his shirt half pulled up and belt undone. Kneeling in front of him, head buried in Ji-gyeong’s crotch, was a middle-aged man—clearly Director Choi Jin-hyuk.
Do-yeong scrolled down with an indifferent look. In what looked like a secretly taken shot inside an adult entertainment venue, Lee Ji-gyeong was half-reclined on a sofa, zipper open, receiving a kiss from someone. On top of him was another person, their bare ass fully exposed. Judging by the tight skin and thighs, they were young.
The next photo was taken from a distance. Lee Ji-gyeong stood shirtless, holding a microphone. At first, it didn’t look like much—but if you looked closely, the reflection in the window showed Ji-gyeong fully nude, and the two people around him were also completely naked.
Exiting the message screen, Do-yeong called Kang Hyeon. Startled by the classical music ringtone, Hyeon quietly answered.
“What is it?”
“When are you finishing up?”
“Umm…”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Hyeon hung up and approached CEO Goo, who was munching on dumplings.
“Uh… President Goo.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“Oh, come on…”
“Actually…”
“What is it?”
Seeing Kang Hyeon hesitate, Goo leaned in, ready to listen. Carefully, Hyeon asked,
“Would it be possible for us to work together more in the future?”
It was a serious request, but Goo smiled leisurely as if he’d heard it a thousand times.
“I’m not in the position to do that. This time was a fluke. I just happened to come across the audition info and squeezed you in at the right moment.”
“…”
“And honestly, I can barely manage Hyun-sook. We’ve worked together so long that even when something’s lacking, we make it work. But you… I really can’t take care of you.”
He patted Hyeon’s back and smiled warmly.
“Stop by often. If you ever need advice, just call. And help promote Hyun-sook whenever you can.”
Hyeon nodded, his face tinged with disappointment. Watching this from upstairs, Do-yeong suddenly raised his voice, completely oblivious to the mood.
“Can I come visit too?”
“Sure.”
Goo responded reflexively. Then Oh I-seul tilted her head all the way back to look up and asked,
“When will you come?”
“Hmm… whenever I have time?”
“Then, could you let me know? I’d love to show you the revised version. Would you take another look?”
“I’ll only read the final draft.”
His dismissive tone made Oh I-seul stiffen as she nodded silently.
“Come down.”
Kang Hyeon suddenly spoke, and all eyes turned to him. At his commanding tone, Do-yeong quickly came down the stairs. As soon as he reached the bottom, Hyeon whispered into his ear,
“Say it again.”
“What?”
“You were a real jackass just now.”
“…”
“Looking down on people from above like that—not okay.”
“Oh!”
Realizing his mistake, Do-yeong hurried over to Oh I-seul and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to look down on you—literally or figuratively. I wasn’t trying to be arrogant. I just didn’t think about how it might come across.”
“Oh… okay.”
“As for reading only the final draft… since the material and events I mentioned are tied to the Sungjin Group, there’s a risk they might be misunderstood or distorted.”
Do-yeong added an overly polite explanation, saying what he didn’t really feel.
“I’ll come with Hyeon next time. I’ll look forward to the revised script.”
He had zero interest in the script, but said it anyway, then looked over at Hyeon, his expression showing genuine discomfort. Hyeon, seeing the stiffness in everyone around them, sighed inwardly. He could already tell the “Do-yeong’s a rude asshole” rumors were going to spread again. Before things spiraled beyond repair, he gave a sharp warning.
“Keep your mouth shut when you go out.”
“I was keeping it shut.”
“Don’t go upstairs and look down on people. You come off like a dick.”
Though his tone was calm, the bluntness shocked everyone. Expecting Do-yeong to be offended, they watched closely—but he remained unfazed as he calmly explained,
“I just needed a quiet place to check some messages.”
“Go wait in the car.”
“…”
“Go.”
“…It’s not like I meant to be rude. I came here trying to get along, and just needed a breather ’cause I couldn’t get used to the vibe. Is that such a crime?”
He sounded slightly wounded. Suddenly, Lee Hyun-sook let out a soft snort of laughter.
“Unbelievable… You haven’t changed a bit since you were a kid.”
She reached up and ruffled both of their heads, even though they were taller than her.
“Hyeon used to scold Do-yeong all the time in the waiting room, and Do-yeong would keep asking why, like he just didn’t get it.”
She clapped them both on the back and added,
“Do-yeong didn’t do anything wrong. I-seul was the one pushing him for more help, and he just offered what he could. It’s not fair to expect him to stay involved all the way through.”
Trying to defuse the situation, she looked between Do-yeong and Oh I-seul with a warm smile.
“Let’s all grab a meal together next time, yeah?”
“Sure.”
Do-yeong replied brightly, smiling sweetly. Oh I-seul’s eyes lit up as she nodded. Seeing that, Hyun-sook looked at Kang Hyeon and grinned.
“Hyeon, make sure to bring Do-yeong along.”
“Yes, sunbae.”
As soon as Hyeon responded, Do-yeong opened his calendar app and held it out.
“My schedule’s packed until the end of May. I do have a short break in between. Should I send you the dates? Or… should we just book a restaurant for early June?”
Listing off his schedule like he was setting a real appointment, Do-yeong left everyone a little dumbfounded. Hyeon muttered dryly,
“Pushy, aren’t you.”
“…Fine. I’ll come with Hyeon.”
Watching the two of them, Oh I-seul suddenly spoke up in awe.
“Is this how you normally are?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Just… You and Kang Hyeon. You’ve got really good chemistry.”
At that, Do-yeong beamed, his bright smile radiating pure joy. Hyeon looked at him in disbelief, then let out a quiet chuckle. Director Yoo, who had been observing the two, suddenly clapped his hands.
“Oh! That’s it. There’s something about your character.”
“Right?”
Oh I-seul agreed enthusiastically. Do-yeong, clearly pleased, smiled ear to ear, while Hyeon looked back and forth between the two, unsure what to make of it. He wasn’t sure why, but thanks to their good mood, things seemed to wrap up nicely.
Just then, Do-yeong’s phone rang. Checking the caller, he politely excused himself and answered the call—then reached out and pulled CEO Goo closer.
“Yes, Chief Choi. I’m heading out now. Actually, President Goo is right here. Would you like to speak with him?”
Without even waiting for a reply, he handed the phone over. Caught off guard, CEO Goo answered the call, then broke into hearty laughter as he chatted with Chief Choi, reminiscing about old times.
“Ah! I see. Then yes, let’s meet. I’ll help however I can. Oh…”
His tone suddenly slowed. Do-yeong’s eyes crinkled knowingly. Most likely, Chief Choi had just offered a hefty sum in exchange for support in setting up a one-man agency.
As expected, Goo covered his mouth, clearly flustered, and just listened.
“Yes, of course. Let’s meet soon. Safe travels.”
When the call ended, Goo’s gaze toward Do-yeong had changed.
“Good luck with your schedule. See you next week.”
“Yes, I’ll be back in about two weeks.”
Setting a specific return date, Do-yeong smiled brightly and headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned to say goodbye to Director Yoo and Writer Oh, then waved warmly to Lee Hyun-sook. Kang Hyeon gathered the script and scenario and followed after him, bowing respectfully.
This time, Do-yeong took the wheel. In the passenger seat, Hyeon was busy reading the script. Do-yeong glanced over at him, eyes filled with fondness.
“Wanna head to the café?”
“Yeah, I should tell Noona first.”
Grinning brightly, Hyeon agreed, and the car headed toward Baek Ga-yeong’s café. While driving, Do-yeong got a call from Chief Choi urging him to go straight to the airport. Planning to drop Hyeon off at the café first, he slowed down—until he spotted someone through the glass door.
Inside the café, Lee Ji-gyeong.
In that moment, Do-yeong’s eyes flashed cold.
