Chapter 110
“…”
Do-heon kept his gaze fixed on Cheong-yeon, frozen for quite some time, unable to find words.
His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed up and down several times hesitantly. After a while, his tightly closed lips parted.
“I’ll take back what I said last time. Involving the staff was an emotional response. And…”
Suddenly, a vibrating sound began.
Interrupted by the phone call, Do-heon stopped speaking and looked at his wristwatch. It was already well past nine.
After giving Cheong-yeon a quick glance, he took out the phone from his jacket’s inner pocket.
At the same time, Cheong-yeon released his grip on Do-heon’s clothes.
“I’ll be out soon, so wait for me.”
Do-heon, with his eyes still fixed on Cheong-yeon’s hand, gave a short answer and ended the call immediately, but the atmosphere wasn’t conducive to resuming their interrupted conversation.
He rubbed his face with his hands and then gazed at the top of Cheong-yeon’s head, which was bowed low.
“I’m going. Call if you need anything.”
“…”
After confirming that Cheong-yeon nodded slightly, he properly adjusted his tie. Then, after fastening the jacket buttons he had undone earlier and tidying his appearance, he left the hotel room.
“Haaa.”
Only after hearing the door close in the distance did Cheong-yeon lift his head. Though all he’d done since waking up was exchange a few words with Do-heon, his body collapsed onto the bed as tension drained from him.
Cheong-yeon mulled over Do-heon’s parting words.
It was so unlike him—one moment he was cold as ice, the next he admitted to an “emotional response.” It was good that he offered to take back those words, but it didn’t improve Cheong-yeon’s mood.
Cheong-yeon wondered why Do-heon had shown such a surprised reaction. Had he spoken too harshly? Do-heon’s clearly agitated face lingered in his mind, as if he himself couldn’t believe his reaction.
“No. Why would he make such an expression?”
Cheong-yeon muttered incredulously. As if he hadn’t been the one hurting and threatening him.
Lying down and revisiting yesterday’s and today’s events one by one, Cheong-yeon eventually pushed all the unresolved thoughts from his mind.
Getting up from the bed and going into the living room, he saw items Do-heon had left on the table.
Cheong-yeon’s fully charged phone, a cup filled with water, digestive medicine, and a handkerchief. After quietly looking at them, he hesitated but then picked up the cup and drank the water.
Having eaten nothing since last night, he couldn’t possibly have indigestion again, yet somehow his stomach felt queasy once more.
*
“Cheong-yeon. I heard your movie released on OTT did well? There were articles saying all of them ranked within the top 20. An independent film, right?”
“I saw it too! It was really good. Didn’t you also film another short film?”
“Both had good quality. I guess with today’s technology, you can get good results without spending a lot on budget.”
As soon as Cheong-yeon entered the lead actor’s waiting room, people from all around greeted him with friendly recognition.
Thanks to the sociable lead actor mentioning recent articles and films she had diligently watched, Cheong-yeon’s filmography instantly became the hot topic of conversation in the waiting room.
“I only found out about the OTT update after the articles came out.”
“The reactions were good too. Have you checked what people are saying about you?”
“Ah, yes. Everyone says I’m handsome…”
“What? Pfft! No, not about your face. I meant the critics’ ratings.”
“Oh.”
Cheong-yeon belatedly realized that the “reactions” the actress mentioned weren’t about his visual appearance, and he blushed.
After persistently searching for comments about his good looks all this time… How embarrassing.
“Oh my, why even mention your face? You’re adorably cute.”
“…Thank you for the kind words. Though my filming part is over, I’m keeping up with the drama in real-time.”
“This is why today’s viewers like idol-turned-actors, I suppose. The way he carries himself is just… There was an uproar asking for your reappearance, you know.”
“I know, right? He has that special charm. The writer said even if she couldn’t bring him back for a reappearance, she’d definitely have him on the interview talk show, which is why we called you in such a hurry today. You must have been surprised by the sudden contact with your busy schedule. Please understand, okay?”
“Not at all, just being invited to a place like this is an honor.”
“We’re the ones honored to be graced by your handsome face.”
The lead actress teased Cheong-yeon with a laugh.
The embarrassment passed quickly as Cheong-yeon decided to adopt a thick skin. After all, it was true that he was handsome, as she said. It wasn’t made-up. Good ratings and a handsome face—it was a win-win situation.
Cheong-yeon smiled warmly and distributed dessert sets that his manager had pre-packaged from a bakery since early morning.
As Actress Jang So-ri mentioned, Cheong-yeon wasn’t originally even on the list for this talk show.
As the drama began airing and gaining attention, as if right on cue, independent films and short films Cheong-yeon had previously shot through his acting academy were released, creating quite a buzz.
At first, he thought it was simply fortunate timing, but as time passed, he became convinced it wasn’t coincidental.
It made no sense that a famous director suddenly took charge of the final editing for these two otherwise unremarkable films, and it was also strange that after they were updated on OTT, related articles poured in.
Despite not being films that could cause such an impact, short videos of Cheong-yeon’s scenes, separately edited to look impressive, began circulating in online communities. Afterward, interest in actor Yoo Cheong-yeon sparked everywhere.
Schedules flooded in, making a mockery of his bold declaration to quit acting and forfeit Do-heon’s sponsorship.
Moreover, after learning that his father and brother had been receiving living expenses from Do-heon, he had accumulated a debt that needed to be repaid through his diligent work.
With the situation as it was, it became awkward to quit work at his discretion.
“Um, excuse me… Actor Yoo Cheong-yeon.”
Someone called out to Cheong-yeon as he was leaving the waiting room after greeting the lead actors and seniors.
“Yes?”
“I’m a staff member from the production team for this program. If it’s okay with you, could I get an autograph later?”
The staff member approached sheepishly, bowing his head as he requested an autograph.
“Ah! Of course, if you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to!”
“Of course I should give you one. I’m not particularly busy right now. Do you have paper and a pen?”
“What? Yes! I do!”
The staff member fumbled around hurriedly and pulled out a notebook and pen from his chest. As Cheong-yeon took them with a bright smile, the staff member blushed and bowed his head.
As if now accustomed to such situations, Cheong-yeon removed the pen cap and signed the paper.
“What’s your name?”
*
As soon as he returned to the officetel after successfully completing his schedule, Cheong-yeon went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Just as he was about to habitually take out a beer can, he recalled his manager’s voice from the van, reciting tomorrow’s schedule.
“…”
Drinking alcohol again might lead to a hangover that could affect his condition.
After gazing at the can with somewhat regretful eyes, Cheong-yeon finally took out bottled water instead of beer.
He sat on the living room sofa, gulping down the cold water. Thinking of checking the OTT rankings, he picked up his phone and noticed there was a missed call from an unknown number.
“Who could it be?”
Just as he was about to ignore it, thinking it might be spam, the same number called again.
Cheong-yeon put down his cup on the table and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
—It’s me, you rascal.
Cheong-yeon’s eyes widened at the sharp and precise diction that pierced his eardrums.
“G-Grandmother?”
—Yes. Seems like you still remember this old woman’s voice.
Taken aback by the unexpected contact, Cheong-yeon momentarily froze, his lips moving without sound.
“Weren’t you in America? Oh, you mentioned you’d be coming to Korea briefly.”
—I’m already in Korea. It’s been some time since I arrived.
“Wow… I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately, my mind’s been scattered.”
At the mention of her being in Korea, Cheong-yeon’s mind raced. Not knowing how much news she had received in the meantime, he was cautious about uttering even a single word.
I wonder if she knows about the divorce from Do-heon? My name must appear in the media quite often these days, surely she can’t know that I’ve started acting again.
—But what’s with that voice? Sounding so lifeless and droopy. Is that Do-heon boy giving you trouble again?
Contrary to Cheong-yeon’s concerns, Grandmother casually brought up Do-heon as she always did. Fortunately, it seemed she didn’t know anything yet.
Feeling both guilty and relieved, Cheong-yeon laughed awkwardly.
“It’s not that. I’m just tired today.”
—Ah, by the way, still no news about a baby from you two?
“No, Grandmother. It’s been so long since you called, and you start with such a question right away…”
Cheong-yeon complained, feeling put off.
—I know young people these days don’t like these kinds of questions, but with not much time left, I can’t help but feel urgent. Before I go, I at least want to see Moon Do-heon becoming a proper person.
“Why would you say such things? I heard your treatment progress wasn’t bad.”
—Still, my strength isn’t what it used to be.
“It would be stranger if your strength was the same as before at your age…”
As Cheong-yeon retorted pointedly, he could hear Grandmother getting worked up on the other end of the phone. He bit his lower lip firmly to suppress the laughter that was about to escape.
—Enough of that! That Do-heon boy said he would try harder, but is he still like this? Tsk tsk.
Certainly, Do-heon was making efforts in his own way in that department. The problem was that his methods were too one-sided and against Cheong-yeon’s wishes.
—Since I’ve come back after a long time, I was thinking of having a meal with all the kids. Would you like to come too, Cheong-yeon? Let me see your face.
“A meal…?”
Cheong-yeon extended the end of his words in surprise.
—Do-heon says he’ll come, but whenever I bring you up, it’s as if his mouth is sewn shut. I’m so frustrated that I called you directly.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
