Chapter 128
Even as he got into the elevator, Secretary Shim’s words strangely lingered in his mind.
If it was important enough for him to come to the hotel in the morning to explain, it must be confidential. Or not? If he was willing to talk about it while obviously knowing Cheong-yeon was listening, maybe it wasn’t that important after all.
Then why did he come all the way to the room?
Cheong-yeon mulled over the conversation he’d just heard as he headed to the parking garage where his manager was waiting.
The Gyuseong Daily, which had published an article with Do-heon’s initials, was a newspaper company where Park Jong-wook’s father served as the representative. Their relationship with JT Electronics wasn’t bad, but that was merely the surface appearance. Since neither Moon Hee-jin nor Park Jong-wook would be pleased that Do-heon had taken the heir position at JT Group, it was a company that could easily turn into an enemy if things went wrong.
Cheong-yeon decided to search the internet as soon as he got into the van.
By the way, what kind of article had been published? Company power struggles? Friction with shareholders? Personal life? Questions about management rights?
In truth, there was an endless amount of material to write about Do-heon. He was in a perfect position for people to see smoke where there was no fire.
“Actor, good morning! You’re out early!”
As he went down to the parking garage, his manager approached, waving cheerfully.
“Oh, Manager! You cut your hair?”
About to step forward to greet him happily, Cheong-yeon immediately noticed his manager’s changed appearance. He had cut his hair very short, as if he was enlisting in the military tomorrow.
“Yes. Haha! You noticed right away.”
The manager smiled, his gentle eyes crinkling.
“Why so suddenly… Did something happen? Or are you quitting your manager job and going somewhere?”
“Absolutely not. I cut it to focus more on my work.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, the manager vehemently denied Cheong-yeon’s words.
“That’s a relief then.”
“Let’s get in, Actor! Today is the costume fitting day for the new drama you’ll be in, so I’ve prepared just fruit, a shake, and vitamins for breakfast. Team Leader Kwon Hye-na said she’d come directly to the office. The response to the previous drama’s costumes and…”
As soon as Cheong-yeon got into the van, the manager recited today’s schedule while taking the wheel.
He said he’d cut his hair short to focus on work, and indeed his explanations were more detailed and longer. He had always been like that, but today he seemed particularly enthusiastic.
“Ah! And, Actor. Did you know?”
“Know what?”
Just when Cheong-yeon thought the explanation was finally over, it wasn’t. The manager continued as if there was still more to say. His voice was filled with solemnity.
“Today, you received your very first payment settlement! Congratulations!”
“Wow. Really? Already?”
“Yes! The CEO personally called this morning to let me know. Check it quickly.”
Cheong-yeon pulled out his phone before the manager even finished speaking. There was already a deposit notification from the banking app.
His eyes widened as he checked the details.
“The amount is… quite large?”
“Of course it is. You shot several commercials, and there was the drama fee too.”
The manager turned toward Cheong-yeon, deliberately making eye contact and smiling brightly as if it wasn’t surprising at all.
“Still, I didn’t expect this much…. Did you receive a bonus too, Manager?”
“Yes. I received a hefty one from the CEO yesterday.”
Is that why he cut his hair, saying he’d dedicate himself more to work? He must have received quite a nice bonus.
Cheong-yeon congratulated his manager, who seemed to be in particularly good condition. Then, taking advantage of the lull in conversation, he opened the banking app again to reconfirm the amount deposited to him.
It was nearly miraculous for a rookie to receive a settlement so quickly, and the amount was substantial.
Cheong-yeon first thought about the living expenses he needed to give to his uncle and brother. Since he had promised to send some of his earnings once he received his settlement instead of getting support from Do-heon, he was secretly relieved seeing the number in his account.
He didn’t intend to provide too generously, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch them continue to rely on Do-heon either.
Wait. By the way, Secretary Shim mentioned an article earlier.
He had meant to search for information about it but had forgotten. Cheong-yeon closed the banking app and opened the internet, browsing through the articles Gyuseong Daily had updated today.
“Heir A of L Corporation is reportedly seeking a remarriage partner through frequent corporate gatherings and introductions following his recent divorce…”
“We’ve arrived, Actor.”
“What? Oh, already?”
Cheong-yeon, who had been quickly skimming through the article headlines, was startled by the manager’s cheerful voice announcing they had reached their destination. He lifted his head, which had been lowered as he looked at his phone.
“Let’s go up to the building.”
The manager, who had brought all the necessary items for today’s fitting, led the way toward the elevator. Cheong-yeon put his phone away and followed him.
The gist of the article he had just seen was that chaebol heir A might remarry soon. He hadn’t read the full text, but it seemed to detail who he met, where, and how. Given the circumstances, A was likely Do-heon.
Perhaps because he had seen similar articles before, Cheong-yeon’s reaction was much more composed than before.
“Team Leader, hello.”
“It’s been a while, Cheong-yeon.”
Kwon Hye-na, who had already arrived at the office, acknowledged him with a half-hearted gesture.
He had expected her to at least compliment him on the fame the actor she directed was gaining. But she fixed her gaze back on the printout she was holding, as if she had no interest in Cheong-yeon.
Still, Cheong-yeon was happy to see her after quite some time.
“Team Leader. Is there something different about me?”
Trying to lighten the mood, he asked playfully with an exaggerated facial expression. Kwon Hye-na put down her printout and observed Cheong-yeon carefully.
“Your face is puffy.”
“…”
“Did you cry yesterday?”
“N-No?”
“What is it? It doesn’t seem like you ate too much. Dehydration? No, rather excessive water intake?”
“I believe it’s swelling due to dehydration and lack of sleep.”
Ha-yeon, Kwon Hye-na’s assistant who had appeared quietly from somewhere, suddenly interjected.
“Hey, what are you saying about someone who’s standing right here? Swelling, really?”
“That’s right! Our Cheong-yeon oppa is perfect whether he’s puffy or not!”
Min Hye-rin, who had arrived at some point, joined in, and suddenly the surroundings became noisy.
“Hye-rin…”
Cheong-yeon looked at Min Hye-rin with touched eyes.
“Oppa! Don’t worry. Even if it’s not puffiness but weight gain, I’ll pay extra attention to the fit of your clothes to make sure you look good on screen.”
“How could our actor have swelling? That’s nonsense.”
The manager, who had been standing quietly behind, also responded seriously.
Kwon Hye-na, seemingly annoyed by the commotion around her, rubbed her forehead with an irritated expression.
Ha-yeon, who had made the problematic statement, scanned Cheong-yeon from head to toe with unwavering eyes, undeterred by the protests.
“There’s no way my analysis is wrong. Actor Yoo Cheong-yeon definitely has swelling due to dehydration and lack of sleep. Despite having a costume fitting and camera test for the upcoming drama today, Actor Yoo Cheong-yeon has failed in self-management.”
Ha-yeon committed verbal assault in a robotic, monotone voice. Cheong-yeon wanted to refute, but honestly, it was true, so he had nothing to say even if he had ten mouths.
It was true that he had been dehydrated last night and lacked sleep. This is all Moon Do-heon’s fault.
“…Do I look that strange? I was nervous and couldn’t sleep well.”
“That’s just a useless excuse in the real world.”
“Your words are too harsh. As humans, self-management naturally has its ups and downs. But since the drama our oppa starred in ended with a 13% viewer rating, his skills and self-management have been proven by results…”
“Enough with the chitchat.”
Kwon Hye-na cut off the conversation that was about to drag on.
“We’re going to analyze past performance and the upcoming project, so everyone take a seat in the conference room. Ha-yeon? Please tell the staff outside to come in.”
“Understood. Should I bring in the cameras and tablets too?”
“Oh my, look at me. I was so focused on the lighting that I forgot about that. Yes, please do.”
“Don’t worry, Team Leader.”
“Alright then. Since setting up the materials will take some time, we’ll start the meeting in ten minutes.”
As soon as Kwon Hye-na finished speaking, Cheong-yeon got up and headed to the bathroom. He had been self-conscious ever since Ha-yeon had pointed out his swelling.
“It’s not that bad…”
While checking his condition in front of the bathroom sink, turning his face from side to side, his pocket began to vibrate.
Right before the meeting, he didn’t have time to answer the call. Cheong-yeon took out his phone to turn it off. Then he hesitated when he saw Do-heon’s name on the screen.
What’s the matter? We were just together until a little while ago.
After hesitating, Cheong-yeon carefully checked that no one was around before answering the phone.
“Director?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
