Chapter 79
The reason I reacted sensitively about America when I lived with Do-heon was because I worried he might experience something bad there again. But contrary to Secretary Shim’s words, I had never avoided mentioning it.
“When will he return?”
“As far as I know, he’s scheduled to arrive in Korea next Wednesday or Thursday.”
“I understand. Thank you for letting me know.”
So he suddenly went on a business trip to America.
After ending the call with Secretary Shim, Cheong-yeon crossed his arms and mulled over their conversation.
Soon after, he decided to shake off the remaining small doubts. Although it was strange that Do-heon hadn’t told him directly, Cheong-yeon thought perhaps the schedule had been arranged urgently.
In any case, his time was free from today until the weekend, so he planned to enjoy this break.
Stretching, Cheong-yeon began to look around the officetel he hadn’t fully explored yesterday. All his belongings from his previous home, along with various tableware and necessities, were neatly organized in storage spaces throughout.
Even the bookshelf had scripts sorted by size.
The manager must have been quite busy to pay attention to such details. I should definitely thank him separately later.
After looking around the room for a while, Cheong-yeon felt hungry and opened the refrigerator. There were enough ingredients for simple cooking, so he took out bread, eggs, butter, and ham to make a quick toast.
After leisurely enjoying coffee by the window where the midday sunlight stretched long, drowsiness began to return.
It seemed a waste to just sleep on this rare day off. Cheong-yeon forced his drooping eyes open and got up.
But perhaps because he’d been so busy recently, he was confused about what to do now that he had free time.
What did I use to do on days off?
Cheong-yeon carefully traced his memories. When living with Do-heon, he generally followed Do-heon’s schedule. Though not as busy as now to the point of having no time to eat, his mind was always uncomfortable.
Perhaps he was always anxious because he had to forcibly fit himself into a place where he didn’t belong. Compared to before, his leisure time had significantly decreased, but pursuing the work he wanted now was much more peaceful.
After pondering what to do to make good use of his free time, Cheong-yeon first took a shower. Then he decided to catch up on dramas and movies he had missed.
Impulsively, Cheong-yeon grabbed a bag of snacks from the kitchen and sat on the living room sofa to turn on the TV.
Lying diagonally, flipping through channels, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
Cheong-yeon, with a potato chip in his mouth, checked the incoming notification.
[Kim Ji-han: Hey hey Actor Yoo]
[Kim Ji-han: Still alive?]
[Kim Ji-han: Soju tomorrow evening?]
It was a message from Kim Ji-han after a long time. Happy to hear from him, Cheong-yeon replied immediately after checking the KakaoTalk message.
[What’s with your profile pic]
[It’s awful]
[Kim Ji-han: I look handsome ㅋ]
[Kim Ji-han: Hey, you never contact your hyung]
[Kim Ji-han: Are you that busy ㅡㅡ]
[No ㅋㅋㅋ let’s meet tomorrow]
[Soju sounds good]
[Kim Ji-han: Where should we meet?]
It would be better to go out for drinks than just staying at home.
After arranging the place and time to meet with Kim Ji-han, Cheong-yeon put the rest of the potato chips he had been holding at his side into his mouth with a satisfied expression.
*
The next day.
“Hey, congratulations. How do you manage to cause such a mess and then immediately land a drama role? You really have a talent.”
After meeting Cheong-yeon after a long time and hearing all about his recent situation, Kim Ji-han kept expressing amazement. Munching on dried fish, Cheong-yeon frowned with displeasure.
“Is that a compliment?”
“I’m saying it’s impressive! You skipped filming, got caught by Song Hee-jun with an attitude problem, went through that hellish training, and still somehow passed the audition. With zero acting experience.”
“I’m asking if that’s supposed to be a compliment!”
Heated by the blunt words, Cheong-yeon lost his temper.
Despite his voice being quite loud, none of the customers in the tent bar paid attention to them. Everyone was already busy laughing and chatting with their companions, so Cheong-yeon’s outburst was quickly drowned out in the noise.
“The world really does favor some people. Hey, I should check if I still have your photocards. When you get famous, I’ll sell them for a million won each.”
Regardless of whether Cheong-yeon sitting across from him was annoyed or not, Ji-han smugly twitched his lips like someone who had already made a fortune.
“I still have DEX posters at my house, why don’t you sign them in advance, Cheong-yeon?”
“You’re being ridiculous. No way.”
“By the way, you’ve already filmed and the first episode airs next week, right? Is it okay to celebrate so simply at a street food tent like this? Should we have gone somewhere fancier?”
“It’s fine. Are you the one with celebrity disease instead of me? How’s your broadcasting going these days?”
“Haah.”
At Cheong-yeon’s casual question, Ji-han’s eyes suddenly moistened.
“Why the sudden sigh?”
“These days, even personal broadcasting is a red ocean, making it really tough to make a living. When I think about various things, I get so troubled that I can’t focus on creating videos…”
“Are you kidding me? I know you just uploaded a crazy reaction video yesterday, acting all excited about getting a donation.”
“Oh, you saw it?”
Ji-han shamelessly asked, as if he hadn’t just been sighing like the male lead in a tragic drama.
“The thumbnail was so intense that I couldn’t help but watch the video.”
Cheong-yeon recalled yesterday’s memory of being drawn to Ji-han’s video as if by an irresistible force. Of course, he regretted it as soon as he pressed play.
“Heh. You should have mentioned that you watched it earlier. This is embarrassing.”
“I saw it hit over three hundred thousand views.”
“Views have been pretty good lately. Since I got struck by lightning this time, should I try getting shot for the next concept?”
“Is there a demand for that?”
“Seeing how much you hate it, it’ll probably get a lot of views if I upload it. I’ll send you the link after I post it.”
“Ah, why are you like this.”
The two bantered back and forth before eventually laughing and finishing the remaining soju.
“By the way, it’s really amazing. How do things work out so smoothly for you?”
“I know, right? Maybe because I’m too handsome?”
Cheong-yeon touched his jawline and smiled mischievously. However, Ji-han continued talking as if he hadn’t heard anything.
“Well, I guess luck is also a skill. But, is it possible that, you know, Moon Do-heon is pulling some strings for you?”
Caught off guard by the accurate guess, Cheong-yeon flinched momentarily.
“Huh? Why is your expression like that? Is it true?”
Noticing that subtle change in expression with uncanny perception, Ji-han widened his eyes while holding his soju glass.
“No way. Are you seeing Moon Do-heon again? That can’t be it, right?”
“Of course not! Are you crazy? It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“He just… seemed to take pity on my situation and helped me out a bit. Out of sympathy…”
Unable to admit receiving sponsorship from Do-heon, Cheong-yeon explained the situation as vaguely as possible.
He was worried Ji-han wouldn’t believe him, but fortunately, Ji-han nodded without suspicion.
“Ah, you scared me. But I guess you two still keep in touch. That’s unexpected.”
“It’s hard to cut ties completely. Anyway, my situation is complicated.”
“Hey. I’m saying this just in case, but you shouldn’t get back with that guy.”
“I already said it’s not like that. But why are you suddenly opposing it?”
Puzzled by his uncharacteristically lowered voice, Cheong-yeon blinked. Ji-han leaned his upper body toward Cheong-yeon and whispered.
“Don’t you know? Moon Do-heon is looking to remarry and going on blind dates.”
“…Blind dates?”
“Your divorce rumor has spread quite a bit, and these days many of your fans are asking about you through Instagram DMs.”
“Wait. Moon Do-heon is going on blind dates?”
Cheong-yeon asked repeatedly, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard.
“The article only used initials like a gossip piece, but it was obviously about Moon Do-heon. It was quickly deleted though.”
Ah. So it wasn’t an official article.
Cheong-yeon unknowingly felt relieved as he picked up some food.
“Come on. It must be misinformation.”
Though he dismissed it as nothing significant, he found it hard to believe his own words. Just because Do-heon was his sponsor didn’t mean he couldn’t go on blind dates with other people.
If anything, he was free to meet whoever he wanted.
“Want me to show you the screenshot of the article? I received it through DM too… Wait a moment. Let me find it.”
“Isn’t it just a fabrication? There’s no article up now.”
Cheong-yeon muttered after belatedly searching for the article on his phone.
“JT Group probably deleted it. They wouldn’t just leave it alone. Come to think of it, it’s no coincidence that there hasn’t been a single provocative article linking you and Moon Do-heon all this time.”
“……”
“It means they’re managing everything appropriately. Ah, I found the screenshot of the article.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
