Chapter 95
Cheong-yeon could belatedly understand the photographer’s much more lenient attitude than before. It was as he had vaguely suspected.
“I have something to tell you apart from today’s shoot, so would you please sit down first?”
Secretary Shim offered Cheong-yeon a seat to explain why he had remained here until now. Cheong-yeon, who had been standing awkwardly, rolled his eyes and sat on the sofa.
Secretary Shim took out a document file.
“What is this?”
Cheong-yeon immediately took it and read the contents inside.
Without any particular explanation, there was a list of hundreds of famous brands.
“This is the advertising list that JT Electronics Director Moon Do-heon is offering to actor Yoo Cheong-yeon.”
“Advertising list… All of these?”
“Yes. Please check if there are any companies or products you want and let me know after you decide.”
“…”
“Please note that the advertising periods differ from six months to one year as each company has different contract regulations.”
Cheong-yeon checked the seemingly endless list for a moment. From beauty to electronic devices, department stores, food, home appliances, cars, and luxury brands. Most of the brands were unrelated to the JT Group.
“Are there no brands that you like?”
Secretary Shim asked as Cheong-yeon’s silence lengthened. However, Cheong-yeon couldn’t find an appropriate response.
Should he be happy? Anyone could see this was compensation for Do-heon’s rut cycle.
It wasn’t that there were no brands he liked; on the contrary, it was too excessive for him, which was the problem.
Come to think of it, after having sex under their sponsorship contract, Do-heon always placed compensation in Cheong-yeon’s hands.
The current house he lived in was like that, as well as the car, clothes, card, job. Everything was what he had given as compensation for the sponsorship.
And now, an advertising list as well.
Cheong-yeon fidgeted with the paper in his hand with a bitter expression.
Do-heon was just fulfilling his duty as a sponsor, but for some reason, Cheong-yeon’s mood was at rock bottom. He felt foolish for his contradictory self, repeatedly feeling uncomfortable even though he knew this would happen.
“I don’t have to decide right now, do I?”
“Of course not. Please take your time to look through it.”
“Then I’ll think about this and let you know later.”
Cheong-yeon rubbed one shoulder, feeling fatigue washing over him.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“Not at the moment.”
“If you have any questions, please contact me anytime. I’ll be going now.”
Secretary Shim, noticing that Cheong-yeon wasn’t in the mood for a lengthy conversation, promptly left.
*
A large van stopped in front of the officetel building. Cheong-yeon, who had packed his belongings in advance, greeted his manager as he got out of the van.
“Get home safely.”
“Actor Yoo, you really worked hard today. Go in and rest well! And make sure to eat properly!”
Cheong-yeon shook the lunchbox in his hand as if to say not to worry. It was the expensive lunch reportedly provided by the advertiser at today’s shooting location.
He had thought the staff had eaten it all while he was being harassed by Do-heon in the waiting room, but fortunately, Cheong-yeon’s portion was still in the van.
The manager, with an incredibly gentle face, sat in the driver’s seat and waved. As the door closed and the van gradually moved away, Cheong-yeon was about to head towards the officetel entrance when he paused.
Realizing that he didn’t have any beverages at home to drink with the lunchbox, he decided to stop by the convenience store briefly. Changing direction, he opened the convenience store door and noticed the wine section. However, Cheong-yeon pretended not to see it and turned his head away.
No alcohol for a while. With the drama broadcast having started, he needed to focus on filming.
“Ha.”
But the fragrant aroma of wine continued to linger in his imagination. It was a problem that his taste had become so picky from living with Do-heon.
Having firmly resolved to abstain from drinking, Cheong-yeon eventually picked up an apple juice and a zero-calorie cola and took them to the counter.
“Are you perhaps… Yoo? Cheong-yeon? The actor? A celebrity…?”
As he was taking out his wallet to pay, the convenience store part-timer, who had been glancing at him for a while, asked with excessive question marks.
When Cheong-yeon awkwardly nodded, the part-timer exclaimed with his hand over his mouth, forgetting to scan the barcode.
“Oh, it is you? Oh, of course. Do you live in this neighborhood? Why haven’t I noticed before? I-I’m really enjoying your drama. Can I take just one photo with you?”
“Sure.”
As soon as Cheong-yeon gave permission, the part-timer took out his phone, leaned towards Cheong-yeon, and took a selfie.
Not stopping there, the part-timer embarrassed Cheong-yeon by asking where exactly he lived around here, what he liked, and how the drama would end. But for Cheong-yeon, who had spent a long time as an unknown idol, even such attention was welcome.
After giving vague answers, he left the convenience store and felt the reality of appearing in a drama. The feeling of fatigue completely disappeared.
With a lightened heart, Cheong-yeon entered the officetel and went straight to the bathroom to wash up. Having been in a dust-filled studio all day, he felt extremely uncomfortable. After showering, he put all the clothes he had worn into the washing machine.
After putting on new clothes and coming out to the living room, Cheong-yeon began organizing his personal belongings that he had brought down from the van. Then his gaze fell on the document Secretary Shim had given him in the afternoon.
‘This is the advertising list that JT Electronics Director Moon Do-heon is offering to actor Yoo Cheong-yeon.’
Looking at the densely written brand list, he couldn’t even begin to think about which one to choose.
“Why ask me to choose something like this.”
Cheong-yeon murmured uncertainly. He was grateful for being offered modeling opportunities, but he wasn’t sure if this was right.
It would be good if Kwon Hye-na simply decided for him, as she had done until now.
But he couldn’t always do just what Kwon Hye-na told him to do, and if he continued to rely on her and other staff, incidents like today would happen again.
Since he had agreed to receive sponsorship in exchange for sex, it would be absurd not to accept the CF contracts being offered…
Cheong-yeon read through the list once more with a serious expression.
Famous companies that a rookie actor like himself couldn’t possibly aspire to were frequently seen.
“…Is this even possible? How could I film a department store advertisement?”
Even as he said it out loud, it seemed quite unrealistic. But since the list was presented by Do-heon’s side, it must mean it’s possible.
After shortlisting a few brands and companies, Cheong-yeon suddenly thought that perhaps he was too deeply buried in the things Do-heon provided.
Even though he had divorced to escape from Do-heon. Paradoxically, everything surrounding him was under Do-heon’s hand.
These thoughts led him one after another, eventually reaching the curiosity about the ‘end of this relationship.’
Come to think of it, there was no period specified in the sponsorship contract he made with Do-heon. There were only obligations and conditions that both parties had to fulfill.
“Wait. Does this make sense?”
Had Do-heon forgotten to specify the contract period? Could someone like him, who had made so many contracts, forget the most important thing?
Even an unknown actor like himself set a period when contracting with an agency.
Cheong-yeon called Do-heon to immediately resolve his curiosity.
For some reason, the call connected in just a few seconds.
—Your schedule.
“…I just finished and got home.”
He asked about Cheong-yeon’s schedule without any greeting. Although Cheong-yeon was the one who made the call with something to discuss, he answered as if pushed.
“What about you, Director?”
—I’m on the move.
“Moving, not going home?”
Cheong-yeon’s head turned toward the window, where the sun had already set.
“You’re not going home?”
—Work is piling up, so it seems difficult today.
Somehow, it sounded just like their conversations before the divorce, making Cheong-yeon feel awkward for asking.
“You said you reduced your workload a lot last time.”
—If I took a week off, I should work overtime.
Anyone listening would think he was working overtime just this once. When in fact, he did it every day.
“You make it sound like it’s because of me.”
—I never said it was your fault, so I’m sorry it sounded that way.
Cheong-yeon recalled Do-heon’s appearance from earlier today. Company work, visiting a sponsored actor’s filming set, factory inspection, and now overtime work. It seemed like even having three bodies would be insufficient for such a schedule.
“…Your body. Is it okay now?”
—Is there any reason it shouldn’t be?
His tone was so businesslike that it was difficult to tell whether he was in a good mood or a bad one.
“You were sick. I saw all the prescriptions.”
—Haven’t you been taught that it’s wrong to snoop through someone else’s personal information?
“It’s the fault of the person who left it there. So, is your body okay or not?”
Having momentarily set aside the purpose of his call, Cheong-yeon now probed into Do-heon’s health condition.
—If I say I’m sick. Are you going to come and nurse me?
At the suggestive voice, Cheong-yeon briefly took the phone away from his ear and glared at the name ‘Moon Do-heon’ displayed on the screen.
“No. If you’re sick now, go see a doctor.”
—Doctors can’t heal that part.
What’s wrong with this person? Has he finally gone crazy?
Cheong-yeon was at a loss for words and trembled. They say people die if they change suddenly.
“Are you going to keep saying perverted things? I was really… worried about you.”
—It was a problem because I skipped the rut cycle for a long time, but now that I’ve properly resolved it, I’m fine.
“That’s a relief.”
Cheong-yeon touched his chest and sighed in relief.
“Oh, right. Thanks for looking out for me today. Without you, I would’ve probably been cursed at until the end of the shoot.”
Cheong-yeon tried to change the subject as naturally as possible.
—Did you wear the insoles for the shoot?
“No. I ended up taking them off.”
—Oh my.
Do-heon clicked his tongue in a voice that didn’t sound sorry at all.
“By the way, what did you say to the photographer?”
—Why? Was he rude again?
This time, there was a bit of an edge to his voice. It was a subtle difference, but after talking for a while, Cheong-yeon could distinguish it.
“No, suddenly becoming too friendly was the problem.”
—Then you should smile brightly, why does your voice sound like that?
“Maybe because I haven’t eaten dinner yet. What about you? Why does your voice sound like that?”
—I haven’t eaten dinner yet either.
Cheong-yeon’s brow furrowed at the mention of not eating.
“…Why do you keep skipping meals? The housekeeper said you’ve been skipping breakfast and dinner these days.”
Ah, this question also sounded quite marital. Cheong-yeon silently chastised himself and clenched his fist.
His mind was working diligently to think of something that didn’t sound like a married couple.
—I’m busy, and thanks to someone who emptied the refrigerator, there’s nothing to eat at home.
“Ah!”
Cheong-yeon belatedly remembered that he had cleaned out all the side dishes from Do-heon’s house.
“…”
An awkward silence passed for a moment.
“I’ll bring them back to you.”
—I’m kidding.
“…”
Why make a joke that sounds so serious?
“That’s not a joke. I’ll go back and put them in.”
Cheong-yeon, feeling preemptively guilty, flared up.
—It’s fine. Can’t extract a flea’s liver.
Cheong-yeon perked up his ears, feeling as if Do-heon’s typically heavy voice might have a hint of laughter mixed in.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
