Chapter 145. Tremble in Fear (4)

“As expected, my judgment was right.” Yoon Tae-Sung murmured as his eyes remained on the screen, watching the edited video. He was currently at Park Suk-Ji’s personal editing office, overseeing the edits for his new short film—Girls’ War.

Girls’ War depicted the conflict and reconciliation between two new employees of an SME.

“As expected of Ms. Hong Ye-Seul. She can hold an entire scene without a single dialogue. Perhaps I wrote this in the past, knowing full well that I would meet her in the future.”

“Please stop yourself, director. There are others here, and it’s cringey,” Hong Ye-Seul said as she sat in the chair beside him with her legs crossed. Her smile was full of pride and shyness.

“Director, thank you for casting someone like me as the female lead,” said Hong Ye-Seul. It was impossible to count just how many times she had thanked Yoon Tae-Sung by now.

Even though it was just a short film, she was still its female lead.

Yoon Tae-Sung was like her benefactor, entrusting the role of the female lead to her despite her short career as an actor.

"Please don't say that."

"Pardon?"

With eyes still on the screen, Yoon Tae-Sung said, "Someone like me. I cast you because you fit the role I was looking for. I want you to take pride in yourself."

"I apologize, I'll be careful."

"And don't apologize immediately whenever you get criticized."

"Sor—Ah, I understand."

Yoon Tae-Sung stopped the video playback and moved his stiff neck.

Thinking that he had watched enough of the edited movie, he planned to have a hearty dinner before heading to a bathhouse to rest for the night.

“Ms. Hong Ye-Seul. Please take care of yourself and be on standby,” Yoon Tae-Sung said as he put on his jacket. “There might be a next movie coming up.”

“Yes, director. Feel free to contact me whenever.”

“Do you still work part-time at the diner?”

“I’m planning to work at a convenience store this time. The shifts at the diner don't really suit me.”

Yoon Tae-Sung nodded silently. He recalled his youth when he first started out in the film industry and when he had been suffering from the cold and hunger. It actually took him a long time before he could get close to seeing money.

“Let’s continue working well together in the future,” Yoon Tae-Sung said. There were no other words of encouragement he could give her. He couldn’t say something like—paradise would come after hard work. Such words were akin to lies for him.

The harsh reality in this industry was that those who couldn’t make it would never make it. He had seen countless who had punched the ground in regret or left the industry after shedding blood, sweat, and tears.

“Give me a call if you’re having a hard time.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Yoon Tae-Sung was about to step out of the office when he paused as a thought came to him.

“How is Ms. Kim Na-Yeon recently?” he asked.

“She’s healthy. She’s been resting up after returning to her hometown.”

“She’s not experiencing any difficulties in her daily life?”

“She’s richer than she looks. She’s got a considerable amount of savings.”

“That’s great. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, director. Goodbye.”

Ten minutes after Yoon Tae-Sung left, Hong Ye-Seul’s phone rang.

The saved name that popped up on the screen showed—Convenience Store Boss.

Hong Ye-Seul’s face brightened as she had been waiting eagerly for this call.

“Hello?”

— This is Ms. Hong Ye-Seul, right? You mentioned that you’re available to work from next week onward?

“Yes, of course.

— Okay, can you come in for a while today?

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

Hong Ye-Seul punched her fist in the air after hanging up. The moment she turned around after picking up her jacket and bag, the office door opened, and a young man walked in.

“Oh, here you are, Ms. Hong Ye-Seul.”

“Oh, it’s Mr. Gi-Woo. Hello.” Hong Ye-Seul’s smile looked perplexed.

This young man was a rookie actor named Kim Gi-Woo. He played the role of Deputy Park. The two girls in Girl’s War fought for his love.

“Where are you going?”

“My part-time job at the convenience store. I start next week, but I have something to pick up, so I have to go over a while.”

“Ah, really? That’s great. Let’s have dinner together.”

“I’m sorry, but I have something else to do at home after.” Hong Ye-Seul was avoiding him on purpose. She had felt some closeness with him since they were of the same age and were both rookies, but she soon realized that the way he looked at her seemed different.

“Ms. Hong Ye-Seul, you’re avoiding me on purpose, right?”

“Of course not. I’m really busy these days. Let’s have it next time. Ah, the assistant director asked me for dinner, so we can meet together then. I’ll be leaving first now,” Hong Ye-Seul said her goodbyes and walked past him.

However, Kim Gi-Woo’s swift response got to her before she could grab the doorknob. “I like you, Ms. Hong Ye-Seul.”

Hong Ye-Seul stopped in her tracks and held her breath. She didn’t know that the bashful Kim Gi-Woo would confess to her so soon.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. And I’m not joking.”

“I don’t think of this as a joke.”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“Can you go out with me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re rejecting me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you not like me? Why?” Gi-Woo pressed on with his lanky height.

Hong Ye-Seul took a deep breath and looked right at him. She then gave him an answer that she had thought of after much contemplation with a determined look.

“I like someone else.”

“…!”

Kim Gi-Woo’s face darkened instantly.

It broke Hong Ye-Seul’s heart to see his head drop slowly. She knew that he was a good man, but she had to make sure that she wouldn’t inadvertently give him any hope.

“That’s why. I’m sorry.”

“Does… that person like you, too?”

“I don’t know.”

“You haven’t confessed to him yet?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Goodbye.”

“Ms. Hong Ye-Seul…!”

Hong Ye-Seul left Kim Gi-Woo alone in the office.

As the bright lights shone down on the streets, she thought back to a certain day.

‘The steamed chicken we had that day was good.’

She recalled that person’s bashful face as she put her legs on his thighs. Hong Ye-Seul giggled and picked up her face.

She still had a long way to go before she arrived at her destination.

***

“Drink up, Ms. So-Mi. I’m buying everything today.”

“I’ll not hold myself back and eat everything then. Have a glass, Writer Jang.”

“Aigoo, thanks, thanks.”

Jang Eun-Young and Jung So-Mi were at a sashimi restaurant near the writer’s office. Jang Eun-Young was treating Jung So-Mi to this meal in appreciation for the well-drawn book cover.

“The sashimi here is delicious.”

“You can tell just by looking? I can’t tell even if I put them in my mouth.”

“I’m from Donghae, after all. I should know how to see the quality of sashimi.”

The women shared a toast and downed their soju shots.

Jang Eun-Young put down her glass and casually asked, “Did something happen between you and Writer Ha?”

“What? No… nothing’s up. Why?”

“Really? I thought you guys looked quite estranged now. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, but you guys don’t laugh that much together either. Like… you guys are just working?”

“Nothing is wrong between us.” Jung So-Mi frowned slightly, but she was still smiling.

However, she was inwardly shocked by Jang Eun-Young’s keenness.

‘Was it that obvious…?’

It was true that things had been difficult between them since that day. Even now, her wound had yet to heal, but it was still bearable. Jung So-Mi was confident that she could suppress her own feelings and continue working without any issues.

“Is the webtoon for Oscar’s Dungeon going well?”

“Yes, thankfully. There aren’t any complaints coming from Nextion either.”

“I think the webtoon is interesting, too. It’ll definitely become a hit. The responses so far have been great as well. It’d be great if Navin distributes it, too.”

Oscar’s Dungeon webtoon was now popular in both Korea and China. The webtoon was made in the first place to market the game, and there was an increasing number of readers of Poongchun-Yoo contributing to its popularity.

“Ms. So-Mi will soon become a rich woman, too. I’m so envious.”

Jung So-Mi smiled widely at her. Being rich was subjective, but it was true that her savings had been increasing recently. It was a result of her following Kwon Tae-Won and Ha Jae-Gun to Laugh Books. Her life began to change since then.

She would soon gather enough money that would allow her to move into a larger studio.

“I don’t really have that many talents, so I have to do my best.”

“That’s right. We should save more while we’re young. I envy your youth, Ms. So-Mi. Aaah, the wrinkles on my palm!”

Jang Eun-Young wrapped her cheeks and screamed softly. Jung So-Mi giggled and poured a shot for Jang Eun-Young.

“How is Writer Kang Min-Ho doing?”

Jang Eun-Young stopped checking out herself and smiled bashfully. She had told Jung So-Mi a while back that they were dating, but she hadn’t told the other writers in the office out of consideration for the working atmosphere.

“Is it because I know of your relationship, that’s why I thought both of you look good together. The calm Writer Kang and energetic Writer Jang suit each other perfectly.”

Jang Eun-Young grinned and shrugged.

“Min-Ho hyung is calm? He’s a total beast.”

“…Pardon?”

“He’s totally different from how he looks. He changes completely at night.”

Jang Eun-Young looked around them and then gestured to Jung So-Mi to come nearer. Jung So-Mi did, and Eun-Young started whispering into her ear.

The latter’s face flushed in an instant.

“H-he really does things like that?”

“Oh my, you’re too surprised at this! Look at how red you look. Hoho.”

Jung So-Mi downed a glass of soju. Her pounding heart seemed like it didn’t want to calm down.

“Ms. So-Mi, you should start dating as well. Are you only going to enjoy that pretty face of yours alone in the mirror? You can never imagine how different the world is when you’re with someone you like.”

“Yeah… I think so, too.” Jung So-Mi’s voice sounded so low that even Jang Eun-Young did not hear her.

She already knew how it felt like being with someone she liked.

Bzzt!

Jung So-Mi took out her phone from her bag.

It was a call from Lee Soo-Hee.

“Hello?”

— Hello, Deputy Jung So-Mi. I’m Team Leader Lee Soo-Hee.

“Yes, hello.”

— I’ve just finished checking through the rough drafts you sent earlier. You may proceed as is from the next episode onward. The Chinese audience likes it as well. Please continue working hard on this.

“I hope for the same.”

— All right, please enjoy your dinner.

With that, Lee Soo-Hee swiftly ended the call. Jung So-Mi bit on her lips subconsciously. She felt that she was pathetic because she resented her slightly.

***

“I’m really sorry, Jae-Gun.”

“You’re still doing this now. You don’t have to be sorry. Where else are you going to use your younger brother, who is a writer?” Ha Jae-Gun said as he stood before the mirror, adjusting his necktie.

He was now at the academy run by his sister, Ha Jae-In.

Ha Jae-Gun had decided to give a lecture for his sister’s academy, as she had been worrying about the lack of students. The topic of the lecture was reading and essays.

“How can our great writer give lectures in this shabby—”

“Ah, seriously. I said stop it. Help me fix my necktie instead. Why does it always end up on one side?”

Ha Jae-In stood up and helped Ha Jae-Gun fix his necktie. She smiled softly as the necktie was now neatly done.

“You should keep wearing suits, too. There’d be more occasions for you to wear them. Or go get a girlfriend who’ll help you with your necktie.”

“You’re at it again. I knew you’d say that. I have to review my materials before the lecture starts.”

Bzzt!

The moment Ha Jae-Gun was about to reach out for his lecture materials, a call from Lee Soo-Hee came in. Ha Jae-Gun headed to the room next door to answer the call.

“Yeah, Soo-Hee?”

— Are you busy today? The director would like to see you in person to thank you for the great work on the webtoon. He also has something to tell you. Are you available for lunch?

“Ah, I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you, but I’m at the academy giving a lecture to help noona with promoting her academy.”

— I see. Would dinner be tough, too? He’s okay with dinner.

“I can’t give you a confirmation because I don’t know what will happen tonight with my family. Sorry.”

— Really? Then we can’t help—What? Ah, Ha Jae-Gun. Hang on a moment.

Lee Soo-Hee’s voice disappeared, and the rough voice of a man came through.

— Writer Ha Jae-Gun, this is Nam Gyu-Ho.

“Ah, director. Hello.”

— I have to head to China for an urgent business trip tomorrow. I will personally handle the marketing of Oscar’s Dungeon there.

Nam Gyu-Ho placed great emphasis on the word personally.

He smiled wryly and continued.

— I apologize for the sudden call. Because of my urgent business trip to China, I would like to meet with you today as I will only return at least two weeks later.

“Ah, I see. I have something on today as well… What should we do?”

— You’re in Suwon, right? Can you meet me if I were to travel over?

“No, you don’t have to do that. It sounds like you have something important to tell me, so if I end my lecture at 3 p.m. and go back to Seoul after…”

— 3 p.m.? Alright. I’ll be there with Team Leader Lee by 3:10 p.m. See you later.

The call hung up even before Ha Jae-Gun could reply.

Time passed, and 3:10 p.m. soon arrived.

Nam Gyu-Ho’s vehicle stopped in front of the academy.