Vol 6 Ch 19

“…….”

 

Manager Cha glared at Lee Wooyeon with a spoon in hand, his face twisted in frustration. Wooyeon, after taking a sip of water, asked calmly, “What’s wrong?”

 

“…What did I just hear?”

 

“What do you mean? You heard the answer to your question.”

 

“No, I…”

 

Manager Cha was about to raise his voice but quickly shut his mouth, aware of the eyes around them.

 

It was the first day of the drama shoot, and it was a location shoot outside of the city. The director, actors, and everyone else were on edge. Despite it being such an important day, Wooyeon had informed Manager Cha the night before that he was bringing Inseop along.

 

Since returning from the U.S., Wooyeon rarely brought Inseop to the set. Manager Cha wondered what kind of whim had prompted such behavior but ultimately told him to do whatever he wanted. There was no point in arguing with Wooyeon—conversations with him always ended in exhaustion anyway. However, during the ride, while chatting with Inseop, manager Cha found out that today was supposed to be the day Inseop’s university group was going on a trip.

 

…Of course. That bastard.

 

Manager Cha barely held back the curses that threatened to spill out as he turned the steering wheel. While they were stopping for a meal at a rest area, Inseop received a phone call. It was his younger sibling, studying in Hong Kong. Inseop, visibly anxious, excused himself and stepped away to take the call. The moment Inseop disappeared, the smile on Wooyeon’s face vanished, replaced by a chillingly hardened expression.

 

“F*ck. This is so annoying.”

 

Hearing Wooyeon mutter to himself, Manager Cha couldn’t help but sigh. How much greed could this good-looking lunatic possibly have? Just because Inseop was on a call with his family, he acted like this?

 

Grumbling, Manager Cha’s attention was drawn to the television screen behind Wooyeon. The TV was showing a notorious soap opera, known for its outrageous plot twists, yet still pulling in high ratings despite all the viewer complaints. In this episode, it was revealed that the evil mother-in-law tormenting the protagonist was actually the protagonist’s biological father who had undergone a gender transition. The protagonist, enraged by this revelation, got into a car, only to suffer amnesia after an accident. Viewers had flooded the show’s message boards in uproar. Manager Cha stared blankly at the screen before suddenly speaking.

 

“What would you do if Inseop ended up like that?”

 

“Like what?”

 

“If he lost his memory and completely forgot about you.”

 

There was a bit of spite in Manager Cha’s question.

 

He pitied Inseop, who couldn’t even go on a simple trip or freely talk with his family, and he resented Wooyeon, that despicable, heartless, rotten excuse of a human being.

 

“What would I do? What else?”

 

Wooyeon set down his spoon and neatly wiped his mouth with a folded napkin. Then he said…

 

“You bastard. You absolute psycho… What did I just hear… You have… no conscience as a human being…”

 

Manager Cha trembled with anger, unable to fully express his outrage.

 

Wooyeon had described, without any hesitation, how he would take advantage of Inseop’s memory loss, whisk him away to an isolated place, and trick him into believing they were siblings. The tale that followed was so disturbingly vile that Manager Cha felt an overwhelming urge to scrub his ears clean with ice-cold water at least ten times.

 

“You asked, and I answered. What are you so upset about?” Wooyeon responded, laughing shamelessly.

 

“How can you… even consider… doing something like that to Inseop?”

 

Manager Cha was shaking with disgust, his words laced with contempt.

 

“Who said I’d do it? It’s just an idea.”

 

“Why the hell would you even think about something like that? Of all things to imagine!”

 

By the time Wooyeon casually mentioned “spending nights with a young Choi Inseop, who was stuck with the mind of a seventeen-year-old,” Manager Cha genuinely felt like dying.

 

Why? Why did I have to listen to such depravity? What did I do to deserve this? What wrong have I committed to endure this nightmare while wide awake?

 

“Then why did you ask such a question in the first place? Just imagining it makes me sick.”

 

“…Are you sure it’s just your imagination? You don’t already have a plan?”

 

Manger Cha couldn’t help but be suspicious of Wooyeon’s intention behind buying a secluded villa in Gangwon-do. If the two of them disappeared there and stopped answering their phones, Manager Cha vowed to call the police immediately.

 

“Plan or no plan, there’s no way Choi Inseop’s going to lose his memory. The crap we’ve gone through so far is more than enough.”

 

“Well, at least you realize it’s been a lot of crap.”

 

Wooyeon didn’t respond and took another sip of water, chuckling as his gaze lingered on Inseop, who was still on the phone outside.

 

…Goddamn lunatic.

 

Manager Cha gulped down cold water to suppress the rage boiling inside him. Wooyeon stood up from the table for a moment, and soon, he returned with a fresh bowl of soup, making Manager Cha’s eyes widen in surprise.

 

“What the… Are you going to eat another bowl?”

 

For someone as strict about his diet during shoots as Wooyeon, this seemed excessive.

 

“No. It’s for Inseop.”

 

Wooyeon politely asked a passing staff member to take away the tray Inseop had barely touched.

 

“But he only had a few bites. Why?”

 

“It got cold. Who would eat cold, soggy rice?”

 

“…”

 

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to eat?” Wooyeon glanced at Manager Cha’s now cold and soggy soup, then smirked.

 

…You piece of shit.

 

Manager Cha forced down another spoonful of the now cold rice soup, suppressing the string of curses that rose in his throat. Just then, a man who had been watching from a distance approached their table.

 

“Excuse me, aren’t you Lee Wooyeon?”

 

“Yes. Hello,” Wooyeon replied politely.

 

“I’m a big fan of yours! I really enjoy your movies and dramas,” the man said excitedly, his voice trembling with enthusiasm.

 

“Thank you for enjoying them,” Wooyeon responded with his signature courteous smile.

 

The man, now more emboldened, asked, “Would it be okay if I got a picture with you and my son?” 

 

He pushed a boy, about six or seven years old, toward Wooyeon while holding out his phone. Other bystanders, who had been waiting for an opportunity, also began to pull out their phones. At that moment, Wooyeon’s foot suddenly kicked Manager Cha hard in the shin under the table.

 

“…!” 

 

Manager Cha shot a glare at Wooyeon, who merely smiled elegantly and tilted his head.

 

What are you doing? Move them away, F*ck, an unspoken command flashed in Manager Cha’s mind, even though Wooyeon didn’t utter a word. Sighing internally, Manager Cha stood up and politely asked the gathering crowd to give Wooyeon some space as they were still eating.

 

Once the fans dispersed and Wooyeon had finished his meal, he turned his full attention to Choi Inseop, who was still on the phone. Leaning on his hand, he watched Inseop intently.

 

“You could’ve just taken the picture. It’s not that much trouble, you know.”

 

“Why?” Wooyeon asked.

 

“Why? The kid was with him, that’s why.”

 

“Manager,” Wooyeon flashed a smile, showing his perfectly straight teeth.

 

‘…I really hate it when he smiles like that.’

 

CEO Kim had once commented while they were watching TV together. Wooyeon’s coffee commercial had been playing at the time.

 

‘His teeth are too perfect, and his smile is too flawless. It’s creepy.’

 

‘…Yeah, I get that.’ 

 

Manager Cha had agreed in a gloomy tone, remembering how unsettling it was. Now, with that same perfect smile, Wooyeon continued speaking.

 

“I don’t particularly like women. And I like women who like me even less.”

 

“…”

 

“So, what makes you think I’d like men?”

 

Manager Cha wanted to ask ‘then what about Choi Inseop, who clearly likes you?’ but bit his tongue instead.

 

“Still, it was a kid.” 

 

Manager Cha muttered, softening a little, as he always had a soft spot for children and animals. Wooyeon laughed lightly.

 

“I don’t have a preference for any specific age group.”

 

“…You just hate people in general, don’t you?”

 

“That’s one way to put it.”

 

Despite the casual conversation, Wooyeon’s eyes were still glued to Inseop. When Inseop finally glanced up from his phone call and locked eyes with Wooyeon, he flinched, visibly flustered, and quickly bowed in apology.

 

“Hahaha,” Wooyeon let out a loud laugh, genuinely amused.

 

“…F*ck. This is driving me crazy,” Wooyeon muttered to himself, covering his mouth as if to suppress more laughter.

 

“How much longer until filming starts?”

 

“Huh? Oh, about three or four hours. Don’t get any weird ideas, not on the first day.”

 

“What weird ideas? I haven’t even thought of anything,” Wooyeon replied, still leaning on his hand, his eyes narrowing in amusement. Manager Cha, still rattled from the vulgar and crude comments Wooyeon had made earlier, groaned.

 

“This script—Inseop picked it for you, didn’t he? Let’s not mess this up, alright?”

 

The role Wooyeon had taken on was that of a genius surgeon, a character who rarely showed emotion. When Manager Cha had first heard about the role, he couldn’t help but think, ‘If Wooyeon had any conscience, he wouldn’t take this part. Letting that guy hold a scalpel feels like a violation of the law and morality.’ Although the script was good, both Manager Cha and CEO Kim had felt uneasy about it. Yet, Wooyeon had immediately agreed to take it, simply because Inseop had recommended it.

 

“Haha, don’t worry. I know how to keep work and personal matters separate.”

 

With that, Wooyeon scooped some rice from Inseop’s bowl into his own and stood up.

 

“Where are you going?” Cha asked.

 

“I have something to take care of.”

 

“Come on, just let him talk to his family for once. It’s been a while.”

 

Manager Cha clucked his tongue, knowing exactly what Wooyeon’s “errand” was.

 

“Seventeen minutes is plenty. What more does he need to say?”

 

“You timed it? God, that’s creepy.”

 

As Manager Cha sighed in exasperation, Wooyeon grabbed a scarf and approached Inseop, who was still on the phone outside. Without warning, Wooyeon wrapped the scarf tightly around Inseop’s face, covering his vision completely. Inseop, startled and fumbling, tried to pull the scarf off, but Wooyeon held the ends firmly in his hands, refusing to let go. When Inseop finally managed to free his face from the scarf, his eyes met Wooyeon’s, who burst out laughing.

 

“Why am I even bothering to witness this mess?”

 

Manager Cha grumbled inwardly as he shoveled down more cold rice soup.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t realize the call would take that long,” Inseop apologized as he sat back down.

 

“It’s fine. You were talking to your brother, right?”

 

“Yes, my younger brother, Aaron.”

 

“Aaron. Right.”

 

Every time Manager Cha was reminded that Inseop was American, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of disconnect.

 

“Do you talk to your siblings often?”

 

“Not too often, but sometimes,” Inseop said with a shy smile. “Aaron’s going through some relationship troubles lately. Isn’t that cute?”

 

“The big one?” 

 

Manager Cha awkwardly recalled the picture of Aaron he’d seen before.

 

“He’s big, but still just a kid. It’s so strange to think he’s losing sleep over a relationship.”

 

‘Strange? What’s really strange is that the guy sitting next to you is in a relationship. That’s something that needs to be reported to the academic community… but never mind.’ 

 

Manager Cha kept his thoughts to himself and gestured for Inseop to eat, chewing on some kimchi.

 

“Um…” Inseop looked up, surprised.

 

“What?”

 

“The soup hasn’t cooled at all. That’s amazing. I’ll eat well,” he said, clearly bewildered.

 

“That’s…”

 

“What?”

 

“Never mind. Just eat.”

 

Manager Cha shook his head. There was no need to point out how nauseatingly doting Wooyeon had been towards him earlier. 

 

As they continued eating, a child running nearby lost their balance and tumbled toward Inseop’s side. Inseop quickly stood to catch the child, but ended up falling back with the kid in his arms.

 

“Inseop! You okay?” 

 

Manager Cha stood up, concerned.

 

“I’m fine. Are you alright?” 

 

Inseop gently asked the child, who, startled, mumbled something before scurrying off to their mother.

 

“Seems like they’re okay,” Inseop remarked, brushing off his clothes before sitting back down.

 

“Did you hurt yourself?”

 

“No, but that could’ve been bad. If something hot had spilled, someone could’ve gotten hurt.”

 

Manager Cha realized that Inseop had instinctively moved to protect the child, despite the risk. 

 

‘Of course, he’s just that kind-hearted… Which is probably why he ended up with a bastard like Lee Wooyeon.’

 

“Be careful. If you hit your head and lose your memory…”

 

‘…You’ll be trapped.’

 

“Memory loss?” 

 

Inseop blinked in surprise at the odd comment.

 

Manager Cha shuddered, remembering the bizarre story he’d heard. 

 

‘Taking an amnesiac Inseop away to a deserted place, convincing him that I’m his real brother…’

 

He shook off the thought.

 

“Oh, no, I mean, that would be terrible. Haha. I just heard memory loss is trending in dramas these days. Anyway, be careful.”

 

“Got it,” Inseop nodded, though he looked puzzled, wondering if there was really a time when memory loss was “in vogue.”

 

As they spoke, the same child from earlier hesitantly approached Inseop.

 

“Go on, say thank you to the nice man,” said a woman who seemed to be the child’s mother. The kid handed Inseop a small candy before dashing back to their mom.

 

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy this,” Inseop said with a smile.

 

“Sorry about earlier. I got distracted for a second and my kid caused trouble.”

 

“It’s alright. Really.”

 

“Now say thank you properly.”

 

“Thank youuu,” the child mumbled bashfully, to which Inseop responded with a bright, warm smile.

 

“You like kids, don’t you?” Manager Cha asked.

 

“Yes,” Inseop answered without hesitation. “They’re adorable.”

 

As he waved back at the child who was waving goodbye from afar, Manager Cha’s thoughts drifted to the devil of a man who claimed to despise all people, young and old alike. His eyes stung a little.

 

‘Inseop really needs to meet someone good.’

 

“So, Inseop, you’re planning to get married someday, right?”

 

Inseop, just about to take a bite of his soup, coughed softly.

 

“Take it slow. Here, have some water,” Manager Cha offered.

 

“…Thank you,” Inseop said, sipping water before quietly resuming his meal, his face and even the back of his neck turning bright red.

 

“You’re not saying you’ve ruled out marriage entirely, are you?”

 

“…No, I haven’t really thought about it yet,” Inseop replied cautiously.

 

“A divorced, older guy like me saying this might sound a bit funny, but marriage isn’t all that bad. Of course, you’re still young, Inseop, so it probably sounds like something from another world.”

 

“…Ah, yes. …Haha.”

 

“They say you like kids. I think you’d be great at raising them. Having kids, watching them grow up, how wonderful would that be? But even if you just date, when it comes to marriage, you must marry a good person. A good person.”

 

“…Yes, thank you for your wise words.”

 

Inseop answered, unable to lift his head.