In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This life, I choose The Oscars over a husband.
Chapter 15

“What? You’re willing to lower your conditions?”
Why would she do that?
That’s what Heo Kyung-hoe was thinking when Ha Eun-rae smiled softly and spoke.
“There’s a personal trainer I’ve had my eye on. They’re quite skilled at driving too. They can drive, provide personal training, and they have excellent social skills and integrity. Would it be possible to work with them? I think having them would be a benefit in itself.”
Ha Eun-rae met Heo Kyung-hoe’s gaze directly.
Heo Kyung-hoe was somewhat taken aback by her confidence—a stark contrast to other nervous newcomers who fumbled and hesitated.
In an industry where even established actors often lacked social experience and ended up stammering during negotiations or falling victim to fraud, encountering a newcomer with such composure was remarkable.
Heo Kyung-hoe felt a quiet satisfaction.
Apparently, she hadn’t lost her nerve even at the Audition Hall and had conversed smoothly with Min Se-ye the entire time. She was a newcomer with backbone.
But that was one thing, and this was another.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to hire a new manager right now….”
“Staff costs are the Talent Agency’s responsibility anyway, right? I’ll deduct three months of my new manager’s salary from my own earnings.”
“Do you understand what you’re saying?”
Heo Kyung-hoe let out a hollow laugh.
There was no way a newcomer’s immediate earnings would exceed three months of a road manager’s salary.
In other words, she was essentially saying she’d work unpaid for several months.
“I understand. I’ll live without money for a while, that’s all.”
Yet Ha Eun-rae showed not a moment’s hesitation.
Watching her, Heo Kyung-hoe sighed once more.
“Ah, really…. I didn’t want to say this, but can I speak casually? We’re practically colleagues now.”
“Of course.”
Ha Eun-rae nodded.
Besides, it would help them grow closer faster.
“…You’re quite something. An actor needs to move hearts, not heads.”
“What do you mean….”
“You’re doing well.”
Heo Kyung-hoe said this with a grin.
“Let’s meet this person first. If they’re really as good as you say….”
He was about to say something that would earn him another scolding from Manager Jang.
“We’ll hire the road manager ourselves.”
“…!”
Far better terms than expected!
Ha Eun-rae’s eyes widened in surprise.

* * *

The next day arrived.
Hong Jong-ho came to visit Heo Representative’s office.
This was Heo Representative’s first impression of Hong Jong-ho.
‘Will those shoulders even fit through the doorway?’
However, once Hong Jong-ho safely(?) entered the room, these words escaped between Heo Kyung-hoe’s lips.
“…I feel like I owe money to the bank. But not to loan sharks.”
“Pardon?”
“Could you possibly be…applying as a road manager…?”
At Heo Kyung-hoe’s cautious question, Hong Jong-ho responded with a sharp, formal posture.
“Ah, yes sir. I’m Hong Jong-ho!”
Hong Jong-ho had already made up his mind.
Even if the pay wasn’t great, he wanted to pursue work that made his heart race.
The moment he witnessed Ha Eun-rae’s acting, the desire to continue watching that brilliant performance filled his entire mind.
‘Of course, I haven’t matched my muscle mass yet, but I promised to do so by the end of this year—’
Meanwhile, Heo Kyung-hoe tilted his head at Hong Jong-ho’s military-grade tone of voice.
Where on earth did he get the idea that this person was suited to be a manager?
‘He won’t even fit in the driver’s seat.’
It was just as Heo Kyung-hoe was thinking this.
A knock sounded from outside.
Given how faint the knock was, it was clear who had arrived.
“Oh, Kyung-bin. Come in.”
At Heo Kyung-hoe’s words, Seo Kyung-bin entered.
With very cautious movements.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, this script that just came in….”
Seo Kyung-bin spoke quietly, then flinched upon seeing Hong Jong-ho.
“Oh, don’t be surprised, this is the new mana….”
“That chicken breast and cabbage wrap you gave me before.”
Then, what came out of Seo Kyung-bin’s mouth was an unexpectedly long sentence.
Heo Kyung-hoe blinked at that.
“…It was delicious. Could I possibly have the recipe?”
Even the legendary Seo Kyung-bin had asked a question!
Witnessing this, Heo Kyung-hoe recalled Ha Eun-rae’s words.

“He can drive, he can do personal training, and he’s even sociable and sincere. Could I really work with someone like that? If so, wouldn’t he himself be a benefit?”

…Doesn’t she seem like an object too?

* * *

The day of the music video shoot.
“I look forward to working with you, actress.”
From New Member to actress—my status had changed.
I received Hong Jong-ho’s greeting as he pulled up in the company car in front of my apartment.
Watching him, I broke into a grin.
“You greet people well.”
“…?”
Hong Jong-ho’s brow furrowed at the casual speech that slipped from my lips.
“We’re going to get closer anyway. Can I call you oppa?”
“Huh? No… well, that’s fine, but… then what should I call you?”
“Just call me Eun-rae.”
“…I don’t think that’s quite right either.”
Hong Jong-ho looked at me with confused eyes.
‘He’s kind of an idiot.’
I recalled the Hong Jong-ho from my previous life.
It was the day I’d been rejected for the role I desperately wanted and cast instead as a sexy supporting character whose image was heavily consumed.
I’d still clung to family ties back then, so I needed money during that period.
That’s why I was sitting in front of my apartment drinking soju, thinking, ‘I guess I’m just an actress who can’t do anything else… I guess I’m someone who values money over acting…,’ when somehow Hong Jong-ho found me and plopped down beside me.

“Ha Eun-rae.”
“Ha Eun-rae?”

Back then, we were still early enough that we weren’t on casual terms.

“So call Ha Eun-rae by her name. If you’re annoyed, call me Hong Jong-ho.”
“Now everyone’s looking down on me?”

Those days when only malice and grit remained.

“Let’s go at it today.”
“If we go at it, I think you’ll lose….”

Hong Jong-ho touched his forearm, which was similar in size to my waist, as he spoke.

“Let’s compete with drinks.”

That day, we got completely drunk and laid bare our deepest insecurities.

“I know… My acting is mediocre. I took the wrong path in my career. From the start, I competed on looks and body rather than talent.”
“Your acting isn’t mediocre at all. But why does such a tiny thing like you drink so well… *hiccup*.”
“I’m drinking for the first time today.”

I let out a soft laugh.

“My father is an alcoholic. So I hate even looking at alcohol. When I drink…”

I clenched my teeth and held back my tears, but my vision blurred before I knew it.

“I’m afraid I’ll become like him. So I never drank. No matter how hard things got.”

That was it.
That day was the first time I ever drank alcohol.
Hearing my story, Hong Jong-ho opened up to me for the first time.

“Whenever a criminal appears on TV, I study their face carefully. I’m afraid I might look like them.”
“What?”
“I’m an orphan. I don’t even know what my parents look like. So… I sometimes wonder if my parents might be criminals.”
“…!”
“But listen, Eun-rae. You’re not your father. Just like I’m not my parents. We are ourselves. You said your brother is pathetic, right? So stop calling him brother. Let me be your brother instead. Let’s work thinking of ourselves as family. I believe in your acting. Actress Ha Eun-rae, my sister—I’ll protect you to the very end.”

Yes.
That was the kind of person Hong Jong-ho was.
That’s why he tried to protect me to the end…
When I moved to Naru Stage, he even offered me good casting opportunities.
And yet I—
‘I betrayed that brother. Twice.’
“I’ll do my best. I’m trusting you to be my manager.”
At my words, Hong Jong-ho’s face hardened for a moment before softening again.
He smiled faintly and opened the back door for me.
“I’ll do my best too, actress. Or rather… Eun-rae.”
Well, things between us can’t go back to how they were right away.
But I’ll restore everything.
The life that the old Ha Eun-rae ruined—the one who foolishly fell for Kim Do-woon and let him destroy it.
“Shall we go then?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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