The Chaebol Family’s Youngest Daughter Doesn’t Hide Her Acting Skills - Chapter 28

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

Episode 28

 

A while later, all filming ended and evening arrived.

 

Since this was the first location shoot for <Your Blue Name>, they said we’d be having a company dinner at a nearby samgyeopsal restaurant today.

 

When I opened the door and entered, the production crew who had arrived first were waiting with the tables already set. The savory and rich smoke from grilling meat brushed past my nose.

 

“Wow, that smell is killer!”

 

“I’m the samgyeopsal artist after all, Director!”

 

Director Woo Byeong-hwa clapped his hands high in the air at the supporting actor’s joke.

 

Since I had to look after outsider Woon Seong-ha, I went and sat in that corner.

 

Since the teacher and Park Yeon-hui who were supposed to sit at the table with us hadn’t arrived yet, I ended up eating alone with just Woon Seong-ha.

 

“Eat a lot, Sae-i.”

 

Having worked part-time at a meat restaurant, Woon Seong-ha’s grilling skills were professional level.

 

“You eat some too. Stop just giving it to me.”

 

“But still…”

 

Even so, Woon Seong-ha kept passing me meat as soon as it was grilled. Even when I told him to eat some too, he wouldn’t listen at all.

 

Having no choice, when I wrapped some lettuce for him, Woon Seong-ha, who had been waving his hands in refusal several times, finally gave in. I quickly pushed it into his open mouth.

 

‘His face doesn’t get ruined even when eating lettuce wraps…’

 

I was drinking water while watching Woon Seong-ha chewing contentedly with his slightly flushed face, when.

 

“Doyeon is cheating on Hajin∼”

 

“I just took a picture of you feeding him and sent it to Jehyeon.”

 

“Oh my, did he reply? Did he? Let me see!”

 

“He read it but didn’t reply, hey!”

 

It seemed the seniors had taken a picture of me feeding Woon Seong-ha lettuce wraps and sent it to Dojehyeon as a joke.

 

There’s no way Dojehyeon would react, right?

 

…is what I thought, but.

 

Bzzzz, bzzzz.

 

When I checked the screen at the vibration sound.

 

[☎ Let’s FaceTime]

 

Dojehyeon immediately called me for a video call.

 

When I declined once, he immediately called again, so I declared surrender. As soon as I answered the video call, he asked with a cold face.

 

“Ju Sae-i. Who’s that guy? Is he an actor? Who is he that you’re feeding him? What’s going on?”

 

“…Ask one thing at a time. And I told you I’m your noona.”

 

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

 

What could be more important than me being older than you…

 

“He’s not a weird person, right? If you’re being blackmailed into feeding him, tell me. I’ll come right now and…”

 

“No!”

 

Just as I was about to say something, Woon Seong-ha snatched the phone from my hand and continued speaking instead.

 

“I’m Sae-i’s school friend.”

 

“Friend…?”

 

“Yes, her only one.”

 

Why is he emphasizing ‘only one’? It’s not like I’m advertising that I have no friends…

 

Woon Seong-ha wouldn’t let go of my phone.

 

“Ju Sae-i, tell him you’re closer to me.”

 

“Sae-i can’t lie.”

 

“What did you just say…!”

 

“She’d be closer to someone her age than a younger brother who won’t even call her noona, and.”

 

Why is he acting so unlike his usual gentle self?

 

Woon Seong-ha provoked Dojehyeon again.

 

Woon Seong-ha watching Dojehyeon getting worked up with satisfaction looked exactly like a large dog that had won a fight against a hunting dog.

 

Hey, you two are going to film together and even go on trips later…

 

Before sparks could fly again, I retrieved my phone and hung up the FaceTime call. Dojehyeon contacted me several more times, but I deliberately ignored them.

 

Soon after, the teacher and Park Yeon-hui, who had finished their conversation outside, entered together.

 

Once the chaotic atmosphere was somewhat settled, the director picked up a mini megaphone and announced.

 

“Alright, let’s eat up in advance! Writer Choi is coming today too!”

 

“Oh no…!”

 

The news that the scary writer Choi Gi-jeong was coming to join the company dinner made the atmosphere chaotic again.

 

While everyone was murmuring, Park Yeon-hui, sitting across from me, carefully poked me.

 

“How have you been?”

 

“Ah, yes! How have you been… senior?”

 

“Me? Same as always.”

 

Park Yeon-hui smiled weakly.

 

“I was too harsh last time. Sorry for suddenly tearing up that business card.”

 

“Not at all! I was actually grateful. It felt like you were looking out for me…”

 

“Of course I’m looking out for you. Whenever I see you, Sae-i, it’s like seeing my child actor days…”

 

Well, we even look alike.

 

So maybe seeing me receive Mora Entertainment’s business card triggered an even stronger reaction. Like a kind of trauma.

 

“This might sound heavy, but that company did a lot to me.”

 

“…”

 

“I hoped you wouldn’t suffer like I did by foolishly signing a contract.”

 

Park Yeon-hui forced a smile while closing her characteristically wistful eyes. Even though she was clearly smiling, why did it make my heart ache?

 

I wish good and capable people wouldn’t have to suffer being manipulated by contracts.

 

‘Maybe this is why Grandfather…’

 

Maybe this is why he established Wave Actors. To prevent talented entertainers from withering away without properly blooming because they were manipulated by contracts.

 

When I first encountered Mora Entertainment’s situation, I kept wondering if it was my place to interfere. I was afraid of stepping in unnecessarily and not being able to create a good ending for anyone.

 

Now I’ve made up my mind.

 

‘I should tell Grandfather.’

 

When an actor right in front of me is about to step back without even fully demonstrating their skills, is there any reason to hesitate?

 

‘You’ve worked hard…’

 

I put some well-cooked meat on Park Yeon-hui’s plate.

 

Finding it quite endearing that young me was looking after her, Park Yeon-hui’s face finally broke into a smile.

 

***

 

Dozens of minutes later.

 

“Our genius Writer Choi has arrived!”

 

“Waaaah!”

 

As soon as Choi Gi-jeong opened the door and entered, Director Woo Byeong-hwa waved his hands as if he’d been waiting and welcomed her.

 

“There’s a seat here!”

 

One of the production crew members, who had drunk enough to forget his fear, tapped the seat next to him. Choi Gi-jeong lightly declined, then turned her head to look for someone.

 

The reason she had just finished her deadline and came all the way to the company dinner.

 

“Sae-i, why are you hiding in the corner like that!”

 

It was Ju Sae-i.

 

She had business with her today.

 

Choi Gi-jeong immediately pulled over a folding chair and squeezed right next to where Ju Sae-i was sitting, then leaned in slightly. She looked like she wanted to have a secret conversation.

 

“…You know, Sae-i.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You know my sister, right? Writer Choi Gi-yeong.”

 

When another star writer’s name was mentioned from the star writer’s mouth, Ju Sae-i stopped mid-way to drinking water and put it back down.

 

Though they’re often called the Choi sisters together, in terms of individual weight class, the older sister was above the younger one.

 

“Of course I know her! I really respect her.”

 

“Oh my, more than me?”

 

“Well, that’s…”

 

“I’m just kidding.”

 

Choi Gi-jeong chuckled softly as she picked up a well-grilled piece of meat.

 

“My sister just finished preparing her new work.”

 

Having laid all the groundwork, Choi Gi-jeong put the meat in her mouth and observed Ju Sae-i’s reaction, wanting to build a little suspense.

 

So far, her expression seemed to ask why she was telling her such things.

 

‘This won’t work. I need to get straight to the point for her to catch on.’

 

No matter how outstanding an actor, a kid is still a kid, I suppose. Given the setting, Choi Gi-jeong decided to abandon her roundabout approach and get straight to the main point.

 

“My sister wants Sae-i. As the protagonist of that work.”

 

“…Protagonist?”

 

“Mm-hmm, not a child actor role, but the actual protagonist.”

 

“Me…?”

 

Ju Sae-i’s eyes widened as she asked again.

 

Perhaps flustered, her questioning voice was so loud that the actor at the next table turned to look.

 

The idea that Choi Gi-yeong, Korea’s representative star writer, wanted a newcomer as her protagonist was indeed hard to believe, even for outsiders.

 

‘What can I do if you don’t believe it? It’s true that my sister wants this actor.’

 

Choi Gi-jeong rummaged through her bag. Soon, she pulled out a memo pad.

 

“I’m not saying to sign a contract for the next work right away, so contact this number first. My sister will arrange a meeting schedule for you.”

 

As she handed over the memo with her sister’s number and email, watching Ju Sae-i receive it like a treasure, Choi Gi-jeong felt a twinge in her stomach.

 

‘She’s my actor!’

 

Even if it was her sister, she couldn’t shake the feeling of having her gem stolen away.

 

“Geez, Sae-i is going to become incredibly famous at this rate.”

 

Choi Gi-jeong continued playfully.

 

“Then make sure to mention me in interviews. Say that writer Choi Gi-jeong, not Choi Gi-yeong, discovered you!”

 

“Yes, yes…! Absolutely!”

 

Choi Gi-jeong desperately wanted to monopolize this immature genius newcomer who took the writer’s joke so seriously.

 

If she could have Ju Sae-i all to herself, she felt she’d be willing to work like a cow and produce five works a year.

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