The Chaebol Family’s Youngest Daughter Doesn’t Hide Her Acting Skills - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 79

“Celebrating the huge success of The Mountain God Blesses! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Clink, the cheerful sound of clashing glasses filled the barbecue restaurant.

Though I, the actual lead, toasted with a cider glass.

Anyway, the sizzling smell of cooking meat and boisterous laughter. It was truly the scene of a wrap party for a successful drama.

“Oh my, our Jimin! No, Sae-i! Today’s real protagonist is Sae-i!”

All attention was focused on me because Dojehyeon was joining late due to his schedule.

Director Kwon Hee-taek, his face flushed red, patted my shoulder enthusiastically.

“Do you know how many times we all cried while editing? That final eye acting was truly… national treasure level!”

“You’re too kind, Director. It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance.”

I smiled and raised my cider-filled glass again.

Just then, a piece of well-cooked meat was placed somewhat roughly on my plate.

“Director, please stop. This older sister will get indigestion.”

A sharp voice.

When I turned my head, Dojehyeon was sitting there with a black cap pulled down, holding tongs with an indifferent expression.

When did this guy arrive?

“…Oh my, Senior Dojehyeon. When did you get here?”

“Ah, could you stop with the ‘senior’ thing?”

Dojehyeon frowned and brought the meat dipped in ssamjang to his own mouth.

After the success of The Mountain God Blesses, I had been viewing Dojehyeon differently.

His on-set acting was impressive, but Dojehyeon’s acting truly showed its worth beyond the camera.

Thinking ‘as expected, a senior is a senior,’ I had been playfully calling him senior.

“Still, in terms of experience, you’re like a sky-high senior.”

“Who says what? But it feels weird getting formal speech from you all the time, older sister.”

He used to say “hey, you” even when I told him to call me older sister, but what wind has blown to make him change so much?

Dojehyeon grumbled but seeing my empty plate, he started grilling meat again.

“Hey, older sister. Don’t you have hands? Eat when I tell you to eat.”

“Thanks, Jehyeon.”

When I chuckled and spoke casually like before, he cleared his throat unnecessarily and clicked his tongs.

“Honestly, when I first saw you, I thought we wouldn’t get along. Your acting style, your personality.”

Dojehyeon stared at the grill and casually threw out his words.

“But… well, it wasn’t bad.”

“It wasn’t bad?”

“…No, actually it was go-good.”

He avoided my eyes and sniffled awkwardly.

“You feel good when you see someone who acts well, you know.”

“I know what you mean. I felt that way watching you and Seong-ha.”

“Ahem, anyway.”

Dojehyeon cleared his throat and continued.

“I’ve rarely been overwhelmed by my acting partner. But when filming the last episode… looking into your eyes, I got choked up without realizing it.”

I received recognition from child actor Dojehyeon, who had ten million viewers.

And such roundabout praise at that. How cute of him today.

“I’m honored. Getting recognition from a senior too.”

“Don’t get complacent. I’m just saying it was watchable.”

Dojehyeon replied curtly and clinked his cider glass against mine.

“By the way, I heard you decided on your next project. Romance Record?”

“Huh? How did you know that?”

“There was an article. I saw it all.”

Dojehyeon pouted and glanced at me sideways.

“Who’s playing the male lead there?”

“…You know what? I’m only telling you this.”

“Is it Woon Seong-ha hyung?”

“Yeah.”

Wait.

How does he know that?

Dojehyeon added as if reading my confused eyes.

“I saw him practicing. I help him with practice sometimes.”

Oh, so the two of them became that close…

Even if the future changes little by little, it seems people who are meant to be close still become close this way.

When I smiled warmly at the news that the two people who became best friends in my previous life were getting along well, Dojehyeon clicked his tongue as if displeased.

“Anyway, he just acts more boringly than when he’s with me.”

Usually, wouldn’t you be jealous if someone acts more interestingly than when they’re with you?

Dojehyeon was the opposite. He had the atmosphere of a training camp instructor who would whip you if you didn’t act properly.

Depending on Ju Sae-i’s acting, the main instructor could become either an angel or a devil…

“…But don’t enjoy projects without me too much either.”

He threw out words that could be jealousy or whining, then picked the most delicious part of the well-cooked meat and shoved it into my mouth.

“Ah, just eat! How will you look good on camera when you’ve lost so much weight?”

“Oof, it’s hot!”

“Then let it cool down before eating, older sister!”

Watching me chew the meat that filled my mouth, Dojehyeon finally raised the corner of his mouth with satisfaction.

“You worked hard, older sister. I’ll send you off to your next project.”

I swallowed the meat in my mouth and smiled.

Seeing Dojehyeon grumble while gradually expressing more emotions made me feel like I had gained a younger brother.

***

Late at night when the afterglow of the wrap party hadn’t faded.

I was lying in bed checking my next schedule when my phone vibrated briefly.

When I turned on the screen, I saw a message from Ryu Dokyung.

[Ju Sae-i.]

[When are you free.]

[If you have time, meet with me.]

The way of speaking that jumped straight to the point without preamble or greetings was very much like Ryu Dokyung.

I was habitually typing a rejection.

[I’m busy these days. I have to prepare for my next project, and school too…]

It was true.

Because the drama was such a hit, interview requests were flooding in, and I had no time to spare preparing for the script reading of 【Romance Record】.

It was obvious I’d waste emotional energy meeting Ryu Dokyung, and I didn’t have that luxury.

I was about to finish typing and press the send button.

My gaze unconsciously turned toward the desk drawer.

‘…Ah.’

The tightly closed drawer.

I remembered a single photo I had put inside.

The back of the photo with “I miss you” written in his distinctive handwriting. Ryu Dokyung’s clumsy sincerity that I couldn’t bear to throw away and had treasured for years.

‘…’

I hesitated. My finger hovered in the air.

If I said I was busy now, he would say he understood.

And what if he went back to rummaging through those photos alone, waiting for calls that wouldn’t come.

I could clearly picture him grumbling on the outside but feeling bitter inside.

‘…That’s unfair, Ryu Dokyung.’

If it weren’t for that photo.

If I hadn’t seen the writing on the back, I would have just tried to ignore it.

His clumsy sincerity kept holding me back.

I deleted all the rejection messages I had written. Then, after thinking for a moment, I sent a short reply.

[This weekend is fine.]

[You’re going to buy me something delicious?]

As soon as I pressed send, the number next to the chat bubble disappeared instantly. As if someone had been staring at their phone the whole time.

[Yeah.]

[Something expensive.]

[Sunday at 1 PM. I’ll come pick you up, so wait quietly.]

The rapid-fire replies made me laugh.

Even though it was just text, I could imagine Ryu Dokyung’s expression as he grinned while sending his replies.

“…Sigh.”

I dropped my phone to the side and looked up at the ceiling.

I can’t win against him, really. In the end, I gave in to Ryu Dokyung.

But I immediately kicked off my blanket and sat up abruptly.

No wait, it’s not like I’m going just because of one photo. I have something to confirm.

Of course, that’s it!

I nodded with a deliberately serious expression.

Ryu Dokyung’s study abroad.

Originally, Ryu Dokyung was supposed to leave for overseas study soon. But looking at how he’s been acting lately, he doesn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

He even seemed to be preparing for the college entrance exam!

If he doesn’t go study abroad, who knows how the future might change again.

So this meeting isn’t a date, but rather reconnaissance to figure out Ryu Dokyung’s future plans.

…Really.

“I’m going to probe whether you’re planning to study abroad or if you have other ideas. For information gathering purposes. It’s very important work.”

I muttered to myself while patting my reddened cheeks with my palms.

“It’s definitely not because I got soft-hearted over the writing on the back of the photo, definitely not…”

Even though no one was listening, I earnestly made excuses to myself as I buried my face in the pillow again.

But beneath the grand justification of information gathering, I couldn’t deny that I was looking forward to Sunday.

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