The Granddaughter of a Chaebol Family Is a Genius Child Actress - Chapter 21

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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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The Conglomerate Heiress Is a Child Genius Actress
Episode 21
“……?”
At the child’s abrupt question, Yun Seon-woo found himself momentarily speechless.
‘Why would she say something like that all of a sudden……?’
His eyes betrayed his confusion, unable to hide it.
Today was Yu-jin’s final shoot.
After this, there wouldn’t be many chances to see each other, so he’d meant to exchange a proper goodbye.
But then the child had said this out of nowhere.
The face looking up at him held nothing but seriousness—not a trace of playfulness.
‘Hmm.’
After a moment’s hesitation, Seon-woo laughed awkwardly and shook his head.
“Nothing like that, Yu-jin. It’s kind of you to worry about me, though.”
“Uuuugh…….”
But the child seemed unsatisfied with his answer, her lips pressing into a pout.
Then she clenched her small fists tight and suddenly closed the distance between them.
“Still, please be careful! When you walk, watch out for everything! And, um, watch out for people too!”
“…….”
Did I look that exhausted today……?
Her earnest plea made Seon-woo feel a little unsettled.
But soon enough he smiled gently and nodded along with her.
“I will, I’ll be careful.”
She’d probably been watching one of those superhero movies that were all the rage lately.
Kids her age had such vivid imaginations, after all.
Seon-woo reached out and lightly ruffled the child’s hair.
“Thank you for worrying about me, really.”
“Yes. You really, really have to be careful!”
“Got it, got it.”
“Yu-jin.”
Just then, a voice calling the child came from behind.
The child’s guardian was approaching with a somewhat flustered expression.
Yu-jin suddenly seemed to remember herself, gave Seon-woo a sharp ninety-degree bow, and then scampered over to her guardian.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Um, nothing. I was just saying goodbye to him.”
“……Haha.”
Listening to the fading conversation between the child and her guardian, Seon-woo laughed aloud.
They didn’t see each other often, but she was certainly an odd little thing.
Buzz—buzz—
Just then, his pocket vibrated.
Seeing the name on the screen, Seon-woo immediately pressed the call button.
“Yeah, hyung.”
[Hey, Seon-woo. How’s the shoot going?]
“Good, still waiting on the child actors’ scenes. What’s up?”
[Nothing major. I handled the tax paperwork and sent it to your email, so take a look at it when you have time.]
“Oh, you finished already? You worked hard. Thanks, hyung.”
[Don’t mention it, we’re family. Just focus on your acting.]
“Yeah, got it.”
Click—
The call ended as it always did—brief and warm.
The company Seon-woo worked for was a one-man family talent agency run directly by his older brother.
After his idol group days ended and he’d been caught in contract disputes with his former agency, his brother had even quit his own job to start this company for him.
He was always grateful he could focus on acting without headaches—but…….
“…….”
For some reason, Seon-woo didn’t immediately pocket his phone; instead, he stared quietly at the dark screen.
“And watch out for people too!”
In that moment, the child’s final words echoed through his mind.
With an eerily vivid clarity, an indescribable unease brushed across his heart.
A strong instinct that he couldn’t simply laugh off as the idle words of a child.
After brooding for a while, Seon-woo’s fingers stirred, accompanied by a soft sigh.
‘It’s fine…… I’m just going to check. There’s no harm in looking.’
Yun Seon-woo rationalized to himself as he pressed the number of a long-time friend.
Before the dial tone had even rung three times, the other end picked up.
Yun Seon-woo wetted his dry lips and opened his mouth carefully.
“Hey, Jae-min. You busy? ……It’s nothing, just need you to confirm something for me real quick…….”
***
Becoming Seo Young-i wasn’t that difficult.
All I had to do was push away the emotions in my heart somewhere and keep only one thing behind.
“……You. You’re a monster.”
“…….”
That one thing was curiosity.
In the thick forest where tree shadows lay heavy on the ground, Ji-hun sat trembling on the dirt.
The moment I heard that quavering voice, the Seo Young-i inside me responded with delight.
A monster.
That word was the perfect answer to a fascinating riddle for Seo Young-i.
“……Ah!”
I opened my eyes wide, then soon broke into a bright, beautiful smile as if I owned the whole world.
“So that’s it—I was a monster?”
“…….”
I nodded once in understanding and stepped closer to the still-trembling Ji-hun.
“Thank you for telling me.”
That meant I could do all the things adults scolded me for, as much as I wanted.
Because I was a monster, after all.
I pulled a lighter from my pocket.
With a click, a small, beautiful flame sprang up.
Without hesitation, I held it to the bone-dry fallen leaves below.
With a crackle, the fire spread across the leaves.
Plumes of ash-colored smoke rose and billowed.
I watched the flame quietly for a moment, then wiped the lighter clean with my sleeve.
Then I grabbed Ji-hun’s hand where he sat and pressed the lighter firmly into his palm.
I slowly curled his trembling fingers around it with my own hand and whispered softly.
“Here, you hold this.”
I leaned close to Ji-hun’s ear and spoke in hushed tones.
“Soon the adults will come running. But my hands are empty, and only your hand has this. I’ll be crying so hard, so scared. So who do you think they’ll punish?”
I smiled brightly.
“This was just a prank you played, right?”
“Haa—gasp—uh—uh……!”
Ji-hun, crouched on the ground, gasped for breath.
Watching him shake with such terror, my body felt strangely buoyant, and the feeling was exquisite.
And so I understood one more time.
“Then, shall we see each other again later?”
Ah.
I really was a monster.
“……Cut! Okay!”
Psshhhhht—!
The moment the director called out, staff members nearby quickly sprayed the fire with a fire extinguisher.
“Phew.”
Only then did I let out a long breath I’d been holding.
Playing with fire is really terrifying…….
“Fire’s really scary, isn’t it.”
“…….”
I spoke to Ji-hun, no—Kwon I-jun, who was still crouched on the ground.
But Kwon I-jun didn’t answer me and just stood there blinking blankly.
‘Tch.’
At that sight, I jutted out my lips.
‘He ignored me again.’
Kwon I-jun did this every few takes.
No matter what I asked, he wouldn’t give me a proper answer, and whenever I spoke to him, he’d only respond curtly!
Fine, I won’t talk to you anymore either!
As I thought that and turned my head sharply away.
Clap clap clap clap clap—!
“You did great!”
“Fantastic work — really fantastic!”
“…….”
Cheers began pouring in from the staff members around me.
“……Hehe.”
My mood lifted in an instant, and I broke into a beaming smile.
“Congratulations, everyone! You’ve all worked so hard.”
“Here, take these too.”
Before long, the staff members came over with enormous bouquets and pressed them into my arms.
“Uh, ah.”
You’re giving me way too many…….
The bouquets were overwhelmingly abundant.
Flowers bloomed so thickly that I couldn’t see past them at all.
“……I’m going to disappear under all these.”
“Oh.”
Just then, with a curt voice, the largest bouquet blocking my view straight ahead was suddenly pulled away.
What I saw then was Kwon I-jun.
Kwon I-jun began rearranging the bouquets I was holding.
Thanks to him, my view cleared again.
‘What’s this.’
He ignored me before, but he helps when I’m in a bind.
My indignation softened a little.
The way he doesn’t pretend not to notice when someone’s struggling — he can’t be completely awful…….
‘Hmm.’
I fell silent for a moment, thinking.
Kwon I-jun clearly dislikes me.
But I’ve already signed with Su-hee’s Company now.
Shouldn’t people from the same company try to get along, even a little?
‘Yes, yes, that’s right.’
With that resolve, I glanced around.
Jin-a had drawn close to me without my noticing.
“Jin-a, could you hold some of these……?”
“Hand them over.”
At my words, Jin-a swiftly took the remaining bouquets from my arms.
‘Perfect!’
With my hands now free, I straightened my shoulders boldly and walked toward Kwon I-jun.
“I-jun.”
“……?”
I extended my right hand toward him as he turned to face me.
Confusion flickered across Kwon I-jun’s eyes as he looked down at my hand.
Come on, even after all that, he still doesn’t get it.
I cleared my throat with a soft sound.
Even counting my previous life, I was still much older than him.
It was right for me to bring this up first.
“Let’s make up.”
“……What?”
“I’m not sure what I did wrong, but I don’t want to fight with you.”
I pushed my extended hand even closer to him.
“We’re family at the same company now. So, let’s make up!”
“…….”
Kwon I-jun said nothing.
He simply stared blankly, his eyes moving between my hand and my face.
Then, a moment later.
‘……Wait, huh?’
A faint shimmer began to gather in Kwon I-jun’s eyes.
Soon his eyes reddened, and his nose twitched slightly.
That was the face of someone barely holding back tears.
An expression I knew better than anyone.
In the moment of my shock at his unexpected reaction, I blinked.
“……Me!”
“Huh?”
“You. I don’t hate you……!”
Ahhhh— ahhhh— ahhhh—
Kwon I-jun’s cry echoed through the forest, reverberating off the trees.
Everything fell silent at once.
The staff members packing up the equipment, the director—everyone turned their heads to look.
All eyes converged on him in a single moment.
“…….”
Standing at the center of it all, Kwon I-jun’s face had flushed a brilliant crimson, as if it might burst.

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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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