There Are Four Top Idol Uncles - Chapter 188

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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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Part 2, Episode 14
She could imagine Uncle Doha doing it, but Father? Never.
“Ahem.”
Just then, Mrs. Ju let out a very loud, deliberate cough to redirect everyone’s attention.
“Sweetheart, you really have no interest in Haion at all? I’m not asking you to lead the entire company. Even taking on just one subsidiary like Lee Iho or Leon would be enough. If those boys seem odd and that makes the company look odd to you, that’s a terrible misunderstanding. They’re all perfectly sound operations.”
“…I’m afraid I can’t agree that I’m the problem, ma’am.”
“Hush now. You just stay quiet—that’s how you help.”
Lee Iho protested timidly, but Mrs. Ju shut him down at once.
“Our girl is clever, so if she prepares from now on, she’ll earn their recognition in no time. Won’t you?”
Mrs. Ju’s eyes were so earnest that Yewon felt her resolve falter for a moment.
She had no interest whatsoever in Haion, but she lacked the heart to flatly refuse an elder’s sincere appeal.
…And yet….
No matter how I think about it, I can’t. I haven’t even fully rescued Uncle yet.
Yewon steeled herself.
“I’m sorry, Grandmother. But I really have no interest. And….”
Yewon hesitated briefly before adding more.
“That Siwoo—he seemed like quite a decent person. He listens to class very seriously. Sure, he said some strange things to me, but…it seems like he was just trying to compete fairly in his own way.”
Honest, open rivalry was far preferable to sneaking around and attacking in the shadows.
His only real problem was that he didn’t know I have absolutely no interest in Haion.
“Though I have no idea why someone who wants to run a company would come to our school.”
Yewon scratched her cheek lightly.
“That’s probably because of a family tradition of ours.”
“!”
At Yusong’s words, Yewon turned to him in surprise.
Without missing the moment, Yusong deftly cut a piece of meat and popped it directly into Yewon’s mouth.
“To become the next heir to Haion, one must earn the recognition of the family elders who hold the largest shares.”
“The family elders?”
“That’s right. Your grandmother and two other elders hold the most shares in Haion’s main headquarters. You can only become the next heir if you receive their shares—at least two of the three.”
“…!”
Yewon turned to look at Mrs. Ju.
“Of course, even if the heavens split in two, I’ll be passing my shares to you. So that girl will have to earn the recognition of the other two elders. It won’t be easy. She is….”
Mrs. Ju paused, choosing her words carefully.
“An outsider.”
Ah, so that was it.
Yewon felt an odd heaviness settle over her and said nothing.
My very existence must feel like quite an obstacle to her.
“So her adoptive parents’ real intention is probably to show she’s ahead of you at school, so the other two elders will recognize her. Our family wants talented people who are strong and clever.”
“Mm.”
Yewon blinked rapidly.
“Then…does that mean she has to be a better actress than me?”
“….”
“…!”
“…What?”
All the adults fell silent for a moment at Yewon’s question.
How dare this girl try to outdo our Yewon—infuriating, really.
Yet at the same time, they felt a pang of sympathy.
Throwing herself into a competition she could never possibly win.
The poor thing!
* * *
At that same moment, in Hyun Siwoo’s room.
“…?”
Siwoo suddenly felt a chill run through him and looked up from his studying.
What was that?
That sudden, intense sense of dread….
* * *
Whether the adults expressed sympathy for Hyun Siwoo or not, Yewon had been wanting to bring up something since earlier.
“By the way, Grandfather. Since we’re on the subject of acting…do you happen to know Director Yoo Jeong-seok?”
“Ah, Director Yoo? Yes, I do. We’re not close, but we exchange greetings now and then.”
Yeon Taejung’s expression brightened at the prospect of a field where he might actually be useful.
He’d apparently shrunk considerably when the talk turned to Haion and business management.
“You’ve taken an interest in Director Yoo’s work? That’s understandable—he’s a brilliant director. But Director Yoo….”
Taejung trailed off, hesitating.
Yewon knew exactly why he’d stopped.
“It’s been quite a while since he made a film, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. His last work was… yes, six years ago now. That’s how long it’s been since he last held a camera. I’ve asked him several times if he’s thought about a new project, but he always says the same thing—that he wants to focus on his family for now.”
Up to that point, it matched her previous life exactly.
But….
‘In my last life, he started prep work last year, and by now I think the casting calls would have gone out.’
If Director Yoo were making a film, the entire film industry would be buzzing about it.
The moment word spread that he was seeking investment, Yeon Taejung himself would have rushed to fund it.
But if there’s still been no news at all, that means he hasn’t even begun preparation yet….
‘What happened? What could possibly have changed?’
Yewon’s expression darkened.
“Could you perhaps find out whether he’s still not thinking about a new project? I just have a feeling it might be time for him to make his comeback.”
At Yewon’s request, Taejung hesitated for a moment before nodding.
What was that?
Grandfather had never hesitated before granting my request.
Yewon felt a flicker of confusion, but she pushed it aside quickly.
Maybe they’re not as close as I thought.
“Of course. I’ll reach out—it’s been too long anyway, and I should ask how he’s been.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“What wouldn’t I do for our granddaughter?”
Taejung smiled warmly.
“But why did Director Yoo suddenly come to mind? Did something about him come up at school?”
“Oh, no. Director Yoo’s son goes to our school, actually.”
!
At those words, Taejung’s face went rigid.
His reaction was so marked that Yewon herself was startled.
“Why, Grandfather? What’s wrong?”
“Is the boy at your school perhaps… ah, if he’s in middle school, then he must be the second son. Well, in that case it doesn’t matter….”
Taejung muttered to himself, his expression troubled.
Yewon sensed there was something significant behind his words.
“Did something happen to Director Yoo’s eldest son?”
At Yewon’s question, Taejung hesitated, struggling to find the words.
“…The eldest from that household… he’s caused quite a bit of trouble, I’m told. What exactly happened, even I don’t know all the details. But it must have been serious. It’s because of his eldest that Director Yoo stepped back from his work.”
“…!”
Such a thing had happened….
Yewon’s brow furrowed.
Had it happened in her previous life too? She couldn’t remember clearly.
No—even if the same thing had occurred back then, she wouldn’t have known about it.
What director would bare the family’s shameful secrets to a fourteen-year-old child actor?
“I’ve heard the second son is well-behaved and kind. Try to get along with him.”
At Taejung’s words, Yewon didn’t answer right away—she laughed awkwardly instead.
‘I don’t think he’ll be very willing to be close to me, though, Grandfather….’
‘For some reason, he doesn’t seem to like me very much….’
* * *
Click.
With the sound of the door shutting, Eun-oh lifted his head.
As always, the house felt empty, devoid of any sign of life.
“…I’m home.”
He spoke the greeting that would never be answered to an empty room, then quietly knocked on a door down the hall.
“Mother.”
There was barely a sound from inside, but Eun-oh knocked again, his movements automatic from long habit.
“You haven’t eaten, have you? I’ll prepare something now, so please have at least a little.”
“…No, Eun-oh. Mother isn’t hungry…. You eat alone.”
At the faint, hollow voice that came through the door, Eun-oh exhaled quietly and turned away.
He already knew that further persuasion would be pointless.
His father was the only one who could get Mother to eat anything at all.
It had been six years now.
Six years since Mother had left her room.
His father, who had loved film so deeply, never picked up a megaphone again. Instead, he taught mediocre students at some school.
And.
Eun-oh had come to despise drawing negative attention, to abhor the very thought of scandal.
All of it.
Everything had happened because of one person. His older brother.
“….”
Eun-oh slipped quietly into his room and turned on the film channel he watched every day—a network that broadcast the latest movies around the clock.
Then he began organizing his bag without even looking at the screen.
[…That scent, isn’t it tiresome?]
At the familiar middle-aged voice and the line of dialogue, Eun-oh’s hands stilled.
He didn’t need to look up to know which film was playing.
[I suppose so, yes.]
Of all days.
Eun-oh exhaled sharply and sat up.
The screen filled with a girl’s face.
The flushed cheeks he’d seen today were gone, the confident smile vanished, the straight shoulders nowhere to be found.
In their place were eyes dry as winter stone, and lips crusted with old blood.

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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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