There Are Four Top Idol Uncles - Chapter 203

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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 29
* * *
And so Director Yu left.
“You heard all of that, didn’t you, Kim Manager?”
Yusong spoke quietly to the man seated at the back table.
Kim Manager rose without a word and shifted to the chair across from him.
“Yes, CEO.”
“I’ll need to adjust the plan somewhat.”
Originally, he’d intended merely to invest capital, but now he would have to clean up Director Yu’s surroundings as well.
Kim Manager studied him with a subtle gaze.
“You’ve changed considerably.”
……
“You used to avoid entangling yourself in others’ affairs.”
At Kim Manager’s words, Yusong let out a soft laugh.
“I suppose I did.”
“Tidying up the situation isn’t inherently difficult, but it will require substantial resources. Moreover, no matter how thoroughly we handle things, if the young lady participates in that director’s work, there will undoubtedly be risks. Does he possess value commensurate with such risk?”
Kim Manager’s concern was genuine and heartfelt.
Director Yu’s circumstances were dire, but judged rationally, investing in him posed greater losses than gains.
Director Yu was hardly the only capable director in existence; surely a more promising option awaited if one looked.
So why insist on him, only to wade through such complexity?
“You said I’ve changed a great deal, didn’t you, Manager?”
But Yusong’s response was an unexpected question.
“…Yes.”
“As you say, in the past I would never have involved myself in something like this. I would have done exactly as you suggest—sought out another talented director. That would have been the more practical choice, after all.”
Yusong spoke calmly, his mind drifting to someone.
Someone who, until seven years ago, had caused him searing pain whenever he came to mind—pain so intense it felt as though his entire body might shatter.
“But if I had continued living that way… Yewon would not exist in my life.”
!
“Rather, nothing would remain.”
Had he not involved himself in Seoha’s affairs, he would have no precious memories of her at all.
And that daughter so lovely he couldn’t bear to part with her—she would never have been born.
He hadn’t understood it then, but now he knew with certainty.
A life like that holds no meaning whatsoever.
“And every time I see Yewon growing day by day, I think the same thing: I wish the world she’ll grow up in could be even slightly better. If our daughter could see only beautiful things, hear only good things… then I feel I could do anything.”
……
“So if there’s something I can do, Manager, I won’t hesitate—I’ll do it.”
At Yusong’s words, Kim Manager curved his lips in a small smile and nodded.
“Of course, CEO. I, too, will do my part to make the world our young lady will live in even a little cleaner.”
* * *
Since it was the first meeting, they only did club introductions and individual self-introductions before wrapping up.
With twenty people per grade and sixty people total introducing themselves, memorizing all the names proved quite taxing.
Yewon did her best to commit their names to memory, but felt she’d managed barely half.
Just as she was about to head home and turned on her phone.
!
[Wisteria Shelter]
A message from an unknown number had arrived.
Yet Yewon instinctively sensed that Eunoh had sent it.
He’s collecting his payment.
A person with a clear accounting sense. Worried I’d eat and run, has he? Yewon muttered this to herself as she slung on her bag.
Just then.
Dad
Daughter
At the same moment, her father had sent a message.
What’s this?
Yewon walked toward Wisteria Shelter, checking KakaoTalk with a puzzled expression.
Dad
There’s a gift,
and I was thinking of telling you when you get home,
but I wanted our daughter to be happy even a second sooner, even a moment longer, so I’m telling you early.
A gift?
Suddenly?
Without realizing it, Yewon’s mind jumped to today’s date.
But today isn’t anything special, is it?
What do you mean?
(confused sparrow emoji)
After a brief pause, Yusong’s reply came through.
Dad
You wanted to work on Director Yu’s project, remember?
Dad asked Director Yu for a favor
“!”
No way…!
Yewon nearly dropped her phone.
Dad
He says there’s still a lot to think about
But he’s willing to consider it more positively
Oh my goodness!
Yewon bounced up in front of the Wisteria Shelter.
Such wonderful news!
I thought there was no hope…!
And then, just then.
“…Looks like something good happened.”
“!”
A soft voice drifted down from above her head.
Before Yewon could even look up, she knew who it was.
“I wish I could hear good news from you too.”
When Yewon raised her head, there beneath the bare early-spring branches stood a boy in fresh green—alone.
Yewon quickly stuffed her phone into her uniform pocket.
She was certain it was good news for Eunoh as well, but she couldn’t yet grasp how to accept that she and her family had wielded such influence over his.
There would certainly be people who saw it as overstepping, as crossing a line they shouldn’t have.
Yewon felt cautious.
To her, her family was the most precious thing in the world—the thing she guarded most carefully, holding her breath.
It would be the same for this boy.
Yewon didn’t want to wound his heart.
At least she felt certain that it would be better if Director Yu himself told his son directly.
“It’s good news, yes—for you, senior.”
“….”
“Because I’ll get to grant one of your wishes.”
A faint smile played at the corner of Eunoh’s mouth at her words.
Or was it mockery?
Too subtle to tell which direction it went, Yewon thought with inward frustration.
Reading people’s faces was her occupational habit; she’d always believed there was no expression she couldn’t decipher.
Yet it seemed there remained uncharted territory still.
Yewon had no intention of asking something foolish first, like “So what is it you want from me?”
I’m already losing too much.
I don’t want to lose any more.
“Is that how you always are?”
“Sorry?”
But at the boy’s next question, Yewon sensed instinctively that she’d lost again.
Stupid—why am I saying “sorry?” like that. Good grief.
“Do you always go around desperate to help anyone and everyone?”
“Not just anyone. Hyuk is my friend.”
“I see. So you try to help all your friends like that?”
There’s a thorn in the question.
Yewon read the subtle resistance lurking beneath Eunoh’s blank expression.
“Yes. If my circumstances allow it… I want to help. As much as I can. I can’t speak for others, but at least that’s how I am with my friends and family.”
“….”
Eunoh gazed at her with an expression that suggested he was either striving hard to understand her, or else persistently disapproving—she couldn’t tell which.
Yewon met that stare without flinching.
She had no intention of hiding herself, or of trying to.
“I see.”
“!”
“Well then, maybe I should be your friend too.”
“…….”
His smile was meant to seem friendly, but it twisted into something far more crooked.
Not liking the look of it, instead of answering, Yewon simply stared—and then Eunoh suddenly pulled out a camera.
Yewon instinctively stepped back.
Her uncles had left her with a trauma around paparazzi.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“…It’s fine.”
“I assumed you’d be used to cameras, being an actress and all.”
“I am used to them. I was just caught off guard by you pulling it out so suddenly.”
At her words, Eunoh looked down briefly, as if understanding.
Then, with deliberate slowness, he showed her the camera.
“It’s a film camera.”
“Isn’t that the camera you used to photograph me before?”
This time it was Eunoh who hesitated.
“I’ve never done that.”
“I saw you taking pictures of me.”
At Yewon’s words, Eunoh pretended not to hear, only fiddling with the camera.
This guy. He’s really something. Truly.
“My wish is.”
“Are you changing the subject to wishes because you’re losing ground?”
“For you to be the lead in my next project.”
“!”
At the unexpected request, Yewon’s head snapped up in alarm.
“It’s the third-year first-semester project. I’m directing it, and as it happened, I’m writing the script too.”
Eunoh said this, then blinked as if weighing something, before adding:
“Don’t think of this as some special privilege for you, or a good opportunity. If it were that kind of thing, I wouldn’t have used my wish on it.”
He tapped the camera with his long, pale fingers as he looked at her.
“The truth is, the female lead in this project is already decided.”
“!”
“I’m telling you to beat her and become the lead in my project.”
This is absolutely nothing good for me at all!
Yewon’s face drained of color.

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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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