TRIU 19

Chapter 19

A few days later, at Time Entertainment’s headquarters building.

“…You’re saying we’re filming a diary?”

So that was it!

Woo-yeon opened his mouth wide and stared at CEO Park.

This was the plan the CEO had been scheming!

“A childcare diary. How many times do I have to explain? Are you young and forgetful or something?”

“I’m not the one forgetting. Maybe you are, CEO? How can you announce that we’re filming something like that when Doha and Ye-won haven’t even agreed yet?!”

“…Han Woo-yeon is right.”

Doha said with an uncomfortable expression, as if he couldn’t believe he was agreeing with Woo-yeon.

“We just decided to raise Ye-won, and now suddenly a childcare reality show. That’s too much… it would be too hard for Ye-won.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Huh?”

“I looked into it. Ye-won used to be an actress, right? She said she was interested in broadcasting. Wouldn’t she like it then?”

“!”

Doha’s face stiffened at Park’s words.

“Of course she’d be happy to be on TV. She wouldn’t understand what it means. If she finds out about our sensitive family situation, the wound—”

“I’ll pay off the reporters so they don’t even ask about our family. We’ll set everything up.”

Park said firmly.

“It’s still dangerous—”

“There is no forever secret in this world. If Ye-won dreams of acting, she’ll have to go out into the world someday. So it’s better to face it head-on while she’s young, right? You’ve been in the entertainment industry for a while. Honestly, being honest is always the best.”

“Ye-won’s dreams can change at any time—”

“But Ye-won was very firm. We only talked briefly when you went to the bathroom. And I also want to work with her.”

On the day he first met Ye-won, she boldly told CEO Park that her dream was to become an actress.

‘By the way… I heard from Young-oh that our Ye-won has acted before. Is that true?’

‘Yes!’

‘I guess you can’t hide your bloodline. How was acting? Was it fun?’

‘It was fun. Very much!’

‘Really? That’s great~’

At that time, CEO Park didn’t think much of it.

He brought up acting only because Doha was away and it felt awkward.

Even if Ye-won had acted before, it was only a minor role. A single minor role was basically just an experience, like a career trial.

‘Anyone could have fun with that~’ he thought.

‘So I want to keep doing it.’

‘Huh? Keep doing it?’

‘Yes. Now, tomorrow, and even when I grow up.’

‘!’

‘It’s my dream!’

CEO Park whistled once and pointed at Doha’s face with his finger.

“With a face like that, the money you’ve made isn’t small. If Ye-won becomes our actress, it would be a huge blessing.”

“…….”

“You and Ye-won look exactly alike, so her future is guaranteed too. No smart agency CEO would miss a talent like this. I’m sure of it.”

CEO Park said confidently, smiling as he added,

“And a childcare reality show with Grit. It’s guaranteed to be a hot topic and a hit. Is there a better debut opportunity for a rookie child actress? I don’t think so. From Ye-won’s perspective, I’d say she’s doing really well for herself.”

“…Don’t say she’s doing well because of her uncle. Don’t say that to a child.”

“Sensitive. I’ll be careful. So is the conversation over? Should I contact PD Hwang now—”

“No, it’s not over.”

Doha cut in firmly.

“I still don’t plan to expose Ye-won to the world for a while. Even if she says she wants it, I think it’s the guardian’s role to make safe decisions for the child. My decision is ‘no.’”

Doha said this and turned sharply, leaving the room as if he didn’t want to talk anymore.

“Hey, hey?! Idoha! Come with me! Um. CEO. Then, we’ll see you next time…?”

Woo-yeon followed him out as well.

“…….”

CEO Park watched them leave with shining eyes.

So this is how it goes, huh?

Then I have my own plan, you two.

The next morning.

Ye-won rubbed her eyes and walked out.

‘…The smell of food… is so good…’

The smell of bubbling stew and rice cooking in the pot pulled her out of bed without her realizing it.

Who was cooking? There shouldn’t be anyone who would cook here… but her feet were already moving.

Then—

“Oh, Ye-won, you’re up already?”

“?!”

The person cooking was quite unexpected.

…Uncle Woo-yeon can cook too?

Ye-won scanned the kitchen with suspicious eyes.

Woo-yeon wasn’t alone.

“Ye-won, are you up?”

“Ah. Hello!”

CEO Park was sitting there wearing his typical strict-looking glasses, sipping coffee.

…Why is he here this early?

“Where’s Uncle Doha…?”

Ye-won became tense at the suspicious presence of CEO Park and looked for Doha.

“Doha went out on an errand with Woo-yeon.”

“I told him to buy kimchi. I don’t know how people live without kimchi. Your uncle might not be human. Is it even possible for a Korean household to have no kimchi?”

…He’s not wrong….

Doha crossed a line….

“What are you making, Uncle Woo-yeon…?”

“Soft tofu stew. And rolled eggs.”

The fact that Uncle Woo-yeon could even make those?

Ye-won looked up at him with suspicion.

The smell was convincing, though….

“Why are you staring like that, you little brat!! I can cook too!! In our team, I’m the only one who can actually make real food!!”

“I didn’t even say anything yet…”

“Hmph!”

Ye-won felt a little guilty, so she grabbed Woo-yeon’s pants lightly and smiled.

Then the sulking face of Woo-yeon completely melted into a smile.

“You’re so cute. I’ll forgive you this once.”

“Hehe…”

“Don’t worry and come sit here, Ye-won. I’ll take care of all the annoying things.”

“Okay! I’ll take care of everything… wait. Did you just say you’ll take care of all the annoying things?”

“Then who else will do it? Me or Ye-won? Elder abuse? Or child abuse? Choose.”

“……”

Having nothing to say, Woo-yeon quietly closed his mouth and began rolling the eggs.

“Ye-won, could you sit for a moment?”

CEO Park gestured for Ye-won to sit across from him.

“Yes!”

It felt like being in an audition room.

Ye-won obediently sat where he told her.

“Hey, Ye-won. Um…”

He told her to sit, but now he felt awkward. Asking something of a child felt uncomfortable.

“Are you going to ask me to do something for your uncle?”

“……!”

CEO Park flinched, staring at Ye-won.

How did she know?

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat.

This kid is too perceptive.

When Doha said, ‘The kid is very smart,’ he thought it was just because he was biased.

“How did our Ye-won know?”

“Just! When adults call like this, it always means they want to say something.”

“…….”

“Hehe.”

CEO Park swallowed a laugh. What was this second life vibe?

However—

Ye-won was also trying not to lose this opportunity.

To walk the path of an actress properly, she needed an agency.

And there was no better agency for her than Time Entertainment. They already knew her situation and could accommodate it, and her talent was already proven.

“So…”

She had to seize this chance and join Time Entertainment.

“Uh, CEO. Don’t do anything strange to the child. You should do it when the guardian is here, like a scam.”

While Ye-won was calculating inside, Woo-yeon hurriedly interrupted.

He seemed to sense something was going wrong (something that would make Doha angry).

“It’s not a scam, you brat. And why is there no guardian here? You’re here.”

“Me?!”

“Yes, you. You’re married to Doha, right? Then you’re family too.”

“That’s not how it works?!?! Wait. Why am I married to Doha?! Don’t block my future!”

“Quiet. Ye-won. Listen. Recently, Grit received a very good offer. From PD Hwang Ji-o—”

“I know who he is.”

“!”

CEO Park’s face showed surprise at Ye-won’s sharp response.

“You know? How?”

“Because he made Goodbye, Mom, Sweet My Buddy, and Flying Family!”

“……!”

As Ye-won listed the show titles one after another, CEO Park’s mouth fell open.