TRIU 20

Chapter 20

“I love watching TV with my mom, so I know all of them!”

CEO Park looked surprised, and Ye-won quickly used her mother as an excuse.

Sorry, Mom.

But this is all for Uncle’s sake, so I believe you’ll forgive me…!

“Th-then…?”

Once her mother was mentioned, CEO Park immediately accepted it.

Even if it was an excuse he couldn’t accept, no adult would argue.

No one would dare say to a child who had recently lost her mother, “Even if you watched TV a lot with your mom, how could you remember all of that?”

“Yes!”

“Then I guess I don’t need to explain. You know how amazing the TV shows produced by PD Hwang are.”

Ye-won nodded.

Of course. PD Hwang’s variety shows were the best gateway for newcomers.

If you appeared in one, you could instantly leave an impression on the public.

But what did this have to do with Grit?

“What does this have to do with you, Ye-won? Actually, it has a huge connection. PD Hwang recently approached Grit to make a show about raising kids.”

“!”

“I told him that Doha has an unbelievably cute and lovely niece who looks exactly like him, and he asked if we could appear on TV together. He was very proactive. It’s rare for him to be that proactive. I think he liked Ye-won’s vibe.”

“……”

Only then did Ye-won understand why CEO Park had come so early.

He couldn’t afford to miss an opportunity like this.

I wouldn’t have missed it either.

Then—

Ding!

A message window appeared in front of Ye-won.

[▶Sub Quest (2)
The path of a child actress begins with one step

You are still unknown.

Nowadays, the world has become complicated, and the ways to gain fame have also diversified.
Let’s start by building recognition.
This opportunity might be a golden chance for you.

Convince Uncle Doha to film the childcare reality show <Glittering Baby House>.

Quest Success:

• PD Hwang Ji-o’s recognition

• Nationwide popularity increase

• Opportunity to audition for the drama <???>

Quest Failure:

• Opportunity to audition for the drama <???> disappears

“!”

This is… a quest!

Ye-won instinctively recognized what PD Hwang’s work was.

‘This is it. The famous <Oh My Baby House>.’

But back then it wasn’t Grit, it was another boy group… ‘Fix Orion.’

Ye-won remembered that show too. Thanks to that show, the rookie group Fix Orion became huge.

Thanks to PD Hwang’s signature style—small, intimate scenes that highlight each person’s charm—each member’s appeal exploded, and it received massive overseas attention.

‘The show that was so popular it reached season five, each season with a different idol group… and I could be on it?’

If Grit had rejected it in my previous life, the opportunity would have gone to Fix Orion.

‘Then… in this life, Grit must do it.’

So that was the favor he was asking.

Meanwhile, CEO Park decided to cut to the chase.

But carefully.

He was beginning to sense that treating this child like a normal seven-year-old would make it impossible to get his money’s worth.

“So I’ll be honest. I think I must go on TV for Doha and Ye-won’s future. There’s no better way to announce to the world that you two have become a family.”

Ye-won silently chewed her straw while watching CEO Park.

…And it would also help clean up Grit’s damaged image.

He was leaving out the important part.

But still…

‘…Not bad.’

No, actually very good.

Moreover—

‘This is also an opportunity for my main quest.’

Ye-won narrowed her eyes. If PD Hwang, a star director, was producing the show, the publicity was guaranteed.

And if she appeared on it, gaining national recognition would be only a matter of time.

But Ye-won wasn’t planning to stop there.

The opponent was a businessman—CEO Park. Then she had to act like a businesswoman too.

Thud.

Ye-won set the empty juice pack on the table.

“Alright.”

“R-Really? You’ll do it?”

“Yes! If it’s for my uncle, I’ll do anything!”

As CEO Park’s face brightened, Ye-won raised one tiny finger.

“But I have a wish.”

“A wish? What is it? Tell me. A doll? A toy? Should I rent out an entire amusement park?”

Ye-won shook her head.

Then, with clear eyes, she looked at CEO Park and revealed the ambition she had been holding inside.

“I want to become a cool main character on TV too!”

“…Huh? A main character?”

CEO Park paused for a moment.

What did she mean by becoming a main character?

Could it be…?

“Yes! I want to practice acting hard and become a great actress!”

Even though he already knew Ye-won’s dream, CEO Park was visibly startled. For her to say that to him now… was she really…?!

“Please cast me!”

“!!!!”

CEO Park was so surprised that he couldn’t speak.

And he wasn’t the only one.

“Whaaaaaaat?!?!!”

Woo-yeon stood holding the ladle, shocked.

“D-Did Ye-won just say… that she wants to be in the same agency as us…?”

“Yes! I want to be in the same agency as my uncle too!”

CEO Park’s mouth dropped open. He knew her dream was acting, but he couldn’t believe such a proposal could come from a seven-year-old.

“Why… why our agency?”

“Because my uncle said you’re a good person!”

At the sight of Ye-won’s smiling face, CEO Park felt a familiar chill run down his spine.

It was Doha.

No, watching her negotiate, she was even worse than Doha.

But instead of being startled, CEO Park slowly smiled.

She had Doha’s face.

And she had a boldness no seven-year-old should have.

You needed guts like that to survive in the entertainment world.

‘Hmm.’

CEO Park looked her over again.

‘Honestly.’

For an actor, the two most important things are a memorable face and acting skill.

‘…Her face is already a guaranteed pass.’

Is there anyone who could forget a face like this?

Even a veteran like CEO Park thought there was no one in the industry with a face like Doha’s.

But it wasn’t just that Doha was handsome.

Doha had something more.

Something that couldn’t be explained in words.

‘…And now that exact face is here.’

It wasn’t just the features.

It was the whole vibe.

The eyes that could persuade anyone.

The mouth that made people nod even if they were being deceived.

‘…You really can’t hide blood.’

She was a guaranteed pass.

Now only one question remained.

“Are you confident in your acting?”

Acting.

Ye-won smiled brightly at CEO Park’s meaningful question.

“Yes!”

“Hmm, acting is really hard. Not just anyone can become a main character. You have to be really good at acting.”

“But I’m confident. Because—”

Ye-won deliberately paused and looked directly into CEO Park’s eyes.

“Because I’m really good.”

“…!”

See?

Not a single trace of being a seven-year-old.

CEO Park burst into hearty laughter at her confidence.

That’s right. The entertainment world runs on momentum.

Even if she couldn’t act now, you could train her until she could… though training a child like that felt a bit harsh. You could teach her.

Come to think of it—

‘Doha was like that too. Even when I first met him.’

Even as a child, there was a ferocity in his eyes.

That ferocity…

Was in this child’s eyes too.

‘…Is there something in the DNA of this family?’

They were genuinely a research subject.

Anyway.

CEO Park reached out his hand.

“Alright. Deal.”

“It’s a promise.”

Ye-won extended her small hand and clasped his.

“Wait!!!!!!! Wait!!!!!!! Can we really do this without Doha?!?!! Are you going to write a contract or something?!”

Woo-yeon jumped up, panicking at their partnership.

“We can write the contract later, slowly.”

“Wow. Can I stamp it like adults too?”

“No, Ye-won!!! What stamp?! Stamps are dangerous!! You can’t just stamp anything!”

“It’s not just anything. It’s my uncles’ company, right?”

“That’s true, but!!! No!! You have to get Doha’s permission first!!”

While Woo-yeon continued to panic, CEO Park didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

Right now, he only saw Ye-won.

This, this… really…

She was something.

He felt like a treasure might have rolled in, even more valuable than Doha.

“Then it’s settled. Now we just need to convince that fortress-like Doha—”

At that moment—

“You want to convince me?”

“!!!”

Doha was standing there with a frozen face, looking down at them.