YDCFGD 08

Chapter 08

The dinner party ended just like that.

In total, nine people had their gifts accepted by Chairman Joo. Among them, the only gift that truly earned his applause was Sae-yi’s performance.

As the guests gradually left Jaedamjae, Sae-yi was guided inside by a secretary.

“Why are you going in there?”
“The Chairman is waiting for you, miss.”

Joo Soo-yeon stopped halfway up the stairs and let out a scoff. The secretary answered in her place.

“Huh? Grandfather?”

She asked again in disbelief. Instead of replying, Sae-yi simply nodded and looked away.

Under the secretary’s guidance, they arrived at Chairman Joo’s private room. Unlike the rest of Jaedamjae, which followed modern designs, this space had been remodeled into a traditional Korean-style room.

The secretary stood guard outside the door. It was the Chairman’s order—no one, not even family members, was allowed to eavesdrop.

It’s my first time here.

Sae-yi slowly scanned the porcelain pieces filling the room. It was such a private space that she had never been allowed inside, even when she had been treated as part of the Joo family.

“Stop looking around and come sit here.”

Chairman Joo broke the silence. Sae-yi obediently took the seat he indicated. An awkward silence followed.

“There seem to be quite a few things I need answers to.”
“Please ask freely, Chairman.”

At her use of the title “Chairman,” he fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke.

“How did you know about that script?”
“My mother once told me about it. She said Grandma had written works herself. I went to Dongu Hall to look for more of my mother’s belongings and found it there.”
“So you prepared that performance because of it?”
“Yes. The moment I saw it, I thought I had to show it to you.”

She answered smoothly, as if she had anticipated these questions.

“A child who used to run away whenever the Joo family was mentioned…”
“……”
“And now you come to me to show me that.”

After a brief pause, he continued.

“When did you learn to act? I’ve never heard anyone say you could.”
“I studied on my own.”

While he was still stunned, she added quickly,

“I’m Grandma’s granddaughter too. I wanted to resemble her somehow…”
“That’s enough.”

He cut her off and ran a hand through his hair. Thinking of his late wife seemed to stir complicated emotions.

“I’ve listened carefully to everything you said.”
“……”
“What I can say now is… thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve regained my spring days.”

He meant it sincerely.

Among all those businessmen who brought gifts only to secure their own interests, Sae-yi’s gift was like a natural treasure.

“You…”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to become an actress?”

As if she had been waiting for this, her eyes sparkled. Without the slightest hesitation, she nodded.

Chairman Joo stared at her for a moment, then took out a document from his drawer and handed it to her.

[Proposal for the Establishment of Wave Actors]

It was a report prepared in advance for the agency he had secretly been planning.

“I’m tired of expanding corporations now. So I want to follow your grandmother’s wishes and polish some raw gems.”

Looking straight at his granddaughter, he continued,

“After seeing your acting today… I thought you might be worthy of being my first candidate.”
“Me…?”
“Yes. But I’m not reckless enough to recruit someone based on just a short performance.”

Sae-yi smiled faintly, as if she understood. She looked disappointed, convinced she wouldn’t be chosen.

She’s still just a kid, he thought, smiling inwardly.

“So, Joo Sae-yi.”
“…Yes.”
“Can you prove it to me?”

The old businessman’s eyes shone like those of a young man.

From the moment she began acting, he had felt her seize everyone’s attention.

She’s not some rough jewel covered in dirt. That child… will become a once-in-a-generation star.

He held back his urge to recruit her immediately because of his own plans.

Without knowing that Joo Tae-baek was behind it, Wave Actors was just a small startup agency.

And Joo Sae-yi was a rookie.

If both rose too quickly, suspicion would follow.

He didn’t want to burden her with that stigma.

“Anything is fine. Show me, with your own hands, why I should put you forward.”

It was a plea disguised as an order.

Give me any foothold to bring you in. Leave some proof that this began before any contract.

Now, the choice was hers.

And Sae-yi replied without hesitation,

“Of course.”

She accepted his offer.

“You’re really bold. I wonder who you take after.”
“Ha-ha, I guess so.”

Thus, the history of Wave Actors began.

“I didn’t realize it was this late. You may go home now.”

If he held her any longer, he might ask her to sign immediately.

“I heard you came in Jung-hee’s car. I’ll have my driver take you home.”
“Thank you, Chairman. Then I’ll be going.”

She bowed politely and left without hesitation.

As soon as she was gone, he muttered,

“That little rascal… She still won’t call me Grandpa.”

From the day his eldest daughter, Joo Jeong-wol—Sae-yi’s mother—passed away…

The child had feared him ever since.

The girl who once called him “Grandpa” sweetly now only said “Chairman.” She avoided Jaedamjae and skipped family events.

Tonight, she didn’t seem afraid—but the title remained the same.

“Do you dislike me that much? Is ‘Grandpa’ really that hard to say?”

Opening the window, he gazed at the moonlit sky.

“Jeong-wol… your bloodline is so difficult for me.”

He felt especially sorry toward his daughter tonight.

Ah, I’m exhausted.

“Hey! Are you ignoring me?”

Joo Soo-yeon is exhausting. Seriously.

She wouldn’t leave me alone from the lobby just because Grandpa had called me privately.

“How dare you meet Grandpa alone? You’re not even treated as family!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I stopped and turned around.

“Soo-yeon.”
“What!”
“Why are you so anxious? Like you said, I’m just the dead eldest daughter’s kid who isn’t even family.”

Her face turned red instantly. At least she felt embarrassed.

I walked away, crossing the garden without looking back.

Then—

“Joo Sae-yi. Can we talk?”
“You scared me! Why are you lurking here?”
“You weren’t coming out.”

First Soo-yeon, now Ryu Do-gyeong.

“This means I’m not even allowed to worry about you?”

He frowned, looking displeased.

“When did you learn to act?”

Not this question again.

“Why did you come back?”
“……”
“You left everything behind. Did you regret it?”

What is he even saying?

“I’m not doing this because I regret anything.”
“Then what?”

He was always like this—ignored me even though he knew I liked him, yet kept prying.

“Don’t ask if you won’t understand anyway.”

My words came out sharp.

He blocked my way in silence until the driver arrived, then stepped aside.

As I passed him, I nodded briefly.

Then he said casually,

“I’m not interested in dating. I can’t go out with you.”
“…That’s my line.”

Dating? Out of nowhere.

He looked surprised, then deflated.

“Sae-yi.”

He barely caught my sleeve.

“Don’t you… miss me anymore?”

Why did he look at me like that?

After getting into Grandpa’s car, I looked at him through the tinted window.

Hands in his pockets, my first love walked alone down the dark street.

No driver. No escort.

For some reason, his back looked lonely.