TFIU 19

Chapter 19

A few days later, at the TIME Entertainment headquarters.

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

So this was it!

Wooyeon stared at CEO Park with his mouth hanging open.

This was what the CEO had been plotting!

“A parenting diary. How many times are you going to ask? You’re young, yet you keep forgetting everything.”

“It’s not me forgetting things—aren’t you the one forgetting? Doha and Yewon haven’t even agreed yet, and you’re just announcing we’re filming something like that?!”

“…Han Wooyeon is right.”

Doha spoke with an uncomfortable expression, as if he never imagined he’d be saying the words ‘Han Wooyeon is right.’

“We just decided to raise Yewon. And suddenly, a parenting variety show? That’s too much… It’ll be overwhelming for her.”

“Will it?”

“…What?”

“I looked into it. Yewon was originally an actress, wasn’t she? That means she was already interested in being on TV. Wouldn’t she like it?”

“!”

Doha’s face stiffened.

“She’s a child. Of course she’ll say she likes being on TV—because she doesn’t understand what it means. If she ends up learning about sensitive family matters, the wound could—”

“We’ll pay off the reporters so none of that comes out. We’ll set everything up.”

CEO Park said firmly.

“Still, it’s dangerous—”

“There’s no such thing as an eternal secret. And with that face, if Yewon’s dream is acting, she’ll have to step into the world someday anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to face it head-on while she’s young? Have you been in this industry for only a day or two? Honesty is best.”

“Her dream could change at any time—”

“No. She was really certain. I talked with her briefly when you went to the bathroom. And honestly… I want to work with her too.”

The first day CEO Park met Yewon, she boldly told him acting was her dream.

“By the way… I heard from Youngho that our Yewon has tried acting before. Is that true?”

“Yes!”

“You really can’t hide blood, huh. How was it? Was it fun?”

“It was so fun. Really!”

“Oh? That’s great~”

Back then, CEO Park hadn’t thought much of it.

He only brought it up awkwardly while Doha was gone.

Even if she had acted before, it was only a tiny extra role—basically just a one-time experience.

He figured, Anyone could find that fun.

“I want to keep doing it.”

“Huh? Keep doing it?”

“Yes. Today, tomorrow, and even when I grow up.”

“!”

“It’s my dream!”

CEO Park whistled once and waved his finger toward Doha’s face.

“With this face, you’ve made more than just a little money. If Yewon becomes our actress, isn’t that basically hitting the jackpot?”

“……”

“She looks exactly like you, so her future is guaranteed. No agency would be stupid enough to let talent like that go.”

CEO Park smiled confidently and added,

“And a parenting variety show with GLIT? Guaranteed buzz. Guaranteed success. Is there a better debut opportunity for a rookie child actress? I don’t think so. From Yewon’s perspective, she’s basically grabbed the ultimate ‘uncle privilege spoon,’ don’t you think?”

“…Don’t say things like that to a child.”

“You’re so sensitive. Fine, I’ll be careful. So we’re done talking, right? I’ll call PD Hwang right away—”

“No. We’re not done.”

Doha cut him off sharply.

“I still don’t plan on exposing Yewon to the public for a while. Even if she says she wants to, it’s the guardian’s job to make safe decisions on behalf of the child. My answer is no.”

With that, Doha turned abruptly and stormed out.

“H-Hey?! Lee Doha! Wait up! Uh… CEO, then I’ll see you next time…!”

Wooyeon hurried after him.

“……”

CEO Park watched the two leave, his eyes gleaming.

So that’s how you want to play it?

Fine. I’ve got my own plans too, you brats.

The next morning.

Yewon rubbed her eyes and walked out.

“…The smell of food… so good…”

The bubbling scent of stew and freshly cooking rice pulled her out without thinking.

Who’s cooking? There’s no one here who would…

Yet her feet moved quickly.

Then—

“Oh, Yewon, you’re up already?”

“?!”

The person cooking was unexpected.

…Uncle Wooyeon knows how to cook?

Yewon scanned the kitchen suspiciously.

And Wooyeon wasn’t alone.

“Yewon, you’re awake?”

“Oh! Hello!”

CEO Park was sitting there with his sharp-looking glasses, sipping coffee.

…Why is he here so early?

“Where’s Uncle Doha…?”

Feeling nervous at CEO Park’s sudden appearance, she searched for Doha first.

“Doha sent Wooyeon on an errand.”

“I told him to buy kimchi. What kind of house doesn’t even have kimchi? Your uncle might not even be human. A Korean home without kimchi—does that make sense?”

…That’s actually true…

Uncle Doha really crossed the line.

“Uncle Wooyeon, what are you making…?”

“Tofu stew. And rolled omelet.”

…Uncle Wooyeon can make that?

Yewon looked up at him doubtfully.

It smelled convincing, but still…

“Why are you looking at me like that?! Your uncle can cook too!! In our team, I’m the only one who makes food that’s actually edible!”

“I didn’t even say anything…”

“Hmph!”

Feeling a little guilty, Yewon tugged gently on his pants and giggled.

His sulky expression immediately melted.

“So cute. I’ll let it slide this once.”

“Hehe….”

“Come sit down, Yewon. Don’t worry. Uncle Wooyeon will handle everything.”

“Yes! I’ll handle everyth— Wait, what? I’m doing everything?!”

“Who else would? Me or Yewon? Elder abuse? Or child abuse? Pick one.”

“……”

Speechless, Wooyeon quietly began rolling the eggs.

“Yewon, come sit here for a moment.”

CEO Park gestured to the seat across from him.

“Yes!”

It felt like she’d come to an audition.

Yewon sat obediently.

“Yewon… um…”

CEO Park coughed awkwardly.

Asking something of a child didn’t feel easy.

“Do you have a favor to ask, Uncle?”

“……!”

CEO Park flinched.

How did she know?

“Ahem.”

This kid was far too sharp.

When Doha said she was “very clever,” he thought it was just bias.

But no.

“How did you know, Yewon?”

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

“……”

“Hehe.”

CEO Park swallowed a laugh.

Why does she feel like she’s lived two lives already?

But Yewon couldn’t miss this chance either.

If I want to truly walk the path of acting, I need an agency.

And none would be better than TIME Entertainment.

They already knew her circumstances and could protect her.

So—

She had to seize this opportunity.

“Uh, CEO. Don’t do anything weird to the kid. You should scam people only when the guardian is here.”

Wooyeon suddenly cut in, sensing something suspicious.

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

“Me?!”

“Yes, you. You’re married to Lee Doha, aren’t you? That makes you family.”

“How does that make sense?! Wait—why am I married to Lee Doha?! Don’t say things that ruin my future!!”

“Quiet. Yewon, listen. GLIT received a very good offer recently. From PD Hwang Jio—”

“I know who that is.”

“!”

CEO Park blinked in surprise.

“You do? How?”

“Isn’t he the one who made Goodbye, Mom, Sweet My Buddy, and Flying Family?”

“……!”

As she rattled off the program titles, CEO Park’s mouth fell open.