The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter: 41

“The CEO is quite well-known in this industry. You can say there’s no place he hasn’t extended his influence.”

Jung-hyun hyung explained in a nonchalant tone.

It was a new expression, perhaps because I was used to seeing his always softly smiling face.

“You could say he’s a prime example of someone who becomes troublesome if you make him your enemy.”

“But! If he’s on your side, he’ll protect you more reliably than anyone else. From the moment you sign a contract with Woo-yeon, He’ll be on your side.”

CEO Jang responded with words that were either a compliment or an insult and laughed.

It was refreshing to see someone who spoke honestly without sugarcoating anything.

In a way, I could understand why he was described as a ‘decent opportunist.’

Personally, I liked that the purpose of the conversation was clear. There was no need to speculate about this and that.

After that, we discussed a wide range of topics, including the services Woo-yeon provided to their actors, the extent of involvement in selecting projects, contract fees, and duration.

At one point, a man named Chief Han came in and handed over the contract.

Jung-hyun hyung sat next to me and explained each clause, perhaps worried I wouldn’t understand.

However, I had already looked up the toxic clauses through Mist’s search function the previous night, so I had a rough idea.

‘It’s quite favorable to me.’

They said to be careful as the penalty clause might be hidden like a trap, but no sentence seemed unfair even after reading it several times.

Since I was a minor, the signature of my guardian, Director Yoo, was necessary for it to be legally binding.

After discussing with CEO Jang again, Jung-hyun hyung tactfully ended the conversation.

“If you sign the contract, is there anything you want to request? Anything you need.”

“Manager Jin-bae. If possible, I’d like to keep him as my manager. That is, if he’s okay with it too.”

I thought he might be okay with it by the way he spoke, but you never know people’s minds.

I mentioned it just in case, and CEO Jang nodded with a hearty laugh.

Even though the contract hadn’t been signed yet, the atmosphere felt as if the decision had already been made.

Since I planned to continue acting, I preferred to stay where Jung-hyun hyung and Manager An Jin-bae were.

Aside from assigning Manager An Jin-bae to me exclusively, I had no other requests.

While we were deep in conversation, there was a knock on the door.

“Hello. I heard you were looking for me…”

It was Manager An Jin-bae with a nervous expression.

I wondered why he looked like that, but his gaze was directed at the CEO. Well, it’s understandable; it’s not easy dealing with your superior.

Regardless of who was nervous in front of him, CEO Jang, with an indifferent face, started to talk.

“It’s been a while since you came to the office, so you must have had a lot to handle.”

“No, sir! Chief Han took good care of everything… I just greeted the others.”

“You don’t have to cover for them. I’ve heard all the reports about the talkative Team 2 leader. You’ve worked hard all this time. Now, you’ll be reassigned to Team 1, so keep that in mind.”

“……Pardon?”

Manager An Jin-bae asked in disbelief.

Both CEO Jang and Jung-hyun hyung laughed at his reaction. I stayed still, not knowing the context.

“Yeon-jae will be joining Team 1 as an actor. So naturally, his dedicated manager should also be in Team 1. Do you not want to be Yeon-jae’s manager?”

“N-no, sir! I want to. I’ll do my best!”

He stammered a bit but soon responded confidently. His previously stiff expression brightened up.

When I thanked him for taking care of me, he started to express endless gratitude, so I had to stop him.

I didn’t know who the Team 2 leader was or how he had worked until now… but it was a relief to see that Manager An Jin-bae’s expression wasn’t bad.

He tried not to show it, but his eyes were twinkling. Hmm, it seemed like he genuinely liked it.

“What about your living arrangements? It seems too early for you to live alone.”

“Pardon? Living arrangements?”

When I asked back in surprise, he looked more astonished than I did, asking if I planned to continue staying at the orphanage.

Oh, right. The teachers and kids might feel uncomfortable because of me.

“Many people will come to the celebrity’s house. Reporters, too. I think it would be better to move before the news goes out.”

That’s reasonable.

I knew it was the right thing to do… but it wasn’t easy to give a straightforward answer.

Although I hadn’t spent my entire life at the orphanage, it was the place that occupied the most significant part of my memories. The same went for the people.

As I hesitated, Jung-hyun hyung patted my back gently, smiling.

“Yeon-jae, you don’t have to decide right now. You can think about it slowly.”

“Even if you think about it slowly, the move should be done quickly.”

Then, CEO Jang quickly interjected.

His tone showed no sign of subtlety.

“……”

I couldn’t see clearly because he was blocked by Manager An Jin-bae, but I could roughly guess what kind of expression hyung would be making from the floating silence.

After a sigh, Jung-hyun hyung asked.

“Is it because you don’t want to leave the orphanage? Or is it because you don’t want to live alone?”

“The latter. I’ve never lived alone.”

I never thought I would stay at the orphanage forever. I would have to leave when I turned 18.

But I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. What should I tell the director?

Would she actually feel relieved? That could be the case.

“Then, do you want to live with hyung?”

“Pardon?”

The thoughts that had been continuing were suddenly cut off.

I looked up in surprise to see Jung-hyun hyung smiling.

“If you’re okay with it, I’m fine. The house is big enough that it won’t feel cramped with just one more person.”

“What if you get overseas schedules, Jung-hyun? Are you going to leave the kid alone then?”

“Oh, right.”

With an “Oh, right” expression, Jung-hyun hyung nonchalantly said, “Then I’ll just avoid overseas shoots.”

Is it possible to avoid them just because you want to? Even without a schedule now, he goes abroad once every two months.

As I tried to continue my interrupted thoughts, Manager An Jin-bae, who had been quiet the whole time, cautiously spoke.

“If the actor is okay with it… how about living with me?”

“Oh! That sounds good. It would be convenient for moving around.”

CEO Jang’s face brightened.

He even clapped his hands like a seal, which Jung-hyun hyung told him to stop.

Living with Manager An Jin-bae? I couldn’t imagine it, so I had no particular thoughts about it.

As I stared at him silently, Manager An Jin-bae nervously continued.

“As you saw at my house, there’s plenty of space, so it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. I’ll make sure we hardly meet on holidays.”

“No. You don’t have to go that far….”

I replied reluctantly, and Jung-hyun hyung, who had been laughing, intervened.

“Haha, that sounds good. But living at Jin-bae’s house is not an option. The CEO will find you a separate place. That’s the right thing to do, isn’t it, CEO?”

“Ah…, yes, that’s right.”

CEO Jang nodded with a regretful expression.

It’s more like he had no intention of hiding his thoughts than having them clearly shown on his face.

After thinking deeply, I answered that I understood, feeling that it would be the same no matter whom I lived with.

There would be no big difference from living in an orphanage since I would have my own room anyway.

“Then it’s roughly settled. I’ll find a place as soon as you sign the contract and bring it in. Let’s move as soon as it’s ready. Maybe within a week or two?”

“Is there a need to rush?”

“I have a plan in mind.”

CEO Jang responded with a laugh to Jung-hyun hyung’s words.

It was a refreshing laugh, but it didn’t seem that clean.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as when I glanced to the side, Jung-hyun hyung’s face was filled with unease.

* * *

Surprisingly, the move happened the following week.

The day after the conversation, I handed in the signed contract, and two days later, I received a call saying they had found a house.

It was a vacant house, so I could move in immediately on Saturday. Along with the news, I was told that the furniture and appliances were already there, so there was nothing to pack separately.

While packing the day before, it didn’t feel real. That feeling remained the same on the morning of the departure day.

Teacher Lee Si-hyun, whose eyes were swollen from crying for a long time, hugged me tightly.

Although she had treated me comfortably since the story of the tail shoot, this was the first time I had been hugged like this.

Since I would see most of the kids at school anyway, I wondered if there was a need to say goodbye, but seeing them all cry one by one was really surprising.

It seemed like they were crying because someone else was crying… when I tried to wipe their tears in surprise, they cried even more.

Even Choi Sang-hoon was standing with tearful eyes. Why are you crying when you’re in the next class?

“Take care. Come back anytime if you find it tough.”

“I will. You stay healthy too, Director.”

The director and I exchanged a few words, ending the farewell calmly.

As she slowly stroked my hair, I started to feel strange.

Since the director was still listed as my guardian on paper, this wouldn’t be our last meeting.

I would have to be 18 to change my status to someone who has left the care system.

Even after leaving the orphanage as an adult, I planned to visit frequently if circumstances allowed, so there wouldn’t be much difference whether I left now or then.

Whether the directors and teachers would welcome me was another matter.

“Okay, I’m really leaving now. Everyone, go inside.”

After loading the few belongings into the car, I said my final goodbyes.

Well, it’s about time to leave.

I wore a troubled smile because the teachers were standing firmly as if their feet were tied to the ground.

In fact, I wasn’t the only one reluctant to leave.

“Yeon-jae, you have to come next month, okay?”

“Yes. I promised.”

“There are plenty of rooms, so come anytime if something happens. You don’t even need to call.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

After a long conversation with Teacher Lee Si-hyun, who started to sob again, I finally turned around.

The director quietly patted my shoulder.

After getting into Manager An Jin-bae’s car, I looked at the receding orphanage.

“……”

Although it was a long time ago and naturally not clear, I vaguely remembered the day I first came to the orphanage.

The day my biological mother left, I sat on a park bench until late.

The sky was dark, and the weather was cold.

I wasn’t sure if my memory was accurate, but it felt like I had stayed at the police station for a few days.

I also vaguely remembered being very bothered by the dirt under my nails because I hadn’t washed properly during that time.

However, I still vividly remembered the director’s smiling face as she held my hand without hesitation.

I don’t think it was particularly cold inside the police station, but I clearly remember being surprised at how warm the orphanage was when I first entered.

An unforgettable, warm air.

The car was silent. Manager An Jin-bae didn’t say anything either.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

And so, we went to the new house.