Cheon Jiyoung looked brighter than ever. This wasn’t that kind of forced smile that always carried a shadow of sadness — this ti, it felt like she was genuinely happy.
Maybe it was because she finally found ntal stability by doing what she wanted to do.
Still... when was she ever going to grow up?
I sighed and gently pulled her arm away.
“You’re a grown woman now. Hey, even if we’re cousins, people will get the wrong idea.”
“Why? I can just say you’re my cousin. Let them misunderstand.”
I couldn’t help but shake my head.
“I just ca to see your face since it’s been a while, and I heard you were filming. I figured I’d drop by and send so dinner while I was at it.”
“I knew it! No one but my oppa would do that for !”
She gave a thumbs-up, grinning.
“How’s the filming going? Think the movie will do well?”
“You never know while you’re in the middle of shooting. I just picked it because I liked the script.”
In my past life and in this one, I’d never paid much attention to the entertainnt industry. I couldn’t tell whether her project would succeed or flop.
“To be honest... I don’t think it’ll be a big hit.”
Jiyoung whispered softly.
Well, if it were so blockbuster, I probably would’ve rembered it even without caring.
“Is it at least fun?”
“Yeah. It’s fun.”
“Then that’s all that matters. As long as you’re enjoying it.”
It was spring, but the night air was still chilly.
I took the coat from Manager Ma’s hands and draped it over her shoulders.
“Let’s eat together. Want to go out?”
Jiyoung shook her head.
“The shooting schedule’s tight. Let’s just eat here.”
We walked into the open dining tent, where a line had already ford for the buffet.
As soon as Jiyoung entered, the cast and crew clapped and cheered.
“Jiyoung! Thanks for the food!”
“Cheon Jiyoung! Cheon Jiyoung!”
Jiyoung smiled brightly and bowed to everyone.
I’d wondered when she’d finally mature, but seeing how well she handled herself socially, I felt a bit relieved.
All the tables inside were full, but it seed they’d left two open for the lead actors.
Her manager led us to one of the empty round tables.
“Jiyoung, I’ll get your food. Just wait here.”
Jiyoung waved her hand.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll get it myself. Better not do anything that people could gossip about.”
“Alright.”
“Manager, go eat with the others. They’re all sitting over there.”
“Then I’ll do that.”
“Don’t worry about , Manager. I’ll just eat while chatting with my oppa.”
Her manager bowed to and went over to join the staff.
“Oppa, let’s go get food. But wait — since when does Myeongdong Hotel do catering? They usually don’t, right?”
“They don’t. But... I own it.”
When the owner asks, who’s going to say no?
“Oh, fancy.”
She poked my side playfully, laughing.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go.”
Jiyoung handed the coat back to Manager Ma and walked ahead.
In the anti, I spoke quietly to him.
“Check whether the production has enough funding. If they’re short, see if we can cover it discreetly without Jiyoung knowing.”
“Yes, boss.”
Jiyoung was waiting at the end of the line for .
So staff tried to let her cut ahead, but she quickly waved them off.
“Still—”
“Hey, co on! If I say ‘yes, I’ll go first,’ everyone’s going to think I’m so arrogant diva!”
The staff burst out laughing.
She was naturally kind and cheerful — just being near her lifted people’s mood.
Maybe, more than just enjoying it, becoming an actress really had been a good choice for her.
We filled our plates lightly and sat back down.
“That’s all you’re eating?”
I couldn’t help comnting when I saw her plate — barely any food, and all vegetables. Like a rabbit’s al.
“I’m filming. I have to watch my diet.”
“You’re already skinny enough.”
To , she looked more than slim — she looked fragile.
“I can’t help it. Even a bit of weight looks puffier on cara. And the role suits a lean body. It’s my choice, so I can’t complain. You can buy sothing delicious when the shoot’s over.”
Her tone was firm. I guess you could call that professionalism.
I just nodded and began eating.
Her eyes lingered on my plate.
“Want so?”
“No way.”
She shook her head vigorously.
“Anyway, I got a call about an offer to expand into China. What do you think?”
“Out of nowhere? China?”
“Yeah. The company got a proposal.”
“You must be popular in China too.”
“Of course! I’m Cheon Jiyoung.”
Seeing her proudly lift her chin like that, I couldn’t help wondering what people saw in that kind of arrogance.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Honestly, it’s a great opportunity. But it won’t be as easy to work freely as it is in Korea. That’s why I’m thinking about it. I wanted your opinion.”
“What’s the company saying?”
She shrugged.
“They’re saying I should absolutely do it. That chances like this don’t co twice. It’s hard to make it big there, but if you hit once, it’s incomparable to Korea.”
“You’re not doing this for money, are you?”
“No. Money... Grandpa left more than enough for a lifeti. The interest grows even when I do nothing.”
I looked at her curiously.
“Then it depends on what your real goal is.”
“My goal?”
“Yeah. Why are you doing this in the first place?”
She stirred the greens on her plate with her chopsticks.
“Hmm... it’s just fun. I like when people cheer for . On stage or on screen, I feel alive — like I really exist in this world. Acting’s the sa. You get to live as soone else. Not many people ever get that chance.”
“Then go for it. Even if it fails, it’s worth trying if it’s sothing you enjoy.”
“Right?”
She smiled widely and nodded.
So she’d already made up her mind — then why ask ?
“Just don’t expect too much. China’s no easy place. Be ready to fail too. And if you go, you’ll need more security.”
“Ugh... I already have too many.”
She groaned, but I stayed firm.
“I’m saying this because I worry. Not to control you. China’s not as safe as Korea. Anything could happen.”
“I know. I’ll talk to the company.”
By the ti we finished talking, our plates were empty.
Manager Ma, standing behind us, noticed and approached.
“Would you like so more?”
I shook my head.
“Coffee?”
“Huh? Sure.”
“Aricano?”
While Manager Ma went to get it, Jiyoung spoke.
“Grandma said she misses you. You should visit more often. She doesn’t sound as strong as before.”
“Our grandma?”
“Yeah. When I called her, she kept talking about you.”
“I call her often... but she never says anything like that to .”
“She doesn’t want to burden you. Don’t just call — go see her. Stay a few days. You’re all she’s got.”
Ever since Grandpa’s funeral, Jiyoung had looked after Grandma like her own.
“Alright.”
“Don’t just say it — actually go!”
Just then, Manager Ma returned with two cups of coffee.
“Stop nagging and drink your coffee.”
We sat together, drinking and chatting.
But peace never lasted long.
“Jiyoung, thanks for the food. I’m stuffed.”
Jiyoung stiffened and put down her cup.
When I turned, a woman — another actress — was standing behind us.
“I’m glad it suited your taste, sunbaenim.”
“Look at you. This is from Myeongdong Hotel, right? You probably wouldn’t even know what it tastes like if you bought it yourself.”
“I’m sorry, that’s not what I—”
“Ha, relax. It’s just a joke, Jiyoung.”
From the atmosphere, it was clear this wasn’t a friendly greeting.
Maybe she ca just to pick a fight. The woman glanced up and down, then let out a short laugh.
“Who’s this? Your boyfriend?”
Before Jiyoung ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) could deny it, she continued.
“Or a sponsor?”
Her tone was light, but she made no effort to lower her voice.
Who the hell was this woman?
Anyone with half a brain and a pair of eyes wouldn’t talk down to Jiyoung like that.
“He’s my cousin. He ca to cheer on since I’m filming.”
“Oh, family?”
The woman smiled like she’d painted the expression on and extended her hand.
“Nice to et you. You know who I am, right?”
I stood up and took her hand.
“Yes, nice to et you. But I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Oh, co on, you’re joking.”
No, I really wasn’t.
When my expression didn’t change, her smile froze.
“I’m Lee Songhee. You don’t know ?”
“No. First ti eting you.”
Manager Ma leaned in and whispered,
“She’s a famous actress from the 1980s. Faded from leads to supporting roles, but still big in advertising.”
I nodded and smiled politely.
“Ah, I see. Sorry, I’m not familiar with the entertainnt world. Please take good care of Jiyoung during filming.”
“Well, if you’re that disinterested, I suppose you wouldn’t know. Still, if you ca to support her, shouldn’t you at least know who else is starring? Hard to tell if you’re here to cheer her on or get in the way.”
What an amusing person.
Sensing trouble, Jiyoung hurriedly stepped in.
“Sunbaenim, my oppa really doesn’t know much about the industry. Please understand. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, and now I’m the bad guy again? I’m not asking for an apology, you know?”
“...”
Jiyoung fidgeted, glancing nervously at .
I decided to let it slide and said calmly,
“I’ll be more careful next ti.”
“Ha, sure. If there is a next ti.”
Manager Ma looked ready to step forward, but I stopped him with a hand.
If either of us got involved, it’d only hurt Jiyoung.
Sure, we could deal with this easily — but the aftermath? The staff would start avoiding her. Whisper behind her back.
In other words, exactly what the woman had implied — my visit would turn into a disruption.
The room’s attention had shifted entirely to us.
Lee Songhee’s manager rushed over.
“Noona, what’s going on?”
He looked up and down.
“Nothing. I was just surprised to et soone who didn’t recognize .”
“Huh? Didn’t recognize you?”
I barely held back a laugh.
So she enjoyed humiliating people, huh.
I would’ve preferred to just move sowhere else — but too late for that now.
“Jiyoung, you okay?”
Her manager, Hong, checked on her.
That was when Lee Songhee’s manager suddenly jabbed a finger at him.
“Hey, Hong! How do you train your actors? There are plenty of seniors here who’ve been in this business longer than she’s been alive. Show so respect, huh?”
“...”
“Say sothing. I’m not wrong, am I?”
“...I’m sorry. Please stop and go back, sir.”
Hong took a deep breath, visibly restraining himself.
But the manager — just like his actress — didn’t know when to shut up.
He leaned close to Hong and whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear,
“By the way, is your agency even legit? Aside from Cheon Jiyoung, you don’t have any real stars. I heard sothing — she got a sponsor, right? The company was made just to promote her.”
He didn’t even bother lowering his voice. I heard every word.
Hong’s face went completely pale, drained of all expression.
“If you want to die, keep talking.”
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