Chapter 4

With my current phone, I couldn’t confirm the contract that was supposedly sent. So, as soon as I received the text, I moved to the internet cafe I often used.

I really need to change my phone soon…

I found an empty seat and leaned back against the soft backrest. The cool breeze from the air conditioner above quickly relieved my sweat.

This place is heaven…

While enjoying my break, I heard a strange sound next to me.

“Hmm!”

It was Yuna’s voice.

What is she up to this time?

I turned my head to the side to see.

Even without me guiding her, Yuna, who had sat down beside me, was reaching out her short arms to press something. Her tiny fingertips were aiming at the switch to turn on the computer.

“Ehh! Just a little more!”

It was amusing to see her trying to turn on the computer just by stretching her hand, without bothering to sit properly.

‘If you need help, just ask.’

Suppressing my laughter, I reached out to turn on the computer and pulled the chair forward for her.

“Is that okay? If there’s anything you need….”

Yuna’s shoulders drooped, and her adorable lips pouted ike a duck’s.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Feeling like I might have made a mistake without realizing it, I cautiously asked.

“Wasn’t this what you wanted?”

Yuna’s voice sounded faint.

“Yuna wanted to do it…”

It seemed like she wanted to try turning on the computer by herself. But since I did it first, she seemed a bit upset.

Do kids get upset over things like this?

I couldn’t understand at all.

“You can try next time.”

“But still…”

“Last time you said you liked the game, right? Should I turn it on?”

*Nod Nod*

I quickly moved the mouse to launch the educational game.

As I did, Yuna’s slouched shoulders straightened, and her adorable lips curled into a smile

Kids are indeed simple creatures.

“Alright, it’s on.”

Yuna placed her tiny hand on the mouse and started playing the puzzle game. From an adult’s perspective, it was a puzzle so easy it could make you yawn…

But Yuna’s brow furrowed.

I don’t know, let’s check the email first.

I opened the green window and logged into the account I made last time, then opened my email.

[Congratulations on passing the supporting role audition….] Let’s skip this part… I scrolled down and opened the attached digital contract.

Just as I began to carefully read through it from the first line, Yuna urgently called me.

“Appa! Appa, it turned off.”

“What? I told you not to press X.”

“I didn’t press anything. It turned off.”

Lies.

She must have accidentally pressed something with her clumsy mouse handling.

After restarting the educational game, I focused back on examining the digital contract.

‘…What’s this?’

[150,000 won per episode.]

[If you appear with your daughter, we will double the payment.]

They’re offering this much for just a supporting role?

Seeing the payment and conditions, I stiffened in surprise. The payment was much higher than what I saw in the recruitment notice.

Is this some kind of scam?

It was hard to believe they would offer such an exceptional deal to someone with no experience.

So, doubts began to creep in.

‘Should I call the number from the notice?’

I immediately dialed the contact number of the person in charge from the acting recruitment site where I had submitted my application last time.

“Hello. This is Lee Jun-seo, who passed the supporting role audition. I’m calling about the contents of the contract.”

– Ah, is there a problem?

The kind voice of a young woman tickled my ears.

Even though the person on the other end of the call wasn’t in front of me, I nodded.

“No, it’s because of the high appearance fee.”

As soon as I finished speaking, a faint laugh came from the other end of the phone.

– It’s a decision from above. It’s a striking condition for a newcomer.@@novelbin@@

So I was surprised….

– Have your questions been resolved?

“Yes, sorry for the trouble.”

After a brief conversation with the kind representative, I let out a quiet sigh.

Could it be true that they’re offering such a good deal to someone like me, who has no experience?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

Ah, I don’t know. I guess I just have to work hard since I’m getting paid a lot.

After shrugging my shoulders, I looked at Yuna, who was focused on the game.

“Hehehe. This is fun.”

“We’ve played enough games. Shall we go home and rest now?”

“Yes!”

I thought she would refuse, but…

Without any hesitation, Yuna jumped off the chair.

Then, she tightly held my hand.

For the first time, I was surprised when Yuna held my hand, causing my body to tremble.

“Can I… hold your hand?”

Oh, she’s being cautious again….

Because of my actions, Yuna hesitated again and fidgeted with her hand.

“…But we’re already holding hands right? Let’s go home.”

“Hehehe.”

Her small hand was incredibly soft and tender. Yuna’s fingers wriggled within my large hand.

‘Children’s hands are really soft.’

As we stepped out of the PC room, Yuna tugged on my hand and spoke up.

“Appa. Appa.”

“Yeah?”

“Yuna really likes Appa now.”

My heart swelled with emotion at Yuna’s sincere words. It felt like I was finally rewarded for all the effort I had put into playing with Yuna.

“Really? Appa likes Yuna too, you know?”

“Hehehe. Really?”

“Really.”

“For real? Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

And so, we affectionately held hands as we headed home.

***

The conference room was filled with silence.

The mid-term review meeting for the sitcom “Protect the Food Cart!” was in full swing.

At the head of the table sat Director Lee Hansol.

Around him, members of the directing and planning teams were keeping an eye on the director’s reactions.

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

Director Lee Hansol, tapping his desk, spoke with a stern expression.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Director! Are you really okay with casting under such conditions?”

The head of the planning team raised his voice.

Even so, Lee Hansol remained firm and held his head high.

“What does it matter?”

“What?”

“This is a world where skill is everything. If we miss out on a gem with top-tier acting skills, will you take responsibility?”

Everyone fell silent.

Letting out a deep sigh, Lee Hansol pressed the remote control to turn on the projector.

The lights went out, and darkness enveloped the room. As the light burst forth, the situation from the audition days became vividly clear.

Seeing this will change their mind…

Watching Lee Jun-seo act brought back memories of Lee Seo-jun, who passed away just a few days ago.

Despite working on numerous projects and meeting many actors, no one left a lasting impression like Lee Seo-jun.

‘His boldness was the charm…’

Suddenly, a distant memory surfaced, and Lee Hansol couldn’t help but chuckle.

In his early days as a child actor, Lee Seo-jun never stopped acting, no matter what mistakes he made.

Until the camera stopped rolling.

From the beginning, Lee Hansol had observed Lee Seo-jun’s innate talent and watched him grow from afar.

Even after the incident…

Erasing the smile from his face, Lee Hansol looked into the void and pursed his lips.

‘He wasn’t someone to give up easily.’

“Director?”

Suddenly coming to his senses, Lee Hansol looked at the head of the planning team.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“I acknowledge that Lee Jun-seo’s acting skills are good. However….”

Interrupting the head of the planning team, Lee Hansol furrowed his brows.

“Even after passing the audition, many people still decline. Especially for such a short role.”

The head of the planning team pursed his lips and bowed his head deeply.

“Even for minor roles, shouldn’t we treat talented individuals well?”

“Well, but…. There are issues with including a kid.”

In the repeating footage, the child energetically kicked into the air.

Lee Hansol stood up quietly.

“I’ve finished discussing with the head writer. Even if we slightly adjust the minor role, it won’t disrupt the flow.”

Silence filled the room as the footage of Lee Jun-seo, who turned the child’s spontaneous actions into an entertaining scene, came to an end.

Lee Hansol left the conference room.

***

Finally, the eagerly anticipated day of filming had arrived. Despite wanting to stay calm, I couldn’t control my pounding heart.

I had memorized the entire script in advance from the emails received at the Internet Cafe.

Was I overly prepared?

I was eager to arrive at the filming set as soon as possible.

So, I hurriedly carried Yuna, who was walking slowly, in my arms and quickened my pace.

We arrived at the bus stop not long after, and I sat down on a bench, heaving a sigh.

I had walked here quickly, and my breath was caught in my throat.

“Appa, it’s stuffy here.”

Yuna smiled brightly, placing her small hand on my chest.

“We ran all the way here.”

“Oh, Appa!”

Startled by Yuna’s urgent call, I jolted.

“It’s stuffy here for Yuna too.”

With her hand on her chest, Yuna widened her eyes like a rabbit and said, “It’s really amazing! Yuna didn’t even run!”

“Uh, really?”

“Hahaha….”

Laughter filled the air.

People waiting for the bus covered their mouths and chuckled, their shoulders shaking.

They couldn’t contain their laughter at Yuna’s innocent question.

“Ahem! Now that there are many people, should we be quiet?”

“Hehehe. Okay! Yuna is a good girl who listens to Appa well.”

Influenced by the fairy tales I recently read to her, Yuna had developed a habit of saying this.

‘A good girl.’

It was the effect of fairy tales where bad children are eaten by scary wolves.

She’s truly innocent.

Yuna had a tendency to believe fairy tales like iron.

I shouldn’t read her just anything.

*Beep!*

Just then, the bus we were waiting for arrived. I tapped my bus card and took an empty seat.

“How long do I have to be quiet for?”

Yuna’s whispering made the corners of my mouth rise involuntarily.

“Just until we arrive?”

“Yes….”

“Yuna, if Appa’s knee is uncomfortable, do you want to sit next to me?”

*Shake Shake*

Without hesitation, Yuna raised her head and gripped my hand firmly. Her determination not to leave my side was palpable.

What if she continues to stick to me even when she goes to kindergarten?

I couldn’t help but worry about Yuna’s clingy behavior.

‘Well, whatever…’

When Yuna makes good friends at kindergarten, things will change.

I gently patted Yuna’s back as we admired the ever-changing scenery.

How much time had passed like this?

Before we knew it, we had arrived near our destination.

It didn’t take long from our house.

“Is that the place?”

“Appa, can I talk now?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Yuna’s still soft-spoken demeanor.

“Haha! Sure, you can.”

I gently set Yuna down on the ground and ruffled her hair.

“Let’s go inside now.”

“Yes!”

Securely holding Yuna’s hand, we slowly made our way into the sky-blue tent.

Just a few days ago, I met with the production staff and stamped the contract.

Normally, there would be a script reading when all the cast members are decided, but…

As I was just a minor role, I didn’t need to have a script reading.

First impressions are important. Let’s not make mistakes.

I could see Director Lee Hansol in the distance.

I confidently approached him.

“Hello, Director Lee Hansol. I’m Lee Jun-seo.”

He just looked at me in silence.

He didn’t say anything.

“Oh, Yuna. You should say hello.”

“Hello. I’m Yuna.”

The director’s expression remained unchanged upon seeing Yuna. He simply alternated his gaze between Yuna and me with an indifferent demeanor.

“Director?”

“…If you’re done with the greetings, you may leave.”

I wasn’t disappointed by Director Lee Hansol’s brusque attitude.

I already knew that he only acknowledges greetings from people he likes. He only responds to greetings from those he likes in a perfunctory manner.

‘He’s still the same even though he’s getting older.’

I thought that if we spent a little more time together, he might speak more comfortably and even joke around like before.

I forced my smile down and bowed deeply.

“Yes, understood. Yuna, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Yuna’s sunny smile had turned as stiff as a rock.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”

*Shake Shake*

“Are you scared of the director?”

*Nod Nod*

I smiled and quickly hugged the sulky Yuna.

“The director is just a bit shy expressing himself like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he’s actually very kind.”

“Oh, I see.”

As we walked aimlessly, I looked around for senior colleagues to greet.

“It might be awkward to greet them if we’re late. Where could they be?”

That’s when it happened.

A peculiar middle-aged woman was approaching us briskly.

That person is undoubtedly…

With sharp features like a top predator.

Lips that seem to drip blood.

She looked exactly like Yu Seol-hwa, the lead actress of the sitcom.

“…”

Swallowing dry saliva, I ran towards the senior and bowed my head.

“Hello, senior!”

“Yes. But… who are you?”

Without trembling, I confidently replied to the questioning.

“I’m playing the short cameo role as Lee Jun-seo this time.”

“Oh, the one who’s appearing with a child?”

“Yes, that’s right. Please take care of me.”

“…”

Lowering her head, she stared intently at Yuna, her eyebrows twitching slightly.

‘Perhaps she doesn’t like children?’