Chapter 54 - If it's you, Eun-ha ssi

Chapter 54: If it’s you, Eun-ha ssi

TL: Aniea

“...What on earth could it be?”

“...Well. I don’t know the reason either, but I can definitely tell it’s something incredibly serious. It was always intense, but now I can’t even talk to him.”

“Director-nim, you shouldn’t be like that too!”

“Then how about our Writer Jung, who’s close with Woo-ju ssi, go talk to him first? My life’s goal is to live a long and prosperous life.”

Zap-!

When Writer Jung Ha-rin’s intense gaze was directed at him, Director Kang In-ho subtly turned his head to avoid her eyes.

However, even in doing so, he did not stop rolling his eyes around to check Kang Woo-ju’s condition.

This was not a situation exclusive to Kang In-ho. Regardless of whether they were actors or staff, everyone on set was glancing at Kang Woo-ju.

“Could he have fought with CEO Kim Eun-ha?”

“Nah, no way.”

Kang In-ho shook his head left and right, as if it was absurd. The others around him also showed similar expressions.

What kind of person was Kang Woo-ju? He was a person who used his time down to the second.

You could see this even during the brief breaks during overnight shoots.

While everyone else was busy nodding off with their eyes closed, he was the monster who leisurely drank coffee and read the script.

“Um.... I can’t imagine that guy worrying about relationship problems. What makes you think that?”

“Just watch carefully. Normally, Woo-ju ssi rarely takes out his phone, but now, except when filming, he’s staring at the phone’s black screen all day.”

“...So what?”

“Oh, really!”

Even after pointing this out, seeing that Kang In-ho still had no clue, Jung Ha-rin stomped her feet in frustration.

“...I can see why Director-nim haven’t been in a relationship.”

“Hey, what’s that got to do with this!?”

“Come on, why would Woo-ju ssi, who doesn’t even play games, just stare blankly at his phone? Think carefully.”

“Well, maybe he’s on social media or something?”

“Woo-ju ssi doesn’t have any personal social media.”

“How do you know that?”

“.......”

Sliiide-

At Kang In-ho’s words, she subtly turned her head. Scratching her cheek awkwardly under his piercing gaze, Jung Ha-rin quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway! If Woo-ju ssi, who neither plays games nor uses social media, is holding his phone all day, there’s only one possibility.”

“He must be waiting for someone’s call or message.”

“Exactly! That’s it!”

Assistant Director Oh Dong-gyu, who had joined the conversation at some point, excitedly jumped in, finally feeling relieved. Jung Ha-rin, whose frustration seemed to have been lifted, poured out the words she had been holding back.

“See, that’s why Director Oh is married. There’s a reason for it.”

“This is basic stuff.”

“Mm-hmm, yeah. It’s basic stuff.”

“.......”

Nodding in strong agreement, Jung Ha-rin felt awkward as Kang In-ho muttered and opened his mouth.

“How are you so sure it’s the CEO?”

“If Woo-ju ssi started it, sure, but how many people in the world are there who he would seriously wait for a call or message from?”

“...You really know how to write a script. But no matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t seem like that to me.”

“Why do you think so?”

Hmm-

At the returning question, Kang In-ho, rubbing his chin, fell into deep thought. After thinking for a while, he voiced the thoughts that came to mind.

“After all, we’ve been watching him closely while working together these past few days. From what I’ve seen, that expression must mean a problem far more serious than a relationship issue.”

“What kind of problem?”

“...Well, maybe something like his parents?”

Hmm-

At Kang In-ho’s words, everyone around him hummed in unison. They quickly racked their brains, but no one could think of anyone that fit.

“Woo-ju ssi’s parents....”

“It’s hard to even imagine what kind of people they are.”

“Maybe they’re like some hidden power controlling South Korea?”

Gasp-

Just then, everyone gasped at the plausible suggestion someone threw out. Kang Woo-ju’s identity was truly shrouded in mystery.

“That’s right! Come to think of it, wasn’t Ji-hwan a junior at the same school as Woo-ju ssi? I remember seeing it on the profiles when we were selecting actors.”

.

.

.

“Great job, everyone!”

“Good work, everyone!”

With all the scheduled filming completed, the actors and staff forced their tired bodies up and exchanged greetings.

“Woo-ju ssi, you did great today.... Huh?”

Kang In-ho, who was naturally greeting everyone, tilted his head in confusion. Kang Woo-ju was nowhere to be seen.

“Kang Woo-ju left right after filming ended.”

“Well, that’s nothing new....”

Kang In-ho scratched his head as he looked towards where Kang Woo-ju had disappeared. Normally, they would at least exchange greetings before he left.

Kang Woo-ju, who rarely showed his emotions outside of acting, made everyone keenly aware of any changes in him.

Of course, whenever the word ‘action!’ came out of his mouth, he would flawlessly portray Kang Joo-heon as if nothing had happened.

“...Wow, did you just see that?”

“...Yeah, I did! Totally swoon-worthy.”

“...I didn’t know he could smile like that.”

Pondering the reason for Kang Woo-ju’s behavior, Kang In-ho overheard some peculiar conversations.

Looking over, he saw a group of staff gathered, blankly staring towards the exit.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Oh! Sorry! We’ll get back to work....”

“No, I’m not scolding you. I’m genuinely curious. What were you all looking at over there?”

“Um....”

The staff exchanged glances at Kang In-ho’s question. It seemed they decided who would step forward with just that brief eye contact, and one of them finally stepped up.

“Well... Kang Woo-ju ssi smiled.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“So, um...”

As the explanation continued, it turned out that they were waiting by the entrance to organize the equipment as soon as filming ended. But Kang Woo-ju moved faster than them.

“At first, we wanted to greet him and say he did well, but he was on the phone, so we couldn’t interrupt. His expression looked kind of urgent too.”

“That’s right. But then suddenly, Kang Woo-ju ssi’s frown completely disappeared, and he smiled a little... Wow. It was amazing.”

“I finally understood what it means when they say winter passes and spring comes. I almost screamed like a high school girl.”

Once the floodgates opened, the staff chatted excitedly among themselves. As Kang In-ho patiently listened, he began to piece things together.

“It happened so quickly that I couldn’t catch the whole conversation, but I definitely heard him say ‘Eun-ha ssi’ and then smile!”

“Me too, me too!”

“...Honestly. I’m so jealous of CEO Kim Eun-ha. A smile reserved for just one woman? I thought that only existed in dramas!”

Sigh-

With those last words, they sighed together. Kang In-ho, watching them, shook his head and quietly left the scene.

*

– The surgery went smoothly, so there’s no need to worry. I even saw him for a moment before he went into the operating room.

After all the filming was over.

The moment I heard Kim Eun-ha’s calm voice over the phone, a sigh of relief escaped my lips.

At the same time, I felt immense gratitude towards Kim Eun-ha, who had squeezed in a hospital visit despite her tight schedule.

– Eun-ha ssi, I will definitely repay this favor.

– You know you shouldn’t say things like that lightly, right? I’m not a big fan of formalities. I’ll make sure to collect a hefty price.

Heh-

Kim Eun-ha’s playful voice made me momentarily forget I was outside, and a smile spread across my face without me realizing.

– I don’t mind.

– Oh, I wasn’t joking.

– Neither am I. Really, you can ask me for anything.

Before speaking again, I cleared my throat, feeling a tickle. Then, I spoke, pouring all my current feelings into each word.

– If it’s you, Eun-ha ssi.

My sincerity flowed directly from the depths of my heart, without even passing through my frontal lobe.

*****

For more chapters check out my patreon on link given below.

If you enjoy this novel, please review and rate it at Novelupdates. Thanks! ????

Patreon Link – .gg/woopread-708613326262894654