Chapter 68: Crank In

Chapter 68: Crank In

“What?”

Miso looked toward Yoo-Jin’s room, placing her index finger over her lips. “Shh!”

Then, she shook her head as she warned me that Yoo-Jin was angry. Miso explained that Yoo-Jin was upset that I didn’t visit them yesterday although I had promised to. She had even ordered a bunch of snacks to share with me. When I told her that I couldn’t visit them, Yoo-Jin grumbled that I was always too busy.

As a result, Miso was also unhappy since her mom became upset due to my actions.

But something was weird.

‘Yoo-Jin definitely told me that Miso was mad because I couldn’t come when she missed me.’

However, according to Miso, it was the opposite—Yoo-Jin got upset first, which caused Miso to also get upset.

Nevertheless, I thought I shouldn’t pry too much into it. After all, I was too tired yesterday and might have misunderstood the situation. I decided to calm Miso down first while I thought of how to appease Yoo-Jin.

"So do you still hate me, Miso? Even after I bought you a doll?"

Miso looked into the room and then back at me, wriggling her fingers and shaking her head. "No, it's not that... I can't just go back to liking you while Mom is still angry."

Miso pursed her lips with determination as she placed the PowerTuff Girl doll she was holding down.

‘She doesn’t hate me but can't like me either?’

Miso saying she doesn't like me somehow made my heart ache.

I made a pitiful face with my hands clasped. "I’m sorry, Miso. Can you please forgive me? I had a really hard time. I took care of the person who hurt you and your mom, and even saved someone who was about to die."

Miso looked perplexed for a moment before entering a thoughtful contemplation. She glanced back and forth at the room with a 'what should I do?' look.

"Uhh...I’m not supposed to let this go so easily..."

But then, Miso seemed to make up her mind and whispered in my ear. "Then it's a secret that I forgave you, Uncle Yoon-Ho. Okay?"

"Yes, it’s a secret."

Only then did Miso hug the PowerTuff Girl doll again.

At that moment, the closed door opened and Yoo-Jin came out of her room after finishing her makeup.

"You must be tired, oppa. Why did you come so early? You could have taken your time..."

‘That’s a lie.’

She was smiling with her mouth, but her eyes weren't.

I looked at Yoo-Jin and behaved just like I did with Miso, apologizing to her. I explained the circumstances of yesterday and how busy I was until late at night. Yoo-Jin's expression started to change as she listened to my story, asking questions with excitement and fascination.

"Wow, really? Mr. Seon-Woo is amazing."

Yoo-Jin was especially amazed by the story about Bang Seon-Woo. She said she'd never seen a 'genius' in her life.

‘That’s funny. There's a genius in the mirror she looks into.’

"Oppa, can you introduce him to me one day? I would love to meet him."

"Of course I can. You can do whatever you want."

Yoo-Jin glared and sulked. "Hmph... you’re always just words. You tell me I can’t eat whatever I want."

"Well, that's... not okay. You can do everything you want but eat."

"See? You changed your words again. I can't trust you anymore."

Yoo-Jin acted as if she was offended, just like Miso. I realized where Miso got her habit of pretending to be upset and being whiny—it was from Yoo-Jin.

"Fine. You can eat as much as you want until lunch today."

"Really? Promise me you won’t change your mind."

"I promise."

Yoo-Jin's face finally brightened up.

Then, I remembered that she had fried chicken yesterday.

‘No, I should just let it go this time.’

"Let's go home now. I heard the reporters have left."

As Yoo-Jin decided not to move to a new home, the company went ahead to install security systems in her house.

Yoo-Jin nodded and fiddled with Miso's clothes. "Miso, let's get you changed and get ready to go home now!"

"Okay, Mom!"

"And from now on, you can call me 'Mom' outside as well. Okay?"

Yoo-Jin's voice was louder than ever.

Miso replied loudly with a bright smile. "Okay, Mom!"

Holding Miso in her arms, Yoo-Jin turned to me and said, "Oppa, thank you so much. Thanks to you, Miso finally feels like my real daughter!"

"Uncle Yoon-Ho is the best!"

My heart swelled with emotions.

"There’s no need to thank me. I was just doing my job. Now, let's get going. The landlord must be waiting."

Having packed everything, we headed to the underground parking lot to greet the concierges. When I handed out the bonus envelopes given by Kang Gam-Chan, everyone greeted me with bright smiles.

Indeed, all effort should be rewarded. I was feeling that reward too.

"Of course. Miss Yoo-Jin, could you come this way, please?"

Cha Soo-Yeon readily accepted Jang Moon-Ki's request. After all, even a small topic turning into an article was beneficial for the production company.

As Yoo-Jin followed Cha Soo-Yeon to a corner of the shooting location, over 80% of the reporters followed her.

I also stood by Yoo-Jin's side to assist her with the interview.

"Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, how did you decide to adopt your niece at such a young age?"

"Did the agency know from the beginning that Miso was your daughter?"

"Do you have a message for reporter Ju Kang-Yong?"

Flash! Flash!

The spotlight and camera flashes continuously focused on Yoo-Jin. It was as if she had become the main character before the drama even started, receiving a full camera spotlight.

"Okay, that's it for the interview! Thank you all for your hard work."

As Cha Soo-Yeon was about to lead the reporters away, my eyes met with Jang Moon-Ki who was staring at me.

"Mr. Jung. You know me, don’t you? Haven't we met in Cheonho-dong before?"

It was true I had gained the nickname 'Star Jung' and faced some awkward situations because of Jang Moon-Ki, but his help was significant during the Choi Jun-Woo incident.

While I was pondering what to do, the surrounding reporters started murmuring.

"Reporter Jang, are you trying to get an exclusive story?"

"Hey, don't be selfish. Let's share it."

Jang Moon-Ki ignored the questions from other reporters and kept winking at me, clearly wanting an exclusive story.

I had no choice. I owed him a favor, and I would need his help again in the future. I nodded slightly. Giving Jang Moon-Ki a scoop at this time meant he would write ‘positive’ articles about Yoo-Jin. He would ensure that Yoo-Jin received the spotlight with his 'specialty.'

I left a message to meet Jang Moon-Ki separately and headed toward the filming location.

***

Ju Seong-Jin, the male lead, sneaked a cigarette behind the temporary trailer used as a makeup studio.

His mood was off due to the crank-in being delayed a week which messed up his schedule.

Puff~

As he exhaled a long puff of smoke, he heard a rustling sound from behind.

The startled Ju Seong-Jin quickly tried to stub out the cigarette but relaxed when he saw who it was. It was Choi Jong-Hyuk, his co-star playing a brother in the drama.

"What are you doing here? I thought you said you don't smoke, hyung. Were you lying?"

"Damn, you scared me. I thought you were a reporter."

"The reporters are all busy taking photos of Jung Yoo-Jin. How does a supporting actress attract more cameras than the lead?"

"Damn those reportrash. Always sticking like barnacles whenever there's an issue..."

Jealousy among celebrities knew no gender bounds.

"Give me one too."

Ju Seong-Jin handed Choi Jong-Hyuk a cigarette.

"I need a lighter as well."

"Do I look like your talent agent?"

But despite his gruff words, Ju Seong-Jin lit the cigarette for him.

Puff.

For a moment, the two just smoked in silence before Ju Seong-Jin spoke again. "Hey. You now know Yoo-Jin has a daughter. Are you still going to approach her?"

"What about you?"

"I'm cutting ties. The moment I heard she has a daughter, my interest plummeted. It's too much of a burden even if it's an adoption."

Choi Jong-Hyuk smirked and took another drag of his cigarette. A cunning smile played on his lips.

"Wait. Are you...? Are you really..."

"Really what?"

"Really going to make a move?"

Choi Jong-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah. I'm really going to make a move.”

“But I thought you only chased after older women?"

"Having a daughter gives a different vibe. A woman with strong maternal instincts—that's attractive. For the first time in a while, I'm serious."

Ju Seong-Jin shook his head with a dumbfounded look. "You're crazier than I am."

Finishing his cigarette, Ju Seong-Jin disappeared toward the set.

Choi Jong-Hyuk watched Ju Seong-Jin leave and smirked. Previously, he was doing it solely because Ma Dong-Pal had asked him to. However, things were different now.

"Being known as Jung Yoo-Jin's man. That's a decent title, isn’t it?"

Just the thought of gaining popularity through his association with Jung Yoo-Jin made him smile. And thinking about Yoo-Jin's stunning figure only added to his grin.

"Well, I should head over too."

Choi Jong-Hyuk stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward the filming location with a smile.

1. Shamanistic ritual intended to prevent misfortune and bring good luck by placing the pig heads on the table along with many different kinds of dishes ?