First Day (4)
The power held by an S-class drama writer was beyond one's imagination. Korean stars who had a billion Chinese fans as well as big-time producers and presidents of the broadcast stations could not hold a candle to an S-class drama writer.
It was a great opportunity that Lee Ji-Yeon, the most competent and popular S-class writer, showed an interest in a specific actor. After all, Lee Ji-Yeon was famous for casting actors she liked in a groundbreaking manner.
"Ms. Lee asked a lot about Yoo-Jin on the set. It seems Yoo-Jin definitely caught her eye."
But Kim Dong-Soo didn't seem to be listening to me at all.
-This is just ridiculous. How dare a mere first-year talent agent make such judgments? Don't think, don't judge. Just do what I tell you to do. Do you really think that every single actor Lee Ji-Yeon shows interest in is guaranteed to succeed? Just focus on Yung-In!
Kim Dong-Soo kept nagging non-stop. But him taking care of Ju Yung-In seemed a bit excessive beyond his scope as a chief.
'Could he have already been interested in Ju Yung-In at this point in time?'
But I soon dismissed the thought.
'No. Don't let it bother you, Jung Yoon-Ho.'
After all, I decided to move on from my past life long ago. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and opened my mouth.
"I'll report to Chief Gu first, and then I'll go to Namyangju if he gives me permission."
Kim Dong-Soo seemed perplexed by my reply.
-Hey! Why would you bring up Chief Gu right now?
There was no time to keep talking on the phone at an urgent time like this.
"Oh, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon is looking for me right now. I'll have to hang up now~. I'm sorry."
-H-how dare you try to hang up on me when…
Static.
I could hear Kim Dong-Soo cursing from the other end of the line, but he couldn't bother me anymore.
After hanging up the call, I immediately called Chief Gu Seong-Cheol from Division 2, where I belonged, and explained the current situation to him.
-Yoo-Jin caught Lee Ji-Yeon's eyes? Wow, our youngest talent agent did a great job. I'm so proud of you! Oh, and just ignore Chief Kim's orders. Who the heck does he think he is to order my boy around? Go ahead and act first and report what happens on the set to me later. Okay?
"Yes, Mr. Gu. I love you!"
-Wow~. I love you too, my boy.
With his chill personality, Gu Seong-Cheol generously accepted my words.
But the schedule concerning Miso's accident still remained unchanged. The congested traffic on Kangdong Bridge mirrored my feelings.
In the end, I decided to take a different approach.
***
-Hey, don't you know that you can get arrested for prank-calling the police station? I'll have you know that we are tracking your location right now and…
Static.
"Huff, huff. Did the law change or something? 112 can track the location of callers now?"
I made a false report to the police that a thief had broken into Miso's house and said that a young child was hiding under the bed, trembling in fear. I had hoped for the police officer to protect her, but the officer who answered my call immediately realized that I didn't even live in Cheonho-dong.
I had no choice but to quickly hang up when he threatened to track my location and arrest me.
'Then onto the second plan. This time, I'll call the national heroes—119.'
Ring ring ring.
Static.
-Hello?
When I heard a friendly voice over the phone, I pinched my nose to disguise my voice.
"Hello. I live at XX apartment in Cheonho-dong. I think I smell gas around here. There seems to be a leak from the second floor~"
-Please don't make prank calls like this. We can track your location. You seem to be near the south end of Kangdong Bridge right now. It looks like you're coming down from the Guri direction…
But I couldn't back down now.
"Ugh, this isn't a prank call! My cousin sent me a message saying that she can smell gas! I promise to pay if you decide to charge me a fine later, so please. Please go check it out! Please!"
Despite my desperate plea, the responder on the call was indifferent to the plea..
-I will charge you a fine at your address for prank calling, so please pay your bill when you receive it. Late payments will incur additional fees, so please handle it accordingly.
Static.
The call ended.
'I never knew South Korea was such a strict country.'
Yet I didn't give up and dialed another number. This time, I decided to call the delivery service center.
"Hello? Is this the Wide Foot Delivery? There is a child who lives at XX in Cheonho-dong. Can you check on them and…huh? No, I'm not kidnapping anyone! I'm speaking the truth! Please don't call the police! No, I'm not! Oh my goodness, this is unbelievable!"
They treated me like I was insane. I had no choice but to hang up once again when they threatened to report me to the police.
'Why is everyone so law-abiding? A child's life is at stake!'
Having barely escaped the traffic congestion at Kangdong Bridge, I parked my car nearby and took out an electric scooter from the trunk. However, my helmet seemed to be missing.
'Ah, whatever, It can't be helped. Even if I get a fine, I'm coming for you, Miso!'
***
I finally arrived at Miso's house.
"Huff! Huff!"
I felt like my chest was about to explode because I switched from riding the electric scooter to running about 500 meters from Miso's house when it started snowing.
I jumped over a low wall and ran straight up to the second floor. Thanks to the front door being open, I was able to immediately go inside and call for Miso.
"M-Miso!"
"Huh? Uncle Yoon-Ho!"
Miso opened her eyes wide and greeted me. She had a cute appearance that resembled Yoo-Jin, pretty enough to be a child actress. When I walked further inside the house, I could see her fiddling around with a Christmas tree in the middle of the living room with her hair neatly brushed and braided into two.
Although it was a small tree about 30cm tall bought from a convenience store, she had made the effort to decorate it with cotton balls and glowing stickers.
"Miso, you were supposed to be at the kindergarten. What are you doing here?"
I approached Miso in the kindest manner possible to hide my anxiety. After all, things would get more problematic if she got scared and cried while I was trying to take her out.
"Well, mommy…no, I mean auntie. I wanted to surprise auntie with a party! Auntie loves Christmas so much! I was planning to go back to the kindergarten and wait after finishing decorating this tree."
Miso made an innocent smile.
'At least she wasn't hurt.'
"Okay. How about we go see your auntie now?"
"But I have to finish this tree."
"Why don't we take the tree with us and finish decorating it outside? I'll buy you lots of glowing stickers to stick on the tree and we can decorate it in the car. How does that sound?"
At that moment, I began to sense the faint smell of gas.
I was running out of time.
After a moment of contemplation, Miso stretched out her thumb and index finger.
"Okay. Then buy me two glowing stickers! I want the big ones!"
"Of course. Anything for you, Miso. I'll even buy you three big ones. Let's call your auntie and the principal as soon as we go out. How's that?"
"Okay!"
Then, Miso took my hand as we stepped outside.
The stench of rotten onions grew stronger and stronger. It seemed like the smell of gas from the first floor was carried upstairs by the wind. I had a bad hunch that walking with Miso would take too long.