Chapter 41: Invitation to Home

Myungwoo quickly turned his head.

There stood a familiar person.

“Ah, Sunbae Yang Seunghyun.”

He had been thinking he should greet this person anyway.

Myungwoo smiled and replied to him.

“You worked hard on the shoot. You did well.”

Yang Seunghyun smiled faintly and praised Myungwoo.

Myungwoo beamed at his praise.

“Not at all, thank you, sunbae. You were great too, sunbae.”

Earlier in the shelter, one of the people next to the leader, Baek Sungjae, had been Yang Seunghyun.

He had no lines, but his facial expressions and acting in actions were top-notch.

No wonder he didn’t win the rookie award for nothing last time.

Anyway, Lee Yoohee really has an amazing eye for spotting raw talents.

Both himself and Yang Seunghyun—she precisely picked out people who could act this well and debuted them.

Those in the know all knew it, but in fact, there wasn’t a single actor debuted by Lee Yoohee who hadn’t won a rookie award.

In a way, she was a woman with an even greater eye than a casting manager.

“Thank you.”

At Myungwoo’s words, Yang Seunghyun smiled small, looking pleased.

“Where are you going now, sunbae?”

“The shoot’s over, so I have to go home… You?”

“Ah, me? Yoohee sunbae and Siho sunbae invited me to their house, so I’m heading there.”

At Myungwoo’s words, Yang Seunghyun’s eyes widened.

Then he blinked as if envious.

Ah, is he jealous that I’m close enough with Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho to visit their house?

Well, that made sense.

Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho were truly living legends in the acting world, weren’t they?

Myungwoo nodded inwardly, convinced.

“…Later.”

“Yes? Later?”

Surely he wasn’t about to say he wanted to visit their house too.

Just as Myungwoo was about to make a slightly troubled expression.

“Come to my house too.”

“Th-that… Uh, yes?”

Myungwoo, who had been preparing to say something like That might be hard for me to arrange, stared blankly at Yang Seunghyun due to the unexpected words.

“Next time, come visit my house too. I’ll invite you.”

Yang Seunghyun was looking at Myungwoo with eyes sparkling, as if his earlier shy demeanor had vanished.

“Uh, uh, yes. I’d be grateful if you invite me.”

“Good.”

When Myungwoo accepted, Yang Seunghyun even clenched his fist in joy.

“Then, your number…”

“Ah, yes.”

Myungwoo, still dazed, entered his number into Yang Seunghyun’s phone.

“Then I’ll get going. Have fun. Get home safe.”

“Uh, yes. You too, sunbae, get home safe.”

Yang Seunghyun waved at Myungwoo with a clearly uplifted mood compared to before and disappeared.

Left alone, Myungwoo stared blankly at where he had been and let out a hollow laugh.

He’s really an incredibly pure person, huh?

He had thought so since first meeting him, but he hadn’t expected him to be this pure.

Instead of saying he wanted to visit Lee Yoohee or Jeon Siho’s house himself, he invited Myungwoo to his own.

“But why does he care for me so much?”

He did seem to particularly like being called sunbae—maybe that’s why?

“Well, if he sees me positively, it’s a good thing.”

Anyway, it wasn’t bad.

Myungwoo shrugged his shoulders.

“Are you done talking with Seunghyun, Myungwoo?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for waiting, Yoohee sunbae.”

As the conversation with Yang Seunghyun ended, Lee Yoohee approached with a beaming smile.

“Yeah? Then let’s go quickly! Siho’s waiting too.”

“Ah, yes. Sounds good.”

Myungwoo nodded with a bright smile.

Lee Yoohee excitedly led the way, and Myungwoo followed her with a soft chuckle.

***

Jeon Siho’s house was not far from the filming location.

On the way, Lee Yoohee picked up Jung Inha and drove with an excited face.

“Haha, Yoohee sunbae is driving herself?”

“Oh, don’t even say it. I’m her manager, but Yoohee won’t let me touch the wheel at all.”

Lee Yoohee’s manager, whom he was meeting for the first time today, joked and spoke to Myungwoo.

“Haha, sunbae really seems to love driving.”

She didn’t used to be like that. Ah, back then she didn’t have a car or license?

Well, when he was close with her as Han Minwoo, she was in her 20s and hadn’t been in the industry long, so it made sense.

“Haha, Myungwoo, once you get your license and drive later, you’ll understand this feeling.”

“Yoohee-ya, not everyone loves driving like you do.”

From the passenger seat, Jeon Siho laughed heartily and lightly teased her.

“Really? Why not? I really don’t get it.”

“Haha, others might like it, but not to the extent of driving themselves and not letting their manager do it.”

“Exactly. I should have realized when the manager job posting didn’t mention driving ability.”

“Haha, that was probably something Yoohee specifically requested. Because she wants to drive herself.”

“That sounds like her. With Yoohee’s personality.”

Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee’s manager laughed and continued the conversation.

In the very friendly atmosphere, Myungwoo smiled softly.

Of course, since the two are dating, their managers must have met many times.

“Aigoo, Siho hyung, can’t you drive sometimes? I want to relax a bit too.”

“This? No way. I hired you to drive.”

This time, even Jeon Siho’s manager joined in, continuing the warm and lively conversation.

“Everyone’s really close.”

Jung Inha, watching them with curious eyes, whispered to Myungwoo.

“Haha, yeah.”

Myungwoo laughed and replied to Jung Inha.

“By the way, why did they call Jo Seungha?”

“Ah, Yoohee sunbae suggested it would be good to invite Seungha hyung too.”

“Ah, Yoohee sunbae…”

Jung Inha’s sharp tone when asking about Jo Seungha softened immediately upon hearing it was Lee Yoohee who called him.

Seeing the previously pouty child turn into a gentle lamb, Myungwoo glanced at her curiously.

“Oh my, Inha-yang, aren’t you close with Seungha-kun? Did I call him for nothing?”

“Huh? Ah, no! We’re close! Seungha and I are really close!”

“Ahaha, really? Seeing you don’t call him oppa, you must be really close?”

“Ah, th-that’s…”

“Yes, the three of us are very close.”

Myungwoo stepped in for the flustered Jung Inha answering Lee Yoohee’s question.

Lee Yoohee smiled brightly at Myungwoo.

“I’m glad you’re close~ Well, even if not, you can become close today! Right?”

“Haha, that’s right.”

“Ah, yes, you’re right!”

Myungwoo smiled brightly, and Jung Inha nodded enthusiastically.

Myungwoo looked at her again with curious eyes.

This kid who wouldn’t even listen well to her manager listens so well to Yoohee.

Of course, how could anyone not respect Lee Yoohee as an actor?

She was undeniably one of Korea’s top actors.

Seeing Jo Seungha react the same way, this level of response might actually be normal.

Hmm, was my initial reaction too mild?

Myungwoo thought this while observing their attitudes.

“Alright, we’ve arrived! This is Siho’s house!”

Soon, the car slowed in front of a large, tall apartment complex, and Lee Yoohee shouted in an excited voice.

“Wow.”

“It’s really tall…”

This must be the famous apartment where many celebrities live.

Jeon Siho really made it big.

He hadn’t even heard his name much before he died.

Well, back then, Lee Yoohee hadn’t been a top actor for long either, so it made sense.

Unlike Lee Yoohee, who grew steadily and quickly, Jeon Siho was known to have exploded in popularity a few years ago.

And after hearing from Lee Yoohee how long the two had been dating, he realized it.

Jeon Siho’s growth had Lee Yoohee’s support behind it.

Dating a top actor improves your own acting too.

Of course, without talent, no matter who helped—even if it was Lee Yoohee—he wouldn’t have made it this far.

Anyway, that was already a story from several years ago.

Jeon Siho had now become someone who could confidently be called a top actor.

“Haha, our child actors’ reactions are fun to watch.”

Jeon Siho joked to Myungwoo and Jung Inha as he got out of the car.

“Of course, it’s my first time coming inside here.”

“R-right. I can’t believe I’m visiting here…”

Jung Inha stared blankly at the top of the apartment with a truly surprised expression.

“Hmm, what about Jo Seungha? When is he coming?”

“Ah, he should be almost here. Just a moment.”

At Jeon Siho’s words, Myungwoo took out his phone from his pocket and entered the chat with Jo Seungha.

[Jo Seungha: Hey hey hey, already there?]

[Jo Seungha: What are you doing? Don’t tell me you already went in?]

[Jo Seungha: Hey, don’t leave me alone. It’s awkward going in by myself.]

[Jo Seungha: Hey! Kang Myungwoo!]

Hmm.

What’s with him again?

Myungwoo sighed inwardly and replied to Jo Seungha.

[Kang Myungwoo: We haven’t gone in yet. Everyone’s waiting outside for hyung.]

[Kang Myungwoo: Where are you, hyung?]

[Jo Seungha: I’m arriving soon! Like 2 minutes?]

As soon as Myungwoo sent the message, a reply came instantly from Jo Seungha.

After checking it, Myungwoo told Jeon Siho.

“He says he’ll arrive in 2 minutes.”

“Yeah? Then let’s wait. It won’t take long.”

“Yes.”

“Why hasn’t that guy arrived yet?”

Jung Inha grumbled softly beside him, and hearing it, Myungwoo smiled slightly and said to her.

“Come on, Seungha hyung left right away too and is still late. Cut him some slack.”

“Tch. How dare he make Yoohee-nim and Siho-nim wait, knowing his place?”

Jung Inha pouted and grumbled.

Myungwoo scratched his face with an awkward smile at her reaction.

Hmm, I hope they get a bit closer this time.

It had been annoying constantly mediating between the two who fought every time during the <Alley Childhood Friends> shoot.

Myungwoo hoped their relationship would improve at this house gathering.

Whether it will work out, I don’t know.

They might not improve, and even if they did, it was highly likely they were just acting well in front of Lee Yoohee and Jeon Siho.

Jung Inha had won a rookie award last year, after all, and Jo Seungha’s acting had improved enough to win a teen acting award this time.

Ah, whatever. If they want to fight in front of those two, let them fight.

Of course, even if acting, since they’re kids, he wasn’t sure if they could suppress their true natures well.

“Oh, is that the car?”

At that moment, a foreign luxury car slowed down and approached where they were.

Whoa…

That’s insanely expensive—definitely different when you’re a company chairman’s son.

Myungwoo inwardly whistled while looking at the car presumed to be carrying Jo Seungha.

The car soon stopped in front of them, the door opened quickly, and a familiar face jumped out.

“Sorry for being late~!”

Jo Seungha shouted his apology loudly even before getting close and ran over.

“Haha, it’s fine. We called suddenly, so I’m thankful you came.”

“Gasp, th-thank you for saying that…!”

At Jeon Siho’s warm words, Jo Seungha looked at him with a touched face.

Then he flinched, shrinking upon seeing Lee Yoohee next to Jeon Siho.

“Ah, hello, Yoohee-nim.”

“Hello, Seungha-kun. Your acting has improved a lot?”

“Huh? G-gasp…!”

Jo Seungha’s eyes widened at Lee Yoohee’s completely unexpected praise.

“Th-thank you…!”

“Hehe, sorry about back then. Since a kid I cherish was also in it, I was a bit strict.”

“Ah, no! Of course my acting wouldn’t catch Yoohee-nim’s eye!”

Jo Seungha, how nervous he was, repeated similar words in response.

Watching them, Myungwoo smiled ambiguously.

He reacts like that even though she openly criticized his acting before—guess it really wasn’t awkward at all.

It seemed his worry was needless.

Myungwoo sighed inwardly.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, shall we go in?”

“Ha, Yoohee-ya, really, anyone hearing would think it’s your house.”

“Ahaha, what’s wrong with that?”

At Lee Yoohee’s words, Jeon Siho let out a hollow laugh, and she smiled refreshingly and winked.

“Aigoo, fine. Little guests, let’s all go in?”

“”Yes!””

Myungwoo, Jung Inha, and Jo Seungha answered in unison and followed behind Jeon Siho and Lee Yoohee.