Chapter 112: A Wish and a Sulk

It was already early October. Autumn had finally arrived.

The scorching heat that had been beating down had finally subsided, and a clear blue sky stretched out from the early morning.

The Flower That Bloomed on a Withered Branch, which began in March, had consistently maintained high viewership ratings and finally came to a successful end yesterday.

The final episode recorded a staggering viewership rating of 34.2%.

This was likely possible because the middle-aged and older generations, who were not as familiar with OTT platforms, sat in front of their televisions to watch the historical drama.

Thanks to that, The Flower That Bloomed on a Withered Branch earned the pleasant nickname of "the drama that makes families sit together in front of the TV while waiting for the workday to end."

Gatflix did not hesitate to reward me for successfully completing the remake.

♤♣♧♥ Congratulations! ♥♧♣♤

You have successfully produced a
"long-form drama" with over 20% viewership.

The conditions for [Gold Quest (#1)] have been met!

Reward: 1 Wish Ticket (B-rank)
Would you like to claim it?

I pressed the claim button with a grateful heart.

[Wish Ticket Held: 1 (B-rank)]

A brilliant B-rank Wish Ticket was finally in my hands.

In terms of monetary value, it was worth a whopping 5 billion won.

I had been running simulations on how to use it, but this was only my second Wish Ticket.

Considering I was able to meet A-reum by chance using a 1 billion won C-rank Wish Ticket before, this B-rank ticket could achieve something even more incredible.

'It’s probably better to keep it for now.'

I decided not to use it hastily but to save it for a moment of crisis that I wouldn't be able to handle on my own.

I was certain that a moment would come when I could obtain value far beyond its price.

vrrr — vrrr —

A vibration rang in the hand holding the phone, and the name "Blue House Public Relations Director Cha In-tae" appeared on the screen.

"Yes, hello."

"It’s been a while, Writer. This is Cha In-tae. Have you been well?"

"Yes, I’ve been doing well. How about you, Director?"

"I’m doing very well, thanks to you. The final episode was very moving. Everyone inside and outside the Blue House is talking about Maga Flower."

"Haha. Thank you."

"I’m sure you’re very busy, but if you could make some time, I’d like to treat you to a meal at a nice place."

"That sounds good to me. As it happens, I’ve almost finished working on the new script."

"That’s great. Actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you when we meet."

Director Cha In-tae hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.

"I think something good might happen related to Maga Flower at the end of the year."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm. This is sudden, but do you happen to have time today? Now that I’ve mentioned it, I’m eager to see you, Writer."

"Ah. I have the wrap party for Maga Flower today."

"Oh. I see. Well, have a good time, and I’ll see you soon."

The call ended with Cha In-tae telling me I had something to look forward to.

'Something good? Director Cha In-tae isn’t the type to get ahead of himself, so now I’m even more curious.'

Leaving the pleasant phone call behind, I finished getting ready.

Though it had cooled down significantly, it was still warm enough that I wore a light, short-sleeved shirt.

It was the 4.8 million won t-shirt that Grace Kim had bought for me.

A Chinese restaurant located in the basement of the Hongwoo Building in Yeouido.

This restaurant, which consisted entirely of private rooms, was a long-time favorite of Ten Entertainment's Representative Yeon Gyeong-tae.

By opening up the partitions of the rooms, the entire space became one massive banquet hall.

Today, at Rep Yeon Gyeong-tae’s special request, this entire space became the venue for The Flower That Bloomed on a Withered Branch team’s wrap party.

Nearly sixty-odd actors, staff, and crew gathered, making it a literal sea of people.

"Alright, everyone. It looks like we’ve mostly finished our meals, so let’s clear the tables a bit. Shall we start drinking in earnest?"

"Whoo!"

"Representative, you’re the best!"

"Can I order the truffle hanwoo jajangmyeon?"

"Order it! Order everything!"

"Yay!"

As always, I was sitting in the corner, quietly sharing drinks with my only ally, Assistant Writer Pyeong Chang-su.

"Writer, you must be tired of these wrap parties by now."

"I don't know. Rather than tired, I’d say I’m used to it."

To anyone else, it might have sounded arrogant.

However, it wasn't a bad kind of familiarity.

Gathering together to relieve the stress of all the hard work while sharing drinks.

Asking how familiar faces were doing and sharing laughs about daily life.

These were all things only possible because the drama had been successful.

Having experienced failing miserably with a drama in the past, wrap parties used to be uncomfortable and agonizing for me.

It felt like everyone, not just me, was responsible for the drama's failure.

Whenever I looked at someone's face, I'd have the delusion that they were thinking the same thing about me. Alcohol would lead to more alcohol, and people would often say things they'd regret.

Pointing fingers and playing the blame game was basic; sometimes tables were overturned, and shouting matches filled with insults would break out.

Because I had gone through such war-like wrap parties, I had instinctively avoided or shrunk back during the early days of Twin Love or Macho Restaurant.

Now, just looking at these people made me feel peaceful and happy.

Except for one person, who was sitting diagonally from me and thoroughly ignoring me.

Except for Seojiwon, the female lead of The Flower That Bloomed on a Withered Branch.

'Why is she so grumpy?'

At first, I thought she just hadn't seen me.

Seojiwon, who arrived a little late due to a commercial shoot, greeted others warmly but then sat a short distance away from me and continued talking to those around her.

As she moved table by table, getting closer to my side, she didn't acknowledge me even when she sat two seats away from Pyeong Taek-su.

It was as if this table didn't exist.

Before long, when Pyeong Taek-su poured her a drink and greeted her, she chatted excitedly as if nothing was wrong.

All while desperately trying not to look toward my side, directly across from Pyeong Taek-su.

'Hmm. Come to think of it, she hasn’t been texting much lately?'

Even if it wasn't every day, Seojiwon used to message me first three or four times a week to let me know how she was doing.

After watching a movie, going for a drive, and having what could be considered a "real" date, I had been responding to her texts and even messaging her first.

Until then, she had felt like a child, and it had been tedious at times, so I thought I had made great progress.

"Can I sit here?"

I had returned from the restroom and asked softly when I saw the seat next to Seojiwon was empty.

"Do as you please. Why are you asking me?"

Looking at Seojiwon’s prickly face, I finally became certain.

'She’s sulking.'

Sigh. I had no idea what she was sulking about.

As I said before, I thought I had been replying quite well lately.

"Try some of this. It’s delicious."

Seojiwon smiled brightly as she shared food with the people around her, even though her own plate was clean.

All while absolutely, desperately, and with gritted teeth, refusing to put any food on my plate.

"Jiwon, aren't you going to eat?"

"No. I’m not really hungry."

"Did you finish your commercial shoot alright?"

"Yes. I worked hard."

"Ahem. Did Woo Manager have a good honeymoon?"

"I suppose so? Oh, Taek-su, you spilled something. Here’s a tissue. Oh no. It’s a white shirt, so it’ll be hard to wash. Hurry to the restroom and wipe it off. It’s easier to clean if you pre-wash it."

While she was absolutely, desperately, and with gritted teeth, only saying the bare minimum to me, she was being incredibly kind to everyone else.

'Hmm.'

I called a server and ordered some seafood nurungji-tang.

When the fresh scorched rice soup arrived, I dished some out and put it in front of her. Only then did Seojiwon look at me.

"What’s this?"

"You said you eat scorched rice soup when you aren't hungry. It’s not good to have an empty stomach. Eat at least a little."

"Do you... remember things like that?"

"I don't have a great memory, but I remember what I need to."

I heard a short "Hmph" sound.

Then, fortunately, she took a few spoonfuls as if acknowledging the sincerity of the person who served it.

"Is it true that you signed a contract with Grace Kim?"

"Ah. Yeah. The article came out."

"No, I mean the condition about going on dates."

"You heard? Actually, I went on a date recently and even received this expensive shirt as a gift."

"Is it the one you’re wearing? I thought it was strange since you don't usually wear such expensive brands, Writer."

She had been acting like she couldn't see me, but apparently, she had recognized what brand the t-shirt was.

When I nodded, Seojiwon gulped down her beer in one go.

"Whoa. Drink slowly. You’ll get an upset stomach."

"Seriously. It’s not like I can’t give clothes as a gift. I just didn’t do it because I thought it would be a burden. Hmph."

She was muttering quietly to herself, but I could more or less guess what she was saying.

Now I understood why she was sulking.

"It’s not like I did it because I wanted to. It was a condition I have to fulfill a few more times, so there’s nothing I can do."

"I know. I heard from Tammy."

It seemed she had heard the situation from Writer Jung and her mood had soured.

Seeing Jiwon pouting her lips while guzzling beer made her look quite cute.

I thought it wouldn't be bad to leave her sulking for a bit.

"Has your driving improved at all?"

"It hasn't improved much because I haven't had time to drive. It’s not something you need to worry about, Writer."

"Then do you want to come with me to see the ocean in my car? I was so busy this summer that I didn't even get to see the sea."

Seojiwon stopped pouring beer into her glass and looked at me.

"Really?"

"Why would it be a lie? Let’s go for a drive."

Only then did Jiwon beam with her usual smile.

It went without saying, but Seojiwon was prettiest when she smiled.

Part of me wanted to tease her more, but it was better for us both to be happy.

"Whoops. The foam is overflowing."

I instinctively leaned down and drank the foam off her beer glass.

"Oh. That’s my glass."

"Sorry. I'll get you a new one."

"No, that’s not what I meant. It’s fine. It’s fine! Jeez."

Seojiwon, whose mood seemed much better, began eating the food she had been picking at and started chatting away.

"So, I changed my makeup a bit for the shoot this time. Doesn't it feel a bit different than usual? What do you think? Which one is better?"

Faced with the ultimate dilemma, I barely escaped the crisis by repeating the answer "You look pretty no matter what" like a parrot.

"I’m going to go have a smoke for a bit."

"Okay. Should I order more beer? You’re going to drink more, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

Leaving behind Jiwon’s lingering smile, I went up to the first floor and headed to the smoking area.

"Phew."

I was debating whether to go to the West Sea or Ganghwa Island to see the ocean when someone approached.

"Oh? Writer Lee Junghyuk?"

The blonde psycho—no, the genius writer Park Ra-el—acknowledged me while smoking an e-cigarette.

Beside her, the actor Song Chang-ho was savoring a long cigarette, exhaling smoke.