Chapter 24: A Child Who Practices Restraint

“Next week work for you?”

Next week… So you want me to review the casting with you.

“Exactly.”

The timing lined up.

Casting actors was the director’s prerogative.

Sharing that with me meant André trusted me deeply.

Then again, this is his first time making a film by buying rights.

Or maybe he was nervous.

He might worry about ruining another author’s work.

That could be why he wanted to meet and discuss the project further.

Or maybe not…

Recalling his intense gaze from last time, I wasn’t so sure.

Either way, it meant a three-to-four-day trip to the U.S. with the kids next week.

Got it.

“Alright, I’ll prepare accordingly. Oh, and Author, are you still uninterested in a Rat Hole rights deal?”

Not for a movie.

“Hmm.”

Loony paused briefly before continuing.

“There’s a director interested in a Rat Hole drama. You probably know him—Kihyung Kang.”

Kang Ki-hyung…? Oh.

Come to think of it, he’d long expressed interest in directing Rat Hole.

Being from the same hometown, I remembered his name.

Nicole mentioned him too.

Nicole was excited about Rat Hole and knew about Kang Ki-hyung.

She seemed quietly hopeful he’d take it on.

I thought he said he wasn’t into dramas…

“Orange TV+ offered to invest. They’re proposing 15 million Canadian dollars per episode.”

…15 million?

That was nearly 15 billion won.

One of the highest budgets globally.

“Kang wasn’t big on OTT originally, but the amount changed his mind.”

So this is the capitalism-swayed director I’ve heard about?

As I pondered, Loony’s voice continued.

“Plus, their rights offer is higher than Netflix’s. Think… one digit more.”

Are they insane?

Netflix’s offer started with a 4.

Adding a digit meant nearly 50 billion won.

“Orange TV+ is going all in to climb out of the bottom ranks. They’re eyeing your other works too.”

…

“How about meeting with Orange TV+ during your U.S. trip?”

Alright, set it up.

Might as well handle both meetings.

“Understood. See you in the U.S., Author.”

Yeah, got it.

The call ended.

I quietly slipped my phone into my pocket.

Let’s finish up and eat.

***

We brought in all the furniture, but only Hye-yeon’s room was finished.

With more to assemble tomorrow and the day after, it’d take time for all the kids’ rooms to be complete.

Hye-yeon said she’d sleep with her sisters until their rooms were ready, staying on the sofa.

Such good kids.

I smiled warmly, watching them sleep.

Then I returned to my room and sat at the computer.

Time to write.

I started the computer and stared at the screen.

After deleting this morning’s work, the file was a pristine blank.

I know what matters to me.

Emotion.

Understanding emotion was the ultimate inspiration and motif.

That’s how the Seven Virtues series came to be.

The Seven Virtues series comprised four works:

Charity. Patience. Chastity. Diligence.

Each had a distinct world, and they were my most popular works.

They were about emotions hidden under the guise of virtues, poured out.

When I wrote Papa, society was rife with gender conflicts.

Papa caused a stir, with some calling me a misogynist.

But that died down quickly.

Because the Seven Virtues protagonists are all women.

If Papa chronicled an ordinary man’s life, Seven Virtues traced women’s lives across past and present.

Charity means giving kindness and mercy to others… but it can blind you to their darker sides.

Set during World War II, Charity’s protagonist was practically a saint.

People feel gratitude when helped in tough times, sometimes calling it a miracle.

But what if those miracles are taken for granted?

The protagonist kept helping others, only to fall into the worst path because of it.

Should I write more Seven Virtues?

Humility. Kindness. Temperance.

The problem was, I didn’t fully grasp these three.

I understood them as emotions but couldn’t push them to their limits.

Sigh.

Checking the time, three hours had passed.

Normally, I’d have written at least 10,000 characters.

But now, nothing.

Maybe a coffee?

I shook my head.

I had to cook for the kids tomorrow, so I should sleep.

Bathroom first.

Turning toward the door, I froze.

Huh?

Scramble!

Something darted away from the door.

Who’s that?

A thief?

No, too small for a thief.

I stood from the chair, approached the door, and opened it.

-Creak…

Only pitch-black darkness greeted me.

I glanced at the kids.

Hye-yeon, what’re you doing?

Startle!

Hye-yeon, halfway to the sofa, froze, trembling.

I scratched my head.

Was Hye-yeon watching?

Curiosity surged, but I approached her.

She gave up hiding and peeked out.

Something you’re curious about?

“N-No, it’s just…”

I glanced at Yuri and Jiyu.

Unlike Hye-yeon, they were fast asleep.

Though Ryan and I assembled the furniture, the kids helped tidy, so they were probably exhausted.

Let’s talk in my room.

Worried about waking Yuri and Jiyu, I suggested we move.

Hye-yeon hesitated, then nodded.

“Okay…”

Carefully getting off the sofa, she followed me.

I sat her on my bed and closed the door.

Hye-yeon looked deflated, like a kid about to be scolded.

I offered her a candy from my desk.

Want a candy?

“N-No, I’m okay.”

Too old-fashioned a flavor?

Even Jiyu wouldn’t touch these.

They were bitter, meant to help me focus.

“It’s not that… I mean…”

It’s fine, just kidding.

“Okay…”

I’m not scolding you. I just wondered why you were watching me work.

Hye-yeon fidgeted, rubbing her hands.

She seemed unsure how to respond.

“Well… I mean…”

Take your time. You don’t have to say if you don’t want.

I said that, but I was curious.

I hated being disturbed while writing and didn’t like being watched.

So I wondered why she did it.

“I was just… curious.”

About what I do?

“Yeah…”

That wasn’t the whole story.

She was probably hiding something, but since she didn’t want to share, I didn’t press.

Curious about my work, huh…

After a moment, I smiled.

You know I’m a writer, right?

Since Yuri knew, Hye-yeon likely did too.

Nod.

She nodded.

Want to try being a writer?

“Try…?”

Not saying you have to. Just to get a feel for it.

“How…?”

Write.

Hye-yeon tilted her head, confused.

Trying to be a writer meant writing a piece.

Ever read a book?

“Yeah, at the library or home. Mom said to read Adele Louis’s books no matter what.”

…Really?

Her words brought a bittersweet smile.

Knowing my sister always supported me stirred a quiet pang.

Then you know how writing works.

“Sort of…”

Try writing it yourself. Like copying a book.

“Copying…?”

Yup. Reading once gives you something, but reading twice gives more. Writing while reading helps you understand the author’s thoughts better.

When I lectured aspiring writers at Bear Bookstore, I always said the same thing.

To know an author’s mind, nothing beats copying their work.

It’s the best way to find deeper meaning and fun.

Hye-yeon looked thoughtful.

I’m not forcing you. Just try it if you want to know what being a writer’s like.

“Okay…”

She hesitated, then nodded.

“I’ll… try.”

Great. Want to start tomorrow?

“No, I want to try now!”

Now?

“Yeah! I’m used to studying at night!”

I scratched my head.

As the eldest, Hye-yeon often studied while Yuri and Jiyu slept.

She lived with more restraint and care than anyone.

So late-night work was normal for her.

Big sister, huh…

A small but great child, living with restraint for her siblings and family.

A gear in my mind clicked.