Chapter 89: The Six-Hundred Billion Secret

On a late night when the living room lights were going out one by one, I knocked on Min Doyun’s door.

“Whoa? There are days when you come to my room first. What a rare occasion.”

Min Doyun was leaning back on a small sofa next to his bed, holding a book. He had undone two buttons of his shirt and was wearing slippers only on his toes, looking at me with a relaxed smile.

It must have seemed odd to him that I came in without even contacting him.

Well, I suppose it makes sense.

Since coming to this house, I’d never stepped into Min Doyun’s room even once.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your sibling?”

I went straight to the point.

With all the circumstantial evidence, he wouldn’t dare pretend he didn’t know.

“What sibling?”

Huh?

I must have been treating Min Doyun too much like a regular person.

My bad.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

When I said that, almost glaring, he finally laughed and admitted he’d known all along.

“It was interesting, you know. Your sibling wanting to audition for a role in your novel. I was just curious how you’d react.”

“You really shouldn’t have so much fun surprising people.”

I clamped my mouth shut in disbelief. That seemed to amuse him further, as Min Doyun grinned and set his book down on the table beside the sofa.

“You got a kick out of it too, didn’t you? I heard you teared up watching your sibling act, hiding their face so no one would recognize them. Wiping your eyes in awe. Impressive, huh?”

“......”

I was at a loss for words.

Min Doyun, this guy—

He’s got a natural gift for shutting people up.

“If it weren’t for me, would you have ever gotten to see your sibling act in person? And apparently, the acting was quite good?”

“......”

“I was curious how well they did, so I watched the recording. You could really see all the practice that went in.”

He wore a playful expression, but his tone was serious. I could hear clear conviction in his voice as he acknowledged my sibling’s potential.

“You’re the one who saved AC Entertainment, right? And you have a significant stake in it?”

Just as I was about to say something, I shut my mouth again.

I blinked in surprise.

“Why are you so surprised? Isn’t it only natural to be curious? Your sibling, just a trainee, was riding in a star-class van that not even rookie actors get, and none of the other trainees or newcomers got sent out, only your sibling did. Don’t you think that’s more than a little odd?”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

It really was strange, now that I thought about it.

No matter how you looked at it, the situation was odd.

“After I heard about it, I started seeing you in a different light.”

“......”

“The investment amount—one hundred billion won. Even I’d treat you well if you’d put in that much. I wondered, is being a writer really that lucrative? So I did a little research, and your investment returns are insane. Over ten thousand percent. I was honestly shocked. And your family too—holding some excellent companies, with even better real estate. Didn’t you make a great deal with Yookseong recently?”

“Wow, how on earth did you dig up all that?”

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

It was amazing how much he’d managed to find out about me.

“There are a lot of people in this world who want to make money.”

“I’m truly in awe.”

“I should be the one in awe of you. To amass that kind of wealth at such a young age, on your own.”

“......”

“I’m jealous of your abilities, honestly. Why are you even a writer? How are you so good at investing?”

Now I was at a loss for words.

It was clear he’d really dug into my background.

“Well, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to share your secrets. But how about this? Let me put you in charge of a finance business. I’ll guarantee you a comparable stake. Want to work with me?”

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“I’m still in high school, you know?”

“You’ll be an adult soon.”

“I still have to do my military service.”

“I can take care of that for you.”

“......No, thanks.”

The moment the offer came flooding in, I felt sweat prickling down my back.

“Haha, as expected. Still, what more could a debt-free, six-hundred billion won asset holder want? Fine.”

“Sorry?”

“I said it’s fine. I won’t try to tempt you anymore.”

“That easily?”

“You don’t have the look of someone who’d cave. If you were that kind, you’d have agreed to my offer earlier.”

“......”

I really couldn’t figure this guy out.

“If AC ever goes public, let me know. Wherever you are, I’ll invest.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“Vacation’s almost over, right? That means your chaebol experience is over too. Come by again when you’ve got time. I’ll treat you properly next time.”

“Sure, I will.”

It was a somewhat bewildering conversation, but his last words made me smile without realizing it. Even though it was only a month, we’d grown quite close. Close enough to joke around like siblings.

With a polite goodbye, I returned to my room.

─ Puhahaha.

As the door closed, I heard Min Doyun’s laughter echo behind me.

Maybe the time we spent together had rubbed off some joy on him too.

***

Summer vacation was coming to an end.

“So much happened during break.”

The moment Da-hye stood on stage was still vivid in my mind. The scene that unfolded before my eyes felt so real, as if it had just happened.

In my previous life, Da-hye had been quiet. She didn’t talk much, was shy around strangers.

She found standing in front of others burdensome, and worried constantly about the future.

Even when she wanted something, she rarely said it out loud. Growing up in difficult circumstances, she’d grown used to yielding and sacrificing, always putting others’ circumstances before her own dreams.

【Oppa, if I win the lottery, I’ll buy you a house.】

She’d said it with a smile, but behind those words was the trace of countless sacrifices.

I remember how Da-hye tried to keep hope alive no matter what.

“But she’s changed. She shines now.”

At the audition, Da-hye was completely different. She stood center stage without a hint of hesitation and poured her emotions out.

As if she’d been waiting for that moment her whole life. On a stage where emotions can easily become exaggerated, Da-hye controlled hers and showed her sincerity.

The tears she shed weren’t just part of the act. It felt like words and emotions that had been bottled up for so long were finally bursting free.

It was amazing to see the word “actor” fit her so naturally. That stage, where she didn’t just act but showed fragments of her real life, was engraved deeply in me.

I could only sit and watch in silence. My vision kept blurring, and I couldn’t hold back my feelings.

A look in my sibling’s eyes that I’d never seen, not even in my previous life. Rising up from a time weighed down by poverty, now walking boldly toward her dreams.

I’d never seen Da-hye so strong and radiant before.

My heart was full. The sibling I’d tried so hard to protect was now protecting herself.

At this moment, I was relieved that I’d built a background to support Da-hye.

Da-hye, you’re doing so well. Keep going.

Just keep moving forward. I’ll be right by your side. More than anything, I believe in you.

Yu Da-hye.

I’m certain your name will shine brightest in the near future.

And if it doesn’t, I’ll make sure it does.

With that thought, I spent my last night in the Hannam-dong mansion.

Meanwhile, the portal sites and news outlets were buzzing.

[Exclusive:  Movie Adaptation Officially Announced!]

Views: 200,345.

Just as if to prove the popularity of ‘You Are the Star Within Me,’ the click count skyrocketed.

I hadn’t even had my morning coffee yet, but online was already burning up.

The distributor held an official press conference at 9 a.m., announcing the movie adaptation of ‘You Are the Star Within Me.’ The director was none other than Im Hyun-chul, the “Romance Specialist” who swept both domestic and international film festivals.

[This work isn’t just a coming-of-age drama. It’s a story about love for family. That love could be for family or even for oneself. You won’t regret watching it.]

The confident words of the director only fueled people’s curiosity. The comment sections filled with people saying they would definitely watch ‘You Are the Star Within Me.’

[Breaking:  Shin A-min and Cha Bin Casting Announced.]

Shin A-min, called the “rising star of Chungmuro,” was cast as the adult female lead.

The male lead would be actor Cha Bin.

And for the pivotal role of Ye-ji, the middle school student, the part went to a little-known child actress, ‘Yu Da-hye.’

Before leaving Hannam-dong, I alternated between reading the newspaper and checking the online articles.

Community reactions were on fire.

┗ Wow, it’s finally being made into a movie ㅠㅠ I cried so much when I read the novel.

┗ Shin A-min is perfect, really. But who’s the child actress playing Ye-ji? Any profile…?

┗ Please, please keep the scene where the brother carries his sister on his backㅠㅠㅠㅠ

┗ Who’s Cha Bin?

┗ I trust Director Im Hyun-chul. If it’s him, he’ll handle the emotional arcs perfectly!!

Posts ranged from brief impressions to predictions and even personal memories.

The public was already deeply immersed in the world of ‘You Are the Star Within Me.’

They were waiting for it to be reborn on the big screen.

[Main Portal’s Real-Time Search Rankings]

1st: You Are the Star Within Me

2nd: Shin A-min

3rd: Cha Bin

The portal site’s trending list was dominated by ‘You Are the Star Within Me.’

5th: Yu Da-hye

And in 5th place, Da-hye’s name shone.

“Even Da-hye’s name made the list.”

I looked at the article and smiled in satisfaction.

Just thinking about Da-hye seeing this kept the smile glued to my face.

I set my coffee cup down and turned to the TV.

[With news that the much-loved ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ will soon be seen as a movie, people are filled with high expectations……]

On TV, they were introducing ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ nonstop.

I quietly closed my mouth and gazed at the TV screen.