Chapter 15

15. Ending Baby

"Hello."

Hyun-ju greeted Jeong-tae's mother.

"Yeah~ It's been a while~ Si-woo's mom."

Jeong-tae's mother, receiving Hyun-ju's greeting, said to Tae-soo with a disappointed tone.

"Actor Han Tae-soo, aren't you only taking care of Si-woo? Our Jeong-tae really likes you~"

Although Lee Su-jin was the best at taking care of Si-woo, it was too difficult to approach her, so the gentle Han Tae-soo seemed more approachable.

Jeong-tae's mother, who was willing to give up on Director Lee Han-soo and Lee Su-jin, wanted to build connections with Han Tae-soo.

She waved at Jeong-tae, who was standing right next to her, and Tae-soo said,

"Oh, what are you talking about? I've already prepared a gift for Jeong-tae. I'll give it to him after the filming is done."

‘Although the gift for Si-woo is much more expensive, I'm giving it to him as a birthday present too… I hope Jeong-tae's mother will understand that much.’

Tae-soo thought she would understand.

Seeing Tae-soo's friendly smile, Jeong-tae's mother smiled back without knowing the situation.

Then, she greeted Si-woo, who was lying in the stroller.

"Si-woo, hello~! I've missed you so much. It's a pity that today is the last day. Let's have fun filming with Jeong-tae!"

‘Pretending to be close after pinching his leg and pulling his hair on the first meeting.’

Puck, puck, puck—

Si-woo looked up at Jeong-tae's mother while sucking on his pacifier, using it as his response.

"Brother Tae-soo~!"

A stylist called Tae-soo from a distance.

"I'm going~! Ladies, I have to go for the costume… Talk among yourselves. Si-woo, Jeong-tae, see you later!"

Tae-soo quickly walked towards the stylist who was looking for her.

After Tae-soo left, there was a brief awkward silence between Hyun-ju and Jeong-tae's mother.

"…How have you been?"

Unaware of the fact that Jeong-tae had pinched Si-woo's leg, Hyun-ju didn't want to part on bad terms and asked about her well-being first.

Although it wasn't intentional, it was true that Si-woo had taken a lot of Jeong-tae's scenes during the filming, and it was hard to deny that he received more affection from the staff and cast.

Knowing Jeong-tae's mother's greed, Hyun-ju felt uneasy.

Jeong-tae's mother tried to smile and replied,

"Fine, of course~ I heard you're popular these days?"

…'You'?

Although it was a term often used among mothers, Jeong-tae's mother had never called Hyun-ju 'you' before.

Hyun-ju was a bit confused.

"Yes. Recently, as a hobby…"

"I was so surprised to see you in the influencer circle. You should have told me earlier. If the kids are making a movie together, it would be good to follow each other. It would create synergy."

…Synergy?

Hmm?

Hyun-ju found it hard to follow Jeong-tae's mother's logic.

"Yes… I just did it casually…"

"Not casual at all. You're about to hit 100,000 followers. It could go even higher."

"No, it's just a temporary spotlight thanks to Actor Lee Su-jin."

Hyun-ju spoke modestly.

She wasn't used to boasting.

Jeong-tae's mother asked in an unusually affectionate tone,

"Have you eaten?"

"…Yes."

"Good. Eat well. Making a star out of kids isn't easy. A mother's stamina… stamina is very… important? Haha."

If there's a popcorn moment for adults, there's a pacifier moment for babies.

Puck, puck, puck—

Si-woo, lying in the stroller, sucked on his pacifier while calmly observing Jeong-tae's mother's change in attitude.

If Han Tae-soo had created a strangely funny masterpiece while clearly crying in a scene,

Jeong-tae's mother was creating a strangely pitiful masterpiece while clearly smiling in reality.

‘…Auntie, stop shaking your leg. Why are you being so pitiful to each other?’

Puff— Puck!

Si-woo extended his pacifier and then put it back in his mouth.

Just as some people judge others by popularity, salary, or grades, Jeong-tae's mother seemed to categorize people by the number of followers in the influencer circle.

"Hey, how about… taking a picture with Jeong-tae and Si-woo after the filming is done?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Hyun-ju agreed.

It wasn't a big deal to take a picture of the kids.

"And… I noticed I don't have your contact information. We've known each other for a few months. Although the kids' filming is over today, let's meet for a meal sometime. When the movie is released, our kids will all be stars, and it will be helpful to share information~"

"…Is that so?"

Hyun-ju, who had never experienced a change in people's attitudes after success, was taken aback.

She never imagined that Jeong-tae's mother would act this way.

Hyun-ju, who had been categorized as a target for networking due to her 100,000 followers, thought,

‘…No, Mom, wait. Don't give me your number. I have to see this auntie again.’

Si-woo struggled in the stroller.

Despite Si-woo's strong refusal, Hyun-ju had already exchanged phone numbers with Jeong-tae's mother.

Jeong-tae's mother, having obtained Hyun-ju's number, said to Si-woo,

"Oh, I didn't give you a birthday gift. Si-woo~ I'll give you a good one later~ Receive many gifts and grow up healthy~"

Puff!

It was better when she was being combative.

Si-woo, who had taken out his pacifier, sighed deeply at Jeong-tae's mother.

* * *

A little later.

The ending scene of the movie "Too Scary a Wife for Me" began.

"Ready! Action!"

Director Lee Han-soo shouted.

Numerous airport travelers, who had come to watch the filming, observed as Su-jin and Tae-soo entered the airport, pulling their suitcases.

Su-jin, wearing sunglasses and a baby carrier, walked like a model, her long hair flowing.

Tae-soo followed behind, holding Jeong-tae's hand.

"Hey, honey~! Let's go together~!"

"Come on faster! Why are you so slow? Are you going to leave me behind?"

"No, over there. Haha. I have the passports, so it's hard to leave you behind."

"…."

"Sorry. I'll hurry."

Tae-soo picked up Jeong-tae and ran forward quickly.

Seeing Tae-soo running frantically, Su-jin stopped and smiled.

"Huh? Why?"

Tae-soo asked Su-jin, who had stopped.

Su-jin turned around as if it was nothing and said,

"Just~ You're still quite cute, whether in college or now."

Tae-soo's face lit up.

"R-Really? Is that so? I am cute, right? Our kids are all like me because they inherited my cuteness genes. I used to be the cutest in Hye-hwa-dong…"

"First verse only."

"Okay."

Su-jin and Tae-soo, mixing in some ad-libs, continued their playful banter, and in the final moment, they held hands and went on a family trip together.

"Cut! Okay!"

Director Lee Han-soo gave the okay sign.

"Great job! Great job!"

After the actors and staff finished monitoring, Director Lee Han-soo, tapping his head with a megaphone, spoke.

"Wait, wait. I'm really sorry."

Everyone stopped, wondering what was happening.

"Brother, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Maybe a reshoot?

Director Lee Han-soo answered Tae-soo, who asked with a worried look.

"There's no problem, but looking at the scene, I think it would be good to add a bit more to the ending."

"…As expected, Brother Han-soo. A point-obsessed man. Should we prepare again?"

"No, you don't have to do anything. Hmm."

Director Lee Han-soo looked at Su-jin, who was still holding Si-woo.

"How about this? A close-up of Si-woo's face, and then the screen…"

"Sure, let's do it."

Su-jin nodded immediately.

"Hey, you didn't even listen…"

"What's there to listen to? Director. Every scene with Si-woo is~ always~ right. We should just make a Si-woo video collection and sell it. I think it will sell."

"Sure. You can make and sell it later on your own. For now, let's get a close-up of Si-woo."

Su-jin, wearing the baby carrier, stood in front of the camera with Si-woo again.

Soon, the additional filming began according to Director Lee Han-soo's instructions.

"Great! Our Si-woo! You're doing well!"

Smile.

"Keep smiling, Si-woo. Keep smiling."

Big smile.

"Perfect. You're a complete model, a model! I want to capture Si-woo's bigger smile, so Tae-soo, come and make him laugh."

Director Lee Han-soo couldn't help but be amazed by Si-woo's beauty and camera friendliness as he kept filming.

A baby who could smile so well while looking directly at the camera.

Appearance, expression, personality.

There was no other way to describe it except that Si-woo was born with all the talents needed to become the best baby actor and model.

Tae-soo, who had been called by Director Lee Han-soo, stood in front of Si-woo and Su-jin.

"Should I make him laugh? How? Hmm… Krrrrrr! Gweeeek! Pshh pshh!"

Tae-soo was putting his heart into it with a bizarre expression.

Director Lee Han-soo and Su-jin couldn't help but turn away, embarrassed.

Si-woo, startled, almost shouted to cover his face but managed to hold back.

"Pshh pshh! Farting with your mouth! Pshh! Pshh! Psh