Chapter 27

26. Lee Taeju?

The busking scenes were filmed in various parts of the city. They weren't long, but they were filming his busking to raise funds for the trip to Busan.

They were actually filming his busking. As the number of busking sessions increased, people began to recognize him. The mention of "Healing Interview" and "Neon Producer" indicated that his recognition was steadily growing.

They filmed not only the busking scenes but also the scenes where Junhee and Taeju bickered. Thanks to the cooperation of the audience, today's filming went smoothly. Just as Taeju was about to leave after greeting the filming staff, someone called out.

"Hey, over there."

"Yes?"

"Are you the one who appears on Healing Interview? Could I have your autograph?"

Earlier, during the busking, Taeju's name had been mentioned, and now quite a few people recognized him. Although he only appeared for about five minutes once a week, it seemed that the regular appearances were starting to have an impact.

"Sure, where would you like it?"

"Here, please sign here."

The young lady, who had mustered the courage to speak to Taeju, opened a red leather diary and received the autograph. Taeju signed it with practiced ease, having done it since before his regression. The young lady gave a small cheer and then left after saying thank you.

Taeju's group watched his first autograph signing with satisfaction. Taeju, who hadn't signed in a long time, felt his heart race. His cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Hmm. Let's hurry to Taesan. He might be waiting."

"Hehe. You're blushing."

Afraid that Mina would start teasing him, Taeju quickly approached the car. He had left Taesan, who had fallen asleep during the filming, in the van, and he was worried that Taesan might wake up soon.

"Really, we need to hurry. Taesan might chew up all the van seats."

"Really?"

"Yes, he's teething lately. This morning, he chewed up a leather belt."

"Wow. I hope he didn't touch the costumes."

Mina rushed to the van. Taeju watched her, chuckling. It was true that Taesan, who was teething, had chewed on various things. So, when he fell asleep earlier, Taeju had put him in a cage and locked the entrance. Even if he woke up, he would stay in the cage.

"Ah! The van is locked."

Mina ran over first, but the van keys were with Gyeon-woo. Taeju burst out laughing at Mina's shout from the front. Gyeon-woo, who was holding the guitar and bag, was also laughing.

*

While Taeju was getting makeup done by Im-na, Gyeon-woo entered a place where many managers gathered. There was some time before the filming, so he went to check what was being talked about among the managers recently.

Gyeon-woo got a drink and joined a group of managers. He exchanged greetings with people and refused to smoke by showing them nicotine gum.

"Did you see that guy earlier?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"The one who was carrying a cat just now."

"Really? A cat?"

"Yes, he was going down to the basement. Isn't Healing Interview the only thing being filmed there now? I was a bit suspicious, but it turned out to be that guy."

Gyeon-woo heard someone talking about Taeju. He turned around to see who was speaking. On the opposite side, there were a manager from an actor's agency and an unfamiliar middle-aged manager. The middle-aged manager seemed to be the one who had brought up the topic.

"Why, I remember chasing after a guy a few years ago who was supposed to debut with the On the Top kids."

"Oh, the one who was supposed to be really handsome?"

"Yes, that guy. He came here to film, but he's such a brat."

The person nodding along with the middle-aged man's words didn't look happy. This was a place where many managers gathered, and it wasn't a good place to speak ill of others. A man with dark skin on the opposite side was glaring fiercely.

"I was planning to bring that guy to our company and give him a good scolding."

I don't know why this man is badmouthing Taeju, but I can't just let him talk. There were already seven managers gathered here. I can't stop everyone from talking, so I'll warn him and ask Taeju for the reason.

"Can I hear the details of what you're saying? If you're badmouthing without a reason, you should be prepared."

"Hey, who are you to tell me to be prepared?"

"I'm Taeju Lee's manager. You were just badmouthing him."

The atmosphere was tense, but no one left their seats. Gyeon-woo glared and answered, and the middle-aged man spoke with a sour expression.

"What's wrong with saying he's a brat? He's just a young kid who talks back and threatens to sue."

"What did you do to make a young student threaten to sue?"

"Hey, what did I do? The kid was just a brat from the start."

The expressions of the surrounding people changed as the man continued to badmouth Taeju without giving a reason. Some of them had expressions that said, "That's what I thought." It was clear what they thought of the man.

"If you can't give a reason, don't badmouth our actor. You said he's from the company that On the Top is affiliated with, Orange Entertainment? If anything strange is said about our actor after today, I'll consider it your doing."

Gyeon-woo warned the middle-aged man and made eye contact with each of the managers gathered there. His eyes said, "If rumors start, be prepared." Some people looked uncomfortable, but no one wanted to cause unnecessary trouble. A manager who knew Gyeon-woo subtly let everyone know that his company was Tries.

Gyeon-woo glared at the middle-aged man one more time and entered the studio. He smoothed his face and quietly stood next to Im-na.

*

Taeju was smiling and helping his interview partner. He gently supported the partner who almost fell backward due to the animals' playfulness. He calmed the playful animals and continued the interview calmly.

After the interview ended, as Gyeon-woo was about to go to Taeju, the PD called him to discuss contract renewal. The original contract was for three months, and they were discussing extending it. Since it had been over two months, an extension was necessary.

The contract extension for Healing Interview was something Taeju had already agreed to. Healing Interview was something Taesan really enjoyed, so they decided to do it consistently if possible.

Although it was a segment of the Entertainment World program, it was more popular than the main program these days. The number of views on the edited clips of Healing Interview alone far exceeded the number of views on the main program. There were many guests who wanted to be interviewed, and it seemed that the segment would continue as long as there were no major issues.

While Gyeon-woo was telling the PD that he was thinking positively about the extension, Taeju, who had finished all the preparations, approached.

"Mr. Taeju, you did a great job today."

"Thank you, PD. You did a great job too."

"The manager and I were just discussing the contract extension. What do you think, Mr. Taeju?"

"What can I do? This guy is the main character. Taesan really enjoys it, so I'm grateful if you keep inviting us."

"Thank you. I look forward to working with you in the future."

Gyeon-woo, watching Taeju talk to the production team, thought that the words of the middle-aged man he met earlier were definitely nonsense.

On the way back in the car, Gyeon-woo asked Taeju about what he had heard. Taeju had no idea who he was talking about. Although he said it was a few years ago, for Taeju, who had returned 20 years, it was a distant past.

"I have no idea who he's talking about."

"He said it was a company affiliated with the idol group On the Top, Orange Entertainment."

"Oh! Orange Entertainment. I remember now."

Hearing the name, he remembered. People had waited in front of his house, even at night, somehow knowing his address. When he kept refusing and avoiding contact, one time they took him out for dinner as an excuse and kept him until late at night. As a result, he was so angry that he reported them as stalkers and threatened to sue.

After hearing Taeju's explanation, Gyeon-woo thought that the other side was clearly at fault. Trying to forcibly scout a middle school student led to problems. Considering how much Taeju cared for Taesan, it was fortunate that it ended with a stalking report.

"I see. I'll let the company know about this."

"Is that person saying anything bad about me?"

"Don't worry. There won't be any rumors."

Gyeon-woo planned to remove any obstacles that could hinder Taeju, who was gradually gaining recognition. He would inform Team Leader Woo and send a warning to Orange Entertainment.

*

Hee was flying around the garden, checking it as usual. As the manager, Hee could use the book sculpture to check the garden's status, but she preferred to fly and check it herself. One of her favorite things was to bite into a cotton candy rainbow while flying.

Taeju and Dandan found white feathers in the treehouse twice. She had no idea how they managed to avoid her notice. She carefully checked the treehouse but found nothing unusual.

"That's strange, that's strange."

Hee flew around the garden diligently until Taeju returned but found nothing unusual.

"Hee, why are you so tired? Hmm?"

Taeju was surprised to see Hee land weakly on his hand. He was worried if she was sick, but she said she was just tired from flying around the garden too much.

"Hee, don't overdo it."

"Hee, I don't know about the white feathers."

"Hehe. It's okay. Maybe an invisible angel visited."

"An angel?"

Taeju soothed Hee while tending to the garden. He was grooming the garden before starting his practice to prevent it from reverting to its previous state. The garden would quickly be overrun with weeds if not tended to. High weeds made it difficult to walk and didn't look good. Although Taesan and Dandan seemed to enjoy playing in the undergrowth.

"Hee, Taesan says he wants something."

"Really?"

"Taesan wants, um, a den? A big box? Something like that."

"Really? A box? I guess even tigers are part of the cat family. Okay. Let's make a den for Taesan today. Should we use rocks?"

"Hee likes a strawberry box."

Taesan had grown a lot. When he was only a foot tall, he was so small and weak that Taeju was afraid to pick him up. Now he was asking for his own den.

'He's not a baby anymore.'

Taeju bought a flower pot with rocks and a large garden rock from the store. He also bought a rock with a hole and a flat rock to use as a roof.

He dug a hole in the open space next to the cabin and built a rock den. If he could handle the earth spirits like Dori the dwarf, it would have been easier, but Taeju had to do it all by himself.

First, he built a circular base with rocks that would serve as pillars and placed the roof on top. Then he used a rock with a hole to block the entrance. He filled the gaps with soil and planted flowers and small trees.

After a half-day of work, a tiger den was completed.