Chapter 31

# Chapter 031

Jang Hayang's steps were light.

Usually, by the time she returned home, she was completely drained of energy.

But not today.

Even the dark streets of the neighborhood, which had given her an inexplicable fear every night, and the eerie red streetlights, did not dare to dampen Jang Hayang's mood.

'I can sleep soundly tonight.'

In the densely populated residential area filled with shabby brown-walled houses, one of those buildings was Jang Hayang's home.

"I'm back."

She greeted with a smile.

"Look at this! You didn't use this card, did you?"

"I didn't use it at all! What do you want me to do about you not being able to manage the household?!"

Jang Hayang's smile faded.

She quietly took off her shoes and tried to head to her room.

"Damn this house!"

Jang Hayang's father burst out of the living room door.

"I'm back..."

Without a word, her father glanced at Jang Hayang and left the house.

From the living room, her mother's lamenting voice could be heard.

Jang Hayang greeted her mother, but there was no response. She quickly washed up and went to her room.

"I can't live like this! What am I supposed to do with this?!"

Her mother's muttering continued in the living room.

Jang Hayang tried to ignore it and looked for her earphones.

She had to find them quickly.

Otherwise, she would become unhappy again.

'There they are.'

She hurriedly plugged in the earphones.

She chose a dance track, turned up the volume, and lay down on the bed.

The voice that had been troubling Jang Hayang's mind disappeared, and only the music could be heard.

'Oh, right.'

She carefully took out a tulip from her bag.

There was nothing in the room to put the tulip in.

To find something, she would have to go to the living room...

She decided to wait until her mother was asleep.

Jang Hayang held the tulip and kept looking at it.

Just looking at it made her feel good.

She couldn't help but smile.

'I am a happy person.'

There are few people in the world who can dream and act on those dreams.

Jang Hayang is running towards her dream.

So, she must be happy.

'So, I should smile.'

She can't show that she's struggling or say anything negative.

It would be disrespectful to truly unhappy people.

She is happy.

Even though the time to challenge her dream is less than three months.

Even though she can't eat properly.

Even though her parents are always fighting at home.

Still, she is happy...

'Look at this.'

Doesn't she have someone who gives her such a wonderful gift?

It would be absurd to be sad and complain about life.

"Hehe."

Usually, when she tried to give herself such positive affirmations, she couldn't manage to smile.

But today, she didn't have to try.

It felt like a warm sensation was spreading from her heart.

Jang Hayang kept looking at the tulip until she fell asleep.

* * *

"Should we consider taking on an actor as well?"

"Have you finally gone crazy?"

Hong Gyuheon twirled his finger by his temple, implying that Seong Pil had gone mad.

"Maybe. I was just thinking out loud."

"Is Park Esa someone who changes interests like that? You should focus on idols, not get distracted by other things."

"I was just thinking out loud."

"Are you not looking for trainees and just wandering around acting schools?"

"I don't know when my credibility dropped so low..."

For the past few days, Seong Pil had been racking his brain.

How could he change Jang Hayang's future?

If he hadn't seen the future, he might have ignored it, but seeing it and then ignoring it didn't sit well with him.

First, he needed to make Jang Hayang give up on being an actor...

'Hayang, you will fail as an actor!'

To persuade Jang Hayang, he would have to say something like that.

No matter how he tried to persuade her, he would eventually have to say that she wasn't suitable to be an actor.

'Who would believe such a thing, especially from someone they've only known for a few days?'

What if Seong Pil took care of her himself?

That seemed like the most feasible option.

'With my current sales skills, I can gradually increase Jang Hayang's popularity.'

The problem was that Seong Pil was part of Garo Entertainment.

Could he take time out to act as her manager? No way.

So, he subtly asked Hong Gyuheon if he was interested in taking on an actor...

'I must be crazy. I shouldn't have said anything.'

His self-esteem had plummeted due to the lack of progress in finding new trainees.

Seeing Hong Gyuheon made him feel guilty.

His worry about Jang Hayang and his guilt towards Hong Gyuheon combined, leading him to bring up the topic of actors.

"Why? Now you're not only looking for trainees but also potential actors?"

"No..."

Actually, focusing on actor management might be more efficient than making idols.

Seong Pil knew all the hit dramas, movies, and plays.

Using his knowledge of the future, sales wouldn't be difficult.

Even without the advantage of regression, his current network had many opportunities.

'...No. Don't get tired, Seong Pil. How could trainees just appear? Gems are usually hidden.'

Producing idols is Seong Pil's dream.

Just because the process is taking a few months longer, he shouldn't get distracted.

If he keeps thinking about how to help Jang Hayang, he will eventually find a solution.

Don't rush.

"Our Park Esa is really passionate. He even has time to be interested in actors. Isn't that great?"

"Recently, the boss seems to be more irritable. He used to be kinder to me."

"That means you've become closer."

Maybe it was better when they weren't so close...

"Last time, you mentioned that girl who looks like me."

"Did you hear about her from Han Esa?"

"Did you try to hide her from me?"

"I'm sorry. I forgot to report it."

"No, you didn't get a positive response, right? But I heard that she didn't feel a strong connection, like Baek Seolha."

"She aims to be an actor. She's not interested in idols."

"So, you want to bring her in as an actor? Just introduce her to an acting agency you know."

"..."

"Why the long face?"

Hong Gyuheon leaned forward, closing the distance between him and Seong Pil.

"Do you really want to bring her in? Are you upset because she rejected you?"

"I don't really want to bring her in..."

"Rather than what?"

"Ha, yes. I do want to show her to you, but as an idol, not an actor. I just don't know how to persuade her."

Seong Pil decided to seek advice from others.

He didn't think he could find a solution by agonizing over it alone.

"Did she say acting was her dream?"

"Yes."

"Is she desperate?"

"I'm not sure. She seems determined, but I can't tell if she's desperate."

The future Jang Hayang struggled for five years despite financial difficulties.

And the future Seong Pil thought:

If he hadn't supported her, she would have given up after one or two years.

"People often talk about dreams and aspirations, but in reality, they don't yearn for them that much. There's no one who thinks, 'I'd rather die than do anything else.'"

"If it gets too hard, it's natural to give up, whether it's a dream or anything else."

"If it's a real dream, you should be willing to risk your life. No, it should be something you feel you'll die if you don't do it."

"Struggling while being poor is desperate enough, isn't it?"

"Most people don't know any other way."

They spent years preparing for civil service exams.

They worked for over a decade to become famous actors.

They endured all kinds of hardships to get promotions.

Just enduring pain and pursuing something doesn't make it a dream.

"They don't give up because they're afraid to take a different path. It's not 'I have no other choice,' but 'I'll die if I don't do this.' How many people think it's their dream when they're just borrowing someone else's identity or values? Frankly, if I gave you 100 billion won and asked you to start a business, you'd do it, right?"

"My dream is to produce idols."

"...In situations like this, you should just agree."

"I'd die if I didn't produce."

"Lie. You just suggested bringing in an actor."

"Oh..."

You're right...

"Most people would accept my offer, I think."

"I understand, but how do I persuade her?"

"Give her 100 billion won."

"Excuse me?"

Seong Pil's spine shivered.

'Does he know I bought stocks?'

As soon as he regressed, Seong Pil invested 100 million won in a stock that would rise nearly 15 times in a few months.

Could Hong Gyuheon have investigated his assets?

Rich people are scary...

"Park Esa's persuasion should be worth 100 billion won. She should feel secure with 100 billion won. Woo her. Charm her. You will succeed. I will make you succeed. If you fail, I'll take responsibility."

"How can I do that with just words?"

"Of course, words alone won't be enough. You need to take action. Park Esa is good at that. You can talk as if you're willing to give your liver and gallbladder."

He makes it sound so easy.

"If you say it like that, I sound like a con artist."

"Show her there are other paths. Keep reassuring her that it's okay even if she falls off that path. In short, keep praising and comforting her."

Though the advice was abstract, it resonated with Seong Pil.

"I get it."

"Was it helpful?"

"Not really."

"..."

"But I understand that worrying won't help. I'll go and talk to her again."

As Seong Pil was about to leave the office, a question came to mind.

"Boss, do you have a dream?"

"I don't have a dream. I just want to live a moderately happy life."

What a simple philosophy.

* * *

Jang Hayang panted and wiped her sweat.

It was already autumn, but the sun showed no signs of weakening.

Even fanning herself didn't help with the heat.

'Should I take the bus...'

1,200 won could buy a triangle rice cake.

Jang Hayang looked at her sweat-soaked clothes and hesitated.

'What if I just sweat a little?'

By the time she reached home, her legs were trembling.

Walking every day didn't make it any easier.

Jang Hayang thought that walking was a lie when it came to exercise.

She had forgotten that she didn't eat properly.

Then her phone rang.

'Ah, a match.'

It was an app for finding temporary job replacements.

She had attended various auditions, whether for extras or anything else.

If she got a regular part-time job, she might have to turn down an audition if she got accepted.

So, Jang Hayang only took short-term replacement jobs to earn money.

'Early morning. Six hours. About 50,000 won.'

Jang Hayang smiled and headed home.

Today was a lucky day.

'...Who is it?'

A man was taking pictures of Jang Hayang's house with a camera.

Jang Hayang felt a chill.

But she couldn't enter her house without passing him.

As she approached slowly, the man looked at her and gave a wry smile, nodding.

He didn't react further.

Jang Hayang felt uneasy and entered her house.

"I'm back..."

Her father, who usually worked at night, was awake.

It wasn't even dark yet, but he was drinking beer and watching TV.

Her mother was sitting at the table, holding her head.

"Mom, someone is taking pictures outside."

Neither of them responded.

Jang Hayang felt a sense of foreboding.

The air was heavy.

A cicada, confused by the season, was chirping outside.

As a drop of sweat ran down Jang Hayang's jawline, her mother said irritably,

"We're selling the house."

"Excuse me?"

They were selling the house.

What did that mean?

"The pictures are for the auction."

They had lived in this house for 20 years.

It was shabby, but she had an attachment to it.

She knew why they were selling it.

They couldn't pay their debts.

Her parents had fought about money, debts, card bills, and loans since she was a child.

But she had never really understood those things.

"Where... are we going...? We...?"

Would selling the house pay off all their debts?

If not, where would her family go?

The primal fear of losing a place to live gripped her heart.

"Hayang."

Her mother's voice, unusually gentle, called her.

It wasn't like her.

"Have you saved any money? I need it urgently, so can we use it?"

Just a moment ago, Jang Hayang's body was hot.

Now, it was cold to the point of shivering. Cold sweat soaked her back.

"Mom, that... that's..."

"I'll give it back when I have money. With interest."

Jang Hayang had spent her high school years working part-time.

As a minor, she didn't earn much and sometimes faced unfair treatment, but she persevered and saved money.

It was for attending an acting school when she became an adult.

She could only afford a year's worth of tuition.

The money was almost gone, leaving only enough for four months.

If she lost that...

"Our daughter, can I ask you for a favor? Okay?"

Her mother showed a smile she had never seen before. Jang Hayang lowered her head and stammered,

"School... I need it for school... I only planned to do it for a year... There are only a few months left..."

"What's the big deal about that!"

Suddenly, her father shouted and threw a beer can.

Jang Hayang was so startled that her legs gave out.

Frightened, her father yelled at her,

"Why do you want to keep doing that actor nonsense when it doesn't even earn you money?"

A drama was playing on the TV channel he had on.

The actors' voices echoed hollowly in the living room.

"Is your acting more important than our family? You can always earn money and go back to it! Your mother is asking you for help, tsk. I raised you wrong, wrong!"

"..."

In elementary school, Jang Hayang first tried acting in a Korean class.

While other kids took their roles lightly, she put in as much effort as she could.

The teacher praised her.

She was bad at studies and never received praise at home, so she was overjoyed.

From then on, she decided to act.

It was her only talent that earned her praise.

"After high school, you should have found a job, not become an actor. Acting requires good character, but you're willing to be an actor after rejecting your parents' request. Can you do anything well? I spent so much money raising you, and you're worried about a few million won? As a child, you should think about paying back your parents, tsk."

Debt.

To Jang Hayang's parents, raising a child was a labor.

So, as their child, Jang Hayang had to pay back their debts.

Understanding this, Jang Hayang wasn't shocked. This was her life.

Jang Hayang took out her phone and opened the banking app.

Her hands were shaking, making it hard to operate.

"I sent it..."

Her parents didn't say thank you.

Jang Hayang went to her room.

She lay on the broken spring bed and took deep breaths.

'It's okay.'

She could save money again.

In a way, it was for the best.

She would find a well-paying job, save hard, and attend the acting school.

She would focus entirely on acting.

'At least I have a chance to try again. It's lucky that my parents aren't forcing me to work. There are many people who don't have such luck.'

She wasn't unhappy.

She wasn't struggling.

She wasn't sad.

"Sniff..."