Chapter 18: LIKE AN OLD SOUL
"HAVE you found out how the child is related to Bae Wonyoung?" Yun Dujun asked. "I want to know why my husband is obsessed with that kid."
"The team didn’t find any connection between Bae Wonyoung-nim and An Baekya, but we found a connection between you and the child, sir."
"Me? How am I connected to the kid?"
"It’s just a small connection, sir," Han Myung said, and then he started explaining. "We found out that An Baekya, a child the same age as Young Master Yuhyun-nim, has joined his local theatre group early this year. Their play kind of went semi-viral because of An Baekya’s performance. After that, a video of the child calling you as his role model circulated, sir."
"The child is my fan?"
"Yes, sir. There was a video of An Baekya inviting you to watch their play."
"This is the first time I’m hearing this."
For starters, Yun Dujun wasn’t active on social media.
He would post videos and pictures from time to time, especially for paid partnerships, but he never bothered to read comments from fans.
Except when it’s my birthday or debut anniversary.
"An Baekya isn’t the first child to do something like that, sir. And it didn’t go super viral either. That’s probably why the agency didn’t bother letting you know about it," Han Myung explained. "I have the video, sir. Would you like to see it?"
Yun Dujun just nodded.
Han Myung then pulled out his phone, fidgeted with it for a moment, and handed it to Yun Dujun politely. "Here you go, sir."
Yun Dujun watched the video with only a slight interest.
A five-year-old boy with big doe eyes appeared on the screen.
Oho?
This kid looks more charming than most child actors I’ve worked with in the past.
Yun Dujun could see that An Baekya had the potential to be a mainstream actor in the future.
<"Hello, Yun Dujun Sunbae-nim. My name is An Baekya.">
Hmm.
The kid is only five, but he speaks well.
An Baekya reminded Yun Dujun of Bae Wonyoung’s clear pronunciation and enunciation— something that he had always admired about his husband as a fellow actor.
<"I’m currently the lead actor in the play ’The Poor Prince.’ But I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t seen Yun Dujun Sunbae-nim’s old video back when you were a child actor. Do you remember, Sunbae-nim? You also played this character when you were in elementary.">
"This child talks like an adult."
Yun Dujun only realized that he said that out loud when Han Myung chuckled.
"I agree, sir. The kid seems to have an old soul."
<"It would be an honor if you could watch our play, Yun Dujun Sunbae-nim.">
The video ended with An Baekya bowing politely.
Yun Dujun returned Han Myung’s phone while asking: "Is the video recent?"
"Yes, sir. It was taken a few months ago, around the time Bae Wonyoung-nim woke up," Han Myung said, and then he gasped softly as if he remembered something important. "Oh, you were filming in Greece then. That’s probably why the agency didn’t tell you about it."
"I see. So, how do we know the child is the one Bae Wonyoung is looking for?"
"Our team followed Mr. Seo’s lead," Han Myung explained. "We only found An Baekya quicker because we have more resources than Mr. Seo."
Right.
We can easily buy information, and we have the power of Naville Corporation behind us.
Whereas Mr. Seo was alone.
"Mr. Seo used to be an elite member of our Investigation Team before he left and started his own detective agency," Han Myung said. "Mr. Seo is good at his job. That’s why I recommended him to Bae Wonyoung-nim when he said he was looking for someone."
"If it’s Mr. Seo’s lead, then we can trust it," Yun Dujun said. "Now give me An Baekya’s exact location."
***
"OPPA, I already cooked dinner for you. I’ve also washed the dishes. So, just rest for today, okay?"
Aigoo.
Wonyoung felt guilty.
Bae Gayoung insisted on taking him home because his cousin was worried that he might get into another accident.
But he didn’t expect the kid to cook dinner for him.
This Bae Gayoung is really different from the Bae Gayoung I remember— she’s mature now.
"I feel bad that you did all of this for me, Gayoung-ah," Wonyoung said while scratching his cheek. "Thank you. But don’t worry about me anymore. My sprained wrist won’t affect my daily life that much."
"It’s alright, Oppa. I wanted to do this to make up for the time I abandoned you at the hospital," Bae Gayoung said while taking off the apron. "Call me if you need help, Oppa. I’m not busy anyway since the semester is about to end. Plus, my new part-time job is work from home. I’ll come running if you call."
Aww.
This kid used to be lazy, but she’s so hard-working now.
"Gayoung-ah, you don’t have to do part-time jobs. Just focus on your studies," Wonyoung said. "I’ll give you allowance from now on."
"Thank you for the offer, but I love my part-time job, Oppa," Gayoung said, smiling. "Right now, I’m working as a proofreader for a publishing company that translates Korean webnovels to English. The pay is small, but I’m gaining useful work experience as an English Literature major."
"Oh. You’re an English Lit major?"
"Yes, Oppa. I go to Eunha University. It’s not as prestigious as Yonhee University, or the other ’Big 3 Universities,’ but Eunha University has a notable Department of English Language and Literature."
Wonyoung went to Yonhee University— one of the top universities in their country.
But he was still amazed and proud of Bae Gayoung for making it to Eunha University. Yes, his cousin’s university had a slightly higher acceptance rate than some other universities in Seoul. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t a good school.
Plus, it couldn’t have been easy for this kid to study for her college entrance exam while her family was in shambles.
"I’m proud of you, Gayoung-ah. I mean it."
"Don’t make me cry, Oppa," Bae Gayoung said, obviously trying her best not to get emotional. That was probably why the kid quickly changed the topic. "The webnovel I’m proofreading is really interesting, Oppa. I’m sure you’ll like it. I’ll tell you about the story once I’m done reading it."
Wonyoung smiled and nodded. "Alright— let’s talk about that interesting webnovel later."
***
WHY KIND of psycho calls someone at 7AM?
"Ah," Wonyoung said softly after reading the name of the person calling him. "It’s Dujun Sunbae-nim."
Haaah.
He was still sleepy, but he still answered the call.
I have something to tell Sunbae-nim anyway.
"Good morning, Sunbae-nim."
"Let me in, Hoobae-nim. I brought a steak sandwich and grilled cheese for you."
"Sunbae-nim, you don’t have to bribe me with food every time."
"I’m not bribing you— I just like feeding you."
Oh.
That may or may have made Wonyoung’s heart skip a beat.
Yun Dujun could really be smooth even without trying hard.
It doesn’t help that Sunbae-nim has a sexy voice.
Haaah.
Why am I being horny? Am I about to get my heat cycle?
Oh, to be physically attracted to a cold Alpha...
"Hoobae-nim?"
Wonyoung let out a sigh. "Give me five minutes, Sunbae-nim— I’m just going to wash my face."
***
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