Come Back

“The couple in Apartment C probably each have their own lovers,” said Kim Yi-jeong, an actress playing the role of the famous politician’s university daughter in *Cream Mansion*, with a confident tone.

“They probably don’t find their spouses attractive anymore, but they have plenty of money, right? They must know they can meet younger and more attractive partners, so an affair seems like the natural course of things.”

Kim Yi-jeong was imagining the other characters in *Cream Mansion*, a couple in their 40s who run a famous restaurant.

The actors had gathered at Director Kang Woo-hyun’s house and spent three hours passionately discussing the script and characters. Yet, even after all that time, no one seemed tired, and the energy was still high.

Observing Kim Yi-jeong, who spoke with a pretty face but a deadpan expression, Oh In-kyung remarked with interest, “That’s a plausible theory, but you’re so young and yet your view of the world seems quite pessimistic.”

“I’ve seen plenty of older men who want to date me,” Kim Yi-jeong replied.

It was a response that everyone had no choice but to agree with.

Kim Yi-jeong, with her long black hair that reached her waist, didn’t give off an innocent vibe; instead, she had a cool, chic aura. In fact, she never acted fake, laughing or offering empty words in front of the director or her seniors. While there were probably some seniors who didn’t like her, she seemed like someone who, though not particularly friendly, wasn’t two-faced. That’s how Choi Hong-seo saw her.

“Then, I guess the husband from Apartment C might hit on you, Yi-jeong,” Choi Hong-seo added to the conversation, and Kim Yi-jeong quickly turned to look at him, her eyes widening.

“Oh? That might work. Creating some conflict between the tenants would definitely help the development of the story later on.”

“Our actors are so passionate. The director is really lucky,” said another person.

After the study session, Director Kang, who had briefly stepped out, returned with a tray full of food and drinks.

“Are we still talking about characters after the study session? Alright, from now on, let’s eat and drink and talk more casually.”

Following behind him, a staff member placed various snacks on the table.

“Director, the study is secondary, but the drinking session is the main event, right?” someone joked, and Director Kang shrugged as if it was obvious.

“Is there any film industry where that’s not the case? If it weren’t for alcohol, 80% of Korean films would never have seen the light of day.”

As per Director Kang’s preference, the drinking session began with champagne.

This was the second time Choi Hong-seo had visited the house in the body of Yoon Hye-an. Though it was his first time in the dining area after a study session, through the open folding doors, he could see a familiar garden outside.

On the day of the investment party for *Cream Mansion*, there had been a young crowd gathered around a swimming pool in that very garden. It was also the space where a celebration party had been held after the film’s production was confirmed.

That day, Lee Hae-sung, confidently and with composure, gave a toast and made a speech. To Choi Hong-seo, he seemed like the center of the world. Watching him as a mature man with leadership, manners, and a gentle smile, Choi Hong-seo could clearly feel a flutter in his heart.

It was also in this house where he had seen Lee Hae-sung get fiercely angry at CEO Jo’s disgraceful behavior. It was here that he had accepted him as a boyfriend, thinking he might not need to complete all five meetings.

Come to think of it, this place was filled with too many memories that were neither his house nor Lee Hae-sung’s. The thought of that made him unknowingly let out a hollow laugh.

“But, Yoon Hye-an, you’re a bit different from what I heard.”

Choi Hong-seo, who had been lost in his own world during the noisy drinking session, looked up at the voice calling for Yoon Hye-an. The representative of the production company, sitting next to Director Kang, was looking at him with an intrigued expression.

“I’ve heard a lot about how unreliable you are… I was really worried. When the director said he wanted to cast Hye-an, I was strongly against it. But now, the more I see, you seem different from the rumors.”

“See, I told you, Baek representative. There’s no way someone unreliable could pull off that kind of acting, right? You might be better with business matters, but when it comes to actors, my judgment is sharper. The rumors must have been exaggerated.”

Director Kang Woo-hyun, already quite tipsy, boasted loudly and continued.

“Even today, look. You’ve studied the script and character so thoroughly. The script is already worn out. With that level of effort, Baek representative, you have to admit that’s above average in terms of diligence.”

“You can’t really know someone after seeing them just two or three times,” the production representative said indifferently, then sipped his champagne, pretending to be distracted. While he somewhat acknowledged the possibility that Yoon Hye-an might be different from the rumors, he seemed to still leave room for doubt.

Choi Hong-seo thought that was enough. After all, many people still believed in rumors more than the actual person they saw.

“But our Hye-an doesn’t touch any food. We’ve been talking for three hours, aren’t you hungry? Have some cookies or muffins, okay?”

When he noticed that Yoon Hye-an had only been sipping his drink and hadn’t touched any food, Director Kang looked at Choi Hong-seo with a worried expression.

“I’m fine, Director. I’m enjoying myself.”

“You don’t like sweet food?”

“No, I do. But if I eat it, I tend to gain weight, so I have to manage.”

“What? With your body, what kind of management do you need?”

Director Kang tilted his head as he looked at Yoon Hye-an’s long neck and jawline, with no excess fat, and the wrist visible under his sleeve.

“Director, isn’t physical appearance just as important for the role of Hwang Ji-woo as the acting itself? I think it’s a good idea for Yoon Hye-an to work on his appearance too. His figure seems a little less impressive compared to Choi Hong-seo’s.”

Without missing the chance, actor Seo Jun-young added with a teasing tone.

“So recently, I’ve been working out diligently.”

“What? With those wrists, do you even lift 2kg dumbbells?”

Seo Jun-young sneered as if talking to himself. Then, before Choi Hong-seo could respond, he turned to someone else and left the conversation.

Although his behavior was immature, Seo Jun-young’s comment wasn’t entirely wrong.

Choi Hong-seo had noticed that Yoon Hye-an’s body was in quite a neglected state. Perhaps due to months of being in a coma, she was very thin but lacked muscle mass. Hwang Ji-woo, a character who needed to exude mystery with her appearance alone, couldn’t simply rely on being skinny to look good on camera. To create a well-maintained body, Choi Hong-seo had hired an expert to help Yoon Hye-an build up the parts of her physique that were lacking.

“Hey, are you really working out?”

Park Dong-ha, sitting next to Choi Hong-seo, nudged him with his elbow and asked in a lowered voice. Choi Hong-seo nodded.

“It’s been a while now. About a month?”

“You’re not just saying that, right? You’re actually working out?”

It seemed quite surprising to Park Dong-ha, who let out a soft, sarcastic laugh.

“Director, tell us about Lee Hae-sung, the vice president!”

When someone mentioned Lee Hae-sung, Park Dong-ha suddenly brightened up, shifting his attention from Choi Hong-seo.

“What should I say? He’s not even here.”

“I’m not trying to gossip, I’m just curious about how someone that rich lives!” Park Dong-ha eagerly pressed for more information, an enthusiasm that was unexpected since he usually stayed quiet in front of his seniors.

“I actually thought he looked even more impressive in person than some of the actors. Why isn’t he remarried? He must have a girlfriend, right?”

“I don’t know anything about his private life.”

“It seems like there are no rumors at all in the entertainment world. With that in mind, I don’t think he’s dating an actress or a singer…”

“Did you even go around digging up rumors?”

Director Kang chuckled at Park Dong-ha and playfully shot him a glare, almost fondly.

Park Dong-ha blushed and shifted uncomfortably.

“I wasn’t digging up rumors… I was just really curious about what kind of person someone like him would date. He’s got money and power, and he looks like that—it’s like something out of a movie.”

Everyone seemed to find Park Dong-ha’s explanation endearing. He got along well with both his seniors and peers, and as the youngest among the cast, he was generally amiable with everyone.

“You must have met him several times while securing investments. You seemed pretty close at the dinner the other day. What’s he really like?”

“He’s someone who’s going to be the president of the ARA Group. Do you think I’d be able to figure him out just from a few meetings?”

Even Oh In-kyung subtly asked, but Director Kang continued to remain tight-lipped.

Choi Hong-seo was actually grateful that Director Kang didn’t easily open up about Lee Hae-sung. He didn’t want to see him become the subject of gossip.

As the conversation continued, Seo Jun-young leaned forward over the table and lowered his voice to quietly ask, “Then just tell us this, Director. What’s the relationship between you and Choi Hong-seo…?”

By now, Director Kang, who had been deflecting questions politely, looked at Seo Jun-young intently. There was still a smile on his lips, but it seemed colder.

“I think you might have overheard something I or Vice President Lee said last time.”

As Director Kang set his champagne glass down, he continued.

“Seo Jun-young, let me give you some advice.”

“…”

“Lee Hae-sung is not an ordinary person. He’s probably more intimidating than anyone you know.”

For some reason, everyone at the table, including Seo Jun-young, held their breath and listened intently to Director Kang.

“It’s not just about power, he’s almost like a god. In this world, Lee Hae-sung is practically omnipotent. There’s nothing he can’t do, so in a way, he’s half a god. Got it, Jun-young? Half a god.”

“…”

“Don’t anger the gods, or you’ll regret it. Keep your mouth shut.”

With that, Director Kang smiled again as he picked up his champagne glass. Seo Jun-young, who had been listening intently to the director’s words, relaxed for a moment and playfully rolled his eyes, seemingly interpreting the comment as a tease aimed at him.

“Hey, Director, aren’t you getting too deep into shamanism? Even if he’s a chaebol, calling him a god is a bit much… The world has changed. Can a chaebol really do whatever they want?”

“Even though the world has changed, I think Vice President Lee Hae-sung could probably save or destroy someone like you, Jun-young.”

“……”

After hearing that, Seo Jun-young seemed to shiver slightly. He didn’t respond and instead leaned back in his chair, silencing himself.