NB | Chapter 11

Woohyun carefully read through the contract. Beyond the sharp corners of the paper, he could see Kang Jiwon lounging comfortably on the sofa. It seemed he wouldn’t rush or leave until Woohyun finished reading.

As he turned the next page, the contract fee section in the profit distribution clause caught his eye.

“I just added the contract fee to the standard rookie contract.”

Somehow, Kang Jiwon added. Woohyun planned to take advantage of the benefits while he still held the upper hand. After all, Kang Executive Director seemed more desperate for the contract.

He thought it was a bold demand, but they really offered a contract fee. And it was quite a large amount. Woohyun tried to hide his surprise and continued reviewing.

Thanks to his experience writing monthly labor contracts at the employment office, the exclusive contract didn’t feel much different. It seemed like “Worker Seo Woohyun” just changed to “Actor Seo Woohyun,” with a few more clauses.

The only slightly frustrating part was that the profit distribution wasn’t as clear-cut as a labor wage. But since he hadn’t done any significant activities yet, it couldn’t be helped.

After a long time, Woohyun picked up the pen and started signing. No questions, no hesitation, no signs of doubt.

Kang Jiwon’s expression was ambiguous, as if he was frowning and smiling at the same time. They weren’t a management company that tricked people with contracts, so Woohyun’s straightforwardness should have been refreshing. Yet, he felt a bit worried, perhaps because he was conscious of Woohyun’s age.

But before Woohyun looked up, he composed his expression. Jiwon smiled and extended his hand for a handshake.

“Looking forward to working with you.”

“Same here.”

For a moment, Woohyun debated whether to shake hands more fiercely than when he signed, but he eventually extended his hand. The appropriate pressure and warm temperature reminded him of their first meeting. It was a completely different sensation from when Jiwon’s fingertips brushed his bangs.

…Was it a coincidence that he caught Kang Jiwon’s pheromones back then?

He hadn’t sensed them even faintly since. Now, only a subtle perfume tickled his nose. Yet, Woohyun vividly remembered the man’s pheromone scent he briefly caught. The perfume and pheromones were similar, and the fresh scent, opposite of a fishy smell, was firmly imprinted in his mind.

If given the chance, and if allowed, he’d like to smell it again. The young alpha mused to himself, unaware of how his thoughts might appear to the other.

“Since you mentioned needing training, we’ve scheduled in-house training. Team Leader Kim Younghoon will guide you through the curriculum, so ask him for details.”

As soon as the contract was sorted, Kang Jiwon stood up. Woohyun, sensing the business was done, awkwardly stood as well. Naturally heading towards the door, he hurried to follow.

As they opened the doors simultaneously, the receptionist they met earlier started to rise. Kang Executive Director gestured for him to stay put and personally escorted Woohyun to the elevator.

The elevator was on the 15th floor. Just as Woohyun was about to press the down button, another arm reached out simultaneously. Before he could press it, their hands touched, and Jiwon quickly withdrew his hand, as if burned.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence ensued. Woohyun decided to pretend he didn’t notice Jiwon clenching the hand that touched his and crossing his arms. He cleared his throat and pressed the button, opening the elevator doors.

Jiwon, extending only his arm, pressed the 6th floor for Woohyun to ride alone. Woohyun, who thought he’d be heading home after signing the contract, belatedly remembered Team Leader Kim, whom Jiwon mentioned. It seemed he needed to go to the 6th floor to meet him.

With more to say, Jiwon placed his hand on the elevator door frame. Sensing human contact, the door remained open.

“Seo Woohyun.”

His gaze, as he called out, was somehow imposing.

Even a rebellious nature knows when to stretch its legs, and Woohyun, unknowingly hesitating, thought this gaze suited Kang Executive Director’s true position.

“There are two months and fifteen days until the script reading. You should be aware that your acting experience is limited to passing extras.”

Pausing there, Jiwon seemed to ponder something. Then, he smiled. Woohyun noticed that in that brief moment, Jiwon had reconsidered saying something to him.

“Work hard. I need to make you presentable enough to recite lines so I can maintain my reputation.”

“…”

“I’ll decide whether to help based on your efforts. If you don’t want a free ride, there’s no need to spoon-feed you ads or roles. That’s something a sponsor would do, right?”

“Wow, holding grudges…”

“Say it louder. So I can hear.”

“No, sorry.”

Woohyun lowered his head, hiding his expression. The situation had completely reversed from when Jiwon handed him his business card. Now that he’d signed the contract, he had to properly address this man as Director.

Jiwon, indicating he wouldn’t press further, removed his hand from the elevator door frame and stepped back. Woohyun bowed slightly towards the smiling Jiwon as the doors closed.

˚˚˚

Woohyun received a schedule from Team Leader Kim Younghoon on the 6th floor. For now, it only included class schedules, but profile photo shoots and camera interview schedules would be set within a month.

Classes were scheduled both morning and afternoon, starting the next day. The schedule was much tighter than he expected. Attending wasn’t an issue, but the problem was the drastically reduced time to earn money.

Even though a ray of light had shone on his miserable life, Woohyun had to continue living his usual routine for a while. The only relief was that the in-house training was an investment by Newon in the actor, so there were no additional costs. He liked that he could freely use the cafeteria, but until he earned proper income as an actor, he remained penniless.

He had no choice but to give up the employment office, where he had to arrive at dawn to get work, but if he cut down on sleep, he could still work nights at the wine bar.

The Loanron guys were such a pain that he wanted to avoid any issues with debt repayment. He never expected them to be understanding, but at least the contract fee would help him hold out a bit longer.

Woohyun forced himself to walk energetically. It had been a long time since he returned home while the sun was still up.

As he neared his home, he noticed a stranger lingering in the alley. Though it wasn’t dark yet, the person wore a cap pulled low and a hooded jacket, obscuring their face. He could only see the flicker of a cigarette near their face.

Kim Sungmoon? But it hadn’t been long since the repayment date this month.

“…”

Woohyun paused, observing the mysterious silhouette. Judging by the build, it seemed male, but he was slimmer than Kim Sungmoon, who frequently visited his home. Plus, there was no sign of the usual entourage.

Woohyun approached the man, who was only showing his side, quietly. The man, seemingly unaware of his presence, stubbed out his cigarette on the wall and turned away, entering the house two doors down.

Ah… it was a neighbor.

Relieved, he quickened his pace.

There had been several times when victims of Seo Jungho’s scams found his address and came to his house. The still-furious victims would grab Woohyun by the collar, demanding news of his father. They accused him as if he were hiding the man.

Each time, Woohyun could only laugh in disbelief. He’d cut ties with that man long ago, and those people probably knew more about his father’s whereabouts than he did.

If someone came to his house because of Seo Jungho, Woohyun hoped it would be a detective. Someone to inform him that Seo Jungho had died. Then, he’d gladly handle the body and proceed with the inheritance renunciation.

Thinking such thoughts, he turned the corner leading to his home.

“Just getting off work?”

Kim Sungmoon flicked the cigarette between his fingers. Woohyun watched the cigarette butt arc through the air and then stepped on it like squashing a bug.