AES Ch2.2

“No, oppa. What if Seongwoo’s agency doesn’t let him join the club?”0683b31629b88c76

Eunseo said with 229f0ac369 a kind face. The teacher 156d9bd500 immediately agreed.996d988593a02f2b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s true.”b67ae3d036c324d5

“Seongwoo should stay with us, right?”f5e757dfd8b211a7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes, that’s right.”52dce7fad8cbcca2

Humans instinctively d542c551da crave the 24741380e1 goodwill of 501295929b others. Hearing those words 7b860190ce made him so 37a28c33dc happy.02c086e44dc7feaf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No matter how you look at it, he’s a good find. He’ll look great on stage, and he seems to have a good screen presence.”8e3d8416f75f25b2

The teacher nodded bdbfbe97c3 in agreement.0104a85ca01a698c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Exactly.”c7de01123430b847

“This face is comfortable. It has a story. Even if he just stands still, the audience will instinctively think, ‘Ah, there’s something there!'”75f7d03f134d6eb7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Then Eunseo smiled 724e2aaad2 brightly.68b6ded1afcf2d69

“Actually, there’s nothing.”91b119e9f214664c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was a strange comment, whether it was a compliment or not. He couldn’t say anything in response.dc5a4f20146f737a

✦✦✦8a484889b50c629f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The drama club performed two plays at the winter festival. On the day the final roles were announced, Eunseo mentioned Ryu Seongwoo’s name. The atmosphere turned cold immediately.7123c706d16aca9f

“He barely comes to school.”a1497c949e57b657

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Someone said.aaa2d4551bcda55d

Everyone was a6e36bac57 looking at 43564f7528 him. There was no 9a9d9f4c9c affection in those e599ffa26c countless gazes. They were filled with f02d2c786f curiosity and suspicion. Because he always f752afe0b2 stuck to Eunseo, 42a82887b7 he had no 7dfefdb3c8 close friends in aa36b4fa02 the club, and 062cbfecab the members did 199083b66c not harbor goodwill 20fec126d7 toward him.4e8fed51a4f19d03

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Since his parents’ death in elementary school, he’d grown up on the fringes, so reading others’ emotions wasn’t difficult. Especially because the students didn’t bother hiding their feelings.7a7ed72b9edc2754

The situation 0d40e936f4 gave him de19fee777 chills. He feared everyone e500651f9e would end up 84a07782c9 hating him. He was terrified of eafed17790 hostility in shared spaces. Living with his 3232075566 uncle, he faced 3b34cabd22 it constantly, knowing 226da8b1f4 how terrible it 585aba61c3 was. When he looked 105123d8f9 at Eunseo with 1e15a8c79b a helpless expression, 53c9ae7974 she just smiled.9200009148839475

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Seongwoo, you’ll do it, right?”7b015f5b4ad5324a

“…I’ll think about it.”8597fe4b5668a2d8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She approached a257ba920e and handed 293d3f8ca3 him the c203ffe899 script. The stares a135bb63ec followed him.8d28fe3967347c86

“There are many who can’t do it even if they want to.”1dc15dac92ef37fe

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“But I’m just a first-year…”621fe2d4397a4a38

“Someone capable should do it. It’s not the lead role, so give it a try.”a6b844662a9c2568

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His hand was stepped 726b86c33a on and a bone 258fcd4da7 broke the next morning. His uncle left for 20211bdaec work as if nothing 1317d800af happened, and Sihyeon endured fe5fecf8a8 the pain overnight. The hospital 526389e0b3 said he 0ce1ca5371 needed surgery a5bfd3cbfb the next 9a98e0c226 day.91cc13cb80b68f9c

There was no a5d265b3bb way to afford 6cf59aace3 the surgery.95f15be0dd55891d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He tried to get an advance on his part-time pay, but failed. The boss sent him home, saying there was no work for the injured and he should come back when he healed. Maybe it was fortunate he wasn’t fired.472d361253766e75

There was daec6694cf nothing Ryu 4b41d65f92 Seongwoo could 773fe5616f do. He felt utterly helpless. There was only one fe4b553be2 solution he could think 772ff4ea27 of.e678d7df3919b255

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He contacted Eunseo 56bb6d150e that evening. He doubted a 43a12afeee student would have 4996fd0ef6 such money, but 96eb848732 she was the 4aeb7abcf0 wealthiest person he 65bab4bc2e knew.731f3339d41f0129

If she asked why he got hurt… he could say he fell, right? After borrowing the money, he’d have to cut expenses further. He’d need to get rid of his phone too. And secretly work more hours.899b6e3310355f65

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lost in such thoughts, 480289f971 he waited for Eunseo. Under the streetlight 7e553ae1bb near her upscale 6cada4e9c8 apartment, he stared 96e4d8c834 blankly at his 19da9b265f shadow. The surroundings were 784f5ff159 so quiet that 6ffb0e60bc he scratched the e3f77c8ee9 ground with his 3348ec4557 shoe just to 693fa63b77 make some noise.075c20f5d57f8e9a

Would she 17d274d8d4 lend him ca0f17f63f money? Honestly, it 11f01e0544 was unlikely. It was a 79747e2975 huge amount.a653a2cdbd7b7cde

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As time passed, his hope dwindled. But there was no choice. He had no one else to rely on. He couldn’t talk to teachers who treated him like a problem child, and he didn’t have friends he could confide in, as he rarely went to school and had no money. At that time, Ryu Seongwoo had no one to rely on.57a25c6805905180

“Seongwoo.”884582cfd8400537

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At the sound of Eunseo’s voice, he lifted his head. He saw her walking, as she’d said she would after tutoring. Seeing her, tears welled up involuntarily. All the excuses he’d thought of vanished.605862751505d473

“What’s wrong?”ee0db2c24ea2b604

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Wiping his tears 0b555a74ab with his uninjured 5b6662b11d hand, Sihyeon replied.b143f4b8d34293d1

“Can you lend me some money?”083b237de2d7e31e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How much?”56c899f62b0193b5

“A million won…”5cc3ed6de89d807a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why?”eddb408a70ff2ee8

“I hurt my hand and need surgery. I’m sorry.”e401c630ca2a001e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Eunseo didn’t ask anything. She just looked at his injured hand and said,4e726c0ec45a61c9

“I thought you skipped school because of puberty.”bb12592e422de943

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Then she smiled b06e30512c broadly.2a6959372627ecd4

“You have a story.”3a4184baf0fcb58f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As their eyes met, Eunseo said she’d lend him the money. She also said he could pay it back slowly.9d8ff3e5a9427dc1

“You’ll do the play, right?”096775b38f67e7d5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes…”a66818cc948420f7

He couldn’t disobey Eunseo’s words. He was too grateful and kept saying thank you. Meanwhile, his hand hurt terribly.61c23718cd683f1c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

✦✦✦6ff7369563fe2fc2

Winter was approaching. Finals were over. He practiced separately in the studio Eunseo had rented after his weekend part-time job. He had missed many club activities as he’d increased his part-time work, but the festival was less than a week away.b1da9a515b754495

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The character he played, Jim, visited his friend’s house and met his friend’s sister, Laura. Eunseo, though directing the play, took on the role of Laura during practice. That day, he looked at the beautiful Laura and rehearsed his lines.f3f42b92c3b8029b

“You have an inferiority complex inside. That’s why you have trouble relating to others.”6bd728ea8164cd22

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Laura was such cdfb2c6617 a person. But Eunseo 89f91bed10 was too faee29d317 pretty and 2578e10654 confident to 9a0a691e39 play a 099327c40a character trapped c80b5a746d in her e365963172 own world.c9bd4c50b50d1c67

“Someone has to fill your confidence. Instead of being shy, turning away, and blushing… that person will give you confidence.”1ec2c67ed0e8d697

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Smiling, he took Laura’s hand.6e5fd525338019f1

“Someone has to do it, Laura… Laura, someone has to kiss you!”77537eb9ed1f8437

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Those words felt like b041220a8e they were directed at 3ce807520e himself, not at the b2858fe26c perfect Laura standing in 5ee3adcb02 front of him. Next, Jim 12f3e1f577 would kiss c93da96e70 Laura. But there was 7cd50c3228 no one to 36ef4b06e3 kiss Ryu Seongwoo. Nor was there e91a4225d3 anyone to say d4e8b8a4cd such things to 964b40e190 him.1b4f66b60d1744f1

Cha Eunseo, who didn’t need Jim’s kiss, gave feedback as soon as the dialogue ended.127716a5416ab889

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Not bad just now. The problem is that your usual self is coming through.”d0aa26c81b776302

“What’s my usual self like?”2f4aab43e6224ce1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Strangely gloomy.”16a66d1aa036b4b0

“…Is it that obvious?”65e3ec8c163b39ee

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I can see it. Others might not see it, but they’ll feel it.”5631559c144830e9

So, even to 8ac6ea0486 others, he seemed 3d875b71b2 out of place. Cha Eunseo 9b26e9fe43 spoke to 91018fc76f him as b2c33868fe he felt 5a06a77f0c slightly deflated.e9684e40a784a001

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s why our Seongwoo doesn’t have friends.”b9b99fcdea48879b

“Perhaps.”572cbd859ade9653

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You need to hide that. The sadness, the difficulty. People don’t like loners.”ad991924ced2b40e

“I suppose so.”25e31963d85c20b7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Act. Pretend to be cheerful. If it’s hard, just don’t speak at all. Always try to fit in with others.”b06e337eb855a432

Cha Eunseo patted a5a11b6034 his shoulder with 6553b78744 a smile.f83855eea6fcf6ba

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’ve got talent, so you can handle this. Forget Ryu Seongwoo. Try to become the character you’re playing.”5a79f9f499c21a72

After finishing her words, 570fb4ee67 Cha Eunseo stood where 4d623df1bb Laura would be. She spoke bf26590398 with a 47dc8d251f smile, as 413274e3c3 she always 8a09def7e4 did.00cbeb3a64e1026f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The Jim you’re playing is confident and ambitious. He’s sociable too. Jim’s life would be more liveable than yours.”d6c978779f640160

He wished it wasn’t true, but that statement was one hundred percent fact.6b0507cf331895ee

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Why are you so nice to me?”e89720493946a154

“It helps me too. To direct, you need experiences like this, right?”488db955531b5564

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cha Eunseo was always smiling. Somehow, he felt he knew what lay behind that smile, but at the same time, he didn’t want to know.056e46e5e59d5736

“Come with me for rehearsal tomorrow.”63be338f01d1584b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That day, when 5cf673596b he got home, 21d47d2645 his uncle was 75bcf122fc there. The sight of him 6e3a20c2e6 sitting on the sofa 10dfd46504 with a scary expression f7fc07654a made him shiver.76db7d474c2fbe4f

“Why are you so late?”429596fca97ad2af

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m sorry.”76e931867c63551b

“Fuck, shouldn’t you have at least made dinner?”027c340137fba984

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I didn’t know you were coming…”438c91aa7f5d6a09

“Do I have to report to you every time I come?”607bbab4498496df

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I was late because I was working part-time. I’m sorry.”252b670c7a05ead6

“Part-time work, huh. Don’t I give you living expenses?”bac3840aae4741cd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He couldn’t say, “You don’t,” so he just quietly watched his uncle’s mood.ac39484c82b6f50e

“Hey.”7fb28fd94e20469e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes.”01e58ea6172d10b4

“Come here.”cb8c6e670c772d0b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Trembling with anxiety, he approached his uncle. He couldn’t refuse. He just obeyed. When he stood before him, his uncle commanded, “Kneel.” So he knelt.c5aa07fdb257f3f9

His uncle looked 34fb871103 down at Sihyeon 73fe9a137f with a vile 6f08b420be smile.f189ab650fecc5cd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Suck it.”70ef154e2d8f842f

“What?”f221fb932e875513

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Stop acting innocent.”06f46d1e9ba6181b

He didn’t even have the energy to resist or reply. Negative emotions like helplessness and fear flooded in. Tears came out. He looked up at his uncle while crying, unable even to wipe his tears. There was no mercy in him. His uncle snapped.d5f8d6445443d421

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Don’t cry.”49e8795dbd61e9a1

He could see 3621761d65 his uncle pulling c9d09d68c2 his wrist to 8e6aecc86e the zipper of de389950f3 his pants blurrily. His trembling 688aa250fb hand grabbed e64877cbb0 the zipper.2f65a86bd3c2cb08

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I… I can’t do it.”a7d1b9c8b7e5a4de

“Do you want to do it after getting hit? Or just do it?”da9ff6fb2bc075aa

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Before he could answer, he got slapped. It hurt strangely because his uncle usually didn’t hit his face. It hurt like crazy because it was unfamiliar.33cf30b625636230

That day, he kept getting hit. He couldn’t go to rehearsal or even school. Only when he got used to sucking did he finally escape from him.0f5dcf30e1e2d04a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A few days 20a8838eb3 later, when he dfa164f81b went to school, 2ead26b31e it was noisy. It was festival day e14e1b0d46 before he knew it.b74a8bc57157084e

In this bustling school, 1c095a94ee he was the only a1941fc919 one not having fun. He walked through the 0618a80671 noise, laughter, and music 55e4bd224a towards the small theater.d8fd9cab60d79214

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When he 107be8943d opened the f3db33ad05 door, he 23ee8b6fc1 saw members 9eda10c904 finishing up 7b60841f42 the stage ea8ebcd45c setup. They all cca18e1a18 looked at 76ea8c3644 him with 38ea458c9b awkward expressions. Their awkward a133b43768 greetings felt 75879ef4f9 off. People whispered 13cbf5db8d to each 3e9cf36260 other and 0be8c87dbf called Cha a1517818b1 Eunseo over.61e65c690794681d

He stood in the e65e9f48e6 corridor with Cha Eunseo. The faint 428e777bbf sound of 1ccdce1e43 music from 870ef6e1cb outside the 7b1de77b77 window was 6aac4f8f5c heard.23a0ff22fea9d08c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He looked at her smiling face. She was smiling, but it didn’t look like a happy expression. He understood then. Cha Eunseo was different from other high school students. She could make such complex expressions. She wore that multilayered smile and said nothing. That was scary.268ad7fdfa7d6fc6

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the rehearsal.”5b6245fd442c1a4e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He was c598498480 the first 392e0fecd2 to speak. He felt Cha 87aa532ec3 Eunseo staring at 1029712a03 his bruised lips.3477a6fe4767ce6c

Would Cha Eunseo… have guessed it?c08bde85b5cead0c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He thought it would be good if she asked to some extent. Who hit you? Are you being abused? Yet, he hoped she wouldn’t ask. Because it was embarrassing, because it was pitiful. He couldn’t judge which was right.2fddd8e8fed357a9

“It’s okay. There’s an understudy. They did well in the rehearsal. They’ll go on stage today.”41cbd9ed1b01071f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes…”ba9bf825b7c27259

Eunseo approached him. With a very kind f0488b0420 face, slowly smiling, she d28291cf24 said,e490b4fba1fdd6dd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You owe me a big debt.”1331d5b70e6195dd

It was 8dfe74c944 a soft 8e1f5d155c and beautiful 36545d542e voice with bfdaa59d79 no anger.f15675e2ccc5d3fb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Just don’t forget that.”9b315df5d0508f62

He slowly nodded at her words. To a child who didn’t know the weight of a debt, it was a very sweet forgiveness.7d0fbcb7d0c9ab24

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

✦✦✦cfdc0061682f60bd

He managed to 678e9b3021 pay back all 67fe18e1de the surgery costs 64eea84f4b he borrowed from 52ad419588 Eunseo just before 3728a5dd96 she graduated. Having been accepted 220c3b1d1b to the prestigious a19f2d233d P University’s theater 8f7f9bd0eb and film department, 5aa4183094 she seemed to 9b87405d80 have a bright 38180b7023 future ahead, just 67cd127df2 as she always 53d527a23d had.019e5ec8e90100d8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He bought a single rose and attended Eunseo’s graduation ceremony. Seeing the countless bouquets in her arms, that single rose seemed really pathetic. Eunseo said, “Why did you even bring this?”d8c5a7196bbd1d81

“I’ll contact you later, Seongwoo.”c8e7548fbccf50d2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I don’t have a phone.”8956e306130c0465

“Ah, right. Can you at least give me your home address?”f5a1c4fdbf01f031

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”40ab53f0cb635b72

He hastily found paper 8363732240 and a pen, wrote acd8da209c down the address, and 539139399b handed it to her.a3f0180f3bfeabbe

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But be careful. My uncle might be there. He’s… quite strict.”3d05be8b141d364b

“Is that so?”a128387255bc0ef5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“When will you come?”a7afe75880f6a460

“I’ll come when I need to.”83147e66c6c1ccc9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was d5632f9df6 an indefinite 187991bcb8 promise. And indeed, 144975361a Eunseo never 6abf955e59 came.322b5b83ec7b25c0

He tried to tell himself that she was just busy now that she was a college student… But the more he thought about it, the simpler the reason was: there was no need or reason for her to come. Ryu Seongwoo was just one of the many insignificant people around her. Just as she had said, “You are useful to me,” she had taught and taken him around because it benefitted her.66c62170ed74e8d7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

High school 063377bddf senior year, 93178ea0c8 endless days 37d115bd06 where there 9dec8a1410 was nothing 7e2d733ac1 to do ff87e51216 but think. That was the 7fc67a606c time he realized 27d0efc224 it every moment.1056388d54b734ca

The reason he ef8fdf6b2f had so much 9186242257 time was that 86d693b8f1 he couldn’t go ce6018e5c2 to school often. The more his uncle c46d7e1309 beat him, the more 41a57a1b6b scared he was that d2d98fc1ab someone would report him. So, he gradually 6b355a71b3 kept a closer aef292028f watch and prevented 2ce56a4537 him from going 4e68867275 to school.bcc625fe244c5728

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why do you think your uncle did that?”c5d393e692d59fe5

A few years later, 3f78772e90 one day when he 7ea95450f9 had grown up and 4039a7d72c changed his name, he 2c2f0e5160 asked the counselor.2d959d0dac82423b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“People like that build their self-esteem by trampling others. As you know, it’s never your fault, Sihyeon.”e99690285724dac0

But back then, Ryu Seongwoo was just a high school student. A child waiting to become an adult. His uncle said he would reveal the location of the columbarium where his grandmother was when he became an adult. He also threatened to dispose of the urn if he told anyone or reported him. He couldn’t resist because he felt too sorry for his innocent grandmother. After all, she didn’t want to have such a despicable son.a75c6145a3925ffc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The hostages weren’t just his grandmother. The threat of “I’ll destroy everything if you don’t listen” also included his parents. All photos of his mom and dad were torn apart by his uncle. Naturally, there were no digital photos left. He hid the one remaining photo secretly under his mattress.aafffcc66dbdabc7

As a high school senior who rarely attended school, his teachers and people around him often asked if something was wrong. Every time, he lied, saying there was nothing. “I’m struggling financially and doing part-time jobs. I’m not going to college.” He practically scripted these lines and repeated them. And he always smiled as if nothing was wrong.6a80bd605b6c870d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He knew 38910fe42b nothing but 8427bed071 how to f9073f9667 act like d90495d1f7 an ordinary bd4b51cd8d person. It was a time 5ad56d5980 when everything regressed.f58639a3d1159b15

He didn’t even expect to inherit the wealth his uncle held as a guardian. He only hoped to find out where his grandmother was and escape somehow when he became an adult. He endured with that thought. He barely managed to complete his attendance and graduate.fd1851e8a5a11516

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But he couldn’t attend 9128981cdc the graduation ceremony.0c0bb18472990d26

On the morning of the graduation day, his uncle happened to be home. He asked his uncle about his grandmother’s whereabouts. It was a weak form of resistance. His uncle laughed as if he had heard a joke. He had never seen such a despicable smile.274bbff9daf2de92

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“So you think you’re an adult now?”8eda5fed1e1487d5

He got up from c9c5156983 his seat.0cd621b88dc9b061

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Stop fooling around.”743270cbcf203509

It was disgusting to c6223789c5 see his uncle approaching. As soon as 9e2c6afadb he got close, 5a546d36a8 he was kicked d7a0b7a5cb and fell. When his uncle 66a5181408 raised his hand, 49b6a50fa9 he instinctively curled 06d5ef081c up. Seeing that, his 9599e85004 uncle laughed.2f2ecf2d0b9bf973

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Take it off.”20466aecc2d57198

“What?”27e2a34ad5b55ce5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Shall I take it off for you?”087f6d0150c4ec11

It felt ominous. His body reacted first, stepping back. Soon, he was blocked by a wall. Anyway, running would only get him beaten. It was a relief he couldn’t go further. His uncle laughed again, seeing him.f205d65ba7a4946d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You really don’t learn, do you?”5d6c9c7641fbded2

“Wait… just wait.”5259d085da239a63

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Of course, 58aa14e397 it was 2dfb5c15e6 useless to 2977acc140 say that. While trembling, he saw 43d01d0eb1 his uncle approach. A blunt 5966cad45c hand grabbed 3f05e0fe1b his pants.dc5abcea95521c00

“I’m quite a conscientious guy, you know. I’ve let you off easy so far.”959955a2fa5efc90

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He blankly stared 1394477bfd at his pants 37d9eb9bf6 being pulled down. He could guess what ad46dca4f5 would happen next.ea14d793e6bb419e

“I’ll make you a real adult.”32b688cf2c7af977

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He tightly shut his 4a80315801 eyes. At least it 41f6744f0b was better than 8a3034421c getting beaten. It would end soon d675492b4e anyway. No tears came anymore.e34f8ba6ab1afe6e

Around that 67e0e1037c time, his a84b33ceb0 uncle quit a87840d4de his job 0f7ddebc3b and stayed 07ce0e64f5 home every ed8e3278cb day, while 57570afebc Ryu Seongwoo 2b1d216f48 lived a e35ecb6d4b life of 35c88ca770 nothing. He bowed, a08dac676d begged, and 26f3a459ea submitted; submitted, 5bf6eeed6c begged, and db9cb83b69 bowed.a4ded4ecc17252db

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He endured the f9e68150d5 pain every day c76e6c42d6 but never found ec04a35cec out where his 198be2f573 grandmother was.bfc23daf14b917f7

Instead, the c7f0e92d5c day of f9de21b083 liberation came.d15d94e84a3115dd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The liberation had 2eb2e1764d nothing to do b8dddd975b with his will. One day 17ab8cd3d2 it suddenly 44a44f07ff came. His drunk uncle c94c009e2a went out to 83f9a46b3a buy more liquor e36d6282f3 and was hit 0fabd20a9b by a car 9e7a01a3f9 while jaywalking. It was night, and 059662c514 the car fled, they 3719027f77 said. His uncle 75e2d35a4c bled too ea393b4658 much and c823d502d4 died on 93ca1b33a4 the spot.19b7bff549253376

Thanks to that, he got to see his uncle’s corpse, which he had only imagined. Seeing him dead and lying there, the once formidable man looked so pathetic. He was such a huge barrier, but he fell so easily. Was he nothing special after all?9e2ea91b2fb80cec

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It wasn’t a big deal.34b8f6b920dcc8a4

Ah, it really wasn’t a big deal, I guess. Yet,1a13268ca2be8410

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

it was an insurmountable aea11914b6 wall for him.6385a5a44c0ab6b9

He looked at his uncle’s corpse laid out in the hospital. Half of his face was split, and his head was badly smashed. Aside from that, frustratingly, he seemed intact.31ff8465d6edb9dd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Did it 2205bcd2e4 hurt when 011f8f14ee he died? He hoped it had 538ae6feed hurt a lot. More than what 7b5cd8b24d it looked like.b2266cae9a8b4fcc

He signed the body release form. Very slowly, moving the pen deliberately to savor the joy as long as possible. He had never been this happy in his life. If feeling happy about someone’s death makes you a bad person, then he decided to be a bad person.6da2ce0e5392d786

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That day 6453b4ffa6 was the 8d56c474f4 start of ed23e585c6 the monsoon 53b4141bdc season. Torrential rain poured ca875efd25 down with a 3be139d52b roar. Walking through 48ea77faae the drizzling 624217052a rain, his 1e47548080 whole body 00480eb157 felt cold. As his body grew d2f34375aa heavy from the rain, e309522dc3 he thought, please let 7fc461d96f him have gone to 1ef12d0fab hell. Death should not 7020a24326 be the end 0b87276e07 of life.e78946d3dedd3015

Hell had to b3ab81b1eb exist.79ca41957dc8b344

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At night, 04ad0b9da6 he fell a02013f9e4 asleep listening 35f1c296ea to the 0b121d4a2a faint sound 5c929ab780 of the 02809a1724 rain. That night, too, he a59650a1ae had a dream.672315ecf632c1c9

In the dream, he was an elementary school student, falling endlessly. Inside the falling car, his mother was holding him. Even in the moment before death, she tried to protect her son. Her embrace was warm until the very end. Or, to say ‘the end’ was not quite right. In reality, there was an end to the fall, but in the dream, it just kept falling without end.ed4a2660696366a0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Before, he thought he should live hard because his mother had given her life to save him. But now, even those feelings had faded. He felt sorry for his mother, but… he had such selfish thoughts. He felt like he couldn’t be a good person either. It wouldn’t be bad if he just died like this. Why should he keep living?f71643fc6df5234f

He endured 1572aabc4c all the ecc3335a82 suffering as 6d268ac0df it was. Every time fb0e802574 he closed 36ddc88323 his eyes, 2ae70e76cd he dreamed 897a1795ed of falling. He woke up repeatedly 624332a0b8 from shallow sleep. Still, he tried to d10b3c2f28 keep sleeping. He ignored hunger and 5df2ce9fbb thirst, thinking that he c116d494ed might die in his 9a3aa1c14d sleep. The room 9ebe2372ee was filled dca7fabfbe with silence. In that 301e97c575 thick, heavy 897df2ea51 emptiness, he d1d3ef841e was dying.62d027ea0aa947a2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But then,f81d436a72514155

There was a sound that broke the silence. At first, he didn’t recognize it. It was such a subtle stimulus. Maybe because he had submerged in silence, blocking all his senses, his perception was slow.5125cdf0ac658f02

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ding-dong.dba9c4f29d253505

Listening again, it was the sound of the doorbell. He thought it was a mistake because no one was supposed to come. Anyway, he didn’t have the energy to move. So he just lay there. He thought he heard someone knocking on the door.56ba52080bbe4780

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Seongwoo! Are you home?”e160a33b82d25f08

Then he opened his a919d8523b eyes. There was someone dbf66cb3cc who broke the 285b91e58b silence and called bfd61e6f8d his name. Someone wanted him. Just thinking that, tears 0c4e5a237c streamed down his face.c4c0bec410678314

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Wiping away the c288dfb06b tears, he struggled 51dc9e7f96 to get up. With no strength, he 9ab26e1bbf moved by holding onto b50b7b6e8f tables, chairs, anything. Like a bird instinctively b8695274af seeking its mother, he f92f0cd0ac headed towards the door 66c1dbaa5f where the bell was 9a2f540c25 ringing. When he finally opened 199226e9c5 the door, there was 45baabcd87 one person standing there.9a0abbe5c5fa69ae

It was Cha Eunseo. That vibrant, 961071676a beautiful person 8f998955d0 was his 93130871d0 first savior 5d822c1e73 in life.a79f5c996d58d5bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

That’s what he thought then.8784af7bd895ac7f

✦✦✦2dfcd565d0e7ac5a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cha Eunseo was now 09f1408641 a proper university student. He followed her c2b068d239 to wash up 8f9ebacc5f and go outside. The outside b3a5fd31d2 was so 70dc7f0ef6 bright it 58192f5389 hurt his a678393f2a eyes.bce1ca2bd89ec9bf

Cha Eunseo 586eab09be bought him fc5d6bf0b6 food, took 6d5b6991b1 him to e92c7b0e63 a café, 10fcb55bfc and ordered e75ab1ffcc a drink f49b69e7f4 for him. While sipping on some e997fee8e2 unknown sweet coffee, he 59dabc1bb1 talked about what had 3321bf7e85 happened.9b6bfd6ca448dc6c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He listened 7acf3972f6 quietly to 762e98cf8a the story a1233660eb of how 1bd91292ae his family 433c8aa5f1 was all a8a86b5724 gone. He heard about ab53874ada his uncle, the f3747a6e79 abuse he suffered, f2d702204f and how he e3cdf061d3 had nothing left.0f2a978a08f9db5c

Then he realized d43f29d080 that he had 0112281225 never told anyone da0e772768 about this. And he also realized c7b9554068 that he wanted to 9e665f17f1 tell someone.6d985233e2f87c05

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s best not to tell others about this. Their view of you would change.”d951ab88357ba5a5

That was b98a47846b her initial 4063935812 reaction.28b34e0ccf9366fd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Don’t trust others. I’m probably the only one who wouldn’t care about hearing this.”15e81032a9eb88a1

They’ll despise and mock you. They’ll pretend to sympathize and be nice, but only on the surface. Cha Eunseo whispered so.beb6e487dcc74886

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Are there others like you?”f53cc0dbd0a96049

“Well, there might be. But can you find them?”8384d50fc14904ce

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her sweet 8033fea332 voice said. The only 6f6fb5d464 person to 63a5d16088 trust was be4da15f10 her.8283fd14dc34aeaa

“What are you going to do now?”c315d9a02247ec7c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I… don’t know. Everything’s just annoying.”c1421527c55a81da

“You don’t really want to live, huh?”f4372921b944c7d4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cha Eunseo ec91c5dacb pondered for 5bf44e22b4 a moment 06d1551a99 before making 01f2e7292a a new 2f6ef68ccd suggestion.3b713ff09f428c6e

“Then let’s die.”032cf500dfedcd60

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She said this with d813728326 a bright smile.428a29af6e05203e

“And be reborn.”c8b39c4df88d1d8a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”df637e753fc19df5

“Think of yourself as a new person. Let’s start by changing your name.”a65a9c8b90bda59f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Does it have meaning?”f86f88fa9ebe2494

“Try it first, it’ll feel different.”f0273d024a2bb4ed

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

On the spot, they made up a new name. Taking one character from his mother’s and father’s names, they created ‘Sihyeon’. Cha Eunseo said it was good.8aaaf049672448fb

“Let’s take our time with the name change application, Sihyeon.”db91985c2443bbe8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Being called a different a8c17f582b name suddenly felt strange.7377b5b915e9e59e

“Say your name five times.”3bba4efbcd666eef

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Ryu Sihyeon.”d12c06adcaeabbb0

Ryu Sihyeon, 789e00b201 Ryu Sihyeon, 2819523b43 Ryu Sihyeon.e86e84c95bb7deb1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ryu Sihyeon…05f8915086b8c50d

Ryu Seongwoo was 64c3fd4659 a person he 7a293f92dd never wanted to 8982be007a be again. He had 9953a55103 just killed d21932b0f6 off Ryu f7121aedae Seongwoo. And there was d7a325363e a beautiful accomplice e031e2199e to testify to e81f824da3 that death.1ce5ca5451f23c8b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Anyway, Ryu Seongwoo was 4bcf8c2520 nothing. No one would notice cdd723b99b if he disappeared. So it was okay.eecb5ec773c48b48

While thinking this, he f43ee09eb2 stared blankly at the a71683bdcb table, and a pile e82eaf41bd of bound papers came a450b334e4 into his view. Looking up 48344f286b at Cha 4261d87009 Eunseo, she 2c5697dd37 spoke.756ec83b07b29fa6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I came here because of this today.”5f136f087a6ad76a

“What is this?”bdb076f9406530a3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“A script.”6a87cf5ee28a2448

He picked it up blankly. On the cover of the script, the title was written in large letters: <Life and Death>. Life and death.ffbb60751278ef41

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s a senior’s work from school, and they’re looking for someone to play the lead. The image they’re looking for is similar to yours.”cc7df2c873865671

In the café 4fc02bf058 where music was 7514f3a855 playing, there were 1124f6bada hardly any people bf6d64d04a other than himself 878e643b13 and Cha Eunseo. Sihyeon began to read 6b0e1fe53e the script. The main 14cec2d419 character, Jo a38dc8fbfb Yuseong, was ef1c90f7ab a despicable 2c8525b6be scoundrel. However, at his core, 3c0104d6e5 he was someone who b6c6633d22 craved affection. Having never received 0a7c9e5aad proper love, he 1b55013c88 unconsciously yearned for 1513d5d900 it. Suddenly, he finds 46f5b400d4 himself raising a 20084032f1 child, and his 3d35d50751 desire for affection 0f01a4da62 transforms into dedication 2f56c194ad to the child.c958dd52b990957f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The music playing in the café felt alien. This work was not so romantic and calm. Jo Yuseong’s life was like that.84a67918accf272e

“Does this kind of content become popular?”59b3d1e179a6b613

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Critics love this sort of thing. They go crazy for other people’s misfortunes.”86cac1756f5789f0

“I see.”b5b8a92e812bd71a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Certainly, Jo Yuseong 4ec4cfc056 was an unfortunate f72151a6c5 person. Nonetheless, whether as Ryu 0612da1021 Seongwoo or Ryu Sihyeon, 84ab6bf34d his life was better 9592a8d3ff than mine. The fact that 4b5f58b97f he had someone fae6f47030 to pour his ba527ac10e affection into was 8b5c8b4d36 different from me. Also, his 2e63ca8433 desire to 8890bcf1fe be a de772efb63 good person, d22cf1b60c at least 6bc0700e22 for his 578ac6284d child.a765548ca01bc85b

“Rumor has it they haven’t found an actor they like for this role. I want you to do it.”42ad88e073106a9a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why?”d8120ae9b10977ea

“I want to get closer to that senior through you.”7e1fdfa01bfef445

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is he famous?”3ed1bf26aa392ccb

“Sort of, in our department. He’s going to become even more famous. All the short films he’s made have gone to Cannes and Berlin. People say he could be the next Jung Youngwoo.”b44a45ca635858d3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Not knowing who Jung Youngwoo was, he just responded with an ‘Ah.’ Cha Eunseo then asked, “You don’t know?”780bed06aba0ec71

“He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year.”262bfff9542472a6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, I see.”7171d3ff99538513

Wanting to convince 22f558f8a8 him due to a562f81d6e his lack of 3091a49d30 reaction, Cha Eunseo 7e2a98405c said seriously:5a6fc4c7378dd918

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s do this. I’ll help you prepare everything.”70739c956f52fa47

“How will you help?”b859e3fd73934e89

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve got a lot of time since it’s vacation. Let’s prepare for the audition together. Aren’t you lonely being by yourself anyway?”b2ff8d4f8649126b

…Lonely?78e0db8580116567

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He had 55bc3b5fcb never thought b5c3af1627 about it b804efc818 until now. To be 5d58dd1ece precise, he f45adf68ee never had 0d134d6286 the luxury d91f54fedb to think 280628987e about it.385480dec5a531fe

But after encountering Jo 4e70328f8c Yuseong, a character who a5a42787a9 craved affection and had 5f84d8dd74 emotions, things changed a eb0f0f3fae bit. Comparing, even df9ddf5184 if both 5b1cddedf2 were at 7eb0842488 rock bottom, 2fe96fa1ec Ryu Sihyeon 908275c8ad was more 7fd82b44e2 of a 7ce40f600a hollow person.45a85d1095dd7e33

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I need that senior. I’m curious about how he directs, and he said he’d give good feedback on the script.”a4a8303e171edced

He felt Cha Eunseo’s gaze on him. He couldn’t refuse in front of those eyes. He had always relied on Cha Eunseo’s help.5e6305ce7c5f066f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Talented people like you might not understand, but some people would sell their souls to the devil for talent. That’s how I feel right now. So…”356dc12fcc03161e

With a beautiful c74a415e9e smile, she said:d6c8b69ecca71c2b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Think of this as repaying a debt. Let’s live as Jo Yuseong for a while.”ab59f94aeb8ce1ae

Just then, the 3efb4333f1 café staff brought 3b8870f25c over the ordered 2f68cc50c2 drinks. Cha Eunseo had ordered 49b2654453 another one for Sihyeon ad15a2bf66 to eat well. Watching Sihyeon 57ee65e02d taste the dec642d263 whipped cream 062bd3f8b6 on top a6f256de7a of the ac3327d927 drink, she fc883caa2e said:2787727e872bb532

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Jo Yuseong’s life is definitely better than yours, right?”74f3aed90f9b4bb0

✦✦✦5091265865a085a7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He met Director b768abb0ed Lee Changhyeok that 536f76d47c autumn.f2ba8728c9466072

He liked Sihyeon at first sight. “This is exactly the feeling I was looking for,” he said. Soon after, he asked for a reading and then a handshake, saying “I’m looking forward to working with you.”9e7c809610013d66

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Is this it? Sihyeon was slightly taken aback. Could something in life be this easy? This didn’t apply to either Ryu Sihyeon or Jo Yuseong.a2f79cda692475bf

“Mr. Ryu Sihyeon.”854ab9bcf03cca9d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes.”b87c17a55810e5a4

He had quickly adapted to the new name, but being called “actor” was still unfamiliar.21ed9eea9f8a6d2a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Do you swear a lot?”b5e990483b39ee93

“Ah, yes.”8fbb6e2fcc14356a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He mimicked his uncle’s way of saying “Shut up, you piece of shit” from the script. He received applause from the assistant director beside him. Sihyeon tried to smile like a sociable person. Cha Eunseo had taught him he should smile like that.1b461accebd1bf4d

He met eyes 8036f6aa8f with Director Lee a468af0498 Changhyeok in front 1df02ed321 of him. He was someone who 4a8bf247cf smiled very quietly.0dfdf60b94536bee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This man created Jo Yuseong. He thought so. Jo Yuseong’s wretched life, crude language, and his longing for affection – all of it came from this calm person’s mind. That was very strange.6bbdfdbd05ffc010

✦✦✦8d2f26597c256240

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After finishing the funeral and returning from the hospital, the sun was already setting. The new agency and the newly rented house were about the same size as the old one. However, it was cleaner and felt more like a home. Normally, Sihyeon would have followed the doctor’s advice not to remain listless. He might have cleaned the house and cooked dinner. They said lying down doing nothing, like before, was poison for depression.8348c2f4728318d1

But today, he didn’t feel like doing any of that. There was no particular reason to live. Even taking medication felt like a miracle.ea63f7dfce95664d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He turned on the f2fa568b55 TV and randomly flipped d4742c0075 through channels, stopping at f134de939d one broadcasting late-night news.0643216e9f02691c

“Director Lee Changhyeok, whose film <Life and Death> was invited to this year’s Toronto International Film Festival…”723451015086e164

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Sihyeon blankly stared at 2f44672e0b the screen. The portrait b67f7a87d7 photo he fa067e5433 had seen 769c6a3456 in the cb66804b65 afternoon was 1e0d815ca1 used on a391d37ada the news. Even in that photo b927837da0 taken during his lifetime, 5319909ffb Lee Changhyeok was smiling ae5e807a4f quietly. He never 81e8520c31 smiled more 3ab73c7381 than that.9cd17b53b05301ca

He hoped he didn’t suffer much at the moment of his death. He wished that in heaven, he would not be sad, depressed, or unhappy.438fc9268a2602ba

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He turned off the TV and played some random classical music on his phone. Today’s music was a piano piece by Liszt. He remembered; Lee Changhyeok had told him to listen to classical music when he felt anxious.d527c42fcdc43d38

“You must feel a great sense of loss from losing someone close.”566ca4a5a0fa180e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The doctor had ff543c267c said that today.5fd9a586657d27e1

“It would be good to go out to gatherings, make friends, and focus on social activities.”15b7bc5e4c189a2c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But he had no friends. He didn’t know how to attend gatherings if he were to go. He had no hobbies. All that was left was his social life.10a4a854760b2753

Since he had become an actor… does social life mean he should be shooting something?9a0e9bfc474a7ad0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As with <Life and Death>, he didn’t do well in auditions. He had shot a few commercials, but with the short scripts for auditions, he didn’t know what to do. So, he always did poorly in auditions.a961d6bd20d6be41

Lost in 6963a943da thought, his 35c0d7341a phone rang, 8c7ff4413b and he 8b5741e270 answered. Naturally, it was 48590a76d0 his manager.2e5219d3270324a2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Sihyeon.”e413c070dbd36499

“Yeah.”e9a0160310fd37ea

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“When you filmed <Life and Death>, did you agree to appear in anyone’s work?”3141efd10c969c7d

“Um… maybe? They asked, and I couldn’t say no.”1d1d2ab518deab55

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“A man I met at the funeral keeps contacting me, saying you should appear in his work. It’s supposed to be a web drama.”0302b452d19a3141

“Oh, really?”226b5fd83dd3d35e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s kind of ridiculous… but you don’t have any schedule now. Want to do a meeting at least?”fb9b9921c67c12aa

“Yeah, sure. I don’t mind.”6931195b2baae607

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Since doing something would help keep depression at bay. Though he didn’t think doing something would lead to making friends.43aba31cd39b62a4

During the filming of <Life and Death>, he didn’t get close to anyone. He didn’t even have a phone then. With Cha Eunseo between him and the other staff, there weren’t long conversations. Every time they chatted casually, he would say he’d agree to appear, but it was almost always lip service. Back then, he didn’t think he’d keep acting.fd7c1f9ffedf2582

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Still, he daf0c4bc55 had learned 68da7430b9 one thing 47b9e2328b well. How to pretend to cda1de31ed smile brightly like an 6b28170460 ordinary person and act af633313a9 socially. He did as he 0db9360bb3 was told, listened well a2025bbfd7 to others, and followed 519c657ddf their words. Cha Eunseo 21a59555b0 had told ffe8f31803 him to 86c1b0d0ac do so, 1f6ce524bf and at ad924e4951 that time, 1ee3caf56c she was e1b9cb26f0 the only 770c27873a person he c370ceddf2 could trust.9a4db53de9605f24

“I thought so at the time.”3b9ea9c349a399ad

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Today, Sihyeon told the 1b65b524a0 doctor more.7bf1de98cade1ef7

After the filming ended, 402d353dd1 Cha Eunseo no longer 65765219de needed Ryu Sihyeon. She went back 1fe7a37823 to school, and a9e1db6973 Sihyeon was left f4ffa74bd5 alone in the bffd50120a house he had 8947fb5c56 always lived in.eaa9b3b6204f6f26

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He became anxious at the realization that no one was looking for him or needed him, just like before. He wasn’t like this originally. He was fine being alone and didn’t wish for anything. He was just living a life that was dying away. So why did it turn out this way?19feb1b62617fab8

Something was wrong. He had 6e6dea630c learned to aa2f2a676d groom his b313e8db18 exterior and afebc71238 wear a 88641112ff facade to 342f6523f1 blend in c5e4d70f35 with people, 87095ba572 but his e75c6d2034 empty interior 33b86744d5 was never 96d882364c filled. Somehow, he had expected 9f12c9b691 Cha Eunseo to fill d39306c909 that void.53ca100f93a8a1db

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He shouldn’t have expected that.65b39c7bfb188b58

“Don’t be too disappointed. Some people don’t like forming deep relationships. They find it comfortable that way. Don’t take it too personally.”4f4a6ad6a878eb71

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

That’s what the doctor said today.74440ae39624bd88

“Yes, I think it’s like that.”f3f5c1e65d821e4a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After thinking for a 699fb11b36 moment, Sihyeon added:3746ebbca17ce74b

“It must be easier to handle people like me that way. If you get too close, you end up being sincere.”07dbcae0dd6c90dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then you just need to meet someone who isn’t like that.”93ee505f67a84201

“Can I meet someone like that again?”913d21227d793cdc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cha Eunseo had said he couldn’t meet someone like that. And indeed, it seemed that way until he got close to Lee Changhyeok.877f6fe44c868ee7

Sihyeon recalled his former self, who was alone again. It was one of those days after <Life and Death> ended when he was barely living in the empty house. The doorbell rang. Unlike before, he quickly opened the door. At that moment, he seemed to be waiting for someone to come.b63cbc544c98d13e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The visitor was 6111b49a7e Director Lee Changhyeok.5d7c61259f7b45a4

“Are you alone?” he asked. Sihyeon answered:9ca383fc63c3f413

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’m always alone.”33ddbc193db6e6dc

He replied in a low, flat tone. At the time, he didn’t even have the energy to act friendly like he did outside. Yet, Lee Changhyeok didn’t find it strange.795f13f45adbb023

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He never knew how e86ce8ac3b to hide his fragile 3e2fd2dfe3 self. Nor did fe41e1e602 he feel b1bbd0a539 out of e084dc4de3 place with fb0075b6d8 the true b32a33ac72 nature of ffaaf0bc9b a depressed db5ff23c9f person. His intentions to help 3ce14fd3fa Sihyeon with various things 6286b396a9 were genuinely pure. He was even af6f1ce38b ten years younger 400bbdddfc than Sihyeon, yet 203035b844 he was concerned 37ffca9bfa for him. Sihyeon wondered if it b5e205f299 was okay for someone 8c7ceabdb6 like him to live 2f9057b3fa in this harsh world 0be607872e like that.20cba9aeaa9e301f

Thinking about it… he ultimately didn’t survive.4daa96acd0023b32

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

✦✦✦175404d1883187d2

The person from P University who directly contacted the company was a fourth-year student who had been the script supervisor for <Life and Death>. The web drama he mentioned seemed like an amateur work that had received small funding from somewhere. Comparing it to the feature film <Life and Death> made it feel even more so. Not knowing much about these things, Sihyeon looked at his manager, who seemed to have no particular thoughts.28e05347c6fad836

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The director told Sihyeon:fb9b4e9077eba68f

“Mr. Actor, the trend is the internet! To match the film’s release! I will first boost your popularity.”49155e6e09d28298

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, okay.”8a8fe414fa9354a7

“Here’s the script.”87c9fa10f762287c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Okay.”962578a3132e5c3d

“Of course, you’ll be paid. It’s a small role, so don’t feel burdened. I won’t take up much of your busy schedule. Just consider it something special.”131bd384c51b7d68

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”d0735b1b6c42428d

Noticing Sihyeon’s skeptical expression, the director said confidently:3968e89280e165a0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I will make you famous like Seo Heetae, starting with your face.”48c34c9d4d8c6ae6

“Ah, Seo Heetae, ha ha, okay.”a53b97fd9c7c0448

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was fascinating to ff4f6d02c7 think he might be 47d9c13265 placed on the same 6ec2b50ed4 level as that name e04dc1a74b he had only heard 890c1a07c4 about. He had heard Seo 82308d1b27 Heetae first became famous d3aead4fdf on the internet. Sihyeon briefly d8dd1fb979 recalled the fb57d6292f face he a69b1038b1 had seen 7aaadca8e2 on TV 343d28deff or in 2810640f62 ads.6800d346e02ff19b

His straight, high nose d1494e630a bridge, three-dimensional facial structure, 619e6138ad and the gentle curve b85e5e6bab of his lips. He had 3aee543b92 a cool a6f8cffc99 yet intense 6be8cd51f6 dark brown 9007358473 gaze that e3fd03d825 left an d5a842995c impression. Even others 0c1b1c34de would agree 1e4fcba0b6 he was 6c8daf57c4 handsome.2ec2b679912025ab

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Glancing at his manager Cheoljoo, it seemed he had already been swayed by the director’s eloquence. For a company without a prominent lead actor, the promise to make their actor ‘famous’ must have been sweet.076fc135d95c27a7

The work progressed at f5fe78f058 an unrealistically fast pace. Before he knew 25ee9f30a6 it, Sihyeon was 5412a73156 sitting in a e90098b5f4 conference room at 7be9e6f5a0 P University, waiting b20714a66c for his turn f386aa4c85 to read.c9479115462d714c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The tall lead a019e25949 actor, who was 177adafda9 still studying at e198db390c P University, came fd02a091c3 in last. Although he was 675b1a89d3 expressionless, he was 4c063f98bd more approachable than 2d47c97fea Sihyeon had anticipated ac92b25895 from his first fcaf41c1f1 impression. He even 16d6c6cf29 greeted Sihyeon 30dede22fa who was c305c96c3d sitting next a4207df37b to him.99b887e81e17ae43

That was Gi Yoonhyung.2a76529644cd3caf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gi Yoonhyung, a student in the Media Department at P University, had been cast as the lead after catching the director’s eye while walking on campus. Sitting there with a nonchalant face, he asked Sihyeon various things, admitting he didn’t know much about acting.c8428680bed7edf5

After the reading, they adf9b87dc4 exchanged numbers almost by 0a27ac4c30 accident. This was the 964954cbe9 first time Sihyeon 9f87cc647f had exchanged contacts f32aff7875 with someone his 93faa39eff age since getting 48cab638a7 a new phone.c1539e425daefc0e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Later, Yoonhyung asked to practice acting, so they met up a few times for meals. Conversations flowed naturally. Yoonhyung said he was acting because the director kept bothering him. He scoffed at the director’s claim that he would become famous with this. Seeing that, Sihyeon couldn’t help but laugh. He said he actually felt the same, finding it strange and new to share his true feelings with someone he didn’t know well.54af66be81d24559

Yoonhyung met Jinoh, a 7be16f423c classmate he had become 5cbb566f70 friends with during liberal 9233b04b1b arts classes, again on 057c77163a the set. Jinoh, who was e29ba99d7c in the directing 64ca2ab9f1 department, had a da9231e510 friend named Jaeseong 6360746118 in the production 3507aeac31 department. Including Sihyeon, the ca3e7c059f four of them 2d4887c4c6 naturally became friends. Or more accurately, 18a6539032 Sihyeon was swept 97d0116b18 up by the 0ad68041c3 three sociable ones 9b3d7442be and ended up cec15bc241 fitting in.e6ffa9e662b7d7d2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

How did it happen so naturally? Sihyeon was bewildered himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he had made friends like this. For the first time, he drank with friends and watched movies with them.699b2d99a6d3b89f

“Our Sihyeon got friends.” His manager was thrilled about this fact alone. His manager knew Sihyeon as a pitiful child who had lost his parents at a young age, took care of his grandmother without making friends or going to college, and made a living through part-time jobs before dramatically starring in a promising director’s film.0a4695d3f64d10f3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To think that Sihyeon was contacting ‘friends’, drinking with ‘friends’, and spending weekends with ‘friends’! He was almost moved to tears.2afdbd3b820ac58a

“Isn’t it great that your friends are so good-looking, kind, and from good universities? Good for you, Sihyeon.”666e61ec81deced7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Every time the manager repeated this, Sihyeon felt somewhat pleased. Of course, that friendship wasn’t entirely sustained.13d8f88ac9594375