NB Chapter 10

Seo Woo-hyun always had a shadow cast over him. It had been that way since he was born.

His conman biological father, who cheated others, and his mother, who had no choice but to marry him after becoming pregnant, along with his little brother, who suddenly became a sibling after returning from kindergarten. Excluding his biological father, Seo Jeong-ho, they were a family that hardly felt like one, yet being together created a bond. This was because the targets of their anger were clear, and there was no need to aim at some innocent bystander.

The focal point of their collective anger was undoubtedly Seo Jeong-ho.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seo Jeong-ho was rarely home, constantly moving between gambling dens and committing fraud, and when caught, he would escape and get arrested again. Mother had to raise both sons almost single-handedly, but it was clear that she was struggling alone. Seo Woo-hyun, whose body had not yet matured, thought of stealing as a way to help Mother.

It was not difficult to deceive the hard-of-hearing elderly owner of a small supermarket. The memory of bringing home the first stolen bag of snacks and sharing it with his younger brother while waiting for Mother to return is still vivid. That day, it felt like the time spent waiting for Mother passed by incredibly quickly.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Woo-hyun was quick with his hands and feet. It was something he could do because he was a child. The opponents were easily caught off guard, and even if they noticed, they would quickly sympathize.

Of course, there were adults who did not let him off easily just because he was a child. It was when he was finally caught and taken to the police station after repeated thefts. After getting slapped on the cheek there and facing Mother with blood crusted at the corner of his mouth, young Woo-hyun realized that he had not helped her but had instead made her sad.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Mother seemed to have rushed out from doing the dishes at the restaurant. Even with rubber gloves on, her hands were always rough and swollen from eczema. Still, Woo-hyun was grateful that Mother held his hand and walked out of the police station with him. He was glad she didn’t scold him for what he had done.

That day, Mother lay down in bed with one son on each side. After confirming that his younger brother, who was even younger, had already fallen into dreamland, she gently patted Woo-hyun’s back and said,

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“You must have had a hard time taking care of your brother without me, right?”

Even though he had never really thought it was hard, hearing her voice made his heart feel heavy. He buried his face in Mother’s embrace to stifle his sobs. Perhaps thinking that Woo-hyun felt guilty about what had happened that day, Mother hugged him even tighter.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m not scolding you. It’s just that l’ve been busy… and I couldn’t take care of you both, so I thought you were helping me by taking on my role at home. Still, Woo-hyun, it’s not strange to want and covet things that belong to others, but you shouldn’t take them by force. I hope you become someone who creates your own things through effort rather than forcing yourself to desire what you can’t have. Do you understand that what you did today was wrong?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Mother’s body trembled slightly. Woo-hyun instinctively lifted his head, but Mother’s arms did not let go. Even without seeing her face, he could guess it was stained with tears. What he had exchanged for the stolen items was none other than Mother’s guilt.

If he had taken that as a turning point and realized the joy of earning through hard work, he might have grown up happily without worries, but Seo Woo-hyun’s world was not that easy.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When he needed to protect himself, he was not afraid to engage in physical fights and would lie without hesitation as a means of cleverness. He didn’t lack money, and he wasn’t without reason, so even when he caused trouble, he had his own justifications and excuses.

The director might have wanted to cast him in a delinquent role because he sensed this unruly impression from him. He seemed to misunderstand that Woo-hyun was unhappy with the casting because he didn’t like the role, but in reality, it wasn’t that he was unwilling for that reason.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

A person with no issues in character and a clean private life. In that regard, he did not fit the type the director was looking for. Moreover, even someone like him, who had no interest in celebrities, might have thought that if someone grew up in a similar environment and debuted as an actor, it would be ridiculous to think that anyone could become a celebrity. Seo Woo-hyun’s background was that poor.

Even if he hadn’t lost his sense of justice, Seo Woo-hyun believed he was not the type of person who lived a decent life. The reason he applied for this casting was not a pure dream of wanting to become an actor, but rather a vague expectation that if he succeeded as a celebrity, he could earn a lot of money, which meant that his desire was more like that of a snob.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Celebrities could go bankrupt and owe hundreds of millions, yet they would still show their faces on various broadcasts and pay off that money in just a few years. Isn’t there a famous saying that you shouldn’t worry about celebrities? If this drama really became a hit and he could also benefit from that saying, it would be nothing short of wonderful. However, it wouldn’t be enough to just shoot one drama, so he inevitably needed a management team to support him.

“The capabilities vary depending on how specifically and understandably the person in charge explains things.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

If I was a dumb can without direction, then I was now a carbonated drink. A can that, after being shaken and rolled around, would explode the moment the tab was opened.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“In short, it’s a blank check.”

However, according to Director Kang Ji-won’s logic, even someone like me could become something whole and non-threatening. Although it came with the premise that I had to listen to him well.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s not that hard to listen to others…’

As long as it wasn’t nonsense, he felt confident he could handle it, and above all, Kang Ji-won didn’t seem like the type to say foolish things. If he were just someone who talked a lot, he wouldn’t have reached such a position; he would have become a conman like his father.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Woo-hyun quietly closed his eyes and waited for the sun to rise. He had a place to go as soon as the day broke.

* * *

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

The building, with its front made entirely of glass, was so tall that one had to crane their neck to barely gauge its height. The weather was particularly nice today, reflecting the blue sky and fluffy clouds like a mirror on the building’s exterior. The sun hung high on the roof like twins.

The sunlight warming the top of his head felt a bit hot. When he absentmindedly brushed the back of his neck, he felt the dampness of sweat on his skin. He couldn’t tell if it was the heat or his nervousness.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He had spent enough time worrying about coming here; now that he had arrived, any further hesitation would be a waste of time. With his resolve firm, Woo-hyun stepped into Newon Headquarters.

As soon as he entered through the front door, the lobby opened up with a high ceiling. He could see people moving between the two floors, and a thick round pillar stood like a central support. The pillar was surrounded by an LED Display Board, allowing anyone from any direction to watch promotional videos of the affiliated artists on repeat. Woo-hyun paused for a moment, captivated by the LED Display Board.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The production company he had visited before was much smaller and older, giving off a cozy and friendly vibe, but Newon Headquarters exuded a significant sense of intimidation just from its structure. No matter where he turned, the sophisticated interior caught his eye, and the cleanliness of the place was impressive. Surrounded by this urban atmosphere, Woo-hyun felt a sense of alienation but calmly headed toward the information desk.

“What brings you here?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I have an appointment with Director Kang Ji-won at 10 o’clock.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Only after speaking did he realize the déjà vu. The reflexive response had stuck in his mind from when he followed the air conditioning repairman last summer. However, the desk staff didn’t seem to notice anything odd; they checked the computer monitor and smiled brightly.

“Take the left elevator to the 15th floor.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

It would be nice to work at a company like this. He muttered to himself, distracted by the feel of the carpet under his sneakers in the elevator and the cityscape visible through the glass windows.

The elevator soon dropped Woo-hyun off at the 15th floor. Just as he was about to ponder how to proceed from there, a receptionist approached him.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Seo Woo-hyun?”

Nodding his head, he was guided with a polite gesture. The staff here are all so friendly… Woo-hyun bowed slightly with a business smile as he stood in front of the director’s office.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The doors on both sides opened smoothly, revealing a spacious area that was refreshing and wide enough to be overwhelming. For a moment, he thought he had been led to an office rather than a director’s office, but no matter how he looked, there was only one desk that appeared to be for work.

Sitting in front of it, Kang Ji-won exuded an aura that clearly indicated he was the owner of the space.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Since their previous meetings had all taken place outside, Kang Ji-won felt quite distant. But now, seeing him like this, Woo-hyun felt he could finally trust the man completely. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be a conman.

Kang Ji-won approached the reception sofa and gestured for Woo-hyun to come closer.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Hello.”

“So your name is… Seo Gi-deok?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

It’s Deok-bae. He reflexively corrected himself but then closed his mouth. However, it seemed Kang Ji-won noticed his lips twitching. Seeing the mischievous smile on his lips, Woo-hyun realized he was being teased.

“It’s Seo Woo-hyun.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

He replied softly and took a seat. He was positioned at an angle where they could see each other diagonally.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

When the playful banter didn’t work, Kang Ji-won quickly lost interest and pulled out a black file folder from the side table next to the sofa, handing it to Woo-hyun.

“This is the contract. Review it and ask if you have any questions.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

He got straight to the point.

After all, he hadn’t come here just to engage in wordplay. However, he couldn’t help but feel his hand tremble slightly as he received the contract.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator