# Chapter 54
“Manager Yoon Hyesu.”
“Yes.”
Setting aside other staff members, there was first a need to correct the thinking of the person standing right in front of him. This Manager Yoon, whom Mo Eunje believed to be on his side, was an agent who should be at the forefront of protecting Mo Eunje if anything were to happen.
“You seem to be mistaken about something.”
“…Pardon?”
“Did you just say that I like Eunje in a different way?”
Manager Yoon didn’t answer. But her silence was the answer. Tae Igyeol let out a disbelieving laugh as he swept his hair back.
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Aren’t your delusions going too far?”
“…Tae Igyeol-ssi, that seems like a harsh thing to say.”
“You’re the one who said something harsh.”
“I was just concerned—”
“Eunje and I have been friends since before we were born, and we’ve practically lived together since we were young, raised under my grandmother’s care. Even now, our two families live like one. That’s not common. No, it’s quite rare. So I understand that seeing such an intimate relationship might seem unfamiliar and could lead to misunderstandings. Still, it’s unpleasant.”
Tae Igyeol cut off Manager Yoon’s words and spoke whatever came to mind. He was annoyed, but trying to suppress his irritation so it wouldn’t affect Mo Eunje only made him more irritated.
“I don’t know why I need to explain such personal details at length, but if it’s not enough, I can explain more. Is it insufficient?”
“What? Ah… no. If it was a misunderstanding, I apologize. I heard you were old friends, but because of what I heard from my predecessor, I unconsciously viewed it that way. I’m sorry.”
Though her face didn’t show complete disappearance of doubt, Manager Yoon Hyesu appeared flustered and was backing down. Perhaps his tall, imposing stature alone was threatening enough, or she might have retreated because of his serious tone filled with displeasure. The reason didn’t matter. Now it was time to bring up unfavorable conditions to Manager Yoon.
“If Eunje were to find out about this…”
“I, I think I was too concerned and acted rashly. I’m truly sorry. To the novelist…”
Manager Yoon Hyesu trailed off, biting her lip. She might have thought she could say such things because they weren’t connected in any way and were complete strangers to each other, but her relationship with Mo Eunje was built on trust and business. No matter how much her words came from concern, from the agency’s perspective, it wouldn’t be good for such talk to reach Mo Eunje’s ears. Still, the fact that she wasn’t openly asking him to keep it secret showed she had some conscience.
“Let’s not let Eunje know about this.”
Tae Igyeol passed judgment, pretending to be generous. With Mo Eunje’s personality, he would likely laugh it off lightly, saying what a ridiculous suspicion it was, but there was no way to know what he would think inside.
It was fortunate that Tae Igyeol had found out first. The agency’s circumstances weren’t his concern, but he didn’t want Mo Eunje to find out about his feelings this way either. This was a completely different matter from Ban Hajun and Gye Minho’s habitual teasing.
“Not only would it break the trust with the agency, but he would probably be even more displeased than I am.”
“Yes, once again, I sincerely apologize.”
Manager Yoon bowed her head deeply and then fled into the studio. Judging by her reaction, it was fortunate that she seemed to believe him, but Tae Igyeol felt bitter and stifled deep in his heart. No matter what she had heard from her predecessor, someone as perceptive as Manager Yoon Hyesu should have been able to notice certain glances even at first sight, while the person involved—as she had said—couldn’t even guess because he was too used to it.
It would be quite troublesome, but if he wanted to control the situation more easily, he needed to create some kind of justification. After thinking for a moment, Tae Igyeol came up with an ingenious plan and called his father, Tae Hyunseok.
&
After successfully completing the live broadcast, Mo Eunje couldn’t bear the stifling makeup any longer and washed his face first in the studio bathroom. Then he rode in Tae Igyeol’s car for about 20 minutes until they arrived at a traditional Korean restaurant.
Thanks to the driver’s consideration, Mo Eunje sat in the back seat with Writer Kwon Jiyeon, and throughout the journey, he was able to ask about the behind-the-scenes stories of her writing process and hear her answers. The more he listened, the more he realized how tremendous Writer Kwon’s efforts had been, and he felt a renewed sense of awe, though his heart gradually grew heavier.
“Teacher, please sign first.”
After asking the employee who guided them to the reserved room to bring the meal in five minutes, he immediately presented his books and a name pen. Writer Kwon Jiyeon accepted them with a pleased smile, signed them with calm hand movements, wrote affectionate messages, and returned them. He first checked the message written in her latest work, “Casual Relationship.” Naturally, when getting a signature, the additional message is what one is most curious about.
*To my dear disciple, Novelist Mo Eunje*
*I hope you maintain a casual relationship with novels that doesn’t change even after 10 or 20 years…*
His heart swelled with emotion, as it felt like advice from a senior and mentor who had walked the path he was currently on more than 20 years ahead of him. Perhaps he felt this way because his current situation was overwhelming.
He had heard somewhere that most turning points come at 3, 6, and 9. This roughly means 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 3 years, 6 years, and 9 years. For whatever reason, at these times, office workers feel the urge to quit, and even those who aren’t office workers feel the desire to escape from their professions.
Mo Eunje didn’t feel the urge to escape, but he was afraid that he might end up stopping his writing. However, he thought that Writer Kwon Jiyeon would know the answer to the worry that had been constantly troubling him for the past few months. It was a well-founded belief since he had received much advice from her until now.
Scattered words lingered on the tip of his tongue, but fearing that the atmosphere might become heavy before they even started eating, he swallowed them back and checked the message written in the book “Why Only Me.”
*To my proud disciple, Novelist Mo Eunje*
*May you brighten the world with writing that only Eunje can create…*
It had been a while since they had contacted each other, and even longer since they had met in person, yet the message seemed as if Writer Kwon Jiyeon had looked into his mind. Mo Eunje ignored the warmth rising deep in his chest and smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Teacher. Now that I’ve finally got your signature, these two books will enter the ‘Kwon Jiyeon Zone.'”
“Hm? Enter where?”
“I have a section in my bookshelf where I collect only your books. That area is designated as the ‘Kwon Jiyeon Zone,’ so only your books can go there. Oh, this is Igyeol’s book, please sign this one too.”
Mo Eunje pulled out another copy of “Casual Relationship.” Tae Igyeol, sitting beside him, looked at him as if wondering when he had prepared this, but Mo Eunje just smiled brightly and handed the book to Writer Kwon Jiyeon.
*To Tae Igyeol-nim*
After writing the signature and name first, Writer Kwon Jiyeon subtly raised her head and stared at Tae Igyeol. Despite her gentle smile, her eyes contained a searching energy. If Mo Eunje himself could notice and feel it from beside them, there was no way that Tae Igyeol, who was more alert and sensitive than he was, wouldn’t have felt it while directly receiving that gaze.
Soon Writer Kwon Jiyeon withdrew her gaze and moved her hand neatly. Mo Eunje wanted to peek at what she was writing, but she immediately closed the book and handed it directly to Tae Igyeol, so he couldn’t read a single character beyond the name.
“Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for buying the book.”
Mo Eunje was planning to glance at the message when Tae Igyeol checked it, but since Tae Igyeol just put it away, that opportunity vanished. Still, he could see it when they got home, so there was no need to ask to see it now.
“By the way, this is a gift for the publication of your new book, Teacher.”
Mo Eunje handed over the gift he had personally selected when he visited an accessory shop after going to a bookstore last week.
“Buying my book is the gift; why did you get something like this?”
“No, I went to an accessory shop with him, and what do you know, your name was written on it! I didn’t buy it because I was planning to, but I couldn’t not buy it when your name was actually written on it.”
“You and your words. May I open it?”
“Of course. Please show your joy right in front of me.”
Writer Kwon Jiyeon untied the ribbon, opened the box, and checked the gift. When she saw the adorable very-berry colored mood lamp and broke into a full smile, Mo Eunje felt incredibly proud. Just from that smile, he could tell how much she liked the gift.
“It’s so cute and pretty. I was actually thinking of buying a cute mood lamp to put on my desk in the studio. Thank you, Eunje.”
“Teacher, now check the bottom.”
Mo Eunje said triumphantly. Writer Kwon Jiyeon checked the bottom of the mood lamp and burst into laughter. On the bottom of the mood lamp, in Mo Eunje’s handwriting, was written “This belongs to Teacher Kwon Jiyeon.”
“See? I told you your name was written on it.”
Seeing Writer Kwon laugh, Mo Eunje thought it was a good decision to have written the name with a name pen and repackaged it, despite Tae Igyeol’s objections.
“Your meal is ready.”
After five minutes had passed, an employee’s voice was heard from outside.
