The competent lawyers bundled the continuous child abuse along with the assault against an adult into one continuous crime and sued. Above all, the evidence that the agency president had continuously collected was sufficient, so the outlook was for a very favorable trial.
Perhaps because Choi Hwan had always obediently given them money until now, his family seemed very distressed. While his family made a fuss every day, Choi Hwan instead had a relieved face.
“I had been enduring it partly because I was worried it would cause problems for my acting career. Now that I’ve blown it all up like this, I feel at ease.”
The agency was also very pleased with this matter. Not only was one worry about their beloved top actor resolved, but this exposure was actually helpful as it was linked with Yeonrok, his Name Partner. Jo Junho said excitedly at the unexpected good fortune.
“Look at the commercials coming in for you. Ah, and tons of synopses are coming in from the Name-themed romance movie side too.”
Usually, having a Name Partner is a big blow for a young actor like Choi Hwan, but this time was a bit different. It was thanks to the romance narrative being established while being linked with the long exploitation case by his vicious family.
“I think I can really film romance well.”
Even though he’d never properly dated, Choi Hwan shouted confidently. With this matter, Choi Hwan, who had gained a romantic image, greedily embraced the script books Jo Junho brought and his eyes sparkled. Yeonrok thought he was still a bit immature, but it was fortunate he was spirited.
Choi Hwan piled the script books high on the table, seeming ready to read them seriously. Jo Junho watched that scene contentedly, then left saying he’d bring some drinks. Taking advantage of that gap, Yeonrok quietly told Choi Hwan.
“You really need to treat Manager hyung and the president well. Do you know how hard it is to meet such good people in life? The lawyers said so too. Thanks to collecting so much evidence, the trial will go smoothly.”
Choi Hwan fiddled with a script book, then nodded his head, saying yeah.
“I’m going to renew my contract next time too.”
“Yeah… That’s good too, but I’m telling you to get them things that are good for their health and treat them to delicious meals.”
Knowing well how immature Choi Hwan was, Yeonrok nagged. He obediently nodded his head. He put down the script book and grabbed Yeonrok’s hand.
“Since meeting you, I think I’ve been really lucky. This filming too, and the family matter too, everything is just working out well.”
Yeonrok, who had been living unluckily and unfortunately until now, blinked his eyes. He is Choi Hwan’s good luck? Choi Hwan smiled brightly and tapped the chest where his Name was, then said this.
“Our pattern really looks like a four-leaf clover. As expected, it must be a symbol of good luck.”
Yeonrok also reflexively looked down at his chest. Four-leaf clover, a symbol of good luck. That… was quite a nice thing to hear even to Yeonrok.
**4.**
“Wow, finally!”
It had been 3 weeks! Yeonrok rejoiced, raising his right arm high, with nothing wrapped around it. Today was finally the day he received a complete recovery diagnosis for his fractured arm at the hospital and had the cast removed. Perhaps because he’d had it bandaged for a while, his joints wouldn’t extend well and his movements were a bit awkward.
“Congratulations. You must have been frustrated all this time.”
Moon Gyeonwoo, who had deliberately taken a half-day off to visit the hospital together, congratulated him. Grateful that he had made time for him despite being quite busy, Yeonrok smiled brightly.
“Still, it was much better than a full cast. Plus it wasn’t summer.”
Yeonrok looked out the window at the scenery where the sunlight was not just bright but close to dazzling. It’s May now. It was truly fortunate as the weather was gradually getting hotter. Because there’s nothing as stuffy and smelly as a full cast in summer.
Thinking about it now, whether lucky or unlucky, usually Yeonrok got injured at work, so there were no problems making a living while resting.
“But I guess this is HM Capital’s designated hospital. I keep getting referred here.”
Whenever there was a need to go to the hospital, Kim Jeongseong always came here. The place where he had his health checkup last time was also here, and each time the medical staff were so kind it was burdensome. Moon Gyeonwoo solved Yeonrok’s curiosity.
“To be precise, it’s a place run by the Hwamyeong Medical Foundation. That’s why they send you here. The medical level and facilities here are quite good, and above all, it’s specialized for Name Manifestors.”
Listening quietly, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. Yeonrok asked with a sinking feeling.
“…Is the HM in the president’s company, HM Capital, perhaps Hwamyeong?”
“Probably so.”
Saying Hwamyeong made it feel a bit strange. Doesn’t it seem like it was taken from Hwamyeongja?
It makes sense that this hospital uses the name Hwamyeong since it’s a medical institution specialized for Name Manifestors. But HM Capital is also a name taken from Hwamyeong?
He suddenly remembered when he helped with Yeom Cheonho’s work. There was a foundation corporation called ‘HM Foundation’, so then that would also very likely be HM from Hwamyeong…
What came to mind next was the Name that had been on Yeom Cheonryul’s palm. Father and son both manifested Names? But Names aren’t supposed to be hereditary. Yeonrok recalled past memories and suddenly felt a sense of incongruity. Something felt like it was about to be grasped but Moon Gyeonwoo cut off his thoughts.
“Yeonrok-ah, if you have time, do you want to go to Gangwon-do with me this weekend?”
“Gangwon-do?”
Suddenly wondering why Gangwon-do, Yeonrok was puzzled.
“There’s a hot spring spa near Gangneung. Your arm will need rehabilitation treatment for a while, and I think hot bathing will help a lot.”
Yeonrok’s ears perked up. He had never properly traveled until now. Above all, he knew well that after wearing a cast for a while, that area doesn’t move well and you suffer quite a bit. Keenly perceiving Yeonrok’s mood, Moon Gyeonwoo tempted him.
“Anyway, if it gets hotter from here, we can’t go. Even now, we can only go because it’s Gangwon-do so it’s cool.”
“That’s true…”
“Let’s go eat delicious food and see the stars.”
“…Stars?”
It was a proposal he was hearing for the first time, so Yeonrok’s eyes widened. Having successfully drawn out his counterpart’s interest and curiosity, Moon Gyeonwoo smiled, curving his eyes sweetly.
“Have you ever seen stars at an observatory?”
Like that, Yeonrok completely fell for Moon Gyeonwoo’s enticement.
* * *
Bzz, bzz. Yeonrok’s cell phone rang endlessly. After trying to ignore it, when he reluctantly checked, sure enough, Choi Hwan was whining.
[This is really too much]
[Are you happy leaving only me behind?]
[Why do you always discriminate against only me]
As texts with such content came endlessly, Yeonrok shook his head and sent a reply.
[What am I supposed to do about you being busy…]
To refute, first, Yeonrok hasn’t particularly discriminated against Choi Hwan. Second, he’s not leaving only Choi Hwan behind. It’s been several days since he last saw Yeom Cheonho’s face. Third, Choi Hwan is crazy busy these days. Because the excited agency filled his schedule to the brim, saying let’s row while the tide is in. Then someone spoke to him from the side.
“Want some snacks?”
As Moon Gyeonwoo took out snacks from his bag, Yeonrok didn’t refuse and held out his hand.
That’s right. They were currently in a car moving to Gangwon-do. Yeonrok took out some snacks and handed them to those sitting in the driver’s seat and passenger seat.
“Hyungs, have some snacks too.”
“Thank you, young masters. We’ll enjoy them.”
Jeong Boeun readily received the snacks. Of course, they couldn’t travel alone just the two of them, so there were bodyguards attached. Yeonrok chose a bag of potato chips. He clearly applied force to the place marked ‘tear here’ but it wouldn’t tear. Having no choice, he grabbed the top part of the bag from both sides and pulled. Pop! An ominous sound occurred.
“Eek!”
Yeonrok screamed. The bag suddenly opened as if exploding and the chips scattered. My precious chips… As he dejectedly picked up the chips that had fallen onto his legs and munched on them, Moon Gyeonwoo tore open a bag of snacks and held it out.
“Here, eat this.”
Then he took out a handheld vacuum cleaner from somewhere and sucked up the chip crumbs. Yeonrok obediently ate the snacks he was given. In the meantime, texts kept coming from Choi Hwan so when it vibrated, Moon Gyeonwoo, who was sitting next to him, said in a gentle voice.
“Block him for a bit. Then it’ll be quiet.”
Though the content was cold and merciless…
“Even so, blocking is a bit much. If he sulks, it’ll be hard to handle.”
“It seems really unfair these days.”
Moon Gyeonwoo glanced at the vibrating cell phone with a look of displeasure. Choi Hwan’s repertoire was discrimination, and it seemed Moon Gyeonwoo’s main catchphrase would be unfairness. But this claim was quite plausible.
“We’re the same Name Partners, but only Choi Hwan became the publicly acknowledged lover.”
