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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Decisive Reason for Our Breakup
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Seonghyeok had never been interested in the entertainment industry to begin with. Having spent three years in the United States, it was only natural that he knew even less about Korean actors than before.
He had finished familiarizing himself with the artists under SL Entertainment, but he still didn't know much about artists from other agencies. The only reason he recognized the tall man in front of him was that he was too famous to ignore.
Seo Jingyo.
Thirty years old this year, the same age as Seonghyeok, he was highly popular across all age groups thanks to his exceptional acting skills and impeccable looks. With a constant stream of heartwarming stories coming from fellow actors, staff, and fans alike, it would have been strange if he *wasn't* popular.
However, Seonghyeok found him displeasing. Though they had never exchanged a single word, a surge of animosity boiled within him.
"I caught a glimpse of you on my way back from the restroom; your back looked like hers. Of course, there's no way I wouldn't recognize Chae Yeongin."
That saccharine smile he directed at Yeongin was irritating enough, and then there was this.
"Seonbae, you were here too."
It infuriated him that he and Seo Jingyo were addressed by the same title by Yeongin.
He disliked Yeongin calling Oh Changgeun 'oppa,' but he also disliked her calling Seo Jingyo 'Seonbae.' Of course, he would have disliked it just as much if she had called Seo Jingyo 'oppa.'
In short, he was dissatisfied with both different honorifics and the same honorifics. It was his instinct to consider any man with even a slight acquaintance with Chae Yeongin as an enemy.
In truth, Yeongin didn't place much significance on honorifics. Her criteria for addressing celebrities were quite simple.
For those younger or of the same age, she used 'Mr./Ms. Momo,' and for those older, 'Seonbae,' 'Seonbae-nim,' or 'teacher.' Unlike other managers, she didn't use terms like 'unnie' or 'oppa.'
"What's this? A date, perhaps?"
Seonghyeok detected a flicker of wariness in Jingyo's eyes as he glanced back at him.
"It's nothing like that. This is our Daepyo-nim."
"Daepyo-nim?"
Yeongin's gaze shifted from Jingyo to Seonghyeok.
"Daepyo-nim, this is actor Seo Jingyo."
Jingyo offered his greeting first.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Seo Jingyo."
Jingyo had heard the news that the second son of SL Group had been appointed as the Daepyo of SL Entertainment. Rumors of his looks rivaling those of most actors had made him half-believe, half-doubt, but seeing him with his own eyes, he couldn't help but admit it was true.
"Cha Seonghyeok."
As soon as they exchanged names, Jingyo turned back to Yeongin and smiled.
"I never imagined he'd be the Daepyo-nim, so I was surprised, thinking you were on a date."
Before Yeongin could say anything, a dry, unenthusiastic voice cut in.
"Why would that be surprising?"
Jingyo paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to Seonghyeok.
"When a woman you're promised to is seemingly on a date with another man, it's only natural to be surprised, isn't it?"
"Promised to be married?"
Seonghyeok frowned, and Yeongin's eyes widened.
"Seonbae, why are you saying such strange things?"
"It's true, isn't it? If I'm not married by forty, we agreed to marry each other."
"I never agreed to that, did I?"
"You laughed back then. Laughter means yes, doesn't it?"
Unable to watch him bluster any longer, Seonghyeok retorted curtly.
"You can laugh even when something's utterly absurd."
It was a remark born from experience. He remembered the moment Yeongin had burst into a giggle at his proposal, 'Then will you marry me?' during the blind date he attended in place of Oh Changgeun.
Jingyo smiled faintly and changed the subject.
"SL Entertainment must have excellent benefits. For the Daepyo-nim to bring an employee to a place like this."
"The benefits are good, but I don't bring all employees to places like this."
"Are you saying Yeongin is special?"
"Yes."
"..."
"Very much so."
Yeongin, who had been watching the two men exchange subtly barbed remarks with an uneasy expression, stepped in to lighten the atmosphere.
"Seonbae, what brings you here?"
"My last supper."
"Ah, your last meal with your agency family?"
"Just as I thought, Chae Yeongin. You always get it right away."
As Jingyo gave a thumbs-up, the corners of Yeongin's eyes curved into a smile.
"Why aren't you asking where I signed?"
"Where did you sign?"
As soon as rumors spread that Seo Jingyo's exclusive contract with his agency had expired and he wouldn't be renewing, prominent management companies jumped into a recruitment battle. However, it was still unknown which company he had signed with.
"Not yet. I will soon. You'll find out where soon enough, so just wait a little."
At that moment, Seonghyeok, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"The elevator's here."
He stepped into the elevator first and pressed the open button.
"I'll get going, Seonbae. Please go on in."
"Go on. I'll contact you."
The two men, standing inside and outside the elevator, exchanged a brief nod as a farewell.
As soon as Yeongin stepped into the elevator, Seonghyeok took his hand off the open button. Through the slowly closing doors, Jingyo's back could be seen as he walked away.
"What floor is the car on?"
"B3."
The elevator, its doors now fully closed, began its descent towards B3, the floor Seonghyeok had pressed. The two didn't exchange another word until they reached the parking lot and got into the car.
It was Seonghyeok who broke the silence.
"Are you close with Seo Jingyo?"
"Yes."
Yeongin knew he was feeling jealous. Her answer wasn't meant to fuel his jealousy, but simply to state the truth.
She had met Jingyo about two years ago through a film her actor was starring in. While they didn't usually keep in frequent contact, they would meet for drinks every couple of months. Even after a long time apart, she felt comfortable with him.
It was a secret that she had found herself drawn to him because, in some indefinable way, he resembled Cha Seonghyeok in many aspects.
"Ah, I see."
The moment Seonghyeok responded curtly, a faint vibrating sound was heard. It was coming from his pants pocket.
He took out his phone, checked the caller, and put it back into his pocket.
Feeling his gaze, he turned to see 'Don't mind me, just answer it' written all over Yeongin's face.
"It's my mother. I can call her back later."
"..."
As soon as Yeongin heard the word 'mother,' her mind snapped back to reality.
The calm expression and voice were still vivid in her memory.
"Surely, you're not expecting Seonghyeok to marry you, are you? I considered just watching, as it didn't seem like it would last long anyway, but even your casual relationship isn't pleasing. I hope you understand that your existence is the only flaw in our Seonghyeok."
Breaking up with him on the day she met his mother was a form of self-preservation.
The fact that her existence was Cha Seonghyeok's only flaw terrified her. She wanted to escape, to avoid it.
Seonghyeok vaguely assumed that Yeongin had broken up with him because his presence was a burden to her.
It wasn't entirely a wrong assumption. He just didn't know that the decisive reason for their breakup was his mother.
The two fell silent for different reasons, and the car was enveloped in a hush.
***
The following afternoon.
Seonghyeok visited his family home.
Cha Hyeonung Hoejang's residence, belonging to SL Group, was a detached house consisting of one basement floor and three above-ground floors. The land area alone was nearly 500 pyeong. The centuries-old pine trees, exuding noble dignity, were truly a magnificent sight.
Behind the spacious garden, the L-shaped building, featuring a striking harmony of white and gray, was divided into the main house and an annex. The long horizontal section was the main house, and the vertical section extending downwards was the annex.
Currently, Cha Hoejang and his wife, along with their youngest daughter, lived in the main house, while the eldest son and his wife lived in the annex. Seonghyeok had used the second floor of the main house before moving out.
It was entirely Myeonggyu, the eldest son, and his wife Jeonghye's own will not to live separately. Their purpose was to make a good impression on their parents and solidify his position as successor.
As Seonghyeok stepped onto the stepping stones leading from the main gate to the entrance and entered the main house, he was greeted by a middle-aged woman with her hair styled in an updo.
"You're here, son?"
It was Han Insuk Yeosa, Cha Hoejang's wife and the mother of their three children. Her gentle tone perfectly matched her elegant appearance.
"Where's Father?"
"He's in his study."
Han Yeosa naturally linked her arm through Seonghyeok's. As they walked together towards the study, she subtly began a conversation.
"Son."
"Yes."
"You're thirty now. You should meet a good woman and get married."
"I should."
"Really? Then, would you like to meet the only daughter of Hong Eun Group? I hear she's very refined."
Han Yeosa's face brightened because Seonghyeok, who had always stiffened whenever marriage was brought up until recently, had shown a positive reaction for the first time. In truth, she was already scouting suitable candidates regardless of his wishes.
"No. I'll choose my own marriage partner."
"You..."
Han Yeosa, who was on the verge of blurting out her worry that he might meet someone like Chae Yeongin again, hastily cut herself off.
"Go on."
"...Oh, never mind."
It was fortunate. She must have been out of her mind to try and stir up trouble by digging up something Seonghyeok had thankfully forgotten.
"She has to be a woman suitable for our family. You know that, right?"
"She has to be a woman suitable for *me*."
Han Yeosa forced a smile.
"That goes without saying."
Surely, he wouldn't meet someone worse than an adopted child of unknown background.
A family with no background was dreadful, but taking an adopted child whose parents were unknown as a daughter-in-law was equally horrifying.
Three years ago, she had learned that her beloved son was seeing Chae Yeongin, an adopted child, and the disappointment she felt then was something she never wanted to experience again. Being stabbed in the foot by a trusted axe was quite enough for one lifetime.
"Mother trusts our son's judgment."
Yeongin had joined Hyesung Entertainment after Seonghyeok left for the United States, and Han Yeosa believed that their relationship had completely ended with his departure. Therefore, she had no reason to pay any attention to Yeongin.
She naturally had no idea that Yeongin was currently working in management, nor that Seonghyeok had refused the Management Planning Department and gone to SL Entertainment because of Chae Yeongin.
The biggest problem was that Seonghyeok's resolve and determination had grown even stronger than they were three years ago.
