“Director, you’ll be staying here from today, right? You’re always the same. From the end of June to July. Even with work in Tokyo, you’re always here until the day before you leave.”
“……Yes, that’s right.”
That’s right. Waiting for when you would come. But seeing you today, it didn’t seem like such a foolish thing.
“Ah, and Director. Those people just now, were they perhaps acquaintances of yours…….?”
“Something like that. We might get to know each other better in the future.”
“……What?”
“What’s so special about acquaintances? Rather than that.”
“Director, are you okay? Why are you sweating so much…….?”
That’s when I felt a chill all over my body. I carelessly wiped the sweat on my forehead.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Rather than that, Secretary Yoon. I think I need to adjust my schedule a bit.”
“What? Which schedule are you talking about? You’re not referring to your immediate trip to the U.S., are you?””Ah, including that schedule.”
“What?”
“I think I need to clear my schedule for July.”
Hearing something so unreasonable, Secretary Yoon stood there, dumbfounded, proving that point right in front of me. But even in that moment, there was only one thought in my head.
Haru. As long as I don’t know where you are, I can’t let you go just like this.
But this July, for the first time, I will see you in this house. Though you never would have wanted it.
I briefly explained to Secretary Yoon the gist of what I heard from Seo Jeong-eun. His expression turned grave as he listened to my story, and then, he burst out.
“Director, that’s going to be difficult!”
“I know. It would be more unreasonable not to be troubled after hearing this story. I understand.”
“Don’t just let it go like that.”
“……Can’t you just let it go?”
Seeing my words falter, Secretary Yoon’s eyes widened momentarily. But it wasn’t enough to change his mind, as he quickly began to express his thoughts.
“You’re planning to cancel all your July schedules. That’s not possible. No, it’s not about permission, it’s just impossible. Do you know how important this time is for you? Do I really need to list everything from one to ten for you to understand?”
Although he was speaking formally, it was like scolding a mischievous boy.
“Your debut film becoming a mega-hit is already rare in this industry, and on top of that, you have a love call from Hollywood Director Jackson. Are you really planning to turn down all these opportunities that may never come again? The July schedule can’t be canceled. We will proceed with the planned U.S. trip in July as scheduled.”
I missed the timing to reply because my mind was completely filled with thoughts of one person. He took it as a sign of agreement and became more resolute.
“I don’t recall saying I would turn down those opportunities.”
“Oh, so you mean to proceed as planned.”
“Of course.”
A hint of relief appeared on Secretary Yoon’s face. It made me feel sorry.
“Of course, we should. Just as newly planned, right in front of the entrance.”
“Director!”
“The schedule with Director Jackson was originally set for April, but got pushed to July due to the delayed promotion of this film. If it gets postponed again because of my schedule, and if that means it won’t happen, then it’s better not to start at all. If it’s that urgent to work with me, then we’ll wait. If not, that’s as far as it goes.”
Perhaps this side of me might seem like the arrogance of someone who became a star director just by luck. Even wishing not to appear that way might seem arrogant. At a time when anything I do could become a scandal, here I am, walking right into one.
But what can I do? I’d go crazy otherwise…….
“Just to find your first love whom you met at barely twenty. Sigh, Director…… I apologize for what I just said. I’m not unaware of what your first love means to you. But the success of your next film could dictate your career, your life, everything from now on. Please, think a bit more logically. Director, you didn’t become a filmmaker just to find your first love.”
“You’re right. I became a filmmaker for that reason. So, is this reason enough to postpone the schedule?”
Secretary Yoon’s frown shows no sign of easing. No matter what I say, it won’t relax that furrow. If anything, it will only deepen.
The reason I became a director, my career, even bringing up my life, Secretary Yoon, realizing this won’t work, began to suggest postponing the filming schedule with a Korean broadcaster to September.
I can’t do September. It has to be July. July, when Haru left me. Within that month. Everything…
“Secretary Yoon, have you ever heard of reality verification? Oh, are you having trouble understanding because, like me, you’re a Korean-Japanese?”
“I understand the meaning.”
“Then that’s good. I want to try it under the guise of filming. That reality verification.”
“What? What does that mean…….”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
