The Season of Prettiest You (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
“Manager Hong. We need to clear out this room.”
Taeseok’s house had seven rooms. Some of them were empty. Therefore, it didn’t necessarily have to be this particular room. Knowing that, Manager Hong objected.
“There’s an empty room already. What are you planning to do with it?”
The room Taeseok opened was the smallest corner room in the house, with no window—used as a storage closet. Useless belongings and random clutter were piled up haphazardly.
“No, it has to be this one. I’m definitely using this room.”
“That’s what I’m asking—what exactly are you going to do with it?”
“I’m turning it into Writer Choi Yeoreum’s workspace.”
He’d already heard the story about how Taeseok had deliberately provoked Yeoreum into commuting to work. Manager Hong clicked his tongue at Taeseok’s stubbornness.
At this point, even Taeseok himself probably didn’t clearly know what he truly wanted. To Manager Hong, Taeseok’s actions had long drifted far from revenge.
Was offering the smallest, shabbiest room in the house really all the revenge he could manage? It almost made him laugh.
“Hey, if that’s what you want, isn’t there already ‘Yeoreum’s Room’ over there? The one you spent tens of millions on to make into a studio. Since nothing’s been touched or cleared out, just tell her to use that.”
Manager Hong, who absolutely hated strenuous labor, groaned in exasperation. Just then, a chill seemed to creep in from somewhere. Following the cold air, he saw Taeseok’s icy gaze glaring down at him.
“How dare you even suggest she go into that room. What right does she have?”
“No, fine—then just get rid of that room altogether… It’s just that everything’s still there, so I feel bad throwing it all away. That’s all.”
Manager Hong avoided his eyes and mumbled in a subdued voice, then began dragging boxes out of the storage room one by one, starting the cleanup.
“That room will stay exactly as it is.”
“Fine, then.”
Who could possibly understand all the thoughts inside that man’s head? Manager Hong shook his head but didn’t ask further. He simply carried the boxes silently out to the balcony. Perhaps because the room wasn’t large, the cleanup went more smoothly than expected.
He thought of Yeoreum, who would soon be practically dragged into this room by Taeseok. He realized he should meet her soon, without further delay.
‘My friend, Choi Yeoreum.’
Manager Hong had entered university three years late, so he didn’t really have any true peers—everyone was younger, practically his juniors. They found him intimidating and always ate lunch alone—until Yeoreum approached him first.
“Sunbae! From now on, let’s eat together.”
“I’m not really your sunbae. We’re in the same class, after all.”
“Still, you’re older, so I’ll call you sunbae anyway.”
After that, the two became inseparable best friends.
High school best friend Seo Taeseok. University best friend Choi Yeoreum. Though unintentional, Manager Hong had been the one who connected them.
Who would’ve guessed that sparks would fly between them at that drinking gathering? He’d known Yeoreum was quite pretty, but since she wasn’t Taeseok’s usual type, he’d felt reassured. All the women Taeseok had dated before were mature, top-tier celebrities.
‘You really never can tell what’ll happen between a man and a woman.’
Anyway, the two quickly grew close after that. It didn’t take long before they became a sweet, affectionate couple—until Yeoreum pulled off that unbelievable stunt and disappeared.
After reporting Taeseok to the tax office for tax evasion, Yeoreum seized the investigation window to flee to the U.S. Manager Hong had wanted to hear her side of the story, but she’d vanished without a trace.
But now that things had come to this…
He’d have to ask Taeseok for her contact information. Once filming officially started, they’d inevitably run into each other, whether they liked it or not. Before that happened, there were things he wanted to ask her—and things he needed to say.
“All done.”
Manager Hong set down the last box, watching Taeseok brush off his hands with evident satisfaction. He desperately hoped the smile on Seo Taeseok’s face wasn’t excitement.
Shin Mincheol, CEO of Poo Entertainment, called Ji Hyeonjeong.
Despite being divorced, they remained so comfortably close that the industry famously dubbed them the “Hollywood couple.”
Of course, Ji Hyeonjeong disliked the term “couple,” but people kept using it out of habit. Having transitioned from friends to spouses and back to friends again, they frequently met up for meals and drinks.
“This time, it seems you’ll be the one buying drinks, Ji Hyeonjeong.”
[Why?]“Why? Because Taeseok messed up and really hurt our Ji Hyeok’s feelings.”
[…I can’t even argue with that.]Ji Hyeonjeong sighed awkwardly from the other end of the line.
She’d been eagerly awaiting Taeseok’s comeback, but surely never imagined he’d pull something like this.
Pushing into an already fully cast drama and creating an extra lead role—that kind of audacity. Well, he did look perfectly sane, so he deserved credit for occasionally going crazy like this.
“Anyway, I’ll keep comforting Ji Hyeok, but you should also say something to Taeseok. After all, Cheon Ji Hyeok was the sole lead, and Seo Taeseok ruined it—so at least make him apologize…”
Shin Mincheol was mid-sentence when he suddenly stopped short. Taeseok had just walked into the CEO’s office. Though the timing was absurd, it was actually convenient—now he could scold him in person.
“Never mind. I’ll handle it myself. He’s here—Seo Taeseok.”
[Huh? Taeseok’s there right now?]“Yeah. I’m hanging up.”
After hastily wrapping up the call, Shin Mincheol opened his mouth to speak to Taeseok—but Taeseok was just a hair faster.
“Hyung, are you still not earning as much as Hyeonjeong noona?”
“Is that how you greet someone?”
“You should build a new building yourself. We just inaugurated our new headquarters recently. Isn’t Ji Hyeok big enough for that yet?”
“Want me to hit you?”
Taeseok burst out laughing. Shin Mincheol scowled deeply and slumped down heavily across from him. After glaring at Taeseok with all his might, he began speaking with clear dissatisfaction.
“You stole a golden opportunity for Cheon Ji Hyeok to earn big money! You shameless guy. Ji Hyeok’s really hurt. Make things right and apologize properly.”
“I don’t actually plan to apologize, but I did call him—Cheon Ji Hyeok. He’ll be here soon.”
As if on cue, the office door swung open.
Ji Hyeok walked in, loudly slurping an iced white chocolate mocha topped generously with whipped cream. The moment he saw Taeseok, he gasped in shock.
“Do you even know how many calories that thing has?”
“Mind your own business.”
“Incredible. And this guy’s about to start a drama.”
Shin Mincheol tried mediating between them.
“If you’re going to fight, take it outside.”
Wait—then again, both of them were actors, weren’t they?
“Oh crap. If you fight outside, it’ll cause even more trouble. Just fight here, then.”
But that didn’t make sense either.
“No! Just don’t fight at all. Got it?”
But by then, neither of them was paying Shin Mincheol any attention.
“Why’d you call me?”
“Well… Want to get along better? It feels like it’s been forever since we last saw each other.”
“Forever? We saw each other at the reunion party!”
“I didn’t see you then—were you even there?”
“How is that even an excuse? I was the lead actor of that drama!”
Ji Hyeok finally snapped, slamming his hand down hard on the table. Taeseok gave an awkward chuckle.
“Oh… Right. Now that you mention it, I guess I did see you. Sorry about that.”
As Shin Mincheol stood up, muttering about offering them tea, Taeseok shifted into a more serious tone.
“I’d like you to think positively about doing this drama with Hyung.”
“What did you say?”
“It’ll really help you out. You know that yourself. Bromance is super popular with audiences these days.”
“…”
Since Ji Hyeok offered no rebuttal, Taeseok didn’t continue. He was smart—he’d understand.
Regardless of the hurt Ji Hyeok felt, the drama’s scale had exploded massively. From now on, far better opportunities than being the sole lead in a small drama would line up before him.
‘Cheon Ji Hyeok, Yoo Young, Choi Yeoreum—all three beneficiaries of Seo Taeseok’s influence, whether they realize it or not.’
Opportunities could come to anyone, especially in this industry. It was the kind of place where you could literally stumble upon a gold nugget while walking down the street.
But what you did afterward—that was the real key to success. Since he’d forced his way in so aggressively, he sincerely hoped everyone would benefit from Seo Taeseok’s involvement.
“Also, by the way—do you have a girlfriend?”
Taeseok finally got to his main point. He’d actually dropped by specifically to ask this. He assumed the guy, who had a great personality and decent looks, surely had a girlfriend. Hearing confirmation would put his mind at ease.
Ji Hyeok paused longer than expected before answering.
“…No. Not yet. Why?”
“Not yet,” he said. Among all the possible answers Taeseok had anticipated, this one leaned toward the more uncomfortable side.
“Why ask something like that?”
“My stylist’s a big fan of yours. I got curious. But why say ‘not yet’? Sounds like there’s someone.”
Ji Hyeok hesitated briefly. This was a good chance. He wanted to shout out loud that the writer who’d been so rude at the production launch was the woman he liked, and demand they treat her respectfully. He’d almost opened his mouth when a sudden thought struck him.
‘What if I go around blabbing and make noona uncomfortable? I haven’t even confessed yet.’
So he stayed silent.
“Yeah… Well, there is someone I like.”
“I see.”
Taeseok nearly asked if that someone was Choi Yeoreum—the words rose to his throat—but he swallowed them back down. He’d find out in due time.
Cheon Ji Hyeok had always been the type to lose interest easily. He didn’t know if that was still true now, but back when they were both at HJ Entertainment, Ji Hyeok’s ideal type used to change dozens of times a day.
Even if Ji Hyeok currently had a crush on Yeoreum, there was a high chance he’d lose interest soon anyway.
That was enough for today.
He’d eased the atmosphere just enough to avoid awkwardness while acting together, so they could always talk again later. Taeseok didn’t press further and simply offered a faint smile.
He suddenly realized Ji Hyeok had grown into a genuinely decent man.
He remembered the high school kid in a school uniform who used to trail after him, eyes shining, calling him his role model. The kid who’d chase him down after missing even a minor role, asking endless questions about vocal delivery and eye expressions—when had that little brat grown up like this?
In that moment, Taeseok felt somewhat pathetic for having spent two years hiding in a cave.
Now, Cheon Ji Hyeok no longer saw Seo Taeseok as his role model; he’d become a good enough actor himself to serve as a role model for child actors. Would Choi Yeoreum see him as a decent guy too?
“Have some tea.”
Shin Mincheol came back in, carrying clumsily brewed coffee. He set it down on the table, spilling a bit, then sat on the sofa. Taeseok couldn’t hide his disbelief.
“What? Might as well just give it to me tomorrow—I’m leaving anyway.”
“Drink it before you go. I went through trouble making it.”
“By the way, Hyung, why do you keep calling Hyeonjeong noona so often?”
“Why’s the blame landing on me?”
Shin Mincheol frowned and shot Ji Hyeok a meaningful glance—a silent plea for help to shut Taeseok up. But Ji Hyeok didn’t side with him.
“Ah! I totally agree with Hyung Taeseok on this. Are you two really divorced?”
“Exactly! If that’s the case, then why did you even split up?”
Shin Mincheol looked back and forth between them, bewildered.
“Why are you suddenly in perfect sync all of a sudden?”
“Hyung, did you really cheat? If you got divorced for cheating, why do you still get along so well?”
“Seriously, think about getting back together. That noona’s always passing out drunk alone. What good is all that money if you’re both just lonely? You two should give it another try.”
Taeseok eventually chimed in too. Shin Mincheol stared at him for a long moment before giving a bitter smile.
“Enough.”
Then he shoved them both toward the door, ushering them out.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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