The Season of Prettiest You (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
It was a morning after a restless night. By the time I arrived in a fluster, I noticed a run in my stockings. I ran to the convenience store, changed into a new pair, and came back with my face flushed red. It was a chaotic start to the day. Yeoreum wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Her pounding heart wouldn’t calm down. She didn’t know if it was from rushing around since morning or from nerves about the production press conference. She clasped her hands together and took a long, deep breath.
Writers weren’t required to appear on stage at the press conference, yet for some reason the director insisted.
No matter how many times she refused, saying it made her uncomfortable, he remained firm. In the end, she wore the neatest black formal dress among her clothes at home and tied her hair up in a single high bun. She even got her makeup done at Young’s shop together with her. The styling, something she rarely did, felt awkward.
‘Just hang in there.’
It was her first time at such an event, so her palms were sweaty.
She glanced toward the stage and saw dozens of cameras already set up, with audio and lighting equipment on an overwhelming scale. Staff were moving frantically, shouting out instructions for the behind-the-scenes footage. The urgency of a live broadcast seeped into her skin, and tension crept slowly up her spine.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and popped something round into Yeoreum’s mouth. Startled, she turned around to see Cheon Ji Hyeok, the lead actor.
“Cheongsimhwan. I saw you were too nervous, Writer.”
He grinned and unwrapped another pill, popping it into his own mouth.
“Ugh. So bitter. Way too bitter. But chew it thoroughly, Writer.”
“Thank you.”
As the bitter taste filled her mouth, she felt somewhat calmer—though whether it was the effect of the Cheongsimhwan or just the bitterness itself, she couldn’t tell.
“Don’t be so nervous. Honestly, no one’s paying attention to you anyway. They’re all focused on me.”
Yeoreum smiled silently at his confident tone.
He was the lead actor who’d won the intense casting battle everyone had been talking about. His confidence had some justification.
She remembered the casting meeting day. He was the only actor who’d thoroughly analyzed the role of Kim Minjun—she’d been secretly impressed by his meticulous preparation, which included even minor props and costume concepts, not to mention nuanced emotional arcs.
Listening to his sharp, insightful questions—clearly the result of reading the script many times over—she’d convinced herself that Kim Minjun could only be played by Cheon Ji Hyeok.
With his delicate looks, he seemed like just another pretty-face celebrity, yet his dedication was admirable.
Just glancing at his toned, muscular body revealed how disciplined he was about self-care. She thought this must be why women in their twenties and thirties these days kept going on about Cheon Ji Hyeok, Cheon Ji Hyeok.
“But Writer, didn’t we agree to drop the formal speech the next time we meet?”
After diligently sharing posts on social media, he finished his tasks and casually asked the question. She remembered.
During the casting meeting, they’d discovered a common interest in volunteering at animal shelters and had gone together a couple of times afterward.
“…Right. We did agree on that.”
“Then you can’t just say ‘Yes.’ Call me ‘Oppa.’”
Yeoreum looked up at him, startled. Their eyes met—his wide and innocent-looking.
He had a curious personality—easily dropped formalities with anyone and quickly became friendly. At first, she’d wondered if it was just an act, but after volunteering together, she realized it was genuine.
Ji Hyeok could become friends with a complete stranger within five minutes. People nowadays would call him the ultimate social butterfly, and Yeoreum found his effortlessly cheerful demeanor both overwhelming and enviable.
“Um… so what should I call you then…?”
“Just say my name. ‘Ji Hyeok-ah.’ Like this.”
He kept pulling the conversation along, and Yeoreum followed.
“Okay. Ji… Hyeok-ah.”
“You’re doing great.”
This time, he unwrapped a candy and handed it to her. It was so sweet her face scrunched up. Ji Hyeok laughed.
“You’re cute, Noona.”
“Cute”? Yeoreum felt her ears grow hot. It was the word that suited her least. She opened her mouth to protest, but he spoke again first.
“I decided to adopt that puppy—the Maltese posted on the shelter notice. I’ll tell you more later.”
Seeing a signal from a staff member, Ji Hyeok turned away. Their unrestrained conversation abruptly ended. Thanks to the distracting chat, her tension had eased—her clenched fists slowly relaxed.
She looked down at her loosened grip. Suddenly, she wondered if Ji Hyeok had done it on purpose to comfort her.
“If you had to pick three highlights for watching ‘Hold My Hand,’ what would they be?”
The atmosphere was warm and friendly. The three lead actors appeared to get along very well and laughed heartily even at small jokes. Yoo Young and Ruda linked arms affectionately, seemingly disproving rumors of discord.
Regardless of their true feelings, both were skilled enough to convincingly act closeness in front of the cameras—it was as easy as eating cold porridge for them.
“I really hate having to walk in holding hands with Ruda.”
Young had whined this into Yeoreum’s ears until yesterday, yet she was the one laughing the most now.
“I’ll answer! First, the characters’ coming-of-age journey is really compelling.”
Ruda took the mic and replied brightly. Yeoreum forced a mechanical smile, lifting only the corners of her lips, and watched her. It was already exhausting just five minutes in. Although she’d steeled herself beforehand, the stage still didn’t feel familiar.
Moreover, the lights were painfully bright—so intense they seemed capable of extracting every impurity from her pores, instantly burning away her confidence.
She also noticed there was a mismatch in the number of chairs on stage. One extra remained.
‘Someone must’ve made a mistake.’
Mistakes happen, but it was still a little disappointing. Viewers might find the empty chair confusing.
Someone could’ve easily come up and removed it, but apparently it wasn’t possible during a live broadcast.
“Writer Choi.”
Director Lee whispered.
“A surprise guest will be joining us. Look forward to it.”
The director gave a playful wink and, following the MC’s cue, took the microphone. He then launched into exaggerated, snake-oil-salesman-style lines about a “special event” and a “scoop,” finally revealing there’d be one more actor joining.
It seemed to be about that conversation from a few days ago.
“Writer Choi, can you revise the script for Lee Hyunjun’s role? We still have some time.”
“It’s possible, but why?”
“In my opinion, Hyunjun should be promoted to a lead role. The character’s too good to waste. Actually, I’ve already cast someone. Just leave Lee Hyunjun to me.”
“Okay… I’ll follow your advice, sunbae.”
Since Yeoreum herself had been concerned about Hyunjun’s role, she readily agreed. She’d long known it was a shame to bury him as a supporting character. He was the character she’d meticulously crafted, even modeled after a real person, which gave him vivid realism. The director had seen it clearly.
“After a long hiatus, this person is finally returning! Everyone, please welcome with a big round of applause! Let’s bring him out!”
Honestly, someone really ought to do something about those outdated, snake-oil-salesman lines—it wasn’t the 90s anymore. As Yeoreum thought dismissively and turned her gaze toward the entrance, a man stepped out right then.
The audience’s attention was instantly drawn to his walk.
Everyone looked at him—the MC on stage, the actors, camera directors and assistant directors in front, reporters, crew members, and even the temporary part-timers squatting near the back door—all eyes were stolen by his appearance.
The center of attention.
It was Seo Taeseok.
‘No way.’
Yeoreum’s world stopped.
When their eyes met, she forgot how to breathe.
In her frozen world, Taeseok walked straight into her heart. She swayed as if about to fall backward. Young quickly grabbed her hand and whispered,
“Noona, don’t panic. Get a hold of yourself.”
Warmth from Young’s palm reached her, and only then could Yeoreum finally catch her breath. She desperately clung to her senses and forced herself to breathe.
Taeseok gave her a cold smile. Yeoreum had no room left to decipher its meaning.
‘No, no, something’s wrong. No. This can’t be happening…’
Her mind flickered, and the entire world vanished. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.
‘I need to run away. But where? How? This is my drama…’
“It’s Seo Taeseok!”
“It’s a scoop! A huge scoop!”
Reporters started flashing their cameras. The crew finally tore their gazes away and returned to their tasks.
Seo Taeseok, the actor whose mere appearance could stop the world, calmly picked up the microphone.
“It’s been a while. I’m Seo Taeseok.”
His uniquely soft yet powerful voice echoed through the room. She didn’t want to hear it—the sound pierced her like a blade once more.
She couldn’t get entangled with him again. She’d spent two years cutting him out of her life as if gouging out her own eyes.
“I’ve decided to return after ending my long break. It’s an honor to work with such excellent directors and fellow actors.”
His eyes swept across the audience and stopped right at Yeoreum.
“In particular, I have high expectations for Writer Choi Yeoreum, who created this outstanding script.”
The lovers who once could communicate just by looking at each other now couldn’t read anything in each other’s gazes. Their eyes, now carrying different meanings, met briefly in the air before scattering apart.
Yeoreum looked away.
She’d always imagined she’d run into Seo Taeseok again someday—but never like this. It truly felt as if her whole body were tightly bound.
She took the bottle of water Young offered and swallowed a sip to keep from collapsing. Her esophagus tingled sharply.
She wondered whether this was intentional or just coincidence.
After capping the water bottle and setting it on the floor, she looked back at Taeseok—and he was still watching her. When their eyes met again, he gave her another meaningful smile. Clearly, this was intentional.
‘Why.’
Reporters bombarded him with questions, raising hands and shouting desperately. The MC had to calm the chaos multiple times before finally settling on taking one question at a time in order.
Though Taeseok answered calmly, his mind was solely focused on Yeoreum—the small woman seated at the very end, once called “my Yeoreum.”
He watched with amusement as she turned to him, recognized him, and her eyes filled with confusion.
It was satisfying to see the color drain from her face in clear shock. She was probably already scheming another escape—but there was no way out this time. This drama belonged to her.
“I took some time to recharge.”
He gave a vague reply but locked onto her with a firm gaze. Yeoreum couldn’t look directly at him, yet couldn’t look away either—eventually, her expression turned almost tearful.
It truly was entertaining.
‘Hello, Choi Yeoreum. As promised, I’m here.’
“I have no other plans at the moment. I intend to focus entirely on filming ‘Hold My Hand.’”
The press conference ran well beyond its scheduled time before finally wrapping up. Everyone exchanged brief, polite bows as greetings. The crew bustled about, clearing things up.
‘Just get out first.’
Yeoreum quickly stood up. She couldn’t think of anything else. Just then—
“Choi Yeoreum.”
A clear voice held her in place.
“…Writer.”
Taeseok, belatedly adding her title, spoke calmly.
“I’d like to discuss the script with you—come with me for a moment.”
She looked around. In a room filled with dozens of crew members, reporters, managers, and directors, a rookie writer had no valid reason to refuse a veteran actor’s request. Her palms grew sweaty again.
Taeseok walked past her, leaning in close to whisper in her ear,
“Follow me.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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