CHAPTER 66: MESSY

I ALMOST fell for that face.

Fortunately, Wonyoung wasn’t that horny yet. "Nah, let’s not enter a messy relationship, Sunbae-nim," he said while getting up. "Sex was the center of our previous relationship because I needed to give you a child. But being friends with benefits sounds troublesome."

Yun Dujun tilted his head to one side. "It’s troublesome to sleep with me?"

"Sunbae-nim, you’ve acted as a male lead in a few romance series before. You should know that a couple who enters a fake marriage or a friends-with-benefits arrangement always ends up falling in love with each other. I don’t make the rules— it’s something inevitable."

"And what’s so wrong with falling in love with me?"

"Your mother is someone who wants me dead, Sunbae-nim."

"So, you still don’t trust me."

"Actions speak louder than words, Sunbae-nim. I’m already risking my life by being your manager and living with you. But, like I said before, if your mother so much as touches a strand of my hair, I’m out."

"And, like I promised before, I won’t let that happen again."

"You really have a hard time cutting off toxic people from your life, don’t you?"

"It’s not like I want to cling to my mother after everything she has done," Yun Dujun said while shaking his head. "But I’m the only one who keeps my mother sane. If she loses me completely, I’m afraid she might do worse."

"I guess that makes us star-crossed lovers, then."

"Hoobae-nim, you’re proving Daepyonim right about what he said about you."

"What did Daepyonim say about me?"

"That you’re the type to give up easily when things get tough."

"Oh, that’s true," Wonyoung said while nodding. "I want an easy life this time, Sunbae-nim. Technically, this is already my second life since I woke up after being in a coma for years."

Well, it wasn’t like he lied.

Sunbae-nim doesn’t have to know that I lived a completely different life before returning to this world.

"If I’m going to fall in love, I want to fall in love with someone I can love freely," Wonyoung said. It was something that he needed to discuss with Yun Dujun, even though it was awkward talking about something so cheesy. "This time, I want to experience making love with someone I love. So, I have to decline your suggestion, Sunbae-nim."

"I see," Yun Dujun said, nodding. "I understand. Thank you for giving me an honest answer, Hoobae-nim."

"Sunbae-nim, you can sleep with other people if you want to."

"Even though we’re only married on paper, I still want to respect our marriage. Sleeping with other people is cheating, so no, I won’t do that."

"Will you be fine, Sunbae-nim?"

"Yeah, my suppressants are enough," Yun Dujun said while shaking his head. "Plus, I don’t really find anyone’s pheromones attractive other than yours, Hoobae-nim."

Right.

Sunbae-nim really likes the smell of my pheromones.

Wonyoung would admit that he had good sex chemistry with Yun Dujun, but sleeping with the Alpha for pleasure didn’t seem right.

I don’t want to fall in love with Sunbae-nim.

***

SUNBAE-NIM is really on vacation, huh?

Wonyoung had nothing to do that day because Yun Dujun didn’t have a schedule.

So, he was just staring at the Alpha while sitting on the couch. He was supposed to be watching the movie version of Suspicious Classmate, but looking at Yun Dujun was more interesting.

The Alpha looked hot even though he was just standing outside while talking on the phone.

Sunbae-nim casual clothes look so good on him.

Now Wonyoung wanted to slap himself.

Did I really refuse sleeping with that hot specimen of a man just because I don’t want a messy relationship?

He was starting to regret it.

Maybe doing it once we divorce should be fine...

"Hoobae-nim, is the movie boring?"

Oh.

Wonyoung blinked slowly when Yun Dujun entered the house and sat next to him on the sofa. "No, it’s not boring."

"But you’re not paying attention to the movie."

"Oh, I just spaced out a little."

"How’s the movie?"

"It’s just as funny as the play," Wonyoung said. "And, as expected, you played the role of a clueless young soldier perfectly, Sunbae-nim. Plus, you don’t look as awkward as I thought you’d be wearing a high school uniform at your big age."

Yun Dujun chuckled. "Well, as a fellow actor, you know why casting directors would often not cast a different actor for the younger version of their character."

Right.

Casting an age-appropriate actor is troublesome because there are strict laws regarding underaged actors.

Moreover, if the role of the younger version would take more than half of the movie’s screentime, then the casting director wouldn’t want to risk it by casting less popular actors than the main ones.

"But I’m glad if you think I look convincing as a high school student."

"It’s because you have an insane visual, Sunbae-nim."

"You really like my face, huh?"

"I like Sunbae-nim’s acting, too."

"Praise me more, Hoobae-nim. I’ll treat you to something delicious if you do."

"Sunbae-nim is sexy! Rich! And tall!"

Yun Dujun laughed softly while patting Wonyoung’s head. "What’s An Baekya’s schedule for today?"

"What do you mean by schedule?" Wonyoung asked, chuckling. "Sunbae-nim, An Baekya just likes reading and watching movies and dramas."

"Then it should be fine if we go out, right?"

"Where are we going?"

"I’m thinking of enrolling An Baekya to an acting class. What do you think?"

"Oh, that would be nice, Sunbae-nim," Wonyoung said excitedly, getting up. "I’ll tell Baekya!"

"Later," Yun Dujun said. "Let’s finish the movie first. It’s going to hurt my pride if you don’t."

"Aigoo."

Yun Dujun just patted the space next to him as if telling Wonyoung to sit down again.

"You can be childish sometimes, Sunbae-nim," Wonyoung said, laughing as he sat down again. "Sunbae-nim, I want popcorn."

"Alright," Yun Dujun said, pulling out his phone. "I’ll ask Chef Park to make popcorn for us."

***

HMM?

Wonyoung didn’t expect that the acting academy that Yun Dujun mentioned would be in a rundown building, located in an isolated neighborhood.

It’s impossible to get around here without a car.

But, thanks to the empty streets, he didn’t have to worry about people recognizing Yun Dujun.

Sunbae-nim has a cap and a face mask, but you’ll never know.

"I know the place looks shabby outside, but this is a good acting academy," Yun Dujun said to An Baekya after they got out of the van. "An Baekya, I’m going to introduce you to my mentor. But that doesn’t guarantee that he’ll accept you as his student. My mentor is picky— he only teaches kids he sees potential in. So, you have to do your best."

An Baekya nodded determinedly. "I understand, Abeoji..." The child gasped and covered his mouth with his hands. "What should I call you, Abeoji? Should I call you ’Uncle’ in front of the teacher?"

"No, you don’t have to," Yun Dujun said while shaking his head. "My mentor knows about our family, so you can call me like how you usually do."

"Really?" Wonyoung asked, surprised. "I don’t think I’ve met this mentor of yours, Sunbae-nim."

"My mentor came out of retirement the year you fell into a coma. He was actually living in Japan before that, so I didn’t get to introduce you to him," Yun Dujun explained. "But I told him about us when we reunited. Don’t worry— we can trust him. He has also met Yuhyun before. Our son calls him ’Teacher Grandpa.’"

"If Sunbae-nim trusts him, then I’ll do that as well," Wonyoung said. "He already knows that An Baekya is our foster child?"

"Yes. I mentioned that we’re fostering a kid who’s good at acting."

"Oh, I see."

"I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you about my mentor, Hoobae-nim."

"No, it’s alright," Wonyoung said while shaking his head. "It’s not too late to meet your mentor, right?"

"Of course not," Yun Dujun said, putting his hand on the small of Wonyoung’s back. "Let’s go— I’ll introduce you and An Baekya to my mentor."

***

KWON TAEYOO.

Wonyoung learned that it was the name of Yun Dujun’s acting mentor.

And he instantly recognized Kwon Taeyoo.

Kwon Taeyoo-nim is a man in his early fifties. And, yes, he’s a seasoned actor. I don’t remember seeing him in a main role, but he used to be everywhere. He’s never the lead, but the characters he plays are always fun and memorable.

In short, Kwon Taeyoo was a veteran actor with a wide range.

He can play a villain, a goofy uncle, and a vengeful ghost all at the same time.

Yeah, Wonyoung remembered the time Kwon Taeyoo had three dramas aired at the same time, playing the roles that he had just mentioned.

The best part?

You could tell the characters apart, even though they were played by the same actor.

Anyway, the building looked shabby outside.

But the interior was pretty cozy.

It’s clean and spacious.

"We met at last, Wonyoung-ssi," Kwon Taeyoo said cheerfully while extending his hand to Wonyoung. "I’m Kwon Taeyoo."

"I recognize you, sir," Wonyoung said politely. "I’m a fan."

"Then can you name at least one show where I’ve starred in?"

Wonyoung could tell that Kwon Taeyoo was only joking, but he still gave a proper answer. "The top three shows off the top of my head are Trigger, where you played the role of a gun dealer. Forget Me Not, where you played the goofy uncle of the female lead. Lastly, The Reverie, where you played the role of a vengeful ghost from Joseon Era, who still tormented the reincarnated versions of the main couple in the modern world."

Kwon Taeyoo blinked, obviously pleasantly surprised. "Oh, you’re really my fan. I don’t even remember the characters you mentioned."

"I like actors who have a wide range like you, sir."

"Then you must not be a fan of Yun Dujun."

"Huh?"

Kwon Taeyoo laughed while giving the quiet Yun Dujun a side-eye. "That kid only knows how to act cool."

Aigoo.

Yun Dujun glared at Kwon Taeyoo, but Kwon Taeyoo just laughed harder.

Wonyoung was about to defend Yun Dujun’s honor, but the acting coach had already squatted down to meet An Baekya’s level.

Taeyoo-nim is one of the few people who can tease Dujun Sunbae-nim like that...

It seemed like Yun Dujun was really fond of his mentor.

After all, Dujun Sunbae-nim just accepted the ’joke’ quietly.

"Sorry for making you wait, kid," Kwon Taeyoo said. "So, why do you like acting?"

An Baekya smiled ’innocently...’

... before giving an unhinged answer.

"I need to act to survive, Teacher."

Aigoo.

Wonyoung flinched at An Baekya’s response.

This kid should learn how to act like a kid...

***

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