CHAPTER 79: SUGAR DADDY CODED

"BAEKYA,our lunch is here."

They ordered delivery food for their lunch.

An Baekya ordered jjamppong (seafood noodle soup) while Coach Kwon Taeyoo ordered jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles).

Of course, it came with side dishes and garnishes.

Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour crispy pork).

Gimbap.

Egg soup.

Kkanpunggi (spicy garlic fried chicken).

Mandu (dumplings).

Pork bao bun.

Kimchi.

Yellow pickled radish.

Sliced raw onions.

Cold barley tea for their drinks.

It’s a pretty big lunch for just two people.

"Baekya, are you sure this is what you want to eat?" Coach Kwon Taeyoo asked worriedly while they were eating. "Your parents paid enough food allowance for the two of us to have prime-grade steak every single day."

"I’m fine with this, Coach," An Baekya said. "I miss this. Abeoji isn’t a fan of noodles or ’cheap’ food, so we only get to eat stuff like this when Appa craves it."

"Oh, I see. Then dig in. You need a lot of energy for our next activity later."

The coach finally started giving An Baekya proper acting lessons.

Unlike last time, when all we did was talk.

An Baekya did vocal warm-ups earlier under Coach Kwon Taeyoo’s supervision.

However, he noticed something strange about his mentor.

"Coach, do you not like my acting?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I just can tell, Coach."

"Baekya, I wouldn’t have accepted you as my student if I didn’t like your acting. You’ve probably heard from your abeoji, but I don’t accept just anyone in my classes. I have to see the potential in a person first— and that’s something I saw in you."

"Then why do you look dissatisfied whenever you see me act, Coach?"

"You misunderstood, Baekya. I’m not dissatisfied," Coach Kwon Taeyoo said while shaking his head. "I guess I just feel bad whenever I see you acting. Yes, you’re good— especially at your age. But do you know what you remind me of?"

"No, sir. Please tell me."

"You remind me of a veteran actor who lost his passion."

Ah.

Well, that’s not wrong.

"I know I’m being weird. How could a child who just started acting lose his passion already? I don’t understand that part, but it doesn’t matter to me," Coach Kwon Taeyoo said. "I’ll help you fall in love with acting, Baekya."

An Baekya smiled, but that smile was actually quite sad.

I want to fall in love with acting again, too.

***

AH, I’M HUNGRY.

Wonyoung only had a sandwich after the audition.

He was hungry, but he didn’t have that much appetite.

I totally bombed my audition, didn’t I?

"How was your audition, Wonyoung-ssi?" Han Myung, who was driving the car, asked in a friendly manner. "You nailed it, didn’t you?"

"I wish," Wonyoung said, leaning against the backrest of the backseat. "I talked back to one of the judges."

"Oh, then I’m just going to shut my mouth and give you peace and silence, Wonyoung-ssi."

Pfft.

There’s no need for that, but...

"Thank you, Myung-ssi," Wonyoung said, closing his eyes. "Please wake me up once we’re at the academy. I’m just gonna take a nap."

It didn’t take long before they arrived at Basics Academy.

When Wonyoung got there, An Baekya and Coach Kwon Taeyoo were already waiting for him.

Oh, they just finished their activities.

"Welcome back, Wonyoung-ssi," Coach Kwon Taeyoo greeted him. "How was the audition?"

"I did well, but one of the judges hated me for being handsome," Wonyoung said. He tried to make it sound light, but the bitterness still slipped away. "I shouldn’t have talked back to that judge, but I did. So, I’m not sure if I’ll pass the audition."

"Aigoo. If it’s any consolation, an audition with that kind of judge isn’t really worth it."

"I know, right?"

"Having said that, I have a feeling that you’ll still pass the audition, Wonyoung-ssi. The role of an extra is often overlooked. But a good director knows your value as an extra. You have the aura of a star, Wonyoung-ssi. It’s their loss if they ignore that just because of their prejudice."

Aww.

"Thank you for making me feel better, Coach."

Kwon Taeyoo just smiled and nodded before changing the topic. "Wonyoung-ssi, the other kids I’m coaching are already on vacation."

Right.

It’s a break for students now.

"Will it be alright if I add An Baekya to my regular class?" Coach Kwon Taeyoo asked. "I believe it will help An Baekya a lot to take my acting lessons with other kids."

"That sounds like a good idea, Coach. As a person who took acting lessons with a group, it really helped me with my confidence. And it’s always fun to mingle with people with the same interests," Wonyoung said excitedly, and then he looked down at An Baekya. "Are you okay with joining the class with other kids, Baekya?"

An Baekya nodded. "Yes, Appa— I’d love that."

***

"PARK Soojung and Park Soojin are two of Coach’s precious students."

Wonyoung almost choked on his steak after hearing the ’bomb’ that An Baekya dropped while the two of them were having dinner. "Really? The famous twins?"

Thank goodness Wonyoung dismissed the waiting staff members earlier.

Hence, the two of them could talk freely.

It’s awkward when there are people waiting on us.

"Yun Yuhyun, Park Soojung, and Park Soojin were Coach’s top three protégés from my timeline," An Baekya said while nodding. "Yuhyun joined late, but the Park Twins had been Coach’s students ever since they were 3 years old. So, I’m sure the Park Twins are already Coach’s students around this time."

Oh.

Wonyoung remembered what Yun Yuhyun said about Park Soojung before.

"Park Soojung and I became close friends, and that made Yun Yuhyun jealous. When Park Soojung tried to pay off my debts, Yun Yuhyun almost killed him."

He gulped after remembering that.

But An Baekya isn’t drowning in debt now, so that future won’t happen anymore.

Whew.

"Wasn’t Park Soojung your best friend in your timeline?" Wonyoung asked carefully. "Do you want to be friends with him again? I don’t think Yun Yuhyun will harm Park Soojung this time. As you said before, this world has already changed the moment we regressed."

"I’m not sure, Appa," An Baekya said while shaking his head. "I’m not sure if I deserve to be Park Soojung’s friend in this timeline."

***

SOMETHING else probably happened between An Baekya and Park Soojung in their timeline.

That was what Wonyoung thought while lying down on Yun Dujun’s bed (because he was using the Alpha’s bedroom, yes) and staring at the ceiling.

An Baekya looked sad when talking about Park Soojung.

After all, An Baekya’s eyes earlier were full of remorse.

Yun Yuhyun, just what else did you do in their timeline?

Haaah.

Now Wonyoung regretted skipping the angst scenes in the ’novel.’

I hope the kids have a better relationship this time.

It didn’t have to be a romantic relationship, of course.

I just want them to be better friends in this timeline.

Wonyoung’s idle thoughts were interrupted when his phone rang.

It was from an unknown international number.

But he didn’t have to guess who the caller was.

"Dujun Sunbae-nim?"

"Yes, it’s me, Hoobae-nim. I’m sorry for calling this late."

Right.

Korea is 7 hours ahead of where Sunbae-nim is.

"It’s alright, Sunbae-nim. Have you settled in your accommodation?"

"Yes. Our Yuhyun fell asleep as soon as we got here, though. So, you can’t talk to him right now."

"It’s okay. Let our son sleep. He must be tired."

"How was your audition?"

"One of the judges didn’t like me because I’m handsome. He thinks I won’t take the role seriously because being an extra doesn’t suit my face, according to him."

"Give me a name, Hoobae-nim."

Aigoo.

"Don’t bother punishing him, Sunbae-nim. It’s fine. I did my best. If I still fail the audition, then maybe I’m not meant to be a part of that project."

"How are you feeling, Hoobae-nim?"

"I was a bit bummed out earlier. But I’m over it now. I’m still happy that I got to audition."

"Did you eat something delicious today?"

"I did, Sunbae-nim. Baekya and I had steak for dinner."

"Very well. You have another audition, right?"

"Yes, Sunbae-nim."

"Should I send you a food truck?"

Pfft.

"Don’t be silly, Sunbae-nim."

"Hoobae-nim, I asked Daepyonim about Writer Shin’s new script. Like what we’ve already discussed before, it seems like there’s really a conflict within their company. Daepyonim heard from his source that the investors have already chosen an actor for the main role. But Writer Shin has taken a liking to you, so she stood her ground. The audition is still happening because Writer Shin didn’t back down. But the investors are, apparently, threatening to pull out their investment."

Oh.

"If someone tries to make you feel guilty about it, ignore them. Just carry on with the audition. It’s Writer Shin who wants you, anyway."

"And if the investors back out...?"

"Just tell them you have a sponsor willing to invest in the project."

Pfft.

To be fair, celebrities having a sponsor wasn’t new.

"Are you saying you want to be my sponsor, Sunbae-nim?"

"Yes. You can use my name however you want. If that’s not enough, you can also name-drop Daepyonim and tell them that Hanbyeol Entertainment wants to sign you, so they’re willing to help you."

"What are you saying, Sunbae-nim? Why are we suddenly dragging your boss here? Does Daepyonim know about your plan?"

"Dont worry about it and just do as I say. I’ll take care of everything."

Wonyoung couldn’t help but laugh. "Are you my sugar daddy now, Sunbae-nim?"

"No, I’m your husband and provider."

Aigoo.

I thought we were flirting. Why is this sunbae-nim suddenly answering seriously?

"Sunbae-nim, sometimes you can’t read the room."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Sunbae-nim, don’t just rely on your face when you flirt with someone. You need to hone your communication skills, you know?"

"Wait, were we flirting?"

"Not anymore. You already ruined the mood, Sunbae-nim."

"Bae Wonyoung, give me a chance— let’s do it all over again."

Pfft.

Wonyoung laughed at how desperate Yun Dujun sounded.

This sunbae-nim probably likes me more than he thinks.

***

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