Chapter 214.

Laugh, Why Don’t You (2)   “Seriously, Director Lee.

You’re earning much more now, but aren’t you too stingy just ordering sweet and sour pork and black bean noodles?” “What kind of luxurious food are you asking for then? Should I call a restaurant and ask for a steak to be delivered over?” Lee Eun-Ha asked as she tore off the cling wrap off the bowl of black bean noodles that had just been delivered.

Lee Eun-Ha had taken some time off after a long period of drama filming and had just returned to the Bucheon office.

Amongst the writers who gathered around the dinner table with her was Ha Jae-Gun.

“Congratulations, Director Lee,” Ha Jae-Gun said as he mixed his bowl of noodles.

Lee Eun-Ha grinned as she shook her head.

“It’s nothing worth congratulating.

It’s all because of your original .” “No way.

It’s definitely because of your outstanding directing.” “Well, it’s still something worth complimenting you for.

At least you’re not ruining the great original like a certain director.” Yang Hyun-Kyung added while chewing on his noodles.

“How much higher will the ratings go? The ratings for the first episode are already off the charts.” Beside Yang Hyun-Kyung, Kang Min-Ho nodded in agreement and added, “I think the ratings might go over thirty percent.

Although I feel slightly apologetic toward both Director Lee and Writer Ha, I never expected that the response would be this great.

There's another popular drama on the same time slot, and people don't just watch programs on public channels nowadays, too.”

Even Jang Eun-Young, who had been focusing on her meal, added, “I don't think it'll be difficult to hit thirty percent in ratings.

I think it's showing signs of a huge hit.” Ha Jae-Gun smiled as he inhaled a huge mouthful of noodles.

In fact, the results of the drama's success were already showing.

The earliest sign was that the sales of his were increasing once more.

The viewers of the drama naturally gained interest in the and sought to purchase it, turning them into his readers.

“Is everything fine with Director Yoon Tae-Sung?” Ha Jae-Gun changed the topic of the conversation and asked about Yoon Tae-Sung.

Lee Eun-Ha immediately turned pouty as she slurped on her noodles.

“You know what he's like when he's working.

He would only be focused on work and work alone.

I went to see him at the filming site for Storm and Gale once, and he even ignored me.

He looked like he was half out of his mind.” “Director Yoon can be quite hyperfocused.

I was also surprised when I went to find him at the filming site for There Was A Sea.” “Well, I doubt you should be all that surprised when you’re the scarier one who must finish writing once you’ve started.

While we’re on the topic, you should also take care of your own health, Writer Ha.

Thankfully, you’ve got a partner who can always take care of you now.” Their meal ended on a good note.

Ha Jae-Gun was enjoying his coffee as he stood on the terrace when he suddenly felt the atmosphere in the office turn bleak.

He looked around instinctively and realized what the reason was.

‘It’d be noisy if Yeon-Woo was around.’ It looked like the office was bustling with the four new writers around, but all of them added together lacked vitality compared to one single person.

The frequency of Ha Jae-Gun seeing Lee Yeon-Woo around in the office had been decreasing over time as the latter had been spending more time at his parent’s place in Suwon.

Lee Yeon-Woo would only come to the office three days a week.

‘Is he really fine?’ However, there was no issue in particular that Ha Jae-Gun could point out.

Even when he asked Lee Yeon-Woo personally, Lee Yeon-Woo would only reply that everything was fine.

In fact, he was doing great.

He was even working on his diligently, submitting chapters on time.

What bothered Ha Jae-Gun was actually Lee Yeon-Woo’s smile.

His smiles looked somewhat awkward and contrived, as if he was trying to hide an unspeakable pain.

“Ms.

So-Mi seems to be quite busy these days as well.

I miss seeing her cute face around.” Jang Eun-Young mumbled from behind.

Ha Jae-Gun took a sip of his coffee and nodded.

Indeed, Lee Yeon-Woo wasn’t the only person to be distancing himself from this office.

Bzzt! Ha Jae-Gun’s phone rang in his pocket.

He stopped thinking about both Lee Yeon-Woo and Jung So-Mi as he answered the call.

“Yes, Director.” — Hello, Mr.

Ha.

Have you had lunch? “Yes, I did.

I was about to head over to the library.” Ha Jae-Gun hung up the call shortly after and headed to the washroom to brush his teeth.

He was scheduled to hold a lecture today at the library.

Instead of wearing his usual casual outfit, he was donning a suit today just for the lecture.

“Jae-Gun hyung, you’ve got toothpaste here.” “Ah, it must have splattered.

Thank you.” Ha Jae-Gun took the tissue that Yang Hyun-Kyung had offered and wiped a spot on his shoulder.

As he checked himself out for one last time in the mirror, Yang Hyun-Kyung said, “I think you look great every time I see you.” “What are you going to say now?” “With the success of your dramas, commercial deals come rushing in like floods, but you just rejected them all.

And seeing how you still hold such lectures that do not give you any monetary benefits is just, I’m not sure what to say exactly....” “If you don’t know, then you don’t have to say anything.” “Anyway, I always learn something from you—money isn’t everything for example.” “Isn’t that line something that doesn’t fit your character as a former self-made investor?” “Ah, hyung.

Please stop mentioning the stock...” Back then, Lee Yeon-Woo had consoled the child in Ha Jae-Gun's stead, as he was feeling under the weather at the time.

“Wow, your child has grown so much already? How lovable.

Wow, that finger.” “Kids grow fast.

Your lecture today was amazing, as usual, Mr.

Ha.

I'm extremely happy since it's a rest day for my company, too.

Thank you so much for the great lecture.” Ha Jae-Gun grinned at the reader.

Even her child giggled happily and was touching Ha Jae-Gun's cheek with their tiny hands.

The section chief looked uncomfortable as he watched from the sides.

His patience had obviously run out as he waved his hand dismissively at the lady, “Ma’am, you can talk to Mr.

Ha another time; he’s busy, okay?” Ha Jae-Gun was astonished, turning pale.

The lady was both perplexed and flustered as her face turned red with embarrassment.

She retreated and said, “Ah...

I’m sorry.

I didn’t know—Ah!” She had unknowingly retreated onto the steps behind her and lost her balance.

Ha Jae-Gun caught her before she fell.

“T-thank you.” “Are you available? Do you have to return now?” “Pardon? N-no...?” “Let me treat you to a cup of tea here at the lounge, then.

Let’s go.” Ha Jae-Gun and the housewife turned around, heading toward the exit.

The section chief was bewildered at the turn of events and stared after them in a daze for a few moments before following behind.

“Um, Mr.

Ha? As I’ve mentioned earlier, the head of the district office has arranged for a meeting....” “I’m not going,” Ha Jae-Gun replied with a cold glare.

“It’s not that I can’t go, but I won’t go.

I’m not here to meet the head of the district office today; I’m here to meet my readers.” “Mr.

Ha...

I....” “The person who should be considerate of my busy schedule shouldn’t be my reader, but you, section chief.

Please don’t intervene, do you understand?” The section chief was speechless and stood there gulping his saliva with fear.

Ha Jae-Gun led the housewife along.

As he walked, he recalled the conversation he had with Kwon Tae-Won over the phone about the lecture; Kwon Tae-Won said that there would be more bothersome things coming up in the future.

‘At least there’s an interesting story to tell.’ Ha Jae-Gun pulled out his notepad and wrote down the new subject, who would become the main character for his new short story in the Market Place.

It wasn’t a fruitless day.

Ha Jae-Gun thought that he wouldn’t be meeting the head of the district office again in the future.

***

Clatter! The glass cup that was filled with milk hit the wall and shattered into pieces.

Chae Bo-Ra was seething in anger, drawing in deep breaths to calm herself down.

Right after Healthy White Paper, another variety program named Come Over To Play also rejected her appearance on the show.

It was almost impossible to know how long it had been since she left her house for any broadcast schedules.

‘How can anyone force someone into their wits’ end...?! Shouldn’t they at least give some breathing space!?’ Playing on the TV in the living room was the music video of the new girl group HyperSoda.

Chae Bo-Ra then recalled that the group was having their debut showcase today.

Their single was released for the first time at noon.

‘That bitch...

how dare she ignore me after gaining some popularity?!’ Chae Bo-Ra glared at the TV, staring intently at one person on the screen.

She was staring only at Han Yu-Na.

Han Yu-Na had been gaining a lot of attention since she appeared on I Live Alone with Ha Jae-Gun as a guest.

Viewers loved how she expressed her appreciation through dance, and thanks to that, she earned herself more screen time.

She even gained the nickname—second literary girl—second only to Lee Chae-Rin.

However, Han Yu-Na was revolting in Chae Bo-Ra's eyes.

She had never imagined that Han Yu-Na would gain so much attention from others.

Even their agency’s CEO was seeing Han Yu-Na in a different light; he had high expectations for the group, saying that they would soon be the face of the agency.

‘So that’s how things are going, huh...? You’re extremely suspicious, you wicked witch.’ Bo-Ra bit her lips, and then she went to change her clothes.

It would take her thirty minutes to reach the showcase venue by taxi.

If she left now, she could make it before the showcase ended.Read 𝓁atest chapters at Only