Chapter 32: SECOND CHANCE FEE
OH, the kid needs a haircut.
That was what entered Wonyoung’s mind while looking at An Baekya who had just finished changing into his pajamas.
The two of them went on a quick shopping spree earlier.
We both need clothes, after all.
Since they only needed temporary clothes while they were staying in the hotel, they just bought stuff from the department store.
"I’ll buy you prettier clothes once we’re back in Seoul, Baekya."
"It’s alright, Uncle Wonyoungie," An Baekya said, sitting on the sofa— next to Wonyoung. "I make cheap clothes look expensive anyway."
Pfft.
Yes, An Baekya was being arrogant.
But he has the face and the charisma to back up his claim.
Moreover...
"I believe you," Wonyoung said while nodding. "After all, you became the global ambassador for several luxury brands, including an Italian fashion house. You were your generation’s ’IT boy.’"
"It seems like you’ve read the entire book about my life story, Uncle Wonyoungie."
"I did. Although my memory is faulty, I remember most of it," Wonyoung said, pausing for a moment. He hesitated before deciding to address the elephant in the room. "I know how Yun Yuhyun, my son, treated you. An Baekya, I know an apology is not and will never be enough. But on behalf of my son, I’d like to apologize for all the horrible things that he has done to you."
"It’s alright, Uncle."
"Baekya..."
There’s no way it’s ’alright.’
"Uncle, I also ’read’ the book called ’Chained to You’ that was supposed to be my life story. But it’s not a biography, and there are scenes that have been exaggerated," An Baekya explained. "I’m not downplaying the horrible things that Yun Yuhyun had done to me. But I was not some pushover Omega who just let him do all of that to me because of love. There was a reason why I stayed with Yun Yuhyun despite everything."
Oh.
It was strange.
An Baekya had the appearance of a child, but his eyes couldn’t hide his real age.
I’ve never seen a ’child’ with such melancholic eyes.
Moreover, An Baekya’s little shoulders were slouching a bit.
It’s as if I were looking at an old man who’s already tired of everything despite An Baekya’s young appearance.
In short, the child was the exact definition of a jaded adult.
"But I can’t tell you about that, Uncle," An Baekya said, and then he turned to Wonyoung with an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry."
"No, you don’t have to apologize, Baekya," Wonyoung said while shaking his head. "I understand. Plus, like you said before, the past doesn’t matter anymore since we’re here to change our lives."
"Thank you for understanding, Uncle."
"Oh. But can you tell me about the 100 billion won that you need to save before you become an adult?"
"Yes, I can talk about that," An Baekya said, nodding. "Uncle, there’s something that I didn’t get to tell you when we talked about the time that I retrieved my past memories. Actually, back then, I got a book that told me that I needed to pay 100 billion won if I wanted to stay in this world. Now that I think about it, isn’t the function of the book similar to the ’System’ that you mentioned before? I got confused because you said the ’System’ was supposed to take the form of a game status window. But mine just looked like an ordinary old book with blank pages."
"Oh, I see," Wonyoung said while nodding. "I guess I focused too much on the generic appearance of the System from the fantasy books I’ve read. But the System doesn’t necessarily have to be a game status window. As long as it helps you navigate your new reality, I believe we can consider that book as your System."
Wonyoung looked and sounded calm, but he was actually freaking out inside.
An Baekya has a System? That’s freaking cool!
"Baekya, does the book have a physical form?"
An Baekya shook his head. "The first and the last time I saw the book was when I retrieved my memories. It said I needed to have 100 billion won ready by the time I become an adult. 19 is the legal age in our country, so I still have 14 years to save up."
"You don’t have to wait for that long. I can demand that amount of money from Dujun Sunbae-nim as alimony once we divorce."
"The 100 billion won has to come from my acting or any work related to my career as an actor," An Baekya explained. "Money given to me won’t be accepted by the, uh, System."
Wonyoung clicked his tongue, slightly annoyed. "That System sucks. 100 billion won is easy to demand from the Yuns. Actually, that won’t even suffice as compensation for what you have gone through in the past. But the System has to make it difficult, huh?"
100 billion won was easy to earn for a top actor like Yun Dujun.
But An Baekya was still a child.
Moreover...
"The System wants you to work as a child actor again," Wonyoung said worriedly. "Will you be alright with that, Baekya?"
According to Chained to You, An Baekya had been traumatized a lot as a child actor that he wasn’t able to return as an actor. He did try a bit when he met Yun Yuhyun. But the two’s relationship became so complicated that An Baekya had to quit acting again.
I know the events from the ’novel’ won’t happen this time, but I’m sure An Baekya’s trauma runs deep.
"Uncle, I joined the theatre company of our neighborhood to start overcoming my trauma. I’m that desperate to change my fate," An Baekya said determinedly. "I’m going to be a top actor in this lifetime."
Aww.
How inspiring.
"I’ll support you, Baekya," Wonyoung said, gently patting An Baekya’s shoulder. "I’ll raise you to become a top actor."
***
AN BAEKYA stared at the sleeping Bae Wonyoung quietly.
The penthouse suite only had one bedroom, but the bed was big enough for four adults.
Hence, the two of them decided to sleep next to each other.
Bae Wonyoung slept as soon as his head hit the pillow, but not An Baekya.
He was too anxious to rest next to the person that he needed to survive.
Uncle Wonyoungie, I hope you never realize why you’re so compelled to help me.
Because An Baekya had no intention of returning what he had stolen from Yun Yuhyun to get there.
***
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