69novels Chapter 170: BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Chapter 170: BUTTERFLY EFFECT
HAAAH.
Wonyoung had a simple wish.
He just wanted to act.
To be honest, he wasn’t even sure if the ’normal’ world that he lived in was a parallel world, or just a long dream.
Hence, he could no longer claim that he had already experience being a successful actor.
"Wonyoung-ah, what’s wrong?" Yun Dujun asked worriedly. "Are you tired? Should we rest here before we return to Seoul?"
After the stressful talk with Jeong Semin, the young shaman went out to play with Yun Yuhyun as if nothing happened. An Baekya followed Jeong Semin, and it was obvious he wanted to talk to the young shaman.
As a result, Wonyoung and Yun Dujun were left in the room.
"I want to go back to acting as soon as possible, Hyung," Wonyoung said, sighing. "I know this isn’t the right time to worry about my acting career, but I suddenly feel this hunger to succeed as an actor."
Despite Yun Dujun’s strong opposition, Wonyoung still checked the internet from time to time.
Yeah, there were still people bashing them and calling them liars for hiding their marriage.
But the overall opinion of the public wasn’t as bad as he expected.
It’s a good thing that we’re actors and not idols.
"I think we can still make a comeback," Wonyoung said, sounding very hopeful. "I mean, Hyung’s career is barely affected negatively. The few brands that dropped you the moment the scandal broke out received so much backlash from your fans that they turned off their comment sections. I haven’t lost anything since I have no brand deals yet. And Director Kang hasn’t fired me yet."
But Wonyoung didn’t know what would happen to their drama.
After all, Actor Kim Seojun is in hot controversy after it was revealed that he has a sponsor. He forced Writer Shin to give him a special role in the drama. I haven’t heard about what would happen now that he has a scandal worse than mine.
Was their drama destined to fail, after all?
"I understand. We’ll wrap this up quickly so you can return to acting," Yun Dujun assured him. "And don’t worry about getting fired from your drama. Spencer Hyung is the drama’s biggest investor, so Director Kang can’t fire you. The only one he can fire is Kim Seojun."
"Oh, I was just thinking about the same thing, Hyung. Kim Seojun’s scandal didn’t get as huge as our scandal, but his image is completely destroyed now. People are attacking him for being a sugar baby."
But it wasn’t the only reason.
Stories where Kim Seojun used his sponsor’s power to steal roles from other actors or bully rookies have emerged. Most stories even have proofs attached. And that’s why people are hating on him.
And rightfully so.
"Wonyoung-ah, I’ll protect your career," Yun Dujun assured him. "So, please don’t worry too much. Think of it of just having a short break. We need to lay low in the meantime anyway."
"Okay, Hyung," Wonyoung said while nodding. "Are you going to reach out to Lee Heeju? It seems like Jeong Semin is willing to be sent to the island in exchange for Lim Bada."
"Well, we have no choice but to cooperate with that bastard. If we fail to save Lim Bada, I have a feeling that Jeong Semin will really send us back to the original timeline."
"Kids these days are scary, aren’t they?"
"They sure are," Yun Dujun agreed while nodding. "But we’re not exactly dealing with kids here, are we?"
Oh, that was a good point.
Wonyoung sighed while shaking his head. "I hope those kids could live as normal kids in the future."
***
"SEMIN Hyung, are you still mad at me?" An Baekya asked while following Jeong Semin, who was headed to the vegetable garden to "play" with Yun Yuhyun. "I didn’t approach Uncle Bada in this timeline because I didn’t want him to get involved in my problem."
"I kinda know that you’d do that," Jeong Semin said casually. "I didn’t forget that you’re a selfish bastard. I know exactly what kind of person I helped. So, honestly, this is on me. I just lashed out to you earlier because you proved me right. That you only care about yourself."
The young shaman’s words hurt a bit, but he couldn’t refute that.
Having said that...
"But what did I do wrong? I wasn’t the one who put Uncle Bada in danger," An Baekya said. "If you left him alone like I did, then none of this would have happened."
Jeong Semin suddenly stopped talking, and then he turned around to face him. "An Baekya, I did what I did because I realized you had no intention of letting Bae Wonyoung find out the truth about the past. That’s why I had to write a ’novel’ and use Bada Hyung as my representative. After all, the publishing house wouldn’t have taken a kid like me seriously."
"Did it have to be Bada Hyung?"
"Well, Bada Hyung is studying Film in a prestigious University. it’s believable that someone like him is good at writing a manuscript. Plus, he could use the money that I pay him for being my representative."
Right.
If I remember correctly, Semin Hyung came from a wealthy family in the original timeline. But he’s a bastard child, so he was treated badly in the past.
This time seemed to be different, though.
"I used my ability to control my family. No, not in a supernatural way. I simply brought luck to my grandfather. And I’m now his favorite grandson," Jeong Semin explained. "But we’re just an ordinary rich family. We’re nothing compared to a chaebol. Heck, we’re not even as rich as Yun Dujun. That’s why I still need your help to rescue Bada Hyung."
"So, you didn’t expect Lee Heeju to steal the manuscript and kidnap my uncle?"
"Lee Heeju wasn’t supposed to know about the manuscript. Even the old shaman shouldn’t have been aware of it. But we’ve already messed up a lot of things ever since we reached this timeline. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if the old shaman gained a vision or something. This might be the butterfly effect of our regression."
Butterfly effect, huh?
Yeah, that explains it.
"Lee Heeju and the old shaman are probably working together now," Jeong Semin said. "I don’t have enough divine power to win against the old shaman alone. But, thankfully, Bae Wonyoung is brimming with luck. If I stay next to him, I’ll win. Somehow."
"Are you saying that we should send you to the island with Appa in exchange for Uncle Bada?"
"Of course. I’ll die if you send me alone there. What’s the use of saving Bada Hyung if I die early? I want to spend my life with him in this timeline."
"Eww. Uncle Bada is too old for you."
It didn’t matter in the original timeline because Jeong Semin and Uncle Bada were already both consenting adults when they met.
But Semin Hyung is a child while Uncle Bada is already an adult in this timeline.
"Bada Hyung is only 20 years old, and I’m 12. An eight-year age gap doesn’t matter once I’m an adult."
"Don’t make a move on my uncle and make him look like a pedo."
"I know. I’m being patient. He just sees me as a kid anyway."
"And rightfully so."
Jeong Semin clicked his tongue. "If you weren’t Bada Hyung’s nephew—"
"Semin Hyung, Baekya, look!"
Both An Baekya and Jeong Semin turned to Yun Yuhyun.
The innocent kid was holding a basket full of newly harvested sweet potatoes while Shaman Jung was walking behind him.
"Let’s eat these sweet potatoes that we harvested!"
***
"WE HAVE the child."
Wonyoung gulped while listening to Yun Dujun talk to Lee Heeju on the phone.
The call was on loudspeaker, hence he could listen to it well.
Since Jeong Semin agreed to be a hostage in exchange for Lim Bada’s safety.
Of course, Dujun Hyung and I will accompany Jeong Semin.
An Baekya and Yun Yuhyun would not be joining them, of course.
"Dujun-ah, I know you’ll be receiving help from the new chaebol friends you made."
Tsk.
So, Lee Heeju was already aware that their family became friends with two powerful chaebol families, huh?
The chaebols were a small circle.
Hence, it wasn’t a surprise that the news reached Lee Heeju.
"I can’t fight both SG Group’s Chairman Song Sihyuk and Ilsung Group’s President Kim Heedo at the same time. Compared to those two giants, our Junsung Group is nothing."
Wow.
Impressive.
Wonyoung would never ever get his head wrapped around how rich chaebols were.
Junsung Group is already a chaebol family beyond my imagination. And, yet, Lee Heeju sounds scared of the SG Group and the Ilsung Group.
Just what kind of friends did his children make?
"So, you have to give me a handicap here. I’ll only make a deal with you if you promise that the shamans serving the SG Group and the Ilsung Group wouldn’t intervene. I would know if you bring them with you, so don’t even think about lying."
"You’re the only liar here," Wonyoung said, scoffing. "Song Sihyuk-ssi will bring me, Dujun Hyung, and Jeong Semin to his island, the one close to yours. But we’ll bring a bodyguard with us since we can’t trust your lying ass."
Yun Dujun cleared his throat, obviously surprised by Wonyoung’s vulgar language.
But he just ignored the Alpha.
"Ah, Wonyoung-ssi. Of course, that should be fine. But you’re not bringing An Baekya and Yun Yuhyun? I kind of miss Yuhyun."
"Don’t even think about involving my kids in this mess. If you insist on dragging Baekya and Yuhyun, then the deal is off. I don’t care what happens to Lim Bada anymore. I’ll sacrifice anyone for the sake of my kids."
Wonyoung was pretty serious this time.
Yes, Jung Semin threatened them that he would bring them back to the original timeline if they failed to save Lim Bada.
But he didn’t want Lee Heeju to think that he had the upper-hand there.
"I was just messing with you, so don’t get riled up. I only need the child who wrote the novel."
"And we’ll give him to you in exchange for Lim Bada’s freedom," Wonyoung said sternly. Yeah, he had taken over the conversation. He figured he could do it better than Yun Dujun. "We won’t let other shamans get involved in our business. But we’ll ask Song Sihyuk to protect us, so we can live the island safely. That’s our condition."
"Did you think I wouldn’t let you leave the island alive?"
"I wouldn’t put it past you to kill me and lock up Dujun Hyung in your island."
Lee Heeju laughed, but it was a bitter one.
"I’ll give you the details later."
And then Lee Heeju ended the call.
Wonyoung clicked his tongue, annoyed. "What a jerk."
***
"PAPA, why are you and Daddy going on a trip without us? It’s unfair. We want to go, too! Right, Baekya?"
"No, I don’t want to intrude on Appa and Abeoji’s trip."
"Yah. You’re really annoying."
Pfft.
Wonyoung told the kids that he and Yun Dujun wouldn’t be home starting tomorrow.
We’re heading to the island tomorrow morning.
Hence, he informed the kids of their "trip" while having dinner with them.
Yun Dujun couldn’t join them because the Alpha was talking to Song Sihyuk and helping the chaebol-slash-mafia arrange their plan for tomorrow.
I’m not comfortable around Sihyuk-ssi, so I just let Dujun Hyung deal with him.
"Kids, stop fighting in front of your food," Wonyoung scolded the kids lightly. "Yuhyun-ah, please be patient for now. Your daddy and I will make it up to you and Baekya later."
"Then I have a wish, Papa," Yun Yuhyun said, his eyes sparkling. "Can you and Abeoji drive us to school tomorrow?"
Oh?
"We don’t have to hide that you and Daddy are my parents, right?" Yun Yuhyun asked nervously. "I always feel jealous of my classmates whenever I see their parents drive them to school. I also want Papa and Daddy to drop me off to school and walk me to my classroom. I wanna brag that I have parents, too."
Aww.
Wonyoung almost burst into tears.
My son’s wish is simple. I can’t believe he’s been feeling this way all this time. But I should have known. Of course, he’ll feel jealous of his classmates who can show off their parents without a problem.
To be honest, he wanted to protect Yun Yuhyun and An Baekya’s privacy.
If we show up at school, then people will know that they are our children.
But how could he turn down his baby’s simple request?
"Alright, let’s do that," Wonyoung said, smiling and nodding. "Your daddy and I will drop you off to school tomorrow."
***
WONYOUNG and Yun Dujun did drop off the kids at school, but...
"Papa, Daddy! My eyes hurt!"
Tsk.
Wonyoung removed his jacket and covered Yun Yuhyun and An Baekya with it to protect the kids from the flashes of cameras around them.
Yun Dujun and Han Myung were blocking the reporters from approaching them.
But since they were cornered, they couldn’t move from their spot.
How did the reporters find out that we’ll be here today?!
Were Yun Yuhyun and An Baekya’s identities already exposed?!
***
NOTE: So sorry for the sudden hiatus! Something unfortunate happened (power outage, my devices breaking down). I rarely ask for this, but if you can, please visit my ko-fi account (ko-fi.com/sola_cola) and buy coffee/tip/donate to help with my emergency expenses. You can also ask for a writing commission. Thank you. :)
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