Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 263

“Tada~ The bride has arrived.”

Jaerin’s cheerful line caught me completely off guard.

Why was Jaerin here?

What connection could an idol possibly have with The Pianist?

While I was trying to piece things together,

the answer came quicker than expected.

“You’re the second-act female lead?”

“Did you figure it out that fast? We’ve said, like, two lines.”

That part of her was always so charming.

She said it with a smile, then threw herself into my arms.

“I missed you so, so, so much. Video calls and texts just weren’t enough.”

“You were on a world tour. You’ve been insanely busy. Are things settled now?”

“Completely. I’m finally on personal time.”

Snuggle, snuggle.

She nuzzled her face into my chest, and I ran my hand through her hair as we caught up.

“You used your personal time to come audition?”

“They said it didn’t matter who it was, as long as they could act and you were involved. So I applied right away.”

“Aren’t you tired? Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“This is my way of resting.”

Jaerin rubbed her face into me a few more times before stepping back, clearly satisfied.

“Everything besides the shoot is rest time, so, uh... come visit me at the hotel later.”

There was no mistaking what she meant by that.

I nodded and replied teasingly.

“Did you build up your stamina?”

“T-That’s... that’s a different kind of stamina, okay? Dancing’s not the same thing!”

While we were goofing around after reuniting—

“Excuse me. There’s still time before we start filming, but I wanted to explain something.”

The director approached cautiously with a script in hand.

Now that I thought about it, Evelyn still hadn’t shown up.

Could this be about that?

And sure enough—

“Because of that attacker last time, CAE decided to postpone filming until she stabilizes.”

The director informed me Evelyn wouldn’t be joining.

Honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

Actually, doing it this way was probably the right call.

Even I had a hard time convincing Seokho hyung to let me come back.

It was pure luck that nothing happened last time.

Just the fact that I’d faced an armed attacker made it an insanely dangerous situation.

Even if it was a shoot backed by Disney,

if they couldn’t guarantee 100% safety, it was only natural to be scared.

I really wanted to go. I’m so sorry.

The boss was furious...

But it’s not a contract breach or anything. It’ll just take a little time.

I’m really sorry. Really.

As soon as the director finished talking, Evelyn’s message came through.

She’d been quiet lately, and now I knew why.

<It’s okay.

<I’ll wait for you.

I miss you.

<Me too.

I replied quickly so she wouldn’t worry.

Then turned to the director and gave the same reassurance.

“It was no ordinary incident. Honestly, I completely understand.”

“I’m sorry. It’s our fault for not preventing it.”

Technically speaking, it wasn’t even Disney’s fault.

It was mine.

If I’d kept taking those calm blessings,

it would’ve been like a gate opened—attackers would’ve kept showing ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) up on set.

This entire mess started because of me.

Which meant I felt even more sorry than anyone else.

To be precise, it was fate’s fault.

But that bastard didn’t seem interested in apologizing, so what could I do?

“Please don’t blame yourself. It’s like a natural disaster.”

How can anyone prepare for people who live beyond the bounds of common sense?

After saying that, I stepped away to get my makeup done.

Since we were starting with Act 2,

nothing was impacted.

Filming didn’t happen in order anyway.

My job hasn’t changed.

I was an actor.

Nothing more, nothing less.

***

After Kim Donghu left without a hint of complaint,

the set was swept with a strange wave of admiration.

“As expected... it’s Donghu Kim.”

“This is why people call him a leader.”

“I’m touched.”

“...Is the director crying?”

The director of The Pianist,

Bacon, quickly wiped his eyes.

“A-ah no, I’m not crying... it’s just sweat from the heart.”

After working with so many Hollywood stars,

after being hurt again and again by their hidden power trips—

To meet someone like Kim Donghu, who had none of that.

A star who never used his position to crush the people around him.

That kind of humility was anything but easy.

And it’s not like he doesn’t assert his own rights either.

He wasn’t some pushover who got walked on for being too nice.

He knew exactly where to draw the line.

Knowing how rare and difficult that was,

Director Bacon found Kim Donghu all the more impressive.

It was the kind of incident where most people would’ve flipped the table in fury and torn up the contract—

but he just quietly continued filming.

Dozens of people had been able to keep their jobs because of that decision.

And on top of that—

He has connections to the top idol in the world right now.

K-pop.