“I didn’t start working as a secretary from the beginning. When the director decided to shoot an independent film without any support from a major production company, it was a tough situation. We managed to raise production funds through crowdfunding, but it was far from enough. Still, we somehow managed to get into film production with just that budget, and, of course, it was inadequate in many ways. I was one of the crew members back then, running around every day to find locations, often having a simple rice ball as a meal on the street.”
While talking about the hardships of that time, her face seemed to overflow with vitality. Although it was our first meeting today, I hadn’t expected her to show such a lively expression.
On the contrary, the more vitality radiated from her face, the darker mine became proportionally. It was a natural thing, but for some reason, it felt somewhat disheartening. I envied, or rather, felt a surge of energy from her, who knew Jun in the time I was unaware of. No, it was more like admiration.
Whether she noticed my feelings or not, she shyly smiled and spoke again. I tightly gripped my hands hidden under the table.
She said, “To capture the snowy landscape of Hokkaido, I went there wearing three sweaters and three pairs of socks, filming and ending up sick the next day. We didn’t have enough budget for filming equipment, so we even climbed on top of a truck to take establishing shots. Considering the director’s current reputation and the abundant production conditions, it might feel like a distant past, but it was like that back then. After one hardship, another awaited, but it was good because there was vigor and passion. Maybe even more than now.”
Secretary Yoon’s story of hardships might have also been Jun’s hardships, so while listening to her story, I recalled Jun.
In the midst of it, her nostalgic words longing for a past day filled with even more vigor and passion than now sounded like implying that Jun was not like that anymore.
“I see. You’ve been through a lot in many ways. Both the director and the secretary.”
Only a hollow response came from my mouth. A lightweight, meaningless reply spoken by someone who wasn’t there in that past position.
“You’ve been through a lot. A lot, but…”
Her intense gaze began to weigh down on me.
“That movie is ‘The Train.’ It’s the director’s debut and representative work. When the director mentioned planning such a film for the first time, there was no one to lend a hand to a director with no significant experience to boast about other than a diploma from a famous U.S. university. So, ‘The Train’ was a movie made with the minimum budget, thanks to the director, the staff, and those who generously donated to cover the production costs. And that movie, made in that way, surpassed everyone’s expectations and became a tremendous success, as they say.”
Secretary Yoon tapped the side of the teacup with her long fingernails, choosing her words for a moment.
“Even if you’re not actively involved in the film industry, Miss Haru, I’m sure you’re well aware of how crucial this time is for the director. The director used to face rejection from numerous production companies, labeled as someone wasting production funds with no hot material to offer. But now, production companies are lining up to invest in the director’s next project, driven solely by the director’s name value. In a metaphorical sense, it feels like a stage is set for the director to realize their dream.”
I felt like a nodding dog doll. I wondered what would follow this. My nerves tensed. I watched her as she brought the teacup to her lips again. The time until she put the teacup back down felt quite long.
“That director… is now trying to step down from that stage. Saying there’s nothing for him up there. What do you think is the reason for that?”
I never expected the first question thrown at me would be of this nature. I couldn’t come up with any words.
As my tightly sealed lips showed no signs of opening, Secretary Yoon clarified the meaning of the question she had just asked.
“After climbing so hard onto that stage, all he needs to do now is build up a shining career. Why do you think he suddenly started having such foolish thoughts?”
It felt like standing in front of a sharp-tipped spear pointed directly at me. Jun, giving up his career as a film director. It was something I had never known. I had never heard such a story from Jun even once. I felt short of breath.
“Well, um… I really…”
The faint sound of laughter from her nose corrected my drooping head. I looked at her face sitting in front of me. The trace of the laughter that seemed to mock me moments ago had disappeared, leaving only an expressionless face.
“I won’t beat around the bush. It’s because of Miss Haru.”
“Huh…”
An unintentional sigh escaped.
I couldn’t grasp what I had just heard; it felt surreal. But soon, other thoughts came up. Could it be true? Is that statement really a fact? Since when did Jun start thinking like that, and where did things go wrong?
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
