Chapter 31: Dragged

The emergency room scene shoot that began early in the morning didn’t wrap up until late lunch.

It wasn’t because anyone made an NG, but since there were multiple cameras, they had to film repeatedly from different angles.

Watching them obsessively reshoot the same scene three or four times, Han-geon couldn’t help clicking his tongue in disbelief.

“Cut!

Let’s eat lunch.”

The director shouted with a satisfied expression.

Han-geon quickly ran toward Eun-gyeol.

“You worked so hard.

Wasn’t it exhausting?”

“Mm.

Water.”

“Yeah.”

When Han-geon handed him a bottle of water, Eun-gyeol drank half of it in a single go.

Fatigue was written clearly across his face.

Suppressing the urge to stroke him, Han-geon took out the portable fan he’d prepared and aimed it at Eun-gyeol’s face.

Eun-gyeol blinked in surprise.

“What’s this?

You brought it?”

“Yeah.

You get overheated easily…”

“Pff.”

The stern expression he’d worn throughout the heavy scene suddenly melted.

Even when he felt a bit embarrassed by the small laugh that escaped Eun-gyeol, Han-geon kept diligently drying his sweat-soaked forehead with the fan.

Soon Yujin joined and gently wiped Eun-gyeol’s sweat.

“You never used to carry around something like that.”

“…I saw on YouTube that managers all bring them around.”

What was so funny?

Listening to Eun-gyeol laugh out loud, Yujin stared with a surprised expression.

“Cha Eun-gyeol… Are you laughing during a shoot right now?

Are you really Cha Eun-gyeol?”

“Stop picking a fight.

Do I look like I’m crying instead?”

“Yep, that attitude proves it’s you.”

“It’s funny.

Imagining that little Han-geon buying something this cutesy while thinking of me.”

Maybe it was because the fan was pink with Hello Kitty on it.

Eun-gyeol couldn’t stop giggling.

Regardless, Han-geon pretended not to notice and continued drying his forehead.

He’d picked the fan because it had strong power; he didn’t look at the design at all.

As long as it worked, who cared?

“Let’s eat and fix your makeup afterward.”

“Yeah yeah, food first.”

Han-geon walked with the group to the meal area set up next to the set.

The line was already long.

“Chaol sent a food truck today, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Wooow, I’m excited.

I’m starving.

I really want the chili shrimp and cold pig’s feet.”

Yujin rubbed his belly eagerly.

As the line shortened, they could see the long rows of prepared food and a banner hanging above.

[Wishing <Heart for Love> great success!

Enjoy the food, and please take good care of actor Cha Eun-gyeol!]

As a fellow member of Chaol, seeing the banner made his heart swell and a smile rise to his face.

Before, he used to secretly chip in money behind the scenes; now he could stand here openly, receiving food in the same line…

“Eat a lot, Eun-gyeol.”

“Mm.

You too.”

Side by side, they received their food.

The dishes were endless—various meals, fruits, desserts piled high.

While filling his own plate, Han-geon kept glancing at Eun-gyeol’s.

As expected, Eun-gyeol was picking tiny bird-sized portions again, so Han-geon scolded him lightly to get more.

They found empty seats and sat down.

Then a cheerful voice approached.

“Oh?

Sunbae-nim, manager-nim, hello.”

Carrying a tray and walking toward them with long strides was Yoo Junseong.

Wearing a bright, friendly smile, Junseong naturally sat beside Han-geon.

Instantly, Eun-gyeol’s expression darkened.

“Who told you to sit here?”

“…Sorry?”

“It means I don’t want to eat while looking at your face.”

His eyes were fixed sharply on Junseong.

The blade-cold voice instantly froze the atmosphere.

Even the team leader and Yujin, caught off guard, hesitated to intervene.

Han-geon, pale, hurriedly called him.

“Cha Eun-gyeol…!”

No.

Not here.

Not like this.

Rumors would spread even if nothing happened.

With so many actors and staff around, this was the worst place for it.

But Eun-gyeol’s icy eyes remained locked on Junseong.

Before he could speak, Han-geon urgently called again.

“…Gyeol.”

A crack appeared in Eun-gyeol’s frozen expression.

He glanced at Han-geon.

Taking the moment, Han-geon shook his head earnestly—begging him not to fight.

“…Haah.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Eun-gyeol tossed down his fork.

When he tried to stand, Han-geon held his shoulder and pushed him back down.

“Where are you going?

Hm?”

“I’m not eating.

Lost my appetite.”

“You still have to eat.

We’re filming until late…”

Han-geon pleaded anxiously, his voice full of worry.

Though Eun-gyeol looked ready to explode, he stayed seated.

Relieved, Han-geon picked up a piece of braised short rib from his plate.

It smelled delicious—one of Eun-gyeol’s favorites.

His mom always called Eun-gyeol over whenever she made it.

“Come on.

Try it.

It’s your favorite.”

He picked the most tender piece and held it out.

Thankfully, without complaint, Eun-gyeol opened his mouth and took it.

Han-geon’s face lit up with joy.

The way his lips and cheeks moved while chewing was so cute he wanted to pet him.

“This too.

You love shrimp.”

Once Eun-gyeol swallowed, he fed him a creamy shrimp.

Again, Eun-gyeol accepted quietly.

At this rate, Han-geon felt he could feed him every bite on his plate.

“Wow, he’s such a baby.”

“Seriously.

Total princess, aren’t you, Cha Eun-gyeol?”

The team leader and Yujin teased lightly, relief obvious in their voices.

While the team leader talked with Eun-gyeol about the shoot, Junseong whispered quietly to Han-geon.

“I’m sorry.

I shouldn’t have come over.

I ruined the mood.

You’re working so hard, manager-nim.”

Han-geon shook his head.

“No, no.

It’s fine.”

“I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Please eat before it gets cold.”

Seeing how much Eun-gyeol disliked him, there must be some reason—maybe they clashed once or their personalities simply didn’t match.

Whatever it was, Han-geon knew he’d need to quietly prevent them from interacting as much as possible.

To reduce Eun-gyeol’s stress, and to avoid rumors.

Still, now that Junseong was already sitting, Han-geon couldn’t very well tell him to leave because “our Eun-gyeol doesn’t like you.” As a manager, he had to handle things politely so Eun-gyeol’s image wouldn’t be harmed.

“Thank you.

You should eat a lot too, manager-nim.”

Junseong treated him with surprising friendliness—more than he needed to.

Was it because Han-geon managed a famous actor?

Was he trying to get closer to Eun-gyeol through him?

But in truth, Junseong didn’t seem interested in Eun-gyeol at all.

“Wow, you eat a lot.

Well, your body’s impressive.

You must eat to maintain that.”

And he only spoke when he wouldn’t disturb Eun-gyeol—when Yujin distracted him or the team leader engaged him.

Naturally, Han-geon ended up responding.

“I… yes, I get that a lot.”

“I eat a lot too, but my manager tells me to slow down when filming.

My clothes stop fitting—my body expands like a rubber band.”

“Same here.

If I drop my workout routine at all, I gain immediately.”

Junseong smiled warmly.

His gently curved eyes and bright grin were overwhelming.

Han-geon stared without realizing it—anyone would, with a top celebrity smiling right next to them.

Their eyes met.

It wasn’t long enough to be intense, but not short enough to be nothing.

Han-geon’s pupils trembled.

He was confused.

Why… is he looking at me like that?

Just then, across the table, Eun-gyeol stood.

His plate was still half full.

Han-geon quickly looked at him.

“You’re done already?

You should eat a little more… You left so much.”

Cold eyes moved from Han-geon’s face to Junseong’s, slicing through both.

His fingertips twitched instinctively.

He was definitely angry.

“Come with me.

Choi Han-geon.”

“…Huh?”

Why now?

Why again?

Han-geon hurriedly bowed to the others and cleared his tray before chasing after Eun-gyeol.

Almost everyone was eating, so outside was quiet.

Eun-gyeol marched straight to the van.

He turned sharply and held out his hand.

“Keys.”

“Where… where are we going?”

No reply, just a sharp flick of his eyes.

Han-geon had no choice but to hand over the keys.

“Tell me where we’re going.

I can drive—”

“No need.

Get in.”

His clipped voice was icy.

Han-geon stayed silent and climbed in.

Fine.

If he was going to blow up, better in private.

Maybe he could calm Eun-gyeol somewhere quiet.

The car soon stopped—at the hotel next to the set where the whole staff was staying.

Without a word, they entered the elevator.

It stopped on the 15th floor.

“Why are we—”

The moment the door opened, his wrist was seized—hard enough to shock him.

Eun-gyeol had never grabbed him so forcefully before.

“A-ah!”

The next thing he knew, his body hit the bed with weighty force.

He stared in disbelief.

Had Eun-gyeol just dragged him and thrown him onto the bed?

Stunned, Han-geon stared up at him.