“Alright! Director Ko Tae-min has accepted!”
Lee Geum-sook raised her voice, which was a rare occurrence. Well, with no less than Director Ko Tae-min’s help, it was understandable.
She continued with a smile.
“This person is really taken with Miss Sua right now. You’ve all probably heard of Director Ko Tae-min’s network, right? He’s known as a social butterfly among the directors in our country.”
Most of the Netflix personnel nodded, but there were some voices laced with concern.
“Will there be anyone suitable for us among them? After all, what we are trying to produce this time isn’t a movie or a drama, is it? This is more like an entirely new attempt.”
“It’s at least the best option we have. Besides, what kind of group is Righteous Path? There’s at least one person with deep expertise in each genre.”
“Righteous Path? Oh, Righteous Path!”
The Netflix personnel’s eyes widened as the realization dawned on them.
“Why? You know about it?”
“Well, Netflix approached them before. Come to think of it, they were refused back then, weren’t they?”
At this, writer Lee Geum-sook laughed.
“He was probably busy at the time. But when you mention Miss Sua’s name, the tone changes. The attitude shifts, too.”
The team leader, who had remained silent until now, nodded.
“Thanks to Miss Sua, our options have widened considerably. This is why casting the lead actor is important. Even when you do nothing, they stick to you like a magnet.”
“Like a magnet, like a lottery… There’s plenty.”
“Pardon?”
“All of those are Miss Sua’s nicknames.”
As the personnel came to understand the writer Lee Geum-sook’s somewhat sarcastic joke, another woman spoke up.
“I’m actually worried about something else.”
Having caught everyone’s attention, she continued.
“If someone is part of the Righteous Path group, they must be fairly high caliber, which also means they have much to lose. Will they readily take on our challenge?”
It was a seemingly reasonable concern.
The more someone has achieved, the more reluctant they are to take on something challenging. This is especially true in this industry since a single mistake can take everything away.
But…
“Actually, they’re probably eager to participate.”
Writer Lee Geum-sook confidently proclaimed this.
It wasn’t just talk. She took out her phone, showing some articles to the personnel.
[‘Special Mobile Unit 808′ Kim Yu-han’s Outstanding Performance by Sua – Is She the Midas Touch of Acting?]
[Will Sua’s Success Continue?]
[Mystic Gets Flooded with Offers… Is it the Midas Touch Effect? Companies Chase the Newcomer.]
“You may doubt other things, but in the end, Miss Sua is someone you simply can’t help but trust. She hasn’t failed even once yet, right? It’s foolish to let her slip away.”
After that, all the personnel nodded, no one opposing Lee Geum-sook’s statement. Well, why would anyone try to avoid something they’re eagerly looking forward to?
Before long, the team leader broke the silence.
“First, we need to figure out exactly how much the budget is, and what kind of support we can get. We need clear conditions for smooth recruitment.”
“I’ll oversee the casting. Since we have two big-name lead actors, the rest should be fine.”
With this, writer Lee Geum-sook smiled brightly.
“Great! Let’s keep this a secret from Ye-ji for now. She might get too excited and lose focus on the script. Let’s surprise her.”
◈◈◈◈◈
The next day.
Sua brought Sumi to her home.
Why did she suddenly bring her?
Because it was such a rare day off! Moreover, Sua hadn’t shown her newly moved-to house to Sumi yet. Oh, Sumi, praise your mother! Look how successful I am!
Sua gently stroked Sumi’s soft fur.
(Aru-luru-lu)
(Sumi, what do you think of this house? It’s incredible, isn’t it?)
(A-lek-a-lek.)
(Yes, Mother, it’s a truly delightful space.)
Sua’s shoulders rose like a mountain range.
“Uh-heehe, this house is amazing, isn’t it.”
A new house provided by Mystic.
It was hard to believe how quickly it was acquired, being so vast and comfortable. And that’s not all! Thanks to the Mystic team filling it with appliances and furniture, the interior looks great.
“Of course, it’s nothing compared to real wealthy people.”
So what?
The place where Sua used to live… Was it a livestock pen? What should it even be called? Sua’s burrow? This is a hundred times better than that!
Yay, praise me, Sumi!
“If you need anything, tell me. I’ll make sure to get it for you. I’ll bring you here often from now on.”
It was then that Sumi blinked her eyes.
“Um, Mother.”
“Yes?”
“Not because of the facilities or the space, though it’s good, but…”
“Then?”
“The place I used to live in was barren, but this house smells like you. Even in my sleep, I can feel your presence here. That’s what makes it remarkable. Other things don’t matter.”
“…”
Sua tightly embraced Sumi.
“Sumi…”
If angels were to appear in this world, wouldn’t it be Sumi? She doesn’t even reproach Sua’s lack of intelligence!
“…Mom will do better! I’ll succeed even more!”
“Success. Is it about defeating enemies and expanding territory?”
“Hmm?”
Sua hesitated for a moment but…
“Uh… hmm… not wrong?”
Proving her intelligence against those who slander Sua and expanding the house? Hmm? Isn’t that right?
Sua played with Sumi heartily after that, using toys she had bought in advance and even some secret weapons.
Sua held Sumi in her arms while placing a baby bottle in her mouth, filled with specialized pet milk.
…Why? It’s Sumi’s request time. What could she do after promising to give her breast milk?
“Isn’t this world amazing? There’s even special milk for pets.”
Sua observed Sumi’s reaction.
“Is it okay?”
“Yes, this is what mother’s milk tastes like.”
“Uh… hmm…”
“It makes me feel energized.”
Though it was factory-made milk, Sua felt guilty, wishing she were not a fox in such a moment.
It’s because of Sumi’s purity! Sua is so confused!
Meanwhile, her phone lit up.
[ Sua Mobile Unit ]
[ Saeng-ji: Sua! We’re on our way! ]
[ Monkeying: This parking is a mess. ]
[ Monkeying: There are three sports cars lined up. ]
[ Saeng-ji: Who could possibly own something like this? ]
[ Saeng-ji: It feels like another world. ]
[ Monkeying: ㅇ???? ]
[ Saeng-ji: huh? ]
[ Monkeying: ㅁㅊ ]
[ Saeng-ji: Huh ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ ]
Sua couldn’t resist and typed.
[Sua: Why?]
[Sua: What’s wrong?]
[Monkeying: Deer scratched parking.]
[Sua: What? Where is it itchy?]
[Monkeying: Stop the primitive talk.]
[Monkeying: The sports car door was slightly scratched.]
“…?”
Realizing this after a moment, Sua quietly blinked.
No matter how you think about it, it’s her own car.
…
…
…
…
…
A little while later, her friends entered the house.
“Is this a house? Isn’t it a palace? Are you royalty?”
“Wow… Sua, you really did succeed, huh.”
Monkeying and Saeng-ji opened their mouths wide. Sua thought, will their jaws fall apart if they open them any wider?
Meanwhile, they weren’t empty-handed.
“Sua, are you doing well recently? Take care of your health with ginseng.”
“…I thought about buying ginseng following Sister Saeng-ji, but since we’re still young, I decided to buy this instead. Take it.”
Saeng-ji presented ginseng tonic, while Monkeying handed over a roll of toilet paper. Both were practical items in their own way.
And the Deer…
“Crap, is it bad luck sticking to me?”
She was empty-handed.
Who is this person?
Go Eun-bi scratched her head.
“Ah… Driving is so hard. Since I’m a Virtual YouTuber, I bought a car when I suddenly started earning money, but I hardly ever drive… So… Ah, what should I do?”
Saying that, Deer drank the milk on the table.
“Uh, why does this milk taste weird?”
“It’s rich in nutrients.”
“It’s kind of a healthy taste. Give me another glass.”
Sumi pulled Sua’s pants with her mouth.
“Urrr! Urrr!”
(Sumii! This human is stealing Mother’s milk!)
“Aru-rok.”
(No worries. We can buy more for Sumi… Or make some.)
Right at that moment,
Sua’s chest was handed an envelope by Go Eun-bi. Upon opening it, she was surprised—it was full of fifty-thousand-won bills.
“Eun-bi, what’s this for?”
“Every day, I broadcast from home; I’ve never attended a housewarming party. Since I didn’t know what to buy, I just brought money.”
“Ooooh…”
As Sua marveled, Go Eun-bi blushed.
“Why are you staring? It makes me feel awkward. Consider it payment for the milk. It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
Sua couldn’t help but laugh.
That’s the reason Sua didn’t ask the Deer for the car repair fee. Despite her stubborn character, Eun-bi always took care of Sua. This was even before Sua became an actor.
“And make sure to be on the talent show.”
“Hmm.”
Of course, Sua will charge the repair fee. Sua is coldly logical.
Meanwhile, the friends were grabbing their stomachs.
“Wait, Sua, what was that? Were you really talking to the fox?”
“I thought it was a reality-show script or something? Is it real?”
In a playful mood, Sua shouted loudly.
“A-wooooo!”
(Sumi, attack!)
“Ooooww!”
(Attack!)
As Sumi enthusiastically rubbed her cute body against them, the friends couldn’t resist and fell over. The verdict? Instant heart-melting syndrome.
Sumi proudly raised her head.
“A-wooo!”
(Mother, I’ve knocked them all down!)
“A-wooo.”
(Good job, our Sumi.)
Sua smiled purely for the first time in a long while.
It was probably her first smile since she started acting. Simultaneously, she thought that she wanted more days like this and resolved to work toward making that happen.
Even if she becomes smarter slowly, that’s fine.
Sua changed her goal. Simply chasing intelligence was too bleak. Let happiness be the goal.
…
…
…
…
…
– There’s a point. The lower the intelligence, the higher the happiness quotient might be. After all, I’ve seen foolish people laughing and giggling, but I haven’t seen any angry fools.
– Yeah, you thought well. Since you can’t get smarter anyway, it’s better to give up early and focus on other things.
“…”
◈◈◈◈◈
Afterward, time flowed like water.
And finally…
“Sua, we’re starting the photoshoot!”
It was the day for the swimsuit photo shoot.
