The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest

Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 269

As soon as the awards ceremony ended, I headed to the hospital.

I received a message that Han Ha-ram had been asking for me constantly since he woke up.

“Yeon-jae!”

When I opened the hospital room door, Han Ha-ram sat up abruptly in bed.

I gestured to stop him from running towards me.

“Shh. You need to be quiet in the hospital.”

“Quiet?”

“(It means you have to be silent.)”

“(Ah~.)”

He nodded continuously, as if he found the explanation in English fascinating.

“Got it. Quiet!!”

Shouting loudly like that is the opposite of being quiet.

However, his small fingers pressing against his lips were so cute that I couldn't help but chuckle.

“Your cheeks are swollen. Looks like you slept well.”

“Really? Are they really swollen? That's bad!”

“Why is that bad? It's okay. They can swell up more.”

I stroked his cheek and asked if he had any nightmares.

“...I don't know. I don't remember.”

Saying he didn't remember was a lie.

Just from the way he quickly averted his gaze, I could tell.

But I didn't press further and gently patted his forehead.

“That's a relief. Let's go home and sleep more.”

“Oh! Can I sleep at your house tonight? I got permission from Mom!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Han Ha-ram's eyes sparkled with excitement.

I suppressed a laugh and nodded.

“Okay. Then let's go to my place. Let's change clothes first.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Since the discharge process was already completed, all that was left was for him to change out of the patient gown he was wearing.

“Raise your arms.”

As I moved to help him change clothes, he flinched.

“Yeon-jae, I'm not a kid!”

“...?”

When did I ever say you were a kid?

With his eyebrows furrowed, Han Ha-ram shouted at me.

“I can change by myself!”

“I know. I was just trying to help.”

“I'll do it. I can do it by myself.”

Why is he being like this?

I looked at Han Ha-ram, who was stubbornly keeping his lips tightly shut, in confusion.

‘I've already seen everything in the early morning.’

Who does he think put that patient gown on him?

I found his behavior perplexing but stepped back willingly.

“Okay. Then change and come out.”

After speaking to him, I closed the door and stepped out.

The corridor was slightly cooler than the inside of the hospital room.

At that moment, someone approached me as if they had been waiting.

“Um, I didn’t get a chance to say this properly in the early morning, but… thank you so much for saving Ha-ram.”

It was Han Ha-ram's mother.

Since I didn’t do it for gratitude, I responded perfunctorily.

‘Does she have something to say?’

I asked directly, seeing her loitering outside the hospital room instead of entering.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“...”

Han Ha-ram’s mother hesitated slightly before speaking.

“Congratulations on your award. I watched it on TV with Ha-ram earlier.”

“Thank you.”

“...Your acceptance speech was quite impressive too.”

I looked at her silently.

She averted her gaze, looking guilty.

“Even though I made a mistake this time… I really love Ha-ram. Even if I didn't give birth to him, I truly think of him as my own child.”

“Is that so.”

Who asked?

When I responded indifferently, she looked defeated.

“I guess Ha-ram told you. Even though I promised him it would be a secret. That child…”

Her voice was filled with disappointment and a sense of betrayal.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue inwardly and spoke calmly.

“It seems you misunderstood. Ha-ram didn’t say anything. I just investigated.”

“What?”

“I said Ha-ram didn’t say anything.”

I didn’t offer any further explanation to the confused mother.

I had no desire to engage with someone who couldn't trust her own child and immediately scolded him.

‘Hyung didn’t know either.’

It was clear that Jin-bae hyung was trying hard to hide his surprise.

Since he had been close to Han Ha-ram for quite some time, I thought he would have investigated as well, but it seemed he hadn’t.

‘I heard it from Mist.’

Since I heard about it a long time ago, it wasn't a surprising story.

What was more surprising was her boldness to bring up such a sensitive topic in the hallway.

‘What if the kid comes out?’

I sighed naturally.

Meanwhile, his mother continued speaking hesitantly.

“Because the child is so beautiful… I just wanted him to succeed. I wasn't trying to abuse him. Please understand that.”

I slowly opened my mouth.

“You don’t need to tell me things like that.”

“I just thought there might be a misunderstanding.”

“If you’re looking for someone to make excuses to, you’ve picked the wrong person. I don’t have any legal authority; I’m just a close friend of Ha-ram. So I find this even more puzzling.”

I spoke slowly.

“Or did you want to say this to ‘Actor Lee Yeon-jae’?”

“...”

Ha-ram’s mother’s expression hardened instantly.

She looked like someone caught trying to steal, her discomfort palpable. I swallowed a sigh.

Even in this situation, she worried about rumors spreading in the industry.

‘It’s been a while since I felt this way.’

I felt a wave of disgust.

Any affection I had for humanity seemed to drain away.

At that moment, the sound of rustling and the door opening interrupted us.

“I’ve changed my clothes!”

I immediately changed my expression.

“Well done. You really did it by yourself.”

“Of course! I told you I could!”

Han Ha-ram looked immensely proud.

I couldn't help but smile and took his hand.

“I’ll call you when we get home. Don’t worry about Ha-ram.”

“...Yes. Please take care of him.”

His mother murmured softly.

I swallowed a bitter smile and nodded.

A bitter, acrid taste lingered on my tongue.

* * *

In the car on the way home.

Han Ha-ram had fallen asleep again, likely tired from the events of the early morning.

As I stroked his forehead, I heard a low voice.

“Actor, about what you said earlier. Did Mist tell you that too?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When I confirmed, Jin-bae hyung nodded.

His reaction was calm, but I added a few words just in case.

“Hyung, can I tell you about Mist tomorrow night? I’m not ready to explain it right now.”

“Yes. I’m not trying to rush you. I just wanted to let you know that there are legal solutions available.”

Jin-bae hyung explained that if we contacted the orphanage where Ha-ram was adopted, we could initiate a lawsuit related to the termination of parental rights.

“I can help you consult with a lawyer.”

“You know how difficult such a lawsuit is, hyung. Besides, there’s no evidence of physical abuse.”

“Still, given the publicity of this kidnapping incident, we might have a chance to win.”

“I’m not sure.”

I looked at the peacefully sleeping child.

“It could become a very messy fight. Who knows what kind of scars the child might get from the process. More importantly…”

I muttered to myself, as if reminding myself.

“I don’t have that right. It’s Ha-ram’s life.”

“...I understand. I was being short-sighted.”

“No, thank you for suggesting it.”

After finishing the conversation with Jin-bae hyung, I turned my attention to Ha-ram.

He was sleeping peacefully, oblivious to everything.

It was a sight that brought me comfort.

‘What should I do?’

It was true that a parent who mentally abused and failed to protect their child was better off gone.

But was that really the case?

Wouldn’t it be better to have even such a parent than none at all?

Since I hadn’t experienced it myself, I couldn’t know the answer.

It wasn’t a problem anyone could easily solve.

‘It’s not my place to decide.’

Though I desperately wanted to solve it, I suppressed my greed.

Since it wasn’t my life, I couldn’t handle it as I pleased.

I gazed at the sleeping child.

‘But I can promise you this.’

I’ll be there for you whenever you ask for help.

Even if you grow up and forget about me.

* * *

The next day.

“Ha-ram, did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I’m so happy to see you first thing in the morning! Hehe.”

It was a peaceful morning, something I hadn’t had in a while.

I lightly ignored the still-buzzing internet about the awards ceremony and the kidnapping incident.

I had a delicious lunch with Han Ha-ram and chatted about movies with Sung Lee-jun, who had come over.

Everything had been smooth so far.

The problem lay elsewhere.

“Oh? Where are you going?”

As soon as I got up from the sofa, I heard a worried voice.

“...”

I turned my head slowly.

Han Ha-ram had put down his snack and was staring at me.

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

“You’ll be back soon?”

“Yes. I’ll be right back. Lee-jun hyung is here too, so don’t worry.”

“Okay…”

I handed Ha-ram the snack again, but he kept looking at me anxiously.

‘What should I do?’

There was a problem.

Even though Ha-ram had been calm, he showed signs of separation anxiety whenever I was briefly away.

‘I have to go to Goseong tomorrow.’

Today was my last day off.

Starting tomorrow, I had to resume filming for the movie ‘Shin Yoo-young’.

The production team suggested I take more time off due to the recent kidnapping incident, but I declined.

Since “Shin Yoo-young” was a film where the seasonal atmosphere was crucial, even a slight delay in the schedule could easily ruin its unique tone.

Moreover, I had not been injured at all, so I determined that there was no issue with continuing to film.

‘An unexpected problem has arisen.’

Han Ha-ram's eyes, looking at me, were earnest and somewhat precarious.

It was a look that wasn’t entirely unfamiliar.

‘…Do I look at Mist like that?’

Given what he had been through, it wasn’t hard to understand Han Ha-ram’s feelings.

However, I wasn’t someone like Mist, and I couldn’t let him cling to me.

Even if it was luck that allowed me to save him this time, as Ha-ram grew older, he would have many good people around him.

“Ha-ram.”

“Yes?”

After some contemplation, I called Han Ha-ram to inform him that we had to part ways now.

He immediately looked frightened and began to tremble.

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. Remember what I told you? I have to go to another area for filming. But we can see each other again in a week.”

“Can’t I go with you? I promise I won’t be a bother. I can be quiet!”

“Ha-ram.”

When I sighed softly, Han Ha-ram whimpered like a small puppy.

He switched to English, perhaps finding it difficult to express himself in Korean.

“(I won’t be a bother if I go there. I’ll really just stay by your side! I’ll get permission from Mom. Oh, and you don’t have to give me snacks! I’ll even buy my own food!)”

How are you going to buy your own food?

His rapid-fire words, like a rapper, were full of desperation.

In the end, I called Han Ha-ram’s mother and got permission for him to stay with me for the next week.

“Thank goodness! Don’t worry, Yeon-jae, I’ll be really quiet!”

“…Alright.”

Han Ha-ram beamed with excitement.

I hid my complicated feelings and kept a neutral expression.

‘I need to find a solution within this week.’

There were a lot of things to worry about, which was a big problem.

And there was another issue just as pressing as Han Ha-ram.

*    *    *

“Ah, now I feel alive.”

Noh Bi-hyuk sprawled out on my bed.

I asked him how long he could stay.

“About two hours? I have dance practice at dawn. My manager hyung will come pick me up.”

Two hours.

That should be enough.

‘Phew.’

I felt slightly nervous and anxious.

Noh Bi-hyuk, oblivious to my feelings, chattered excitedly.

“It’s been a while since it was just the two of us.”

As soon as his schedule ended, I had called him to my house.

I had entrusted Han Ha-ram to Jin-bae hyung, so currently, it was just us in my room.

“Why did you only ask me to come? Eun-taek hyung tried so hard to follow me. I barely managed to stop him from getting out of the car.”

“Bi-hyuk.”

“…What’s with this atmosphere?”

He finally noticed my serious expression and paused, sitting up.

I sighed deeply.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t be too surprised.”

“I’m already scared. Why are you like this? Am I in trouble?”

“No, it’s not that.”

There was a time I had made a promise to him.

‘Ah, what is it? Do you not trust Bi-hyuk that much? If you only tell Jin-bae hyung, I’ll really get mad.’

‘Jin-bae hyung doesn’t know either. It’s just… it’s hard to talk about. But I’ll tell you first when I’m able to.’

‘Hmm~ Okay, I’ll let it go for today.’

After Mist had cried, wanting a body, and I had wandered around in a daze, Noh Bi-hyuk had asked what was wrong.

I had promised that I would tell him first when I was able to talk about it.

And today, it was time to keep that promise.