Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 168

"Working with a PD I’d collaborated with multiple times before came with a lot of advantages.

First, the filming speed was overwhelmingly fast.

Since they already knew the actor’s tendencies and acting style,

it made directing incredibly straightforward in many ways.

'And if the actor is exceptionally skilled, the pace only becomes more unbelievable.'

PD Kim Youngmo, wearing a bucket hat, glanced subtly at Kim Donghu.

'Seriously, how does he act like an art student so naturally?'

Of course, the actual appearance of a fine arts student might differ significantly.

But he was perfectly embodying Han Doyun, the art student written in the script.

By now, compliments about his acting skills might be redundant.

But no matter how many times they praised him, it wasn’t enough—his acting and appearance were flawless.

In fact,

'even just looking at him now, it’s absurd.'

On camera, Kim Donghu was Han Doyun himself.

'Sujin’s acting has improved a lot too.'

Though compared to Kim Donghu, it might seem less impressive,

Kim Sujin’s portrayal of Jung Subin was nothing to scoff at objectively.

"...So, what? Are you saying we should get married or something?"

"Exactly, let’s get married. Just for a little while."

On screen, Han Doyun and Jung Subin were finally bringing up the topic of their fake marriage.

The two had been paired for a liberal arts class project.

Through various processes, they grew closer and, by chance, discovered each other’s financial situations.

Both were dirt poor.

They couldn’t even be sure they’d be able to afford the next semester’s tuition.

Even if they resolved their immediate financial issues, the future still looked bleak.

The solution they arrived at was marriage.

"Just until we graduate. You know that getting married lowers your income bracket, right? For university students, it’s almost the lowest level."

Clink.

Han Doyun downed a shot of soju and placed the glass on the table, speaking as if pleading.

It was already their fourth bottle.

With two bottles per person, it wasn’t surprising that they’d started to feel tipsy.

"...No, but even so, does that really make any sense?"

Jung Subin frowned, responding as if it were absurd.

The option was far too extreme.

"This is the most practical solution."

"No, why is that practical? You could just take out a loan!"

"The national scholarship loans have the lowest interest rates."

"..."

Jung Subin was left speechless by Han Doyun’s response.

He wasn’t wrong.

The best loan foundation available for university students,

which even covered living expenses with exceptionally low interest rates,

was the Korean Scholarship Foundation.

"Even so, getting married is...."

"There’s no need for a wedding or anything. Just registering the marriage is enough."

As adults, they didn’t even need their parents’ approval.

If they both agreed, they could just file the paperwork.

The marriage itself would be settled easily.

"But... it’ll leave a divorce record! Don’t you realize how big of an issue that could be in the future?!"

At Jung Subin’s realistic objection, Han Doyun’s expression showed he didn’t care.

"These days, having one divorce isn’t a blemish."

"You know how unconvincing that answer is, right, senior?"

"But you said you weren’t planning to get married anyway."

"What?"

"You said that back then. That because your family was struggling, you’d get a job right after earning your CPA certification and didn’t plan on getting married."

I don’t plan to either, so it doesn’t matter. That’s why we can do this.

Hearing that, Jung Subin’s pupils trembled.

This was the part where narration and CGI should come in.

In Jung Subin’s mind, reality and the future played out simultaneously.

'Tutoring fees... I’d have to spend them all on tuition. Realistically, the money I can use for myself is almost nonexistent.'

Her dorm roommate was awful.

She didn’t shower, was loud, and stayed up late gaming, disrupting her sleep.

And when she occasionally brought over men, it was infuriating.

In this situation, getting tuition waived was a big deal.

If she worked as a tutor, all the money could be used as extra funds.

It meant she could stop eating cafeteria food or convenience store rice balls every day.

Snapping back to reality.

Before her stood her handsome senior from the art department.

His sculpted muscles and stunning looks made it unclear why he’d chosen to major in fine arts.

His personality explained his popularity.

Even his large, thick hands exuded masculine charm.

He was the picture-perfect prince she used to draw with crayons in kindergarten.

'Honestly, if we’re only considering appearances, marrying senior Doyun wouldn’t be....'

She shook her head vigorously.

No, it wasn’t right.

Getting married just for tuition?

It was a chance to save tens of thousands of dollars, sure.

'Wait, saving tens of thousands...?'

No, it still wasn’t right. Marriage was marriage.

"No, absolutely not! I won’t do it!"

"Really? That’s a shame."

"A shame? Really?"

"Yeah, I thought it’d be fine if it were with you. So yeah, it’s a shame."

"What was he disappointed about?

Marrying me? Or losing the easiest way to save money?

'Stupid senior, just say it clearly.'

He only knew how to smile handsomely.

I really hated that about him.

And so, Han Doyun and Jung Subin continued drinking silently for a while.

'How did I end up drinking at senior Doyun’s place anyway?'

Was it because of the project?

Something about seeing the fridge stocked with alcohol?

Maybe it had been too long since I last drank?

My memory was fuzzy.

I wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol,

but being in my twenties came with an occasional desire to drink.

And since there was no need to worry about money, the drinks just kept going down smoothly.

"...Aren’t you drinking too much?"

"You said I could drink as much as I wanted, senior."

"Yeah, but you’re looking really drunk right now...."

"Senior!"

Bang!

Suddenly, Jung Subin slammed the bottle onto the table with force.

After drinking about four bottles alone,

for some inexplicable reason, Jung Subin was angry.

"If we get married! Senior, can you! Kiss me?!"

"W-What?"

"Kisssssssssss! Isn’t that what happens when you get marrrrrried?"

What was wrong with her?

Was she that drunk?

Normally, Han Doyun would’ve sensed something was off and taken care of Jung Subin.

"...Yeah, you kiss if you get married."

But unfortunately, Han Doyun had also consumed about three bottles himself.

The most he’d ever had.