Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 24

Damn it. I’m screwed. My life is over.

“I’m not even worth living.”

An empty office.

Choi Seok-ho, the CEO of Veritas, stared blankly out the window.

The view outside was nice.

‘Too bad the view inside is the worst.’

Is there a word more fitting than “desolate” to describe this situation?

He thought he had enough connections and a solid career.

But everything had fallen apart.

Why?

Because he had crossed a major corporation.

“Did it really have to come to this?”

An actor choosing a project—that couldn’t be controlled. That was between the writer and director.

But an actor choosing an agency—that could have been controlled. Especially when it wasn’t just any agency, but a small one-man operation that had pissed off a big company.

Cyberus QA had no problem tightening the noose around him.

‘I just want to jump out the window.’

He had tried to recruit countless actors, adjusting the profit distribution to the best possible rates, negotiating contract lengths, even increasing the signing bonuses.

No matter what he did, he couldn’t sign a single actor.

Rumors had spread everywhere.

Choi Seok-ho had gone against Cyberus QA. And no actor who wanted to stay on the good side of Cyberus QA would sign with him.

At this point, he wanted to cry.

Everything he had built over the past fifteen years felt like it was crumbling away. His career, everything he’d worked for, was nothing more than a sandcastle.

‘I feel so alone.’

The fact that everyone had abandoned him didn’t help. Yes, it was true no one could really assist him in this situation. But still, for no one to reach out at all...

It hit him hard: after leaving the corporation, he was really nothing.

Choi Seok-ho sank deeper into his solitude.

So, he had hastily asked his landlord to have a meal together.

He wanted to grab hold of any stranger just to vent, to lean on the sudden kindness that had come his way.

He just wanted to have a conversation with someone.

‘It’s almost time to meet.’

He glanced around his empty office, with no employees or actors under contract. Then, he straightened his clothes in front of the mirror.

The landlord had said he might come, so all Seok-ho could do was wait quietly.

And just then—

Creak.

The door opened.

“Hello, I’m Kim Dong-hoo. Are you the CEO of Veritas?”

Light entered the room.

‘What the...?’

First of all, he was stunningly handsome. Like, ridiculously good-looking.

Next was his long, well-proportioned frame.

And lastly, the aura.

Choi Seok-ho had seen many actors with auras, and they all shared one thing in common—an overwhelming presence, the kind that couldn’t be ignored.

In that sense, Seok-ho was feeling the greatest presence right now.

And this boy had walked into his office on his own, looking for management? This was a god-given opportunity.

“Yes, yes! I’m CEO Choi Seok-ho!”

Without even realizing it, Seok-ho found himself speaking in formal language as he rushed toward the boy.

Kim Dong-hoo, was it? He’s incredibly handsome.

With that thought, Seok-ho immediately extended his hand for a handshake.

“Welcome to Veritas! What should we do first? A contract? Look into projects?”

Seok-ho was beyond excited.

But his excitement was short-lived.

“Dinner.”

“What?”

“You said we were having dinner today.”

Dinner? When did I make plans with this boy?

Then, suddenly, it hit him.

‘The dinner with the landlord.’

The pieces clicked into place, and Seok-ho’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

A look of utter shock spread across his face like a painting.

“...Y-you’re the landlord?!”

+++++

Awkward.

That was the only word that could describe the current situation.

Bubble, bubble.

The military stew on the table bubbled away, while Seok-ho and I sat there awkwardly, staring at each other.

“It should be ready soon,” the lady from the restaurant said before leaving us alone with our bubbling stew.

“So... how did you...?”

“Just luck. I did a bit of this and that.”

“Oh, well... feel free to speak casually. You’re the landlord...”

“No, you’re much older than me. I should be respectful.”

“Then... you can call me ‘hyung.’”

Seok-ho—or rather, Seok-ho hyung—was trying hard to break the awkwardness.

Honestly, I didn’t feel awkward at all, but he was clearly uncomfortable.

“Oh, well, if you insist. Thank you, Seok-ho hyung.”

“Oh, uh, yeah... So, uh, are you sure you’re okay with military stew?”

“Yes, this place makes it really well.”

By the way, we were in the basement of my building, at a restaurant called "Great Demon Military Stew." The owner knew me, which meant...

“Oh my! Our dear landlord Dong-hoo! You should’ve told us you were coming! Hey, ladies! Give him more noodles and an omelet on the house!”

Whenever I showed up, they always piled on the service.

“...They give omelets here?”

“Landlord perks. They’re really good.”

“Wow...” Seok-ho hyung murmured in awe, then seemed to snap back to his senses, speaking quickly again.

“Oh, I just wanted to personally thank you for the congratulatory wreaths you sent. It really meant a lot.”

“It’s nothing, really. Just what I do.”

“No, you don’t understand. I was going through a tough time, and it really helped.”

“Landlord Dong-hoo! The stew’s ready, so you can eat now!”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

The owner’s announcement marked the start of the meal. Seok-ho hyung, still looking a bit awkward, ladled the stew into my bowl.

Throughout the meal, I noticed Seok-ho hyung kept shaking his head slightly, as if something was bothering him.

Seok-ho hyung dove straight into the main topic.

For some reason, I saw that same determination in Seok-ho hyung.

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

Of course, I knew I would. Sims - The Real Life had already made it clear my life would go smoothly.

Crash!

“...So you’re currently appearing in High Dream in a supporting role, with about five episodes planned, right?”

“The reason for three thousand is because I see potential in you. I know High Dream is going to be a massive hit, and since you’re already in the middle of filming...”