CH38

Before returning to the past, agents who lived off commissions wouldn't even glance at Ian. 

"Ian Pryce? He's a complete white elephant." 

A term meaning a costly but useless possession. 

A hot potato, a double-edged sword; the expressions could vary, but the meaning was singular: an actor not worth the contract. 

"Why would you contract with him? Do you want to starve to death? You make money by getting into work. Run around all you want, but can you secure a decent project? It just costs money." 

"What's the use of struggling to secure a project if they use his face as an excuse to slash his fees in chunks? All that effort for mere pennies." 

Even after accumulating a decent list of supporting roles through meeting Adelia, this was the kind of evaluation he received from agents. 

The agents who did approach him treated him like a fool upon hearing he was an uneducated homeless person, not even considering him an actor but a clown fit only for bizarre roles. 

'So, was I disappointed? Hardly.' 

With the failures and despair he had faced, why would he harbor any flimsy expectations? 

His curiosity was piqued only by what kind of novel contract he would present this time when they first met. 

"Ha-ha-ha, it's an honor to meet you, Mr. Pryce." 

A man from head to toe in white. 

'A bowling pin?' 

His plump belly made him appear more so. 

The man in the ill-fitting white suit was someone he had heard of. It would be stranger if rumors hadn't spread about someone dressing like that. 

"Nick Wilson?" 

"Oh! You know me. It seems like there's something that kindred spirits understand, doesn't it?! Ha-ha-ha-ha." 

"Kindred spirits?" 

He had been treated as a madman for attempting to act with his grotesque appearance, but being labeled a kindred spirit was a first. 

Despite his off-putting looks, he calmly handed out his business card. 

"Let's combine our unique talents and make a big splash. How about aiming for an Oscar?" 

Somehow, it figured he was in white. The man was mad. 

And yet, he accepted the business card, not sure why. 

'It was one of the best decisions I made. Even though I disliked being lumped together as the same type of oddity, we clicked well.' 

They achieved a goal everyone thought was far-fetched. 

It was more than a mere business relationship. 

'I wouldn't have harbored any resentment even if I had died without returning to the past.' 

He truly believed that until… 

"…Liar." 

"I'm not lying! I'm not!" 

How could he not be lying? 

He had boldly claimed to have always worn white suits since his school days, and now look at him. 

'White suits? More like a complete dark horse.' 

Ian felt betrayed, and Nick was bewildered. 

Being just an intern, Nick feared he might be blamed for ruining an important contract, sweating nervously, while Austin silently asked with his lips, 

-Do you know each other? 

Nick shook his head vigorously. 

He hadn't even been to try the popular Korean-style corn dogs, so how could they have any connection? 

"Sigh…" 

Austin sighed deeply. Nothing was going according to plan. 

Director Davis had popped up unexpectedly, a kid was talking about the screen quota system, and now an intern was being called a liar. 

Nick, feeling the tense atmosphere, asked, 

"Should I leave?" 

Austin thought it might be better that way. The reasons could be figured out later. 

However, someone else spoke up first. 

"Where do you think you're going? Sit down and stay here."

Ian tapped the seat beside him, his brows slightly furrowed, and Nick hurriedly took his seat. Though he sat down under pressure, he wondered, 'Why am I sitting here?' The stares from the people on the other side seemed to question, 'Why are you sitting there?' Was it a misunderstanding to feel their piercing looks?

Struggling to breathe, Nick wished for salvation, but Ian's interest had already shifted away from the contract.

"You said you're an intern, right? How long have you been working?"

"…It's been just over three months."

"And your university degree? Were your grades good?"

"I graduated, and my grades were fine."

"How good were your grades to say they were fine?"

It felt like a pressure interview. Observing Nick sweat under Ian's questioning, everyone had the same thought.

"Is this too personal? Well, you mentioned your job, so you must have graduated. Then, have you ever tried our house's corn dogs?"

"No, I haven't yet! I plan to try them when I have time."

"No wonder you looked so skinny."

Nick looked down at his body. He had actively participated in sports while attending university. Far from being skinny, he had a robust physique, which made no sense to him. The following conversation was even more baffling.

"Dad, do we have ingredients for corn dogs at home?"

"Of course, we do."

"Could you make some for me, please?"

"Sure, it's not a big deal."

It wasn't a big deal, but why he was making such a request was hard to understand. Dylan moved busily in the kitchen, and as the smell of frying oil filled the air, Nick became increasingly restless.

"We'll make some, so eat before you go. Tch, even interns should eat properly."

'…I'll buy some myself, please just let me live.'

Nick looked miserable. It was the biggest crisis of his internship.

***

After a few troublesome variables and Nick leaving with an armful of corn dogs as a result, the people from WBE departed. In the living room, still smelling strongly of corn dogs, Chloe asked,

"Do you know that person Nick? What was that 'liar' comment about?"

Ian felt a bit regretful after causing a scene.

-I worked with him decades later, and he lied back then.

He couldn't say that, of course. Ian rolled his eyes, trying to come up with a plausible excuse.

"I might have heard the staff talking about him. So I guess I just said it without thinking."

"Really? Did you give him food as a way to scold him for being a bad person?"

"Hey, how can that be? Dad's corn dogs are delicious; how could that be a scolding? Right?"

"Absolutely!"

Dylan nodded with pride, and Chloe sighed deeply, looking at the father and son who got along so well.

"Next time, don't do that. He looked as if he was about to chew on the stick without realizing it."

"I'll be careful."

Ian reflected on his actions. Whether it was out of excitement or a sense of betrayal, he had behaved unusually.

Sensing his genuine remorse, Chloe changed the subject.

"So, how was WBE? It sounded good from what Mom heard."

"I might have jumped the gun a bit, but they came well-prepared. I think after a few more meetings, we might end up signing with WBE."

Aiming for Asian productions.

The attitude of trying to overcome the limitations of being an Asian child actor was commendable.

'It's much better than just leading with advertisements or something. It shows that acting is more important.'

"Still, don't rush into any decisions. It'd be good to hear what other places have to offer and compare."

"Of course. Agencies are important."

Those who have worked with a good agent know their importance all too well.

'Nick Wilson.'

The scoundrel who answered a simple question about wearing white suits with a lie.

Now, only one person remembers the fluffy memories.

Even if he had died without returning to the past, he wouldn't have resented it.

'It can't be helped. It's the price of coming back to the past.'

Indeed, thinking about the changes, it's a small price to pay. It's better to see the positive side.

They are both young, so they have plenty of time to work together.

"Hmm, it sounds promising."

Ian realized he had forgotten to ask the most important question.

'I didn't ask about the white suit.'

Next time, he must inquire why he doesn't wear white suits anymore.

***

"I don't want to meet him again."

"That's not possible."

Austin curtly rejected Nick's courageous request.

"Being an agent is like this. Do you think among the stars you admire, there isn't a single weird one? That's pretty good."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. He didn't curse at you. I don't know why he called you a liar, but considering he even took care of getting you a corn dog, there must be some fondness."

"Are you sure it's fondness?"

Nick recalled the moment when the scalding hot corn dog was placed in front of him. He would have thought it was torture if he wasn't cautioned to eat it carefully because it was hot.

'I can't tell if he dislikes or likes me.'

Being branded a liar seemed like a dislike, but the caring gestures seemed to show fondness.

It's baffling how the mind of a child can be more complicated than that of a woman.

The meeting held upon their return was precisely about this topic.

"It's all attention. Kids often tease the ones they like. It's similar. Anyway, you can't skip out; Ian will look for you if you're absent."

"Understood."

Nick had just tried his luck. In these difficult times for employment, an intern couldn't afford to be choosy.

While they were discussing in the room, another staff member entered.

"I'm back."

"How is it? Is there a chance the screen quota system will be relaxed?"

"They say it could happen within the next 2 or 3 years. There's active lobbying in political circles too."

"Really?"

Austin snapped his fingers, calculating.

A couple of years is a manageable wait for a child actor.

'That makes him a middle or high schooler by then.'

The roles available would definitely expand, so with proper preparation, it could be a significant leap forward.

"Great! Let's prepare under the assumption that China's screen quota system will be relaxed! Got it?"

"Yes!"

Austin and his team got busy. There were loads to redo, from potential earnings to future plans.

It was around this time that some unwelcome news reached Austin's busy office.

"You might want to see this article."

"What is it?"

Austin dismissed the article as inconsequential. 

"We've seen with our own eyes that there's a connection between Director Davis and Ian. Ah, this could be problematic, but he hasn't already signed up for the next project, has he?"

"You need to see this other article right now."

"Another article?"

Was there something more critical than the fuss about Gavin choosing Ian over other top stars?

Upon reading further, Austin frowned.

-Ian Pryce, a suspicious relationship with Director Davis.

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

Suspicious, what nonsense.

He had seen with his own eyes the familial-like closeness. It was utter nonsense.

"Tabloids writing fiction isn't new. Why are you showing me this?"

"People are agreeing with it because of the 'evidence' presented."

"Evidence?"

Austin skimmed the article.

"According to insiders, Director Davis has looked increasingly haggard since meeting Ian Pryce, with photos to prove it. Plus, everyone knows about Ian's deep connection with Charlotte, who is also involved in ongoing exposé battles."

"So, they're suggesting that Director Davis is somehow compromised and someone blackmailed him into casting Ian for his next project?"

The article was cleverly written to insinuate rather than assert, typical Hollywood tabloid trash.

"It's laughable."

"I know it's ridiculous. But because of the Herman incident, more people believe it than you'd think."

"The Herman incident? That's just racism. Is an Asian child actor doing well? Must be something shady, right? You can see the stupidity."

"So, what should we do?"

Austin understood the sentiment. It's like tapping the bridge before crossing, suggesting a wait-and-see approach.

Austin closed the tab on his computer.

"Stop talking nonsense and get ready for the documents. While others waste time with foolish thoughts, we need to stay a step ahead! What are you waiting for? Go!"

"Yes, yes!"

Austin smirked. Whoever spread that ridiculous article had inadvertently done them a favor.

***

"Director Davis is being blackmailed?"

As a fellow director, he considered it an unfortunate connection.

The wrinkled hands holding the article were tense with anger.

"They're writing novels now."

As if that stubborn, tactless man would succumb to blackmail.

If he knew how to bend, their longstanding feud wouldn't have lasted this long.

He covered his face in disgust, then noticed the child standing next to him in the article.

"Ian Pryce, huh? He was quite impressive in Invisible Children. Seems I need to meet him."

A child actor who could excel in a zombie drama was a talent worth meeting early on.

Before that damned Gavin could influence him too much.

In a room plastered with monster posters, the elder stood up, filled with anticipation.

Another master was making a move.

TL/n - 

A white elephant is something expensive, but has no useful purpose and is no longer wanted. The term originally comes from the old Thai custom of gifting rare, expensive-to-keep white elephants to the reigning monarch