216 The Effects of a Masterful Performance (2/2)

The picture he had chosen was a wefie of the two, eyes red-rimmed. He had chosen a filter that highlighted their reddened eyes.

”Yeo Ri-ah, do you have an account? I'll tag you.”

”No, it's fine. I don't have one,” Yeo Ri answered politely, shaking her head. She had half-a-mind to tell him to delete it, but considering the fact that there was nothing incriminating about the photo and that the other party was a famous and influential celebrity, she could only keep her words to herself so she would not appear rude.

”Oh, that's a pity. You'd definitely be more popular if you have one. Does your company not allow it?”

”No, well, not exactly. I don't really need to be popular since I don't have any plans on becoming a celebrity.”

”What? You aren't? I thought you were a new rookie actress. You're not pulling my leg, are you? That's such a shame! You really should become an actress—if that was how you performed on your first time, imagine how high you can climb in the future... maybe you'd even dominate the whole industry in a few more years!” Yoo Hyun Bin spoke passionately, as if he was trying to swindle the girl into joining his shady business scheme.

He liked talented people, and for someone so talented like Yeo Ri to give up her talent and not sharpen her skills was just...

He sighed, ”Well, you should think about it a little more before you make your decision. You're still young, after all. If your company isn't treating you well, you can contact me and I'll introduce you to my agent. How about it?” He flashed a smile at her.

”...” Yeo Ri's lips twitched. Why does that smile seem so familiar? It was the same kind of smile that Park Soo Yeon had donned back when she tried soliciting Yeo Ri time and time again...

”Shall we exchange numbers?” Yoo Hyun Bin asked. Realising that he sounded like a paedophilic creep, he hurriedly assured the girl, ”Don't worry, I swear I'm not a pervert. I won't call you or send you strange messages all of a sudden.”

Yeo Ri made a complicated face, ”I'm sorry, but my brother told me I shouldn't give my number out to other people easily,” she declined his request with a serious look.

”Oh, alright, then.” Well, it was not like he could force her to give it to him. He could only give up for now. Yeo Ri was really a breath of fresh air; most people would have already clawed at the chance to network with him, but the girl unhesitatingly refused him. Rather than thinking that she was being rude, he thought that she was really a good girl to be adhering to her brother's advice so strictly even though the other party was a famous person like him.

”What is this? You're scouting my talent right in front of me? Hoobaenim, you have guts,” Park Soo Yeon interfered once she saw a chance. She had been standing nearby for some time, waiting for the two two finish conversing.

”Haha, what are you taking about, President Park? You must've heard me wrong,” Yoo Hyun Bin laughed nervously as soon as he noticed the wicked grin on the older lady's face. Someone like Park Soo Yeon had a lot of power and influence in the industry. If he had somehow offended her, it might damage his livelihood. Though, that being said, Park Soo Yeon was not such a petty person who would ruin someone's career just because she was offended by them.

”Well, if you two are done talking, Yeo Ri-ah, you should get changed. I'll take you home.”

”Okay.”

”Let's work together again if—no—when the opportunity arises, okay, Yeo Ri-ah?” He held out his hand, reaching for a handshake.

”We'll see,” Yeo Ri smiled, hiding her slight annoyance and discomfort, placing her hand in his for a split second before pulling away; she brushed his palm with the tip of her fingers instead of giving a proper handshake. With a slight bow of her head, she returned to the dressing room to change out of her costume.

Yoo Hyun Bin raised an eyebrow quizzically at her actions, but did not comment on it. Staring at his hand which he had used to 'shake' her hand, he thought, 'Perhaps she was in a hurry to get changed.'

Just like that, Yeo Ri's first acting job ended.