In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 147

Back at the beach again.

Seo Jaeyeon, who’d lost the bet, scrunched up her face and glared at me.

“You cheated.”

“What? I did what?”

“You shot <Private Life> with her, didn’t you?”

Sung Minhui stood beside us just giggling away, finding us both hilarious.

“So what?”

“There! You drove and did action scenes! You practiced!”

“How is that cheating? That’s just skill.”

Seo Jaeyeon got even more fired up at my rebuttal.

“Go again. Let’s redo it.”

“Ugh, no. It’s hot.”

“Go again!!”

Seo Jaeyeon let out a screech.

From far away, Shin Jaejun watched Seo Jaeyeon like she was some fascinating animal at a zoo.

With an expression that said, “Huh, so that’s her real personality.”

Lee Seonho was barely getting over his hangover, circling around Seo Jaeyeon and me nervously.

Worried that something unexpected might happen like yesterday, worried our lies might get exposed.

Sung Minhui, who seemed to be enjoying this scandal far too much, excitedly peppered Lee Seonho with questions.

“What made our Sena-ssi so attractive to you?”

“Ah, well, she’s pretty and all.”

“Right, right, she’s pretty. And also?”

“And… she has a good personality too.”

“Right, good personality. And also?”

“Um…”

Lee Seonho broke out in a cold sweat.

Seo Jaeyeon, who’d been walking beside me, also perked up her ears with interest at Lee Seonho’s answer.

But after thinking for a moment, Lee Seonho came out with an unexpected response.

“She somehow reminds me of myself.”

Hearing that answer, I was inwardly startled.

Because that was a thought I’d often had about Lee Seonho.

Sung Minhui let out a squeal beside us.

“Oh my god, she reminds you of yourself! That’s so romantic!”

When I looked at Lee Seonho with a slightly surprised expression, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

Shin Jaejun looked back and forth between us with a dumbfounded face.

And when no one was watching, Shin Jaejun mouthed words at me while giving a thumbs up.

‘You’re good at this, huh?’

* * *

The next day, at the airport.

I was completely flustered by the packed airport scene.

From reporters who’d swarmed to photograph the <Powerful Woman> and <Say Your Name> teams’ arrival, to fans of all kinds holding up placards, to people who’d come just to gawk at the scandal.

[Han Sena, Forget Lee Seonho and Live With Me Instead♥]

[Seo Jaeyeon♥Han Sena♥Lee Seonho Love Triangle – I Support It]

[Love U Lee Seonho]

[Welcome Back!!! <Say Your Name> <Powerful Woman>]

I waved while reading the flashy placards.

“Please look this way just once!”

“When did you two start dating?”

“Who asked who out first?”

“Kyaaa! Han Sena! Please sign this!”

“Oppa, please accept my gift!”

I was waving my hands around frantically when gifts thrown by fans came flying toward me from all directions.

Jinseok oppa, with his imposing build, stood firm like a wall and gathered up the fans’ gifts.

Jinseok oppa waved leisurely at the fans who’d given the gifts on my behalf.

He’d become so familiar with my fans that he’d even gained his own fame.

Shortly after.

The moment we climbed into the van, Jinseok oppa let out a sigh of relief like he’d survived.

“Whew, that was brutal.”

“Are you okay? You were practically a celebrity back there.”

When I looked at him worriedly, oppa grabbed the steering wheel like he was perfectly fine.

“Gotta head straight to your schedule.”

“Yep.”

I propped my chin in my hand, gazing out the window at the familiar Korean streets I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Did you enjoy the trip?”

“Yeah, totally.”

“Good, your face looks happy. Minyeong noona was thrilled too.”

“She was thrilled?”

I turned my head at the sudden mention of Minyeong unnie’s status.

“Of course she’d be thrilled. You’re raking in money like a double-hulled fishing boat.”

I chuckled hearing that.

“But that’s not all. Your scandal—that woman’s having the time of her life with it too.”

“Ah.”

Figures.

Sung Minhui, who’d been squealing and getting all worked up alone throughout the entire trip, suddenly came to mind.

Those two were surprisingly similar in that department.

“She’s been pouring fuel on the scandal fire, I’m telling you.”

Jinseok oppa shook his head like he couldn’t understand it.

“You too, honestly. It’s just fascinating.”

“Me?”

I looked at Jinseok oppa in surprise.

“Even so, there are limits. How do you even think of using a scandal for ratings?”

I suddenly realized.

To Jinseok oppa, I was the most incomprehensible person of all.

* * *

After two hours of driving, we arrived at the Wirye Hotel meeting room.

The <The Mesh> representative stood up from their seat and extended their hand warmly.

Minyeong unnie, who’d arrived early, was also seated.

I greeted the representative happily and took my seat.

Unnie, who I hadn’t seen in a while, gave me a little wink.

A wink that said something like, ‘It worked out way better than I worried.’

I’d been a bit concerned that they might quietly back out of the ambassador deal because of the scandal, but quite the opposite happened.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jegal Seohyung.”

The representative introduced himself.

According to what unnie had told me a few days ago, Jegal Seohyung was a legendary figure who’d entered the British headquarters completely on his own and risen to become the Asia Marketing Director.

I’d been impressed when I heard that explanation.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to discover a gem in a place I didn’t even expect.”

Jegal Seohyung mentioned the fashion show I’d forgotten about.

“So you saw me there.”

When I answered in surprise, Jegal Seohyung nodded rapidly with an excited expression.

“Totally amazing. The moment I saw it, I called headquarters immediately and went absolutely crazy.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

I smiled softly and responded.

It really was amazing.

Others discovering my value when I didn’t even know about it myself was always a fascinating and surprising experience.

While reviewing the contract terms in this warm atmosphere, my eyes widened.

“Asian Ambassador Contract”

“Asian Ambassador? Not Korea?”

This wasn’t something I’d been told about beforehand.

But both Jegal Seohyung and Minyeong unnie looked at me with baffled expressions, like why was I stating the obvious.

Minyeong unnie laughed.

“Our kid’s so humble. She’s about to become a luxury brand ambassador and everything.”

Then Jegal Seohyung burst out laughing like he found it amusing.

“I’m the one who’s surprised. You’re at the peak of your popularity right now. Aren’t you undervaluing yourself too much?”

Was I the only one who didn’t know?

Minyeong unnie apparently thought I already knew and didn’t bother explaining.

Jegal Seohyung explained a few things about my upcoming ambassador activities.

“From now on, we’ll send you invitations and dresses for our year-end parties and charity events.”

Hearing that made me feel dazed again.

I’d only ever seen luxury brand party events on the internet—was I actually going to be invited and attend them?

Mingling with international celebrities, taking photos, having conversations… that kind of thing?

“We’re watching the response in Asia, and if it’s good, there’s even talk about renewing you as a global ambassador.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

I signed at the bottom of the contract with a strange feeling.

* * *

That evening.

The moment I got home, I completely crashed.

I couldn’t even muster the energy to open my suitcase and unpack.

The air in the house, which I’d only moved into recently, still felt unfamiliar.

Ever since moving, I’d been so swamped with schedules that I’d never properly stayed home.

And now Mom and Dad weren’t even here.

Maybe I shouldn’t have insisted on living separately…

Through the window, I could see the Han River view with the sunset almost completely faded.

My eyes slowly closed as I watched the night view beginning to sparkle.

Now I could finally rest completely for about two days.

The packed schedule hadn’t disappeared, but Minyeong unnie had considerately postponed things to give me a break.

I was closing my eyes with a peaceful mind when—

Bzzzz—

My phone vibrated.

I tried to ignore it and sleep, but it kept buzzing repeatedly.

“Ugh.”

I picked up my phone to check—it was Lee Seokhyun.

“Why’s he calling out of nowhere?”

Lee Seokhyun, who hadn’t contacted me in ages, sent several photos through messenger.

I opened the messenger to check the photos—they were articles about my interview.

Articles from the film magazine interview I’d done while shooting the side story.

‘Q. Ideal type interview! The most ‘developed’ relationship you’ve had in your work so far was with your husband Aiden Farrell in <Hometown>. Who was the male actor you had the best chemistry with in reality?’

‘A. I feel like my chemistry gets better as I gain more experience. But if we’re talking about the most ‘romantic’ relationship, it would definitely be ‘Jio’ from <Say Your Name>, actor Lee Seonho-ssi.’

The moment I finished reading, Lee Seokhyun messaged me like he’d been waiting.

-What about me?

“…”

Consistent as ever.

Right, people die if they suddenly change.

-Why am I not number one? Why don’t you even mention me?

-Now that you’ve made it big, you’ve forgotten the flower that got you there? Huh?

-You don’t even come to gatherings anymore, just hang out with Seo Jaeyeon!

-But what’s with the scandal? It’s not real, right?

I squeezed my eyes shut watching the messages pour in rapid-fire.

I turned off the screen.

Then the vibrations went crazy again.

“Ugh, now I’m awake.”

I picked up my phone again, ignored Lee Seokhyun’s messages, and logged into my fan cafe for the first time in a while.

Then one post with overwhelming views immediately caught my eye.

‘<Say Your Name> 4 Personalities’ Kiss Scene Viewership Comparison’

What, what the hell?

I clicked on the post as if possessed.

The kiss scenes I’d shared with Lee Seonho in the drama had been turned into GIFs and laid out in a row.

Even ranked by viewership ratings.

“Whoa… what is this.”

My face heated up instantly.

But even so, I was curious, so I scrolled down quickly.

1st Place – Yu Dayang, Kang Jio

2nd Place – Baek Jangmi, Kang Jio

3rd Place – Lee Eunje, Kang Jio

4th Place – Jung Sewoon, Kang Jio

Interesting results.

Looking at the four different versions of kiss scenes with completely different atmospheres gave me a strange feeling.

Tender yet beautiful scenes.

I really filmed these.

The comments’ reactions were fun too.

-Wrong. 1st place is Han Sena, Lee Seonho.

⤷ Agreed

⤷ The buzz factor was insane

-The last personality’s kiss scene is still coming, right? I wonder what the vibe will be.

-Lee Seonho’s ears turning red in every single kiss scene drives me crazy.

⤷ Seriously why do they turn red. Why are they red? Is that acting too?

⤷ Look closely at the Baek Jangmi one, even his pulse is racing in his neck

⤷ Holy crap you’re right. This is insane.

-The Lee Eunje kiss scene was so cute and heart-fluttering I loved it T_T

Everyone was waiting for my next kiss scene with Lee Seonho.

This is such a… weird feeling.

I suddenly got curious too.

How did we film that one again?

I pushed off sleeping and started browsing through various posts the fans had made.