Chapter 9
“Dating?”
“Something like that. That’s why I feel really uncomfortable being here. It also doesn’t fit the purpose of the program.”
Eunhye turned her chair from side to side as if she were deep in thought. Yein simply watched her without moving.
“Then let’s do this. Take some time and think about it a little more. We also need to find a replacement if you leave, Yein.”
“How long?”
“Three days. Exactly until the day after tomorrow. That should be okay, right?”
Yein was silent for a moment.
“I’ll do that.”
She wanted to refuse if she could. The thought of having to stay in the same place as Baek Muyeong for three more days was unpleasant.
But considering that she was already causing trouble, she thought it was generous of them to compromise this much.
“Don’t think too negatively. Once you spend a few days here, you might find that it’s not so bad.”
That was impossible. Yein was sure of it.
“No. I don’t think I’ll change my mind.”
“All right. I’ll also look for a replacement. During these three days of filming, you still need to do your best, just like you did at the beginning.”
“Yes. I’m sorry, and thank you for understanding.”
Eunhye shrugged her shoulders.
Eunhye also told Yein that they would talk about Jumi leaving with her later.
After Yein left, the writer, who had been watching the entire situation from the side, asked,
“PD Lee, should I contact the people who were candidates for the show?”
“No.”
“Huh? Then…”
Eunhye smiled.
“I’m not letting her leave. Are you crazy? Why would I give up such an interesting situation?”
She opened the file lying on her desk. Inside were Yein and Muyeong’s profiles.
Their schools showed the same high school name, and it had been circled in yellow highlighter.
“I didn’t choose Muyeong just because of his face and résumé. I already suspected there was something going on between them, which was why I hurried to accept him as a cast member. And you’re telling me their relationship was even deeper? That’s even better. Why would I make her leave?”
“PD… You’re really evil.”
“What did I do? You know it too. In the end, it’s good for everyone.”
The staff member shook their head.
“By the way, what was today’s filming item?”
“A mutual-choice date.”
“Let’s change it. I think we’ll get something more interesting.”
A sharp light flashed in Eunhye’s eyes.
Before long, it was almost lunchtime. The cast members gathered around the dining table.
Yein had already told Jumi everything about her conversation with PD Eunhye.
‘Yeah, I respect your opinion too, but I think it would be good to think about it one more time.’
Jumi had agreed with the PD’s opinion.
‘It’s definitely not because I don’t want to leave. I’m saying this for you.’
She had added that as well.
Even if the latter was the real reason, Yein could understand Jumi.
“I’m hungry.”
“Me too.”
The cast members had not eaten anything yet, so complaints began coming from everyone.
“Yesterday, there was beer and food ingredients… But today, there’s nothing.”
“I’m hungry. What are we supposed to eat?”
Couple Village was a beautiful place. It was almost like a place where fairies lived.
But apparently, fairies didn’t eat anything.
There were pots in the kitchen, but there was no food at all. The refrigerator was filled only with ion drinks with their brands clearly displayed, probably as product placement.
“They told us to be self-sufficient. If you look at the map, there are fields and a farm.”
At Yein’s words, everyone took out their maps.
“Do we really have to dig things up and eat them?”
“No way. Every day?”
“Probably.”
Of course. Why else would there be fields?
Couple Village had a long tradition of making its cast members work. In Season 1, they had helped elderly people in a rural village with their work and received side dishes and rice in return.
“Then should we split up and go to different places?”
At Woojin’s suggestion, the cast members quickly exchanged glances.
“But what about Muyeong? With Sera.”
Hyejin asked.
Come to think of it, only those two were missing. Yein had not run into Muyeong yet today either.
“There they are.”
Muyeong was slowly walking toward them.
Even though he was dressed and styled more casually than yesterday, the intimidating atmosphere around him had not changed much.
“Muyeong! Come over here. We were just talking about lunch.”
Hyejin smiled brightly.
Muyeong raised his head. His gaze slowly swept over everyone before stopping on Yein’s face. His cold eyes seemed to be saying something.
No. That couldn’t be it. What could Baek Muyeong possibly have to say to me?
“Oh, really?”
Sera popped out from behind Muyeong.
So they had been together.
Hyejin’s expression stiffened slightly when she saw the two of them.
It was only the second day of filming, but it was already obvious that two women were interested in Muyeong.
Yein didn’t care either way, but somehow, she felt a little strange. She shook her head and pushed away these unnecessary feelings.
Don’t think about Baek Muyeong. Don’t look at him, and don’t listen to him.
“All right, now that everyone is here, shall we each go find some food?”
“Sounds good.”
“Muyeong, come with me. Let’s go to the farm and get some eggs.”
“You and Muyeong are going to the farm? I want to go too. I really like chickens.”
What was the point of deciding not to look or listen?
Even if she didn’t want to hear it, she could hear everything anyway.
Yein deliberately turned her head away.
“Sihoon, then would you like to go to the well with me?”
Sihoon’s eyes widened.
“Me? Ah, sure. Of course.”
Yein nodded.
“The water is really heavy. Yein, give it to me. I’ll carry everything. I’m strong.”
“It’s okay. I can carry this much too.”
“I’m a man. A man.”
Sihoon took Yein’s water container as well. It looked a little too heavy to carry both.
He staggered around before eventually putting the water containers down with a thud.
“Give me one. I’ll carry one.”
Yein held out her hand again.
“Come on… Then instead of that, let’s sit here for a while before we go. I think I’ll be fine after resting a little.”
Sihoon pointed at the bench beside them.
Ah, is he doing this on purpose so he can talk to me?
“Okay.”
Yein did not refuse.
She still felt sorry about their first date. And if she went back quickly now, she would only have to see more of Baek Muyeong.
“The well is really far away. I think it’s the farthest place we saw earlier.”
“I like that it’s far. And the ocean looks pretty along the way.”
When Yein stared at him, Sihoon scratched his head awkwardly.
“Why? Did I sound too interested in you? I guess I am.”
He’s pretty straightforward.
Thinking that, Yein gave an awkward smile.
“Actually, when I went on a date with you yesterday, you didn’t seem very focused, so I thought you didn’t like me.”
“No, yesterday, I wasn’t feeling…”
“I know. Even though I knew that, I still ended up thinking that way. I’m kind of timid! But I was happy when you asked me to come with you today.”
Sihoon grinned like a puppy.
“I don’t know how today’s date will be decided, but if I get to go on a date, I want to go with you one more time!”
“We’re still at the beginning. Wouldn’t it be better for you to get to know the other people too?”
“Not really.”
Sihoon shrugged.
It was a little too much for Yein.
Judging from how the program usually worked, today’s date would definitely be a mutual-choice date.
The people who chose each other would be matched and go on a date outside, while those who were not matched would remain at the house.
Being able to spend some time away from Muyeong was not a bad thing.
But for Sihoon’s sake, she should avoid getting too closely involved with him. After all, Yein planned to leave the show midway.
“If I were to go on a date, I would—”
“Are you two going again?”
The voice that suddenly interrupted them did not belong to Sihoon.
Yein turned her head sharply in surprise.
A shadow fell across her face. Muyeong’s hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
She felt startled.
But she didn’t know why she felt that way. Maybe it was because she felt as if he had discovered her plan to avoid Baek Muyeong.
“That’s just what I’m hoping for.”
Sihoon answered without hesitation, but Muyeong seemed not to hear him at all. He only looked down at Yein.
“Why did you come here?”
There was no one behind Muyeong. Neither Sera nor Hyejin.
“I wanted to talk to Seon Yein too.”
“Ah…”
The atmosphere instantly became cold.
