The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 36

Fortunately, Cha Soyeon agreed to meet Jeongah.

I told her everything—how I met Jeongah while searching for Jungwon, the sisters’ story, their family situation, and what I discovered while going through Jeongah’s room.

I also mentioned that her appearance had changed significantly so that she wouldn’t be too shocked when they met.

But instead of focusing on her appearance, Cha Soyeon was interested in something else.

“Sora unnie?”

A legendary actress who started as a child prodigy and won a trophy at Cannes in her early twenties.

She wrapped up her career in Korea and is now actively working in Hollywood.

“She’s the one who went to the arts high school to become an actress, right? Looks like she’s a huge fan of Han Sora. Her background was completely covered with her pictures.”

“Then it’d be more effective if Sora unnie said something to her.”

“That’s true, but how would we even get in touch with Han Sora?”

Cha Soyeon pulled up something on her phone and showed me the screen.

A picture of her hugging Han Sora, both smiling warmly.

“I took this last year in front of Universal Studios in the U.S.”

“You’re close with Han Sora?”

“We call each other unnie and dongsaeng. If I ask, she’ll probably say something to her. I’ll meet Jeongah first and see if she really needs unnie’s help. Just talking to me might be enough.”

She wanted to talk to her first and decide afterward.

That meant I had another backup plan besides Soyeon.

“I didn’t know you were close to Han Sora.”

“I met her through Yujin unnie. We clicked right away. I thought she’d be cold, but she’s nothing like that.”

Well, Han Sora does have that cold beauty vibe.

“Yujin… wait, you don’t mean Oh Yujin?”

The lead vocalist of Cloverday, a third-generation girl group at the top of the industry.

She started as a child actress and is an all-rounder, excelling in singing, dancing, and acting.

“Yeah, that Oh Yujin. Our families are close, so we’ve known each other since we were kids. She’d be a great unnie if it weren’t for her princess-like personality.”

Oh Yujin comes from Daeseong Group.

Her father is the CEO of YJ Entertainment.

If Soyeon is close to a family like that, then her own background must be just as impressive.

She simply smiled at my curious expression without saying anything.

We walked to the parking lot, and I opened my car door.

A laptop was sitting on the passenger seat.

It was time to check on my insurance policy.

*****

I found a laptop in the basement of Jeongah’s house.

I thought it would take days, but there weren’t many boxes, so I found it quickly.

‘It’s a video, so she must’ve used some kind of device. This is probably the only laptop available.’

[Take it and open it.]

I felt uncomfortable going through someone else’s laptop, but after hearing the spirit’s words, I changed my mind.

[Think of this as part of saving Jeongah and her mother.

Her mother probably doesn’t even know how to use it, and Jeongah doesn’t trust you enough yet to help you.

Right now, you’re the only one who can do this.

That video is crucial to changing Jeongah’s mind.]

There must be a reason why the spirit kept emphasizing the video.

I had already realized a few times that the future I saw and the future the spirit saw were different.

The spirit definitely knew something I didn’t.

Yet, the spirit only gave cryptic hints instead of a clear explanation.

It wanted me to figure it out myself.

I silently apologized to Jungwon and started opening folders one by one.

One hour later—‘There’s nothing but practice videos. This must not be the right place.’

I had checked almost everything, so if it wasn’t here, I had no idea where else to look.

Just in case I missed something, I skimmed through the files again—and that’s when I noticed a cloud storage icon on the desktop.

It was a cloud service from a major portal, one that I used frequently.

[What’s that?]

The spirit asked as I showed interest.

‘It’s a cloud storage service. Instead of saving files on a PC, you can store them online.’

[Then there’s a chance that the child saved the video there.]

‘I hope so.’

[Open it.]

I double-clicked the icon, and a login screen appeared, asking for an ID and password.

‘Ah, damn…’

Of course, the cloud storage would be password-protected.

I had been too optimistic.

Should I ask her mother or Jeongah?

But even with family, would they have shared the password?

As I debated, the spirit spoke again.

[This is a door.]

Huh?

[It has a nameplate (ID), a key (password), and once you pass through, you can enter. Isn’t that just like a door?]

Nameplate (ID), key (password), passing through (logging in)… Technically, that interpretation wasn’t wrong.

But was the spirit really applying its power that broadly?

‘So… can you open it?’

A moment later, the login screen disappeared, and the cloud storage opened.

‘Wow, wow… It actually worked. You’re incredible.’

[Don’t ask me to unlock just anything. It only works when the situation truly calls for it, and when I can feel your sincerity.]

‘I get it.’

There was only one file saved—no need to search.

It was the farewell video from Jungwon that I had been looking for.

The moment I played it, I understood why the spirit had been so insistent.

Once Jeongah saw this, there was no way she’d stay locked up in her room.

*****

“Oh, Soyeon! How have you been?”

On the screen, Han Sora was smiling.

“Unnie, it’s been a while.”

A faint smile appeared on Cha Soyeon’s otherwise expressionless face as she looked at the screen.

“Our Soyeon keeps getting prettier. Is it because you’re in love?”

“We’ll see. He still seems a bit dazed by everything.”

“Just how amazing is this manager that he’s got you all worked up? Is this really the legendary Cha Soyeon—the one who used to turn down all those ‘perfect’ guys?”

“They were all just empty husks. But this person… he’s real. He shines from behind, you know? So bright and warm, endlessly so.”

“I-Is that so…?”

Han Sora’s expression turned a bit strange.

“But why did you call? Just to brag about him?”

“I need a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yeah. I’m meeting someone tomorrow…”

Cha Soyeon concisely summarized what she had heard from Shin Juwon.

As she listened, Han Sora smirked.

“You’re helping that manager again, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

“You’re really devoted. You got him an apartment, did a live broadcast and danced to promote a failing idol, and now you’re giving life counseling?”

“If I leave him alone, there’s no telling what he’ll do. He just can’t ignore people in trouble. He keeps getting hurt, and it breaks my heart. That’s why I have to stay by his side.”

“You sound like a wife already. Might as well just settle down with him.”

“I even brought up having kids, but he got all flustered and couldn’t say a word. He’s so proactive with everyone else, but not with me.”

“Talking about kids won’t do anything. You need to throw him onto the bed and press your chest against him, like I did.”

And just like always, Han Sora’s dating masterclass began.

She shared her expertise with great sincerity, even holding a Q&A session for her junior.

“Anything else you’re curious about?”

“This isn’t about my relationship, but… Unnie, are you happy?”

“Of course. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“Just curious. You and Yujin share the same husband. I was wondering how that feels.”

The handsome actor Byun Hajin, who had displayed incredible acting talent since childhood, now lived in the U.S. with Han Sora and Oh Yujin.

They weren’t officially married, but he was already a father of two.

“You know my situation was unique. There was no way I was giving up Hajin. Do you have someone like that?”

“There’s someone I’m keeping an eye on. I have a feeling she won’t be able to live without Juwon later. You can’t just force someone’s emotions to change.”

“If you and she are both okay with it, three can work. Living like this, I realized that love doesn’t get divided in half—it actually grows bigger than what was there before. Yujin and I are so happy right now.”

“I see… Do you think I could do the same?”

“As long as you don’t get greedy and insist on having him all to yourself, you’ll be fine. Honestly, that manager of yours would probably prefer living with both of you rather than choosing one.”

“I’m not sure… He’s such a model citizen that he might say no to that kind of thing.”

“Are you seriously worried that a man would turn down two beauties like you?”

“With Juwon, I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Then you need to claim your spot first. I taught you how to seduce a man last time, remember?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait… don’t tell me you dress like that when you meet him?”

“I usually wear even shorter shorts…”

“Unacceptable. I’ll send you some outfits—wear them whenever you see him. And never wear something like that in bed.”

“Got it.”

At Han Sora’s firm instructions, Cha Soyeon reluctantly nodded.

“If I call, it’ll be around this time tomorrow. She’s really overweight, so don’t be too shocked and just talk to her nicely. You’re good at that kind of thing.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have her completely wrapped around my finger. If I’m her favorite, it’ll be even easier.”

“Thanks, unnie.”

*****

I went to Jeongah’s house with Cha Soyeon later than usual.

Since they might have a call, we needed to match the time difference with the U.S.

“I’m here.”

“Welcome. Oh my, you brought your girlfriend?”

Jeongah’s mother came out of the kitchen, her expression shifting strangely.

I hadn’t told her that I was bringing Cha Soyeon.

It’s always more impactful when it’s a surprise.

“She’s so beautiful. She looks just like Cha Soyeon.”

“That’s because she is Cha Soyeon.”

Leaving the frozen mother behind, we headed upstairs.

“I’m here.”

As expected, there was no response.

I glanced at Cha Soyeon, and she nodded.

“Your name is Jeongah, right? I have something to talk to you about. Could you open the door?”

A moment of silence passed—then, with a crashing sound, the door burst open.

Cha Soyeon didn’t even flinch at Jeongah’s disheveled appearance.

A true actress through and through.

“I-It’s really Cha Soyeon!!”