* * *

“Is this for real?”

Ma Soo-jung drank sparkling water on the sofa. Maybe it was because of the fitted clothes for her current role; she had to watch every calorie.

“What do you mean? Do I look like a saint?”

Ma Soo-jung pushed her hair back. The agency president frowned, but the actress didn’t care.

“No, that photo is definitely good.”

“Right? Even as a promotional material, it’s good. The photographer said it’s the best shot of his life.”

“Yeah. It looks really holy. But is it real or not?!”

The president asked sternly. Ma Soo-jung almost got distracted by her roundabout way of talking.

She smiled brightly.

‘Not falling for it.’

Why is this rumor spreading?

Ma Soo-jung spoke warmly.

“President Seo.”

“Yes?”

“You trust me, right?”

The president nodded.

“I do.”

“Do you believe the internet posts or me?”

“You, of course.”

Ma Soo-jung sighed.

“I see. If you said you believed those posts, I was going to lie…”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry.”

Ma Soo-jung smiled angelically.

“It’s true.”

The president was momentarily stunned.

“What, what?!!!”

“Our Kongja and I were meant to be. I fell in love the moment I saw him. An angel smiled at me.”

“Hey! Ma Soo-jung!”

“I couldn’t resist. The Kongja captivated me with an angel’s smile like a devil.”

“Still, an adoption! Did you really do it?”

“Yes, I really did.”

The president collapsed onto the sofa, clutching his neck. Having known Ma Soo-jung for a long time, he knew.

“President, don’t you have low blood pressure? Why are you holding your neck?”

“Hey! Ma Soo-jung! You should’ve at least discussed it!”

“You would’ve stopped me.”

“Of course, I would!”

Ma Soo-jung comfortably sat on the sofa and grinned.

“That’s why I didn’t.”

“Still, an adoption!”

“It’s better than remarriage, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, but…”

The actress was entirely composed.

“But Soo-jung, you got divorced.”

“That’s right. I got divorced. Two years ago.”

Ma Soo-jung smiled brightly.

“What does it matter?”

“Hey, not everyone thinks like you.”

“True. Sorry.”

“Why adoption? What’s lacking in you?”

The actress shook her head.

“Do people who lack something usually adopt? Isn’t it usually those who are kind, affluent, and generous?”

The president fell silent immediately.

“You just stabbed every adoptive family in Korea, no, the world.”

“Hey, I was just saying. That’s not the issue…”

“I can raise the child well. I’m exactly that kind of person: kind, affluent, and generous.”

Ma Soo-jung crossed her legs.

“I earn a lot of money. I don’t mind the work if the script is good. I’m emotionally stable and make regular donations. Also, you know investors like me.”

The president nodded.

“Among the top earners for the company, I’m in the top three, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then let it slide. I’m the one raising the child, so why make a fuss?”

Ma Soo-jung got up from her seat.

“Soo-jung, where are you going?”

“To contact my lawyer.”

“Huh? What are you going to do now?”

“It’s strange. The adoption was supposed to be a secret. No one but those around me should know.”

Ma Soo-jung smiled like a villain in a movie.

“Who left these comments?”

“Are you going after the malicious commenter?”

“I’m going to make them pay at least a fine.”

“You know it’s hard to catch them.”

“Unless someone commits suicide, the legal system is pretty lax.”

When a malicious commenter commits suicide, they demand no punishment.

When a celebrity commits suicide, they demand punishment.

Unfortunately, it was the former time.

“It would be nice if they made clear statistics of death rates.”

“Hey, Soo-jung, don’t say that out loud.”

“Why not? Doesn’t it sound humane? My family is a bit like this. Maybe it rubbed off on me. That’s why I use a lawyer. Isn’t it better to have someone fight on my behalf?”

Ma Soo-jung muttered as she lowered her smartphone.

“I hope our Kongja doesn’t pick up these habits.”

She thought to herself.

‘I hope our baby grows up in a bright world, living lightly like a feather.’

Mom will protect you. I’ll make sure you can live like that.

She smiled brightly at the President again.

“So, please. Can I count on you, Mr. President?”

“Ugh. Why did I bring this trouble upon myself?”

“You love having me around. Stop pretending.”

She walked out of the president’s office confidently. It was only after Ma Baewoo left that the president realized.

“I got played again!”

He couldn’t say a word in front of her. President Seo sighed and hung his head. Honestly, it wasn’t an affair or tax evasion.

‘Well, adoption isn’t a crime.’

It might cause problems when casting roles in the future, though.

President Seo slumped into the sofa. The tasks ahead felt overwhelming.

‘Keeping the media quiet isn’t easy, you know!’

If it weren’t for the financial support, he’d give her a piece of his mind.

Holding back tears, the president made a phone call.

—

I stared at the ceiling. The colorful toys swayed.

‘Ah, this is driving me crazy.’

Sure, they made these for babies to look at. But I was already used to YouTube.

‘This isn’t entertaining at all.’

Seriously lacking stimulation.

I took a deep breath.

‘Time is just passing by.’

It’s been three days since I decided to become a celebrity.

‘I thought things would move quickly once I made up my mind…’

But nothing significant had happened.

I sighed. It was time to reassess. First, I checked the coins I had collected.

“Pwaow!”

Total coins!
The subtitle appeared immediately.

[Total Coins: 7,777]

I had collected quite a few.

‘Still not enough.’

Not enough to make mom healthy. Honestly, at this point, I wasn’t sure if I should save these or use them.

‘It’s frustrating.’

Darn it.

‘Usually, in times like this, people would just zone out.’

But I was a top-notch supporting actor. I knew exactly what to do in such situations.

‘When in doubt, exercise.’

Move. The answer will come.

I lifted my round butt. With my small hands, I grabbed the cradle rail and braced my legs.

Maybe it was because I had been doing it for a few days; it was easier than before.

‘When will I start walking upright?’

Maybe I should use coins to strengthen my body.

‘No, it’s inefficient.’

Just because I could move around didn’t mean a camera would focus on me.

‘Let’s think, Lee Han-joo, or rather, Ma Kongja.’

How can I become a celebrity?

‘Usually, it’s through Instagram here.’

Then it spreads through word of mouth and even gets broadcast.

But it didn’t seem like mom would use Instagram.

‘My mom is a top star but dislikes public attention.’

Well, maybe she suffered from her divorce.

‘Is she cautious because I’m adopted?’

But mother, hiding this face is a waste, no, a crime.

‘Becoming famous for being famous is good, isn’t it?’

I want attention.

Of course, being popular at a young age can be dangerous. But I’m not a real child.

‘Mother, let’s open Instagram!’

I couldn’t shout that out.

The only sound from my mouth was “Ppwoo Ppwaa”.

‘Let’s forget Instagram.’

Someone who never used social media wouldn’t start after adopting a child.

‘Wait, is there even Instagram now?’

Oh, it’s 2010. Not many people use it yet.

Darn it.

‘Then how can I become famous…’

I made a square with my fingers. After practicing a lot, I could make a neat shape.

Of course, it was adorable.

“Ppa-Ppa! Ppa-Ppa!”

Click, click.

Paparazzi.

‘It’s a bit Hollywood-style, but it’s the only way.’

Funny enough, it suited my mom, actress Ma Soo-jung’s image.

‘Hmm, this might actually work.’

There were paparazzi, or “media”, even in our country.

‘They made money off celebrities’ private lives, right?’

Many celebrities struggled, but that’s not the point.

‘Mom is famous. They will definitely take pictures.’

I wiggled my butt. Maybe because my thigh muscles were weak, I immediately fell.

‘Just one shot is all I need.’

Then I can gather coins! Become a celebrity! Make mom healthy!

* * *