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As the evening wore on, the actors gathered around the table and started to discuss their worries regarding their careers, the problems they were having, and so forth. 

Cho Min-chul also disclosed the recent stress he had been swallowing. 

“At a certain point, I feel too much burden to meet the public’s expectations. Of course, I’m grateful that they expect a lot from me, but with my own standards, I’m never satisfied with my own performance.”

“Right, I feel you. If I read the script several times and still don't understand the character but must perform in it, I become extremely anxious because I feel like I'm faking my acting right now."

“For the movie Forever in Your Arms that I’m preparing now, my character suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, so I’ve lost over 20kg, but I still feel like I’m not a real patient.”

Kyu-ha quietly listened to the conversation and thought about the life he had when he was facing death because of an incurable disease. 

Then, he specified the changes in emotions he had and thoughts that went through his head when he was on the verge of death. 

“How do you know so much?”

He said that he had an acquaintance who was also suffering from an incurable disease, and Cho Min-chul happily thanked Kyu-ha. 

“I appreciate it! It’s been a big help.”

More time passed, and most of the actors went back home with their managers. The team leader, Han Jeong-hee, who seemed to be tipsy, brought her glass and came to Kyu-ha. 

“Finally, I can talk to you! What were you guys discussing so passionately that they’ve kept you for two hours?”

“Hahaha... We had a lot on the table.”

Han Jeong-hee began at Kyu-ha, filled her drink, and drank it from the bottom up.

“Whoo… I think I’m not good enough as a team leader yet.”

“That’s very different from what I think. I’m often surprised by your capability.”

“No, no… I was disappointed in myself and even a little angry while watching the show... I’m a team leader, yet I don’t know anything about my own actor.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t share it in ---”

“No! It’s all my fault. I should have tried to get to know you first, asked you questions, become friends, and had some drinks like this! For my actors, I should have done so. I always said that getting roles and doing work is not all a leader should do. Well, look at me now.”

Then, although half-closed, her eyes eagerly looked at Kyu-ha, and she held her glass toward him.

“Next time! We should have some drinks together! Okay?! Let’s be friends! Cheers!”

“Sure. Cheers.”

She said it so passionately that Kyu-ha immediately responded and emptied his glass.

Soon after, Han Jeong-hee fell asleep, leaning on the table. 

Kyu-ha was surprised that there were still people like her, who were not treating him like a business partner, but rather as someone inside the boundary of family, and she meant it. 

Unintentionally, he smiled slightly. 

The gathering ended when the female staff helped Han Jeong-hee get back home. 

***

Usually, actors tend to go through after-effects when they are done with a job. There are physiological theses on this exact phenomenon. 

Symptoms can differ depending on which character they played. In a romance genre, the actors felt romantic emotions toward their co-star, whereas in a character with depression, the actors are trapped in that downturn emotion or emptiness. In worst cases, they became highly sensitive or aggressive. 

So, it was routine for the actors to have a few months or years break to get over the lingering effects.

Stellar Entertainment took very important care of their talent. They suggested that after filming a film, actors take at least two months off and choose the next project through discussion with the actors, fully considering their opinions. 

That was one of the reasons why Stellar Entertainment had a good reputation among actors. 

Kyu-ha was also given a resting period. With his psychopathic nature, Kyu-ha didn’t need the break time, however he didn’t have an excuse to reasonably explain it, so he took two months off. 

He kept himself busy with personal tasks. Firstly, he got a new place, which was bigger and closer to the agency. He didn’t keep much stuff, so it was easy to finish moving house with his manager, Bong-gu. 

He went to visit the company where he used to work and bought a fancy dinner for CEO Seol Woo-don and his colleagues. He paid a visit to Doseon Temple and donated necessary items from the share of revenue he received.

Kyu-ha did not perform any of his works while feeling sad or missing the past. 

He didn’t want to stay at home, and he knew that it was the right time to do so because of what he’d said on the show. 

Kyu-ha was warmly welcomed by his former coworkers and fellow monks, who sincerely congratulated him on his accomplishments. 

Lastly, he went to Bluebird Orphanage where he stayed for a short time. 

It had been a long time since he left, and the director had changed. 

An elderly nun was now in the position. She introduced herself as Sister Kang An-na. 

She was very surprised when he told her he had stayed here before and thanked him for visiting. 

He told Director Kang An-na that he wanted to donate, and delivered toys, sports gear, and snacks that he had prepared in advance. 

“Wow, that’s the doll I wanted!”

“Hey, this soccer ball is so great!”

The children loved the gifts Kyu-ha brought, and Sister Kang also seemed to be pleased. 

“The kids love them. Thank you, Mr. Kyu-ha.”

“It’s not much. I’m glad that the children are happy.”

Kyu-ha hung around there for a month for volunteer work. He stayed with the kids, and did chores like cleaning and doing dishes. 

It was not sympathy or compassion for the children that made Kyu-ha stay there. 

He just didn’t have many things to do during the break time, and spending time with the children made the time fly.

Now that they’d known each other for more than a month, the children weren’t scared of Kyu-ha. Rather, they came to him first and showed interest. 

“Hyung! Help me. I can’t do this!”

“Oppa, is this the right way to draw this?”

“Hyung! Please fix this. It’s completely broken!”

Preschool kids were interested in drawing or music, while children in middle school and above needed help with their studies for entrance exams. 

Kyu-ha fulfilled their needs, whatever it was, and so, as time passed, children came to Kyu-ha first when they wanted to know something or when there was an issue. 

“Hyung… You know, a few days ago, an old lady asked me if I missed my mother, and I told her I liked it here more. But it’s a lie. I miss my mom so badly… But I was scared that Mom wouldn’t ever come back for me, and that made me say I didn’t miss her. And now I feel so bad…” sobbed a little boy. 

Jung-kyu had resided in the orphanage for almost a year now. 

Kyu-ha patted Jung-kyu on the head and spoke in a calm yet gentle tone. 

“Your mom did not abandon you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t call you so often. She’s preparing to live with you. Wait just a bit more, and she will come to pick you up. Trust her.”

After that day, even the troublemakers came to Kyu-ha and secretly told him their problems. 

For the children, Kyu-ha’s existence was a novelty itself. Firstly, he didn’t treat them with sympathy or compassion. Kids are more sensitive than adults think they are, and they easily sense the feelings that adults have. 

The adults that visited the place were mostly nice, but deep down they were looking at them with sympathy. Children pretended to be cheerful in their presence but were actually hiding their true feelings. 

It was different with Kyu-ha; his eyes reflected his transparency. There was no sympathy nor compassion, and they were treated as they were. He was like a superhero to them.

One peaceful weekend at the Bluebird Orphanage, the once-regular volunteer group visited for the first time in nearly two months.

The volunteer group Woolim had a deep relationship with the orphanage director, Kang An-na.

When she was an ordinary nun, Kang An-na visited many nursing homes and various care centers nationwide, then naturally met and made a connection with the volunteer group. 

They became closer, and when they heard she had become the director of Bluebird Orphanage, they promised regular support.

Director Kang An-na also had a reason for trusting Woolim more than any other group: they only accepted members who met certain criteria. 

Such a membership system required a monthly membership fee, which is rare for a volunteer group. They also only took in new members who were recommended by the original members. 

An institute like an orphanage did not accept any old volunteer groups. 

Some were careless with certain words and behaviors that they should avoid, and do not consistently visit and help out. In those scenarios, kids at the orphanage could be emotionally hurt. 

Woolim never disappointed Director Kang An-na for that part, so she welcomed them. 

“How was the trip? Thanks for coming, Leader Choi.”

“Hey, Director Kang! Long time no see! You look like you’re doing well!”

Director Kang An-na and the team leader of Woolim, Choi Seon-hae, greeted each other. 

“Today we brought some warm clothes for the children. It’s winter soon.”

“Thank you so much! The kids will really appreciate it.”

“Pleasure is all mine. if the kids are happy.”

After the short greeting, Choi Seon-hae introduced a woman who was quietly standing behind her. 

“This is my daughter, Han Gyeo-ul. She always said she wanted to do volunteer work, so I brought her today. Don’t worry. She follows through on her words and actions."

Han Gyeo-ul took off the mask she was wearing and introduced herself to Kang An-na.

“Nice to meet you, Ma’am. I’m Han Gyeo-ul…!”

In Director Kang’s eyes, Han Gyeo-ul had a youthful, attractive face; her eyes were bright, kind and inviting.