I’ll return the checks you sent in the envelope.

January 16,

From Perry Humble.]

[To Actor Perry Humble

I apologize for causing you concern in such an insensitive manner. However, I’ve never harbored dark intentions to manipulate you with money. I can swear this even before Witch Isobel.

I purely wish for you to focus on your acting career. The amount I sent earlier doesn’t even express half of my feelings.

Do you know any outstanding artists? Those famous enough to be recorded in history books, from the past to the present.

I have no interest in their lives, but one thing I know for certain:

Masterpieces are born in comfortable environments.

While some complete their artistic worlds through desperate struggle and hunger, in today’s age of abundance, is such a forced march necessary?

Moreover, since ancient times, talented individuals have had patrons. Not the patrons of recent corrupted contexts, but real patrons who truly supported artists so their potential wouldn’t be broken.

Could you not accept it that way?

It’s not even a significant amount for me. To be completely frank, thanks to my day-and-night work schedule, money accumulates faster than I can spend it. You don’t need to know a skilled pilot’s salary specifically, but if you doubt my circumstances, I can submit pay stubs or account statements.

Of course, I understand that your concern isn’t about my financial situation but my intentions. Scandals between artists and patrons remain gossip topics among socialites even today.

But as long as I can see you on stage again, nothing else matters to me. If you wish, I can swear never to send another letter. Would notarization reassure you? Naturally, I’ll cover all costs.

Once again, I implore you to accept my sincerity.

January 20,

From no longer anonymous,

Yuan Bellium.

P.S. The weather has been concerning these past few days. As temperatures continue to drop, please be careful of icy roads.]

[To Mr. Yuan Bellium

I read your previous letter well.

Alright, I won’t doubt your intentions. So Mr. Bellium, I hope you will also cooperate so I won’t doubt you further. I’ll return the money order you slipped in, enclosed with this letter.

Being an actor who only receives from fans like this—it’s embarrassing. Though I can hardly call myself an actor with no scheduled productions and barely any training.

Because there’s an audience.

An actor never leaves the stage before the audience does.

I won’t quit acting. I promise. Should I say, as you put it, I’m taking a step back to wait for the right moment for a big leap forward?

I’d be infinitely happy if you’d wait until I make that leap, but I’ll understand if you leave. The kingdom is overflowing with talented actors.

Actually, I’m very curious how you came to notice me. All those performances you listed—even combined, my total stage time wouldn’t reach 30 minutes.

Still, knowing someone is waiting like this gives me strength to look harder for work. Once my situation stabilizes, I might be able to balance it with acting. Even if things aren’t ideal right now, surely among so many theaters, there must be a place for me?

Thank you for caring in so many ways. I’ll work hard not to disappoint you.

January 22,

With a hug, Perry Humble.]

[To Actor Perry Humble

Tremendous snowfall continues. I hear trains heading north have been suspended one after another, and I’m worried whether you’ve suffered any other damages.

Is your job search progressing well? While I certainly believe in your capabilities, if you’re still looking for a position, I’d like to make a suggestion.

Before proposing, I emphasize again that I have no ulterior motives.

To get to the point, how would you feel about work at a restaurant? The hours are from 11 AM to 3 PM, which seems quite suitable for balancing with an acting career.

It’s certainly a respectable establishment, and I’ve heard they’re looking for someone who can primarily serve but could also assist in the kitchen. Though I heard this secondhand, the pay and working conditions are apparently not bad.

If you’re amenable, I’ll recommend you to the restaurant using my name. There would be an interview, of course, but if they recognize your true value, the hiring itself shouldn’t be too difficult.

Naturally, if you’ve found a more suitable position in the meantime, I won’t insist, but if not, please consider it positively.

I await your reply.

January 25,

Yuan Bellium.]

[To Perry Humble

I’ve confirmed the oil payment, but the electricity bill hasn’t been paid.

What about the rent? I’m sure I said it was due by the 15th.

If you don’t think you can pay the electricity bill and rent within a week, tell me right away. The real estate agency has been pestering me about whether there are any available properties.

They’ll be delighted to hear that the room with the best sunlight is vacant.]

[To Mr. Yuan Bellium

Just days ago, I was so proud when speaking to you, but now I feel embarrassed changing my words—nevertheless, I gratefully accept your offer. If you could let me know the restaurant’s location and contact information, I’ll speak with the person in charge.

Thank you, truly, truly.

I’m conserving electricity, so I’ll keep this brief.

January 27,

Perry Humble.]

SCENE 2. Perhaps Your Friend

“Don’t ask unnecessary questions. Don’t overdo it or be rude.”

A dry voice echoed coolly. The man, his gaze directed slightly upward, followed the trajectory of the slanting light and added:

“Keep the lights on.”

“Why bother when it’s still daytime? With just the sunlight shining down like this, the restaurant atmosphere is more—”

“Dark.”

It was a resolute rebuke, as if not worth reconsidering. The person dealing with the man pushed out their lips and moved. Soon, a soft quince-colored light gently covered the cream-colored tablecloth.

The man’s eyes examined the shadows between tables, the path from entrance to counter, and the neatly gathered boxes of ingredients, finally relaxing. Though not perfectly satisfied, he nodded slowly, thinking this would do for now. The other person sat down in the opposite chair with a protesting sigh.

“By the way, aren’t you busy? Is it okay to be here like this before a flight?”

“Twenty-one hours and thirty-six minutes left.”

As if questioning when he had ever been foolish enough to neglect managing his condition, the man shrugged while glancing at his wristwatch. In fact, his gesture of tapping the watch rim was rather unstable. His pale eyes narrowed slightly as they surveyed the restaurant once more.

“Don’t trouble that person. In any sense.”

The man who uttered that simple pronoun, “that person,” allowing no speculation, bit the inside of his cheek out of habit.

“Isn’t the person making the request asking for too much?”

“Request? How disappointing to misunderstand your cousin’s pure favor that way.”

“Pure favor, you say.”

“I’ve never asked you to hire someone underqualified. Nor do I have any intention of interfering with your decision-making.”

The joints of his interlaced fingers were long and straight. The man, lazily resting his chin on his hand, added without a trace of humor:

“However, if your judgment is sound, there’s only one answer I expect to hear.”

“Yes, yes. You, Yuan, merely recommended a suitable person. But anyway.”

“Don’t talk about me.”

“Do you really need to go this far—”

“Don’t even dream of trying anything strange.”

“Do you think I’m some lecher who lusts after anyone wearing a skirt?”

This was quite a brazen retort coming from someone seeking new staff due to a romance with a previous employee. The man’s cousin grumbled softly while pinning up her long bangs.

“Why come all the way here to repeat what you’ve already said in letters and phone calls? You never show your face even when invited, claiming you’re busy.”

Acting like a caring cousin while actually just wanting to show off a new lover. The man coldly ignored his cousin’s interrogation. Winter sunlight gently draped over his black hair. His neat profile momentarily appeared serene.

“Did you say you were schoolmates?”

“Not schoolmates.”

“First love?”

The eyes behind his glasses narrowed slightly. An unnatural silence followed.

“No way.”

His belated answer was embarrassingly small compared to before. Like someone choked up, barely mumbling a word while clutching a torn vocal cord. The corners of his horizontally elongated eyes twisted subtly.

“If you’re that worried, why don’t you join the interview too?”

“Why would I?”

First love—what a ridiculously mistaken assumption. The two people didn’t match such romantic and naive words. They weren’t even close enough to be referred to as “we.” If anything……

His restless eyes settled calmly. The man concluded firmly, allowing no speculation. His stiff lips moved slowly.

“I simply…… support that person. That person deserves it and should enjoy even more than this. So—”

“So that’s why the hardest-to-see member of our family has personally come to lobby?”

“Of course I respect your decision, Della. I trust your discernment.”