Chapter Seventy-five: The Call that Changes Everything.

It was a quiet morning. The sun filtered gently through the sheer curtains in their apartment, casting soft golden light over the room. Soo Jeon sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea, her mind wandering. She had woken up early, unable to shake the tension in her body. The audition results were expected any day now, and the waiting had become unbearable.

Min Jun was still asleep, exhausted from another late night at the office. The pressures at work were mounting, but he hadn't complained. Instead, he had thrown himself into his projects, determined to meet the impossible deadlines set by the clients.

As Soo Jeon stared into her cup, her phone buzzed on the table, the sound jarring in the quiet apartment. Her heart leapt into her throat, her hand shaking slightly as she reached for it. She glanced at the screen and froze.

It was the call.

Her breath hitched as she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was calm, professional. "Hello, is this Lee Soo Jeon?"

"Yes, this is she," Soo Jeon replied, her heart pounding in her chest.

"We're calling regarding your recent audition," the voice continued. "After much consideration, we're pleased to inform you that you've been selected as one of the principal dancers for the upcoming season."

Soo Jeon blinked, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. "I… I made it?"

"Yes, congratulations," the voice replied warmly. "You'll receive more details in the coming days, but we wanted to let you know that you've secured the position. We're excited to have you on board."

The rest of the conversation was a blur. Soo Jeon thanked them, her mind racing as she hung up the phone. She had done it. After all the hard work, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices—she had made it.

She sat there for a moment, letting the reality sink in. Then, unable to contain her excitement, she jumped up from the chair, her heart soaring.

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Sharing the Moment with Min Jun

Soo Jeon rushed into the bedroom, her excitement bubbling over. Min Jun was still asleep, his body half-buried under the blankets. She smiled, feeling a rush of affection for him. He had been her rock through this entire process, always encouraging her, always believing in her—even when she doubted herself.

She knelt beside the bed and gently shook his shoulder. "Min Jun… wake up."

He stirred, his eyes slowly opening, still heavy with sleep. "Hmm? What time is it?"

"It doesn't matter," Soo Jeon said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I got the call. I made it!"

Min Jun blinked, the words slowly registering. "You made it?" he repeated, his voice still groggy.

Soo Jeon nodded, her smile wide. "Yes! I'm going to be a principal dancer!"

In an instant, Min Jun was fully awake. He sat up, his eyes wide with excitement. "Soo Jeon, that's amazing!" He pulled her into a tight hug, his joy evident in the way he held her. "I knew you could do it."

She laughed, the sound light and full of relief. "I can't believe it's real. It feels like a dream."

Min Jun pulled back to look at her, his eyes full of pride. "You earned this. All those hours of hard work, all the sacrifices—it's all paid off. You deserve this more than anyone."

Tears pricked at the corners of Soo Jeon's eyes, overwhelmed by the moment. "I couldn't have done it without you," she whispered, resting her forehead against his. "You've been there for me every step of the way."

Min Jun smiled softly. "And I always will be."

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Min Jun's Work Crisis

Later that day, after the initial excitement had settled, Min Jun headed into the office. He was happy for Soo Jeon, truly, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. His own work had been dragging him down lately, and the pressure was starting to take a toll. The clients had requested another round of changes, and it was clear they were not going to be satisfied until they got exactly what they wanted—no matter how unrealistic the demands were.

As he sat at his desk, reviewing the latest revisions, his phone buzzed. It was a message from his supervisor: "Meeting with the clients in 10. Be prepared for more changes."

Min Jun let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. He was tired—more tired than he had ever been. The late nights, the constant revisions, the never-ending demands—it was all becoming too much. He had been doing his best to keep up, but the truth was, he was starting to feel burnt out.

The meeting was just as he expected. The clients wanted another complete redesign, and his supervisor was pushing for immediate results. As they talked, Min Jun felt the weight of it all pressing down on him. He had given so much to this project, and yet, it never seemed to be enough.

After the meeting, he returned to his desk, feeling drained. For the first time, he wondered if this was really worth it. Was this the life he wanted? Was the constant pressure and stress worth sacrificing his happiness, his relationship, his peace of mind?

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A Conversation of Clarity

That evening, when Min Jun returned home, Soo Jeon was still riding the high of her success. She had spent the day rehearsing, her heart light and full of joy. But when she saw Min Jun walk through the door, she immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Min Jun? Are you okay?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

He sighed, dropping his bag by the door. "It's just work. The clients are impossible to please, and the deadlines keep getting tighter. I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it."

Soo Jeon frowned, walking over to him and taking his hand. "You've been pushing yourself so hard lately. Maybe it's time to take a step back, to reevaluate what you really want."

Min Jun looked at her, her words sinking in. "What I really want…"

Soo Jeon smiled softly. "You've always been so passionate about your work, but it shouldn't come at the cost of your happiness. Maybe it's time to find a better balance. You deserve to be happy, too."

Min Jun nodded slowly, her words resonating with him. He had been so focused on meeting the demands of others that he had forgotten to take care of himself. Maybe it was time to make a change—to prioritize his own well-being and the things that truly mattered.

"I think you're right," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "It's time to make a change."

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Moving Forward Together

As they sat together that evening, Min Jun and Soo Jeon talked about the future. With her new role as a principal dancer and his realization about work, they both knew that changes were coming. But instead of feeling uncertain or afraid, they felt hopeful—because they knew that whatever came next, they would face it together.