AOA 162

I was confused by the sudden remark. Then, I realized that the subsequent explanation was actually encouragement. I burst out laughing. No matter how much he is biased, this was too much.

“Wow. You really only see your hyung.”

“All my friends said you’re handsome, too. It’s true.”

I put my arm around Sejun’s shoulder, and leaned against him. My younger brother, who had grown up so much since coming to America, no longer fit entirely in one arm.

My younger brother, who was on my side more than anyone else, was cute. But I had to say what needed to be said.

“Don’t go around saying I’m better looking. You’ll get criticized.”

“Why? It’s a perfectly obvious fact.”

“I told you not to do it. You should have some conscience.”

I hooked his neck with the arm around his shoulders. As I squeezed his neck, Sejun gagged.

“Why? I’m saying you’re handsome too, hyung.”

“Can you shut up?”

As Sejun resisted, a physical struggle ensued. We wrapped our arms around each other and hooked our legs. Although he had grown quite a bit, he was still smaller than me. I was also stronger. When I finished pinning him with a choke and leg hook, Sejun shouted.

“I surrender! Surrender! I lost. I said I lost.”

I released my younger brother only after he surrendered. Sejun, who had been coughing, pouted and grumbled.

“All you have is strength.”

“What?”

Just as I was about to hook him again, he, his face flushed red, scurried up from the sofa. Then, walking away to the entrance of the living room, he shouted.

“Hyung. It’s true that you’re handsome.”

“Stop teasing and go away.”

“You’re handsome. Jeong Minchae!”

“Hey!”

I couldn’t tell if he was teasing me or cheering me on. When I shouted, Sejun burst into laughter and ran away.

Left alone, I continued watching TV. In the meantime, Baek Mugyeong’s interview had ended and the video had switched to another one.

The interview video was released this afternoon, a week after the article was published. Perhaps because Baek Jinseok was furious, the story regarding Baek Mugyeong’s psychiatric treatment was omitted from the video. However, once an interview was published as an article, nothing could be done about it. Although the online interview article was edited, evidence such as screenshots remained.

No wonder Baek Jinseok told him to pack his things immediately.

“It’s a good thing.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. A long-distance relationship with Baek Mugyeong wasn’t bad. However, I thought it was only natural that distance makes the heart grow fonder.

We video-called and exchanged messages every day. We made sure to meet at least once a month. The longing was intense because it had been so long since we last met. But that alone wasn’t enough. I decided that if Baek Mugyeong came to the U.S. this time, we would go on a trip together, just the two of us. While I was pondering where to go, the phone on the table vibrated.

It was Jang Hoyeon.

“Hello? Hoyeon?”

–Yeah. It’s me.

“What’s the matter?”

–Ah, I saw something. Do you know a cafe called Mamamama? An internet cafe.

Mamamama was a community forum where Korean Americans exchanged various information. It was widely used by many people for everything from simple daily life tips to real estate and study abroad information. I also joined to look up information about the school my younger sibling was going to attend.

“I know. Why there?”

–Your photo is up there. Check it out.

According to Jang Hoyeon, my photo was uploaded to Mamamama earlier today. To be precise, he said it was a photo of me and Baek Mugyeong on a date.

I logged into Mamamama immediately without hanging up the phone. I was able to quickly find a relevant post on the bulletin board, where one could post free-form content without a specific topic.

It was a photo from a few months ago when I was on a date with Baek Mugyeong at a shopping mall. Baek Mugyeong was clearly visible, while my face next to him was blurred. Even though it was zoomed in, Baek Mugyeong’s face, with sunglasses hanging from his collar, was clear.

The person who wrote the post noted that they had taken the photo a long time ago because the subject was so handsome, and decided to upload it now that he had become famous. The comments mentioned Baek Mugyeong’s name, as well as terms like “third-generation chaebol” and “Daesong Group.” Naturally, there were also questions about the identity of the person standing next to him. It was revealed that he was an ordinary man, that he had attended a language academy until recently, and even that he was someone’s grandson.

I couldn’t help but sigh. This world was small. Aside from my name, it was basically the same as revealing everything.

–Did you check?

“Yes.”

–They recognized you even though your face was blurred. I thought you might be bothered by it. They said you have to request it yourself to delete the post there.

“Thank you.”

Jang Hoyeon, who was well-connected, took care of people in this way. When I thanked him, he ended the call, telling me to let him know anytime if I needed help.

I immediately sent a message to Baek Mugyeong.

❖ ❖ ❖

–The post will be deleted soon.

Baek Mugyeong acted very quickly. A call came less than five minutes after the message was sent. When I explained the whole situation, Baek Mugyeong said he would handle it. And less than an hour later, I received a message saying the post would be deleted. It was the speed of light.

However, the photo spread through Korean communities in that short amount of time. It was Choi Jaeha who informed me of this. He teased Baek Mugyeong, saying that at this rate, he would make his TV debut.

Baek Mugyeong said he would sort that out as well.

–You don’t have to worry.

On the small phone screen, Baek Mugyeong looked serious, and handsome. I suddenly thought the phrase “a sculpted handsome man” really suited him.

“Being too handsome is also a problem.”

I blurted out before I could even think. Baek Mugyeong looked at me like he didn’t understand.

“It’s all because you’re handsome. Handsome men are rare.”

–Most things will be sorted out this week.

Feeling embarrassed, Baek Mugyeong changed the subject. Baek Jinseok’s words were absolute. Having stepped down from his position as Executive Director, Baek Mugyeong was settling his life in Korea.

“Then are you coming next week?”

–Yes.

“You definitely need to wear sunglasses on our next date.”

–That’s right.

Baek Mugyeong laughed at the lighthearted joke, then quickly returned to a serious expression. He looked not much different from usual. However, I had a hunch. Even though it was just a phone screen, I could feel Baek Mugyeong’s hesitation.

“Mugyeong-ssi. Do you happen to have something to say?”

–Ah…….

“Is it serious?”

–Don’t be too surprised.

It was a warning I had never heard from him before. Baek Mugyeong even laughed as he mentioned that he had been fired from DS Motors. It seemed like something big had indeed exploded.

“I’m ready.”

– Jeong Guhyeon was rushed to the hospital after going into shock from a drug overdose, and that he just passed away.

I had been holding my breath, but for a moment I couldn’t say anything.

A few months ago, Jeong Guhyeon was sentenced to a suspended sentence for administering and distributing psychotropic drugs. As the case involved several children of influential families and celebrities, Jeong Guhyeon was put at the forefront as a scapegoat.

My biological father told Baek Mugyeong that he had pulled some strings to get the case settled with a suspended sentence. Since then, I had completely forgotten about Jeong Guhyeon. I didn’t want to care how either Jeong Guhyeon or my biological father were doing.

But then I heard that Jeong Guhyeon was dead. It didn’t surprise me. Rather, I was bothered by a heavy, sensation sticking to my legs.

“Did he really die?”

My voice trembled. It wasn’t that I doubted Baek Mugyeong. It was just a reflexive.

–It’s certain.

“…Okay.”

–Are you alright?

“I should be alright, but I’m not sure.”

It was true. Thinking about what happened to Jeong Guhyeon should have made me happy and relieved, but I felt strange. My stomach churned and I felt stifled.

–Minchae-ssi.

“It’s strange. I don’t feel happy.”

–It’s normal.

“I suppose so?”

–Don’t go to the funeral. You won’t hear anything nice.

“……That’s right. I understand.”

The mention of a funeral brought me back to reality. Jeong Guhyeon was my legal family and my only brother. Considering Korean sentiment, I should attend the funeral, but I had absolutely no intention of doing so.

–There’s one more thing.

“What is it?”

–Now that Jeong Guhyeon has passed away, you are Chairman Jeong’s only child. Chairman Jeong might approach you.

“Uh…….”

My mind had dulled from the shock. Just as Baek Mugyeong had said, my half-brother Jeong Guhyeon was dead, so I was now my biological father’s only child. Considering his personality, he would certainly not sit idly by.

As the thoughts slowly unfolded, I got goosebumps. What my biological father was going to say came to mind as if I had the radio playing.

He would say that I would inherit everything, that I must carry on the family lineage, and that it is all for my own good.

My stomach, which had been churning just at the thought of it, twisted. Something damp and sticky rose all the way to the top of my head.

I hated it so much.

–Minchae-ya.

“I-I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else.”

The terrible feeling vanished when I heard Baek Mugyeong call my name. Instead, I thought rationally. The situation was different now than it had been in the past. I didn’t need to do as my biological father told me to just for the sake of money. I knew this in my head, but my memories controlled my body. That made me feel even worse.

I didn’t want to be swayed by something like this. I needed to become stronger.

–I should be by your side right now.

“I’m fine. I’m perfectly fine.”

–First, talk to your grandmother. And your aunts, too. Absolutely do not meet him in person; only contact him through the lawyer. I will speak to that lawyer on your behalf.

As always, Baek Mugyeong offered a quick solution. Hearing his kind voice filled with concern, my heart that had been frozen warmed up.

Now I didn’t have to worry alone anymore. Now I had many people on my side.

“I love you.”

Baek Mugyeong’s eyes widened as he heard the sudden confession that didn’t fit the situation, then he laughed.

-I love you too.

I was really fine. But I felt like it would be really nice if he were by my side right now. I wanted to hug Baek Mugyeong.

❖ ❖ ❖

Baek Mugyeong’s warning became true.

Not long after speaking with him, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. I answered without knowing what it was, but hung up immediately upon hearing my biological father’s voice. I ignored all the calls and messages informing me that Jeong Guhyeon had died and asking me to attend the funeral, and I blocked the number immediately. After Jeong Guhyeon’s funeral, I handed over a waiver of inheritance notarized through a lawyer.

Even so, my biological father was persistent. When I didn’t answer a call from an unknown number, he sent a long message.

He told me that I was the only one to carry on the family business, that I would inherit the entire fortune, that I should come to Korea to learn the business, and that the company and the art museum were all mine.

My biological father did not simply try to persuade him. He criticized me, saying that it was rude not to attend my brother’s funeral, no matter how bad our relationship was. He angrily said that everyone else was pointing fingers at him too, and that he couldn’t show his face in public because of me.