AOA 67

Publicly, Kim Soohee’s cause of death was reported not as suicide, but as an unfortunate accident, falling down the stairs. Her parents were outraged, but for the sake of their daughter’s honor, they accepted it as an accidental death. However, not only were there rumors among the people, even to themselves, it didn’t seem like just a simple accident.

It was disappointing that nothing turned up even after digging through the police records.

Jake continued his explanation.

“We only skimmed the surface of what’s going on inside the company. That side’s got decent security, apparently. Don’t be too disappointed, though. We got plenty of stuff on their private lives. Especially your cousin, he’s been up to all kinds of dirt. You’ll see when you check it yourself, but yeah, there’s more than enough to ruin him socially.”

Jake grinned mischievously at the end of his explanation. Baek Mugyeong, who was gathering up the USB, didn’t fall for it.

“You don’t have any solid evidence, do you?”

“How’d you know?”

“If you did, you’d be gloating a lot more.”

“Seriously, your instincts are wicked sharp. Like you said, no decisive evidence yet. I’ve just been tailing him. From here, it’s going to take more time. That okay?”

Even with what sounded like an excuse, Baek Mugyeong nodded. If it was something that could socially bury someone, it was worth the wait.

He had saved Jake. The shares that were going to be handed over to the private equity fund were now firmly in his grasp. There was nothing to worry about anymore. He could take his time finding the truth and savor his revenge.

And with that, the matter related to Baek Yeongseop was closed. Now it was time to enjoy a nice meal.

Baek Mugyeong planned to spend a relaxing time with an old friend. But, as always, life never went according to plan.

Four hours and ten minutes later, Baek Mugyeong was standing in the middle of a crowded emergency room.

*

The emergency room on a late Saturday afternoon was in chaos. Groans came from all directions.

Baek Mugyeong crossed the emergency room with Choi Jaeha.

“The car crashed right into the tree next to us. If it had been even a second later, it could’ve hit us.”

Choi Jaeha, his voice trembling, explained what happened.

It was Saturday. Yeouido Park, filled with fully bloomed cherry blossoms, was crowded with people enjoying the spring weather. A sedan had stormed into the park just an hour ago.

Jumping the curb from the road onto the grass, the car didn’t even touch the brakes as it mowed through people. Naturally, the park turned into a scene of havoc.

On their way home after viewing the blossoms, Jeong Minchae and Choi Jaeha were pushed down by the fleeing crowd. The sedan that had torn through the peaceful park finally crashed into a nearby tree and came to a stop.

Baek Mugyeong clicked his tongue internally. The car attack at Yeouido Park had also happened before his regression.

It had been a major news story. A man, enraged after losing everything in stock trading, committed the crime after seeing people happily enjoying the cherry blossoms. There were many injured, but no deaths, so word was that with a good lawyer, he would get a light sentence. That was the last he had heard.

He hadn’t followed up on what kind of sentence the criminal received. Though the impact was strong, it ended there. He had completely forgotten about it until now.

Before his regression, Jeong Minchae hadn’t been involved in the incident. His growing closeness with Choi Jaeha had led to an unexpected change in fate.

“Seriously, he was lucky. No broken bones, just a sprain. It’s swollen a lot, but that’s all. He bled a lot from a cut on his arm too, but it was just a small tear. All the treatment’s done. I even paid. We just need to head back now.”

Choi Jaeha led him to a bed deeper inside the emergency room. Sitting there, looking this way, was Jeong Minchae.

“You’re here?”

Jeong Minchae greeted him awkwardly, fidgeting. Baek Mugyeong was briefly at a loss for words.

According to Choi Jaeha, the injuries weren’t severe. Jaeha himself only had some scrapes on his face and hands.

But “banged up” didn’t even begin to describe Jeong Minchae’s condition.

His left leg was bandaged up to the calf, and his left arm and face were dotted with band-aids.

The usual neat appearance was nowhere to be seen. His discarded jacket was wrinkled, his shirt had holes and was smeared with dirt and blood. Even his hair was a mess.

When he first heard about the accident and injuries, he’d been surprised but not terribly worried. Since Minchae was conscious and clear-headed, he figured it was only a matter of time until he healed.

But seeing him all bandaged up and battered in person, his feelings shifted.

“I’ve finished treatment. I just need to go home now…”

Baek Mugyeong frowned. He didn’t like how Jeong Minchae was watching his reactions.

They had agreed not to interfere in each other’s lives. Though they’d crossed some lines right after the wedding, they had maintained a certain distance since then.

Honestly, Baek Mugyeong didn’t want to care whether Jeong Minchae got into an accident or not. He knew both instinctively and rationally that getting emotionally closer would be dangerous.

But still, he’d come. Maybe deep down, he didn’t want to be seen as cold-hearted.

Baek Mugyeong clicked his tongue silently. It was laughable how he was coming up with reasons for his actions.

It wasn’t like him to dwell on things like this. He emptied his head and focused on what needed to be done.

“Can you walk?”

Right now, he needed to get Jeong Minchae home.

“Uh, yes.”

“No, he can’t. He sprained his left foot. It’s all wrapped up. You think you can hop your way there on one leg? This is why I called you, Mugyeong hyung. He can’t use his left foot.”

Choi Jaeha stopped Jeong Minchae, who was awkwardly trying to get out of bed.

“It’s fine. If someone just supports me, I can walk.”

“Don’t lie. That’s the painkillers talking. Your leg’s swollen like an elephant’s, how are you gonna walk? Hyung, carry him.”

“No, it’s fine. You can just hold me.”

“Nope.”

The emergency room, packed with others who had also been in the park incident, was noisy. No one paid attention to Jeong Minchae and Choi Jaeha’s bickering.

And Baek Mugyeong didn’t wait for them to come to a decision. He supported Minchae’s back and thighs and lifted him up.

“Uh…”

Without hesitation, Baek Mugyeong started walking while carrying Jeong Minchae. From the side, Choi Jaeha followed along proudly.

Caught off guard, Jeong Minchae clung to his shoulder, whispering in embarrassment.

“Put me down.”

“This is faster.”

“Everyone’s staring…”

“They’re not. And if you keep squirming, it’s dangerous.”

Baek Mugyeong didn’t care about being watched. A few people glanced their way, but quickly went back to what they were doing. Jeong Minchae, meanwhile, had gone stiff.

“Wow, hyung. That’s a princess carry.”

Choi Jaeha chuckled as he followed, and Jeong Minchae burst out angrily.

“Don’t laugh.”

“Whoa, you two actually look good together.”

“Shut it.”

“I’m seriously jealous, Jeong Minchae.”

Because of the way he was carrying him, Baek Mugyeong couldn’t properly see Jeong Minchae’s face. But he could feel the heat radiating from him. His face had to be beet red. His body trembled slightly, either from embarrassment or residual adrenaline. He was warm in Baek Mugyeong’s arms.

It felt strangely like carrying a large, guilty dog after it had made a mess. The squirming in his arms reminded him of the golden retriever from a friend’s house, sweet, gentle, but always getting into trouble. It’d bark if annoyed, but that was all. And if you praised it, it would wag its tail with a proud little face.

Trying not to laugh at the memory, Baek Mugyeong stiffened his expression. Comparing Jeong Minchae to a retriever somehow felt like a disservice.

Meanwhile, Choi Jaeha kept teasing Minchae.

“Your face is like a tomato. Red all over. Are you embarrassed?”

“Get lost.”

“Nope.”

“You’re dead later.”

The two bickered childishly all the way from the emergency room to the parking lot. Baek Mugyeong didn’t say a word the entire time.

*

Choi Jaeha walked with them to the parking lot but didn’t get in the car. He waved them off, saying his boyfriend was coming to pick him up.

Only Jeong Minchae got in the passenger seat, and Baek Mugyeong drove off. After picking up the prescribed medicine at a nearby pharmacy, they finally headed home.

The hospital was quite far from home, and being Saturday afternoon, the roads were packed. They had to wait through two red lights just to get through an intersection.

Stop-and-go traffic dragged on. Neither of them spoke. Used to silence, Baek Mugyeong simply focused on driving.

“Um, I’m sorry.”

As they stopped at a red light, Jeong Minchae finally spoke. Baek Mugyeong glanced over. Though Minchae wasn’t even looking his way, his bowed head clearly showed how intimidated he was.