CTL 36

After a trial that lasted a full seven hours, Ko Yoonchul was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years. There were protests that the punishment was too light for the crime he had committed, but the trial ended just like that.

The next scene showed him being protected by his team of lawyers and avoiding reporters. The video clip ended with a scene of reporters chasing after the car carrying Ko Yoonchul as it sped away as if escaping.

However, news reports related to him continued. Another report followed with the sensational headline, ‘The Secret Private Lives of the Children of High Society Parents’. The screen showed a VVIP-exclusive lounge bar that they were said to frequent, and identified Ko Yoonchul and a silhouetted figure as the central figures.

“His name was Park Jinhoon, was it? He captured the screen footage quite cleanly. He might just switch to being a news reporter for good at this rate. He seems to have quite a bit of talent. So, he’s already left the country?”

“He left yesterday. He should have arrived by now.”

“Yes, good job. I don’t think that reporter will be able to live in Korea. Do you think Chairman Ko will let that bastard be?”

After the TV screen was turned off, Park Dongju, who had been sipping jasmine tea, wiped the look of interest from his face and handed over the tablet that had been placed beside him.

“I looked, and this place seems to be the best. The view is nice since it’s in front of the ocean.”

The screen he showed displayed a drug addiction treatment center in Haenam. After carefully looking over the center’s introduction, Yoongeon nodded and returned the tablet.

“Yes, it looks good.”

“The program looks good, and I like that the hospital rooms are spacious. It’s also good that it’s far away.”

“When will you send him?”

“When? Hmmm…”

Park Dongju paused before speaking.

“Still, he has to at least pretend to wrap up his work at the company. If he goes in right away, it might look like he’s running away, and besides, there’s nothing good about hearing people say he got paid for doing nothing all this time.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t plan to drag it out for long. I’ll send him in about two weeks.”

Two weeks from now. Checking the calendar, that would be around February 19th.

“But will you be okay? If you expose that too, you’ll be making enemies of them all.”

He had never shown it, but it seemed he also knew about the existence of the lounge bar.

“Since when did you know.”

“Hmm… I’ve known for a while now. My son was committing crimes there, after all.”

That was why he was grateful, Park Dongju said with a smile.

“Are you prepared? He’s the son of the Chief of Staff. He’s tricky to deal with. Why are you suddenly being so reckless?”

“Ah…”

At Park Dongju’s worried rebuke, Yoongeon tapped the toe of his crossed leg.

“He’s just so arrogant, you know.”

“What?”

At the unexpected answer, Park Dongju let out a scoff of disbelief.

“So you’re doing this now just because you don’t like him?”

“…”

“This kid, really…”

Even as the other man said he didn’t know whether to call this audacious or just reckless, Yoongeon merely leaned back on the sofa, looking listless and expressionless. Park Dongju let out a deep sigh.

“In any case, keep your promise that you won’t touch my son anymore.”

“Yes.”

Yoongeon lied nonchalantly. He was going to kill that bastard before he died. If not that, then he would embrace him and die with him when it was his time. He no longer had any intention of leaving that kind of vermin by Seohwi’s side.

In truth, at first, he had intended to at least let him live, but no matter how he thought about it, it seemed the man would be a major obstacle in Seohwi’s life. Then and now, Yoongeon was someone who consistently put Seohwi first. And so, he decided to discard his promise with Park Dongju without any guilt. It did not matter whether the man was disappointed in him or angry. If anyone became an obstacle in Seohwi’s life, Yoongeon would be sure to remove them.

“By the way, how is Yebin doing.”

Unaware of Yoongeon’s inner thoughts, Park Dongju asked.

“He can’t come to the office because of Ko Yoonchul.”

Ever since that day, Yebin had been extremely afraid of being in the same space as Ko Yoonchul. He could not calm down at all unless Yoongeon was right beside him, so a little while ago, Yoongeon had moved him to an apartment he owned and had him work from home.

“And your mother?”

“My mother is at home.”

“Hmm…”

Park Dongju paused for a moment, then stood up and continued speaking.

“I’m sorry. But please bear with it for just two weeks. I’ll make sure to separate them for good after that.”

“Yes.”

Yoongeon followed him and replied readily. Park Dongju believed his words without a hint of doubt.

✧ ✧ ✧

After Park Dongju left, Yoongeon returned directly to the company. As soon as he arrived at the office, he looked toward Seohwi’s desk, but strangely, he was nowhere to be seen.

He waited, thinking he might have gone to the restroom, but he did not come back for over 30 minutes, and the team members did not seem particularly concerned. Yoongeon, who had tried to hold back for fear of getting strange looks if he asked after him, finally couldn’t take it anymore and asked where Seohwi had gone. ‘The Design Planning Team,’ was the answer he got back.

“…He went again today?”

He asked, thinking he was going a bit too often, and Section Chief Kim Jia turned to him and spoke.

“They didn’t just call for Mr. Yoon Seohwi today, though. Chief Ha went with him. They said they needed to ask for some advice.”

“What kind of advice. They’re already collaborating enough.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Section Chief Kim Jia also looked like she did not know the reason.

“Oh, are you going to go check?”

“Yes. Everyone, get back to work.”

He tried not to interfere too much in the affairs of other teams if he could help it, but he couldn’t just be dragged along without knowing the reason. Yoongeon’s brow furrowed slightly as he headed to where the Design Planning Team department was located. But when he actually got there, neither Seohwi nor Chief Ha was in sight.

“Ah, Executive Director, you’re here?”

As Yoongeon entered the office, Team Leader Oh Wansu saw him come in, approached, and greeted him.

“Where did my team’s employees go?”

“They’re in a meeting right now.”

“Team Leader Oh Wansu.”

Yoongeon let out a small sigh and looked at him.

“I understand that you need to collaborate, but in such cases, don’t you usually handle it through email? You’re calling them over more often than necessary right now. What exactly is the reason?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Two of my employees are missing. It’s causing disruptions in our work, so I’d appreciate it if you’d send them back.”

The Design Innovation Team he led was already short-staffed. They were barely managing to get work done by piecing things together, so if he kept taking their employees, wouldn’t the remaining people have to work too hard?

“Ah. I’m sorry, Executive Director.”

At Yoongeon’s words, which did not hide his displeasure, Oh Wansu showed considerable surprise and offered him a seat. Then, he displayed a screen.

“I’m very sorry, but… could you somehow manage until next Thursday?”

“Why.”

“This, as you know, it’s been too long since Shinhyeon has made a car with this kind of design, hasn’t it? It’s completely different from the vehicle designs we’ve pursued until now.”

“And so?”

“The standard sizes we’ve made at Shinhyeon don’t fit well. In particular, if you look at this steering wheel part that Mr. Yoon Seohwi rendered…”

Oh Wansu enlarged the steering wheel and displayed the internal design schematics for the steering wheel next to it.

“Here, won’t this part be a problem? We’re calling Mr. Yoon Seohwi to resolve this issue.”

Yoongeon looked at the screen Oh Wansu had displayed and asked.

“The size…”

“Yes, that’s the problem right now.”

He pointed to a spot.

“If we don’t change the shape of this steering wheel that Mr. Yoon Seohwi designed, the standard size we have ultimately won’t fit. Well, it’s not that there’s no solution. It’s a problem that can be solved by manufacturing it again, but as you know, the unit price will rise significantly in that case. There’s the issue of having to create a new one just for this one car, and if we’re going to do that, we’d have to move it to the premium line.”

“Hmm…”

“So we kept calling him over to discuss whether there might be a compromise. It’s not proving easy.”

There was not a single suspicious point in Team Leader Oh Wansu’s explanation; it was perfect. To Yoongeon, his points seemed extremely valid.

“Do you have the report on the unit price increase?”

“Yes. As it happens, I was planning to compare it today and send it to you, Executive Director. It’s still being organized so I can’t send it right away, but I’ll deliver it before 4 o’clock.”

“I understand.”

Only after he understood the reason did the anger in Yoongeon’s voice subside. Team Leader Oh Wansu, who had been explaining the reason while on edge, also seemed relieved and let out a small sigh.

“Oh? Executive Director! What are you doing here?”

It was then. Just as he was about to leave, the meeting room door opened and Chief Ha came out. He seemed happy to see Yoongeon and approached, waving his hands enthusiastically.

“I came because I had something to look into.”

“Aah. Ah, Executive Director. Mr. Yoon Seohwi came with me. He should be out soon.”

He said he was too busy and had to go first, said his goodbyes, and quickly disappeared. He was so busy he did not even look back once. And a short while later, Seohwi, who appeared last as if he had been cleaning up, saw Yoongeon and approached him with a faint smile. The way he smiled habitually upon seeing him was just like the old days, and for a moment, Yoongeon’s heart ached.

“You’re here.”

Even seeing Yoongeon here, he did not ask why he had come. It seemed he just assumed he was here on business.

“Is your work all done?”

“Yes.”

Watching Seohwi answer Yoongeon’s question, Team Leader Oh Wansu looked at the two of them with surprised eyes, then let out a “ho ho” laugh and struck up a conversation.

“My, you two must be close.”

“Well…”

Seohwi did not answer, and Yoongeon let his words trail off vaguely. For some reason, he was reluctant to speak of their relationship to someone who wasn’t even on their team.

“You said by next Thursday. Meet the deadline.”

Before Team Leader Oh Wansu could make any unnecessary small talk, Yoongeon beat him to it.

“Ah. Yes, yes, of course. Mr. Yoon Seohwi, thank you for your help today. It’s already lunchtime. I was going to buy you lunch, but I don’t think I can today. Since the Executive Director is here, have the Executive Director treat you. Alright?”

“Yes.”

“Haha, you really are a man of few words… Well then, goodbye, Executive Director. Enjoy your meal.”

As the team leader saw him off, Yoongeon stepped outside. He was feeling a strange emotion, as if he had found the Seohwi he had lost, when Seohwi, oblivious to his feelings, spoke.

“You don’t have to buy me lunch.”

“Why?”

Disappointed that he hadn’t been able to see Seohwi for long since he had left early that morning, Yoongeon asked back without thinking. Feeling embarrassed for no reason, he clamped his mouth shut, but Seohwi answered calmly without a hint of blame.

“Seoyoung said she’s coming.”

“…Your sister?”

Seohwi nodded.

“To pick up the doll.”

“Ah…”

His sister, of all people. If it had been any other reason, he would have dragged him along somehow, but at the news that Seoryoung was coming, Yoongeon, who had no choice but to be thwarted, swallowed a sigh internally.

“…Yeah, I understand.”

“You can come eat with us. She gets along well with strangers.”

Whether he was reading Yoongeon’s reluctant expression or just saying it, Seohwi suggested they eat together. However, Yoongeon was a man who had some sense of decency. Anyone else might have been fine, but sharing a table with Seohwi’s sister? That was something he absolutely could not do.

At Yoongeon’s refusal, Seohwi replied, “Okay, then,” and left first. He gazed blankly at Seohwi’s back, only returning to the office when he had completely disappeared from sight.

✧ ✧ ✧

“…oppa!”

Seohwi, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to his senses at the sound of someone calling him.

“Why are you spacing out so much? Are you sleepy? Did you not sleep well today?”

“…No.”

“Hurry up and eat. How can you space out after ordering noodles? They’ll get all soggy.”

Seoyoung’s nagging might have been unpleasant, but Seohwi showed no sign of displeasure and simply ate his rice noodles diligently as told, without offering any particular reply.

“Beomseon, let’s go get some more side dishes.”

“Okay.”

Seoyoung, who had been monitoring her brother with a hawk’s eye to see if he was eating well, stood up to get more of the depleted side dishes. As was her habit of taking Beomseon with her even to places she could go alone, she took Beomseon with her as if it were a matter of course.

“Ah, they’re totally like a goldfish and its poop.”

Watching the two of them, Baek Cheongha giggled.

“But this place is really good. It’s the best rice noodle soup I’ve ever had.”

“Really?”

“Yup. Except for the one I had in Thailand.”

Saying that place had its own charm, Baek Cheongha nodded and then grinned.

“But you’re doing pretty well, you know?”

“…”

“Ah, I knew it—I knew it, love must need a crisis to begin. Right?”

Baek Cheongha said he was exceeding expectations and laughed, even patting his head. Despite the gesture, which was like treating a younger brother, Seohwi just let out a resigned, hollow laugh and said nothing more. He was so used to Baek Cheongha’s eccentricities that he no longer got angry at most things.

“But why didn’t you bring Ko Yoongeon? You guys are like a goldfish and its poop too.”

“What are you talking about.”

Seohwi furrowed his brow. Why should he and Yoongeon be treated like that? But Baek Cheongha just kept grinning.

“You two are even worse than them. You know that?”

“…”

“Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“…Have I met Ko Yoongeon enough to get tired of it?”

Seohwi, who was about to say what nonsense that was, changed his question as a thought suddenly struck him.

“Yes.”

As expected, Baek Cheongha answered as if he knew everything.

“…How do you know Yoongeon? You said it before. That you’re friends.”

Seohwi hesitated for a moment before asking.

“Aah, that.”

Baek Cheongha said as he picked up and ate a piece of meat.

“Hmm, the first time we met was by chance, and the second time, he looked for me. I was in a bit of a rush then, and Yoongeon granted my request, so we became friends.”

He grinned slyly.

“I like Ko Yoongeon.”

“…”

“It’s fun how he’s so reckless.”

He wasn’t saying anything specific, but Seohwi had a feeling that perhaps this was the essence of it. Seohwi paused for a moment.

“…There’s a man I want to find.”

“And?”

“Will I be able to find him?”

If he wasn’t going to give a straight answer, couldn’t he just ask indirectly as well?

“Yes.”

“…”

But, unexpectedly, Baek Cheongha gave him a definite answer.

Will I be able to find that man?

Yes.

It went without saying, but Seohwi had never told Baek Cheongha about what he dreamed of. The same went for any mention of that man, but Baek Cheongha answered as if he knew who the man Seohwi was looking for was. At the clear answer from Baek Cheongha, who always spoke in vague terms, Seohwi swallowed dryly.

“Come to think of it, you were always like that.”

“…What?”

He was about to ask what he meant, but Seoyoung and Beomseon returned. Baek Cheongha put his index finger to his lips, smiling as if it were a secret, and said nothing more.

“What were you guys talking about?”

“Worries about life?”

When Baek Cheongha answered Seoyoung’s question with a laugh, a look of suspicion was plain on Seoyoung’s face. Baek Cheongha pretended to cry at her gaze, which seemed to say, ‘Why would my oppa talk to you about his life’s worries?’, but that was all.

Meanwhile, Seohwi’s mind grew unsettled. There was only one reason he felt this way even after getting the answer he so desperately wanted. Seohwi thought that the man he missed so much in his dreams might be Yoongeon, but even if that were true, Yoongeon was the type of person who would never admit it was him. The thought, what should I do, filled him with a sense of helplessness.

Even while listening to his sister’s nagging, Seohwi ended up leaving some of his food. When he stayed silent at her question of why he couldn’t eat more, she hit his arm, apparently out of frustration.

“Make sure you eat something later.”

“…”

When he nodded, even to that, without enthusiasm, Seoyoung quickly gave up trying to persuade him.