Chapter 248: Its Fine Even If You Cant Speak English (4)

Have you read the news, Yoo-Jin? Have you read about how

The Breath

became a bulletproof vest? Have you read how

The Breath

saved a persons life?

Eden asked a string of questions in excitement, not giving Chae Yoo-Jin a chance to answer for a brief moment.

Id be lying if I said that I wasnt expecting anything upon hearing Mr. Jae-Gun sending a gift to Michael. But wow, I didnt imagine this at all. Ben is going crazy right now; hes even doing an old-school dance. He will have a sit down with me at the salary negotiation table after hes done.

Congratulations, Eden. Make sure to ask him to double your salary. Chae Yoo-Jin couldnt stop smiling and even held her cheeks in happiness. As written in the news article headline, the entire situation was a miracle. Eden seemed to have read her thoughts as well.

Any other writer may have overlooked that incident, but Mr. Jae-Gun did not. He sent him an autographed book, examined his living conditions, and even bought him a laptop. Michael is really touched by his considerate actions, which touched not just him but many Americans. Oh my goodness! Jesus!

Calm down now, Eden. Just relax, and talk to me. Hows the situation there now? Do you feel any changes happening?

I was just about to talk about this. There are a lot of calls coming in asking to order the book, and the sales on the internet have exploded. Our employees have been running around, visiting printing shops.

The Breath

will be selling in the hundreds of thousandsno, millions going forward.

Chae Yoo-Jin subconsciously clenched her fist, thankful that it wasnt a one-off hot topic and that it had translated into actual sales.

So theres something I would like to say, Yoo-Jin.

What is it? Tell me.

L.A. Times contacted us, they would like to have an interview with Mr. Jae-Gun and

The Breath

.

Really? Why did you only say it now when its so important?! Chae Yoo-Jin gasped in excitement. An interview with the L.A. Times? Getting 10th place on the bestseller list seemed attainable now.

Ill arrange a time with Mr. Jae-Gun and let him know that we'll soon have a video interview.

Thank you, Yoo-Jin. The marketing was done well in New York; Im really grateful to you, Yoo-Jin.

Chae Yoo-Jin hung up and then immediately dialed Ha Jae-Guns number.

The weather outside looked exceptionally sunny.

***

I understand. Ill visit you at your residence sometime soon. No, you shouldnt travel so far; youre pregnant, after all. Yes, Ill be waiting for your call. Ha Jae-Gun hung up the phone, putting down his phone.

Lee Yeon-Woo was browsing the internet when he commented, Wow Jae-Gun hyung, this is no joke.

The Breath

,

There Was A Sea

, and even

Gyeoja Bathhouse

were mentioned because of Michael, saying that they were all written by the same author.

You said that earlier, too, before I answered the phone.

News really creates more news. Wow, hyung! The company that bought the $1.8 million license to

Gyeoja Bathhouse

, Paramountain, has been quiet all this time, right? Three hours ago, they finally announced that they've cast the actors!

Lower your volume. Are we alone here? Ha Jae-Gun calmly slurped another mouthful of udon. They were currently in a restaurant along the arcade near the office.

Ha Jae-Gun had worked throughout the night and finally came out for brunch with Lee Yeon-Woo.

The Breath

is getting popular, so news about you and related companies is being released. They must recognize your character, and Michael is cool as well. What an amazing kid.

He wouldnt be as good as you are.

Are you for real, hyung?

Yes, so this meal is on you if youre happy to hear it. Lee Yeon-Woo opened his chest and nodded happily.

Feel free to order more, hyung. Is just a bowl of udon enough for you? Ive just received my royalties, so you can order everything on the menu.

Ha Jae-Gun only replied with a smile and ate his udon silently. He felt thankful that Lee Yeon-Woo had finally gotten back on his feet. It seemed like Lee Yeon-Woos life as a writer had fallen after his fathers pa.s.sing, but now, he didnt seem to be having any mental struggles and was even writing consistently regardless of his novels performance.

He still had nightmares, but his condition was improving.

But these haters are everywhere, Lee Yeon-Woo grumbled, his face unpleasant. I would love to overlook them, but I still see some who post negative comments. You should sue all those cursing at you and your family. Sue them for personal attacks.

The lawyer will handle them, so dont worry about it.

What are you going to do today?

Of course, I need to go home. Once I receive the email from L.A. Times, Ill have to write up my answers for the interview, then work on

Humans Malice.

Lee Yeon-Woo scratched the back of his head and spoke carefully, Honestly, even after reading the ma.n.u.script you showed me, I still cant understand what it is about.

Im not sure what Im writing either. I havent organized it at all.

Plus, I feel uncomfortable and scared whenever I read it. I felt scared when reading

Gyeoja Bathhouse

, but that one feels different. Hmm, anyway, I think Id prefer if you could write more fantasy or martial arts novels instead of those.

I'm writing them as well. Lets go if youre all done. You should go back and rest, too. Ha Jae-Gun did not return to the office but parted with Lee Yeon-Woo in front of the building. Ha Jae-Gun had a change of heart after he boarded the subway, looking out the window.

Im not that tired, so maybe I should drop by there instead.

Ha Jae-Gun alighted at his destination and headed in the direction where

The Breath

was born. The signboard of the cafe was the first that came into his view in the distance, and then the cafe owner wiping down the ceiling-to-ground gla.s.s windows came into view.

h.e.l.lo, how have you been? Ha Jae-Gun greeted first.

The cafe owner turned around, smiling brightly.

Aigoo

, Mr. Ha. Its been a while. What brings you here?

Well, Im back here for the same reasons.

I think its the first time seeing you here this early. Welcome in.

Ha Jae-Gun stepped into the cafe and spotted his framed autograph hanging on the wall in the hall. He walked past the frame and took a seat at a table in the corner. He didnt need to place his order; the cafe owner had automatically prepared his usual Iced Americano and served it to him.

The Breath

is going viral in the U.S., the cafe owner said, placing Ha Jae-Guns drink on the table. Ive been looking up articles in the U.S. every day recently, curious about what they have been talking about

The Breath

. I look just like a cafe owner, right? But my cafe was where

The Breath

was born. Hahaha.

Im grateful to hear that.

Youve improved by leaps and bounds too. Many aspiring writers like Mr. Ha would come over to have a coffee, work on their writings, and even do reviews. I was worried since my turnover wasnt as good before, but youve really saved the lives of many, Mr. Ha.

Ha Jae-Gun scratched his nose lightly, smiling in embarra.s.sment. The cafe owner walked away for a moment, then returned with a book. It was the English version of

The Breath,

which had been released in the U.S.

I have been waiting for you to come. Please sign this for me.

You bought the English version, too?

I bought it through Amazon on the day of its release. Im an English Literature major after all. Hahaha.

The cafe owner received their signed book and returned to the counter happily. Then, they no longer bothered Ha Jae-Gun. They even turned down the music volume so as not to disturb Ha Jae-Gun while he worked on his writing.

Now, shall I dig into

Humans Malice

? Ha Jae-Gun pulled out his laptop in this comfortable atmosphere. He thought that it was a great idea to come to the cafe to work as soon as he started on the first sentence. It was much easier for him to focus whenever he was sitting in a familiar area. On top of that, he no longer had to worry about

The Breath

and

Records of the Modern Master

, so he found it relaxing to write.

Tadadadak! Tadak! Tadadak!

How long had he been working? A sudden sound made Ha Jae-Gun look up.

An elderly man in a custom-made

hanbok

sat next to him.

Oh? h.e.l.lo, sir. Ha Jae-Gun was so shocked that his fingers stopped working. It was the same elderly man he had met not too long ago at Seo Gun-Woos grave. Why are you here?

I come here occasionally since I live nearby. It seems like you visit this cafe often too.

I focus better here. Would you like a cup of coffee? Ill buy one for you. Ha Jae-Gun stood up.

However, the elderly man waved his hand dismissively, rejecting Ha Jae-Guns goodwill. He looked at Ha Jae-Guns laptop and asked, Forget about the coffee; what are you working on?

My work?

The one youre writing now. Can I read it?

Ah

its not anything proper yet. Ha Jae-Gun moved his laptop to the elderly mans table. He would have rejected if it was someone else, as it was an incomplete ma.n.u.script with no proper characters yet.

I'm not good with technology. Please help me scroll.

Okay, please let me know when to scroll.

The elderly man began reading the ma.n.u.script for

Humans Malice.

He would gesture with his head every time he needed Ha Jae-Gun to scroll. The ma.n.u.script was dozens of pages long, but the elderly man quickly read the entire ma.n.u.script.

I see that youre trying to create the characters first, then trying to make a leap, the elderly man commented after reading the ma.n.u.script.

...! Ha Jae-Gun flinched in shock as if his thoughts were read.

Youre not sure how this will turn out yourself, right? This character that youve created will follow the story development, and youre trying to have this fictional character take up all the responsibilities of the novel?

Y-yes, you can see it that way Yes, youre right, sir Ha Jae-Gun stuttered.

The elderly man hit the nail on the head without using any difficult or technical terms.

Ha Jae-Gun couldn't help but think that the man might also be a writer.

Is this all the malice youve felt throughout your life?

Yes, thats about it.

The elderly man then looked back at Ha Jae-Gun and asked, So this isnt your journal, but a novel, right?

Yes, sir. It is a novel.

So, the readers should understand what theyre reading, right?

Of course, sir.

Then focus on communication. And dont be too immersed in this character youve created, or youll be distraught. All right, then. I'm going to the washroom. The elderly man left Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun fell into deep contemplation over the elderly mans review.

Meanwhile, the elderly man did not return from the washroom.

***

Ughh

, no! Its not my fault!

Father, are you alright? Father. Oh Myung-Hoon shook his fathers shoulders, waking him the latter up.

Oh Tae-Jin's eyes shot wide open and gasped with his hands in the air.

Did you have a nightmare?

Haa!

Oh Tae-Jin sat up, drenched in sweat. He had been having nightmares more often lately. He breathed in ragged pants as he looked at the clock. It was already morning.

Was I yelling in my sleep?

Otherwise, why would I hear it when Im in the living room? Have a gla.s.s of water. Oh Myung-Hoon handed him a cup of lukewarm water. Oh Tae-Jin downed the entire cup and finally calmed down.

Are you not like this because of hyung?

Nonsense.

You seem to become disturbed after he left the house. Father, you should forgive him now.

Oh Tae-Jin only remained silent. He might pretend to lose and forgive Oh Myung-Suk if the latter brought Chae Yoo-Jin along with him to ask for forgiveness.

However, Oh Tae-Jin could not bear to reach out first.

Stop with the nonsense, and go do your work. You should go to work.

Yes Please come out for breakfast.

After breakfast with the family, Oh Myung-Hoon stepped out of the house first and headed to his car. As he started the engine, the radio broadcast began playing.

[...Heres some news on Writer Ha Jae-Guns fantasy novel,

The Breath: Dragon Rider

. According to the announcement made by Open House, the novel has sold two million copies and has also been listed on the L.A. Times bestseller list]

Oh Myung-Hoon changed the radio frequency. He couldnt believe hed start the day listening to news about Ha Jae-Gun. He had to stop listening to it, or he might get into an accident.

d.a.m.n it!

There was nothing he could do now since Ha Jae-Gun had become too popular. Even with OongSung Publication Groups power, there was nothing he could do to suppress Ha Jae-Gun.

Oh Myung-Hoon was in pain. Aside from the power he had obtained from being a member of a

chaebol

family, he was inferior to Ha Jae-Gun in anyone else. Just then, the pop song playing on the radio ended, and the DJs calm voice echoed from the speaker.

[Im sure everyone knows Oprah Nightly. Shes a famous celebrity who has reigned over 20 years as the queen of talk shows. Shes now a globally successful black woman who has even created her own cable channel named the Oprah Nightly Network.]

Oh Myung-Hoon turned up the volume, interested in the topic raised over the radio. Of course, he knew the name Oprah Nightly. When he was young, he had made countless vows to become as successful as Oprah Nightly.

[Oprahs comment on TV has recently become a hot topic. It was about the new word, Oprahization, which could bring about social repercussions. The self-improvement book written by a certain author in the past had also become a world-cla.s.s bestseller thanks to Oprahs introduction on TV.]

The traffic light turned red at the intersection. Just as Oh Myung-Hoon stepped on the brakes to come to a stop, the DJs voice traveled through the silence.

[Now, let me get straight to the topic. Everyone knows of Writer Ha Jae-Gun, right? The fans with us for the morning book cafe know him, right?]

...?! Oh Myung-Hoons face distorted, and he glared at the speaker. The talk about Oprah Nightly suddenly became a topic about Ha Jae-Gun. The question was quickly answered.

[Ive brought this up because Oprah has mentioned Ha Jae-Gun on her own social media, along with the story of how the novel by a certain Asian writer saved the life of a student dreaming of becoming a writer. The number of retweets has since exceeded 50 million. Oprah herself will also be officially introducing Writer Ha Jae-Guns novel through her show soon]

Crack!

Oh Myung-Hoon smacked the power b.u.t.ton with his fist, turning off the radio. Oprah Nightlys recommendation? Just how long did he have to listen to Ha Jae-Guns success stories? The tears of anger that he had been holding back threatened to spill from his eyes.

Lets say Im defeated as a writer! But its still not the end for me as a man, Ha Jae-Gun!

Oh Myung-Hoon ground his teeth as he gripped tightly on the steering wheel. He decided that he would either get what he wanted or he would chase after it until he died.

The traffic light turned green, and Oh Myung-Hoon slammed his foot on the accelerator.