Chapter 108: Loud Cheers (3)

"You should knock off on time. What are you hooked on this time?"

"

Ah,

that writer has just sent his scenario ma.n.u.script over."

"Scenario?"

"Yes. It's Writer Ha Jae-Gun."

Oh Tae-Jin's ears twitched at the name.

"He hadn't shown it during the movie preview for

Summer in My 20s

, but it seems that he's quite unhappy with how it turned out. I guess he wanted to write a scenario on his own to feel satisfied."

"I see"

"He sent a third of the scenario, and it's great so far. I like it."

Oh Tae-Jin only nodded silently.

He was the President of OongSung Publication Group, so he had seen many Hollywood-level writers. Ha Jae-Gun had become a bestselling author who had sold over a million copies, but he was still an ordinary writer in Oh Tae-Jins eyes.

If it hadnt been for the fact that Ha Jae-Gun had used the pen name Seo Gun-Woo, Oh Tae-Jin would have forgotten his existence long ago.

"Oh, and Father. I'm almost done editing

Your Tragedy

."

"Already?" Oh Tae-Jin asked in shock.

Your Tragedy

was a novel that Oh Tae-Jin had written after a long hiatus.

Did you do it personally? I told you to let your team do it.

Its your new novel after so many years, so it should definitely go through my hands. Ill make sure its well-printed, so dont worry about it.

Im sure youll do well. Lets go now.

Yes, Father.

The father and son pair left the office and took the elevator. The employees who recognized Oh Tae-Jin in the lift lobby stepped away from the elevator.

Let's take the elevator together, Im not overweight, Oh Tae-Jin offered with a soft smile.

The employees nodded appreciatively and joined them in the elevator.

Oh Myung-Suks phone vibrated as the elevator went down.

h.e.l.lo, Deputy Kim. No, its alright. Please speak. Yes, its Guro-gu Gung-dong. Ah, but he said hes been working at the Bucheon office recently, so please send it there. Yes, please. Thank you, Oh Myung-Suk instructed, then hung up the call.

Are you sending gifts to a writer? Oh Tae-Jin asked casually.

Yes, to Writer Ha Jae-Gun.

...? Oh Tae-Jins expression stiffened.

Oh Myung-Suk was staring at the floor number, so he didnt notice Oh Tae-Jins strange expression. I got him some herbal medicine. He rarely takes care of his own health when he gets engrossed in his writing. I should at least do that much for him.

...

Oh Tae-Jin did not respond to his son. He was lost in his own thoughts. He definitely heard his son mention Guro-gu Gung-Dong over the phone earlier.

The address wasnt the issue, but if Writer Ha Jae-Gun lived, he could no longer overlook it.

The same writer who used the pen name Seo Gun-Woo he also lives in

Was it possible for coincidences to happen twice in a row? Oh Tae-Jin became much more sensitive to repeated coincidences. The impossible would never happenthis phrase had always been his motto in life. Oh Tae-Jin trembled in the narrow elevator.

Father? Lets go.

Huh?

Uh, okay

Are you feeling unwell?

No, its nothing Lets go. Oh Tae-Jin belatedly regained his composure and quickly walked out of the elevator.

Seeing his fathers faster-than-usual footsteps, Oh Myung-Suks expression turned as he asked, Its not something bad, right?

No. I was just feeling nervous about my novel. It has been a while since I wrote one, after all.

Father. Dont worry about it. Your novel is really good. Im not saying this as your son but as the Chief Editor of OongSung Publication Group.

Hohoho,

all right if you say so

The father and son pair got in the back pa.s.senger seat of their car with the chauffeur in the drivers seat.

Oh Tae-Jin looked out the window and observed the pa.s.sing scenery.

He didnt say even a single word until they got home.

***

Heres another problem. He worked so hard to become a Taekwondo national athlete but got suspended for three years, yet he spent his time without exercising even once. How would the readers be able to empathize with the character?

Hmm,

I get what you mean now. So, what if he had been exercising during that period but was unlucky and lost the opportunity?

Thats better. That way, the readers would feel more catharsis when the main character, Park Kwon, gains the opportunity and wins later.

Ha Jae-Gun and Lee Yeon-Woo were in one of the restaurants at the arcade. The two had ordered a soft tofu stew and grilled fish set meal for lunch while having a heated conversation. However, this wasnt the first time that it happened.

It also happened yesterday.

Please start revising your prologue in the office later. If you finish it by 5 p.m., I can help you take a look at it immediately.

Ah,

thank you so much. Wait a moment, let me finish taking down the notes. Lee Yeon-Woo finished up his notes and started wolfing down his food.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled wearily and said, Please eat slower. Otherwise, your stomach will hurt.

I have to finish before 1 p.m.

Were not a real company, so theres no issue being slightly late. Please chew well before swallowing, Ha Jae-Gun said. He poured Lee Yeon-Woo a gla.s.s of water.

Lee Yeon-Woos eyes quivered at Ha Jae-Guns simple gesture, but he still accepted the gla.s.s of water.

Im not sure how things would have turned out for me if it hadnt been for you, Writer Ha Jae-Gun. You took time out of your busy schedule to help me. The quality of my novel has really increased with your help.

Well, your foundation is st.u.r.dy, so it wasnt that difficult.

Oh, but what do you think about the t.i.tle?

I think its fine. Why?

I thought it was quite long. I thought that it would be better if it were a t.i.tle that could catch peoples attention at once.

How about

Martial G.o.d is Coming?

Or

ah!

Ha Jae-Gun snapped his fingers and grinned. What about

Big Kwon is Coming

?

Pardon? Lee Yeon-Woo stared in disbelief at Ha Jae-Gun.

However, Ha Jae-Gun seemed oblivious to that and explained, The main characters name is Park Kwon, but his fist is large and strong as well, so we can add the nickname, Big Kwon, combining the English word Big and Kwon for fist.

Is that okay?

Otherwise, we can add explanations like this: He joined a compet.i.tion when he was young, and the organizer made a typo in his name, and it became Big Kwon, which became his nickname since then. What about it? Wow, it really is a great t.i.tle now that Im explaining it to you.

Ha Jae-Gun was admiring his own wisdom while munching on an egg roll.

Meanwhile, Lee Yeon-Woo looked down at his notepad with his pen in hand. He wrote down the words

Big Kwon is Coming

on it, but he struck through them while Ha Jae-Gun wasnt looking at him.

The t.i.tle didnt sit well with him.

After finis.h.i.+ng their lunch, the two went back to the office and continued working.

Lee Yeon-Woos desk was right next to Ha Jae-Guns desk.

The other three writers were working away at their desks behind them.

Am I really getting the flu

Ha Jae-Gun wrapped his forehead and let out a hot breath. He had been feeling under the weather over the last few days. He had been holding out, but the symptoms seemed to have worsened when he woke up earlier.

This is bad

He could take his time writing Gangsters Sea, but he was worried about tomorrows lecture at the library.

Everyone, I think I have to leave early today, said Ha Jae-Gun.

He decided to leave early.

If it hadnt been for tomorrows lecture, Ha Jae-Gun would have held out until 6 p.m. because there were only two hours until then.

Unfortunately, he had to rest early today for tomorrows lecture.

Writer Ha, youre feeling unwell, right? Dont go home, you can just sleep here today.

I have to go back home. The materials for tomorrows lecture are at home. Rika, lets go back.

Rika scurried down from the windowsill.

Ha Jae-Gun picked Rika up and carried his bag.

Lee Yeon-Woo suddenly emerged from his thoughts and stood up.

Let me drive you home, Writer Ha, he said.

What?

Youre sick, so how are you going to drive properly? Ill be your chauffeur today. Im sure youll find it hard to take a taxi home because Rika is with you, he added.

Ha Jae-Gun was grateful for Lee Yeon-Woos kindness, but he smiled bitterly and shook his head. My house is in a remote place, so itll be hard for you to go back home.

Its all right, I can just walk. I still have my stamina since I had just gotten discharged not long ago. Let me do it, please. Otherwise, how can I repay your goodwill, Writer Ha? Lee Yeon-Woo said with resolve and patted his chest proudly.

However, Ha Jae-Gun still rejected his offer.

He didnt want to get in the way of Lee Yeon-Woos work.

I havent had medicine, so I can still drive. Plus, I can still call for a subst.i.tute driver, so Writer Lee, please focus on your novel instead. I appreciate your offer, though.

With that, Ha Jae-Gun left the office with Rika. Upon reaching home, Ha Jae-Gun forced himself to eat, even though he didnt have an appet.i.te. He took some medicine and lay in bed early.

Ha Rika, my breath is too hot.

Meow!

Dont come near me You might catch it too Ill sleep early tonight

Ha Jae-Gun eventually drifted to sleep. A high fever soon enveloped him. Rika curled down next to Ha Jae-Gun, and she didnt leave his side for even a moment.

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

Loud vibrations awakened Ha Jae-Gun from his slumber.

The first thing he saw was Rikas pair of sparkling eyes looking right back at him.

Ughh

Were you with me the entire night?

Meow.

Rika licked the tip of Ha Jae-Guns nose.

Ha Jae-Gun looked for the origin of the vibrations under his sheets.

The vibrations stopped when he finally found his phone.

Oh, its Writer Lee Yeon-Woo

Ha Jae-Gun looked up and found that it was already well past 10 a.m.

He should slowly get out of bed and prepare to leave for the lecture later.

It was about time he got out of bed, so Ha Jae-Gun struggled to sit up in his bed.

Hooo

, I definitely feel better compared to yesterday, but I still feel light-headed. I should eat before taking medicine, Ha Jae-Gun mumbled.

He had just placed his feet on the floor when the doorbell rang.

Ha Jae-Gun staggered toward the door.

Who is it?

Writer Ha, its me, Lee Yeon-Woo.

...?! Stunned, Ha Jae-Gun quickly opened the door for him.

Lee Yeon-Woo was standing at the door with a smile and a shopping bag in hand.

You havent had breakfast yet, right?

Yes, I just woke up. What are you doing here so early?

You have a lecture at the library today, dont you? I cant help but worry since youre sick. I got you some abalone porridge, so please eat it while its still hot. Lee Yeon-Woo handed the shopping bag to Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun accepted it with grat.i.tude. Ill wait for you out here in the meantime.

Why wait outside? Come on in.

What? C-can I really?

Of course. Ive only got coffee at home for you, but please, come on in.

Lee Yeon-Woos eyes sparkled in appreciation as he entered Ha Jae-Guns studio.

Rika approached Lee Yeon-Woo and ran in circles around him. Then, she put her front paws on his feet, seemingly showing grat.i.tude for buying her sick owner porridge.

She didnt even struggle when Lee Yeon-Woo held her in his arms.

Are you feeling better today?

A lot better compared to yesterday.

I think I should drive you to the library later.

Mm

Please dont reject my offer. You could also take the chance to look over your lecture materials one last time before your lecture.

Ha Jae-Gun was truly not in optimal condition, and he also needed time to review the lecture materials. There was no other reason to reject Lee Yeon-Woos offer, so he nodded and said, Ill be brazen and leave myself in your good hands today, then.

Brazen? No way. Dont worry about it.

Ha Jae-Gun enjoyed the abalone porridge that Lee Yeon-Woo had bought him.

Perhaps he felt Lee Yeon-Woos sincerity, but Ha Jae-Gun emptied the entire bowl and felt even better than before.

Please go and have a shower, Ill clean up the dishes.

No, I was the one using them

Please. Lee Yeon-Woo pushed Ha Jae-Gun into the bathroom and started was.h.i.+ng the dishes.

Lee Yeon-Woo played with Rika on the floor while patiently waiting for Ha Jae-Gun to get ready.

Hoo

, Im ready to leave. Sorry for making you wait.

Okay, lets go then.

Lee Yeon-Woo made Ha Jae-Gun take the back pa.s.senger seat instead of the front pa.s.senger seat before hopping into the drivers seat.

Ha Jae-Gun felt burdened by Lee Yeon-Woos politeness.

Uh, Writer Lee. Please treat me casually.

Huh?

Im already doing that, though.

Lee Yeon-Woo turned around and directed a strange gaze at Ha Jae-Gun

Ha Jae-Gun didnt know what to say in front of Lee Yeon-Woos clueless look.

The car engine started, and they were soon on the main road.

Lee Yeon-Woo was a skillful driver.

Ha Jae-Gun put down his lecture materials and said, Youre really good at driving.

Ah,

I still havent told you, but Im a driver in the army.

Ah,

I see Its no wonder youre so much better at driving than me. I still make sudden accelerations and stops while driving.

Hahaha,

Im only good at driving, said Lee Yeon-Woo.

Ha Jae-Gun enjoyed a pleasant ride all the way to the library, thanks to Lee Yeon-Woos driving skills.

The lecture would be held in the auditorium on the librarys second floor.

The employees, the director, and even the section chiefs stood at the entrance to the auditorium to welcome Ha Jae-Gun.

Welcome, Mr. Ha.

The director bowed politely and greeted Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun returned the gesture in kind before entering the auditorium.

The auditorium had a long banner that said

Special Lecture: Living a Beautiful Life Through Creativity with Writer Ha Jae-Gun, the bestselling author of

Summer in My 20s,

with over 1 million copies sold.

Its too long and complicated

The suspicious banner seemed like it was the work of the director, who had never really partic.i.p.ated in an event like this before. Ha Jae-Gun thought about it and shrugged. The most important part here was the lecture rather than a banner.

Ha Jae-Gun soon got ready for the lecture.