Chapter 177: Lets Meet At Home (8)

Aigoo

, thank you for your hard work!

It wasnt only Ha Jae-Gun who showed up. Behind him was Kang Min-Ho greeting the policemen warmly. Yang Hyun-Kyung and Jang Eun-Young followed behind; it was a full mobilization of the writers from the office.

I knew youd cause trouble again. Jang Eun-Young punched Lee Yeon-Woo lightly.

Yang Hyun-Kyung opened the case of drinks he brought along and gave one bottle to each policeman.

Ha Jae-Gun stood up as the representative and greeted everyone seriously.

Im terribly sorry when all of you are so busy. The rookie writer at my office brought trouble to you.

Ah,

an office? Are you guys like a company then?

Not a company, its just a working s.p.a.ce where like-minded writers gather to work. We share opinions on each others works and also information on the market.

The older police chief didnt seem to understand Ha Jae-Guns explanation.

Just then, the policewoman beside the chief looked at Ha Jae-Gun curiously.

Ah, are you Her eyes slowly grew, and her jaws dropped half-open. It didnt take long for her to recognize Ha Jae-Gun as she watched a lot of TV.

Are you Writer Ha Jae-Gun?

Yes, I am him.

A bright smile bloomed across her face. She smiled widely, unable to control her joy. If she werent at her workplace, she would have asked for his autograph immediately.

Oh,

is he a famous writer? the police chief whispered to the policewoman.

The policewoman whispered in response. The chiefs eyes widened like saucers.

Really? I watched that movie, too. The chief unclasped his hand behind his back in surprise. He wasn't a bookworm, but he had watched the movie adaptation.

Wow, a great person arrived at our police station. What was that, Hear The Sea? No,

There Was A Sea

. I enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you. Ha Jae-Gun smiled.

The other policemen looked up Ha Jae-Guns name on the internet and looked up at him in surprise.

Hes that Ha Jae-Gun. Hes the one who appeared in

I Live Alone

with Park Do-Joon.

My son likes him a lot, too.

Didnt he also win an award at the Baeksong Arts Awards?

Amidst the attention directed at Ha Jae-Gun, Won Ji-Yeon sat in a corner in pain. She was suffocating, praying to get out of the police station as soon as possible.

U-um!

Won Ji-Yeon finally opened her dry mouth to speak for the very first time. Glancing at the police fearfully, she continued. I-I must have made a mistake He didn't do anything, so please let me go, too. Ive been on edge recently

Of course, you must be on edgeyou've committed a crime, after all," Lee Yeon-Woo said, pointing his finger at her. Lee Yeon-Woo then looked at the policemen around him, seeking permission to speak.

As Ive said earlier, this lady here, Won Ji-Yeon, is Jae-Gun hyungs a.s.sistant writer. The script that he had been working at the broadcasting station recently was deleted, with all traces erased completely.

Some were nodding their heads with questioning looks, wondering if that was really what had happened. They were starting to believe Lee Yeon-Woos story after Ha Jae-Guns appearance.

Although she denied it, there was actually no one else who could do it aside from her. So I went looking for her, wanting to find out why she did it and why she ran away after deleting his script. However, she actually dared to label me as a pervert even though I just wanted to ask questions. Does she not have any conscience at all?

Yeon-Woo, stop it. Jang Eun-Young grabbed Lee Yeon-Woos arm.

Lee Yeon-Woo was about to continue despite Jang Eun-Youngs persuasion, but he saw Ha Jae-Gun shaking his head. Lee Yeon-Woo could only hold in his fury.

Ha Jae-Gun went and stood behind Won Ji-Yeon. Looking down at her shoulders, which were shaking uncontrollably, he muttered, If you want to say the truth, say it now.

...!

Won Ji-Yeon's heart began to palpitate. She knew that Ha Jae-Gun was giving her a chance. She was also clear that there wouldnt be a second chance for her if she didn't take advantage of this opportunity.

You have nothing to say to me? Ha Jae-Gun repeated himself calmly. The fatigue and anger he felt back then were coming back to him, stoking the fires of his fury, but he was doing his best to control them.

I-I Won Ji-Yeon started. She saw that she was at a point of no return; essentially, her distrust tendency in others led her to a single conclusion.

I dont know anything.

That wretched! What? Dont know anything?! Lee Yeon-Woo shot up from his seat, his face reddened. He was angrier than the actual victim of this incident, who was Ha Jae-Gun himself.

Tapping on his head with his fingers, Lee Yeon-Woo chewed her out. You, you know the three oclock direction, right? If you feel that somethings wrong, just know that Im always watching you. How dare you touch Ha Jae-Gun hyung. How dare you still have the cheek to say that? Huh?!

Hey, Lee Yeon-Woo! Stop it! Kang Min-Ho and Yang Hyun-Kyung both forced Lee Yeon-Woo to sit back down.

Ha Jae-Gun tilted his head toward Won Ji-Yeons side profile and muttered, If you truly haven't done anything wrong, nothing bad will happen to you, but"

Ha Jae-Gun slowly turned his head to face her, and his deep gaze watched her clench her jaws. The veins on her neck were throbbing as she gnashed her teeth.

If I ever find out that it was your fault, Im never going to let this go. Im not generous enough to allow someone who doesnt qualify as a writer to work and remain in this industry.

Tears welled up in Won Ji-Yeons eyes. It was the first time she cried tears of fear since her parents had scolded her fiercely when she was still a child.

You still have my number, right? I will wait until midnight tonight.

Ha Jae-Gun then greeted the policemen after finis.h.i.+ng his piece and left the police station. A tear rolled down Won Ji-Yeon's cheek as contemptuous looks were thrown in her direction.

***

Im really sorry, hyung. Lee Yeon-Woo apologized and bowed deeply. He had just completed a perfunctory investigation and left the police station.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled bitterly and patted Lee Yeon-Woos shoulders.

I understand how youre feeling, but please listen to me.

Yes I just felt really angry, and I found it really unfair for you Lee Yeon-Woo drew in a breath and looked at the main road. It was the street where Won Ji-Yeon had run away and disappeared into.

Won Ji-Yeon still did not say anything in the end.

Your job is just to work on your novel. Dont waste your energy on such things, and focus on your new novel. If you do things other than your novel, Im going to chase you out of the office.

All right, hyung

Youre just good at replying.

Ha Jae-Gun pulled out his wallet and took out a piece of cash cheque, handing it to Kang Min-Ho, the oldest of the group.

I should be having a meal with you guys, but I have an important meeting today. Go and have your meal and head back safely after.

Oh my, please dont do this every time. We can buy food ourselves.

I wanted to treat you guys anyway. Please take it. Ha Jae-Gun stuffed the cash cheque into Min-Hos pocket.

After saying goodbye to the goodbye and turning around, Lee Yeon-Woo asked Ha Jae-Gun, Hyung, where are you going? Let me drive you there. Im your manager, after all.

You were fired ten minutes ago.

What?

Ah,

hyung. Please dont say that.

Im meeting someone personally. Ill tell you later once theres a chance, so head back to the office with them.

Ha Jae-Gun turned down Yeo-Woo and headed for the subway station. He was headed for Jonggak station today.

He agreed to meet Seo Sang-Do today near his house.

What will I be able to learn from him today?

Seo Sang-Do had turned down Ha Jae-Guns offer to have dinner together that night and said that he would calm himself down first and contact him again.

Ha Jae-Gun thought he would have to wait quite a while before Seo Sang-Do would contact him again, but Seo Sang-Do contacted him earlier than he had expected.

We seem to have similar tastes as well

They had agreed to meet at a rice soup restaurant in Jongno, which Ha Jae-Gun had enjoyed visiting since university days with Jung-Jin. Although the place was shabby and cramped, Ha Jae-Gun liked the friendly atmosphere it held.

Creaaak

.

As he opened the door and stepped into the restaurant, he spotted Sang-Do sitting in a corner. Ha Jae-Gun looked at his wrist.w.a.tch, there was still 15 minutes before their agreed meeting time.

You have already started? Ha Jae-Gun asked as he pulled the chair across from Sang-Do and sat down. On the table was a half-empty bottle of soju.

I didnt want to wait with my mind sober.

Sang-Dos hand that was holding the soju gla.s.s trembled visibly. Ha Jae-Gun was worried that Sang-Do had become an alcoholic.

You should have some snacks with the soju. What would you like to have?

Please order whatever you want, Mr. Ha.

Please dont call me that, senior. Maam, please give us a platter of snacks and a hangover soup. Ha Jae-Gun finished ordering and looked back at Seo Sang-Do.

Meanwhile, Seo Sang-Do emptied his gla.s.s and placed it back on the table.

I have gone back to your house once after we met back then but found that youve moved.

Haaa

Its because theres a lot of bad memories in that house.

Where are you living now?

Cant you guess from how I look now? Im just wandering around aimlessly. Seo Sang-Do held up his tattered jacket and chuckled self-mockingly.

Ha Jae-Gun took the soju bottle from Sang-Do as he was about to pour another gla.s.s for himself. He filled Sang-Dos gla.s.s instead and said, Ive mentioned this before, but as a writer, he keeps coming to mind. Since I live nearby, I often visited your fathers grave, albeit without permission.

He must be happy. I looked you up and saw that youre quite an amazing person, Mr. Ha. Seo Sang-Do filled Ha Jae-Guns gla.s.s and continued, I wasnt aware before since I had isolated myself from the world, including books. Perhaps thanks to you, I might start reading a book after such a long time.

Its my honor, Ha Jae-Gun replied, but more questions popped up in his mind.

What did Seo Sang-Do encounter as a writer for him to make the extreme decision of distancing himself from books? In the first place, would Seo Sang-Do even tell him about it?

The food was soon served. Seo Sang-Do took a spoonful of the hangover soup and shrugged before saying, Now, what are you curious about? Go ahead and ask. Since you saved me and viewed life to be precious when I saw myself as a worthless human being, I'll tell you everything you want to know.

Please dont say that.

Ignore it. Ive always been like this. Anyway, enough about me. Seo Sang-Do then signaled with his gaze, prompting Ha Jae-Gun to ask away.

Ha Jae-Gun gulped and asked carefully, First of all Im most curious about the kind of novels he has written before.

He didnt write any books.

Pardon?

My father didnt publish a single novel.

... Ha Jae-Gun was so speechless that his mouth dropped open. Ha Jae-Gun knew better than anyone else how great Seo Gun-Woos abilities were as a writer.

However, the elder had actually never published even a single novel? What had the elder been doing throughout his entire life?

E-even under a pseudonym?

He probably wrote something to earn money while raising me and sending me to university. But he didnt mention anything about it to me. I havent inherited any copyrights since his pa.s.sing either.

Seo Sang-Do then picked up the soju bottle again. Ha Jae-Gun was so fl.u.s.tered that he didnt even think of pouring another gla.s.s for Seo Sang-Do.

Is there anything else youd like to ask?

Um

I apologize if this is offensive, but how did he pa.s.s?

Seo Sang-Dos face looked troubled for a moment. However, he quickly regained his composure and replied, A hit-and-run.

...?! Ha Jae-Guns eyes widened in shock. On top of that, the dream he had back at Lee Soo-Hees place a long time ago came back to him.

Could that dream be?!

Ha Jae-Gun was sprawled on the ground in that dream.

The car engine nearby grew softer as Rika walked up to him.

After a while, someone opened the bag that he was carrying on his back. They took out something, and he heard footsteps hurrying away. Ha Jae-Gun felt regretful that he couldnt finish the dream before he woke up from it.

Ha Jae-Gun remembered the dream all too vividly. It was like it had been written out in so much detail, like a diary entry. He couldnt forget it at all.

Theres no need to put on such a dark expression. The culprit was caught. He was drunk driving and is still locked up behind bars.

Mm,

I see Ha Jae-Gun answered with a heavy heart.

How hurt and painful it had to have been for the elder. He had to have wanted to write so many novels regardless of how the world viewed them, but he pa.s.sed away in vain.

Youre quite the strange fellow, Seo Sang-Do murmured as he smiled bitterly. He then continued. Why are you crying for someone whom you dont know much about?

Ah,

I

Ha Jae-Gun wiped away his tears with tissues. He hadnt realized that he was tearing up.

On the left is my father.

Seo Sang-Do took out a photo and showed it to Ha Jae-Gun.

It was a yellowish-tinged black-and-white photo. It showed two men in their early twenties, much younger than Ha Jae-Guns current age, standing side by side.

He looks great. Ha Jae-Gun touched the corners of his eyes that were getting teary again.

The smiling Seo Gun-Woo in the photo looked thin. Anyone could tell that he was happy when the photo was taken.

Thats weird. Why does the man beside the elder look so familiar?

Ha Jae-Gun tilted his head as he looked at the other man in the photo. Ha Jae-Gun felt like he had seen the man before, but was it just an illusion?

Why are you staring like that at the photo?

Ah,

its nothing. Ha Jae-Gun chuckled awkwardly and looked up. He looks so good here. I could tell from the photo alone that he must be a good person

Not exactly. He was also a perfectionist, so people around him found it tiring to deal with him. Seo Sang-Dos tone still showed some hostility toward his father.

Ha Jae-Gun pondered for a while before asking another question. Im not sure if I can ask you this, but

Go ahead.

Hearing what youve said, your relations.h.i.+p with your father didnt seem that amicable.

...! Seo Sang-Do flinched. He was evidently shaken by Ha Jae-Guns unexpected question.

Ha Jae-Gun was clearly asking why Seo Sang-Do was still living in so much pain. As the shame that Seo Sang-Do wanted to conceal so much surfaced, he began shuddering like a person suffering from malaria.