Chapter 242: Dignity Is Important Too (4)

Here's a bottle of water, Jae-Gun hyung. Wash it first.

Thanks. Sitting in the back seat of the car, Ha Jae-Gun took the bottled water and poured water over his hand to wash his wound. The writers watched him with a grimace and frown.

You should have just left it. What if you got seriously injured Kang Min-Ho said as he sat in the front pa.s.senger seat. He felt guilty watching Ha Jae-Gun get hurt because of the wrist.w.a.tch they had gifted him.

Seeing Kang Min-Hos expression, Ha Jae-Gun tried to hide the pain on his face and smiled instead. Its just some abrasions; its not that serious.

Lee Yeon-Woo started the engine and said, Why are there so many reporters gathered at the airport? Seriously, hyung. Shouldnt you go to the hospital immediately to seek medical attention?

Why are you making a fuss, too? My injury isnt all that serious. We can just stop at a pharmacy on the way back. Anyway, just go somewhere quiet.

Lee Yeon-Woo drove out onto the road.

Ha Jae-Gun regretted not heeding the words of Weekly Trends Hyun Sung-Beom.

He truly didn't expect to see so many reporters gather at the airport. After all, he was just a writer rather than a hotshot celebrity.

Well, the attention is deserving since it isnt just related to me alone.

Ha Jae-Gun secretly let out a sigh and tightened his grip on the broken wrist.w.a.tch. The wound on the back of his hand didnt matter to him. Rather, it was heartbreaking to watch the wrist.w.a.tch gifted to him by the writers broken.

I think its best for me to stop going on TV broadcasts.

Ha Jae-Gun thought as he looked down at the broken wrist.w.a.tch.

Even if he didnt take on any TV shows, he was often exposed thanks to his connections with Park Do-Joon, Lee Chae-Rin, and Han Yu-Na. And the number of broadcasts he had to show up to every time a new novel was published was enough for him. It was great timing, anyway, as he would be busier in general this year.

Theres no other reporters on our tail, right?

I think so.

The wary writers looked out the window. Ha Jae-Guns phone rang just then, and his phone screen showed a text message from Park Do-Joon.

Yeon-Woo, sorry, but well have to change our destination, Ha Jae-Gun said after a while.

The vehicle sped up on the empty road.

***

Wow, the great writer comes to me first thing after arriving in Korea. Just list whatever you want to eat. Ill prepare everything for you, aside from egg rolls.

No, Ill politely decline food cooked by you. Ha Jae-Gun refused with a straight face. It had been established that anything Park Do-Joon had cooked were disasters disguised as meals.

How dare you refuse the cooking from a global top star?

Do-Joon, I beg you, just focus on acting.

Its all Ms. Soo-Hees fault. Shes so good at cooking that youve become picky with your food.

Hey, Im quite easygoing with my taste buds, all right? Chae-Rin is the amazing one for enduring the meals you've cooked.

The two took a gla.s.s of juice in hand and sat opposite each other. Park Do-Joon stared at Ha Jae-Guns hand as the latter took a sip of the refres.h.i.+ng juice.

Whats wrong with your hand?

Ah, its nothing. I fell.

How did you even fall that you ended up hurting the back of your hand? Shouldn't your palm be the injured part of your body?

Thats not important. See that? That's your present. Ha Jae-Gun glanced at the shopping bag placed beside him.

Whats that?

What else? Your favorite alcohol, of course.

You like it more than I do. But why two bottles of it?

I heard that they love to give gifts in pairs in China. Thats why I bought two.

Thanks. Anyway, I havent seen Jung-Jin in a while; lets have a drink together next time.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled at the mention of Park Jung-Jin. Good thing that you brought him up. Jung-Jins getting married soon. Do you think you can attend?

Did you forget what I said before? I said Ill definitely make it.

Good. Jung-Jin would love that, and his wedding guests would love it, too.

Ha Jae-Gun let out a yawn and stretched lazily. The fatigue from the long flight weighed down on him. Do-Joon, can I nap here for an hour?

You can continue sleeping even after I leave. Just go and sleep in the room.

Its comfortable here, too. Ha Jae-Gun lay down on the sofa, his head touching a notepad.

Whats this?

?! Park Do-Joons jaws dropped, recalling that he had forgotten to put the notepad away. It was the scenario for Dried Tofu.

Ah, its nothing. Give it here.

However, Ha Jae-Gun did not do as he asked. Instead, he opened to the first page and muttered in surprise. Its Director Lee Eun-Has scenario.

You know her?

Were close. She even talked to me about this when composing the story. Seems like its done? Huh? But why do you have it?

Ha Jae-Guns eyes were the first to find the answer to his own question. The scenario wasnt just sitting around on the sofa; along with it was a tattered Chinese dictionary and a conversational guidebook.

Youve decided to act in

Dried Tofu?

Park Do-Joon admitted in silence. Feeling Ha Jae-Guns dazed look, Park Do-Joon then replied, The scenario looks good, so I wanted to try it out.

But its an indie movie. On top of that, the main character is Chinese. Do you think you can do it? Moreover, your value after the success of

Storm and Gale

is off the charts

Park Do-Joon smiled bitterly as he looked down.

As expected, Ha Jae-Gun reacted the same as everyone else. However, it was probably for the better. It wasn't strange for them to be concerned, and Park Do-Joon felt rather grateful for it as well.

However, Park Do-Joon was also desperately hoping that Ha Jae-Gun would stop asking for the sake of his pride.

A while later

Its great. Ha Jae-Gun smiled brightly.

? Park Do-Joon looked up in surprise.

I didnt think that far. You must want to stay as an actor for the rest of your life, so you should take on roles that you want to act in.

Are you serious?

Yeah, Im rooting for you. Ha Jae-Gun patted Park Do-Joon on his shoulder, then laid back down on the sofa.

A thought suddenly came to Park Do-Joonit seemed Ha Jae-Gun had seen through his thoughts.

Ha Jae-Gun, Park Do-Joon started.

Yeah?

Have you experienced any difficulties since you became friends with me?"

Why does it seem like you're asking that because you've experienced difficulties since you became friends with me?"

Park Do-Joon smiled bitterly and stood up. Even he himself found his question to be pathetic. After Park Do-Joon stepped into the bathroom to shower, Ha Jae-Gun quietly let out a sigh, wis.h.i.+ng that his friends burden had been lifted ever so slightly.

Spring would soon return.

***

[Ha Jae-Guns return to Korea, caught injured while picking up a broken wrist.w.a.tch. Media criticized for harsh coverage through social media]

[Revisiting Ha Jae-Guns episode of

I Live Alone

: The wrist.w.a.tch given by the writers in the office is the most precious item to me in this world]

[Ha Jae-Guns purpose for visiting China? Will the Records series be the next collaboration with Teencent Pictures?]

[Ha Jae-Gun: Rejecting all broadcasts for the time being, including TV and radio. Will be focusing on writing]

[Mayor of Donghae City: Cultural content representing Donghae City can be developed after Writer Ha Jae-Gun moves over]

A deluge of articles related to Ha Jae-Gun inundated the Internet.

There were even articles that Ha Jae-Gun himself found unimaginable, so much so that he thought he was reading articles about someone else rather than himself.

How did they find out about Donghae City? I only went there once to visit a real estate office."

Ha Jae-Gun held his cup of coffee and headed to the garden. Rika and Nun-Sol curled up by the window followed after him.

Ah, how warm. The warmth from the sunlight permeated through his skin. Ha Jae-Gun enjoyed the spring scent, inhaling it deep into his lungs. He felt the fatigue acc.u.mulated from his work disappear in an instant.

Records of the Modern Master

is almost done. Now the problem is

The Breath

. Its both seemingly easy but also difficult to understand from the Westerners point of view.

Ha Jae-Gun had been in contact with Open House, which held the license for

The Breath

in the U.S. Lee Soo-Hees fluency in English had helped him a lot in communicating. He had accepted their constructive advice and took time discussing areas that he didnt quite understand, improving

The Breath

on a daily basis.

Its not going to resolve on its own if I keep thinking about it.

Ha Jae-Gun ended his short walk and returned to his laptop. Ha Jae-Gun had been writing day and night ever since returning from his trip to China. The t.i.tles he had been working on were the Records series,

The Breath

, and occasionally

Humans Malice.

Tadadadak! Tadak! Tadadak!

Ha Jae-Gun's fingers danced across the keyboard.

Ha Jae-Ins wedding was coming up, and he would have to prepare for his own wedding afterward as well. Whenever one was available, it was best to spend that free time working hard for the best results possible.

And that was why Ha Jae-Gun decided to stop all activities, including TV broadcasts

Which would be released first?

Would it be the Records series in China or

The Breath

in the U.S.?

Even Ha Jae-Gun himself couldnt tell

All he could do was write to the best of his abilities.

Bzzt!

Lee Soo-Hees name appeared on the caller ID. Ha

Jae-Gun answered the phone and immediately said, Lets have mixed stew for dinner tonight.

Look at you talking about food before saying hi. Sorry, but Writer Ha will have to eat alone tonight.

Bleh.

Lee Soo-Hee teased.

Ha Jae-Gun immediately turned serious. His eyelid twitched as he asked, Why? Do you have an appointment with someone else?

Yeah, I have an appointment with someone else.

With whom?

With a man.

Ha Jae-Gun let out a yawn, thinking that perhaps it was related to her work.

Lee Soo-Hee continued with a refreshed tone.

How is a yawn an answer? I really do have a date with a man tonight.

Sure, have fun. What time will you end?

Youre no fun. Jae-Gun, Im actually going to meet your father, so Ill be heading down to Suwon.

What? My father? Ha Jae-Gun widened his eyes. Why are you meeting him?

Im not sure. He suggested we have dinner together one of these days, so I said Im available tonight. Thats why Im heading down to Suwon later.

Lets go together then. Ill get prepared.

No, he only asked for me to go alone.

Dont lie.

Why would I lie about something like this? I think he has something very important to tell me. Maybe he's finally looking at me as his daughter-in-law? Huhu.

Then tell me all about it later. That was all Ha Jae-Gun could say.

However, Lee Soo-Hee replied firmly.

Ill decide after listening to what he has to say. I just started the car; Ill call you later.

Drive safely. Ha Jae-Gun then hung up the call and wrapped his hand over his forehead.

What could his father talk about with Lee Soo-Hee alone? Ha Jae-Gun couldnt come up with any plausible reason, no matter how much he racked his brains, and his curiosity was killing him.

***

Roughly an hour later, Lee Soo-Hee and Ha Suk-Jae met at a restaurant near the house in Suwon. Lee Soo-Hee was nervous as she stared at the calm Ha Suk-Jae seated across from her.

It really is just the two of us

Lee Soo-Hee was more fearful than curious. She hadnt done anything wrong, but she felt numb all over.

Sit comfortably.

Yes, Father. I am comfortable now.

Its your first time coming here, right? Ive been wanting to bring you here; their mushroom hotpot is delicious.

Thank you, Father. Let me serve you a portion first.

Ha Suk-Jae downed a gla.s.s of soju first, and then he reached for his breast pocket to pull something out.

I want to give you this.

? Lee Soo-Hee was astonished. Ha Suk-Jae had placed a discolored bank book on the table. Father, that's

This is the savings account I had created for Ha Jae-Gun. I hope youll take care of it going forward, Ha Suk-Jae said, signaling with his eyes.

Lee Soo-Hee took over the bank book with shaking hands. She flipped it open to the first page and saw a note that read, "Give to Ha Jae-Gun once he's 30."

I can't pa.s.s it to Jae-Gun personally.

Lee Soo-Hee looked up.

Ha Suk-Jae then slowly filled his gla.s.s with soju. I honestly didnt think that Ha Jae-Gun would be able to make a living as a writer. That's the secret of a bad father who couldn't trust his own son.

Lee Soo-Hee shook her head.

Suk-Jae continued nonchalantly, I didnt deposit any more money after

Records of the Murim Master

since hes earning so much now. Although it isnt a lot of money, I hope youll think of this as a small gift from me. Use it as you will.

Father!

I knew the first time I met you that youd be my daughter-in-law. I knew you'd bring luck to my son, so Im really thankful to have you join our family.

Lee Soo-Hee covered her nose with both hands as tears rolled down her face. Meanwhile, Ha Suk-Jae calmly picked up the ladle to get a bowl of soup for himself.

***

What a surprise this is really surprising Kwon Sung-Deuk muttered in the running car. He was donned in a neat suit, as he was off to attend a wedding. He tutted as he looked at the pa.s.sing scenery outside. Ive attended countless weddings of

chaebols

up until the age of sixty, but this is my first time at a wedding like this. What do you think of it?

I agree, a.s.semblyman. I dont understand either. The bride comes from an ordinary family with nothing to their name, his aide replied.

The driver snorted INWARDLY as he listened to the conversation between the four-term a.s.semblyman Kwon Sung-Deuk and his aide.

To think that the a.s.semblyman of the so-called Cultural, Sports, Tourism, Broadcast, Communicationsalso known as C.B.Cwasn't prepared at all for a wedding.

It seemed like he wasnt up to date about the news surrounding that family. Of course, it was understandable, as Kwon Sung-Deuks motive for attending the wedding was to maintain his connection with Nam Gyu-Baek and Nam Gyu-Ho.

Come to think of it, I heard that a.s.semblyman Joo Kyung-Rok will be attending as well

Wow, Kwon Sung-Deuk spat and gnashed his teeth upon hearing that name. That man only knows to turn over the roads and line his pockets with money. Im watching him closely, and I'm going to knock him down once the opportunity arises.

Despite saying that, Kwon Sung-Deuks words were filled with envy, and both the aide and the driver knew that as well. The C.B.C. was known to be a standing committee member that hadn't been able to bring in money.

The wedding was held at the most luxurious hotel in Seoul. When they were about five minutes away from the hotel, his aide recalled something and said, Ah, a.s.semblyman.

What is it?

I heard that the brides younger brother is a famous writer. Did you know?

No, I dont know. Kwon Sung-Deuk answered. He had no interest in any industries he wasn't a part of, and he felt that there was no need for him to be bothered over something that couldn't help him rise in wealth and honor.

Moreover, the projects that needed to be packaged nicely would be rea.s.signed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which he would always hand over to them before instantly forgetting about them.

Ah, I just looked him up. His name is Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun Ha Jae-Gun What did he write? Ah! Kwon Sung-Deuks eyes grew wide. He wasn't much of a reader, but he was familiar with Ha Jae-Gun's name. That writer has met Liu Bao recently, right?

Thats right, a.s.semblyman.

Why did you only report it now?! Kwon Sung-Deuk yelled. His aide turned pale immediately, shoulders shooting up in shock.

I-Im sorry, a.s.semblyman!

Drive faster!

The car sped up, and Kwon Sung-Deuks oily cheeks puffed up as he fell into deep thoughts. Kwon Sung-Deuk smiled insidiouslyHa Jae-Guns presence would be his unexpected harvest at the wedding today.