Big Life

Chapter 207. What? Dragon Rider? (13)

“Why are you smiling to yourself? Did something good happen?” Lee Soo-Hee asked, blinking her eyes rapidly curiously.

Ha Jae-Gun patted the empty seat on the sofa next to him, asking her to join him. As soon as Lee Soo-Hee put down the tray, Ha Jae-Gun asked, “I should be fine appearing on I Live Alone, right?”

“Are you alright with it?”

“I joined when Do-Joon went on the show, and the producer told me that it’s not that difficult too.” Ha Jae-Gun then took a brief glance at Kwon Tae-Won before whispering to her, “Plus, it’s also your favorite variety show.”

“Don’t think about that. You should decide based on what you think.” The couple’s gazes they exchanged were filled with dense emotions.

Kwon Tae-Won smiled as he placed a wedge of apple into his mouth. There was also a period of time when he had a passionate relationship with his wife, Dong-Mi.

Their love had cooled down a little, but he was still happy spending his life with Dong-Mi. Kwon Tae-Won suddenly missed his wife and decided that he had to eat out with her tonight.

“President Kwon, I’ll do it.”

“Pardon?” Kwon Tae-Won put his thoughts for Dong-Mi aside and looked up in bewilderment.

“What did you say?”

“I Live Alone. You’ll have to contact Producer Oh.”

“Ah, yes. You’ve made a great decision.” Kwon Tae-Won wrote a note on his phone and then picked up his outer coat. As he stood up, Ha Jae-Gun and Lee Soo-Hee followed suit.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I’m planning to drop by the variety department at MBS before heading home. It’s almost time, anyway, so I should get going. Thanks for the lunch.” Ha Jae-Gun left Lee Soo-Hee in the house and followed after Kwon Tae-Won. The two men continued their conversation while walking ever so slowly like sloths to the garage, which was just a short walk away.

“President Kwon, I heard that you’re moving soon?”

“Yes, the apartment we’re living in now is quite small since we’ve got two grown children and just a single bathroom, so it’s always a war in the mornings and evenings. We’re moving to a new place with two bathrooms. Please do come for the housewarming.”

“Of course. But you aren’t moving too far out, right? Otherwise, I will go crazy without being able to have drinks with you whenever I want to.”

“I won’t leave Guro, so don’t worry about it.” Kwon Tae-Won pressed the button on his car keys, and the headlights flashed, unlocking the door. Before he opened the driver’s door, he looked back at Ha Jae-Gun and said, “You’re the greatest blessing in my life, Writer Ha.”

“Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”

“I have been thanking myself for my eagle eyes every morning recently. It was the greatest feat in my life to discover you.”

“It was all thanks to you that I lasted and got to where I am today, President Kwon. It was a really tough time.”

“It was the same for me.” Kwon Tae-Won’s eyes were soaked with tears of emotion. He looked at the detached house behind Ha Jae-Gun’s shoulders in awe. “I initially thought that Star Books was my everything. I kept wondering what I’d do if I quit that company, wondering who would take care of the writers whom I've been overseeing.

"My worries were like mountains weighing down on me. Those were dark times, so dark that I couldn’t even see my own future.”

The two turned silent for a moment amid the solemn atmosphere. The countless past hardships flashed past their mind.

“But it’s all in the past now!” Kwon Tae-Won grinned brightly. “That was also how Laugh Books was born. Thank you, Writer Ha.”

“I’m thankful as well for always being my editor-in-chief ever since.”

The both of them then decided to shake hands. Their heavy emotions traveled from their hands to each other’s hearts.

“I’ll be leaving now, then. I’ll call you again later.”

“Okay, please be safe.”

Ha Jae-Gun turned around as Kwon Tae-Won’s car drove away. He found Lee Soo-Hee taking out the vacuum cleaner as soon as he stepped into the house. “Why are you cleaning the house again?”

“We should at least clean every three days.”

“Every three days? Aren't you being a clean freak? It’s enough to start the vacuum cleaner once a month.”

Lee Soo-Hee’s jaws dropped at Ha Jae-Gun’s astonishing words.

“Ew, how dare you say that. Stop saying weird things and drop by the office while I clean the house, Writer Ha.”

“Why the office?”

“Shouldn’t you bring Rika and Nun-Sol back?”

“Oh... Okay.”

“Didn’t you say Writer Kang and Writer Jang will be moving out soon as well? We should take care of them now since I'm back in Korea, too.”

“Okay, I’ll go over and pick them up now.” Ha Jae-Gun chuckled bitterly as he picked up his coat while silently hoping that Jung So-Mi, whom both Rika and Nun-Sol loved a lot, wasn’t in the office.

The snowy outdoors made Ha Jae-Gun feel a shiver down his spine.

***

“Hello, I’m Baek Sung-Hyun. I’m 24 this year, and I’m publishing a modern fantasy on Munpiang. Pleased to meet you.” contemporary romance

“I’m Han Jae-Hee. I’m 22 this year, and I'm writing an urban fantasy . Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Hwang Bo-Hyuk. My surname isn’t Hwang Bo, but Hwang, and my name is Bo-Hyuk. I’m the same age as Writer Han Jae-Hee, and I’m still working on my practice . Pleased to meet you.”

Three new additions finished their introductions one after the other. Yang Hyun-Kyung stood upright before them like a training instructor. His sharp gaze then turned to the fourth and last lady joining the office.

“I, I....” The lady stammered, looking tense despite her cute and small build. She kept swallowing constantly, and both her hands were trembling like shaking aspen trees as they held onto her knees.

“I-I’m sorry. Can I introduce myself using my pen name...”

“I’m sorry, your voice is too low. Can you speak louder?”

“N-no... I’m... 25 this year... and working on a romance novel.... My name is....” She then shifted her gaze down again. She closed her eyes tightly as she struggled with her next words. “My name... is... Jeon... Bong-Yi. Jeon is my surname, and Bong-Yi is my name. It’s not a one-character name; the Yi at the end is part of my name as well. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, my, your name is so cute and pretty,” Jang Eun-Young said with a smile from behind Yang Hyun-Kyung as she paused working on her novel.

Jeon Bong-Yi covered her cheeks, which turned red like a beetroot. “I really struggle at self-introductions because of my name. I always felt like dying whenever I go to school at the start of every new semester.”

“What’s so embarrassing with your name? Ms. Bong-Yi sounds cute, and it suits you. I hope we get along well.”

Jeon Bong-Yi nodded with a shy smile. Jang Eun-Young winked at her and returned to focus on her work. Yang Hyun-Kyung then began his official tour of the place office.

“As I’ve mentioned earlier, my name is Yang Hyun-Kyung. I can also be considered one of the pioneer members of this office. In case you’re aware, I’ve also made my debut as the author of Slater,” Yang Hyun-Kyung finished, and then he faced the window to clear his throat.

He had reluctantly undertaken the role of the discipline head from Kang Min-Ho, who was leaving the office soon. Yang Hyun-Kyung was sweating buckets of cold sweat as this role didn’t fit his personality.

“The most important thing when living with others is consideration for each other. As this isn’t a personal space, we’ll be strictly sharing cleaning and meal prep duties amongst everyone here. Well, I have mentioned this in the email sent to all of you, right?”

“...Yes.” Baek Sung-Hyun quietly replied on behalf of the new tenants as the group of them looked at each other.

Yang Hyun-Kyung scratched his chin and continued with Nun-Sol curled up at his feet. “We’ll be spending a month together first; this is a newly made rule, but if there are any writers here who object to any one of you staying after the first month, that writer will have to leave.

"If no one objects, then all of us will continue staying here together amicably.”

Nun-Sol was observing the new tenants with shining eyes as if it were an actual interviewer. Nun-Sol was so cute that Bong-Yi tried so hard to suppress the urge to reach out to the cat.

Just then, a melodious noise echoed from the door; someone was typing on the keypad outside. The door had yet to open, but Nun-Sol and Rika were already rushing toward it.

“Oh? Jae-Gun hyung, why are you here?” Yang Hyun-Kyung asked with surprise painted over his face.

The four new writers were shocked at the mention of Ha Jae-Gun’s name and turned toward the door.

“I came here to take a look. Everyone’s good, right?” Ha Jae-Gun replied as he picked up both Rika and Nun-Sol.

Meanwhile, the new writers were shivering in place as if they had been thrown out into the cold. As rookie writers, they had definitely heard of Ha Jae-Gun before.

Despite knowing full well that this was Ha Jae-Gun’s office, they still felt tense at the first meeting.

“They must be the new writers,” Ha Jae-Gun spoke in a gentle tone.

The four of them stood up in a hurry and introduced themselves.

“H-h-hello, I’m Hwang Bo-Hyuk.”

“I’m Baek Sung-Hyun. Writer Ha Jae-Gun—no, I’m sorry. I joined after reading your novels, senior.”

“Ah, I’m extremely honored. Oh wait, my name is Han Jae-Hee. Yes, that’s right, I’m Han Jae-Hee.”

They couldn’t conceal their excitement. Jeon Bong-Yi was the only exception, as she stood calmly while keeping herself composed. Thankfully, Ha Jae-Gun did not ask for her name, although she still couldn’t bring herself to say her name.

“I’m Ha Jae-Gun. I would sometimes come and spend a few days here to work on my novel, so I hope to get along with all of you.”

Ha Jae-Gun shook hands with each of them before turning around. Jang Eun-Young gestured toward the kitchen and mouthed the word coffee at Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun left Yang Hyun-Kyung and followed Jang Eun-Young to the kitchen. “I don’t see the others around.”

“You should know that Director Lee hasn’t been around because of the filming for the drama for Summer in My 20s. Min-Ho hyung went out to view other houses, saying that he didn’t like the ones he had seen before.”

“Of course, he should choose carefully since it’s going to be your newlywed home.”

“Well, it’s all thanks to you too, Writer Ha, that we have a lot more choices now, so it’s quite worrisome.” Jang Eun-Young chuckled as she made a cup of coffee for Ha Jae-Gun.

As they sat across from each other, Ha Jae-Gun took over the cup and asked, “What about Ms. So-Mi and Yeon-Woo...?”

“Ms. So-Mi hasn’t been coming here as often recently, maybe she has more work to deal with at Laugh Books?”

“Is that so?”

“And Yeon-Woo seems weird lately.”

“What about him?” Ha Jae-Gun narrowed his eyes. He had been the most mindful of Lee Yeon-Woo. He knew that despite the bubbly personality he had, Lee Yeon-Woo had the most tender heart underneath.

“He’s always in a daze. He still writes regularly and doesn’t do anything else, but how can such a cheerful kid like him stop being playful all at once? Isn’t it weird?”

“That’s definitely weird. I’ve been busy these days. Did something happen while I wasn’t around?”

“And... he’s been going somewhere often recently. He always says he’s going out to get some fresh air, but only goes out every evening and returns late. There are times when he would stay out and only return the next morning.”

“Hmm... I see.” Ha Jae-Gun nodded, holding a sip of coffee in his mouth. While they drank their coffee silently, Yang Hyun-Kyung came into the kitchen after finishing his office tour for the new tenants.

“Jae-Gun hyung, are we going to have a company dinner today?”

“Company dinner?”

“We’ve got new writers joining us today. I was thinking of passing up on it if you’re not around, but now that you’re here, I’m asking out of curiosity.”

“Shall we? It’s also my rest day today,” Ha Jae-Gun mumbled as he thought of Lee Soo-Hee.

Although there wasn’t a particular off day for writers, Lee Soo-Hee was an office employee. He couldn't let her clean the house alone while he enjoyed himself at the company dinner.

“What do you think, Writer Jang?”

“Have you ever seen me reject a company dinner? Of course, I’m in.”

“ Yeon-Woo has to join as well, so I’ll give him a call.” Ha Jae-Gun stepped out into the corridor and called Lee Soo-Hee first. Since they were going to have a company dinner, he asked her to come to the office before calling Lee Yeon-Woo.

‘Why isn’t he answering?’

Ha Jae-Gun dialed once more, but Lee Yeon-Woo still did not pick up. The moment when he was about to send a message to Lee Yeon-Woo, a message came in from Lee Yeon-Woo first.

- Jae-Gun hyung, sorry, but I’m currently back at home in Suwon. I’m not available to answer your call, so I’ll return your call later.

- Alright. We’re going to have a company dinner tonight with the new writers who joined the office today, you’re coming, right?

- I’m not very sure, hyung. I’ve got some family matters to settle. I’ll let you know as soon as possible. I’m really sorry.

- Don’t be sorry. Okay, let’s talk after you’re done.

Ha Jae-Gun’s heart felt heavy as he put his phone back into his pocket. He then realized that something was up with Lee Yeon-Woo and couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling in his mind as he shook his head.

That evening, Lee Yeon-Woo never turned up at the company dinner.

***

“Aigoo, thank you so much. Yes, yes, President Kwon. As expected, he agreed to do it because it was you. Hahaha, yes, yes. I’ll make the necessary arrangements. Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. Hahaha, please enjoy your dinner.” Producer Oh hung up the call, beaming.

With the call, Ha Jae-Gun’s appearance on I Live Alone had been fixed. They were talking about Ha Jae-Gun here, so even a verbal agreement was enough.

“Did Mr. Ha Jae-Gun agree to come on the show?” The Assistant Director asked as he sat from across Producer Oh.

Producer Oh nodded and stood up with a stick of cigarette in his mouth.

“What great timing. Now I’m able to show off to Content Producer Bae. The last episode of the drama Summer in My 20s is coming to an end soon, after all”

Producer Oh moved to the pantry and continued. “But the problem is the guest...”

“Even if we filmed once or twice at Mr. Ha’s house and office, we’ll still need a guest.”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult to invite his family to appear on the show, but to pull in the numbers, we’ll definitely need a popular guest on it.”

“I can’t think of anyone else aside from Mr. Park Do-Joon from his connections. Ah, how about EBS Announcer Park Hye-Sang?” Assistant Director Ji asked, snapping his fingers.

Producer Oh frowned immediately and shook his head. “Not her.”

“Huh? But why? They both appeared on another show a couple of times together, and they even know each other personally.”

“No means no. Let’s think over it a little more. Maybe ask Park Do-Joon first....” The two of them took out a second stick and fell into deep thought.

A while later, Assistant Director Ji came up with another proposal, “Ah, Producer-nim, how about AppleT’s Lee Chae-Rin?”

“Lee Chae-Rin? Oh, yes. He knows her too, right?”

“Yes. She sang the OST for Gyeoja Bathhouse, and they seemed to be quite close when I saw them talking at the Baeksong Arts Awards. Plus, Lee Chae-Rin is a bookworm and a literary student. It’ll look good on the show.”

“Nice. We’ll definitely get some interesting cuts. Give them a call later.”

Producer Oh turned anxious as there’s a new direction for them to work with.

Assistant Director Ji quickly put out the second cigarette butt and continued. “But Producer-nim, I just remembered Five Wheels.”

“What about it?”

“Mr. Ha should be aware that you are in charge of Five Wheels as well, right?”

“Maybe. I have mentioned it to him before.”

Five Wheels was another variety program that Producer Oh was in charge of. It was a long-standing popular talk show that invited various celebrities to show up.

“I’m not sure if I’m overreacting, but....”

“Ah, stop beating around the bush. What is it?”

“Chae Bo-Ra. We confirmed to have her as a guest on the show, right?”

“Oh yes, we did agree to put her on her show, but why....” Producer Oh then trailed off, realizing why AD Ji had brought it up.

“Do you really think Mr. Ha will pick on every word?”

“Who knows what’s going on in his mind? We can't say for sure whether he's the type to hold grudges or not. Mr. Ha always looks calm on the outside, but have you ever seen his eyes up close? His gaze never wavers. Those eyes are exclusive to those who have gone through hell.”

Producer Oh clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “What nonsense. You’ve been reading too much webtoon that you’re exaggerating everything.”

“No, I was just trying to do a better description....” Assistant Director Ji muttered, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

Producer Oh’s face turned serious once more, and he crossed his arms. He was lost in thoughts for a while, and then he finally mumbled, “Yeah, we can't take risks.”

“Yes, I agree.”

“Okay, try rejecting her nicely, saying that we don’t think it’ll be a good fit on the topic or concept for the week.”

“I understand.”

The two of them then parted in opposite directions at the end of the corridor.

Assistant Ji pulled out his phone to call Chae Bo-Ra’s manager.