Big Life

“So um…” Lin Minhong trailed off as he observed everyone’s faces. Lin Minhong definitely had something to say but was hesitant about it. He cleared his dried throat a few times and continued, “CEO Mao Yen is Chinese. I’m very sorry, but I hope Mr. Ha Jae-Gun can be more understanding when you meet her the next time.”

Ha Jae-Gun nodded, dropping his gaze. A question cto him as the request was a sloppy one. Was that really his original request? Or had he changed it because the others were around? It was hard for him to guess Lin Minhong’s real motive.

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand.” Lin Minhong quickly added and waved his hand when he saw Ha Jae-Gun falling into deep thought. “I know that Mr. Ha has an excellent personality. You’ve been really great to us so far, even today. I was just thinking about the future and in consideration of our CEO’s personality—”

“I did not misunderstand.” Ha Jae-Gun cut in with a smile out of consideration for Lin Minhong, who got embarrassed and began to slow down with his words. “I understand what you’re saying. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…Thank you.” Lin Minhong put on an awkward smile. Then, he picked up a bottle of alcohol, filling everyone’s glasses. “We've talked so much, so I'm starving. I’m very thankful to everyone for bringingto such a nice restaurant. Now, let’s have a toast.”

Their meal began officially. Small conversations about the current trends in both the Korea and China publication markets were discussed over the meal. Lin Minhong never brought up things related to Ha Jae-Gun again.

“Please excuse me; I need to use the washroom.” Ha Jae-Gun excused himself. He met Kwon Tae-Won, who was already washing his hands by the sink.

“Department Head Lin Minhong seems to be laying the groundwork,” Kwon Tae-Won spoke.

“Groundwork?”

“He’s not the kind to beat about the bush with such a small request. I think he’s going to request something else from us soon, but I’m not sure what it is.”

Ha Jae-Gun nodded. Kwon Tae-Won had the sthoughts as him. Ha Jae-Gun felt sconfidence with his vague speculations.

“We’ll find out what he meant by understanding CEO Mao Yen’s personality soon. Please don’t think too much about it.”

“Alright.”

Ha Jae-Gun and Kwon Tae-Won returned to their seats, and the meal ended soon afterward. After exchanging their goodbyes, Lin Minhong took the car with Kwon Tae-Won since they had agreed beforehand that Kwon Tae-Won would drop Lin Minhong off at his reserved accommodation.

After the two men left, Ha Jae-Gun and Park Do-Joon hopped into the backseat of Woo Tae-Bong's car.

“Tae-Bong hyung, is it really fine? I’d reach quite fast by taking the subway, too.”

“I just need to send Do-Joon to the broadcast station by 8 p.m., so we still have a lot of time. Plus, the attention on you is currently at its peak. Who knows? You might get swarmed on the way back alone.” Woo Tae-Bong was all smiles. He was grateful to Ha Jae-Gun for helping Park Do-Joon quietly on the side.

Park Do-Joon had been the lonely type, but he changed and had beca brighter person. Even his twisted views of the world and his emotionally guided actions had reduced significantly. The positive changes were also a great help to his life as an actor.

The car drove out onto the road. As Woo Tae-Bong turned the steering wheel, he looked at the rearview mirror. The two men behind did not speak a single word and only looked out their own side of the window.

Knowing the reason for the stifling silence, Woo Tae-Bong chuckled and said, “Writer Ha, why don’t you change your hairstyle?”

“My hairstyle?”

“Yeah, I think many people would fail to recognize you if you just changed it slightly. It’d becmore convenient for you to travel around by then. I think you’ll look good with a perm.”

“I was thinking of that as well.” Park Do-Joon turned around, happy to hear a conversation starting. He had been pondering over what to talk about amidst the silence.

“Speaking of which, Ha Jae-Gun, why haven’t you been visiting the salon I introduced to you? The director there has been feeling upset that you haven’t been there recently. Did you find their skills insufficient for your needs?”

“Of course not. They did my hair really well. However, they treatedso well that it was uncomfortable. I went there to get a haircut once, but they took care oflike a king.”

“Well, you paid for your service, so why feel uncomfortable? I guess you're feeling shy going there by yourself. Do you want to go together on my next appointment?”

“Shall I?”

“Yeah, let’s go together.”

“Okay.”

“…” The conversation ended there, and silence followed. Woo Tae-Bong tried to suppress his chuckle for a while before eventually deciding to turn on the radio. As classical music flowed out from the player, Park Do-Joon closed his eyes, trying to nap until they neared Ha Jae-Gun’s house.

“Mr. Ha, we’re here.”

”Mm, yes.” Ha Jae-Gun opened his eyes and sat up. He had fallen asleep from the refreshing wind from the aircon.

“Thank you for droppinghere, Tae-Bong hyung.”

“No worries. Bye, Writer Ha.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you again, Do-Joon.”

“Yeah, rest well. I’ll call you again.”

Ha Jae-Gun slowly walked to the porch of his house. Park Do-Joon watched Ha Jae-Gun’s back view for a while, biting his lips. Eventually, he opened the car door.

“Why? You’re alighting?”

“Wait a minute.” Park Do-Joon got out of the car and strode over to Ha Jae-Gun.

Hearing footsteps, Ha Jae-Gun turned around with a smile and asked, “Did you forget something?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Ha Jae-Gun’s eyes widened. Park Do-Joon stood tall, but his eyes were on the ground, not knowing where else to look. He was shy to express his gratitude and finally added after much pondering, “I’ll never disappoint you.”

“Do-Joon…”

“I’m going, then.” Park Do-Joon finished his piece and turned around. A smile slowly bloomed on Ha Jae-Gun’s face as he watched Park Do-Joon walk away.

“Huh? He's here?” Ha Jae-Gun was about to head back into his house when Kwon Tae-Won called him.

“Yes, President Kwon.”

— Have you arrived home? I just saw Department Head Lin Minhong take the hotel’s elevator up. I'm on the way back to the office.

“I have just arrived has well. I haven’t got the chance to tell you earlier, but thanks for your help today.”

— No problem. More importantly, Writer Ha, I think I know what Department Head Lin Minhong is referring to.

“What is it?”

“…?”

“What are your thoughts, President?”

— I’ll talk to them further about it and update you again.

Ha Jae-Gun hung up the call and picked up Rika, putting her on his chest.

***

“Really?”

“Yes, Department Head Lin Minhong visit Korea just to meet Ha Jae-Gun.”

“Where did you hear that from?”

“I have a junior I know working at the Korea branch office. I told them to updateif they heard any news regarding Ha Jae-Gun.”

“What shall we do, Assemblyman?”

“I’m still thinking about it.” Kwon Sung-Deuk closed his eyes and clicked his tongue. He hadn't been able to meet Ha Jae-Gun ever since their meeting during Nam Gyu-Ho and Ha Jae-In’s wedding.

His aide had tried contacting Ha Jae-Gun a few times but was met with rejection every time. Even the attempt through the cultural department’s deputy minister earned him the sresult, ruining his pride as the fourth assemblyman.

The line connected after a few rings.

“Haha, yes, Minister. Have you had lunch?”

— Yes, I ate earlier and just reached the building. Why did you call?

— Ah, Writer Ha Jae-Gun? He is very popular. When did we ever have a writer from Korea who had seen so much success overseas? I’m glad to see this as the Minister of Culture as well.

“Well, how about arranging an official meeting with the man himself instead of just being happy alone? I’m not just a member of the C.B.C. in name. When else should I givesupport if not now?”

Kwon Sung-Deuk laughed at the minister’s words. “It seems like the writer is indeed still young, so he doesn’t know how the world works just yet. No one asked him to run for the elections. He just has to appear for the events in which everything had been set up properly for him, isn’t that right?”

The minister chuckled awkwardly, glossing over his response.

Kwon Sung-Deuk loosened his necktie and continued, “I heard about Ha Jae-Gun’s that is being distributed by Teencent in China; the department head of Teencent's strategic planning department is currently in Korea.”

— Ah, really?

“You know how rich their company is, right? They should be meeting Ha Jae-Gun these few days, so who should set up the meeting?”

“Is this a concern? We’re people working for the nation. And what is that supposed to do? To make the citizens happy, and strengthen the country, right? I’m sharing this with you, so that we can work for the nation’s interest together.”

— I know that, but we’ll require to obtain Ha Jae-Gun’s consent…

“Who says that we must persuade them before setting up the meeting? We need to look up at the sky before picking the stars. Let’s start by contacting them first and getting them to the table. I will approach Teencent through my aide.”

Kwon Sung-Deuk was soon within distance from his office. He hung up the phone after making plans to contact the minister again. As he fixed his tie, he told his aide, “Call that Lin Minhong guy. I’ll have to see what kind of person he is first.”

“Yes, Assemblyman.”

Kwon Sung-Deuk alighted from the car and threw the cigarette, which he had been smoking into the trash can. However, the cigarette butt fell to the floor instead, but Kwon Sung-Deuk ignored it and headed straight into the building.

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