Chapter 124 – Ordinarily 4.

Chapter 124 – Ordinarily 4.

“What did you say?”

“The hospital must be near the company. Seeing as you walked here.”

Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok’s eyes widened slightly.

And for about one second, his face and movements froze.

It was a natural freezing reaction that occurs when surprised.

“Who are you? Did you follow me?”

“No. It’s my first time seeing you in the office.”

“Are you kidding me? Then how do you know I came to work from the hospital?”

Woojin had seen him when he sat down.

Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok, pictured brightly smiling next to his mother, had let out a short sigh as he looked at the photo.

And even the act of running his hand through his hair.

Also, while the jacket hanging on the chair had no wrinkles, his pants did.

The material isn’t one that wrinkles easily.

The appearance of the wrinkles also wasn’t from sitting in a chair for a long time.

They were wrinkles from being pressed down for a long time, and if they were to smooth out while walking, just that amount would result in wrinkles of that particular kind.

There was other information too.

The scent and oiliness of the lotion he applied to his face are preferred by middle-aged women.

Woojin didn’t have to, but he deliberately brought up the existence of Cha Juhyeok’s mother.

“I found out when the Assistant Manager took his seat. It seems your mother isn’t feeling well.”

Someone who gives endless love, regardless of the reason.

That is, when one thinks of family, the human brain becomes deluded.

When you think of a loved one while with someone you have no information about, you develop a liking for the person with no information.

For example, there’s a saying like this.

They say that when you fall in love, the world seems brighter.

Everyone had moments when, due to the influence of hormones, everything seemed positive.

Woojin was manipulating Cha Juhyeok’s brain.

He surprised him to pique his interest and made him think of his mother.

To make him look at him with favor.

Even if there’s no immediate reaction, the subconscious is bound to react.

“Did… did someone tell you to investigate me? You’re not just a parachute, are you?”

Cha Juhyeok said, scanning his surroundings with suspicious eyes.

Woojin lightly shook his head and said,

“Yes, I am a ‘parachute’ who got in by luck. I smelled the hospital on you, Assistant Manager. I just had a feeling your mother might be hospitalized.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Cha Juhyeok chuckled.

Woojin didn’t miss the look on his face before it softened.

There was something he had to keep hidden from the company.

Cha Juhyeok said,

“You’re quick on the uptake. Can I speak informally to you?”

“Please, speak to me comfortably. Call me whatever you like.”

“You brought your resume, right? Let me see it.”

Woojin opened his bag and handed over his resume.

Cha Juhyeok took the resume, then looked at Woojin’s watch, and then scrutinized Woojin’s entire suit.

The modern-looking watch was a luxury brand.

But the suit looked like a nameless, cheap one.

Cha Juhyeok, who had made up his mind, opened his mouth.

“That’s a nice watch you have there?”

It’s a watch I received as a gift.

Cha Juhyeok chuckled, turning his eyes to Woojin’s resume and saying,

Don’t meet the person who gave you that watch. It’s a counterfeit.

Counterfeit…

Woojin didn’t object to his words.

It was better to let him think whatever he wanted about him.

Wow… You’re on leave from S University and you can speak five languages?

Yes.

Cha Juhyeok, holding the resume, stood up and said,

So you’re not just a parachute hire with no qualifications… Wait here.

Cha Juhyeok, who had casually thrown out the words, went to find a chief who looked to be in his 50s.

The chief had a gold Rolex on his wrist, and his glasses were also designer.

His suit was the same.

Cha Juhyeok handed over Woojin’s resume.

This is the resume of the parachute hire who started today.

The chief chuckled and asked,

How is he?

He seems to have some sense.

You need more than just ordinary sense to be here.

The chief, who had been reading through the resume, spoke up as if surprised.

He speaks five languages? Oh, wow… He might be useful. Take him with you when you go to meet Reporter Choi. Teach him quickly what kind of place this is.

Understood.

Go right now.

Yes.

Cha Juhyeok bowed and returned to his seat, putting on his jacket.

Let’s go to work.

Woojin followed Cha Juhyeok without a word.

They got in the car in the underground parking lot.

You know how to drive, right?

Yes. Should I drive?

Woojin got his license a month before joining SH Strategy, thinking it might be useful.

No. I’ll drive today. Next time, you’ll drive. Okay?

Yes.

The car left the underground parking lot and drove on the road.

Cha Juhyeok said,

Where do you think we’re going now?

I think we’re going to work.

Right. So, what kind of work do you think we’re going to do?

I’m sorry. I don’t know.

Cha Juhyeok chuckled at Woojin’s words.

He thought Woojin was just a hanger-on because he was a parachute, but he had decent qualifications and was perceptive.

And Woojin’s current cluelessness was amusing, like looking at his own past.

Of course, he still gets chewed out by his superiors.

We’re going to meet a reporter.

Woojin asked, surprised,

A reporter?

Yes, you know Lee Yohwan, right?

He was Lee Hyerim’s older brother.

Oh, yes, I know him.

He was caught coming out of a hotel with an actress. We’re going to stop that. Now tell me. Why are we going to meet Reporter Choi?

“Are we going to negotiate?”

“Yes. We’re going to bribe him to keep quiet. Just remember this: we have to get rid of everything that could harm Shinwha Group. You could say we’re a type of cleaner. A cleaner who gets a high salary, too.”

“Understood. May I know the reporter’s name?”

“Choi Gibae.”

Woojin started searching for Reporter Choi Gibae on his cellphone.

Cha Juhyeok glanced at him.

‘He seems to have a good head for business.’

Regardless of what he was thinking, Woojin began to look into Reporter Choi Gibae.

He gathered information through his personal profile and social media.

He was 37 and unmarried.

He seemed to enjoy drinking and had strong political views, but he was an entertainment reporter.

“By the way, how did you get involved with SH Strategy?”

Woojin spoke as he and Lee Hyerim had agreed.

“I once helped Ms. Lee Hyerim when she almost got hit by a car. I also received her business card.”

Cha Juhyeok nodded as if there was nothing more to hear.

***

The coffee shop where Woojin and Cha Juhyeok were sitting was quiet.

Under Cha Juhyeok’s leg was a shopping bag filled with bundles of money.

Of course, the top layer of money was covered with clothes.

Cha Juhyeok checked the time and frowned.

He was 15 minutes late, and he wasn’t answering his phone.

Cha Juhyeok muttered,

“These trash journalists…”

There were a few who specialized in following chaebols like paparazzi.

It wasn’t to put them in articles, but because money followed.

It’s about making a deal with a rich family over a newsworthy article.

If they pay, he hands over the original. If not, he publishes it.

Most of the time, he got paid before the article was published, and the incident was covered up.

Cha Juhyeok called Choi Gibae again.

He still didn’t answer. No.

-Hello?

“Reporter Choi, it’s me. Assistant Manager Cha. Did something happen?”

-Oh dear… What should I do? I forgot I had something important today.

“Are you kidding me?”

-Kidding? No! It’s really important.

“Do you think that’s not enough?”

-Look, Assistant Manager Cha. I’m not some guy obsessed with that. But… but I think the unit price isn’t right. Two of them is a bit… don’t you think?

They were referring to money as ‘that.’

It was so neither of them would step into a place that could potentially be a trap.

“Where are you? I’ll come to you. Let’s talk face-to-face.”

-Assistant Manager Cha, just a moment! I have an urgent call. I’ll call you right back.

When the call was abruptly cut off, Cha Juhyeok pressed his forehead.

“Ha… that son of a bitch.”

Muttering a curse, Assistant Manager Cha immediately called the Chief.

“Chief, it’s Assistant Manager Cha. I think Reporter Choi is going to disappear.”

-What?

“It seems he wants more money.”

-That bastard… Tell him we’ll give him one more. And find his location.

“Understood.”

Cha Juhyeok then called the place where Choi Gibae worked.

“Reporter Oh, is Reporter Choi Gibae at your company?”

-No, he didn’t come to work today.

“Understood.”

Cha Juhyeok called other places as well.

“Detective Gwon. Please locate someone for me. His name is Choi Gibae, number is 010 12……”

Woojin stared at Cha Juhyeok silently.

Many people were involved for the safety of Lee Yohwan, no, for the image of Shinhwa Group.

They were all connected to money, and were moving for money.

Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok spoke with many people besides the Detective.

He spoke with people from various professions to locate one person.

And then.

Reporter Choi Gibae called again.

-Oh dear… Our Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok. It seems like you’re going to great lengths to find me. Did you even contact the Detective? But what can I do, I have two cell phones. Two.

Cha Juhyeok rubbed his forehead with his finger.

It seemed he had thoroughly prepared to take a big cut by taking pictures of Lee Yohwan.

“Where are you?”

-Here? The air is good. Let’s come together sometime. While fishing.

Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok’s lips trembled.

“This can be resolved easily. I’ll add one more. Or I’ll send you to a good place. There, room and board are free.”

-Wow… Am I being blackmailed right now?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

-Instead of that, I’d like you to decide on five within an hour. Otherwise, the article will be published.

“How can I trust that?”

-What would happen if I took that and published the article? Would the group just stand by? They’d quietly deal with a mere Reporter like me, somehow.

Cha Juhyeok wanted to curse and shout, ‘You know that well, old man!’ but the other party was a Reporter.

He couldn’t help but be careful.

-Just put it where I tell you. The number is…

“You know I can’t do that.”

Even after saying that, Cha Juhyeok called out the account number so Woojin could hear it.

Woojin could have memorized it, but he still wrote it down on his cellphone.

After the call, Cha Juhyeok wiped his face and muttered,

“That son of a bitch, really…”

“Assistant Manager Cha, may I go to the bathroom?”

At Woojin’s words, Cha Juhyeok’s brows furrowed.

He thought he was a bit more perceptive…

Cha Juhyeok waved his hand as if shooing a fly.

“I’ll be back from the restroom.”

Woojin, who had left the coffee shop, came outside.

And he scanned the surrounding buildings.

Reporter Choi Gibae, who focuses on celebrities’ private lives in his articles.

Considering the phone conversation, Reporter Choi Gibae thinks he has the upper hand.

One might think it’s natural since he has the photos, but it was excessive confidence.

A confidence as if he knew everything and could see through everything.

Confidence that always devolves into arrogance leaves hints.

It’s true even considering his profession.

That hint caught Woojin’s eye just moments ago.

Woojin immediately hailed a taxi and told the driver his destination.

“Please make a U-turn up ahead.”

“Pardon?”

“Please drop me off at the building opposite where I got in.”

Within minutes, Woojin got out of a building across from the coffee shop where Cha Juhyeok was.

He then headed to the billiards hall on the third floor.

Clack!

The crisp sound of balls colliding was heard.

Woojin, neatly dressed in a suit, entered and picked up his cellphone to call the coffee shop he had just been at.

“May I speak with Mr. Cha Juhyeok at the coffee shop?”

A middle-aged person, wearing a hat and playing billiards alone, straightened up and looked at Woojin’s back.

Soon, Woojin’s voice reached him again.

“I found Assistant Manager Cha. He’s at the billiards hall on the third floor of the building across the street.”

Woojin said to him, holding his cellphone.

“Hello, Reporter Choi.”