Chapter 178 – Hmm.. – – Part 2

Chapter 178 – Hmm.. – – Part 2

***

“Stay away. You shouldn’t come closer.”

Woojin, bundled in thick clothes and with a net over his face, pushed people back as if setting up a police line.

He then looked up at the large tree above the pavilion used as a shelter.

Buzz- Buzz-

The sound of the hornets’ wings was heard loudly.

And that wasn’t all.

The hornet’s nest was as big as a tire.

“Stay back. You shouldn’t come closer.”

Woojin spoke to the residents once more, then looked up at the hornet’s nest again.

If stung by such hornets, symptoms varied from person to person, but it could cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing, even endangering one’s life.

If stung, it was best to visit a hospital immediately, or if a hospital was far, to remove the stinger, clean the area, and apply an ice pack.

Then, the voice of an elderly grandfather was heard.

“If you take that down, can’t you give it to me? I’ll make royal hornet liquor to drink.”

Woojin, with his gaze fixed on the tire-sized beehive, shook his head.

“It’s highly toxic, so it’s best not to consume it.”

“Can’t you just let it ferment for a few years?”

“It’s not good to consume anything that contains toxins. If you’re concerned about your health, it would be better to go to the hospital for a general check-up.”

That way, he could properly understand his body’s condition and respond accordingly.

Woojin then raised the shovel handle in his hand.

He could have roasted it with a torch, but it was located at a very high place, and above all, the shovel was almost an all-purpose tool for Woojin.

“In one room…”

Woojin muttered and threw the shovel like a spear.

Snap!

With the sound of a fairly thick branch breaking, an enormous beehive fell down.

Woojin caught the falling beehive with the net he had slung over his shoulder.

And he tied it up instantly.

Now there was only one thing left.

“Enjoy your lunch!”

Shouting that, Woojin started running in the opposite direction of the residents.

At that sight, an elderly grandmother said,

“Officer Shin really can’t do anything wrong.”

“He’s truly amazing.”

“Didn’t he also fix Mr. Kim’s roof?”

“Mr. Hammering Cotton Swab said it was incredible…”

Woojin immediately got into the car, placed the beehive in the back seat, and then drove off in the police car to dispose of the beehive.

***

“I’m back from exterminating hornets.”

When Woojin returned, Senior Officer Kim gestured to one side and said,

“We could set up a cafeteria.”

Where Woojin’s gaze turned, he saw something wrapped in a cloth, and there was also a box.

The contents were kimchi pickles, nuts, fruits, and other items brought by residents who had received help from Woojin.

He couldn’t eat all of it by himself, so he shared and ate it very deliciously.

Of course, he refused every time they brought such things, but there were elders who insisted on putting them in his hand.

Their hands were rough with age, but the warm warmth permeated directly into Woojin’s heart.

Just then, Woojin’s cellphone rang.

It was Cha Juhyeok from SH Strategy.

“Yes. I got the call.”

-This is Cha Juhyeok. It seems Representative Lee Jeongho is making a move.

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

He had expected the eldest son, Lee Jeongho, to make a move.

It was an attitude that perfectly suited his nature.

“Understood.”

“Officer Shin, go get something to eat.”

“Yes.”

Woojin, who had gone outside, looked up at the clear blue sky.

“Hmm…”

The sky was so clear, not a single cloud, yet there was so much filth below it.

A bird gracefully flying in the clear sky looked as beautiful as a painting.

“Hmm… Is there no other way?”

***

A few days later.

Woojin, who was at the villa where Chairman Lee was in seclusion, repeated himself once again.

“Seven times, exactly seven times, you called me Jeong Man.”

Chairman Lee formed a wrinkled smile.

“Seven times, you say?”

“Yes, Chairman Lee, don’t go back to the past. Don’t chase after longing. Only think about what you see. The more you cling to the past, the faster your symptoms will progress.”

Chairman Lee stood up and approached the window overlooking the lush forest.

“I must have committed many sins in this life. My path is not smooth.”

Woojin approached Chairman Lee’s side.

“Chairman…”

Chairman Lee glanced at Woojin.

Woojin saw his face.

His pupils dilate, and his eyebrows and the corners of his eyes droop. His cheekbones rise, and the two symmetrical corners of his mouth also turn upwards.

“Jeongman, won’t you go to the amusement park with your father tomorrow? Your father has built a large amusement park for our Jeongman to ride rides, play, and see animals. How about it?”

As Woojin stared at Chairman Lee, Chairman Lee’s smile deepened.

“This boy, why aren’t you answering? You must be very surprised? Hahahaha!”

Woojin gently hugged Chairman Lee, and Chairman Lee patted Woojin’s shoulder.

“When did our Jeongman grow so big? Jeongman, your father has so much to show you. And so much to give you.”

“Chairman, I am not the son of the deceased Chairman.”

Chairman Lee’s hand, which was patting Woojin’s shoulder, paused.

“What are you saying, boy?”

“Don’t go back to the past.”

“What is this boy talking about…”

Woojin interrupted him and spoke.

“Become a scary person.”

It was a phrase that could be considered Chairman Lee’s signature.

Because he was the one who always thought that way while raising and protecting Shinhwa Group.

Then, a long breath, like a sigh, escaped Chairman Lee’s lips.

And he pulled away from Woojin.

He had come back to his senses.

Chairman Lee just looked out the window in silence.

No.

“Oh dear. I’ll have to meet with a lawyer soon.”

“Chairman, there’s something you must see before that.”

“What are you talking about? Did you buy me a gift?”

Woojin shook his head.

It’s not a gift.

I’ll show you in a week.

***

At that moment,

Lee Hyerim was sitting across from Lee Jeongmi in the SH Construction CEO’s Office.

Lee Jeongmi, who had her legs crossed and arms folded, spoke again.

“You’re quite impudent. You’re really not going to tell me, are you?”

Lee Hyerim looked directly at Lee Jeongmi and said the same thing.

“Aunt. Even if you come every day, my answer is the same. I don’t know where Grandfather is.”

Lee Hyerim was also just as curious about Grandfather’s whereabouts.

However, unlike her family, she knew that Grandfather had dementia.

If they knew this, there would be chaos.

No, they might actually be suspecting his health.

Lee Jeongmi stood up and glared at Lee Hyerim.

“How long do you think your father, Lee Jeongcheol, can protect you? Don’t be mistaken, child. Your shares? SH Construction? If I call a board meeting, I can turn even that into a piece of scrap paper immediately. This young woman is already blinded by money…”

Lee Jeongmi, who had been staring at Lee Hyerim as if to devour her, spoke again.

“Think carefully. That way, you might be able to salvage a few pennies. Anyway, how vulgar some people are.”

Lee Jeongmi, who had thrown out those words, clicked her high heels as she left the CEO’s Office.

Lee Hyerim stood up, walked to the window, and swept her hair back.

And she looked at her reflection in the window, forcing a smile.

“Smile, smile.”

Then, without realizing it, she clenched her fist.

A piece of scrap paper? Will it crumble like a sandcastle?

Of course, she wouldn’t let that happen.

Because if it did, she wouldn’t be able to face Woojin.

And this evening,

Lee Hyerim picked up the cellphone on the table and made a call.

“Is this Matna-Matna Gamjatang?”

-Yes, that’s right~.

“I’d like to make a reservation for two.”

After the call, Lee Hyerim chuckled as if thinking of someone.

This cafeteria is supposedly that delicious.

How delicious must it be for its name to be ‘Matna-Matna’?

A smile bloomed on Lee Hyerim’s face.

Click, clack.

Lee Hyerim left the CEO’s office, maintaining that smile.

Exactly at 7 o’clock.

Lee Hyerim’s outfit was simple: a white t-shirt and skinny jeans.

Wearing a red hat, it seemed no one would recognize Lee Hyerim.

Woojin, who was in front of the Gamjatang restaurant, smiled faintly and said,

“You’re here?”

“What? Why are you talking like that?”

Woojin’s smile deepened slightly.

“Let’s go in.”

The two went inside and immediately ordered Gamjatang.

Lee Hyerim, as if accustomed, put on an apron and said,

“Is this a hidden gem of a restaurant?”

“Yes. So delicious. It’s a restaurant I found by asking around.”

“At this rate, won’t Woojin find all the hidden gems in the Republic of Korea?”

For a moment, Woojin’s eyes seemed to tremble, then he opened his mouth.

“I don’t know about hidden gems, they’re in hidden places.”

“Is this my cue to laugh?”

Woojin pressed the bell.

“And please give us a soju here~.”

At that, Lee Hyerim raised her hand.

“A beer too!”

Then she said to Woojin,

“Somaek?”

Woojin looked at her seriously and rolled up his sleeves.

“I’ll show you what the true golden ratio is today.”

At that sight, Lee Hyerim tilted her head and asked,

“What’s wrong with your arm?”

“I was stung by a bee.”

Soon, with the gamjatang, their mealtime began.

“Oh! It’s delicious. But why are there no potatoes in gamjatang?”

“The spinal cord in this pork bone is called gamja, or potato.”

“Aha.”

Lee Hyerim tore off a piece of meat, dipped it in the sauce, and brought it to her mouth.

Then she coolly gulped down the somaek Woojin had made.

“Ohh… I acknowledge the golden ratio.”

“How about it, shall I mix you another glass?”

“Yes!”

The two clinked their glasses once again.

But there was something strange about them.

The actions of the people around them seemed to be playing in fast-forward, but only the time between the two, facing each other and talking, seemed to flow slowly.

After enjoying the fried rice as if it were a course meal, Woojin leaned back in his chair.

“It was so good, I almost unbuckled my belt.”

She chuckled and spoke.

“I’ll pay for the second round.”

“Hyerim, don’t be surprised.”

“Huh?”

“Behind the pork bone soup restaurant, there’s a Mask food stall. Their spicy grilled sea eel and banquet noodles are amazing…”

“What are you doing? Not getting up. Let’s go!”

***

It was a food stall with an incredible atmosphere, the kind you’d only see in movies.

Even the sound of the auntie chopping green onions on the cutting board sounded good.

That’s why there were so many people.

Amidst everyone’s laughter, Lee Hyerim could only stare at Woojin like a stone statue, unable to open her mouth.

No.

“Really? Really? You know where Grandfather is?”

Woojin nodded and spoke.

“He’s doing well. But it seems like Representative Lee Jeongho will find out where Chairman Lee is soon.”

Lee Hyerim’s eyes widened slightly.

“Huh…?”

It was obvious what would happen if they found him and discovered Grandfather’s illness.

Woojin refilled Hyerim’s glass with Soju and spoke again.

“Hyerim, you just need to get past one crucial moment.”