Chapter 68 – Money – Part 9

Chapter 68 – Money – Part 9

“Hahahaha!”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung burst out laughing at Woojin’s immediate question about the case.

He looked very satisfied.

“I thought you were a meticulous younger brother, but you’re quite straightforward. I like it!”

Kim Cheolung, who had been beckoning Woojin with his finger, leaned his arm over the chair and chuckled again.

Woojin set down his teacup and silently watched Prosecutor Kim Cheolung.

“It doesn’t matter what the Prosecutor thinks of me. What matters is what I think of Prosecutor Kim Cheolung.”

The relaxed atmosphere became tense again.

It was an atmosphere Woojin had changed.

This was because Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, perhaps assuming the situation was going his way, had once again displayed dominant gestures and behavior.

The arm that had been draped over the chair was lowered, and the legs that had been crossed outward in a triangle were uncrossed.

He had unconsciously puffed himself up, then shrunk again at Woojin’s words.

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung let out a laugh and spoke.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What kind of case is it? I imagine you have a compelling story for the media and the public.”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung now felt like he was on a roller coaster.

Woojin was asking questions as if he had investigated him, no, as if he was reading his mind.

‘So he’s really good at profiling, huh?’

“Hmm… do I have to tell you that much?”

“You don’t have to. Can I visit the Prosecutor’s Office tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, Ira… okay. What time will you come?”

“I’ll go at 5 PM.”

Woojin stood up as if there was no longer any reason to stay there.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Kim Cheolung blinked and said,

“We have more to talk about… isn’t there anything else? I think there is.”

“Yes. Even if there is, you can talk about it tomorrow. Then, have a safe trip.”

As Woojin walked away, Kim Taehyun asked,

“Aren’t you leaving with him?”

“Oh, I’ll leave a little later.”

“Then, I’ll also be going first.”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung let out a hollow laugh.

It felt like a typhoon had just swept by.

But that was only for a moment, then he made a call somewhere.

“Oh, Producer Choi, it’s me. You saw the case reconstruction on ‘I Want to Know the World,’ right?”

Producer Choi’s rival program was ‘I Want to Know the World.’

“I have a good case, how about I give it to you?”

It was Kim Cheolung, who was trying to mobilize the media immediately.

At that time.

‘Media Dragon,’ which was entering various media industries,

was a company that placed a lot of emphasis on film production.

The Thug, who looked to be in his thirties and appeared to be a director, had a nervous expression on his face as he sat on the sofa.

He was slender, with dark circles heavily set under his eyes.

He kept glancing at him as he read his synopsis.

He had no idea how many synopses he had written in the five years since he made one movie.

He had sent synopses and manuscripts to every production company, using all his connections, but they were all rejected.

That’s how he had spent five years.

If this one also failed, he might have to leave this industry due to financial hardship.

That’s why he was even more nervous and anxious.

But there was a little hope.

Because the person reading the synopsis had already gone through half of it.

Before, he would have only looked at half of it and tossed it aside.

Just then, he turned the last page of the synopsis and spoke.

“Jeonghwan. Jo Jeonghwan.”

“Yes, senior.”

Jo Jeonghwan, who had been sitting on the sofa, quickly approached him.

The man, who appeared to be in his late forties, said with a stern expression,

“Let’s go with this.”

“Huh?”

His senior’s expression brightened considerably.

“You scoundrel, yes! This is how you should write! This is it! It’s absolutely chilling. You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? Add some more details to this and bring it back. Let’s make something proper.”

“R-really?”

“Hey, have you ever seen your older brother lie? I told you I’d support you if you brought me something good, didn’t I?”

Jo Jeonghwan’s hands clenched into fists.

“Thank you! Senior! Thank you so much!”

“Alright, alright, so five years weren’t in vain, huh? If it goes well, you might even get compensated for all the hardship you’ve endured.”

“Senior, I’ll really try my best.”

“Okay.”

The senior’s eyes went to the synopsis Jo Jeonghwan had brought.

A large title was visible.

[Braille Murder]

***

Detective Kim Taehyun, who had escorted Woojin home, was heading to the Police Station.

The corners of his mouth kept twitching upwards.

Not a seniority promotion, but a special promotion by one rank.

“I’ve lived long enough to see this. Hahahaha! Oh my! My younger brother, our Woojin! I’ll guard you for life! I’ll make sure bad guys don’t even come near! East Sea and Mount Baekdu~ never dry up!”

Kim Taehyun, singing heartily, enjoyed the feeling to the fullest as he thought of Woojin.

After driving for another hour, he finally arrived at the Police Station, and as he walked down the Hallway, a Thug approached him.

“Detective Kim Taehyun?”

“Yes, that’s me, but who are you?”

“You’re the Detective in charge of the Visually Impaired Murder Case, right?”

“Are you a Reporter? I’m busy right now. I’m sorry.”

Jo Jeonghwan suddenly held out a Business Card and said,

“I’m a Film Director. I’m the Director who produced ‘You Are God.'”

Kim Taehyun tilted his head.

It was a movie title he had never heard of.

That was also the case five years ago, and the movie had ended with poor results.

“Ah, yes, yes. But Director, what can I do for you…?”

“It’s nothing else, but I was wondering if I could interview you about that case. Could I ask for a favor?”

Kim Taehyun didn’t hesitate.

“I’m busy right now. I’m sorry.”

Kim Taehyun turned around, and Jo Jeonghwan quickly blocked his path.

“I’ll definitely compensate you! Please!”

Kim Taehyun gave a wry smile.

He was receiving so much lately that he felt like he would choke if he got any more.

“I’m sorry. Don’t waste your time here…”

“If you give me feedback, I’ll make a truly wonderful movie. I’ll also compensate you handsomely. I really will.”

Kim Taehyun scratched his neck.

To him, a Film Director was no different from a Reporter.

It was better to think about catching criminals than spending time on an interview.

Kim Taehyun said, trying to get rid of him.

“If the movie does well, will you buy me a house? My house is a bit old. If not, please go home.”

Kim Taehyun walked past Jo Jeonghwan and continued on his way.

“Yes! If it does well! No, I’m confident I can make it do well! For that, the Detective’s feedback is crucial! I’ll even write a written statement.”

“A written statement means nothing.”

“Oh, what was it? Ah! Notarization! Can’t we get it notarized?”

Kim Taehyun stopped walking and shook his head.

“Oh dear… Listen, Director.”

Suddenly, a villa flashed through Kim Taehyun’s mind.

It was Woojin’s house, made of red bricks.

“Can you really keep that promise?”

“If the movie does well… I truly promise. This movie really needs to do well.”

“I’ll think about it and contact you.”

“I’d be grateful if you could contact me. I’ll be eagerly waiting!”

“Don’t expect too much. I’m really busy these days. So long.”

After parting ways with him, Kim Taehyun immediately entered the Break Room.

Then he called Woojin.

-Yes, Detective Kim. Did another case come up?

“Woojin, it’s not that…”

Kim Taehyun explained what had just happened.

“You’re the one who caught the criminal, Woojin, aren’t you? I think you could explain it more sharply. Oh, I’m just asking. Isn’t Director Mask good for a nice house? What do you think? He really seemed like he was going to buy me a house.”

-I’ll think about it and let you know.

“Okay, got it. Thanks, Woojin, always.”

-Thank you too.

*

After finishing the call with Kim Taehyun, Woojin’s long fingers tapped the PC keyboard again.

He was writing a report assigned by his professor,

but there were no reference books around Woojin, and he didn’t do any searches at all.

He was just writing down what he already knew.

The length was already over 120 pages.

Tap.

Woojin finished the report with enter, saved it, and then searched for the director named Jo Jeonghwan.

After releasing a movie five years ago, there was no trace of his activities.

Woojin nodded, got up, and looked around his room anew.

And the living room too.

“Woojin, should I peel some fruit for you?”

“I’m fine.”

Woojin headed to his sister’s room and knocked.

“Bomi. What are you doing?”

Click.

Bomi opened the room door and smiled.

“Brother, I told you to just come in without knocking.”

Because Bomi might curse.

Bomi’s eyes widened.

Curse? Big brother, what are you talking about? Why would I…

I saw on YouTube that real siblings curse at each other when they enter a room.

Bomi let out a hollow laugh.

Big brother, that ‘room’ pun isn’t funny at all.

Really?

Yes.

Woojin scratched his head and entered Bomi’s room.

He looked around at the structure and spoke.

Bomi. Don’t you want to be a Director? Move to a better house?

Bomi tilted her head, her long hair swaying.

It was a completely unexpected question from her big brother.

Well, that was just like our handsome big brother.

Suddenly? I’m happy now. I don’t feel any discomfort. And we should live within our means.

Woojin nodded.

He also felt no discomfort.

I see. Understood.

Bomi, who had grown accustomed to Woojin leaving abruptly, smiled slightly and sat back at her desk.

I’ll go get some fresh air on the rooftop.

Woojin went straight up to the rooftop.

A cool breeze gently enveloped Woojin’s entire body and disappeared.

It’s reacting.

The world was slowly reacting to him.

That reaction was the desire of others.

Woojin looked around the neighborhood and said,

“The public safety isn’t good.”

Even if not for himself, then for his family.

“I guess I’ll have to use Desire.”

Being a director didn’t mean his ordinary family life would fall apart.

Woojin wrote and sent a message to Kim Taehyun.

[I’d like to meet that director.]

Woojin stared into the distance again.

My opinions need to be heavily incorporated into the movie.

If my opinions are slightly reflected, the possibility of my name being mentioned by the director increases.

Something like, ‘referencing an interview.’

However, the more my opinions are included in the big picture or episodes, the more the director will try to hide my existence.

Because they need to gain fame.

Numerous images flashed through Woojin’s mind.

The dramas, movies, and media he had watched over time repeatedly fell apart and reassembled like a puzzle.

And he slightly twisted the official narratives in his thoughts.

Scenes and stories that are too complex and intricate like a spiderweb might capture a few, but they won’t attract the attention of the masses.

After finishing his thoughts, Woojin went back home, and time, as always, waited for no one, flowing on and leading Woojin to school.

As the professor finished the lecture, Woojin organized his writing tools and stood up, and Mansu approached him.

“Woojin, you seem busy these days, huh?”

“No, I’m not.”

“It seems like you have appointments lately?”

“I don’t think having appointments means I’m busy.”

“Chicken and beer tonight, call?”

“Mansu, I’m sorry, I have to go to the Prosecutor’s Office.”

“Uh, the Prosecutor’s Office?”

“Yeah.”

“…… You’re not going for anything bad, are you?”

“No. It’s for something good.”

Mansu thought for a moment.

Is there ever a good reason to go to the Prosecutor’s Office?

No matter how much he thought about it, nothing came to mind, but if Woojin said it was, then it was.

“Have a good trip.”

After parting ways with Mansu, Woojin traveled by subway and bus.

Soon, he arrived at the Prosecutor’s Office Main Gate.

“Over here.”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, who was waiting, waved his hand.

“Hello.”

“There’s quite a lot of case material. In terms of page count, it’s a little under 5,000 pages, but…”

Woojin interrupted him.

“Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, please give me a tour of the Prosecutor’s Office first. I believe the conditions I proposed to you should be met first.”