72.
Haseo finally voiced the question he had been holding in all this time.
“Why are you going this far?”
The situation Haseo found himself in was too dangerous for someone to get involved based on just a childhood connection. An ordinary person would have tried to distance themselves instead. In response to Haseo’s question, a low laugh came from the other end of the line.
“You don’t know why I’m doing this?”
“I don’t.”
“I received a lot of help from you. It might have seemed insignificant to you, but because of that, I was able to become who I am today. Haseo, you don’t need to feel burdened by what I’m doing. This is entirely my choice. You just need to accept it.”
Even after hearing Jeong Heejun’s explanation, Haseo couldn’t fully understand everything. But he somewhat got it. After all, Haseo had also endured until now thanks to his grandmother from his childhood.
“Was it hard for you?”
“It was.”
“And your mother?”
“…She passed away.”
When Heejun mentioned his mother had passed away, Haseo didn’t know what to say. He wanted to comfort him, but he knew too little, so he remained silent.
“I’m okay now. I have to be.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t even properly comfort you.”
“That’s not something to apologize for. If you really feel sorry, when you get out of there, hang out with me.”
“I don’t even know how to hang out.”
“It’s fine. Whatever we do will be fun. We’re friends, after all.”
Haseo unconsciously smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. Even in this situation, it was a smile rather than tears that emerged. It seemed to be because they were friends, just as Jeong Heejun said.
“Do you have a way to help?”
“I do.”
“Can I ask what it is?”
“No, I can’t tell you that.”
Jeong Heejun answered playfully, but it was clear this wasn’t going to be an easy task.
“Then I can’t accept.”
“Hey, that’s too much!”
“Tell me.”
If Jeong Heejun was going to take on some burden to save him, Haseo wanted to at least know what it was. Hesitantly, Jeong Heejun began to explain.
“Make it more concise.”
Although Choi Mujin wasn’t home, there were still CCTVs. He routinely checked them, so staying in the bathroom too long would be problematic. And making an excuse about constipation seemed too cliché.
“Basically, my father is the chairman of Isaac Finance. And I’m currently being set up with the daughter of Toho Construction. She said she could help me.”
That seemed too concise.
“The daughter of Toho Construction must like you a lot.”
“Well…”
“Otherwise, why would she help with something like this?”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
Haseo thought Heejun’s response was subtle, but couldn’t understand why. The Jeong Heejun that Haseo knew was a kind friend with strong resolve. So it was impossible for him to imagine Heejun doing anything bad.
“I should hang up soon.”
“When can we talk again?”
“I’ll let you know when it’s safe.”
That was all he could say for now, because Choi Mujin’s outings weren’t on a regular schedule.
“Understood.”
With that, the call with Jeong Heejun ended. Haseo stretched his body and exhaled calmly. At least now a friend had appeared who was willing to help, so it seemed his life wasn’t entirely a disaster. Haseo looked at his reflection in the bathroom sink and washed his face with cold water. As he was coming out of the bathroom, someone was standing in front of the door.
“Brother.”
Since only Choi Mujin could enter this house, who else could it be? Haseo calmly greeted him.
“What were you doing?”
“What else would I be doing in the bathroom?”
After responding with an incredulous expression, Choi Mujin tilted his head.
“You were in there for quite a while.”
“Don’t tell me you came from work just because of that?”
Choi Mujin didn’t answer, but Haseo could guess. This person had really rushed over because Haseo was in the bathroom for too long.
“Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?”
“I’d rather not go to the hospital just because I spent a long time in the bathroom.”
“Still…”
He was suspicious. If Haseo had voluntarily handed over his phone, shouldn’t Mujin show at least some trust? It seemed Choi Mujin’s obsession was growing worse by the day. Haseo couldn’t understand why he acted this way when he clearly thought of him as just a substitute.
Haseo smiled brightly and replied, “I’m really fine.”
Fortunately, Choi Mujin didn’t press the issue further.
* * *
Lee Jeongin was steadily falling to rock bottom. His gambling debts were piling up, and when those weren’t enough, he started reaching out to people around him. The people who had targeted Jeongin from the beginning lent him money easily. This should have raised suspicions, but it didn’t stop Jeongin.
“This is why gambling is so dangerous,” Seo Miso said as she watched Jeongin rushing to the gambling house again today.
“Indeed. Looking at that guy, I can understand why gambling is so frightening,” replied Cheolmasan, Seo Miso’s subordinate who had accompanied her today.
They had already identified the people who had attached themselves to Jeongin and reported to Choi Mujin. One was sent by Chairman Jang, another by Chairman Ryu of Toho Construction. Add the person Choi Mujin had placed, and that made three.
“He’s quite popular.”
Even if it wasn’t the good kind of popularity. Seo Miso chuckled as she took out a cigarette. The world had too many enemies.
“But, noona…”
While they were required to use formal titles inside, they didn’t do so here. Using formal titles could cause trouble if the wrong ears heard them.
“What?”
“Is it okay for us to be like this?”
“Like what?”
“Just following this gambling addict around. It seems like something is happening.”
Since Cheolmasan hadn’t been here long, Seo Miso understood his anxiety. But understanding and action were separate matters. She beckoned to Cheolmasan with a gentle expression. He seemed to grimace momentarily but obediently leaned his head forward.
Whack!
“Watch your mouth, kid.”
“I’m sorry!”
Choi Mujin had never once backed down until now. Even when stabbed and wounded, he had tenaciously held onto his position. And Miso didn’t believe such a person would be pushed aside so easily. That’s why she had no intention of joining those who were testing him.
‘Though I’ll pretend to.’
After all, wasn’t this business all about deceiving and being deceived? If you get deceived, it’s your own fault.
“Don’t think unnecessary thoughts. Let’s just do our job well, okay?”
When Seo Miso spoke with a warning tone, Cheolmasan nodded. He might be a bit stupid, but he was quite useful. Above all, he was also infatuated with Seo Miso. She seemed to hit him frequently under the pretext of teaching him, and yet he still liked her. Seo Miso shrugged and kept her eyes on Jeongin.
“Ah, Mr. Lee. Aren’t you lucky?”
After revealing his last card, Jeongin trembled as he saw the result. Despite not being a VIP, unusually large sums of money were being wagered today. Of course, the amounts weren’t large from the beginning. It started with a few hundred thousand won, but before he knew it, it had reached millions. And by sticking with it, Jeongin now held 200 million won in his hands.
“Huh, huh-ugh.”
He was overjoyed. So happy that he wanted to jump around and shout right there. Look at this, he wanted to say. I’ve finally succeeded. He wanted to yell at all those who had looked down on him. But somehow, he managed to contain himself with superhuman patience.
“So, does this mean I can go to the VIP section now?”
“Well, with 200 million, I guess you could go there somehow.”
A friend sitting at the same gambling table said. Unlike regular gambling houses, the VIP areas had much more money circulating. Plus, the caliber of people gathered there was impressive. Jeongin scooped up his chips and snickered. If he could succeed there too, no one would be able to say anything to him anymore.
And he’d escape from that concrete building where he was trapped against his will. If he was going to escape, going abroad would be nice too. Suddenly, he thought of his son and mother, but Jeongin had no intention of helping them. His son was already living comfortably in bed thanks to the man he had caught.
‘What could I possibly do for them?’
Thinking this, Jeongin saw a security guard approaching. The guard checked his chips, stared at Jeongin’s face for a moment, and asked, “Would you like to go upstairs?”
“Yes, I’ll go! Let’s go!”
Responding excitedly, he was guided to the upper floor with a respectful attitude, different from before.
“Mr. Lee, don’t forget me~”
“Me too!”
He heard the voices of those he had been mingling with, but he just waved his hand dismissively. What great thing had they done together that he should remember them? Once he went upstairs, he wouldn’t contact them again. And so, Jeongin entered the place where the VIPs gathered.
“Which table would you like to sit at?”
“Can I look around first?”
“Of course.”
Jeongin, accompanied by the security guard, looked around the three or so tables. Everyone appeared to be wealthy, their attire distinctly different from those below. Noticing this, he unconsciously tugged at his clothes.
“Hmm?”
A man noticed this. He appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties, and he looked at Jeongin with rounded eyes. He didn’t seem to be mocking him.
“Are you new here?”
“Yes.”
“Then how about coming over here? Watch a round and then join us.”
The man invited Jeongin with an overflowing sense of consideration.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
