Chapter 138: Workplace Retaliation (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138: Workplace Retaliation (4)
When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
This was a scene I’d seen in a web novel not too long ago.
Usually, this is the part where everyone ends up debuting as an idol.
…Wait, isn’t this my story?
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been unconscious.
My last memory was a passing woman screaming after seeing me covered in blood.
For some reason, memories of my time at Hanpyeong Industry were also lingering in my head. I must have been dreaming.
But… what should I do now?
Should I call a nurse? I wasn’t in enough pain to feel like I needed to call anyone.
Thanks to the System, I couldn’t feel a thing. If anything, lying here doing absolutely nothing for the first time in a while felt quite comfortable.
I used to be such a simple citizen who loved his bed. How did my life get so twisted?
I turned my head this way and that to get a handle on the situation.
Seeing the IV drip in my wrist and the "Fall Risk" sign at the head of the bed, it seemed like any urgent surgery or treatment was already over. If it were a truly critical situation, everyone would be huddled around my bedside.
‘I can’t believe I’m actually hospitalized.’
It was bizarre. My life at Hanpyeong Industry had been way shittier, yet I felt my life was in danger far more often here at UA.
More importantly, there was a problem.
This… looked like a private room.
How much does a private room cost? This was my first time being hospitalized, so I was panicking. I’d only ever heard that they were incredibly expensive, and cold sweat began to pour down my back.
Would the company pay for this? I hadn't even signed up for insurance yet in this life. Does health insurance cover hospitalization due to injury?
‘That crazy bastard… I’m going to charge him for every cent of the medical bills.’
I gnashed my teeth, thinking of Yu Han-su. Don't even dream of a settlement unless it’s an astronomical amount. I’ll throw both civil and criminal suits at him and ruin his life.
While I was fuming, I heard the door open at the foot of the bed. Soon, someone approached.
“Manager?”
“I-wol! Are you awake? Nurse! The patient is awake!”
The room became chaotic in an instant. I’d only responded to a presence, but I felt like my soul was being sucked out.
It was only after a brief explanation that peace returned to my room.
“They said the surgery went well. You punk, that was a really close call.”
“Was it?”
“Of course! Do you have any idea how big the wound was? …No, never mind. I shouldn't be saying this to someone who just woke up. I’m sorry.”
Since the injury was to my head, it seemed the situation had been quite serious. That piece of trash.
“Are you sure nothing hurts? You got a lot of stitches.”
“It must be the painkillers. I really feel fine right now.”
Despite my words, the manager still looked uneasy.
But I couldn't exactly pretend to be in pain. I wouldn't gain anything from it anyway.
I forced a smile to show I was okay, and the manager finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Ah, did the kids get home okay?”
I’d told them to wait in the practice room, thinking the company would naturally send them home once the police or ambulance arrived.
“The kids? They’re sitting right outside.”
“What?”
To my surprise, they were here.
“Did I sleep that long? Did several days pass or something?”
“No, no! They were just so worried about you.”
Even so, there was a violent incident; you should have just sent them back to the dorm, sir.
“Do you want to sleep more? If you’re okay with it, I’ll let them in for a bit.”
“Yes, please.”
I figured it was better to bring them inside than to have idols loitering in a hospital hallway, so I quickly agreed.
As soon as the manager left, I heard their footsteps as if they’d been waiting for the signal.
The faces of the boys who rushed toward me were…
“Hyung!”
“Hyung, are you okay?”
…Half of them were a total mess.
“Have you guys been crying?”
“Hyung, hic, what did the doctor say? Are you really okay now?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon was bawling.
This kid didn't even cry this much when he was reading the rolling paper we wrote for the 5th-anniversary self-produced content.
“The surgery went well, so why are you crying? I’m perfectly fine.”
At my words, Lee Cheong-hyeon wiped his eyes with trembling hands.
“You think surgery going well is everything…?”
Cheong-hyeon’s voice shook.
“Seeing as your mouth is still as lively as ever, I guess you really are fine.”
Choi Je-ho looked down at me with a look of pathetic disbelief.
Yeah, damn right, I’m fine because of System doping. What of it?
“No… why are you so angry?”
“Do you really have to ask?”
“Stop it, Hyung.”
Choi Je-ho frowned. Kang Gi-yeon tried to stop him, but Je-ho wouldn't budge.
“Do you even know how you ended up being carried in here? Your head was split open—how can you be so nonchalant?”
“It’s not like I knew it would turn out like this.”
“You almost died, and that’s all you have to say?”
“But I didn't die. So it’s fine.”
And I’m not being nonchalant. If I’d died from something like this, I would have been the first to go and grab the System by the throat.
“Anyway, I’m fine, so everyone go back to the dorm. And don't go outside without a manager for the time being.”
“Fine, good for you for being so 'fine,' you prick.”
The guy glaring at me snapped and stormed out of the room.
“I’ll go check on him.”
“Uh, okay…”
Kang Gi-yeon chased after Choi Je-ho.
“What’s wrong with him? Was he like that outside the room, too?”
I’d done everything in my power to prevent personality controversies. I hope he didn't cause a scene while I was unconscious.
“Do you want the honest truth?”
“…”
Jeong Seong-bin’s question momentarily silenced me. I felt like I was standing before Pandora’s box.
“Je-ho Hyung was screaming in the car until thirty minutes ago that he was going to, hic, kill Yu Han-su.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon said between sobs.
I swear, this kid… I told him so many times not to get worked up in front of the younger ones.
Wait. So Kang Gi-yeon went to stop him just now?
“I’m going to kill that Choi Je-ho…”
“Hyung! Don't get up!”
“You shouldn't be moving, Hyung!”
I almost bolted out of bed. Lee Cheong-hyeon and Jeong Seong-bin panicked and held me down as I tried to jump out.
The pain was supposed to be fading, but I felt a throbbing tension in the back of my neck. I rubbed the nape of my neck and lay back down.
“Why does he only do things that get under my skin? I’m not going to die from my injuries; I’m going to die from high blood pressure.”
“Don't say things like that.”
I heard Park Ju-woo’s voice from behind Cheong-hyeon and Seong-bin.
I hadn't noticed because he was hidden, but Park Ju-woo was also a mess. Tear stains were still visible on both his cheeks.
“I really… thought you were… going to die, Hyung…”
Ju-woo managed to squeeze the words out. Then, teardrops like clear jade beads began to fall.
“…I’m sorry.”
I offered a short apology. But Ju-woo’s tears didn't stop.
After sobbing silently for a long time, Ju-woo spoke.
“I’m sorry for saying… I wanted a drink…”
Tears fell onto the blanket.
It was such a trivial thing, and it wasn't Ju-woo’s fault that things turned out this way.
But I felt my heart sink. I felt terrible.
“It’s not your fault, so why are you apologizing for that?”
At my words, Ju-woo wiped his eyes aggressively with his sleeves.
‘…He must have been really shocked.’
Even for me, when I first got hit, I couldn't think of anything other than needing to take the weapon away.
How much worse must it have been for these kids who aren't even twenty yet? I patted the shoulder of the sniffling boy a few times.
“Are you really okay? They said it might hurt a lot once the anesthesia wears off.”
Jeong Seong-bin asked with a worried expression.
“I’m really fine. Maybe the anesthesia hasn't fully worn off yet.”
I wanted to go after Choi Je-ho, but comforting these kids came first.
Look at Lee Cheong-hyeon’s face. Usually, if he cried this much, he’d look like a ‘Crying Statue—Circa 20XX,’ but now he just looked like a swollen mess.
Looking closely, Jeong Seong-bin’s eyes were also red. Since everyone was crying, I guess that’s why Kang Gi-yeon took charge of Choi Je-ho. I felt bad for putting such a heavy burden on the youngest.
“Seong-bin, can you go get Je-ho and Gi-yeon? I’m worried Gi-yeon is having a hard time.”
“…Okay.”
I decided to call back Kang Gi-yeon, who was likely struggling on his own.
Then, I spoke to Park Ju-woo and Lee Cheong-hyeon, who were the only ones left.
“When you get to the dorm, everyone take some Cheongsimwon. I bought the liquid kind before and put it in the cabinet. You know where the first aid kit is, right?”
“Aren't you the one who needs Cheongsimwon the most right now, Hyung?”
“I don't have much energy, so don't make me repeat myself.”
There was something else I wanted to say.
I looked at their faces, which were a disaster from all the rough rubbing, and gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“…”
Since I wasn't in pain, I’d treated their concern as overprotectiveness. It was disrespectful to the kids who had come all this way thinking of me.
I apologized sincerely for that part.
“It’s not a lie that I’m okay, so you can believe me. Don't I sound like my usual self?”
“That’s only because you can’t see your own face, Hyung…”
Ju-woo criticized.
But I really didn't feel any pain. It made me feel guilty that they were worrying this much. I couldn't explain it, though.
“I’m also sorry for asking if you were shocked. You must have been terrified, and I wasn't thinking.”
“What are you talking about? No matter how shocked we were, could it be more than you?”
Even as he grumbled, Lee Cheong-hyeon gradually stopped crying.
“Apologize to the other Hyungs and Kang Gyeon for being so blunt, too. And don't provoke Je-ho Hyung for no reason. How can you tell someone who’s worried about you that it’s fine because you didn't die?”
“I need to have a private interview with Choi Je-ho. How dare he get angry in front of the younger ones…”
“Je-ho Hyung hasn't been like that lately. He only did it because he was worried about you.”
“Cheong-hyeon, whose side are you on?”
“Today, I’m on Je-ho Hyung’s side, you piece of work.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s fierce criticism poured down. Ju-woo didn't look like he had any intention of stopping him.
Once I’d managed to shut off the two boys' tear ducts, Jeong Seong-bin returned with the Sapodungi duo.
I offered the same apology to the three of them. Jeong Seong-bin accepted it with a face that looked slightly less troubled, and Kang Gi-yeon accepted it with a face that said he was dissatisfied but had no choice.
As for Choi Je-ho…
“…”
“…”
“I’m sorry for being insensitive, but you shouldn't swear or get angry in front of the kids either.”
“Jeong Seong-bin, can I go back to the dorm first?”
…It wasn't smooth, but we managed to make up somehow.
It was only after this that I was able to hear the story regarding the perpetrator, Yu Han-su.