Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Everyone's Worry
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"Jo Team Leader? Huh?"
Even after I called out to him, Jo Yi-ruk didn't so much as glance back as he stormed out.
...?
I had no idea what was going on, so I just tilted my head.
'Did I come off too cold?'
Thinking back, it probably did sound a bit off, which left me feeling awkward.
Still, I'd already brushed up against death once. As I was falling back then, I couldn't help wondering who would even handle my funeral if I died like that.
But talking about death when I'm still so young and green does feel a bit out of left field.
I resolved to watch my words more carefully from now on.
Ding!
My phone chimed with a notification.
"Who could it be?"
I wasn't expecting messages from anyone.
I'd be discharged tomorrow anyway, so I hadn't told a soul around me.
It wasn't a serious injury that left me bedridden; I was just hospitalized briefly due to excessive bleeding and infection risk. No need to stir up a fuss over nothing.
Everyone at the company thought I was out on franchise inspections for a while...
'Oh, the broadcast schedule?'
I'd recently been invited to appear as a guest on a short shoot, and I'd already said I'd do it.
The filming date was coming up, so it was about time for a follow-up briefing.
Nothing else I could think of that would prompt a message...
Ding! Ding! Ding!
...?!
In the split second it took me to reach for my phone, three or four more notifications piled up. What the—?
Startled, I froze for a moment, but my phone kept buzzing relentlessly.
Ding! Ding!
I finally grabbed it and checked the screen. Names were popping up one after another.
- Jeong Da-on: You okay?! Heard you got hurt—where's the hospital? Mom and I will come visit...
How the hell did Jeong Da-on find out I was injured...? Ah!
'Jo Team Leader!'
The only ones who knew were Jo Yi-ruk and Hyun Ye-won, who were there with me. No way Hyun Ye-won knew Jeong Da-on, so it had to be Jo Yi-ruk.
Damn. Just my luck.
But that was nothing compared to the string of messages that followed, leaving my jaw on the floor.
- Han Mi-ae Owner_Happiness Snacks: Woo-yeon, I heard. You must've been so scared—nearly a disaster...
- Uncle Kim Jong-chun: Who the hell did it? Just give me a name, and I'll go rip that bastard's arms off...
- Baek Jae-ha: Sis, where are you? Tell me the hospital name quick—weren't you out on a business trip? How'd you end up hurt and in the hospital all of a sudden...
- Team Leader No Se-hee: President, I just heard from Jo Team Leader. How are you feeling? If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to come see you in person...
- Owner Lee In-cheol: How do you even take care of yourself? Don't think you can stiff my wife on that money—stay healthy, where's the hospital...
"Pfft!"
Oh, Owner Lee In-cheol, seriously.
I couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling up. Only after wiping away the tears did I finally read through all the affectionate messages.
Jo Yi-ruk hadn't blabbed to just anyone. He'd clearly chosen people we were close enough to trust.
That eased my worries about the news leaking out. More than that, his intentions were crystal clear, bringing a smile to my face.
"Man..."
He wanted to show me something.
That there were people who would grieve and worry if I got hurt.
I clutched my phone to my chest and flopped back onto the bed. The soft bedding enveloped me, and the warmth from the phone against my chest made my breathing feel a little easier.
"Yeah. Guess I need to be more careful now."
It was just some glass shards, but everyone was making such a huge deal out of it. If I got into a car accident, they'd lose their minds.
Can't have that. They were all key players at the company, owners of near-corporate franchises.
Would [The Song] really be shaken to its roots?
Yeah. It was all for the company. ...No wonder the smile wouldn't leave my face.
"You don't need to come. I'm getting discharged today anyway."
Feeling a bit sheepish, I added that.
After Jo Yi-ruk spread word of my hospitalization to those around us, everyone insisted on visiting. I flat-out refused them all.
I was set to leave in a day anyway.
My body was fine, so no need to waste their steps. Weren't they busy enough with shop and company work? That's how I talked them out of it.
But one person wouldn't take no for an answer and showed up anyway, vowing at least to see me off at discharge.
"You little punk. Even if you're sick, heading out of the hospital alone is just sad."
None other than Lee In-cheol.
"You've got quite a bit of stuff there. No car, huh? How were you planning to get home? Hm?"
"I was just gonna take a taxi or public transit."
"What a fool. You're famous now—you can't even ride public transport!"
Ugh.
He had a point. But with a hat and mask, people are too glued to their phones to notice much.
Instead of arguing, I quietly handed over my bags. Lee In-cheol loaded them neatly into his car trunk.
A few days' stay shouldn't have amounted to much, but paperwork meant notebooks, tumbler, and personal items had piled up.
"What about the shop?"
"Today's my day off~. We close every Monday, remember?"
"Oh, right."
"With so many places under your wing now, you've forgotten about the first shop?"
"No way. Just a momentary brain fart."
I slid naturally into the passenger seat and buckled up. Lee In-cheol's gaze was sharp.
"Your arm. Can you move it okay?"
"Yeah. Be careful with it, dress it three times a day. Got oral meds too—antibiotics and stomach protectors."
"Sigh, whatever. Not a major injury, so that's a relief."
I'd been admitted to the closest hospital to the franchise where it happened, so the ride home would take a while.
It hit me that it had been ages since I'd chatted like this with Lee In-cheol.
"How's the shop these days?"
"Sales are through the roof. Busy as hell, no time to breathe."
I'd figured as much since sales had been steady post-relocation.
We'd texted occasionally about logistics distribution, but we were both swamped, so talks never lasted.
More like survival check-ins.
"How's President Choi Yeo-hae doing? Keeping those eyes wide open to make sure I don't stiff her on the money?"
"Don't get me started. She's all smiles these days? Heard you're using her crew for all the franchise interiors?"
"Of course."
"Thanks to that, her investments are paying off, steady work rolling in. She's over the moon with pride."
Good to hear. She was the first to invest in [The Song]. Can't forget that grace.
I'm paying it back steadily with results.
"I wanted to come with the others when I heard you were hurt. Meeting came up last minute, so I came alone..."
"Sheesh. You're busy—why bother?"
"Busy or not, I had to see you hurt at least once! Hm? You always act fine even if your back's busted. Gotta see for myself you're really okay or I won't sleep a wink!"
How'd he know? Spot on.
Maybe because he worked closest with me. His reads are uncanny.
"You punk. Company, whatever—it's all worthless without health. You're young now, but wait till my age! Folks would trade truckloads of cash just to get healthy again!"
"No kidding. I know."
"Been thinking since your first days. Your biggest flaw is fixating on one thing and charging ahead without a thought for anything else, yeah?"
Oh no. The nagging engine's revving up.
"Even when we changed the sign. You swapped the name without consulting anyone! And coming in at dawn after late nights. Barely time to sleep at home—when'd you scout signs? You must've sleepwalked it."
Not just revving—full throttle.
"If you'd told me the situation, I'd have adjusted the schedule. Right? Do I seem that inflexible..."
"President."
I couldn't take it and cut him off mid-sentence.
Seeing my drained face, he realized. Ahem, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Was the nagging too long?"
"My ears are bleeding."
"It's all~ for your own good. Listen up."
Do all uncles take the same class? How are their scripts identical?
'But... this isn't so bad.'
Sitting shotgun while Lee In-cheol drove, gazing out the window. This peaceful moment felt precious.
And knowing the nagging came from affection made it not so bad.
...Would it feel like this with a living dad?
As I pondered, Lee In-cheol spoke softly.
"I promised no kids with my Choi before we married. Later regretted it at thirty-six... Tried IVF then."
Never heard this story.
"It failed. But if it'd worked, the kid would've been your age now."
I stared at him wide-eyed, but he kept facing forward.
"That's why, maybe. Can't help worrying when you push too hard. Getting sappy in old age."
"......"
"Anyway! Point is! You're not well now, so don't overdo it! Rest up at home these next few days. Got it?!"
Embarrassed, he raised his voice scoldingly. I burst into quiet laughter.
"Ahahaha! Oh, President. What now?"
"W-Why, you punk? What's so funny? Am I a clown?"
"No way. How could I miss you cherishing me like a daughter? But... I can't grant your request, President."
Talk about timing. Rest at home? Afraid that's tricky.
Because.
"Truth is... I'm heading to the jungle soon."