Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Voices of Evergreen Park
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lee Jun, who had stepped out of the cafe, asked Kim Eun-ji.
“Reporter, what are your plans? Want to come to the animal hospital with me?”
Kim Eun-ji had already decided on her next steps while eavesdropping on Lee Jun’s phone call just moments ago.
‘The director promised to show me around the park, but if the treatment runs late, it might get dark.’
Kim Eun-ji planned to snap photos and videos for her article before nightfall.
‘Take some pictures, interview a few locals… It’d be great to talk to someone who knows the director personally.’
Having mapped out securing visuals for her piece and interviewing neighborhood residents, Kim Eun-ji replied.
“Director, I’ll head to the park.”
“The treatment might take a while. You sure that’s okay?”
“I’ll check out the park first and gauge the locals’ reactions. Don’t worry about me—take your time with the patient.”
“Alright, I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Seeming in a rush, Lee Jun walked off briskly.
Kim Eun-ji watched his retreating figure for a moment before heading toward the entrance of Evergreen Park.
She hadn’t taken more than a few steps inside when the air shifted dramatically.
Fresh air enveloped her whole body.
The sweet scent of flowers, the crisp smell of grass. The earthy aroma from the tall trees. And a gentle breeze rustling through it all.
“This place is amazing.”
Kim Eun-ji thought the residents here must have it great as she continued walking.
Maybe because she already saw it as a nice neighborhood, but the faces of the people out for strolls looked especially bright.
Kim Eun-ji approached people wandering the park, as per her original plan.
“Excuse me…”
The resident walking ahead turned at her voice.
“Yes? What’s up?”
To formally request an interview, Kim Eun-ji handed over her business card.
“I’m Kim Eun-ji, reporter for Dongbang Sports. Do you live around here?”
“Yeah, I do… but what brings a reporter?”
“I’m out asking locals what they think of the newly revamped park. If you’re not too busy, could I get a quick interview?”
“Oh, sure.”
Kim Eun-ji asked the agreeable resident how they felt about the park’s makeover.
“Of course it’s great.”
“Love it.”
“This doesn’t even look like the Evergreen Park I know. It’s unbelievably clean. I’m thrilled.”
Everyone she asked raved about how pristine the park had become.
Nodding at the expected responses, Kim Eun-ji posed her real question.
“You all love how pleasant it is now, but what do you think about the cat homes that make it eco-friendly?”
“They built those perfectly. Real works of art.”
“Impressive. Now the cats can live comfortably—spot on. Namgung Construction? That company did a fantastic job.”
“I heard the neighborhood vet came up with the idea. What a guy.”
“On your way to the subway, there’s a bus stop, and right before that’s an animal hospital? Word is the vet there proposed this park remodel. Amazing, right? Reporter, if you have time, you should check him out.”
Right on cue, Kim Eun-ji asked the resident who’d mentioned Lee Jun.
“Do you go to that animal hospital?”
“Nah, haven’t been. Don’t have pets.”
“Oh, okay. How’d you hear about it then?”
“My daughter told me.”
Since this wasn’t someone who knew Lee Jun personally, the interview didn’t go further.
‘Even people without pets think highly of Director Lee Jun.’
Not only the revamped park but Lee Jun himself earned plenty of praise from residents.
And some had even changed their views on cats because of this.
“Hmm, honestly, I’m not a cat fan. But our park cats? They’re fine. Quiet, no mess.”
“Cats shed fur, leave droppings everywhere, make noise. But not ours—they’re good, so I like ’em. Weirdly, they even look cute now.”
Plus, some were unexpectedly benefiting business-wise from the park and cats.
“I run a restaurant just up ahead, and I love our neighborhood cats. No rats for one, and now with all the park visitors, sales are up—fantastic.”
Watching the restaurant owner beam while out for a break before the evening rush, Kim Eun-ji mused.
‘The cafe owner was grinning ear to ear earlier too. One park’s boosting the local economy.’
Had Director Lee Jun anticipated this outcome?
As she pondered, the owner asked Kim Eun-ji.
“Reporter, have you checked out the cat shelter?”
“No, just seen photos for the article.”
“It’s way cooler in person—definitely go see it.”
One of her goals this trip was visiting the park cats’ shelter, so Kim Eun-ji smiled and replied.
“Yeah, I will.”
After thanking the owner, Kim Eun-ji headed to the shelter.
“Now I just need to interview pet owners… Anyone out walking their dogs?”
She wanted to hear from actual pet guardians on the park’s transformation.
‘Meeting pet owners who know Director Lee Jun would be ideal.’
Eager for his neighborhood reputation, Kim Eun-ji scanned for dogs.
She ended up at the cat shelter before she knew it.
“I’ll film the shelter first, then keep looking.”
The shelter looked far more impressive up close than in photos, with a crowd gathered around.
The cat shelter was much larger and cooler than it appeared in pictures.
After finishing her shelter footage, Kim Eun-ji observed the crowd’s reactions.
As she glanced around at their expressions, she spotted a white dog.
‘Hmm? A Maltese.’
Kim Eun-ji’s eyes lit up at the sight of the white Maltese.
She approached the guardian holding it and requested an interview.
After chatting a bit about the park with the cooperative resident, Kim Eun-ji shifted topics.
“Do you know Meongmeong Animal Hospital, near the bus stop up ahead?”
“Of course. That’s where our Mongi goes.”
“Really?”
Her voice gained strength at the mention of knowing Lee Jun.
“But how do you know it, reporter?”
“Actually, I’m covering Director Lee Jun. Mind if I ask a few things about him?”
That’s when it happened.
“There she is.”
“Oh, Ttangkongi’s mom is here?”
“Me too.”
“Hey, Choco’s here?”
Two more people approached—one with a Yorkshire Terrier, the other with a brown Poodle.
“This is a reporter here covering our director.”
“Oh, really?”
“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Kim Eun-ji’s eyes sparkled. She’d planned to keep interviewing until she found Lee Jun fans, and now she had three.
Listening in, they clearly adored him.
This would make for a great piece.
“Word is the park remodel was Director Lee Jun’s idea—did you know?”
“We were shocked when we heard. He never breathed a word. But thinking about how he looks after the park cats, it makes sense.”
No boasting, no pretension.
That’s how Kim Eun-ji saw him as she followed up.
“So he’s always looked out for the cats?”
“For neighborhood hygiene, he dewormed them all. Even gave them all their vaccines. Isn’t our director amazing?”
Pride rang in the resident’s voice.
They thought that highly of him.
“He sure is.”
“Totally. Not just one or two—how easy is that?”
“Only our director could pull it off.”
As the guardians praised Lee Jun, Kim Eun-ji broached.
“Any episodes about Director Lee Jun? Treatment stories or whatever.”
“How about we let the pups play in the playground and talk there?”
One guardian suggested.
“Sounds good.”
The three led Kim Eun-ji to the newly built pet playground.
Inside the fenced area, green turf covered the ground, and a few dogs romped around.
“Wow, this is awesome.”
“Right? Brand new with the reopening.”
The guardians released their dogs into the playground and continued the interview.
“That white one playing over there—Mongi. If not for Director Lee Jun, we wouldn’t have him now.”
“Our pup wouldn’t have left the house without him.”
“Ttangkongi would’ve been in big trouble. Overfed and sick, or starved skinny.”
Kim Eun-ji had learned from yesterday’s research on Lee Jun that he was famous among cat guardians.
She knew how he’d earned that fame too.
But these guardians’ stories were new to her.
“Could you elaborate?”
“Well…”
Incredible tales poured from the guardians.
Remembering how the dogs had barked and clustered left earlier, Kim Eun-ji’s eyes widened.
“No way—that really happened?”
“Yep. How does he read animals’ minds like that?”
“And his skills are top-notch.”
“True. Oh, I heard something—our director’s incredible.”
“Ttangkongi’s mom, come on. We all know his skills—no need to state the obvious.”
Mongi’s owner laughed and chimed in.
“After our neighborhood story aired, everyone’s been calling, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too.”
“One friend asked about our director. Turns out her dog had surgery with him and raved nonstop… Talked over an hour.”
“What kind of surgery?”
“Some soft palate thing—details fuzzy. Anyway, her dog could barely breathe, gasping like it’d die soon. After our director’s surgery, it’s fine now.”
“Is that a tough one?”
Kim Eun-ji asked.
“They told her to give up elsewhere, but he saved it—had to be tough.”
“Makes sense. She must be so grateful.”
“Yeah. That dog, Dasom, means everything to her.”
Everyone who’d thought inwardly, *All dogs are precious, duh*, felt a pang.
“My Ttangkongi’s precious too, obviously. But she lives alone—no family but that dog.”
“No family at all?”
“Nope. Just her.”
The Ttangkongi guardian, not wanting to dwell, changed subjects.
“Anyway, having Director Lee Jun in our neighborhood feels secure. Hope? That he stays long-term.”
“That worries me, but even if he leaves, I’ll follow.”
“Duh, we all will.”
Listening to the three guardians, Kim Eun-ji thought.
‘The guardians trust him immensely.’
After wrapping up with Ttangkongi, Mongi, and Choco’s owners, Kim Eun-ji continued interviewing other locals.
Everyone who knew Meongmeong Animal Hospital praised Lee Jun, pet owners or not.
Back at the cafe, she organized her notes.
‘He’s only been open a few months, yet all praise—no wonder he’s something special.’
Tap-tap-tap.
Her typing blended into the cafe buzz.
Deep in writing, her phone rang.
It was Lee Jun.
“I’m at that cafe.”
***
Ten minutes after the call, Lee Jun arrived.
“Reporter, sorry if I kept you waiting too long.”
“No, I stayed busy—toured the park, interviewed locals.”
“Park’s nice, huh?”
“Yeah, loved it. That park cats’ shelter? Out of this world.”
“Who designed it? Of course it’s perfect.”
Lee Jun chuckled, recalling how the cats had nitpicked during planning.
‘Gray and Shadow were picky since it was for their family.’
Once they learned about cushions, they wanted their crew to have that comfort too.
Had to be rainproof, well-ventilated—they hounded him.
“A bit cocky, aren’t you?”
“It turned out great.”
Unaware of the process, Kim Eun-ji smirked at his confidence.
‘Humble guy, but he’s got this side. Well, the shelter is artwork-level.’
Like a sturdy little castle harmonizing with the surroundings—she got his proud look.
“Oh, but some folks during interviews disliked the remodel—what’s your take?”
“So you gotta write it right, reporter.”
“Huh?”
“Polish those daytime interviews nicely. Hammer home the cats’ perks—folks’ll come around.”
“Sounds like you want ongoing coverage.”
“Isn’t that the beauty of online news? I’m counting on you.”
Not even begging—just trusting.
Where’d that confidence come from?
Looks? Skills? Shamelessness?
Whatever, she’d push for continued coverage anyway.
‘Might even go viral overseas first.’
Some international animal groups were eyeing Evergreen and Bluebird Parks already.
‘Finding out a vet led it and vaccinated the park cats single-handedly? They’d freak.’
Imagining global acclaim for this vet, she felt a thrill.
Eyes half-closed in happy thoughts, Lee Jun asked concernedly.
“You look beat. Working this late—no wonder reporting’s extreme.”
“Oh, no. Just thinking what great work you’re doing. One last comment?”
“May everyone enjoy their rights to happiness and live peacefully.”
Rights to happiness? The sudden line made Kim Eun-ji’s eyes widen.
“I believe animals have a right to happiness too. In our society, coexisting might limit it, but during their lives, they should have the basics. And I want to help make that happen.”
Kim Eun-ji felt the vet before her was a big person.
“Anyway, thanks for the late interview.”
“No, thank you—I’m grateful.”
“Let’s do another sometime.”
“Sure. We’ll see after this article’s reception. Needs good public response for follow-ups.”
Blunt request for exposure.
But knowing it was for the animals, not him, Kim Eun-ji smiled.
“You got it.”
They parted after conditionally scheduling the next one.