The Eldest Son's Quick Rescue
The middle-aged woman speaking while staring at the washing machine box outside was Park Sukja, the owner of the villa where she lived on the fourth floor.
She held shopping baskets in both hands after visiting the market.
“Ah, yes. The installation is finished.”
When a new washing machine was purchased, the old one should be discarded.
But Park Sukja had bought the option of the old one left behind by the previous resident, so she had obtained prior permission.
“Good. Anyway, Yuyeon the student was complaining while dragging the blanket to the laundromat.”
With no bed and two elementary school children, the blankets had to be washed often.
Namhun, who stayed home little because of work, couldn't waste time at the coin laundry.
Naturally, the blanket washing mostly fell to Yuyeon, who handled her school homework or studies while waiting.
‘The auntie told me to use the fourth-floor washing machine… but'
How could one borrow a washing machine every time.
“That aside, did you buy something good? You said you got a new job, and the pay looks substantial.”
“Yes. It's better than before.”
After performing at the festival, an amount similar to the three-job salary was deposited into the account.
Plus, the festival schedule was full until the end of June.
Averaging it out, about four performances on Saturdays and Sundays alone.
For two months, at least 36 million won in sales were secured.
“Even if the contract is canceled due to sudden changes in heart, we will receive at least 20% deposit.”
“Even if all reservations are canceled, about 7 million won will come in.”
For the past ten years, I barely survived day by day, but I didn't know it would feel so comfortable knowing there is an upcoming income.
“Just don't spend it recklessly. The kids will grow up, so save for a bigger house.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Oh, I made bento for the kids. Come up and take it.”
Park Sukja, the villa owner, had two daughters who lived in America.
So she regularly made bento and sent it as a parcel.
Each time, she shared the bento with the siblings too.
It happened so often that they ate without buying any.
At first she felt burdened and refused, but it was no use.
“I'm sorry for receiving it every time like this.”
“There's nothing to be sorry about. Seeing someone like Namhun working so hard makes me want to help anyone.”
Namhun smiled awkwardly at her words.
“Oh my, while I'm packing the bento, could you change the bulb? I saw the villa's first-floor entrance light flickering last night.”
Changing one light bulb was easy for Namhun, who had been trained as a day laborer.
Namhun often repayed the small favor by helping with villa maintenance.
“Yes, of course. Oh, give me the shopping basket. I'll carry it up to the fourth floor.”
“Aigoo~ Thank you. When this happens, I wish I had a son too. If my husband hadn't died so early, I might have had one more.”
“Haha.”
Namhun laughed awkwardly at the middle-aged woman's 49-year-old joke.
It took only five minutes to fetch the ladder and light bulb from the fourth floor and finish the work.
Namhun carried the ladder back upstairs and spoke through the slightly open door.
“Auntie! The work is done.”
Normally the voice would have said ‘Thank you, come in~!’ but it was strangely quiet.
The sound of the bento container rattling should have come from her moving the bento.
‘Has she gone to the bathroom?’
The door was open, but Namhun couldn't enter someone else's house without permission.
But she didn't answer no matter how many times he called.
Something uneasy made Namhun cautiously open the door.
“I'm coming in!”
As he had entered quite often, Namhun knew the house layout well.
Soon he headed to the kitchen and found Park Sukja collapsed on the floor.
【Performance - Woman Struggling for Her Life】
【Comprehension - 100】
【Proficiency - 100】
【Immersion - 100】
【Digestibility - 100】
【Condition - 0】
【Audience Reaction - 100】
【Overall Score - N/A】
Surprised, Namhun immediately rushed toward Park Sukja.
It was fortunate he had learned proper CPR during construction site training.
If someone else had been there, they could have called 119.
The situation looked dire.
Namhun didn't know when she had fallen.
He shouted ‘please, please’ over and over in his mind while moving his body.
Sweat pouring down, he continued CPR and saw a miracle response.
【Condition - 1】
* * *
“It was a close call.”
“Yes…”
“Namhun saved someone's life.”
Even though the doctor smiled, Namhun couldn't relax his expression.
The moment he saw Park Sukja collapsed, he recalled his mother he had lost in an accident.
“The test results suggest it was a temporary arrhythmia. We'll need a more precise test, but I suspect high blood pressure is the cause. I contacted the guardian, so don't worry too much.”
After listening to the doctor's explanation, Namhun remained dazed for a while.
“…Pull yourself together.”
Namhun lightly tapped his cheek and practiced a smile a few times.
He couldn't look gloomy in front of Park Sukja.
* * *
In the hospital room, Park Sukja was receiving an IV drip.
“Is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable?”
Park Sukja, who had been lying with her eyes closed, slowly opened them at the words.
Seeing Namhun, she smiled brightly.
“Thank you. If not for you, the young man Namhun, I might have died.”
“Please don't say that. The doctor said it was temporary, so don't worry.”
“Still, if it weren't for you, it would have been dangerous.”
That was true.
Since Park Sukja lived alone, if Namhun hadn't been there, no one would have found her collapsed.
“Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. After a few more tests and observation, you can be discharged tomorrow. You'll need to stay two more days, so if you need anything, I'll bring it tonight.”
“It's fine. You must be busy too…”
“Don't worry. We've received so much bento, what more. Do you need towels, toiletries, or a phone charger?”
“Then, sorry, but I’ll take you up on that.”
* * *
“Park Sukja, let me measure your blood pressure.”
“Yes.”
“As I said, your blood pressure is a bit high.”
“I have hypertension.”
“Oh, do you take medication?”
“On and off.”
“Do you go to the hospital often?”
“No… because I'm busy, I…”
“That won't do. You should go to the hospital often and buy a home blood pressure monitor to check. What if you fall again?”
“Then it's no good. Okay.”
The nurse who had been chatting casually asked.
“By the way… the young man who came with you, is he your son?”
“A young man? Ah, you mean Namhun the young man? No. He's a resident of the same villa…”
The nurse's mouth opened in surprise after hearing the explanation.
“Really?”
Park Sukja chuckled at the nurse's strange expression.
“What, are you interested in Namhun the young man?”
The nurse quickly shook her head.
“No, no. I just wondered if there's any relationship with the patient.”
“Heh. You don't seem like that kind of person?”
The auntie's flirtatiousness left the nurse unable to speak and she smiled awkwardly.
“Our Namhun the young man is quite handsome. And kind-hearted too.”
“Indeed. At first I thought he was an idol.”
“He's not an idol. He said he works at a logistics company.”
“I see. Well, I'll bring your dinner soon.”
“Thank you.”
The moment the nurse left, Park Sukja's phone vibrated.
It was a video call from her eldest daughter.
She pressed the call button and a worried face appeared.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“I'm fine~ It's nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious! I heard from the doctor. I'll take a plane soon, so I'll arrive in Korea at dawn. I'll sleep at home and go to the hospital around lunch.”
“You don't have to come. What about the work you're in charge of now?”
“It can be done online these days. What. Since I can finish work in Korea, don't worry.”
“Still…”
“Forget it. Don't say nonsense, eat well.”
“Aish. You too. Okay, okay. How is the youngest?”
“Sheesh, she's always the same. She complained that classes are hard. I forced her to stay home. It's during the semester.”
“Okay… Daughter. Come carefully.”
Park Sukja was about to hang up when she noticed Namhun carrying luggage from the villa.
“Oh, wait a minute. Namhun the young man is here, so say hello to him. The person who saved my life.”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
“Namhun the young man. Come here and take the phone. It's my eldest daughter.”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
At Park Sukja's gesture, Namhun approached the bed.
“Here.”
Namhun took the phone Park Sukja offered and realized belatedly that it was a video call.
“Ah, hello. My name is Jang Namhun.”
The moment Namhun greeted, the phone screen darkened.
* * *
“Namhun the young man. Come here and take the phone. It's my eldest daughter, so at least say hello.”
Ju Seojin knew little about Namhun.
All she knew was that the villa tenant had performed CPR on her mother and taken her to the hospital.
‘Namhun the young man? A young person.’
Ju Seojin casually checked the screen and was shocked to drop her phone.
‘Whoa!’
It was truly lucky she didn't scream outside.
‘Just now… what was that?’
Ju Seojin was so stunned she didn't even think of picking up the phone.
Ju Seojin graduated from Berkeley Music's film music major and was now working in Hollywood.
In other words, she had seen countless handsome male actors over the past few years.
Namhun on the screen, without any thought, didn't fall short even compared to those actors.
No, she felt an odd atmosphere.
Her teacher, the master of Hollywood film music, Haman Beltre, always said this.
“Our job is to create songs that match the mood of the movie. The mood of the scene is decided by the protagonist, so we must always examine the subject in detail.”
Following that teaching, Ju Seojin was skilled at reading a person's unique aura beyond just appearance.
Even on a tiny phone video call, an intangible aura pierced through and was present in Namhun.
‘What? Why is such a person living in our mom's villa?’
Setting the shock aside, she quickly took out a hand mirror and checked her appearance.
It was already past midnight in America.
Ju Seojin had been working late and had taken a taxi straight to the airport after taking the call.
Not even makeup, just combing her hair, was her entire disheveled state.
With quick hands, she drew her eyebrows, applied lipstick, and picked up the phone again.
“Hello…”
She had intended to greet confidently, but facing Namhun's face, her voice naturally went soft.
“Um… is there something wrong?”
“No, no. I accidentally dropped my phone.”
“Ah, I see.”
Ju Seojin, known for her perfectionism, was famous for not keeping her mouth shut even during meetings.
But now she couldn't open her lips like a closed oyster.
“I heard your daughter is working in America.”
“Ah… yes. That's right. I'm making film music in LA.”
“Ah, really? LA, you mean Hollywood? A friend of mine said he did film music work there.”
“Friend? Is he foreign?”
“No, no. He's Korean.”
Korean?
Unless she was Korean-American, there weren't many Koreans working in Hollywood at the time.
She even had regular gatherings, so it must be someone she knew.
“Yoo Sera. She plays violin, and I don't know if you know her.”
The name Yoo Sera surprised Ju Seojin.
“Sera unnie? You know Sera unnie?”