Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The People's Right to Know
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Ah... So this is what it feels like to get a hit of that 'national pride' rush?
I suddenly felt like belting out a ballad.
High as a kite~
The moment I was discharged, I headed to the restaurant amid a flood of cheers right outside the hospital.
By the time I arrived at Babsang, the neighboring restaurant owners were all rushing out to check on me.
They all gave me thumbs up, praising my 'feat'.
I heard Dong-hyun turned down a medal even though he could've gotten one.
He said he just drew the criminal's attention while I was the one who really risked my life to take him down from behind.
When I heard that secondhand, I put on a moved expression and said,
"Idiot."
This guy was a real idiot.
He could've just taken it and bragged about the title for life.
"Whew, thank goodness I didn't stock up on ingredients ahead of school lunch season."
Planning to hit the market after a day off post-lunch rush had been a stroke of genius.
Thanks to that, the restaurant damage was minimal.
I was still too weak to walk, so I sat in a wheelchair with Lily carefully pushing from behind.
"I... I've never been inside the restaurant before. So this is where Hoon works."
"Yeah, our place."
At the hospital discharge, they said the donations covered my bills and then some—with a ton left over.
I donated all the excess to help the hospital's needier patients.
It wasn't my money anyway, no reason to get greedy.
"Dong-hyun."
"Yeah?"
"Can we reopen next week?"
"Yep. You rest up till you're better. I'll handle things."
"Thanks, appreciate it."
After a quick look around inside, we were heading home when a familiar voice called from the side.
"Well, if it isn't you!"
I turned to see the building owner.
"Oh, landlord!"
It had been a while, so it was nice to see him.
"Haha! If it isn't Berkeley's hero!"
"Aw, come on. Just doing what anyone would've."
Getting direct praise from someone I knew felt a bit embarrassing.
"And... who's the lady?"
The landlord's gaze shifted to Lily.
"Haha, yes. Landlord, this is my beloved wife."
"Heh, what a sight. Heard you got married—suits you perfectly."
"Thank you. Oh! I was laid up so I couldn't pay rent... Let me do it now. Sorry."
"No, no."
"Pardon?"
The landlord smiled warmly and said,
"Do you know who was there that day?"
"Uh? Who?"
"My grandson was in there. You saved his life."
Eh?
What a sweet coincidence.
Never saw that coming.
"Oh... Really? Glad he's okay."
"Can't thank you enough. So, no rent for a year—use the place worry-free."
"Aw, man, that makes me feel bad though..."
"Heh, nonsense. It's the least I can do for my lifesaver. I'm not hurting for this one building anyway. And my friends won't shut up about you—driving me nuts."
Ah.
Probably those big shots who came by.
The VIPs.
"Tell them I'm fine. Won't be around much for a bit, but we'll reopen next week—come eat."
"Perfect, been craving Korean food. You look tired—head on home."
"Yes, sir. See you soon."
I bowed politely and headed home.
The thought of crashing at home after so long warmed my heart.
Gonna spend lots of time playing with Lily while I recover.
"What bullshit is this? Hanging up."
[H... Honey? Kim Ji-hoon! Ji-hoon!]
A desperate voice came through the receiver, but I hit end call anyway.
The call was from a Korean news outlet.
The reporter who'd snuck into my hospital room.
He's on trial and detained now, asking if I'd consider leniency.
I shot it down flat.
"No thanks."
Why?
Lily had told me how terrified she was remembering that day.
And if that reporter had bad intentions, I was defenseless in my condition.
It pissed me off.
'Yeah~ Take your American punishment like a good boy~'
That was my vibe.
But then they straight-up threaten that no leniency means ruining my rep back home?
My pride flared up instantly.
So what? What can you do?
I'm a U.S. citizen.
Keyboard warrior from Korea—big deal.
Man, really pissing me off.
"Honey, you mad?"
Lily looked down at me worriedly, seeing my sour face.
I was lying with my head in her lap.
"Nah!?"
Seeing her face melted away the irritation bubbling up.
Hit me again.
Wow... She's insanely pretty.
Usually looking up at someone makes even beauties look off.
Angle matters for a reason.
But not Lily.
Her tiny perfect face defies ugly angles.
Ah, this is happiness.
"Eek~"
Feeling better, I playfully buried my face in her belly.
She lets out the cutest scream.
Ah.
Craving a long vacation.
While Ji-hoon was home sweetly spending time with Lily,
Dong-hyun stared blankly at the scene in front of the restaurant.
'Wait... I didn't expect business to boom this much.'
Customers swarmed like clouds.
After the terror attack, Babsang had become Berkeley's hottest spot.
'The hero who took down the terrorist in the cafeteria where hundreds of students were trapped.'
The story spread about how delicious the food must be to draw crowds for school lunch, creating massive viral buzz.
Might as well eat at the hippest place—the hero's own restaurant.
Like lining up at the original 'famous grandma's tteokbokki' spot.
Not just locals—even folks from afar started showing up.
Michael's interview promo seemed like child's play now.
An endless line snaked in front of the store.
Dong-hyun and the staff trembled at the sight, genuinely scared.
The crowd far exceeded capacity.
Famous YouTubers with cameras showed up too.
"Um... excuse me, mind if I film?"
Dong-hyun shook his head firmly.
"Sorry, can't. It'd bother other customers."
Surprisingly, the YouTubers backed off easily.
Normally they'd pull stunts for attention, but not here.
The hero revered nationwide.
Making a scene could bring unknown backlash.
They turned away regretfully.
But...
An unknown YouTuber was stealthily gearing up for debut(?).
Lily took the square card.
Her red eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She examined front and back like a kid with new treasure.
"Hehe... Hubby's card!"
The 'husband card' her mother-in-law mentioned for household expenses.
Ji-hoon made it saying, "Buy whatever you need with this, easy peasy"—just for her.
She was thrilled.
'Hehe, so small and cute...'
But thinking of his hard-earned money made her hesitate to use it.
Lately, Lily was learning life's ways from Ji-hoon, bit by bit.
Internet searches, YouTube videos.
Everything was wondrous and new.
On days off, he'd patiently teach her up close.
She fell for him deeper.
Her phone screen had the blue light filter he applied—for eye protection.
At home, she often wore UV-blocking glasses too.
YouTube fascinated her most.
Peeking into others' lives.
She dove in slowly to avoid eye strain.
Then a thought struck.
'I want... to capture memories with hubby too.'
In case she got sick first, so he wouldn't forget her.
Record their happy moments.
"Hubb~~y!!!!!"
"Yeah? What's up, Lily?"
"I wanna make memories with you! Hehe."
At her sudden words, Ji-hoon grinned and asked,
"Why all the good vibes? What'd you do?"
"No!! Just... every day with you is so precious! So teach me this, hubby!"
"Huh? What?"
Lily grinned and showed her phone.
A cute couple's vlog played.
"......You wanna do YouTube?"
"Yeah! Can we get a camera?"
"...Uh... yeah. Sure."
"Heehee~"
Lily snuggled next to Ji-hoon and started channel setup.
Soon, a Sony camera and hand grip for vlogs arrived.
They just wanted to record precious memories for themselves.
But that start would cause waves unimaginable to them.
Meanwhile, Korean newsrooms were in an uproar.
Their fury stemmed from an unprecedented incident on U.S. soil.
Their own reporter—sent for an exclusive—detained by local police, unable to return.
"This can't stand!"
The editor slammed his desk.
"Our Park reporter's still rotting in an American jail!"
Other gathered reporters wore angry faces.
"Have the Americans lost their minds? Reporters make mistakes on the job—detain him over that?"
"Wouldn't fly in Korea. They know the backlash from messing with press."
Indeed.
Korean reporters held unspoken privilege.
Slight oversteps in reporting excused under 'the people's right to know'.
Even if issues arose, no one dared provoke media retaliation.
The press as fourth—or real third—power.
Yet American cops detain a Korean reporter?
For snooping in some 'American hero's' room?
The insult burned.
"We can't let this slide."
The editor's eyes flashed.
"He refused leniency? A guy living in Korea must have skeletons."
"Right! Dig into this Kim Ji-hoon. Something'll turn up. Strip him bare."
"Do it now!"
The editor issued orders.
"Run a story calling for tips on Kim Ji-hoon! Anything—big or small! Take 'em all!"
Reporters sprang into action.
Notices went up on news sites and their homepage soliciting tips.
To them, Ji-hoon's heroism meant nothing.
All that mattered: making the fool who crossed the press pay.
That was their 'justice'.