Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Elder flinched for a moment.
He knew better than anyone that you never knew what life would throw at you.
“Maybe I should bring him along sometime.”
“He won’t hate it. The club does charity work too, of course. They don’t force the players, though.”
“Hmm. Maybe after the season ends.”
Lost in his own thoughts, Elder muttered to himself.
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head at the sight and lightly picked up the soccer ball.
He dragged it up with his toes and bounced it off his knee, tap-tap.
“Wanna play a game, hyung?”
“Let’s do it, Uncle!”
“Hyung’s still too soon, huh?”
A playful smile tugged at Woo Ji-hyun’s lips.
Today, he was determined to hear the kids call him “hyung” no matter what.
Sure, getting upgraded from “uncle” to “hyung” was already a huge win, but Woo Ji-hyun’s greed had kicked in.
“Go easy, real easy. These kids are still elementary schoolers. Some aren’t even in school yet. Can’t have anyone getting hurt.”
“I got it. Hey, kids, wanna make a bet?”
“A bet?”
“Yeah. If you steal the ball from hyung, I’ll buy you clothes. Manchester United kids’ training kit.”
“?”
The dozen or so kids circling Woo Ji-hyun blinked their big round eyes.
They got the clothes part, but Manchester United sounded a bit unfamiliar.
They’d heard the name before, but it didn’t click right away.
So the kids just stared awkwardly at Woo Ji-hyun.
“It’s a soccer team. Park Ji-seong played there, and now Lee Woo-hyung’s on it.”
“Oh, I know that one!”
“I’ll give you the kids’ training kit from that team. If you steal it from me, that is. Fair and square fight, of course? Games are fun only if you follow the rules.”
“Let’s do it!”
“I’ll take it!”
Now that they got it, the kids bounced on their toes, ready to charge.
But Elder spoke up, sounding worried.
“Hey, isn’t that stuff expensive? Authentic ones cost a fortune.”
“What’re you worried about? We’ve got a master key.”
“Gonna ask Woo-hyung?”
“Yeah. No way he’d say no to something this good, right?”
“You devil.”
Elder gave him a look of disbelief.
But he didn’t tell him to stop.
From the kids’ perspective, there was no downside at all.
Even if Lee Woo-hyung chewed him out, it’d be Woo Ji-hyun taking the heat.
“Alright, bet’s on! But since it’s a bet, if hyung wins, you call him hyung no matter what. Only the ones who steal the ball from me get the Manchester United kit and to call me uncle!”
“Yesss!”
“Go!”
At Woo Ji-hyun’s hype-up shout, the kids charged in with cheers, feet pounding.
The boys, slower to grow than the girls, had those stubby little limbs that really stood out.
But their spirit put the Taekwondo warriors to shame.
They swarmed to snatch the ball from Woo Ji-hyun any way they could.
“Never thought he’d be so good with kids on his first try.”
“Right? I figured he’d be awkward around them, kinda prickly and shy.”
“Looks like he’s got a bunch of little siblings. And those types are the real deal. They act tough, but no hard feelings after. Super considerate, actually.”
“You can tell?”
“Of course. I’ve met plenty of people.”
The director smiled at Elder’s question.
People’s personalities show more on their faces with age, they say.
But eyes tell even more.
You can mask your face, but not your eyes.
“Doesn’t look like the sweet type on the outside, though.”
“Why not? He’s handsome. Manly look. I prefer that style, actually. Reliable. Built solid, so he must be great at sports.”
“He’s got some serious hip skills, that’s for sure.”
Soccer’s a foot game, but arms and hips are just as crucial.
Lower body’s the base for physical battles, but using your upper body right gives you a huge edge.
And Woo Ji-hyun was demonstrating that perfectly.
Pushing the kids back with his hips, he kept control of the ball to the end.
“Block him!”
“Shut up! Don’t boss me!”
“I’ll get it!”
Stealing the soccer ball was every kid for themselves, not a team effort.
So instead of teaming up, they each tried to take it from Woo Ji-hyun solo.
Not realizing it was all part of his plan.
But the key was they were all laser-focused, loving the game.
“These kids’ll sleep like logs for nap time.”
“Crash right after lunch, probably.”
“Yeah, the girls might be tricky, but they usually handle it. Boys are the handful.”
“Hahaha.”
Elder laughed, remembering his own childhood.
Back when he was that age, he’d thrown a fit refusing nap time.
“Our Yong-seok was such a tantrum king back then.”
“He was too young…”
“Now he’s making excuses.”
“Hahaha.”
Elder chuckled sheepishly.
The director knew every bit of his past history, so laughing was all he could do.
“Bring the kids to wash up in 30 minutes. Lunch should be ready by then.”
“Sounds good.”
“Don’t push him too hard.”
“He’s a writer, but he’s got stamina. Loves working out too.”
The director eyed Woo Ji-hyun playing with the boys, concerned.
They’d just started, so he was running fine now, but both Elder and Woo Ji-hyun were thirty.
The kids were at peak running age, sweating buckets.
No wonder she worried.
“Health’s something you gotta start young. Waiting till something’s off is too late.”
“Totally agree.”
“Play till time’s up and come in. Lunch is gonna be good.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Elder thumped his chest like no worries.
Even though Woo Ji-hyun was the one doing the hard part.
Woo Ji-hyun devoured the curry for lunch.
It was chopped super fine for the kids, which he loved.
Easier to chew.
The kids, meanwhile, were thrilled at all the meat over veggies and kept eating happily.
“Angels when they sleep.”
“Yeah.”
“The upper elementary kids doing homework?”
“Some study, some goof off.”
Normal kids would game on smartphones, but these were too pricey for each kid.
Tablets? Not even a dream.
So while the preschoolers napped, the older elementary kids studied, huddled around a computer watching movies or cartoons.
“Government subsidies come through okay?”
“They help, but it’s not luxurious. Staff wages aren’t great for the work. Half volunteers, really. Orphanage work isn’t a neat 8 or 12-hour shift.”
“Hmm.”
“Why?”
“Just caught my eye. Kids are humanity’s future, right? Not saying unconditional love and support always, though. Good kids exist, but bad ones too. From society’s view.”
Elder nodded at Woo Ji-hyun’s words.
He shared the sentiment, more or less.
Love and attention matter, but not everything.
“Coming like this occasionally means the world to them.”
“Can’t do it big like you, but talent donation? I could manage. My job doesn’t need much startup cash. This, this, and an office computer—that’s basic setup.”
“Huh, true.”
Elder snorted as Woo Ji-hyun pointed to his head and hands.
Writers were one of those professions needing almost no capital.
Lyricists? Just a smartphone.
Computer for playback, notebook, pen—even that worked.
“Saw some kids writing stories.”
“Building their own worlds is fun for them, apparently.”
“Doubt it. They hate this world, so they make one they like. That’s how I started.”
“Huh? Started what?”
“Writing. Reality was a dumpster fire, so I wanted to be the hero in my novels. That’s why I picked up the pen.”
As a kid.
Now over ten years ago—no, including his past life, over thirty—remembering that, Woo Ji-hyun’s face soured bitterly.
He’d climbed to a enviable spot now, but back then, every day was pure agony.
Couldn’t afford a 1,000-won bus fare, walked everywhere, rode a beat-up bike to high school.
‘If no transfers back then, would’ve been like that till graduation.’
Ancient history now, but back then, his future was pitch black.
Like army seniors clenching fists, telling you to stare into the darkness.
“You had it rough too, huh?”
“Everyone’s got those times. Even chaebol heirs have their gripes.”
Past was past, so Woo Ji-hyun grinned and stepped out of the kids’ nap room.
* * *
It’d been ages since seeing her son, but Kim Kyung-ae’s face was complicated.
She knew he wasn’t one for empty words, but still, hard to believe.
The sports car? Fine, he could afford it.
But today? No.
“Feels like he’s taking too much.”
Staring at her midsize sedan outside the cafe, Kim Kyung-ae muttered.
Divorce settlement barely covered alimony, and what she got wasn’t much.
Repaying twenty years of debts to her now-over-seventy mom and siblings ate most of it.
No paperwork, so couldn’t claim as loans. After paying them with alimony, barely scraps left.
“Mom.”
Still, living without envy was all thanks to her one son.
Even her daughter lived in a place he’d secured fully furnished.
And like the proverb—speak of the tiger—the cafe door opened, Woo Ji-hyun walking in.
Red sports car stylishly parked curbside.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah, you beat me.”
“It’s not far. But really buying it?”
“Yeah, the novel and webtoon did great in Taiwan service. Martial arts not as big, but steady sales. Did a fan signing there recently.”
“Really?”
Kim Kyung-ae’s eyes widened like saucers.
She’d known from the car and apartment he earned way more than peers.
But fan signing? Different vibe.
“No need to lie about that. Plus side income now, so time to treat myself.”