Chapter 101
Chapter 101
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: The Right Person
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's not like he was talking to the wall, but at this point, it was an illness.
This shadow had no learning ability.
According to it, it was a perfectly complete being that couldn't evolve further, but to Hong Gi-jun, that just seemed like its own delusion.
Hong Gi-jun bit his lip hard to suppress his rising frustration.
Hmmph-.
A sigh that couldn't escape through his mouth pushed out through his nostrils.
"Then that's a big problem. Ironically, for this friend to live happily, we need this friend's help."
Puff-, as Hong Gi-jun sighed, the shadow added.
It was very brief.
Hong Gi-jun wore a pensive expression before quickly composing himself.
"No choice then. Understood."
The shadow spoke in its usual emotionless tone. Yet it seemed mixed with a hollow laugh.
"My life is precious too. I can't just die. But can I see you again?"
"What a shame."
"Got it. Guess it'll be when we're both old and gray."
A regretful sigh escaped.
Not the best conversationalist, but it was nice to speak openly. Too bad it's the last time. Tsk-, Hong Gi-jun smacked his lips hard.
"Du guere, ad jehez......"
Ahem-.
The shadow smirked, left a fake cough, and slipped into the gap between Jin-hyuk and the bed.
"Ugh-."
Hong Su-jeong woke up because her jaw hurt and moved it side to side.
Sleeping with her head on Oppa’s arm must have twisted her jaw, leaving her mouth crooked. She must have drooled a ton; there was even a sour smell.
Sniff sniff-.
"Eek-."
In the darkness, only the slow, steady breathing of the two hand-holding siblings echoed rhythmically.
Drunk on sleep, Hong Su-jeong pondered how to sleep comfortably. She considered turning her back to Oppa, but that might make him feel neglected. Then she spotted the bunker-like gap. Ah, if she lay there, her jaw wouldn't hurt, and her body would fit perfectly for a comfy sleep! It was her go-to spot during vacation mornings when she woke up at dawn.
Hong Su-jeong crawled in clumsily. Resting her head on the bulging top of the bunker, it squished yet firmly supported the back of her head like a pillow.
'Heh heh, fun.'
She bobbed and shook her head, enjoying the cushioning.
As expected of Prison Oppa. Dad Hong Gi-jun would scream in pain if she did this, but this giant didn't budge.
Yawn-. Hong Su-jeong fell back into deep sleep.
Hong Su-jeong sleeps deeply when sharing a bed with Prison Oppa.
Maybe that's why she grows so much during vacations.
Today, too, she slept soundly without moving for quite a while. When she opened her eyes, the window was bright. But why was her head keep tilting to one side? Weird, it was soft as a cloud at dawn, but now it was hard like a tree root, making her head uncomfortable.
Was it that camping trip where she begged Mom and Dad to go? She remembered rolling out of the tent in her sleep and using a tree root as a pillow. The feeling on the back of her head was similar.
'What's this? So uncomfortable.'
Hong Su-jeong crawled down to Jin-hyuk's feet.
It had been a restless night for both body and mind.
Jin-hyuk woke at dawn. Years of ingrained habit wouldn't let him sleep in. Habits are scary indeed.
"Uggghhh-."
As Jin-hyuk stretched while lying down.
Thud-.
Kek-.
"Huh?"
What was that sound?
Startled by the sudden dying frog noise, Jin-hyuk bolted upright. He was so shocked that sleep fled instantly.
The faint remnants of his dream vanished with it.
Tracing the sound with his eyes, he saw a huge frog sprawled on the floor in the dim morning light. It was Hong Su-jeong, splayed at the foot of the bed.
"Oh no, Su-jeong-ah-."
Something had caught on his foot while stretching; she must have been pushed away. She already had a lumpy head, and without the thick carpet, it could've been worse.
'She's not passed out, is she?'
He checked her breathing by ear and pulse at her carotid with index and middle fingers.
'Phew, scared me. Why was this kid sleeping there?'
She's such a weird one. Even during vacations, he'd wake to find Hong Su-jeong curled up at his feet like a puppy.
He carefully moved Hong Su-jeong next to Yu-jin.
Yu-jin lay facing the wall, tiny hand groping it. It resembled a Ppapiyong fumbling for bugs in prison. She mumbled endlessly, still unintelligible as ever.
'Sounds like calling for someone.'
Jin-hyuk straightened the crooked pillow and tucked the blanket up to the kids' shoulders.
Alignment is key.
'Now it's properly aligned.'
Nodding in satisfaction, he sat cross-legged and took deep breaths.
Someone had lain between his legs in his sleep, but it wasn't the first time, so whatever. Still, he should be more careful sleeping in others' homes. His sweatpants felt slightly pulled down in his sleep. Can't let his guard down in surprise situations.
Hooo-.
Damn hormones.
He vaguely recalled a weird dream from last night, but dreams are volatile; nothing stuck. Someone yapping about desperately wishing or whatever—like, are you Paulo Coelho? Desperately wishing for what?
Amid the blank recall, one fuzzy fragment irked him.
'Someone hit my forehead.'
Probably one of the two brats with bad sleeping habits. Jin-hyuk rubbed his forehead, glaring at them. He pressed Hong Su-jeong's hand to his forehead, then Yu-jin's. Trying to find the culprit, but their hands were so similar it was hard to tell.
He felt like he'd had a fun yet frustrating, infuriating dream, but after the kids' torment, only his shoulders ached, and the dream was gone.
Yawwwn-.
After a long yawn, Jin-hyuk lay back down.
'Heh heh. So peaceful.'
Mornings in Seoul are quiet—no roosters, dogs, or tiller engines.
Back home, trying to sleep in was tough with the constant dit-dit-dit-dit- of tillers.
As sleep enveloped him like mist, the elusive dream fragments whispered. Like the day he returned to nine years old......
Jin-hyuk's lips twitched upward in sleep.
'Idiots? I'm not sealed or whatever.'
But it felt unfair somehow.
That dark thing uses my shadow like free public transport while excluding me. Next time, I'll desperately wish for it to appear. Gotta remember the dream content.
However......
Clunk-.
"Prison! Su-jeong! Yu-jin! Breakfast!"
"Coming-!"
Startled by Yu Se-ra's booming voice, he jolted awake, resetting the dream memory once more.
Slurp-.
The two men slurped their soup noisily, as if competing.
Not hungover, but the bean sprout-packed nok-eot-guk felt great on the stomach.
"Su-jeong's dad, thinking about work even during meals?"
"Huh? Oh, no. Eat up."
Hong Gi-jun awkwardly smiled, watching Jin-hyuk munch between the two kids.
'As long as I don't tell him I've returned. "Don't help" meant not disrupting daily life.'
Hong Gi-jun racked his brains recalling the shadow convo.
Despite the workload, his position differed from a salaryman. Happy at home and work, no desire to die. He did need help, and talent like that was rare even among execs. Korean corp execs were more bureaucratic than bureaucrats.
Real gems get buried—no recognition, poor branding, or by choice.
He glared resentfully at Son Gwang-yeon inhaling rice like a pig.
'Said he'd just farm, but now starting his own business.'
Traitor friend.
His gaze shifted to Jin-hyuk, alternating egg rolls onto the girls' bowls. Talented before, maybe still is? But too young?
His heart heavy, food stuck in his throat.
'Too sudden; couldn't steer the convo my way.'
So much to ask, complain about, but squandered last night's chance.
As he prepared to head to work, Jin-hyuk approached.
Polite hands clasped, but still blunt speech.
"When does the Gyeongho-dong construction start?"
"Right away."
Showing interest in work near his home. Like a curious teen, Hong Gi-jun chuckled.
"You'll need someone to manage those guys, right?"
"Manage? With a team leader, it'll be fine."
Jin-hyuk smiled and shook his head.
"Someone for attendance, welfare, HQ comms. Not a guard, but sharp. Dad could use a decent convo partner too."
Hong Gi-jun's eyes sparkled wide.
Not just the long speech.
'Great idea.'
Attendance could self-manage via team leader discretion and contracts.
But an intermediary...... Could seek advice without disrupting life or stating position. Borrow long-term vision.
If a perceptive person expands this kid's offhand remarks like a report.
Like Hae-rye.
Hong Gi-jun decided quickly.
"Yes. Far from HQ, management could slip. Good idea. I'll find the right person."
"Okay."
"Should've shown you around Yuksam Building, Namsan Tower since you're here. Next time."
"Sure. Have a safe trip."
He patted Jin-hyuk's bowing back and turned.
'Does he know my worries?'
Nah.
Son Gwang-yeon sometimes felt his son read his mind. Probably that.
Shrugging briefly, Hong Gi-jun boarded with a light heart.
'Anyway, there's the right person for that.'
The one who declared himself Jin-hyuk's right hand despite the near-20-year gap.
Meanwhile, watching the car leave, Jin-hyuk muttered.
Seal nonsense.
After breakfast, post-Hong Gi-jun departure.
Jin-hyuk asked his coffee-sipping dad.
"Go to the department store with the moms."
"Huh? Why?"
Whyy-? Whyyy-?
Ha, this dad. Without that face, he'd never marry. Mom was young and naive, that's why. Back then, no way you'd date with zero game!
Not that Jin-hyuk, who never dated, blamed him.
"Rare Seoul trip. Leaving empty-handed, Mom and Se-ra aunt-."
Jin-hyuk paused. He caught Yu Se-ra's smile vanish live.
"-Ma'am would be disappointed."
"Really?"
Dad scratched his head, eyeing the wives.
Han Yu-young hid it, but her lower lip protruded 10% more. Eyes screamed: I want department store.
Yu Se-ra stared sleepily; no choice for Son Gwang-yeon.
"I'll watch the kids."
He'd spotted the tailing security cars anyway. Natural surveillance. They'd follow to the store too.
"Dad'll get catchball gear!"
Grandpa the teacher influence? Catchball means the act, so he meant glove and ball, but Jin-hyuk just nodded. Intent matters.
Thus, adults off, he minded two kids and two dogs.
In someone else's house.