Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Jogging Mix-Up
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“No way, how did you end up serving here together?”
Lee Jae-hyun asked Choi Su-jin after taking a seat.
Even Oh Seo-hyun hadn’t known Choi Su-jin was working at Song’s Gukbap House. She blinked in surprise, staring at Choi Su-jin.
Choi Su-jin shrugged and spoke up.
“Because I was scared.”
“Huh?”
“I was so scared being alone that I couldn’t sleep. So I’ve been sleeping with A-reum and helping out here since morning.”
The reason Choi Su-jin was serving at Song’s Gukbap House wasn’t some friendship thing with her friends.
It was realistic. Heartbreaking.
But Lee Jae-hyun just chuckled at her words.
“Good call. When you’re scared, you should stick with someone else.”
“Totally right.”
Choi Su-jin nodded vigorously in agreement.
Then Song A-ram slyly wedged herself into their conversation.
“Mister, her sleeping habits are no joke.”
“Huh?”
“Thanks, mister... she said you told her that or something.”
At Song A-ram’s words, Choi Su-jin waved her hands frantically.
She quickly changed the subject.
“So, what kind of gukbap will you have?”
“I’ll take sundae gukbap.”
“Me too.”
“Yes, two sundae gukbaps coming up.”
Choi Su-jin gave a slight nod, grabbed Song A-ram, and hurried toward the counter.
Seeing them bickering but laughing made everything feel naturally reassuring.
“Seriously, what a relief.”
“Yeah, Su-jin seems brighter than I thought.”
Oh Seo-hyun agreed.
It was the kind of thing that could leave trauma, but fortunately, Choi Su-jin had been holding up pretty steadily so far.
More than steady—she was downright cheerful.
It was a relief to see that bright side of her keep shining through.
As Lee Jae-hyun had those thoughts.
Bzzz.
His smartphone vibrated noisily.
It always seemed to ring right before or after eating here. Lee Jae-hyun let out a small sigh and stood up.
“Yeah, hello.”
—Hello, Sergeant. This is Yoon Min-ha from Dongyoung Daily. Remember me?
Yoon Min-ha greeted him in a bright voice.
Lee Jae-hyun smiled lightly at her voice.
He knew reporters inside and out.
They didn’t call without a purpose—it was their ironclad rule, their survival instinct.
So if she was calling, there had to be a point.
“Reporter Yoon Min-ha, long time no talk.”
—Yeah, has it really been days already...? Did you see the article I wrote about you?
“Been too busy, haven’t checked yet...”
It had been days since Yoon Min-ha’s article on him went up.
But between solving cases and lying in the hospital.
He’d been so swamped he hadn’t gotten around to it. A bit regrettable.
She’d probably put real effort into it. He’d have to read it properly at home later.
—The views are doing great, too bad. Check the comments when you get a chance—they’re fun. Give it a read.
“Got it, I’ll take a look.”
Lee Jae-hyun replied plainly.
Yoon Min-ha cleared her throat awkwardly and spoke up.
—Um, Sergeant.
“Yes, Reporter Yoon.”
—Shall we be straight with each other?
“I’ve been straight the whole time. Guess you haven’t?”
Lee Jae-hyun shrugged lightly.
Yoon Min-ha let out an “oh come on” before continuing.
—There’ve been a ton of incidents in Incheon lately. I dug around, and it seems like I got a lot of help from police in other jurisdictions...
“Reporter.”
—Yes, I’m all ears. Go ahead.
Yoon Min-ha’s voice brimmed with eagerness to soak up whatever he’d say.
Lee Jae-hyun ran a hand through his hair, pondering briefly.
Honestly, he usually held back from spilling to reporters—it was a hassle.
Especially since this case involved other jurisdictions.
Still, Yoon Min-ha had been friendly toward him, and he might need her help someday.
So instead of case details, he opted for personnel info.
“Not much I can say otherwise... There’s Inspector Oh Seo-hyun in the Violent Crimes Unit at Incheon Western Police Station. Dig into her, and you’ll find something.”
—Incheon Western Police Station, Violent Crimes Unit, Inspector Oh Seo-hyun... Thank you. Would’ve loved more, though.
“Afraid it’s not my call.”
—Got it. Thanks anyway, Sergeant.
At Lee Jae-hyun’s words, Yoon Min-ha backed off neatly.
Knowing the line was a plus in her favor.
And above all.
—If there’s ever anything I can do, call anytime.
Yoon Min-ha knew give-and-take inside out.
She’d come in handy someday for sure.
Right now, it looked like Lee Jae-hyun was handing her info one-way.
But he’d need media muscle eventually.
Until then, he could toss her bits to build her reporter cred bit by bit.
* * *
After gukbap and a laid-back day, Lee Jae-hyun headed to Lake Park near home for a jog.
Families who’d had a hectic week were out picnicking with kids for the weekend.
Nearby, joggers and cyclists circled the lake path.
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
Lee Jae-hyun was one of them.
Too many cases had blown up lately—weekends off were rare.
‘Feels good to exercise after so long.’
Sure, detective life fit him like a glove, but that was work.
No one lives for work alone.
Gotta rest sometimes, enjoy hobbies.
And for his precious downtime, he chose jogging.
Why?
Nothing special.
‘Body’s definitely dulled off.’
His feet pounded steadily, vibrations rhythmic.
Lee Jae-hyun liked the beat.
Not too slow, not too fast.
Back in the day, he’d matched it to tunes with the right tempo.
No earbuds today, though.
Past life, the rhythm was second nature.
Not now.
Past body: old but honed. Current: fresh but untrained.
Past body was better for the job, but capped out.
No more growth.
Now was different.
Young enough to grow more.
Even beyond past life.
‘Can’t match that body overnight, but time to start training.’
Matching past physique? Minimum ten years grinding.
Plus real-world reps to match.
Past life, they came naturally. Not this time.
So he picked the easiest, most helpful option around.
Fitness was exercise basics, so jogging to build stamina a bit.
“Huff! Hoo!”
About two hours in.
Breath ragged, legs weakening on each push.
But Lee Jae-hyun exhaled and stretched his stride again.
‘Huh? That person looks familiar.’
He’d been jogging the path a while when someone caught his eye.
Among the aunties jogging, one woman stood out beauty-wise.
Her back looked familiar.
On the tip of his tongue.
One thing sure: not from this life.
‘Wanted criminal?’
Lifetime chasing crooks, maybe.
Crime came to mind first.
He stiffened a bit, kept jogging.
‘Wait, what’s she doing?’
Then he stared, baffled, at the woman ahead.
Suddenly, she pulled out her phone and fiddled with it.
Figured she had business, at first.
Then she glanced back sharply.
Like someone tailing her.
Their eyes met by accident. That’s when Lee Jae-hyun placed her.
‘That’s Han Hyo-jeong?’
He slowed, hesitating.
Now it clicked why she seemed familiar—and why he hadn’t recognized her right away.
Han Hyo-jeong.
Not sure now, but huge star in the future.
Fresh image, cat-like face—subtle charm galore.
Solid actress too. Remembered fan clips from her fan club.
‘Went back years, huh. She looks so young.’
Lee Jae-hyun was a fan.
Not big on culture stuff, but if she starred, he’d check it.
Why miss her at first, even as a fan?
Simple: younger than he remembered.
Still recognized her—unique face and vibe.
Past life fan, so etched in memory.
Magnetic charm.
‘Jogging and spotting Han Hyo-jeong. Wild.’
Lee Jae-hyun caught his breath, kept going.
Eyes glued to Han Hyo-jeong.
Meeting fave celeb’s younger self? Surreal and fun.
At least not a fugitive.
He slowed to match her pace.
“There he is!”
A voice rang out. Two cops charged toward Lee Jae-hyun.
‘What? Cops? Suddenly?’
Some incident?
Lee Jae-hyun eyed them, kept his path.
Han Hyo-jeong ahead pointed at him, yelling again.
“That’s the guy!”
“Sir, stop right there!”
At the cop’s shout, Lee Jae-hyun looked around blankly.
Just him and Han Hyo-jeong around.
Victim wouldn’t guide cops to perp.
“No way, me?”
Realization hit. He stopped jogging, turned to the cops.
And...
“Huh? Lee Jae-hyun?”
“At ease. What brings you here?”
“...Why are you out here?”
Everyone froze upon recognizing perp and cop, faces blank with disbelief.