Chapter 186 "Observing?"
"Observing?" Yu Minhyuk's face hardened further at the word, his already sour expression twisting in clear irritation as he shot back.
"You seem to know I was the initial lead researcher on Antrozol but got pulled from the project at the end. You know one thing but not the other."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I opposed the launch of Antrozol Alpha right up to the end. But it wasn't accepted, and they replaced me as lead researcher. That's why I quit. And you call that observing?"
With a [TRUTH] hologram floating above his head, Yu Minhyuk's voice grew louder.
"I did everything I could! From what you've said, you must be the lawyers for that Jo Bongjun guy who's been in the news for getting sued by Myungwha Pharma lately. Yes, I strongly argued that the research from that U.S. institute lacked credibility, so we needed to redo it in-house or commission another institution—take some other action. But when the company ignored it, what could I, just one employee, do? If they push ahead anyway, it happens. So don't throw around words like 'observing' so lightly."
Yu Minhyuk poured out his words rapidly, his shoulders heaving as he caught his breath.
"I did all I could. I barely escaped that nightmare. Ha, I don't want anything more to do with it now. So please, just go."
Yu Minhyuk pried my hand off the pharmacy door as he spoke.
I hadn't been entirely surprised he'd take this defensive stance when we came here. Still, I wedged my foot into the narrowing gap of the closing door. I knew he wouldn't like it, but we couldn't end the conversation like this.
"I didn't say it lightly. We had no way of knowing why you were removed from the project until you just told us. If, as you say, it really was because you tried to stop Antrozol Alpha due to its dangers... then our goals align with yours. So hear us out a little longer."
"Get your words right. Our goals aligned. Not anymore. I'm tired. I told you, I don't want to get involved again."
Yu Minhyuk replied coldly.
Kim Chan-young's maternal uncle could bring documented info from inside Myungwha Pharma, but he didn't know the full details of the development phase. Plus, he had no real power. As a parachuted executive, he faced limits digging into the past amid the already tense atmosphere over the Antrozol Alpha issue.
Asking Yu Minhyuk, the former lead researcher, directly was the best way. That's why we needed him.
"There must have been a reason you thought it shouldn't launch at first. You surely started researching the original Antrozol to save lives. But realizing it would be twisted for corporate profit, harming people's health instead—that must have pissed you off."
"......"
"We'll take it from here. We're not asking you to play some huge role."
At my words, Yu Minhyuk scoffed.
"Then why are you here? For testimony? Or maybe evidence, if I have any? Sorry, but I don't have anything like that."
[LIE]. Yu Minhyuk had evidence.
What evidence? I couldn't tell yet. But one thing was clear: he hadn't left Myungwha Pharma empty-handed.
He looked genuinely exhausted, just as he'd said. But why hold onto those materials if he truly wanted no more ties? Even if he'd stormed out with them in a fit of defiance at first, if he really wanted nothing to do with it, he'd have destroyed them by now.
Maybe he didn't trust us enough to hand them over. Or perhaps he thought the time wasn't right.
"Please. Just go."
Yu Minhyuk stopped trying to close the door and started actively shoving us out. I couldn't hold on anymore, and he locked the pharmacy entrance.
Kang Minjae stood dazed in front of the pharmacy, sighing.
"Ha, what now?"
"......Yu Minhyuk definitely knows something."
"Yeah. He tried to stop the launch too. If we could team up, it'd feel like gaining a million troops."
Kang Minjae smacked his lips and shuffled toward the alley beside the pharmacy.
"What do we do?"
"Stay here for now and keep persuading him. Oh Yanghun said he'd clear his schedule through tomorrow."
"Got it. Hm, any place to crash around here? Doesn't look like there's even a motel."
Kang Minjae glanced around as he spoke. Sure enough, there were a few restaurants and teahouses, but no lodging.
"Young fellers."
A voice came from behind—an old woman sweeping in front of a small eatery deeper in the alley.
"Lookin' for a place to stay?"
"Ah, yes, ma'am. Haha. First time here, and no motels in sight."
"Ain't no motels 'round here. Outsiders don't come to this neck of the woods. Just us old folks."
"I see. Ha, any minbaks or guesthouses? We really got nowhere to crash."
"Why, sure there is."
She wiped her hands on her eye-searing floral apron and grinned.
"Got an empty room at my place. Just add two more settings to supper, fifty thousand won a head to bunk down! Whaddya say?"
"Whoa, really? Sounds perfect. Thank you!"
......No other options, but was this okay?
Her house was far from the town center. After bumping along a narrow unpaved road barely wide enough for one car, we reached a place with a glaring orange roof.
No garage—just a cramped spot by the asbestos wall where we parked. Inside, a white dog on a leash barked furiously at us strangers.
"Quiet, you mutt. Barkin' your head off every time someone shows. Shame on ya."
She scolded the dog coolly and led us in.
"Lemme see. Bit messy, but this room oughta do for two young fellers. How's it look?"
She slid open a dark sliding door, revealing a room. Mold spotted the wallpaper a bit, but it was decent enough. Basic furniture like a low desk and wardrobe, plus dumbbells lined against the wall.
"My boy's room."
"Oh, you have a son?"
Kang Minjae chimed in cheerfully.
"Yup. Workin' in Seoul now."
"Ah, I see. He into fitness, huh?"
"Loved it."
Kang Minjae hefted the dusty dumbbells, pretending to work out.
"If you need extra blankets or mats, just holler."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
"Supper done? I ain't et yet. Join me, I'll set extra places?"
"Sure!"
Kang Minjae answered brightly, but she stuck out her hand coolly.
Kang Minjae looked up, puzzled, and she said flatly,
"Up front."
Thus, Kang Minjae placed 100,000 won in her palm.
After supper, she brought sliced watermelon. Sitting on the porch eating it, she suddenly spoke up.
"So, what're you young fellers doin', arguin' like that at the pharmacy?"
"Ah, we're lawyers."
"Lawyers? Lordy, lawyers? Well, yer faces are all shiny and suits fancy—figured ya for rich folk. Lawyers, eh?"
"Haha, thanks."
"But what's yer business at that pharmacy?"
Kang Minjae glanced at me, asking if it was okay to say. Not some big secret, so I nodded.
"We need info crucial for our client, and that pharmacist knows it."
"That so? No wonder—he used to work at a big pharma company in Seoul."
"You know him too, ma'am?"
"'Course. Old folks here were shocked when he set up shop. Why'd a guy like that come to this backwater? Seoul success story, and Jinseong County's got no proper hospital. Folks here gotta trek to Gwangju if they're sick."
"Must be inconvenient."
"Damn right it is."
She clucked her tongue, slamming down a watermelon rind irritably.
"You lawyers know his brother worked here as a public health doc?"
"Public health doc?"
Public health doctors replace military service for med school grads. I had no idea Yu Minhyuk's brother had served here in Jinseong County.
"So that's why Yu Minhyuk came here after quitting Myungwha Pharma."
But public service lasts only three years. And she said "worked," past tense—so not anymore. Why come to Jinseong County so late to open a pharmacy?
"Lord no. You lawyers know nothin'."
As we looked baffled, she shook her head, clucking again.
"What happened?"
"Happened, alright."
"......What happened?"
"That pharmacist's brother—he died here."