Chapter 203
"Until the prosecution got involved, we were the first to break all these stories and it was fun, but lately it feels like there's nothing to do."
Jo Bongjun grumbled in a glum voice. Once the authorities started seriously investigating the Myungwha Pharma case, viewership had definitely dropped. Most of the initial influx had come from people curious about what would happen to Myungwha Pharma's stock, and they'd gotten what they wanted. It was only natural. The stock was now just scrap paper, and they'd obtained the info they craved.
Still, plenty of viewers remained captivated by Jo Bongjun and Choi Jonghyeon's banter.
"We pushed so hard for the state agencies to step in, and now they're doing their job. It'd look bad if we kept butting in—it wouldn't match what we said."
"Yeah, but those government bastards won't do it right, so we'll have stuff to rip into here and there."
"True, but we don't know when those screw-ups will surface, so we need other content anyway."
"How about running a survey with the viewers? Ask what kind of content they'd like from us?"
"We gotta stick to our brand. We've been digging up dirt from the start, so we need to find more to uncover."
"Hyung, you're the Wooshin expert. Anything left on Wooshin?"
"Plenty to do. But the evidence isn't ready yet. We paused the investigation mid-way to handle Myungwha Pharma."
"Then let's get back to that ASAP."
"Ah, no time. Gotta oversee the site development, and even with Myungwha, we still need to brief on case updates, so I've been keeping tabs."
"I can handle the monitoring. Man, I was just about to go all-in here, but why does everything keep getting in the way?"
Once this case wrapped, Jo Bongjun planned to dive fully into broadcasting and the online media outlet with Choi Jonghyeon. He'd already moved all his stuff from his family home to the officetel. Choi Jonghyeon had done the same. They'd even decided to live together there, producing content side by side, and sold off their old places.
"Weren't you guys prepping to launch a media company?"
"Nah, it's the NIS dragging their feet on the site dev."
"That's 'cause you keep demanding more features, hyung. And maintaining the site costs money nonstop—adding functions jacks up the bill. We can't mooch off Lawyer Cha forever."
Jo Bongjun said this with a glance my way. They were covering the officetel rent themselves now, so my expenses had gone down. Even if maintenance ate into the dev budget, it was fine.
"Doesn't matter to me."
"C'mon, still..."
"Once the site's done, we slap on ads and cover costs easy."
"Exactly—gotta finish the site to add ads, but you're asking for the moon!"
"If we're doing it, might as well do it right. Is that so wrong?"
That sparked it. Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun started bickering in earnest. Ever since teaming up, their visions hadn't quite aligned, leading to frequent spats. The biggest flashpoint was Choi Jonghyeon's laundry list of site features. Whenever they deadlocked, they'd call me to settle who was right. I'd channel Prime Minister Hwang Hui and say both had merit—since I was funding part of it, picking sides might tip the scales unfairly. Honestly, I thought they both had points. This must be the sorrow of partnership. Good thing I went solo.
"Enough, you two. If you're out of broadcast ideas, I can give you one."
"Huh? For real?"
I cut in as their voices rose, fearing actual bloodshed. As expected, they halted and gaped at me.
"What is it?"
I still didn't know how far my future knowledge extended in this timeline. But one thing was certain: some events persisted unchanged. Cases starting in 2008 or earlier that dragged on, or issues untouched by my interventions. What I was about to share fell into the former category.
My future intel only spanned a decade anyway. Once reality caught up to my old 2018, I'd be cheat-less. I was prepared for that, so I had to milk what I could before then.
"I was gonna loop you in once my side settled, but since you're bored, go ahead and run with it now. Here's the deal..."
"The deal?"
"Kang, what're you up to after work today?"
"Today? Isn't there a team dinner?"
Kang Minjae, who'd been staring bored at his monitor, perked up with sudden energy. Regular salarymen usually dodged dinners like the plague—at least I did. But Kang Minjae seemed parched for one. Quirky guy.
"Not dinner, just grab a bite."
"A lawyer inviting me to dinner first? People say sudden changes mean trouble..."
Kang eyed Oh Yanghun the office manager anxiously.
"Office Manager, something up with the lawyer?"
"Pfft, case is wrapped. Just dinner, that's all."
Oh waved dismissively while hammering the keyboard.
"Really? Can I pick the spot?"
"Sure."
"What're you craving, Office Manager?"
"Nah, gotta head home early tonight."
"Aw, seriously? Tomorrow then?"
"No, you two enjoy. I've got early nights all week."
"Everything okay at home?"
"Yeah, nothing like that. Don't worry."
Oh added reassurance. Kang smacked his lips disappointedly and started Googling spots.
"How 'bout this? Just messengered it."
The link showed reviews for a lively nearby barbecue joint, the kind with perpetual lines.
"Not that vibe. Somewhere quiet."
"Quiet, huh. Chinese?"
"Sounds good. Yeonhwaheon? That was decent."
"Yeonhwaheon it is. Reservation for 6:30?"
"Yeah."
As he dialed, Kang looked up.
"Private room or hall?"
"Room."
"Got it."
Kang wrapped the rez excitedly, buzzing that we'd leave at 6.
"Back to work."
"...Yes, sir."
Too eager? Kang's grin deflated; shoulders slumped back to his screen. Oh glanced up at me slyly. We exchanged looks, no words.
At 6 sharp, we locked up. Post-bugging incident, we'd added security. Checkout protocols lengthened. I watched Kang scan his card blankly till Oh checked his watch.
"I'm off first. Gotta hustle."
"Yes, sir. Get home safe. Good work today."
"You too."
After Oh left, Kang and I headed to Yeonhwaheon. Reserved room had settings for two. Pre-order, perusing the menu, Kang probed.
"Drink with?"
"Sure."
"Chinese screams baijiu."
Kang ordered the course smoothly. Appetizers hit soon after. Midway through silent eating, he spoke.
"Heard Western District Chief Park Younggi's up for promotion."
"Oh?"
Playing dumb, Kang nodded.
"Buddy said so. Park pulled big weight on Myungwha. You hear nothing?"
"Not that tight. Just shop talk on Myungwha during the probe."
"Gotcha. What about Senior Jung Changyun? You said he half-assed it."
"Even so, with the board set, he hustled. Hates challenging norms, but greenlit from above? Nails it."
"Ah."
Kang chattered nonstop, inhaling food faster than me. I eyed his mouth, suspecting no chewing.
Mains arrived with his beloved baijiu. Thirsty for it, he hogged the bottle—meat bite, sip, repeat.
"Sucks Office Manager missed this. Sure nothing's up at home?"
"Nah. He's been late with friends lately; daughter chewed him out."
"Haha. Hearing his family stories makes me wanna start one. Looks so wholesome—daughters get along great with him. Fathers and daughters ain't always easy."
"True."
"Heard the girls even give him pocket money now. Must feel proud."
With all the Myungwha time alongside Jo and Choi, I'd skipped office days. Kang, chatty by nature, was extra today—like he'd saved it up.
"Your special investigator gig's done now, right?"
"Probes continue, but I did my part. Health Ministry and FSC are in; no need for me."
"Great. Time for our next case? Had two consults yesterday."
"Kang."
"Yes?"
I set down my chopsticks. He froze, eyeing me.
"Truth is, I called you out alone 'cause I have something to say."
"...Figured. Bad news?"
"Probably."
He chuckled awkwardly, fiddling his glass.
"...What?"
I hesitated. I'd anticipated this since hiring him—keep him till I dove deep, then part. But now, words stuck.
Still, had to say it. Couldn't stall forever.
"Kang, I think it's best if you stop coming to the office now."