Big Life

Chapter 161: Make It Up, If There’s None (5)

Heavy silence covered the entire office.

Seeing his own son down on his knees, Nam Gyu-Baek realized two things: Nam Gyu-Ho had found a girl that he really liked, but the girl's social status wouldn't meet his standards.

“A girl… you like?” Nam Gyu-Baek asked with a sour look.

Nam Gyu-Ho, still on his knees by Nam Gyu-Baek’s feet, nodded. “Please stop arranging marriages for me.”

“What kind of person is she?”

Before answering, Nam Gyu-Ho gulped. “She’s a kind family woman and a gentle—”

“When did I ask about her personality? I’m asking about her job.”

“An.. educator.”

“What kind of educator?”

“Teaching… students….”

The vague answer got Nam Gyu-Baek gritting his teeth.

Nam Gyu-Ho couldn't help it. If he told the truth, let alone giving him his permission, his father would immediately destroy everything in the office.

"Are you joking with me right now?"

"Please don't say it like that. It's not like that, Father." Nam Gyu-Ho replied, looking up. However, he looked down once more upon meeting Nam Gyu-Baek's fierce gaze.

"How old is she?"

"..."

"You can't hear me? How old is she?"

"She's younger than me."

Nam Gyu-Baek was about to flip. He couldn't hold back himself and yelled, "Of course, she must be younger than you! You're already thirty-eight this year! So, how old is she?!"

Nam Gyu-Baek's loud voice pervaded the entire office.

Nam Gyu-Ho stood up and begged. "Please just wait a while more, Father. I'll tell you everything once I'm done with the preparations."

"What preparations?! Are you going to register your marriage and live together without my knowledge?!"

"You know that's not going to happen. Please don't say anything more and wait for me. Even a plane needs some time on the runway before taking off. I need some time as well if I'm going to deliver good news to you."

Nam Gyu-Ho knew that his persuasion was immensely lacking, contributing to his own impatience. It was difficult to erase the doubts on Nam Gyu-Baek's face.

Nam Gyu-Baek headed to the water dispenser and helped himself to a glass of cold water. He took in deep breaths while looking up at the ceiling, and then he placed the glass down with a loud thud.

"How long do I have to wait?"

"Uh, half a year, no. Just one year. I'll tell you within a year."

Nam Gyu-Baek turned around around coldly.

Nam Gyu-Ho looked back down on the floor, not daring to face his father's anger.

"Do you really like her?"

"...Yes."

"So you like her, but you're not at the stage to introduce her to me yet?"

"Yes."

"And you can't tell me the reason?"

"I can only apologize."

Nam Gyu-Baek groaned softly and held his throbbing head. He could already tell that the woman who wouldn't meet his standards would most likely fail to become a suitable bride for his son, even if he gave his son a year.

However, Nam Gyu-Baek couldn't be stubborn either. His son had inherited his stubbornness as well, so things would just become chaotic if they were to continue arguing.

After some pondering, Nam Gyu-Baek decided to give his son a chance.

"You will still meet Chairman Han next Sunday as arranged." Nam Gyu-Baek looked at the miserable Nam Gyu-Ho and added, "It's a promise, so you have to show up, even if it's just to show your face. And as for the girl you like, I'll give you until the end of this year to bring her to me."

"Father…?"

"There's still five months until the year ends. Why? You can't do it?"

"N-no. I understand. I'll do it." Nam Gyu-Ho nodded profusely. He had begged for a year’s time, hoping that he could even get a month from his father. However, his father had ended up giving him five months; it was a huge harvest.

“Thank you, Father.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Will you be heading home? Let me drive you back.”

“Forget it. Don’t loiter around and just get out of the way already.”

Nam Gyu-Ho sent his father off to the elevator and returned looking dejected.

The employees cast strange gazes at him.

‘Well, I did put out the urgent fire…’

With this, he wouldn’t have to worry about getting arranged marriages for the time being. However, he knew that his peace would inevitably get shattered. He had to make a move, or things would become even more troublesome for him next year.

Gyu-Ho took out his phone immediately upon returning to his office.

He looked up Ha Jae-In’s number on his phone. There was a debt that he had yet to collect from her. He didn't force it; Ha Jae-In had insisted on it herself.

— Hello, Director.

Ha Jae-In’s voice sounded both energetic and surprised. Nam Gyu-Ho felt his fatigue vanish as he sat down on the sofa.

“Are you busy?”

— No, I’m free. Please speak.

“I was just wondering how you are doing. Are there still reporters hanging outside your house? Please let me know if they are bothering you. I can handle them for you.” Nam Gyu-Ho felt like hitting himself on the head upon saying that.

He didn’t mean to talk about this over the phone.

Ha Jae-In’s laughter entered his ears through the speakers.

— It’s quiet now; thank you for your concern, Director.

“Hm, I see.”

Nam Gyu-Ho stood up. He rubbed his nose, feeling anxious. He couldn't sit still. As he paced around the office, he asked hesitantly, “Um, Principal, do you…”

— Yes?

“Do you like steak? What I mean is… Since we’re going to have a meal, why don't we eat something you like?”

“…”

There was no immediate answer.

A few seconds of silence felt like a few hours to Nam Gyu-Ho.

Finally, Ha Jae-In gasped.

— Ah, I see. Director, I was just recalling what you were referring to. I’m sorry, I’m quite slow-witted. You’re referring to when I said that I wanted to treat you to a meal, right?

“Hm, well… yes, that’s right.”

— I do like steak, but I don’t have it often. I'm not picky with food, so you may decide with the menu and place, Director.

“Let’s go with steak, then,” Nam Gyu-Ho replied. He already had the best restaurant in mind. It was a place perfect for the gentle Ha Jae-In.

“How about this weekend?”

— Ah, this weekend?

“Do you already have something on…?”

— We’re going on a five-day, four-night family trip. I’m sorry, but can we do it next weekend instead?

“No problem. I’ll see you next weekend then.”

— Sure, Director. Thank you. I’ll contact you again.

Nam Gyu-Ho ended the call, feeling thrilled. He went to stand next to the window and looked out of the city. The sun scorched him, but he could no longer feel the heat as anxiety filled his heart.

If only Nam Gyu-Ho had met her a year earlier, he would have been on a trip with her at the moment.

“…Let’s work hard together, Mr. Jae-Gun.”

Nam Gyu-Ho hoped that Ha Jae-Gun would reach greater heights so that he wouldn't have to scale more than two walls. Nam Gyu-Ho repeated those words to himself several times while looking down at the city.

***

“I’ll be leaving now.”

“What? You're leaving already? You should at least eat first before leaving.”

“I'm going with the other writers.”

“Have a rest first before going. You’ve been driving a lot lately.”

Both Myung-Ja and Ha Jae-In tried to stop Ha Jae-Gun from leaving.

The family had just returned from their five-day, four-night family trip from Hawaii.

“I’m not that tired. I’ve been sleeping on the plane as well. Father and Mom, please rest well today. You should sleep early, too, noona.”

Ha Jae-Gun put on his shoes and headed to his car.

Following Ha Jae-Gun, Ha Jae-In asked, “You’re heading to Cheongpyeong?”

“Yeah. The others have deadlines, so we decided to go somewhere nearby.”

“Are you sure you’re not tired? Why don’t you just take a cab instead?”

“I told you I’m fine. Bye.”

Ha Jae-Gun left his worried sister and started the car.

The silver car he had received as a gift from Oh Myung-Suk glided along the main road. Soon, he arrived at the writer’s office. They had gathered by the road with their luggage in tow. Ha Jae-Gun turned the steering wheel and stopped by the roadside.

“I’m almost late. Get on.”

“Wow, this car looks great. Please excuse me, Writer Ha.”

Jang Eun-Young, Kang Min-Ho, Yang Hyun-Kyung, and Lee Yeon-Woo climbed into the car. The backseat was large enough to seat four people. Naturally, Jung So-Mi took the front passenger seat, and Rika curled up on her lap.

“Rika, how have you been? Thanks for looking after her, Ms. Jung So-Mi.”

“No, Rika was the one looking after me. She wakes me up better than my alarm.”

Just then, Lee Yeon-Woo thought of something. “Jae-Gun hyung, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else and got into the car. I should be driving, so please let me drive.”

“I’m the one who suggested going on this trip, so I’ll be the chauffeur today. We’ll be setting off, then.”

Ha Jae-Gun entered the address of the pension house he had reserved into the navigator and stepped on the accelerator.

Seeing the quiet road, Jang Eun-Young said happily, “I really like how traffic is so great during weekdays. This is one of the perks that we enjoy as freelancers. Thanks a lot, Writer Ha.”

Kang Min-Ho and Yang Hyun-Kyung chimed in.

“Yeah. If it hadn't been for Writer Ha, we wouldn’t have something like a summer vacation. There are fast-approaching deadlines, after all.”

“I, Yang Hyun-Kyung, will be in charge of the barbeque for the entire trip.”

Everyone laughed in the car.

Ha Jae-Gun had arranged the pleasant trip. The writers holed up in the office were intoxicated by the freedom they got to enjoy in the meantime.

“Wow, Oscar’s Dungeon is incredible!”

Jang Eun-Young exclaimed as she scrolled through the Internet on her phone.

Intrigued, Kang Min-Ho looked over her shoulder and asked, “What news is it about this time?”

“Look. Oscar’s Dungeon hit two million downloads in half a month! The most popular mobile game this year! It’s also ranked first place on both the App Store and Googol Play!”

The commotion coming from behind made Ha Jae-Gun smile awkwardly. He had heard of it before them. He was relieved to see that the game was performing much better than expected.

The burden he felt in the face of the upcoming meeting with Teencent at the end of the month disappeared completely, and it was all thanks to the stellar performance of Oscar's Dungeon

“Ah, I should go on Oscar’s Dungeon while we’re on the road.”

“Me, too.”

“What? I thought we’d be chatting on the way there and have been holding myself back. I’ll play too, then.”

Eventually, all the writers, except Ha Jae-Gun, launched the game on their phones. Ha Jae-Gun glanced to his side and burst into a chuckle. Jung So-Mi had joined the rest as well, launching the game on her phone.

“Nice, Berserker Poongchun-Yoo is on the move.”

“What? That was you, Yeon-Woo? I was wondering who used the name Poongchun-Yoo.”

“As your number one fan, it's not strange at all."

"Is anyone here using Rika’s name?”

“It’s not me or Hyun-Kyung.”

“It’s not me either. I’m Bucheonibbuni.”

Just then, Jung So-Mi raised her hand shyly and muttered, “…I’m Rika.”

“Haha, really? I thought it would be someone else; it's a common name, after all. Hey, Rika. You should treat your So-Mi unni well.”

Ha Jae-Gun reached out and stroked Rika. Jung So-Mi was caught off guard by the feeling of Ha Jae-Gun stroking Rika, who lay on her lap. She secretly hoped that he would continue stroking Rika until they arrived at their destination.

***

“Are you sure this necktie doesn't look weird? It looks like it'll stand out?”

“How many times must I tell you that it looks good on you? Why are you so nervous today? It’s so unlike you,” Shin Dong-Mi said as she patted the dust off Kwon Tae-Won’s suit.

Kwon Tae-Won looked at himself in the full-length mirror, looking slightly stiff.

“How could I not be nervous? I never really expected that I would one day get to venture into such deep waters. What if I make a mistake while I’m there?”

“It’s just on a different scale. The things you and they do are essentially the same. Plus, you’re the President of Laugh Books. Be confident.”

Shin Dong-Mi grabbed his shoulders and opened them wide.

Pushing him to the door, she added, “You always said that you managed to achieve this much thanks to Writer Ha, and I agree with that. However, you did a lot as well.

"Look at how Writer Ha has been staying by your side. He’s successful, but he's still working with you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yeah.” Kwon Tae-Won put on his shoes and turned around with a smile.

Shin Dong-Mi pulled him into a hug and patted his back. “I believe in you. Be confident out there.”

“Okay. I’ll be back early.”

“Come back when you’re done. I won’t say anything even if you stay out tonight.”

“I won’t stay out tonight. I’ll call you once I can.”

Instead of driving, Kwon Tae-Won walked to the roadside to hail a taxi.

The driver wound up the window and turned on the air conditioner.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Please go to 63 Building.”

As the car drove away, Kwon Tae-Won collected himself. The years of his career in the publishing industry flashed across his mind as if he were walking down memory lane.

He had struggled throughout his career until now. He could still remember how he worked tirelessly without even thinking about eating just to meet certain KPIs, and he could still remember his struggle when he founded Laugh Books.

Regardless, Kwon Tae-Won overcame those challenges.

And he believed that it was all because of a certain writer…

Thanks to that writer, he was about to reach greater heights.

Kwon Tae-Won’s heart pounded madly with thrill and joy.

Bzzt!

Kwon Tae-Won took out his phone.

The name on the screen got him answering it immediately with a smile.

“Yes, Writer Ha Jae-Gun. I'm on my way.”