Big Life

Chapter 164: Make It Up, If There’s None (8)

"Yes. I'm not sure if he has returned safely. Ah, yes. I have. Yes, I'll contact you again. Have a good rest."

Ha Jae-Gun hung up the call and got on the elevator. He had just arrived at the writer's office after his meeting with Li Ziting.

"Oh, Jae-Gun hyung. You're early." Lee Yeon-Woo greeted as he paused while working on his novel.

Ha Jae-Gun headed to the windowsill and picked up Rika. He hugged her before saying to Lee Yeon-Woo, "I thought we would stay until after dinner, but it ended much earlier than expected since Mr. Li Ziting said that he was feeling tired.

"Anyway, why are you alone here?"

"Min-Ho hyung and Eun-Young noona went to the cinema, and Hyun-Kyung hyung broke his keyboard, so he went to Yi-Mart to get a new one."

"Really? Then let's have dinner together, just the two of us."

"Sure, what would you like to have?"

"Let's go out first, and we'll decide from there."

"All right, hyung. Just give me a moment to save my document." Lee Yeon-Woo saved his file and turned off the program.

He was about to turn off his laptop when Ha Jae-Gun stopped him and said, "Wait. Send that to me first."

"Pardon?"

"You finished Objection up to volume four, right? I'll read it while we have dinner, so send it to me."

"Ah… okay," Lee Yeon-Woo replied feebly, his face looking downcast.

Ha Jae-Gun noticed the change and asked immediately, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"..."

"What is it?"

"Um…" Lee Yeon-Woo scratched the back of his head and stood up awkwardly as if he had shat in his pants. "I tried my best, but… I think it's boring."

"That's why I'm going to take a look at it. What did President Kwon say?"

"I haven't shown him the manuscript for volume three."

"All right, just send it over. You've always been doing this, so why are you hesitating so much today?"

Ha Jae-Gun and Lee Yeon-Woo grabbed a table at a restaurant nearby. Between them was a huge boiling pot of mixed stew. Ha Jae-Gun did not pick up his spoon but was reading Lee Yeon-Woo's manuscript instead.

"Hmm…"

Ha Jae-Gun fixed his horn-rimmed glasses and tilted his head to the side. Meanwhile, that action alone got Lee Yeon-Woo's shoulders trembling slightly.

"I'm done reading it."

Lee Yeon-Woo's heart dropped. It wasn't the usual I enjoyed reading it, but I'm done reading it. Having known Ha Jae-Gun for a while, Lee Yeon-Woo could somewhat decipher the meaning behind Ha Jae-Gun's words.

His impression was definitely negative.

"Yeon-Woo."

Ha Jae-Gun put his phone down and looked straight at the latter. Lee Yeon-Woo slowly looked up amidst his anxiety.

"Do you want to have soju?"

"Ah, sure… hyung."

Ha Jae-Gun flipped the soju bottle and hit the base with his elbow a few times.

Lee Yeon-Woo looked blankly at him and asked, "I've been wondering for a while, but why do you do that before opening the bottle?"

"This way makes it easier to empty out instead of just purely shaking the bottle."

"Really? Is there any evidence supporting this?"

"Yeon-Woo, don't be too nitpicky. That isn't you."

The two laughed. They filled each other's glasses and made a toast.

After finishing a shot, Ha Jae-Gun said, "Don't write so impatiently."

"..."

"You did well until the second half of volume three, but the story that followed felt heavy. Instead of the main character's growth, you seem to have put more focus on his internal conflicts.

"It is especially pronounced in volume four when the president of a large corporation suddenly appears and offers to set up his own practice for him. It's a fantasy story, but I think that was too forced."

"I actually thought of that as well. I think I forced it because I couldn't think of any other way to develop the story."

"Well, that does happen. It's fine; we can fix it."

Ha Jae-Gun then picked up the soju bottle and offered to pour another glass for Lee Yeon-Woo. Lee Yeon-Woo raised his glass with both hands and scrunched his nose.

"I'll keep doing my best."

"You can just keep doing what you've done, but don't feel nervous. Here, let's toast for the success of Objection."

Lee Yeon-Woo grinned and emptied his second shot. He portioned a plate of stew onto Ha Jae-Gun's plate and asked, "How was your time spent with Mr. Li Ziting?"

"Oh, we talked about a lot of things, and I even got to ask about the things I was curious about in his novels. It was like a dream come true."

Ha Jae-Gun then pulled out a Chinese language book from his bag.

"I bought this on the way here. I'm thinking of picking up the language."

"Mandarin?"

"I found it quite tough when we always had to wait for the interpreter while conversing. Mr. Li Ziting can't speak English either, so I can only start learning the language myself."

"Wow, as expected of Ha Jae-Gun hyung. Your decision-making is the best."

Lee Yeon-Woo put a spoonful of food into his mouth and glanced at the TV.

The highlight of tonight's 8 PM news was being shown.

"Huh?" Lee Yeon-Woo raised an eyebrow as he watched the TV in the distance.

The news was about Ha Jae-Gun and Li Ziting’s meeting.

“Ha Jae-Gun hyung, they’re talking about you on TV.”

“Me?”

Ha Jae-Gun turned around to watch, and his eyes widened. He had only met Li Ziting for a few hours today, but it was already on the news?

Lee Yeon-Woo took out his phone to check out the articles online.

“I think some people recognized you on the streets and shared the photos on their social media. It seems like the reporters all gathered out front at the hotel he’s staying at.”

“Really…?”

Ha Jae-Gun took out his phone as well and wrote Li Ziting on the search portals. He clicked on the most recently posted article, which showed Li Ziting being swarmed by a large group of reporters with the hotel’s entrance in the background.

~

[...Li Ziting then said, “There was a Korean writer whom I really liked and respected. I was so sure that I wouldn’t be able to see any other writer like him in Korea before I die.” and added, “But I changed my mind after knowing Writer Ha Jae-Gun.”]

~

Ha Jae-Gun was moved while reading the article. On top of that, he became extremely curious about the subject of Li Ziting's admiration. The article continued.

~

[...At the question on the identity of the Korean writer, Li Ziting answered, “He had already passed.” and retreated into the hotel.]

~

They already passed…?’

That single line was deeply engraved in his mind. Why did it feel so strong to him?

Ha Jae-Gun repeated that line several times silently.

“Hyung, what’s wrong?”

“Wait, let me make a call.”

Ha Jae-Gun called Li Ziting’s interpreter. As soon as the call went through, Ha Jae-Gun asked, “I’m really sorry, but can you help me ask about the identity of the Korean writer Mr. Li Ziting mentioned to the reporters?”

— Please wait a moment.

Ha Jae-Gun could hear their conversation in Mandarin. The unknown expectation got Ha Jae-Gun so anxious that he bit his lips unknowingly.

Thinking back, Li Ziting had said something weird the first time they met. He mentioned that he could feel two conflicting energies in Ha Jae-Gun, and he could apparently read Ha Jae-Gun’s soul.

Everyone laughed at the time, but it wasn't a joke for Ha Jae-Gun, who had inherited Seo Gun-Woo's talents.

‘If the person Mr. Li Ziting is referring to is actually the Elder…’

It was too far-fetched, but Ha Jae-Gun couldn't let go of that sliver of hope. After a while, the interpreter returned to the call.

— I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. He says it’s the late Mr. Kang Byeong-Ha.

“...Mr. Kang Byeong-Ha?”

As Ha Jae-Gun repeated the name, he felt his nervousness go away. That name was familiar to him as well. Their works were so popular in Korea that his short stories were included in the textbooks. At the very least, they weren't Seo Gun-Woo.

— Yes, he said the novel Middle of Jongo was a unique masterpiece. It was by far the best among all of the late Mr. Kang Byeong-Ha's works, but it's even hard to get his hands on one for him. Mr. Li Ziting also said that he doesn't have a copy.

"Thank you so much. I'll make sure to look out for it."

Ha Jae-Gun hung up and looked up the name Kang Byeong-Ha. An old black-and-white profile picture, as well as his profile biography, showed up on the search results.

'Born in Gyeongju in 1929… Died of neurasthenia in 1995…'

Was it because he was bored with the texts from his textbooks, or was it because there were too many books available in this world for Ha Jae-Gun to read?

Ha Jae-Gun realized that he had never encountered any other works by Kang Byeong-Ha except for the ones included in the textbooks.

'He said it was Middle of Jongno, right…?'

Ha Jae-Gun looked it up and soon found out that there was nowhere else that sold the said book, but the reason was quite unexpected.

~

[...Kang Byeong-Ha had rejected all literary awards awarded to his masterpiece, Middle of Jongno. He even terminated the contract with his publisher and recalled all the first edition copies of the book. In this process, hundreds of those books went missing and have become rare copies…]

~

'He rejected all the awards and even terminated his contracts…?'

It was the very reason why Li Ziting had said it was tough to get a physical copy of the masterpiece. Just what exactly happened? What made him decide to hide his incredible masterpiece from the world when it had received such high compliments from even a Nobel Prize-winning writer?

'I really want to read it…'

He scoured through the internet desperately trying to find if he could get his hands on a copy of the book, but to no avail.

“Hyung, you should still eat.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Bzzt!

Just as he was about to pick up his spoon, Oh Myung-Suk called.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled wryly at Lee Yeon-Woo and answered the call.

“Yes, editor-in-chief.”

— I’ve just seen the articles. How was the date with Mr. Li Ziting? Was it fun?

“Yeah. I didn’t know there were people watching us. Ah, editor-in-chief. Can I ask you something?”

— Sure, go ahead.

“Do you possibly know of the late Mr. Kang Byeong-Ha’s novel, Middle of Jongno?”

— Mm… Yes. You’re talking about the novel that was recalled, right?

“Yes. Mr. Li Ziting said it’s the best novel he’s read by far. I really want to read it, but there’s no way I can get my hands on one. So I was just wondering if you have any idea…”

Ha Jae-Gun trailed off, and Oh Myung-Suk immediately continued.

— I have a copy with me.

“What? Really?”

— Why are you so surprised? It should be in my study, I’ll look for it.

“Ah, thank you so much, editor-in-chief. I’m so touched.”

— Hahaha. Buy me dinner next time, then. I’ll look for it and give you a call again.

“Thank you, editor-in-chief. I’ll be waiting for your news.”

***

Beep!

After the call with Ha Jae-Gun, Oh Myung-Suk headed to the study. It was a spacious room where over 50,000 books were stored since he was sharing it with his father.

‘Hmm, it should be somewhere here…’

Following his hazy memory, Oh Myung-Suk walked toward a corner of the room. The door opened behind him, and in came Oh Tae-Jin.

“Myung-Suk, let’s have dinner first.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll be there after finding a book.” Oh Myung-Suk’s eyes and hands did not leave the books and only kept searching.

Curious, Oh Tae-Jin approached and asked, “Let me help. What book are you looking for?”

“Ah, Middle of Jongno.”

“Middle of Jongno…?”

“It’s written by the late Mr. Kang Byeong-Ha. Father, you know him too, right?” Oh Myung-Suk turned around, looking at his father with a smile.

Oh Tae-Jin’s expression hardened. He gulped and asked, “Why are you looking for that book all of a sudden?”

“Writer Ha Jae-Gun wants to read it.”

“What…?”

“He said that Mr. Li Ziting had high praises for the book, so he wanted to read it, but he couldn't get a copy. He asked me if I could help him in any way. Ah, I found it.” Oh Myung-Suk smiled as he pulled out an old-looking book.

Oh Myung-Suk turned around again with the book in hand, but his smile disappeared. His father stood before him, looking pale as a ghost.

“Father?”

“...”

“Father, what’s wrong?”

“Hmm…? Mm, no, it’s nothing.”

Oh Tae-Jin shook his head despite still being flustered. The fragments of memories that he still couldn’t erase from his mind floated in his mind.

“Oh, you found it? Let's go have dinner.”

“Yes, I’m starving. Let’s go.”

While the entire family gathered around for dinner, Oh Tae-Jin couldn't shake off his doubts. He had already noted two coincidences in a row with Ha Jae-Gun, and Middle of Jongno had just become the third.

~

That night, Oh Tae-Jin couldn’t sleep a wink, so he sat on the sofa in the living room. Large drops of rain hit the window panes endlessly. Before him sat a large bottle of old ginseng wine, and he was staring at it mindlessly.

“President, why are you still awake?”

“Ah, Department Head Gu. Great job today. Come and have a seat.”

Department Head Gu sat politely across from Oh Tae-Jin. The man was in his early forties and inherited his late father’s job of taking care of the second generation of the Oh household—Oh Tae-Jin and his family.

“Did you wake because of the thunder?”

“No, I was just thinking of the past…”

Just then, another bright flash of light shone, and a deafening roar followed.

Department Head Gu waited until the noise subsided before continuing, “If it’s alright with you, you may talk to me about it, President.”

“It’s nothing special to talk about.”

Despite saying that, Oh Tae-Jin was evidently wavering. The night would feel so suffocating and unbearable if he could not release all those pent-up memories.

“Many years ago…”