Big Life

Chapter 272: How Far Can I Go (4)

“Let’s do that for the execution ground dungeon. Okay, we’ll end the meeting here today. Great work everyone.”

“Great work too, team leader.” The members of the planning team walked out of the meeting room one by one.

Lee Soo-Hee remained in her seat, working away on her laptop. She was organizing the minutes of the meeting. Lee Soo-Hee was so focused that she failed to realize that someone else had come into the meeting room.

“You’re continuing the meeting alone again today.”

“Oh, Director.” Lee Soo-Hee smiled as she turned around. Nam Gyu-Ho was all ready to knock off as he held his outer jacket in one arm.

“Is this for the execution ground dungeon?”

“Yes, I was just organizing the assets. Now I’m done.”

“I feel like I’ve interrupted you.”

“Not at all. Please give me a few minutes; just five minutes will do.”

“Take your time. There’s still time left.”

Their addresses for each other hadn’t changed despite the addition of a new relationship line—being on the father-in-law and brother-in-law’s side. Those additional addresses just couldn’t come out of their mouths. At least, Nam Gyu-Ho would be less formal when it was just the two of them around.

This was also after Lee Soo-Hee had urged him multiple times to do so.

“About the planning team’s Ms. Hye-Mi,” Nam Gyu-Ho said, pulling out a chair to sit.

Lee Soo-Hee glanced at Nam Gyu-Ho while typing away on her laptop. “Did anything happen to her? She seems to be quite out of it these days. Or was it just me?”

“I feel the same way too. She has been making quite a bit of mistakes these days and has been very quiet lately.”

“Did something happen to her at home?”

“I’m planning to ask her about it sometime soon too. I’ve worked with her for some time now, so I’m quite worried, too.”

“Sure. You’ve always been great at game planning or team management anyway.”

“Why don’t you stop with the compliments and give me a raise instead?”

“I’d rather you take over the director position. I’ll be the team leader instead.”

They burst into laughter at the end of the series of jokes. They had become closer as days went by after becoming more than just colleagues.

“I’m all done now. I’ll be ready after uploading this to the server and grabbing my bag.”

“I said you can take your time.” Lee Soo-Hee and Nam Gyu-Ho then stepped out of the office together.

There were a few members of the graphic team working overtime. Among them, a female employee watched Lee Soo-Hee’s back with envy and let out a sigh.

“I never dreamed that I would see scenes from dramas happen in real life.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’m very envious of Team Leader Lee Soo-Hee.”

“That again? If you keep that joke up, it’s going to eat you up in the future, Deputy Oh. Calm down and make sure you don’t make any mistakes in your work.”

The conversation had been overheard by the new member of their team. “Deputy Oh, what do you mean by scenes from drama happening in real life?”

“Mr. Kyung-Chul, you really don’t know?”

“Yeah, I’m clueless.” The new employee said and fixed his thick horn-rimmed glasses. His crew-cut hair showed that he had just been recently discharged from the military.

“Team Leader Lee Soo-Hee’s husband is Writer Ha Jae-Gun.”

“Ha Jae-Gun…? Huh…? That Writer Ha Jae-Gun?!”

“You didn’t know at all? Not just that, the director whom she was with earlier, his wife is Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s older sister.”

“Wow, really? You aren’t joking, right?”

“You should watch some TV, Mr. Kyung-Chul. Anyway, I’m just very envious of them. I would have no worries in the world and just travel or play around for the rest of my life if I were them. How happy would my child be in the future, too.”

“Stop dreaming already and make sure you don’t make any mistakes!”

Nam Gyu-Ho and Lee Soo-Hee left the carpark amidst the murmurs of the graphics team. The address entered on the navigator was for Ha Jae-Gun’s house. They had agreed to have dinner together.

“I heard that over 200,000 copies have been sold in France?” Nam Gyu-Ho asked as he turned the steering wheel.

Lee Soo-Hee nodded with a light smile. “Yes, sales have been going up after The Malice has passed the second round of nominations.”

“How is he doing recently? Does he not feel burdened at all?”

“He’s quite strong mentally. I think he’s forgotten all about The Malice and has been working diligently on part two of The Breath."

“Okay, that’s good to hear. The Breath is more important to us at Nextion than The Malice.”

They soon arrived at Ha Jae-Gun’s house. Ha Jae-In had an apron on and was preparing dinner, but she stepped out to welcome the two of them upon hearing the car engine.

“Welcome, honey. Soo-Hee, welcome home.”

Nam Gyu-Ho’s fatigue from the workday was wiped out as soon as he saw his wife’s bright smile. As he was about to reach out for his wife, Ha Jae-In walked past him and grabbed Lee Soo-Hee’s hand instead.

“You must be hungry, right? The food is almost done; come on in.”

“Sorry, unni. I’ll head in and help you with the preparations.”

“There’s nothing left for you to do. Jae-Gun and I have prepared almost everything.”

Ha Jae-In pushed Lee Soo-Hee gently toward the porch. She was about to follow Lee Soo-Hee when she noticed her husband standing blankly in the distance.

“Why are you standing there? Come in.”

Nam Gyu-Ho did not answer and stayed motionless. Ha Jae-In found it strange, so she approached her husband and asked, “Did something happen?”

“Look here, Principal Ha Jae-In.” Nam Gyu-Ho slowly raised his head. He looked so distressed, like a child whose precious toy had been stolen from him.

“I'm your husband, right? Principal Ha Jae-In?”

“What are you talking about out of the blue?”

“Shouldn't you hold your husband’s hand first instead of someone else's hand?”

Ha Jae-In was stunned. Then, she burst out into a peal of laughter.

Nam Gyu-Ho frowned, seemingly getting angry. “I’m not joking.”

“I’m sorry for laughing. You’re just too cute that I couldn’t help it.”

“What?! How can you call a man cute…”

“I was too happy to see Soo-Hee after so long. We even had lunch together earlier, didn’t we? And we’re always together every day, no?” Ha Jae-In held Nam Gyu-Ho’s face in her hands, stroking him.

Nam Gyu-Ho felt like he was being treated as a child, so he decided to fight back, saying, “Then give me a kiss.”

“Enough, let’s go in.”

“I asked to kiss.”

“I’m sorry, Director Nam. I can’t stand the insects chirping out here.”

Nam Gyu-Ho grabbed Ha Jae-In’s wrist and pulled her in before kissing her on the lips.

Ha Jae-In’s passive resistance was futile, and she eventually put her arms around her husband’s neck.

Just then…

Clack.

“Noona, why are you and brother-in-law taking so lo—Ah, sorry. Please continue. Sorry.” Ha Jae-Gun turned around in a hurry and went back into the house. Ha Jae-In slapped Nam Gyu-Ho's back and buried her flushed face in her hands.

***

The four of them enjoyed the delicious dinner prepared by Ha Jae-In. Each of them had a glass of alcohol, and the liquor made the dinner even more enjoyable.

After their dinner, the group headed down to the basement for a second round. Ha Jae-In and Lee Soo-Hee prepared snacks at the bar while Ha Jae-Gun and Nam Gyu-Ho played some games.

“It’s 19 to 12.”

“Brother-in-law, don’t you think you’re being too mean?”

“No way. This is all according to the manual.”

“But it’s true. You fight a few times then come right in from under. Pick other characters, too. Let’s play fairly, hmm?”

“Alright then. Let’s do it randomly this time.”

“You can do random, and I’ll pick my character myself.”

“Wait, how is that fair? You asked to play fairly. You’re mean, brother-in-law.”

The two men continued their childish dispute.

Lee Soo-Hee and Ha Jae-In looked at each other, smiling helplessly.

“They’re just like the kids playing games at the neighborhood arcade shop.”

“But it’s nice to see them enjoying themselves so much,” Lee Soo-Hee said.

Ha Jae-In nodded in agreement. Then, she glanced at the clock on the wall, and her smile disappeared instantly.

“Please don’t worry too much.” Lee Soo-Hee whispered as she held Ha Jae-In's hand. She knew what Ha Jae-In was worried about. They were waiting for the final announcement of the Prix Goncourt from France. “Look at him; he’s enjoying himself and has forgotten it.”

Ha Jae-In then shifted her gaze to Ha Jae-Gun. She chuckled when she saw how Ha Jae-Gun was so focused on the game screen while pressing the buttons on the gamepad enthusiastically.

Just then…

Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Gun’s phone, which was left on the bar counter, vibrated.

“...!”

The room turned silent instantly as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them. Ha Jae-In and Lee Soo-Hee both turned pale. Even Nam Gyu-Ho stopped pressing the buttons on the gamepad and turned around reflexively. Everyone had been consciously ignoring it, hoping that Ha Jae-Gun wouldn’t feel too burdened.

“I’m sorry, brother-in-law. Let me answer this real quick.”

“It’s okay, take your time.”

Lee Soo-Hee picked up the phone and handed it to Ha Jae-Gun. The name shown on the caller ID was Oh Myung-Suk. It was almost 11 p.m. now, and Oh Myung-Suk wasn’t the type to call this late at night. Knowing that made Lee Soo-Hee’s chest inflate with anticipation.

“Hello, editor-in-chief.”

— Congratulations, Mr. Ha. The Malice has been selected as one of the final nominees.

Oh Myung-Suk announced the result as soon as Ha Jae-Gun answered the phone. A huge smile bloomed on Ha Jae-Gun’s face, and he let out a sigh of relief as he held Lee Soo-Hee’s hands.

“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you, Editor-in-chief. There’s nothing else I can hope for now. I’m really satisfied with the fact that I've been shortlisted.”

— I won’t say anything else lest you feel uncomfortable. There’s only a week left until the announcement of the award winner. Would you like to go on a holiday to Paris?

Ha Jae-Gun chuckled as he sensed the motive behind Oh Myung-Suk’s question.

“Nothing’s been confirmed yet.”

— That’s why I asked if you’d like to go on a holiday.

“Let me discuss this with my wife.”

— Sure. Oh, I have something else to tell you. Can you talk?

“Yes, please speak.”

Ha Jae-Gun winked at everyone else in the room and excused himself. Oh Myung-Suk's voice echoed from the phone.

— The readers' response to the letter you wrote for them in the forum for The Malice was great. The rumors have been expanded and began spreading on social media.

“Yes, I’ve seen it.”

The rumor that Oh Myung-Suk was referring to was “Eden Smith’s visit to Korea."

Readers were speculating that Eden Smith, the author of The Malice, would soon arrive in Korea to meet his readers. This was based on the letter that Ha Jae-Gun had penned. In the letter, one of the lines read, "I want to repay my Korean readers in the near future. This line alone brought forth various interpretations by readers."

Photos of gifts that readers had prepared for Eden Smith upon his visit to Korea were all over the forum.

“I think I should repay them as well, but…” Ha Jae-Gun trailed off. He recalled the time when he decided to use the name Eden Smith instead of his own. “But only after the Prix Goncourt results are announced. Regardless of the results, I want to challenge myself up until then before moving on.”

— I have the same thoughts, Mr. Ha. Your opinions are my utmost priority. And regardless of how we plan to repay them, both OongSung and I will give you the fullest support.

“Thank you always, Editor-in-chief.”

— Are you thanking me in advance knowing that I’ll prepare the flights for your trip to France?

“Hahaha, I’m sorry, but your jokes always sound awkward to me, Editor-in-chief.”

— It’s hard for me too; it feels awkward as well.

Ha Jae-Gun laughed heartily as he looked up into the night sky. There was a star that shone unusually bright tonight, and in Ha Jae-Gun's eyes, that shining star was his amazing editor-in-chief.

***

[Woo Jae-Hoon spouting nonsense again? “Ha Jae-Gun won’t be able to produce a work like The Malice even if he were reborn.”]

[Hot topics arising at the Prix Goncourt award ceremony]

October had passed, and it was already November. There was a crowd outside the Drouant restaurant in Paris, France. The Prix Goncourt awards ceremony was going to be held there today. There were a few Korean reporters among the horde of reporters, and there were also a few TV broadcast vehicles parked along the road.

The entrance to the restaurant was blocked as the announcement of the winners drew closer. A famous host in France started the live broadcast, and the area became so crowded that it was hard to walk around.

The scene proved that Prix Goncourt was indeed the most prestigious literature award in France.

“Is he really a Korean? Don’t you think that he might also be a Korean-American like the netizens have speculated?”

“We’ll know soon enough. Let’s see what he looks like.”

The two reporters seemed to be quite dissatisfied, as they were unable to enter the restaurant and couldn’t snap a photo as a result. They were forced to wait for the results while snacking on a piece of chocolate bar.

A while later, cheers roared from within the restaurant. Thunderous applause rang so loudly that even the crowd outside heard it loud and clear.

The Prix Goncourt winner was about to be announced.