Big Life

Chapter 28: Is This A Competition? (1)

“Writer Ha, let’s please have another round. But let’s have some beer instead.”

The authors’ gathering had ended, and everyone stood at the parking lots outside the restaurant. About a third of the original crowd had left, and only a dozen or so people had split up into smaller groups with the people they clicked with and were looking for their next destination for round two.

Ha Jae-Gun was also in one of the groups and was surrounded by other writers.

“Let’s go, Writer Ha. It’s only 9 p.m. Look, there’s a bar right across the street. We can just have a glass.”

“Yeah, Writer Ha. We should have some real fun while drinking, I mean, we’re men, right?”

Just then, a couple of female writers nearby joined the conversation.

“Are you discriminating females by leaving us out and going off to have fun on your own? We’re good at drinking beer as well, so let us join.”

“Wow, these beautiful writers want to join us for round two? Of course, we should include you, ladies. We’ll definitely take good care of you.”

The atmosphere was perfect, but Ha Jae-Gun only put on a faint smile and stood there without saying anything.

“Writer Ha, you’ll be joining us, right?” The writers looked at him earnestly. They seemed to have taken a huge liking to Ha Jae-Gun, even though today was the first time they met the latter.

Ha Jae-Gun was a dark horse, yes, but Ha Jae-Gun’s performance was only one of the reasons why they liked him. The biggest reason was Ha Jae-Gun’s modesty.

In addition to being humble and an active listener, Ha Jae-Gun's eyes would also shine brightly whenever he shared his opinions about novels and writing in general.

Ha Jae-Gun's serious and thoughtful attitude was more than enough for the writers to like him.

"I'm sorry, but I've had enough drinks for the day." Ha Jae-Gun shook his head and awkwardly rejected their invitation.

When he saw how the writers simultaneously let out sighs of disappointment, Ha Jae-Gun quickly added, "I have chores to do at home, but since we have exchanged numbers, we should meet again. I'll be leaving now."

Ha Jae-Gun wanted to continue writing, so he didn’t want to drink any more liquor. He drank some liquor today, so he could already see that he wouldn’t be able to write that much when he returned home.

Of course, there was still tomorrow. However, if he wanted to work as usual tomorrow, it would be best if he stopped drinking right now. This way, he would return to normal condition by morning.

"Well, we have no choice if you insist. It's a pity, but we won't hold you back any longer. But you must appear at the next authors’ meet. Good luck with your writing."

"Yes, thank you. Good luck to you as well. Enjoy yourselves, and please be careful on the way home." Ha Jae-Gun shook hands with each writer in the group, then turned around and left.

He spotted Kwon Tae-Won and Jung So-Mi standing side by side. They were smiling at him, and it seemed that they had been waiting for him.

Ha Jae-Gun was delighted to see Kwon Tae-Won because he hadn't seen the latter at all during the authors’ meet earlier.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes, I have to start writing again by tomorrow morning. What about the both of you?"

Kwon Tae-Won looked at his wristwatch before replying, "We'll be heading back soon since our job has ended for the day. Writer Ha, let me send you back home."

"No, it's fine. I can just take the subway, and it's not that far, anyway. I can take the chance to sober up while walking home."

"All right then. I hope your work will bring you great results. Please contact me whenever you're free. I'll be waiting."

"Of course, I'll definitely give you a call." Ha Jae-Gun and Kwon Tae-Won shook hands.

As a new member of the working society, Jung So-Mi had an innocent smile on her lips. She could feel the unique and warm energy between the two men, and she felt like they would still be friends for a long time in the future.

"Ms. So-Mi, how are you going to go back home?" Ha Jae-Gun asked.

"I'm taking the subway as well."

"Let's go together, then."

The pair sent off Kwon Tae-Won and walked together toward the nearest subway station. The night breeze was cold, and they were relaxed as they walked through the bustling summer night.

"Thank you for your help earlier." Jung So-Mi broke the silence.

Ha Jae-Gun looked at her. He looked puzzled at first, but he soon understood and smiled.

"I thought long and hard about your question, and it also reminded me that I was an editor." Jung So-Mi bit her plump lips. Her flushed face under the influence of alcohol made her look so cute that it made Ha Jae-Gun smile unknowingly.

"Why are you smiling?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Don't lie. You're making me curious. Tell me, why did you smile?" Jung So-Mi blocked Ha Jae-Gun’s way and started walking backward while facing him.

She wouldn't usually do something like this in front of Ha Jae-Gun, but after enjoying the drinks at the meet, she returned to her playful university student personality. It seemed that she temporarily forgot how she had to keep her image up as an editor.

"Be careful, you might fall over."

"So tell me already. Why did you sm—Ack!" Just then, Jung So-Mi stumbled over a piece of pavement block.

Ha Jae-Gun quickly lunged and grabbed both her arms. However, Jung So-Mi's shoe fell out and rolled away.

"Lean against that pole for a second."

"I-it's all right, Writer Ha! I'll go grab it myself!" Jung So-Mi was hopping over on one foot while yelling, but Ha Jae-Gun had already picked the shoe up and was on his way toward her.

"Here you go."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," Jung So-Mi apologized profusely as she lifted her leg and put on the shoe.

Hmm, was it because of the alcohol or the reflection from the bright lights shining at night? Jung So-Mi's legs suddenly looked beautiful in Ha Jae-Gun’s eyes.

Jung So-Mi was in denim jeans with white socks, and her white socks had an embroidered cat on them that looked like Rika.

It seemed that she still had her personality during her university days, even after becoming a member of the working society.

“Ms. So-Mi, where are you staying?” Ha Jae-Gun asked as they started going on their way again.

The embarrassed Jung So-Mi replied immediately, “Ah, I stay in Noryangjin.”

“Oh, so I’ll only be with you until Sindorim station.”

“It’ll be easier for you if you take the taxi…”

“I like the subway, and I get inspiration from watching other people as well. It’s better than getting stuck in the backseat of a taxi.”

“You’re a writer indeed.”

“I’m sure I’m not the only one doing something like that.” There weren't any available seats when they got on the subway, but it was still pretty quiet. They stood next to the reserved seats and held onto the handrail.

"So, have you always been staying at Noryangjin?"

"Nope, my hometown is in the East Sea area."

"Wow, so you were born near the ocean? I envy you. Specifically, where in that region? There are many beaches there as well, am I right?"

"Donghae City. Ah, the name was taken from the sea itself, and there's also a poem titled East Sea as well. It's below Gangneung and above Samcheok."

"Aha, I see."

They shared small talks on the rattling subway ride, similar to ordinary people, rather than as an editor and a writer. Jung So-Mi would cover her mouth and laugh whenever they talked about something funny.

Upon arriving at Sindorim station, the pair alighted. It was about time for them to go on their own way. The two stood with their backs facing in the direction they had to go and bowed to each other.

"Please get home safe."

"Yes. Please get home safe, too, Writer Ha."

Ha Jae-Gun turned around and left. Jung So-Mi watched as Ha Jae-Gun disappeared, but a thought suddenly came to her.

"Writer Ha Jae-Gun!" she called out.

Jung So-Mi's voice sounded faint through the crowd, but Ha Jae-Gun still managed to hear her as he turned around and stared at her.

Jung So-Mi then put her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Good luck with your writing! I believe that you will create many great works to come!"

Ha Jae-Gun looked at her blankly, then smiled and raised his hand, seemingly embarrassed. Jung So-Mi smiled brightly in return and waved at him as well before turning around and going into the crowd.

'I was going to take some time off by using the alcohol as an excuse, but I don't think that's possible anymore.'

Jung So-Mi’s encouragement changed Ha Jae-Gun's plans. He quickly headed into a convenience store within the subway station, got himself a hangover drink and downed the entire bottle.

Then, he hurried back home, where Rika was waiting for him.

***

"Young Master, dinner is ready."

"I have no appetite right now. I'll take care of it myself, so don't bother me."

The butler bowed deeply and left the study.

Oh Myung-Hoon’s gaze at his monitor was so sharp that it seemed like the monitor would soon have holes in it. He had been looking through his folders for a suitable novel that could be submitted for the Digital Literature Award contest.

'This is good enough. It's entertaining, entertaining enough. It's my best novel so far.’

Oh Myung-Hoon reassured himself repeatedly because he was nervous. The feeling that his work lacked something never quite went away.

The novel Solitude in Seoul was the love story between a young man working as a lawyer who had all the wealth and honor and an orphaned woman working as a factory worker.

Oh Myung-Hoon used the pen name Ahn Sung-Woo instead of his own name. It was not to seek fair judgment but due to his lack of confidence. He had no confidence in winning the contest, so he didn’t dare to use his real name for the contest.

"Myung-Hoon, why aren't you having dinner?" a man walked inside through the open door.

"Ah, hyung." Oh Myung-Hoon turned around in his office chair and smiled as he greeted Oh Myung-Suk, who was nine years older than him. He was the only one who could enter Oh Myung-Hoon’s study without asking for permission.

"Everyone is at the table, so you should come with us and have dinner together."

"Forget about dinner, are you done reading Solitude in Seoul?"

"Yeah, I’m done."

"What do you think? It's not bad, right?" Oh Myung-Hoon asked, full of expectations.

Oh Myung-Suk was the editor of their father's publishing company. It was a position he had taken upon himself because he had thought that he needed more training on the field.

Oh Myung-Suk had also been writing for quite a while now, and he even won in the Annual Spring Literacy Contest.

Oh Myung-Suk replied frankly, "Honestly, your characters are quite flat. The lawyer seems to have some sort of elitism. He would only brag about himself, and it feels like the female lead should be grateful that he’s going out with her."

Oh Myung-Hoon's expression turned dark. He thought that he had written the story as objectively as he could, so he was shocked to hear such feedback from his own brother.

Oh Myung-Suk continued, "There's not much depth to the story as well. It felt like we were just peeking into the surface of the iceberg, which is the largest drawback. The female lead feels quite ambiguous as well. Who would consider stealing food tickets an unreasonable crime in this time and age? Have you observed the daily lives of these factory workers? How do they work, rest, and commute to and fro the site?"

"No, well… I only did my research using the Internet. Do I have to interview actual factory workers to know? I'm already quite busy as it is."

"That’s the issue with your novel." Oh Myung-Suk sighed heavily. His own brother had always disliked the idea of going out of his comfort zone, and he still had no idea that a writer had to be always ready to go out of their comfort zone.

Oh Myung-Hoon stood up and grabbed Oh Myung-Suk’s shoulders, earnestly asking for a favor. “Hyung. You’re done editing the complete collections of the company, right? Since you have some time, help me revise it.”

“I have always been helping you, you know? However, I feel like I will have to edit everything, considering the quality of your manuscript. Where are you going to send this? Are you going to join a contest with this?”

“That’s a secret. I’ll let you know later, okay? Hyung, please help me with the areas I’m not good at. It’s a novel that requires a certain level of completion.Please?”

“Aigoo, Myung-Hoon…” sighed Oh Myung-Suk as he put his hand on his head. His younger brother’s request was poking his conscience as both an editor and writer.

He had been thinking that Oh Myung-Hoon would soon learn to work on his own with enough experience, but it seemed that Oh Myung-Hoon was still confused about what he had to be doing.

“This is the last time,” Oh Myung-Suk said firmly with his index finger raised.

Oh Myung-Hoon grinned and raised his thumbs up, “I will never forget your help.”

“Let’s stop here and go eat dinner.”

“You must never tell Father about this,” said Oh Myung-Hoon.

With his worries gone, Oh Myung-Hoon stood up and followed Oh Myung-Suk out of the study. He wasn’t worried anymore because Oh Myung-Suk’s revision would surely turn his manuscript into an excellent novel.