After the divorce, I got sick Chapter 71:
71. Hae-in and I Watched a Movie Together
Siru was a clever puppy.
“Daddy! Siru pooped on the potty pad!”
“Really?”
“Siru is a genius dog! Hehe.”
Since he was still a puppy under 2 months old, Dae-bak also couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Is it really that quick to learn to control his bowels?”
With a face no bigger than a chestnut.
“It’s my first time raising a dog at home, so it’s intriguing.”
Even if a bird flies by.
Even if the neighbor’s yellow dog barges in.
— Bow-wow! Arrr! Bow-wow! Woof!
The former Minister of Defense, Siru, was gallantly guarding his territory.
Naturally, he was raised in the yard, and he left his droppings wherever he pleased.
Cleaning it all up every couple of days was enough.
“I was worried about him not being able to control his bowels…”
Now that he was planning on raising a puppy at home, his biggest concern was potty training.
He was worried about his daughter’s hygiene, and seeing poop scattered everywhere was not pleasant either.
But.
Yip-yip—!
Even at playtime, as soon as the signal came, Siru dashed onto the potty pad.
Dae-bak felt a sense of relief wash over him.
— Shiba Inu. No, Siru was found at a factory site in Yeocheon-dong.
— When discovered, he had a large wound on his belly… Probably bitten by stray dogs in the neighborhood.
— The vet shook his head… It’s miraculous he survived and found a good owner.
According to the staff,
The Shiba Inu they had adopted was abandoned by someone at the factory.
He was on the brink of death after being attacked by strays.
When looking at his belly, a large scar was etched on it.
“It’ll be alright…”
Yip-yip—!
Maybe because his vocal cords were still undeveloped, his barking sounded like metal scraping.
“I need to take him to the hospital.”
Dae-bak decided to take Siru to the vet.
Since he brought him home, he hoped they could live together without any health issues for a long time.
“When I’m not around, I’ll leave Haneul in your care, okay?”
Yip-yip—!
Was Siru picking up on Dae-bak’s thoughts?
He seemed to reply with his underdeveloped whimper.
“How cute.”
The puppy he had adopted with no special thoughts was surprisingly perceptive.
* * *
“The puppy is healthy. No worms, and his fur is shiny.”
“He’s a male, looks to be around two months old. Seems to be a Shiba Inu breed.”
With the vet’s kind explanation,
Dae-bak let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad he’s healthy.”
His daughter also liked him, and he too liked the puppy very much.
Since they adopted him, he hoped they could live together healthily for a long time.
“I’m not ready to consider him family yet…”
A dog is still a dog. –
Ultimately, he was supposed to be a guard dog.
Yip—yip—!
“Oh my! He’s great. Our Siru is so good.”
The vet adeptly administered the vaccinations.
Siru lay quietly with his eyes closed, as if he were under anesthesia.
“Of course, being a professional, your skills are exceptional.”
Dae-bak recalled the puppies he had seen at the dog farm.
When it came time for the vaccinations, most would wail and cry as if the world was ending.
But Siru simply lay there with his eyes closed, composed.
This must be a testament to the vet’s skill.
“…Uh, what’s wrong with him?”
“Pardon?”
“Usually, they cry and fuss when they’re in pain… But he’s extraordinarily calm.”
“……”
Dae-bak kept his mouth shut.
“Siru is overly calm.”
Siru seemed smarter than expected.
“Still, a dog needs to show some fierceness.”
Dae-bak thought back to the former Minister of Defense, Siru, who would bark at even the slightest sound.
He still believed a dog should act like a dog.
* * *
Following the announcement of the U.S. interest rate cut, the global stock markets regrouped.
Big tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google continued to rally, and South Korean companies quickly established financial management plans.
“Director Seo, how much slush fund do we have available right now?”
“After the funds used for defending management rights, we have about 50 billion won left.”
“Is that all?”
“Well… Chairman Yang Tae-won has been buying up stocks left and right, causing YH Construction’s stock price to soar. From about 35,000 won, it surged up to 60,000 won. So, we had no choice but to release a lot of money.”
Seo Sang-tae replied, sweating profusely.
The current chairman of YH, Yang Tae-won, had caused the stock price to skyrocket by secretly buying shares under his name.
Normally, this would be seen as a positive turn of events. However, Yang Hae-jun felt the heat on his feet.
The scale of the situation had reached hundreds of billions.
“If it weren’t for Director Seo’s assistance with Samwon Compo Tech, we would have been in big trouble.”
Samwon Compo Tech.
A company merged with several subcontractors among the many that went bankrupt due to the [Future Car Gate] incident. Yang Hae-jun obtained insider trading files through Seo Jong-chan, and the 50 billion won slush fund could be expanded to 400 billion.
“But after defending management rights, we’re back at square one.”
Though he had increased influence over YH Construction, the actual money left was back down to 50 billion won.
At the same time, news of the interest rate cut came from the U.S.
Yang Hae-jun planned to use this opportunity to revive the slush fund.
“Has there been any contact from Seo Jong-chan?”
“No. He seems busy with the YH Square acquisition.”
“Keep in touch regularly. We need to maintain our connections.”
Hae-jun was thinking of establishing a connection with Seo Jong-chan.
“It’s evident that Hyung-nim will inherit YH, but we can’t be too sure.”
Yang Tae-won.
His big brother was a heavyweight figure controlling both politics and the economy.
However, Seo Jong-chan, with Chairman Yang Seon-mo backing him, was also a capable figure who could soon become a giant in the future.
There might come a day when Seo Jong-chan and Yang Tae-won would split YH Group.
“Contact YH Securities and have them prepare a list of promising companies.”
“YH Securities?”
“Did you stick something in your ear? Don’t make me repeat myself twice.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“No matter how hard we try, we can’t catch up to the securities guys. YH Securities will soon be acquired by KW Asset Management. We need to utilize them while we can.”
YH Securities.
An unwanted subsidiary that was about to be sold due to the separation of the financial and industrial sectors.
It was also decided that its third brother, Yang Gil-jae’s in-laws, would acquire it.
“We need to make good use of it while we can.”
There were many useful materials in YH Securities.
With competent analysts available, they could probably identify a few worthwhile investment opportunities.
“…What do we do about Dae-bak?”
At that moment, Seo Sang-tae mentioned the name Dae-bak.
“Oh, Dae-bak? Just leave him for now.”
“…Huh? Ah, understood.”
Though he answered affirmatively, Seo Sang-tae showed a clear look of surprise.
“Why is he being so nonchalant when just yesterday he was rushing me to dig up information on Dae-bak?”
At that moment, Yang Hae-jun spoke up.
“The address is 203 Dong, 1202-ho, Okdong I-Park. My daughter attends Geumho Kindergarten, Dandelion class.”
“…Ah!”
The address flowing from Yang Hae-jun’s mouth was probably Dae-bak’s.
Seo Sang-tae gasped but couldn’t hide his tension.
“What does this mean? Is he using another informant besides me?”
Nothing is scarier than a superior who knows more information than you do.
The competence of a manager translates into the incompetence of his executive team.
As an executive without protections from the labor union, upcoming contract issues would soon be related.
“The estimated size has come in. We’ll throw a carrot soon, or I’ll have to directly choke him.”
“…I will establish a plan for headquarters.”
Seo Sang-tae replied in a strict voice.
A satisfied smile appeared on Yang Hae-jun’s face.
“There’s no need to stick a grand term like ‘plan.’ It’s just catching a commoner.”
“….”
“Let’s think of it as entertainment.”
Entertainment.
Hae-jun’s caution towards Dae-bak had diminished considerably.
Thanks to the information given by Kim Seo-yeon, the fog surrounding Dae-bak had largely lifted.
“He’s just an everyday worker.”
Since it was said he transferred the property from his father, it had led him to believe he might be a hidden relative.
However, when examining the situation, he turned out to be nothing more than an ordinary worker.
“Recently, it’s said he has not even visited his father’s study?”
For some reason,
It was unsettling that his father had called him, a commoner, into the study.
But since he hadn’t visited in the last six months, he thought it wouldn’t be a problem to trample him.
* * *
After a long time, Hae-in couldn’t suppress her thumping heart as she met Dae-bak.
“Dae-bak isn’t going to hate me, right…?”
When Dae-bak was in the U.S.,
She had called him while drunk.
Thus, she was filled with anxiety about how he might react if he was cold towards her.
“It’s been a while, Hae-in.”
When Dae-bak greeted her with a soft smile, her worries vanished as quickly as snow on a spring day.
Moreover.
Yip-yip—!
“Sis! It’s me, Hae-in! Hehe.”
The two beings nestled in Dae-bak’s arms captured her attention.
Haneul and Siru.
Even when apart, they exuded fatal cuteness, but seeing them together and cuddling was irresistibly adorable.
“Oh my!”
Before she knew it, Hae-in rushed toward Dae-bak.
She was tapping her feet.
Not realizing how close she had gotten to Dae-bak
“These little cuties gathered together; that’s unfair!”
La-la-la-la—
Unable to hold her excitement, Hae-in alternated between hugging Siru and Haneul tightly.
Lick-lick—
Siru gently licked her face.
“Hehe. I missed you!”
Haneul, too, seemed happy to see Hae-in and didn’t resist her embrace.
But then.
Yip-yip—!
Suddenly, Siru bit Hae-in’s hand.
This happened just as Hae-in was hugging Haneul.
“Ouch!”
Startled, Hae-in pulled back.
Growl—
Seeing Siru, who had been sweet-eyed, suddenly turn aggressive left her flustered.
“Are you okay?”
Dae-bak asked Hae-in.
“…I think I approached too hastily.”
Only then did Hae-in realize her mistake.
“I must have moved too suddenly since it was my first meeting with him.”
While she was familiar with Haneul,
It was her first time with Siru.
“I think it’s because it’s the first time he’s met Hae-in. Are you alright?”
“…Yes. Since he’s still a puppy, his bite isn’t too strong.”
Despite the worrisome tone,
A satisfying smile rested on Dae-bak’s lips.
“Well done, Siru.”
He was proud of Siru’s protective behavior toward his daughter when an outsider approached.
He had been worried since Siru hadn’t barked excessively, but seeing how he acted just moments ago calmed his nerves.
“I can’t keep coddling her forever.”
While he cherished every moment he could stay close to his daughter, the time would gradually come when they would spend more time apart.
Excessive attachment could hinder the development of her independence.
At that time, he hoped Siru would become a reliable companion for Hae-in, both mentally and physically.
“Dae-bak, you seem to be smiling for some reason…”
“Oh, it’s nothing. We shouldn’t just stand here; how about we head to a nearby café to chat?”
“Sure.”
They entered the Starbucks located on the first floor of Dae-bak’s building.
Since they used the conference room that allowed dogs, the store manager said nothing.
“No matter how much of a landlord you are, you have to keep the rules.”
He believed that good properties deserved equally conscientious owners.
“Did you have a good time in the U.S.?”
“Yes. I wasn’t worried about going to the U.S. since people live the same everywhere.”
In the U.S., there wasn’t much difference.
People woke up, ate breakfast, and went to work.
On the bus or subway on their commute, both Westerners with blue eyes and Asians with black hair gripped their smartphones.
“However, the free-spirited culture was wonderful. People work hard at their jobs during the week and focus on their personal lives when they return home, which left a strong impression.”
Like a melting pot of races, the U.S. hosted diverse people living together.
Each individual’s ego was strong, and they took immense pride in their work.
On weekends, one might easily find people basking in the sun or reading books in the parks.
“It’s a sight that one can hardly imagine in South Korea.”
Dae-bak realized what it meant to have [leisure] through his time in America.
It was a privilege reserved for someone who was diligent in their life.
What Dae-bak felt as leisure was that truth.
“Oh, I see. You mentioned you went for an investment?”
“Yeah. I happened to know someone over there.”
“…Oh, I see. Is it a woman?”
Dae-bak’s expression stiffened.
“Why is he asking that?”
Since there was no need to hide, he answered plainly.
“…It was a woman. Her name was Angela, a capable career woman working at JP Morgan, and she provided me with a lot of help regarding investments.”
“Oh… is that so.”
Hae-in took a moment to catch her breath.
“…Why does it seem like you’re suppressing your anger?”
Then again,
It seemed she desperately suppressed her anger.
At that moment, Hae-in asked again.
“Where did you sleep?”
“…I stayed at a hotel.”
Dae-bak unintentionally spilled a lie.
If he said he stayed at Angela’s place, it seemed like something catastrophic could happen.
“…I’m glad. No, I envy you. I also want to stay in a hotel in the U.S. someday.”
“….”
A chilling feeling crept up his spine.
“If a woman keeps a grudge, it’s said frost can fall in mid-summer.”
Nowadays, this phenomenon is called “SSUM.”
Describing an ambiguous relationship that is neither a romantic partner nor a stranger.
Dae-bak wondered how to interpret Hae-in’s attitude, and eventually shook his head.
“Let’s just go with the flow.”
He had amassed a fortune of 1.7 billion dollars.
If things went according to Dae-bak’s expectations, his wealth would continue to grow.
He once thought he should remain a bachelor until Hae-in grew up completely.
But now, as fortune found him more briskly than expected,
He questioned whether that was necessary.
“Let’s not hold back anyone coming or stop anyone leaving.”
In love and work,
He wished for freedom.
Although he appreciated the beautiful life in America, living freely in South Korea with a bowl of kimchi stew and a glass of soju was closer to Dae-bak’s taste.
“I wonder if I should go see a movie soon.”
Suddenly, he felt like watching a movie.
So, he asked.
“Hae-in, do you want to go watch a movie?”
“…Huh? Su, sure!”
Dae-bak’s sudden proposal caught Hae-in off guard for a moment, but she quickly nodded enthusiastically.
“I can’t believe Dae-bak asked to watch a movie together first!”
It was a first.
— Dae-bak, I got movie tickets this time! Hehe.
Even when she hinted that she wanted to watch a movie,
— I’m sorry, I’m too busy.
The typical reply had always been a cold rejection.
“It’s been a while since we watched a movie together.”
She had never anticipated he would suggest going to a movie first like this.
“What about Siru? We can’t bring dogs into the cinema…”
At that moment,
Hae-in asked with a worried expression.
This was common sense; dogs were prohibited from movie theaters.
They could bark and disturb others.
“I might not be able to watch a movie because of Siru.”
As she frantically thought of ways around it,
Dae-bak spoke up.
“I don’t think we need to go to a theater.”
“Pardon?”
“I bought a TV not too long ago… it’s a 92-inch OLED panel with UHD, so it can give that movie theater feel. The refresh rate is 120HZ… Haha, it’s amazing how fast technology has progressed. When I bought it, 1280 x 720 was the top spec…”
He rambled on—
Dae-bak had never owned a TV larger than 50 inches in his life.
After splurging on a TV recently at HG Shop, he couldn’t have been happier.
“Displays are simply the best at HG.”
And without even realizing it, he bragged about it.
Hae-in focused on another part of the conversation.
“Y-you want to watch a movie at home?”
In her understanding, it was impossible for adult men and women to watch a movie together unless they were in a romantic relationship.
“Dae-bak, I never saw you that way. You’re surprisingly bold.”
There was no need to dwell on it.
“What shall we have as snacks?”
“…Huh?”
“Peanuts are the soulmate of beer, right?”
…
Hae-in’s eyes sparkled with excitement..
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