Big Life

Chapter 92: Keep Barking At It (8)

There was a long line of vehicles waiting to enter a gas station located near the main streets of Bucheon. It was so busy to the point where there was no time for its employees to go on a toilet break.

"Welcome. How much?"

Yang Hyun-Kyung was one of the gas station’s five employees. He greeted a customer who had just driven into the gas station. His gloves and uniform were covered in grease, and even his name tag was covered in grease as well.

Yang Hyun-Kyung wanted to get them laundered, but he didn’t have the time to do so due to the overlapping off days of his colleagues. He had requested to get an extra set of uniforms, but the branch manager and general manager only asked him to hold out for a few more days until the budget was released from the headquarters.

‘Aigoo, I’m tired…!’

Yang Hyun-Kyung inserted the gas nozzle into the car before letting out a long sigh. His shifts had been a repeat of working from 8 to 6, resting for two hours and continuing with another 8 to 6 shift… which had already gone on for four days.

It was to be expected because he was a new recruit, and he could only go through the unfair treatment.

‘How am I going to last until 6 in the evening?’

Yang Hyun-Kyung was about to lose his mind. He could have gotten a good night’s sleep yesterday, but he couldn’t because he had to work on writing his novel.

The sun was setting, and his world was spinning slightly from exhaustion.

‘Who can I blame? It’s all my fault.’

Yang Hyun-Kyung looked down at all ten of his fingertips that had popped out of his worn-out gloves and scolded himself. It was the very same gloves that Kang Min-Ho had given him back at the Bucheon office.

The gloves that he was supposed to use while writing were now being used to pump gas.

‘I’ll sleep for four hours after this shift, and then I’ll work on my novel since those darn roommates of mine seem to be coming home late tonight.’

Yang Hyun-Kyung was currently staying on level two of the building adjacent to the gas station. He was occupying a small room located at the end of the hallway.

He took up this job because meals and accommodation were free, but sharing the room with two other people who had visitors frequently dropping by had inevitably affected his sleep and focus on his novel.

He realized it late, but the Bucheon office was the best haven he had. He thought of himself as pathetic for ever taking for granted the food and comfortable food he had back there.

‘If I ever touch stocks again, I’ll be Dog Hyun-Kyung!’ Yang Hyun-Kyung was determined, and he subconsciously bit on his fingernails.

He decided to sell all the stocks he had, but he only got 300,000 won back from the total of 2,000,000 won he had invested after borrowing money from his parents.

“Uncle! I think we’re done here, so what are you standing there for?!” The customer in the driver’s seat yelled angrily.

Yang Hyun-Kyung flinched, he snapped back to reality and rounded off the amount to the hundreds, and pulled out the gas nozzle.

He was about to hang the nozzle back in its slot, but his eyes widened in shock.

‘Writer Ha…?!’

The extremely familiar back profile of a certain someone was right across the street.

However, he couldn’t be certain due to the distance and his bad eyesight.

“Ahjussi…!”

“Coming! The total is 68,300 won.”

Yang Hyun-Kyung hurried to serve his customer. After sending them off, he looked across the street again, but he could no longer spot the familiar silhouette.

‘Nah, I must be mistaken. This isn’t that near the office, and why would he come all the way here?’

Yang Hyun-Kyung soon forgot about the familiar-looking back profile as a swam of customers inundated him.

Midday soon arrived, and Yang Hyun-Kyung headed back to the dormitory to have lunch.

However, a package had been waiting for him.

“Mr. Hyun-Kyung, someone asked me to give this to you.”

“What’s this?”

“Health supplements. It’s expensive stuff.”

Yang Hyun-Kyung took the paper bag from the vice branch manager and looked inside.

He saw large bottles of multivitamins in the paper bag.

‘Who would give this to me…?’

Yang Hyun-Kyung checked out the bottle in a daze.

Just then, he recalled something that had happened earlier in the day and looked at his vice branch manager.

“Sir, how did the person you gave you this look like?”

“He looks kinda normal? Mid-to-late twenties, maybe?”

“I-is this him?”

Yang Hyun-Kyung hurriedly searched the Internet and showed him a picture.

The man took off his glasses and observed the picture for a bit before nodding.

“Yeah, that’s him. Wow, he’s a popular writer at Navin too? Are you guys related? How do you know him?”

“…!” Yang Hyun-Kyung choked, unable to reply. He felt overwhelmed, like having swallowed a huge block of steamed tofu. Tears filled his eyes, and he could only stare at the photo of Ha Jae-Gun on his phone.

“Mr. Hyun-Kyung, have some of your lunch. It’s getting cold.”

“Yes… yes, I’ll eat now.” Yang Hyun-Kyung started stuffing food down his throat.

His energy—which seemed to have been bottoming out—was revitalized. His appetite was even returning to him as well. He chewed his food with vigor after deciding that he had to get out of his hellish place as soon as possible.

***

“I feel more productive when Writer Ha is around; it’s great.”

“Same goes for me.” Ha Jae-Gun replied while typing away on his keyboard.

He came to the office after taking a look at how Yang Hyun-Kyung was doing, and he decided to work on his novel while he was in the office.

Kang Min-Ho wasn’t around as he had an appointment with his friend, so it was just Jang Eun-Young and Ha Jae-Gun in the office.

“You’re writing a new fantasy novel and publishing with Laugh Books this time, right? What is it about?”

“Mm, it starts with the appearance of a dungeon on the continent. Killing the monsters in the dungeons drops items, so warriors from all over the world gather for the wealth and fame it could bring them.”

“Is the main character a warrior as well?”

“No, he is the son of a bankrupt merchant. He purchased a barren land near the dungeon and conducts business with the warriors.”

“That sounds interesting. Can you please let me take a peek once you’re done with the first chapter?”

“Sure,” Ha Jae-Gun replied and picked up his phone.

He saw that it was already past noon.

‘It would be better to give her a call before she goes for lunch.’

Ha Jae-Gun wanted to call Jung So-Mi to commission her to work on his new fantasy novel‘s book cover and illustrations.

However, Oh Myung-Suk’s name appeared on his phone before he could call Jung So-Mi.

“Hello, Editor-in-chief.”

— Hello Mr. Ha. Have you had lunch?

.

“I was just about to.”

— Thank goodness. If you haven’t eaten yet, can we have lunch together?

“Ah, um…” Ha Jae-Gun trailed off.

He looked at Jang Eun-Young’s back. He had already agreed to have lunch with her.

Ha Jae-Gun was about to reject it when Oh Myung-Suk continued,

— Director Woo Jae-Hoon said that he would like to treat you to a meal.

“The director?”

— Yes. He would like to apologize for the reckless behavior and would like to continue discussions about the copyright contract.

Ha Jae-Gun was bewildered and at a loss for words.

He knew that Oh Myung-Suk would not lie, but how and why did that high and mighty director choose to bow down?

— I’m sorry for asking you out at the last minute. If you can’t do it today, how about tomorrow or the day after…

“No, let’s meet today,” Ha Jae-Gun said and stood up from his seat. He didn’t want to push it further since he knew how much effort Oh Myung-Suk had put into this.

— Thank you, Mr. Ha. Where are you now? I will send my staff over to fetch you.

“I drove today, please tell me where to go, and I will make my way over.”

— We’ll be meeting at a Korean restaurant near Seonneung station. Will you be able to arrive by 2 p.m.?

“Definitely.”

— Okay, I’ve sent you the address via text. I’ll see you in a bit, Mr. Ha.

Ha Jae-Gun hung up. Then, he decided to inform Jang Eun-Young that she would have to eat lunch by herself before leaving the office.

Traffic was smooth today, so he managed to arrive at the destination ten minutes before 2 p.m.

Ha Jae-Gun arrived at the Korean restaurant that had occupied an entire three-story building. He parked at the parking lot and alighted to find Oh Myung-Suk and Woo Jae-Hoon approaching him.

“You’re here early, Mr. Ha,” Oh Myung-Suk smiled as he greeted Ha Jae-Gun first.

Woo Jae-Hoon bowed and said, “It’s an honor to meet you again, Mr. Ha. I apologize for my recklessness before.”

“Ah… It’s alright. I was rude as well.” Ha Jae-Gun was perplexed at the sudden change in attitude. Why was Woo Jae-Hoon suddenly addressing him as Mr. Ha? What happened to Writer Ha?

“Shall we head in, then? Editor-in-chief and Mr. Ha.”

“Sure.”

The three held their conversation over a luxurious table of traditional Korean food.

There was a period of time when only Woo Jae-Hoon did the talking to apologize for his mistakes and previous attitude. His attitude took a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.

“I’ve made the mistake of treating both the editor-in-chief and Mr. Ha. so recklessly after working in such a chaotic field for a long period of time. Hurhur, I hope you’ll understand…”

“It’s all good now, Director. We understand.” Oh Myung-Suk cut the man off. He was growing tired of listening to the long-winded apology, thinking that their lunch would soon turn into dinner if he were to allow him to continue on apologizing.

“Since we’re busy men, let’s cut straight to the chase. About that…” Oh Myung-Suk glanced at Ha Jae-Gun. ”I think we should resolve the issue about the scenario writer first. Director, are you able to hire a scenario writer who can satisfy Mr. Ha?”

“Ah, I was about to raise that issue myself as well.” Woo Jae-Hoon scratched the back of his head with a perplexed look and let out a sigh first before starting his piece.

“There is a scenario that suits me onsite. There is also a group of scenario writers who knows my working style very well. These are things that you will need to take into consideration and know of, Mr. Ha. There is no perfect scenario. There are times when we have to amend the scenario several times for a certain scene. It’s not some excuse because this is how film productions usually work.”

Ha Jae-Gun listened and nodded in response.

Woo Jae-Hoon looked at Ha Jae-Gun and Oh Myung-Suk for a moment before continuing earnestly, “I won’t be working on the scenario myself. However, I have a few writers whom I look favorably upon, can you choose someone among them?”

Ha Jae-Gun looked at Oh Myung-Suk, seemingly asking about his opinion.

Oh Myung-Suk nodded lightly, showing that it would be best to accept that offer at this point.

Ha Jae-Gun looked back at Jae-Hoon and asked, “Can we know more about the writers?”

Woo Jae-Hoon introduced their names and the movies that were made with their scenarios. Ha Jae-Gun didn’t know their names, but the movie titles that Woo Jae-Hoon had listed were all familiar to him.

“What do you think?” Woo Jae-Hoon asked after his introduction had ended. He drank from his glass to quench his parched throat while waiting for an answer.

Ha Jae-Gun soon came to a decision.

“It would be best if we could have Writer Baek Dong-Il on the team,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yes. I didn’t know his name until now, but I’ve watched all the movies made with his scenarios. I would be reassured that my novel is in good hands if we could get him on board.”

Woo Jae-Hoon smiled brightly, delighted at the news. “Ahahaha, I see. I’ll make sure to get him on the team. Wow, Mr. Ha. I’m really thankful that you made such a quick decision. Ahahahaha! Ugh, ahem…! I apologize for my loud voice…”

The discussion about the copyright contract ended on a good note. They had agreed that the publisher would draft the entire contract with its details listed out clearly.

Ha Jae-Gun didn’t probe any further about the contract because he knew that Oh Myung-Suk would do a good job on it.

After their lunch, the three of them bid goodbye at the parking lot before going on their own way.

Oh Myung-Suk bowed to the director first and said, “Please return safely, Director. Thank you once again for taking time out of your busy schedule.”

“Aigoo, aigoo! No, no! I should be thankful that both of you have decided to join me at this meeting. Ahaha…!” Woo Jae-Hoon’s face turned red, and he started bowing lower than Myung-Suk.

Ha Jae-Gun cocked his head at the strange sight.

‘Why is he treating the editor-in-chief in this manner? He was such a haughty person before…’

Woo Jae-Hoon was one of the top film directors in the local film industry, but what made him act this way toward a mere editor-in-chief of a publishing company?

The man had acted politely to Ha Jae-Gun as well, but Woo Jae-Hoon’s attitude was much more exaggerated today. Woo Jae-Hoon had been bowing and clasping his hands as if he were an apostle worshiping their god.

“I’ll be leaving first, then!” Woo Jae-Hoon exclaimed and pulled out of the parking lot first.

Oh Myung-Suk then turned to Ha Jae-Gun with a grin. “Ah, Mr. Ha. I haven’t shared the copyright fees with you yet. I’m thinking of getting up to two hundred million won.”

Ha Jae-Gun’s eyes widened.

Oh Myung-Suk had just told him a few days ago that the copyright fees of the local original novels in the mystery genre would cost around ten million won without additional provisions.

Of course, he did mention that Ha Jae-Gun would be able to expect a significantly higher amount since Summer in My 20s had turned into a bestseller.

Still, Ha Jae-Gun hadn’t been expecting to receive more than a hundred million won for the copyright contract.

Oh Myung-Suk’s asking price was double the ceiling of his expectation.