Chapter 694: Gift (13)

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Moon Saeron sighed deeply when I asked about what happened and why the atmosphere between Joo Soohyuk and Ahn Dain was a mess.

Being an avid supporter of the two, Moon Saeron moved for them again today.

She matched their schedules to take a picture on a Christmas date under the guise of coincidence.

That’s how she learned the situation roughly.

“I think it’s because of Bang Yoonseob.”

“Bang Yoonseob?”

“Yep. As soon as he ran into me, he asked me how he was doing with a face that carried all the world’s concerns. Though when I first saw President Joo in the morning, he looked fine…”

Did something happen to Bang Yoonseob?

There were many situations that Joo Soohyuk could be worried about.

When I was wondering if I should investigate Bang Yoonseo, Hwang Jiho popped in all of a sudden.

“As far as know, there’s nothing wrong with Jo Euishin’s Bbang Shuttle. Rather, his physical ability has improved significantly than just before the incident. Choi Younghee is safe too.”

“Ah, that’s what I heard too. Those two are completely sobered up!”

“Hahaha! You’re right. They looked very close. Even Tak Geosan who’s constantly worried about him looked fine. At least they look closer.”

From what they’re saying, it seems like Bang Yoonseob is fine.

However, Joo Soohyuk’s poor condition seemed to have something to do with Bang Yoonseob, but I didn’t have enough clues to guess.

Hwang JIho asked Moon Saeron about Joo Soohyuk’s travel route and time.

After listening to Moon Saeron, Hwang Jiho reached a conclusion.

“Considering the time, he must’ve run into a poisonous snake. That snake has venomous teeth, so even a few words from her are poisonous. Joo Soohyuk must’ve been poisoned.”

“Snake? What do you mean?”

“The one who gave Jo Euishin’s Bbang Shuttle an order. She announced that she’d be visiting around that time.”

Hwang Jiho is talking about the Snake Clan’s head.

The head of the Snake Clan gave the scales that saved him, so I guess it’s not strange that she’d come to see his face.

Her nickname during the 12-point alliance talks was “Shed-ing” but don’t snakes usually weaken after shedding?

I heard that their poisonous teeth and skin soften after shedding, but the venomous viper must not follow that norm.

The old man always speaks harshly about the other clan heads, but seeing Hwang Jiho emphasize poison like that, I don’t know how many times he’s been subjected to that vitriol.

‘Is it okay to say this to Moon Saeron? Well, he’s known as the relative of the chairman so I guess it’s not that strange that he knows about a royal lineage visiting.’

Moon Saeron’s eyes flashed when he noticed that Hwang Jiho held high-quality information.

Hwang Jiho laughed and generously revealed information that could be disclosed.

I thought about it right after we joined the department, but I think those two go well together.

‘I can guess even if I don’t know exactly what Joo Soohyuk and the Snake Clan head talked about.’

The head of the Snake Clan must’ve seen that Joo Soohyuk was at the center of Bang Yoonseob’s jealousy.

It’s highly likely that Bang Yoonseob, who barely came to his senses, was wary of Joo Soohyuk.

The smart Joo Soohyuk would’ve guessed it all with just a few words with the clan head, and as a result, he would’ve blamed himself.

That’s what happened in PMH when he learned that Bang Yoonseob became Invidius’ medium.

Bang Yoonseob survived unlike in PMH, but Joo Soohyuk blamed himself just the same.

Questions arose at the same time as I was impressed by the title hero’s good heart.

‘Then why is Ahn Dain in a bad condition? Is it because of Joo Soohyuk? I don’t think so though.’

Moon Saeron also seemed to know about Ahn Dain’s situation.

This time, she hesitated before speaking.

“As for Dain-nim, uh… She’s been like that since she received a message from who I believe are her parents…”

Did Ahn Dain’s parents say something?

Moon Saeron didn’t seem sure, but they must be her parents.

Hwang Jiho asked directly.

“Ahn Dain’s parents, huh. Do you know what they talked about?”

“I didn’t hear the conversation. All I know is she called several times. I heard that Dain-nim has been contacted by her family, so she excused herself and left.”

Moon Saeron spoke vaguely, but the scene is painted.

The Student Association is drowning in a mountain of work, but she can’t ignore a phone call from her parents, so she is forced to excuse herself.

‘Ahn Dain’s parents were openly distant from their daughter who was too excellent and beautiful. But there were times when they were persistent.’

When Ahn Dain’s performance in PMH became more prominent and she became famous, close to the level of a star player, a gossip reporter who was vindictive for being refused an interview wrote an article in revenge.

It was an article about Ahn Dain’s income.

The reporter said that based on Ahn Dain’s performance, it wouldn’t be strange if she owned land and buildings in the middle of Seoul.

That article was used by Ahn Dain’s anti-fans.

‘Ahn Dain didn’t have much assets to sponsor and donate to children.’

The only basis for the rumor was that Ahn Dain was an excellent player, but everyone ran with it.

Ahn Dain’s fans tried to counter it, but the public who enjoyed bullying promising players pretended not to know it.

Until the rumors subsided and legal judgment was made through those who helped Ahn Dain, numerous factors troubled her.

‘It was her parents who made it most difficult.’

After Ahn Dain was born, misfortune ensued for her parents.

They had serious health problems that caused parts of their bodies to become disabled, and they seemed to struggle economically and personally.

They say they thought that Ahn Dain was the cause of their misfortune, and they almost cut ties with her as soon as she turned high school.

‘But after keeping their distance from Ahn Dain, more misfortune came to them, even after they ran away abroad.’

PMH didn’t go into detail, but the couple’s lives have been ruined.

Their illness and poverty deepened and reached a level where human dignity couldn’t be maintained.

On the brink, they pressed Ahn Dain as soon as they heard the false rumors.

They forgot the fear that they had and begged and threatened Ahn Dain to give them money.

“Anyway, I don’t know what they talked about. But I know something roughly.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“After the call, Dain-nim asked about the compensation announced by the foundation’s PR team.”

Moon Saeron’s voice was dampened.

She looked gloomy as if she had guessed what Ahn Dain was going through.

I felt depressed too.

The Hwangmyeong Foundation’s PR team thoroughly prepared for the incident.

One of the measures prepared was to compensate students who showed active performance and to compensate victims.

Ahn Dain’s parents’ eyes must’ve turned when they heard about it.

‘But wasn’t it in second grade that Ahn Dain’s parents lost their minds? Isn’t it a bit early?’

Ahn Dain’s parents broke down faster than they did in PMH.

It may simply be because the incident has spread so much, and unlike in PMH, the Hwangmyeong Foundation was doing a good job.

I somehow felt uncomfortable.

“I understand. The external problems are causing them not to feel like having a Christmas date.”

Unlike me and Moon Saeron, Hwang Jiho, who is not overly immersed in the situation, concluded.

The word “Christmas” brought me back to my senses.

Their date can’t be ruined just because of those things.

It’s not just a date, it’s a Christmas date!

I looked at the two and saw that they were still immersed in their thoughts in the cold wind.

‘They dressed up in Santa costumes and looked like a couple… Wait, the two’s outfits are different.’

Their costumes were a little different from what I remember.

The fur coat worn by Joo Soohyuk and Ahn Dain, the buttons on their coat.

All have been replaced and had the same design.

The part where Eungwang High’s logo was placed was replaced with a logo designed for the Christmas event, and the color combination happened to be the same.

At first glance, it seemed that those parts were damaged and repaired after the battle.

Seeing that, I don’t think they should be suffering like this.

We should make an opportunity for the two to enjoy a nice date.

“Let’s go and catch the wind.”

I spoke firmly.

There was no time to waste.

As if he didn’t understand what I was saying, Hwang Jiho asked back.

“Wind?”

“The two of them can’t find the right topic because they’re not at ease. But, they’re not canceling their plans because they want to be with each other.”

“Hmm, you have a deep understanding of the circumstances around you and the psychological state of others except yourself.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Why does Hwang Jiho have to make me the exception?

I felt uncomfortable at Moon Saeron agreeing too.

However, there was a very urgent matter at hand, so I decided to ignore it.

“I’ll go and get them to talk. I’ll lead them to the exhibition room prepared by the newspaper department.”

“Moon Saeron and I will have something to do then.”

“Yeah.”

I made a plan considering the structure, lighting, and travel route to the exhibition room rented by the newspaper department.

Hwang Jiho and Moon Saeron promised to cooperate actively.

“There are a lot of people cheering for them, so it’ll be easy.”

Many people would consider it a present just to see those two on a happy date, so I’m sure everyone will help.

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