Chapter 50: Chapter 50

The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary - c50

This chapter is paid for by Nemuru!

“As expected, it’s swollen.”

The next day, Hyeseong looked inside his mouth in the bathroom. Perhaps because he bit it when he got hit yesterday, it was swollen. After applying ointment, Hyeseong came out.

Entering the living room, he opened the window for ventilation. Naturally, his gaze turned to the house next door. Seeing the familiar car not in the yard, it seemed Ihyeok had already left for work.

“I couldn’t even thank him yesterday.”

To be fair, it was true that he received help. Thanks to Ihyeok’s punch, the excitedly boisterous man became quiet, and he also saved Hyeseong who was about to get hit. So he should express his gratitude. Yesterday, he was so flustered that he unconsciously blurted out blunt words.

It was a bit awkward to go find him to say thank you after cutting him off, saying he was uncomfortable. While pondering how to express his gratitude to Ihyeok, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Could it be Ihyeok? But there was no car. As Hyeseong was lost in thought, a voice was heard.

“Hyeseong! It’s me. Han from the fruit store! Are you inside?”

The familiar voice belonged to Mrs. Han. Hyeseong hurriedly opened the door.

“Oh my, you were inside. I thought I should at least contact you before coming.”

“I’m usually at home. Would you like to come in for a moment?”

“No, it’s okay. I have to go open the store. It’s just that… Hyeseong, I’m sorry. You must have been very startled by yesterday’s incident. I never thought my husband would even slap you… Sigh, I’m so embarrassed to face you…”

Mrs. Han’s cheek was also swollen like Hyeseong’s. Seeing that, his heart didn’t feel good either.

“No, it’s alright. Are you okay, Auntie?”

Seeing the auntie frowning as if frustrated, Hyeseong rather smiled as if it was nothing.

“I’m fine. It’s not like it’s the first or second time that man has done that. Alcohol is truly a fiend.”

“I’m sorry too. Is your husband okay? The person from yesterday is someone I know, but…”

Hyeseong asked with a bit of worry. He was concerned that if the man used getting hit by Ihyeok as an excuse to sue or something, the situation would escalate again.

“Ah, you mean that tall and handsome person living next to you?”

“Yes.”

Ihyeok, who moved in right after Hyeseong, was a hot topic among the residents for a while. People even had heated discussions about what kind of person Ihyeok was, a tall, handsome man driving an expensive car who came down to the countryside to live alone.

“Don’t worry about that. To be honest, it’s a bit awkward to say this, but I was so grateful that he hit my husband refreshingly yesterday.”

Rather than being surprised by her honest words, Hyeseong felt pity for the auntie first. She was someone who always took care of him with fruits and asked about his well-being whenever they met, but he didn’t know she had such circumstances.

“Did your husband say anything?”

Hyeseong’s head was busy coming up with a plan on how to respond if the auntie’s husband made a fuss saying he would sue for assault.

“He probably won’t be able to say anything. Right now, he’s too embarrassed to show his face and is just holed up in his room.”

Rather, the auntie said it was a good thing, and added that with this, he should realize how embarrassing it is so he won’t cause trouble in the neighborhood again.

Phew, fortunately, the man still had a little bit of conscience left.

“Moreover, that young man next door came to apologize this morning.”

“What? Really?”

Hyeseong’s voice naturally rose at the unexpected remark. Ihyeok went to apologize?

“Yeah. I was so surprised when he came to the front of the house. He said he was sorry for hitting my husband. I told him it was fine. Rather, I was grateful. But he still told me to relay a message to my husband.”

“What message?”

“To make sure to come directly and apologize for hitting you.”

Mrs. Han relayed Ihyeok’s words while chuckling. Hyeseong unconsciously put strength into his hand.

“Actually, I tried to bring him along this morning, but he wouldn’t listen so I came alone. Next time, we’ll definitely come together and formally apologize.”

The auntie grabbed Hyeseong’s hand as if saying sorry. Coming to his senses at her touch, Hyeseong shook his head slightly.

“Please don’t worry too much. I’m okay.”

“I’m so grateful that you say that.”

The auntie handed the fruits she brought to Hyeseong. In the bag she gave him, saying she didn’t have much else to give, there was an armful of expensive fruits. Still, she kept apologizing and disappeared. Hyeseong entered the house again with the heavy bag.

The words that Ihyeok apologized lingered in his ears. It probably wasn’t sincere. Ihyeok was the type of person who never regretted or apologized even if the action itself was immoral, as long as he thought he did the right thing.

So from Ihyeok’s perspective, hitting the man who slapped his wife and caused a loud disturbance yesterday would have been a justifiable act. Nevertheless, the reason Ihyeok went directly to apologize was…

“He told me to make sure to come directly and apologize for hitting you.”

It was probably to ensure that Hyeseong could also receive a proper apology. Imagining a person who doesn’t bow his head to others doing that before going to work, Hyeseong’s heart surged greatly.

“It’s really the most difficult thing in the world.”

Completely giving up on Ihyeok. Hyeseong had lived without thinking studying or work was very difficult. Even when faced with challenges that were hard to overcome in life, he quickly found solutions.

However, letting go of his feelings for Ihyeok felt like an unsolvable problem even for such a Hyeseong. If only Ihyeok was someone who treated him badly, it might have been easier to forget him. Hyeseong organized the fruits the auntie gave him with a heavy heart.

While neatly putting them in the refrigerator to share with Dohyun when he returned, Hyeseong’s phone that was carelessly placed on the table rang briefly.

[Hyeseong hyung, I found out the number of the Seohyeon Corporation president you mentioned before and am sending it. If you need anything else, please contact me anytime!]

* * *

“Hey! Team Leader Lee! Go make some coffee!”

“Yes!”

Kim Doo-sung, who returned after having lunch, sat at the table with his legs splayed and gestured to Lee Pilhyun. He stopped working, got up, quickly made instant coffee, and brought it to Kim Doo-sung.

“Hey, you call this coffee? Huh? This is just water… Sigh, how many years have you been working here and you still can’t even make coffee properly.”

Kim Doo-sung threw the paper cup on the table with a thud. The remaining coffee soaked the table as is. Team Leader Lee hastily brought tissues and wet wipes and wiped the spilled coffee.

“This is why I can’t forgive your brother’s debt even if I want to.”

“Boss, how about forgiving 1 million won of debt every time Team Leader Lee makes delicious coffee?”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. But this bastard is hopeless. Forget about debt forgiveness, at this rate, the debt will only increase.”

At that, boisterous laughter erupted in the office. Team Leader Lee didn’t say much and finished wiping the table.

“Team Leader Lee, try to do better. Is this how someone who says they’ll support their brother attending a prestigious university should be?”

“Yes. I will work hard…”

As Team Leader Lee bowed his head, Kim Doo-sung grumbled that he was a boring fellow.

“But when is Cheon Hyeseong really coming? We need him to somehow meet this month’s performance. I’m really anxious.”

“He said he would come by the end of this week, right?”

“Yeah.”

At the mention of Hyeseong, Team Leader Lee’s shoulders flinched as he was about to return to his seat.

“He couldn’t have lied, right?”

“He’s not the type to do that. If he dares to do that, I’ll turn that village into a wasteland. Ah, Team Leader Lee.”

“Yes… Yes?”

Pilhyun, who was listening to Kim Doo-sung talk about Hyeseong, answered while trying to maintain the most nonchalant expression possible.

“When you’re done organizing the account book, put it in my room.”

“Yes.”

Pilhyun took the old account book with a black cover and entered Kim Doo-sung’s room, placing it on the desk. Then, as if making a decision, he swallowed his saliva and came out.

“Excuse me, Boss.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, but can I work overtime today?”

“What?”

At the word “overtime” that didn’t suit a private loan office, Kim Doo-sung immediately frowned.

“Ah, I think I need to create some evidence so that Seohyeon won’t notice. I heard from Manager Kim that there seems to be pressure coming from Seohyeon… We can’t get caught, so…”

Even while speaking, Pilhyun tried his best to suppress his trembling hands. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would pop out. He suddenly felt great respect for Hyeseong.

“Hmm.”

Kim Doo-sung narrowed his eyes and glanced at him. Pilhyun became more anxious when there was no answer, but he waited without saying anything.

“Wow, your attitude changes so much at the mention of debt forgiveness!”

Kim Doo-sung suddenly laughed loudly and clapped. Pilhyun, who was startled for a moment, slightly stepped back.

“Team Leader Lee, see! You can do it if you try. If that’s the reason, work as much as you want!”

Kim Doo-sung looked at the employees next to him with a delighted smile, saying who would stop him.

“Th, thank you.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone say thank you for letting them work. Anyway, your brother must be really reassured, huh?”

Team Leader Lee just smiled awkwardly at Kim Doo-sung who was excitedly patting his shoulders for some reason. Still, Hyeseong’s words suddenly came to mind.

“A thug like Kim Doo-sung who only trusts his fists, not his head, is basically stupid. Don’t think too hard, just create the most appropriate situation and take out the evidence.”@@novelbin@@

It was just as he said. Team Leader Lee cheered inwardly. He felt exhilarated, as if he had safely passed the first hurdle of the plan.

This chapter is paid for by Nemuru!