MDQ Ch 48

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Jung Yohan was confident that if he used Lee Donghee, he would quickly be able to reach Lee Hyunseok.

Believing this firmly, he contacted Lee Donghee regularly to check whether he had gotten in touch with Lee Hyunseok.

But a few days later, what he heard exceeded his expectations.

“Yohan… I think Hyunseok changed his number. I can’t reach him.”

Lee Hyunseok had changed his number without telling him. It was as if he were boldly determined to cut off all ties to the past.

Jung Yohan’s anxiety reached its peak. Putting aside any excuses, he simply wanted to see Lee Hyunseok.

He hadn’t realized how much the absence of Lee Hyunseok, who had shared three years of their lives and each other’s breaths, would affect him. He hadn’t noticed before because they were always together.

Why did that man, who was so sensitive and easily hurt, completely stir his heart…?

‘Even if he cuts off everyone else, he should contact me. He likes me, doesn’t he?’

Jung Yohan still couldn’t fully believe Lee Hyunseok’s declaration that he would no longer like him.

How could someone completely abandon a person they’d liked for so long? Surely, he had whined because he was upset and hurt.

Maybe those words “please help me” had been a roundabout way of expressing resentment. Should he have held onto Lee Hyunseok the last time they met?

He regretted not recognizing that childish side sooner.

Consumed by impatience, Jung Yohan made assumptions about Lee Hyunseok’s feelings as he pleased. If he didn’t do at least that, he felt like he would go crazy from the frustration.

First, he had to find Lee Hyunseok’s new number.

The method was simpler than expected. He went to meet his grandparents, whom he hadn’t visited even once while he was active as a Given member.

“I quit being a singer, just like you wanted.”

Of course, it wasn’t because of their wish, but he didn’t need to say that. He only needed to play along with what they wanted.

His grandfather’s face lit up. It was completely different from before, when he had pointed fingers, saying that the one making a fool of himself wasn’t his grandson.

“Are you planning to come back to the company?”

He hated company work, but he needed his grandfather’s help for now, so he had no choice.

“Yes,” Jung Yohan replied plainly, making his intentions clear, “But I do have one favor to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“I want you to find someone for me.”

“That’s easy enough.”

“The name is Lee Hyunseok. He was my manager until recently. Now he’s gone off the grid, so he can’t be found.”

“What do you want to do if you find him?”

There was no need to tell his grandfather the truth. Jung Yohan phrased it in a way that would appeal to his grandfather, who always calculated gains and losses precisely.

“He owes me a lot. He ran away without paying me back… Shouldn’t we find him and make him pay double?”

“Ha ha, now I see—you really are my grandson.”

“Of course.”

“It won’t take long.”

“Yes.”

With that confident tone, his grandfather assured him. and within just two days, he found Lee Hyunseok’s new number and location.

‘Omyeon-ri?’

He had never heard of the place. He didn’t even know it existed in Korea. No wonder he couldn’t be found in Seoul.

What could Lee Hyunseok be doing in the countryside?

Perhaps he was finding happiness in his own way, laughing among people who didn’t recognize him?

It annoyed Jung Yohan. While Jung Yohan was suffering without him, Lee Hyunseok had gone off to find his own happiness.

Why didn’t he think about those left behind? He was the one who took a liking to him first, yet why abandon the one he liked?

Jung Yohan imagined what expression Lee Hyunseok would have upon seeing his face.

Would he freeze on the spot in shock? Would he cry?

Maybe he’d blush like an idiot. Like the Lee Hyunseok of the past, who would blush just from eye contact, as if a boy falling in love for the first time.

Thinking about meeting Lee Hyunseok made him want to see the man even more. Jung Yohan finished preparing to leave for Omyeon-ri immediately.

But before departing, he first called Lee Donghee.

– “Yohan?”

“Yes, sir.”

– “What is it? H-have you contacted Hyunseok?”

“No, I haven’t contacted him, but… I found his new number.”

– “What? Is that true?”

“Yes, sir. Please contact him at that number. And please act as promised.”

Jung Yohan didn’t mention anything about threats to force him to meet, just in case.

Lee Donghee probably wouldn’t release the call records, but it’s better to be cautious.

– “I’ve been short on cash lately… but our Yohan really is capable.”

It had only been a little over a month since Lee Hyunseok last gave money to Lee Donghee. In that short time, he must have spent all his wealth and fallen into hardship.

What a pathetic man. If he weren’t Lee Hyunseok’s father, Jung Yohan would never have associated with this type of person.

Jung Yohan sneered. Despite pushing Lee Hyunseok into a corner and forcing him to run away, he showed no sign of regret.

“Please take care of it. I want to see him so badly.”

– “He’s my child, but Hyunseok is really infuriating. You follow him so well, yet he doesn’t even contact you.”

“Yes… I also feel hurt by him.”

– “Don’t worry, you’ll meet soon.”

Lee Donghee hung up after leaving words to trust him.

Now that he knew Lee Hyunseok’s location, there was no need to actively use Lee Donghee. He could handle bringing Lee Hyunseok himself.

Still, he suggested threats about death to psychologically pressure Lee Hyunseok.

Since Lee Hyunseok disappeared, Jung Yohan hadn’t been able to sleep peacefully even for a single night. He was the one who had received the confession, yet he was the one who felt discarded.

Jung Yohan thought it unfair for only him to suffer. He wanted Lee Hyunseok to feel the same struggle.

He hoped Lee Hyunseok would realize that being together was good for both of them that he didn’t want to sever the bond again.

Could this petty, selfish feeling be called love?

‘I don’t know.’

He sighed.

He couldn’t identify the restless feeling in his heart, but he was certain he needed to meet Lee Hyunseok.

So, he started driving toward Omyeon-ri.

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I lay down on the bed after finishing my conversation with Kang Kimoon.

“Hyunseok, so how are you going to prove your innocence?”

Recalling Kang Kimoon’s last question, I fell into thought.

Honestly, I had no grand plan.

Until just a moment ago, I had been trembling, not knowing what to do, and it was Kang Kimoon’s words that made me resolve to set things right.

There wasn’t enough time to devise a detailed plan.

And there wasn’t much I could do.

At most, I could reveal the conversations I had with Park Saebit and get testimonies from Park Chungrim and the managers who quit the company—that was it.

But even that, I wanted to try.

Not everyone would believe my innocence, but some might side with me.

In the end, would this be an arduous fight…?

Would I just have to build up the strength to endure it?

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘If other than Park Saebit, the other Given members defended me, my claim would gain full credibility.’

But I didn’t think Kang Junhyuk, Seo Seoho, or Jung Yohan would betray Park Saebit just to defend me.

Rather, they probably resented me for disappearing suddenly. Even other managers quit collectively because of me…

I thought that through and then turned on my phone. I intended to face the issues I had avoided.

I typed “power-tripping manager” into the search bar. Articles related to me filled the screen.

Since I didn’t respond, no follow-up articles were coming out. That was at least fortunate.

I even looked up articles about Given members and the massive resignation at the company.

All the members had refused to comment as if by unspoken agreement. They didn’t even comment on Jung Yohan leaving.

As a result, sensational articles about Given circulated. Rumors of member conflicts, bullying…

“No… has the CEO decided to abandon them? They’re not protecting them at all.”

Of course, I didn’t feel pity for the members.

I was just annoyed at the company for failing to do what it should—protect its artists. If I were their manager, those articles would have been dealt with already.

I sighed and was about to click on another article.

My phone rang sharply. The number on the screen was painfully familiar.

I frowned at an unsaved number.

The caller was my father.