VDN Ch 187

After the incident, everyone present at the scene, including them, underwent police questioning. Fortunately, Nam-woon and Seo-oh were released quickly, as they were clearly identified as victims of the incident.

Contrary to Nam-woon’s concerns, no fingerprints from Seo-oh or Hae-geon were found on the shovel. Only Chairman Seok’s fingerprints remained. In addition, the substances that belonged to Chairman Seok that had been injected into Seo-oh were confirmed to be a toxic pheromone classified as a dangerous substance, and Chairman Seok was charged with attempted murder.

“You say you’re dominant, right? You’d drop dead immediately if you were injected with this. This is quite fascinating.”

The researcher investigating the drug’s ingredients was amazed by Seo-oh, who remained unscathed by the toxic substance. Thanks to this, Seo-oh’s violent actions were recognized as self-defense.

The real problem, however, was with Jin Hae-geon. After Nam-woon fell off the cliff, Jin Hae-geon went on a rampage, which led to Chairman Seok’s subordinates making a malicious statement.

“Ah, damn it! That asshole and that black-haired guy worked together to try to kill us at the end! Our kid is in a coma because of that asshole!”

However, the police could not easily believe their words, and Hae-geon had almost been buried alive by Chairman Seok, so it seemed like their testimony would be biased. However, his identity was exposed in the process.

[-“Is the Mooyoung Group going downhill?”

“Mooyoung Group is associated with organized crime.”

“Why is Mooyoung Group’s sales skyrocketing…?”]

Reporters who had come to the police station after smelling a scoop were eagerly dissecting, analyzing, and enjoying the story of Hae-geon. Naturally, Jin Hae-geon’s police investigation was bound to be longer than Seo-oh and Nam-woon’s.

Detective Jang waved his hand to reassure Nam-woon, who was worried. 

“It’s okay. Just think of it as a show. He’ll be released soon after a bit more questioning anyway.”

Still, he couldn’t help but worry, as he had received help from him, which made it impossible for Nam-woon to ignore it. He looked down at his phone with a troubled expression. He was checking the comments on Hae-geon’s article.

Most people seemed to react with surprise—not about the assault incident, but about Jin Hae-geon’s appearance. 

「[BEST] Beauty Detector 3 hours ago・Shared (2) 

Those kinds of people should be locked up for life in my room for life.;;┘  

「wer**** 1 hour ago 

I’m a 56 year-old-man. And I switched my phone from a bitten apple to Mooyoung’s brand. That’s patriotism. Jin Hae-geon’s face is so hot.

-Why does this uncle’s comment smell like a simp?」

Nam-woon didn’t understand any of it. Frowning at the comments filled with what seemed to be a foreign language, he suddenly cleared his throat and flipped his phone face down on the floor. It was because of the piercing gaze directed at him. As expected, a cold voice was heard.

“Hyung.” 

“…Yes?” 

“Did you sort out Jin Hae-geon properly?” 

The tone suggested that if he denied it, someone might end up dead. Nam-woon set the tin kettle filled with taiyaki batter down and replied. 

“Yes, I sorted it out.” 

“Are you sure?” 

He nodded silently. However, Seo-oh didn’t drop his suspicious gaze. 

“Hyung, there’s something I didn’t get to tell you yesterday because I wasn’t in the right mind.” 

“What is it?” 

“You said that if I wasn’t around, you’d go to clubs every day and meet people and have fun all day long.” 

I thought you’d passed out and hadn’t heard me, but I guess I was wrong? Nam-woon quickly clarified to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings.

“Hey, I said that as shock therapy because you wouldn’t open your eyes.”

“I believe you. But if there’s a possibility. That were to happen, you’d be locked up that day.”

“……”

“I’ll put a leash on you, lock you in a room, and make you eat only taiyaki every day.” 

Cold sweat broke out on his back at Seo-oh’s serious gaze. Is this kid serious? What’s wrong with him? 

“I wasn’t going to say anything but If I were to disappear… then you’d be lonely.”

“Seo-oh….” 

“But I can’t do that.” 

His voice was as sharp as ice. Nam-woon was taken aback by Seo-oh’s attitude, which was completely different from the one at the mountain.

“Even while losing consciousness, those words bothered me to no end. And I realized something: even in the afterlife, I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes and I’ll wander this world keeping an eye on you. I would circle around you, watching and cursing every bastard who speaks to you or has any physical contact with you.”

“…Are you crazy? What are you talking about ghosts for?”

Nam-woon suddenly felt a headache and put his hand on his forehead. In short, he was saying that he would haunt him as a ghost to keep an eye on him. This isn’t a horror movie…. However absurd it seemed, Nam-woon could only let out exasperated sighs. Seo-oh didn’t stop there; he gently pushed Nam-woon’s disheveled hair aside and warned him again.

“Scary, right? So, never think that way. No matter how urgent it is, don’t say something like that again.”

“Scary my ass. Are you my wife or something…?”

As Nam-woon grumbled, Seo-oh silently stared at him, then suddenly put his hand in his pants pocket and started fiddling with something. Nam-woon looked down at the suspicious behavior. Seo-oh pulled his hand out as if nothing had happened and glared at him with a pout.

While they were bickering, Se-han stuffed his share of the taiyaki into his mouth and jumped up from his seat. Without even glancing at his Hyungs who were arguing as if it were an everyday occurrence, he dashed to the refrigerator and opened the door. He began pulling out a large box from inside.

“Se-han, are you going to do that now?”

“Yes.”

Seo-oh quickly averted his glaring eyes and approached to help Se-han with the box, while Nam-woon hurriedly cleared the table to make space. Soon, a beautiful white strawberry cream cake adorned the floral-patterned table. Seeing this, Se-han’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and Nam-woon couldn’t help but smile, forgetting his earlier petty argument with Seo-oh.

Today was supposed to be a celebration party for Kwon Sang-moon’s safe return. However, the star of the party, Kwon Sang-moon, was unable to attend.

The reason Kwon Sang-moon couldn’t be present was due to pheromone gland reconstruction treatment.

“The treatment is going to be quite lengthy. Restoring the function of the pheromone glands isn’t as easy as it sounds. I can’t guarantee how long it will take or if the function will fully return once the treatment is finished. However, if there’s a treating physician who can help you, it would be best for you to stay in the hospital for intensive care for the time being.”

Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, Kwon Sang-moon and the others who were kidnapped were hospitalized. The Mooyoung Group agreed to cover the treatment costs. Although Kwon Sang-moon initially declined the treatment, the spokesperson from Mooyoung dismissed his concerns with simple words.

“You don’t have to worry about the treatment costs. However, if you could agree to let us publish an article. We will thoroughly protect your privacy, including your personal security, so you can rest assured about that.”

This was one of the measures to stabilize the group’s reputation, which had been shaken by the Jin Hae-geon assault incident, by using them for media play. After repeated persuasion, Kwon Sang-moon agreed, and the hospitalization procedures were immediately carried out.

The celebration party was planned afterward, but since they learned too late that outside food was prohibited in Kwon Sang-moon’s hospital room, it ended up being just the three of them. As Seo-oh inserted four large candles into the cake, Se-han curiously asked,

“Who gets to make a wish after blowing out the candles?” 

“Of course, it’s Kwon Se-han.”

In response to Nam-woon’s direct answer, his chubby lips curled into a happy smile. Se-han, who had been wiggling his little hands, soon began singing the ‘Congratulations on Your Return’ song that he had made up himself. Seo-oh recorded the child singing the familiar birthday melody with changed lyrics, intending to show it to Kwon Sang-moon later.

After the song ended, Se-han puffed out his plump lips to blow out the candles. Then he shouted,

“Please make our whole family completely, completely happy!”

Nam-woon playfully asked the child, whose voice was loud as he made his wish,

“What? You’re not wishing for my happiness?”

Se-han’s eyes widened in confusion.

“Huh? I wished for your happiness too!”

Se-han, who had said that, suddenly widened his eyes and covered his mouth with both hands, saying, “Oops!” Then he turned to check his brother’s reaction. Nam-woon, puzzled, glanced between the two of them, while Seo-oh awkwardly headed to the sink. As Nam-woon stared at him, he noticed Seo-oh fiddling with something in his pocket again.

He was making the same hand movements. What could be in there? No way… Nam-woon, recalling Seo-oh’s odd behavior, narrowed his eyes and tilted his head.

Hey, that can’t be it.

Regardless, the Kwon brothers’ behavior seemed suspicious, as if they were hiding something.

***

After the noisy party had ended, and it was already evening. Seo-oh and Se-han diligently prepared to go to the hospital. Seo-oh, who had carefully put a coat on Se-han, turned to Nam-woon and asked.

“Aren’t you coming with us?”

“What would I do there? Go have fun with Dad.”

Nam-woon smiled and replied. Seo-oh nodded and stepped outside with Se-han.

Every time they went, they asked Nam-woon to join them, but he always declined.

The reason was simple. Kwon Sang-moon was still uncomfortable around him, and Nam-woon didn’t want to intrude on the family’s cozy time together after a long separation. The Kwon brothers looked upset by Nam-woon’s repeated rejections, but there was nothing they could do.

Left alone at home, Nam-woon cleaned the messy room and went out to the yard to sweep. His expression grew slightly dark now that he was alone. He needed to find a place to live before Kwon Sang-moon returned, but would Seo-oh be upset when he told him?

As he aimlessly moved the broom with a heavy heart, he heard the front gate open. Did they leave something behind? Thinking that Seo-oh might have come back, he hurriedly turned his head, only to find an unexpected person standing there.

“Young master.”