God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 129

"Team Leader Jo? Huh?"

Even at my call, Jo I-ruk left without looking back.

"?"

Unable to understand what was happening, I just tilted my head.

'Did I speak too coldly?'

Thinking back, I felt awkward, realizing it might have sounded a bit strange.

But still. I've already experienced death once, so to speak. When I was falling, I naturally thought about who would hold my funeral if I died like this.

But it's also out of place for someone so young to discuss death.

Just as I was thinking I should be more careful with my words from now on, it happened.

Ding!

My phone notification rang.

"Who could it be?"

I wasn't expecting any calls.

I hadn't told anyone around me since I was being discharged tomorrow anyway.

I wasn't injured badly enough to be immobile, and I was only hospitalized briefly due to excessive bleeding and risk of infection, so I thought there was no need to cause a fuss.

The company people all think I'm out for franchise inspections for a while...

'Ah, is it about the broadcast schedule?'

There was a recent casting offer, and I had agreed to participate as a guest for a short filming.

It was about time for another explanation as the filming date was approaching.

Other than that, there was no particular reason for anyone to contact me...

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"?!"

In the short moment I reached for my phone, three or four notifications rang. What, what's going on?

As I flinched in surprise, my phone kept ringing incessantly.

Ding! Ding!

When I finally picked up my phone and looked at the screen, I saw several names popping up one by one.

-Jung Da-on: Are you okay?! I heard you're hurt, which hospital are you in? I'll come visit with mom...

How does Jung Da-on know I'm hurt... Ah!

'Team Leader Jo!'

The only people who know I'm injured are Jo I-ruk and Hyun Ye-won who were at the scene with me. Since Hyun Ye-won is unlikely to know Jung Da-on, it was highly probable that this was Jo I-ruk's doing.

Oh no. My predicament was short-lived.

I couldn't help but gape at the string of messages from other people following Jung Da-on's name.

-Owner Han Mi-ae_Happy Snack: Woo-yeon, I got the call. I was so shocked to hear you almost had a serious accident...

-Kim Jong-chun-ahjussi: Who did this to you? Just tell me the name and I'll go and wring their neck...

-Baek Jae-ha: Noona, where are you? Quick, tell me the hospital name first. Wait, weren't you supposed to be out on field work? Why are you suddenly injured and in the hospital...

-Team Leader Roh: CEO, I just received a call from Team Leader Jo. Are you feeling alright? If it's not too inconvenient, I'd like to visit you in person and...

-Owner Le,: How are you managing your body? Don't think about running off with my wife's money and make sure you stay healthy. Which hospital...

"Pfft!"

Ah, Owner Lee, really.

I couldn't hold back my laughter. Only after shedding a few tears could I slowly read through the affectionate messages pouring in for me.

Jo I-ruk hadn't recklessly informed just anyone about my hospitalization. It was evident he had chosen those with whom he had close enough relationships to be considered trustworthy.

Thanks to this, I could ease my worry about the story leaking out. More than that, Jo I-ruk's intention was clear, and it made me smile involuntarily.

"Really..."

He wanted to show me.

That there are people who would be sad and troubled if I got hurt.

I hugged my phone tightly to my chest and fell back. As the soft bedding enveloped my body and the warmth of the phone heated my chest, I felt like I could breathe a little easier.

"That's right. I need to be more careful now."

It's just a few glass shards stuck in me, but everyone's making such a fuss. If I were to get into a car accident, they'd probably lose their minds.

That won't do. They're all core talents of the company and franchise owners close to direct management.

There's no reason for The Song to be shaken to its roots.

Right. It's all for the company. ...Perhaps that's why I can't stop smiling.

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"I'm telling you, there's no need to come. I'm being discharged today anyway."

I added a word, feeling a bit awkward.

After Jo I-ruk informed those around me about my hospitalization, I adamantly refused everyone's offers to visit.

I was planning to be discharged after just one day anyway.

I told them there was no need to make unnecessary trips since my body was fine, and weren't they all busy with their store and company work? That's how I dissuaded them.

But there was one person who insisted on accompanying me for discharge.

"In-seok. No matter what, it's lonely to leave the hospital alone when you're sick."

It was none other than Lee In-cheol.

"You've got quite a bit of luggage too. How were you planning to get home without a car, huh?"

"I was going to take a taxi or just use public transportation."

"How foolish. You're too famous now to use public transportation!"

Ugh.

That's true, but... With a hat and mask on, everyone's too busy with their own phones to notice, you know.

But instead of arguing back, I silently handed over my bundle of luggage to Lee In-cheol. He neatly packed them into his car trunk.

It was just a few days' stay, but with paperwork, I had quite a bit of personal belongings including my laptop and tumbler.

"What about your store?"

"Today's my day off~ We're always closed on Mondays, remember?"

"Ah, right."

"Now that you're running so many places, I guess you've forgotten about the first store we started with?"

"No way. I just got confused for a moment."

I naturally took my seat in the passenger side. As I fastened my seatbelt, Lee In-cheol's gaze was quite sharp.

"Your arm. Can you move it?"

"Yes. I just need to be careful, dress it three times a day. I also have some medication. Antibiotics and stomach protection."

"Phew, alright. Thank goodness it's not a serious injury."

Since I was hospitalized at the closest hospital to the franchise where the accident occurred, it was going to take quite a while to get home.

I suddenly realized it had been a while since I had a conversation like this with Lee In-cheol.

"How's the store these days?"

"You can see the sales figures, can't you? We're so busy we can't even catch a breath."

I had thought they must be busy, seeing how sales have been steadily good since the expansion and relocation.

We've been in contact occasionally due to logistics and distribution. But since we were both busy, our conversations didn't last long.

It was more like checking in to make sure we were still alive.

"How's CEO Choi Yeo-hae doing? I heard she's keeping a close eye on me to make sure I don't run off with her money?"

"Don't even mention it. She's all smiles these days. You know, because all the franchises use her people for interior work?"

"Of course, that's how it should be."

"Thanks to that, she's over the moon saying her investment was successful and she's getting steady work."

That's good to hear. She's the grateful person who invested in The Song first. We shouldn't forget that kindness.

We're steadily repaying that kindness with results, though.

"When I heard you were hurt, I was originally going to come together. But an urgent meeting came up, so I came alone..."

"Oh, come on. You're a busy person, why go to such trouble?"

"No matter how busy I am, I have to come at least once when I hear you're hurt! Huh? From what I see, you're the type who'd say you're fine even if your back was broken. If I don't see with my own two eyes that you're really okay, I can't sleep, I tell you!"

How did he know? He's so accurate.

Is it because he's the person who worked closest with me? His analysis is spot on.

"In-seok. Company and all that is fine, but what's the use if you're not healthy? You're still young, but when you get to my age! There are countless people who'd pour in truckloads of money just to get their health back!"

"Yes, yes. I know very well."

"Anyway, I've been thinking this since you first started working. Your biggest chronic problem is that when you get fixated on something, you dive in headfirst without considering anything else, you know?"

Oh no. It looks like he's about to start nagging?

"Even when we first changed the sign. You went and changed the name without any discussion! And at that time, weren't you leaving work late and coming in at dawn? With barely enough time to go home, wash up and sleep, when did you even have time to look into signage, huh? Did you even sleep?"

It's not just starting up. He's stepping on the accelerator.

"If you had told me about your situation, I could have at least adjusted the time for you. Right? Did I seem like such an inflexible person..."

"Owner Lee."

Unable to hold back, I cut off Lee In-cheol mid-sentence.

Only after seeing my exasperated face did Lee In-cheol seem to realize his mistake. He cleared his throat and cautiously asked.

"Was I nagging too much?"

"My ears are bleeding."

"It's all~ for your own good. Remember that."

Do these uncles get training for this somewhere? How can they all have the exact same repertoire?

'But well... This isn't so bad either.'

Sitting in the passenger seat of the car Lee In-cheol was driving, quietly looking out the window. I became aware of how precious this peaceful moment was.

And knowing that even those naggings were filled with affection, I didn't really mind them.

...If my father were alive, would it have felt like this?

As I was thinking that, Lee In-cheol quietly started talking.

"You know, I originally promised my wife, CEO Choi, that we wouldn't have children when we got married. But later on, we felt regretful, so when I was about thirty-six... We tried in vitro fertilization."

I've never heard this story before.

"In the end, it failed. If we had had a child then, they'd be about your age now."

As I looked at Lee In-cheol with wide eyes, he continued speaking while staring straight ahead, not looking at me.

"Maybe that's why. When it seems like you're overworking yourself, I can't help but worry. I'm getting sentimental in my old age."

"......"

"Anyway! What I'm saying is this! Since your body isn't well now, don't overdo it! Take a good~ rest at home for a few days. Okay? You understand?!"

Seemingly embarrassed, he raised his voice to scold me. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"Ahahahaha! Ah, Owner Lee. What should I do?"

"Why, why you rascal. What's so funny? Am I funny?"

"No, of course not. How could I not know that you care for me like a daughter? But, I'm afraid I can't fulfill your request."

The timing is quite ironic. Rest well at home? That's going to be a bit difficult.

Because.

"Actually... I'm going to the jungle soon."