Chapter 216.

Laugh, Why Don’t You (4)   “Seems like Rika isn’t shy anymore.” “Yes, it’s quite fascinating....” Han Yu-Na answered with pride and joy, the corners of her eyes turning hot as she stroked Rika’s neck.

“Come and have some coffee.

Take your time telling me what’s going on.” Han Yu-Na sat down on the sofa and slowly took a sip of coffee while collecting herself.

Ha Jae-Gun did not try to push her; he quietly read his book while waiting for her to start.

“...I just met Chae Bo-Ra.” Han Yu-Na began after drinking around half a cup of coffee.

Ha Jae-Gun looked up.

Rika jumped from Ha Jae-Gun’s lap and moved onto Han Yu-Na's lap.

“I’m not sure where I should start, but...

I got to know her when I joined ICU Entertainment and was put in the group debuting as HyperSoda....” Rika’s warmth calmed Han Yu-Na down, and she continued the story with ease.

“My family’s situation became a problem for me, and I needed money urgently back then.

While I was still wondering if I should take up a part-time job, Chae Bo-Ra lent me some money.

I was really grateful to her, and she was a really good friend to me until she wasn't...” Things that Han Yu-Na couldn’t bring herself to tell her family, colleagues, or even her manager were coming out from her now.

Ha Jae-Gun listened to her silently while nodding occasionally with an indifferent expression.

“...And she said that using the photos of me and my ex-boyfriend, Seong-Je, as leverage.” Han Yu-Na grabbed the cup in front of her after finishing her piece.

The coffee had turned cold by then.

“Photos, huh...” Ha Jae-Gun mumbled.

After some hesitation, Han Yu-Na then added, “Um, please don’t get me wrong, those aren’t weird photos, just normal....” “I didn’t...” “Ah, I’m sorry.

I have the tendency to get ahead of myself.” Han Yu-Na turned red and looked down.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled and stood up from his seat, picking up the two empty cups.

“Just do as you always have.

It’s a sensitive period for you now, and that’s why you’re overly concerned about it, but I don’t think it’s much of an issue.

Do you really think that you've made a mistake dating that guy back then?” “No.” “Isn’t that solved then? There’s no need to reveal this yourself, but it’s also not something that you aren’t proud of, isn’t it?” “Thank you, Mr.

Ha....” Han Yu-Na scrunched her tingling nose with a small smile.

She never thought that she would feel so relieved after pouring out her feelings.

Looking back, she had definitely felt desperate and frantic as she prepared for her debut.

She couldn’t get over the smallest and slightest issue during this period.

‘It's a good thing I decided to visit Mr.

Ha today, Rika.’ Han Yu-Na looked down at Rika.

As if understanding her thoughts, Rika looked up at her from her curled-up position.

Rika’s shining eyes were so deep that Han Yu-Na felt like she was falling into the abyss.

After a good thirty minutes, Han Yu-Na finally stood up to leave.

Han Yu-Na got into the cab that Ha Jae-Gun had called for her.

She smiled at Ha Jae-Gun, looking more relaxed than ever as she said, “Thank you so much for today, Mr.

Ha.

I apologize for taking up so much of your precious time, too.” “Don’t say that.

Be careful on your way back, and I’ll see you in a few days.” The cab soon drove off into the distance.

Ha Jae-Gun headed back into his house, his expression hardening.

He had pretended to be calm and collected in front of Han Yu-Na while they were together, but he was feeling otherwise inside.

Anger began boiling within him the moment he heard about Chae Bo-Ra from the younger girl.

“Rika.” “Meow...?” “A person’s malicious intent really knows no bounds.” Ha Jae-Gun hugged Rika and went up to his study.

He turned on his laptop and began working on his .

The next short story to be added in Market Place was the head of the district office, who had different personalities both inside and out.

The model of this main character was Yang Beom-Shik, whom Ha Jae-Gun had first met at his recent lecture held at the library.

‘The head of the district office decided to appear at the market more often in order to attract public sentiment and build his image.

The blatant and soulless activities only garnered a lukewarm response from the people of the market....’ Ha Jae-Gun thought it over repeatedly as he came up with an overall storyline.

Unlike reality, he wanted to instill hope in his .

He needed an opport Yang Hyun-Kyung, next to her, reflexively raised his hand and swept his fringe.

Jang Eun-Young mumbled, “I don’t even know how we should repay Mr.

Ha for this.” “What do you mean by that?” “Our honeymoon is sponsored by him.

He said it’s our wedding gift.” “Gosh, really?!” “Hey, Jang Eun-Young.

Writer Ha said it’s a secret....” “Who cares? I can’t keep things like this a secret.” Just then, the main door opened, and Ha Jae-Gun stepped in with Rika in his arms.

The writers gathering around stood up immediately and welcomed him.

“Hello, Writer Ha.” “What are you guys talking about?” “We were discussing our wedding.” “Haha, I thought so, watching your expressions.” Ha Jae-Gun put Rika down on the floor and headed to the kitchen.

Kang Min-Ho quickly headed to the kitchen, pushing Ha Jae-Gun aside and picked up a cup.

“I bought a new type of coffee; it tastes incredible.

Let me make a cup for you.” “No, I can make myself a cup.” “Just take a seat; let me do it.” Kang Min-Ho insisted and made a cup of coffee for Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun took a sip of the fragrant coffee, and his eyes widened instantly.

“It smells great, and it tastes great as well.” “Right?” “I’m not good with coffee tastes, but it’s great.

I’ll be able to work well today thanks to your special coffee.” “If it really does, I’ll gladly make you a cup of coffee every time you come to the office in the future.” “I’m just saying it.” Kang Min-Ho then whispered to Ha Jae-Gun as he sat across from him, “Thank you so much, Writer Ha.” “I understand what you’re referring to, so enough with the thanks.” “Thanks to you, we are able to get married and even get ourselves a house on a yearly lease.

You even sponsored our honeymoon...

I will do my best to return the money for the rent.

If it hadn't been for you, we would have ended up getting a unit by some noisy market and paying monthly rent instead.” “I’ve already said that you don’t have to rush paying it back.” Ha Jae-Gun stood up and headed to his desk, sitting down in front of his laptop.

While he was deciding on what to work on first for the day, Kang Min-Ho’s words from earlier rang in his ears.

"If it hadn't been for you, we would have ended up getting a unit by some noisy market and paying monthly rent instead." ‘Oh, right...!’ Ha Jae-Gun exclaimed silently and snapped his fingers.

This was why communication was important.

Meeting Kang Min-Ho at the office had allowed him to discover valuable treasure.

‘A pair of newlyweds were forced to live in the market, not because of work but because of the cheap rent.

The cheap rent led them to stay in a shabby rental room located in the noisy market...’ Tak! Tadadak! Tadak!

The storyline of a pair of newlyweds was added to the collection of short stories in Market Place.

The story was split into two versions, one from the husband’s perspective and the other from the wife’s point of view.

Ha Jae-Gun was all smiles as he continued typing out line after line.

‘I think it’s good enough to end the collection here.’ He thought it would be great to conclude Market Place after the addition of the latest three short stories he had come up with.

Afterward, he would have to work on organizing the American version of The Breath and the ambiguous text he had recently worked on about mankind's malice.

‘Should I write it in the form of an essay or a full-length ...?’ Bzzt! Just then, Ha Jae-Gun’s phone rang.

He stopped typing on the keyboard and answered the phone.

“Hello?” — Mr.

Ha, this is Reporter Hyun Sung-Beom.

There’s something I have to tell you.

“What is it?” Curious, Ha Jae-Gun tilted his head to the side.

Why would Hyun Sung-Beom, a reporter from the entertainment department, call him all the way from Japan when he was on a business trip there?Follow current s on .c(o)m