— Ha Jae-Gun, what’s wrong? Why are you quiet all of a sudden?“No, I was just thinking of something.”— What about? Me?“Yeah, I thought of you.”Just then, footsteps were heard from behind.

Turning around, it was Oh Myung-Suk who came in after Nam Gyu-Ho.

The faint smile on Oh Myung-Suk’s face suggested that he had something to say to Ha Jae-Gun.Ha Jae-Gun then spoke into the phone, “Jung-Jin, I’m not alone right now, so I’ll call you later.

Let’s have drinks sometime soon, too.”— I’m definitely up for it if it’s the weekend.

Just hit me up.Ha Jae-Gun hung up the call, and Oh Myung-Suk asked, “Did you hang up because I look like there’s something I want to talk to you about?”“Yes.

Do you have nothing to say to me?”Oh Myung-Suk looked up at the ceiling and chuckled lightly.

“Hmm, I think it’s more accurate to say that I’m curious about your opinion, Mr.

Ha.”

“I am contemplating over it.

Did you expect things to turn out this way, Editor-in-chief? You mentioned that you had some speculations before.”“Honestly, I never expected that they would bring up the Records series.

You seemed to be quite shocked earlier as well.”“Yes, I am.”Oh Myung-Suk glanced outside the washroom like what Nam Gyu-Ho had done earlier.

He then fiddled with his phone and said, “Both CEOs Ren Xue and Mao Yen are getting nervous.”“Nervous?”“Especially Mao Yen.

They are afraid of missing the Records series after .

They aren’t showing it on their faces, but they are definitely regretting not making their moves earlier.

They are already a step behind after seeing the incredible success that had shown them.”“...”“Mao Yen is feeling most envious of Open House as of now, as they had acquired the license to .

She's blaming herself for losing the opportJung So-Mi frowned upon hearing the chime from the door.

The door soon opened, revealing the face of a man smiling brightly as he walked inside.“Jae-Gun hyung? Why are you here today?” Yang Hyun-Kyung jumped out of his seat in pleasant surprise.

Ha Jae-Gun put Rika down on the floor and said, “Of course, I’m here to work.

Isn't this the writer’s office? Anyway, is everyone doing well? And who do we have here? Ms.

So-Mi?” Ha Jae-Gun greeted Jung So-Mi with delight, approaching her.

However, Jung So-Mi was still in a daze, clearly in disbelief that her delusion had turned into a reality.“What’s wrong, Ms.

Jung So-Mi? It’s been a while.

Aren’t you happy to see me?”“N-no.

Welcome, Writer Ha… Have you had lunch?”“Yes, I had lunch before coming.

Wow, the cover is awesome.

It’s for Writer Bong-Yi?” Ha Jae-Gun said as he sat down next to Jung So-Mi.

Jeon Bong-Yi looked at Ha Jae-Gun all teary-eyed, “ Writer Ha! Are you teasing me with my name too?” “No, Writer Bong-Yi has such a pretty name; you should be proud of it.

You’ve made a great decision using your real name instead of a pseudonym for your new novel.” Ha Jae-Gun said.

He then turned to Jung So-Mi, who was twiddling her fingers on her lap.

“Ms.

So-Mi, let’s do another webtoon.”“...Pardon?”“Let’s work on another webtoon together.

Please help me with this time.”When was her delusion going to end in this reality? Rika jumped onto Jung So-Mi’s lap, who seemed to be completely out of it.

Rika looked at Jung So-Mi as if asking her a question,Jung So-Mi pulled Rika into a hug.

“Shall we discuss the details over dinner tonight? I think we have to discuss how the overall story is going to unfold as well.”“I think so, too.”“What? What do you mean, Ms.

Jung So-Mi…?”“N-no, it’s nothing.

I’m on board with working on another webtoon.

We can talk about it over dinner—no, I mean, we can talk.

I’m sorry.” Jung So-Mi nodded profusely.Her delusion had fully turned into reality.

It was so surprising that she even recalled how her mother would say, '' when she was younger.“We’ll be having dinner tonight, then.” Ha Jae-Gun stood up, stretching.

He looked around the office briefly and then said in a regretful tone of voice, “Yeon-Woo hasn’t been around in the office lately.”The mention of Lee Yeon-Woo’s name made Jung So-Mi feel depressed as well.

She hadn’t seen much of him around ever since she had rejected his confession.“He’s not answering his phone either.

This rascal.

Did he hide a gold mine at his house in Suwon?” Ha Jae-Gun clicked his tongue as he put his phone away.Jung So-Mi couldn't retort at all.Just then…Ha Jae-Gun’s phone rang, and Lee Yeon-Woo's name appeared on the screen.

He answered it quickly and started with a joke.“What timing.

I was about to put up a hiring notice for the manager position on the internet.”— Excuse me, is this Mr.

Jae-Gun?The strange voice from the other end of the phone seemed to belong to a middle-aged woman's voice.

Surprised, Ha Jae-Gun checked the number shown on his phone screen once more.“yes… This is Ha Jae-Gun.

But who is this…?”— I’m sorry, I’m Yeon-Woo’s mother.“ Hello, Auntie[1].

I apologize for the rudeness, thinking that it was Yeon-Woo who called.

I’m really sorry.”— No, Mr.

Ha.

More importantly, I called because.Ha Jae-Gun’s face turned dark as he stayed on the phone.

Jung So-Mi looked at Ha Jae-Gun with worry, unsure of what the conversation was about.“I understand, auntie.

I will head down to Suwon first.

No, I’m not busy at all.

Yes, I’ll call you again when I’m about to arrive.”Ha Jae-Gun hung up the phone and buried his face in his hands.

He was trembling all over, making Jung So-Mi and the others around in the office feel the unusual atmosphere.

They couldn’t utter a single word.“Ms.

So-Mi.”“Y-yes!”“I’m sorry, but could I leave Rika with you for a while? And I’m not sure if we can still have dinner tonight.”“It’s fine, Writer Ha.

You don't have to worry about it.”Ha Jae-Gun moved immediately, not even giving Jung So-Mi a chance to ask if she could go with him.

He ran for the elevator immediately after stepping out the door.

His phone rang again while he was in the elevator.

Ha Jae-Gun answered it with a serious look.“Hello? Yes, Mr.

Deputy Secretary.

Thank you for calling.

I’m still thinking about it, actually.

I apologize, but I don’t think I can make it today as something urgent has come up.

I will call you in the next few days instead.

Yes, have a good day.” Ha Jae-Gun felt like throwing his phone away at this point in time.

He was disgusted at himself for being so indifferent as Lee Yeon-Woo’s furious look whenever he took Ha Jae-Gun’s misfortune as his own surfaced in his mind.1.

Raws for this was 어머님, which is being translated to auntie in this case.

☜