Big Life

Chapter 262. Don’t Provoke Me (3)

“What? Wedding?” the senior reporter exclaimed, pulling out his phone. Just then, he recalled the headlines that he had read on the news a couple of months ago.

“Yeah, Dong-Suk. I remember the interview Ha Jae-Gun had done with Hyun Sung-Deom from Weekly Trends. He mentioned that he’s getting married to his university classmate, right? So he’s getting married quietly and only inviting his close friends and relatives?”

“Why are you just recalling the article contents now? Go and call the chief already.”

“I’m calling now, aren’t I?! Ah, hello? Hey hey, Hyun-Ki. I’m outside Ha Jae-Gun’s house now. Of course, it’s the writer! Who else has the same name and is also popular?! Shut it, and get the chief on the phone! Ah, faster! Hey, Dong-Suk. Take a few photos, hurry, hurry!”

The reporters’ guesses were right. Ha Jae-Gun’s house today had become the venue for his small and modest wedding, which was prepared in secret. This was their unexpected harvest after following the movie director, Chris Nolan.

“Huh? What’s that?” Dong-Suk was driving the car slowly when he suddenly stepped on the brake. Right after Chris Nolan and Mao Yen passed through the driveway outside Ha Jae-Gun’s house, the security guards began setting up barricades.

“What should we do, senior?”

“What’s that? They can just block up the driveway like that?”

“This is his private estate. The road goes out this way, and there’s nothing else aside from Ha Jae-Gun’s house in that direction."

“Hey! When did we start being considerate of our interview target? Shut up and drive forward!”

Vroom!

The old car drove forward, but it was forced to a stop at the barricades.

“Aigoo, thanks for the hard work. Seems like Writer Ha Jae-Gun is holding his wedding today?”

The two reporters got out of the car and laughed casually. The tight-lipped security guards were expressionless.

“I saw the movie director Chris Nolan and CEO Mao Yen entering earlier. Are they preparing for another movie adaptation? Wait, wow. Something smells good instead. Did they prepare the food personally, too?” the reporters sniffed the air, attempting to sneak past the guards. However, the well-built guards stopped them.

“You’re not allowed in; this is Mr. Ha Jae-Gun’s private estate.”

“We’re not going in, alright? We’re not going in. Let us pull over first. Look, there’s so much space by the outside walls there.”

“You’re not allowed to pull over. Please take a U-turn.”

“Wow, personal security guards have no flexibility these days. Look, we want to give our congratulations to him as well; that’s why we’re here. I’m close to him. He must have forgotten to invite me since he’s busy... Huh, where’s my wallet?” the reporter pretended to be looking for his wallet and took the chance to sneak past the two guards. However, another guard came in and blocked his way.

“Ah, seriously! Let me pass already. Hey! Hey, let go of me. You’re using violence on me!”

“You’re the one who started it first, Mr. Reporter. We have CCTVs all over the place, so don’t think of playing any tricks and return to where you came from.”

The reporters had no other tricks up their sleeves. They had no choice but to turn the car around, chewing down on their lips. But of course, they didn’t leave the compound entirely.

“Hey Dong-Suk. Did you take a few photos?”

“I took a whole~ bunch of Ha Jae-Gun’s roof and outside walls.”

“Fuck. Let’s use those in the article first. I’m going to draft the article. Give me the laptop.” The two reporters began working on the article after getting chased out of the driveway.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man appeared from behind the guards whose guards were still up. The middle-aged man was none other than Nam Gyu-Baek’s confidante, Department Head Bae.

“Hyung-Jun, I think it’s best to call in more guards before the reporters rush over.”

“Yes sir. How many more should I call over?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure.” Department Head Bae rubbed his forehead, drenched in sweat, as he looked around. Taking into consideration the number of guests and the size of Ha Jae-Gun’s house, Department Head Bae finally said, “To make sure everything goes well, let’s call an additional hundred guards over.”

“Yes sir. I’ll call them immediately.”

“I’ll leave this in your hands.” Department Head Bae patted the shoulder of the guard named Hyung-Jun before turning around to leave. He had someone more important to look after, and he was none other than Nam Gyu-Baek.

‘I hope he isn’t drinking rice wine somewhere in secret...’ Department Head Bae stepped through the gate, scanning the area within the estate in search of Nam Gyu-Baek.

Groups of guests were standing around in the garden and inside the house, talking amongst themselves. Familiar with Nam Gyu-Baek’s silhouette, Department Head Bae was able to spot the old man amidst the crowd after a while.

“Hahaha...” Department Head Bae stopped in his tracks, chuckling to himself. Fortunately and unlike his worries, he found Nam Gyu-Baek not alone but with the second most feared person in the world after his wife.

“Father, did you see this tree? I planted this seedling just last year, and it’s already grown so much.”

“Yes, it’s really pretty. But aren’t you busy? Don’t worry about me and do what you have to do.”

“I’m not busy at all, Father. The food has all been prepared. Anyway, I've been hearing you coughing for a while now. Are you thirsty? I’ll get you a glass of soy milk.” Ha Jae-In stood up from her seat.

Nam Gyu-Baek turned pale and hurriedly stopped her. “N, no. Forget about the soy milk. I’ve had enough soy milk in this lifetime ever since you joined our family.”

Nam Gyu-Baek really felt like dying. He was elated to hear that he could eat all his favorite foods to his heart’s content. There was short rib soup, banquet noodles, all sorts of ricecakes and pancakes, as well as all other handmade food made under Myung-Ja’s guidance, which made him salivate endlessly.

However, he had forgotten to take into account a certain variable. The food that he could eat under his daughter-in-law’s watchful eyes was limited. That was why Nam Gyu-Baek desperately wanted to shake her off, no matter what it would take.

It was then...

“Department Head Bae!” Nam Gyu-Baek exclaimed upon spotting his subordinate from afar.

At the very least, Department Head Bae would still let him have half a bowl of rice wine reluctantly if he requested earnestly.

Department Head Bae strode over in response to Nam Gyu-Baek’s call. At the same time, a man with a camera in hand walked past him. The man was wearing a bright smile like a young country bumpkin who had just arrived in Seoul and was looking at everyone and everything in awe.

Department Head Bae quickly chased after him.

“Hey.” Department Head Bae said, catching up to the young man. The young man who turned around made Department Head Bae stiffen, and he unconsciously took a step backward.

“W-what’s the matter?”

“Are you a reporter?”

“Sorry? Ah, I am. yes, I am a reporter, but—ah!”

“You’ve managed to sneak in.” He snatched the camera from the young man’s hands, then immediately signaled to the guards at the entrance. The guards came over immediately.

“I, I’m an invited guest.”

“But you said you’re a reporter?”

“Yes, I am also a reporter, but I’ve received an invitation from Mr. Ha Jae-Gun. Yes, I am Hyun Sung-Beom from Weekly Trends. Ah, I left the invitation in my bag..!”

However, Department Head Bae did not believe Hyun Sung-Beom. When the guards were about to escort Hyun Sung-Beom out the door, Ha Jae-In saw what was going on and hurried over.

“Department Head Bae, please let him go. He is our guest.”

“Ah... Is that so? I’m sorry for stepping out of line.” Department Head Bae shook his head while apologizing, flustered at the mistake he had made.

Hyun Sung-Beom bowed lightly to Ha Jae-In, showing his gratitude. Then, he glared at Department Head Bae sulkily before leaving.

As Hyun Sung-Beom left, Ha Jae-In explained, “He's Reporter Hyun Sung-Beom from Weekly Trends. He has a good relationship with Ha Jae-Gun, so you don’t have to worry. He’s not the kind to take photos and write articles without permission.”

“I understand.”

Hyun Sung-Beom was the only reporter who had been invited to Ha Jae-Gun’s wedding. He even got permission to write an article on the wedding and post a few photos after the wedding.

It was a privilege that made Hyun Sung-Beom feel pretty proud.

However, the other reporters beyond the walls felt completely different. The two reporters who had been blocked off at the driveway earlier were stomping their feet as they posted the article they had drafted.

[Exclusive-Part 1: Wedding held in secret at Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s house]

“Dong-Suk, isn’t the photo earlier better than this?”

“What’s the difference when both photos are just the exterior walls of his house? We should show Ha Jae-Gun instead. Aish, is there a side road for us to get in?”

The breaking news quickly appeared on the real-time keyword search ranking. There wasn't a proper photo attached to it, but it received a ton of attention. Comments quickly lined up at the end of the article and soon spread throughout social media.

[Did y’all see the breaking news? Ha Jae-Gun is getting married today kekekekekeke Not a bluff; he’s really doing it at his house kekekeke]

[I thought it was clickbait, but it was real;;; Is one-piece girl the bride? Or the bunned-hair girl?]

[Should be the one-piece girl. They were university classmates, and she's a team leader at Nextion now... Wow, she's really pretty, not gonna lie. I'm envious of Ha Jae-Gun t.t]

[Look at the photo uploaded kekekeke I think there are over a hundred security guards there kekekeke much more than the number of guests kekekeke]

[Did the movie director Chris Nolan really get invited??? Isn't that crazy? So The Breath is going to be directed by him??]

[I think that's going too far. Is Director Nolan that free? No matter how popular Ha Jae-Gun had become in the U.S., why would he fly all the way to Korea just for his wedding? Please stop with the imagination.]

Eventually, the words “Ha Jae-Gun wedding” went up on the real-time keyword search ranking. Just as it topped the ranks, the wedding began as well.

The person he most respected, Professor Han Hae-Sun officiated, and Park Do-Joon took the role of the emcee.

Meanwhile, Lee Chae-Rin and Han Yu-Na were busy preparing themselves to sing the congratulatory song. Unlike the chaotic world outside, the small intimate wedding proceeded smoothly and quietly.

***

[...Do our viewers see the house in the distance behind my shoulder? That is Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s house. And his small wedding is happening there right now.]

The live broadcast of news on Ha Jae-Gun's wedding played on the TV. Kwon Sung-Deuk bolted up from his lying position on the sofa upon hearing the news.

[...It looks like only Ha Jae-Gun and the bride's close friends and relatives were invited to the small wedding held in secrecy. Although we still can't figure out the identities of the guests, the famous British-born Hollywood movie director, Chris Nolan, was seen entering the estate. His appearance has become a hot topic. Chris Nolan has become a popular name in Korea for the Bat King trilogy that he had directed, but it is still uncertain as to why he had come to attend Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s wedding...]

Plat!

Kwon Sung-Deuk turned off the TV and threw the remote control at the wall in anger. The remote control fell to the ground and the batteries fell out in the process.

“Is it still far off?!”

“I apologize, Assemblyman. I’m still trying to get connected.” The innocent aide bowed profusely as he was being yelled at.

Kwon Sung-Deuk spat into the ashtray and took out a new cigarette stick. He was going crazy from the anxiety he was feeling now. The greenhorn who had mocked him was happily holding his wedding.

There was also something else that triggered his anger greatly: ever since their small incident at the Korean restaurant, he hadn’t been able to get in contact with Lin Minhong’s side. No matter how many times he had instructed his aide to call him, there was only one response from his secretary.

“Is he not answering or what?!” Kwon Sung-Deuk yelled as he put out the cigarette in the ashtray.

Kwon Sung-Deuk's aide looked like he was about to cry as he gripped his phone tightly, unable to give an answer.

The assemblyman's current situation could only be described by the phrase, "He got tricked," but the aide dared not to say it in the former's face.

“Argh...!” Kwon Sung-Deuk gnashed so hard that the implant he had done the year before had popped out. He shoved it back in place and stood up. “I’m never letting this go! We politicians are the nightmare of the chairmans of these MNCs! I will show you the bitterness of this society!”

Kwon Sung-Deuk was furious, but he had no concrete plan in mind. Ha Jae-Gun wasn’t a salaried worker of any MNC but a writer. Before he could do anything, he needed to find Ha Jae-Gun's weakness first.

A while later...

“Yeah, there’s no way he’s clean...” Kwon Sung-Deuk muttered, narrowing his eyes and scanning the empty space.

Reaffirming his decision, Kwon Sung-Deok turned to his aide and instructed, “Gather and organize all relevant information about Ha Jae-Gun starting from the publishing company that published Ha Jae-Gun’s debut novel.”