Chapter 159.1: I’m Going to Get Stronger (2)
After putting his phone back down, Kang Chan watched cars and people pass by.
It would be cowardly to back down just because one didn’t have any immediate influence or strength. Doing that would be no different from giving in to the bullies at school.
Did they think including Lanok in the discussions would be like bringing school teachers to the meeting? It was as if they were scared that Huh Geuk would apologize in front of the adults but start putting up his fists once the teachers weren’t around anymore.
Kang Chan was well aware of Hwang Ki-Hyun’s responsibilities and Go Gun-Woo’s sacrifice. However, Kang Chan also had his own judgment on the matter.
They wanted South Korea to fucking apologize? And they were threatening to impose economic sanctions and change South Korea’s president if they didn’t get what they wanted?
Suo Ke frantically called Kang Chan when Germany, France, and Russia deployed their respective special forces teams to China. Now, however, he was acting up after cutting deals like the wimp that he was. How could Kang Chan apologize to that kind of bastard?
‘I’m doing this my way.’
He felt the same way when he first went to school and met Lee Ho-Jun. The guy did not even say sorry to the teacher who tried to stop him, so what could apologizing even do in that scenario?
Steeling his resolve, Kang Chan took in a deep breath. Just then—
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.?
His phone began to ring.
“It’s Smithen,” he informed Seok Kang-Ho when the latter glanced at him. He then answered the call. “Hello?”
- Captain, why don’t we have dinner today, sweetie?
Kang Chan had no particular dinner appointment today, but things were already hectic enough. He didn’t have time to have dinner with…
- I specially made time for you today, dear.
“Where are you?”
-Why, I’m in front of Hongdae, of course.
Fuck that. Kang Chan was going to teach Smithen how to talk today.
After asking Seok Kang-Ho if he was joining them, Kang Chan discussed with Smithen where they were going to meet.
Meanwhile, Seok Kang-Ho didn’t utter a word about what was happening tomorrow. He acted as if he would support Kang Chan no matter what his decision was. It was one of the things Kang Chan liked about him.
***
“I think the pressure has gotten to them, sir,” a man said.
Huh Ha-Soo nodded in agreement as he carefully swept back the few strands of what remained of his hair.
“Everyone has their rightful ranks, as history shows. I have no idea what exactly they were trying to do by going against China and the United States, though.” Huh Ha-Soo clicked his tongue. “Although they seemed to have given up on it now, we can never let our guard down. Quite a few punks were captivated by and swore their loyalty to Moon Jae-Hyun,” Huh Ha-Soo warned disgustedly.
“I’ve taken all the necessary precautions, sir,” the man reassured him.
“I spent my whole life serving this country. I can’t believe I would see South Korea fall in danger all because some young bastard pushed the nation around. Letting that kid run rampant is starting to ruin our country. They even murdered an individual as precious as Yang Jin-Woo in cold blood just because of a tiny flaw! This is absolutely ridiculous,” Huh Ha-Soo exclaimed with derision.
“It must be because they believe the Eurasian Rail is the solution to all these problems,” the man mused.
“Hmph, that has to be it. Those inexperienced idiots will fail to build the Eurasian Rail in Korea. They left out all the wise, seasoned veterans, so what else were they expecting? You’ve seen that child before, haven’t you? What did you think of him?” Huh Ha-Soo asked.
Heo Chang-Seon, the man in the room with Huh Ha-Soo, scowled before he even said anything.
“He definitely had an extraordinary look in his eyes, but he was just a kid. He was apprehensive that I would meet Lanok or the man who came from Russia.”
“He’s the type that tries to take credit for everything, then?” Huh Ha-Soo asked.
“Well, we really cannot expect any better from an immature child, can we?” Heo Chang-Seon replied with confidence.
Huh Ha-Soo nodded in agreement, then commandingly said, “This will be our last chance, then. We have to lay low and take over the National Intelligence Service before they know what hit them.”
“Understood, sir, but…” Heo Chang-Seon hesitantly trailed off. “Who were you thinking of putting in the seat of the director?”
“Haha, would you not feel better knowing that it’s family in that position?”
“That’s right, sir.” While still in his seat, Heo Chang-Seon bowed down with his entire upper body with his hands resting on his knees.
“I cannot help but wonder how that young kid will react when he apologizes but the director of the NIS still gets replaced. Anyway, there may be something we missed or don’t know, so never put your guard down. We also have to hurry and find out how a high school student was able to become so close with someone as significant as Lanok so quickly. For all his impudence, it would do us good to learn some of his tricks.”
Heo Chang-Seon just briefly nodded in response.
“If we can replace the director with one of our people, we’ll be able to check the young man’s records. Lanok will also have no choice but to cooperate with us for the Eurasian Rail. We should prepare something to give him as a gift when that time comes,” Huh Ha-Soo said as he stroked his nonexistent hair back out of habit. “Where did that kid even come from? Moon Jae-Hyun didn’t seem to have raised him either. Just who is he really?!”
Huh Ha-Soo shook his head from side to side, annoyance clearly evident in his expression.
“I will be taking my leave for now, sir,” Heo Chang-Seon politely stated.
“Tomorrow’s the day the announcement will be made. Stay on your toes and don’t miss the moment the contingency actions are released. Make sure to thoroughly prepare your men as well,” Huh Ha-Soo commanded.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing, sir,” Heo Chang-Seon said, having gotten up from his seat. He bowed and left the room.
***
Kang Chan took time out of his chaotic schedule to have dinner with Smithen because it had been a while since they last ate together. He remembered Seok Kang-Ho saying that Smithen probably felt lonely too, so Kang Chan went all the way to Hongdae when he learned Smithen was finally free.
However, not long after they arrived, Kang Chan found himself taking deep breaths in an attempt to suppress his anger. He understood that the people who came to this place to learn Korean had different cultures and traditions. However, he couldn’t understand why Smithen brought four people with him—all of them women—to their dinner plans.
“Argh! That idiot!” Seok Kang-Ho grumbled.
“Let’s just hurry up and eat, then leave,” Kang Chan said in an effort to calm himself down. They walked into the restaurant that Smithen recommended—a fusion place that served Korean food Italian-style.
“Let me introduce you, sweetie! This is…”
Smithen proceeded to introduce all four of them to Kang Chan, Kang Chan wasn’t really interested. He had no reason to remember them either, so he just lazily nodded. He would save Smithen some face, but that was it.
It occurred to Kang Chan that Smithen probably wouldn’t have much joy in his life if he couldn’t enjoy these occasions. The poor guy had lost his eye and strength, so he deserved to be cut some slack. Since Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho were already here and Smithen had brought these girls along, Kang Chan thought they might as well let Smithen have some fun being the big man.
It was partly Kang Chan’s fault for expecting too much from someone who didn’t think too deeply anyway, so he decided to just eat and leave right after.
“What should we order?” Smithen asked.
“Order whatever you want. Dinner’s on me,” Kang Chan replied in resignation.
Smithen and the four women clapped with delight.
‘Whatever. You just keep enjoying the rest of your life.’
They ordered some wine and a couple of dishes on the menu. As everyone was poured a glass, their food were served.
With Smithen at the center of the conversation, the four women chattered in somewhat awkward Korean. The atmosphere was uncomfortable, but the food itself wasn’t that bad. The dinner ended with Kang Chan still perplexed about why Smithen had asked him to come here.
“Daye and I have something to do, Smithen, so we’ll get going first. You all take your time finishing your food. I’ll pay on the way out,” Kang Chan said.
“You were busy? Then you should have said so, goodness!” Smithen exclaimed.
Kang Chan pushed down his anger and forced a smile out instead.
Remember, this punk has never been the bright type.
It didn’t matter. Kang Chan wanted to see Smithen anyway. After all, nobody knew what could happen once he attacked Suo Ke.
“Captain, there’s actually someone I wanted to introduce to you today. That person will be coming by soon. Do you really not have time?” Smithen asked.
“Smithen, this is it for today,” Kang Chan warned.
“I see. I understand, sweetie,” Smithen replied.
The women carefully observed Kang Chan and Smithen’s expressions. After saying their goodbyes, Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho left the restaurant.
“That bastard is the same as ever. Jeez,” Seok Kang-Ho complained.
“Well, he’s always been that way,” Kang Chan reasoned.
They normally would have had coffee together before parting ways, but they were worn out even though all they did was have dinner.
“I’ll be parked in front of the complex tomorrow before one. Let’s go together. I’ll be sitting in the apartment lobby with Jong-Il,” Seok Kang-Ho said.
“Got it,” Kang Chan responded, his fatigue evident in his voice.
Traffic was heavy because everyone was leaving work, so it took about an hour to reach Kang Chan’s home.
“You should rest. Don’t think too hard about it,” Seok Kang-Ho said out of worry.
Kang Chan stepped out of the car and thumped the car roof in response.
There was nothing to think hard about. He had already made up his mind, after all. The question was how he would sort out the consequences, but that was something that he should worry about once he had executed his plan. Why worry beforehand?
Upon entering his apartment, Kang Chan washed up and spent some time in the living room. He went to bed early. Fortunately, he did not receive any other calls for the rest of the day. However, Yoo Hye-Sook’s phone was ringing nonstop.
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