Chapter 225.1: Where Someone They Missed Used To Be (2)
Kang Chan noticed that Lee Yoo-Seul was feeling a lot better now. The time they had spent together was brief since it was just the duration that they ate chicken together, but it was effective. Lee Yoo-Seul headed back inside her house as she eagerly waved Kang Chan goodbye.
When Lee Yoo-Seul said she was going to become a soldier, Seok Kang-Ho acted gruffly on purpose to hide his shyness, while Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho looked noticeably moved. Kang Chan thought that the whole interaction went pretty well.
Instead of leaving immediately, the four watched and waited until Lee Yoo-Seul had fully gone past the entrance of the apartment complex.
“Do you have some time, sir?” Cha Dong-Gyun asked Kang Chan as they walked back to the car.
Kang Chan wondered what it could be. After all, aside from the matter involving Wui Min-Gook, nothing urgent was going on at the moment.
“There’s something I would like to discuss with you,” he added.
“We’re driving you back to the base anyway, right? We can talk about it there,” Kang Chan suggested.
The four all got in one car and headed back to base. Seok Kang-Ho drove for them. Upon reaching their destination, Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho headed inside the barracks. Kwak Cheol-Ho prepared some instant coffee for them as Cha Dong-Gyun sat down next to them with Choi Seong-Geon’s former aide.
“We’re having trouble finding someone to take over this place,” Cha Dong-Gyun began. “General Choi was well-known for the way he led this base, but that’s also why the other commanders seem to be uncomfortable with the fact that they could be compared to him. There’s a chance that they’ll also have trouble accepting our ways of doing things,”
Kang Chan lifted the paper coffee cup and took a sip as he waited for Cha Dong-Gyun to continue.
“Please allow me to take command of this place,” Cha Dong-Gyun said firmly but with much difficulty.
“Can you do that with your rank? You’re a lieutenant,” Kang Chan asked out of curiosity.
The aide quickly nodded in response. “If we can entrust the management of the unit to the National Intelligence Service, then it can be done. We will still be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense, but the National Intelligence Service’s counter-terrorism team can manage the base.”
“Why are you suddenly asking for this?” Kang Chan asked.
“If we start following all the regulations of the military, we won’t be able to train as we’ve been doing anymore. General Choi used to prevent any issues from arising with the higher-ups, but if we get someone who does things strictly according to the manual, it’ll be suffocating for both the new commander and us,” the aide replied.
Kang Chan let out a quiet sigh.
If he did as Cha Dong-Gyun asked, it would likely seem as if he was attempting to take control of the special forces team. Considering the structure of military systems and the significance of the special forces, this wasn’t an easy demand to meet, especially given the recent rapid growth of the special forces.
“So the special forces team will be under the National Intelligence Service on paper, but in reality, you’ll be the one managing it?” Seok Kang-Ho asked Cha Dong-Gyun.
“Yes, sir,” Cha Dong-Gyun answered.
“Will they easily grant me approval if I make this request?” Kang Chan wondered.
“There’s about a fifty percent chance that it will be allowed,” the aide quickly answered. “The military won’t want to let go of the special forces team so easily, sir. Moreover…”
“I’ll be getting too much power, won’t I?” Kang Chan asked.
“Yes, sir.”
Kang Chan trusted Cha Dong-Gyun and the deputy officer. He knew they weren’t asking this of him out of personal greed. However, he couldn’t expect others to think the same.
“All right. I’ll talk to Manager Kim about it when I get back to Seoul,” Kang Chan informed them.
“Understood, sir,” Cha Dong-Gyun responded with gratitude.
At the same time, something occurred to Kang Chan. “That aside, you seem to be in much better shape than last time.”
“My recovery speed is getting faster and faster. The same goes for Jong-Il sunbae. Even the hospital staff was surprised. I wonder if it’s because I quit smoking,” Cha Dong-Gyun mused.
The corners of Seok Kang-Ho’s lips curved into a smile.
Is it really because my blood was used for the transfusion?
At the very least, Seok Kang-Ho looked as if he thought that had to be the case.
“I see. Well, I’ll head back to Seoul and think about it. For now, take care of the men,” Kang Chan said.
“Thank you, sir. I will,” Cha Dong-Gyun responded.
Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho headed back to Seoul.
“Don’t you think Wui Min-Gook is being too quiet?” Seok Kang-Ho wondered out loud.
“We should watch the situation for another week or so. If someone told us to hide and lay low, wouldn’t you stay off the grid for at least two weeks?” Kang Chan contemplated.
“I suppose,” Seok Kang-Ho agreed. He began to speed up when they entered the highway.
“I’m thinking of meeting the ambassador tomorrow, by the way. I might also take my father to see the first floor of the building too,” Kang Chan informed him.
“Phuhu. If the foundation moves in as well, the building willl be swarming with agents,” Seok Kang-Ho said with a grin.
Kang Chan chuckled.
They chatted about various other topics as they headed back. At around ten in the evening, they finally reached Seoul.
“Thanks for driving,” Kang Chan said.
“I’ll call you in the morning tomorrow. I’m going to head straight to the office,” Seok Kang-Ho replied.
“Got it.”
After parting ways with Seok Kang-Ho, Kang Chan went to his family’s apartment. When he pressed the buttons of the keypad and walked inside, he was greeted by Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook, who were sitting in the living room.
“How was your hospital visit?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked warmly.
“He’s doing a lot better, so I’m feeling lighter now,” Kang Chan replied.
After greeting his parents, Kang Chan changed into more comfortable clothes and walked out into the living room.
“Father, are you busy tomorrow?” Kang Chan asked.
“Me? Well, I am a bit busy since it’s the end of the season, but I might be able to make time. Is it going to take a while?” Kang Dae-Kyung replied
“No, I think an hour should be enough.”
“What is it about?”
“It’s the building that Michelle moved DI into. She said the first and second floors are empty, so I was wondering if you would like to move the showroom there,” Kang Chan explained. “Mother can move there too. Wouldn’t it be nice if you two could stay together in the same building?”
“Where is it?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.
Kang Chan told him the approximate location of the building.
“I know that building. I heard its owner isn’t letting anyone take the first and second floors because some people are supposed to be moving in.” Kang Dae-Kyung tilted his head in contemplation.
“Would you be interested in it if you can?”
“It would be a lot better for business than where I am now since it’s located in a corner. Wouldn’t the rent be quite high, though? I’m sure a lot of other people are interested in the spot too since it’s a new building.”
“From what I heard, you should be able to secure it with the same amount of rent as you do now,” Kang Chan replied assuringly.
Kang Dae-Kyung was a smart businessman. He looked at Kang Chan in doubt and concern. “I’m sure you’re handling things properly, but I hope you’re not using your influence to get us a spot in that building. You don’t have to do that.”
“I promise you it’s nothing like that.”
“I’ll talk it over with the management of our current building first before making a decision. Would that be okay?”
“Yes, that should be fine. Please let me know once you’ve made a decision.”
“I’ll be sure to.”
“Honey! It really would be nice if we could work in the same building. All the agents will be staying in the same place too instead of being separated,” Yoo Hye-Sook exclaimed, her voice filled with hope.
Kang Dae-Kyung nodded in agreement.
***
Waking up at dawn, Kang Chan decided to skip today’s morning workout after some contemplation. His leg wasn’t completely healed yet, so he didn’t want to put too much pressure on his muscles.
“Channy! You’re not going to exercise today?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked when she saw him.
“No, I’m feeling a bit lazy today,” Kang Chan responded.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked. She seemed glad to hear that Kang Chan was skipping his workout but also seemed concerned.
How could Kang Chan ever dislike her mother?
“What are we having for breakfast?” Kang Chan asked.
“I’m going to make some kimchi stew with bean sprouts.”
“It is alright if I help you?”
While Yoo Hye-Sook was preparing the stew and the rice, Kang Chan pulled out the side dishes from the refrigerator and set the utensils on the table.
“Hm? You didn’t work out today?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked in surprise.
“Nope. I decided to just rest for today,” Kang Chan replied.
Kang Dae-Kyung quickly examined Kang Chan’s leg, then made subtle eye contact.
‘You’re okay, right?’
‘Of course I am.’
Only after seeing Kang Chan’s smile did Kang Dae-Kyung finally look somewhat relieved.
Their family of three enjoyed a peaceful breakfast together for the first time in a long while. Afterward, Kang Chan saw his parents off and leisurely sat down at his desk. He then called Lanok.
- Mr. Kang Chan! How are you feeling?
“I’m sorry that I’m only reaching out to you now, Mr. Ambassador. If you have time, I’d like to come see you when you’re available,” Kang Chan replied.
It took a few moments for Lanok to check the appointments in his schedule.
- Would you like to have lunch together tomorrow, then? Twelve is the best time for me.
“All right. I will see you then, sir,” Kang Chan accepted.
Fwoosh.
Kang Chan stretched himself out on the sofa and blankly gazed up at the ceiling. His plans for today were to see the building with Kang Dae-Kyung and meet Lanok, but he ended up having nothing to do all day.
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