The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary-Chapter 131
After receiving the information from Seohyun, Hyesung found himself deep in thought. How should he use this? Given that Ahn Ki-baek had personally looked into it, there was no doubt it was reliable information.
His first thought was to involve law enforcement. The news had been buzzing with reports that the police were investigating the attack on Kwon Yi-hyuk. So, it seemed ideal to report that the gangsters who caused the bloody incident at the Gangnam bar were hiding out at this location.
However, reality often diverged from the ideal. Not long ago, Seongjin had inquired about the progress of the investigation into the attack, but the police had given only a vague response, saying it was still under investigation.
It had been several days since the incident, and the lack of progress was suspicious. This led Hyesung to a single conclusion.
‘There’s a possibility that Jung Se-jin has bribed the police.’
If he had indeed bought off the police, reporting the situation might result in it being ignored for various reasons. Even if an investigation was initiated, it was doubtful whether they could actually catch the culprits. Moreover, would they even properly use the crucial evidence of Jung Se-jin’s ties to the gangsters?
Unfortunately, the answer to all these questions was negative. In other words, now that Taesung was in a weaker position, they could no longer fully trust the authorities.
Moreover, Hyesung was well aware of how the powerful engaged in dirty deals to protect their interests. He had seen such things too often during his time at Taesung.
“Sir, could you take me to the address listed here?”
Hyesung showed the taxi driver the address on his phone. The driver, unfamiliar with the location, manually entered it into the navigation system.
The taxi soon set off. It was just past 8 p.m., and as the darkened city streets flashed by, Hyesung continued to think.
In that case, someone who was relatively free and able to move around had to handle this matter personally. Seongjin was already overwhelmed with trying to contain the situation at Taesung. If things went wrong and Seongjin ended up clashing with the Yushinpa, it might cross a line from which there would be no return.
“Who would have thought that leaving Taesung would be so useful...”
Hyesung murmured quietly. By now, the taxi had left the heart of Seoul and entered an empty suburban road. Given the late hour and the isolated location, not a single car or person was in sight. The taxi driver switched to high beams, and Hyesung could vaguely hear him muttering about how unusual the road was.
Hyesung silently agreed. Even though they hadn’t left the Seoul metropolitan area, it felt strangely deserted, as if they had entered a different world. There were no cars, people, or buildings—just a road lined with dense trees.
“Sir, the address you gave me... it looks like it’s that building up ahead. Should I drive all the way in?”
The driver’s face in the rearview mirror didn’t look too happy. He clearly didn’t want to go any further. It was understandable, given that they had just driven down a road that looked like something out of a horror or crime movie.
“No, I’ll get out here.”
Of course, Hyesung had no intention of going all the way in either. That would be like knocking on the enemy’s door and walking right in.
As soon as Hyesung got out, the taxi sped off in the direction it had come from. After confirming the location of a warehouse-like building a short distance away, Hyesung looked around. The location was undeniably strategic.
Jung Se-jin’s intent to keep Yushinpa’s existence hidden was palpable. If not for Ahn Ki-baek’s help, he might never have found it.
‘Did you get the text? Since it’s come to this, let me help you with one more thing.’
Hyesung recalled his conversation with President Ahn before coming here.
‘When you get to the address, someone from Seohyun will be waiting. Time it right and work with them.’
Ahn Ki-baek was a strange man. Hyesung couldn’t figure out why he was going to such lengths to help. It was suspicious enough that he had provided the information, but now he was even offering direct assistance? It was odd enough that Hyesung had boldly asked if he had some ulterior motive.
To this, Ahn Ki-baek had replied:
‘I just realized that if something goes wrong because of the information we gave you, that damn Kwon Yi-hyuk might actually kill me this time. Sorry, but I’m someone who wants to live a long life.’
With that, he had ended the call. Thinking how strange the man was, Hyesung cautiously walked in the direction of the building.
When he got close enough, a hand suddenly shot out from the side, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him into the bushes. He was startled, but only for a moment, as a small flashlight flicked on, illuminating a familiar face.
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“It’s me, so don’t scream.”
“...So you’re the one they sent to help?”
It was Kim Seong-han, the man who had been by Ahn Ki-baek’s side both when Hyesung had seen him at the hotel and when he had gone to ask for information a few days ago.
“Yes.”
Hyesung had expected Seohyun to send some lower-level employee, so this was quite unexpected.
Dusting off the grass that had clung to his clothes, Hyesung eyed him suspiciously.
“It’s strange that Seohyun is helping me this much, don’t you think?”
“If you’re going to keep being suspicious after coming this far, just drop it. Sorry, but to be clear, we don’t like those Yushin bastards either.”
Hyesung squinted, looking Seong-han up and down. In the past, when Yushin had tried to take over Seoul, their real target must have been Seohyun, as it was the most powerful organization at the time.
“Are your suspicions cleared? Can I explain the plan now?”
“Go ahead.”
There was no reason to suspect Seohyun’s involvement in this matter, and in any case, it wasn’t as if they had been on friendly terms. Besides, Yushin stabbing Yi-hyuk was something Seohyun learned about from Hyesung. There was no reason or context for the two organizations to suddenly start cooperating, so there was no need to be overly suspicious.
“The one-story warehouse building over there is the hideout they use in Seoul. They run it very secretively, probably because they’re up to some pretty dirty business.”
It was likely Jung Se-jin who was assigning them such tasks.
“I’ve had my men keep an eye on them for a few days, and it doesn’t seem like there are too many of them. And here’s the most important part...”
As he crouched in the bushes, explaining, Kim Seong-han noticed Hyesung blinking at him with wide eyes.
“What? Why are you staring?”
“No, it’s just surprising. Not only are you helping, but you’re doing it so actively...”
“Suspicion followed by curiosity?”
Kim Seong-han chuckled.
“Sorry, but I’m just doing what the boss told me to.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have any money to pay you. If you’re planning to ask for compensation later because you helped...”
“Forget it, let’s just focus.”
Kim Seong-han raised his voice slightly, sounding exasperated. He couldn’t understand why someone in their mid-twenties was so suspicious.
“Alright.”
“Anyway, the reason I told you to come at this time is that the place will be empty between 9 and 10 p.m.”
Hyesung’s eyes widened slightly. This was incredibly valuable information. Although he had set the date when contacting Seohyun, he had agreed to follow their timing, and now he understood why.
“I don’t know what they’re up to, but that’s the deal. There might be one person left behind, but I can handle that.”
Hyesung once again looked over Seong-han’s physique. He seemed to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Sure, he was tall and well-built, but Seohyun was now a stable business operation, and as Ahn Ki-baek’s right-hand man, Seong-han didn’t seem like someone who would be involved in much physical action.
“Hey, are you underestimating me?”
“How did you know?”
“Ah, you cheeky brat.”
Despite his words, Kim Seong-han just laughed at Hyesung’s impudence.
“Sorry, but I got to where I am today because of this.”
He raised his fist.
“And even if we put that aside, don’t you think I’m a lot stronger than you?”
“Well... I can’t argue with that. Let’s go.”
Hyesung stood up from his crouched position, and Seong-han followed suit. They needed to find evidence as quickly as possible while the place was empty. Without any knowledge of the building’s layout or where the evidence might be hidden, they couldn’t afford to waste time.
They had no choice but to dive in headfirst.
“You’re doing this to help Kwon Yi-hyuk, right?”
“You should show some respect and address him properly. He’s older than you.”
“I’m helping you because I do the same for my boss. I’ll do anything for him.”
Following behind Seong-han, Hyesung murmured a small “thank you.”
The full moon high between the towering trees looked particularly beautiful. Ironically, on this night, the stars that rarely appeared were shining brightly, decorating the dark canvas of the sky.
He couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be if, instead of standing here, preparing for danger, he could gaze at that sky with Yi-hyuk by his side.
Hyesung thought vaguely.
Seongjin was busy handling the endless stream of calls, even in the hospital room.
“Hey, Secretary Yoo. The police are still the same, right?”
He glanced at the still-sleeping Yi-hyuk before continuing his conversation.
“As for the motion to dismiss the CEO... I think I’ll have to go meet some people. Yes, just send me that part by email.”
Seongjin sighed deeply as he ended the call. His eyes felt dry. He covered his emaciated face with a large hand.
“Hey, wake up already.”
His voice, a mix of cold grumbling and warm concern, was directed at Yi-hyuk. He couldn’t help but think that the hospital gown and the breathing apparatus didn’t suit him at all. It was like looking at a piece of art made up of elements that didn’t belong together.
“When you wake up, you’ll have to give me a raise.”
Seongjin chuckled and sat down on the sofa. He planned to spend the night here. He pressed the remote control on the table, and the lights in the hospital room dimmed. Only a faint orange nightlight remained.
Seongjin lay his large body down on the sofa and closed his eyes. Having stayed up all night yesterday and the night before, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The vast hospital room was quickly engulfed in silence. The humidifier hummed softly, and the ticking of the clock filled the room with a rhythmic sound.
“...”
Yi-hyuk’s eyes slowly opened. His pitch-black pupils glimmered under the soft light.
