Episode 224
How should I deal with a kid who takes out his inferiority complex on someone else?
There are various ways. It would be a good idea to have a serious conversation with each other and open up, and there is also a way to suppress the other person in a coercive way so that they do not look easy. However, the downside of these methods is that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the other person’s perception.
“Lee Jae-hyung is in the same vein.”
His older brother, Lee Jae-hyung, is a childish person who takes out his inferiority complex from his older sister on his younger brother, Lee Jae-heon. The more childish the other person is, the harder it is to take them seriously. It was obvious that the other person would not take it seriously in the first place, or would not acknowledge it even if it seemed reasonable because they had strong self-esteem.
Of course, it’s not that it’s a bad method or impossible, but is it really necessary?
“Do I have to care that much about Jaehyung Lee?”
They say that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. That was exactly the case with Lee Jae-heon. If I really wanted to get close to Lee Jae-hyung, I would have tried to improve my relationship and perception at my discretion, but I wasn’t particularly attracted to him. It was a matter of getting what I wanted.
So what method did Lee Jae-heon choose?
“Okay, let’s see… what do I need now?”
First, I had to fix the image of ‘Lee Jae-heon’. He was neither a complete idiot nor a problem child, but he had to show the image of ‘a competent person who is dangerous but not so much that he cannot be controlled’. At least, that was to gain the authority to be introduced to the ‘industry’ that Song In-myeong mentioned.
“If the image transformation becomes too extreme, the nobleman’s pride will make it impossible for him to introduce you to me obediently.”
Lee Jae-heon smiled as he looked at the snake-like face in the mirror.
“… People with inferiority complexes are easy to deal with, you know.”
Be kind to those who are less fortunate than you.
All that had to do was match that fantasy, and that was Lee Jae-heon’s specialty.
* * *
“Hey, I even booked a hotel for you on purpose.”
-I told you I was sorry… .
Lee Jae-heon muttered in an embarrassed voice.
-Even though there was a lot to do.
“Ahhh~ Seriously. I have to go to the hotel and rest for a bit and then come down almost immediately, then.”
―I can still get there by midnight. It would be 1 a.m. at the latest. Isn’t that okay?
“Are you ignoring the sea at dawn? I wonder if this kid has the stamina to do this.”
Lee Jae-hyung grumbled, imagining Lee Jae-heon’s sullen expression on the other side of the phone.
“Aren’t you going to fall down in the middle?”
-I’m not that weak.
“You, you, you, after saying that, just vomit out of my hot belly. It’s a new belly I just picked out.”
―What are you doing buying used items among used items…?
“There is a man’s romance! You are making me vomit on top of my romance!”
-I haven’t vomited yet!
Lee Jae-hyung secretly chuckled at the fact that she would immediately burst into tears just because she had slightly touched his nerves. He had never really thought of his younger brother, who had grown up darkly and had a fierce expression, as cute, but he couldn’t help but laugh whenever something like this happened because it was so trivial. She was like a doll that would scream when you squeeze its stomach.
“Come down carefully, child. You’re only going to be on the boat for an hour or two.”
Lee Jae-hyung smiled leisurely.
‘Yeah, you’ll be here for a long time, so if you lose stamina you’ll be in big trouble.’
The reason he called his younger brother, Jae-heon Lee, today was, yes, honestly, with the intention of joking around and relieving stress after a long time. However, the main purpose was to scold his younger brother who was carelessly contacting private companies without knowing how scary the world is.
Perhaps it was because he had been so clumsy in this area since he was young. Lee Jae-heon did not know how to properly handle errand boys, nor did he know how to stop his information from being spread. He must have earned a lot of resentment from being the old-fashioned chief of staff at Oseong, so what would he do if one of them made a malicious request? As an older brother, he had no choice but to educate him.
Lee Jae-heon, who did not know his true feelings, muttered in a trembling voice.
-How much more are you going to exploit me?
“Take it out of me, dammit. How much did I take out of you? No, do you do well when you order me around in the first place? Hey, I’m so speechless…”
―Ah, so you’re just putting it next to me so I can peck at it again.
“Isn’t this all love for my younger brother?”
―Love is a piece of shit, personality is not revealed… .
“What? Are you jealous? You think that’s because you’ve never worked with your older sister! Do you know how much I get cursed at when I stick with that guy? Huh? I don’t know! You’re going to be upset with me, who’s been working hard at Oseong while being comfortable as a manager? Are you going to take my anger for me?”
-Oh, thank you. I understand. Really nagging… .
“Nagging? Hey, is that what you mean by nagging? You little punk, if I do that, I’ll bring you under me. Do you know how well I can work? Do you know how good I am?”
-I know, I know. Haa… You still crave it.
“It wasn’t me who was asking for it, you were the one who started the fight, kid.”
-I’m sorry.
In the end, it was Lee Jae-heon who lost. Lee Jae-hyung smiled happily and nodded his head as he watched his youngest brother grumble and give in obediently.
“You should have done this a long time ago.”
He really is a guy who has a knack for teasing. His reactions are also plausible, like when you poke him and he starts to flinch or screams. Compared to his older sister, who opens her eyes wide and tries to discourage her younger brother whenever she gets a chance, how fun… How innocent. He was just like a tonic in this dry life.
“When will you arrive?”
―… It’s scheduled for 12:21.
“Hey, you’re late….”
-Oh, I know. I understand. I’m sorry, please!
“Did you bring anything? Work files or…?”
-Why am I carrying around work files?
“What… like clothes?”
―… … ? Isn’t it all there?
“That’s true, but is there something else you brought with you? There might be something you consider important and always carry with you. It looks like you don’t have anything like that.”
-There isn’t any. If you don’t have any, just buy some and wear them. What the…
“That’s true.”
Judging by the way you keep talking nonsense, I guess you really don’t have any connection with that cop.
‘How did an elite like that get caught by our idiot? Too bad, too bad.’
이재형이 손으로 턱을 살살 긁으며 키들거렸다. 홍경준이라는 개새끼랑 따로 연락을 주고받는 핸드폰이 있다고 들었는데, 이야기를 듣자 하니 별도로 챙겨오진 않은 모양이었다. 그렇게까지 할 만큼 중요한 인사라고 생각하지 않는다는 뜻이지. 졸지에 제 여자가 인질로 잡힌 그 개새끼 입장에선 날벼락이었겠지만 말이다.
Well, since you can just replace it if necessary, there was no need to worry about it that much.
“Of course, clothes and… well, the small stuff should be prepared there. If you didn’t bring anything else, do you want to just come right over?”
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-Is it that far?
“Not all hotels have penthouses, little brother. They have them near the shopping district. The port here is a bit out of the way, so it’s a bit far… I think it would be better to just come here. Even if you go, all you can do is change your clothes and come out.”
– Okay… Okay, let’s go with this.
“Okay, let’s get some snacks when you get here. Don’t you know how to eat Tangtang now?”
-eww.
“Heh, you poor creature who doesn’t know the taste of the wild. I’ll eat the Tangtang, you eat the ramen.”
-Is ramen the only thing you eat when you come all the way here?
“Ah, shit, you’re going to have spicy fish stew anyway when you get on the boat! If you don’t like ramen, just eat tteokbokki! Then how about a late-night snack with steak? Should we go to a fine dining restaurant? Do you want to see me get cussed out by the chefs?”
-Ah, ah, I understand. Just eat whatever you give me… .
“Okay, come and order whatever you want to eat. I won’t touch it. You eat it all by yourself, okay?”
– Hey, really… I’m hanging up.
“Hang it up, hang it up. It’s petty anyway…”
Stop.
Lee Jae-hyung let out a hollow laugh as the phone call ended before he could finish speaking.
“Oh my, I see you’re upset again.”
“Isn’t it a natural reaction if you harass me every time I say something?”
“Oh, Secretary Jeong.”
Lee Jae-hyung looked at Secretary Jeong with a grin.
“Shut up.”
“… … .”
“I’m the one who should be doing the talking, not you.”
“sorry.”
“Right.”
Lee Jae-hyung nodded exaggeratedly and soon burst into laughter.
“Look at him getting cocky when it’s time to go.”
Of course, it wasn’t a happy laugh.
Secretary Jeong, who had been watching him closely, realized that it was time to step back and slowly lowered his head. The reason Lee Jae-hyung had kept Secretary Jeong by his side all this time was because he had a reason to do so, and there was no longer any reason to tolerate his arrogance as he would soon no longer be his man.
Lee Jae-hyung, who had been staring at him, smiled and took out a cigarette.
“Give me some light.”
“Excuse me.”
With a click, the end of the cigarette burned up.
“… Phew… .”
The smoke disperses in the sea breeze.
“What is it this time? A farm? A fish farm?”
“Since it’s by the sea, we decided on a fish farm.”
“salmon?”
“Yes, salmon.”
“Oh, I’m so scared I can’t live.”
Lee Jae-hyung shivered and made an exaggerated joke.
“I really hope that salmon never ends up on my plate.”
“You don’t have to worry, there are people who like that. As you know, there are customers who want that kind of product… .”
“You perverts, really. You’re just joking around eating Korean food. I told you I can’t get along with you.”
“haha.”
“Well… I guess it’s chubby.”
Lee Jae-hyung muttered with a playfully tired expression.
“If you eat meat and live, of course you’ll gain weight.”
As the small mutterings were dissipated by the sea breeze, he burst into a frivolous laugh once more. It was a genuinely joyful laugh, as if to let us know that his previous tired expression was a joke.
“Ahh, ahaha! Hey, aren’t those kids piranhas? If you put your hand in, all that’s left are bones?”
“No way, they process everything and make it into food. Fish won’t put their mouths on food unless it’s big enough to eat. They don’t have teeth for that, and even if they could, the bones would still be there, which would be a problem.”
“Why, you said you picked a car last time. What was that… an incinerator? The one with an incinerator inside… that one. Isn’t that a bit weird? They don’t use it much these days?”
“I guess it’s because there’s smoke. The number of vehicles illegally burning pets has increased, and crackdowns have become more severe, claiming it’s environmental pollution. There are also many police officers who don’t let it go because they’re just filling their wallets, so the trend is to use fish farms like before. When a living creature eats and digests it, there’s no trace left.”
“Wow, this is a scary world. I have to be careful not to get eaten by salmon.”
“You are doing well enough.”
“Why does it feel like I’m swearing?”
“You misunderstand.”
“Is that so?”
Hoo, Lee Jae-hyung, who had exhaled smoke, dropped his cigarette on the floor and stepped on it. The unsmoked cigarette was crushed here and there and seeped into the cracks of the asphalt.
“Is the medicine okay?”
“What are you talking about…?”
“Are you okay with sleeping pills?”
Lee Jae-hyung continued speaking, his shoulders shrugging in the cold wind.
“That’s not how my younger sibling was born, so he’s secretly weak.”
“Aha… Don’t worry. I prepared something safe for you.”
“Really? The guy you caught this time ate it and threw up.”
“Surely you wouldn’t give such a low-quality medicine to your younger sibling? It’s a medicine that even customers with insomnia can take with ease. If you want, I can call a pharmacist who can analyze it along with the ingredients list.”
“Hmm… .”
Jaehyung Lee nodded, his nose red.
“Bring it.”
“…If you are inside, I will call you immediately.”
“Okay, don’t joke around.”
“Of course.”
Watching the back of Lee Jae-hyung as he entered the bus that had been remodeled to resemble a house, Secretary Jeong quietly took out her cell phone. She had to call the pharmacist and get the list of ingredients that the customer had requested.
After finishing the call, Secretary Jeong looked at the pitch-black bus and smiled faintly.
“… crazy guy.”
In contrast to the gentle smile, the gaze was cold.
The ‘prank’ that Lee Jae-hyung played on his younger brother was not something that could be called a prank, either objectively or subjectively. Even if it was harmless to the body, it was also funny to try to give medicine to his younger brother. In the midst of all that, he had to make sure that there were no problems with the ingredients of the medicine.
‘It’s not even funny that you find this task more annoying than anyone else.’
I couldn’t tell whether he cared for his younger sibling or not.
“This place is like that, but….”
This is truly an unlovable world.
