You Promised Me, Mr. Lee San-ha - Chapter 66



Only Noblemtl

Episode 66 Not all weak people are weak (1)

A few days passed after the company outing.

Daughter-

The sound of a bell ringing on the door.

“Why did this kid choose such an inappropriate place to meet up?”

I entered a wine bar located in a lounge in Gangnam.

The interior is softly lit with orange lighting.

The cement-toned walls gave off a clean, yet chic, urban feel.

A man greets me in front of an antique wooden table.

“Oh my~ Mr. Reporter, welcome!”

Kim Tae-kyung.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a friend.

As I look at that figure, staggering about in that tight suit, I feel an instinctive sense of discomfort.

“Wow- I can’t tell if this is a suit fit or a stupid fit.”

“Aiko- Please sit here, Mr. Reporter.”

“Is this the kind of attitude a corrupt politician takes when meeting a political reporter?”

“Would you mind? Hehehehe… … .”

A friend who is usually lacking is like this, so today he seems to be especially lacking.

‘The fact that he is so humble means that he has some hidden agenda… … .’

To begin with, it’s a bit odd to call this a fancy wine bar.

Because Tae-kyung Kim is a real old man who only goes to pojangmacha (food stalls) and taverns.

Just then, a woman stood up from the table in the far corner.

It was Lim Hyeon-ji, Kim Tae-kyung’s girlfriend.

She nodded lightly.

“Hello? It’s been a while, Sanha.”

A neat and businesslike impression.

A quiet and calm voice.

I also bowed my head politely.

“Nice to meet you. Now that I think about it, it’s been a really long time. I haven’t seen you since I gave Taekyung my business card.”

Early on, the ability to keep promises was acquired.

I used my powers on Kim Tae-kyung, who had no numbers.

‘… … You just gave me the courage to ask for her number.’

I’m glad we’re a well-matched couple now.

I nudged Kim Tae-kyung with my elbow.

“If you were going to meet my sister-in-law, you should have told me in advance.”

“Hey. What’s the big deal about that at a drinking party? Sit down.”

Kim Tae-kyung still offers his seat with a strange flattering tone.

I sat across from the couple.

There is a lot of conversation going on.

“Taekyung is a real pain in the ass, right? He may be lacking, but he’s still a good kid. Please take good care of him.”

“Haha, all those things are cute.”

The conversation was flowing like a parent-teacher conference.

Kim Tae-kyung quickly tried to change the subject.

“No, Sister. There’s something else I wanted to say.”

“This is actually the first time I’m talking to Mr. Sanha, so wouldn’t it be uncomfortable if I suddenly brought up work? Since we have a lot of time, let’s talk slowly.”

Lim Hyeon-ji smiles gently and comforts Kim Tae-kyung.

I thought.

‘Is this how couples with a large age gap are? Or is it because of your sister-in-law’s job?’

Her profession is a psychiatrist.

She is six years older than us and is an elite who opened her own hospital last year.

Lim Hyeon-ji said.

“What style of wine do you like? Choose it and I’ll buy it.”

The menu was lined with eye-popping prices.

Since I didn’t have the confidence to choose on my own, I thought it would be better to follow the advice of someone who knows better.

“I don’t drink much wine, so it’s difficult for me. What would be good for a beginner?”

“Then, rather than something too dry, I’d like something a little sweeter. Tannins should also be on the soft side… … and I’ll adjust the acidity to a crisp level. Then… … how about this?”

French is written in cursive, making it difficult to read properly.

I just nodded my head moderately.

Lim Hyeon-ji placed the order with her fluent French pronunciation.

Then, Kim Tae-kyung, who had been waiting for the right moment to intervene, opened his mouth.

“So what I’m saying is, this reporter… … .”

Kim Tae-kyung suddenly becomes polite.

“My sister is secretly treating VVIP right now? But it’s not easy… … .”

“?”

It’s a strange topic.

‘What should I say? I thought it would be a topic like hospital management or legal battles.’

But suddenly, treating patients?

Isn’t this a topic that has nothing to do with me?

“Isn’t this an area where I can help?”

“No, I’m not saying I’m going to leave the treatment up to you. I’m not so shameless as to ask you to do something like that. But do you remember? I used to be a huge cigarette addict.”

“yes.”

Kim Tae-kyung was once a heavy smoker.

No wonder his nickname was ‘Sergeant Smoker’.

It’s a good thing I ended up quitting smoking because of the ‘promise’ I made to myself.

Kim Tae-kyung continued speaking.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to quit without your help back then. That’s why I was wondering if I could get some advice.”

“What, the patient can’t quit smoking?”

“Um… … It’s more serious than quitting smoking.”

Kim Tae-kyung briefly locked eyes with Lim Hyeon-ji.

When Lim Hyeon-ji nodded, Kim Tae-kyung spoke again.

“It’s similar. It’s drug addiction.”

“!”

The word that leaves one speechless is ‘drug’.

A general term for psychotropic drugs that act on the central nervous system and cause serious harm to the human body.

They say that you can ‘absolutely’ quit drugs through your own will.

It is natural that tolerance develops as you continue taking medication.

If that happens, you end up in a quagmire of taking more stimulating drugs or increasing the dosage.

In the end, you either die or become a cripple after exceeding the lethal dose.

‘… … The issue of celebrities using drugs has been coming up a lot these days.’

I, too, am familiar with this material as I come across numerous news articles.

But I didn’t know how drug addiction treatment actually proceeded.

I asked Im Hyeon-ji.

“How is drug addiction treatment done?”

“Basically, we do a lot of inpatient treatment. It’s done in special wards or medical clinics, and we provide both detoxification and rehabilitation services.”

“I guess deciphering it won’t mean you won’t find it again?”

“Yes. The dependence remains the same. It’s like someone who has completely sobered up and then starts looking for alcohol again.”

When you say it like that, I understand right away.

Lim Hyeon-ji continued speaking in a sorrowful voice.

“However, this patient… … is a bit of a special case, so we are implementing residential treatment. Of course, we are providing all the support necessary for recovery at the same level as in-patient treatment. However… … .”

Still, I guess there is no way around it.

A competent doctor came to ask a layman a favor.

Perhaps he is just trying to grab onto even a shred of hope.

‘This might be a bit difficult.’

I wiped my forehead with my hand.

Addiction treatment is something that requires long-term contact.

Taekyung Kim is my friend, so I can help you.

But in this case, it’s difficult to readily provide help.

It’s hard to go through all that trouble for someone who doesn’t care.

These days, there is no news to write about, so I am very busy with reporting.

I’m sorry, but I felt like I had no choice but to decline.

“I’m very sorry to say this after drinking expensive wine, but… … I’m not confident in treating drug addiction. I’m not an expert in the field to begin with.”

Then Lim Hyeon-ji nodded with a sad expression.

She spoke in a calm tone.

“You don’t have to feel sorry. Rather, I feel sorry because I brought up an uncomfortable topic while meeting a friend.”

“… … .”

The atmosphere became extremely awkward.

At that moment, Kim Tae-kyung suddenly opened his mouth.

“Friend. I’m really sorry, but can we just meet up once?”

An expression that looks more desperate than ever.

Kim Tae-kyung continued speaking despite Lim Hyeon-ji’s dissuasion.

“Whenever I meet you, I strangely don’t think about cigarettes. And I remember that I gained a lot of willpower. I really can’t explain it, but there’s a good vibe from that person? A positive vibe? A vibe that gives me courage? A confidence? A vibe that really makes me do that. Let’s just meet up once and talk… Please!”

At this point, I can’t help but ask.

“But what on earth does this patient do to deserve this―”

Kim Tae-kyung answered.

“My local older sister and younger brother. To me, he’s my brother-in-law.”

“ah…….”

This time, Lim Hyeon-ji spoke.

“I’ve tried everything I could. But my body and mind have already been damaged so much… …. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t even force my will.”

My heart is shaken.

If it’s your best friend’s spouse or someone’s family, isn’t it something you can’t call a stranger?

I decided to at least check on the patient’s condition.

“I don’t know if it will actually help, but… … I think it would be nice to have a word of conversation.”

Since I even got to drink expensive alcohol, I think I should do that much to feel better.

At that moment, Lim Hyeon-ji bowed her head.

“Thank you so much. If we meet and the treatment goes well… … I plan to have my brother turn himself in. Legally, it’s true that he did something wrong.”

Honest and upright eyes.

I think I know why Kim Tae-kyung fell in love with this person at first sight.

She added one more thing.

“Oh, and you’re a reporter, right? I’ll give you an exclusive article about this incident.”

“Thank you for the offer. But I’m in the entertainment department, not the social affairs department… … .”

“Then it’s better.”

… … ?

Lim Hyeon-ji said as I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“My younger brother is a celebrity. He’s a celebrity that everyone knows just by mentioning his name.”

* * *

Boooooong-

I took a taxi and went to Im Hyeon-ji’s house.

The neon signs in the downtown area are blurred by the rain.

I looked out the window and thought.

‘Since the subject is a celebrity, can this meeting also be considered as an interview? Then, I guess I can adjust my work schedule.’

Actually, this was the part that concerned me the most.

If I can somehow get around it by using the excuse of reporting, I have something to say to the company.

yet.

Squeak-

The taxi stops in front of a house in Gorae-dong.

Until recently, this neighborhood was the last undeveloped neighborhood in Gangnam, Seoul.

However, there is no trace of the shabby slums that were once called the ‘Last Yolk Land’.

This is because it has recently been developed rapidly and is beginning to emerge as a new affluent area.

I was a little surprised to see the wall like a castle.

‘Is this the Namhansanseong Fortress? … ?’

A yard and garden like you only see in movies.

As you pass through the luxurious entrance and enter the living room, you see it filled with expensive furniture.

Lim Hyeon-ji said with a smile as if she felt embarrassed.

“My younger sibling’s condition has become very unstable these days, so the lady who is supposed to take care of him can’t come. It’s a little messy, but please understand… … .”

“It seems like Taekyung and I are the only messy ones here.”

“Ahahaha- Mr. Sanha is really cheerful.”

Lim Hyeon-ji guided us to the innermost room on the second floor.

Knock knock-

She said, knocking on the door.

“Sister, I’m here. There’s someone who wants to talk to you… … Could you come out for a minute?”

There is no answer from beyond the door.

moment.

Squeak-

The door opened and a man appeared.

I faced his true identity.

“… … !”

I couldn’t help but be astonished.