The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees Chapter 40 - Lee Man-deuk (1)

 

“…Interesting.”

 

Lee Man-deuk curled one corner of his lips as he toyed with the business card Kwak Yoon-hoo had handed him.

 

[WF Ent.

CEO | Kwak Yoon-hoo

010-□X34-▲X1□]

 

Why hadn’t he realized sooner that Kwak Yoon-hoo was the CEO of WF Entertainment?

 

His face was already well-known within the Victory fandom. He wasn’t someone you could easily forget after a single meeting.

 

But deep down, Lee Man-deuk already knew the answer.

 

‘Muse.’

 

He’d been so preoccupied with meeting him that everything else connected to WF Entertainment had completely slipped his mind.

 

‘Well, I suppose that couldn’t be helped.’

 

His gaze drifted to the shirt now signed by Kang Ye-seong, his expression almost dazed.

 

He had never dreamed he’d meet Muse again—this close, face-to-face! And on top of that, Muse actually remembered him.

 

‘This is what makes being a fan worth it!’

 

Just as he beamed with joy, someone sat across from him.

 

“How was it?”

 

Without even glancing up, Lee Man-deuk answered,

 

“He was handsome.”

 

The man frowned, clearly dissatisfied.

 

“I wasn’t asking about his looks.”

 

He snatched the business card from Lee Man-deuk’s hands and ripped it to pieces.

 

“You said you’d decide whether to join me or not after meeting him. So? What’s your answer?”

 

“I haven’t decided yet.”

 

“What?”

 

The man’s frown deepened.

 

“Still, I did what you asked, didn’t I?” Lee Man-deuk casually restored the shredded card with a flick of his hand and smiled. “You have no idea how hard it is to stage an accident without letting anyone die.”

 

The intersection crash.

 

“I don’t know why you’re pinning this on me, but I swear I had nothing to do with it!”

 

“…Is that true?”

 

“Yes! How on earth could I cause an accident? It’s not like I’m a mage or anything!”

 

That’s what he had told Kwak Yoon-hoo. But in reality, he had caused it—because this man had asked him to.

 

‘Though I still don’t know why.’

 

Since it hadn’t put him at any real disadvantage, he had gone along with it.

 

With a wry smile, he added,

 

“You don’t know how much I struggled figuring out exactly how much to tweak the accelerator and brake systems.”

 

His chuckling tone only made the man’s expression contort further, his face twisting into something downright menacing. Yet Lee Man-deuk, unfazed, just kept chattering on.

 

“Besides, if I’d known Muse would show up, I never would’ve caused that accident.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because Muse might’ve been caught in it!”

 

His sharp voice cut through the air—and suddenly, time itself froze around them.

 

“I don’t care about anyone else. But not Muse.”

 

Not just Muse, either.

 

“Sol, Lee Nak-hwa, Shin Yoo-soo, Haneul, Cheong-ryang!”

 

Lee Man-deuk’s eyes glinted coldly as he spoke in a low voice.

 

“If even one member of Victory had been hurt in that accident… I would’ve killed you.”

 

“You think you could?”

 

The man smirked mockingly.

 

“You’ve got a nasty attitude for someone who needs my help.”

 

Lee Man-deuk gave a short laugh and picked up the restored business card.

 

“Anyway, whether I’ll work with you or not—I’ll decide after meeting Mr. Kwak Yoon-hoo again.”

 

He rose from his seat.

 

“He did seem like a man with plenty of secrets, just like you said. But he promised to tell me everything next time.”

 

A sly smile curved his lips.

 

“So, I’ll be in touch.”

 

Ji Geon-hyuk.

 

With those parting words, Lee Man-deuk vanished. At once, time resumed its normal flow.

 

“Customer #72! Your iced caramel macchiato is ready!”

 

“Yes, one iced Americano and…”

 

Leaving the bustle behind, the man—Ji Geon-hyuk—turned toward the café window.

 

It had begun to rain.

 

A sudden downpour, absent from the forecast. People on the street scrambled for shelter.

 

Ji Geon-hyuk sat in silence, staring out at the rain.

 

“Hello, Mr. Ji Geon-hyuk.”

 

Kwak Yoon-hoo.

 

It had also rained the day they first met.

 

He had been curled up by the train station when Kwak Yoon-hoo found him. Without hesitation, Kwak Yoon-hoo had offered him an umbrella.

 

“Don’t you want to find the place where you truly belong?”

 

At the time, Ji Geon-hyuk hadn’t understood.

 

He had only nodded, thinking it was simply a kindness—shelter from the rain. If he had known how their relationship would end, he would never have taken that umbrella.

 

Expression hardening, Ji Geon-hyuk stood and left his seat.

 

“Customer #4! One iced Americano and one iced café latte are ready!”

 

He walked out, leaving the noisy café behind.

 

***

 

Screeech—!

 

“Thank you. Keep the change.”

 

“Huh? But this is too much…!”

 

Ignoring the taxi driver’s protests, I rushed straight into the hospital. News of my grandfather’s accident had already spread—reporters were swarming the entrance.

 

Fortunately, none of them recognized me.

 

Clicking my tongue, I slipped past and headed straight to the floor with the VVIP rooms.

 

“Oh, boss. You’re here?”

 

The first to greet me was Seo Do-hwan.

 

“How’s Grandfather?”

 

“He’s resting inside. Oh, and Lee Yoo-seong went down to the convenience store—Grandfather said he wanted a snack.”

 

Judging from his words, it seemed Grandfather wasn’t in serious condition.

 

“Go on in.”

 

At Seo Do-hwan’s urging, I hesitated briefly before pushing open the door.

 

“Grandpa…”

 

My voice trembled despite myself. I tried to steady it, but worry leaked through.

 

I feared the worst—oxygen masks, unconsciousness, another scene like that past incident.

 

But thankfully, none of that awaited me.

 

“Yoon-hoo.”

 

Grandfather greeted me as if nothing had happened. Suppressing an inexplicable rush of emotion, I stepped closer.

 

“How are you feeling? Are you really okay?”

 

“As you can see, I’m fine. I didn’t even need to be admitted, but Chief Choi insisted because of my age. The doctors made a big fuss too.”

 

“Good call.”

 

“I didn’t want to stay, but I suppose it’s better to be cautious.”

 

Grandfather chuckled, then suddenly said,

 

“You must get married before I die, Yoon-hoo.”

 

“Don’t say things like that.”

 

He was still far too young for death to feel anywhere near. At least, that’s how it seemed to me.

 

“You said you were hungry? Should I get you something? Yoo-seong’s still at the convenience store—I can ask him to bring whatever you like.”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Grandfather shook his head.

 

“Honestly, I only said that to ease your friends’ worries. I didn’t think he’d actually sprint off to the store.”

 

He laughed, recalling Lee Yoo-seong’s haste—he said it nearly gave him a heart attack.

 

“You’ve done well raising your student, Yoon-hoo.”

 

“I haven’t taught him much,” I said as I sat down beside him. “Yoo-seong’s always been capable—he already knew most of it before I could teach him.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Grandfather touched the corner of his mouth, smiling faintly.

 

“That boy… I’d like to recruit him for AMA.”

 

“I’ll ask him later.”

 

After all, AMA already owned his school. Even so, I had no intention of giving him special treatment if he applied.

 

‘But that wasn’t the reality.’

 

In this country’s job market, school ties, personal connections, and family networks ruled everything. Not just here—it was universal.

 

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” I asked.

 

“No, I’m fine. The doctor said I’m perfectly healthy.”

 

“Don’t lie to me.”

 

There was no way all the test results could be ready in a single day. It hadn’t even been an hour since he’d been admitted—too soon for any results to be out.

 

“Who is Grandpa’s attending doctor?”

 

“Dr. Kim. The same one who used to be yours, Yoon-hoo.”

 

“That’s a relief. He won’t hide anything from me about your results.”

 

“Yoon-hoo, you really…”

 

Grandfather sighed, feigning annoyance at my distrust.

 

“Go home already. You and your friends look shaken—you need rest.”

 

“I’m fine,” I said.

 

If anything, the scare only made me want to stay at his side.

 

“Grandpa, you should rest too. You were probably the most shaken of all.”

 

“This old man’s perfectly fine.”

 

With that, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

 

I watched him for a moment in silence, then said quietly, “You guys can come in now.”

 

Almost immediately, Seo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-seong peeked their heads inside.

 

“Grandfather’s asleep?”

 

“Yeah. He’ll probably sleep through until tomorrow.”

 

Even if he wasn’t seriously hurt, the aftermath of the accident couldn’t be taken lightly.

 

“Um… Yoon-hoo hyung.”

 

Lee Yoo-seong hesitated, then handed me a small black bag with the snacks inside.

 

“These are some snacks the chairman wanted. He said he was a bit peckish—have them together tomorrow.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

After I arranged the snacks neatly, I said, “Seo Do-hwan, you go home with Yoo-seong. I’ll stay here overnight.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

 

It would’ve been different if Grandfather had been badly hurt, but since he seemed okay, staying was fine.

 

“Don’t worry about me—get home quickly. It’s raining outside, so buy an umbrella at the convenience store.”

 

“It’s just a bit of rain; getting wet won’t hurt. You don’t catch a cold from a little rain.”

 

“Right!”

 

Lee Yoo-seong nodded. Neither he nor Seo Do-hwan were going to get sick from a little rain.

 

“You, boss—make sure you don’t get caught in the rain on your way home tomorrow. Use an umbrella.”

 

“Or… should we come pick you up?”

 

I shook my head at their worried voices.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Just hearing that made me really happy.

 

“Go on, it’s late. Just watch out for the reporters outside on your way.”

 

Seo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-seong awkwardly scratched their cheeks and nodded. As they were about to leave, I called out, “Wait a moment.”

 

A question popped into my head. “What did they say caused the accident?”

 

Seo Do-hwan answered, “They said it seems the truck driver mishandled the vehicle. The investigation isn’t finished, but that’s the leading theory for now.”

 

“And the truck driver?”

 

“He’s in a general ward. He wasn’t badly injured, so you should be able to see him.”

 

“I see.”

 

So that was that.

 

Lee Man-deuk had insisted he had nothing to do with the accident, but I still couldn’t bring myself to believe him. Before I met him again, I planned to investigate properly.

 

“Thanks, Seo Do-hwan. See you tomorrow.”

 

I needed to learn exactly how the accident had happened. If Lee Man-deuk truly had nothing to do with it, fine. If not…

 

‘We’ll see about that.’

 

I intended to make him pay—by any means necessary. Just enough to hurt him, not to kill him. Because if he died…

 

‘I’d have to start all over again.’

 

The thought tugged the corner of my mouth into a wry smile.