The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees Chapter 6 - Seo Do-hwan (1)

 

 

—How did it come to this? The idea of Korea being a drug-free country is a thing of the past now. Just this January, a gang smuggling a massive amount of meth was busted by the police…

 

Beep!

 

I turned off the TV and sank into the couch.

 

That drug ring they caught back in January? Yeah, Seo Do-hwan and I were the ones who took care of them. Well, mostly him—I didn’t do all that much.

 

Still, fortunately, our involvement never saw the light of day.

 

That was thanks to Grandpa stepping in before things got out of control. Good thing the driver found me right after I knocked Seo Do-hwan out. If he hadn’t, covering up and manipulating the whole incident would’ve been a real headache.

 

Grandpa gave me an earful about that one.

 

‘Especially since he almost sold off T.U because of it.’

 

And that wasn’t even the worst part. Grandpa was so shaken, he said it would’ve been a disaster if I ended up emotionally scarred. If I hadn’t clung to him and bawled like a kid, he probably would’ve sent me to Japan to recover.

 

It really was a mess.

 

As I was lost in that memory, a soft knock came at the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

As soon as I spoke, the door opened.

 

“Young Master, Mr. Seo Do-hwan is scheduled to be discharged at 5 PM today.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Time sure flies.

 

It’s been a month since I sent him to the addiction treatment center. While he was busy recovering, I was hard at work trying to sort out the situation with T.U.

 

If Grandpa ever found out drugs were being distributed through T.U., he really would’ve sold it off.

 

I couldn’t let that happen. Not because I had some sentimental attachment to the place—there was just one last job left to do with that club as leverage.

 

Thinking back on the sleepless nights I spent restructuring the place and rooting out the drug operation made my face twist in frustration.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

When will I finally get to relax and live the comfortable life of a third-generation chaebol?

 

‘Probably not until I’ve cleaned up the returnees.’

 

I sighed quietly at that grim thought and asked,

 

“What about Seo Do-hwan’s things?”

 

“They’ve all been moved to the room you specified. It should be completely set up by this afternoon.”

 

“Good. I plan to have dinner with him as soon as he arrives. Make sure everything’s in order.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

I’m not sure if he’s figured it out yet, but Seo Do-hwan’s going to be living with me from now on. He doesn’t know it yet—but the moment he sees the place, he’ll definitely say yes.

 

I know because we’ve lived together before.

 

‘He’ll react the same way this time, too.’

 

He used to live in a goshiwon—one of those tiny slum units barely big enough for a grown man to lie down in. That cramped room was all he had. No one in their right mind would pass up the chance to leave a place like that.

 

And Seo Do-hwan, of all people, definitely wouldn’t.

 

Chuckling to myself at the obvious outcome, I was pulled out of my thoughts by the staff’s voice.

 

“Excuse me, Young Master.”

 

“Yes? What is it?”

 

“Dr. MaMFa just sent over the prototype.”

 

Dr. MaMFa.

 

A healthcare brand under the AMA group. I had made a special request to them about two weeks ago, right after I’d stabilized things with T.U.

 

“They must’ve pushed the project forward quicker than I expected. I told them there was no rush.”

 

“Well, it seems the Chairman gave them direct instructions.”

 

“Ah… Grandpa.”

 

I wasn’t surprised, since I’d reached out through him, but still—he really didn’t need to go that far.

 

‘Still… I guess I should be grateful.’

 

A favor is still a favor.

 

“Shall I show you the samples?”

 

I nodded, and the staff immediately laid out the prototype products Dr. MaMFa had sent.

 

At first glance, they just looked like regular snacks.

 

Candy, gummies, chocolate.

 

But that was just the outside. What they really were… were supplements. They’d packed various nutrients—like vitamin D—into these candy-like forms.

 

I popped one of the yellow candies into my mouth.

 

Crunch!

 

As I bit down, a sharp tang spread across my tongue. Turns out it was vitamin D. Being able to provide something most Koreans are deficient in through candy? That was impressive.

 

“Not bad. Let them know to move forward as planned. And tell them to contact me immediately if anything comes up.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

If you’re wondering why I had these made, it’s all because of Seo Do-hwan.

 

In the novel Weak Hunter, which Seo Do-hwan was once possessed by, the protagonist grew stronger the more drugs he took. In that world, he powered up using potions.

 

But here, we don’t have potions—just real drugs.

 

Still, there are plenty of other “drugs” in the world that aren’t illegal. These supplements from Dr. MaMFa were one of those alternatives. In other words, this was a gift. A tool to help bring Seo Do-hwan to my side—and use him against those damned returnees.

 

Bringing him into my home was all part of that plan.

 

Well, more accurately… I was hoping he’d help willingly once he saw what I’d prepared for him.

 

“He’ll probably like it, right?”

 

I muttered to myself without realizing. The staff must’ve overheard, because they responded,

 

“If you’re talking about the Chairman—I’m sure he’d like it. He’s always been fond of these kinds of snacks.”

 

I hadn’t meant Grandpa, but I nodded anyway. Even though this was made for Seo Do-hwan, Grandpa would probably enjoy it too.

 

When I had the chance, I planned to ask Dr. MaMFa to send some samples to Grandpa too.

 

Evening had fallen by the time I finished checking the samples from Dr. MaMFa.

 

“Young Master, Mr. Seo Do-hwan has arrived.”

 

He had been discharged.

 

***

 

As I walked down the stairs with the staff, I spotted Seo Do-hwan standing awkwardly at the entrance, clearly overwhelmed.

 

Well, no surprise there. Getting discharged from the hospital only to be dragged straight into a stranger’s mansion? Anyone would be confused.

 

I let out a soft chuckle and called out.

 

“Mr. Seo Do-hwan.”

 

The moment I spoke his name, he exploded.

 

“You—you crazy boss!!”

 

He lunged at me without hesitation—apparently unaware of the line of staff members standing beside me.

 

Well, guess there’s no choice.

 

I pulled out the stun gun I had kept on me and switched it on.

 

Bzzzt!

 

Blue sparks crackled in the air. Seo Do-hwan froze in shock and instinctively stumbled back.

 

“You’re crazy!”

 

Clutching his chest like his heart might burst, he shouted,

 

“Don’t carry that kind of weapon around inside the house! Are you crazy?!”

 

I replied with a half-smile and no real answer.

 

“Yeah, yeah. I know you missed me. But how about dinner first? You’ve got to be hungry.”

 

“…Why are you suddenly talking informally?”

 

Seo Do-hwan frowned, clearly annoyed. I shrugged.

 

“You told me I could drop the honorifics, remember?”

 

He looked confused—probably didn’t remember saying that.

 

Either way, I turned and headed toward the dining room.

 

“Come on. Let’s eat.”

 

“No. I’m not going. If you were me, would you follow someone like you?”

 

He was firm in his refusal—

 

Growl~

 

—but his stomach betrayed him with a loud rumble. The staff members tried to hold back their laughter.

 

“…Damn it.”

 

Seo Do-hwan hung his head in shame. His ears were bright red. I smiled and tried to comfort him.

 

“It’s okay. Don’t be embarrassed. Hospital food’s awful, right?”

 

I’d eaten plenty of it before. No matter how they tried to make it tasty, it never worked.

 

Still, he looked embarrassed.

 

“Shut up! I’m seriously holding myself back from tearing you apart right now, so don’t talk to me!”

 

Tearing me apart, huh…

 

Funny. He’d actually done that before—well, when he was high on drugs. But in his current state? He couldn’t even come close.

 

Seo Do-hwan had lost all his strength.

 

Without drugs, he had no way of getting it back. The power he’d fought so hard to gain—gone. That was his greatest weakness—and the reason he fell so deep into addiction in the first place.

 

But that was all in the past.

 

I scoffed at his threat and headed for the dining room. Seo Do-hwan trailed behind me, clearly fuming.

 

He must’ve been starving. The way he followed me without a word said everything. I just hoped the head chef had done a good job tonight.

 

And fortunately…

 

“Whoa…”

 

Our chef had really gone all out.

 

Seo Do-hwan stood frozen, staring at the long table overflowing with dishes. His mouth hung open, and his eyes sparkled like the chandelier overhead.

 

I chuckled quietly at the sight.

 

“You’re gonna start drooling.”

 

He quickly shut his mouth and shot me a glare. I smiled, lifting the corners of my lips.

 

“Come on, sit down. You must be starving.”

 

“I’m not hungry.”

 

The moment the words left his mouth, his stomach growled again—loudly.

 

“Damn it! Can’t you take a hint?!”

 

Swearing at his own stomach, he sat down in the seat the staff had pulled out for him.

 

I took the seat across from him and picked up my chopsticks. I went for the cucumber kimchi. Seo Do-hwan, on the other hand, expertly began slicing his steak with a fork and knife.

 

Before long, his plate was clean.

 

“If you want more, just ask.”

 

“What is this, a restaurant? You can just order whatever you want?”

 

“It’s not a restaurant, but yeah. Ask for anything you like—the chef will make it.”

 

“The chef?”

 

“Yep.”

 

I nodded, then called for the chef.

 

“Mr. Seo really enjoyed the steak. Would you mind preparing another one?”

 

“Of course. Right away.”

 

As the chef disappeared into the kitchen, Seo Do-hwan turned to me with wide eyes.

 

“Wait—seriously? That’s your actual chef?”

 

“Yep. Why? Don’t believe me?”

 

He shook his head in disbelief.

 

“You’ve got a private chef? Not just a staff? What kind of crazy place is this?”

 

“I told you before—I got lucky with my parents.”

 

“Even so! No matter how lucky you are, who lives like this?! What even are you, boss?”

 

“I’ll tell you later.”

 

Just then, the staff returned with another plate of steak. They placed it gently in front of Seo Do-hwan and stepped back with a polite bow.

 

“Uh… th-thank you…”

 

Seo Do-hwan gave a small nod as he spoke.

 

“Mr. Seo, it’s not like this is your first time being treated this way. Why are you acting so awkward?”

 

“Sorry, boss—but unlike you, I wasn’t born into luxury. This is all new to me. Are you mocking me right now?”

 

“No need to pretend. You’ve had food like this before.”

 

Just… not in this world.

 

I added that softly—and his face instantly darkened.

 

Bang!

 

He slammed his fist on the table. Seriously. No manners. I waved off the approaching staff and looked him in the eye.

 

He glared at me with fiery intensity and spoke.

 

“You said you’d tell me who you really are.”

 

“I did.”

 

“Then tell me now. Before I kill you.”

 

He bared his teeth as he threatened me.

 

Looks like he forgot I’m still carrying a stun gun.

 

I tilted my head slightly and smiled.