Chapter 246.2

Chapter 246.2

Lee Wooshin left the psychiatric clinic, twisting his neck from side to side. The doctor’s last words echoed in his mind, but he only scoffed. Following Seoryeong was not simply a matter of life and death.

The man laughed dryly. What did it matter if he was healthy or not? What mattered more to him was whether Seoryeong was with him or not.

As he put his hands in his coat pockets, he felt the bulk of the prescribed medication. Lee Wooshin turned around without hesitation.

On the way home, he returned after shopping for several hundred thousand won worth of groceries and immediately started with the kitchen tasks.

Chop, chop, chop.

The sound of the knife striking the cutting board filled the kitchen. The head and body were the first to be sliced off, followed by the removal of the entrails and eyes.

Lee Wooshin was neatly separating the still-wriggling octopus. The squirming tentacles were cut at a precise 45-degree angle, and the spacing was as consistent as if measured with a ruler.

Again, chop, chop, chop. The rhythmical sound of the knife continued until his phone rang. Lee Wooshin rummaged through his apron to find his in-ear headphones.

—Director, urgent report!

He Channa’s voice pierced directly into his eardrums.

“Keep it short, concise, and quick. Tonight’s dinner for Seoryeong is going to be munhwae-sukhoe.”

—…

“It can’t be boiled for too long, or it’ll become tough.”

—Darn it…

He Channa muttered under her breath. However, to the man holding the knife to create a lattice pattern on the octopus body, even such curses sounded like white noise.

Once horizontally, once vertically. His concentration gradually increased. The knife marks drawn in perfect squares were as precise as a sniper’s crosshairs.

—Hah. As long as that girl is happy, that’s all that matters… For now, the restoration of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza isn’t going well. The checkpoints have suddenly tightened, and essential medical equipment can’t be brought in properly.

“Specifically.”

—The intensive care unit has been about 80% restored, but the emergency room is only at 20%. The biggest problem is pediatrics. There are dozens of children who need surgery immediately, but all the essential medical equipment is blocked…

“What does the crisis team suggest?”

—They’re suggesting to disguise it as supplies from the UN or WHO.

“That’s dangerous. They probably tightened the checkpoints to block that route.”

Lee Wooshin continued to speak while expertly handling the knife.

“It would be better to collaborate with a different NGO. There should be a few organizations that have established communication channels in Gaza, so let’s look into that. That’s all for the report. Let’s keep up the good work.”

—No, Director, wait a minute…!

“Hang up, Seoryeong is coming soon.”

—Until when are you going to avoid showing your face at the company!

“What are you asking? Of course, until my home becomes peaceful.”

—No, when I talked to that girl last time, her voice was good, and she seemed lively like a fish, what’s…

“Ah, did you secretly talk to my wife?”

Suddenly, Lee Wooshin stopped cutting. He tilted his head slightly and ran his tongue over his lips.

“Why would you have a private conversation with the director’s wife? Are you perhaps leaking field information and filling Seoryeong’s head with nonsense?”

—No, listen…

“Let’s not spill any sensitive information while complaining about work, okay? Especially not to someone who’s itching to get into action. We don’t want to get sued for breach of duty just because someone couldn’t keep their mouth shut, Channa.”

What a pain in the ass… Through the in-ear headphones, only a resigned sigh of “Hah…” could be heard. Whatever happens, just do your thing and pay me well! With Channa’s shout, the call ended abruptly.

After checking the time, Lee Wooshin busily moved around the kitchen again. While making gochujang, he suddenly stopped at the vibrating sound of his phone. It was a message from Seoryeong.

My love♥

Once I finish the health check and the Russian interview, I’ll officially be assigned. 8:10 PM

His face hardened in an instant.

He read the same message over and over again. The bright red gochujang dripped onto his hand like blood. A sharp pain pierced his temples. Lee Wooshin grimaced, as if he were used to it.

He hurriedly searched for his in-ear headphones and called Channa. Before the ringing tone ended, he shouted.

“He Channa, focus. This is an emergency!”

—What? What’s going on…?

Damn it, the director called first…! A startled Channa shouted back.

—What’s going on?! Is there a problem with the salaries of the comrades? Or has the overseas account been frozen?! Just don’t touch our salaries!

The torrent of words made his eardrums ring. A migraine that felt like it would split his skull surged. One side of his forehead throbbed painfully, and a heavy ache spread to the back of his eyes.

“No, I think Seoryeong will pass.”