Chapter 404: Choi Deok-Bae (2)

"Deok-Bae, you have a younger sibling?" I asked.

"Yeah, but he's not my biological brother."

"What... what do you mean?"

Deok-Bae hesitated for a moment before saying hesitantly, "Actually... I'm an orphan."

He explained that he had been abandoned without ever knowing his parents, and the adults in this neighborhood had raised him.

At some point, a woman with a child had moved into the area, and they had lived like siblings since then. Unfortunately, that woman died tragically in an accident two years ago, leaving her son behind.

Now, Deok-Bae was raising her child as his younger brother. The boy's name was Choi Han-Ul, and he was a seven-year-old.

When I asked Deok-Bae why he hadn't sent Han-Ul to an orphanage, he revealed a heart-wrenching story. The woman had pleaded with him before she died to never send her son to an orphanage, as she had grown up in one and endured every kind of hardship imaginable.

That sounded exactly like the Deok-Bae I knew—once he had made a promise, he would stick to it no matter what.

Nonetheless, this revelation only solidified my suspicion that something tragic would soon separate Deok-Bae from Han-Ul. Otherwise, Deok-Bae wouldn't have come to Hoop Entertainment all alone in my past life.

'

So that's why he looked so hollow when I first met him.

'

I had assumed his gloomy expression came from a hard life. I finally understood the deeper story behind it.

'

I need to convince him to become a celebrity and meet his brother as soon as possible,

' I thought.

Changing tactics, I adjusted my pitch to appeal to Deok-Bae's circumstances.

"Deok-Bae, our company provides housing and living expenses for celebrities who need it. If you agree to join, you'll be able to live in a much better environment than this."

Deok-Bae looked at me with disbelief.

I felt like a sleazy salesperson, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

As he mulled it over, I delivered the final blow. "And if Han-Ul needs a legal guardian, I can take care of that too. He's seven now, right? He'll need to start school next year. But without a guardian, he won't be able to enroll. Am I wrong?"

Deok-Bae hesitated before he cautiously asked, "Can I ask you something first?"

"Of course. You can ask me anything."

"In your honest opinion, do you think I could succeed in the entertainment industry? This isn't the first time someone's scouted me, but you're the first to offer money upfront."

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

His careful consideration revealed his prudent nature.

I smiled. "You'll do great as a celebrity with your looks and voice. Trust me."

Deok-Bae's standout qualities weren't just his tall and masculine build but also his deep, resonant voice.

In my past life, fans were so captivated by his voice that they created an online fan club called "Deep Voice."

Next to us, Park Dong-Jun chimed in excitedly, "Deok-Bae hyung, say yes! If you become an actor, you'll have no trouble raising Han-Ul!"

Finally, Deok-Bae nodded after a long pause. "As long as it covers our living expenses... fine. I'll do it."

I couldn't help but clench my fist in triumph. "You made the right choice. Now, let's meet your little brother first. I should introduce myself properly."

Deok-Bae nodded again and turned toward the uphill path. "Follow me."

"Got it."

The three of us started up the steep hill toward Deok-Bae's home.

On the way, our conversation revealed a startling fact: Deok-Bae didn't have a resident registration card because he didn't realize he was eligible to get one.

Although Deok Bae was nineteen years old in Korea, he was still seventeen by international age because his birthday had not yet passed. He had thought he had to wait until he was eighteen by international age to apply.

What shocked me more was Han-Ul's situation.

"You're telling me Han-Ul doesn't even have a birth certificate?" I asked in shock.

"No. His mom thought that the country would take Han-Ul away from her. And I... also worried that he might be taken by the orphanage. So I was planning to register him when I became an adult."

"I-I see."

I couldn't believe that there were still kids who didn't have a birth certificate these days.

One more task was added to my checklist thanks to this, but I was so overjoyed by finding Deok-Bae that I didn't mind.

"Don't worry. I can help you take care of that as well."

Deok-Bae said with a grateful expression, "Thank you so much, hyung."

***

Entering the winding and narrow building on the hill, I was greeted by a dimly lit corridor with tightly packed rooms on either side.

At the very end of the hallway was Deok-Bae's room.

Deok-Bae unlocked the door with a click, and an icy draft—colder than the air outside—immediately hit me.

The sight inside left me dumbfounded. '

W-what... is this?

'

In a room barely large enough to be three pyeong, there were books crammed into every available space. In the midst of it all, a seven-year-old boy sat curled up under a thin blanket with his breath visible in the freezing air.

"

Huff, huff...

"

The alarmed Deok-Bae ran into the room and shouted, "Han-Ul! What are you doing?"

The boy woke up and slowly looked up at Deok-Bae. "Oh, hyung... When did you get back?

Cough cough.

"

The small and adorable boy smiled brightly upon seeing his older brother. However, he was shivering from the cold with his face pale and his lips bluish.

"Did you turn the boiler off again? I told you to keep it on when I'm not here!" Deok-Bae replied in a worried tone.

Even as Deok-Bae scolded him, Han-Ul only smiled sheepishly. "Using gas costs a lot of money. You work so hard to earn it... I thought saving it was the least I could do."

Han-Ul was only seven years old. However, he wanted to ease his older brother's burden, so he tried to save money the only way he could—by enduring the freezing cold, wrapped in a blanket on the frigid floor.

The concerned Deok-Bae shouted in frustration and turned on the boiler. "Who asked you to worry about money? Why don't you ever listen to me?"

"

Hehe

... Sorry, hyung. My bad.

Cough cough.

"

Pain shot through my chest, the kind that twisted and pulled at the heartstrings. Nonetheless, there was no time to linger in such feelings. Han-Ul's complexion was far too alarming.

"Deok-Bae, move for a second," I said.

Stepping aside at my request, Deok-Bae watched as I pressed my hand to Han-Ul's forehead. His skin was burning with fever.

'

Damn it.

'

My bad hunch was confirmed. The reason Han-Ul wasn't with Deok-Bae in my past life was because he died.

'

If we leave things as they are, this could turn deadly

.'

Looking at me with dazed and feverish eyes, Han-Ul suddenly slumped into my arms.

Thud.

The boy's small body was as light as a feather. Without wasting a moment, I lifted him up with both arms.

"We're going to the hospital—now!" I exclaimed.

Just like the way I had lost Miso long ago, Deok-Bae had also lost the only family he had.

'

No wonder he never opened up about his past.

'

The painful memories had likely torn at his heart every day, exactly like the torment I had endured before the regression.

Clutching Han-Ul tightly, I took off running as fast as my legs could carry me.

***

"

Huff, huff, huff.

"

Deok-Bae's place was tucked into a maze of narrow alleyways on a steep hill, making it impossible for an ambulance to reach the door. That left me no choice but to carry Han-Ul to the main road myself.

Park Dong-Jun ran ahead and led the way for Deok-Bae and me in panic. "Hyung! Over here!"

"Deok-Bae, take Han–Ul. I'm calling 119."

"Okay, hyung."

Deok-Bae carried Han-Ul on his back and started running as I followed him and called 119.

"Hello, we have a kid suffering from high fever. Please come as soon as possible."

-Where is your location?

"This is..."

Park Dong-Jun responded on my behalf. "We're heading down from Dongja-dong's shantytown to Huam Intersection! Please save Han-Ul!"

-An ambulance will be there in three minutes. Please don't hang up and continue sharing the location with us.

"Understood. We'll reach Hwam Intersection in about two minutes. There are three of us, and we're carrying a seven-year-old child on our back—you won't miss us."

-Got it.

At that moment, Park Dong-Jun pointed the way again. "Hyung, to the right!"

A moment later, we arrived at Huam Intersection. Even past 11 p.m., the streets bustled with traffic.

Panting heavily, we finally came to a stop.

That's when we heard the sound of sirens and we saw the flashing lights of the 119 ambulance across the median strip.

Together, we waved our arms and shouted at the top of our lungs. "Right over here!"

The ambulance made a sharp U-turn upon spotting us.

Screech!

The ambulance came to a halt right in front of us. The side door opened, and a paramedic stepped out. "Are you the one who called?"

"Yes!"

After verifying, the paramedic opened the rear doors and turned to me. "Only one guardian can ride. Who will it be?"

"Can't we both go?"

"Sorry, only one! Quickly now!"

Without hesitation, I turned to Deok-Bae. "Deok-Bae, get in!"

Deok-Bae wasted no time climbing into the ambulance.

I quickly added, "Deok-Bae, head straight to Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital! I'll follow behind. Don't worry about the money and focus on getting treatment. Give my business card to the doctors!"

"Got it!"

The doors shut with a click and the ambulance sped off into the distance.

Vroom.

Before I knew it, the vehicle disappeared from sight.

Only then could I catch my breath. "

Huff, huff, huff.

"

My back was drenched in sweat and I felt as though I had just run a marathon. I couldn't even recall how we had made it here.

Park Dong-Jun, who had guided us, was also dripping with sweat.

While scanning the street for a passing taxi, I turned to Park Dong-Jun. "Dong-Jun."

"Y-yes?"

Park Dong-Jun's voice was shaky. He was likely still nervous from his earlier pickpocketing mistake.

I wasn't about to hold that against him as I understood his situation now. Besides, it was thanks to him that I had met Deok-Bae.

Reaching into my wallet, I pulled out some cash and handed it to Park Dong-Jun. "Take this."

When I handed over five fifty thousand won bills, Park Dong-Jun looked bewildered. "Why... why are you giving this to me?"

"I'm heading to Seven Star Hospital's ER right now. Bring your grandmother there too. If the paramedics can't help, pay the neighbors or someone nearby to help you. Got it?"

"My grandmother?"

Park Dong-Jun's grandmother had been hit in a hit-and-run accident. Without proper treatment, she had been bedridden at home. To support her, Park Dong-Jun had taken up collecting scrap paper.

The pickpocketing was forced upon him by the Wangpal gang demanding money in exchange for his freedom to work.

"She got hurt in a hit-and-run, didn't she? I'll cover the medical costs. Just bring her in."

The flustered Park Dong-Jun stared at me. "But still... I stole your wallet..."

"You didn't do it because you wanted to. Now stop wasting time and hurry! Do you understand?"

Meeting Deok-Bae through Park Dong-Jun was nothing short of fate, and I couldn't just let this slide.

I said, "A taxi's coming. And if you run into any trouble, call me using the card I gave you. Okay?"

"Yes, hyung."

A taxi pulled up in front of me.

I opened the rear door and instructed the driver, "I'll pay double the fare, so please take me straight to Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital's ER!"

The driver responded enthusiastically. "Alrighty! Hold on tight!"

With that, the taxi sped off and quickly picked up speed.

While the ride bounced me around the backseat, I called Kang Gam-Chan to let him know about an actor I was determined to recruit.

-You must really be impressed by him considering you're willing to support them financially and even act as a guardian.

"I'll cover all the expenses, sir."

Kang Gam-Chan let out a hearty laugh.

-Don't worry about it. Let's apply the same conditions we used for Yoo-Jin when we brought her in. I'll also send Team Lead Kwak to the hospital, so don't worry too much.

Kang Gam-Chan even promised to handle Deok-Bae's ID registration and Han-Ul's birth certificate, as well as any guardian-related issues.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

At that moment, the Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital's ER came into view in the distance.

***

At Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital's ER, I wasted no time looking for Han-Ul.

I was worried that the ER might have refused treatment because Han-Ul lacked a birth certificate. Thankfully, the doctors didn't turn the ill child away.

However, the hospital administration office was a different story. They were frustrated because Deok-Bae wasn't legally recognized as a sibling and he didn't even have an ID.

"

Sigh.

.. What should we do about them?"

I spotted the flustered admin worker and quickly handed over my business card. "I'll vouch for both Choi Han-Ul and Choi Deok-Bae's identities."

The worker's expression instantly brightened. "Really?"

"Yes. Let me settle the payment as well."

"In that case, sign here please."

After paying the fees, the senior administrator stepped forward and scrutinized my card. "Hoop Entertainment? Isn't that the company Jung Yoo-Jin belongs to?"

"Ah, yes. I'm her talent agent."

"Oh~ we've got a VIP here."

Hoop Entertainment wasn't widely recognized not too long ago. However, thanks to Yoo-Jin, many people now knew the company by name.

"We usually contact the police, city hall, and other authorities under these circumstances."

"I understand, but please give me some time. Our company lawyer will be here shortly to handle everything."

According to the book, the hospital should have already reported this to the authorities. However, thanks to the administrator being a fan of Yoo-Jin, they were willing to offer some leniency.

Shortly after, Deok-Bae emerged from the ER. "Excuse me, sir..."

Before Deok-Bae could finish, I interrupted. "You can just call me hyung. I'm only twenty-seven."

"Yes... hyung-nim."

"Hyung."

"Okay, hyung."

I smiled and asked, "So, what did the doctor say?"

"They said it was close. Just a bit later and things could've been really bad."

Han-Ul's severe malnutrition and prolonged untreated cold had developed into pneumonia.

"

Phew

~ Thank goodness."

The realization that I had saved Han-Ul's life hit me hard and my legs gave out, sending me into a chair in the ER waiting area.

The thought of saving another life filled my chest with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

That's when I noticed Deok-Bae standing before me with tears welling in his eyes. Deok-Bae, who had always kept his word, made an unwavering vow to me in a trembling voice. "Hyung... Han-Ul is alive thanks to you... I'll never forget this kindness..."

Tears streamed from Deok-Bae's large eyes. They were not tears of regret but of joy.

I couldn't help but think that perhaps being pickpocketed wasn't bad luck after all. Maybe it was fate and the universe's way of bringing me and Deok-Bae together.

For the first time, I silently thanked a God I didn't believe in and offered a prayer of gratitude.

'

Thank you for granting Deok-Bae and me this second chance.

'