The Famous Millionaire

Hyunwoo was confident enough to show Yenam the specific evidence. Then, he would not be able to avoid Hyunwoo anymore.

Hyunwoo was really curious about Yenam.

The next morning Hyunwoo found a message from Yenam.

With a tense feeling, Hyunwoo opened his message, but it was not sent by Yenam.

The message started with something really unexpected.

<Hello. I'm Yenam's father>

Yenam's behavior missed his expectation all the time. How come Yenam's father sent a message to him?

What's more ridiculous was the phrase 'Yenam's father.'

Hyunwoo thought momentarily that maybe Yenam might be his real name, not pen name.

<It seems my son Yenam made you uncomfortable again.

Let me offer a sincere apology to you on his behalf.

By the way, I have no idea why you want to meet my son.

To be honest with you, I can't feel any sincerity in your offer of hiring my son. You don't know who my son is, and what kind of job he is doing.

My son is old enough to be independent from his parents, and he needs a stable job more than anybody else, but I am not sure what kind of job he can do.

I can't help but think that you might kick him out after sucking him dry later.>

The message showed how concerned Yenam's father was about his son.

Reading the message, Hyunwoo could figure out what kind of situation he was in now.

Yenam was an adult without a job. He had no particular talent, he was not a smart student and he might be physically handicapped, Hyunwoo thought.

Given that his father, not Yenam, sent the message, Yenam seemed to be chicken-hearted, timid and indecisive.

Hyunwoo was at a loss of how to respond to the message.

Without explaining Yenam's capability, Hyunwoo felt he could not persuade Yenam's father why he tried to hire him.

After some hard thinking, he giggled and then began to compose the message.

<In fact, I'm the president of KOVE DREAM as well as Ani & Funny.

I guess you know Ani & Funny well because we're now serializing a story on Story Mecca.

I was aware of your son's presence and hurt a lot by his hate comment, so I was troubled and agonized about how to get rid of his malicious replies.

I have three options. One was to stop the animation series, the other one was to put up with his hate comments, and the last option was to make friends with him to have him stop it. I chose the third option.

I would like to make friends with Yenam. And I decided to hire him as a solution.

I have some assignments for him, but I want to see him first to find out whether it is suitable for him. Everybody needs an opportunity, and I think this occasion might be a good opportunity for him and me.

Please seize the opportunity. There might be a whole new life waiting for him.

If I prove I am the real owner of Ani & Funny and KOVE DREAM, there is nothing he can lose by meeting me, right?>

In less than ten minutes after Hyunwoo sent the message, Yenam's father replied. Obviously, he was also waiting for Hyunwoo's response.

<Okay, then. Please show me you're the real owner. If it is true that you're the president of KOVE DREAM and Ani & Funny, let me discuss with my son and give you the date and time of our meeting.>

Hyunwoo hastily sent back the message.

<Please log on the homepage of KOVE DREAM (kove-dream.com). You'll notice the web administrator's corner on the top of the home page.

It's 5:40 pm now. Let me insert the word 'Welcome' at the end of the latest message on the public bulletin page at 6 pm.

And then let me insert the word 'Welcome' at the end of the title of the first series of 'Tuti & Angelica'.

I'll keep the word for ten minutes before deleting it.

Isn't it enough to prove that I'm the owner of the two companies?

Please give me a reply right now. Let me ask my staff to work on that exactly at 6 pm.>

<Got it. Let me confirm it at 6 pm sharp>

Hyunwoo felt as if he was shooting a spy movie but didn't care at all.

He waited until 6 pm and then posted the bulletin on KOVE DREAM's website and the retitling of the Tuti & Angelica animation series.

Then, he sent Yenam a confirmation message.

Yenam said he confirmed it.

Hyunwoo sent the message:

<Please let me know about the time and location of our meeting. I'll come to you.>

But Yenam didn't reply. It looked like he didn't change his mind, but he was very careful about meeting Hyunwoo. He didn't call or send any messages until that evening.

The next morning, Hyunwoo checked the message box as soon as he got up.

There were two messages waiting for him, but they were not from Yenam.

"What the heck is this? Why hasn't he yet replied?"

Hyunwoo initially wanted to send him another message urging for his quick reply but decided to wait until the afternoon. It was obvious that Yenam didn't ignore Hyunwoo's message but was hesitating until the last minute.

When he came out of his house, his cell phone buzzed.

Confirming the caller's number, he found it was new to him.

His eyes opened wide at that.

It might be Yenam's call.

He cautiously picked up the phone, "Yes, I'm Hyunwoo Jang."

The other party identified himself in a very prudent voice, "Hello. I'm Yenam's father."

A smile came to Hyunwoo's lips before he knew. He thought Yenam's father would respond with a message, but he called in person.

That suggested Yenam decided to identify himself.

Even though he contacted Hyunwoo through his father, it was more important to Hyunwoo to realize the meeting.

"Nice to talk to you like this. Thanks for calling me. You have made a difficult decision," said Hyunwoo, praising him.

But Yenam's father was still wary, "Are you sure you want to hire my son? Giving him a salary, too?"

"Sure. I am not sure if he will be satisfied with the salary. By the way, is Yenam his real name?"

"Yes, it is. I gave him that name, reflecting my wish that he should be a courteous man. I haven't thought in advance that it sounds awkward if his given name is combined with his last name. By the way, he is 33 years old this year."

"Oh, I see. I'm 33 years old, too. He's just my age. Anyway, I would like to work with him. If he makes the decision, I will hire him for at least one year," said Hyunwoo confidently.

"What happens after one year then?"

"If Yenam can't find the kind of job he wants, I can't help him anymore. Is he working at a company right now?"

"No, not really. I'm ashamed to say this, but he isn't good at anything."

"Well, he has nothing to lose anyway. He is guaranteed a job at least for one year. Let's meet for further discussion."

"Got it. We're available anytime, so let me know when it's convenient for you. As for the meeting place, I would like to see you at the Olympic Park in front of the city hall of Suwon…"

Yenam's father told him about the location in detail.

Hyunwoo had no reason to drag on.

"Let me leave for that place now. I'll call this number when I get there."

"Got it. I'll be waiting for you with Yenam there."

Hyunwoo quickly headed for the meeting place and then called his number.

When he called, he heard the bell right behind him at the sametime.

"Are you Mr. Hyunwoo Jang…?"

Hyunwoo quickly turned his head.

Two men were looking at him. One of them was standing, and the other was in a wheelchair.

Hyunwoo cast a glance to the man in a wheelchair, thinking he might be Yenam.

Given his physical condition, Yenam had been wounded a long time ago. As the lower part of his body was uncomfortable, he obviously had to stay in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Suddenly what his father had said came to his mind.

<My son doesn't know about anything and can't do anything.>

When he heard that, Hyunwoo guessed he must be overcome with defeatism, but he now knew that his father said that because of his son's handicapped situation.

Hyunoo quickly approached him to say hello, "Nice to meet you. I'm Hyunwoo Jang. Are you Yenam's father?"

"Yes, it's nice to see you. He is my son, Yenam."

Hyunwoo held Yenam's hand, and Yenam reached out his hand and bowed to him.

Hyunwoo sat on the bench along with Yenam and his father.

"Looks like your legs are an inconvenience," said Hyunwoo.

Yenam hesitated in replying as if he expected his father to speak for him.

Looking at him quietly, Hyunwoo felt Yenam had also a psychological problem. It looked as if he was suffering from autism.