This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 187

“I really don’t know if this is the right thing to do…”

As I looked at Baeksulhwa, who seemed to ponder for a moment before slowly nodding, I couldn’t help but wonder if involving her in matters related to Dogun was truly the right choice.

“She might not be a child anymore since she passed the qualifying exam, but…”

Still, there’s no denying her inexperience.

Nevertheless, the reason I had just made such a suggestion to her was simple.

To put it bluntly, this was ultimately Dogun’s issue.

So, shouldn’t I trust Dogun’s judgment more than anyone else?

And as life goes on, there are times when we need to prioritize how reliable someone seems over their actual capabilities.

In my opinion, this was precisely one of those moments.

Moreover, if I had to pull someone into our side, there was no one better suited than the girl right in front of me.

If what Dogun said was not wrong, then it must be valid.

After all, she had shown sufficient ability to pass the qualifying exam with either the top or second rank today, and she wouldn’t fall prey to the temptations of the Association Chairman.

Honestly, where else would I find someone like Baeksulhwa who matched that description?

Of course, I didn’t intend to completely trust her right off the bat.

Am I crazy to do that?

I wasn’t ignorant of how fickle human emotions could be.

Even if one feels they can’t live without something at the moment?

It’s precisely this fickleness that can turn cold in an instant over something trivial.

So proceeding with just that belief would be the most foolish action of all.

Especially considering that we’re dealing with the Association Chairman.

She undoubtedly had mastered the art of manipulating people’s feelings to suit her needs, so thinking it through would be wise.

“Listen carefully. If what Dogun said is true, you will likely receive some sort of contact from them in a few days.”

And they would probably ask to meet.

I’m sure of it.

And when that opportunity arises?

They’ll use every tactic in the book to try to get Baeksulhwa under their control.

Whether that means threats or persuasion.

“Have you ever done something wrong in your life?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing her instantly frown at such a question indicated that she may be exempt from the possibility of being blackmailed based on her past actions.

“Well…”

Reflecting on the nagging words I’d heard before, I realized she was the very model student, making it highly unlikely she’d done anything wrong.

If so?

They’d probably try to buy her off rather than threaten her.

“If you haven’t done anything wrong, they will probably try to entice you to their side…”

I’m sure of it.

Thinking about it, not only is Baeksulhwa valuable to us, but she would also be useful from their perspective.

After all, she already has some connection with Dogun.

So if they can sway her over?

By placing someone with fewer suspicions next to Dogun, they could consider her the perfect card.

If they can acquire her, that is.

“If they make some sort of offer, just accept it.”

After a moment of thought, I said that because I genuinely believed it to be true.

If she’s as valuable as I think, then I must have her on our side.

The issue was…

Baeksulhwa’s reaction.

If her face immediately twisted in discomfort at my suggestion, it might mean she simply couldn’t go through with it.

Well, that makes sense.

She would likely feel as though she was betraying Dogun.

However, this was the best option for now.

At least, I believed so.

So…

I had to persuade her.

Given the look on her face, it wouldn’t be an easy task though.

.

.

.

To be honest, when Chae-rim had taken the senior out of the hospital room to have a little chat, I thought I’d be heading home soon.

Back then, I believed it.

Who could have known that, after that moment, I would end up spending exactly a week in the hospital?

And after a week of hospital life, just as I got Chae-rim’s sign of approval, someone from the Association arrived.

I heard they had made a decision regarding who would be by my side.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find out who they had decided to pair me with.

I nervously asked, but they just parroted that I would see it firsthand tomorrow.

Wait a minute—

“…Tomorrow?”

I was scheduled to be discharged today, and I hadn’t even touched anything at home, yet they were going to come tomorrow?

“…Tomorrow?”

I couldn’t believe the sudden reality hitting me.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

So my reflex was to repeat the question, and that was the answer I received.

As if to say, what’s the problem?

Do they really not know?

‘…That can’t be true.’

Thinking from a common-sense perspective, it made sense there had to be something else hidden.

And I would soon find out what that was.

After all, the person had directly revealed it with their own words.

“Ah, if you’re still not ready, then I’m happy to help in any way possible…”

Help? Don’t make me laugh.

They would swarm in here pretending to help while secretly setting up surveillance cameras or something.

I didn’t even need to see the video to know that.

So it would be best to refuse them here.

“It’s fine. There’s hardly anything to clean up anyway.”

“Is that so? If that’s the case…”

Fortunately, it seemed they didn’t have high expectations either.

After I refused once, they left pretty quickly without pushing the subject.

And as soon as those Association staff members left, Yoonseo showed up.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah, but where’s the luggage?”

“I still need to pack it.”

As I matched my pace with her to gather my scattered belongings, I started to feel odd that the person who should be here wasn’t.

“Um… where’s Chae-rim?”

After a week, Yoonseo successfully referred to her as “noona” cautiously with a quiet voice.

“Oh, Chae-rim? She probably just went home.”

“…Home?”

“Yeah, she went home to pack her moving stuff. So she checked out first thing in the morning.”

“Oh, I see.”

I thought a week would be sufficient time for her, but it seemed like she still felt some disappointment.

After that, Yoonseo spoke less and moved more slowly.

Still, the items to pack quickly diminished.

Considering the limited things to pack, mostly clothes, it was completely understandable.

And once we finished packing everything?

With the help of the doctor, I went through the discharge procedures.

I also borrowed the doctor’s car to get back home.

And just as we arrived at the front of the house—

“You’re back?”

Chae-rim welcomed me while leaning against a box and waving her hand.

“I’m sorry. Did you wait long?”

“Nah, I just got here too.”

While exchanging those words, I found it slightly surprising how little luggage Chae-rim had brought with her.

There were only five boxes small enough to hold clothes at first glance.

Could it be that she hadn’t moved everything yet?

Maybe that was the case, I thought, but the truth was, she just genuinely had very little to bring.

“Um… what about the bed?”

“Well… I ended up buying a new one urgently, but I don’t know if it’ll arrive today…”

The moment I heard that, I instinctively felt a bad premonition.

Perhaps living with Chae-rim would prove to be less reliable than how she appeared from the outside.

Though that part was that, how would she expect to sleep without a bed?

I couldn’t help but feel a mix of disbelief as I looked at Chae-rim.

“Well, if it comes down to it, we can sleep on the sofa for tonight, right…?”

“…”

“Um… do you have a sofa…?”

She had come to move without even a mattress or a bed, yet she didn’t want to sleep on the floor.

When I cautiously asked, and she nodded, Yoonseo, who had briefly left to change into comfortable clothing, joined me again at my side.

As Yoonseo rejoined me, she flinched at the sight of Chae-rim standing with the boxes, but it didn’t last long.

Since she had already promised to help, she quickly regained her usual demeanor and rolled up her sleeves.

“So what should I help with first?”