Big Life

“Exclusive?”

“Yes, an exclusive writer. So we’ll be signing a contract with you as an individual instead of your novels. Are you willing to join us as an exclusive writer?”

Ha Jae-Gun slowly looked down as he thought over the proposal—to think that he would one day become popular enough to receive an exclusive contract offer from Star Books—one of the top three genre fiction publishing companies.

If Ha Jae-Gun were to become an exclusive writer, he wouldn’t be able to publish anything else through other publishers.

He could only publish his books with Star Books.

In exchange, he would have a stable income monthly like a salaried employee, along with extraordinary support and treatment.

‘But…’

Ha Jae-Gun had been envious of other exclusive writers at Star Books at one point in time, as only the popular-selling writers who were offered exclusive contracts had the right to sign those contracts. Some companies provided unconditional exclusive contracts, but this was different.

Anyway, the exclusive writers with Star Books that Ha Jae-Gun had met before didn’t seem to have much financial trouble despite resting for a few months after encountering some difficulties in their writing.

It had to have been due to their monthly salary. In fact, he even saw them going out on a trip or going out shopping whenever they stumbled upon any creative blocks.

“I know that you won’t be able to decide right away,” Kwon Tae-Won said.

He opened a new bottle of soju and added, “Please take some time to think it over, you don’t have to make your decision right now.”

Ha Jae-Gun took the bottle of soju and poured a glass each for Kwon Tae-Won and Jung So-Mi. The trio clinked glasses once more, and Ha Jae-Gun said, “I’ll make my decision right here—right now.”

Kwon Tae-Won and Jung So-Mi stopped mid-way to their drinking with their glasses in the air. Ha Jae-Gun downed the shot of soju and placed the empty glass on the table.

“I’m grateful for the offer, but I’m not interested.”

“Is that so?”

“I don’t wish to put restrictions on my own works. I want to live writing novels I like.”

Kwon Tae-Won smiled bitterly. He felt both glad and disappointed in the response, even though he already had a grasp on Ha Jae-Gun’s response.

“I think you’ve made a wise decision. I’ll be rooting for you,” said Kwon Tae-Won, wrapping up the conversation.

Jung So-Mi surreptitiously glanced at Kwon Tae-Won next to her. Was he going to give up just like that? Was he not going to persuade Ha Jae-Gun even further? How would he answer the president’s questions after this failure?

Ha Jae-Gun picked up a piece of perilla leaf and a piece of lettuce. He topped them with a piece of sashimi dipped in red chili-pepper paste with vinegar, garlic, and seasoned vegetables.

Then, he said, “I have never really signed with Star Books.”

“Pardon?” Kwon Tae-Won asked, dumbfounded.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled brightly at him and explained, “I’ve always been signing my novels with you, Editor-in-chief. I’m only going to work with you in the future, like what we have been doing all this time.”

“Please don’t say that—I haven’t done anything substantial for you.”

“Anyway, just don’t get annoyed or frustrated at me in the future.”

Jung So-Mi realized it just then. As she watched their interaction, she realized that they were both being considerate toward each other. They were an editor and a writer, so they couldn’t offend the other party. The two men had to have already understood each other’s thoughts through their gazes alone.

“We should eat the sashimi while they’re still fresh. Let’s pick up the pace.”

“I’ve been eating them for quite a while now… the two of you should eat more, too. Eat more.”

“Yes, we’ll be sure to eat more of them, Writer Ha.”

With that being said, they stopped talking about work.

In the next two hours, the trio talked about everything, from the general publication trends to their daily life—be it large or small things. They eventually managed to clear an entire large plate of sashimi, and the spicy fish stew wasn’t even boiling anymore.

“Thanks for the meal. I enjoyed it.”

“No, we should be the one thanking you, Writer Ha. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy this meal.” Kwon Tae-Won smiled. He paid for the meal using the company card.

It was about 9 PM when the trio stepped out of the restaurant slightly after 9 PM.

The cold night breeze blew past them.

“Ah, I totally forgot about the contract that we were supposed to sign.” Kwon Tae-Won snapped his fingers and frowned.

The contract was for Ha Jae-Gun’s next novel. He had forgotten it because he was too occupied thinking about the exclusive writer issue.

“We can sign it right now in a nearby cafe over some coffee. I’ll treat you guys to some coffee.” Ha Jae-Gun pointed at a cafe around the corner of the well-lit street.

Kwon Tae-Won nodded, seemingly embarrassed.

He looked at his wristwatch and saw that he had no time to waste. He still had to meet another writer in the area at 9:30 pm, and this was Kwon Tae-Won’s life for many years now. As editor-in-chief, he was always busy.

“I’ll sign the contract with Writer Ha instead and head back after,” said Jung So-Mi.

She stepped up because she knew that Kwon Tae-Won was busy. The contract conditions were the same as last time, so she should be able to handle it on her own.

“Ah, Writer Ha, I’m so sorry. I have somewhere else I have to be right now.”

“Don’t worry about it. Please go to your appointment. I’ll see you again next time.”

Kwon Tae-Won pulled out the contract from his bag and handed it over to Jung So-Mi. “I’ll be leaving first, then. Please be careful on your way back, Writer Ha. I’ll see you tomorrow in the office, Ms. So-Mi.”

“Yes, please be careful on your way,” Jung So-Mi said.

Kwon Tae-Won quickly. Ha Jae-Gun and Jung So-Mi turned around and headed to the cafe at the street corner.

“What would you like to have, Writer Ha?”

“I’ll buy it for you. What would you like to have?”

“No, it’s all right. I can just pay using the company card.”

“Don’t lie to me, the editor-in-chief already left. And that’s not the point. I just want to treat you to coffee.” Ha Jae-Gun gestured at the menu on the wall.

Jung So-Mi squished her cheeks. She pouted and looked at the menu before answering, “I’ll have a caffe mocha, then.”

“Please give me an iced americano and a caffe mocha.”

There weren’t many customers in the cafe, so the drinks were quickly handed over to them. Ha Jae-Gun and Jung So-Mi picked a seat in a corner of the cafe and sat across from each other.

“We didn’t get to decide on a title for the novel,” Jung So-Mi said as she placed the contract on the table. Ha Jae-Gun reached out and took the pen from her.

“Let’s write a substitute name first, then.”

Jung So-Mi quickly filled in the rest of the conditions in the contract using Ha Jae-Gun’s previous contract as the foundation. Ha Jae-Gun looked through the details and then signed the document, and that was it for the contract.

“I’m looking forward to working with you once more, Writer Ha. How many volumes are you planning to write for this novel?”

“I think it should be up to ten volumes as well because the story would be about the two main characters meeting and becoming comrades along the way. I think there’s quite a bit of story to tell.”

“I’m excited to read more about Cheon-Ma and Yu-Jin in this third part of the trilogy. The former is a loud and quite generous man, while the latter is completely cynical; it’s going to be extremely interesting to read their interactions.”

“Yeah. I’m the author, but I actually don’t know what will happen between them. Oh, it’s raining.”

It started raining outside. The sudden shower got passersby running away with bags or clothes covering their heads.

Jung So-Mi stood up and said, “Oh, no, you don’t have an umbrella either, do you, Writer Ha? I’ll go buy one from the convenience store nearby.”

Ha Jae-Gun raised his hands, stopping her. “The convenience store is just next door, we can go there once we leave.”

“Oh, that’s right. We’ll do that then.”

Jung So-Mi would always do her best, so she would appear like she was always busy. Ha Jae-Gun had no idea if it was because of the drinks earlier, but Ha Jae-Gun suddenly felt bad for Jung So-Mi, who seemed to be always in a hurry.

“Ms. Jung So-Mi.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“What’s wrong with the Editor-in-chief?” Ha Jae-Gun tried sounding her out.

He had been wanting to ask Jung So-Mi about it since they stepped into the cafe.

Jung So-Mi’s shoulders drooped, and she revealed an embarrassed look.

“He must be exhausted.”

However, Jung So-Mi’s words made Ha Jae-Gun tilt his head in confusion.

“It was my first time seeing him so dejected. You didn’t look good either.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Yes, it was totally obvious.”

“I didn’t sleep well yesterday, that must be why. I’m really sorry for making you worry. The editor-in-chief had also been working overtime recently as well.”

Jung So-Mi couldn’t tell the truth because she was Kwon Tae-Won’s subordinate, and Ha Jae-Gun was their writer. She had no intention of sharing what had been going on in the company recently, as it would just burden Ha Jae-Gun.

“I see…” Ha Jae-Gun nodded. He looked as if he understood the situation. He felt that Jung So-Mi was hiding something from him, but he decided against probing even further.

“Now that we’ve signed the contract, we should get going as well. You should head back to rest, too.” Ha Jae-Gun stood up first.

Jung So-Mi followed suit and picked her bag up. “Let’s buy an umbrella first.”

The rain seemed like it wouldn’t get lighter anytime soon.

Actually, the rain was getting heavier by the second.

Ha Jae-Gun and Jung So-Mi walked out through a corridor in the building that was connected to the convenience store. There was a line at the counter with three to four others waiting to purchase umbrellas as well.

“Oh? Excuse me, is there only one umbrella left?”

The part-timer scanning the items at the counter looked at Ha Jae-Gun and answered, “Yes, sir. That’s our last umbrella.”

“Wow, we would have been in a pickle if we had come any later.”

Ha Jae-Gun picked up the last pink umbrella and paid for it before leaving the store.

“You can use the umbrella, Writer Ha. I can just run to the subway station.”

“No, let’s just go there together because the two of us will have to go to the subway station, anyway.” Ha Jae-Gun tore the wrapping and opened the umbrella.

He stood close to Jung So-Mi and held the umbrella over their heads

“It’s just right for both of us. It’s slightly small, but it’s fine. Let’s go.”

“Okay…” Jung So-Mi replied shyly and looked down at her feet.

They shared an umbrella and headed slowly to the subway station.

On the way, Ha Jae-Gun protected Jung So-Mi from the passing vehicles by making sure that she was closer to the sidewalk than to the road.

A smile formed in the corner of Jung So-Mi’s lips at Ha Jae-Gun's kind act.

Soon, they arrived at the subway station. They headed up a short staircase, and it was about time for them to part ways.

“Please take care on the way home, and take this.” Ha Jae-Gun handed the umbrella over to Jung So-Mi. They would be heading toward different platforms.

“Writer Ha, I won’t get drenched because the subway station is near my home,” Jung So-Mi explained. She was obviously refusing Ha Jae-Gun’s offer.

“The pink umbrella doesn’t really suit me, so take it. Anyway, I’ll be going, then,” said Ha Jae-Gun with a firm look.

“I’ll send over the manuscript up to volume five this week,” Ha Jae-Gun said before turning around and leaving.

Jung So-Mi watched Ha Jae-Gun’s disappearing back, then looked down at the umbrella in her hands. Her tiny hands tightly held the umbrella as if she had just received a precious gift.

***

“Thank you for doing the interview with us. I will send the edited version over once it’s done.”

“Yes, thank you. Please be careful on the way.”

The Navin employees walked out the door and left.

Ha Jae-Gun plopped back down in his chair with a long sigh. His back was drenched in sweat. The interview he had agreed to do with Navin had just ended, so it was understandable that he was sweaty.

“I had no idea that interviews were this tough. It took so long, and they took many pictures of me as well.”

“Meow.”

As usual, Rika sat comfortably on Ha Jae-Gun’s lap.

Rika was also photographed with Ha Jae-Gun along the way, as the employees thought that the people would be pleased to know that a writer was raising a cat.

Rika looked more exhausted than usual.

“I didn’t get to mention that I’ve also written novels with the pen name Poongchun-Yoo. I wasn’t really planning on hiding it, but whatever, it shouldn’t matter that much.”

Ha Jae-Gun took a short break before going back to work with Rika still on his lap.

He started working on the manuscript of the novel he had contracted with Haetae Media. He had completed volume one and was now working on volume two. The main character for the second novel was the son of the great wizard in the first novel, so they eventually decided to call the novel Sword Master of Pezellon.

‘I’ll have to finish up to volume five and send it over the Haetae Media. Then, I should be able to start working on the third part of the Records series from Monday onward.’

His fingers danced rapidly on the keyboard, producing sounds similar to the sound of raindrops in a huge downpour.

Thanks to Seo Gun-Woo’s laptop and the fact that he was writing a novel with the same world settings as its prequel, the words flowed out like running water.

Ha Jae-Gun got so engrossed in his work that he didn’t even realize that Rika had already returned to her cat tower and that it was already night.