Chapter 38 – At the Gazebo

Later that year, Yiyoung’s mother passed away, yet she stayed strong. 

However… One day, Yiyoung dropped by Muyeol’s classroom—filled only with boys—to talk to him.
“Goodbye,” she said.

Muyeol stared at her, unable to comprehend anything.

“I’m not going to come to school anymore.
I’m dropping out.”

Instantly, a frown shadowed his face.
There was no usual smile in her words for the slightest bit.
“Why?”

“Just because.” Yiyoung shrugged.

“Why?” Muyeol repeated.

“Don’t ask.
I just came here to tell you this.
I could only stay in school because of your support, and I’m extremely grateful for that.
I made a promise to you then, and there is no expiration date for it.
Whenever it’s my turn to help, call me.
I won’t change my number.”

It was only later that Muyeol understood why Yiyoung had dropped out of school out of nowhere.
Soon after her mother died, her father became addicted to alcohol and roamned around drunk all the time, and passed away after being involved in a road accident.
Yiyoung could still endure everything after her mother’s death, but her father’s death hit her hard.
Apparently, she had turned into a completely different person after the loss.
She couldn’t focus on anything, and slept through all the classes.
It was as if she had lost all purpose in life.

Those kids with inferiority complexes didn’t let go of the chance either.
When they noticed Yiyoung was down in the dumps, they trampled on her and insulted her publicly.
Her usual, feisty self would have picked out one of them and fought with her all but she didn’t bother refuting anything this time.
And eventually, she decided to drop out.

After that, Muyeol only heard about her a year later, when he learned that she became a medical student.
She apparently got a new family: an uncle who Muyeol knew well after losing her mother in junior year in high school and losing her father in senior year in high school.
It was the bodyguard he had hired for Yiyoung.
Muyeol found it odd; what did Sangsu gain from becoming her family?

* * *

Muyeol always knew Yiyoung would become a doctor.
He had faith she would.
She was so good at meddling in others’ business that interfering and saving other’s lives probably came to her naturally.
Even after so many years, she was still the same, focused on saving others instead of worrying about herself.
This was why he called her ‘Shitty Yoon.’

The presentation was all done and Muyeol organized his seat.
The meeting was finally over.
Muyeol collected his things and stood up.
“I will give all my support, so make sure to finish this project successfully.”

“Yes, I will definitely make it happen!” the project leader replied.

“Have a good day.” With that, Muyeol left the room, and all the attendees sighed in relief. 

Mr.
Kang mumbled to himself, “What was I thinking earlier? Thank goodness…”

“You got me all scared earlier,” said one of his colleagues.

 “Sorry.
This project is so big, I couldn’t help it.” Mr.
Kang wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief.
“You guys had to suffer because of me, so dinner’s on me tonight.
Let’s continue working on the project after a hearty dinner.”

“Does that mean we’re going to have steak for dinner?” His team looked at him excitedly.

“Steak sounds good.
But you guys can’t complain about the project later then.”

“Yes, sir!” The temptation of a juicy steak was more than enough to motivate his team.
Mr.
Kang realized then, that as a leader, how important it was to encourage the team. 

Anyone could sense fear in the other person, but not just anyone could drive it away in just one conversation.
And Cha Muyeol made it possible because he was such a good, ambitious leader.