When Daechul opened his eyes, his body was feeling well rested and energized. The wound was still very much painful, but differently than yesterday, the man could manage to work with the aching.
Daechul carefully and slowly sat down. Judging from the scenery, displayed in front of the big windows, the man slept for quite some time. The sky was dark with grey, heavy clouds, lethargically swimming through, as if it was too strenuous of a job to move faster. The man figured it would take a few more days until it started raining.
Daechul carefully cleaned himself with his doctor's strict instructions on how to do that properly ringing in his memory. He was banned from taking showers and had to result in keeping the wound clean and dry. The man was obviously not cut for that job, and briefly, albeit ridiculously, his mind suggested he ask Minsoo for his help. Daechul was quick to shake his head, not at all amused at his dumb thoughts.
It was surprising to find out Minsoo's real age and future career, mainly because Daechul never thought they would get so close. He was adamant to keep distance, but it proved to be a difficult job. With his captivating looks and bold character, Minsoo was an interesting person to be around. He showed so many new sides of him whenever the two met up, that it made Daechul unconsciously try and seek his company more and more. He already lost the battle with himself. Daechul just was not aware of that yet.
When the raven head was finally through with his morning routine, he fished his phone from the bedside table and wrote a quick message to Kimoon, informing him that he was already up and determined to get to work. His friend answered with a thumbs up emoji, and soon he was entering the room without even knocking.
"Good morning, you slept for quite a while. I guess Yoon's painkillers helped?"was Kimoon's greeting.
Daechul nodded.
"Yeah, I feel much better."
Kimoon smiled, seemingly in relief.
"Are you hungry, or do you want to go?"
"I'm not. Let's just get going."
Kimoon wordlessly ushered Daechul through the door, watching his slowed down movements with concern. He was keen on helping him get down the stairs, but daechul down right refused, confident in his own strength. And although slowly, he managed to reach the first floor without an issue.
After a brief talk with his mom and Siwon, reassuring them that he was capable to work, both men were out the door, when all three of Daechul's friends from Seoul emerged outside.
"We are going too," declared Ilsung.
Daechul was ready to refuse that, when Jinwoo determinedly came forward.
"You got shot, Daechul. You can't say no. Besides, even if we know next to nothing about this industry, we are willing to learn and to help you."
"Guys, it is too dangerous to be in Busan right now. Why don't you fly back to Seoul and just take care of my company?"
This time, it was Kangmin who spoke next.
"We are going", and then all three got in the car.
Daechul frustratedly sighed, but sat down in his seat, not wanting to argue more. He was the most influential person in his hometown, but obviously for his friends and family titles meant absolutely nothing, as they were constantly playing with his nerves.
Kimoon got behind the wheel, and then they were on the way.
/\/\/\
The gang headquarters were bustling with life when Daechul and his friends reached the building.
"I arranged a meeting with both Sunmi and Jongil. It seems as if they are already there. I asked one of the men to usher them inside immediately to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Who knows who could be watching us right now," those were the first words Eunsang uttered, when all five met him inside.
Daechul nodded, grateful.
"When are they waiting for us? My office would be way too small to get everyone to fit."
Eunsang was quick to agree, "they are currently in the big meeting room on the second floor. I told them both to just go ahead and wait for you there."
Daechul hummed, thanking Eunsang and motioning for his four friends to get moving.
When they reached their destination and got inside, Sunmi and Jongil were already having a heated conversation. Sunmi looked annoyed, while Jongil was mostly indifferent. The meeting room was a spacious accommodation with a modern approach. In the center stood a dark cherry wood table with twenty plush, black leather chairs circled around it. It sported big windows, modern projector and a water and liquor cabinet ready for use.
As soon as both took notice of the people in the room, they got quiet.
"Hi, Daechul. I heard what happened. How are you?" Sunmi politely asked.
"Hi, Sunmi. The wound is still giving me a hard time, however, I am ready to get to work."
The woman looked satisfied.
"Daechul, I take it the things had been quiet since the attack?" wondered Jongil.
"Yes, it was, Jongil. And that is why this is a golden opportunity for us to make a move."
Both Sunmi and Jongil nodded in agreement.
"Sunmi, Jongil, these four are my most trusted friends, that will be with us executing every move, I hope that won't be a problem."
After head shakes, received from both his detective and ally, Daechul steered his attention towards Kimoon, Ilsung and Kangmin.
"Lim Sunmi is my detective, working with me for quite a while now, say three years?" pondered Daechul, and Sunmi nodded, chuckling.
"It has been three years already, yes."
"Alright. Shil Jongil is my gang's ally, having people in his command too. We recently started our partnership", Daechul's wording was met with a reserved tilt of the head from Jongil.
After suave handshakes as greetings, everyone was determined to start the meeting.
"Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's start talking business," declared Daechul.
"First of all, why were you disagreeing not even five minutes ago?" inquired Daechul, with the question obviously dedicated to Sunmi and Jongil.
He was the first one to speak.
"Well, for one, Miss Sunmi here has a few very bold ideas that just don't make sense in my book. And also, her attitude is terrible."
Sunmi huffed in return.
"Don't insult me, Shil, you know nothing about me," he rolled his eyes," and my idea is actually good."
"Alright, brief us then, Sunmi", asked Daechul, eager to stop the pair from arguing and possibly blowing the situation out of proportion.
Sunmi collected herself, and spoke with a practiced ease.
"My men detected some movement in the nearby forest the day you were shot, Daechul. Reports say that it was five men in total, very heavily armed. One of them fit the description that we have about Kim Chungee: tall, lean as a stick. Blonde hair, shaggy hair cut. A scar on the face. His and the other five men' meeting lasted about half an hour, it appeared as if they were going through some blueprints, but we weren't able to come closer and verify that. They were also speaking quietly, which confirms their wariness to be found. After that, Kim and his five minions all went their separate ways. No longer than two hours, and I got the news of the attack."
Daechul slowly nodded, putting the information in his memory for later use.
"Alright, then what is it that you suggest we do?"
Sunmi smiled her intimidating, satisfied smile and leaned back in her chair.
"We need to catch one of them for the interrogation. Kim is such a secretive bastard, that this is the only way to find out his whereabouts. For that, we also need to get his attention. So I am proposing to organize a party in Go mansion. Kim will instantly get alerted, because the house was empty for a number of days, and it suddenly gets packed with people. Also, he would be confused as to why we are throwing a party, taking into account that you are still injured. This will definitely get them all to show up. It will be dark, loud and full of drunk teenagers. Perfect cover for them and for us too."
After Sunmi's proposition, the whole room got quiet. Daechul was pondering wheter this was the best way to go about this.
"It's risky, but clever. It could actually work", said Kimoon, with Ilsung, Jinwoo and Kangmin slowly nodding.
Jongil sighed in irritation, obviously trying to contain himself calm and collected.
"It's too much of a risk, Daechul. Let's think of another way to do this."
But Daechul was shaking his head. His mind was already made up.
"I think that what Sunmi just proposed is too smart of a plan to just toss it aside. And if that fails, we will listen to your idea, Jongil."
Sunmi smiled in victory, while Jongil fell silent.
It was decided.
/\/\/\