The next morning, Taeyang was the first to wake up that morning. He walked out of the room with light steps, then checked the house. Mr. Kang seemed to be brewing tea in the kitchen. Taeyang just nodded politely, then went out to enjoy the fresh morning air. He knew the day would be long and challenging.
A few minutes later, Jiwon appeared with disheveled hair and half-closed eyes. "Morning..." she muttered as she sat at the dining table.
"Drink this tea, kiddo," Mr. Kang said, handing her a cup. "You'll all need energy."
Soon after, Kwon Joon also came out of the room, looking calmer than before. The three quickly gathered in the living room to plan their next move.
"Kwon Joon," Taeyang said, immediately starting the conversation. "We need more information about your brother. Who is he really? And what did he do for the organization?"
Kwon Joon took a deep breath. "His name is Kwon Tae Min. He was the head of their logistics department. His job is to organize the distribution of illegal goods, including weapons and drugs. I know he didn't want to get involved, but they forced him with threats."
"What did they threaten?" asked Jiwon, curious.
"He had a family," Kwon Joon replied quietly. "A wife and a little daughter. They used his family as a tool to force him to keep working."
Taeyang nodded, trying to digest the situation. "Alright. Then our move is to find a way to get him out of the organization without endangering his family."
However, before they could discuss further, there was a loud knock on the door. Everyone was instantly on alert. Taeyang signaled Mr. Kang not to open the door, while he approached the window to take a peek.
"Who is it?" whispered Jiwon.
"Looks like... them," Taeyang replied in a serious tone.
Through the window, two large men stood in front of the door. They looked like messengers, with sharp gazes and suspicious movements.
"We have to go now," Taeyang whispered firmly. "They've found us."
The three of them got ready immediately. Kwon Joon directed them to the back door, while Mr. Kang gave them the spare car keys to help them escape.
"You guys just go," Mr. Kang said calmly. "I'll buy some time."
"Mr. Kang, it's too dangerous," Jiwon said, worried.
"It's okay, kiddo. I'm an old man. If this can help you, I'll do it," he replied with a smile.
Wasting no time, they exited through the back door and got into the car. Taeyang took the wheel, driving the car quickly away from the house.
After a long and tense journey, they finally arrived at a remote location that Kwon Joon had mentioned as the hideout of his brother, Kwon Tae Min. The location was an old, unkempt-looking warehouse surrounded by dense trees.
Taeyang stepped inside first, with Kwon Joon and Jiwon following behind him. Inside, they found a man in his early 40s who looked tired and restless. His face was pale, but his eyes showed warmth when he saw Kwon Joon.
"Tae Min hyung," Kwon Joon called with a trembling voice.
"Joon..." Tae Min approached, hugging his brother tightly. "Why did you come here? It's too dangerous."
"I came to help you," Kwon Joon replied firmly. "We can't let them control your life any longer."
Tae Min shook his head. "You don't understand. If I get out, they'll hunt down my family. I can't take that risk."
Taeyang stepped forward, giving Tae Min a sharp look. "We can protect you. But you have to cooperate with us. Give us information about the organization, and we'll make sure your family is safe."
Tae Min hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "Okay. I'll tell you everything."
Tae Min's information paved the way for Taeyang and his team to attack the core of the organization. With the help of the local police, they planned a major operation to capture the organization's leaders and destroy their network.
The operation was intense and full of risks, but it was ultimately successful. Many members of the organization were arrested, including the leader, while Tae Min and his family were given special protection under the witness program.
After everything was over, Taeyang, Jiwon, and Kwon Joon sat together again in a small café, enjoying a cup of coffee while reflecting on what they had been through.
"So, this is the end?" asked Jiwon with a small smile.
"For this case, yes," Taeyang replied. "But a job like this never really ends."
Kwon Joon laughed softly. "I think I owe you guys a lot. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened to my brother."
"That's our job," Taeyang replied casually. "And Jiwon..."
Jiwon turned her head, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
"Welcome to a life of chaos," Taeyang said with a small smile. "I'm sure this won't be the last time you get involved in something like this."
Jiwon just snorted, but secretly she knew Taeyang was probably right.
After a long journey filled with stressful events, Taeyang finally returned to Seoul. A sense of relief washed over him as he returned to his daily routine, but this time with a new decision to make: living in the house he had been eyeing for so long.
Taeyang drove his car slowly towards the new house. Although he is known to be a laid-back and soft-spoken person, there was a hint of excitement in him. The house was a symbol of a new chapter in his life, a place where he hoped to find peace after years of living amidst the busyness and danger of his job.
When he arrived at the gate of the house, Taeyang got out of his car, gazing at the mansion with a satisfied look. The driveway with its green hallway and spacious garden looked even more beautiful than the last time he came. He took a deep breath, then smiled a little.
"Alright," he muttered as he inserted the key into the main door.
Once inside, a quiet atmosphere greeted him. Taeyang walked around the empty living room, checking every corner. He decided to order furniture for the next day, but that night he simply slept on a folding mattress and a few simple items he had brought along.
The next morning, Taeyang started his day by going to the local market to buy home appliances and supplies. In a simple white T-shirt and jeans, he looked like a regular guy, far from his image as a detective.
However, at the market, he accidentally bumped into someone familiar-Jiwon. She was busy carrying a large shopping bag filled with fruits and vegetables. When she saw Taeyang, her eyes rounded.
"Detective?" called Jiwon in a surprised tone.
Taeyang turned his head, then smiled a little. "Oh, you. Why do you always show up when you least expect it?"
"I should be the one asking," Jiwon retorted, leaning closer. "What are you doing here? Don't you live in a small apartment?"
"I moved," Taeyang replied casually. "Now I have a new house. Do you want to come see it?"
Jiwon chuckled. "Inviting a girl you just met to your house? That doesn't sound good, Detective."
"You know I'm not that type," Taeyang replied with a shrug.
That night, Jiwon stood in front of the gate of Taeyang's house, a bag of food in her hand. She looked up, observing the sturdy iron gate with elegant carvings, flanked by towering stone walls. The long hallway lined with neat green bushes was faintly visible in the darkness, illuminated by garden lights emitting a warm glow.
"Wow... this is more like a palace than a house," Jiwon murmured, unable to hide her admiration. She didn't expect a man like Taeyang, with such a modest appearance, to have such a luxurious house.
She pushed open the small door beside the gate that was apparently unlocked, then stepped inside carefully. The hallway leading to the house felt like an entrance to another world. The neatly arranged trees along the way created a calming atmosphere, albeit a little eerie due to its quietness.
As she approached the house, Jiwon stopped in front of the main door. The house looked even grander than she had imagined, with large windows and expensive-looking wooden doors. She took a deep breath before pressing the doorbell.
The bell rang loudly, echoing inside the large house. Jiwon stood still, trying to compose herself.
The door opened slowly, revealing Taeyang wearing a simple black T-shirt and shorts. His face was as flat as ever, but a little surprised to see who had arrived.
"Jiwon?" he asked, confused.
"Yes, it's me," Jiwon replied casually, trying to hide her awkwardness. She held up the bag of food she was carrying. "Didn't you eat dinner?"
Taeyang leaned against the door, looking at Jiwon with a flat expression. "How did you know my address?"
"The worker at the market told me," Jiwon replied casually with a shrug. "He said there was a handsome guy who just moved into this mansion, so I figured it must be you."
Taeyang just shook his head softly with a faint smile, then invited Jiwon inside.
As Jiwon stepped inside, she was even more amazed at the interior of the house. The shiny marble floors, the walls decorated with abstract paintings, and the huge chandelier in the living room made her feel like she was walking into the home of a tycoon.
"Taeyang... you're really rich, huh?" said Jiwon, half-joking.
Taeyang just shrugged as he closed the door. "Rich or not, I'm still the detective who forgot to bring his wallet."
Jiwon chuckled, remembering the earlier incident in the taxi. She placed the food on the small table Taeyang had just set up.
"This house is too big for you," Jiwon said, looking around. "You must feel lonely living here alone."
Taeyang just smiled a little. "I need a quiet place. After everything that happened, I think I deserve it."
Although the night was only filled with small talk, Jiwon's presence made the mansion feel more alive. For Jiwon, Taeyang was an interesting puzzle, while for Taeyang, Jiwon was a presence that brought warmth in the midst of loneliness.