Chapter 34: Business Trip

Once my health improved, I called Ryan and Grandpa Marcello to express my gratitude.

Ryan gruffly told me to buzz off but kept visiting to check on me.

Marcello brought food to our house until I was fully recovered.

The kids must be struggling.

A meal or two was fine, but eating Italian food constantly was tough for them.

Coming from a land of chili and garlic, cheese and olive oil were a challenge.

At least I’m fully recovered.

By the time we were set to leave for the U.S., my body was back to normal.

For the kids, who’d been eating rich food, I made kimchi stew for breakfast.

After all that heavy food, nothing would taste better to them.

“Wow! So yummy!”

Jiyu dove into her meal with gusto.

Her enthusiasm made me chuckle.

“Eat some rolled omelet too, Jiyu.”

“Okay!”

I’d heard kids her age were picky eaters, but not these kids.

They ate everything without complaint.

“Oh, listen while you eat. We’re catching a flight to the U.S. tonight.”

I’d already told them about the trip, so they nodded.

“Sis! Sis! What’s the U.S.?”

Of course, Jiyu had no clue what the U.S. was.

“Uh… a super big country.”

“Really? How big?”

“The biggest in the world?”

“Wow!”

It wasn’t the largest by landmass, but the U.S. was awe-inspiring.

A concrete jungle, the world’s greatest nation.

“What’s there to eat?”

Hye-yeon didn’t know how to respond.

It was my business trip, and I didn’t know much about what was there either.

“Maybe… cool guys?”

“Pfft, what’s that?”

We planned to meet Benjamin there, and since the kids were his fans, they were excited.

“Lots of tasty food. You’ll love it, Jiyu.”

“Then Jiyu loves it!”

Yuri’s words made Jiyu beam happily.

I looked at them and said,

“Finish eating and pack. It’s a long trip, so pack plenty.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s eat up!”

We scraped our plates clean.

After breakfast, the kids packed their suitcases from Korea.

Jiyu’s clothes were split among their bags.

While they packed essentials, I headed to Ryan’s house.

Ding-dong!

Ryan answered in a casual sweatshirt.

“What? Why’re you here?”

“I’m leaving soon. Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

I opened the gate and entered.

-Woof woof!

Two shepherds appeared, guarding Ryan.

“Hey, long time no see, Cookie, Bay.”

-Sniff sniff.

Recognizing me, they sat in front of me.

“Still well-behaved.”

“Yup.”

I petted Cookie and Bay as I entered.

A stuffed bear caught my eye immediately.

“Why don’t you get rid of that?”

“What’s wrong? It’s cool.”

“Ugh.”

The stuffed animals were from creatures that invaded Ryan’s ranch.

He’d had them taxidermied out of spite, but they were creepy at first.

“Animal rights groups would freak.”

“Tell them to buzz off. This is our livelihood. They’d get it if it was theirs.”

Ryan smirked, tapping the bear’s head.

I chuckled and sat on the sofa.

“Where’s Mijeong?”

“At work.”

Ryan’s ranch was far, so Mijeong must’ve gone to manage it.

“Bessie and Roy?”

“Sleeping. Ate breakfast and crashed.”

They’d played with Jiyu recently, but today they were tidying the house, so no playtime.

“So, why’re you here?”

“I’m going on a business trip.”

“How long?”

“Four, five days? Not sure.”

Ryan frowned.

“Who’s gonna cook for me?”

“What? I’m not your chef.”

“Tch…”

Ryan, who often mooched side dishes, was annoyed at missing out for days.

“Anyway, one favor.”

“What?”

“Watch the house.”

“That’s easy. Pay me.”

“Between friends?”

Ryan sat on the sofa.

“Kidding, but you don’t usually ask me to house-sit.”

“I mentioned animals getting in, right?”

“Yeah?”

“Fix the yard fence too.”

Ryan’s frown deepened.

House-sitting was fine, but fixing the fence was labor-intensive.

“What’s in it for me?”

“Friendship’s not enough?”

“Hell no. You think fixing a fence in this cold is easy?”

“Here.”

I pulled a watch from my pocket and handed it to him.

His eyes widened.

“You… that’s…”

“You wanted it, right?”

I wasn’t into accessories, but Ryan liked watches.

I had plenty from fans and publishers, but this was one I bought.

Not expensive…

Less than 600,000 won, a cost-effective watch.

I got it to look good at a fan meeting, but I didn’t need it now.

“Damn, you’re my friend now.”

“Weren’t we already?”

Ryan snatched the watch, grinning like a kid.

I chuckled at his excitement.

“You love watches that much?”

“Hell yeah. Leave the repairs to me.”

My first watch, worn at my first fan meeting, but I had no attachment.

I’d decided not to cling to “firsts.”

“I’m off.”

“Safe trip.”

I petted Cookie and Bay and left.

Looking at the clear sky, I thought,

Perfect weather for a flight.

I headed home.

We had to be at the airport by 8 p.m., so we ate lunch and left.

Arriving two hours early made things easier.

We reached the airport and boarded our flight to LA.

Hope it’s not uncomfortable.

Coming to Saskatchewan from Korea, I’d splurged.

This time, for work, I booked economy seats.

The three-hour flight didn’t need luxury.

They seem fine.

The kids were quiet during the flight.

Some small talk, but no complaints—thankfully.

We arrived in LA late that evening.

“Uncle, where do we go?”

“Hold on, let me make a call.”

As I reached for my phone, I saw a middle-aged white man waving from afar.

“There he is.”

Pocketing my phone, I led the kids toward him.

He smiled at us.

“Three years, huh? Long time, Author.”

“Good to see you, Loony. You’ve lost weight.”

“Haha, my wife’s got me on a diet. Oh! These must be your daughters!”

Loony’s eyes lit up seeing the kids.

“Yeah. This is Hye-yeon, that’s Yuri, and the sleepy one’s Jiyu.”

“Hello, little ladies. I’m Loony.”

He greeted them politely.

The kids bowed.

“Hello. My name is Hye-yeon Kang.”

“Hello! My name is Yuri Kang! Nice to meet you!”

“Jiyu… yawn…”

Jiyu, half-asleep, kept nodding off.

I lifted her with one arm.

“We should head to the hotel. The kids are tired.”

“Haha! Car’s ready. This way.”

I followed Loony with the kids.

Outside, a large SUV waited.

We loaded the luggage, settled the kids in the back, and I took the front passenger seat.

The car headed to the hotel.

“Been a while. How’ve you been?”

Loony smiled.

“Same old, same old.”

“You look brighter than usual.”

“Haha! You’re writing again—how could I not be thrilled? Welcome back to the world of writing.”

I smiled.

The world of writing.

I’d fled it once, but stepping back in felt daunting.

No more running.

With the kids’ help, I’d returned.

I wouldn’t retreat again.

“By the way, how’s the kids’ immigration process going?”

“Not sure. I’ll check with the legal team.”

“Please do.”

“Shouldn’t take long. You meet all the conditions.”

“Good.”

Since the kids were adopted, I wasn’t clear on the requirements.

But Loony’s confidence reassured me.

“By the way…”

Loony glanced at the kids in the rearview mirror.

“You sure about the party?”

“Yeah. I won’t bring the kids.”

It was a short trip, and I planned to attend the party alone.

Loony looked relieved.

“Isaac Barrel’s coming too.”

“…”

My face stiffened.

Real name: Daniel Villack. Pen name: Isaac Barrel.

The writer I’d fought with.