Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 715: Angels Gift (1)

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 6, 2021]

[Fortune of the Day: You'll receive unexpected news of a death. Prepare mourning clothes in advance.]

Everyday sent out a warning alert whenever I heard news about someone involved or came into contact with them directly. In other words, if a death notice showed up on the schedule entry, it meant someone in this car or someone close to them was going to die.

I quickly looked around. In the passenger seat beside me sat Kang Eun-Gi, and in the back were Chae Mi-Hyun, the queen of romantic comedies representing Reverse Entertainment. Beside her sat Yoo Jung-Ae, her maternal cousin and stylist.

The first person who came to mind was Kang Eun-Gi or someone in his family. Since we were in the middle of a shareholder war at Hoop Entertainment, it was possible that Choi Man-Sik might make a move. However, Lee Yeon-Sil and the babies were under multiple layers of protection at Seven Star Hospital. And Choi Eun-Tae was also receiving much tighter security than usual.

So the chances were the fortune probably wasn't about them. That meant the most likely target was one of the people reflected in the rearview mirror: Chae Mi-Hyun or someone in her family.

The most likely candidate was the person we were about to meet—Chae Mi-Hyun's younger brother. Her younger brother, Chae Seok-Hyun, was seventeen years old and had an intellectual disability.

Even before the regression, he had met a tragic end. When his older sister couldn't visit for one week because her flight was canceled, he snuck out to meet her without telling their grandmother and got into a car accident.

But after I suggested Chae Mi-Hyun appear on The Omniscient Viewpoint and proposed introducing Chae Seok-Hyun to the world, his death had disappeared from the schedule entry. Now, though, I could feel fate twisting back to its original path as it always did.

"Yoon-Ho? What's wrong?" Kang Eun-Gi tilted his head, watching me stare at my phone.

I put the phone away in my inner pocket and smiled. "It's nothing."

'It's going to be fine. If I stop it, then it really would be nothing. It'll become something no one ever knows about.'

After a short breath, I turned to Kang Eun-Gi. "Eun-Gi. Seok-Hyun we're meeting today has an intellectual disability, so we need to be cautious with how we treat him."

Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Don't worry. I already looked into it and came prepared."

Just then, I noticed Chae Mi-Hyun hesitating in the backseat.

"Ms. Mi-Hyun, is something wrong?" I asked.

Chae Mi-Hyun answered, "Actually... Seok-Hyun also shows signs of autism. I should have told you sooner... I'm sorry."

At that moment, the difficulty level of today's task went up dramatically. Originally, Chae Mi-Hyun had told us her younger brother had the intelligence of an elementary schooler. At that level, it would be possible to talk and play with him, so Kang Eun-Gi and I had prepared accordingly.

However, this was the first time Chae Mi-Hyun revealed that Chae Seok-Hyun also showed symptoms of autism. In other words, he was a child with developmental disabilities.

Just as I was about to ask why she hadn't told us sooner, I saw her lips trembling. It was obvious that she had been too hurt to open up, even to people who were trying to help. Families of those with developmental disabilities often lived with wounded hearts, scarred by constant prejudice and scrutiny. Yet for me and Kang Eun-Gi, developmental disabilities were nothing unfamiliar.

I glanced at Kang Eun-Gi. And sure enough, he was smiling gently. "If it's just one more Joseph to look after, it's no big deal."

I let out a small laugh and nodded. "Yeah, like you ever took care of Joseph. I did all the work."

"What are you talking about, man? When you were working out, I was the one raising him!"

"Get out of here. You were out partying every night!"

"Hah! You got back from boxing around 9 p.m. I watched Joseph until then and only went out afterward, okay?"

'Oh, so that was it.'

I started feeling a bit sorry when I found out the reason Kang Eun-Gi only went out at night.

"Now that we're talking about it, I kind of miss Joseph."

"Joseph? He's been helping Sister Grace lately. Apparently, he's even keeping the younger ones in line."

Seeing how comfortably Kang Eun-Gi and I talked about someone with a developmental disability, Chae Mi-Hyun looked visibly startled.

"Um... what are you two talking about? You're saying it's not that hard to deal with a child with autism? And who's Joseph?"

I answered calmly as if it were nothing. "His name is Kim Joseph. He's a kid from our Angel Orphanage. His parents left him there after learning he had autism, so we raised him ourselves."

"What?"

Kang Eun-Gi gave his chest a quick pat. "Ms. Mi-Hyun, I'm something of an expert when it comes to caring for children with autism. Don't worry."

"Are you... serious?"

"Yes. If we'd known earlier, we would've prepared more. For now, let's stop and pick up a gift. I heard he's a big fan of Robot Warrior I-Bic, so we'll start with that."

Since Robot Warrior I-Bic was supposedly Chae Seok-Hyun's favorite children's anime, Kang Eun-Gi said he would buy a present on the way. That meant I needed to prepare a gift too. If I wanted to keep Fortune of the Day from becoming reality, that was something I couldn't skip.

Once they realized we had walked a path not so different from theirs, both Chae Mi-Hyun and Yoo Jung-Ae began wiping away tears.

"I shouldn't be crying, but I just can't help it..."

"You two talent agent oppas must've been through a lot too..."

If anyone understood what their difficult times had been like, it was probably us. However, those hardships only brought the siblings of Angel Orphanage closer and made us stronger. That was why we called Joseph our angel.

"Alright, let's head out."

I stepped on the accelerator to go meet Chae Seok-Hyun.

With the hum of the engine, our van started down the road toward Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother's house to meet another angel.

***

Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother lived right next to the Jungmun Tourist Complex on Jeju Island. Her home was a two-story house located about fifty meters from the coastal road with a low hill behind it.

A low stone wall extended from the house down to the road, and the distance between the left and right walls spanned nearly fifty meters. The yard was filled with neatly planted grass, and there were even two futsal goals set up. With nothing blocking the front of the house, you could see the ocean clearly from the entrance.

Chae Mi-Hyun pointed to an open area near the stone wall by the entrance. "We need to park here and walk the rest of the way."

Kang Eun-Gi asked, "Did you deliberately choose a place this isolated because of the noise?"

Children with autism were extremely sensitive to various stimuli such as light and sound. Even background noise that most people wouldn't notice could sound like a concert or gunfire to them. To escape that overwhelming fear, they often resorted to stimming like clapping or making sounds.

Chae Mi-Hyun nodded. "That's right. For Seok-Hyun, I bought up everything within a hundred-meter radius including the land and house behind us on the hill. Our neighbors used to file police reports and complain to the district office constantly..."

Apparently, someone once called the police because they saw Chae Seok-Hyun's tics and thought he was a threat. It was heartbreaking, but something Joseph had gone through too. Since that day, we never left Joseph alone, not even for a moment.

However, Chae Mi-Hyun hadn't had that option. That was the reason she had invested so much to build a paradise for her younger brother.

Understanding her pain, Kang Eun-Gi pulled out his phone. On the screen was Joseph, beaming with a bright smile that made it obvious he had a disability. There was also a photo of Kang Eun-Gi hugging him.

"This is Joseph. What does your younger brother look like, Ms. Mi-Hyun?"

With trembling hands, Chae Mi-Hyun held out her phone. The photo showed Chae Seok-Hyun, a slightly chubby and broad-shouldered seventeen-year-old, smiling brightly while hugging his sister.

"This is Seok-Hyun."

"He takes after his sister. He's a good-looking kid."

Only then did a small smile return to Chae Mi-Hyun's face.

"Ms. Mi-Hyun, let's put the past behind us and take things one step at a time. I'll help you."

The first step in working with a child with autism was building a bond. But before that, it was even more important to build trust with the parents or guardians. After all, families trying to protect their child from the world often reacted even more sensitively. Thanks to our younger brother Joseph, we had already passed that difficult first step with ease.

"Thank you for everything."

After saying his goodbyes to Chae Mi-Hyun, Kang Eun-Gi checked the time. "Yoon-Ho, when's PD Park getting here?"

I checked a message saying the The Omniscient Viewpoint crew had arrived nearby and replied, "They said about five more minutes."

"Not long, then. And what's that? A gift?"

I lifted a small, wrapped box. "Yeah. It's a smartwatch."

"A smartwatch?"

"Yep. It has GPS tracking and call features."

"Ohh..."

While Kang Eun-Gi would have to help Chae Mi-Hyun shoot the trailer for The Omniscient Viewpoint, keeping Chae Seok-Hyun safe was just as important to me. That was why a smartwatch was the perfect gift for a worst-case scenario. Unlike a regular watch, a smartwatch had a changeable display.

"And the screen can be customized however he likes."

"Whoa, that's pretty cool."

Just then, Chae Mi-Hyun looked flustered and spoke up. "Mr. Jung, that must be expensive. Please, let me pay for it."

"No, it's fine. Ms. Mi-Hyun, you can just focus on preparing for the interview."

There were more important things for Chae Mi-Hyun to worry about than money. While Kang Eun-Gi had to build rapport with Chae Seok-Hyun, Chae Mi-Hyun had to convince the public why she had kept her younger brother a secret. That was no easy task, either, so she eventually turned her attention to the interview prep sheet I had given her.

Meanwhile, Kang Eun-Gi started reading a book titled The Passionate Manager's Path: Just Follow This and You're Set!

***

Screech.

The van carrying Park Eun-Chan arrived. Since I had called in advance, he got out of the vehicle without honking. I stepped out alone, leaving Kang Eun-Gi and Chae Mi-Hyun in the car.

Park Eun-Chan greeted me. "Chief Jung. Should we start filming right away?"

"Yes, but there's one issue."

"What kind of issue?"

"It turns out Chae Seok-Hyun isn't just intellectually disabled—he has autism."

"What?"

Park Eun-Chan immediately grasped the seriousness of the situation. Unlike children with intellectual disabilities, those with autism could react unpredictably.

"Is it severe? I heard developmental disabilities come in different levels," Park Eun-Chan asked.

"There's a big difference between hearing about it and seeing it for yourself. It's best to observe and judge."

"...Alright."

"And one more thing—please don't forget our agreement to show us the edited version before the final cut of anything involving Ms. Chae Mi-Hyun or Kang Eun-Gi goes live."

"Don't worry about that. I've got professional integrity, you know. Besides, this whole program's being funded by President Kang Eun-Gi anyway. What's there to worry about?"

If we wanted to protect Chae Mi-Hyun's image and also turn Kang Eun-Gi into a star, we had to pay attention to the edit.

Park Eun-Chan then turned to the writer and camera crew. "Unless I say otherwise, nobody opens their mouth. We stay quiet while we're in Jeju, got it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright, let's get started."

The crew, visibly tense, began unloading the filming equipment.

***

"Ready... action!"

With Park Eun-Chan's cue, filming for The Omniscient Viewpoint: Chae Mi-Hyun – Kang Eun-Gi Episode began.

Kang Eun-Gi stepped out of the car and opened the van door. Then he reached out and gently helped Chae Mi-Hyun out of the van, showing a thoughtful touch.

Thanks to my advice and the help of The Passionate Manager's Path: Just Follow This and You're Set! by Kim Gil-Dong, a talent agent with thirty years of experience, Kang Eun-Gi was now moving like a seasoned veteran.

Soon, Kang Eun-Gi, Chae Mi-Hyun, and Yoo Jung-Ae arrived in front of the house. I followed behind the film crew, carefully keeping out of the camera frame while carrying the gift. The house didn't have a doorbell, so Chae Mi-Hyun made a call from the front gate.

"We're here."

A moment later, the door clicked open. Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother, her white hair neatly brushed, greeted us with a gentle smile. "You're here."

Her warm tone made Chae Mi-Hyun's voice tremble. "Yes..."

At that moment, Chae Seok-Hyun appeared from behind the grandmother. Blinking his eyes, he was taller than her by a head. "Noona, you are here!"

Chae Seok-Hyun stood around 175 centimeters and had a broad frame. Seventeen-year-old Chae Seok-Hyun, now too big for his grandmother to control easily, was wearing a Robot Warrior I-Bic T-shirt over another shirt, beaming with a radiant smile. The way he smiled made him look pure as an angel, making it clear why Chae Mi-Hyun had visited him every week without fail despite her grueling schedule in the entertainment industry.

Chae Mi-Hyun opened her arms. "Seok-Hyun, I'm here."

However, Chae Seok-Hyun stopped in his tracks. His expression began to shift the moment he looked at us. Even though we had been told he usually ran up for hugs and kisses, he started glancing around nervously with his face showing fear.

Chae Mi-Hyun quickly pointed to Kang Eun-Gi and said, "Seok-Hyun, this is Uncle Eun-Gi. He's someone who helps me, so he'll help you too."

With children with autism, it was important to speak as directly as possible. Only then could the meaning come through clearly.

Kang Eun-Gi smiled brightly and held out the gift. "I heard you like I-Bic, so I brought a robot toy for you. Want to take it, Seok-Hyun?"

At that moment, Chae Seok-Hyun stomped his right foot loudly and started shouting. "Y-You mustn't take things from strangers! Y-You mustn't follow strangers! Strangers are scary!"

Chae Mi-Hyun cried out, panicked. "No, Seok-Hyun! Uncle Eun-Gi isn't a stranger. From now on—"

However, Chae Seok-Hyun flailed his right hand wildly, growing more and more agitated. "No! He's a stranger! Strangers are scary! I don't like it! It hurts!"

As soon as he said that, Chae Seok-Hyun spun around and bolted into the house.

Thump, thump, thump.

We heard the sound of him running up the stairs to the second floor.

'Did he just say it hurts?'

Children with autism couldn't lie, which meant it was clear that someone had hurt Chae Seok-Hyun.

At that moment, his grandmother let out a long sigh and explained why Chae Seok-Hyun had reacted that way. "Last night, some punks jumped over the wall and bullied him while he was playing in the yard. Please understand..."

She had called the police, but they just glanced around and left because Chae Seok-Hyun wasn't seriously injured. If they had known it was Chae Mi-Hyun's home, things might have gone differently. But because she couldn't reveal her identity, there wasn't much she could do.

Chae Mi-Hyun suddenly yelled, "Grandma, you should've told me!"

"He wasn't hurt that bad, and Seok-Hyun told me not to call you. He said it'd make you worry..."

"But still..." Chae Mi-Hyun clenched her fists in frustration.

Kang Eun-Gi and I exchanged glances.

'Let's catch those bastards.'

'Obviously.'

We didn't say a word, but our burning eyes said it all. We were going to find them no matter what.

Just then, Fortune of the Day flashed through my mind again.

[Fortune of the Day: You'll receive unexpected news of a death. Prepare mourning clothes in advance.]

A thought crossed my mind—what if the ones who bullied Chae Seok-Hyun were the very ones that fortune was warning about?

'They might come back.'

This house had the perfect setup for playing around outside. There were futsal goals, and the lawn was well maintained. If they returned, it was possible something could happen to Chae Seok-Hyun.

I immediately picked up my phone to find the ones who had hurt Chae Seok-Hyun last night.

'Whoever you are, you better be ready to meet your ancestors today.'