Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 169

“Hyung, aren’t I cute?” Episode 169 (169/500)

Siha opened a book.

It was a recently purchased book, and he seemed to like it a lot.

There were no words inside, only pictures.

It wasn’t just a book for looking at pictures.

There were countless characters named Charlie. About 300 of them?

Of course, they weren’t all the same. They just wore the same clothes.

“Siha, did you find Charlie?”

“Ah? Found him!”

“Really? Hyung hasn’t found him yet.”

I looked at the book with Siha.

They all looked the same, so I couldn’t tell who Charlie was.

Actually, I might not be able to find him because my eyes are tired.

“Hyung, here.”

“Huh? He’s here?”

Looking closely, it seemed like he was right…….

They were wearing the same clothes, so I couldn’t tell if the answer was right or wrong.

Was there no answer key here? When you look at workbooks, there’s an answer key in the back.

I rummaged through the back, but there was nothing.

How could they do this? I felt like I was scammed.

Even if I didn’t look at the answer key, it played a role in making me feel secure.

“Hyung?”

Siha looked at me as if asking what I was doing.

He seemed to think there might be something in the back, so he peeked once himself.

Realizing there was nothing, he patted my thigh.

“Hyung. Next, next.”

“Okay.”

Even I, with my good observation skills, couldn’t find him easily, but Siha seemed to find them all.

He really is a genius. To find a person for sure in such a huge crowd.

What if the police ask me later to find a criminal?

They might ask me to find a suspicious criminal by looking at CCTV [closed-circuit television] footage.

If that happens, I should immediately use my amazing foreign language skills and pretend to be a foreigner by saying, ‘I can’t speak Korean.’

Siha is too much of a genius to receive such requests.

‘Hmm.’

I’ve been looking at Charlie too much, and useless thoughts are swirling around.

I wish I had watched *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* instead, so I could have sweet thoughts.

Ah, I suddenly want to eat chocolate.

No wonder the name was familiar.

“Hyung?”

“Huh?”

“Focus! Clap!”

I wonder where he learned this… He probably learned it at daycare.

Before I knew it, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, and I clapped my hands.

Clap, clap, clap.

Clapping three times is the rule.

But Siha, why are you clapping?

“Hyung. Same!”

“Oh. You clapped the same as Hyung.”

I didn’t understand Siha’s deep meaning.

He just wanted to do the same thing as me. And also, to help me focus.

Did I feel like I was being trained?

“Siha, it’s time. You have to go to daycare.”

“No. Siha this.”

“Let’s find Charlie later and leave now. Siha’s red car is waiting.”

“Ah? Wait?”

“Yeah. It’s waiting. Shall we go?”

“Ahhh.”

Siha came out wearing his penguin backpack.

Today is another day to go to daycare.

***

-Daycare.

Just like Charlie wearing the same clothes, the daycare kids also have the same clothes.

That’s right, the gym uniform.

It was only natural for the children to run around.

In the process, it was also natural for dirt to get on their clothes.

“Ta-da! The daycare gym uniform is finally complete. The teacher chose it after much deliberation.”

Originally, it didn’t exist, but as a result of Teacher Yoo Da-hee appealing to the head teacher, the gym uniform was created.

She brought up the strange logic that college students match their department T-shirts, so daycare centers should also match them.

The head teacher slapped her arm playfully after hearing that, but she somewhat agreed with the statement.

It was important to have matching gym uniforms.

Of course, the cost was covered by the daycare’s operating expenses, not the parents.

The foundation has a lot of money.

“How is it? Pretty, right?”

The top was gray, and the KI mark surrounded by laurel leaves was engraved on the chest.

It had a zipper, making it easy for children to wear.

The pants were a dark navy color that didn’t show dirt even if they got dirty.

You could just think of them as training pants.

“Wow! Like a school uniform!”

Hana was the first to react.

The top was reminiscent of a school uniform jacket.

And there was someone who couldn’t be left out of this fashion discussion, and that was Jaehwi.

“Just so-so~ so-so~.”

Jaehwi shrugged his shoulders.

The teacher was slightly annoyed, but she thought it was just the kids talking and moved on.

Jaehwi was ruthless when it came to fashion.

“Siha, what about you? Isn’t this pretty?”

“Ah? No. Pepe no.”

“If all the clothes were penguins, wouldn’t we have to call this place Antarctica instead of Korea? South Korea, Antarctica. Well, they’re kind of similar.”

The teacher looked at Seungjun when the reaction wasn’t enthusiastic.

She thought that Seungjun, being a sportsman, might recognize it.

But expectations are always betrayed.

“Ah, this isn’t short sleeves and shorts. Soccer is red or white!”

“It’s not a soccer uniform, Seungjun. It’s a gym uniform.”

Jongsu smiled at Seungjun.

His face said, why are you even talking about design?

“Everyone, that’s not important. This is a gym uniform, so how comfortable it is is what’s important.”

“That’s right. That’s right. Jongsu knows well.”

“Teacher. This is basic! Now, look.”

Jongsu pulled on the gym uniform.

It looked like he was trying to see if it was sturdy.

He nodded once and returned it to the teacher, saying it was okay.

“It’s sturdy!”

“That’s it?”

“It just has to not tear.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s true.”

But if it tore with that, wouldn’t the company have to give a refund? If it tore like paper.

Seungjun couldn’t lose, so he jumped up.

“It has to be stronger than that! Let’s all pull together.”

“W-wait a minute! Everyone~! Kids!!”

The tug-of-war with the gym uniform began.

The teacher couldn’t let go.

The children who rushed in might fall.

“S-stop now.”

“Not yet!!”

Siha also pulled the gym uniform hard at Seungjun’s energetic voice.

Young-cha. Young-cha [Korean cheering sound, similar to “heave-ho”].

He was pulling with all his might as if the memories of the sports day were coming back to life.

Now, whether the gym uniform is sturdy or not is not important.

The children were enjoying playing together like this.

After a round of wrestling, the teacher was so exhausted that she melted into the ground.

The children were full of energy and hovered around the teacher.

“Ah ah. Teacher.”

“Siha, can you not poke the teacher’s face since she’s alive?”

“Ah? Teacher.”

Slap, slap.

“I said I’m alive. Instead of poking, you’re patting my face?”

It didn’t hurt that much, but it felt like waking up someone who had really fainted.

Everyone saw what Siha was doing and started poking the teacher’s body.

The children’s games are ever-changing.

Even a martial arts master cannot easily predict it.

“Okay~ Is the check done? Now, let’s all put it on!”

That’s how the children changed their clothes.

Ziiip.

After zipping up, everyone was wearing the same clothes.

Like Charlie.

But there were also children who wore it differently.

Jaehwi flapped his top without zipping it up.

Jongsu wore it neatly up to his neck.

Seungjun took off his top and tied it around his waist because he was hot.

Hana gently placed her top on her shoulders like an actress.

And Siha was…….

“Pfft. Ah, Siha.”

The teacher laughed, holding her stomach when she saw Siha.

He was so cute.

Siha tilted his head, not knowing what was going on.

“Ah?”

“What is that?”

“Siha hat. Hat. This this hat clothes.”

“Ah. Are you talking about something like a hoodie?”

“Ah ah.”

“But that looks more like Siha Madam than a hat? Siha Madam. What brings you here?”

“Mister? Siha no mister.”

“No. I mean Miss, not Mister.”

Siha put the top on his head and tied it with his hands.

The top only covered his face.

It was like a noble lady from the Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897] going out.

“Siha no mister.”

“Okay. Siha is not a mister. But you’re so cute. I should take a picture and show it? Okay, everyone, stand up.”

Everyone was wearing the same clothes, but they were all different.

But when they were together like this, they looked alike.

Maybe the parents will look at the pictures and start looking for their children instead of Charlie.

“Okay, kimchi [traditional Korean side dish, also used as a word to say when taking pictures, like “cheese”].”

Click.

Among them, only Siha, who couldn’t give up on the V sign, stood out, so Si-hyuk would be able to find him easily.

Of course, every parent will find their child well.

***

While Garam Semiconductor was quickly reviewing, Ninehearts filed a patent infringement lawsuit in reverse.

It was absurd from Garam Semiconductor’s point of view.

However, it was not easy to judge based on subtle designs alone.

The lawsuit was filed, and a solution had to be found.

“Hoo. They’re making the first move? They’re confident they’ll win?”

The president of Garam Semiconductor loosened his tie a little.

This act of calming his anger was his habit.

“Ninehearts tends to be strong in court. They also have enough funds.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? We have enough funds too. Don’t you know that I’ve been poking around and meeting people?”

“In the end, it’s a power struggle.”

“Instead of wasting money on this, I should set a date and meet them. Contact them.”

The secretary frowned as if she was in trouble.

The president looked at her with a questioning look.

“It’s a little difficult. I already contacted them, but there’s no reply. They must have checked it.”

“Are they going to drag out the time like this?”

“It seems so.”

“Hoo. Okay, let’s do this. The student Kim, the manager mentioned before, Lee Si-hyuk.”

“Yes. According to the investigation, he helped Meltz with the contract.”

“With Ninehearts? Why?”

“On the surface, it’s because he liked the technology, but it’s suspicious. They gave Lee Si-hyuk a car from a company registered as a Korean corporation.”

“Why would they give him a car when they bought it themselves?”

“I don’t know the details.”

“Hmm. There’s something going on?”

The president’s head began to spin quickly.

There must be a story between the two that he doesn’t know.

Then, if he pushes them with that, they will have no choice but to accept it, no matter how much they don’t want to.

He has to make this much effort to have a conversation.

“Contact the student Lee Si-hyuk. Tell him to meet me.”

“Yes. I will.”

“And contact Ninehearts. I want to have a meeting with Lee Si-hyuk as an interpreter. The vice president of Ninehearts will react in some way.”

“Do you really think that will work?”

The secretary couldn’t help but be skeptical.

No matter what, he’s just a college student.

Will that heavy butt [referring to the vice president] move just because he’s bringing such a person?

“The business is very mysterious. If there is someone you like, you may get a contract or reach a dramatic compromise. They have amazing technology. Let’s join hands. There are things that don’t work even if you say this. Because you have to check it.”

“Are you saying that Ninehearts is checking it?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to them. The world situation doesn’t go according to theory. If you want to find the answer, it will become complicated.”

“If you put in a call and get a response, you have to take him with you unconditionally.”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. I’ll make an appointment first.”

“Okay. Good job.”

As time passed.

The appointment was made quickly. The president simply packed his clothes and left the company.

The place he arrived at was an expensive Korean restaurant.

The price for one meal is 2 million won [approximately $1,500 USD], and in such an expensive place, you won’t run into people.

The rooms were divided by partitions, so no one could eavesdrop.

Lee Si-hyuk was sitting inside after taking off his shoes.

“Hello. I’m Lee Si-hyuk.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Jun-yeop, president of Garam Semiconductor. Take a seat.”

The two sat down.

The chef comes into the silent place.

“It’s still early, but you haven’t eaten yet, have you? The food here is delicious.”

“I have someone to eat dinner with.”

“I see. Give them what you always give them here.”

“I understand.”

The chef bows his head and leaves.

Lee Si-hyuk looks at him with a questioning look.

He said he wouldn’t eat, but he had an expression that he didn’t understand why he was ordering.

Kim Jun-yeop thought he was still young.

“Originally, you order even if you don’t eat in places like this.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. It’s not about what you eat.”

“I see. But I heard you wanted to hire me, what’s going on?”

“Haha. I think we’re both busy, so let’s get to the point. We’ve been sued for patent infringement this time. It’s unfair to us. Suddenly infringement. The side that actually infringed is that side.”

“Can’t you just countersue?”

“Of course, you can. But we should try to talk as much as possible. It’s a company called Ninehearts in Singapore, and they’re quite difficult opponents. I’m trying to talk to a person named Vice President Daniel, and I need an interpreter.”

“I see.”

Then the prepared dish comes in.

Kim Jun-yeop looked closely at Lee Si-hyuk in front of him.

What is his relationship with Ninehearts?

How will he react to what he said?

He was very curious about that.

He wants to ask directly about the relationship because he is curious, but he holds back.

He had to judge based on whether he would accept this offer or not.

If he accepts, he asks. If not, he has to hold on with another offer.

‘Smile?’

After the employee left, Lee Si-hyuk smiled softly.

Kim Jun-yeop did not guess what that smile meant.

“So…. How much will you give me?”

“Hahaha. How much do you want? 1 thousand?”

Lee Si-hyuk joked, hitting his knee.

“Hey. I might make a dramatic settlement in this lawsuit, but you’re too weak. I’m not stupid.”

“Hahaha.”

President Kim Jun-yeop laughed as if he had been hit hard.

And he looked at Lee Si-hyuk with a different look than before.

“Tell me the amount you want.”

“That’s not it.”

Lee Si-hyuk shook his head.

“Tell me what kind of weapon you can put in my hand.”

“Pardon?”

“Aren’t we going to negotiate? I was asking about that price?”

President Kim Jun-yeop thought.

The guy in front of him is ‘not just a young kid.’