You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 186

“What do you mean, ‘observe’?”

Yu Minhyuk seemed deeply displeased by the word ‘observe,’ his already grim expression hardening as he retorted.

“I believe you’re aware that I was the initial lead researcher for the Antrozol project before being excluded in the final stages. However, you only know half the story.”

“What are you referring to?”

“I opposed the release of Antrozol Alpha until the very end. But my objections were ignored, and I was replaced as the lead researcher. That’s why I chose to resign. And you call that observing?”

Yu Minhyuk’s voice grew louder, the word [Truth] floating above his head.

“I did everything I could! From what I gather, you’re the lawyers of Jo Bongjoon, who’s become famous lately for suing Myunghwa Pharmaceuticals. Well, I also strongly argued that the research from that American institution was unreliable, and we should either conduct our own research or entrust it to another institution. But when the company ignores you, there’s nothing a mere employee can do. If they insist on proceeding, it will proceed. So don’t casually say things like ‘observing’.”

Yu Minhyuk, having rapidly poured out his words, took a breath, his shoulders heaving.

“I did all I could. I barely escaped that nightmare. Ha, I don’t want to be involved with that matter anymore. So please, just go back.”

Yu Minhyuk said, removing my hand from the pharmacy door.

When heading here, I hadn’t entirely failed to anticipate that Yu Minhyuk would adopt such a defensive attitude.

I wedged my foot between the closing pharmacy door.

I knew it wasn’t an action Yu Minhyuk would appreciate, but I couldn’t end the conversation like this.

“We didn’t say it lightly. We didn’t know why you left the research team, and we only found out now thanks to what you’ve told us. If, as you say, you truly tried to stop Antrozol Alpha because of its dangers… then we share the same goal. So please, listen to us a little longer.”

“You need to be precise. We shared the same goal. Not anymore. I’m exhausted. I told you, I don’t want to be involved in that matter anymore.”

Yu Minhyuk retorted coldly.

Kim Chanyeong’s uncle can provide documented information from within Myunghwa Pharmaceuticals, but he doesn’t know the details of the development process.

Besides, he lacks real power.

As an executive at Myunghwa Pharmaceuticals due to nepotism, there’s a limit to what he can find out about the situation, especially with the already tense atmosphere within the company due to the Antrozol Alpha issue.

Asking Yu Minhyuk, the lead researcher at the time, is the best approach.

That’s why Yu Minhyuk is essential.

“There must have been a reason why you initially thought the release should be stopped. You must have started researching Antrozol to save people. But you became angry when you realized it would be used to harm people for the sake of corporate profits.”

“……”

“Now, we will take over that task. We’re not asking you to play a significant role.”

At my words, Yu Minhyuk scoffed.

“Then, why did you come to me? To ask for testimony, or perhaps for evidence? I’m sorry, but I don’t have any.”

[False]

Yu Minhyuk has evidence.

If it’s evidence, what kind of evidence does he have?

It’s impossible to know, but what is certain is that Yu Minhyuk didn’t leave Myunghwa Pharmaceuticals empty-handed.

He certainly looked exhausted, as he said.

But why would someone who didn’t want to be involved anymore still be holding onto those materials?

Even if he confidently brought them when he first resigned, he should have discarded them by now if he truly didn’t want to be involved.

Perhaps, he can’t bring himself to hand them over because he doesn’t trust us.

Or, he thinks it’s not the right time.

“Please. Just go.”

Yu Minhyuk now actively pushed us away, no longer just trying to close the pharmacy door.

I couldn’t hold on any longer, and Yu Minhyuk locked the pharmacy entrance.

Kang Minjae stood blankly in front of the pharmacy, sighing.

“Ha, what should we do?”

“……It’s clear that Yu Minhyuk knows something.”

“That’s right. He said he was someone who tried to stop the release. If we could work together, it would feel like gaining a thousand soldiers.”

Kang Minjae smacked his lips and trudged into the alley next to the pharmacy.

“What should we do?”

“Let’s stay here and try to persuade him some more. My assistant said he’s cleared his schedule for tomorrow as well.”

“Okay. Hmm, I wonder if there’s anywhere to sleep? I don’t see any motels around here.”

Kang Minjae said, looking around.

Indeed, as he said, there were a few restaurants and tea rooms, but no lodging establishments were visible.

“Young men.”

Just then, an old woman’s voice came from behind us.

Turning around, we saw an old woman sweeping in front of a small restaurant in the alley.

“Are you looking for a place to sleep?”

“Ah, yes, Grandma. Haha. We’re new here, and we don’t see any motels around.”

“There’s no such thing as a motel here. Outsiders don’t come here. It’s just old folks.”

“I see. Ha, then is there at least a guesthouse somewhere? We really have nowhere to sleep.”

“Why not?”

She wiped her hands on an apron filled with eye-straining floral patterns and grinned.

“I have a spare room in my house. If you just add two more spoons for meals, how about paying 50,000 won per person to sleep! How’s that?”

“Wow, really? That would be great. Thank you!”

……Although there’s no other option, is this okay?

Her house was far from the city.

After driving for a long time on a narrow unpaved road that only one car could barely pass, we finally arrived at a house with a bright orange roof.

There wasn’t even a proper garage, so we parked the car in a small space next to the asbestos wall and went inside.

A white dog tied to a leash barked loudly when it saw us, strangers.

“Quiet, you rascal. You bark at everyone who comes by.”

She scolded the white dog very coolly and led us into the house.

“Let’s see. It might be a bit messy, but it seems like you two can sleep here. How’s this?”

She slid open the sliding door of a dark room and showed us a room.

There was a bit of mold on the wallpaper, but it was a decent room.

Basic furniture like a low desk and wardrobe were there, as well as exercise equipment like dumbbells lined up along the wall.

“This is my son’s room.”

“Ah, you have a son?”

At her words, Kang Minjae asked, affably.

“Yeah. He works in Seoul now.”

“Oh, I see. Your son must like to exercise.”

“He used to like exercising.”

Kang Minjae picked up the dusty dumbbells and pretended to exercise.

“If you need more blankets and mattresses, just tell me.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Have you had dinner? I haven’t yet. Should I put out a couple of extra spoons if you’re going to eat?”

“Yes!”

As Kang Minjae answered cheerfully, she coldly held out a hand.

Kang, looking puzzled, looked up at her, and she said coldly.

“Pay in advance.”

With that, Kang Minjae placed 100,000 won on her hand.

After dinner, she cut up a watermelon.

As we sat on the porch eating watermelon, she suddenly spoke.

“But what kind of people are you young men, arguing so much at that pharmacy?”

“Ah, we’re lawyers.”

“Lawyers? Goodness, lawyers? Well, you both look handsome and your clothes look expensive, so I thought you might be rich people. Lawyers, you say?”

“Haha, thank you.”

“But, what business do you have at that pharmacy?”

Kang Minjae glanced at me for a moment, as if asking if he could tell her.

It wasn’t something that needed to be kept secret, so I gestured for him to do as he pleased.

“There’s information that our client desperately needs, and that pharmacist knows it.”

“Really? Well, I heard that pharmacist used to work for a big pharmaceutical company in Seoul.”

“Oh, do you know him, Grandma?”

“Of course, I know him. When that pharmacist opened a pharmacy here, the old folks here were so surprised. Why would people like that want to come to a rural place like this? People who could do well even in Seoul. Jinseong-gun doesn’t even have a decent hospital. People who live here have to go all the way to Gwangju when they’re sick.”

“I see. It must have been inconvenient.”

“Of course, it was inconvenient.”

She clicked her tongue and put the watermelon rind down irritably.

“Then, do you lawyer young men know this? That the pharmacist’s brother used to work here as a public health doctor.”

“A public health doctor?”

A public health doctor is a system that generally replaces military service for people who have graduated from medical school.

But I had no idea that Yu Minhyuk’s brother had worked as a public health doctor in Jinseong-gun.

“So, is that why Yu Minhyuk came down here after leaving Myunghwa Pharmaceuticals?”

However, the period of working as a public health doctor is only three years.

Besides, she said ‘used to work,’ so that means he’s not working there now.

Then why would Yu Minhyuk belatedly come all the way down to Jinseong-gun to open a pharmacy?

“Tsk, tsk. It seems the lawyer gentlemen don’t know anything.”

As we looked puzzled, she clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“What happened?”

“Something happened, alright.”

“……What happened?”

“That pharmacist’s brother, he died here.”