Chapter 63
Chapter 63
“It’s funny, you see . ”
Professor Gu placed down his cup of coffee . He decided to try his luck .
Around a luxurious looking table, there were 7-8 people sitting all around .
There was a single common factor amongst all these people .
Professor, novelist, critic . They were all famous people in the circle of the literary world .
They were also all committee members on the Modern Teen Literary contest .
“Isn’t it quite funny how the award will be going to an author who writes such low standard writing .
Immediately, the professor next to him spoke .
“I think so too . In literature, there should be something like dignity . For someone that writes fantasy martial arts web novels online to win such an award . How? It’s just not proper . I may even be considering a ghost writer . ”( a writer who is hired to write . )
A neat looking female professor of around the age of fifty seemed to be the same
“I am of the same opinion as well . This is awkward, but it’s just not up to the standard . Just terrible project . Oh, so sorry . I apologize, it shouldn’t even be a project . After reading, it leaves your brain vacant . There’s no message . Are we really going to present the award to an author that writes such things?”
“That’s right . Although I’d rather not say this but, there are many bright young brilliant minds like my students who have also entered this year’s contest whom I believe to be far more deserving of this award . I don’t think it makes sense for us to award some writer who writes these trashy web novel over submissions of actual literary work . ”
After the last professor’s words, a silence hung over the table .
On the opposite side, the other four people who were on the council had not spoken .
These were part of the party who supported the author that they were currently discussing .
They thought that it had been an overwhelmingly well-written piece .
“huhuhu . ”
Among the four people, a female professor began to quietly laugh .
The other female professor from before that gave off an air of order furrowed her eyebrows and asked .
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing much . I just found it so funny how agreeable you all seemed to be with each other when it came to this topic . You’re all saying the same thing . ”
Upon giving her reply, the female professor pushed back her chair and stood up .
Since there was no reason for her to be sitting at this table anymore .
“Where are you going all of a sudden?”
“It looks like there’s nothing to talk about anymore . And I just thought of a critique to write on my monthly article .
At her words, the expressions on everyone’s faces became stiff for a moment .
It was because this particular female professor had influence in the literary world that could not be ignored
“What-what topic are you planning to write?”
Professor Jung asked stiffly .
She stared at the ceiling for a bit before replying .
“A mark of an author? Just because of the genre he chooses to write . no matter how good and well written his work might be, he’ll never receive acknowledgment for it . A truly disgusting stigma . I’m going write if this is the mistake of the author or the literary world . ”
“Look here! Professor Han Hesun!”
Professor Gu shouted in anger and stood up .
“Are you taking sides because it’s your student?”
She finally lowered her gaze from the ceiling and back on downwards .
And she stared at him .
“Are you saying that while already knowing what kind of person I am?”
A single phrase .
Professor Gu harrumphed and turned his head .
Although he hated to admit it, that was the truth .
The professor in front of him had never said something unfair .
“T-that may be so but you’re being too protective of this one? You haven’t criticized the novel once . ”
Professor Gu argued without looking at her .
The female professor burst out into laughter and said this .
“How are you supposed to criticize a novel that has no faults?
“… . . ?!”
It became suddenly quiet
Taking a book out of her bag, she placed it down on the table .
“it’s the author’s previous work . It seems as if those of you on Mr . Gu’s side haven’t read it yet . Especially you, Professor Jung . Seeing that you thought of a possibility of a ghost writer, I’m curious if those thoughts will be the same after you’re done with this book .
“Ughhh… . !”
“I’ll be leaving first . Good work . ”
She turned and left .
Everyone’s attention went towards the book that she had left behind .
The name of the book was ‘A Dumb Woman’ And the author’s name was Ha Jaegun .
****
“I’ve eaten well . ”
“…?”
It was the time when they were eating fruit after dinner .
Jaegun picked up an apple and lifted his head . His two ears were surprised . His dad Sukjae was continuing with his head down
“It’s great eating with the family together with my son as well . ”
His mom Myungja and Jaeyn was the same . They were all looking at Sukjae with disbelief .
“A, ah… Why are you saying that?”
“It’s good . You ate well too . ”
Myungja turned red as she smiled . Jaeyn also smiled . The feeling of happiness was great once in awhile .
Jaegun choked up . He wasn’t thinking that he would hear any compliments as they were shopping for ingredients . He had just thought that it would be good if he didn’t complain .
But he ate well .
And it was great because his son was here .
It wasn’t his dad who said false words . It made him happy .
“I should go . ”
Sukjae put down his fork and stood up . Myungja asked to Sukjae with sorry eyes .
“Can’t you rest on the holidays . ”
“I can only rest when they tell me to . I’m the only person who can work . And I’ve rested before on the previous holiday . ”
Jaegun stood up as well . Rika also went to him .
“I’ll take you there . ”
“No . Stay here . ”
“I have to go anyway . ”
Jaeyn said too as Jaegun said that .
“Where are you going? You should say during the holidays . I have to go somewhere . I’ll be back . Suwon isn’t that far anyway .
The two family members went out .
The car was already on by remote control . Jaegun opened the passenger seat and Sukjae went in grumbling .
“It’s close by walking . ”
“It’s cold . Let’s go by car . ”
It was barely a few minutes . Jaegun derived and Sukjae only stared outside the window . There were no words .
“Father . ”
Jaegun said as they arrived .
Sukjae was turning around as he opened the door .
“Resign from this job . ”
He didn’t say anything else .
Sukjae opened his eyes in surprise . But he quickly turned unemotional and answered .
“Thank you for taking me . ”
“Father…”
“Go ahead . And come again . ”
Sukjae closed the door and went away .
Jaegun looked at his father walking away . His figure slowly disappeared from view . But he still sat there .
“Meow . ”
Rika went over to the passenger seat and meowed .
Then Jaegun realized and shook his head .
“Sorry, Rika . I was thinking . ”
Jaegun slapped his cheeks in self-encouragement as he accelerated .
He was going to write harder tomorrow . His will was strong .
Until that day when his usually unemotional father was not going to stop laughing .