Uncle and I
Chapter 05 –
Hajin picked up his phone and called Cheolhwan.
“Hyung, it’s me.”
“Oh, Hajin! What’s wrong with your voice? Did something happen?”
Hearing Hajin’s tense voice, Cheolhwan immediately sensed that something wasn’t right.
“Hyung, a reporter just broke into Sejin’s hospital room.”
Cheolhwan, who had been working in his office, shot up from his chair in shock.
“What?! What are you talking about? Is he still there? Don’t tell me that bastard’s still inside?”
The employees in the office looked up, startled by Cheolhwan’s loud voice, but he didn’t care about that right now.
“The hospital security caught him and handed him over to the police. I thought we should handle this together, so I called you.”
“Yeah, of course! I’ll check and handle it. Is Sejin okay?”
“Yeah. He cried because he was scared, but he’s asleep now.”
“Damn it. These crazy people have no shame. What about you? Are you alright?”
“I was shocked, but I’m fine now. Anyway, what happened with the bodyguards?”
“Oh, right. Three guards will take turns watching the room 24 hours a day. They were supposed to start tomorrow, but of all days, this had to happen today. I’ll call the agency and see if someone can start right away.”
“Okay. Please handle it. And don’t let today’s incident slide. File every possible charge—trespassing, anything you can.”
“Got it. I’ll talk to the law firm that handles our company matters and get it done. But won’t the media catch wind of this?”
“I don’t care. From now on, anything related to Sejin will be dealt with zero tolerance. Sue everyone—reporters, commenters, whoever. No matter how much it costs.”
Hearing Hajin’s cold tone, Cheolhwan nodded grimly.
“You’re right. Sejin’s not even a celebrity. If we don’t handle this properly now, people will think it’s okay to cross the line later.”
“Exactly. The guy said he was from True Magazine. Check if we can sue the company too.”
“Will do.”
“And before rumors spread, have the company release an official statement first.”
“Understood. I’ll talk to PR and get it out soon. Anything else?”
“No, that’s enough for now. I’ll call again if something comes up.”
“Alright. I’ll deal with things here, then come by the hospital later.”
“Thanks, hyung.”
After hanging up, Hajin leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
The sudden incident had drained him, and his eyes felt heavy with exhaustion.
A while later, the caretaker lady returned from lunch.
“Sejin’s uncle, I heard things were chaotic here! The nurses said a reporter broke in. Are you alright?”
“Oh, you’re back? Yes, it’s fine now.”
“How’s Sejin?”
“He cried a lot but fell asleep.”
“Goodness! What kind of world is this? How could anyone target a little child like that?”
“Yeah, really…”
“I shouldn’t have gone to eat. Maybe I could’ve stopped it if I’d stayed.”
“It’s not your fault. I told you to take your lunch break. Besides, he came in while I was out for a bit too.”
The caretaker nodded.
“From now on, we can’t leave Sejin alone, even for a moment. You and I should take turns watching over him.”
“Yes, I agree.” Hajin sighed softly.
Once the guards were in place, such things wouldn’t happen again—but he still needed to be cautious.
“Uncle, have you eaten? You probably haven’t had time with all this chaos.”
“I’m too shaken to eat.”
“I understand, but you have to eat to stay strong. Caregiving takes energy, and you’re already so thin. You’ll get sick if you skip meals. I’ll cut some fruit for you—just eat a little, okay?”
“Ah, thank you.”
Hajin went to check on his nephew, who was still sleeping peacefully.
A few minutes later, the caretaker called him from the sitting area.
“Uncle, could you come here for a moment?”
“Yes?”
When Hajin came out, he saw one of the nurses who had rushed in during the earlier commotion.
“Hello, are you the guardian?”
“Yes. What’s going on?”
“Oh, I just thought this might help. I recorded a video earlier—just in case. I figured that reporter might deny what happened later.”
“Oh! Thank you so much. I didn’t even think of that.”
It was good to have such evidence.
“Who should I send it to?”
“Just a second.” Hajin pulled out a business card from his wallet and handed it to her.
“This is my manager’s contact. Please send it to him.”
“Sure thing.”
The nurse quickly sent the video to the number on the card.
“It’s sent.”
“Thank you. This is really important evidence.”
“No, I’m sorry we didn’t notice the intruder sooner.”
“You were busy, it’s understandable. Don’t worry too much.”
“Thanks. We’ll be more careful next time. And I’m sorry again.”
“It’s okay. Starting tomorrow, bodyguards will be stationed outside, so you’ll see them around.”
“That’s great. That’ll make everyone feel safer.”
“Right. It might be a bit inconvenient entering the room, but I hope you understand.”
“Of course. We don’t want anything like this happening again. Anyway, please rest now. I’ll get back to work.”
“Thank you.”
After the nurse left, Hajin texted Cheolhwan to let him know about the video.
Meanwhile, the caretaker placed a plate of fruit on the table.
“Uncle, eat this and rest. I’ll watch Sejin.”
“Thank you.”
When the caretaker went back into the room, Hajin sat down and absentmindedly picked up a piece of fruit.
The cool, sweet taste spread in his mouth, and only then did he realize how hungry he was.
Right. I have to eat, stay strong, and protect Sejin.
Once he started eating, he finished the whole plate in no time.
Then, leaning back on the sofa, he closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.
About an hour later, Sejin woke up.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the caretaker grandma dozing off in the chair beside his bed.
Remembering what had happened earlier, Sejin began to think.
Hmm… That reporter’s arm… I’m sure I saw a snake. But why didn’t anyone else notice? It was right there! Did only I see it?
He tried to recall it clearly.
That snake looked strange. It wasn’t just black—it was like it was drawn in ink, kind of faded around the edges… like a watercolor painting. Maybe it’s something only I can see now? I never saw things like that before. I’ll wait and see. If it happens again, I’ll look for clues. I shouldn’t tell Uncle—it’ll just make him worry, or he might think I’m crazy.
With that, Sejin decided to stop thinking about it for now. He didn’t know what it meant yet.
Ugh, I need to use the bathroom. But I’m so small now… I can’t even get off the bed easily.
He tried not to wake the caretaker, but there was no choice.
“Grandma!”
The woman startled awake.
“Oh my, I fell asleep! Did you call me, Sejin?”
“Yes, I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Okay, let me help you down.”
Sejin stretched out his little arms, and the caretaker lifted him from under the arms, setting him gently on the floor.
“Can you walk? It’s good for you to try, but if your legs feel weak, I’ll carry you.”
“No, I can walk.”
“Alright, but hold my hand, just in case.”
Holding her hand, Sejin slowly walked forward in his slippers.
After months of lying unconscious, his body was frail, and walking was still hard—but he took small, steady steps.
As they passed the sitting area, Sejin saw Hajin sleeping on the sofa.
“Grandma!”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Uncle’s asleep. He needs a blanket!”
“Oh my, how thoughtful! You’re worried he’ll get cold?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. I’ll tuck him in after I take you to the bathroom.”
The caretaker helped him into the bathroom.
Though adults always wanted to assist him, Sejin—who had an adult’s mind—refused help with that.
Fortunately, the hospital room’s bathroom had child-sized fixtures, so he could manage on his own.
After washing his hands, Sejin looked in the mirror.
A cute, handsome little boy stared back at him—dark hair, pale skin, big round eyes with faint double eyelids, a small straight nose, and rosy lips that stood out against his fair face.
His cheeks were still thin, but once he regained some weight, he’d be adorable.
As someone who’d always dreamed of being an actor, Sejin was quite satisfied with this face.
He smiled at the mirror, then knocked on the door with his small fist.
Knock, knock.
He was too short to reach the handle.
The caretaker opened the door.
“Grandma.”
“Yes? Do you need something?”
“Please tie my hair! My bangs keep poking my eyes. It hurts.”
She looked at his long fringe and nodded.
“You’re right, your hair’s gotten long. We can’t go to a salon now, so let’s tie it up for the time being. Want to sit on the sofa?”
“I’ll stay here.”
She sat Sejin down on the sofa across from Hajin.
“Stay still. I’ll get a comb and a hair tie.”
“Okay.”
She returned with a comb and a yellow rubber band and began gently brushing his hair.
“I’ll just tie up the front bangs, okay?”
“Yes.”
With skillful hands, she gathered his bangs and tied them neatly.
“There! Done. Let’s see how it looks.”
Sejin turned around, showing his little face.
His short ponytail looked like a tiny apple sprout—adorable and funny.
Just then, Hajin woke up, blinking at the sight—and burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! What’s with your hair, Sejin?”
The little boy beamed brightly, his earlier fear nowhere to be seen.
“Uncle!! You’re awake!!”
