Chapter 32

Chapter 32Christmas chemistry(1)

With the sound of pencils scratching on paper, Jeong-woo opened his eyes. His head felt heavy, and he looked around to find himself in the sleep room.

You slept for one hour and forty minutes.

Dr. Moons voice caught his attention. She was sitting at her desk, as if studying something, and rolled her chair to come closer to his bed.

Jeong-woo raised his upper body and paused as Dr. Moon shone a penlight into his eyes.

Your pupil reaction is normal, and the congestion and eyelid tremors caused by overwork seem to have disappeared.

When the light went out, Dr. Moons face came into focus.

How do you feel?

I feel refreshed after a good sleep.

Dr. Moon continued to gaze intently at Jeong-woos smiling face.

Its definitely strange.

Whats strange? I feel better after a good sleep.

Usually, insomnia is caused by stress. You have to spend the day feeling tired enough to not be able to sleep.

Jeong-woo snapped his fingers at these words.

Thats right. I once fainted in a warehouse a few days ago and felt the same way when I woke up.

Was there any unusual environment that was different from usual at that time and now?

With his chin resting on his hand, Jeong-woo turned his gaze to Dr. Moon, who was sitting upright with wet hair.

Dr. Moon was wearing a T-shirt with a cute character doll that he had seen in the car, with all her makeup removed. The atmosphere was completely different from before, as if the coldness had softened.

Feels like a pretty neighbor next door?

For a moment, Jeong-woo was interested in Dr. Moons new look and recalled meeting a beautiful woman a few days ago that he couldnt take his eyes off of.

I did have an impressive experience.

Impressive?

Jeong-woo smiled, saying that there was such an incident.

I was lured by a celebrity autograph and ended up working hard for stage setting that morning.

Why did you work as a part-timer?

I had some complicated circumstances Anyway, what kind of symptoms do I have?

Dr. Moon wrote something on a memo pad, then moved closer again.

Go to sleep.

Jeong-woo received a note with the phone number of a place called Cheongdam Sleep Clinic and looked at it with a puzzled expression.

Its a place run by a talented senior. You should get tested here accurately and come back. Since the test is conducted in a real sleeping environment, you should go there the day before your day off.

Were the test results serious today?

The numbers are all normal, but the results are not significant enough to judge symptoms. Sleep disorders are comprehensive diseases that encompass psychiatry, neurology, internal medicine, and otorhinolaryngology.

Jeong-woo asked about one particular area among the specialties listed by Dr. Moon.

Psychiatry? Does that mean its a problem with my mental health like depression?

Dr. Moon, who was staring at Jeong-woo, replied.

If you took on a part-time job on the weekend with those problems to get an autograph from a celebrity, you should suspect schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia?

Jeong-woo coughed awkwardly.

I guess its related to neurology. Im a very sensitive and emotional type of person. My mother watches a lot of dramas, and when I watch them together with her, I get emotional. Last week, the protagonist disappeared saying they will come back with a glint in their eyes.

Are you serious right now?

I was joking earlier, but my emotions got hurt

Dr. Moon turned back to his desk and said.

Maybe its the adaptation period for AF-12 that you took, Mr. Han.

Adaptation period?

Jeong-woo remembered that he was getting better at dealing with dust and looked at his palm.

Its late. You should prepare for work tomorrow.

Looking at the clock after Dr. Moons words, it was past 10 oclock. Jeong-woo stood up from his seat and walked towards the door of his office.

By the way, if the reason from the clinic really is because of overtime work

Jeong-woo stopped talking when he saw Dr. Moon concentrating on a book. Dr. Moon turned his head and asked.

Yes? What did you say?

Ill work hard and become a researcher who can help with all of KG Chemicals projects.

The next day.

Jeong-woo barely fell asleep around dawn and woke up at 6am.

Did I sleep too well during my afternoon nap?

As he shook off his drowsiness, he went downstairs. After washing his face, he felt a bit more clear-headed.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he tried to do what Dr. Moon had done yesterday.

He checked under his eyes and looked around.

Ugh, I dont know.

He thought thats why he should leave the diagnosis to a doctor.

As he ate breakfast, put on his shoes, and got on the subway, his body continued to feel sluggish. Sleep was so important, but he couldnt help worrying about not being able to sleep.

Is this possibly stress?

As the line 1 train departed, Jeong-woo looked for his earphones and plugged them in, thinking he needed mental stability.

He turned on his phone screen and searched for good songs on a music site, but suddenly he thought of something and opened the search bar.

[Yoon Yi-seol]

As soon as he typed it in, a list of her records from various mini-albums to her second full album popped up.

Then he noticed a list of recent activities that included videos.

And he saw a title that caught his eye.

Fantastic stage in snowflakes! Explosive views!

Wow

There was a mini concert fan cam video from TS Mall, and when he clicked the link and pressed play, it was indeed the encore stage from that day, with support for up to 4K video.

The video showed himself in white clothes standing still, and Yoon Yi-seol playing the guitar, for three minutes.

The sweet song that came through his earphones reminded him of how he felt when he heard Yun Yiseols live performance that day.

Its good. I have to listen to the 2nd album when it comes out.

So now it was Friday evening.

Ill go in, Senior Hong.

Oh, yeah. See you next week. Have a Merry Christmas.

Christmas?

At Jeong-woos response, Hong Ki-pyo pointed to the calendar hanging on the wall.

Tomorrow is the 24th, the day after tomorrow is the 25th. Even though the weekend and Christmas coincided, the day that marked December was right in front of them.

I didnt even realize.

Despite only organizing Dr. Cheonseung-guks research records, I lost track of time and worked for longer than realized.

Thats right. Im just addicted to work. What mental problems?

The sound of a sick mind just thinking about it is uneasy.

To go to the sleep clinic he had reserved for 8 pm, Jeong-woo finished taking a shower and changed his clothes before coming down to the first floor. He was startled when he saw his younger brother holding a glass of drink while waiting for him.

Whats this?

Drink it. Its orange juice that you like, hyung.

Why are you doing this all of a sudden?

Just because. You must be tired from work, right, hyung~

Ugh, it gives me chills. Dont make that face and talk to me like that. Youre not just a clean-shaven guy anymore, youre a complete middle-aged man.

Normally, Jeong-chan would have come out with a fighting spirit when he was hit like this, but he just laughed and handed him the drink.

Jeong-woo took the glass and asked, What is this? Pentawatch Skin?

As he took a sip, he was surprised by the unexpected answer from his brother.

I was confessed to by a girl I go to the library with.

Spitting out the juice, Jeong-woo abruptly turned his head.

Really? What crazy girl confessed to you?

Shes not crazy. Shes quite pretty. Not as much as the senior sister that was here before.

So what did you say to her?

Jeong-chan opened his mouth with a serious expression.

I was too surprised and just nodded my head.

What the hell, man?

At his brothers words, Jeong-woo grabbed his stomach.

Where can you find a guy who would receive a girls confession like that?

So she asked me out on a date tomorrow. I have no idea where to go or what to do.

Do you want me to help you out?

But you and Eun-sil noona.

Lets not talk about that from when we were in elementary school.

Jeong-woo sat Jeong-chan in front of the kitchen table.

Do you have the intention to date her?

Huh? Uh

Jeong-woo couldnt help but laugh at his younger brothers shy nod, but he also felt a tingling and fresh feeling.

Alright. Its Christmas Eve tomorrow, so you cant lose points by just going on a date.

Help me, hyung. Im almost out of allowance.

Jeong-woo thought for a moment before speaking.

Clean my room for three months.

Three months?

If you dont like it, then forget it.

Okay. But if I succeed tomorrow

Deal.

Jeong-woo said immediately.

Is there anything special about a high school date? A fancy dinner is fine for starters. A romantic movie is a must.

Yeah.

Go to a popular street where there are a lot of people. Just walk holding hands. If the streetlights go out on Christmas Eve, then grab her tightly

Jeong-woo looked at Jeong-chans face as he spoke.

Oh, it wont work. You might get caught with that face of yours.

2C

Oh, never mind.

Jeong-chan watched as Jeong-woo took out his wallet and pushed it away with both hands tightly pressed together.

I was going to give you only 50,000 won, but I have a heart. Its a Christmas bonus~

Jeong-woo had a full pocket from his part-time job last week, so he gave his younger brother the maximum amount he could.

Thank you, hyung.

Try to capture the heart of a girl with a taste beyond yours. Be a man of the Han family.

After finishing coaching cleanly, Jeong-woo walked to the entrance and asked Jeong-chan.

Where are you going hyung?

Im going to sleep. Tell mom he wont be coming in today.

Jeong-woo waved his hand briefly to Jeong-chan, who didnt understand, and went outside.

A van stopped in front of a luxurious 5-story building with a sign that read Cheongdam Sleep Clinic.

The back door opened, and a woman with a hat pulled down stepped out.

I hope Yi-seol sleeps well tonight.

You can sleep well here.

Well, thats up to the directors opinion. Weve cleared the Christmas schedule, so feel free. Ill cover any dating rumors too.

Really? With that actor that was your ideal type!

As she clenched her fist threateningly, the man sitting in the car with her also clenched his fist together, showing his support with a fighting gesture.

Please do that. Please make me laugh.

The van left, and she looked back at the sleep clinic.

Today will work out somehow too.

She muttered quietly and went inside wearing a mask to cover her face.