Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 216

Matchmaking

– Administrator: Recently there has been an increase in bicycle thefts both inside and outside school premises.

– Administrator: A reward will be offered for anyone who can find this damn thief.

↳ Anonymous11: Why such an overreaction?

↳ Anonymous111: Are you okay?

↳ Anonymous36: But bikes do get stolen quite often here. My friend’s got stolen too.

↳ Anonymous69: Wanna have se*x!

↳ Anonymous90: Wanna have se*x!!

↳ Anonymous74: Let’s pair up 69; 6974.

↳ Anonymous367: If you search places like Used Goods Nation or Carrot Market, you’ll find it.

↳ Anonymous124: Please, really please find it! It’s a bike I really cherish 😢

↳ Anonymous249: It’s the first time I see the admin getting involved directly.

↳ Anonymous59 (Admin1): They lost their bike.

↳ Anonymous321: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

↳ Anonymous199: 😂Admin😂😂

↳ Anonymous11: 😂😂Idiot😂

“Ah, Yoo Arin.”

I tried to act ethically, but it slipped out that I put up a reward personally because of Yoo Arin.

It just seems like they can’t stand to see me succeed at anything.

Still, I decided to breathe easy about the bike for now. I’ve reported it separately to the police station and there’s also PC room CCTV footage; maybe we’ll find it soon?

[Next stop is-]

It’s about time for me to get off.

I remember it was still lunchtime when I got on the bus.

Getting off in the dark felt like my precious weekend day was completely wasted.

‘Ah, should I just not go on Monday?’

Everyone else probably rested over the weekend while grumbling that I didn’t rest; now making up reasons not to go to school on Monday seems tempting.

As soon as I leave the bus terminal and stand in front of my car, there he is waiting for me—my older brother whom everyone knows as a businessman but who isn’t famous enough for people to recognize him as a celebrity.

Just another handsome man—that’s all anyone would think. Someone might approach him thinking he’s fair game though.

“Hello, young master.”

With a blonde beauty sitting in his passenger seat—how could one not take notice?

“I never thought big brother would come himself let alone bring sister-in-law.”

“We just got off work. Mom told us on our way here to pick you up.”

“Ah, lucky escape from being stuck at home with big bro and working all weekend till this hour. Is this what life is?”

“……Stop talking nonsense and get in.”

Backseat of a luxury sedan.

I hadn’t thought much about such things before but riding one seemed almost rare now.

Maybe because I had been riding buses until just moments ago—the comfort level was distinctly different.

My bicycle too had an exceptional ride quality

“People need to make money. I realized that on a bicycle.”

“There’s quite a difference between expensive bicycles and the cheaper ones, isn’t there?”

“Yes, indeed.”

As I grumbled while lying back in the rear seat, my older brother glanced at me briefly before firmly taking hold of the steering wheel.

Suddenly, a question occurred to me.

“But big brother, you’re driving? Doesn’t your secretary usually do that?”

“He’s off work now.”

Ah, so normally the secretary drives but after work it’s my brother who does it.

“Surprisingly caught up in this life.”

“Be quiet.”

Always telling me to be quiet.

Anyway, we arrived at home.

Still as flashy and luxurious as ever, and unnecessarily spacious.

The long dining table was already set with dishes neatly lined up; my younger brother and his pregnant wife were waiting there.

“Where’s father?”

“Mother went to call him. He’ll be here soon.”

I naturally took my old seat at the table.

Back then I thought such dining tables were normal. After living outside for a few years, it felt like something straight out of a drama series; I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly at the thought.

“I’ve seen this scene in dramas before.”

“What are you talking about?”

My younger brother laughed off my joke casually too.

It wasn’t just me who had left home; perhaps he shared similar thoughts too.

“Ahem.”

“Look at our sons each with a lady by their side.”

Father arrived with mother who still seemed ageless in her ability to lighten up the atmosphere as usual.

The meal itself was quiet.

When father picked up his spoon everyone else began eating too – had it always been like this?

‘If it’s going to be like this why can’t we just eat separately in our rooms.’

No phones allowed nor watching TV and not much conversation either.

Fortunately, the food still tastes good.

I felt a bit disappointed since I hadn’t eaten anything today except for some snacks at the PC cafe. But now, having a luxurious homemade meal really fills me up and feels comforting.

As the meal is winding down,

“Euna.”

Father calls my younger brother.

“Yes, Father.”

“When is the baby due?”

“In December.”

After my brother responds, Father’s gaze shifts towards my sister-in-law.

She’s a well-known internet broadcaster.

I remember her hair being very flamboyant, but now it’s dyed back to black again.

Is it because of Father?

“Stay here for the time being.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s better than staying alone at home while pregnant. We have maids here, and that’s how your mother did it too.”

It was an obviously heavy suggestion.

My brother sneakily glances at his wife. She makes an ambiguous face in response to his questioning look.

“Um, would it be alright if I continue working from here?”

My sister-in-law asks cautiously.

With just a room and computer setup she could carry on with her internet broadcasts—I thought there wouldn’t be any issues.

However, Father’s stern look seems to weigh heavily on her words.

“Your body isn’t just yours anymore. If there’s even a slight chance it could negatively affect the baby, I can’t allow it.”

“…”

“Internet broadcasting. I know these days it’s quite popular. But I’ve also heard that you’re exposed to quite a lot of filth.”

Hmm?

“Bad words absorbed by the mother will reach the child too. Consider taking a break from the internet for now.”

“Oh… Yes, understood.”

Eventually, my sister-in-law backs down reluctantly; she seems disappointed about not being able to work.

But Father doesn’t reconsider his stance and continues speaking.

“Yooni, if you’re done eating, go and talk to Lawyer Kim. There are some matters to sort out.”

“Sort things out with the lawyer?”

I wondered what he meant, but my father didn’t offer any further explanation.

My younger brother seemed puzzled and closed his mouth again.

But I thought I knew what it was about.

“Father, do you also know about internet broadcasting?”

Suddenly, everyone’s gaze shifted towards me. They must be wondering what nonsense the troublemaker of the family was spouting now.

“No, doesn’t hiring a lawyer mean he’s planning to sue someone? If it’s related to my younger brother-in-law then…”

I suspected it might be about suing the cyberbullies targeting my sister-in-law.

“Possibly.”

Father paused for a moment before replying succinctly,

“Anything that could negatively influence our child must be eliminated.”

Honestly, I had expected Father not to like my sister-in-law much,

Given her profession after all.

It didn’t seem quite fitting for a family of a major corporation’s chairman.

But apparently Father wasn’t particularly bothered by such things.

My sister-in-law looked oddly touched by this statement and Mother nodded in agreement beside her,

“That’s why I married this man.”

“Cough.”

Look at him giving us cues not to say unnecessary things. It’s clear who my older brother takes after.

“Woojin.”

After discussing my sister-in-law,

Father’s gaze turned towards me next.

“Yes?”

Trying to lighten the mood in typical youngest child fashion with a cute response only made Father frown deeply,

“I’ve arranged for you to have lunch tomorrow with Chairman Choi Gil-seop’s daughter; make sure you go there.”

“…Yes?”

What is he talking about?

As I responded in confusion, Father sighed deeply,

“Seeing how that strange girl clung onto you last time convinced me this won’t do. It’s a specially arranged meeting so go and talk there. You’ll find your minds agree.”

“Yoonji is not a strange kid.”

As I abruptly stood up to argue, my father glared at me.

“She’s not strange. It’s just that her father is a death row inmate.”

“How is that Yoonji’s fault?”

“Huh, so are you dating this Yoonji girl?”

From noble mtl dot come

“……”

That’s not the case.

As I firmly shut my mouth, my father shook his head in disapproval.

“I know your relationships with women around you are complicated. Sort it out this time.”

“Ah, Father. You know I have high standards?”

I slapped my forehead in frustration and then Mother handed me her phone from beside me.