A case of Transmigrating as a Sick Villain chapter 104

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“Are you working late again today?”

― Sorry. Once this project is over, I won’t have to work overtime for a while.

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to. Just make sure you don’t skip your meals, okay?”

― I won’t. You too.

― Jingyeom! Let’s meet up when we’re not so busy! I’ll come visit!

Secretary Yang’s voice boomed so loudly from right next to the phone that Jingyeom wondered if it was even allowed to be that loud at work.

“Alright! See you later!” Jingyeom shouted back, not to be outdone.

― Don’t forget to take your medicine. I’ll hang up now.

“Okay. Don’t overwork yourself!”

― Got it. See you later. If you’re sleepy, don’t wait up for me, just go to sleep.

These days, Jinwoo would come home after 1 a.m. It hadn’t always been like this, but it seemed like work was really hectic for him lately.

Sometimes, he would leave a message for Wonbeom, but even his already brief replies had become even shorter.

The only one who kept in regular contact with Jingyeom was, of course, Soohyuk.

Even though he was overseas, he made sure to check in with Jingyeom and even sent photos occasionally.

Around this time, Jingyeom was expecting a call.

Not long after he started waiting, the phone rang. He was startled by the unfamiliar screen but quickly answered before the call could be disconnected.

Soohyuk’s face filled the screen, smiling widely and waving.

― Jingyeom, hello!

“Oh? Hello!”

― You’re too close. Try stretching your arm out a bit more.

Soohyuk laughed even harder as Jingyeom awkwardly adjusted his arm.

― What were you up to?

“Studying. But why the video call all of a sudden?”

― I thought I might forget your face. I should’ve taken more pictures of you. How is it that there isn’t a single picture of you in my gallery? Oh, after we hang up, send me some photos.

Jingyeom thought of the selfies in his gallery, but those had been taken by Baek Jingyeom, not himself.

Even though it was technically the same face, he didn’t feel comfortable sending those to Soohyuk.

― Why? Don’t want to send them?

“No, it’s just… I haven’t taken any pictures recently.”

― Yes, you have! You took some for your ID photos. Just send me those. Or take some new ones if you prefer.

“Ah… okay.”

Not used to video calls, Jingyeom pulled his phone closer to see Soohyuk’s face better.

As a result, his own face was now much closer on Soohyuk’s screen, and the angle was odd.

Soohyuk chuckled softly, thinking Jingyeom looked cute no matter which way he saw him.

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Soohyuk’s routine on his overseas business trip was similar every day.

However, in addition to his company duties, he had to run errands for Wonbeom, making his schedule even busier.

Despite that, there was one thing he never skipped—keeping in touch with Jingyeom.

No matter how chaotic things were, he would always manage to send a message, even if they couldn’t talk on the phone every day.

Once he finished preparing for work in his hotel room, he knew it was around the time Jingyeom would be eating dinner and relaxing, so he tried to time his messages accordingly.

While he sent texts at random times, he made sure his calls followed a more consistent schedule.

That way, Jingyeom would begin to expect his call at that specific time.

As he eagerly awaited his return to Korea, Soohyuk replayed the updates he had received from Cheongoh, who was keeping an eye on Jingyeom on Wonbeom’s orders.

Cheongoh had been providing Soohyuk and Wonbeom with regular reports on Jingyeom’s daily activities.

What troubled Soohyuk the most was hearing about some lowlife who had tried to get close to Jingyeom while he was away.

He couldn’t wait to return to Korea.

“…I should’ve taken more pictures.”

He had joked that a peck on the cheek would have to last him a month, but now he felt ridiculous for not thinking to take more pictures back then.

While he didn’t regret the kiss, relying on just that for an entire month?

He wanted to smack his past self with the corner of his phone for not taking more photos.

He couldn’t believe he hadn’t once thought to take a picture together, even though he’d felt regret over not having one at the time.

It was absurd.

“At least I get to see him like this.”

For now, he consoled himself with the photos Cheongoh had sent.

Jingyeom’s cheeks, which had been sunken after surgery, were starting to fill out again.

It would be nice if he plumped up, but that would require eating more than he probably could handle.

While waiting for the time to call Jingyeom, Soohyuk looked at the photos or reread their exchanged messages.

When the alarm he had set went off, he immediately dialed Jingyeom’s number.

‘I should’ve done this from the beginning.’

This was his first time video calling Jingyeom, and it only made him want to return to Korea even more.

Seeing Jingyeom’s face fill the screen stirred such a strong desire to book a flight immediately.

He was surprised by how intensely he felt.

“Jingyeom, I can see you well enough, but try to center your face in the screen. Do you see the little window at the corner? That’s where your face should show. Try to match the angle.”

― Ah, I see it!

After some fumbling and shaking, Jingyeom’s face finally appeared properly centered.

“There, that’s better. If your arm gets tired, prop up your phone. I want to keep talking for a while since it’s been so long since I’ve seen your face.”

― It’s okay. I’ll let you know if it starts hurting. Are you sure you can talk for this long? Don’t you have to go to work?

“For me, this is more important.”

As Soohyuk smiled warmly, Jingyeom also broke into a radiant smile, his face lighting up like sunshine.

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The call lasted much longer than expected.

One would think they would run out of things to talk about, but that didn’t happen at all.

It could’ve gone on even longer if it weren’t for the fact that Soohyuk couldn’t delay going to work any further.

Fortunately, Jinwoo’s absence, as he was working late, allowed for an uninterrupted conversation.

Cheongoh had informed Soohyuk about Jinwoo’s overtime in advance, making the call possible.

Soohyuk made a mental note to give Cheongoh a nice gift when he returned to Korea.

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Sanho visited Jingyeom every day.

Through him, Jingyeom learned more about how Baek Jingyeom had lived.

Although he had suspected as much, hearing it from Jeong Sanho confirmed that Baek Jingyeom had been practically paranoid.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely Baek Jingyeom’s fault.

“You made him do it, didn’t you?”

“Why do you make it sound so bad? You’re making me look like the villain.”

“You egged him on, didn’t you?”

“Encouraging someone isn’t the same as making them do it. He still chose to do it himself.”

The reason Baek Jingyeom had started collecting shoes became clear—it was Jeong Sanho who had suggested it.

Although he had only meant it as a harmless hobby, Jingyeom didn’t feel too pleased about it.

Sanho had also been the one who introduced Baek Jingyeom to random chat apps.

He proudly recounted how Baek Jingyeom had followed his suggestions as if he were telling some heroic tale.

But this was no grand story—it was the reality Baek Jingyeom had lived.

‘Baek Jingyeom was easily influenced by those around him.’

Every villain has behaviors that defy understanding, and these gaps in logic often become their downfall.

When they can’t protect these weaknesses, they are dragged down into ruin.

Baek Jingyeom had tried to act cunning, but he wasn’t very clever.

If he had even a slightly positive outlook on his future, he wouldn’t have behaved the way he did.

‘If only he had taken after Jinwoo and lived a more honest life.’

Even if he couldn’t work because of his weak body, he wouldn’t have leached off Jinwoo like a parasite, nor would he have scammed people he met on random chat apps.

Jingyeom shook his head, realizing his thoughts were becoming darker.

“Oh, by the way, do you remember the shoes you bought before you were hospitalized? They’ve gone up in value, a lot. You could keep them for longer, but now’s a good time to sell. Do you want to sell them?”

Seeing Jingyeom’s blank expression, Sanho quickly pulled up some internet listings to show the shoes.

“Oh… I already sold them.”

“Wait, you sold it? When?”

“It was at the top, so I sold it first. It was expensive back then, but it’s gone up even more.”

As the words were spoken nonchalantly, Sanho blinked in disbelief, then raised his voice.

“Why would you sell that! You didn’t sell anything else, did you?”

“I did.”

“…How much? What else did you sell? Why would you sell something when you don’t even remember it!”

Sanho, sounding as if he were the one who had sold it, became frustrated.

Jingyeom looked at him as if to ask why he was reacting that way, and Sanho closed his eyes tightly and let out a deep sigh.

“Hey, I told you not to sell it and to hold onto it until the price went up. It could have doubled or even more by now! You were doing so well, so why…”

The more Sanho talked, the less it felt like a conversation between friends.

It seemed more like a superior and subordinate relationship.

Still, Jingyeom didn’t come across as the subordinate. It was as if Sanho was carefully adjusting himself to manipulate Jingyeom into moving according to his own will.

‘…Have I gone too far? Jingyeom wouldn’t have done that unless he had a good reason.’

Jingyeom didn’t want to talk anymore, so he lowered his head, signaling he was going to study.

If he stayed like that, Sanho would soon get bored and leave.

And then he’d be back the next day.

Jingyeom tried to focus on his studies, expecting Sanho to leave soon, but the café, which had been slightly noisy before, suddenly became much louder with murmurs.

“Whoa, who’s that? Those are the shoes I wanted!”

At Sanho’s grumble, Jingyeom raised his head slightly too.

And that’s when his eyes met the source of the commotion.

“…Huh?”

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