DASH-Chapter 152

“Hey, you’ve been popping up everywhere lately, huh?”

The vice chairman strolled in, one hand casually in his pants pocket, smirking. Jiheon slipped his cell phone into his suit pocket and bowed his head.

“How have you been, sir?”

“How have I been?”

The vice chairman replied abruptly and, stopping in front of Jiheon, burst into laughter.

“Jiheon, you must be enjoying the good life with the money Kwon Jaekyoung rakes in, huh? You should be very proud of yourself.”

“That’s not true.”

Jiheon said with an awkward smile. The vice chairman’s expression twisted instantly. He stared at Jiheon for a while before putting his hands back in his pockets.

“Why would a bastard who wrecked the federation and killed off all his juniors just for Kwon Jaekyoung’s sake show up here?”

Jiheon glanced at the vice chairman and spoke in a low voice.

“So, are you coming to a funeral house right now, sir? To pay respects to my juniors?”

“What...?”

“I hate to break it to you, but I think you’ve come to the wrong place.”

Jiheon cut off the vice chairman before he could respond.

“As far as I know, this is a party house. According to participants from public and universities, their average time is almost 0.8 seconds faster than last year’s Gimcheon championships. KSC people were thrilled and said it was worth taking care of.”

The more Jiheon smiled, the more contorted the vice chairman’s face became. The throbbing veins on his forehead indicated his growing anger.

“You, come here.”

The vice chairman signaled for Jiheon to come closer, even though they were already close enough. When Jiheon didn’t budge, the vice chairman took a step closer and whispered into Jiheon’s ear.

“Hey, do you really think nobody’s catching on to you seducing Kwon Jaekyoung? You’re using your shithole to screw over your athlete while sitting back and watching everything unfolding. Did you enjoy being the only one raking in cash from the commercials and ditching those who supported you? Huh? You fucking whore.”

The vice chairman spoke with frustration, teeth gritted. Jiheon calmly looked at him, taking a step back, and responded:

“If I’m a whore, will the federation at least compensate me?”

“What......?”

The vice chairman’s expression darkened even further.

“Don’t you know?”

Jiheon remained expressionless.

“I’ve heard the federation only talked about taking care of athletes, but all they did was sell their athletes’ names and make money out of them. Aren’t they the same group that lost all the money that was supposed to be athletes’ subsidy through gambling and golf?”

“You, you... are you done talking?”

The vice chairman stumbled over his words, face turning red.

“Not even close. I haven’t mentioned how they beat up and drag athletes in the name of mental reform, or how they sexually harassed female athletes in swimsuits.”

Before Jiheon could finish, a large hand slapped his cheek.

“You motherfucker, have you lost your mind?”

The vice chairman immediately grabbed Jiheon by the collar.

“Hey, you crazy bastard. Are you trying to mock me with that filthy mouth of yours? Son of a bitch, do you think I wouldn’t figure out you’re in cahoots with KSC?”

“Yes, KSC thanked me for helping them get rid of the swimming federation, which was a real eyesore.”

“Hey, Jeong Jiheon!”

The vice chairman screamed, the veins on his neck protruding. Jiheon promptly halted the vice chairman from going after his cheek again and spoke calmly.

“Isn’t it hard? The organization is said to be the most corrupt among the dozens under KSC. Do you realize that even though this industry is like a gutter, the other groups have called out the swimming federation as the absolute worst? From KSC’s view, it was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment, but thanks to Jaekyoung, they can now blow their nose without using their hands.”

“You, you son of a bitch!”

The vice chairman struggled to free his captured hand.

“Hey, let go of me! I said let go! Let go!”

Holding the struggling vice chairman’s wrist even tighter, Jiheon said in an exuberant tone.

“Did you really think the athletes would suffer if the federation crumbled? No. «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Thanks to the federation getting designed as a management organization, the athletes finally received proper treatment and training for the first time. It’s a matter of course. Because all the thieves who stole their training money are gone.”

“You, you fucking bastard, are you trying to challenge me?!”

The vice chairman was almost frothing at the mouth. He attempted to hit Jiheon with his left hand, which was clutching his collar. When Jiheon grabbed that left hand, his face turned red, and he started spouting curses, calling Jiheon a bastard or son of a bitch. He was gearing up to use his legs to kick, so Jiheon let go of his wrist with the intention of stepping back before that happened.

“That’s enough.”

Jiheon released the wrist and almost pushed him away, but due to the unexpected timing, the vice chairman ended up tumbling to the floor.

“Sir.”

The vice chairman fell hard, and Jiheon, surprised, forgot to avoid him and rushed over.

“Are you alright?”

Jiheon was about to help the vice chairman up from the floor.

“You son of a bitch!”

The vice chairman got up on his own and suddenly punched Jiheon in the face.

“......!”

Jiheon staggered from the sudden blow, covering his face with his hands. Meanwhile, the vice chairman grabbed Jiheon, pushing him against the wall with a loud thud, then started slapping his cheek.

“Motherfucker, where the fuck is your discipline? Don’t flaunt yourself, you fucking idiot. You should be ashamed, pretending to be all noble just because Kwon Jaekyoung took you along for commercials and TV shows. In the end, you and I are no different. We’re making money by selling athletes. How dare you mock me as if you’re the only one who’s righteous, huh?”

The vice chairman, unusually tall for his age at around 180 cm and twice Jiheon’s size, still possessed considerable strength as a former athlete. When someone of that stature attacked with such craziness, Jiheon had no way to overcome it. The vice chairman used one arm to press Jiheon’s chest, rendering him immobile, and continued slapping him relentlessly. In this situation, all Jiheon could do was crouch down as much as possible, wrapping his arm around himself to protect his belly from hits.

“You and Kavva, huh? Motherfuckers. They openly sell athletes and make money off them, and yet they’re so good at lecturing and giving orders! Unlike them, we still have a sense of duty—......!”

The vice chairman suddenly recoiled with a strangled sound.

“What are you doing?”

At the sound of a familiar voice, Jiheon finally raised his head and looked in front of him. Jaekyoung was grabbing the vice chairman’s back.

Jaekyoung’s face immediately hardened the moment he laid eyes on Jiheon’s face. He wordlessly grabbed the vice chairman’s collar with one hand. As he was about to land a punch with his other hand, Jiheon urgently yelled at him.

“Don’t do it!”

At that instant, Jaekyoung’s hand froze mid-air. However, it seemed like just a brief pause. Jaekyoung could move again at any moment, and it was evident that his fist had tightened.

“Don’t hit him. Don’t ever touch him.”

Jiheon shouted, still crouched and leaning against the wall.

“Listen to me. If you touch him, you’re out of the Olympics. Let go of him, now!”

Jiheon pleaded desperately.

“I’m gonna sue him. I was the one who got hit, and there are CCTV cameras in the hallway. I’ll use it as evidence and hand it over to the police. Don’t touch him. You’ll only play into his hands.”

Jaekyoung bit his lip upon hearing that he might do whatever the vice chairman wanted.

“Kwon Jaekyoung.”

Jaekyoung remained silent. Jiheon could see his fist quivering with restrained force in the air. The vice chairman was also trembling, fear evident on his face. He shut his eyes tightly, anticipating Jaekyoung’s impending strike.

“Jaekyoung-ah.”

Jiheon called him once again. Just then, several security staff and stadium officials belatedly sensed the disturbance and rushed over. Jaekyoung almost shoved the vice chairman toward them, saying:

“Call the police.”

As soon as the vice chairman escaped from Jaekyoung’s grip, he started making a fuss:

“Why are you calling the police? Do you know who I am? You dare to call the police?”

Jaekyoung ignored the vice chairman’s chatter, urging the stadium officials repeatedly.

“Call the police, quick.”

“Oh, yes, yes sir.”

The officials fumbled with their phones, looking confused. Jaekyoung left the crowd, heading towards Jiheon.

“Hyung, open your mouth. Let me check how bad it is inside.”

“I’m fine.”

“Let me see, please.”

Jaekyoung spoke softly. Since he didn’t get angry and spoke gently, Jiheon couldn’t refuse.

Jiheon hesitated, then slowly opened his mouth. Jaekyoung bent down to inspect, then straightened up.

“Let’s get to the hospital.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Go right away.”

“Okay.”

Jiheon replied with a smile. Jaekyoung gazed at Jiheon for a moment, then placed his hand on Jiheon’s swollen and messed up cheek. Jiheon clutched onto the hand, being careful not to cause more pain, and softly stroked its back.

“You endured it well. Good job.”

Jaekyoung remained silent. His expression was as stoic as usual, but his eyes seemed red. Jiheon couldn’t tell if it was from suppressing anger or tears. Jaekyoung’s lip appeared sore from biting it hard earlier.

“Come here.”

Jiheon took Jaekyoung’s hand and pulled him. As he embraced Jaekyoung tightly, the people near the vice chairman exchanged surprised glances. Jiheon hugged Jaekyoung even tighter, wondering if it was okay. Then he gave a hearty pat on the back.

“I’m okay. It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry too much. Back when I was an athlete, getting hit like this was no big deal. It’s kind of ticklish, I guess.”

Jiheon intentionally exaggerated his tone as if it were a joke. At this point, Jaekyoung could have said something, but he stayed silent. He hadn’t spoken a word since earlier, suggesting it wasn’t entirely true. Jiheon continued, stroking Jaekyoung’s back.

“I’m really okay. The police are on their way, and we just need to hand him over with the CCTV footage. It all turned out fine without any issues. It ended well because you endured it well, so don’t be too upset. I’m glad you didn’t fall for that man’s trick. You know what I mean, right?”

It took Jaekyoung a while to respond, “...Yes.”

Jiheon patted his head and said, “Yeah, I’m proud of you,” when the first call rang, indicating 20 minutes before the start of the race.

When the call rang, swimmers in the race had to head to the waiting room directly connected to the swimming pool. Failure to arrive within the designated time would result in disqualification.

“Alright, you should go now.”

Jiheon said as he released Jaekyoung. Jaekyoung still looked at him uncomfortably, and this time, he hugged Jiheon tightly.

“I’ll be back.”

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After a brief remark, he let Jiheon go and headed straight to the waiting room.

Seeing Jaekyoung enter the waiting room, Jiheon immediately called Manager Yoon, explained the situation, and asked him to come to where he was.

The police arrived shortly after Manager Yoon got there. Throughout Jiheon’s statement about the situation, the vice chairman loudly asked, “When did I? When did I do that? Isn’t this arrogant bastard that lied?” but when the police mentioned the closed investigation, he immediately kept quiet, saying he would only speak through his lawyer.

“It would be better for you too, officers. You won’t be able to communicate with this person.”

At Jiheon’s words, the police officers chuckled as if they were baffled and said, “Looks like it.” The vice chairman’s face turned red again, and he continued to shout, “You sons of bitches,” prompting the police to threaten him with an additional charge of insulting the police if he continued.

“You’re not planning to settle with that son of a bitch, are you? Without any pride.”

“Y-you jerk... still saying that until the end......?”

“That’s right, sir. I will never settle with him, even if it means going all the way to the end. He should know that too.”

Jiheon stated it clearly and turned away.

Returning to the stadium, Team Leader Lee, who had gotten a heads-up about the situation on the phone, inquired:

“How did it go?”

“Well, I reported the incident, and the police took the vice chairman. They’ve secured the CCTV footage in the hallway.”

Manager Yoon took a seat and remarked:

“I see. That’s a relief. You’ve worked hard, Mr. Jeong. I’ve informed Mr. Kang, and he said to let Attorney Oh handle it. I was told to just hand over the medical certificate. What should we do now? Do you want to head to the hospital right away?”

“No, I’ll go after the race.”

Jiheon said, sitting down beside Manager Yoon. Then, he immediately stood up again and stated:

“On second thought, no. I’ll go to the hospital now.”

“Oh, okay. Shall we go together, then?”

“No need, sir. I can go alone. Please inform Jaekyoung to contact me after the race.”

After asking Manager Yoon for a favor, Jiheon grabbed his coat and exited the staff room.

Leaving the swimming pool, he decided to make a quick stop at the bathroom instead of leaving the building immediately. Upon entering a private stall, he tried to undo his belt, but his hands were weak, and the buckle didn’t come off easily.

As Jiheon managed to unfasten his belt and lower his pants and underwear, he unconsciously muttered, “Ah.”

This wasn’t a good sign.

As expected, there were bloodstains on his underwear.