Just Twilight

The site manager eyed Junyoung’s camera skeptically, noting that it wasn’t aimed at the construction site. “What are you taking pictures of?” he asked, suspicion in his tone.

Junyoung answered smoothly, her expression unchanging. “Just checking the condition of the materials storage. What about Deputy Kim Yongjae? Did you arrange a meeting with him?”

“Oh, not yet. He said he’s busy this week. And, well, we’ve already met once recently—meeting too often might draw attention, you know.”

“What about Jung Mansu?”

Once Beomjin was out of sight, Junyoung lowered her camera and turned her head, her calm demeanor unshaken. The site manager hesitated, glanced around nervously, and cleared his throat before leaning in to whisper.

“He’s still in unstable condition, so the doctors say visitors aren’t allowed. His family’s unusually sensitive about it. From what the supervisor told me, even his colleagues who tried to visit left without seeing him.”

“Who was closest to Jung Mansu?” she asked.

“Well, no one particularly close. Just a few drinks after work sometimes. I’ve seen him leave with Kim the carpenter or Foreman Choi a few times.”

“Foreman Choi… You mean Choi Yeongbok?”

The manager nodded and continued, “To be honest, given the circumstances and the company’s ongoing discussions about compensation, it might be better to visit him after that’s settled.”

“Do you have his family’s contact information?”

Junyoung asked as she slipped her camera into her bag and pulled out her phone. The manager blinked in surprise, and when she mimicked his wide-eyed expression, he sighed, looking embarrassed.

“It won’t do much good. They’ll just yell at you and refuse to meet.”

“If I manage to meet them, you owe me lunch. Sweet and sour pork,” she replied, wiggling her fingers playfully.

The manager let out a disbelieving chuckle before rattling off the number. Junyoung dialed as she turned away, warm air wafting in through the unfinished wall.

• “Hello?”

“Good morning. This is Yoon Junyoung from the Risk Management Team at Hangyeong. I’ve recently been assigned to handle Jung Mansu’s compensation case.”

• “So, has a decision been made?”

The voice on the other end, a woman’s, was weary but brightened slightly with hope. Junyoung raised an eyebrow and replied carefully.

“Not yet. We’ve been instructed to conduct a few additional inquiries. Would it be all right if I visited you at the hospital?”

• “What more is there to investigate? My husband can’t use one of his legs anymore! It’s all because you people didn’t ensure proper safety measures!”

The woman’s voice rose sharply, piercing through the phone. Junyoung’s expression remained composed.

“I was told it’s not a permanent disability. Though rehabilitation will undoubtedly require a significant financial commitment,” she said matter-of-factly.

The site manager let out an exaggerated sigh loud enough for her to hear. Junyoung glanced at him briefly before focusing on the call again. The woman on the other end growled through gritted teeth.

• “You people don’t care, do you? It doesn’t matter to you if someone breaks their leg or cracks their skull! You’re just trying to avoid paying! Don’t call here again!”

“If I don’t call, we can’t discuss compensation, Ms. Lee Jisun.”

The woman’s heightened sensitivity was apparent, but Junyoung knew she needed to see her in person to fully assess the situation. As the woman breathed heavily into the receiver, Junyoung seized the pause to speak calmly.

“I’m only looking to get a clearer picture of the accident. My job is to record the facts exactly as they are. From the current evidence, it’s undeniable that proper safety measures could have prevented the severity of Mr. Jung’s injuries. You don’t need to worry about that part—it will be addressed.”

Her eloquent words left the manager staring at her with wide eyes. Hearing the woman’s breathing slow, Junyoung shrugged lightly. A moment later, she received a hesitant reply.

“All right. Come by in an hour. What room number?”

Junyoung mouthed the words sweet and sour pork to the manager, who gawked at her in disbelief, shaking his head. Junyoung smiled faintly, taking a deep breath as she glanced at the sky.

The day was already sweltering.

***

Junyoung wasn’t particularly fond of the sterile hospital atmosphere, but the cool air-conditioned breeze was a welcome reprieve. She stepped out of the elevator and entered the room that Lee Jisun had directed her to.

It was a private room, paid for by the company. Initially, after surgery, Jung Mansu had been placed in a shared six-bed room, but concerns about media attention had prompted the company to move him here.

Lee Jisun looked worn, her face bare of makeup and her demeanor tense. She seemed to be on edge, though she avoided direct eye contact. Junyoung noticed her biting her already tattered thumbnail before she spoke.

“If his guardian is here, this will take about three hours. If not, I’ll only need thirty minutes. Would you like to step out for a quick walk or coffee?”

“What… What are you planning to say to my husband?” Jisun stammered, glancing nervously at the man lying in the bed.

“I’ll need to discuss a few confidential company matters. By policy, I can’t share them with non-employees. If I try to skirt around it and explain indirectly, it’ll take longer. Take this chance to step out; I’ll wrap up quickly.”

Her calm tone seemed to reassure Jisun somewhat. After hesitating, she glanced at her husband before leaving the room. It was clear from her jittery demeanor that she wouldn’t go far.

Junyoung approached the bed and took a seat in a nearby chair. Noticing her, Jung Mansu turned his head. His face, swollen and lined with age, reflected a hardened disposition. The thinness of his body contrasted sharply with his bloated features.

After a slight nod, Junyoung offered him her business card. “I’m Yoon Junyoung from Hangyeong. How are you feeling?”

“I’m tired, so spare me the pleasantries,” he growled, his voice raspy.

Junyoung nodded readily. That works for me. Keeping her voice low, she spoke evenly.

“You might have guessed this already, but there’s a high likelihood there won’t be any administrative action. The company is leaning toward not paying compensation.”

“What… What did you just say?” Mansu’s previously indifferent eyes sparked with anger.@@novelbin@@

Junyoung held his gaze and continued, “If it’s not classified as compensation but merely a small consolation payment, the amount will be minimal. Less than a tenth of what you’d expect. That would also mean no financial support for rehabilitation or living expenses.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Mansu sputtered, his voice rising.

“How much debt do you have?” Junyoung asked bluntly.

Her words froze Mansu in place. His bloated face quivered, and he seemed unable to exhale. Junyoung didn’t look away as she pressed on.

“Why have you been refusing visits from your colleagues? They’re all worried about you. Your wife seems exhausted. Wouldn’t it help to lean on others during times like these? That’s what people do. According to the nurses, your daughter hasn’t visited since the initial surgery, and your wife has been here day and night.”

The IV line trembled, a result of Mansu’s shaking hand. Lowering her voice, Junyoung leaned in slightly.

“You need to prepare for the possibility of receiving no compensation. If Lee Jisun quits her job, how do you plan to support yourselves?”

“What exactly is your purpose here?” Mansu roared, his face turning red. His eyes bulged as he shouted.

“My daughter is busy preparing for a piano competition, that’s why she hasn’t come. And our family’s finances are none of your damn business! If there’d been proper safety measures, I wouldn’t be stuck here for years! That’s the truth! Why are you poking around like some rat, prying into our debts?”

“Of course, that’s true. But I’m not here because of what happened after you fell.”

“What… What do you mean by that?” Mansu stammered, startled by her sudden shift in tone.

“I’m here because I want to understand how you fell,” Junyoung replied calmly, watching him closely.

It’s easier to read an agitated person than a composed one. When someone’s equilibrium is shattered, their emotions spill over, making them transparent.

Rather than spending days breaking through the defenses of a calm, closed-off individual, it’s often more effective to strike hard and fast with a hammer.

You had to scatter their thoughts, throw them into disarray.

Especially when the person was clearly hiding something.

Mansu’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his shoulders rising and falling with his ragged breaths. Junyoung offered a soft, almost disarming smile as she delivered the final blow.

“It’s not uncommon for people to fake accidents to claim compensation. Times are tough, after all.”

Mansu’s complexion turned pale, his eyes widening in terror. His lips quivered as he stammered, “Are you… Are you saying I threw myself off on purpose?”

“Do you have evidence to prove otherwise?” Junyoung asked, her gaze unwavering.

Her words left Mansu speechless. As someone skilled at provoking others, this was Junyoung’s forte. But with Mansu, there was something different.

What came through wasn’t just anger or frustration. It was fear.

What is he so afraid of? Worrying about money?

...But if that were the case, would he allow his wife to quit her job and stay by his side 24/7? Why would they refuse the company’s offer to hire a caregiver?

And if it truly wasn’t his fault—if this really was entirely the company’s negligence—then both Mansu and Jisun should be standing firm, openly confronting her.

Anger and indignation would be expected. But instead, they seemed almost caged.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Junyoung was abruptly drenched in cold water. She flinched, nearly falling out of her chair, and wiped her face with her hand. Blinking through the water, she saw Lee Jisun standing there, her chest heaving, an empty basin clutched in her hands.

“Get out, you crazy bitch! Get out right now! You money-grubbing devils! Talking like that in front of a man who’s already broken! Don’t you have any humanity? Don’t you know there are things you just don’t say?”

Junyoung let out a short sigh.

First rain, now this. It seemed this trip had an odd connection to water.