Rise of Silent Genius

The days blurred into one another as Wang Soo navigated his new reality. What once had been a life filled with structure, purpose, and pride had devolved into an endless string of empty hours. He sat by the window of Lee's parents' spacious yet cozy house, a place filled with warmth that he couldn't fully embrace. Watching the serene neighborhood outside, so different from the city bustle he once thrived in, he felt like an intruder in someone else's life. The laughter from Lee's younger cousins playing in the yard below seemed distant, as if from a world where he no longer belonged.

Morning Reflection

Wang Soo stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the dim light casting harsh shadows on his face. His eyes lingered on the dark circles beneath them, a testament to sleepless nights spent wrestling with his thoughts.

Where did it all go wrong? he wondered, gripping the edge of the sink. The memories came flooding back—the betrayal, the humiliation, and the cascade of rejections. It felt as if life had conspired against him in one fell swoop.

He sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He wasn't used to this feeling of aimlessness. Every rejection letter, every closed door, chipped away at his confidence. He had always been the problem solver, the one with answers. Now, he was the problem—at least, that's how it felt.

Lee's voice broke through his reverie. "Soo, go get us some breakfast, will you? I'm starving."

He glanced toward the kitchen, where the faint clatter of dishes and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckoned him. For a moment, he considered skipping the meal, but the thought of Lee's worried face pushed him to move. She had been his rock through all of this, and the last thing he wanted was to add to her burdens.

The kitchen was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in Wang Soo's mind. Lee sat across from him, her eyes filled with quiet concern as she sipped her coffee.

"You didn't sleep again," she said softly, not as a question but as a statement.

He shrugged, poking at his food with a fork. "What's the point? Sleep doesn't change anything."

"It changes how you handle things," she countered. Her voice was firm, but her gaze remained gentle. "You're running yourself into the ground, Soo. That's not going to help."

He set the fork down, leaning back in his chair. "I just... I don't know what to do anymore, Lee. Every job I apply for, they say I'm too good for it. And the ones I'd be perfect for won't even look at me because of those damn rumors."

"You're not the problem," she insisted. "They are. You're brilliant, Soo. They're just too blind to see it."

He managed a weak smile at her encouragement but couldn't shake the gnawing feeling of inadequacy. "I feel like a burden. To you, to Mako, to everyone. I'm supposed to be the guy who has it all figured out, but now..."

Lee reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "You're not a burden. You're human. And humans go through rough patches. What matters is how you come out of it."

Her words offered a flicker of hope, but the weight on his shoulders remained.

Later that afternoon, Wang Soo decided to clear his head with a walk. Bruno trotted beside him, his leash held loosely in Wang Soo's hand. The Labrador retriever's carefree demeanor was a stark contrast to Wang Soo's heavy thoughts.

The park was bustling with life—children laughing, couples strolling hand in hand, and joggers weaving through the paths. Wang Soo found a quiet bench and sat down, Bruno settling at his feet. He watched the world go by, his mind a whirlwind of doubts and regrets.

How did it come to this? he thought, scratching behind Bruno's ears absentmindedly. He replayed the events that led him here—the project, the betrayal, the fallout. It all felt like a bad dream he couldn't wake up from.

"I'm stuck, buddy," he muttered to Bruno, who looked up at him with trusting eyes. "I don't know how to fix this."

Bruno let out a soft woof, as if offering reassurance. Wang Soo chuckled despite himself. "At least you still believe in me."

That evening, Wang Soo and Lee were invited to dinner at her parents' house. The warm, familiar setting was a temporary refuge from his troubles. Lee's mother, a kind woman with a sharp wit, had prepared a feast, and her father, ever the pragmatist, greeted Wang Soo with a firm handshake and a pat on the back.

As they sat down to eat, the conversation naturally turned to Wang Soo's situation. He hesitated, not wanting to burden them, but Lee's father spoke up.

"We've been thinking," he began, his tone measured. "You're part of this family now, Soo. And families help each other."

Wang Soo looked at him, unsure of where this was going.

"We'd like to help you settle your debts," he continued. "Consider it an investment in your future."

Wang Soo's eyes widened. "I... I can't let you do that. It's too much."

Lee's mother smiled warmly. "Nonsense. You've always been there for Lee, and now we're here for you."

Her father nodded. "On one condition: you and Lee move in with us for a while. Focus on getting back on your feet without worrying about rent or bills."

Wang Soo felt a lump form in his throat. The weight of their generosity was almost overwhelming. He looked at Lee, who gave him an encouraging nod.

"Thank you," he said finally, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

Lee's father waved it off. "Just focus on what you do best, Soo. The rest will follow."

For the first time in weeks, Wang Soo felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone in this fight, and with the support of Lee and her family, he began to believe that he could rise again.

End of Chapter 4