Rise of Silent Genius

Life, Wang Soo realized, had a knack for throwing curveballs when you least expected them. Just as his venture with Ja Hid started to gain momentum, new challenges emerged to pull him in every direction but forward. The safe haven of Lee's parents' home, once a refuge from his troubles, had become another source of pressure.

The Bakery's Busy Season

The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air as Wang Soo carried a tray of croissants to the display counter. The bakery was packed with customers, most of whom were regulars who had been frequenting the shop for years. Lee's mother, Mrs. Hye, moved around the kitchen with practiced efficiency, calling out orders to Wang Soo and the rest of the staff.

"Wang Soo! The delivery order for table seven is ready," Mrs. Hye called, her voice cutting through the din of the busy shop.

"Got it," he replied, grabbing the boxes and heading out the door. The sun beat down as he loaded the delivery into the car, his thoughts already racing back to the unfinished work waiting for him at the guestroom desk. Ja Hid had sent him three messages this morning, each more urgent than the last. But there was no time to reply. Not now.

Back in the bakery, Mrs. Hye gave him an appreciative smile. "Thank you, Wang Soo. I don't know what I'd do without you. Business has been so hectic lately."

He forced a smile. "Happy to help, ma'am."

But as he returned to the kitchen to prepare the next order, he couldn't shake the feeling of being stretched too thin. His days were consumed by the bakery, leaving little time for his own aspirations.

That evening, Wang Soo finally sat down at his laptop. The house was quiet, save for the muffled sounds of the television from the living room where Lee and her father were watching a drama. He opened the messages from Ja Hid, scanning through the updates and questions about their project.

Ja Hid: Hyung, I've sent you the draft proposal for the new client. Can you review it before tomorrow?

Ja Hid: Also, we need to finalize the budget for the platform launch. Let me know when you're free to discuss.

Wang Soo sighed, running a hand through his hair. His mind was too foggy to focus. The bakery had drained every ounce of his energy, and now the weight of his own venture loomed over him like a storm cloud.

"This isn't sustainable," he muttered to himself. He glanced at the clock—11:45 p.m. There were only so many hours in a day, and he was running out of them.

The next morning, as Wang Soo and Lee walked Bruno around the neighborhood, he finally voiced his frustrations.

"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up," he admitted, staring at the pavement as Bruno sniffed at a patch of grass. "Between helping your mom and working on the platform, I feel like I'm barely holding on."

Lee glanced at him, her expression unreadable.

Glancing up briefly. "You look… determined. What's on your mind?"

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I've been thinking. I'm tired, Lee. I feel like I'm failing at everything, and it's starting to feel pointless."

Lee didn't look up from her phone. Her response came delayed, her voice unusually cold. "Well, maybe you should start thinking about pulling your weight differently."

Wang Soo froze. "What do you mean?"

She set her phone down, her tone sharper than he expected. "I mean, Soo, look at us. I'm the one holding things together, paying the bills, and managing everything while you're... stuck. I've tried to be supportive, but it's exhausting."

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. "I thought we were in this together," he said softly.

"We are," she replied, though her expression betrayed her frustration. "But I can't carry this alone forever. You need to figure out what you're going to do, Soo. Because I can't keep doing this."

Wang Soo looked away, his mind racing. He couldn't deny her words—they echoed his own fears. But hearing them out loud, from her, cut deeper than he imagined.

Lee reached out and placed a hand on his. "She's tougher than you think. And she cares about you. If you explain what's going on, she'll understand. You need to put yourself first sometimes."

Her words were a balm to his troubled mind. He nodded slowly. "You're right. I'll talk to her today."

That afternoon, Wang Soo decided to clear his head with a walk. Bruno trotted happily beside him, the leash slack as they wandered through the quiet neighborhood. The crisp air and rhythmic sound of Bruno's paws on the pavement brought a sense of calm that had eluded him for weeks.

As he passed by a small park, Wang Soo sat on a bench, letting Bruno explore the nearby grass. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts: his responsibilities at the bakery, the platform he wanted to build, and the nagging feeling of being a burden.

"It's not fair," he muttered to himself. "Why am I the one who has to struggle while the person who ruined my life gets to laugh somewhere?"

He clenched his fists, a spark of determination igniting within him. "No more. I'll prove to everyone—including Albeirt—that I'm stronger than they think. And I'll do it my way, with the people who still believe in me."

Bruno barked, snapping him out of his thoughts. Wang Soo chuckled, scratching behind the dog's ears. "Alright, buddy. Let's head back. We've got work to do."

That evening, Wang Soo sat in the guestroom with Lee by his side. He had outlined a schedule that allowed him to focus on the platform while still contributing to the bakery when needed. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

"This looks good," Lee said, reviewing the plan. "But remember to leave some time for yourself, too. You can't pour from an empty cup."

He chuckled. "I'll try."

As they worked together, Bruno hopped onto the bed, wagging his tail as if to approve of their progress. For the first time in weeks, Wang Soo felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone in this fight. With Lee and her family's support, he could see a path forward.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Wang Soo and Ja Hid worked tirelessly on the platform, refining every detail. The late nights were grueling, but they also reignited Wang Soo's passion. He found solace in the work, a reminder of his capabilities and potential.

At the bakery, he took on fewer responsibilities but made sure to help during peak hours. Mrs. Hye's gratitude never wavered, and Lee's encouragement kept him grounded. Bruno became a constant companion, his playful antics providing much-needed moments of joy.

One evening, as Wang Soo closed his laptop after another productive session with Ja Hid, he felt a sense of accomplishment he hadn't experienced in months. The road ahead was still long and uncertain, but he was moving forward—and that was enough.

End of Chapter 6