Rise of Silent Genius

The invitation from Celin had come at just the right time. Wang Soo's days had been a blur of aimless searching and small victories, but the weight of his struggles continued to press heavily on his shoulders. When his sister suggested they meet for dinner, he hesitated, uncertain of how to explain everything he'd been through. Still, her insistence left him with little choice.

The Meeting Point

The café Celin chose was a charming little spot nestled in the heart of Creatis. Warm lights hung from the ceiling, casting a cozy glow over the mismatched tables and chairs. Wang Soo arrived early, nervously tapping his foot as he waited. Bruno had wanted to follow, but Celin had mentioned the venue didn't allow dogs.

"Oppa!" Celin's cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.

He turned to see his younger sister approaching with a wide smile, her arm linked with that of a tall man with kind eyes and a slightly awkward demeanor. Trailing behind them was their cousin Anna, her headphones around her neck and her face buried in her phone.

"Celin," Wang Soo greeted, standing up to hug her. "It's been a while."

"Too long," she replied, pulling back to introduce her companions. "This is Will, my boyfriend. And you remember Anna, of course."

Will extended a hand, his grip firm but friendly. "I've heard a lot about you," he said.

"Hopefully, only good things," Wang Soo replied with a small smile.

Anna glanced up briefly from her phone, offering a shy wave. "Hi, Oppa."

They settled into their seats, and Celin wasted no time diving into the conversation.

Celin leaned forward, her expression serious. "So, Oppa, what's been going on? I've heard bits and pieces, but I want to hear it from you."

Wang Soo hesitated, his gaze dropping to the table. "It's… complicated."

"Start wherever you're comfortable," Will encouraged. His voice was calm, his presence reassuring.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Soo began to recount the events of the past year. He spoke of his fall from grace, the betrayal by Albeirt, the false rumors, and the relentless struggle to rebuild his life. He left out the most painful details but couldn't hide the bitterness in his tone.

Celin listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and anger. Anna put her phone down, her wide eyes showing she was fully engrossed in the story.

"That's horrible," Celin said when he finished. "I can't believe someone would go to such lengths to ruin you."

"And the worst part is," Wang Soo added, his voice barely above a whisper, "I feel like I'm dragging everyone else down with me. Lee, her family… I don't know how to make it right."

Anna spoke up, her voice soft but firm. "You're not a burden, Oppa. It's okay to ask for help sometimes."

Her words hit harder than she probably intended, but they carried a truth Wang Soo couldn't ignore.

After a pause, Celin leaned back in her chair, exchanging a glance with Will. "Actually, there's something we wanted to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Wang Soo asked, curiosity piqued.

"Will and I are starting a business," she began. "It's a creative agency focused on marketing and branding for small businesses in Creatis. We've been working on it for months, but we need someone to help manage operations."

Wang Soo blinked in surprise. "And you're thinking of me?"

"Of course," Celin said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You have the experience, the skills, and the insight we need. Plus, I trust you."

"I… I don't know what to say," Wang Soo admitted, overwhelmed.

"Say yes," Anna chimed in, a rare smile gracing her lips. "You'd be great at it."

Will nodded in agreement. "We're serious about this, Wang Soo. And we think you could really help us take this to the next level."

Later that evening, after the dinner had ended and goodbyes were exchanged, Wang Soo found himself walking through the quiet streets of Creatis. Bruno trotted happily beside him, oblivious to his master's inner turmoil.

The idea of working with Celin and Will was enticing. It was a chance to put his skills to use, to build something meaningful. But it also felt like another gamble, and Wang Soo wasn't sure he could handle another failure.

He stopped at a park bench, sitting down with a heavy sigh. Bruno jumped up beside him, resting his head on Wang Soo's lap.

"What do you think, boy?" Wang Soo asked, scratching behind the dog's ears. "Should I take the risk?"

Bruno responded with a wag of his tail, his dark eyes full of unwavering trust.

For the first time in months, Wang Soo allowed himself a small smile. Maybe it was time to stop doubting and start believing in himself again.

The next morning, Wang Soo called Celin. She answered almost immediately, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"Hey, Oppa! What's up?"

"I… I've thought about your offer," he began, his heart pounding. "And I want to give it a try. If you'll have me, that is."

Celin's excited squeal nearly deafened him. "Of course, we'll have you! This is going to be amazing, Oppa. I promise you won't regret it."

As he hung up the phone, Wang Soo felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. It was a new beginning, one he hadn't dared hope for. And for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was moving forward.

End of Chapter 9