Hello Vet! How are you?

After stepping out of the cafe, Lee Joon asked Kim Eun-ji.

“Journalist, what will you do? Will you go to the animal clinic with me?”

Having listened to Lee Joon’s phone conversation earlier, Kim Eun-ji had already decided on her next course of action.

‘The director was supposed to guide me in the park, but if the consultation is delayed, it might get dark.’

Kim Eun-ji planned to take photos and videos for her article before nightfall.

‘I’ll take photos, conduct interviews with local residents… It would be great to meet someone who knows the director.’

Having formulated a plan to secure photos, videos, and conduct interviews with local residents, Kim Eun-ji replied.

“Director, I’ll be at the park.”

“The consultation might take longer than expected. Are you alright with that?”

“I’ll go ahead and look around the park and observe the residents’ reactions. Please don’t worry about me and take your time with the consultation.”

“Then I’ll call you once I’m done.”

In a bit of a hurry, Lee Joon walked away briskly.

Kim Eun-ji watched his retreating figure for a moment before heading towards the entrance of Evergreen Park.

She hadn’t taken many steps into the park when the atmosphere changed completely.

The fresh air enveloped her entire being.

Fragrant flowers, fresh grass scents, and the woody aroma from the tall trees.

Plus, the gently blowing breeze.

“It’s really nice.”

Thinking that the residents living here were very fortunate, Kim Eun-ji continued to walk.

Because it seemed like a pleasant neighborhood, the expressions of the residents out for a stroll also looked very bright,

Sticking to her original plan, Kim Eun-ji approached the people walking around the park.

“Excuse me…”

At her call, a resident turned around.

“Yes, what is it?”

Kim Eun-ji handed out her business card to formally request an interview.

“I’m Kim Eun-ji from Dongbang Sports. Do you live in this area, by any chance?”

“Well yes, but what brings you here, journalist…?”

“I came to ask how the residents feel about this newly opened park. If you’re not too busy, would you mind if I did an interview with you?”

“Oh, sure.”

The resident, who readily agreed to the interview, was asked how they felt about the park’s renovation.

“Well, it’s obviously nice.”

“It’s very good.”

“I didn’t recognize this as the Evergreen Park I knew. It’s astonishingly clean now. I really like it.”

Each person she asked had favorable opinions about the park’s improved cleanliness.

Nodding at the expected answers, Kim Eun-ji asked her next question.

“While you seem pleased with the cleanliness, how do you feel about the cat habitats that are considered environmentally friendly?”

“They’re wonderfully built. It’s quite the masterpiece.”

“It looks great. Now, the cats have a comfortable place, which is excellent. I think Nam Gung Construction did a great job.”

“I heard the idea came from our local vet. He seems like an extraordinary person.”

“If you head towards the subway station, there’s a bus stop, and there’s an animal clinic in front of it. I heard the vet there suggested this park remodel. It’s amazing, right? If you have time, you should go interview him.”

Upon hearing a resident mentioning Lee Joon, Kim Eun-ji asked.

“Do you go to that animal clinic?”

“No, I sanctuary’t been there. I don’t have any pets.”

“Oh, I see. Then how did you find out?”

“My daughter told me.”

Because the resident didn’t personally know Lee Joon, the interview couldn’t continue further.

‘Even people who don’t own pets seem to have a favorable opinion of Director Lee Joon.’

Many residents had a positive impression of the renovated park and Lee Joon, who designed it.

There were residents whose views on cats had changed due to this project.

“Well, honestly, I wasn’t fond of cats. But the park cats here are fine, I suppose. Quiet and not messy.”

“They do shed fur and leave droppings here and there. And they’re noisy. But the cats in our neighborhood aren’t like that, so they’re nice. That’s why, oddly, they seem cute.”

Also, some people enjoyed unexpected benefits thanks to the park and cats.

“I run a restaurant nearby, and I love the neighborhood cats. First, no rats, which is great. And nowadays, thanks to visitors to the park, my sales have increased significantly.”

Seeing the restaurant owner smiling as they took a break before preparing for the dinner rush, Kim Eun-ji thought.

‘Even the café owner was beaming earlier. The park really boosted the local economy.’

Could Director Lee Joon have anticipated such outcomes?

As she pondered, the restaurant owner asked Kim Eun-ji.

“Have you been to the cats’ sanctuary?”

“No, only seen it in the article photos.”

“It looks much better in person. You should definitely check it out.”

Since visiting the cat sanctuary was a part of her reporting objectives, Kim Eun-ji smiled and replied.

“I will.”

Thanking the restaurant owner, Kim Eun-ji headed towards the location of the sanctuary.

“I just need to interview pet owners… Is there anyone walking their dog?”

She wanted to hear the opinions of residents who actually owned pets regarding the park’s transformation.

“I hope to meet pet owners who know Director Lee Joon.”

Eager to hear about Lee Joon’s reputation in the neighborhood, Kim Eun-ji wandered around, searching for a dog.

Without realizing it, she found herself at the cat sanctuary.

“Let’s capture the sanctuary in photos first, then continue the search.”

The sanctuary looked even more splendid than the pictures, and there was quite a crowd around it.

The sanctuary was larger and more impressive than it appeared in photos.

After finishing the photo session, Kim Eun-ji observed the reactions of the people gathered near the sanctuary.

Scanning the expressions of the people around, she noticed a white dog.

‘Hmm? A Maltese.’

Kim Eun-ji’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the Maltese.

Approaching the owner holding the white Maltese, Kim Eun-ji requested an interview.

Exchanging a few words about the park with the resident who agreed to the interview, Kim Eun-ji shifted the topic.

“By any chance, do you know Woof Woof Animal Clinic near the bus stop ahead?”

“Of course, I do. It’s where Mong-i visits.”

“Really?”

Delighted to find someone who knew Lee Joon, there was strength in Kim Eun-ji’s voice as she inquired further.

“But how do you know about it?”

“Actually, I’m interviewing Director Lee Joon. Would you mind talking a bit about him?”

At that moment.

“There you are!”

“Oh, Ddangkong’s mom is here?”

“I’m here, too.”

“Oh, Choco is here?”

Two more people approached, one carrying a Yorkshire Terrier and the other a brown Poodle.

“This is a journalist. She’s here to interview our director.”

“Oh, really?”

“What would you like to know? I’ll tell you all that I know.”

Kim Eun-ji was thrilled to find not just one, but three people who knew Lee Joon.

‘Not just one but three.’

Moreover, from their conversation, they seemed to like Lee Joon a lot.

This would make for good reporting.

“Did you know that this park was remodeled based on Director Lee Joon’s suggestion?”

“We were surprised, too, when we heard. He never mentioned it once. But thinking about how our director cares for the park cats, it makes sense.”

He must be quite humble and unpretentious.

Understanding that, Kim Eun-ji asked again.

“So, he has been caring for the cats even before this.”

“For the hygiene of our neighborhood, he gave all the cats deworming tablets. They even got all their vaccinations. Isn’t the director amazing?”

The pride in the resident’s voice was evident.

That’s how much they thought highly of Lee Joon.

“He’s incredible.”

“Incredible indeed. It’s not easy managing so many of them, is it?”

“Only our director could do it.”

Listening to the guardians praise Lee Joon, Kim Eun-ji brought up a topic.

“Do you have any episodes about Director Lee Joon? Whether it’s about consultations or anything else, anything goes.”

“Let’s put the dogs in the play area first and then talk, shall we?”

One guardian suggested.

“That sounds good.”

The place the three guardians guided Kim Eun-ji to was a newly built pet playground.

Inside the fenced area, lush green grass was spread out, and several dogs were playing.

“Wow, it’s lovely.”

“Right? This is a new addition after the reopening.”

After letting their dogs into the playground, the guardians continued the interview.

“That white dog running there is Mong-i. If it weren’t for Director Lee Joon, we wouldn’t even see him today.”

“If it weren’t for the director, my dog would still be too scared to leave the house.”

“My Ddangkong would be in big trouble. Either overeating treats or starving thin.”

Due to research about Lee Joon the previous day, Kim Eun-ji learned he was a renowned vet among cat owners.

She even knew how he earned that fame.

But the stories from the guardians in front of her were new to Kim Eun-ji.

“Can you give more details?”

“Well…”

Unbelievable stories flowed from the guardians’ mouths.

Remembering the dogs barking earlier to the left, Kim Eun-ji’s eyes widened.

“Did such a thing really happen?”

“Yes. I don’t know how he reads animals’ minds so well.”

“And his skills are phenomenal.”

“That’s true. I heard an incredible story about our director.”

“Oh, Ddangkong’s mom. We all know about our director’s skills, so why the surprise?”

The owner of Mong-i chuckled and added.

“Did you all get contacted after our neighborhood was featured on TV?”

“We did.”

“I did, too.”

“One of my friends asked about our director. Turns out, their dog had surgery from him and couldn’t stop praising him. We talked for over an hour.”

“What surgery was it?”

“It was some soft palate surgery, I think. I’m not exactly sure. Anyway, the dog was struggling to breathe, panting like it would die soon. But after surgery with Director Lee Joon, it’s just fine now.”

“Is that a difficult surgery?”

Kim Eun-ji asked.

“Considering other places advised against it, and Director Lee Joon performed the surgery to save it, wouldn’t it be a tricky operation?”

“I suppose. Your friend must be truly grateful to Director Lee Joon.”

“Certainly. That dog is everything to them. Though, saying that might make people think all pets are important, wondering why I mentioned it.”

Ddangkong’s guardian said. People who had subconsciously thought so felt a pang of guilt.

“I adore my Ddangkong; he’s precious. It’s obvious. But, for that friend, Dasom is their only companion.”

“Is there no one else in their family?”

“They live alone.”

Ddangkong’s guardian seemed unwilling to elaborate and changed the topic.

“Anyway, I’m glad Director Lee Joon is here in our neighborhood. I hope he stays with us for a long time.”

“I worry, but if he moves, I’ll still follow him.”

“That’s for sure. We’d go for sure.”

Listening to the guardians’ words, Kim Eun-ji thought.

‘These guardians trust the director immensely.’

After wrapping up the interviews with Ddangkong, Mong-i, and Choco’s guardians, Kim Eun-ji continued to interview other local residents.

Anyone aware of Woof Woof Animal Clinic praised Lee Joon, even those who didn’t own pets.

After finishing her interviews, Kim Eun-ji returned to the cafe to organize the interview content.

‘It’s only been a few months since opening the animal clinic here, but all these praises, he’s remarkable.’

Tap-tap-tap.

The sound of Kim Eun-ji typing blended into the cafe noise.

As she focused intently on writing her article, her cellphone rang.

It was Lee Joon.

“I’m at the cafe.”

***

Ten minutes after the call ended, Lee Joon arrived at the cafe.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“No, not at all. I was quite busy myself exploring the park and interviewing the residents.”

“The park is nice, right?”

“Yes, it was lovely. Especially the cats’ sanctuary, it was extraordinary.”

“Of course it is. It was my concept.”

Lee Joon chuckled, recalling the cats’ particularity when he was designing the sanctuary.

‘The Grey One and Kkamnyang were so meticulous about creating a space for their companions.’

Upon discovering what a cushion was, the two cats wanted their comrades to experience that comfort, harassing Lee Joon to ensure it was rainproof and well-ventilated.

“Aren’t you a bit too overconfident?”

“I made it well.”

Unaware of the demanding process behind creating the sanctuary, Kim Eun-ji couldn’t help but grin at Lee Joon’s confident demeanor.

‘He seems modest, but he also exhibits such confidence. Well, it really is a masterpiece like an artwork.’

Envisioning the compact yet sturdy sanctuary harmoniously blending into the landscape, she could grasp Lee Joon’s proud expression.

“Oh, but during the interview, some didn’t like the park’s remodel. What do you think about that?”

“Well, that’s why you need to write well, journalist.”

“Pardon?”

“Refine the interviews you did today and publish them nicely. When the benefits of the cats are repeatedly exposed, citizens will gradually accept it.”

“It sounds like you want me to keep highlighting it.”

“Isn’t that the advantage of digital news? I’m counting on you, journalist.”

Rather than asking, he simply trusted her—nothing more, nothing less.

Where does he derive this confidence from, exactly?

Is it because of his looks? His skill? Or perhaps his clear conscience?

Regardless of the source, Kim Eun-ji was determined to continuously publicize the articles without being prompted by Lee Joon.

‘He might become renowned overseas first.’

Already, a few international animal welfare organizations were showing interest in Evergreen and Bluebird Parks.

‘When they discover that the person leading this initiative is a vet who independently vaccinated all the park cats, they’ll be astounded.’

Thinking of how international communities might soon laud the vet right in front of her brought a sense of pride.

As Kim Eun-ji was daydreaming happily, with her eyes lazily half-closed, Lee Joon remarked concernedly.

“You seem tired, being a journalist seems like an extreme job.”

“Oh, no. I was just reflecting on how you’re doing some genuinely good work. Lastly, may I ask you to say a few words?”

“I just hope everyone can live comfortably and enjoy their right to be happy.”

He mentioned the right to be happy, leaving Kim Eun-ji wide-eyed at the sudden remark.

“I believe animals have the right to be happy too. Though it may be a limited right due to coexistence in our society, I think they should at least enjoy basic comforts in their lifetime. And I want to be the person who assists them in that.”

Lee Joon appeared to her as someone with a grandiose vision.

“Anyways, thank you for participating in the interview until this late hour.”

“No, I need to thank you more.”

“Please consider another interview in the future.”

“Yes. Let’s see how the article is received and decide then. After all, positive citizen feedback is needed for follow-up articles.”

She was openly asking for continued exposure.

However, aware that his request was for the sake of animals, Kim Eun-ji agreed with a smile.

“Sounds good to me.”

The two agreed to their next interview under certain conditions and parted ways.

—