Hello Vet! How are you?

“Director, has a place been decided for Aji to go?”

As anticipated!

While it was presumed that Gong Jeong-Ah might take in Aji, seeing her directly ask this question brought a bright smile to everyone’s face in the lobby.

Lee Joon also responded with a bright smile.

“Nothing has been decided yet.”

“Then I’d like to take Aji with me.”

Everyone who was observing Gong Jeong-Ah nodded in agreement.

“Aji will…, surely be delighted.”

Go Gijin, who still had a lump in his throat, clasped his large hands together with joy.

In response to Go Gijin’s childlike and honest reaction, PD Park Joo-hwan tightly clenched both his fists.

“It’s done!”

Success indeed.

This was going to be a successful episode.

Park Joo-hwan believed this, feeling a spark in his eyes.

Writer Yum shared the same thoughts as PD Park Joo-hwan.

‘What kind of animal clinic is this? It’s packed with scene-stealers. The director looks like he just tore through a magazine and sat there, and Dr. Go here looks like he just came down the mountain carrying a wild boar. And Manager Jang, who gets heart eyes just at the sight of animals.’

Seeing the burly Go Gijin, who exuded a girlish vibe while delighting in finding a home for Aji, writer Yum smiled with satisfaction.

Naturally, his gaze then shifted toward Lee Joon.

‘He’s probably smiling and thanking the actress, Gong.’

Lee Joon’s smiling appearance was exceptionally handsome.

Writer Yum decided to capture that expression of Lee Joon in his mind.

And just as writer Yum hoped, Lee Joon smiled as he responded.

“Thank you for your thoughts, but…”

Lee Joon paused mid-sentence and turned his gaze toward Aji, who was in the recovery room.

Everyone looked at Lee Joon with puzzled expressions.

“I’ll ask Aji first.”

“…… I beg your pardon?”

Hearing Gong Jeong-Ah question Lee Joon again, writer Yum tilted his head curiously.

‘He said something similar a little while ago, didn’t he?’

Indeed, when Gong Jeong-Ah expressed her wish to meet Aji, he had used those words.

And he truly went to ask Aji.

‘They say he can communicate with animals; I guess it’s true.’

Recalling the rumors about Lee Joon on the internet, writer Yum’s mouth fell open slightly.

However, the surprise lasted only a moment as writer Yum quickly followed Lee Joon toward the recovery room.

When Lee Joon opened the recovery room door, the cats were lying beside Aji on a big cushion, lifting their heads.

Aji was in the center, with Gray one and Kkamnyang on either side, all three in the same position.

The typical loaf position that cats love to assume.

Seeing this, Lee Joon chuckled.

“Aji, you don’t need to learn that.”

At Lee Joon’s voice, Aji tilted his head.

『Learn what?』

“Just make yourself comfortable as you like.”

Aji turned his head from side to side and then looked back at his position.

『…… I like it. It’s because I’m the same as my friends.』

Saying this with a giggle, Aji appeared much more relaxed compared to the previous day.

“If that’s what you like, then…”

For Aji, Gray one and Kkamnyang, who cared for and protected him, were his supporters.

It was only natural that the actions of his supporters would seem pleasant.

Moreover, the loaf position indicated that all three were quite comfortable.

This meant they were all very much at ease.

Lee Joon smiled warmly at the three of them and asked a question.

“So, did you enjoy the treats?”

『They were delicious!』
『They were tasty.』

While Gray one and Kkamnyang answered with calm expressions,

『They were so, so delicious.』

Aji replied with a dreamy look in his eyes.

“You rascal! I’ll give you even tastier things in the future.”

Aji, hearing Lee Joon’s words, opened his eyes wide.

『Something tastier than this?』

As Aji moved, there was a rustling sound, and a treat bag peeked out from under his belly.

“Were you lying on that?”

『Y-Yeah…』

Aji, as if holding onto something precious, pushed the bag back under his belly.

This sight softened Lee Joon’s expression.

Writer Yum, standing behind Lee Joon, furrowed his brow.

Following on behind, Gong Jeong-Ah and Go Gijin wore similar expressions of concern.

“My goodness, he must have been so starved…”

“There are so many tasty things out there… That scoundrel really was a bad guy, huh. That little thing… Ah, I should’ve given that guy a piece of my mind.”

Go Gijin patted his chest with regret.

“Aji, I’ll give you lots of delicious things every day. Nuna will only give you the good stuff, okay?”

Tears welled up again in Gong Jeong-Ah’s eyes as she barely managed to hold them back.

“If you say you will.”

Lee Joon conveyed Gong Jeong-Ah’s intention to Aji, who only blinked in response.

『They say she will come every day to give you tasty things.』
『Every day?』
『Yes.』

The person who had just given him delicious treats and hugged him warmly.

Hearing that such a person would come every day made Aji feel as if he could fly with happiness.

『Hehehe.』

To the smiling Aji, Gray one spoke this time.

『It means she wants to take you with her.』
『Take me?』
『Yes. It means to live together.』

Upon hearing Gray one’s words, Aji suddenly stood up, dashing to a corner of the recovery room where he lay flat, trembling.

『Please, don’t… don’t hit me…』

“I-I’m sorry!”

Surprised by Aji’s sudden action, Gong Jeong-Ah took a step back and apologized.

Seeing Gong Jeong-Ah’s face, which was even paler, Lee Joon said reassuringly.

“It seems Aji needs some time. Living together might remind him of being abused.”

“Oh, no…”

Gong Jeong-Ah began to cry again.

Seeing this, Lee Joon’s heart ached too.

Lee Joon approached and sat next to Aji.

Gray one and Kkamnyang had already moved to embrace Aji.

“Aji, that person is different from that scoundrel, your previous owner… She won’t hurt you.”

『That seems likely, but one never knows.』
『Right. People aren’t to be trusted easily.』

This was the cold advice from Gray one and Kkamnyang, both of whom had long lived on the streets.

“That’s true. But still, you trust me, don’t you?”

『Hyung is a good person!』
『The vet hyung is good.』

Without disagreement, the cats nodded at Lee Joon’s words.

Observing this scene from outside, PD Park Joo-hwan clenched his fists once more.

‘Did I unknowingly dream of pigs last night or something?’

The segments shown were masterpieces needing no editing.

Even with what had been shown so far, it was enough to air for two or maybe three weeks.

While PD Park Joo-hwan was lost in such thoughts, Lee Joon and the cats continued their conversation.

“That person is good too.”

『That’s something we’ll have to see to believe.』
『Indeed.』

With the cats’ firm rejection, Aji slowly nodded as well.

It was a clear refusal.

『The idea of getting treats every day is appealing though.』
『Indeed, that part is okay.』

The straightforwardness to say what’s disliked and liked.

Lee Joon chuckled softly.

“Well, that’s fortunate.”

“What is?”

Gong Jeong-Ah, who had been watching from the sidelines, asked as she wiped her tears.

“Actor Go mentioned that while she’s hesitant about taking Aji in, she would give Aji treats, which he likes.”

“Well, that’s something! I guess time is needed to get close. I was in too much of a hurry.”

Gong Jeong-Ah spoke to Aji, who was in the corner.

“Aji, let’s become close from now on.”

When Aji looked at Lee Joon, he nodded slowly.

Then Aji let out a tiny bark.

Woof!

“Oh my, he barked. Aji, as a celebration of us becoming friends, what would you like to eat tomorrow?”

『What I’d like to eat…』

Tilting his head in thought, Aji then sat up from his lying position.

He then pushed the treat bag forward with his paw, pointing somewhere with it.

『This and that.』

Seeing Aji pointing to the food bowl, Gong Jeong-Ah wanted to cry once more.

“So, you’re saying that the tastiest things Aji has had so far are today’s kibble and snack, right?”

“Sniff-sniff, oh Aji, what should I do… Aji, this nuna will buy you a box of those treats, no, two boxes.”

Writer Yum, vowing to buy boxes of treats for Aji, couldn’t approach him any closer but hung onto Gong Jeong-Ah’s arm, crying.

“Sniff-sniff. I-I’ll buy you some too. I’ll give you ten boxes, so eat as much as you want and grow strong, okay?”

When Go Gijin chimed in, Lee Joon smilingly spoke to Aji.

“Aji, you’re a snack millionaire now. Let’s eat something tasty every day and be happy.”

『Hehee, yeah.』

Having suddenly become rich with treats, Aji hugged his treat bag tightly with joy.

“Director, is it okay if I come to see Aji for a while? It seems that seeing each other every day is the quickest way to get close.”

“You’re welcome to visit anytime.”

“Thank you.”

As Gong Jeong-Ah expressed her gratitude to Lee Joon, PD Park Joo-hwan, who had been checking the monitors, appeared with eager eyes.

“May I, by any chance, record whenever Actor Gong comes to meet Aji?”

There was no chance that Gong Jeong-Ah, willing to adopt Aji, would stop visiting Woof Woof Animal Clinic after just one meeting.

At least twice, thrice, maybe even more.

Every time Gong Jeong-Ah came to meet Aji, the team at Woof Woof Animal Clinic would be exposed.

‘With Dr. Lee Joon, whom pet owners want to meet, Dr. Go Gijin, the famous cats, the pitiable Aji, and Actor Gong Jeong-Ah, whose mere appearance guarantees viewership… This time… Please!’

With a hopeful heart, PD Park Joo-hwan looked at Gong Jeong-Ah with eagerness.

“Of course. Naturally, but you must mention Aji’s abuser every time I appear. That person should never raise another animal again.”

“That’s a given. That scoundrel will soon learn just how fearsome our viewers can be.”

PD Park Joo-hwan felt like dancing.

He felt like running outside to shout his joy.

‘I can hear it, hear it! The sound of those viewership numbers climbing!’

***

Ten days later,

The episode featuring Aji aired on Animal Cheers, finally fulfilling PD Park Joo-hwan’s hopes.

“10.3%? Oh my gosh, our show finally hit over 10%.”

PD Park Joo-hwan looked at the 10.3% viewership rating with teary eyes, seeing it over and over.

Until now, the highest rating for Animal Cheers was 8.9%.

The average rating was a rounded-up 7%, so such a rating was nothing short of a miracle.

Of course, the competing show Animal World consistently hit 9% and 10%. However, yesterday’s episode of Animal World had a rating of 8.4%.

“S-sniff, we won.! We won! It was the right call to air Aji’s story first above everything else.”

PD Park Joo-hwan hadn’t been home in a week, staying up in the studio editing tirelessly to bring the airing of Aji’s story forward.

His appearance was in disarray, and he could barely stand upright.

But at the sight of those ratings, the fatigue vanished.

“Did we only win? The peak rating was 12.8%! 12.8!”

“R-right. Shouldn’t we be bowing to Gray one and Kkamnyang?”

It was the scene where Gray one and Kkamnyang had attacked Kim Iseok that scored the peak rating.

“We should be bowing to Dr. Lee Joon. Imagine if he’d presented the story to Animal World instead?”

“R-right. He’s truly someone to be grateful for.”

Lee Joon had simply asked Kim Eun-ji if she knew of any PDs, and Kim Eun-ji happened to remember having met PD Park Joo-hwan recently and made contact.

But PD Park Joo-hwan thought that Lee Joon specially chose him, regarding Lee Joon as a benefactor.

And he was indeed a benefactor.

After that, the story of Aji at Woof Woof Animal Clinic continued to break records on Animal Cheers.

Viewers were enraged by the story of abuse, and seeing Aji through Gong Jeong-Ah’s eyes, they pitied it.

People cheered for the clip where Gray one and Kkamnyang attacked the abuser for Aji, as the viewership numbers indicated.

The video of the two’s attack spread widely, even cited as the ‘correct example of a lesson’ in popularity.

“The discussion board is going wild. Everyone’s saying they’re such good people.”

The youngest writer at Animal Cheers, who had been monitoring the boards, spoke with a moved voice.

“There are many people wanting to adopt abused animals, and many people want to send treats to Aji.”

“Look here, even without us saying anything, someone’s already exposed where that scumbag lives and what he does. They even captured him going to the market?”

Writer Yum, looking at the photo of Kim Iseok that a viewer had posted, celebrated.

“Even if his face is covered, those who recognize him will know.”

“Heh heh, see how resourceful our viewers are?”

“PD, don’t you think we need to create a segment about adopting abused animals in the next series?”

“Ah, I’m planning to recruit Dr. Lee Joon for that.”

“Indeed, with the momentum, it would be great if Dr. Lee Joon became a regular on our show.”

“And include Gray one and Kkamnyang too. I cried when seeing Gray one bid farewell to Aji.”

“I cried too. How can animals show such expressions?”

“This week’s broadcast will have everyone falling for Gray one!”

Writer Yum predicted.

And on the day of the broadcast, the viewer discussion board exploded.

“What’s happening here?”

“Did we ever have a moment like this?”

“We certainly haven’t. Wow, I can’t believe we’re experiencing this.”

Although brief, the downing of the discussion board for Animal Cheers had the production team’s smiles reaching their ears, refusing to come down.

The final scene showed Gong Jeong-Ah adopting Aji.

During the scene where Gray one and Kkamnyang bid farewell to Aji, the peak rating reached 14.2%.

Scenes depicting animals showing care and affection for one another comforted viewers who watched.

Viewers were especially captivated by the affectionate expression on Gray one’s face as he watched Aji leave.

When Gray one’s golden eyes were highlighted, as he watched Aji walk away, viewership shot up to 15.9%.

Gray one’s golden eyes harbored a wealth of emotions.

The tender sorrow of sending away a friend you might never meet again.

The pure joy of celebrating a friend going to a good home.

The hopeful anticipation for them to lead a happy life.

Viewers clamored that they wished to experience the depth of emotion portrayed by Gray one’s gaze.

Additionally, the episode sparked greater interest in animal abuse and stray cats.

Hearing this news, Lee Joon spoke to Gray one and Kkamnyang.

“You both did an excellent job.”

『It’s thanks to hyung doing a great job for us.』
『Indeed, the vet hyung performed admirably.』

Instead of accepting the compliment themselves, the cats praised Lee Joon’s efforts.

Lee Joon stroked them as he spoke.

“Still, you did well, and good things deserve rewards. Is there anything you’d like?”

『Something we’d like?』

“Yes, like something you’d want to eat, or maybe a place you’d want to visit, or even a toy. Anything, just let me know.”

Hearing Lee Joon’s words, the cats tilted their heads from side to side.

And then Gray one, with twinkling eyes, said,

『I want to go on a picnic with friends!』

“A picnic?”

『I’ve heard of a large body of water with a delightful smell that comes bubbling up.』

“A large body of water? A delightful smell?”

Lee Joon tilted his head, wondering what they meant.

But as Gray one continued, Lee Joon erupted into laughter.

『They say, if we drink from it, it’s flavorful and delicious!』

“Ha ha ha, alright. Let’s go to the place with that broad, delicious water!”