Dreaming of you-Chapter 48: The secret of the dark night

It’s 3 a.m. the dead of night. Darkness has blanketed the entire city. The only sources of light are the streetlamps, scattered at intervals, casting a dim, hazy glow that barely illuminates the road ahead. All around, the world is fast asleep. Every house lies in silence, lights turned off, curtains drawn.

Nights like these—silent, still, and shadowy—are the perfect cover for thieves and robbers to go about their work. But it’s not just criminals who find opportunity in such hours. This is also when certain duty-bound police officers or detectives step into the night, using the darkness to their advantage. It’s the ideal time to carry out secret meetings or sensitive missions—when no one is watching, and no one will know.

Jung-hee moves through the darkness, wrapped in an old black shawl. In one hand, she carries a bent, rusty tin plate. In the other, a thick wooden stick that supports her slow, limping walk. From a distance, anyone would assume she’s just a frail, elderly beggar.

Whenever Jung-hee heads out on a confidential mission or to meet with someone from the agency, she always adopts this disguise. She walks cautiously, every step deliberate, heading toward her destination while keeping himself hidden as much as possible—even in a night this deep and quiet.

She believes danger can strike at any time, from any direction—so staying alert is essential.

Eventually, Jung-hee enters an old, abandoned theme park. She climbs onto a railway cart and takes a seat. As soon as she does, the cart begins to move, slowly disappearing into a tunnel. Minutes pass, but the cart doesn’t come back out.

Once inside the tunnel, Jung-hee subtly reroutes the cart, steering it onto a hidden track that leads downward—revealing that there’s another path within the tunnel, one not meant to be found.

She presses a red button, and the cart grinds to a halt in front of a concealed passage. Jung-hee places her hand on the wall beside her. Instantly, a digital security system appears. She stands in front of it and scans her full face, eyes, and ID card. The moment the scan completes, a hidden door slides open, and she steps inside.

The room that greets her is filled with state-of-the-art digital technology. Jung-hee walks forward. Around her, nearly a thousand people are at work. Many of them recognize her and greet her with a nod or a smile. She responds with a small, knowing grin as she passes.

Finally, Jung-hee stops in front of a black door. As she approaches, a small camera fitted into the door zooms in on her face. She looks straight into it and says,

"Hello! It’s me, Jung-hee. I was called in for an important assignment."

As soon as she finishes speaking, the door swings open automatically. Jung-hee walks in.

Inside, someone is already seated, back turned to her. Jung-hee stands silently, upright and respectful. After a moment, the person slowly swivels the chair around to face her. The instant Jung-hee sees the face, she bows in acknowledgment.

"How are you?"

Jung-hee stood up straight again upon hearing the voice of the person in front of her.

" I’m fine, Agent i. "

" So why is the case in this state, Jung-hee? It’s been over a year and you still haven’t solved it? "

" I’m really sorry for that. "

" Look, Jung-hee, we have a specific time and budget for each case. If we can’t complete the work within this specific amount of time and budget, it will be dangerous for the entire agency. You know all this, so I don’t understand why I have to tell you this. "

" I’m sorry. "

" There’s no point in saying sorry. If I leave this agency for this reason, nothing will happen to me. I’m old anyway. Even if my career is over now, it doesn’t effect me. But I’m not the only one in this agency. There are many others. I can tell you that if something happens to the agency, it will have a huge impact on them. "

" Please forgive me. I’m at the very end of this case. Give me a few more months. "

" Okay. So any new information? "

" Yes. I heard that Mr. Jun has a big deal coming up soon. We can go there and catch him with evidence. "

" Great. Then find out when and where this deal will be. We are ready. "

" Yes. "

Jung-hee bows and starts to leave. But agent i calls after her.

" Jung-hee..."

Jung-hee stops at agent i’s call and looks back at her.

" Yes, agent i. "

" I called you Jung-hee, not agent pie. "

" Sorry. Can I say something, aunty?"

argent i gets up and goes to Jung-hee. And hugs her.

" How are you? "

" Good aunty. You? "

" This is good. How is work going? "

" It’s going somehow. "

" Do you like Dong-hyeon? " 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Jung-hee looks surprised.

"What are you thinking? How do I know? I know everything. I keep all your news. Do you think I don’t care about you because I stay away?"

Jung-hee stands with her head down. She doesn’t say anything.

"Listen Jung-hee, if the boy is good, then go for the relationship, or else move away from him in advance. Do you remember what happened to your mother? "

"Yes. I will remember. "

"I heard that he will come to Korea. He bought a plane ticket. "

"What are you saying? If he comes to Korea, he will let me know?"

"I’m not sure. But I found a record of buying a plane ticket from his account. "

"Okay. I see. Don’t worry. Be well, let’s go."

Jung-hee leaves. Agent i glances at Jung-hee.

__

Jung-hee takes the train out of the tunnel. She comes out of the theme park disguised as a beggar again. Then she goes to a park washroom and changes her clothes. While swinging on the park swing, Jung-hee takes out her phone. She dials someone’s number and calls. After several rings, the other person picks up the phone. A masculine voice comes from the other side.

"Hello?"

"Where are you now?"

"Where else can I be? At home."

"How did you get so much money out of your bank account?"

"Did you check it?"

"Yes, I did. Now tell me what you did with all that money?"

"Why? didn’t I tell you? My friend asked to borrow some money. He needs it. I told you about this and you said to give him. "

"Ohhhh, yes. I remember."

"Still suspect!"

"Okay, put it away. I’m going."

"Hmm."

Jung-hee hangs up the phone. Sitting on the swing, looking up at the sky.

On the other hand, as Jung-hee hangs up the phone, the person on the other side gives a crooked smile. The man is walking towards the plane with a huge luggage.