Chapter 69Special Research: Venice Entropy(1)
At 3:30 in the morning, near his hos intersection, Jeong-woo stood, waving his hand towards the modest sedan that had just arrived. The car ca to a stop, and he climbed into the passenger seat, nodding respectfully.
I apologize for contacting you out of the blue, doctor Moon
Its alright, I wasnt sleeping.
Jeong-woo shifted his gaze to Doctor Moon, who had started driving, with his passport and bag in his lap. She appeared to have just co from the hospital, wearing a white gown.
As Doctor Moon turned the car, she spoke.
There are docunts in the back seat.
Turning around Jeong-woo saw an envelope and picked it up.
Ive reserved the fastest flight for you. Its a direct flight to Ro, and from there, youll go to Venice. Since youll arrive at night, itll be more convenient to take a night train than Italys dostic flights.
Jeong-woo expressed his gratitude to her for not only assisting him imdiatly but also making the reservation right there, because of Cheon Seung-guks request.
Thank you. I wouldnt have been able to handle this smoothly if I had prepared it myself.
I had a rough idea when I asked for Mr. Jeong-woos phone number. Feel free to ask for help like this anyti. Its in the terms.
Jeong-woo paused. He never expected this much help. He thought he should read the terms thoroughly at so point.
Is this how Dr. Cheon usually assign tasks?
In response to this question, Doctor Moon laughed lightly and increased the speed.
He has a talent for surprising people.
And its for a trip to Venice. Quite a different scale.
On a road where vehicles were scarcely passing due to the early morning hour, they were heading to Incheon Airport.
Jeong-woo felt a slight excitent, knowing that the familiar Seoul skyline outside the window would soon transform into a sight he had only seen in videos and photos sowhere in Europe.
I still cant believe it.
He searched on his phone for how to enable roaming and downloaded apps suitable for using abroad. In the anti, they passed through Incheon Airports tollgate and arrived at Yeongjong Island.
Five minutes later, Doctor Moon stopped in front of Gate 7 at Incheon Airport.
We have a little over three hours, so ticketing should be relaxed.
Okay.
Exchange currency moderately and use your card. Famous tourist destinations are no different from Seoul. Theyll overcharge you. Since this flight is an Italian route, immigration might ask a few more questions. How long youll stay and where youre going. Be prepared to answer in English.
Got it.
Listening to Doctor Moons advice, which sounded like she was worried about sothing precious, Jeong-woo continued to nod before getting out of the car.
And one more thing.
The passenger seat window opened, and Doctor Moon spoke again.
Even if you end up doing sothing unexpected, stay calm. Hes not asking you to do sothing wrong.
Her final advice was aningful.
Im off. See you when I get back.
With a face mixed with anxiety and anticipation, Jeong-woo shook hands with Doctor Moon and entered the gate.
The departure process was completed in no ti.
In a dazed state from lack of sleep, Jeong-woo waited at the departure gate and then boarded the plane, surrounded by passengers conversing in Italian.
Alitalia Flight AZ 759.
Looking at the ticket information that indicated a flight duration of 12 hours and 5 minutes, Jeong-woo followed the guidance of foreign flight attendants and took his seat near the wing.
Late February. It wasnt the peak tourist season, so there were plenty of vacant seats, and Koreans were hardly noticeable.
Shortly after, Korean broadcasting followed the Italian announcents.
-Ladies and gentlen. Thank you for choosing Alitalia Airlines. Now, for your safety
The announcent continued with instructions to fasten seatbelts and turn off mobile phones. Jeong-woo took out his phone from his pocket. There were several ssages, with the most recent one from Doctor Moon.
The ssage conveyed that her vacation request had been approved. Typically, after completing a long-term project, he would receive over a week of vacation, but this ti, having completed Audreys project, he had received a three-day holiday and had already used it.
After spending a whole month, the reward is disappearing like this.
Amidst the restless night, Jeong-woo also received a ssage from Yoon Yi-seol.
[The Paris performance is over. Once we finish shooting the cover for the album, I can go to the clinic this Saturday. How about you, Mr. Jeong-woo?]
Co to think of it, I havent seen Yi-seol in a while.
In just one day out of a month, and that too briefly at the clinic. Jeong-woo replied to Yoon Yi-seols ssage.
[I have a work trip-like thing, so Im on my way to Venice right now. If it gets extended there, I might not make it on Saturday. Im currently on the plane. Ill contact you later.]
Sir, could you please turn off your mobile phone?
The only Korean flight attendant approached Jeong-woo as she passed by.
Oh, Im sorry.
Jeong-woo pressed the end button and showed it to the flight attendant, who nodded with a friendly smile and continued down the aisle.
Just before the screen went dark, it seed like a ssage was about to arrive, but it turned off before he could read it.
The seatbelt sign blinked, and Jeong-woo leaned back in his seat.
At last, were departing.
The plane ascended into the skies above Incheon Airport.
Feeling the sensation of floating, he admired the sky and clouds outside the window for a mont. Then, overwheld by fatigue, he rested his head on the seat and soon drifted off to sleep.
Han Jeong-woo
Ro, Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
The sight of Ros night skyline outside the window made Jeong-woos heart start to flutter. Even though the aircrafts air hadnt changed, it felt as if a chemistry of excitent had been sprayed into his chest.
The planes distinct vibrations and deep noises intensified, and soon the wheels touched down on the runway.
Ah, that was tireso.
Enduring 12 hours in cramped seats took more of a toll on his stamina than he had thought.
He retrieved his bag from the overhead compartnt and, as he disembarked the plane, was greeted warmly by an Italian flight attendant waiting at the entrance.
Buon Giorno, Italia!
Buon Giorno? Was that a greeting like hello?
Jeong-woo nodded with a smile.
As soon as they disembarked, signs directed them towards immigration. Unfamiliar surroundings and unfamiliar faces passed by from all sides.
Following sporadic English instructions and universal symbols, he eventually reached a long queue at immigration.
After a while of standing there, the awkward feeling of being alone in the midst of unfamiliar Europe started to settle in.
He yawned but didnt expect the line to shorten.
It wasnt until he had a strong desire to get out of there as soon as possible, rather than the excitent of arriving in Italy, that he finally reached the immigration officer.
Hi, he said, handing over his passport.
tourism?
Yes, tourism. Maybe three days?
The stamp landed with a loud thud, and the officer gestured to the next person.
Wow.
After purchasing a ticket for the Leonardo Express and standing on the platform, he realized that, apart from the passing Italians, the atmosphere at this Italian railway station was quite similar to Korean train stations.
Even the appearance of the airport railway resembled the KTX, so Jung Woo shook his head in amazent.
It still doesnt quite feel real.
As he struggled to place his luggage on the shelf, a fellow Asian traveler offered to help, a gesture of kindness born from a sense of familiarity due to their shared skin color. Jeong-woo thanked him and took his seat.
The train departed.
He looked outside, but as it was nightti, there wasnt much of an impressive landscape to behold.
Yawning for about 30 minutes straight, Jeong-woo arrived at Ros Seoul Station, Termini Station.
After booking a night train to Venice at the counter, he entered a store next to the platform with a plethora of pizzas on display and pointed at one with his finger.
He sliced a square piece right there, wrapped it in paper, and handed it to him. Jeong-woo paid the attendant and walked out.
They sell pizza like street food stalls sell hotteok.
His first al in Italy. He took a bite with anticipation, but it was just a strong cheese flavor that filled his mouth, nothing particularly special.
I need so soda.
He grabbed a cola from wherever he was and gulped it down.
Jeong-woo confird the approaching night train he needed to board and dialed Cheon Seung-guks number on his phone. The call went through, but there was no answer.
Is he asleep?
It was 10:30 PM local ti, not too late. But suddenly, he felt a bit lost on this journey he embarked on relying solely on Cheon Seung-guk.
Stay calm. You said youd call when you arrive in Venice. This is Ro.
Since he couldnt reach him, he opened a map app and checked the route to Venice. Suddenly, he received several consecutive text ssages.
It seed that roaming wasnt working properly, and these were late ssages from Yoon Yi-seol.
[Venice? Really? Wow~]
[Well I might go there for a shoot]
[Let
know if you co! Shall we et briefly?]
[Are you still on the plane? Im about to depart.]
She had sent so before he left, and more had co after that.
Wasnt Yi-seol in Paris?
In this unfamiliar place, receiving ssages from soone he knew made Jeong-woo feel a bit more at ease.
Yoon Yi-seol
Paris, Lyon Station
Beside the night train with Venezia as the destination, Yoon Yi-seol and manager Ji Seong-jae, who was carrying a bag, walked over.
Yi-seol, why are you in such a hurry? We could have gone together tomorrow more comfortably.
I wanted to arrive early and do so sightseeing. I also wanted to try the sleeper car. It doesnt feel like a vacation when Im with the staff.
Yoon Yi-seol smiled playfully at the worried look on manager Jis face.
Do you know how much the overseas departnt manager and I worried when you went alone to the LA concert?
Back then, I sneaked away secretly. Now Im telling you openly.
Youre saying it with such confidence, Yoon Yi-seol, the escape artist.
She laughed, and manager Ji took the bag from her.
Youre flying there, right? Ill try to create as much Yi-seol TV content as possible during your one-day stay.
Venice will provide beautiful scenery wherever you go. Sowhere like a market or a good restaurant. Its best when fans can experience your sightseeing together.
How many views did you say we got from the Japan concert?
2.7 million.
Wow, thats a lot. We cant disappoint those fans. Ill work hard to film everything.
Just before Yoon Yi-seol boarded the train, manager Ji gave her a word of advice.
Tomorrow, when the album jacket shooting team arrives, please refrain from any impromptu actions. Its a relief that its the off-season. We almost couldnt book accommodations.
Ill keep that in mind!
And dont trouble Jeong-woo too much.
Yes! Uh, what do you an I dont know what youre talking about. Im going now!
After shaking hands once, Yoon Yi-seol boldly boarded the train. Manager Ji watched her, and after she playfully shouted the French phrase
bientt, he sighed in relief.
Well, she spent ti with Han Jeong-woo and composed the title track together. I can only wish her a good ti. That friend surprisingly handles the managers work well.
Even though Yoon Yi-seol excelled at writing songs when she was full of emotions, the rule was to take care of her with a laissez-faire approach as much as possible.
But safety asures were still necessary. Manager Ji sent a ssage to several overseas staff mbers on his phone before walking out of the station.
Eutcha~
Druruk.
Yoon Yi-seol, who entered the single-bed compartnt, sat down and checked her phone. She had been sending ssages to Jeong-woo since she heard that he was coming to Europe, but there had been no response.
What am I even expecting?
She might not have had ti to et him if he had work. In that case, tomorrow might be spent shooting tourism videos for fans all day while wandering around Venice.
Idiot, idiot. What kind of plan leaves you so clueless.
She contemplated sending more ssages but ended up just lying on the bed.
Part of the reason she impulsively decided to depart after the Paris concert and ended up in Venice was due to her sister, Sora, who had barged into her hotel room.
-Hey, Yi-seol. You have to go and make your move. Whats with this half-hearted show of interest? You didnt even confess your feelings properly. Why are you acting so flustered? Im just teasing you.
-Am I supposed to confess first?
-Whats up with you, trying to be picky about every little thing? What if another girl shows up? Youre in a romantic atmosphere in Europe. You have to seize the opportunity. Hes a good guy, right? Well, there are plenty of won looking for a catch.
How often in a lifeti would soone carry soone in their heart like destiny? Thats why she made up her mind, changed her schedule, and chose to go to Venice.
But hes not contacting
While pouting and dragging her feet, the departure announcent ca over the speakers.
Now it was an irreversible commitnt.
Thats when it happened.
A ssage alert sounded from her phone, which she had tossed aside. She grabbed it like lightning and checked the ssage, her face brightening.
[Im in Ro right now. Im on a night train to Venice. Are you really going to Venice too? Wow, what a coincidence.]
Its not a coincidence.
They were juggling their already packed schedule, trying to fit
in and take soone else out. The train began to move slowly.
She contemplated what to reply, a smile filling her face. It seed like she would stay up all night today because of excitent. Even though she shouldnt.
Han Jeong-woo
Venice, Santa Lucia Station
The train that departed from Ro made repeated stops throughout the night, winding its way through several cities in central Italy.
Jeong-woo, struggling with the fatigue of the flight and the issue of jet lag, tossed and turned in his semi-conscious state. He woke up when he saw the dawn breaking outside the window.
After a quick wash in the communal washroom, he returned to find the train conductor offering a tray with coffee and croissants.
G-Grazie.
He thanked in Italian, and the conductor smiled. Since he was in a 4-person compartnt, the tray contained four cups of coffee and four pieces of bread.
Ive cut down on caffeine, but I guess Ill need it today, given the weather.
As the tray was placed on the table between them, the aroma of strong coffee began to fill the air, gradually waking up the other passengers.
About 20 minutes passed as they savored the soft bread and looked outside. The outside scenery started becoming more distinct.
Wow.
The world outside was entirely unfamiliar.
A railway extending over the turbulent blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, elegant Gothic buildings rising gradually beyond the horizon
all of this captivated Jeong-woos gaze in an instant.
This is a foreign country.
The realization hit him strongly. Everything, from the salty sll carried through the window to the views, felt different. Before he knew it, the train had arrived at its final destination, Santa Lucia.
As Jeong-woo walked out of the station into the bustling square, he encountered fellow travelers and water buses that carried them.
The transportation ans in this city constructed over the sea consisted solely of boats. There were canals in every nook and cranny. Although he had looked up information beforehand, seeing the city in person left him in awe.
As Jeong-woo was absorbed in taking in his first impressions of Venice, he noticed a young woman not far away, gazing beyond the square, seemingly lost in thought.
Huh?
Long, flowing hair that reached down to her back, lips that appeared even redder against her sun-kissed white skin, and a warm-looking knit cardigan. She was a captivating young lady who seed to command attention no matter where she went. It was Yoon Yi-seol.
She carried a small bag on her back and held a booklet in her hand, scrutinizing sothing intently.
Yi-seol.
At Jeong-woos call as he approached, Yoon Yi-seol turned her head abruptly.
Wow
Yoon Yi-seol couldnt help but exclaim when she saw Jeong-woo.
Its fascinating to see it like this in a foreign country.
I was thinking the sa thing.
Amidst the exotic backdrop, Jeong-woo couldnt help but think of a scene from a European-set movie. Was the actress in those scenes more beautiful than usual because of her natural beauty or the ambiance?
Mr. Jeong-woo, did you see it? Riding a train on the sea?
I did.
Jeong-woo couldnt help but smile as he watched Yoon Yi-seols cheerful laughter amidst the crowd of fellow travelers from different countries. Then, he suddenly regained his composure.
I actually have to et soone first. If you have sothing to do, you can go ahead, and we can et later
No!
Yoon Yi-seols abrupt response surprised Jeong-woo.
Wasnt there a shoot scheduled here today?
Well, yes. But its not urgent. I ca a bit earlier than the staff.
After answering like this, Yoon Yi-seol buried her face in a travel brochure called Lets Go Italy and mumbled to herself, Where should I explore?
Ill make a quick phone call.
After getting Yoon Yi-seols understanding, Jeong-woo raised his phone and dialed Cheon Seung-guks number.
Ding.
This ti, the call was answered promptly.
-Han Jeong-woo?
Yes, Doctor. Ive just arrived at Santa Lucia Station.
A sound like a yawn could be heard, and then Cheon Seung-guk spoke.
-Why did you arrive so early? Isnt it around 8 AM there now?
Well, yes. I was afraid I might be late, so I just took the earliest train available to sync with the appointnt ti.
-There seems to be more to this story.
Laughter emanated from the other end of the phone.
-Itll take
about 4 hours. Ill be resting at the lab during that ti.
The lab?
-Yeah, its my private research lab. It might be hard to find. Its an old neighborhood, and the address system is a ss compared to Korea. Do you speak Italian?
?
Could he possibly speak it? In response to Jeong-woos question, Cheon Seung-guk asked, sounding a bit surprised.
-Have you not taken AF-12? I didnt think Id have to explain this roughly; you should too Ah, I see. You must have set the sudden neural shock precaution.
A neural shock precaution?
It was all too unclear what he was talking about.
-Anything related to language can sensitively affect the brains neural pathways. When you go to the lab, there should be active agents.
Jeong-woo grinned at Yoon Yi-seol, who was looking at him curiously, then covered his mouth and asked in a hushed tone.
An agent that makes Italian possible?
-More precisely, its a molecular switch that activates existing language knowledge. Youll need to make so combinations since the G-protein stored there is quite old. Youll receive the address. Once you arrive safely, contact .
By the way, Doctor, can I bring a friend with
to the lab?
Jeong-woo looked at Yoon Yi-seol, who was engrossed in the travel brochure.
-Did you co with Dr. Moon by any chance?
No way.
-Do as you wish.
After ending the call, Jeong-woo shook his head. No matter how much he had taken the dicine to acquire abilities similar to Cheon Seung-guks, he couldnt quite grasp the concept of activating language.
Ill figure it out when I get there.
Jeong-woo turned to Yoon Yi-seol and asked.
Do you want to go directly to the place I need to visit? You dont have to wait for the staff, right?
Its fine. They might be late. While were here, we can catch up on the checklist weve fallen behind on.
In Venice?
Well, why not? Theres no one we know here, and its quite free-spirited.
Her laughter filled the air as usual. In a place like this, Jeong-woo felt like they could quickly beco friends despite their usually reserved relationship. It was the European magic that had found them since they were intoxicated by the air of Venice.
And so, Jeong-woo took his first step in the city above the sea, unexpectedly accompanied by a fellow traveler.
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