Hello Vet! How are you?

The very next day after the cats’ second feast had ended, the Evergreen Park and Bluebirds Park, which had been closed for renovation, reopened.

News that these old city parks had been transformed into eco-friendly parks brought several journalists to cover the reopening ceremony.

At the still unopened entrance of Evergreen Park, a journalist expressed curiosity.

“Did Nam Gung Construction handle this park’s renovation? And they did it for free?”

“Oh, I heard that too. The CEO personally ordered it.”

“Why would Nam Gung Construction remodel a non-profitable park?”

“Well, there must be a reason. Maybe they’re planning a reconstruction in this area soon.”

“Is that it?”

“As far as I know, there’s no redevelopment plan here.”

“Really? Then what’s the reason?”

“We’ll find out once we go in, but maybe they were practicing for the development of apartment complex parks.”

“That sounds plausible. These days, a pleasant living environment is crucial in the housing market, so your point seems quite valid.”

“Hmm, are they planning to build luxury apartments with eco-parks?”

“Oh, come on. You’d need a huge area to create such a park. With the land prices, it’s more profitable to build even one more apartment block.”

“That seems a bit too far. I think they’re collecting data on creating parks within complexes.”

“That makes sense too. They’re probably using these local parks to try various samples and gauge citizen reactions. The construction took a month, how much could it have changed? They’ll adjust other parks based on the feedback here.”

“So, they’re gradually collecting valuable data.”

On the same day as Evergreen Park’s reopening, Bluebirds Park, which also reopened, received similar attention from the press, with articles promptly appearing online.

『Aged Urban Park Reimagined as an Eco-Friendly Haven for Citizens』
『An Ecological Park Sprouted Next Door』
『Residents Enjoying Life with Animals』

As articles praising the transformations of Evergreen Park and Bluebirds Park gained popularity, videos posted on MyTube began receiving attention.

These videos were captured by the park construction team who witnessed the cats’ feast a few days ago.

The crew comprised Nam Gung Construction staff and park workers.

While these rare videos had already started gaining fame, their views surged explosively in tandem with the articles.

Among them, the video with the highest views belonged to Gwak Soo-ho’s channel.

On the park’s reopening day, three videos were uploaded to the channel.

One video consisted of cats living in the park before renovations, another captured the amazed and delighted reactions of the workers as the cats danced in unison.

The final video showed the cats living in the newly renovated park.

Initially, the video of the cats dancing amassed three times as many views as the others.

However, over time, the views for the other videos steadily increased.

Within a week, the combined views for the three videos reached 5 million.

“Wow, this is insane! Is everyone watching just these?”

Lee Joon, intending to show the cats the videos on a tablet, was astonished by the view count.

“They’re surprisingly addictive, director. Even I watch them at least once a day. No, three times a day, exactly three times!”

Jang Sora, the manager, remarked.

“Three times? You saw it live that day, right in front of you!”

Lee Joon laughed.

“Yeah, that’s why I want to watch it more.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. Initially, the dancing cats video was the most fun. But as I kept watching, I got more interested in their lives.”

“Gwak Soo-ho is quite good at capturing videos.”

“Indeed. Watching the videos makes you want to support them, and I find my hands clenching in encouragement.”

“It’s because you’re familiar with them, manager. That’s probably why.”

“That seems to be the case. I wish I could take them all home.”

At that moment, the group of cats gathered together looked at Lee Joon.

Seeing this, the Gray one said to him.

『We want to see our festival, meow!』

“Oh, right!”

Lee Joon chuckled and played the video, drawing the cats’ attention.

As the cats on the screen danced, the observing cats started swaying along with the rhythm.

“I’m really lucky to witness this scene firsthand,” remarked Jang Sora, clutching her hands while gazing at the cats.

Just then, Nam Gung-hyun visited.

To the cats, Nam Gung-hyun is a greatly appreciated figure, as he had improved their living environment.

『Welcome!』

The cats chorused their welcome for Nam Gung-hyun.

“Oh my, are you hungry, kids?!”

Nam Gung-hyun asked, smiling at the cats.

“They’re greeting you, CEO!”

Lee Joon laughed as he welcomed Nam Gung-hyun.

“Greeting me?”

“Yes, they’re showing appreciation to you.”

“Ha ha ha, thank you.”

Smiling at the joyous Nam Gung-hyun, Lee Joon remarked.

“Your company is quite the talk these days. I saw an article today.”

Lee Joon searched and showed the article to Nam Gung-hyun.

『Nam Gung Construction, concerned with Eco-Friendliness in Our Town, awaits Future Developments』

Nam Gung-hyun chuckled heartily after reading it.

“Ha ha, it’s all because of you, Director Lee. I merely joined in on what you were doing, and this happened.”

“Isn’t it thanks to you? People recognized that you did a good deed.”

“No, this is entirely thanks to you. I wouldn’t have thought of it without you.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Indeed. And thanks to the video, we’ve been receiving inquiries from abroad. I don’t know how they found out and reached out to us.”

“Nowadays, people find out quickly. Gwak Soo-ho’s channel is quite popular outside of Korea too. It must have lots of international viewers.”

“It did seem that way, reading all sorts of languages in the comments.”

“I’m not just saying this because Gwak Soo-ho is a friend, but he really knows his craft, especially with videos featuring animals as the subject.”

“That’s what it seems like. Clients who reached out mentioned how mesmerizing the videos are. Some want similar spaces to Evergreen Park, and others want such areas incorporated into their apartments.”

Lee Joon smiled at Nam Gung-hyun’s account, thankful for the spread of such spaces.

“It sounds like you’re ready to go full steam ahead.”

“Exactly. There’s much to be done. But I heard my secretary asked for your bank account details, and you didn’t provide them?”

Nam Gung-hyun’s secretary had called Lee Joon during the day, requesting his bank account information.

When Lee Joon inquired why, he was told it was for a bonus.

Naturally, Lee Joon did not provide his account information.

“But I’m not even an employee at your company…”

“That’s irrelevant. Your contribution to this project was immense. Naturally, you deserve a bonus. We should also extend it to Gwak Soo-ho.”

“Gwak Soo-ho as well?”

“Yes. Our company’s current buzz is entirely thanks to how Gwak Soo-ho brilliantly portrayed the cats’ sanctuary.”

With a satisfied smile, Nam Gung-hyun looked at the cats and added.

“I intended to watch our company’s work, but I found myself deeply engrossed. I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched them.”

The cats, having finished their meal, gathered amiably around the Gray one and Kkamnyang, unlike before, were mingling and chatting peacefully.

Such comforting scenes surely brought solace.

Watching the cats, Lee Joon smiled warmly.

***

Like Nam Gung-hyun, many others found healing through Gwak Soo-ho’s videos.

Kim Eun-ji was among those people.

“Oh my, they’re just so adorable.”

Kim Eun-ji had recently become infatuated with the ‘park cats’ videos.

Watching the dancing cats, swaying their hips, felt magical, as if stress from work dissipated instantly.

As one video ended, her hand instinctively clicked on the next.

Repeating this process several times, Kim Eun-ji suddenly had a thought.

“But, are these videos for real?”

How can so many cats strike the same pose?

Even assembling over a hundred stray cats is astonishing and the subsequent videos, too.

Street cats usually wear wary expressions, but the cats on screen showed none of that.

“They seem to care for each other, too.”

Nonetheless, the cats in the videos exuded such warmth and ease that she found them irresistible, watching again and again despite sensing something odd.

Suddenly, a thought popped into her mind.

“Could Nam Gung Construction have orchestrated this?”

If someone had orchestrated it, who did they commission it with? How was such a video made?

“Oh, I’m intensely curious.”

And she wanted to see the cats in person as well.

Kim Eun-ji decided to act.

Although she was an entertainment reporter for a sports daily, it did not matter.

Chasing trends is what reporters do.

Besides, who wouldn’t know about “Cat’s Sanctuary” by now?

With its sensational appeal and popularity, it was a topic as desirable as interviewing a top star.

‘With this kind of fame, they’re no less than top stars.’

Kim Eun-ji immediately contacted the public relations department of Nam Gung Construction.

***

When a sports newspaper reporter reached out, Lee Joon was puzzled.

If it were a pet magazine reporter, he could understand, but what could a sports newspaper reporter possibly want, especially an entertainment section reporter?

“What brings you to call, reporter Kim from Dongbang Sports?”

-“I wanted to have a conversation with you, Director, about the eco-friendly park project.”

“Ah, I don’t think I have much to say about that.”

-“But you designed the park, didn’t you? That’s quite a big deal in itself.”

“I just mentioned a couple of ideas. Representative Nam Gung-hyun led the project. You should conduct your interviews with the field workers. You’ll get a lot of useful information.”

Lee Joon politely declined.

It’s rare for an interview to materialize in one attempt.

Despite Lee Joon’s refusal, Kim Eun-ji visited Woof Woof Animal Clinic the next day personally.

“Hello, Director. I’m Kim Eun-ji, who called yesterday.”

Kim Eun-ji introduced herself, handing her business card to Lee Joon.

“I’m Lee Joon.”

He replied, exchanging his business card.

“As I mentioned on the phone yesterday, I’m not interested in participating in an interview.”

“It won’t negatively affect you, Director. It might even promote your animal clinic.”

“Promoting our animal clinic that way isn’t something I intend to do.”

“Oh, that’s not what I mean but…”

Lee Joon’s firm refusal caught Kim Eun-ji off-guard.

On the cat tower, the Gray one and Kkamnyang were watching Kim Eun-ji closely.

『Didn’t I say this person seemed strange, meow.』
『I told you to avoid her.』

Hearing the soft meowing, Kim Eun-ji turned her head to locate the sound’s origin.

“Oh?”

She clasped her hands over her mouth in astonishment.

“My goodness, you’re the ones from cat’s sanctuary right?”

Smiling wryly, Lee Joon responded, “Yes, they are.”

“I’ve been gaining strength lately thanks to them. After a hard day at work, watching their videos is my favorite thing.”

Kim Eun-ji continued speaking, constantly gazing at the Gray one and Kkamnyang.

With her focus fixated on the cats, she continued slowly.

“When I contacted Nam Gung Construction, it was to uncover who orchestrated this grand scheme. Planning an entire cohort of over a hundred stray cats seems improbable, especially ones appearing so happy.”

“They’re all living joyfully.”

Lee Joon beamed subtly, thinking about the park cats.

“I’m sure you’re aware of the immense response both domestically and internationally?”

“It seems that way.”

“It’s overwhelming. A multitude of visitors has flocked to the parks in recent days. They can’t stop praising how quiet and gentle the cats are.”

“You’ve observed well. They are very good-hearted little ones.”

“That’s true. I’ve seen occasional mentions of your clinic appear in the comments.”

“Really? I wasn’t aware of that.”

“Even if you don’t do an interview now, my intuition tells me you’ll become famous soon, Director Lee.”

Kim Eun-ji smiled as she continued.

“And then, people will visit Evergreen Park, Bluebirds Park, and Woof Woof Animal Clinic.”

Even before this, there had been whispers about increasing numbers of visitors.

However, going forward with an interview might cause an influx of visitors, which Lee Joon had been apprehensive about.

“I’ve toured the parks, and they’re truly impressive. They’re even better than they appear in the videos. Especially the expressions on the cats’ faces—they’re so delightful that I can’t help but keep watching them.”

With compliments directed at the cats, Lee Joon’s heart, which was initially closed, began to open up slightly.

“Honestly, while some citizens enjoy seeing cats in the park, others are not so fond.”

“That’s quite right.”

“So, wouldn’t it be nice if you, director, share the pros and cons of living harmoniously with cats in our environment? And also talk about the condition of the Evergreen Park cats. Some people are under the misconception that street cats aren’t dewormed.”

“There’s nothing to worry about regarding that. All the cats from both parks have been properly dewormed.”

“Wouldn’t it be beneficial for the citizens to know that? You perform good deeds. There’s no need to receive any negative feedback. Also, you could share some tips for pet owners.”

Lee Joon, who already had many words of advice for pet owners, reacted positively to Kim Eun-ji’s suggestion.

—