Cheat day

Sugar Man (14)

“Ughhh.”

The day after finishing the first week of filming for the Sugar Man project, Baek Woo-jin came to work, groaning in pain.

“Good morning.”

“You’re here.”

On Saturday, Baek Woo-jin climbed the 20-floor building four times using the stairs and managed to lead his team to victory.

Our righteous attempt only ignited his competitive spirit.

In the end, his fasting blood sugar was reduced by 10 mg/dL for this week’s assessment, but thankfully, after using up all his strength, he ended up in a miserable last place during the Sunday individual mission.

As a result, Baek Woo-jin had to survive on low-sugar lunch boxes provided by the Sugar Man project for three days.

“Ugh, ugh.”

Baek Woo-jin slumped into his chair. After two days of overexerting his muscles, he was in peak discomfort.

“Let me ask you just one thing.”

Baek Woo-jin said.

“I know you guys want to help me win without it being obvious.”

“……”

Not understanding what he meant, Joo Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan looked just as confused.

“Since I need to exercise hard to manage my blood sugar, it makes sense that even if it’s hard to win wearing weights, it would still help with blood sugar control. I get that you’re pretending to be tough on me so it doesn’t show.”

It seemed he had completely misunderstood.

“But honestly, this lunch box is too much.”

Baek Woo-jin pulled out the Sugar Man lunch box and said.

“What is this?”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t food for a person.”

Looking closely, it contained konjac rice, boiled eggs, grilled asparagus, young radish kimchi, and raw carrots.

He used to eat like this when his blood sugar was high.

“It’s not bad. It has a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, plus minerals.”

Cha Ji-chan said.

“Is it enough just to fill the nutrients? How is a person supposed to live eating this?”

He picked up an asparagus stalk and ate it.

“What’s wrong? It’s just tasty.”

Baek Woo-jin’s face twisted grotesquely. It was as absurd as standing up after a bowel movement only to find nothing in the toilet.

“Are you sick?”

Baek Woo-jin asked.

“You can’t say that. Everyone else can, but you shouldn’t say those things. You say you live to eat!”

In an instant, he almost agreed.

Even though his taste had changed a lot, genuinely liking such a terrible diet seemed impossible in this lifetime.

“Your taste buds have been ruined by processed foods.”

This time, Cha Ji-chan picked up a raw carrot and ate it.

“It’s just tasty.”

“You must be going crazy! This is not tasty. It’s disgusting!”

“I think it’s delicious!”

Joo Ji-seung ate half of a boiled egg.

“Wow. I’m really dizzy. Hey, you guys, do you even know what I like? Why do you keep insisting on this?”

“You all ate the same food, but three of you say it’s delicious while only one feels dizzy, so it seems that the one troubled is the one with a troubled heart.”

“Namu Kwanseum Bosal.”

As I recited the mantra in response to Joo Ji-seung’s words, Baek Woo-jin opened his mouth, unable to say anything.

“Don’t complain. Ji-seung woke up at 4 a.m. to make this and delivered it to your house.”

At Cha Ji-chan’s words, Baek Woo-jin slowly turned his head.

“Do you think we’re doing this to torment you? It’s been how long since you were diagnosed with diabetes, and look at your blood sugar!”

“……”

“Did you not see the meal management last year? He used to prepare meals like this by himself. Isn’t it right to be thankful when the program helps you exercise and brings you food?”

When Cha Ji-chan spoke seriously, Baek Woo-jin looked dejected.

“I’m sorry. Thank you.”

“Now that you know, make sure to stop by the Sadang branch on your way home from today.”

“Uh?”

“Come every day. Don’t be lazy.”

“……”

“Don’t you know how scary diabetes complications are? You know what you should do, so what on earth are you thinking? If you keep eating whatever you want and don’t exercise, you’ll really end up dead.”

“I know…”

Baek Woo-jin answered weakly and trudged off somewhere.

As he walked away, Joo Ji-seung smiled slyly.

“Still, Ji-chan is thinking about Woo-jin.”

“Right.”