Chapter 128

<The Unsent Season (3)>

Shin Sang-yeol quickly bolted out of the CEO’s office, feeling like his head was about to explode.

Sure, money was good, but with that nasty temper, he couldn’t help but wonder when he might drop dead. What good is money if you’re dead?

‘Damn it, you idiot. Even the guys I hired to deal with Moon Seok-il ended up as useless idiots. How am I supposed to finish this?’

Rich people, they’re always the problem.

They think money can solve everything, but there are plenty of things it can’t. I spent a fortune just to catch Moon Seok-il, but the fixers I hired took one look at the target and ran like they’d seen a ghost. They said they wanted to live long enough to see their kids grow up.

What a damn mess.

I want to quit this dirty work right now, but if I do, they’ll probably kill me to keep me quiet. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, huh?

Leaning against the wall, I let out a sigh.

Haah-.

‘I miss my mom.’

The heartfelt sentiment of a man nearing forty.

As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, a woman passed by, giving me a haughty glance.

I threw a punch in the air behind her back.

‘Damn it, I can’t stand the way these Park family members look at me.’

What are they even talking about?

I pulled out my earphones and plugged them in.

After listening quietly for a while, I fumbled in my pocket and pressed the record button.

***

As I lit a cigarette, there was a knock, and the door opened.

Park Woo-jung yelled.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

It was Park Sa-rang, Park Woo-jung’s younger sister, with sharp eyes and a strong jawline.

Park Woo-jung exhaled a long puff of smoke and asked.

“What brings you here?”

“Did you see the news?”

Park Woo-jung just glared at her without responding.

The old man’s been caught up with some 20-something model again. It’s not love, it’s just money. Men and women, they all crave youth. It must run in the family.

Park Sa-rang, avoiding his gaze, sank into the plush sofa.

“Kwang-yeon seems to be doing well.”

Park Woo-jung’s eyebrow twitched. He was already fuming over that guy, so his mood wasn’t great.

“Doing well? So, you’re happy about that? That low-class blood still looks like your brother to you?”

“Why? Are you planning to do something to Kwang-yeon because he’s low-class?”

“You…”

Park Woo-jung gritted his teeth and glared at Park Sa-rang.

He had a good idea where the documents Baek Young-rim had collected ended up. Even if it was Baek Young-rim’s handwritten ledger, Park Woo-jung could just deny any knowledge of it. But if it got out, it would be a headache.

“Sa-jeong.”

“Stop calling me that! I changed my name ages ago!”

Park Sa-rang yelled back.

Park Woo-jung chuckled and leaned toward her. His expression was as natural as ever.

“President Park Sa-rang, think carefully. When our father passes, it’ll just be the two of us.”

“Of course, he won’t last much longer. He’s practically a corpse already, right? So, are you worried Kwang-yeon might try to claim the inheritance after a paternity test?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Those low-class people only approached our father for money.”

As he said this, Park Woo-jung swallowed a laugh.

How can someone from the same family be so stupid? She’s way off the mark.

‘She’s talking about paternity tests.’

Well, since only I know the inside story, it’s natural for her to think that way.

Park Sa-rang, avoiding Park Woo-jung’s bloodshot eyes, sighed through her nose.

Her brother Park Woo-jung took after their father Park Woon-chul, with a fiery temper and no filter.

His methods were so ruthless that even talking about his deeds was terrifying.

‘If Young-rim hadn’t cooked up the evidence and stolen it, I’d be in danger too.’

She had hinted that she knew his weaknesses, and fortunately, he seemed to catch on. At least he wouldn’t try anything rash with her.

Though they weren’t close, Park Sa-rang had secretly met Son Kwang-yeon when she was younger. The age gap meant they didn’t have much in common, but she felt affection for him as a younger brother. He was handsome, unlike their father.

They had lost contact after she opposed his relationship with a country girl. That girl’s family had fallen apart, so they must have broken up. Looking back, sending that anonymous letter was the right move.

Park Sa-rang wanted to protect Son Kwang-yeon with what little affection she had left.

“Kwang-yeon—”

“Ah, enough. Don’t try to defend him. There’s nothing we can do now. Let him live quietly as he is.”

Both of them sighed at the same time.

One out of resignation, the other out of relief.

Still, Park Woo-jung seemed to have some lingering resentment.

“If he does anything dirty, I won’t let it slide. You better watch out too! Don’t side with those low-class bitches!”

Park Sa-rang frowned and shook her head. That temper of his would never change.

But she agreed with one thing Park Woo-jung said.

‘They are low-class.’

Even dogs and cats will climb all over you if you’re kind to them.

What more for humans?

What has democracy and freedom done? Even though they’re born from different soil, they shamelessly demand fairness. It’s the height of audacity. How can they dream of running on the same starting line and crossing the finish line together when they started from different places?

Even the employees, who are paid to be servants, often show such behavior. It’s not unreasonable to assume that those who share blood would do even more. Even Park Yoon-young, a kid studying abroad, had the audacity to provoke Park Woo-jung’s temper early on.

「Daejeong Electronics CEO Park Woo-jung, humble steps with employees.」

Park Woo-jung, holding a newspaper with his name prominently displayed, grumbled irritably.

“These lowlifes. Just because I put on a show in front of the camera, they think they’re on my level.”

“These days, the world’s gotten better, so they’re causing trouble trying to form unions. It’s even more annoying.”

Park Sa-rang chimed in, and Park Woo-jung slammed the table in agreement.

“Exactly! What nonsense is it for nobles to dine with slaves… Haah-.”

He couldn’t continue and held his temple as if he was out of breath.

“Negotiations? The world’s gone to hell. If it weren’t for us, could this country have lived like this? If they’re jealous, they should just stay jealous and eat the crumbs, how dare they try to match us…”

Tsk-.

Park Woo-jung clicked his tongue, his eyebrow twitching.

“But what’s with you today? You didn’t come just to talk about Son Kwang-yeon, did you?”

‘Damn it, you idiot, you’re going to freeze to death.’

Park Sa-rang coughed and turned her head, mouthing ‘f***’ with her lips.

But she had to reveal the reason she came. A lot of money was about to come in, and if she wanted to get a piece of the pie, she had to announce it face-to-face, even if it was unpleasant.

“I got a call from Sein. About Future Park.”

“What about it?”

“They want to sell it.”

Park Woo-jung let out a sigh and opened his mouth as if he’d just made a face.

Future Park, the largest amusement park in the country, located in Gyeonggi Province. It wasn’t doing great business-wise right now. But despite inconvenient transportation, the number of visitors increased every year, and Daejeong held 100% of the shares without any debt.

Is Hong Ki-jun out of his mind? Telling me to sell a solid business like it’s a pack of cigarettes from a convenience store.

‘Someone like him should know what Future Park means to Daejeong.’

It’s a key business in the circular investment structure. Of course, that can be changed anytime, but for now, that’s how it is. Daejeong has given out so much in scholarships, what’s so hard about changing the governance structure?

Anyway, if other business leaders heard this, they might think Hong Ki-jun has some grudge against Daejeong.

But Park Woo-jung’s judgment was different.

‘What an idiot.’

The business world and media have been praising Hong Ki-jun as an extraordinary figure, but with his aggressive business expansion, his financial health must be a mess. Park Woo-jung, who’s been keeping an eye on Sein, couldn’t possibly not know that.

Then, helping him sink is also an option. Keep making him spend money and accumulate debt.

I’ve seen plenty of mediocre people getting CEO syndrome during the biggest boom since Dangun. But how long will that boom last? These grasshoppers, with no technology, sales, or basic business operation skills, are looking down on the world from their sandcastles built on bank debt.

Even with a large support staff, CEO Park Woo-jung, who grew up hearing how smart he was, often pushed through decisions unilaterally. Since those decisions always brought good results, his father Park Woon-chul handed over management early. Now, he’s practically a vegetable, so there’s no choice but to let him lie there.

‘If we send Sein first, Son Kwang-yeon will be like a kite with its string cut.’

After setting it up, dealing with him will be clean.

Having scholarship students do the dirty work isn’t bad, but there’s nothing like doing it yourself. Park Woo-jung clenched his fist, anticipating the thrill of an invisible blow.

Then, he jerked his chin at Park Sa-rang and asked curtly.

“How much are they offering?”

Sell high, let it fail, then buy it back cheap.

***

Jin-hyuk didn’t make a sound until the tape finished playing.

He rested his forehead on his folded index finger, his brow slightly furrowed.

– “Are you planning to do something to Kwang-yeon?”

– “Isn’t that obvious? Those low-class people only approached our father for money.”

– “What nonsense is it for nobles to dine with slaves?”

– “How much are they offering?”

Even after the tape ended, Jin-hyuk remained silent for a while.

Moon Seok-il, watching him, almost thought he wasn’t breathing. There’s a frog that breathes once a minute, maybe he’s like that.

Jin-hyuk’s chest slowly rose and then fell.

Finally, he opened his eyes.

“It’s clear.”

“Are you sure Park Woo-jung ordered it?”

“No, not that. I mean, it’s clear that Daejeong’s people were persuaded.”

“They say small money can buy the body, and big money can buy the soul. And there’s another way to get unconditional cooperation…”

Moon Seok-il didn’t finish his sentence.

He didn’t need to. Someone like Son Jin-hyuk probably knew more methods.

“What should we do?”

“There’s nothing we can do right now. If Sein pushes too hard here, it could be dangerous.”

“Even so, their true intentions could be different.”

Jin-hyuk shook his head inwardly.

Park Woo-jung died suddenly at eighty. That’s probably more than twenty years from now.

It’s a miracle his blood vessels lasted that long, given his hot temper and high blood pressure.

They said it was a stroke.

A fitting end for someone with a name like his.

Would someone like that plan a complex scheme with wiretapping in mind?

That’s the kind of story you’d see in a movie villain’s script.

“Right now, Uncle Hong Ki-jun is the main player. It’s not our turn yet.”

Moon Seok-il nodded.

It’s like a tag team match. The suited players fight in the light, while the armed players take turns in the shadows.

“The tag team players should focus on managing their condition.”

“But we can’t let our guard down.”

Of course.

“I have a request.”

Jin-hyuk’s eyes smiled calmly.

Moon Seok-il raised an eyebrow.

“Just until I graduate high school… Please watch over me more carefully.”

Moon Seok-il nodded firmly. He knew exactly what was being asked.

Moon Seok-il left the room, and the sound of his footsteps faded away.

Jin-hyuk pressed the cassette play button and threw himself onto the bed.

‘So refreshing!’

Lying on the cool, soft blanket, breathing in the air from the open window, it felt like heaven. So comfortable and pleasant. A season I’d never felt before.

Lying on the bed, I wiggled my limbs like an octopus.

Humming along to the song playing from the mini-component.

“Knock knock knockin’ on heaven’s door~.”

But my wide-open eyes were cold, sinking in contrast to the music.

‘You’re talking nonsense. Do as you please. I’ll show you hell.’

I’ll create a reality so terrifying that hell will feel like heaven.

I tried to live a normal life, but you mess with my family? Provoke a middle schooler?

Four years until high school graduation, more than enough time to plan revenge.

“Knock knock knockin’ on heaven’s door~.”

Tiririri-riririri-.

Frowning deeply, I shook my head and pretended to strum a guitar.

Bring it on, world~!

***

The homemade chili paste from last year was already running low.

In the past, one batch would last over two years, but with more mouths to feed, it’s only natural. Jang Jin-nam kept scooping it up, saying it was incomparable to store-bought. Han Yu-young kept serving it generously.

With more mouths to feed, increasing production is only logical, so Jang Jin-nam decided to repay with labor.

Han Yu-young and Jang Jin-nam prepared glutinous rice paste and fine chili powder in the yard.

“I’ll handle the heavy lifting. You just give the orders, ma’am.”

“But we should do it together. Women feel more at ease doing it themselves.”

Jang Jin-nam subtly covered his emerging smile by wiping his nose.

Even as the wife of a corporate boss, she never acted high and mighty. She always spoke leisurely with those around her, never nagging. That’s why, even though she’s younger, sometimes “big sister” slips out.

Han Yu-young raised her voice toward Yoo-jin, who was playing in the distance.

“Don’t come over here~.”

“Okay~.”

It’s the day to make the chili paste that will last over two years, so even a stray dog hair flying in would be a disaster.

The smart daughter took the dogs away, but we still had to keep an eye on them. Kids forget easily. When Jin-hyuk was seven, he broke five jar lids playing stepping stones.

“Why is Jin-hyuk just singing in his room these days?”

The kid who always helped his mom is now blasting music and singing? Is it because of the changing seasons?

“He’s been holed up in his room a lot lately. Must be puberty.”

“Puberty?”

Jang Jin-nam tilted his head.

Does puberty come this quietly? At this rate, he’s practically a gentleman.

Usually, puberty is…

Jang Jin-nam shook his head.

Countless embarrassing memories flooded back, making him want to find a hole to hide in.

‘Is it because it’s a quiet neighborhood?’

Even Min Yong-rak, who tutors at the neighbors’ house every day, said Choi Mi-kyung was unusually mature for a puberty-stricken student.

Son Jin-hyuk is mature in a different way.

– “Hey Jude~ don’t make it bad~”

At least close the window before singing.

Is he planning to sing the whole song? He’ll probably regret it later.

Jang Jin-nam’s large frame shook with suppressed laughter.

***

Moon Seok-il, who had just left Jin-hyuk’s room, lingered for a moment, recalling Jin-hyuk’s request.

He had seen enough of this family’s terrifying affection. But seeing someone so young, with so much resentment, pleading so earnestly was quite unusual. He’d never seen anyone like that in his life.

Well, there’s probably only one kid like that in the world.

‘What a funny guy.’

Suddenly, it got quiet, and a different song started playing.

From behind the closed door of Jin-hyuk’s room came the Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude.’

– “-to make it better~.”

Jin-hyuk’s voice was louder than the music.

Moon Seok-il, who had been listening for a while, shook his head.

Just a while ago, he was listening to piano or violin pieces, but now it’s some twisted song I can’t understand. It’s not just out of touch with current students’ tastes, but his once calm lake-like preferences have turned into a stormy sea. It’s no wonder it’s strange from my perspective.

Kid, if you’re a man, you should at least listen to Kim Wan-sun.

– “Na na na~ na na na na~. Na na na na~ hey Jude~.”

Instead of Kim Wan-sun, Jin-hyuk’s song continued to search for Jude.

As Moon Seok-il stepped on the stairs, his body wobbled from a sudden loud noise.

– “Joo joo re~ joo re joo re joo re~ ow!”

Damn, that scared me.

‘He’s really gone crazy.’