Chapter 147

<Child and Adult (4)>

***

After a week apart, Yoo Se-ra hugged Son Jeong-won and smiled brightly. Compared to the sturdy Hong Soo-hyuk, she was happy to be able to hold him so easily, and Hong Ki-jun nodded enthusiastically.

“Don’t you think Jeong Won-i looks Western with his big eyes and sharp nose?”

“Hahaha! Maybe because he was made overseas? Ouch!”

Son Kwang-yeon, who had been rambling in response to Yoo Se-ra’s admiration, yelped when Han Yu-young pinched his back.

Pinching where his hands couldn’t reach was the ultimate punishment for Son Kwang-yeon. Wriggling around and rubbing his back with both arms didn’t make the pain go away.

As Jin Hyuk rubbed the spot where his dad had been pinched, he sighed. It seemed like no one in the world could match his dad’s level of nonsense.

On the other hand, he thought Yoo Se-ra’s comment about Jeong Won-i looking Western made sense.

‘Definitely, maybe because he’s a baby these days, his facial features seem different…’

If he had to compare, Jin Hyuk took after his mom more, while Jeong Won-i was a spitting image of his dad.

A Western-style younger brother with black hair, made in the USA.

Jeong Won-i looked just like his dad, Yoo Jin looked just like her mom, and Jin Hyuk was a mix of both.

‘As expected, I’m the weird outsider.’

Even at Hong Soo-hyuk’s first birthday party, Jin Hyuk was running around with a camcorder. He thought the role of an outsider was to observe the main characters and circle around them.

After all, staying by his family’s side like a shadow was the life that suited him best.

The longest conversation Jin Hyuk had was when he briefly exchanged greetings with Hong Ki-jun, who was holding the baby and greeting guests. He occasionally sipped orange juice and focused on filming.

He filmed and filmed with the camera and camcorder.

‘Being a cameraman might be fun.’

He could move around freely without anyone stopping him.

A job where he could freely capture natural scenes without anyone bothering him—how cool was that?

‘I’d like something like a nature documentary.’

It seemed like he was thinking more about the future as he got older. Watching the process of his body dominating his soul in real-time wasn’t anything new.

As he zoomed in to film Hong Soo-jung, someone tapped his shoulder.

Jin Hyuk turned around and bowed slightly.

“Oh, Grandpa, you’re here?”

“Hehe. Yeah. I’m a bit late.”

Yoo Myung-sun explained that as he got older, his leg, injured during the war, was acting up, so he spent more time in the hospital than at home.

Despite his sad lament, Yoo Myung-sun didn’t lose his smile and leaned in closer to Jin Hyuk with a sly grin.

“So, did you look into what I asked you?”

“Huh? Oh… that…”

Jin Hyuk was embarrassed.

He hadn’t been able to fulfill Yoo Myung-sun’s wish, as it was something he couldn’t ask anyone about.

「The Full Story of the Incident Where the Young Janitor Cleaned His Bottom with Lacquer Tree Leaves」

Like a book where he only read up to the climax, Yoo Myung-sun couldn’t sleep properly because he was so curious about the rest. It wasn’t a story that could be confirmed with money or people.

Only Cheon Gil-ryong knew the ending of that story.

As a sinner who returned to Seoul empty-handed with no results, all Jin Hyuk could do was bow his head to Yoo Myung-sun.

An excuse-like remark slipped out, which was unlike his usual personality.

“I tried my best, but…”

Jin Hyuk had brought makgeolli to Cheon Gil-ryong but failed to achieve his goal. Seriously, a storyteller who wouldn’t reveal the next chapter even after receiving a bribe.

Just in case, he also went to Jo Il-hun, but Jo Il-hun frowned and then exploded in anger.

– “I also asked my dad about that story when I was a kid, and he just yelled at me, calling me a brat! Look here, look. See this scar?”

Jo Il-hun even showed the scar on his head, saying it was from being hit with a bowl by his father.

Jin Hyuk thought there might be some ulterior motive, but Jo Il-hun was someone who enjoyed telling stories. If he knew, he would’ve told it, even if his mouth itched. Knowing that Jo Il-hun’s stubbornness was as strong as Cheon Gil-ryong’s, Jin Hyuk didn’t ask further.

What was so special about that story that they wouldn’t tell it? Maybe it was just a story that built up expectations but had no conclusion.

“But curiosity is what makes a story.”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, Yoo Myung-sun didn’t get angry or disappointed.

“Hehehe, even if it’s just curiosity, this old man won’t die in peace.”

Jin Hyuk couldn’t even imagine how someone who spoke of their own death felt, but Yoo Myung-sun’s expression was bright. The composure of someone who had lived through many storms was admirable.

Knowing that Yoo Myung-sun had died before reaching 80 in his past life, Jin Hyuk’s heart grew heavy. Even when he witnessed the passing of Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother, Lee Bok-soo, Jin Hyuk still felt unprepared to accept the death of someone close to him.

‘I wish Yoo Jin could touch him when he’s sleeping.’

Was there a way to keep Yoo Myung-sun and Yoo Jin in the same space?

Even if he couldn’t do anything about his lifespan, he wanted to at least reduce his pain.

The sight of the old man hobbling with a cane couldn’t be lightly dismissed with the dry word “twilight.”

Jin Hyuk subtly asked Hong Soo-jung, who was sitting close to Yoo Jin.

“Soo-jung, do you want to come down with Grandpa during summer vacation? We can go swimming with your brother.”

“Hmm. Wouldn’t it be difficult? Mom and Dad are both busy.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

It was a firm answer.

Seeing Hong Soo-jung, who seemed more mature than him, Jin Hyuk felt an inexplicable sense of inferiority. It didn’t make sense. Jin Hyuk had no cousins or younger siblings around Hong Soo-jung’s age, so he couldn’t understand why.

‘I’ve changed, and Soo-jung has changed too.’

As always, Jin Hyuk wasn’t the type to dig deep into problems he couldn’t understand. Sometimes, the answers would come when the time was right.

Let’s just film.

It’s fun.

***

Son Kwang-yeon also caught up with Yoo Mun-sik and Yoo Jun-sik.

Although they had exchanged greetings over the phone, it was harder for people running their own businesses without any connections to meet without a reason than to bump into a celebrity on a quiet country road.

He first greeted Yoo Mun-sik, who had long hair and a scruffy beard.

“Big bro, you’ve become a complete naturalist?”

“I’m just wearing clothes that suit me now. I don’t drink these days.”

“Ah, I see…”

It seemed he was seeing a woman.

Looking at Yoo Mun-sik’s wife’s smooth skin, Son Kwang-yeon imagined a couple of free spirits living together without physical contact.

Well, even if he couldn’t relate, as long as they were happy, that was all that mattered. As Son Kwang-yeon thought this, Yoo Jun-sik extended his hand.

“Long time no see.”

“Little bro, you used to look like a rich family’s young master, but now I can tell you’re a great company president even from afar.”

“I’m just doing what my brother-in-law tells me to do, so I get called president.”

“Does Ki-jun work you too hard?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. He’s several times stricter than Dad. If I slack off even a little, it’s like a cold wind blows. I wish he’d just get angry like Dad.”

Complaining, Yoo Jun-sik glanced at Hong Ki-jun, who was far away.

Even though he had to watch his father’s mood before, now he had to watch his brother-in-law’s, but Yoo Jun-sik was deeply immersed in the joy of working late in life.

“Brother, you’re so skilled, so Ki-jun must rely on you a lot, right?”

“Hahaha, Kwang-yeon, you’ve always been good at saying nice things since you were young.”

Yoo Jun-sik laughed heartily, and Yoo Mun-sik shook his head and moved away. Ugh, talking about work again, he muttered.

“It must be rewarding, even if it’s tough?”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Jun-sik nodded in agreement.

Every project they did attracted national and media attention. How could it not be rewarding? Last week, high-level negotiation teams from Japan, Germany, and Austria had visited to discuss importing semiconductor production equipment. Even without actively selling, competitors were lining up to buy Sein Machinery’s equipment. It was a success they couldn’t have achieved without Hong Ki-jun.

Recalling the satisfying fatigue, Yoo Jun-sik took a step closer to Son Kwang-yeon.

“Dad’s planning to retire.”

“Ah, with Ki-jun and you around, he must feel at ease.”

What was the big deal about the old chairman retiring when he had such capable successors? Son Kwang-yeon responded formally.

“But he seems to like the countryside. I don’t know why someone who’s lived in Seoul all his life suddenly feels that way, but it’s natural to be drawn to places with good air and scenery. But why do rich people live in cities? To enjoy life when they’re young and for medical services when they’re old.”

Jin Hyuk, who was nearby, pretended to film elsewhere while eavesdropping.

Aside from his legs and hips, Yoo Myung-sun suffered from high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.

‘Medical services…’

With no large hospitals nearby, it was natural for an elderly man who could collapse at any moment to avoid rural life. A Seoulite who had settled in Jin Hyuk’s neighborhood to raise cows had left within two years.

That family’s grandmother used to make fresh fruit juice for Yoo Jin whenever she visited, calling her pretty. After they left, Yoo Jin walked around with a sad face for a while.

– “When is Tomato Juice Grandma coming back?”

Every time Yoo Jin asked this, Han Yu-young and Jin Hyuk would hug her instead of answering. To Yoo Jin, the grandmother who had gone to Seoul was someone who would return, but with new people living in the house, her young mind must have been full of questions.

“We could build a hospital. There’s no law saying you can’t build a hospital in the countryside.”

Son Kwang-yeon’s words snapped Jin Hyuk out of his thoughts.

Yoo Jun-sik shook his head.

“The Sein Medical Foundation isn’t keen on it.”

“Is it because of construction costs or profits?”

“If I had to say, it’s profits, but there’s a bigger issue. Would doctors want to go there? They’d see it as a demotion. Patients also rank hospitals by Seoul, metropolitan areas, and provinces. In a world where a hospital’s name equals a doctor’s skill, doctors can’t help but care.”

True, from the patients’ perspective, they preferred and trusted hospitals in Seoul, so it was the same for doctors.

Jin Hyuk couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“What if we recruit applicants and scout doctors who couldn’t enter the metropolitan area? There won’t be many patients, so we could invite famous professors for education and send them abroad for further training. That way, we could offset some of the social discrimination and perceptions based on academic background—”

Oops, interrupting adult conversations. Jin Hyuk quickly shut his mouth.

This had never happened before, so he was overly flustered, and his face turned red.

“Who are you?”

“He’s my son.”

Son Kwang-yeon introduced Jin Hyuk with a relaxed smile to Yoo Jun-sik, who looked like he’d bitten his tongue.

Yoo Jun-sik’s uncomfortable expression quickly brightened.

“Oh, you’re… that kid.”

The one his father gifted a large gym to.

The old man who only gave pocket money to his grandchildren had gifted a gym. He’d been curious about what kind of kid he was.

Even to Yoo Jun-sik, who had only seen studious types, Jin Hyuk seemed like an extraordinary talent. He had the physique and energy that matched the gym gift.

As Yoo Jun-sik looked him up and down, Jin Hyuk quickly bowed.

“Nice to meet you.”

Jin Hyuk quickly left with a red face. After all, when flustered and embarrassed, the only thing a teenager could do was run away.

The sight of him swinging the unpowered camcorder around was pitiful.

Watching this, Yoo Jun-sik opened his mouth toward Son Kwang-yeon, his eyes still fixed on Jin Hyuk.

“That kid’s idea. It’s a good one, isn’t it?”

“Would doctors apply if we did that?”

“There might not be many, but there are always outliers, right?”

“Making it too much of a backwater isn’t worth considering, but if we build it in a place with geographical advantages and ensure accessibility, the number of users will definitely increase. There are quite a few people who go from private clinics to public health centers and die without even knowing their illness. They just think it’s their time to die.”

It was a statement born from experience.

Even in a rapidly developing world, living conditions were directly linked to welfare, so the only things the countryside could boast about compared to the city were air and scenery. Even those were plagued by yellow dust in late winter and early spring.

“Right. Welfare is something only those who live within reach can enjoy.”

Yoo Jun-sik, true to his workaholic nature, nodded with a pleased expression.

Since childhood, Yoo Jun-sik had been praised more than his brother for both academics and charm.

Now, as the president of Sein Machinery, heavy industry, and chemicals, his demeanor was exceptional.

“Let’s give it a try. The chairman is our university senior.”

Yoo Jun-sik smiled and affectionately patted his junior’s shoulder.

***

The birthday boy Hong Soo-hyuk was greedy.

[Yes! Now, the long-awaited first birthday ceremony—, wahahaha!]

The comedian host holding the microphone was rolling on the floor laughing.

[Did you all see that? What an amazing baby! He grabbed the bill and pointed at the pencil! Does that mean he’ll become someone who prints money? Let’s give him a big round of applause!]

Both Hong Ki-jun and Yoo Se-ra smiled contentedly.

Their late-born son grabbing two items during the ceremony was seen as a sign that he would become a great person.

Hong Soo-hyuk’s greed didn’t stop at the first birthday ceremony.

“Mineeeee!”

“Ouch.”

Jeong Won-i had his rattle snatched away, and Hong Soo-hyuk tried to scratch him with his nails. Fortunately, Yoo Se-ra intervened, so Jeong Won-i didn’t end up with scratches on his face. Each time, Jeong Won-i didn’t cry and just watched Hong Soo-hyuk play with his toys.

Sometimes there are babies like that.

Detached from the world, sitting solemnly as if tired of everything, just watching.

Jeong Won-i was that kind of baby.

Feeling sorry, Yoo Se-ra fidgeted as she pulled Hong Soo-hyuk away.

“Oh my, is Soo-hyuk taking after his sister? Why is he so fierce?”

“When did I—!”

Hong Soo-jung, who was about to flare up, quickly looked around. Fortunately, her prison brother was sipping orange juice far away.

Trying to get her mom’s attention, she glared at her, but Yoo Se-ra ignored her daughter.

Hong Soo-jung sighed inwardly.

‘Ugh.’

This mom is no help at all.

Prison brother keeps drifting away.

Maybe I shouldn’t have listened to mom.

It worked when I did what dad said.