Chapter 174

< The Unchanging (5) >

***

Yang Gang-wook came down from Seoul early Monday morning to assist Son Kwang-yeon. Despite being tired, his stamina and professional dedication were impressive.

He said handling rear support in the 2nd Division was manageable, but was it really that simple? For someone with beast-like strength like Yang Gang-wook, it might be, but for an ordinary person, it would be an impossible task. Only SSS Agents, who endured brutal training to achieve superhuman stamina, could handle it.

“I heard you became a double champion? Congratulations. I, the team leader, had no issues.”

Jin-hyeok was amazed as he watched Yang Gang-wook speak casually, as if nothing had happened. Aside from his physical prowess, Jin-hyeok thought Yang Gang-wook might feel some guilt given his involvement in illegal activities.

But no complex emotions showed on Yang Gang-wook’s face.

‘Is he okay?’

Noticing Jin-hyeok’s gaze, Yang Gang-wook glanced at him and muttered while waiting for Son Kwang-yeon to hug Han Yu-young at the entrance, as if wanting someone to hear.

“They were bad people. A cancer to the nation and society.”

It didn’t seem like the Yang Gang-wook he knew before, but it was for the better.

Perhaps due to his early discharge, he was showing more flexible thinking. That’s why he’s now assisting his father’s business.

Seeing him off, Jin-hyeok suddenly felt relieved.

The excessive worry about his family’s safety was enough until yesterday.

‘I should request a bonus for the team.’

Hong Ki-jun might be considering it too, but as a manager, it was Jin-hyeok’s duty.

They must have done extreme things, like physically stopping those trying to escape and incapacitating them. Taking down thugs armed with knives or pipes must have been exhausting, but SSS Agents are monsters.

Imagining the harsh scene, Jin-hyeok was just grateful. Thanks to Yang Gang-wook coming down early, he could see his father going to work with a brighter face.

While Myung Hyun-woo was sufficient for safety, Yang Gang-wook was more than just a bodyguard to Son Kwang-yeon. He discussed work with Yang Gang-wook more often than with the business support team leader.

As he got on his bike to go to school, Jin-hyeok recalled a conversation he had with his father while playing Go the previous evening, where Yang Gang-wook was mentioned.

*

“I’ll make Team Leader Bear a director.”

Son Kwang-yeon was determined to make Yang Gang-wook an executive at General Farm when he retired from active duty.

Jin-hyeok, who believed in early recruitment for essential talent, was puzzled.

“Why not hire him now?”

When he asked, Son Kwang-yeon clicked his tongue, mimicking Cheon Gil-ryong.

“Oh-ho-, my son, you still have a long way to go.”

“Huh···?”

Suddenly feeling annoyed.

Who’s the one who can’t win a game of Go or chess and always brings work home to dump on his son?

Leaning in as if to teach a valuable lesson, Son Kwang-yeon whispered.

“If we hire him now, I’d have to pay the salary that Ki-jun used to give him. Team Leader Bear keeps it a secret, but it seems like a lot. Plus, Saein gave him a car and a house. We should save where we can, right?”

Like air escaping a balloon, Jin-hyeok’s annoyance turned into fatigue.

His father’s cunning was something Jin-hyeok couldn’t match, even after multiple regressions.

“Dad, you’re like a chameleon···.”

“Hahaha! My son finally understands me!”

While it wasn’t wrong to say his father had many talents, Jin-hyeok wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry at his father’s oblivious joy.

Regardless of the original intent, the name “chameleon” suited his father, who could be bold and serious one moment, and lighthearted and frivolous the next.

“Want some allowance?”

“Thank you, Chameleon Dad.”

Better not explain the real meaning.

His pockets were light after buying toys for his siblings at the department store, and he’d have to rub his palms raw to fill them again.

Son Jin-hyeok was going through the process of socialization.

***

Moon Seok-il, who came down a day later than Yang Gang-wook, sat on the bench next to Jin-hyeok after school.

They jogged along the waterway, soaked in the yard, picked firm peaches, and ate the last of the watermelons.

‘This is becoming familiar.’

He thought the life of chasing the scent of blood in the darkness would leave a mark on his soul that would never wash away. That’s what a brand is.

But now, he felt both hope and satisfaction that he could live like an ordinary person. The thought that seemed unshakable was now wavering. Was it because of people or the environment?

Elder Cheon Gil-ryong, who took away his combat boots, said this.

– “It’s up to your mindset. It’s not easy, but all young people think they’re smart and rational. But in the end, they live as they please, following their fists or dicks rather than their heads. It’s not wrong to live as you please, as long as you don’t harm others. But pretending to be intellectuals while living like that is just ridiculous.”

It wasn’t directed at Moon Seok-il, but he couldn’t easily dismiss it, given the shadows in his heart.

– “Nothing in the world is easy. But still, there’s nothing a person with all limbs intact can’t do.”

He also added that it’s not bad to live according to the changes of seasons and the world.

He said not to torment oneself over past choices, as the distinction between good and evil isn’t about right or wrong.

– “I don’t understand because I’m not educated.”

– “Stop pretending. You understood everything. Who said educated people are smart? This country is full of idiots from prestigious universities. Do you think someone from Harvard or Oxford is a sage or a gentleman? Do you think professors are smart? They just studied to make a living. Should I have the Grim Reaper take a few of them and see how many drop dead overnight?”

Moon Seok-il forgot that in front of Cheon Gil-ryong, you just nod. He endured two hours of eardrum terrorism.

– “Nothing stays the same. Even you, Min-seok, can change. Definitely.”

It would be nice if he got the name right.

But at least he gained the certainty that change is possible. He was already experiencing it.

‘I should catch some flounders for him.’

He used to live with the whole world as his enemy, but here, everyone embraced him, and there was no one who wasn’t on his side.

Chomp-.

Taking a bite of watermelon, he glanced at Jin-hyeok reading the newspaper.

‘Better not tell him why I came down a day late.’

Moon Seok-il had been handling some aftermath with Hong Ki-jun and Jeong Sang-tae.

Since Hong Ki-jun didn’t give any specific instructions, Moon Seok-il couldn’t help but worry. It was a sign of trust, but for someone used to following orders, this freedom was burdensome.

Sigh-.

An involuntary sigh.

Sigh-.

Even Jang Gun-i, chewing on a dog treat under the bench, sighed along.

Hey, don’t copy me.

It looked like the dog was mocking him.

Moon Seok-il kicked Jang Gun-i with his hind leg.

Grr-.

Jang Gun-i bared his teeth.

How dare you! That’s the expression.

“Jang Gun-i, woah-.”

Only Jin-hyeok could stop Jang Gun-i.

As if he hadn’t been growling, Jang Gun-i hid his teeth and cursed Moon Seok-il with his eyes.

“Is something bothering you?”

Jin-hyeok, who didn’t miss Moon Seok-il’s sigh, asked while still reading the newspaper.

“No, it’s nothing···.”

What should I do? In the past, he would’ve reported to his superior immediately, but Moon Seok-il just rolled his eyes while chewing watermelon.

Jin-hyeok eased Moon Seok-il’s worry, still scanning the newspaper.

“When you’re unsure whether to do something or not, it’s better not to.”

The young one often speaks like an old man.

Moon Seok-il ended up saying nothing and just chewed on the watermelon. It’s sweet, even if it’s the last of the season.

*

How many times had he hesitated over whether to do something or not?

Tsk-. Jin-hyeok found the unfamiliar tone of his own words amusing.

‘I lived without time to hesitate.’

The sound of chewing watermelon and Jang Gun-i scraping his treat served as background music as he flipped through the newspaper.

There was no news about Jeok Song Construction or New Boss Spa. The most common news was about the inconvenience caused by the control of Seonggu Bridge due to reconstruction, with complaints about the short notice making it hard to find detours.

“Wouldn’t citizens have been less inconvenienced if there was prior notice?”

“Well, I don’t think so. Drivers would’ve used the bridge until the last minute. That’s just human nature.”

Moon Seok-il was someone who wouldn’t speak without certainty, and Jin-hyeok agreed with his opinion.

If the notice period had been longer, how many would’ve looked for detours? Hypothetically, less than 10%, according to existing survey results based on similar cases.

‘As my uncle said, people don’t change.’

Humans, whether in personality or group behavior, tend not to think deeply until a change in interest is imminent. For better or worse.

In the past, Jin-hyeok defined the patterns of groups, from trivial to important matters, as amateurish. To a workaholic who planned and managed every minute, it seemed that way. Out of the 10% who prepare in advance, only a few become professionals.

“This is a bit unexpected.”

As Jin-hyeok checked another article, Moon Seok-il leaned over to see what he was reading.

Alongside the reconstruction news, there was an article about overloading violations, leading to the suspension of a construction material producer and a transport company in Yeouido.

“Looks like the bureaucrats finally did some work.”

Right. Jin-hyeok nodded.

‘Strange how it turned out?’

They only aimed to prevent the bridge collapse, but the fallout reached unexpected areas, resulting in a more desirable outcome than intended.

Even if the world hasn’t changed much, it’s still surprising when something new happens.

“There’s likely to be backlash from the companies and civic groups. It’s going to get noisy.”

“Even though it’s necessary and legally handled, is the backlash due to interests?”

“Probably. I can’t really comment on that.”

As public criticism of the government grew, there was a follow-up report about the Construction and Transportation Minister stepping down due to oversight, with Deputy Minister Jeong Dong-jun being nominated as the new minister, but Jin-hyeok wasn’t interested.

‘It’s just a revolving door and cutting tails, like in the old days.’

Anyway, it was fortunate that the planned work was mostly handled well. Thinking so, Jin-hyeok’s eyes grew heavy.

Jin-hyeok quickly skimmed through a two-page feature article.

「SI Sports signs groundbreaking contract with middle school track prospect. A first in sports.」

– SI Sports Management under SI Sports Foundation signs exclusive sponsorship with a middle school track sprinter holding a Korean record.

– Senior Manager Min Yong-rak, “We aim to be pioneers in supporting sports stars like celebrities.”

「SI Sports to continue talent discovery, focusing on non-popular sports.」

There was also a large photo of Jin-hyeok smiling with his hands on his hips after a race.

‘This photo caused a stir at school.’

Teachers and students alike came to Class 3-1 to shake his hand.

Many of them probably voted for other candidates during the student council elections.

Feeling a petty sense of pride, Jin-hyeok stifled a laugh.

Life is full of surprises.

He had heard his photo would be in the newspaper, but Yoo Se-ra’s idea of “small” was quite different from his. It took up half a page.

‘What a scale.’

Still, he didn’t dislike his smiling face and felt good about it.

His smile after the race resembled the one in his elementary school graduation photo.

As if planned, another page featured a column by Hong Ki-jun.

「Column, 〈A well-trained athlete can be a better diplomat than 100 diplomats〉 by Hong Ki-jun (Vice Chairman of Saein Group)」

Given the column’s support, it wasn’t hard to assume that other articles were heavily influenced by Hong Ki-jun’s support and advice.

Yoo Se-ra’s interview photo was as large as Jin-hyeok’s.

Her smile was so radiant, it resembled a Miss Korea contestant’s.

‘Her teeth might fall out.’

No matter how calmly he tried to look, some people were impossible to ignore.

For Jin-hyeok, it was his father Son Kwang-yeon and Yoo Se-ra.

It’s not that he didn’t care for them.

Sigh-.

Just a sigh.

They said Yoo Se-ra and his father weren’t always like that.

Hong Ki-jun and his father testified about Yoo Se-ra, and Hong Ki-jun and his mother testified about his father.

It wasn’t that they changed drastically, but their condition wasn’t that serious.

They said it happened gradually, and Hong Ki-jun couldn’t pinpoint the cause.

‘If Ki-jun says so, then it must be true.’

He’s the most trustworthy person.

Initially, Jin-hyeok had been skeptical of him, but now he was someone he could rely on more than anyone. A powerful figure who could shake and control the nation, regardless of the media or government.

But.

Sigh-, after reading the last article title, his forehead throbbed.

‘Ah, even Ki-jun couldn’t do anything about this article······.’

As if ice had been pressed to his forehead, Jin-hyeok’s hand instinctively touched his temple.

– Yoo Se-ra, Chairman, “Pursuing honor, not wealth or fame, my abilities overshadowed by my exceptional beauty···.”

······What do you mean by “exceptional beauty” coming from your own mouth?