Chapter 184

< The Coward >

He deals with everyone who isn’t his enemy.

Hong Ki-jun’s principles were clear.

With a sly smile directed at his daughter, who was squinting at him like she was watching him, Hong Ki-jun started with some small talk before getting to the point.

“It must be troublesome because of me, but it’s awkward for me to call the front lines directly.”

– Ah, of course. If that’s the case, the detectives won’t be able to do their jobs. You should be the one to call me, given your status.

He was just throwing out a polite bait, but now they’re talking about status.

At first glance, it seemed like he was elevating himself, but he was actually trying to lift Hong Ki-jun with empty words.

– Even His Excellency knows that he needs to make an appointment to speak with the Vice Chairman.

“I’m embarrassed.”

A few trivial and uninterested greetings passed by, and then Hong Ki-jun revealed his purpose.

“Shouldn’t we quickly share this great achievement so that other regional offices can also step up?”

From ancient times, even if you set up a feast, the frontline police would kick it away.

From the outside, it seemed like their nonsensical principles and trivial regulations were more important than anything else. Hong Ki-jun, who had seen the reality, knew there were chronic issues due to specific task avoidance and deployment imbalances, but that was a problem for the front lines. The higher-ups, thirsty for achievements, had a different perspective.

– That’s a good point. That’s why I’ve also opened a real-time reporting line, but since under-the-table deals between acquaintances don’t happen on the books…

Still, in Hong Ki-jun’s eyes, the current police chief was more about defending his subordinates than squeezing out results. Not that he liked that aspect.

“I heard that truck of his is out of commission?”

– You even know about that? I have nothing more to say.

It’s only natural for the police chief to react that way.

He probably doesn’t realize that Hong Ki-jun’s information network is already superior to the police.

Hong Ki-jun had already secured the personal information of the arrested criminal.

Even if he hadn’t, how could he not know?

It’s the house of his closest friend, and SSS henchmen are stationed there. Hong Ki-jun was probably one of the people who knew best what had happened last night.

“Try sweet-talking him with compensation for property damage. Wouldn’t he cooperate if it tickles his ears?”

– Huh? The truck isn’t just a few pennies, and he’s a criminal, how could-

“You’re bringing up money while we’re talking about work. This is disappointing.”

– Ah, so you’re saying the Vice Chairman will provide support?

Hong Ki-jun, who had covered the receiver with his hand, slightly furrowed his brow.

“If the situation calls for it, I’ll provide support.”

Responding in a somewhat irritated tone, Hong Ki-jun covered the phone again and let out a shallow sigh.

He had thrown out words that could be misunderstood, but it was due to the frustration of the other person’s mind not turning as he wished.

“Chief, you’re from the administrative service, right?”

– Yes. Why do you ask…

It seemed like he was trying to hide his discomfort, but Hong Ki-jun didn’t care. He had said it to make him uncomfortable.

‘How frustrating.’

It would have been quicker to talk to the field investigators.

He meant to sweet-talk, not to offer money.

Detectives and civil servants are all human. Their minds change when they go to the bathroom and when they come out.

“What does a promise matter? If you find out what you want, isn’t that enough? Do you think this guy will go somewhere to complain if the police break a promise?”

Is that how you wanted the director position at Sein Group? Hong Ki-jun suppressed the urge to snap.

Anyway, under current law, if Kim Woo-don files a civil suit, Son Kwang-yeon would have to pay. Of course, that’s assuming they lose.

He wasn’t unaware of Jin Hyuk’s motives for doing such a thing, and Hong Ki-jun also felt secretly pleased, so he didn’t mind compensating for that insignificant truck.

– How many shameless people would file such a suit as a lawbreaker? I was just worried that the Vice Chairman might spend his precious money…

Perhaps bothered by Hong Ki-jun’s slightly raised tone, the police chief changed his words.

“In a country where descendants of traitors sue to get back land sold by their ancestors, where is dignity in front of wealth?”

He snapped one more word and then closed his eyes firmly.

He needed to soothe his frustrated heart.

After a brief silence, the police chief spoke as if making a promise.

– That’s… a very good opinion.

He probably had no other choice, as he would soon be serving under his new boss.

“I hope to see progress by today.”

– It will be as you wish.

After hanging up, Hong Ki-jun soothed his dry mouth with a sip of coffee.

‘Tsk tsk. Those who only studied and took exams are just…’

They don’t even follow the principles, yet they keep talking about principles and hesitate.

They overturn principles with the plausible guise of authoritative interpretation and don’t hesitate to create new regulations that violate the rules. Moreover, they abuse their learning to escape the law or protect each other.

These were the common characteristics of those who rose to power solely through exam studies, as Hong Ki-jun had observed.

‘I also once only studied because I didn’t know how to succeed, but frustration is frustration.’

Apart from the frustration, there was also a strange thrill.

‘Power is really good.’

Power only maintains mutual independence among people without any interests involved. Once a master-servant relationship is established, those in the servant’s position can’t even distinguish whether they’re holding a pen or a gun.

The human nature that Hong Ki-jun, who had organized the power structure centered around Sein Group, had insight into was truly insignificant.

‘I’m not going to live forever, and I can’t keep this good thing to myself.’

After all, the actual work is handled by tens of thousands of employees, and among them, outstanding talents lead the group.

Walking on thin ice and suffering from headaches, the returnee Hong Ki-jun only sets the direction as a person in power. He restrains executives who create lines and engage in office politics and favoritism.

But he can’t get drunk on power.

He had seen how miserable the end of those who flaunted their power as if they held the world in their hands could be, so he always remained vigilant.

Life may end with death, but infamy will be passed down through generations.

‘I need to nurture a successor too.’

He knew all too well that a power holder without influence or a successor could never have a happy ending.

‘Time is running out.’

Aging happens quickly.

Even if his fate was to disappear overnight, he didn’t want to live in vain.

He didn’t want his daughter to suffer, and his son was too young.

“Dad, is Jin Hyuk oppa going to be on the nine o’clock news today?”

How many times is she going to ask that?

Hong Ki-jun, who let out a hollow laugh that made his chest heave, gently placed his hand on his daughter’s cheek.

“Even if it’s not today, I’ll make sure he appears.”

That coward needs to become famous.

Blocking media access was enough when he was thirteen at the national competition.

***

“Ugh-!”

Jin Hyuk, who was picking fleas off Jang Gun-i, shuddered.

For no reason, he felt a chill and got goosebumps.

The sunlight is warm, and the wind isn’t cold. No water droplets fell, so it’s strange.

“Did a sparrow pee as it flew by?”

I’ll catch it and roast it. Jin Hyuk muttered with a blank face.

Night and day coexist but have different faces.

Like the commotion last night that became a story of another world with the dawn, only the sound of birds remained in Jin Hyuk’s house as lunchtime approached.

Click clack-. Chop chop-.

You can’t leave out the sound of Jang Gun-i gnawing on a rib bone.

“Our Jang Gun-i, is it tasty?”

Huff huff-.

Jang Gun-i, lying flat on the floor, peacefully gnawed on the bone, showing no interest in heroic tales of saving dog friends. Of course, for a dog, a bone is more important than an epic. In that sense, Jang Gun-i is a model of someone pursuing an ordinary life.

“Here, have some meat too.”

Heh heh-.

As if understanding, Jang Gun-i wagged his tail but still showed attachment to the bone.

Even though there was a pile of rib bones with meat still on them, he seemed intent on finishing them one by one.

“Jang Gun-i, is it that delicious?”

Heh heh-.

Jang Gun-i stuck out his tongue at Jin Hyuk and then went back to gnawing on the bone.

If a dog could smile, it would look like this.

Jin Hyuk, feeling proud, endlessly petted Jang Gun-i.

“You rascal-. It would be nice if you could talk.”

He always felt regretful seeing the always cheerful Jang Gun-i.

How nice would it be if we could communicate?

We could share our worries and the joys and sorrows of life.

Last night, we could have communicated via phone or radio.

Heh-.

Jin Hyuk, lost in absurd thoughts, let out a laugh.

‘I must be going crazy.’

It seemed like there was a problem with his intelligence, not his personality.

“Eeek-! Eeek-!”

Yoo Jin came down the front steps like a rabbit, one step at a time.

Following her, the front door became busy as her parents, dressed in black, came out.

There was no word about going together, so he was just watching, but it seemed like only the two of them were going.

“Uh-uh-.”

Jeong Won, smiling brightly, moved from his mother’s arms to his brother’s.

“Our eldest son, take care of your siblings.”

“Yes. Be careful on your way.”

Yoo Jin ran over and grabbed her brother’s hand.

Even if her parents went out, she had her dependable brother and uncles, so Yoo Jin didn’t fuss about following. She’s such a proud kid.

“Mom, bring back lots of delicious food-.”

Maybe she’s holding back because her parents always bring back food when they go out.

Moon Seok-il, who was brushing Hong Shi’s fur, opened the VIP door and politely saw them off.

“Take care on your way.”

“Alright. You had a tough night, so rest.”

As Son Kwang-yeon patted his shoulder, Moon Seok-il silently laughed.

He did have a tough night last night.

He was surrounded by kidnapped dogs from another village called Jaedong-ri and broke a sweat. He helped the police go to that village, knocked on the village chief’s door in the middle of the night, and handed over the dogs.

‘Well, it was fun in its own way.’

Who else would have such an experience?

Life is interesting because you don’t know how it will flow or what will happen.

When Myung Hyun-woo got into the driver’s seat and Yoo Tae-hwa got into the passenger seat, Han Yu-young, who had rolled down the window, called out to Jin Hyuk.

“There’s galbi-tang in the pot and jeon and namul in the fridge-.”

“Yes.”

As Han Yu-young smiled at her reliable son, her face was obscured by the car window.

As if there was more to say, Son Kwang-yeon leaned over. His crescent-moon-like smiling eyes resembled his wife’s.

“If reporters come, don’t be nervous and speak well.”

“Huh?”

What did you say? Say it again.

Why would reporters come-?

“Ki-jun called. Didn’t you know about it?”

Son Kwang-yeon also made a blank expression.

He thought his son, who knew Hong Ki-jun’s whereabouts better than his friend Son Kwang-yeon, would know, but he looked completely clueless.

“I didn’t know…”

“Wow-. Our oppa doesn’t know something-?”

Whether teasing or surprised, Jin Hyuk ignored Yoo Jin, who was oddly admiring, and looked at Moon Seok-il with wide eyes.

Moon Seok-il pouted his lips and acted like he didn’t know.

“I told the Vice Chairman what you wanted.”

“And that’s the answer?”

“I don’t know. He clearly said he knew, but maybe there are things even the Vice Chairman can’t stop?”

Jin Hyuk shook his head strongly.

There’s no way there’s something Hong Ki-jun can’t do in today’s Korea.

Moon Seok-il, who shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, was annoying. The fact that he couldn’t make eye contact clearly meant he knew something. But that’s not important right now.

‘What do I do, what do I do?’

This is no time to be like this.

He ran after the already departing car.

“Waaah-!”

“Wow! It’s a race-!”

Jeong Won, held in his brother’s arms, flapped his arms excitedly as he felt the strong wind.

Yoo Jin just ran after her brother.

Jin Hyuk tightened his lower abdomen.

He was shouting with the desperation of running to not be left behind that winter.

“Let’s go together-!”

We have to run away.