Chapter 338

“Be careful on your way.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Jo Seol-chan got his grandmother and Kim Eun-jung into the car and set off on a long drive. He made it sound like a day trip, but Jin-hyuk could tell they were actually going to see his mom. His excited expression gave it away.

A few years ago, Jo Seol-chan had bragged to Jin-hyuk about how he and Kim Eun-jung had gone to see their mom, had dinner, and even gave her some pocket money.

– “I was the happiest I’ve ever been since I was born.”

– “When was the second happiest?”

– “When I got caught by Eun-jung.”

He said he didn’t want to live with his mom since she was already gone.

He was just satisfied to have met her and resolved his regrets.

He believed that family is about living together.

That’s why the people around him now were more precious, and that’s what made him happy.

His current happiness was thanks to his grandmother, Jin-hyuk, and Eun-jung, not his mom.

Kim In-rang and the Hwang sisters, Ga-yun and Ga-young, had taken their two mothers on a trip to Southeast Asia. Ga-young, who was flying for the first time, chatted with Jin-hyuk for a long time before leaving.

At lunch, Jin-hyuk’s dad, Hong Ki-jun, Cheon Gil-ryong, Yoo Myung-sun, and Choi Jang-hwan were drinking. The main drink was the Johnny Walker Jin-hyuk had gifted to Cheon Gil-ryong.

“This Walker, if I may say, was bought by our family’s CEO Jin at a duty-free shop to commemorate his victory in Australia…”

Choi Jang-hwan’s house was empty.

Choi Tae-yang wouldn’t be home until the evening of Chuseok because of a wrestling competition, and Choi Mi-kyung said she’d come home after studying and cheering for her brother. Though it was unclear if she was cheering for her brother or her boyfriend, who was aiming for the national championship for the second year in a row. Well, she’d cheer for both.

At home, Han Yu-young, Yoo Se-ra, Kim Soon-bok, Hong Soo-jung, and Yoo-jin were chatting away.

“Jin-hyuk’s mom, do you not prepare a separate ancestral table?”

“The kids’ dad said not to bother. We don’t even hold separate ancestral rites. So we just make the food the family likes.”

Galbi jjim, bulgogi, yukhoe, japchae, various jeon, sikhye, meat, meat, and more meat.

Even then, Kim Soon-bok, Jang Jin-nam, and the SSS family nearby helped prepare it, so it wasn’t too much work.

“Just burn incense at the memorial hall and that’s it? Sounds easy.”

“The living are more important, so don’t overwork yourself.”

Hmm. Typical of Gwang-yeon oppa. Yoo Se-ra sipped her wine.

It was a famous wine she bought during her trip to Europe, paired with dried fish.

Kim Soon-bok commented on the unlikely combination that surprised Yoo Se-ra.

“This dried fish, this little rascal, where did you get this? It’s perfect.”

Han Yu-young handed a glass to Hong Soo-jung, who was sitting quietly beside her.

“Soo-jung, have some too.”

“Ma’am, I’ve never had alcohol before.”

“Oh my! Our Soo-jung hasn’t even had baekilju? Everyone drinks it before the college entrance exam.”

“No. I’ve never had baekilju. My brother Jin-hyuk said he hasn’t either.”

Even the usually carefree Hong Soo-jung was very demure in front of Han Yu-young.

“Hehe, mom. I’ll drink instead of Soo-jung unnie.”

“Sip. You’re in trouble.”

Yoo-jin, who had grown quite a bit, tried to join the adults’ conversation, but it was no use in front of the scariest mom.

“Okay. I’ll go check on Haengun-i’s egg…”

The incubator was still working.

In two weeks, Haengun-i would hatch, and Yoo-jin and Jeong-won would feed it caterpillars. Once grown, it would sing every morning, its round eyes sparkling as it tilted its head. Just imagining Haengun-i wagging its tail as if it had something to say made Son Yoo-jin happy.

“Hey, Hong Soo-jung. Your mom and Jin-hyuk’s mom are here, so have just one drink. This is expensive wine.”

“Okay.”

Jin-hyuk took Jeong-won and Hong Soo-hyuk outside.

The role of an unmarried man. Taking care of the kids.

A common task during holidays in any household.

‘Gwang-ma has gotten so lively. Is it his time to go?’

Jang Gun-i, who had just been bathed, looked shiny, but Gwang-ma, who hadn’t been as energetic lately, was running around like a deer, making Jin-hyuk think of the saying “a flash before death.”

‘Has it been too long since I’ve been home? The neighborhood feels off. Even the dogs seem crazy.’

The puppy Yoo-jin had picked up kept jumping into the water and being rescued by Hong Soo-hyuk. Surprisingly, the puppy had minnows and other small fish in its mouth. How did it catch those?

But what should he do with these energetic ten-year-olds?

“Jeong-won, Soo-hyuk, what do you want to do?”

“Oppa! Make a kite!”

“Wow! A handmade kite! Hyung! I want a kite too!”

Hmm… Should I?

It’s still too hot and the wind isn’t right for flying kites, but there’s no set time for play.

You can buy kite materials at stationery or toy stores, but there’s no better experience for kids than making one themselves.

He approached Cheon Gil-ryong, who was alternating between whiskey and cola on the porch.

Cheon Gil-ryong, already tipsy in broad daylight, raised an eyebrow at Jin-hyuk.

“Hey, young Mr. Son. Want a drink? Hehe.”

“No, grandpa. You have it. But can I cut a bamboo?”

“What do you need it for?”

“The kids want to make a kite.”

“Ohoho. I see. Take a good one.”

“You’ll have to tell me which one to cut.”

Cheon Gil-ryong, who had meticulously selected bamboo when making a fishing rod for Yoo-jin and Jeong-won, said, “Don’t overthink it. Just cut any one! Hack! Slash! Use it. Hehe, I’ll toast you! Another one’s going up to the heavens today!”

“Huh? Who’s going up?”

“Hehe. No one.”

He cut one that stood straight toward the sky.

While cutting the bamboo, Jang Gun-i made squeaking sounds, but he always did that when they went to the bamboo forest, so Jin-hyuk ignored it.

On the way back home.

Hong Soo-hyuk, carrying one of the two split bamboos under his arm, looked at Jin-hyuk curiously.

“Hyung, is making a kite hard?”

“No. It’s quick.”

In winter, Jin-hyuk made not only sleds but also tops and kites for Yoo-jin.

Splitting the bamboo with a sickle, smoothing it out, attaching it to feed sacks or calendars, and tying it up was all it took. For fancier kites, he used hanji.

Arriving home, they set up a spot far from the porch.

Hong Ki-jun’s gaze was particularly uncomfortable.

It’s best to lay low when you’ve committed a grave sin like stealing a golden leaf.

For some reason, Hong Ki-jun’s eyes were kinder than usual, but since Jin-hyuk couldn’t tell what he was thinking, he had to be careful.

Snap. Snap.

With precise and light touches, the bamboo split into even thicknesses.

In winter, he made kites sitting on the living room floor, but making a kite under the shade of a large oak tree in September wasn’t bad either.

“Wow. Our oppa is so good.”

“Hyung, you’re good.”

“Soo-hyuk, is this your first time having hyung make you a kite?”

“Our oppa has made me lots of kites.”

“That’s nice. I wish I had a hyung like you.”

“Hehe. You do have a hyung.”

“Oh, right?”

Oh, right. Hong Soo-hyuk was growing up repeating what Hong Soo-jung used to say.

He was clever, but his distinct features had Yoo Se-ra already educating him on manners. She even scolded him during lunch.

– “You can’t just swing that thing around like your uncle. Didn’t you say you wanted to be a big company CEO like your dad? If you swing that around, you’ll end up like your uncle, kicked out. You need to be a dignified, reliable man like Jin-hyuk hyung.”

Well, it was a bit much, but everyone from adults to kids understood.

Dignified and reliable…

It’s a secret that Jin-hyuk cringed at that stern education.

“I’ll get some rice paste from home. Wait here.”

*

Hahahaha!

At the kitchen table, four women with flushed faces had already emptied two bottles of wine, and Yoo-jin was shredding the dried fish to make it easier to eat.

“Huh? Soo-jung, did you drink?”

“Yeah. Hehe. I’m a bit tipsy.”

Sigh. The return of the drunk.

But seeing Hong Soo-jung smile happily made Jin-hyuk feel like he was walking on clouds.

There was some leftover rice, so he transferred it to a bowl and grabbed hanji from the utility room. He also brought cooking oil and colored pencils.

“Hyung, why the cooking oil?”

“Soo-hyuk, let me explain. You draw on this paper-.”

“With colored pencils?”

“Right. Then you apply cooking oil, and it becomes translucent. So only the drawing shows clearly.”

“Do you apply it right after drawing?”

“No. You draw, make the kite, and then apply the oil.”

Thanks to Jeong-won, he could focus on making the kite instead of explaining.

What’s a multi-billionaire doing messing around like this?

Jin-hyuk had always been like this since he was young.

Fishing with worms he caught with his dad, searching mountains and reservoirs for his mom, building a dam in the stream for Hong Soo-jung, and digging through tidal flats for his siblings.

Now Jeong-won and Soo-hyuk should benefit too.

Creating memories together as much as time allows.

Making happiness possible because they’re a family that can laugh and cry together.

“Wow. Soo-hyuk, you drew a dragonfly? You’re good at drawing. Jeong-won, your butterfly is nice too.”

“Hehe.”

“Our oppa only praises. He’s more like a teacher than a teacher.”

Jeong-won’s language identity fluctuates between Seoul dialect and satoori. Well, that’s part of his unique charm.

While the kids were drawing, Jin-hyuk flattened the bamboo strips.

The bamboo, hardened like calluses, always seemed mysterious.

The curved shavings from the sickle made his heart warm.

“Oppa, what if there’s no wind?”

“Then we’ll run. Forgot? I’m the fastest person in the world.”

“Oh, right.”

Hehe.

Making kites with the kids, Jin-hyuk found his inner child again.

‘I wish this could last forever.’

Peaceful days like the kids’ laughter.

But the peace didn’t last 30 minutes.

***

In the kitchen, three women, except for the strong-drinking Kim Soon-bok, swayed as if in sync. There were five empty wine bottles on the table.

“Hehe, I’m the only one busy.”

Yoo-jin diligently brought more fruit and snacks, and boiled water for ramen since the men wanted something spicy. With so many people around, Yoo-jin didn’t seem to mind.

Hong Soo-jung, feeling sick from her first drink, kept shaking her head.

She was fighting off sleep, her eyes heavy.

“Hey, if you’re tired, go lie down.”

“Hehe. I’m Hong Toong-i. I’m fine.”

Hmph. Feeling good.

Like mother, like daughter, her bravado was spot on.

Overshadowed by Yoo Se-ra’s strong personality, Han Yu-young was no slouch in the bravado department either.

Meeting people she rarely drank with, two glasses turned to three, then a whole bottle, and her inhibitions started to loosen.

“I’m not just bragging because he’s my son, but Jin-hyuk has been fast since he was little. Hiccup.”

Yoo Se-ra encouraged Han Yu-young to keep talking.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Was it when he was twelve? This kid kept running away for days to eat tonkatsu.”

“Oh my! Then what?”

“What do you mean? He couldn’t catch him. Hahaha.”

“Oh my! What happened! Hahaha.”

Then.

Hong Soo-jung, who had been dozing off, suddenly opened her eyes.

Alcohol, give me courage!

The courage to speak the truth.

‘Oh. Courage is rising.’

Her eyes focused.

And out came the words she shouldn’t have said.

“Oh, mom? Oppa got caught, right?”

A brief silence fell.

Yoo Se-ra and Han Yu-young, pondering what she meant, and Yoo-jin, with her mouth agape, were speechless. Only the bubbling ramen water broke the awkward silence.

Hong Soo-jung tilted her head.

Ah, they don’t understand. Should I explain?

She made a circle with her thumb and fingers. Mom, look here.

No, unnie! Yoo-jin waved her hands frantically by the stove, but Hong Soo-jung’s drunk vision was severely limited.

Sip. Was it bigger? She tilted her head and enlarged the circle.

“Like this. Hoo…”

…Thud.

Oops. She came to her senses as she lowered her hand.

Han Yu-young’s pupils were shaking violently.

She should’ve just pretended to pass out drunk.

But the damage was done.

“How did you know that, Soo-jung?”

Han Yu-young asked, though she had an idea, as she caught her breath. Her jaw tightened slightly.

Yoo Se-ra, now sober, also lit up.

“Yeah. How do you know?”

Her mind was clear, but her mouth was still under alcohol’s control.

“I saw it.”

Seeing Yoo Se-ra’s expression, Hong Soo-jung knew she was doomed.

Her body wasn’t cooperating, but her mind was sharp.

‘Oh no…’

It was almost simultaneous.

Crash!

The three women bolted from their seats and ran to the front door.

***

“Ta-da! It’s done.”

“Wow! It’s much cooler than store-bought ones!”

“This is a method only our oppa knows. When I took it to school, all the kids asked about it. So I kindly explained it to them.”

Indeed, from afar, it looked like just a butterfly and a dragonfly.

Not as transparent as plastic kites, but the semi-transparent hanji kite with cooking oil was impressive.

It even had a long tail.

“A long tail makes it cooler.”

With the kite string attached, all that was left was to connect it to the reel.

If there’s not enough wind, we’ll just run.

“Wait, let’s clean up first. Do you want to connect it to the reel yourselves?”

“Yes!”

Jeong-won and Hong Soo-hyuk wiggled their butts as they tied their kites to the reels.

Meanwhile, Jin-hyuk gathered the bamboo shavings, paper scraps, and leftover rice paste to burn in the furnace.

“Now-.”

Crash!

“Whoa! Scared me!”

Startled by the loud noise, he turned to see Hong Soo-jung running out the front door with a terrified look, followed by the moms.

“Soo-jung, what’s-.”

Before Jin-hyuk could finish, Hong Soo-jung grabbed his hand.

“Oppa! Run!”

“What, what’s going on!”

“We’re caught!”

Damn. I should’ve seen this coming when she was drinking.

No explanation needed, which makes it sadder.

As expected, Hong Ki-jun, who had guessed the situation without explanation, covered his forehead, and the other men, clueless about what was happening, looked at Jin-hyuk and Hong Soo-jung.

“You brat! I sent you to college to study! You said you were studying hard, so I allowed you not to go abroad! What’s this! What’s with oppa getting caught?”

Yoo Se-ra, not even wearing shoes, glared at Hong Soo-jung.

“Kid, what’s going on?”

“Dad doesn’t need to know!”

Yoo Se-ra didn’t even seem to notice Yoo Myung-sun.

“You little brat! What have you been doing with young Soo-jung instead of working!”

Han Yu-young pointed a broom at Jin-hyuk.

Running alongside Hong Soo-jung, Jin-hyuk felt wronged.

He was already getting side-eyed because of Hong Ki-jun, and now his mom was trying to kill him.

“Why! I worked hard too! Mom had me when she was Soo-jung’s age!”

“You little punk! What did you do right!”

Adding fuel to the fire.

Hong Soo-jung also seized the moment to argue back at her mom.

“Mom does it too!”

“You, you brat! You’re not like me! Don’t stand there-!”

Ah, this isn’t going well. Backfired, huh?

Holding Jin-hyuk’s hand, Hong Soo-jung ran around the yard and garden, her heart heavy with sorrow.

「Title: What I Did

Hong Soo-jung, Freshman at ○○ University’s College of Business

It’s not like I do it every day

There are days I don’t do it

It’s not like I’m the only one doing it

All my friends do it too

Mom did it even after turning forty

I’m an adult too, so what’s wrong with it?

Mom doesn’t understand my feelings at all」

Pure chaos.

Hong Ki-jun, resigned, shrugged and laughed, while Son Gwang-yeon