Chapter 49

#49 <I Made a Mistake (2)>

Hong Ki-jun never placed bets when playing baduk or golf, not wanting to burden his subordinates. He even said that since the executives were already playing for business, it wouldn’t be fun to add bets—it’d just stress them out.

Maybe that’s why he preferred hanging out with Jin-hyeok, who never went easy on him.

“Ahem! What kind of bet?”

Caught off guard by the sudden proposal, Son Kwang-yeon tapped his chest, as if the beer had gone down the wrong pipe.

“Like the number of Olympic medals, overall rankings, or which events will win gold.”

“What’s with the bets? You’re not usually into this kind of thing.”

“It’s just for fun. It’d be nice to watch the Olympics together when the kids are on break.”

Jin-hyeok tried to recall memories of the Barcelona Olympics but couldn’t remember much. Maybe a gold medal in the marathon? Archery was always a strong event, so they probably won there too. He really had no information. Back then, he was either memorizing books, delivering newspapers, or reading in the attic where there was no TV.

‘If only I’d known more about the world back then.’

Come to think of it, why hadn’t he tried to escape that life? The reason was obvious, but if he’d known more about the world, maybe he could’ve been smarter.

Lost in thought, Jin-hyeok was snapped back to reality by Hong Ki-jun.

“Jin-hyeok, you in?”

Looking at Hong Ki-jun’s confident eyes, Jin-hyeok wondered.

That self-assured gaze.

‘Could it be that Chairman Hong also came back?’

Maybe he’s trying to bet knowing the outcome. Could he be seeking revenge on me for never losing to him in baduk or golf, even when he was the chairman of Sein Group?

Even without information, Jin-hyeok isn’t stupid. Betting against someone like that would be foolish.

Just as Jin-hyeok was about to speak, determined—

“I’ll…”

“Go for it. I’ll chip in some money.”

Oh boy.

When Dad’s this excited, Jin-hyeok has no choice but to play along.

To keep it simple, they decided to bet on the overall rankings.

“I’ll go for 10th place! We got 4th last time, so we should at least get that!”

Hong Ki-jun claimed 10th place.

Jin-hyeok sighed silently. Ah, so we got 10th in Barcelona? Seeing how confident he is, maybe this guy knows the future. I want to ask if he’s come back from the future, but dealing with Hong Ki-jun is tricky.

‘This is kinda awkward.’

Some people just have a presence that feels like shackles, even to normal folks. For Jin-hyeok, it was his adoptive family, and now, Hong Ki-jun. He was the boss, after all.

“Then I’ll go for 6th.”

“6th? Is that possible for an overseas event?”

“I don’t know. I can’t be below you.”

Dad’s always been weird. Even in bets, he comes up with strange reasons.

Hong Ki-jun’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Jin-hyeok.

“What about you, Jin-hyeok?”

“I’ll…”

Jin-hyeok wrote the number 8 in Hong Ki-jun’s notebook.

“Oh, aiming high, huh? Feeling optimistic, are we? Care to share your reasoning?”

“Just because…”

If he said he didn’t remember, it’d sound weird, and saying he just picked between 6 and 10 would make him look clueless. If he wrote higher than Dad, he’d look like a brat, so whatever.

“Um… what’s the prize for the bet?”

“How about your dad’s land?”

“Why are you betting my land without asking?!”

Jin-hyeok understood why Dad was furious.

Dad’s serious about his land, and Hong Ki-jun had crossed a line.

Jin-hyeok nodded in support of his dad, glaring at Hong Ki-jun with narrowed eyes.

‘Is this guy a regressor after Dad’s land?’

No way. Chairman Hong isn’t the type to care about real estate.

Probably influenced by his father-in-law, the former chairman.

Son Kwang-yeon stepped in to mediate.

“Let’s just use money.”

“Won’t that put Jin-hyeok at a disadvantage?”

“I have about a million won.”

Dad’s eyes widened.

He looked surprised, wondering when Jin-hyeok had saved up that much.

“I combined my school savings account from graduation and the allowance you gave me.”

“Great! A million won it is!”

Hong Ki-jun declared loudly.

He didn’t mean he’d bet the entire million, but still.

Even though Jin-hyeok’s a guy, he can’t understand the psychology of adult men.

If he’s not careful, he might lose all the money he saved up in elementary school.

‘Whatever. It’s not like they’re strangers, and if it makes them happy…’

If he needs money, he can always ask Mom. She’s the cash queen of the house.

“Hey, let’s make it ten million. I said I’d chip in.”

At Dad’s bombshell, Jin-hyeok’s eyes widened.

Ten million? What even is that? His brain short-circuited trying to process the amount.

“Are you serious?”

Even Hong Ki-jun, pulling out a checkbook, looked surprised.

Son Kwang-yeon wasn’t the type to throw out numbers carelessly, even when drunk.

Jin-hyeok tried to figure out Dad’s intentions.

But as usual, the pros don’t give you time to think.

“Alright, fine! You think you’re the only man here? I’ve got balls too!”

Why brag about your manhood at a time like this?

In his past life, they weren’t that impressive. Maybe it’s because he’s younger now, so they’re more… substantial.

‘Men, I swear.’

Anyway, the unexpected bet between the old man and the immature guy was set.

Yoo Jin started dozing off, so Jin-hyeok headed home first.

Giving Hong Ki-jun a suspicious look.

‘Something’s fishy.’

As soon as he got home, Jin-hyeok washed Yoo Jin’s face and hands with warm water. He cleaned her neck, ears, and even helped her blow her nose.

“Hmph!”

Yoo Jin, who had been dozing off, obediently followed her brother’s instructions. Such a sweet kid.

“Good girl, our little one.”

“Hehe, I’m good, right?”

Yoo Jin, waking up a bit, quickly fell back asleep.

She’s always so well-behaved. After tucking her into Mom’s room, Jin-hyeok headed out.

He took Jang Gun-i for a walk around the neighborhood, sorting out his suspicions about Hong Ki-jun.

It was all about the Olympic bet. There wasn’t anything else to be suspicious about.

“Hey, Jang Gun-i, don’t you think that guy’s suspicious?”

Jang Gun-i just tilted his head.

Ugh, why am I even asking? Jin-hyeok sighed.

The way he tilted his head made it seem like he didn’t think so.

‘I’ll have to test him soon.’

What should I ask?

How can I ask without causing misunderstandings?

Ah, he’s such a hard guy to get close to.

Every time he comes, he only hangs out with Dad.

The area had plenty of outdoor activities for men to enjoy. In summer, there were beaches and cool mountains, and in winter, they could dig for roots or hunt rabbits and raccoons, feeling like predators. Hong Ki-jun, led by Son Kwang-yeon, went on adventures to the sea and mountains every vacation, leaving his family behind.

‘Let’s take it slow and dig deeper.’

Being a teenager again sure makes you think a lot.

***

The next day.

After finishing his workout early, Jin-hyeok waited for Chae Kyu-ho in the classroom.

Outside, Park Yong-seok was waiting for Chae Kyu-ho.

What’s that guy’s role? Probably something like a recruiter for victims.

‘How should I handle this?’

He ruled out reporting it to the teacher.

The dynamics of the teacher world were obvious. Especially back then.

Teachers who knew about Jin-hyeok’s abuse turned a blind eye. Teachers who actively intervened in student issues didn’t exist in that era.

‘If I mess up, they’ll just beat me.’

No matter how many problems arose, teachers acted like NPCs in a game. They talked about building a world together, but the “together” didn’t include poor, weak victims. Corporal punishment was reserved for a few troublemakers. They didn’t dare touch the real problem kids.

Jin-hyeok made up his mind.

‘Minors who can’t be punished by law.’

He saw Chae Kyu-ho talking to Park Yong-seok.

‘I’m a minor too.’

Chae Kyu-ho came running into the classroom.

He usually reported everything to Jin-hyeok, his trusted friend, but this time, he didn’t stutter.

“Class president! He wants the money back! He says he doesn’t need the money I gave him yesterday and wants interest!”

How dare this little brat try to extort my friend?

Kids playing loan sharks in sacred school grounds?

He didn’t say it out loud, but Jin-hyeok stood up, cursing internally.

With a stone-faced expression, he spoke like the Sphinx.

“You, come here.”

The words that came out of Jin-hyeok’s mouth were the scariest for a guilty soul.

Park Yong-seok, who had come to grab Chae Kyu-ho, flinched and stepped back.

Jin-hyeok, blocking the morning sun, looked like the grim reaper.

‘Ugh, damn, he’s terrifying.’

Compared to him, Jin-hyeok’s shadow was too big and dark.

Time to run.

Jin-hyeok checked the clock at the back of the classroom.

About 20 minutes left before class started.

He followed Park Yong-seok.

***

Son Kwang-yeon and Hong Ki-jun were enjoying a leisurely time on the porch.

Sipping sweet mixed coffee under the zelkova tree, they were happy.

Son Kwang-yeon, holding a white stone, slurped his coffee.

“Ow! Hot!”

He touched his lips, glancing around to make sure his wife wasn’t watching. He didn’t want to look bad in front of Han Yu-young.

Making lip-smacking sounds, he glanced at Hong Ki-jun, who was chuckling.

“How’s the old man doing?”

“He’s fine. Still sharp, always asking to play baduk.”

“That’s good. But with two sons, does he favor his son-in-law?”

“He just loves his daughter. My brothers-in-law aren’t good at baduk.”

Son Kwang-yeon also knew Yoo Myung-sun, Hong Ki-jun’s father-in-law and chairman of Sein Group. He had supported and cared for him since he was a child with nowhere to go. But he avoided meeting him. After over a decade of seclusion, it felt awkward to visit now.

Understanding his feelings, Hong Ki-jun casually brought it up.

“When are you planning to visit?”

“I don’t know. What right do I have? You didn’t tell him about me, did you?”

“Tell him what? I’ve been holding back from saying anything.”

Hong Ki-jun muttered like he was chanting, keeping his eyes on the baduk board.

“He didn’t ask about me or anything?”

“What would he ask? He’s been circling around during vacations, maybe worried about being followed.”

“Followed?”

“It’s what chaebols do. I got followed a lot after marrying Se-ra. They disappeared for a while but started showing up again this spring.”

Whatever the reason, it was clear they were being followed again.

He thought it might be suspicion of infidelity, but since they followed him even when he was with Yoo Se-ra, that couldn’t be the only reason. He couldn’t just ask his father-in-law directly. Hong Ki-jun chose to improve his driving skills to shake off the followers.

“I still see some suspicious guys. No idea what they’re up to.”

“Maybe they’re bodyguards?”

“Maybe…”

Hong Ki-jun nodded, though he didn’t believe it. He just wanted to comfort his friend. Who needs undercover bodyguards when you’re not the president?

Son Kwang-yeon also didn’t believe they were bodyguards. He’d been tailed since childhood until he graduated from college.

‘Chaebols…’

A black stone fell on the baduk board.

Hong Ki-jun clicked his tongue.

“Wow, Kwang-yeon, your skills have improved. I’ve been practicing, but I can’t beat you. What’s your secret?”

“Don’t even start. I can’t even win against Jin-hyeok.”

Son Kwang-yeon had been losing to his son since he was nine.

Hong Ki-jun raised an eyebrow, then burst out laughing.

“You’ve finally met your match! Hahaha!”

“If we’d bet, I’d have lost all my land to Jin-hyeok. Hahaha.”

As the two friends laughed, the front door opened, and Han Yu-young came out.

Her pale face trembled, looking like she might collapse any second.

Son Kwang-yeon shot toward her like a bee-stung colt. He adored his wife and sensed something was wrong.

“Are you okay?”

“Honey… our Jin-hyeok…”

Han Yu-young’s body finally gave out and collapsed.