Chapter 93

#93 <A Fate Woven by Coincidence (2)>

***

“I think I’m okay.”

He went out to buy octopus and ended up in the city. He needed to get home, but his mom would be worried. Jin Hyuk was restless.

Yuk Young-gu comforted Jin Hyuk.

“I called your house, so they’ll come. Just wait a bit, okay?”

“Okay.”

After hearing the doctor’s opinion that it wasn’t serious, Yuk Young-gu seemed much calmer. Though his hands were still shaking.

Now, Jin Hyuk was the problem.

‘Ugh, the smell of the hospital.’

The smell of the hospital never gets easier to handle. His head, which had been fine even after the explosion, was now spinning, and his stomach was churning. Feeling suffocated, Jin Hyuk wandered around the hospital like a typical patient.

Coming to a big hospital like this reminded him of a day in his 30s when he carried a drunk Hong Soo-jung to the emergency room. It was probably the day she became a director and he a team leader, and they celebrated with drinks.

‘She was all over my back…’

Feeling his back damp and warm, Jin Hyuk stopped reminiscing.

Then, in the hallway, he saw a familiar face.

The man’s eye swelling had gone down, but his cheekbones were still bruised. Even without his face, his sturdy build made him recognizable. The man had been staring at Jin Hyuk before Jin even noticed him, with a look that seemed to say, “Who did you beat up this time to end up in the hospital?”

“Did you come to see me?”

“No. My friend got hurt. I didn’t know you were here.”

Moon Seok-il closed his mouth tightly and nodded. He had tried to joke, but the calm and normal response made him feel awkward.

There were plenty of tall middle schoolers, but Jin Hyuk, with his solid build, was something else. Moon Seok-il carefully observed him and asked, “What happened?”

“A high-explosive shell went off. A mortar shell.”

Moon Seok-il’s eyes widened in surprise, then he sighed. Even if it wasn’t the front lines in Gangwon Province, there were plenty of kids who lost their lives or limbs playing with duds or landmines. It was strange for a student to talk about high-explosive shells, but that wasn’t the important thing now.

If a high-explosive shell went off, lives would be in danger.

“You must be devastated.”

“They said only the eardrum was slightly damaged.”

Moon Seok-il was surprised again but didn’t ask for details. They weren’t close enough for that kind of conversation, and it wasn’t his business. Based on experience and knowledge, he guessed that Jin Hyuk had been close to the explosion but was shielded enough to avoid serious injury.

“What about your friends?”

“One is here, and two are in Suwon.”

This time, Jin Hyuk nodded.

It must have been Kang Heon-chang, the one with the broken ribs, still here.

Jin Hyuk had questions but held back. Seeing Moon Seok-il’s right hand in a cast, he thought treatment should come first.

“I can help with the medical expenses.”

“No need.”

Moon Seok-il slowly shook his head, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

There was much to talk about, but the reunion of these two men with complicated feelings didn’t last long.

“Waaah, Jin Hyuk!”

“Where’s our son!”

His mom cried with red eyes, looking around like a lost child in the market, while his dad grabbed a passing doctor by the collar and shook him. Each time, the poor doctor’s head bobbed like a car dashboard ornament. It was truly a force reminiscent of the American bison from documentaries.

‘Seems like Seong-chan’s dad didn’t explain well.’

A bomb went off, and Jin Hyuk was taken to the hospital, come quickly. That’s probably all he said before hanging up. It was obvious. That’s just how people like him are.

Yoo Jin was nowhere to be seen, probably left with Choi Mi-kyung.

He wanted to see his sister, and more importantly, the doctor’s life seemed in danger, so Jin Hyuk quickly left.

“Your parents are here. See you next time.”

He clearly said it. See you next time.

“Sure.”

Moon Seok-il unconsciously crossed his legs and placed his hands on his thighs. Wondering why he was doing this.

Moon Seok-il’s eyes followed Jin Hyuk as he moved. He watched intently as Son Kwang-yeon fussed over Jin Hyuk’s body. He looked only a few years older than Jin Hyuk. Seeing his son safe, he hugged his wife and comforted her. Just an ordinary person. But he seemed strong.

Why did they bring him here?

‘I decided to find out who sent him.’

Even without Jin Hyuk’s request, it was a contract-bound fate.

A contract made with Moon Seok-il’s life as collateral, more valuable than money.

– 【…I will watch over you. Your life is in my hands.】

Remembering that voice made him shrink his neck and look around. Moon Seok-il, clenching his jaw, grabbed some cash and a phone card and left the hospital, avoiding Jin Hyuk’s family.

***

One Saturday afternoon.

Whether it was because he was young or because he handled it well, Yook Seong-chan quickly recovered. On the day of his discharge, he and his father, Yuk Young-gu, stopped by Jin Hyuk’s house to express their gratitude, saying they would have been in big trouble if it weren’t for Jin Hyuk.

The icebox in Yuk Young-gu’s hands was filled with fresh octopus, all caught over two days and brought without selling any.

“Seong-chan’s dad, you shouldn’t have.”

Son Kwang-yeon repeatedly declined. He knew how much pain it took to catch so much octopus.

“No, no! No matter how precious, nothing is more precious than my child. Don’t even think about buying octopus from now on. I’ll catch it for you whenever you want. If Yoo Jin hadn’t said she wanted to eat octopus, I would have scolded this kid again.”

As he spoke, Yuk Young-gu’s mouth smiled, but his eyes were filled with tears.

Excited, Yoo Jin held up the wriggling octopus and ran around the yard with Jang Gun-i.

“Hahaha! It’s flying!”

You couldn’t tell the octopus’s expression, but seeing its flailing suction cups, it seemed to be in despair.

Unlike Yuk Young-gu, who was teary-eyed, Yook Seong-chan laughed brightly, saying he could hear clearly.

Though he had already heard about Seong-chan’s condition, Jin Hyuk sighed in relief again.

Perhaps because of his pure nature, Seong-chan showed no signs of trauma and curiously examined the peach tree in the yard with Yoo Jin.

“Oppa! Look! Yoo Jin is short.”

“Is this, this? Is this ripe? It’s still green? Eating unripe ones will make you sick.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be green? The inside is ripe, right?”

Watching Seong-chan crouch with Yoo Jin and nibble on the peach with his front teeth, Jin Hyuk thought about how many inexplicable causalities there were in the world.

‘If Yoo Jin hadn’t said she wanted to eat octopus…’

Would Seong-chan have had the accident? If the octopus hadn’t appeared in Yoo Jin’s picture book, if Jin Hyuk hadn’t gone… What’s the use of “what ifs” about things that have already happened? But at least the outcome was good. Seong-chan’s family returned to normal, and what could have been a major shock to Jin Hyuk passed without incident.

After the Yook family left, Jin Hyuk brushed Jang Gun-i’s fur and picked off fleas in the yard. There were quite a few ticks too.

“You should shower every day. What’s a flea doing on a lady like you?”

Was it too harsh to call a small dog a lady?

There’s a stream nearby, so why not wash? Maybe dipping in seawater would sterilize a bit. Would a Brazilian wax help? Jin Hyuk’s muttering went on for a while. He definitely talks more when he’s with Jang Gun-i.

Hehehe.

Judging by his playful attitude, Jang Gun-i seemed to dislike baths.

“Jang Gun-i, if you want to go to Seoul, you need to clean up and shine.”

It was a family trip to Seoul that he only found out about after school. They were going to visit Soo-jung’s place, which meant staying overnight. It’s uncomfortable staying at someone else’s house.

‘Hmm. I thought Dad would go alone.’

He only heard that the plan had changed.

Since getting a car, the family had gone on drives and short trips, but this was the first time going to Seoul together.

Jin Hyuk sat in the front seat, while Mom sat in the back with Yoo Jin and Jang Gun-i.

“We’re going to see Soo-jung’s grandfather.”

Dad, who usually explained the reason or purpose first, struggled to bring it up in the car today. Mom and Dad were dressed formally, and now he knew why. No matter how well Hong Ki-jun was doing, the real power still lay with Chairman Yoo Myung-sun, so they needed to make a good impression. That’s why they were meeting him first.

“It’s been a while, right?”

After organizing his thoughts, Jin Hyuk turned to Dad in the driver’s seat.

“Yeah. I only met him a few times as a kid. He was always busy.”

The man who helped his father build Sein Group must have been busy. From what Jin Hyuk remembered, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun was practically the founder. His father only managed a liquefied carbon dioxide gas factory.

The Dad Jin Hyuk knew wasn’t someone who feared people. If he had to pick someone he was afraid of, it would be Mom. But now, Dad’s voice was trembling, and his words were short.

‘He seems nervous.’

Considering the relationship between Yoo Se-ra, Hong Ki-jun, and Son Kwang-yeon, it wasn’t an entirely unexpected connection.

‘The key might unravel in a completely unexpected place.’

Jin Hyuk’s focus was on the person who had instigated Moon Seok-il’s misdeeds. Dad said it wasn’t him, but the suspicious backgrounds were limited.

The coincidental trip to Seoul seemed like it would have a significant impact, and Jin Hyuk’s head felt hot with anticipation.

Considering Yoo Myung-sun’s connections and information network, they might be able to find useful information. For that, Dad’s role was crucial.

Seeing Mom and Yoo Jin dozing off in the back seat, Jin Hyuk looked at Son Kwang-yeon.

“Dad, when you meet the Chairman, there’s something I need you to do.”

***

As the appointment time approached, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun became busy.

When he received a call from Son Kwang-yeon, who had returned from Hawaii after Chuseok, he was unsure. He hadn’t met him since childhood. But Son Kwang-yeon remembered exactly who his benefactor was. It wasn’t like sending him abroad for studies like his own children, just occasional pocket money through a butler. Still, it was touching that he hadn’t forgotten the kindness and came to visit.

‘Ki-jun must have told him.’

His scatterbrained daughter Yoo Se-ra couldn’t have persuaded Son Kwang-yeon. It must have been his politically savvy and smart son-in-law who brought up the difficult topic to quench the old man’s thirst. Yoo Myung-sun thought that while he had no luck with sons, his daughter and son-in-law were well-placed.

“Mrs. Lee, does this tie look okay?”

“You could get married again. Hohoho.”

“At my age?”

Not disliking the comment, Yoo Myung-sun’s mouth twitched upward.

Mrs. Lee, who managed household affairs well, checked Yoo Myung-sun’s attire and left. She seemed impressed. The Chairman, who even met the President in just a shirt and jacket, was now wearing a tie, which he usually avoided.

“Is the young lady not coming?”

“She’s busy. It’s noisy and uncomfortable with too many people.”

They would only have dinner and then go to their daughter’s house, so there was no need for a big fuss. He had already told his daughter Yoo Se-ra that if she came, it would be noisy, and the precious cookies would disappear.

‘Why am I nervous when I haven’t done anything wrong?’

He had met countless people since his youth in business. During the war, a People’s Army officer once pointed a gun at his forehead. He thought he was going to die but faced the gun without trembling.

Thanks to Hong Ki-jun’s efforts, Sein Group rose rapidly, and meetings with political and business figures became frequent, including high-ranking officials from the Blue House and even the President. Yoo Myung-sun had always been composed. So why was he so nervous about Son Kwang-yeon?

“Mrs. Lee, is dinner ready?”

“Yes. I hope the guests will like it.”

“With your skills, anyone would like it.”

“If the Chairman is this concerned, they must be very important guests.”

Yoo Myung-sun, pacing the reception room with a cane, stopped.

Important guests.

That’s why I’m so restless. The old Chairman muttered.

Even after living over 70 years, there were things he couldn’t understand. Like the human heart. Money could buy things and even people’s bodies, but not their hearts.

Perhaps it was because of the feelings that traced back to that woman. The affection he felt for her like a younger sister, the guilt of not being able to protect her. They say men never grow up. They just package that immaturity as romance.

Yoo Myung-sun chuckled and loosened his tie. He undid a shirt button and practiced a natural expression in the mirror. He had been composed even in front of the President, so why was his face so stiff now?

Blowing air out of his cheeks, Yoo Myung-sun called for Butler Kwon.

“Are the children coming too?”

“Yes, Chairman. A brother and sister. Oh, and-.”

Butler Kwon adjusted his glasses and looked at his notebook.

“A dog…”

“Hohoh!”

Yoo Myung-sun burst into laughter. The tension in his facial muscles finally relaxed. A dog. That guy had always been cheerful since he was young.

***

“Wow! So many cars!”

“Right, right? So many. It’s my first time in downtown Seoul.”

Hehehe.

From the back seat, the exclamations of the two women and the dog could be heard.

Jin Hyuk chuckled and looked out the window.

‘Is this Gangnam Boulevard?’

It was fascinating.

Driving through the city with his family in a car, where he used to pass by on a bus.

Thirty years felt like they had passed as they drove through the city streets.

Leaving the main road and driving up a narrow uphill path, Son Kwang-yeon clicked his tongue.

“It’s so high, so high. Even a bird couldn’t get in. Honey, should we build our walls this high too?”

“Ugh, how could anyone live like that, it’s so suffocating.”

Listening to his parents’ conversation, Jin Hyuk also nodded.

Nicely put, it was a fortress; harshly put, it was like a prison. The walls were topped with sharp metal spikes. It must be a neighborhood with frequent thefts due to the valuable items. They had already seen two patrol cars in just a hundred meters. In Taeyang County, you’d hardly see one even in the town center.

‘Does Soo-jung live in a place like this?’

Adult Hong Soo-jung lived in an officetel or hotel, but where does the little one live now? She loves to play; does she have a spacious yard? She loved the sea so much; wouldn’t she feel suffocated living behind such high walls?

Thinking that far, Jin Hyuk chuckled.

‘I’m overthinking.’

It must be sentimentality. In his past life, his emotions were dull and clumsy, but now, looking back, he realized there were so many opportunities to create memories and build a history. Only now did he learn to think of others. If only he had reflected more back then, how much better it would have been.

His heart itched for no reason, and he scratched it vigorously, earning a side glance from Dad in the driver’s seat.

“Jin Hyuk, did you not shower?”

“I did…”

Did he get fleas from Jang Gun-i? Muttering to himself, Jin Hyuk rode in Son Kwang-yeon’s car as it finally reached the mountain of fate.