Chapter 97

#97 <Comfort and Gifts (3)>

***

Jin Hyuk also noticed.

The conversation had been going back and forth, but at some point, only his dad’s voice could be heard. That old man must be watching me. Jin Hyuk casually crossed his arms and just stared at the bookshelf.

Even though he tried to focus on thoughts about his grandmother, grandfather, and Daejeong Group, Yoo Myung-sun’s gaze pierced through the wall of concentration, irritating Jin Hyuk.

‘Ugh, this is uncomfortable.’

From what he heard in the car, this man was someone who helped his dad during tough times. But instead, it felt like his dad was being treated as a VIP. The way he looked at Jin Hyuk and his mom wasn’t the typical gaze of a tycoon either.

Since he had already gotten a solid clue about the person threatening his dad, there was no reason to stay any longer.

‘I should leave.’

He decided it would be best to find some peace of mind first. Earlier, he saw Jang Gun-i marking his territory and putting on a big show, so he might as well deal with that too.

Just as he was about to turn around, Yoo Myung-sun called him.

“Hey, kid.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hahaha, what’s with this creepy ‘sir’? Call me grandpa.”

“Ah… yes, Grandpa.”

Jin Hyuk scratched the back of his head.

He had only used that term a couple of times with Cheon Gil-ryong. How many times in his life had he even called someone ‘grandpa’? Though he could vaguely see Yoo Se-ra in him, this was still a strange old man and the owner of a famous group. He had never imagined he’d be calling someone like that ‘grandpa.’

“We’ve been given this gift of time to meet, yet we haven’t exchanged many words. Will you tell me a bit about yourself?”

Yoo Myung-sun pulled out a chair and gestured for Jin Hyuk to sit. He tapped the chair lightly.

Jin Hyuk obediently sat down next to Yoo Myung-sun.

‘Wow, I’m really nervous.’

Is this old man dangerous? Even when facing Moon Seok-il and his crew, who had pushed human limits, Jin Hyuk had remained calm. But in front of Yoo Myung-sun, he felt strangely intimidated. Maybe his resistance only went as far as Chairman Hong Ki-jun. Come to think of it, he had also felt a bit cowed when talking to Grandpa Cheon Gil-ryong.

Maybe it’s because he doesn’t interact with adults much. His dad and uncles are younger than his soul, so that’s understandable. Jin Hyuk thought that might be the case as he stared at Yoo Myung-sun.

“I heard you’re good at both studying and sports?”

“Yeah, well, sort of…”

“Hahaha. I thought you were just tall, but you speak like an adult too.”

***

They talked for quite a while, not a long time, but enough to cover a lot. Jin Hyuk saw his dad standing by the window, looking down at the garden, and also exchanged glances with Yoo Myung-sun, who held his hand and comforted him.

The conversation mainly revolved around Jin Hyuk, and it felt like a comfortable chat with a grandfather he lived with. The vague tension disappeared, and he felt a warm comfort.

They also talked about Yoo Se-ra and Hong Soo-jung. Yoo Myung-sun awkwardly smiled and asked Jin Hyuk to take care of them.

‘Why is he asking a teenager for that kind of favor?’

Soo-jung’s mom must have some weird requests. Since the chairman’s wife passed away shortly after giving birth to Yoo Se-ra, it made sense that he would feel deeply attached to his daughter.

“Don’t you have any requests for this old man?”

What kind of request could he have at their first meeting? Even if it were about security, it would be better for his dad to handle it directly with Hong Ki-jun.

“Not really, no.”

Jin Hyuk smiled slightly. It felt awkward using informal speech with the chairman.

Perhaps amused by his discomfort, Yoo Myung-sun laughed heartily, making the study shake.

“I heard you don’t have a proper place to exercise.”

“I’m in the same conditions as other students.”

Yoo Myung-sun pushed his lower lip up and nodded, seemingly deep in thought.

“Hmm, I had a similar conversation with your mom and sister. We decided to judge based on your records in third year.”

“But it seems you still want to exercise.”

“Yeah, it’s fun.”

He could confidently say that.

Jin Hyuk always imagined himself sprinting on the track. He didn’t understand his near-obsessive feelings, but thinking about the track made him happy. The thrill of crossing the finish line and turning to the scoreboard was beyond pleasure—it was pure ecstasy.

“This old man will find a way to help you.”

“Huh?”

“If a man has talent, he shouldn’t hide it.”

Like our Ki-jun, Yoo Myung-sun muttered.

Shouldn’t it be about not hiding talent? What does he mean by not hiding his name? Is he saying to spread his name around?

Jin Hyuk just nodded with a blank expression.

“If you hide your talent and live in fear, you’re wasting your life. Your dad said he wouldn’t do that anymore, right? It’s a loss not to earn what you can. Whether it’s money or influence. It’s not just about helping. It’s about investing where it’s worth investing.”

It was a very businessman-like statement.

At the mention of hiding, Son Kwang-yeon, who had been listening from a distance, flinched and shrugged.

Oh, it’s Yoo Jin and our dear. He deliberately looked away at the garden.

Yoo Myung-sun, holding Jin Hyuk’s hand, spoke softly.

“Many people envy me, you know.”

Jin Hyuk silently nodded in agreement.

It’s true that people would envy a tycoon chairman. They believe there’s nothing money can’t do. And that’s true.

As time passed, Yoo Myung-sun’s words flowed through the study like a babbling brook.

“I envy you.”

Yoo Myung-sun patted Jin Hyuk’s hand.

Just like Chairman Hong Ki-jun had done before the accident.

“At this age, strength and ambition aren’t what they used to be. My eyes are dimmer than my head, and all that’s left is an old man’s stubbornness.”

He was growing old as a stubborn man.

But then, his son-in-law lit a fire in the old man’s heart.

– “I’ll raise Sein to be the best in the world without any dirty dealings. I’ll make sure employees feel successful just by working at Sein.”

Even if it was a lie, it sent a thrill through the man’s heart. It was a passion that couldn’t be bought with millions. Yoo Myung-sun, lacking the talent to handle that passion, handed full authority to his son-in-law.

A similar passion was reignited when he saw Jin Hyuk.

Past connections played a part, and it was also greed for future connections.

It was a desire to possess.

He had lost Son Moon-ye, whom he cherished like a younger brother, and had only just found Son Kwang-yeon. Just as he wanted to extend those connections, the perfect piece appeared. Even if it was an old man’s senile greed, if Hong Ki-jun had approved, there was no need to question it. Yoo Myung-sun’s trust in Hong Ki-jun was absolute.

“If sports are fun, this old man will send you a fun gift.”

It was a small investment to keep the boy his son-in-law had marked as a gem. It was a compulsion to do at least this much as a grandfather. And it was the lingering greed of a man nearing the end of his life.

“The rest, I’ll discuss with your dad.”

“Yes…”

Jin Hyuk nodded with a blank expression. He didn’t even know what the gift was, so he couldn’t say thank you. What, is he going to buy me a car like in the novels? If it’s a fun gift, it’s probably not something like a Game Boy.

He says he’ll give a gift but then says he’ll discuss it with my dad. The Yoo family really is as eccentric as they come.

Seeing Jin Hyuk nod, Yoo Myung-sun laughed heartily. He looked genuinely happy.

Son Kwang-yeon’s muttering as he skimmed through a report was drowned out by Yoo Myung-sun’s laughter.

“Why did this kid write this by hand instead of using a typewriter or computer?”

***

‘One million won.’

In the car heading from Yoo Myung-sun’s house to Hong Soo-jung’s, Jin Hyuk blinked at the crisp check in his hand. It was a check Yoo Myung-sun had handed him as pocket money.

When a ten-million-won check came out of his wallet, Jin Hyuk had wondered if it was a mistake.

– “Oh dear, oh dear, I’m getting old. Hahaha.”

Yoo Myung-sun had made a fuss, saying he had taken out the wrong one, which felt oddly endearing.

Thanks to his wealthy dad, Jin Hyuk had seen a ten-million-won check, something most middle schoolers wouldn’t get to see. But having a one-million-won check in his hands was a first in his life. His friends would be wide-eyed just seeing a hundred-thousand-won check.

The chairman really is something. With such a large sum, the tension that had been building from the long car ride and drowsiness washed over him. What should I do with this? How can I become a rich oppa with this?

Should I sell roasted sweet potatoes in winter or rent out tubes at the beach in summer? I could even make a decent profit selling watermelons from the field. Oh, but I’d have to steal them first.

Jin Hyuk closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and turned to his mom sitting in the back seat.

“Here.”

“Okay. Mom will keep it safe for you.”

She really would keep it safe. She had even handed over the post office savings account Jin Hyuk had managed all through elementary school.

Han Yu-young stroked her daughter’s head and asked.

“Should mom keep yours too, Yoo Jin?”

“Nope, nope.”

Yoo Jin shook her head vigorously and turned her body away.

What does a five-year-old know? But thinking about the cookie war, it made sense. So Han Yu-young proposed a traditional trade.

“Yoo Jin, look. Let’s trade these two for that one.”

Han Yu-young waved two thousand-won bills.

Jin Hyuk’s mouth dropped open as he watched the mother and daughter. Trying to buy a million won with two thousand won? His mom must have some serious business skills. Did his dad become a land tycoon like that?

“No way, hehe.”

But Yoo Jin wasn’t an easy kid. She still hadn’t let go of the check she was holding. She must know what she’s doing. The texture of bills and checks is different, after all.

Jin Hyuk, who had been silent, stepped in.

“You might lose it. Give it to your brother.”

“Okay.”

Jin Hyuk handed the check back to his mom.

Looking at his bewildered mom, he thought.

‘Shouldn’t I get a commission for this?’

Is he slowly becoming a slave to money?

This must also be the result of hormones making neurons connect randomly.

Swallowing his nonsense, Jin Hyuk shook his head hard to drive away the greed.

Right now, he’s a student, and his mom takes care of everything from head to toe. What use is money?

Sigh.

Jang Gun-i, who hadn’t received any pocket money but had eaten a lot of meat soup and rice, let out a satisfied sigh.

***

The happiest one upon arriving at Hong Soo-jung’s house was Jang Gun-i.

There was a golden retriever in the garden, and this dog was so gentle that even when Jang Gun-i went wild, marking his territory and causing a ruckus, it just sat and watched. Even when Jang Gun-i stole its food or pulled its ears, it remained calm.

Worried, Jin Hyuk warned him.

“Jang Gun-i, you might get bitten.”

Even if he’s muscular, those teeth could still hurt.

“It’s okay, oppa. Woody Pomi is gentle.”

“Pomi? Is it a girl?”

“No, it’s a boy.”

He was about to ask why a male dog was named Pomi but stopped.

Jang Gun-i is Jang Gun-i, and Pomi is Pomi. What’s the big deal? The pink ribbon around its neck must have been tied by Hong Soo-jung.

‘She liked pink even when she was young.’

Hong Soo-jung, who loved wearing pink sweaters in private.

A ribbon bringing back memories—maybe it’s something he’ll carry in his heart forever.

Just then, Hong Ki-jun’s car arrived. He had been working non-stop, even on weekends, but since Jin Hyuk’s family was coming, he decided to leave early.

Jin Hyuk froze for a moment when he saw the person driving Hong Ki-jun’s car.

‘Manager Kim Cheol-min.’

The 50-something manager who used to drive Chairman Hong Ki-jun’s car. He had been in the same car during the accident. He must have been working under Chairman Hong Ki-jun for a long time. He looked no older than 25. Getting out of the driver’s seat to greet them, he looked more like a sharp bodyguard than a manager.

‘This feels weird.’

But he couldn’t act like he knew him, so he just bowed slightly with a warm heart. Come to think of it, the last team member he saw, Manager Min Yong-rak, would be around that age too. I wonder where he is and what he’s doing now. Maybe he’s in the military.

While Jin Hyuk was lost in thought, Hong Ki-jun handed Kim Cheol-min a few checks for late-night snacks. The amount was enough to be a monthly salary.

“Sorry for making you work on weekends. Let’s start late tomorrow.”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

Jin Hyuk gasped.

‘Vice Chairman? At 39?’

It wasn’t strange since he had been publicly announced as the successor and held the title of president, but being called the group’s vice president was symbolic.

The reason Jin Hyuk was shocked was because the group was Sein.

The vice chairman of Sein Group held a different symbolic significance compared to other companies.

This guy really made it big, huh?