1991 and 1992 were years of great change. The National Assembly, which had been dominated by the opposition, returned to the control of the ruling party due to the merger of the three parties. The small Democratic Party, which had barely maintained its existence, produced a few star politicians, but they had no real influence in the political arena. The Peace Party also became a minor opposition party, significantly losing its power.
Ultimately, they lost the local elections and spent the year striving for the unification of the opposition.
The 14th general election ended with the victory of the ruling party. During this period, the National Party, founded by Song Young-ju, the former head of Daehyun, made significant progress.
Behind the scenes, Chairman Cheon planted his people and money in the two major parties. Eventually, all of this would become Chairman Cheon's strength.
Meanwhile, the war on crime entered its first anniversary with a major crackdown. Many gangsters who had been hiding were arrested, and small organizations that had proliferated during the power vacuum left by the collapse of large organizations were all dismantled. It only calmed down again after the general election and the start of the presidential election season.
Amidst this chaos, I was intensely preparing for the college entrance exam. There was nothing I, a mere child, could do, and it was something I shouldn't do, so I gritted my teeth and waited.
The day of the college entrance exam, which would later be changed to the national college entrance examination, was as cold as always.
I arrived at the examination site in Mr. Ha's car. Before getting out, Mr. Ha casually offered me a piece of candy.
I stared at the candy.
"Master, I hope you do well on the exam."
"Yes, Mr. Ha."
A smile spread across my face involuntarily at Mr. Ha's gruff expression.
I applied to the Law Department at Korea University. Myung-soo also applied to the Law Department at Korea University, following me, and Hyun-sung had already been accepted to Korea National Sport University.
"Phew, it's cold."
White breath escaped from Myung-soo's lips as he got out of the car with me.
A while ago, Myung-soo had met Chairman Cheon.
I had never seen that smooth-talking guy so nervous before.
The main gate of Korea University where I would take the exam. It was a path I had walked before, but the nervousness was the same.
"Wow... I'm so nervous. Aren't you?"
"A little?"
"Come on, you're not a robot. Why are you so calm? It's boring. Let's go, we'll be late."
"There's still plenty of time."
"Still, what if we're late?"
"Alright, let's go."
Myung-soo and I passed through the main gate of Korea University.
It was time for the results of the past three years of effort to be put to the test. It was also the day the results of the bet with Chairman Cheon would be revealed.
The college entrance exam, consisting of a written test worth 320 points and a physical fitness test worth 20 points, for a total of 340 points. The physical fitness test was a score that anyone without a physical disability could easily get 19-20 points, so the written test was essentially everything.
The seemingly endless exam time finally came to an end.
"Mu-hyuk, how did the exam go?"
"Yeah. How about you?"
"I made a few mistakes, but I think I'm in the passing range."
As Myung-soo and I left the main gate, Mr. Ha greeted us.
"Master, how did the exam go?"
"Haha, now it's up to the heavens."
"It seems you did well. Let's go, the Chairman is waiting."
"Yes."
We arrived at Pyeongchang-dong in Mr. Ha's car.
"Did you do well on the exam?"
"I did my best."
"Hehe, that's my boy."
"I've done everything I can, so now it's up to the heavens."
"Alright, let's eat."
Myung-soo and I had dinner with my grandfather. My grandfather didn't say much until the end of the meal.
When we returned to the room, Myung-soo let out a sigh as if he had come back to life.
"Phew... I can't get used to your grandfather no matter how many times I see him. The atmosphere is just... so intense..."
Seeing Myung-soo's pale face, I couldn't help but chuckle.
Myung-soo glared at me.
"It's not funny. I was so scared I didn't know if the food was going in my mouth or my nose."
"You won't see him much after we leave, right?"
"What if I get accepted?"
"I'll have to bring Grandma up and find a place to live. What about you?"
"Me? Of course, I'll have to stick with you."
"......Live in a boarding house."
"Forget it. Your place will be heaven when Grandma comes up. What boarding house? Get lost."
"Phew......"
What a nuisance.
"Still, isn't it a bit over the top to be so confident before the results are out? Hahaha."
"I'm confident. What about you?"
"Shut up. I'll score higher than you. This isn't a school exam; it's the real deal."
"Yes, the always third-ranked Myung-soo."
"Ah... brat, don't you touch my sore spot. You're so full of yourself."
* * *
The results of the college entrance exam, which are graded by each university, come out quickly.
Chairman Cheon obtained Mu-hyuk's results faster than anyone else. It was only a week after the exam.
"Hehe, Myung-hoon."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Is that boy who lived like a rascal until he was 17 really the one who got a perfect score? A perfect score, and not just one of many, but the only one."
"Is that so?"
"Tsk, what a boring guy."
Chairman Cheon, who clicked his tongue at Mr. Ha, kept looking at the paper in his hand.
It contained Mu-hyuk's perfect score, the first in the history of the college entrance exam.
"I bet you're pleased."
"I am. I'm very pleased. Except for my son and grandson who went to Korea University, all the others got into college with money. But now I have a grandson who got a perfect score."
"Congratulations."
"Still, what will this boy ask for? I'll have to grant him whatever he wants, right?"
Saying this, Chairman Cheon smiled broadly.
Mr. Ha also slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Weren't you already planning to give him anything he wanted?"
"That's one thing, but a bet is a bet. I should hear what he wants."
The smiling Chairman Cheon suddenly asked.
"By the way, can't he just live here while attending university?"
"I thought he planned to bring Grandma to Seoul and live with her."
"Ah."
"Do you know? Grandma is his top priority. I think it will be difficult for him."
Chairman Cheon sighed regretfully.
"Right, what about it? Why did he choose the Law Department? Is he planning to take the bar exam?"
"I don't know."
"I hope he doesn't waste his time unnecessarily. That boy's stubbornness is not ordinary; he doesn't follow my wishes. It's frustrating."
Chairman Cheon spoke as if he had a headache.
"That's why you like him, right? He's not defying your will but choosing his own path and walking it correctly."
"That's true. I prefer the path he chooses himself over the one I pave for him. It's a shame. If he were a Cheon, how great it would be."
Mr. Ha pulled out the chair for Chairman Cheon as he sat down.
"Whether he's a Cheon or a Kim, he's your blood. And he doesn't have any other relatives besides Grandma."
"Right, right. Since he thinks so poorly of Grandma, I should meet his in-laws. Prepare for it."
"Yes, I understand. I'll let you know when it's ready."
"Ah, I hope you handled his school records properly? After all......"
"I've taken care of it without any problems."
"Good. You can go now."
Mr. Ha bowed and left the study.
Chairman Cheon continued to look at the paper in his hand with a smile on his face for a while.
* * *
That evening, I heard from my grandfather that I had gotten a perfect score.
Since it was a path I had already walked, I didn't feel much. Only Myung-soo couldn't close his mouth when he heard I had a perfect score.
Myung-soo and I returned to our home in Busan.
"My child, you've worked hard."
"Ah, worked hard? It's not like it was difficult with Mr. Ha driving me around."
"Ah, that's right. Go take a shower. I've made dinner."
"I thought we were going out to eat today?"
"Why waste money? Grandma's cooking is better. We can go out later."
"Alright. I'll go take a shower."
After dinner, I sat down with Grandma in the living room.
"Grandma, let's go to Seoul together."
"......"
"What? I have to go to Seoul for university. How can I be at ease leaving Grandma here in Busan?"
"Mu-hyuk."
"Yes, Grandma."
"I have no plans to leave. I'll continue living in Busan."