Seeing the young face of Manager Ha, I felt a surge of emotion.
His face, behind the glasses, showed no emotion.
He was one of the few assistants I had. Even after Chairman Cheon died, he stayed by my side until the end, and then passed away in a mysterious traffic accident.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ha Myunho.”
Though he was expressionless, I noticed his eyes behind the glasses had a hint of interest.
“No. I worked under Chairman Cheon, your maternal grandfather. I’ve come down at his request.”
“My maternal grandfather?”
An unchanged future. Or rather, a changed future. My grandmother is alive. This is the most important fact for me.
“Do I have a maternal grandfather? It’s a bit surprising to hear this for the first time.”
“Hmm... I heard you’re 17, but you’re surprisingly calm for your age. I’ll inform the hospital and school. Get ready and come with me. The Chairman is waiting.”
Straight to the point, just like when he was young.
“Your name is Manager Ha, right?”
“Maternal grandfather... Do I have to go if he calls me?”
Originally, I would have followed without a word.
I later learned that the old man preferred people with strong principles over those who were obedient.
“I don’t know. I just found out about the existence of my maternal grandfather, and after 17 years of no contact, he suddenly shows up. I don’t understand why Manager Ha is telling me to go if he calls me.”
I cut off Manager Ha, who was about to say something.
“I think it’s right for him to come to me personally. Go back and tell him that.”
“I don’t know why he suddenly contacted me... If he wants to see me, tell him to come in person. And before that, tell him to visit the columbarium where my mother is enshrined. That’s all I have to say. I’m sorry.”
“Ah, and I’ll take care of the hospital bills myself. I don’t need any help.”
With that, I got up and entered the hospital, passing by him.
Manager Ha called out to me again, but I didn’t turn back.
When I arrived at the ward and saw my grandmother, my bad mood lifted.
“What are you doing here, my child? Have you eaten?”
“I’m fine, all thanks to you.”
“They did some tests, but I don’t understand what they’re about. I just do what the doctor says.”
Sitting beside her bed, I held her hand and buried my face in it.
“Don’t worry about money. Do everything the doctors say for your health. I can’t live without you, Grandma.”
Her rough hand stroked the back of my head.
The person who loved and embraced me, even though I was a troublemaker from a young age. It’s really fortunate that I can save her...
“Do you have a maternal grandfather?”
“...Did someone come looking for you?”
“Yes, I just met him in front of the hospital. He said my maternal grandfather called him, but I refused to go.”
“Oh, why did you refuse?”
I shook my head firmly at Grandma, who looked worried.
“I don’t know. To me, you’re the only one. I don’t even remember my mother’s face, and I don’t remember you carrying me around while doing business. To me, you’re both my mother and father.”
Tears started to well up in Grandma’s eyes again.
“Even if you have a maternal grandfather, it’s not right for him to send someone to call you after 17 years. I told him clearly that if he wants to see me, he should come in person. I told him to visit the columbarium where my mother is enshrined first, and then come to me.”
“Grandma, don’t think too much. I know why he contacted me before you passed away. You were worried about me, right?”
“I’ll live with you until the end. I want to see you become a respected elder. Live a long life.”
“Muhyuk... My poor child...”
“What’s poor about it? I have you, Grandma.”
I hugged her tightly, and she started to sob.
This time, I won’t let Grandma or my life slip away like before.
After meeting Kim Muhyuk, Manager Ha returned to the Cheon family mansion in Seoul.
In front of him sat an old man whose face bore the marks of time and who looked stubborn. It was Chairman Cheon.
“So, that’s what he said?”
Chairman Cheon burst into laughter.
Manager Ha, who seemed a bit hesitant, added:
“...It felt like talking to a middle-aged man who has seen it all, not someone his age. He seemed completely different from what I found out about his past.”
Chairman Cheon stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Wasn’t he said to live like a thug?”
“Yes, according to the investigation, he was a well-known troublemaker in Busan... I apologize. He was a troublemaker. He had a friend whose parents were police, so he never faced legal punishment, but he often got into fights and visited the police station frequently.”
“Anything else besides the fights?”
“No other issues. Unlike other kids, he never extorted money from others.”
After a moment of hesitation, Chairman Cheon asked:
“...She was cremated and enshrined in a columbarium in Busan.”
“Foolish woman... If she was going to run away, she should have lived longer...”
Chairman Cheon looked into the distance, his eyes filled with regret, as if he was seeing the face of someone dear.
But the moment was brief. He soon regained his composure and instructed Manager Ha:
“I have to go see my grandson if he calls. When is a quiet day?”
“Next Wednesday, there are no appointments.”
“Let’s go then. Myunho, how old are you? Over 30?”
With his eyes downcast, Chairman Cheon thought deeply before speaking.
“Find out more about my grandson and deal with any issues in advance.”
“Go and take care of your work. I need to rest.”
After Manager Ha bowed and left, the old man’s face became wistful.
Tears flowed from his eyes without him even realizing it.
Grandma’s overall health was affected by old age, but there were no aftereffects from the heart attack. She was advised to stay in the hospital for a week for absolute rest.
On the first day of the exam.
As I picked up the test paper, the memories in my head came back.
Three years, and four years in college... The memories of studying hard to gain the old man’s approval were still vivid.
Dongsung High School. The problems here are easier than those from prestigious high schools, or even third-year middle school.
I quickly wrote down the answers on the test paper.
Time passed quickly, and the three-day exam was over.
After leaving school, I arrived at the hospital where Grandma was, as usual.
I immediately noticed the car parked in front of the hospital.
Chairman Cheon must have come.
Manager Ha, who had confirmed my presence, got out of the car and approached me to greet me.
“Just as Muhyuk said, the Chairman came in person. He’s waiting in the car. Please get in.”
“Wait a moment. I’ll go say hello to Grandma and come down.”
I went up to the ward and told Grandma:
“Grandma, my maternal grandfather came to see me. Do you want to meet him?”
“No, I’m not someone who can meet such a person. You should go and see him. It might help you.”
“But why do you keep saying that, Grandma?”
Unable to resist Grandma’s insistence, I left the ward.
Manager Ha was waiting for me at the hospital entrance.
Through the open car door, I saw Chairman Cheon.
Manager Ha closed the door after I got in, and the driver, who had been in the front seat, also got out.
“Yes, I’m Kim Muhyuk. You’re my maternal grandfather, right? Have you found my mother?”
“Haha... You look just like Misuk... Yes, I saw my daughter. You told me to come in person, right?”
“I thought it wasn’t right for you to send someone to call me after 17 years of no contact. I also didn’t want to leave Grandma, who is unwell.”
Though my tone was somewhat disrespectful, I didn’t thank him for coming.
“I’m living well with Grandma. I have no intention of living apart from her, and I can’t really believe that you’re my maternal grandfather, even now.”
“I’d like to get to know each other slowly.”
The old man’s gaze, which seemed to be observing me, made me feel a bit uncomfortable, as if old memories were resurfacing.
But I quickly lifted my head and met his gaze confidently.
“You’re confident. Do you take after your mother or that good-for-nothing father... Do you know anything about me?”
“No. I heard about it from Manager Ha for the first time, and Grandma didn’t give me much detail. But I can guess from the car you came in and the title Manager Ha uses for you.”
Chairman Cheon, who heard my answer, fell into thought.
I waited silently for him to speak.
“My name is Cheon Tae-san. I’m the father of your mother, Cheon Misuk, and I run a small loan business in Seoul. Does this explain who I am?”
“Yes. You’re my maternal grandfather, and you’re wealthy.”
“Hahaha. You’re like the kids of your age. Yes, I’m wealthy. Do you want something?”
To carry out my plan, I needed to gather funds from now on. Funds that Chairman Cheon’s sons don’t know about, which would make everything I plan possible.
But a completely different response came out of my mouth.
“Please give me a small house where I can live with Grandma. She has suffered for 17 years raising me.”
“Yes. I don’t think you would agree to anything I ask for right away. But I thought this request would be acceptable.”
“Hahaha, you’re right. Every deal needs a contract. A house to live with Grandma... I understand.”
The word “for now” caught Chairman Cheon’s attention.
“I hear you have something else in mind.”
“I’ll tell you next time.”
“Hahaha, next time. I’m curious about what you’ll bring to the table.”
“Please wait for three years, just three years. I’ll get accepted into the best university in Seoul. Then I’ll tell you what I want.”
In the past, it was the grandfather who made demands of me, but now I was making a proposal to him.
The moment Chairman Cheon’s eyes turned into those of a gambler.
“Hmm, are you confident?”
“Yes, the gift you’ll give me when I achieve it will be significant.”
“Interesting. I accept this bet. If you win, I’ll give you what you want. But if you fail... From then on, you’ll do as I say.”
“Hahaha. It’s been a long time since I had this much fun.”
“I’ll see you again next time.”
“When will I see you again?”
“During the winter break.”
The conversation with Chairman Cheon ended. I bowed and opened the door to get out.
At that moment, I saw Park Dongsu looking at the car.
“Wow, what a car! I’ve never seen a car like this in this neighborhood. I was wondering who was in it, and it’s just a kid? Are you from a wealthy family?”
Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but sigh.
“Manager Ha, the conversation is over. Please take him back.”
“Yes, I’ll see you again next time.”
Manager Ha and the driver got into the car, started the engine, and drove off.
“What? Is there something going on?”
“What, sir? You little brat.”
I went up to the rooftop with him.
When Park Dongsu appeared, the people smoking on the rooftop noticed and put out their cigarettes, then left.
“What? What kind of talk? I prefer physical talk over words.”
“Should I call you Mr. Park Dongsu?”
“...Crazy. Just call me sir.”
I decided to save Park Dongsu.
He would be the first person in my plan.
“Disappear for three months. You already know something is off, right? The president will declare a war on crime. I think the chances of you getting caught are high.”
Whether he believed the words of the young high school student he met a few days ago was his choice.