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Chapter 60




< You've done enough. >
#60
You've done enough.
As soon as she saw my face, Cheon Ji-yeong burst into tears.
I thought it would be better to help her compose herself before meeting Grandfather, so I took Cheon Ji-yeong outside the house.
“Brother, I’m sorry...”
Her tears poured out the moment our eyes met, and I hesitated.
Seeing how much she had wasted away, I wondered how to start the conversation.
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry.”
Her repeated apologies while crying erased the faint discomfort I had felt.
When I placed my hand on her head, I could feel her trembling.
I looked straight into Ji-yeong’s eyes, which were still streaming with tears.
“It happened before you were even born. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t uncomfortable meeting you again. But I know it’s not your fault. Don’t apologize. Cry it out now and forget it. And treat me like you did when we first met.”
Before I finished speaking, Cheon Ji-yeong began to sob uncontrollably.
What could this child have done wrong?
I suppressed a bitter smile.
“Grandfather will be more stressed than I am. Visit him often. You don’t need to worry about my feelings.”
It took a while for Cheon Ji-yeong to calm down.
Even after she stopped crying, she avoided my gaze.
“Your eyes are puffy. You look like a panda. A panda.”
Even when I made a joke, she didn’t respond much.
It seems she needs some time.
After all, she’s 17, a first-year high school student. She’s still in her rebellious phase.
If I were in Ji-yeong’s position, would I have had the courage to come and apologize?
“This is boring. Wipe your tears and let’s go in. Grandfather is waiting.”
I took Cheon Ji-yeong back inside the house.
When Grandfather saw her face, he stood up from his seat.
“Grandfather.”
Cheon Ji-yeong started to sob again.
To avoid making Grandfather uncomfortable, I stepped back and went up to my room on the second floor.
Sitting on the bed, I asked Ma Gwang-jae, who had followed me in.
“What about Cheon Su-man? Are you still keeping an eye on him?”
“He’s been reported to be holed up at home. There’s been no change yet.”
“He’s not the type to stay idle, so let me know immediately if there’s even a minor movement.”
“Understood.”
I looked towards the door.
What are they talking about?
I think Ji-yeong is innocent, but her father is not.
“Is Cheon Su-han being properly managed?”
“I heard that Park Sa-jang is handling it firmly.”
I have no intention of forgiving Cheon Su-han for Ji-yeong’s sake.
I don’t know what they’re talking about, but I plan to completely break Cheon Su-han’s spirit.
Even if he was a puppet of Cheon Su-man, he still turned a blind eye to my parents’ deaths.
“Set up a dinner with Park Dong-su. Find a quiet place where we can have a drink and talk.”
A little later, Ma Gwang-jae, who had gone out, knocked on the door, saying Grandfather was calling.
When I entered the study, Grandfather looked relieved after talking with Cheon Ji-yeong. His eyes were slightly red, as if he had been crying.
Ji-yeong’s eyes were even more swollen.
They couldn’t be that puffy just from eating ramen and sleeping.
“Muhyeok, thank you.”
Grandfather’s words weighed heavily on my heart.
“There’s nothing to thank me for. She’s my sister too.”
Seeing Grandfather’s changed demeanor and Ji-yeong’s actions towards me, I made this decision.
Of course, Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-su are not included in this.
That evening.
Grandfather seemed to have found his smile again.
Warmth returned to the once silent house.
After dinner, I left to meet Park Dong-su.
It was quite late when I entered a shabby pojangmacha in Yeongdeungpo. There were no other customers, and only Park Dong-su and Yi Sang-geun were waiting for me.
“How did you find this place?”
I asked as I entered.
Park Dong-su stood up from his seat.
“Hey! Dong-sang.”
Park Dong-su greeted me with a raised hand, while Yi Sang-geun bowed deeply.
I laughed at their unchanged demeanor.
“It’s been a while.”
Ma Gwang-jae stood behind me instead of sitting down.
“It took us a while to have a proper drink together. Right, Dong-su hyung?”
Park Dong-su’s lips twitched, seemingly pleased with the term "hyung."
He was an easy person to understand.
“Is the Yeongdeungpo takeover complete?”
“Of course. There was no major conflict. A little intimidation, and they crawled under. It was surprisingly easy.”
I nodded slightly.
“Taking over Geungseong Construction from Cho Hyun-gu must have been a big deal. Gangsters are quick to recognize power, so they must have grasped it quickly.”
“Don’t even look at the south of the river yet. Start by absorbing the small forces in the western area. And don’t get involved with the Chinese in Garibong-dong.”
“Understood.”
“How’s the company doing, Yi Sang-mu?”
“I’m starting to get confused about whether I’m a lawyer or a company employee. Haha.”
Just because the gangsters are the owners of the company doesn’t mean all employees are gangsters.
Since the company is a legal front, a lawyer like Yi Sang-geun is necessary.
“Keep recruiting reliable people. Don’t worry about salaries or bonuses, and recruit aggressively.”
“Understood. But we should start bidding for construction projects soon.”
“I’ll talk to Daehyun Construction and let you know. Bear with it a little longer. And don’t push too hard for results.”
“Yes. We can’t rely solely on Daehyun, so the employees are trying to secure projects elsewhere.”
The previous government announced large-scale new town developments and redevelopment areas, so the current government is relatively lukewarm about new town developments.
“There won’t be any major new town developments soon. By the way, isn’t Bongcheon-dong in Yeongdeungpo being redeveloped?”
Yi Sang-geun answered my question.
“I was going to mention that. Another organization is already involved there. Should we get involved too?”
Park Dong-su shrugged.
“I told him to talk to Dong-sang and decide. Personally, I’d like to do it.”
“Then go for it. Can you handle it?”
“Dong-sang! I’m Park Dong-su. Don’t you trust me?”
Impressed by Park Dong-su’s confidence, I poured soju into his glass.
“Let’s have a drink.”
I was pleased with his proactive attitude, even without saying anything.
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation turned to Cheon Su-han.
“How’s the prison situation?”
“He’s completely isolated. I’ve mobilized people to cut off all communication. He’s probably living in a state of living death. I told the guy in the same cell to prevent him from committing suicide.”
Park Dong-su’s words brought a cold smile to my lips.
“Make sure he doesn’t die or get hurt. No, make sure he can’t even commit suicide. Thoroughly break his spirit.”
“Scary guy. Hyung, have I ever wronged you? If so, let me know anytime.”
“Not yet.”
Park Dong-su shook his head, looking exasperated.
“No problems in Busan, right?”
“Yeah. Su-hyeong is handling it well. He calls me every day and does a good job. He’s under me, so if he eats a territory, he can eat it anytime.”
“Still, don’t trust him too much and keep an eye on him.”
“Understood.”
Busan is an important area.
Since the Japanese yakuza’s influence can spread from Busan to Seoul, if I can keep Busan within my sphere of influence, my plans will be smoother.
“Is that it for business? The drink is losing its flavor. Take a drink and thank me.”
“Haha, understood.”
We continued drinking for a long time, reminiscing about old stories from Busan.
When I returned home late at night, Cheon Ji-yeong was waiting for me in the dark living room, with only the desk lamp on.
“Didn’t you sleep?”
“I was waiting for you.”
“We could have talked tomorrow. You didn’t know when I’d be back.”
“Did you drink?”
I must have shown signs of having had a few drinks.
I chuckled.
“A little. Does it smell?”
“No, but your face looks like it.”
“Sit down. How’s Grandfather?”
When we sat facing each other, Cheon Ji-yeong lowered her head.
“He said he was going to sleep.”
“Did you have something to say, so you waited?”
“Yeah.”
“Speak. If you say sorry again, I’ll get angry.”
Cheon Ji-yeong flinched slightly.
I spoke for her, who was silently bowing her head.
“It’s fine. You’ve done enough. But don’t ask me to forgive your father. I don’t want to hate you too.”
“Okay...”
“...Do you have any dreams? You’re a high school student now.”
I threw out the question casually, but a