Chairman Cheon's study was as cold as the South Pole. In the room with only one chair, no one except Chairman Cheon could sit.
"Big one, little one. You really never looked into your brother at all? Not even once in 17 years?"
"......Well, Father, you told us to treat him as if he didn't exist. So, we just followed your instructions."
Fury burned in Chairman Cheon's eyes.
"And now you ask Min-hyuk if he's really Mi-suk's son? Are you even human?"
"......I'm sorry."
"Do your mothers think the same way?"
"No, Father. We never thought that."
In front of the seething Chairman Cheon, no one dared to argue.
"From now on, never bring up such talk again. If you do, I won't let it go. Understand?"
After bellowing like thunder, Chairman Cheon finally calmed down and lowered his voice.
"How is your sister-in-law's business going? I heard some strange rumors."
"No, there's no problem. I don't know the details, but I think the media is just writing whatever they want. You know what kind of person our father is, Father."
"I know. He's a ruthless man, without blood or tears. If he needs help, tell him to come to me. After all, he's family, and if I can help, I will."
"Yes, Father. Thank you."
The eldest daughter-in-law answered respectfully.
Chairman Cheon's face, though slightly calmer, remained expressionless and even more terrifying as he spoke kindly.
He then turned to the youngest daughter-in-law.
"How is the congressman doing?"
"Our father is doing well in his political activities."
"Tell him to be careful. If he needs money, tell him to come to me, and not to accept any half-hearted requests."
"Yes, Father."
Finally, Chairman Cheon sighed deeply and looked at Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han, who were still watching his reaction.
His brows furrowed, as if he found them distasteful.
"And Su-man, Su-han. You're still involved with the Cheongpung Association? Can't you let it go?"
"Huh?"
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue at the brothers, who looked flustered.
"Money shouldn't be used like that. If you want to make them grateful, they should come to you and beg. That's what money and power are for. You're groveling to people who don't even know gratitude, like monkeys. Stop everything you're doing now."
"......But Father, we already made a deal with President Lee. If we break it, there might be consequences."
"Consequences?"
Cheon Su-man nodded, his expression dark.
"Yes, Father. You know how much power that person has, right?"
Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man as if he were ridiculous.
"Hahaha. Naive boy. Just a representative like Lee, not even the president or the leader of the National Party, says he can harm me? Tell him to try. I want to see who dies first."
"......Father."
Cheon Su-man tried to say more, but Chairman Cheon cut him off, as if he didn't want to hear it.
"Go now. Today is Min-hyuk's last night here, so we need to talk more. Stop everything you're doing and only do what I tell you. Understand?"
"......Yes."
Though they looked dissatisfied, Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han didn't argue. They knew Chairman Cheon's stubbornness.
* * *
"Hey, this guy won't let go?"
Cheon Ji-won, whose collar was grabbed, couldn't escape but kept talking.
"Hey, Cheon Ji-won. Not everything that comes out of your mouth is true. If you want to live long, don't use your mouth carelessly. Try to keep talking. Do you want to see your name spread as a drug dealer in South Korea tomorrow? Got it?"
"What?"
Cheon Ji-won's face turned red, either from being choked or from shock at my words.
"Why, did you think no one would know? Everyone knows. Cheon Ji-won, the grandson of Il Sung Group. You love marijuana, methamphetamine, and drugs so much that you even smuggle them."
"......Where did you hear that story?"
"That's not important. Aren't you worried about what might come out of my mouth? I can go to your grandfather right now and spill everything. Want to come with me?"
I let go of Cheon Ji-won's collar, who was now speechless.
This guy...... The more pathetic he looked, the angrier I got.
"If you want to be treated like a brother, act like one. I don't want to treat my cousins like strangers. We're not even close. So, let's act like we don't exist to each other. I'll treat you properly at family events, but don't bother me. Got it, Brother Ji-won?"
"......Got it."
Leaving the defeated Cheon Ji-won behind, I went back to the bed and sat down.
"Brother, can you leave now? I need to rest because I'm going to Busan tomorrow."
Waving my hand to shoo him away, Cheon Ji-won gritted his teeth.
"Don't talk about what you know to anyone else. If you do, we'll both be dead. Got it?"
"Got it, now leave."
He seemed to have more to say but just glared at me and left.
The room was quiet again after the door closed.
I lay on the bed, thinking about my cousins.
Besides Cheon Ji-won, Cheon Su-man had a daughter named Cheon Ji-soo.
Cheon Ji-soo was a genius in the business department at Korea University and was also a talented person who would later participate in the management of Il Sung Group.
Even the despicable Cheon Su-han had a child.
'Cheon Ji-yeong is...... a cute little sister.'
Thinking of Ji-yeong, a smile crept onto my face.
The only person in this family who approached me without pretense.
She must be in middle school now. A cute little sister, four years younger than me.
Knock knock.
I looked towards the door when I heard the knock.
Since I didn't answer, the knocking came again.
Getting up from the bed, I opened the door to see a young girl looking up at me.
"Um......"
It was Cheon Ji-yeong.
"Uh-huh?"
"Um......"
"What? Speak up. Do you have something to say?"
"Is it you, brother?"
"Huh?"
I had a strange sense of déjà vu. It was the same conversation as in my previous life.
I remembered being in a bad mood after Cheon Ji-won's outburst and being short with Ji-yeong when she came in.
"Of course. I'm 18 now, and you?"
"I'm 14. I'm starting middle school."
"Then you're my little sister."
"Hehe, nice to meet you. I'm Cheon Ji-yeong. I came to say goodbye because I'm going home now. Earlier, the atmosphere wasn't right for greetings......"
"Uh-huh. I'm Kim Min-hyuk."
"Min-hyuk brother!"
Seeing Ji-yeong's cute expression, I didn't mind being here.
"See you next time, Min-hyuk brother."
"Sure. See you, Ji-yeong."
Ji-yeong went downstairs, and a little later, Manager Ha called me down.
It seemed the Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han families had left, and Chairman Cheon was waiting in the now quiet living room.
"How did it go with your uncles?"
"Just...... fine."
"They probably didn't mean to be bad. Try to understand, okay?"
Chairman Cheon was a father who couldn't do anything about it.
In the end, because of that illegitimacy, Grandfather left them a lot.
But it was those uncles and the Cheongpung Association who killed me.
I couldn't tell him that.
I could only nod.
"I'm leaving early tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
"Can't you stay longer? I feel so lonely in this big house."
"I left Grandmother alone for too long. I'll stay longer next time."
Chairman Cheon looked a bit wistful.
I thought he was a man of iron, but to see this side of him......
......Maybe I can treat him a bit more kindly?
"I'll stay longer next time. I'm sorry, Grandfather. When I enter a university in Seoul in two years, I'll visit often."
"Sure, that's good."
"It's getting late. I'll go to bed now."
"Have breakfast with me tomorrow morning."
"Of course. I'll go up now."
"Okay."
I said goodbye and went back to my room.
The reality was different from my memories, which was both pleasant and a bit tiring.
The next morning.
I woke up early and tidied up my room. I wanted to leave it clean, even if the cleaning lady would clean it later.
I packed my bags and went downstairs.
Grandfather was already in the living room, reading the newspaper.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, did you sleep well? Let's eat."
He put down the newspaper, stood up, and went to the dining table, and I followed.
The last breakfast was silent and quickly over. It was time to go home.
"Grandfather, I'll come back next time."
"Sure...... Come often."
"Okay."
I turned without saying much more.
After a few hours in Manager Ha's car, the familiar scenery of Busan appeared outside the window.
When I got out of the car to say goodbye, Manager Ha handed me a bankbook.
"The password is your mother's birthday."
The bankbook had 100 million won. When I looked at him, expecting an explanation, he added:
"Chairman said to buy whatever you need. Your living expenses will be provided separately. You can use this for whatever you want. I'll see you next time."
"Please tell Grandfather I'm grateful."
"Call him directly. He's probably waiting."
I nodded silently.
After Manager Ha's car left, I rang the doorbell with my suitcase.
"Who is it?"
"Grandma!"
The door opened, and Grandma welcomed me warmly.
"Is it you, my child?"
"Yep, Grandma."
"Have you eaten? Are you hungry? I made bulgogi because you're coming today. Come in."
Hugging Grandma, I finally felt like I was home.
Though Chairman Cheon's house was also my home, it didn't feel as comfortable.
The home-cooked meal Grandma made after a week was better than any food I had in Seoul.
"What did your uncle say?"
"Just...... to come often."
"Be good. Even if you can't visit often while in school, come during the holidays. Understand?"
"Got it. Is Grandma not eating?"
"I already ate before you came. Eat a lot. I'm happy just watching you eat."
Love shone in Grandma's eyes.
The house was warm after a long time. Grandma's warm words, the warm meal she made, and the warmth of her embrace. Everything was good.
Chairman Cheon's house was bigger and better, but it felt colder and more distant.
Time always passes quickly.
In my second year, I was in a different class from Myeong-soo, just like before.
But this time, we always went to and from school together and visited the school store during lunch.
Myeong-soo studied hard, and Hyun-sung joined the judo club he did as a child. The three of us, who used to cause trouble, were now meeting often at universities in the capital region, each working hard on their own path.
And......
The kid who broke Myeong-soo's leg transferred to our school, in the same class as Myeong-soo. This didn't change.
"The new kid speaks like he's from Seoul. I thought he'd die from bad luck. His face is pretty, and speaking in Seoul dialect gives me goosebumps."
"Myeong-soo, don't get involved with that kid."
"Why would I get involved with him? Nothing to worry about. Hyun-sung is probably at the sports club again today."
"Hey, he took a break from sports for a while. He's working hard now, even managing his diet."
"Wow, Hyun-sung, you've got your act together."
I hoped Myeong-soo and that kid wouldn't get involved and that everything would go smoothly.
I said it again, just in case.
"Really, don't get involved with the new kid. Please."
"Got it. Why are you so worried? Did he find some weakness in you? Why are you so concerned?"
"It's not that. I'm just worried."
"Got it. I'll go now."
"See you tomorrow."
I watched Myeong-soo walk away for a while.
* * *
But even if Min-hyuk wanted to avoid it and Myeong-soo tried to stay away, the inevitable still seemed to be approaching.
Perhaps because of his father's power, the new student, Hong Jin-pyo, quickly became the leader of the troublemakers in the school.
"Kim Min-hyuk?"
"Yeah, that kid is the best in the second year. He's been quiet lately, studying, but when he entered as a freshman, he fought with a second-year student. No one messes with him."
"Is that so?"
"The kid he's closest to is in your class, right? That Myeong-soo kid. Myeong-soo has been following Min-hyuk since middle school. That's why no one touches him."
A crooked smile appeared on his face.
"This should be fun. He's been quiet, studying, right? It's the most fun to mess with someone like that. Don't you think?"
"Are you really going after Kim Min-hyuk? Man, that's a different level. Don't mess with him."
The guys around him warned him, as if he was crazy.
But as usual, when it came to this, he didn't listen to anyone.
"Being good at fighting doesn't mean you win. Do you stick with me because you lose fights? No, right. What does his father do?"
"He doesn't have parents. He lives with his grandmother. Myeong-soo's father probably runs a big bar in Nam-po-dong."
The new student crossed his arms, as if to emphasize.
"If I mess with Myeong-soo, Min-hyuk will move, right?"
"Probably."
The future I hoped wouldn't come was approaching Min-hyuk.