There are not enough words to explain how my father influenced my decision to major in finance. He had not been able to get back to the financial field when I entered university. However, our lives had not been that bad. Mother had rented a small store with Fatherâs severance pay, and that had been an admirable choice. My middle school years, therefore, were comfortable considering the era. I had good memories of bringing friends to my parentsâ supermarket and giving them an armful of snacks.
I would organize the store with Father after school, and he would teach me finances and take me to the bank with him. He had even opened a stock account for me, which was quite amazing.
My father had taught me well and helped me to see my dream when I did not know what to do. I always respected my father and my mother, who became tough from managing the store.
I managed to get into a famous university and major in what I had always wanted thanks to them and had been able to survive the Trial Tests.
âŚâŚ
It had been like that.
***
Chungsik Parkâs eldest son opened his mouth after he saw his chance.
âI heard something strange yesterday.â
âWhat?â
âDo you know Jeonil Investments?â
âHow can one not? You should also pay attention to that company.â
âAre you going there as Director?â
âWho told you that?â
âWho else? From District Director Cho.â\n
âHe speaks freely, and he told you?â
âIs it true?â âThatâs my decision, what I do with my life is my concern. I have already paved your path wherever you want to go in life.â
âFather!â
âWhat!â âHowâŚcould you make such a decision without telling us? You were being considered for a cabinet post, and this is an important time for you.â
Chungsik Park slammed his spoon down, and other family members quickly escaped from the table.
âDistrict Attorney Park.â
âYes.â
âYou canât see the situation, canât you?â
Chungsik Park glared at his eldest son and then sighed.
âIâm worried. We donât even know who owns Jeonil Investments. It will be a blemish on you, and I did do my research.â
âAre you saying that youâre the only one with brains? You wonât rise up the ladder, Attorney Park if you hold other people in contempt.â
âYes.â
âJeonil Investments. As you say, itâs a shady foreign investment firm. Who knows whether itâs drug money or oil money? I donât need to know that. However, what do you think money without a clear origin is called? Blind money.â
âMoney? So, this was all about money? You have enough already.â\nâYouâre making up the answers to your own questions, so what more do I need to say?â
âYouâre risking your honor. What should I do? Should I pretend not to notice and congratulate you on earning money by bowing down to Drug Lords or the Oil Companies?â
âBe insolent one more time. You know I have a temper.â
ââŚI apologize, but youâre not alone. You taught us that your actions reflect on the family, and the familyâs actions reflect on you, and Iâm teaching my own kids that.â
Chungsik Park wanted to lose his temper but stopped because his son was saying the right things. His fame and power will go to his children, and theirs will come to him. The family had to stand together in all things, and the familyâs success was his own. He had taught his children like that as they grew up. Chungsik Parkâs words were mellower when he spoke.
âAttorney Park, open your eyes. Power has changed hands.â
âYes, he has finally been elected.â
âNo, heâs a poor guy without any luck. He wonât be able to touch power even after becoming President.â
âWho else is there?â
âSomeone else.â
âWho?â
Chungsik Park picked up his spoon and answered.
âThe all mighty dollar.â
ââŚâŚâ
âYou didnât realize this? Your father will become the eyes of the blind dollars.â
By becoming a Director of Jeonil Investments.\n âYou know of them?â
The deputy asked in surprise. If my Father had been with them, he would have made the same expression.
âCome to my office since itâs so cold.â
While the real estate market would have opened in June 1998, according to original history, due to my intervention, it had been opened just recently. Foreigners could now buy Korean real estate. Jeonil was underway, and I had been waiting for Jamie to contact me.
They were in fact my employeeâs employeeâs employeeâs employees, or shorter, my employees, three times removed. However, one of them was around my fatherâs age, and there might be those who knew my father. I liked their confident and passionate faces, as my father had the same expression nowadays. My father also worked for Jeonil.
I made them hot coffee, and they asked me ordinary questions like whether there were any inconveniences as a resident, would I continue to rent this office, and if so, wanted lower rent.
I thought it strange that I treated them with respect, like how Iâd treat my father.
I was becoming used to this age, and I was becoming less sharp. I could not go on drawing monsters, and that was why I had been waiting for Jamieâs report on Hwaseongâs hill and the dungeon that was sealed there.
âThank you for the coffee. While the times are difficult, a crisis can become an opportunity. We wish you well.â
The Jeonil employees left, and left their business cards with me. I could not call Jamie, as she was never alone. She would be in meetings with those inside and outside the firm.
She sent me an email last night and also this morning. Yesterdayâs mail said that the head officeâs inspection team would be visiting the building I resided in, and todayâs mail made my heart beat faster.
[Subject: First item purchased.]
The first item was Hwaseongâs hill, and I had waited for this for a long time.