The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 18 (18/840)
< A New Beginning in 1993. >
#18
A New Beginning in 1993.
On February 25, 1993, a new government was inaugurated with the swearing-in of President Kim Mansam, a civilian, marking the end of military rule.
To differentiate from the previous administration, the Kim Mansam government immediately disclosed the assets of the president and his family, and encouraged high-ranking officials to do the same.
The Cheongpung Society would likely take a step back and observe the new president's actions for now.
Meanwhile, a new spring was approaching for me.
"It is a great honor to have this opportunity to speak to all of you who are entering Korea University."
There he is, that guy.
Lee Hansu, the advisor of Gorye Ilbo.
The mouthpiece and megaphone of the Cheongpung Society.
One of the members of the Cheongpung Society I knew.
"Finally, the military regime has ended, and a new civilian government has been established. This is the power and resilience of the people. As the elites of the Republic of Korea, I hope you will do your best for the country. We must ensure that a military regime never returns to this land."
I didn't know before.
A journalist known as a democratic hero under military rule.
Lee Hansu, a member of the Cheongpung Society.
His lengthy speech finally came to an end.
Mingsoo, standing next to me, yawned and said, "Phew~ He talks a lot. What are you planning to do today?"
"Nothing much. Why?"
"Want to go to Apgujeong-dong together?"
"Didn't I say I won't drink with you?"
"It was a mistake. I won't do it again. Let's go!"
"Is all you think about playing? Aren't you going to prepare for the bar exam? What about our promise?"
"Ah, I will! I'll pass the first stage of the bar exam within two years! Let's have some fun today!"
* * *
A month ago, at Mingsoo's house in Seoul.
"Can you help me? There's something I want to achieve, and I need your help."
As the atmosphere turned serious, Mingsoo and Hyunseong, who had been relaxed, focused on the conversation.
"What? Why so serious?"
"Hmm."
I began by explaining the background of my plan.
"I want to investigate my parents' deaths. They were said to be killed by robbers, but we still don't know who the culprit is. It's also strange that my maternal grandfather didn't know about my mother's death."
"..."
Mingsoo and Hyunseong looked at each other.
They knew I had lost my parents when I was young, but I had never talked about this before.
"Anyway, I want to find the people who killed my mother and father. And I'll fight to the end, no matter who is behind it."
Mingsoo, who had been silently watching me, spoke up.
"So, you're saying there's a conspiracy behind your parents' deaths? And you want us to help you uncover it and catch the culprit?"
"Yeah, I think it would be easier with your help. Will you help me?"
Mingsoo's response was far from what I wanted to hear.
"Help you? Hell no."
Hyunseong nodded in agreement.
"This guy is just trying to act cool. But! Muhyuk! Damn it, your parents are my parents, and my parents are your parents. We're not just helping, we're doing this together. Right, Hyunseong?"
"Of course."
"Ah! Damn. That's a surprise."
Mingsoo patted his chest and grinned at me.
"Alright, what do we need to do?"
"I plan to work under my grandfather to build my strength. It might take a long time, but I want to take revenge with my own hands. I think my uncles on my mother's side are likely involved."
Mingsoo and Hyunseong's eyes widened.
"Your uncles? Your mother's brothers?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, my grandfather wouldn't have been unaware of my mother's death. Someone must have blocked the news, and that person could be one or both of my uncles."
"Hmm..."
"Anyway, I don't have time to study for the bar exam. It would take years to go through law school and the judicial training institute, so it's more important to gain my grandfather's trust during that time."
"Then why did you come to law school?"
"First, to win my grandfather's heart. Second, to build connections."
"Damn, some people would love to come but can't."
Mingsoo chuckled.
"So, what do you need me to do?"
"First, pass the bar exam as soon as possible. Get a good score, and become a prosecutor no matter what. Help me from there."
"Damn, the bar exam isn't a pet's name. Just because I say I'll do it doesn't mean I'll pass and become a prosecutor."
"You can do it. You'll do well."
You will.
In my previous life, after disappearing from Busan after being crippled, I saw Mingsoo again on TV.
He entered Korea University and passed the bar exam in three years, becoming a prosecutor.
He became famous as a prosecutor who cracked down on gangsters.
A few years later, he brought down the Hong Jinpyo family, who had crippled him, and then quit his job and disappeared.
Crazy prosecutor. Gangster prosecutor. Prosecutor without a successor.
Those were Mingsoo's nicknames at the time.
"Should I thank you for believing in me? Well... my golden college life is over, it's over."
Hyunseong, who had been listening, looked at me.
"And what about Hyunseong...?"
I explained what Hyunseong needed to do.
I couldn't tell them everything, but it was reassuring to have friends who would go with me.
* * *
"Hey? Ah, Muhyuk! Let's go to Apgujeong-dong!"
"Ha... So we're just going to have a quick drink?"
"Of course."
Seeing Mingsoo's excited face at the mention of Apgujeong-dong, I couldn't help but smile.
"Hey! Kim Muhyuk!"
A sharp female voice came from behind.
Turning around, I saw someone running towards us. Mingsoo, standing next to me, nodded at the woman.
But the woman ignored Mingsoo and glared at me.
"Why didn't you come to the pre-meeting?"
"Pre-meeting?"
"They sent out a notice to gather new students before the opening ceremony to get to know each other and greet the seniors. The person next to you came, so why didn't you?"
"I thought it was optional."
I didn't know she was a senior from the student council.
"Ha, this guy is funny. If you're the top scorer in the nation, do you not need your peers?"
"I know that more than half of the law students didn't attend. And I had something to do, so I couldn't come. There's a welcome party, OT, and MT, so I'll try to attend as much as possible. Is that okay?"
"Hmm... I'll see you at the welcome party."
She glared at me once more and turned around.
I asked Mingsoo quietly.
"Who is she?"
"A senior in the second year."
"Did everyone else attend except me?"
"Uh, less than half came."
"But why is she mad at me?"
"I don't know. Maybe she wants attention. Forget it and let's go to Apgujeong-dong."
"What did they do at the meeting?"
"Nothing much. Greeted the new students and the second-year seniors. Got to know each other a bit, went to a nearby restaurant, and had some drinks. That's it!"
"Nothing much."
"Forget it. Let's go, we're running late."
Apgujeong-dong in the early 1990s was like a mecca for young people.
A hub of entertainment with rock cafes, nightclubs, and more. A place where the "orange tribe" and "gangster tribe" gathered.
We arrived before sunset, but the roads were already filled with cars. After searching for a parking spot, we finally found one and got out.
"Wow, the smell of youth! It's amazing!"
"What do you want to eat?"
"Let's eat something quick and go to a rock cafe. It's supposed to be great. What was the name again? Anyway, it's there."
"Hmm... Alright. Have fun today and study later. Got it?"
"Got it. But, you know, you need to relieve stress sometimes. Studying too much will make your head explode."
"Two years. Two years."
"Ah! Damn, stop nagging! I got it!"
We had a quick meal at a nearby restaurant and headed to the rock cafe.
People were already lining up to enter.
"Let's go."
Excited, Mingsoo ran to the line, and I followed.
At the entrance, a man managing the entry looked at us and said, "Go to the third floor."
"Sure! Thank you."
Mingsoo and I went up to the third floor.
The inside was filled with loud music, and people were dancing, holding drinks in their hands.
We were guided to a seat.
Mingsoo's face was beaming as he looked around.
"There's nothing like this in Busan. It's different from a nightclub. Here, people just get up from their tables and dance, and everyone enjoys themselves. It's more advanced than a nightclub."
"Really?"
"Look, everyone is dancing. There are no waiters or anything, just a pure atmosphere of enjoyment."
Mingsoo said it was more advanced than a nightclub, but that wasn't entirely true.
Rock cafes were places that cleverly avoided the law.
If a raid happened, the bright lights and loud music would instantly change, turning the place into a restaurant.
It was definitely a free atmosphere, probably because most of the patrons were college students.
In my previous life, I had never been to such a place during my college years, so it felt a bit awkward.
Mingsoo was already up and dancing.
Sitting at the table, drinking and watching Mingsoo dance, he spoke to me.
"Are you just going to sit there?"
"Uh, let me drink a bit first."
Mingsoo, who had been swaying to the music, looked around again.
Unlike Mingsoo, who was chatting with the women at the next table and cracking jokes, I just sat there drinking.
"What? I thought you were a model student, but you come to places like this? That's surprising."
Turning to the voice, I saw someone I recognized looking at me with a group of people.
It was the senior who had spoken to me earlier.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you embarrassed?"
"Do I need to answer?"
"You have time to come here but not to attend school events?"
"I'll manage my time. Don't worry about it. Enjoy your time here."
The women with the senior looked at me and asked her.
"Who is he? He's handsome."
"Yeah. An annoying junior."
"Law school?"
"Yeah."
"Wow! Law school with that face."
"But I feel like I've seen him somewhere. Where have I seen him?"
"Probably on TV."
"TV?"
"Last year's top scorer in the college entrance exam. The one who said studying was the easiest thing."
"Ah! That crazy guy?"
...What are you doing, saying such things in front of people?
One of the senior's group apologized when they saw my expression.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to."
"It's fine. Don't worry about me. I'm leaving soon."
"Don't go. Do you want to join us?"
"No, I'm really leaving soon."
The women looked at the senior with pleading eyes.
"Why don't you join us? What about your friend?"
"I'll do whatever Muhyuk wants."
Thanks to Mingsoo's quick response, the situation became awkward.
"Alright, I'll sit for a bit. Sit down."
Three women sat across from us.
"Your name is Kim Muhyuk, and you're Lee Mingsoo?"
"Yes."
"Hey, speak casually. I'm Lee Sojeong, she's Hong Seoyeon, and you know the other one, right?"
"Song Yurie."
"Nice to meet you."
I looked at Mingsoo, who avoided my gaze.
"Kim Muhyuk."
We all held our beer bottles and continued the conversation.
"Are you two friends?"
"Yes, we've been friends since we were young."
"We are too. Sojeong, Seoyeon, and I have been in the same school since elementary school."
The conversation was mostly led by Mingsoo and Sojeong.
"Is Muhyuk usually quiet? Why are you so quiet?"
"He's different from his good looks. He's shy."
"Hey! Your dialect is so cute!"
"Really?"
"Yeah. I've only lived in Seoul, so your dialect is cute. Does Muhyuk not use dialect?"
"He's a special case. Just ignore him."
"Why? He's handsome. That forgives everything. He can be grumpy. Muhyuk, you can be grumpy."
"Stop it. What are you doing with these kids?"
Yurie, the senior, scolded Sojeong.
"Why, I'm just saying he's handsome."
At that moment, someone called out to Yurie's group from behind.
"Hey, Yurie, Sojeong, Seoyeon! Here you are!"
It was a familiar voice.
Turning around, it was indeed Jeon Jiwon.
"What is this guy doing here?"
Seeing me, Jeon Jiwon took a step back involuntarily and then glared at me, trying to act tough.
"You, pretending to be innocent, already drinking? Typical of someone like you..."
"Bro! That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"
Sojeong stood up and shouted at Jeon Jiwon.
But Jeon Jiwon sneered and mocked.
"You're the same, hanging out with people like this. It's a step down. You act all high and mighty, but..."
"What?"
Sojeong glared at Jeon Jiwon with a fiery look.
This is going to turn into a fight again.
Why do I always get involved in these things when I just want to have a drink?
"Bro, stop it."
I tried to calm him down.
But the stupid Jeon Jiwon became even more aggressive.
"What? This guy. I told you not to call me 'bro.'"
"Jiwon, stop it."
"What, Jiwon? Is he trying to match me?"
"Ha, forget it. I'm leaving, so do what you want. Mingsoo, let's go. Seniors, we're leaving now."
"Uh? Uh. Alright."
Mingsoo stood up, and the women grabbed their bags and coats, standing up as well.
"Where are you going? Kim Muhyuk, do you really want to die?"
Why is this guy so brave all of a sudden? He used to be a coward.
"Stop calling me 'bro' and stop calling me Jiwon. I don't want to pretend we know each other. Let's just pretend we don't know each other."
"Haha, you're really crazy. Let's settle this today. Hey! Hyunwoo!"
When Jiwon called out, three men approached.
Of course, he had backup.
"Why? We were having fun. What's up? Who is this guy?"
"Take care of this guy. I'll pay for the full course today."
"Are we thugs?"
"Scared?"
With the three men joining, Jeon Jiwon became even more confident.
The men sighed in annoyance.
"Hmm. Just rough him up a bit. You clean up the mess. Got it?"
"Sure, don't worry. We've done this before."
I see... Jeon Jiwon, you're such a scumbag.
"Mingsoo, take the seniors out first. I'll be right out."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm Kim Muhyuk. Don't worry."
"No, I mean... be careful."
Mingsoo left with the women.
"You, acting all cool. What can you do on your own? What are you going to do, Hyunwoo?"
The three men sighed and approached me.
"Sorry. Jiwon is like this."
"I know, you guys are just Jeon Jiwon's lackeys, right?"