The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 3 (3/840)
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 who had supported me. Even after Chairman Cheon's death, he stayed by my side until he met his end in a mysterious traffic accident.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ha Myunho."
Though 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 here 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 seem unusually 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.
"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 too compliant.
"I don't know. I just found out about the existence of a 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 see him."
I cut off Manager Ha, who was about to say something.
"I think it's only right for him to come see me in person. Go back and tell him that."
"I don't know why he suddenly contacted me...... If he wants to see me, he should come in person. Before that, he should visit the columbarium where my mother is enshrined. That's what I want you to tell him. I have nothing more 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?"
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine, all thanks to you."
"Have you had any tests?"
"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. I can't live without you, Grandma."
Her rough hand stroked the back of my head.
The person who loved and embraced me, even when I went astray as a child. It's a real relief that I can save her......
"Do you have a maternal grandfather?"
"......Did someone come looking for you?"
"Yes, I just met someone 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 also told him to visit the columbarium where my mother is enshrined before coming to see me."
"Grandma, don't think too much about it. I know why he contacted me before you passed away. You were worried about me, right?"
"I'll live with you. I want to see you grow old. Live a long life."
"Muhyuk...... I feel so sorry for you, my child......"
"What's there to feel sorry about? 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 as it did before.
Manager Ha, who met Kim Muhyuk, had returned to the Cheon family residence in Seoul.
In front of him sat an old man whose face bore the marks of time and who looked stubborn. He was Chairman Cheon.
Chairman Cheon burst out laughing.
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 the past I investigated."
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...... Sorry, a troublemaker. He was lucky to avoid legal punishment because one of his friends had parents who were police officers, but he often got into fights and visited the police station frequently."
"Anything else besides the fights?"
"No other issues. Unlike other kids, he doesn't seem to have extorted money from others."
Chairman Cheon, who seemed hesitant, asked:
"......She is enshrined in a columbarium in Busan."
"Reckless 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 picturing 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 this year? Over 30?"
Chairman Cheon, who had been deep in thought with his eyes downcast, finally spoke:
"Find out more about my grandson. If there are any issues, deal with them in advance."
"Go back to 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 had no aftereffects from the heart attack, but she had overall health issues due to old age. The doctor advised a week of absolute rest, so she was admitted to the hospital.
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 the time I studied hard to gain the old man's approval were still with me.
Dongsung High School. The problems here are easier than those from a prestigious high school, or even a 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.
"Muhyuk was right. The Chairman came in person. He's waiting in the car. Get in."
"Wait a moment. I'll 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 can't meet someone like that. You should go and see him. It might help you."
"Why do you keep saying that?"
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. 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?"
"Hehe...... 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. Grandma is not well, and I didn't want to leave her."
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 after all these years."
"I want 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 you from Manager Ha, and Grandma didn't give me many details. 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 your mother's father, and I run a small loan business in Seoul. Does that explain who I am?"
"Yes. You're my maternal grandfather, and you're rich, right?"
"Hahaha. You sound like a kid your age. Yes, I'm rich. Do you want something?"
To carry out my plan, I needed to gather funds from now on. Funds that his sons didn't know about, which would make everything I planned 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 other requests."
"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. I'll get 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.
"Yes, and the gift you'll give me when I achieve it will be significant."
"Interesting. I'll take that 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?"
"I'll visit during 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. Who's in it? A kid?"
Seeing his reaction, I couldn't help but sigh.
"Manager Ha, the conversation is over. Please take him back."
"Alright, I'll see you next time."
Manager Ha and the driver got into the car, started the engine, and drove off.
"What? Is there really something going on?"
"What, sir? You little brat."
I went up to the roof with him.
When Park Dongsu appeared, the people smoking on the roof 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 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 up to him.