The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 7 (7/840)
< Fortress (2) >
#7
Fortress (2)
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 bothered to find out about your brother? Not even once in 17 years?"
"......Well, Father, you told us to treat him as if he didn't exist. 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 fuming Chairman Cheon, no one dared to argue.
"From now on, don't 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 father-in-law doing? 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 my father is."
"I know. He's a ruthless man, without a drop of blood or tears. If he needs help, tell him to come to me. After all, he's family, and I should help if I can."
"Yes, Father. Thank you."
The eldest daughter-in-law answered respectfully.
Chairman Cheon's face, though somewhat calmer, remained expressionless and even more terrifying as he spoke kindly.
He then looked at the younger daughter-in-law.
"How is the congressman doing?"
"My father is doing well in his political activities."
"Always 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 waiting for his reaction.
His brows furrowed, as if he found them distasteful.
"And Su-man, Su-han. You useless ones... You're still involved with the Cheongpung Association? Can't you let it go?"
"Huh?"
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue at the visibly flustered brothers.
"Money isn't used that way. When you need it, make them beg until their hands become feet. That's what money and power are for. You're wagging your tails for people who don't know gratitude, like beasts. Stop everything you're doing now."
"......But Father, we already made a deal with President Lee Hak-soo. If we break it, there might be consequences."
"Consequences?"
Cheon Su-man nodded with a dark expression.
"Yes, Father. You know how much power that man has now, right?"
Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man as if he were ridiculous.
"Haha. Naive boy. Just a President Lee, not even the President of the country or the leader of the National Party, says he can harm me? Tell him to try. Let's see who dies. Pass that message on."
"......Father."
Cheon Su-man tried to say more, but Chairman Cheon cut him off, showing 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 unhappy, Su-man and Su-han didn't argue. They knew Chairman Cheon's stubbornness.
* * *
"This brat, he won't let go?"
Cheon Ji-wan, whose collar was grabbed, couldn't escape but kept talking back.
"Hey, Cheon Ji-wan. Not everything that comes out of your mouth is true. If you want to live long, don't use your mouth carelessly. Keep talking, and I'll make sure your name as a drug dealer spreads across South Korea tomorrow. Got it?"
"What?"
Cheon Ji-wan'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-wan, the grandson of Il Sung Group. You love marijuana, meth, and drugs so much that you even smuggle them."
"......Where did you hear that?"
"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-wan's collar, who was now silent like a honey-eating bear.
Just a guy like this...... 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 that 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-wan?"
"......I understand."
Leaving the defeated Cheon Ji-wan 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-wan gritted his teeth in anger.
"Don't talk about what you know to anyone else. If you do, we'll both be dead. Got it?"
"I understand, now leave."
He seemed to have more to say but just glared at me and left.
The room became quiet again after the door closed.
I lay on the bed and thought about my cousins.
Besides Cheon Ji-wan, Cheon Su-man had a daughter named Cheon Ji-soo.
Cheon Ji-soo was a genius, studying business at Korea University and was also a future leader of Il Sung Group.
Even the younger uncle, Cheon Su-han, whom I didn't want to call an uncle, had a child.
'Cheon Ji-yeong is...... a cute little sister.'
Thinking of Ji-yeong, a smile crept onto my face.
The only one 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?"
A strange sense of déjà vu. It was the same conversation from my previous life.
I remembered being in a bad mood when Ji-yeong came in after Cheon Ji-wan had caused a scene.
"Of course. I'm 18 now, and you?"
"I'm 14, starting middle school."
"So, 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. 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 as well.
The families of Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han seemed to have left, and the living room was quiet again with Chairman Cheon waiting.
"How was it with your uncles?"
"Just...... okay."
"They didn't mean to be bad. Try to understand, okay?"
Chairman Cheon was a father who couldn't help but leave a lot to them, despite his disapproval.
But it was those uncles and the Cheongpung Association who killed me.
I couldn't tell him that, so I just nodded.
"I'm leaving early tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
"Can't you stay longer? This big house feels so empty without you."
"I left Grandma alone for too long. I'll stay longer next time."
Chairman Cheon looked a bit wistful.
I thought he was made of iron, but to see this side of him......
......Maybe I can be a bit more relaxed with him?
"I'll stay longer next time. I'm sorry, Grandfather. When I enter a university in Seoul in two years, I'll visit more often."
"Sure, that's good."
"It's getting late. I'll go to bed now."
"Have breakfast together tomorrow morning."
"Of course. I'll go up now."
"Okay."
After saying goodbye, I 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 though the housekeeper would clean it later.
After packing my things, I went downstairs.
Grandfather was already in the living room, reading the newspaper.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, did you sleep well? Let's eat breakfast."
He put down the newspaper, stood up, and went to the dining table, and I followed.
The last breakfast was over quickly. It was time to go home.
"Grandfather, I'll come back next time."
"Sure...... Come often."
"Okay."
I turned around 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, Miss...... I mean, Min-hyuk."
The bankbook had 100 million won. When I looked at him questioningly, Manager Ha 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 thank you."
"Call him directly. He's probably waiting."
I nodded silently.
After Manager Ha's car left, I pressed 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.
Even though Chairman Cheon's house was also my home, it didn't feel as comfortable as this.
The home-cooked meal Grandma made after a week was better than any food I had in Seoul.
"What did your father-in-law say?"
"Just...... told me to come often."
"Be good. You don't have many family members. When you're in school, it's hard, but visit and say hello during holidays. Got it?"
"Got it. Is Grandma not eating?"
"I 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-seong joined the judo club he did as a child. The three of us, who used to cause trouble, were now working hard on their own paths and often met at universities in the capital region.
And......
The kid who broke Myeong-soo's leg transferred to our school and was in the same class as Myeong-soo. This didn't change.
"The new kid talks like he's from Seoul. I thought he was going to die from bad luck. His face is pretty, and he talks in Seoul dialect, which gives me goosebumps."
"Myeong-soo, don't get involved with that kid."
"Why would I get involved with him? It's fine. Hyun-seong is probably at the sports club today."
"Really? He took a break from sports. He's working hard now. I heard he's even managing his diet."
"Wow, Hyun-seong, you've come to your senses."
I hoped Myeong-soo and that kid wouldn't get involved and that everything would go smoothly.
Just in case, I said it again.
"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 events couldn't be stopped.
Maybe 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 quiet now because he's studying, but he fought with a second-year student right after he entered as a freshman. He has no weaknesses."
"Is that so?"
"The kid he's closest to is in your class, right? Lee Myeong-soo. Myeong-soo has followed Min-hyuk since middle school. That's why no one messes with him."
A crooked smile appeared on his face.
"This should be fun. He's quiet because he's studying, right? It's the most fun to mess with someone like that. Don't you think?"
"Are you planning to go after Kim Min-hyuk? Man, that's a different level. Don't mess with him."
The guys around him warned him, looking horrified.
But as usual, he didn't listen to them.
"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 has no parents. He lives with his grandmother. Myeong-soo's father probably runs a big bar in Nam-po-dong."
The new student folded his arms as if to emphasize this.
"If I mess with Myeong-soo, Min-hyuk will move, right?"
"Probably."
The future I hoped wouldn't come was approaching Min-hyuk.