Chapter 11: Just One Favor Next Time

During the three days in Seoul, I had many conversations with Chairman Cheon. He talked about how this situation could have been resolved more easily if handled differently.

Certainly… As someone who had climbed to that position by stepping on many others, his advice was helpful in various ways.

In my past life, he had never given me advice like this even once…

On the last day,

Cheon Su-han came alone to Pyeongchang-dong, bringing only his daughter. It was a ploy, knowing that Chairman Cheon had a special fondness for Cheon Ji-young, the youngest in the family.

“Father, we’re here. I brought Ji-young.”

“Grandpa!”

Ji-young ran and threw herself into her grandfather’s arms.

“Oh, Ji-young, you’re here? Why have you lost so much weight? Are you eating well while trying to grow taller?”

“Yes, Grandpa!”

“Did you come to see this old man because you were worried I’d be lonely?”

“I told Dad I wanted to come!”

“Is that so?”

I was on the second floor, looking down at Ji-young acting cute with her grandfather, scratching the goosebumps on my arm.

‘Such a grown girl acting like a fox…’

Although she was the only cousin I felt any affection for, I couldn’t help but get goosebumps when I saw her putting on airs in front of Grandpa or me.

“What were you doing?”

“I was just talking with Mu-hyeok.”

“Mu-hyeok oppa? Is oppa here?”

“Yes, he’s upstairs.”

“Ah!”

“Go up and see him. I need to talk with your father. We’ll play later, okay?”

“Okay! See you later!”

As Ji-young was coming up to the second floor, our eyes met. She flinched for a moment, then ran towards me with a bright smile.

“Mu-hyeok oppa!”

Wow… look at that change in expression.

“Hey, long time no see.”

“Oppa, when did you get here?”

“I came three days ago. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Tch, you always say you’re leaving tomorrow.”

“How about we go to an amusement park during the next break? Ah, or are you too old for amusement parks now?”

“Huh?”

“Want to go to the toy room instead? There are lots of toys there.”

“…No, I’d rather just talk with you, oppa.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Chairman Cheon and Cheon Su-han were having a private conversation in the study.

“What happened with what I mentioned before?”

“Well…”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t taken care of it yet? Do I have to step in personally for you to listen?!”

As Chairman Cheon got angry, Cheon Su-han flinched and mumbled excuses.

“My brother was being stubborn…”

“Tsk tsk, how long are you going to keep following your brother around? Didn’t I clearly give you separate authority? So why do you keep letting Su-man push you around?”

Cheon Su-han kept his mouth shut like he’d swallowed honey.

Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Is it because you’re not the eldest son? What does that matter? If you keep yielding to your brother like this, do you think Su-man will take care of you after I’m gone? There are no siblings or parents and children in front of money. Don’t you know that yet?”

“But… brother is so capable…”

“Stop making excuses. Think carefully. You might end up with nothing if you’re not careful. Remember, I now have three options, not just two.”

“Father!”

He had been listening quietly, but now he suddenly raised his head and looked at Chairman Cheon.

Chairman Cheon raised the corner of his mouth towards Cheon Su-han, who looked wronged.

“What? Isn’t Mi-suk’s child my flesh and blood too? Why do you think only you two have a chance?”

“But…”

“I’ve given you plenty of chances. Wasn’t it you who squandered those opportunities? How many more chances do I need to give you?”

“…”

“Go back and think about it carefully.”

Cheon Su-han dropped his head powerlessly.

“Go home first. I’ll keep Ji-young for the night and send her back tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father.”

At the dismissal, Cheon Su-han left the study dejectedly.

Left alone, Chairman Cheon let out a small sigh.

“The younger one is too weak-willed, and the older one is too greedy. Ah, well.”

After furrowing his brow for a while, Chairman Cheon suddenly spoke to the outside.

“Myung-hoon.”

Chief Ha, who had been waiting outside, entered and bowed respectfully.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Find out exactly what the older one is up to and how he’s doing it. I can’t trust him.”

“Understood.”

“And…”

That day, Chairman Cheon gave many instructions to Chief Ha.

Meanwhile, Cheon Su-han, who had left Chairman Cheon’s house, immediately headed to his brother Cheon Su-man’s office in Myeong-dong.

“Brother!”

“What? Why are you here without saying anything? Didn’t you say you were going to see the old man?”

“I’ve been there. Hah… that old geezer, he nags so much… He asked about how we handled the political fundsd the political funds this time.”

Cheon Su-han slumped down on the sofa opposite Cheon Su-man.

Cheon Su-man frowned.

“How can we ask for it back when we’ve already given it? It’s been six months already.”

“I don’t know. Anyway, he kept asking me if I was going to keep following you around. So I just left.”

“What… Why is that old man making such a fuss?”

“Brother, you’ll take care of me after the old man dies, right? You won’t ignore me, will you?”

“Hey, you and I are the only siblings we have. How could I abandon you? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you can live comfortably.”

“Do you really mean it, brother?”

The slight anxiety in Cheon Su-han’s eyes didn’t disappear.

* * *

“Oppa!”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to keep living in Busan?”

“Yeah, until I enter university.”

“You’ll come up when you enroll, right?”

Being alone in the room with her reminded me of the past.

Back then, when I was being looked down upon and despised by Cheon Su-man, Cheon Su-han, and my cousins, unable to resist and feeling dejected, Ji-young approached me without hesitation.

I later realized she was being cunning, but it didn’t change anything.

Even when I lost everything at the end… she contacted me at least once a month until I disappeared.

“If I come to Busan to play, will you show me around?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. Let me know when you come.”

“Ooh, okay. I’ll come down soon.”

“Alright, come anytime. I’ll introduce you to my friends too. They’re nice kids.”

“Tch, no thanks.”

“Hahaha.”

Without realizing it, I stopped my hand that was about to reach towards Ji-young’s head.

I didn’t use to do this before…

Maybe it was because my mental age wasn’t that different from Ji-young’s father, Cheon Su-han, but I kept seeing her as a young niece rather than a cousin.

“What’s with that hand? Why?”

“Stretching! I was just stretching!”

“Young master, young lady, dinner is ready.”

Fortunately, the housekeeper’s voice saved me just in time. I hurried out of the room, avoiding Ji-young’s sharp gaze.

When I woke up the next day, Ji-young was already gone.

The first thing I did after arriving in Busan was to meet Chief Prosecutor Yoon Chang-ho.

As I got out of Chief Ha’s car, I saw the chief prosecutor’s car parked in front of the house.

When I moved to the chief prosecutor’s car, the driver went outside.

In the silent car, the chief prosecutor, who had been having trouble speaking, finally said with difficulty,

“Mu-hyeok, I’m sorry.”

The chief prosecutor looked terrible, as if he had been having a hard time lately.

“Chief Prosecutor, please speak comfortably. I feel uncomfortable otherwise.”

“…Is that really okay?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll do that then.”

Although his way of speaking changed, Chief Prosecutor Yoon’s uncomfortable expression didn’t change much.

‘It’s not difficult to grill him.’

Still, it seemed it would take some time to improve our relationship.

I spoke in a deliberately nonchalant voice.

“Although we got entangled in an unpleasant incident, I know you had nothing to do with it. But you know my grandfather isn’t the type to care about such things, right?”

“Hah… that’s true.”

“So I told my grandfather that I wanted to talk to you directly. I didn’t want to sour our relationship over something that wasn’t your fault.”

Chief Prosecutor Yoon’s expression brightened for a moment, then darkened again at my next words.

“But I need to have something to say to my grandfather too… So, Chief Prosecutor.”

“…What is it?”

“Next time, just grant me one favor. I won’t ask for anything unreasonable. What do you think?”

To the hesitating chief prosecutor, I drove the final nail.

“It definitely won’t be anything bad for you either. I might never even ask for the favor. I just need something to tell my grandfather. I want to get along well with you, Chief Prosecutor. Like an uncle, like a close friend.”

After pondering, he finally nodded.

“…Alright, if it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

“Then I’ll tell my grandfather that. He might want separate confirmation about our agreement, or he might say something else. But you’ll have to accept that.”

“I understand. That’s how it should be.”

Only then did Chief Prosecutor Yoon seem to relax a bit.

“I hope we meet under better circumstances next time.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“Then I’ll take my leave now. I need to prepare for school starting tomorrow.”

“Ah, that’s right. You’re a high school student.”

“Yes. You’re a Korea University alumnus, right?”

“Of course, isn’t that obvious?”

“I’m studying with that university as my goal. If I get in, I’ll call you senior next time.”

When I spoke naturally, the chief prosecutor’s expression softened a bit.

“That would be nice. But are you going to stay in Busan instead of going to Pyeongchang-dong? If so, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“I think I’ll stay in Busan until I take the college entrance exam. But I can’t use my one request to the Chief Prosecutor on such a small matter. You should get a promotion, right? You’ll be going to Seoul soon, won’t you?”

“Hahaha, that’s right. I understand. Let’s meet again sometime.”

“Yes.”

When I entered the house after getting out of the chief prosecutor’s car, Grandma had set the dinner table and was waiting for me.

“You’re back? How are you feeling?”

“Grandma!”

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Grandma after a few days.

“Why are you like this? Hurry up and wash up. I’ll warm up the soybean paste stew.”

“Okay, Grandma.”

The smell of Grandma’s soybean paste stew tickled my nose.

“Ah~ The smell of Grandma’s soybean paste stew is always good, no matter when I smell it.”

“That boy, did you oil your tongue recently? You only say things that make your grandma happy.”

“Let’s eat quickly.”

“Alright, hurry up and eat.”

Dinner with Grandma was delicious as always. Being with Grandma made the incident with Hong Jin-pyo feel like it happened a long time ago.

The next day,

Myeong-su, who had been running from afar, patted my back.

“Hey, Mu-hyeok! It’s been a while?”

“I heard you hung out with my grandma often? Thanks.”

“Your grandma and my grandma are friends. Don’t talk nonsense and let’s go.”

Soon after, Hyeon-seong joined us too. The three of us walking to school together after a long time.

At the school gate was Viper, who had become the new head of student affairs. This time, we passed through the gate without any particular reprimand.

“Phew~ It’s so comfortable without Bald Eagle. Don’t you think?”

“Ugh… Myeong-su, that guy kept saying that the whole time you weren’t at school. My ears almost fell off.”

“Hahaha.”

The two kept bickering, but I really liked this atmosphere.

The school I returned to after a long time had changed a lot. Both the teachers and students treated me differently.

The teachers were cautious around me, and the students… they feared me even more than before.

I’m tired of talking about it now. Let’s just live our own lives, you do your thing and I’ll do mine.

The only person who hadn’t changed was Viper, who had been my homeroom teacher since first year.

“Mu-hyeok, are you feeling okay? Study hard to make up for the days you missed. If your grades drop, you’ll get it, understand?”

“Yes.”

“And since you caused trouble, you need to be punished, right? After all, you fought at school. Clean the second floor bathroom for a month. Any objections?”

“I understand. But can I do it with Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong?”

“Do as you like, but you’re responsible for the cleaning and inspection. Got it?”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Alright, it’s been a while since you’ve been to school, so study hard. I’ll see you at the end of the day.”

When I told Hyeon-seong and Myeong-su that we had to clean the bathroom together, Hyeon-seong didn’t react much, but Myeong-su threw a fit.

“Are you crazy? Mu-hyeok! Why are you dragging us into this? It’s your punishment! Did you go nuts in the hospital? Should I send you back for real?”

“I don’t mind. If Mu-hyeok says so, we should do it. Myeong-su, you don’t want to do it?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want to, but why…”

“I’m sorry. But we’re friends, right? We should do it together, don’t you think?”

“Of course.”

When it came to teasing Myeong-su, Hyeon-seong and I were in perfect sync.

“Ah, damn it! If I’m the only one who refuses, I’ll look like the weird one, right? Hey! Mu-hyeok, Hyeon-seong! Where are you going by yourselves?”

“Puhahahahaha.”

Hyeon-seong and I burst into laughter at the same time.

A year passed like that, and the day of the college entrance exam approached.