Chapter 190: He Must Have Gone to a Good Place

Dawn broke, and the morning light filtered through.

People who heard about my grandfather began to gather at the funeral hall, one by one.

“Mu-hyeok.”

Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong entered together, their suits creased as if they had hurriedly dressed.

“You made it?”

“Are you okay?”

Myeong-su asked, concern etched on his face. I nodded slightly.

“First, go pay your respects to Grandfather.”

Hyeon-seong gently patted my shoulder.

Seeing Hyeon-seong offering silent support made me smile faintly.

“Ji-young.”

Ji-young sat there, lost in thought as if entranced.

“We have guests. We need to prepare.”

Ji-young, exhausted from crying, steadily rose to stand beside me.

I offered her shoulder a reassuring pat.

“He smiled in the end, so you need to send him off with a smile too.”

“Okay…”

Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong bowed before my grandfather.

I watched as the two placed flowers and incense on the altar before speaking up.

“Let’s step outside.”

I took them outside. I could see the worry etched on Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong’s faces.

“Have you eaten? Aren’t you both busy?”

“Is that really what matters right now? But shouldn’t you be in Pyongyang? How come you’re in Korea?”

“I got a call saying Grandfather was critical, so I came first.”

As I spoke nonchalantly while sitting at the table, Myeong-su’s expression shifted subtly.

“…Is that really possible?”

“Well, it just happened that way.”

Noticing their curiosity, I briefly explained what happened.

Myeong-su shook his head disapprovingly.

“You too, a troublemaker like anyone else.”

“Something seemed off during the call with Grandfather. I had no time to think. When I arrived, I heard he might not make it through the day…”

“Well, you were able to see him in his final moments, so that’s something.”

I nodded quietly. Staff members brought the beef soup to the table.

“You both eat. I’m not really in the mood to eat right now.”

As I observed Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong picking up their utensils, I glanced at Ji-young.

Ji-young’s blank stare at my grandfather’s portrait tugged at my heart.

“I’m stepping out for a bit. Keep eating.”

Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I stood up and took it out.

—Mu-hyeok!

“Oh, hey, Hyung.”

—I just confirmed. I’m sorry.

Han Gyeong-yeong’s voice came through the receiver, his tone laden with apologies, interspersed with the sound of typing and someone shouting in the background.

“What’s there to apologize for? You’re busy too.”

—I need to head to Korea, but the mood on Wall Street is erratic right now.

Is the bubble starting to burst? I rubbed my scruffy chin absently.

“You don’t have to come. Focus on that.”

—I really am sorry. I’ll come to Korea as soon as I wrap things up.

“…But first, tell me the details.”

—Well, the founders of venture companies have started dumping their stocks. Plus, those venture capitalists are starting to throw theirs in as well.

If stocks flood the market all at once, chaos is sure to follow.

Thinking it over made my head spin.

—Then stock prices should be dropping, but someone is still buying them up to defend the prices. This isn’t a normal situation at all.

If someone intervened, it would mean they are working to prevent the stocks from crashing and the ensuing panic.

A fleeting thought crossed my mind: there might be forces keeping an eye on me.

“Got it. Find out who’s buying, and use any media connections we have to release negative articles continuously.”

—Okay.

“Once people start to feel the fear, no matter how much they buy up stocks, it won’t stop the market from collapsing. I’m losing my grip here, so you need to stay on top of that. I’m counting on you.”

—I’ll handle things here, you just take care of the funeral. I’m sorry I can’t make it, Mu-hyeok.

Concern echoed heavily in Han Gyeong-yeong’s voice. I felt grateful for his care.

“Sure. I should go back in now.”

I hurriedly ended the call as I saw Cheon Ji-su getting out of the car.

Her unfaltering stride contrasted sharply with Ji-young’s tear-streaked face.

Unlike Ji-young, who rushed over in tears with no time to fix her makeup, Cheon Ji-su, dressed in a blackk suit, seemed calm and composed.

“Did you manage to see Grandfather in the end?”

I nodded, not wanting to answer.

“That’s good to hear. He went through so much pain; perhaps this way is better for him.”

“…Let’s go inside. Ji-young is already in there.”

“What about your father and Cheon Ji-won?”

For her to ask about Cheon Su-man meant their relationship had clearly soured.

“I don’t know. I contacted them, so they should be coming.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? I feel like if your father comes, he’ll try to kick you out.”

“Me? Who would? Cheon Su-man?”

I let out an unexpected chuckle. Cheon Ji-su continued with her words, unfazed.

“Since your uncle is in the hospital, the only remaining son is your father. On the surface, that puts you in a tough spot. You’re a grandson, after all.”

“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

I didn’t want to fight until the very end. I wished to bid farewell to my grandfather in an atmosphere of mourning and love.

“Don’t act like you’re unaware. Your father was already preparing for post-grandfather’s passing. With your maternal grandfather and the Atlantic in mind, of course.”

“…I’d rather not hear about that until we lay grandfather to rest.”

It frustrated me that we had to discuss such dirty matters even in the funeral hall.

My tone emerged sharper than intended.

“I’ve lost every opportunity now. If only you could have helped me when grandfather was alive, it would have been much easier.”

“Cut it out, Cheon Ji-su.””

I was angry at her for rambling on inappropriately, my expression tightening as she shrugged at my irritation.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I have no one to confide in. Please understand. Oh, my mom won’t be coming. She doesn’t want to see your father.”

“Ha… Let’s head in quickly.”

I took Cheon Ji-su inside, where she iimmediately approached Ji-young.

“Sister…”

“Just a moment. I need to greet grandfather first.”

Cheon Ji-su stopped Ji-young whho was choked up, offering a chrysanthemum to grandfather before bowing her head in silent respect.

“Sister.”

As Cheon Ji-su sat beside Ji-youngg, the dam finally broke, and Ji-young sobbed once again.

Having already cried before coming to the funeral hall, she now wept continuously like a faucet left running.

“Don’t cry. Grandfather wouldn’t want that.”

“But still…”

I turned away from watching Cheon Ji-su comfort Ji-young annd returned to sit by Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong.

“You’re Ji-su, right?””

I nodded at Myeong-su’s question, who seemed surprised at Ji-su’s cold demeanor..

“You’ve stayed the same. Still giving off that cold vibe.”

“Is that so?”

“You may not realize it, but you’re quite well-known at Korea University. People might not know Chairman Cheon, but they do know Il-seong Group.”

“I see.”

Unlike Myeong-su, who chatted away, Hyeon-seong remained silent, prompting me to speak.

“Why aren’t you talking? Haven’t you asked for marriage permission yet?”

“I have.”

“So why does your face look like that?”

As I inquired, Hyeon-seong’s face fell further.

“You’re sure you’re fine? You look even more sorrowful given how calm you are.”

“I’m fine. Just… feeling a bit dull.”

“You’ve always been like this. You act like you’ve achieved enlightenment, but it only makes you seem so lonely to me.”

Myeong-su nodded in agreement with Hyeon-seong’s words.

I had never thought about how others perceived me, yet here were my friends reflecting on it.

“I can’t say how you’re handling Chairman Cheon’s death. It’s just… we care about you.”

Hyeon-seong’s heavy words struck a chord in my heart.

“Myeong-su and I will always be on your side. Don’t forget that. If you’re in pain, feel free to open up to us.”

“…Thanks.”

They were just kind friends. With that, Hyeon-seong fell silent again.

Feeling the awkwardness at the table grow, Myeong-su shifted the topic.

“Grandma is coming with our moms. They had to travel with bodyguards, so they took a car together. As for the fathers, they’re going separately.”

“That’s thoughtful. Thank you.”

Every little consideration felt appreciated.

As we talked, the outside of the funeral hall began to grow noisy.

Condolence wreaths and banners started being set up here and there.

I muttered to myself watching the scene.

“I hope grandfather’s journey isn’t lonely.”

The loan shark king of Myeong-dong, Cheon Tae-san.

He lived out his life in the shadows as a loan shark, intertwined with the chaotic history of Korea.

He was a man who could never step into the light.

No, he never even thought about it.

He simply did what needed to be done in his place.

I hoped grandfather’s final journey wouldn’t be lonely.

“Mu-hyeok.”

Oh Hyeon-woo and his friends walked in together.

I stood up to greet them and led them to grandfather’s casket.

I solemnly participated in the floral offering and incense burning, before returning with my friends to join Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong at their table.

“What’s going on here?”

Han Min-kyung’s voice was tinged with deep concern.

Even as she sat at the table, I could feel her worry as she kept glancing at me.

“He was quite ill.”

“Mu-hyeok, you’ve had it tough.”

Starting with my friends, words of condolences began to come from those who attended.

As I became lost in receiving visitors, afternoon had already slipped in.

Cheon Su-man and Cheon Ji-won still hadn’t arrived. I turned to Cheon Ji-su who stood beside mee.

“Why haven’t they shown up?”

“How should I know? It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. I live with mom, and dad and Cheon Ji-won are living separately. They probably have something to prepare.”

“Try giving them a call.”

Cheon Ji-su made a clear expresssion of dislike. Despite that, she took her phone, sighed heavily, and stepped outside.

“Ji-young, are you alright?”

“Yeah…”

But her face was anything but okay. Her eyes were puffy, and her swaying body suggested she was barely holding it together.

“You should go rest inside. You can stay together with Cheon Ji-su.””

“No, I’m fine.”

“If you’re struggling, take a break. Don’t overdo it. You’ll end up fainting too.”

I gently patted Ji-young’s shoulders as she nodded, sinking into thought.

‘Now that I think about it… where has Chief Ha gone?’

I had thought he might need time to process, but it baffled me that I still hadn’t seen him.

‘Even if he’s troubled, he wouldn’t leave the hall empty…’

Perhaps when grandfather regained consciousness, he instructed Chief Ha about what ought to be addressed after his passing.

“Mu-hyeok.”

Just then, familiar yet nostalgic voice pulled me away from my thoughts.

I turned to see my grandmother entering with Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong’s parents.

It was a long-awaited sight to see my grandmother’s face again.

“Grandma.”

I stood and approached her.

With a somber expression, my grandmother paid her respects to grandfather and walked towards Ji-young and me.

“Son-in-law, I hope you found a good place.”

“Yeah…”

My grandmother smiled at Ji-young who stood beside me.

Holding Ji-young’s hand, my grandmother gently patted the back of it.

“Is this Ji-young? I’ve heard so much about you from Mu-hyeok.”

“Hello.”

Ji-young, who had been shy, bowed her head again to my grandmother.

“You can think of me as ‘grandma’ in place of son-in-law.”

With my grandmother’s comforting words, Ji-young’s tears began to flow anew after having barely held them back.

“Feel free to reach out anytime if you’re going through a tough time, alright?”

“Yes…”

My grandmother enveloped Ji-young in a tight embrace. She once again began to sob into my grandmother’s shoulder.

Holding back my emotions, I turned to my parents and asked them.

“Were you all very tired coming here?”

“Not at all. Don’t worry about us.”

Hyeon-seong’s father responded curtly in a manner just like Hyeon-seong, evoking a smile from me.

“Hyeon-seong and Myeong-su are outside.”

“Oh, I saw them on my way in. Just sit tight for a while, and I’ll take grandma to Hyeon-seong’s place. I’ll be back when it’s time to send her off. It’s a bit chaotic right now.”

“Thank you.”

I felt the compassionate looks from Hyeon-seong’s father, Myeong-su’s father, and the mothers as they assessed me.

“Mu-hyeok, are you alright?”

After a long time comforting Ji-young, my grandmother gently held me.

“…Yeah.”

“Seems like you’re going through a lot emotionally.”

My grandmother stroked my hair like when I was a child, startling me. I felt moisture welling up in my eyes.

“I once talked with your grandfather about you. He said it was because of you that he could atone with your mother.”

I didn’t know what conversation my grandparents had. I could only quietly listen to my grandmother.

“I used to resent your grandfather. After your parents passed, I should have reached out, but I was terrified he’d take you away from me… I was scared of that. But you turned out well because your grandfather took you in, right?”

My grandmother’s voice trembled as she gently caressed my face.

I understood her feelings. Losing both my parents left me with no one else.

I hugged my grandmother tightly.

“So don’t resent your grandfather either, alright? He was a man who put family first.”

My grandmother’s words finally made tears spill from my eyes.

I couldn’t tell if it was due to my grandmother’s warmth or the guilt I felt for grandfather, but tears flowed freely regardless.

As my grandmother pulled away, she wiped my tears with her sleeve.

“Let’s talk more after the funeral. I’ll stay at Hyeon-seong’s home for a bit. It wouldn’t be polite for me to stay long.”

I left Ji-young to greet guests while I stepped outside the funeral hall to see my grandmother off.

“Hurry back inside. The chief mourner shouldn’t leave their post. Don’t worry about me.”

I nodded and spoke to Hyeon-seong’s father.

“I’ll depend on you to take care of my grandmother.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her. I’ll come back for the burial.”

“…Yes.”

I watched as the car carrying my grandmother drove away.

“Is that your grandmother?”

Cheon Ji-su approached, wiping her red nose with her sleeve in embarrassment.

“Stop being nosy. When did she arrive?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to reach her but couldn’t.”

Cheon Ji-su shook her phone, shhowing three missed calls from my dad.

Sighing deeply, I gazed up at the sky.

My mind was in chaos.

Cheon Su-man… you should come if you’re human, right?