Chapter 197: I Won’t Forget

A small countryside village in Chungcheong-do, where my grandfather was born.

Having purchased a plot of mountain land here, which he referred to as our ancestral burial ground, my grandfather noted that there were no graves of other elders.

Born as a son of a poor rural laborer, my grandfather built his own kingdom through the dark days of Japanese colonial rule, the U.S. military government, and the turbulent era of military dictatorship in Korea.

In contrast to the title of the loan shark king of Myeong-dong, we buried my grandfather’s coffin simply and held a final memorial.

‘Grandfather, I’ll come visit often. And I’ll bring Mother here one day too.’

Since my grandmother was still alive, I couldn’t bring my parents’ remains here right away.

As I bowed my head, trying to sort out my complex feelings, I heard my grandmother’s gentle voice alongside a warm touch.

“Mu-hyeok, your father-in-law must have left with a smile. The rest of us should live happily too. That way, your father-in-law can rest easy in the heavens.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

At my weak reply, my grandmother slowly rubbed my back and said,

“That’s right, that’s good enough.”

My grandmother was right. Living well was the best way to honor him.

Finally hearing the words I had longed to hear brought a wave of comfort to my heart.

Once all the funeral proceedings were over, I came down from the mountain.

“I’m heading out now.”

“Alright, you worked hard.”

Cheon Ji-won offered us a brief greeting before leaving with a person from Il-sung..

“I’ll be on my way too. I’ll reach out later.”

At Cheon Ji-soo’s words, I shook my head.

“No, don’t contact me. I don’t want to be involved with you all anymore.”

“……….”

“This is a warning.”

Now, everything was over.

I had no intention of getting involved with them again, nor did I want to.

I didn’t plan on seeking them out to hold them accountable; my grandfather wouldn’t have wanted that.

However, if they interfered with my path ahead, I wouldn’t stay silent.

“Remember this. Don’t take it lightly.”

As I spoke coldly, Cheon Ji-soo stiffened his expression.

“Ji-soo.”

Seo Hee-kyung called out to Cheon Ji-soo from a distance. Only then did he let out a sigh as he glanced at me.

“Huh… You’re just the same as you were back then…”

Cheon Ji-soo swallowed the rest of his words, shaking his head as he turned away.

It seemed he still had things to say, but I chose not to hold him back. Soon, she and Seo Hee-kyung left the parking lot.

“Oppa.”

“Oh, Ji-young.”

As I turned, Ji-young hesitated before speaking.

“Um… Can you manage grandpa’s savings? I don’t know what to do with this large amount of money…”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Isn’t money better the more you have?”

I couldn’t remember the exact amount of the savings my grandfather held domestically.

However, I knew for certain that it was enough to last an ordinary person a lifetime.

“I can’t even spend all I earn.”

“Still, it’s what your grandfather passed down. You should hold onto it.”

“…Alright. If you need money, let me know. I can lend it to you.”

Only then did I manage to smile a little.

I lightly patted Ji-young on the shoulder, glad to see her back to her usual self.

“Ha ha, are you actually worried for me?”

“It’s probably the most pointless worry in the world, right?”

“You know it well. Still, thanks.”

“I’ll be heading out too. It still feels tough.”

“Right, don’t overexert yourself; take a break for a while.”

Cheon Ji-young had just released a new album.

In her current condition, though, it would be difficult to promote.

“That’s what I’ll do. I can handle things myself.”

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. And even if you don’t need anything, check in on me.”

“Alright, I got it.”

Cheon Ji-young rushed towards her waiting managers.

The managers, glancing my way, lowered their heads. They nodded slightly.

Knowing me, they probably wouldn’t dare make a scene.

“Oppa! I’ll reach out!”

Before getting into the car, Cheon Ji-young shouted cheerfully.

I could see her putting on a bright front with effort. I waved back vigorously.

“We’ll be off too. Once everything settles down, let’s all gather for a drink.”

As the friends who had stayed by my side began to leave, I nodded.

“Thanks for today.”

“Stop joking. Anyway, Grandma and I will take care of things, so you wrap it up.”

Myeong-su held Grandma’s hand first as he spoke.

How reassuring it felt to know I had people by my side.

“Thank you all. I won’t forget you.”

Everyone was busy living their lives in their own corners.

Nevertheless, I appreciated that they had stayed at the funeral home for several days, and I took a moment to glance around at each friend’s face.

“I’ll treat you all to a proper drink soon.”

“Sure, let’s set something up soon.”

Once my friends left, only the sounds of mountain birds replaced the people in the parking lot beneath the ancestral burial ground.

I gazed at the mountainside where my grandfather’s grave lay for a moment before turning away.

“Let’s go back to Pyeongchang-dong.”

Setting my sadness aside, it was time to return to my place.

When I finally arrived after some time driving, Pyeongchang-dong was quiet.

The study of the long-absent owner felt like time had stopped.

Upon entering, I immediately noticed the wall behind the desk where I hung my grandfather’s photo.

After staring at his stern face for a while, I turned around, sat in a chair, leaned back, and closed my eyes.

With the funeral all over, it was time to start taking care of business slowly.

After a brief moment of gathering my thoughts, I pressed the bell next to me. Chief Ha and Manager Ma, who had been waiting outside, entered.

“Manager, please call all the mercenaries in the Korean branch and have them report to Chief Ha.”

“Understood.”

Manager Ma promptly left the room.

“And Chief, let’s wrap things up. Once the mercenaries arrive, please handle everything accordingly. This will be the last time you personally step into this.”

“But…”

“There are plenty of people who can wield a knife. I don’t want to consider my people as expendable tools.”

I spoke firmly to Chief Ha, who seemed to have something more to say.

“Of course, I will leave all matters related to grandfather to you. I hope you will act appropriately for the chairman of Taesan Financial for everything else.”

“…Understood.”

Only then did Chief Ha nod.

“Please send away all the staff in the house, except for the Ajumma. Since they’ve worked here for a long time, make sure they’re taken care of.”

“Yes.”

Although they had worked here for a long time, I thought there might be someone like the gardener who would harbor other intentions.

I intended to take this opportunity to clean house.

“The new workers will be selected by Manager Ma. Chief, you will stay in the penthouse on the top floor of the headquarters after the inauguration as chairman of Taesan Financial.”

Now, Chief Ha needed to be someone fitting for a holding company called Taesan Financial.

While he may not have been known before because he only carried out grandfather’s orders without stepping into the limelight, the Chief Ha I knew was smarter than most economic experts.

“Once this matter is settled, you will live not as grandfather’s knife, but as Ha Myung-hoon. You’ve done enough until now.”

“…”

He had lived like a shadow for grandfather his whole life.

Now, I hoped he would be able to step into the world proudly, under his own name, and help me.

That’s why I entrusted him with the chairmanship of Taesan Financial.

“Get out there. Before you wrap things up, find out everything Cheon Su-man knows.”

“Yes, Sir.”

After bowing, Chief Ha left the study. Silence returned to the room.

It felt as if the familiar laughter from my grandfather’s photo hanging behind me was echoing in my ears.

* * *

“Hyung.”

As Ha Myung-hoon finished speaking, Ma Seok-dae, who had been waiting outside the study, approached.

“When is the mercenary team arriving?”

“About an hour from now.”

“Then should we have a chat in the meantime?”

Ha Myung-hoon lightly patted Ma Seok-dae’s shoulder as they walked to his room.

“Take a seat.”

Facing Ma Seok-dae, Ha Myung-hoon spoke with a serious expression.

“Seok-dae, my time is over now. Once I deal with Cheon Su-man, I will leave this house. You need to properly serve the chairman from now on.”

Ma Seok-dae had an inkling of what was coming.

He understood that he would now have to do the duties that Ha Myung-hoon had performed while serving the chairman.

“You’ll do better than I did. I was the oldest among the orphaned siblings, so I served the chairman, but I know your abilities are far better than mine.”

“…Hyung.”

With sad eyes that had never been shown to anyone, Ma Seok-dae gazed at him.

In response, Ha Myung-hoon smiled playfully.

“If it gets hard, just come find me. Can’t I listen to my younger brother’s troubles?”

The conversation shifted back to seriousness.

“And you need to select the employees who will work here. Prepare trustworthy people. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

“…Do you think the gardener would do that? He had taken care of the Pyeongchang-dong garden for dozens of years.”

Ha Myung-hoon was always like this.

With a demeanor that seemed to have made every mistake his own, Ma Seok-dae frowned.

“Regardless, it’s my mistake. Don’t trust people. Even if they’ve been around for a long time, if someone in the mansion betrays you, that will put the chairman in danger.”

“I understand.”

“Alright, take care of the kids too.”

“Why would I avoid them? No need to worry about that.”

Ha Myung-hoon smiled slightly.

He knew that despite his words, Ma Seok-dae would take good care of everything.

He checked his watch and stood up.

“I need to get ready myself.”

Ma Seok-dae followed suit and stood up.

“Once this matter wraps up, let’s all gather together one more time.”

“Yeah, take care of yourself.”

After patting Ma Seok-dae’s shoulder several times, Ha Myung-hoon left the room with a smile on his face.

Until he left the mansion, Ma Seok-dae stared at his retreating figure for a while.

“Prepare everything.”

Once outside, Ha Myung-hoon joined the waiting staff.

“The mercenary team will arrive soon. We’ll shake off anyone who’s following us as best as we can, and if anyone else comes after us, we’ll take care of them. I’ll be counting on you all.”

Soon, the mercenary team arrived. After discussing with their leader, Ha Myung-hoon got into a car and left.

As they left Pyeongchang-dong and reached the main road, vehicles clearly following them began to tail.

“Chairman Seo seems to be losing his composure.”

Ha Myung-hoon muttered, leaning back against the seat and closing his eyes.

The car soon merged onto the national highway leading to Gyeonggi Province.

Then, half the vehicles carrying the mercenary team blocked both sides of the road.

Suddenly caught off guard, the honking of confused citizens turned the road into chaos.

Yet, as if they were unfazed, the vehicle carrying Ha Myung-hoon elegantly slipped away from the road.

After shaking off the tail a few times, it wasn’t until nightfall that they could reach the location where Cheon Su-man was held.

It was Ha Myung-hoon’s secret mountain lodge located deep in the mountains.

This place had no landline or cellphone signal. Perfect for discreet dealings.

“No one followed us, right?”

“Yes, I’ve checked several times.”

“Let’s go inside.”

As I stepped out of the car, the wind blowing from the mountain chilled my cheeks.

Ha Myung-hoon stood for a moment, looking at the dark sky.

Inside the lodge was Cheon Su-man. A low sigh escaped his lips.

“When I go in, everyone wait outside.”

“Yes, brother.”

Ha Myung-hoon, with his expression under control, entered the lodge.

All the waiting staff bowed their heads in unison.

“Everything fine?”

“…I’m sorry for the chaos that arose suddenly, resulting in some injuries. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care. So?”

“He’s tied to a chair.”

He nodded and opened the door.

At the sound of the door opening, Cheon Su-man looked up.

As soon as he saw Ha Myung-hoon’s face, Cheon Su-man’s gaze wavered severely.

“Everyone outside. We need to talk between us.”

“Yes, understood.”

All the staff surrounding the area stepped outside.

With a blank expression, Ha Myung-hoon picked up a chair beside him and approached Cheon Su-man.

He placed the chair in front, sat down, and calmly stared at Cheon Su-man.

His glare was so cold that it seemed devoid of any emotion.

“Chairman Cheon, what on earth were you thinking? Chairman never gave up on you until the end.”

Cheon Su-man, with a gag in his mouth, let out muffled sounds.

As soon as Ha Myung-hoon removed the gag, Cheon Su-man desperately began to explain.

“Myunghoon, it’s not that… I didn’t want to…”

“Chairman Cheon, no, Brother. You’ve always been like this. You make these reckless decisions without a thought and then make excuses. My siblings had to bear the responsibility for you.”

With fearful eyes, Cheon Su-man spoke hurriedly.

“Myunghoon, think of father.”

For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Ha Myung-hoon’s cold gaze.

He recalled the day he first met Chairman Cheon.