Chapter 453: You Should Live Your Own Life Too

I approached Oh Hyeon-woo and his family who were standing to greet their guests.

As I got closer I first greeted Oh Jeong-seok, the Chief Justice.

“Congratulations Chief Justice.”

“Boss Kim! You made it! Good to see you.”

“You look quite radiant today sir. One might mistake you for the groom.”

“Haha this guy and his jokes.”

Oh Jeong-seok laughed heartily at my comment drawing a few glances from nearby guests.

“So you’re here Mu-hyeok?”

Oh Hyeon-woo grumbled with pursed lips.

“Why the long face? It’s a happy day. You’re ruining your good looks kid.”

“I’ve been standing here greeting people for an hour straight. There’s still two hours until the ceremony… what kind of nonsense is this?”

His parents jabbed him in the side.

Oh Hyeon-woo winced and turned his head clearly feeling the pain.

I finally greeted his parents.

“Sir Ma’am it’s been a while.”

Oh Hyeon-woo’s father clasped my hand and patted my shoulder.

“Boss Kim thank you for coming.”

“Of course I had to come.”

While chatting with Oh Hyeon-woo’s family another guest approached.

Seeing they couldn’t greet others because of me I stepped aside.

“I’ll go see Min-kyung then.”

“Alright see you later.”

After saying goodbye I headed toward the building.

The security guards at the entrance recognized me and gave slight nods.

Most people who used this venue were either political figures or entertainment industry folks.

That’s why security was always tight and thoroughly maintained.

To use the building’s amenities you normally had to go through the same security check as when entering the wedding venue.

But Black Secret was currently contracted to handle security at the Myeong-dong Hotel.

Thanks to that I didn’t need to deal with unnecessary procedures.

The team leader gave his guards a look.

They immediately grabbed both doors and opened them while saying:

“Please enter.”

After going inside I walked a bit further until I spotted the bridal waiting room.

Opening the door I saw Han Min-kyung chatting with what looked like friends or acquaintances.

Hearing the door she turned and flashed a bright smile.

“Wow you look beautiful. Almost didn’t recognize you.”

Han Min-kyung replied sheepishly to my playful comment:

“It’s just the bridal makeup.”

“Friends?”

I gestured slightly at the people beside her.

It felt quite awkward starting conversation in a room full of women.

“Work colleagues.”

“Ah fellow judges then?”

“Yes one junior and one senior.”

The two introduced smiled and greeted me first.

“Hello I’m Eun Ji-hyo.”

“I’m Song Ji-yeon.”

“Nice to meet you I’m Kim Mu-hyeok. I’m Min-kyung’s university classmate and close friend of the groom.”

I added the explanation to avoid any misunderstandings.

Eun Ji-hyo who seemed to be the senior spoke to Han Min-kyung:

“Min-kyung we’ll step out. Talk comfortably.”

“Oh thank you so much for coming Senior.”

“No no thank you for inviting me.”

After they left the bridal room just Han Min-kyung and I remained.

Finally we can talk more comfortably.

“How are you feeling? Nervous?”

“I’m not sure it doesn’t feel real yet. I never imagined I’d have my wedding at a place like this. It feels like yesterday I was worrying about how to pay my university tuition…”

Tears welled up in Han Min-kyung’s eyes as she recalled the past.

Worried about ruining her carefully done makeup I pulled out my handkerchief and handed it to her.

“Careful you’ll mess up your makeup. Why cry on such a happy day? Your mother couldn’t make it right?”

Han Min-kyung nodded as she dabbed at her tears with the handkerchief.

Her mother was hospitalized. Despite receiving the best treatment there were no signs of improvement.

“What about your siblings?”

“They should arrive soon. Jae-ha’s bringing them.”

It’ll be nice to see Jae-ha after so long.

Pulling up a chair to sit I asked:

“Your youngest is starting university this year right?”

“Yes Business Administration at Korea University.”

“Oh takes after you being smart I see.”

Han Min-kyung who had been tilting her head back to dry her tears let out a small laugh.

“Min-soo grew up well. He’s even smarter than me. He’ll do great things.”

“Right it’s all thanks to how well you raised them. Between studying and raising your siblings you worked twice thrice as hard as any of us. Now you can finally live your own life too.”

The reason Han Min-kyung the eldest of three siblings had to tutor while on scholarship was because of her younger siblings.

Feeling sorry for her situation I offered some small help which ended up completely changing her future.

Han Min-kyung went from being a human rights lawyer to a politician and now had established herself in the court. Now she was having her wedding with Oh Hyeon-woo.

“Thank you it’s all thanks to your help Mu-hyeok.”

“Don’t mention it. I just had the means to help that’s all. Besides I’m an investor. I simply invested where I saw value.”

Just then the bridal room door opened and a young man and woman entered. They were Han Min-kyung’s siblings.

“Sis!”

Han Min-kyung greeted her siblings with a gentle smile.

“You’re here? Was the trip okay?”

“With Jae-ha oppa driving how could it be hard? Though people still think I’m his girlfriend.”

The smile that appeared on Han Min-kyung’s face looked different from her previous ones.

Somehow it seemed warmer more tender.

After greeting her sister Han Min-ju turned to me:

“Mu-hyeok oppa long time no see.”

“Wow Min-ju you’ve grown so much. Feels like yesterday you were bragging about getting your school uniform.”

“Ugh why do you sound like an old man? Anyway thanks for coming to sis’s wedding!”

While I might look younger after returning my mind is definitely that of an old man.

As I stood there awkwardly laughing Han Min-soo approached me.

His face full of smiles he bowed his head:

“Brother Mu-hyeok it’s been a while.”

“Right I heard you got into Korea University? Business Administration was it?”

“Yes I applied and got accepted to Business Administration.”

“Business Administration… Why did you choose that major?”

Han Min-kyung seemed curious about this too as she focused on our conversation.

“Well…”

Han Min-soo glanced at his sisters before speaking:

“Our family was dirt poor when we were young. I chose Business Administration because I want to make lots of money. In the end money is everything.”

“Hey!”

Han Min-ju smacked her brother’s back while yelling:

“You haven’t even started university yet what’s with all this money talk?”

“But it’s true. Little sis don’t you remember when we were kids?”

Unable to argue Han Min-ju pouted.

“Money can’t buy happiness but it’s hard to be happy without money. Even though big sis’s scholarship and tutoring money made life a bit easier I still felt guilty. I kept thinking she could’ve done so much better without us holding her back.”

The siblings didn’t know about my financial support to Han Min-kyung.

They probably think the living expenses came from her tutoring work.

“Little sis was just going through puberty back then always talking back to big sis. But I was secretly doing newspaper delivery since then.”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

Both Han Min-kyung and Han Min-ju were shocked.

“When I said I was going to study I was actually delivering newspapers. I wanted to at least earn my own pocket money. But making money turned out to be really hard.”

Tears welled up in Han Min-kyung’s eyes again.

This seems like a private family moment. I should step out.

“Have a family chat. I’ll go hang out with the others.”

Before Han Min-kyung could say anything I left the bridal room.

As I was heading outside Yoon Jae-ha entered.

“What? Why are you leaving already?”

“Let’s go. I stepped out so the family could talk.”

“But I wanted to see Min-kyung’s face.”

“Later.”

I took Yoon Jae-ha outside.

We found a quiet corner and chatted.

“How have you been lately?”

Yoon Jae-ha chuckled at my question and replied:

“Same as always. Court law firm home. Going round and round like a hamster wheel.”

“Doesn’t it get suffocating?”

“Are you one to talk? You’re the biggest workaholic among us. Even back in school. Have you ever properly rested?”

Well when he puts it that way I’ve got nothing to say. I just gave an awkward smile instead.

“That’s what I thought. Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong should arrive soon. Probably in about ten minutes? Looks like they’re coming together.”

“Really?”

“By the way Father will be here soon too. Seems he has something to discuss with you.”

“Your father? What about?”

Yoon Jae-ha shook his head and said:

“How would I know? Does he ever tell me anything properly? He works me harder than the partner attorneys.”

Starting from the bottom to gain experience in running a law firm Yoon Jae-ha worked harder than others as a new hire.

Thanks to that he received unbiased treatment from the firm’s staff and was building a good reputation.

All of this would become a powerful asset when he eventually inherits the firm.

“I wonder what your father wants? He hasn’t contacted me in a while.”

“Well must be something important if he wants to discuss it in person.”

Yoon Jae-ha casually replied then brought up Myeong-su.

“But Myeong-su’s really moved up in rank. Seems like he’s doing the best among us? I hear he’s a power player in the current administration.”

“Haha he might joke around a lot but when he gets serious no one’s more serious than him.”

“That’s true.”

We were enjoying some casual chat when suddenly Yoon Jae-ha noticed something.

“Hey they’re here. Sister-in-law came too.”

Yoon Jae-ha gestured with his chin as he spoke.

I could see Myeong-su Hyeon-seong and Kang Mi-jin walking toward Oh Hyeon-woo.

Yoon Jae-ha tilted his head while observing Kang Mi-jin intently.

“Sister-in-law looks pregnant.”

“What?”

I turned to look at Kang Mi-jin startled.

“Look she keeps covering her stomach while walking. All pregnant women do that. From how her belly’s not showing yet must be early stages.”

Following Yoon Jae-ha’s observation I noticed how all Kang Mi-jin’s attention was focused on her stomach.

“Hope that’s true.”

“That stoic Hyeon-seong got married first among us and now he’ll be the first to have a kid too. Sigh where’s my other half?”

I gave Yoon Jae-ha’s shoulder a light pat at his playful lament.

After greeting Oh Hyeon-woo’s family our friends headed our way.

“Mu-hyeok.”

Hyeon-seong called my name in his usual stoic voice.

“You made it?”

“Yeah Jae-ha long time no see.”

“Right it’s good seeing everyone. These days we only meet at occasions like this can’t gather like we used to.”

As Yoon Jae-ha said we couldn’t meet often anymore.

Everyone was busy and coordinating everyone’s schedules was difficult.

“Mu-hyeok-ssi it’s been a while.”

Kang Mi-jin greeted me with a smile.

“Sister-in-law it has been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes same as always. How about you Mu-hyeok-ssi?”

We continued our friendly conversation.

Then Yoon Jae-ha who had been quiet jumped into the conversation:

“Sister-in-law I’m curious about something. Are you pregnant?”

He really just asked that directly?

Sure enough even Myeong-su looked dumbfounded staring at Yoon Jae-ha.

But Kang Mi-jin and Hyeon-seong’s reactions were strange.

“Right? I noticed you keep covering your stomach while walking.”

“Really? For real?”

Myeong-su finally sensing something was off started questioning Hyeon-seong.

Yoon Jae-ha and I also stared at Hyeon-seong expectantly.

Under everyone’s gaze Hyeon-seong smiled awkwardly and answered:

“Yeah six weeks they say. I just found out yesterday.”

“Wow! You didn’t say a word on the way here you jerk!”

Myeong-su smacked Hyeon-seong’s back hard then politely said to Kang Mi-jin:

“Sister-in-law congratulations.”

“Thank you Myeong-su-ssi.”

Yoon Jae-ha also offered his congratulations and I followed suit:

“Sister-in-law congratulations.”

“Hoho thank you.”

“Hey Hyeon-seong congratulations. You’re going to be a dad now.”

Hyeon-seong just awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

We spent quite a while chatting about Hyeon-seong and Kang Mi-jin’s pregnancy.

“I’ll take Mi-jin to see Min-kyung now.”

Hyeon-seong headed toward the building with Kang Mi-jin.

Right then Yoon Hyung-min Yoon Jae-ha’s father approached us.

“Boss Kim.”

“Sir it’s been a while.”

I bowed slightly in greeting.

He extended his hand first and I shook it.

“Jae-ha I need to talk with Boss Kim. Could you give us some space?”

“Yes Father.”

Yoon Jae-ha took Myeong-su and left.

Once they were gone Yoon Hyung-min spoke in a low voice:

“I have something important to discuss with you.”

“Discussion?”

“We received a consultation request that’s quite significant. I’d like your opinion on it.”

This seems more serious than I thought. From Yoon Hyung-min’s reaction it must be something much bigger.

“What kind of matter is it?”

“Do you know an asset management company called Sovereign?”

Sovereign came up in Yoon Hyung-min’s conversation.