Chapter 5: The Chairman’s Affection

My older brother and I sat quietly in the back seat all the way to Pyeongchang-dong.

I was lost in my own thoughts, while my brother remained silent, carefully watching my reactions.

Our parents’ expressions grew darker with the silence of their two sons.

What could Pyeongchang-dong possibly mean to this family?

***

A land area of 1,100 pyeong.

Four buildings.

Two floors above ground, two below.

Parking for 50 cars.

A massive fortress with a 380-meter perimeter wall.

This is the residence of Chairman Jin Yang-cheol, the founder and leader of Soonyang Group.

The high walls and dense landscaping resembled an impregnable fortress, blocking outside gazes.

As we approached the massive gate, two security guards standing by a small guardhouse saluted and opened the gate, allowing the car to glide smoothly inside.

The large garden where I used to pull weeds came into view, already filled with many guests enjoying the early summer weather.

The main building in the center was white, matching the green of the garden.

Our family got out of the car and walked toward the main building.

The guests offered slight nods to our family, but even those were few. Most glanced at us and then turned away, seemingly ignoring us.

I tried my best to observe them, searching my memory for who they might be, but these were people from a generation ago, and the faces I remembered were from 30 years in the future, so I recognized almost no one.

I felt the weight of a new task: figuring out who among them was the Chairman’s closest confidant.

We entered the living room through the wide-open front door.

My heart started pounding.

Our family, the object of the Chairman’s disdain.

What would happen?

Would no one acknowledge us, just like the guests in the garden?

Would we be treated as complete outsiders, like a borrowed scarecrow?

Eight people were already seated on the sofas in the living room.

Hungry wolves and foxes.

My uncles, aunts, and their spouses.

The embodiments of greed, waiting for their father to die so they could claim their share of the delicious meat that was Soonyang.

The eldest son, Jin Young-ki.

The second son, Jin Dong-ki.

The third son, Jin Sang-ki.

And the only daughter, Jin Seo-yoon.

Avoiding their sharp gazes was the youngest son and my father, Jin Yun-ki.

After a moment of awkward silence, Mother spoke.

“Hello, we’re here.”

As Mother bowed deeply, a sharp, irritated voice cut through the air.

“Still keeping up your makeup habits? Are you a star? Why are you always the last to arrive?”

The owner of this voice was none other than the old hag who had been getting busy with a young punk in the department store’s fitting room.

Of course, she was still in her forties now and somewhat presentable, but the image of her 30 years later kept flickering in my mind, making me chuckle.

“Heh, heh.”

Startled, Father squeezed my hand, but it was too late.

“Are you laughing? Did you just laugh?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she stood up abruptly from the sofa.

“Hello, Aunt.”

I stopped laughing and bowed my head in greeting.

“You just laughed, didn’t you? How dare you… when an adult is speaking…”

“Stop it, will you? What are you doing to a child?”

Jin Young-ki, my eldest uncle, scolded his wife, but it only fueled her anger.

She looked like she was about to smack me on the head.

Well, this first meeting is a total mess.

“Who is making all that noise in my house? Where did you learn such manners?”

Everyone’s attention turned to the source of the voice.

An old man standing on the second-floor stairs.

It was the ruler of Soonyang Group and my grandfather, Chairman Jin Yang-cheol.

Iron Face.

That was his nickname, said to reflect the iron will that always got its way.

Some said it reflected the coldness with which he drove out his own brother to monopolize the company.

Whatever the nickname meant, he was someone I had never experienced. But at the king’s entrance, the princes and princess froze.

A man feared even by his own children.

Of course, the source of that fear was the money he possessed.

The future that would unfold if they didn’t inherit that money. Their share being taken by another sibling. The fear of losing their status as part of a chaebol family.

All these things mixed together, making them fear their own father.

Chairman Jin Yang-cheol slowly descended the stairs and stood in the middle of the living room.

I gulped.

How would the emperor react to our family?

I glanced at my parents and saw they were extremely tense.

They bowed silently, but Chairman Jin Yang-cheol only gave his youngest son and daughter-in-law a cold look.

When his gaze shifted to my older brother, Sang-joon, his eyes turned as if he were looking at a bug.

Now it’s my turn.

Will I be treated as another bug? Or…?

I was so nervous that my mouth fell open in surprise at the Chairman’s reaction.

“Oh, my dear boy. How long has it been? Why did you take your grandfather’s words about visiting often so lightly?”

The Iron Face disappeared, replaced by the kind expression of an ordinary grandfather.

What’s going on?

Chairman Jin Yang-cheol treats my parents as if they aren’t even his children. So why is he showing me such affection?

Our parents were never part of the group’s management, so I have no idea about my relationship with the Chairman.

How should I react?

I didn’t even have time to think or decide.

The Chairman had already swooped me up and lifted me into the air.

“Now, I have something to give to my little puppy. Aren’t you curious?”

Damn, what kind of situation is this?

***

The Chairman took me to a small room on the second floor. Well, it was small compared to the scale of this house, but it was the size of an average small apartment.

In the middle of the room stood a pony.

Of course, it wasn’t a real horse. It had a base, and it was attached to a post on the base, looking like practice equipment for a rodeo.

I guessed that if I pressed a switch, the pony would move. Supporting this guess, I saw an electric cord coming out of the base.

That wasn’t all.

The room was filled with toys; it must be a room for the grandchildren.

“What do you think? I prepared the horse you wanted. Do you like it?”

The Chairman put me down as he spoke.

It wasn’t certain yet, but this old man seemed to like me.

I tried to guess the old man’s thoughts.

Even a disowned child is still a finger that hurts when bitten. Even with an iron will, there’s still a parent’s heart. He must have some regret.

He must be pouring that tiny bit of regret onto me. He can’t pour it on my brother, Sang-joon. He has no love for the person who caused him to disown his child.

Besides, I’m the youngest grandson.

Maybe he’s giving himself a pardon by being nice to me?

This is an important moment.

How much affection does the Chairman have for me?

I need to gauge that அளவு. I need to act accordingly, show my presence as much as needed.

Alright, first test!

I stroked the plastic horse.

Then I smiled faintly at Chairman Jin. It probably didn’t suit me.

“I like real things, Grandfather.”

“What?”

“I like a real horse better than a plastic one, and I like a real car that goes ‘vroom’ better than the toy car over there. And I want a real boat that floats on the sea, not one to play with in the bathtub.”

He must be a little surprised.

No, he was very surprised.

Chairman Jin’s expression hardened.

He’s the type to smile when angry and hide his emotions when surprised. The Iron Face hides his feelings well.

“Real… Do you know what ‘real’ means, Do-jun?”

What kind of answer should I give? No, what kind of answer does he want?

I must answer without hesitation. Like an improvisation. Like a child.

“Yes.”

“What is it, then?”

“It’s yours, Grandfather.”

His expression turned to one of surprise. He couldn’t hide his emotions this time.

“The cars, ships, and televisions that Grandfather makes are all real. I like those things.”

Adults translate children’s words into adult language.

The first truth I ever spoke.

How did Grandfather take my words?

His surprised face turned hard again.

“Hmm, Do-jun.”

“Yes, Grandfather?”

“To have the real things you mentioned, you have to do many, many difficult things. You might even have to face things that are as scary as death. But if you like fake things, you won’t have to go through any of that. It’ll just be fun and enjoyable.”

As scary as death?

When I faced death, I felt more wronged than scared.

To have the real thing, Soonyang Group, wasn’t it worth enduring that much?

Not knowing my inner thoughts, Grandfather continued with his উপদেশ.

“To ride a real horse, drive a real car, and sail a real ship on the rough seas, you need the proper training and education.”

“Do you mean in school?”

“School? Yes, for now, that’s right.”

“Then what rank do I need to be to get a real horse?”

“What? Hahaha.”

Chairman Jin burst into a hearty laugh.

My words must have sounded like asking how much of a bonus I would get for good performance.

“A horse is a very expensive animal… Let’s see… Alright. If you get straight As for a year, I’ll buy you one for your birthday next year. How about that?”

As expected, a predictable answer.

Well, all he wants from a 10-year-old is to study hard.

I put on a slightly exaggerated, dumbfounded expression.

“What? You look like you lack confidence. Haha.”

Did he find my expression cute?

“No, it’s too easy. I thought you’d say I couldn’t get a single grade less than an A until I graduate. One year is… really easy.”

Seeing me smile brightly, Chairman Jin looked surprised again.

I know that the Jin Do-jun before I entered this body was a quiet and ordinary child.

In intelligence, physical strength, and character, an ordinary child you could find anywhere.

That was Jin Do-jun, so it’s no wonder he’s surprised to see his youngest grandson so changed after a long time.

“Really? I’ll look forward to seeing if you get straight As, Do-jun. Haha.”

With a benevolent smile, he held out his hand.

“Come on, let’s go down. You have to eat dinner and play with your cousins.”

I firmly grasped Grandfather’s hand.