Chapter 8: Tutors

It’s unlikely they’d mobilize the entire group based on a mere college student’s prediction. But what Chairman Jin really wanted to see was an unshakeable resolve, a poker face that wouldn’t betray his inner thoughts.

Seeing his eldest grandson’s face—etched with anxiety, tension and nervousness—drew a stark contrast to his youngest grandson.

Despite the ten-year age gap, despite one being in elementary school and the other in college, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were made of different stuff.

“That’s enough. You’re dismissed.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jin Young-jun bowed his head deeply and left the study. He must have sensed that his answers hadn’t earned him a good grade.

Chairman Jin Yang-cheol felt a surge of both joy and a tinge of regret today. It dawned on him that his greatest birthday gift was none other than the rediscovery of his youngest grandson.

Why did it have to be the youngest?

If only that boy were the eldest grandson things couldn’t be better….

Lost in thought for a while, Chairman Jin Yang-cheol steeled his resolve.

There’s still plenty of time.

He wanted to properly nurture this promising young sapling, his youngest grandson.

He quietly summoned his youngest son, Jin Yun-ki, the owner of this promising sapling.

The youngest son, who rarely set foot in this study, showed a mix of tension and displeasure at his father’s sudden summons.

Even Chairman Jin couldn’t help but grimace the moment he laid eyes on his youngest son.

“How have you been?”

“Just keeping busy with this and that.”

His son’s curt reply started to burn away at Chairman Jin’s insides.

“Is that how you intend to live your life?”

“Why the sudden interest…?”

Jin Yun-ki responded even more curtly, surprised by his father’s sudden interest after years without a proper conversation.

Seeing his hopeless son filled him with rage, but he suppressed it, thinking of that clever grandson.

“Tell me if there’s something you want to do.”

“Weren’t you the one who stopped me from doing what I wanted?”

“I stopped you because you wanted to be a clown! Don’t tell me that’s all you want to talk about!”

“What else can I do? Being a clown is all I want….”

“You want to make a living stripping women’s clothes? Is that all? You’re a disgrace.”

“I never said I wanted to make erotic films. I…”

“That’s enough. I didn’t call you here to talk about that anyway.”

Cutting off his son, Chairman Jin let out a long sigh before continuing.

“How are the kids’ studies?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m talking about Sang-joon and Do-jun. I’m asking if they’re doing well in school.”

“Well I don’t check their grades. Growing up healthy is what matters most.”

His youngest son was a disappointment in every way.

Wasn’t he saying he’d completely neglected such a clever grandson? No he hadn’t even recognized that cleverness yet! It was utterly pathetic.

“I’ll be sending two tutors starting tomorrow. One for English and another for other subjects. Be aware and prepare accordingly.”

“Father. They’re just elementary school students. When they get to high school I’ll…”

“Just do as you’re told.”

Chairman Jin was displeased with his son’s constant nitpicking, but he decided to take a step back, seeing this as another opportunity for a test.

“Alright then, at least ask the kids. If they don’t want it, we’ll pretend this never happened.”

Chairman Jin was only thinking of his youngest grandson.

Given his performance today, he shouldn’t refuse the tutors.

Didn’t he guarantee he’d get top marks all year?

Jin Yun-ki was taken aback by his father’s sudden interest in his children.

He knew better than anyone that his father wouldn’t suddenly take pity on Do-jun just because he’d caused a big incident today.

Also, it was surprising to see him take a step back, something he never did once he’d said something.

He’d made a big concession. It wouldn’t do to ignore such a concession.

“Alright. I’ll ask the kids and if they want it I’ll follow your wishes.”

“Good. Oh and if the kids want anything else tell me. If they’re willing to strive for improvement, we should help, shouldn’t we?”

Jin Yun-ki’s lips twitched, but no words came out. He was curious about the reason for this sudden interest but didn’t want a long conversation.

“If that’s all I’ll be on my way.”

Jin Yun-ki bowed his head slightly and left the study.

***

In the car ride home, my father didn’t say a word.

My mother wanted to ask something, but she too remained silent, wary of my father’s mood.

As soon as we got home, my father called me and my brother over.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to scold you about what happened at your grandfather’s house today. You’ve already been punished.”

“I’m sorry.”

As I bowed my head, my father’s expression changed.

He was still uncomfortable with his son’s sudden grown-up demeanor.

“That’s enough. It’s fine as long as you know your mistake. Raise your head.”

I raised my head, feeling awkward under my father’s gaze.

“Your grandfather said he’d take care of both of your studies. He said he’d send tutors… What do you think?”

As soon as the word ‘tutor’ came out, my brother frowned.

He must have seen how much the cousins who were already being tutored struggled. They were at an age where they should be running around and playing freely, but having to sit at a desk all day must have been unimaginable, irritating just to think about.

“Looks like Sang-joon doesn’t like it. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. It’s okay.”

His creased brow relaxed at the words “it’s okay.”

“What about Do-jun?”

I don’t need a tutor. At best, they’d just be students from a prestigious university…. I probably have more to teach them.

But this is Chairman Jin’s order.

I have to follow it no matter what.

“I’ll do it. It’s a promise.”

“A promise?”

“Yes. I have to get straight A’s all year. I promised Grandfather.”

At the word “promise,” my father’s expression shifted from surprise to something else, then back again.

He must have thought it was a promise I made while being held in the study for so long.

“Do-jun. I told you earlier. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

“It’s okay. For now, I need to be an obedient grandson who listens well.”

“What, what did you say?”

Oops, I said something I shouldn’t have!

“Oh, I just meant that I really promised Grandfather I’d be a good grandson. I’d study hard and not fight with my cousin……”

I managed to gloss it over, but my father still had a সন্দেহজনক look in his eyes.

Fortunately, he didn’t press the issue.

Maybe this was just my father’s personality. Indifferent to everything, or rather, a nonchalant attitude.

It’s a wonder why he became like this at such a young age.

“Alright. I understand. I’ll prepare things since you want to do it.”

I got up first, gave a slight bow and left, with Sang-joon quickly following behind me.

On the stairs leading to the second floor, Sang-joon looked at me and said.

“Do-jun.”

“Hmm?”

“You did good today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Making that jerk Kang-joon cry.”

He quickly ran up the stairs, as if embarrassed to say it out loud.

I guess that kid had a lot pent up inside too. If a clueless kid feels this way, how much worse must it have been for my parents?

My goal was somewhere else, but it wasn’t bad to have at least made the kid feel better.

Seeing my brother’s light steps as he went up the stairs, I let out a chuckle.

***

“You don’t have to waste your time like that.”

“What?”

“I mean… let’s be efficient.”

The two young tutors were dumbfounded by the word “efficient.”

They probably didn’t expect such a word to come out of a ten-year-old’s mouth.

“Efficient?”

“It must be hard for you to just sit there blankly while I study. Just give me assignments every day, like homework. Then you can check them the next day, can’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but shouldn’t you ask questions if you don’t know something?”

Even with my audacity, he speaks as gently as possible. This is how an ordinary person treats someone from a chaebol family. It’s a bit depressing.

“I’ll do that all at once. After checking my homework and giving me new assignments…. Thirty minutes a day should be enough, which should be more comfortable for both of you too.”

“That’s true, but still……”

They’re probably thinking they’re being paid too much to teach for only thirty minutes a day. Also, they need to produce solid results for such a high payment, and if my grades don’t improve, they could be in big trouble.

They got their foot in this door through connections. If word gets out that they’re not competent, they won’t be able to face the person who introduced them.

Looking at the two teachers’ contemplative expressions, I get the gist.

“Let’s try it my way for now, and if you think it’s not working, let me know. Then I’ll do whatever you want.”

Taking a step back, the two teachers’ expressions brightened.

“Alright. We’ll trust you for now. But if you’re even a little bit behind, we’re studying for two hours, no, four hours straight. Got it?”

“Yes.”

As if I’d be lacking?

I’ll control the pace of my studies. I won’t let them call me a genius, but I’ll make sure to get praised for being incredibly bright.

Of course, I’ll make sure it reaches Grandfather’s ears.

Since it was the first day, I told the two teachers that just getting acquainted was enough and asked them to give me some assignments.

What do old men like most? Diligence, that’s what!

Diligently studying from the first day of tutoring—that kind of attitude will surely impress Grandfather.

The first assignment was to memorize the English alphabet and solve some math and Korean problems.

For now…. I’ll just do my homework perfectly.

***

“…….”

The two teachers just stared at each other, speechless.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“N-no. You did great. Really well. But…. Did you, by any chance, study English before?”

“No.”

“Really? Your handwriting is a bit… advanced for a beginner. It’s very fluent, you see?”

My handwriting after the alphabet test was no different from an adult’s, hence the comment.

“I just wrote it all day yesterday, and that’s how it turned out.”

I quickly changed the subject.

“Teacher. Are all the problems I solved correct?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. You got a perfect score. Well done.”

The teacher in charge of the other subject also had a strange look on his face, but he didn’t hold back on the praise.

“Then please give me my homework for tomorrow.”

I wanted to send these two away quickly.

I desperately needed some time alone.

I needed time to record the important memories of the past—the events related to Soonyang Group, the people involved and historical facts—before they disappeared.

If I just let things be, my memories fade with each passing day, but if I try to recall and record them, even long-forgotten facts resurface.

Over the past three months, I’ve filled more than two notebooks, and these will become my secret weapon.

Anyway, the two teachers left shaking their heads, and I waited for the day to hurry up and pass.

Tomorrow is an important day that will bring a huge change to this country. Of course, there will be a big change for me as well.