The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 135

< The Eccentric Negotiator (4) >

The call about his son being elected student council president had come from the vice principal.

If it was about a plaque of appreciation, it would be a matter decided in a faculty meeting.

Son Gwang-yeon asked with a sullen face.

‘Director Yoon, what reason did the school give for wanting to give me a plaque of appreciation?’

‘It’s for your various contributions to the school’s development—’

‘Specifically.’

‘Yes. They are grateful for your support in installing the elevators, and for supporting advanced methods in the school lunch program…’

‘Oh, geez— why make a fuss over that? Just tell them it’s okay.’

Son Gwang-yeon waved his hand dismissively.

Impressed by the president’s humble demeanor, Director Yoon bowed deeply and retreated.

‘If I receive a plaque of appreciation when not a single penny of our company’s money was used, I’d be a scoundrel.’

Once the plastic coverings are removed after the installation of the elevators at Taeyang Middle and High Schools, the Sein Machinery logo would be clearly visible. *Eheung-heung*-, a strange sound came from Son Gwang-yeon’s nose as he tilted his teacup.

He still extorts his friends, but Son Gwang-yeon is a conscientious person. The plaque of appreciation should rightfully go to Hong Gi-jun. Hong Gi-jun had also vehemently declined, so even if he accepted it instead, no one would say anything, but it just wasn’t right. Yang Gang-wook might secretly disapprove.

Anyway.

Son Gwang-yeon frowned as he read the business plan his son had presented.

The groan that escaped him was a testament to his distress.

‘It doesn’t look like it’ll make much money.’

The report proposed running the school lunch program for about 20 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and two high schools scattered across a wide area.

Production of ingredients like kimchi would increase, and distribution could be handled using their own logistics company, so the business itself was viable.

The problem was the profit margin.

Even if they could handle the increased volume of goods, after deducting the labor costs required for the school lunch program, all that would be left was the cost of raw materials. Fortunately, the ingredients could be covered by the produce from General Farm’s farmlands.

‘Does this kid want to run a social enterprise?’

Even the message at the top of the report was dry.

‘Giving back returns as happiness.’

Food is important.

Son Gwang-yeon, who had often gone hungry during his growth period, also strongly agreed with this point. He also believed that he had won over the fearsome Moon Seok-il and his gang with food.

Still, if you’re going to run a business, it has to be profitable, right?

‘Is he telling me to dig in the ground to do business?’

Perhaps sensing the distress of Son Gwang-yeon, who was formally a customer but psychologically the boss, the short-necked Yang Gang-wook cautiously poked his bear-like head forward.

Son Gwang-yeon handed the report to Yang Gang-wook, signaling him to take a look. Though he was the head of the security team, he was quicker on the uptake than any other employee, so he was always kept close for advice. There was no reason to be wary of him seeing it.

‘What do you think, Team Leader Yang?’

Yang Gang-wook, stroking his firm chin, let out a light sigh and cautiously opened his mouth.

‘Wouldn’t it be right to see it as an investment for the future?’

Well, yes, but. Son Gwang-yeon trailed off.

It was because the business feasibility, unlike the planning intention, was not clearly apparent.

‘Look at this.’

Son Gwang-yeon held out a survey.

It was data on the cost of meals at private high school dormitories.

‘To cut to the chase, it’s over two thousand won per meal. And that’s for dormitories that cater to a small number of students. But we’re not even at a thousand won. If we build the facilities and offer meals this cheaply, there’s nothing left.’

‘Don’t we have people left?’

That’s why he said it was an investment for the future.

As a manager, it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

However, Yang Gang-wook was one of the people who prided himself on understanding Jin-hyeok. He was the one who had recognized the ambition engraved in the heart of a man, and he thought that if even he couldn’t understand Jin-hyeok’s heart, he would be disappointed. So, he offered his opinion not as a manager, but as one man to another.

‘Although many people ignore it, there’s nothing more important than what you eat during your growth period, is there? You need to eat well and grow well to study well and exercise well. I’ve heard that people who are starving or deficient in certain nutrients are not just deficient, but it also affects their hormone secretion and personality. That means a balanced diet is that important. Of course, the influence of the growth environment cannot be ignored, but isn’t it possible that people who haven’t fulfilled their basic happiness go astray? Maybe Jin-hyeok is just a romantic who dreams of a healthy world…’

‘Heh heh. That’s more like wishful thinking.’

Romantic.

Son Gwang-yeon mulled over Yang Gang-wook’s assessment of Jin-hyeok.

It sounded plausible in a way. He was a guy who ran around with Jang-gun and Hong-si every day, but he was also the type to find something to enjoy every moment, lest he miss the changing seasons.

Perhaps his son was living so diligently in pursuit of the word ‘happiness’. Not just his own happiness, but the happiness of many. Or maybe for the satisfaction of seeing the happiness of many.

‘Well, he said it was to fulfill his responsibility as a local leader.’

Jin-hyeok’s explanation was as textbook-like and straightforward as that.

*Sigh*-, Son Gwang-yeon closed the report and put it in a document envelope. Worrying wouldn’t reveal his son’s true intentions. He just nodded, reminding himself of the reason he had jumped into business.

‘We have to do it then.’

If that’s the kind of world our son wants.

Contrary to his groaning, it wasn’t a business that would run at a loss. This was also a business that was only possible because it was Son Gwang-yeon.

‘I’ll have to meet a lot of people.’ Son Gwang-yeon began to organize a list of people to meet in his head, from the local congressman to the superintendent of education.

He shouldn’t ask Hong Gi-jun for help with this either.

‘I can’t be looked down on anymore.’

***

That day, a small celebration party was held in Jin-hyeok’s yard to celebrate his election.

It was called a celebration party, but it was just Son Gwang-yeon using his son as an excuse to have a barbecue party, which he loved.

‘Congratulations, President.’

‘Ahahaha, congratulations, what for…’

Look at him now.

He was the one receiving all the congratulations.

It was a simple party with a charcoal fire and grilling meat, but the bodyguards and Choi Mi-kyung’s family also attended. Choi Mi-kyung’s congratulations were also directed at Son Gwang-yeon.

‘Congratulations, Mister!’

‘Yes, yes. Mi-kyung, eat a lot too.’

And of course, Jo Il-heon, the local troublemaker, and Cheon Gil-ryong, the neighborhood elder, also attended. If their banter was missing, the neighborhood would say that the family was uneducated and had no roots, so they had to be invited.

‘Wow-, the father is a president, and the son is a chairman-.’

‘Hehehe-, the land is good. The land.’

Since Park Dae-soon, who used to stick to him like a best friend, had run away with his wife and children, Jo Il-heon spent more time with Son Gwang-yeon and Choi Jang-hwan. Now, Son Gwang-yeon was so busy that he spent most of his time with Choi Jang-hwan or Cheon Gil-ryong.

With over twenty people gathered in the yard and garden, it was boisterous.

These are the kind of people who like this sort of thing, running around like mudskippers during election season.

‘Congratulations, Madam.’

‘Hoh ho ho-, thank you.’

While Mom, holding Jeong-won, was receiving congratulations from the SSS agents, Jin-hyeok secretly gave Yoo-jin a cola.

‘Ehehehe-, thank you.’

As expected, her brother was the best. That’s what was written on Yoo-jin’s face.

Jin-hyeok couldn’t help but smile like a father as he watched seven-year-old Yoo-jin bow to her brother.

Since some time ago, Yoo-jin had been putting her hands together in front of her and bowing when she said thank you. If an adult did that, it would look like a sycophant, but it was so cute when a child did it. But who on earth did she learn that from?

*Heh heh heh-*.

Jang-gun and his subordinates also sniffed around the feast and were treated to well-cooked meat. The subordinate dogs, including Hong-si, didn’t chew the meat until Jang-gun had eaten, as befitting their hierarchical structure. Their discipline was closer to that of a wolf pack than dogs.

A scene of family and another family, neighbors and dogs, sharing food together. It was a common sight at this house on a nice day.

Jin-hyeok shielded Yoo-jin, who was drinking cola, from being seen by her mother and chewed on his meat.

‘It tastes good.’

But he was still curious.

What exactly does a student council president do?

He had somehow ended up doing it, but he had a feeling that he would graduate without ever knowing what he was doing.

After the election results were announced, he had cautiously asked the vice principal.

– ‘What should I do now?’

– ‘Hehehe! What more are you trying to do?’

The vice principal had given him words of encouragement, saying that he had already done things that were difficult for a student to do, so he shouldn’t be obsessed with achievement. After all, students only stay for three years, and they are quickly forgotten after graduation.

‘Well… I guess it’s okay since my parents are happy.’

He should be used to his peaceful, even boring, daily life.

In his previous life, he had always been running towards something with bloodshot eyes. For a man whose experience flowed through his blood and who carried that focus like a snail’s shell, aimless actions were accompanied by the same discomfort as a burp that didn’t come out properly after drinking cola.

*Guh-uh-uh-uh-*.

‘Oh my, Yoo-jin must feel refreshed.’

***

Son Gwang-yeon was on the phone, bragging for a long time.

‘Wahahaha-! My son, you know-. Ah, I’m telling you, man. You’re a vice president, but my son is the president!’

He even showed the ability to apply Jo Il-heon’s jokes appropriately.

‘Why is he really like that? It’s so embarrassing.’

Jin-hyeok, who was folding the white tights that Yoo-jin would wear tomorrow, shook his head.

‘Oppa, you’re shaking your head like Jeong-won.’

‘That’s-, Jeong-won, no!’

‘Uuuu-.’

President, what president.

Between talking to Yoo-jin and stopping Jeong-won from sucking on her sister’s toes, Jin-hyeok’s mind went blank every evening. Well, Yoo-jin also used to put everything she could grab in her mouth when she was a baby.

Perhaps feeling upset that her brother was stopping her, Jeong-won was about to burst into tears. He had to quickly soothe Jeong-won, who was shedding thick tears with a face full of the world’s sorrow, so she wouldn’t start screaming.

‘Aigo, taking care of babies is harder than exercising.’

It couldn’t be helped because his mother didn’t consider meat as a meal and was preparing dinner. His father, who had come home early for once, was busy bragging about his son.

It was nice to have two younger siblings he hadn’t expected, but it was also his fate to deal with the doubled difficulty.

It was definitely more work with a baby boy.

Yoo-jin had sat quietly and smiled when she was left alone as a baby, but Son Jeong-won, this kid, didn’t get tired and made the whole house a battlefield. Yesterday, he had pulled out his father’s precious clivia and ate the roots. Delicious…?

‘Am I raising a baby or a cat?’

He might catch and eat the fish in the fish tank soon.

It was probably just his imagination that a few of the bitterlings seemed to be missing.

Just then, it seemed that his father had moved on to talking about raising children with Hong Gi-jun.

‘Hey, are you raising one or two kids? If you leave them alone, they’ll grow up on their own.’

They’ll grow up on their own, right?

While eating dirt.

In Jin-hyeok’s sighing vision, he caught sight of his mother glaring sharply at his father. That’s why Jo Il-heon said that his mouth was a disaster.

It seemed like gunpowder would explode on his father’s back again tonight.

***

Since half of the first semester of the third year had passed, they were told to have career counseling.

Jin-hyeok sat facing the career counselor in the student counseling room.

‘Some things don’t change.’

Compared to his previous life, many things had changed.

Jin-hyeok had always been in class 1, but the faces of his classmates were slightly different. The homeroom teachers for the second and third grades were also different.

But the career counselor was the same.

For career-related matters, students first had a consultation with their homeroom teacher and then met with the career counselor. But to have a separate career counselor in a small middle school, it seemed like they were just focused on appearances without improving professionalism. It was a feeling he had felt in the past as well.

The career counselor looked at Jin-hyeok’s record and made a whistling sound with pursed lips.

‘That reaction is the same too. I remember it.’

Ordinary students had consultations about whether to go to a humanities or vocational high school. There were many students who lived in rural and fishing villages who chose vocational high schools regardless of their academic performance. In a world where graduating from a humanities high school, going to university, and getting a job at a large company was considered a common success, it would have been shocking for students in the city, but students who liked their hometown and hoped to continue their family business had no such worries.

If they had land, orchards, and fishing boats to inherit, and it matched their aptitude, it was normal for them not to have long 고민 [worry].

Anyway, Son Jin-hyeok was a student whose grades didn’t require any 고민 from a different perspective. The teacher shook his head as if trying to come to his senses and looked at Jin-hyeok.

‘Jin-hyeok, you’re going to a science high school, right?’

Even this was the same as in the past.

What had Jin-hyeok answered in the past?

He had said that he wanted to go somewhere that had dormitory support but wasn’t too far from his hometown, in order to get out of the house he was currently living in.

Of course, this time he had a different answer.

‘I’m just going to Taeyang High School.’

‘Why!’

The teacher suddenly shouted, and Jin-hyeok unconsciously clenched his fist.

‘Whoa, that scared me. I almost used my power.’

Why was he getting angry?

The teacher looked like he was about to grab Jin-hyeok by the collar.

He had heard from the homeroom teacher that this student was like this, but hearing it directly from the student was an unspeakable shock.

‘With these grades, with that brain, why aren’t you going to a science high school?’

‘I like my house.’

The teacher frowned, as if he had misunderstood something.

He had a look that said, ‘What a cocky kid.’

‘Uh, I know your house is nice-.’

‘I like living at home.’

Ah, that’s what he meant. The teacher had a blank expression.

It was a natural reaction since the student sitting in front of him had given such a stupid answer. He had a lot of money at home, he was smart, and if he went to a science high school and then a prestigious university, his path to success would be open, but what was this kid thinking?

‘Jin-hyeok, people, you know. You shouldn’t let your talent rot. You need to have a clear goal of how you’re going to live.’

It was a tiring lecture.

Even his younger sister, Yoo-jin, could say that.

Even while saying that, there were no adults who said why they had to live that way.

Conversely, they didn’t care about what the student was thinking or why they were thinking that way.

They were just displeased that the student didn’t accept their own thoughts.

‘I don’t expect anything.’

Jin-hyeok’s half-opened eyes signified composure. His eyelids slowly rose as if lifting the cover of his eyes.

Let’s fight, teacher.