The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 147

After a week, Yoo Se-ra met Son Jeong-won and held her in her arms, beaming. She said she was happy to be able to hold her so easily compared to the robust Hong Soo-hyuk, and Hong Ki-joon nodded enthusiastically.

“Oh my, Jeong-won’s eyes are so big and her nose is so sharp, she looks almost Western, doesn’t she?”

“Hahaha! Is it because she was made overseas? Ack!”

Son Gwang-yeon, who was being silly at Yoo Se-ra’s admiration, yelped when Han Yu-young pinched his back.

Pinches in places he can’t reach are the worst punishment for Son Gwang-yeon. Wriggling and groping his back with both arms won’t make the pain go away.

Jin-hyuk sighed, rubbing the spot where his father had been pinched. It seemed like no one on Earth could match his father’s silliness.

On the other hand, he thought Yoo Se-ra’s comment about her looking Western was plausible.

‘She does look different, with more defined features, maybe because she’s a modern baby…’

To be precise, Jin-hyuk looked more like his mother, while Jeong-won was the spitting image of her father.

A black-haired, Western-looking younger sister, made in the USA.

Jeong-won was just like her father, Yoo-jin was just like her mother, and Jin-hyuk was a mix of both.

‘I’m just a weird outsider with no identity, as always.’

Even at Hong Soo-hyuk’s first birthday party, Jin-hyuk was busy running around with a camcorder. He thought that the role of an outsider was to observe the main characters and circle around them.

After all, wasn’t staying like a shadow by his family’s side the life that suited him best?

Briefly exchanging greetings with Hong Ki-joon, who was holding the baby and greeting the guests, was the longest conversation Jin-hyuk had. He kept himself busy filming, occasionally quenching his thirst with orange juice.

He filmed and filmed with his camera and camcorder.

‘It would be fun to be a cameraman.’

No one stopped him from wandering around, so he was free to move as he pleased.

A job where he could freely capture natural scenes without anyone talking to him—how wonderful would that be?

‘I’d like to do nature documentaries.’

It seemed that he was thinking more as he reached the age to plan for the future. It was nothing new, as he was observing the process of his body dominating his soul in real-time.

As he zoomed in on Hong Soo-jung, someone tapped his shoulder.

Jin-hyuk turned around and bowed deeply.

“Oh, Grandpa, you’re here?”

“Hehehe. Yes, I’m a bit late.”

He said that his leg, which had been injured during the war, was acting up as he got older, so Yoo Myung-sun spent more time in the hospital than at home.

Even with his pitiful complaints, Yoo Myung-sun didn’t lose his smile and peered at Jin-hyuk with his narrow eyes.

“So, did you find out what Grandpa asked you to?”

“Huh? Ah… well-”

Jin-hyuk was in a bind.

He had failed to fulfill Yoo Myung-sun’s wish, something that Yoo Myung-sun, who never asked anyone for anything, had requested.

「The Full Story of the Young Man Who Wiped His Butt with Poison Ivy Leaves」

Like a book that only revealed the rising action, it made Yoo Myung-sun unable to sleep because he was so curious about what happened next. It wasn’t a story that could be verified with money or by using connections.

Only Chun Gil-ryong knew the ending of that story.

As a sinner who had returned to Seoul with nothing but his empty body, all Jin-hyuk could do was bow his head to Yoo Myung-sun.

Words that sounded like excuses, which were unlike his usual self, came out of his mouth.

“I did try, but-”

Jin-hyuk had gone to see Chun Gil-ryong with makgeolli [Korean rice wine], but he had failed to achieve his goal. A storyteller who wouldn’t reveal the next part even with a bribe—unbelievable.

Just in case, he had also visited Jo Il-heon, but Jo Il-heon had made a face and then yelled.

– “I asked my dad about that story when I was a kid, and he beat the crap out of me, calling me a bastard! Look here, look here. See this dent?”

Jo Il-heon even parted his hair to show the dent he had gotten from being hit with a bucket by his father.

He wondered if he was trying to get something out of him, but Jo Il-heon was someone who enjoyed telling stories, so if he knew, he would have told him, even if his mouth was itching to do so. Even if he did know, Jin-hyuk knew that Jo Il-heon was as stubborn as Chun Gil-ryong, so he didn’t ask any further.

Why wouldn’t they just tell him the story? He even wondered if they were just building up anticipation and there was no ending.

“But that’s what makes a story interesting.”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, Yoo Myung-sun didn’t get angry or disappointed.

“Hehehe, I guess this old man won’t be able to die in peace because I’m so curious.”

He couldn’t even imagine what it must be like for someone to talk about their own death, but his expression looked bright. He was admirable for the composure of someone who had weathered many storms and lived a long life.

Knowing that the Yoo Myung-sun of his past life had died before reaching 80, Jin-hyuk’s heart grew heavy. It had been the same when he had witnessed Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother, Lee Bok-soo, pass away, but Jin-hyuk still felt that he wasn’t ready to accept the death of someone he was connected to.

‘I wish I could get Yoo-jin to massage him when he’s sleeping.’

Was there a way to get Yoo Myung-sun and Yoo-jin to be in the same space?

Even if he couldn’t do anything about his lifespan, he wanted to at least reduce his pain.

The sight of the old man limping with a cane was not something that could be easily replaced with the dry word ‘twilight.’

Jin-hyuk casually asked Hong Soo-jung, who was sitting close to Yoo-jin.

“Soo-jung, do you want to come down with Grandpa during summer vacation? We can play in the water-”

“I don’t know. Wouldn’t it be difficult? Mom and Dad are both busy.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

It was a firm answer.

Looking at Hong Soo-jung, who seemed more mature than him, Jin-hyuk felt an unknown sense of inferiority. He couldn’t believe it. Jin-hyuk didn’t have any relatives or younger siblings around Hong Soo-jung’s age, so he didn’t know why.

‘I’ve changed, and Soo-jung has changed too.’

As always, Jin-hyuk wasn’t the type to delve deeply into problems he couldn’t understand. There were things that would be resolved in time.

Let’s just film.

It’s actually fun.

***

Son Gwang-yeon also caught up with the Yoo Moon-shik and Yoo Joon-shik brothers.

They had been keeping in touch by phone, but it was harder for people who ran their own businesses without any connections to meet than it was to meet a celebrity on a quiet country road.

He first greeted Yoo Moon-shik, who had long hair and a thick beard.

“Big Brother, you’ve become a complete nature man?”

“I’m just wearing the clothes that fit me now. I don’t drink these days.”

“Ah, yes…”

He must be seeing a woman.

Still, looking at Yoo Moon-shik’s wife’s smooth skin, Son Gwang-yeon imagined a couple of free spirits living together without any physical contact.

Well, he didn’t understand it, but if they were happy, that was all that mattered. As Son Gwang-yeon thought this, Yoo Joon-shik reached out his hand.

“It’s been a while.”

“Little Brother, you used to look like a rich young master, but now you look like a great company president even from afar.”

“I’m just a president because my brother-in-law tells me to be one.”

“Isn’t Ki-joon pushing you too hard?”

“Oh, don’t even get me started. He’s several times stricter than Father. If I do anything even slightly carelessly, the cold wind blows. I’d rather he just got angry like Father.”

While complaining, Yoo Joon-shik glanced at Hong Ki-joon, who was standing far away.

Even though he had to watch his brother-in-law’s every move now, after having watched his father’s, Yoo Joon-shik was belatedly enjoying his work.

“It must be because Ki-joon relies on your skills, Brother.”

“Hahaha, Gwang-yeon has been saying such nice things since he was young, you know?”

Yoo Joon-shik laughed heartily, and Yoo Moon-shik shook his head and moved elsewhere. Oh, they’re talking about work again, he muttered.

“Even if it’s hard, it must be rewarding, right?”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Joon-shik nodded in agreement.

How could it not be rewarding when everything he did attracted the attention of the country and the media? Just last week, high-ranking negotiators from Japanese, German, and Austrian companies had visited to discuss importing semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Even though they hadn’t done any marketing, competitors were lining up to buy Se-in Machinery’s equipment. It was an achievement that would never have been possible without Hong Ki-joon.

Yoo Joon-shik, recalling the pleasant fatigue, took another step closer to Son Gwang-yeon.

“It seems Father is planning to retire.”

“Ah, it must be because he has Ki-joon and you, Brother, so he feels at ease.”

What was so serious about the old chairman retiring after establishing a reliable successor? Son Gwang-yeon replied formally.

“But he seems to like the countryside. I don’t know why a man who has lived in Seoul his whole life suddenly feels that way, but it’s natural to be drawn to places with good air and scenery. But why do rich people live in the city? To enjoy themselves when they’re young, and for medical services when they’re old.”

Jin-hyuk, who was nearby, turned his back and pretended to film something else while pricking up his ears.

Aside from his leg and hip joint, Yoo Myung-sun also suffered from high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

‘Medical services…’

Since there wasn’t a large hospital nearby, it was natural for an elderly person who could collapse at any moment to be reluctant to live in the countryside. A person from Seoul who had settled in Jin-hyuk’s neighborhood, saying he would raise cows, had left the countryside in less than two years.

The grandmother of that family used to make fresh fruit juice for Yoo-jin whenever she came to visit, and after they left, Yoo-jin had a sad look on her face for a while.

– “When is the tomato juice grandma coming back?”

Whenever Yoo-jin asked that, Han Yu-young and Jin-hyuk would hug her tightly, not knowing what else to say. The grandmother had told Yoo-jin that she was going to Seoul, but since someone else was living in that house, she must have been very curious, they thought.

“We can just build a hospital. There’s no law that says we can’t build a hospital in the countryside.”

Son Gwang-yeon’s words broke Jin-hyuk’s reverie.

Yoo Joon-shik shook his head.

“Se-in Medical Foundation isn’t keen on it either.”

“Is it because of the construction costs, or the profits?”

“If you had to pick one, it would be the profits, but there’s another important issue. Would doctors want to go there? They’d see it as a demotion. It’s a world where patients rank hospitals by Seoul, the metropolitan area, and the provinces. In a world where a hospital’s name is synonymous with a doctor’s skill, doctors can’t help but be concerned.”

Indeed, patients preferred and trusted hospitals in Seoul, so he figured it would be the same for doctors.

Jin-hyuk couldn’t help but step in.

“What if you accepted applicants and scouted doctors who haven’t been able to get into the metropolitan area? Since there wouldn’t be many patients, you could invite famous professors to provide training, and send them abroad for further studies after they’ve gained experience. That way, you could somewhat offset the social discrimination and perceptions based on academic background-”

Oh no, he was interfering in the adults’ conversation. Jin-hyuk quickly shut his mouth.

He had never done this before, so he was overwhelmed with embarrassment, and his face even flushed.

“Who is this young man?”

“He’s my son.”

Son Gwang-yeon smiled calmly and introduced Jin-hyuk to Yoo Joon-shik, who looked like he had bitten his tongue.

Yoo Joon-shik’s face, which had looked quite uncomfortable, quickly brightened.

“Oh, so you’re… that kid.”

The kid whose father had gifted him a large gymnasium.

He was a man who only gave his grandchildren pocket money, but a gymnasium? He had been curious about who this kid was.

Even though he was just a bookworm, Yoo Joon-shik could tell that he was an extraordinary talent. He could feel the physique and energy that were fitting for a gymnasium gift.

Jin-hyuk quickly bowed to Yoo Joon-shik, who was looking him up and down.

“Hello-”

With his face flushed red, Jin-hyuk quickly left the scene. After all, when a teenager was embarrassed and flustered, wasn’t the best thing to do to run away?

His figure, waving a camcorder that wasn’t even turned on, was pitiful.

Watching him, Yoo Joon-shik opened his mouth towards Son Gwang-yeon. His eyes were still fixed on Jin-hyuk.

“That kid’s idea. It’s a good idea, isn’t it?”

“Do you think doctors would apply if we did that?”

“There might not be many, but there are always mavericks everywhere, aren’t there?”

“It’s not worth considering if we make it too much of a backwater, but if we build it in a place with geographical advantages and ensure accessibility, the number of users will definitely increase. There are quite a few people who die without even knowing their diagnosis, just going from one private clinic or health center to another. They just think it’s their time to die.”

It was a statement that came from experience.

It was a rapidly developing world, but the living environment was directly linked to welfare, so the only things the countryside, which was inconvenient in terms of transportation compared to the city, could boast about were the air and the scenery. Even those were plagued by yellow dust in late winter and early spring.

“That’s right. Welfare is something that people who live in remote areas can only look at.”

Yoo Joon-shik nodded with a pleased expression, like the workaholic he was.

Since he was young, Yoo Joon-shik had been called a more filial son than his brother in terms of both studying and being cute.

On top of that, he was now the president of Se-in Machinery, Heavy Industries, and Chemicals, so his boldness was extraordinary.

“Let’s go ahead with it. The chairman of the board is a senior from our university.”

Yoo Joon-shik smiled and patted his university junior’s deltoid with affection.

***

Hong Soo-hyuk, who had just turned one, was greedy.

[Yes! Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the first birthday grab! Wahahaha!]

The comedian MC was doubled over with laughter, holding the microphone.

[Did you all see that? What an amazing baby! He grabbed the money and then stamped it with the pencil! I guess that means he’s going to be someone who prints money in the future! Let’s give him a big round of applause!]

Hong Ki-joon and Yoo Se-ra smiled contentedly.

The fact that their late-born son had grabbed two items during the first birthday grab was seen as a sign that he would become a great person.

Hong Soo-hyuk’s greed didn’t stop at the first birthday grab.

“Teeeee!”

“Eubuuu.”

He snatched the rattle from Jeong-won’s hand and tried to scratch her with his fingernails. Fortunately, Yoo Se-ra stopped him, so Jeong-won’s face wasn’t scratched, but every time that happened, Jeong-won didn’t cry and just watched Hong Soo-hyuk play with her toys.

There are some babies like that.

They sit there calmly, as if they’re detached from the world, like someone who’s tired of everything.

Jeong-won was that kind of baby.

Feeling sorry, Yoo Se-ra fussed over Jeong-won, separating her from Hong Soo-hyuk.

“Oh my, did Soo-hyuk get his bad temper from his sister? Why is he so fierce?”

“When did I ever-”

Hong Soo-jung, who was about to snap back, quickly looked around. Fortunately, her jailbird brother was far away, sipping orange juice.

She glared at her mother to warn her, but Yoo Se-ra ignored her daughter.

Hong Soo-jung sighed inwardly.

‘Ugh.’

This mother is no help at all.

My jailbird brother keeps drifting away.

I shouldn’t have listened to Mom.

It worked well when I did what Dad told me to do.