The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 294

Karma (4)

Simple impressions, words of gratitude for the support, determination and future plans, training methods…

He answered the questions that could be answered as an athlete as kindly and in as much detail as possible.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“What’s your ideal type?”

“Among female celebrities, what style do you-.”

When such questions came up, he would give Min Yong-rak a look.

However, before Min Yong-rak could say anything, a chorus of complaints erupted from the other reporters. They didn’t raise their voices because there were many eyes watching, but those nearby could hear them clearly.

“What is that reporter doing? If you like that kind of thing, go to the entertainment section.”

“Those kinds of people muddy the waters and give reporters a bad name-.”

“If you’re going to be a reporter, get some sense first.”

The welcoming crowd was no exception.

They unhesitatingly booed the reporter who asked about his private life.

Uuuuuuuu-.

It would have been nice to answer, even just to save the embarrassed reporter some face, but if you waver for a moment out of sympathy, you can’t steer the course of your life in the direction you want.

He intended to prevent anyone from prying into Jin-hyuk’s private life. If that was what it took to protect his daily life, he would do it.

So, he didn’t answer any questions about his private life that were unrelated to sports.

They would inevitably be twisted and distorted, turning into gossip.

Six thousand keychains are enough for sensationalist articles.

‘I can’t even blame anyone since the chairman had the article published as a good deed.’

Amidst the dizzying flashes of cameras, he finished the photo session and the arrival press conference.

“Could you please take good care of these dolls and gifts? I’d appreciate it.”

“Don’t you worry!”

As Min Yong-rak answered, Yang Kang-wook and several SSS agents had already appeared, pushing carts.

Rabbit dolls, bear dolls, tiger dolls, boxes of unidentified gifts, chocolates, bouquets, and more gifts… He had to take good care of them, even for the sake of the people who gave them. Even if they ended up belonging to Yu-jin and Jeong-won.

Yu-jin was stroking a large bear doll, and she seemed to like it because it resembled Ajji Bear. She was always like that, only playing with Ajji Bear even though her room was full of dolls and toys.

‘Yu-jin, they’re all yours when we get home anyway.’

Hong Su-jeong whispered.

He was quite tired, but there was still work to be done.

“Manager Min, the press conference is over, can I sign autographs here?”

“Of course. It’s all good.”

He couldn’t ignore the people who had come to greet him at the airport even though they had no connection to him. So, he responded to every request for autographs and photos. Jin Seon-gyu also became a star, joining in the autograph session.

This was also done in an orderly manner because the SSS agents had near-perfect control. The problem was that it took a long time because there were so many people.

‘The female students are unexpected?’

There were male students who said they were training with the dream of becoming Olympic medalists, but the female fans were overwhelmingly more numerous.

Aren’t there usually more male fans for athletes? He didn’t care and no one told him, so he didn’t know.

“Ahaha-, my notebook cover has your picture on it.”

“Yes! I laminated it because I didn’t want to ruin it. If you sign it, I’ll do it again.”

It was a tiring task that made his eyes dry and his arms ache, but his heart was happy.

This was the uplifting feeling that pure interest and support gave.

‘Is it over now?’

Jin-hyuk rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and looked around.

In the space where the crowd had orderly retreated under control, where the autograph line had disappeared, only Min Yong-rak remained.

“Um, excuse me-.”

At that moment, a young woman with her head bowed approached hesitantly, looking around.

“Jin-hyuk, it looks like we can wrap up after you sign for this lady here.”

Guided by Min Yong-rak, the woman carefully held out a notebook.

“I’d like it here-.”

Jin-hyuk’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized the woman’s face.

Huh?

Where have I seen that face before?

Hong Su-jeong, who was staying nearby with Yu-jin, also tilted her head. Where had she seen her? Was she on a drama? Her face is hard to see because of her glasses.

“Ah! Hello!”

Jin-hyuk jumped up without realizing it.

She was so famous that even Jin-hyuk, who didn’t watch TV often, knew her face.

“You’re Kim Yu-deok, right? You weren’t wearing glasses, were you?”

He almost didn’t recognize her because of the horn-rimmed glasses perched precariously on her nose.

“What’s a reporter-, I was a little embarrassed to get an autograph, so I borrowed glasses to come.”

She said that she had been hovering among the reporters, and when the line disappeared, she came to get an autograph.

After signing, Jin-hyuk gave Kim Yu-deok a keychain as a gift.

“I don’t know if you’ll like it. You’ve been through a lot because of me.”

“It’s no trouble, it’s my job.”

It seems like it’s one of those famous 6,000. Kim Yu-deok scratched her messy hair.

Jin-hyuk didn’t bother to add that it was out of a sense of debt from the Mokpo Airport incident.

If he did, this reporter noona [older sister or female friend] would grab him by the collar. She might even hit him on the head with a microphone. He heard that hurts a lot.

Kim Yu-deok had spent several days practically trapped at Mokpo Airport, sending out breaking news. Her disheveled appearance at that time actually fueled her recognition, making her a national beggar, ah, a reporter.

She even came to the neighborhood during the dog thief incident.

“I look forward to working with you in the future, reporter.”

After several hours of welcoming events, he was finally free.

There were many people in the group, including foundation staff, federation staff, and the documentary team. He greeted them all individually.

He said a reluctant goodbye to Yu Se-ra, Hong Su-jeong, and Hong Su-hyeok, promising to see them next time.

“My wedding keeps getting postponed, maybe I should look for someone else.”

Min Yong-rak, who joked like that, followed Yu Se-ra, saying that he would stay in Seoul since it was the vacation season.

“Thank you.”

Kyaaaa-!

Jin-hyuk, who waved to those who remained to cheer him on until the end, got into the car last.

It was a van that had been modified, and Hong Ki-joon had taken care of it so that the whole family could ride in it.

‘As expected, exercising is the most comfortable. Oh, my body aches-.’

As he got into the car, he finally felt like he had returned home.

As his body gently leaned back as they started, Son Kwang-yeon turned to Jin-hyuk in the seat next to him.

“Son, how does it feel to have turned the world upside down?”

“Ahaha-. It’s just okay. I have to get back to my daily life now.”

“Do you think that will be easy?”

“If it’s not, I’ll make it happen. Nothing is more important than daily life.”

Jin-hyuk’s heart swelled as he thought of the time he would spend with his family and friends. He had to go to school for supplementary classes right after resting for just one day.

He’s become more mature and grown-up. Son Kwang-yeon nodded.

Han Yu-young was busy holding Yu-jin, who was snuggling into her mother’s arms. The scene was as tender as Jang-gun licking a newly born persimmon.

“Our daughter has grown so much? And her tummy is sticking out?”

“Ehehe-. Ahem-.”

“Oh my-, how much did you shout that your throat is so hoarse?”

“I shouted it twenty-five thousand times-. Ahem.”

Yu-jin had bowed politely to her mother without crying, even after seeing her.

It was a situation reversed from when they had returned from Hawaii, a chance for both the child and the adults to grow.

“I want to go home quickly and see Haeng-un and Ajji Bear-.”

“Everyone is doing well…”

Han Yu-young didn’t bother to mention that Ajji Bear’s arm was slightly torn. It was damaged because Jeong-won had grabbed his arm and spun him around while wrestling.

She had sewn it up perfectly, so he wouldn’t know.

As they left Seoul, Yu-jin and Jeong-won, who had been hugging and catching up in the third row, fell asleep, and it became quiet.

Jin-hyuk brought up the topic casually.

“Dad, you’re going to get a lot busier.”

Hmm-.

What was this kid talking about out of the blue? Son Kwang-yeon, who had been quietly holding his chin, shook his head.

“Because of the shoes?”

“Yes.”

“That side should just hold the material technology and receive royalties. After commissioning the production, I realized why shoe manufacturing companies are called specialized companies.”

If Jin Seon-gyu hadn’t had such big feet, they wouldn’t have torn.

“Did you get a patent?”

“I got it during the Olympics. I thought it would take a few months since I didn’t give them an express fee, but Ki-joon got it done in less than two weeks with his connections.”

“You should reduce your workload, Dad.”

“If it’s about the material, you don’t have to worry about that. The researchers are developing and improving it.”

“You have a lot of other things to do.”

“That’s true.”

When he was a farmer, Son Kwang-yeon used to sing songs for his wife every night. He must have been much more physically tired then, but after starting the business, Son Kwang-yeon’s singing voice disappeared from the house.

Jin-hyuk, who had lived his whole life as a salaryman, realized again how much mentally exhausting work could wear a person down by watching his father.

He had also stopped making sleds, tops, and kites, which he used to make for his son every season. Because of this, his younger siblings were not making memories with their father.

“I should help you soon-.”

As he was about to say something, Son Kwang-yeon quietly reached out and grabbed Jin-hyuk’s shoulder.

“You go to Ki-joon. Learn about a bigger world. Seize the opportunities that your father missed.”

He gestured with his chin towards Yang Kang-wook in the passenger seat.

“There’s someone to share my work with.”

Yang Kang-wook, who glanced at the rearview mirror, smiled slightly and nodded.

“Team Leader Yang will be in charge of the research institute and the material side.”

In addition to the existing business that had already grown too large, General was inevitably going to be spun off due to the new business.

Son Kwang-yeon would be in charge of overall business management, while also taking on the practical management of the agricultural business, determined to stay with his wife until the end.

“You’ve already agreed?”

“Yeah. I’ve already talked to Ki-joon. No matter how I think about it, there’s no one as suitable as Team Leader Yang. He’s President Yang now.”

The world is always so interesting.

A man who considered being a soldier his calling became a bodyguard, and then, recognized for his sharp mind and decisiveness, was hired as the head of several business divisions at an age that wasn’t even forty.

If you wrote it as a novel, wouldn’t you be criticized for lacking plausibility? A genius commander is good at management? Maybe I should give it a title like that.

“President Yang, please take good care of my dad.”

“A president is just a title.”

Yang Kang-wook replied nonchalantly.

He always seems like a person who has transcended the mundane.

“Even so, it’s not a position that everyone gets to be promised.”

“There are more than a hundred executives in the Sein Group who hold the title of president and perform the duties of a team leader.”

“Aren’t you going to be the CEO of the relevant division, Team Leader Yang?”

“That’s right. But even if I become a president, I plan to work like a team leader.”

Yang Kang-wook, who said that, had a serious expression without a hint of a smile.

He’s an unnecessarily loyal and grateful person.

…Just as he thought that, Yang Kang-wook attempted a joke.

“…I was promised stock options. I can make a big killing as much as I grow it.”

Chuck-.

Yang Kang-wook sniffed, as if he liked his own humor.

Son Kwang-yeon laughed silently, reluctantly, and Jin-hyuk closed his eyes from fatigue.

Heugh-, Yu Tae-hwa, who was driving, sighed quietly. Like Jang-gun.

Yes, enjoy it as much as you want.

Even if history changes and the world changes, it seems like there’s no way to fix a lack of a sense of humor.

Son Kwang-yeon added.

“I have my dignity and pride, son, I can’t consult with you forever, can I?”

“Even though you say that, the amount of work you’re bringing in has increased, hasn’t it?”

Cough-.

Chuck-.

His father’s cough was drowned out by his mother’s snort from the back seat.

Son Kwang-yeon, who looked out the window for no reason, rubbed his hands like someone warming themselves by a fire.

“Son, you’re good at everything, but you know. You should make up some things too. You have to make the people who are listening feel good, that’s how people like you. When you talk in circles like Grandpa Cheon Gil-ryong, it’s too difficult to understand, and when you’re direct, my shin bones hurt so much I feel like I’m going to die.”

“I’ve also lost a few ribs, President.”

“Did you go to America and do judo with Jin-hyuk?”

“No-, that-.”

That’s not the sound I meant.

Yang Kang-wook, who had been trying to be funny, realized his failure and readjusted his seat.

That young punk never laughs at the jokes he comes up with, and just shakes his head. Like Jang-gun.

Then Jin-hyuk opened his mouth.

“There was someone who said this before. They said that forty is a supplement.”

“Because of the pronunciation?”

Son Kwang-yeon asked back, but Jin-hyuk shook his head.

“Generally, at that age, you’re pushed around by smart and ambitious juniors, and there are many people above you who are holding on, so you have to be careful instead of being able to climb up. It’s an awkward age to challenge something new or to burn with the will to reach the top. In the end, they say that you can get by if you just move with the flow like a water plant, being pushed around here and there. It’s like you’re not living together, but living as an add-on… So, they say you have to live like a supplement to have a long run. Filling in the gaps of the juniors and making the seniors stand out.”

The two adults nodded without hesitation.

“That makes sense-.”

“That’s reasonable. I’d like to meet that person. They must be a senior in life.”

They’re not a senior to Team Leader Yang. That person is sulking because his girlfriend keeps postponing their wedding. He even took a vacation to stay in Seoul.

That was what Manager Min Yong-rak had said to Team Leader Son Jin-hyuk.

Team Leader Son, you were able to seize opportunities with your skills, but if you didn’t have the connections of the chairman’s daughter, you would have had to live as a supplement like everyone else.

He couldn’t just brush it off lightly because it was something that a socially successful person had said when they were well over fifty.

Because he must have gone through that process as well.

‘Yeah, I was a supplement. Hong Su-jeong’s supplement, Hong Ki-joon’s supplement.’

Not anymore.

“It’s nice that the three of us are having this kind of conversation.”

Yang Kang-wook smiled slightly, and Jin-hyuk nodded.

Having a conversation with Yang Kang-wook was also an enjoyable experience for Jin-hyuk.

Because they usually only exchanged light greetings since they were in different times and spaces.

Headache-inducing business talk and unremarkable jokes mixed together, filling the time on the way home, replacing the road noise and wind noise.

Yu Tae-hwa, who was driving, also chimed in from time to time, and Han Yu-young in the third row watched her son with a happy smile, patting the sleeping children.

Her eldest son, who was talking on equal terms with the adults. How could she not be proud of him, since he was taller than the adults and even spoke well?

“I must have saved the country in my past life.”

When Sein Medical Center and the construction site of the West Coast Expressway came into view in the distance, Yang Kang-wook suddenly savored the situation.

“I’ve met such good people and have been living comfortably, and now I’m succeeding.”

Son Kwang-yeon meaningfully raised the corners of his mouth.

“Whether it’s success or a path of hardship, we’ll see. We’ll know then whether you saved the country or sold it out.”

Ahahahahahah!

Even though he didn’t know what was funny, Yu Tae-hwa, who was known for being taciturn, pounded the steering wheel and burst out laughing.

Jin-hyuk found it amazing to see such a sight.

Their upbringing, personality, culture, and sense of humor were all different, but they got along well together.

“I would never have sold out the country.”

Yang Kang-wook muttered, glaring at Yu Tae-hwa out of the corner of his eye.

Yu Tae-hwa, aware of his gaze, changed the subject.

“Ahem-. Well- now we’re in Tae-yang. We’re almost home.”

“Tae-hwa.”