The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 314

Even someone who had lost their country would look better than Son Gwangyeon right now.

“So, even if you pass the test, you start as an intern? Wow. I heard it’s hard to get into Sein, but is it really that tough?”

He said it with admiration, but Son Gwangyeon’s voice was filled with disappointment.

“Even though it’s difficult, tens of thousands of people join every year, both in the first and second half. And everyone goes through the internship period.”

Because of the guaranteed benefits, there were many applicants, and the competition was fierce.

Employees who complete a three-month internship while receiving 80% of their salary receive the remaining 60% as a bonus upon formal contract. In the end, the salary is the same even during the internship period.

There is an evaluation system during the internship, but it is also a formality, and there were no disqualifications unless someone committed a serious crime or damaged the organizational culture.

It was a personnel system that other companies had not yet been able to imitate.

“Ah, I thought there would be some kind of special treatment, though…”

Wiggling his toes, Son Gwangyeon didn’t hide his disappointment.

“It’s about your son. He said he would accept whatever position I gave him without complaint. So, I told him to start as an intern.”

Hong Gijun’s relaxed smile and slow tone were no different from those of someone abusing their power.

“Well, yeah. I don’t know what’s inside my son either.”

Hmph, Hong Gijun is such a pain. Jinhyuk’s cheeks puffed up as he watched his dad sigh repeatedly.

“I think that’s a problem to worry about after passing the employment test. I checked the past questions, and the test is difficult.”

If you pass the five-choice aptitude test, you can take the second exam.

The employment test, which was introduced two years ago, was entirely essay-based.

There was no set answer, and the task was to logically write down one’s thoughts and knowledge on three given topics. The minimum length was 2,000 characters per topic. That’s why the Sein Group employment test is said to be like writing a thesis.

Nevertheless, as Hong Gijun said, it was also a test that tens of thousands of people passed every year. This was because anyone with their own logic within their free-spiritedness could apply. It was not uncommon for experienced workers seeking better treatment to apply for the new employee recruitment test.

“Intern…”

Tsk.

Son Gwangyeon, unable to hide his emotions, glared at his friend and then pursed his lips.

That bastard has become too big of a deal, so I can’t even curse at him properly anymore.

“If I fail the test, I can just go in with a player contract. I owe Dad a debt, so I decided to accept whatever position you give me.”

He didn’t mention that it was repayment for saving them from the IMF crisis [International Monetary Fund crisis, a major financial crisis in the late 1990s]. Most people don’t even know what the IMF is anymore.

“Yeah. Gijun is going to build a building for Jinhyuk, and in the US, in Hong Kong, in our son’s name… Hmm. Intern… If he came to Dad’s company, he would start as a director.”

Tsk.

Han Yooyoung smiled and gently massaged her husband’s shoulders.

“We decided to leave it up to our son. Once he graduates high school, he’s an adult.”

“Hehehe, that’s right. You’re right. Oh, that feels good.”

Son Gwangyeon looked at his wife and smiled so much that his eyes disappeared.

The disappointment about Hong Gijun quickly vanished from his face.

Han Yooyoung is such an easy woman to handle.

Looking at Han Yooyoung, who was smiling brightly, Yoo Sera asked.

“Isn’t Jinhyuk’s mom disappointed?”

“Everyone takes care of their own life. Why would I be disappointed? I just hope he doesn’t lose out. Actually, he should be focusing more on sports than the company.”

“I mean college, not the company. It’s a time when everyone is excited about dating and having fun.”

At the mention of a girlfriend, Hong Sujeong glared at her mother, but Yoo Sera’s face was completely unfazed.

She’s still having a staring contest with her daughter.

Han Yooyoung gently smiled as she stroked Hong Sujeong’s hair.

“At first, I also thought it would be nice for him to go to college, make friends, and have fun. But after listening to Jinhyuk, I think it’s right to assume that a normal college life is difficult for our son because of his fame. And…”

Han Yooyoung cleared her throat and smiled meaningfully.

“Wouldn’t college be too shabby to hold our precious son?”

Her face was smiling, but her eyes were glaring at Hong Gijun.

It was annoying but true, so Yoo Sera pursed her lips, and Hong Gijun, who received the clear and sharp gaze, swallowed hard.

She’s definitely not an ordinary mom.

***

In February, after a boisterous graduation ceremony, he said a reluctant goodbye to his friends.

After spending time with his siblings while taking a month of training and rest, he left for Paju.

“It’s so cold in March. You could have gone to Gongju or Nonsan…”

“It’s the same anyway, no calls or visits allowed. Among the units that can do consignment training, the unit in Paju had the fastest admission schedule. I’ll be back soon.”

Jinhyuk’s face was calm as he hugged and comforted his sad mother.

Hehe. For Son Jinhyuk, a former special forces soldier, infantry division recruit training is nothing, right? He can just relax and come back.

And he’s a world-renowned celebrity. The unit will give him various conveniences. That’s how the world works.

“Heeing. Our oppa…”

“Aigoo. Our baby, you have to get along well with your friends and siblings even when oppa is not here, okay?”

“Jjihiing.”

He hugged and patted Yujin, who was sniffling. Yujin, don’t throw away oppa’s magazines. They’re limited editions.

He also lifted Jungwon up.

“Eucha. While hyung is gone, our Jungwon has to protect mom, dad, and noona well, okay?”

“Yes, ehehe.”

For some reason, Dad smiled contentedly and reached out his hand.

“I’m so proud. Our son. When did you grow up so much that you’re already going to the military?”

“I’ll be back safely.”

He also briefly interviewed Kim Yudeok, a reporter who came to the division’s main gate for coverage.

“Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“It’s my job. Come back healthy. When you get out, this noona [older sister or female friend] will buy you tofu.”

Tofu, she’s such a weird woman…

He lightly bowed his head to the foundation staff, fans, and reporters who had come to see him off, and got on the bus.

Bwoooong.

As the bus carrying Jinhyuk departed, someone was heard wailing outside.

The sound was like a beast’s roar, filled with tears.

“My sonnnnnnn! Uheoeoeo!”

“Oppa!”

Kkiaaaaaa!

Sitting on the bus, Jinhyuk covered his face at the sound.

Oh, this is so embarrassing.

Mom will take care of it.

***

Paju in March was not a friendly place.

Jinhyuk was assigned to the same company as public service workers, purely because they had the commonality of 4 weeks of training. They were all older than Jinhyuk, and there were even trainees nearing thirty.

“From now on, this drill instructor will reform you from head to toe and wash away your civilian ways!”

Yes, sir. I’m sure you will.

“From now on, sew your name tags onto your personal gear.”

They don’t even do overlock stitching?

This is not even a Tang Dynasty army…

“This is the military. All comrades are friends and brothers. Do not use honorifics or speak informally among yourselves.”

Listening to him, the drill instructor seemed kind of scary…

Ah, come to think of it, this is still the old military!

And there’s no organization that changes as slowly as the military.

“This drill instructor has no mercy. Do not do bad things.”

He was full of dreams of going out into the world after graduating high school.

It only took an hour to shatter that illusion and awaken his sense of reality.

The drill instructor’s eyes are scary.

“When a drill instructor or instructor calls you, you must shout your rank and name in a loud voice, ‘Trainee! Hong Gildong!’ instead of ‘Yes’!”

Ugh, it’s so bleak. I get it, so please speak a little quieter.

I miss mom.

One of the comrades, who was short and sitting at the end of the line, raised his hand.

During introductions, he said he was a person who was late to the military after pursuing a master’s degree in economics at a university.

“I have a question!”

“Are you a woman! Where is your question!”

Wow. The old military drill instructors have such low-quality jokes.

“Do not open your mouth until this drill instructor gives you permission! Do you understand!”

The drill instructor walked straight up to the comrade and growled, looking down as if he would devour him.

It was only natural that the college graduate comrade, who looked like a scholar, froze.

“Ye, ye…”

“Ye-?”

“Yes! I understand!”

“Wait quietly in the barracks until this drill instructor returns.”

Hahyu. The suffocating tension was released, and sighs were heard from all over.

Where there are no tigers, foxes act like the boss.

Most of the comrades had dragon tattoos all over their bodies, creating an atmosphere more like a prison from a drama or movie than a barracks.

“Aish, that little punk is such a pain in the ass just because he’s a drill instructor.”

“Ah! They won’t even let us smoke. So annoying.”

“Those weaklings who are not even worth a punch.”

“Ah, I want to get out of here.”

Ugh, those thugs.

Jinhyuk closed his eyes calmly like a meditating monk and waited.

I wonder when the scary drill instructor will come.

One of the older trainees held out his training journal.

“Hey, can you give me an autograph?”

“Sure.”

The comrade who asked for the autograph looked dumbfounded.

“Look at this guy? Just because he’s a little famous, he’s talking informally to his hyung [older brother or male friend]?”

“Didn’t you hear what the drill instructor said?”

Jinhyuk asked back emotionlessly and chuckled as if he was dumbfounded.

Even in his past life, he had let his comrades, who were a couple of years younger, act like friends. Let me try talking informally to an older person this time, comrade.

“Hey, do you know who I am? Even if you’re famous, I’m…”

The guy’s hand, which was about to lightly push Jinhyuk’s shoulder, was bent like a piece of paper.

Before he knew it, his hand was caught by Jinhyuk and shriveled up like rubber.

Jinhyuk looked at him with a pathetic expression.

What is a guy who is weaker than a wild boar and has less charisma than a drill instructor relying on to act so cocky?

It must be a habit ingrained in his body. The habit of pushing the other person’s shoulder.

However, no matter how generous Jinhyuk was, there was no reason to accept that unpleasant gesture.

“It doesn’t matter who you were outside or who I was outside. This is the military, and we’re all the same trainees.”

Having said that, Jinhyuk looked around the room, still holding the guy’s hand.

Ugh, ugh. Groans came out, so he loosened it slightly and opened his mouth.

“Is there anyone here who came because they like it?”

The comrades, who met Jinhyuk’s eyes, which were colder than the winter wind, looked away or didn’t answer.

Only the comrade who was blocked from asking a question to the drill instructor made eye contact with Jinhyuk and shook his head.

“Everyone was dragged here against their will. But we’re comfortable. We just have to endure for less than a month. Am I wrong?”

This time, quite a few more comrades shook their heads.

“Let’s not do anything annoying to each other, not cause any trouble, and just quietly leave, comrades. Since we’ve met like this, wouldn’t it be nice to get along harmoniously and cheer each other on?”

Everyone nodded.

The military is an amazing place.

Even a normal person becomes bewildered when they become a trainee, and even a gentle person turns into a thug when they put on a military uniform.

Even if their status and uniform change, and the environment changes, the only people who remain consistently upright are those who are bound to suffer among those people.

Jinhyuk had expected that he would have to clash with someone at least once to finish his training quietly and comfortably, and he had envisioned this situation.

‘I’m grateful that a suitable quarrel came along at the right time.’

In the silent barracks, only groans similar to the sound of a constipated general could be heard.

He turned his gaze to the source of the noise.

“Don’t touch my body carelessly. And you asked if I knew who you were? You’re my comrade. Just for four weeks. Let’s just stay quiet and leave.”

“Okay, okay. Please, my hand.”

The guy, unable to bear the pain, knelt down and supported himself with one hand on the floor.

His clumsy dialect disappeared completely.

“Do you want an autograph?”

“Yes, yes. Ugh, my hand.”

“It’s not like anything’s broken, don’t be so dramatic, comrade.”

Why is a man acting like he’s dying just because his finger bones were rubbed together a little?

The barracks, which had been filled with grumbling, quickly became peaceful.

Pop.

The sound of opening the cap of a marker was clearly audible.

“What’s your name.”

“Oh Deoksu…sir.”

“Who told you to use ‘sir’ in the military?”

“Oh Deoksu, sir.”

“Speak comfortably, comfortably.”

Why was this polite guy acting like that earlier?

Humans are indeed unknowable animals.

‘Peace like a river.’

Ssssk.

He carefully moved the pen.

「To Oh Deoksu, may you be healthy and happy. (^.~) Wink. Son Jinhyuk.」

Along with the well wishes, he also drew Jinhyuk’s signature winking face.

After finishing the autograph, he looked around the barracks with a blank expression and said.

“Trainees who want Son Jinhyuk’s autograph.”

“Trainee! Im Youngjun!”

“Trainee! Song Jeongheon!”

Looking at the comrades who were rushing in, Jinhyuk let out a sigh.

Why are you giving your rank and name, comrades!

“Trainee! Shin Donggi!”

The comrade who came after finishing his graduate studies has the name Donggi.

“Trainee! Kim Hyunseok!”

I’m getting dizzy!

Stop it, you guys! What if that scary drill instructor comes running and gives us punishment!