The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 327

Chae Gyu-ho’s flailing arm caused the canned coffee in his hand to spill onto the back of his hand.

It was a common occurrence with his clumsy buddy, even back in middle school, so his two friends didn’t think much of it.

Chae Gyu-ho sucked the back of his hand with a *slurp* and then sighed like an old man, “Haaah-“.

“They say American students invent things and show their creativity by tinkering in garages. Aren’t those suit-wearing guys completely nuts? Aish, seriously! It’s not even my problem, but I’m suddenly getting worked up!”

Watching his friend’s sudden outburst, Jinhyuk could only shrug his shoulders without making a sound.

It was because his friend, who seemed like a pushover, was being adorably feisty in unexpected ways. He was the same guy who had questioned why Jinhyuk broke his promise of ‘one word is worth a thousand gold’ and ran for class president back in middle school.

The absurd actions of the educational administrators, which were not surprising, made him chuckle.

“It’s ridiculous.”

“All the successful IT and tech industries in America started in garages. Seriously, Mr. President, where do we even begin to address this? They have garages attached to their homes, so they use them as workshops. Shouldn’t we conclude that we need to create accessible and comfortable workspaces?”

“That’s right. That’s the proper interpretation. The application is wrong. I have a lecture scheduled with an affiliate next week, I should use this.”

“As an example of a misstep?”

“Yeah.”

Building garages to learn American students’ creativity? It seemed like a good example of inappropriate application or adaptation.

“And no matter what those Americans do in their garages, they can’t even come close to the heels of Sein Research Institute. So, they should be studying Sein or schools that have industry-academic partnerships with Sein, not going to America. Right?”

‘Jaguar, that rascal… he came to chat.’

Although he couldn’t fathom how much stress his friend had accumulated, he was pleased to see his friend’s expression gradually brightening.

Even though it felt like his eardrums were being shredded, Jinhyuk endured it for his long-time buddy.

‘What are friends for? I’m just doing my part as a friend.’

After chatting for a long time, Chae Gyu-ho looked as happy as someone who had relieved their indigestion. Later, like the other friends, he became curious about the company’s interior and glanced at Jinhyuk.

He wanted to get a tour, using his friend the president’s connections.

Jinhyuk was perceptive enough to know that.

He led his buddy around the Future Strategy Headquarters office and the research lab.

“Wow-. The ladies are really pretty…”

‘This punk?’

Chae Gyu-ho’s eyes were more focused than when he was talking to Jinhyuk.

“Mr. President, don’t worry. I’ve recruited over ten guys to throw into the grinder. There’s also something in development for you. You’ll be surprised when you see it later.”

Even while saying that, Chae Gyu-ho’s eyes were gleaming at the female employees.

‘He’s a man after all.’

When it was time to leave, he put on the most regretful expression he had shown all day.

“If I ask for the number of that lady in the sky-blue blouse, will you hit me?”

“Yes.”

Jinhyuk playfully swung his fist like a cat.

Personal information is precious.

Providing contact information without consent is… well, it’s a bad thing.

“What about the lady in the beige skirt?”

“I’ll kill you, seriously.”

“What about the lady with straight hair and horn-rimmed glasses?”

“Stop. I don’t want to kill my buddy with my own hands.”

“No, I’m just asking for her age. The one with straight hair and horn-rimmed glasses is really my type.”

Chae Gyu-ho showed a particular attachment to Shim Dong-mi.

“She’s my colleague who joined at the same time. She’s five years older than us. She’s a ‘noona’ [an older sister or female friend] who buys us food.”

“Ah, five years is perfect…”

‘Jaguar, this rascal, he likes older women.’

Watching Chae Gyu-ho get on the bus, Jinhyuk was overcome by a strange feeling for the first time in a while.

It wasn’t the ambiguity about his identity, as he no longer struggled or felt confused.

‘Come to think of it, they are kind of pretty, and they are ‘noonas’…’

Was he becoming younger, or was his mental age finally catching up with his actual age?

Either way, it was a surprising discovery.

Just as the bus doors were about to close, Chae Gyu-ho leaned out and waved his hand high.

“Mr. President! See you after graduation! Have a good end to the year!”

“You too!”

He nodded quietly, watching the bus drive away.

‘There are things to wrap up this year.’

***

December 2001.

It snowed heavily that night.

Looking down from a high-rise building, Seoul had turned into a white country.

Against the backdrop of snow pouring down, turning the night sky gray beyond the glass windows, Park Woo-jung exuded his usual venom. His eyes were fixed on the items on the table.

Files, newspaper articles, CDs, cassette tapes, video tapes, and hundreds of photos.

He was old.

As if proving his age, well past sixty, his cheekbones were sunken, and his philtrum was filled with wrinkles like a comb. His eyes, devoid of moisture, no longer held their former sharpness.

The eyes of those across the table from Park Woo-jung, looking at him with indifference, showed no trace of sympathy. The confrontation between the men, similar yet contrasting, created a bleak and dry scene.

*Rrrrrr-*

Though he was aware enough not to open his mouth, the chubby Richard Hammond was sitting in Park Woo-jung’s chairman’s chair, spinning around like a child, looking excited.

Park Woo-jung, still looking at the table, only moved his eyes to scan those sitting in front of him.

Hong Gi-jun, Chairman of Sein Group.

Yu Jun-shik, CEO of Sein Electronics.

Son Jin-hyuk, President of the Future Strategy Headquarters of Sein Group.

The man who looked Chinese at a glance was Michael Chen, CEO of the Hong Kong-based global investment firm ‘Gold Diamond’.

Larry Jones of the major US investment firm ‘Wells Cape’.

And the chubby guy who was riding the chairman’s chair like a toy was the famous Richard Hammond of RB Investment.

And the one currently explaining was Shin Sang-yeol, the chief secretary who used to be Park Woo-jung’s right-hand man, or rather, had been.

“The consortium, led by RB, has determined that Daejeong, without former Chairman Park Woon-chul, has weakened as an owner group in terms of cohesion and external standing…”

No one was listening to Shin Sang-yeol’s explanation.

It had been over a month since the media reported that those who had formed a consortium and acquired the position of major shareholder would demand Park Woo-jung’s resignation, so there was no reason to be surprised now.

Park Woo-jung lowered his gaze back to the table.

Various headlines were mentioning Park Woo-jung with suspicious eyes.

「Park Woon-chul’s Funeral Held Solemnly, Business and Political Figures Offer Condolences.」

「Daejeong Family Management Dispute? Park Sa-rang, President of Daejeong Mulsan, Commits Suicide.」

「Daejeong Food Operates Factory Despite Worker Death Accident.」

「Labor-Management Agreement Fails, Fate of Daejeong Heavy Industries in Limbo.」

When he moved the newspapers, a pile of vivid photos filled with Park Woo-jung’s private life appeared.

They were all photos of him entangled naked with young women, most of which he couldn’t even remember when they were taken. Among them were the faces of famous actors and singers.

He wasn’t afraid of such things.

He was used to the world pointing fingers at those who had what they didn’t.

Park Woo-jung moved the photos of bare skin.

Then, the photo underneath was revealed.

His third son, whom he wouldn’t trade for the world.

It was Park Hyun-soo, who was imprisoned in an American jail.

His eyes were swollen as if stung by bees, his nose was crooked, and several of his teeth were broken. What parent could maintain their composure at the sight of their child’s battered appearance?

‘How dare they.’

His jaw clenched, and his teeth screamed as if they would break.

“…I also chose the bright and righteous path to survive. I hope you will understand, Mr. Chairman-”

He looked at Shin Sang-yeol, who was wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, with contempt.

How dare a lackey who used to pick up the scraps he threw talk about a bright path?

How dare he talk about the righteous path when he was the one who hid cameras and collected data?

‘Money is the bright and righteous path.’

He waved his hand at Shin Sang-yeol.

Get lost now. I’ll deal with you later.

There was no point in arguing now.

The video tape would naturally contain footage of his sexual encounters, and the audio tape would contain his voice calling politicians and scholarship students dogs and slaves.

After Shin Sang-yeol bowed and left, he turned his gaze to Hong Gi-jun and his group.

There was no reason to give a lecture on the power of money in front of them.

They were the ones who had already accumulated more power than Park Woo-jung.

“So, if I step down willingly, you’ll keep these materials private? And get my son out of American prison?”

As Shin Sang-yeol had explained, the procedure was to step down on his own, with a seemingly beautiful appearance, without going through a shareholders’ meeting. The evidence spread out before him was saying just that.

However, Hong Gi-jun simply raised his hand with a heavy gesture, as if to say no.

“There will be no negotiation. You only need to choose and decide. Give your answer to the consortium representative.”

Hong Gi-jun said, pointing to Jinhyuk with his arm.

As Hong Gi-jun finished speaking and stood up, the group followed him.

Richard Hammond, as if wanting to take the chairman’s chair, dragged it a few steps before being pulled away by Larry Jones, who grabbed him by the collar.

“Steve, buy me that one. It’s better than the one in New York!”

In the midst of it all, he didn’t forget to say something that would turn Park Woo-jung’s stomach.

“Hey, Pak-. Your son’s job also got terminated. You better get him out quickly. Richard has the power to get him out anytime!”

Only one person, Son Jin-hyuk, sat at the end, staring at Park Woo-jung with emotionless eyes.

Was it the thought of his son that made him tremble? Park Woo-jung’s voice was unstable.

“Yes, there were many like you.”

Park Woo-jung started to babble, but Jinhyuk showed no particular reaction.

He was just focusing on organizing his thoughts.

“When lackeys make a living and succeed as entertainers, they try to dine with their masters. They don’t even know the grace of those who raised them…”

Why did that old man keep repeating bad deeds?

“You’re the one who succeeded the most among them.”

Did that old man not see people as people?

Did he not know that nothing was more precious than life?

“You are qualified to dine with me-”

“You must be curious about Park Sa-rang’s death.”

Jinhyuk, having finally organized his thoughts, cut off Park Woo-jung’s words.

He needed to shut him up because the content and his voice were disgusting to listen to.

“You probably know that your sister also met me before she died.”

Jinhyuk had even been investigated by the prosecution after Park Sa-rang’s suicide.

It was a formal investigation to appease the public.

As a shareholder of a group in a management dispute, it was a visit of encouragement. At least on the surface, everyone acknowledged that Jinhyuk had no motive for murder.

“Are you… are you saying that you are related to my sister’s death?”

“I’ll tell you. I killed her. I killed her because I was disgusted by the lustful eyes that scanned my face and body. I killed her for the sin of slandering my maternal grandfather with a single letter and destroying my mother’s family.”

Having said that, Jinhyuk took out a thick bundle of documents from his bag and threw it in front of Park Woo-jung.

“That should add weight to the reason for jumping from the seventeenth floor. It may be the same for men, but it’s a more severe punishment for women.”

Park Woo-jung, who opened the file Jinhyuk had thrown, covered his forehead.

As expected, it was full of photos of bare skin. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and a seed thief can’t be helped.

Park Woo-jung quickly flipped over the photos of Park Sa-rang, her eyes rolled back, playing with young men.

“It seems like it’s your duty as a child to do the same to you.”

Jinhyuk sent a final warning like a grim reaper.

One of Park Woo-jung’s cheekbones protruded.

Shame was something only those who had nothing felt. How could a great man throw away his life over such a thing? Park Woo-jung’s resilience, built up by scandals, was mocking Jinhyuk’s notice.

“Yes, laugh. Park Sa-rang did too. She said it was nothing. She even said it was good to show off her abilities and charm. That’s when I realized. They were a kind of people that couldn’t be understood by conscience and common sense.”

“Haaah-”

“Let’s make a deal. Like a merchant. Just like your sister did.”

Park Woo-jung, who was about to express some annoyance, closed his mouth.

Was that how a tiger breathed?

His voice was low and calm, but it strangely sounded like a growl.

“A deal? Did my sister risk her life for a deal?”

“The prosecution will be conducting a search and seizure tomorrow at noon. Your scholarship students that you worked so hard to raise.”

‘That can’t be?’ Park Woo-jung’s eyes seemed to say.

*Thump-*

This time, Jinhyuk threw an even thicker bundle of documents than before.

The documents, which naturally opened, contained accounting fraud data, no different from what Park Woo-jung had received, organized by case.

“I got quite a bit of data through Shin Sang-yeol. Accounting fraud, violation of the Foreign Exchange Control Act… I sent a few minor ones as a sample. It will be good bait for the regime. It’s about time they shed their image as a pro-business government. The prosecution, which is calling for reform, will also need a reason.”

Park Woo-jung, who had raised his upper body halfway, leaned back on the sofa again.

It was a loss of strength due to fear. The documents were one thing, but the young man’s eyes seemed to be pulling his soul out of his body.

“Boy, you… you don’t seem like you’re twenty years old.”

“I’m twenty-three.”

‘A twenty-three-year-old who has lived for sixty years.’ Jinhyuk muttered and pushed off the sofa.

He headed towards the window where the snow was falling.

He stopped abruptly and spoke as if to himself.

“Let me ask you one thing…”

The jaw joint, which was clenched tightly, protruded.

Park Woo-jung turned his body and glared at Jinhyuk. He was exhausted, but his eyes were full of hatred.

Jinhyuk, who saw that look through the glass, tried hard to hide his annoyed feelings.

“Do you have any intention of asking for forgiveness? To my grandfather, my grandmother, my father. Purely.”