The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 48

At the beginning of the semester, Jinhyuk’s classmates were wary of him. His consistently blank expression and taciturn nature made him seem unapproachable. However, unlike other kids his age, Jinhyuk didn’t swear, nor did he bully or harass his friends like the known tough guys. This caused their fear to morph into a slight awkwardness.

“Teacher, Beomseok says he’s sick. He seems to have a bit of a fever.”

“Oh, oh? Th, then, okay. Shall I, shall I give you an absence slip?”

The fact that he actively cared for friends who were sick or had things to do at home also helped change his classmates’ perceptions of him.

Of course, there were also those who didn’t like Jinhyuk. Some believed his exploits at the beginning of the semester were exaggerated and saw him as a rival, thinking they could crush him at any time.

‘Hey, is that the same guy from back then?’

‘Can’t you tell by looking, you idiot?’

‘Aish, I’m gonna get him!’

It was a natural occurrence in any group of people. Exploits are sacred to those who believe them, but to those who haven’t seen them and don’t believe them, they’re nothing more than boasting.

And the upperclassmen were no exception.

Among them were guys who had once been on the wrestling team, who had been awkwardly scolded and were now grinding their teeth.

It was one day after lunch when he was helping Shin Woosung and Lee Seunghoon with their studies.

Even the bookworm Chae Gyuho was there, freeloading and getting tutoring from Jinhyuk.

A boy from the next class named Park Yongseok approached hesitantly.

“Hey, Chae Gyuho, Seongdong hyung [older brother/senior] wants to see you.”

“Huh? M, me? Wh, why, why?”

“I don’t know, man.”

Jinhyuk was present, so Park Yongseok didn’t frown or swear, but his attitude had a unique swagger and annoyance.

Jinhyuk glanced at Chae Gyuho and Park Yongseok as they left the classroom, then got up from his seat.

“Let’s take a break.”

It was a consideration for the two wrestling team friends who were struggling to stay awake in the hot weather before summer vacation, as they were afraid of Jinhyuk.

‘If it’s Seongdong, it must be Yoon Seongdong from the third grade. That guy must be behind the guys who were extorting Woosung.’

He was worried about his classmate Chae Gyuho.

Chae Gyuho was a friend who never complained about being bullied or having difficulties in school. Jinhyuk felt an unclean and unpleasant air from the fact that Yoon Seongdong had called his classmate. It was a warning from past information combined with Jinhyuk’s instincts.

‘The guy who stabbed Woosung with a knife.’

It was the year Jinhyuk turned thirty-five. Yoon Seongdong was released without charge even after killing Shin Woosung in a bar. He heard from Lee Seunghoon that it was thanks to the large network of his father, who was a gang boss.

Third-grader Yoon Seongdong had been held back a year due to violence, so he would be reigning as the king among the third graders. Jinhyuk had been keeping an eye on Yoon Seongdong for the sake of his friend Shin Woosung. He had expected the third-grade wrestling team members he had scolded at the beginning of the semester to make a move at any time.

Jinhyuk patted Shin Woosung on the shoulder.

“I’m going to check your homework tomorrow morning.”

“Ughhh-, just kill me instead.”

Shin Woosung clutched his head and wailed.

Jinhyuk glared at Shin Woosung, pretending to be angry.

“Ah, no. Please spare me.”

“You don’t have to do it all. Just understand and solve even one problem.”

‘Do it properly if you’re going to do it.’ It was what Jinhyuk had said to the new employee Hong Sujeong, and to the team members who were forcibly pushing a flawed project because they valued the milestone deadline.

In Shin Woosung’s eyes, who reluctantly nodded, it was written ‘Math is hard’.

Behind Jinhyuk’s back as he left the classroom to find Chae Gyuho, Shin Woosung’s grumbling could be heard.

“How does the class president study so well when he doesn’t do night study and lives far away?”

“Hey, is that what’s important right now? Shouldn’t you be more curious about why the class president is holding us back to teach us? Woosung, you need to think a little, like, strategically, I think. Huh?”

Lee Seunghoon was a little smarter than Shin Woosung. That’s why he was able to continue wrestling after going to Taeyang High School.

Listening to his friends’ conversation, Jinhyuk’s lips curled up.

‘All you have to do is memorize the textbook.’

Naive guys.

Jinhyuk had memorized the Math Textbook and the Sungmoon Comprehensive English book to the point of almost knowing them by heart.

It took longer to memorize than before, but it wasn’t difficult because he had done it once.

“I know- as this night flows and flows-”

“Oh my love- please don’t gooo-”

When he went out into the hallway, most of the guys were humming the latest songs and swaying like squids.

Jinhyuk sighed for a moment as he looked at them.

‘How old-fashioned. When will the BTS teachers debut?’

I wonder if they were even born. There was a time when he was hooked on the melody and lyrics of the song and listened to it every day.

‘I even considered joining ARMY [BTS fan club].’

Black Velvet and Red Pink were also good. Who else was there?

His memory is hazy. He had a good head, but it’s a strange thing.

‘Except for what I’ve experienced with my skin, I can’t remember well.’

Isn’t the history of the era he lived in itself hazy?

However, the question was only for a moment.

He was in a hurry with important matters now, so he had no time to fall into reminiscence.

‘Why can’t I see him?’

He scanned the school, but he couldn’t find Chae Gyuho easily.

There were obvious places to go.

He couldn’t see Chae Gyuho at the water fountain, the auxiliary field, or the third-grade classroom where Yoon Seongdong would be. It was when he had no choice but to return to the classroom.

“Oh? Class president?”

He met Chae Gyuho returning to the classroom.

He was holding a few bills in his hand, and he had a flushed yet bewildered expression.

He called out to Chae Gyuho.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know either.”

Chae Gyuho was just staring blankly at the bills in his hand.

After hearing Chae Gyuho’s explanation of meeting Yoon Seongdong, Jinhyuk sighed deeply.

‘The seed doesn’t change.’

As Jinhyuk knew, it was called daily loan sharking. [A form of predatory lending where small amounts of money are given with the expectation of high-interest repayment.]

It was when delinquent students who had formed a group gave money to naive students as a friendship fee without any conditions. The victims were confused, but they were initially out of their minds because they were given a large sum of money, as much as 50,000 or 60,000 won. And before they could come to their senses, the nightmare would begin the next day.

Threats and violence were perpetrated to repay the interest.

Do young students think that could never happen?

Isn’t it human nature that the younger and more immature they are, the more sensitive they are to stimuli and the easier they fall into it? And the stimulus given by evil is stronger than good, and it is easier to replicate.

In the old days, Jinhyuk, who was obviously poor and unhappy, was far from even the attention of such delinquent students, so he didn’t have any particular experience of being harmed.

However, it didn’t take long for him to remember that there was a student who committed suicide because of that. Because Son Jinhyuk was such an outsider and had no friends, he didn’t remember what the student’s name was. But the incident itself was so noisy.

‘The name… what was it…?’

He was a classmate whose last name and face he didn’t know.

It was a shock even to Jinhyuk, who was watching from afar. It was not just because a student committed suicide, but because the school and the police concluded the case as a simple suicide.

Chae Gyuho mumbled with a still bewildered expression.

“That hyung just gave it to me as pocket money, saying let’s be friends.”

“Anything else?”

“He just said to see me tomorrow.”

While thinking that there was no reason to give money without any compensation, Jinhyuk hoped that it was not daily loan sharking. He thought about taking the money from his friend’s hand and giving it back, but he decided to refrain because it would look strange. It was an overstepping of his bounds.

‘I think I need to watch for a while.’

The reason he thought so was also because of Jinhyuk’s desire for things to flow in a different way than in the past. The fact that he was surprised to see Hwang Gayoung but did not grind his teeth or show hostility was also because they had not yet harmed Jinhyuk.

‘I’m living in a different world now.’

Jinhyuk, who had experienced enough misanthropy even without anyone instigating it, wanted the people around him to enjoy a good and peaceful life. In a new world.

“If they call you again tomorrow, tell me before you go. You can do that much, right?”

“Okay, class president.”

Chae Gyuho nodded like a good younger brother.

That was the best Jinhyuk could do.

He was about to tell him not to spend a single penny of the money he received from Yoon Seongdong, but he held back.

‘He’s a smart guy, so he’ll take care of it himself.’

Even though he looks a bit clueless, he’s the guy who came in second place in the entire school on this exam.

***

After school, he went to the newspaper distribution center.

“Jinhyuk, is today your last day? I’m so sad, ahjussi [term of endearment for an older man].”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it for long.”

Jinhyuk bowed deeply as he received his pay envelope.

The distribution center manager patted Jinhyuk’s shoulder hard with regret.

“No, it’s okay. Come back anytime. Newspaper delivery doesn’t pay much.”

The money he received for delivering newspapers to more than 50 subscribers’ homes for a whole month, excluding Sundays, was 5,000 won. He chose the evening newspaper because of the distance, but it wasn’t like the morning newspaper was any better. It was only about 1,000 won more for getting up early in the morning.

Of course, Jinhyuk in his first life, who was desperate for every penny, also delivered the morning newspaper, but in fact, the evening newspaper paid better.

The morning newspaper was collected directly by the manager or sent by mail, while the evening newspaper was collected by the delivery person with a receipt. When he went to collect money at places like real estate agencies or tea houses, the men playing cards would often slip him 5,000 or 10,000 won bills, saying that the young student was working hard. The tips were several times his salary.

Jinhyuk diligently saved that money and bought market sneakers, underwear, and clothes. He also put money into a savings account at the credit union in the market, and later he was able to escape the attic.

He was ignorant of the world, but he managed to get through it in his own way.

Anyway, he had achieved his goal, so he didn’t need to deliver newspapers anymore.

Jinhyuk went to Lynx Chicken.

It was for his mother, who had never had chicken because she lived in the countryside, even though she had eaten fried chicken from the market. The fried chicken from the market was also delicious. However, the old hens that the country merchants called ‘Toegye’ [old, tough chickens] were cut into pieces and fried, and the texture and flavor were not comparable to chicken.

He confidently opened the door and placed a takeout order.

“One chicken?”

The ahjussi, whose belly was bulging like a tadpole, held a cigarette crookedly and raised his index finger.

Let’s see, Mom, Dad, me, Yoojin, Janggun.

“Five chickens, please.”

“Oh my-, that’s 30,000 won.”

“No, give me six chickens.”

“Oh my oh my-.”

He had plenty of money from the salary he received from delivering newspapers and the tips he received while collecting money. If he was short, he was thinking of adding the allowance his dad gave him, but what was a few bucks for chicken to a rich man’s son?

The chicken shop owner was happy to see a customer who came during the day, as he seemed to be a physical education student on teaching practice and was having a company dinner.

Sizzle sizzle-.

Jinhyuk was happy watching the chicken being fried.

‘Mom will like it, right?’

Mom likes the market fried chicken, so she’ll be impressed with the chicken too.

He was excited and hungry at the same time, thinking about his family who would enjoy the chicken.

He had to get home before it got cold.

*

He hung three chickens on each side of the bicycle handlebars and pedaled.

Balance is important. That was why he ordered an even number.

On the paved road where there were not many cars, Jinhyuk’s bicycle was faster than a scooter.

He arrived home in 25 minutes, a distance that usually took 40 minutes.

‘Huh? Did Sujeong’s family come?’

Hong Gijun’s car was parked in the yard.

He was someone who rarely came unless it was vacation, so he wondered if something had happened.

“Oh, our son came home early today?”

“Jinhyuk, welcome home-”

Dad and Hong Gijun, who were on the porch, greeted Jinhyuk.

He used to be wary of Hong Gijun because he thought of him as the boss he had served in the past, but Jinhyuk’s face also brightened when he found him.

‘I’m glad I bought six!’

As expected, it was for a very strange reason.

Jinhyuk was happy watching his family sitting around the porch and eating chicken. He also didn’t forget to pick out the meat and give it to Yoojin and Janggun.

Hong Gijun, who was eating chicken, asked, wondering why they were eating chicken when it wasn’t even dinner time. His face was covered in greasy oil.

“Jinhyuk, are you going to keep delivering newspapers?”

“No.”

‘I was going to buy chicken. Today was the last day.’

He swallowed the last words again. Jinhyuk’s answers were always like this.

Even though it was frustrating, Hong Gijun just laughed it off.

“Today, I was in the provinces and just stopped by.”

“Yes.”

‘I see.’

Why would he say that when I didn’t ask?

Does he think Jinhyuk is uncomfortable with him? It’s understandable. Jinhyuk actually had a hard time dealing with Hong Gijun.

“You’re going to stay the night, right?”

Son Gwangyeon asked, his eyes gleaming as he ate the chicken.

He looked like Janggun, who was growling while holding a pig bone.

“My sister-in-law is uncomfortable, so you should eat this and go. I’m eating chicken with the money Jinhyuk earned?”

“There’s nothing uncomfortable about it. Please stay the night.”

“Hahaha, should I?”

Han Yooyoung smiled so much that her eyes disappeared as she watched Hong Gijun, who was happy as if he had been waiting for it.

At the same time, she hid the cola behind her back so that it wouldn’t reach Yoojin’s hand.

“Oh my-, Yoojin, you can’t have this-. This is soy sauce.”

“Hehehe-, can’t have it? Soy sauce is salty, right?”

Yoojin, who didn’t know the taste of cola yet, didn’t pay any more attention to it.

Son Gwangyeon jumped up from his seat.

His intention was to bring out the alcohol since his wife had given him permission.

It was alcohol that he could only taste when a friend came, so he couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Jinhyuk held Yoojin and stayed by his dads’ side as they drank beer.

Even though he didn’t need to pay attention, his mom kept bringing out things like fruit and dried snacks. The food disappeared into Yoojin and Janggun’s stomachs as soon as it was brought out.

“When is Jinhyuk’s vacation?”

“The last Saturday of July.”

“That’s the opening day of the Olympics, right?”

Has it already come to that? Jinhyuk tilted his head.

Where was the 1992 Barcelona Olympics held?

Ah, it was held in Barcelona.

“Gwangyeon, shall we make a bet?”

Hong Gijun suddenly proposed a bet.

Jinhyuk narrowed his eyes.

‘This ahjussi hates things like bets.’