The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 93

“I think I’m okay.”

He’d gone out to buy octopus and ended up being rushed to the city. He needed to go home; his mom would be worried. Jinhyuk was restless.

Yuk Young-gu calmed the anxious Jinhyuk.

“The ahjussi [a respectful term for an older man] called home, so they’ll be coming. Just wait a bit, okay?”

“Okay.”

After a check-up, the doctor said it wasn’t serious, and Yuk Young-gu seemed much calmer. Though his hands were still trembling.

Now, it was Jinhyuk who was the problem.

‘Ugh, the hospital smell.’

The hospital smell was something he never got used to. His head, which had been fine even after the explosion, was now spinning, and he felt nauseous. Feeling stifled, Jinhyuk, like a fake patient, wandered around the medical center.

Being in a big hospital like this reminded him of a day in his thirties when he’d carried a drunk Hong Su-jeong to the emergency room, and he chuckled. It must have been the day they celebrated her becoming a director and him becoming a team leader.

‘My back was soaked….’

The feeling of his back getting damp and hot made Jinhyuk stop reminiscing.

Then, he ran into a familiar face in the hallway.

The swelling around his eyes had gone down, but his cheekbones were badly bruised. Even without seeing his face, his sturdy build made him recognizable. The man had been staring at Jinhyuk even before Jinhyuk saw him, with a look that seemed to say, ‘Did you come to the hospital after beating someone up again?’

“Did you come to see me?”

“No. My friend got hurt. I didn’t know you were here.”

Moon Seok-il closed his mouth tightly and nodded. He’d asked to be sarcastic, but he got a calm, normal answer. He felt embarrassed for no reason.

He carefully took in Jinhyuk, who was tall for a middle schooler but also had a solid build, and asked,

“What happened?”

“A high-explosive bomb went off. A mortar shell.”

Moon Seok-il’s eyes widened in surprise, then he sighed. Even if it wasn’t the front lines in Gangwon-do, there were so many kids who lost their lives or limbs playing with unexploded bombs or landmines. It was strange that a student was using the term ‘high-explosive bomb,’ but that wasn’t the important thing right now.

If a high-explosive bomb had gone off, his life would have been in danger.

“You must be devastated.”

“They said only my eardrum was slightly damaged.”

Moon Seok-il was surprised again but didn’t ask about the details of the accident. They weren’t close enough to have that kind of conversation, and it wasn’t something he needed to know. He guessed, based on his experience and knowledge, that Jinhyuk must have been near the blast but was protected by cover, so he wasn’t seriously injured.

“What about your friends?”

“One is here, and two are in Suwon.”

This time, Jinhyuk nodded.

Kang Heon-chang, the one with the broken ribs, must still be here.

Jinhyuk had something he wanted to ask, but he held back. Seeing Moon Seok-il’s right hand in a cast, he thought treatment should come first.

“I can cover the medical expenses.”

“No need.”

Moon Seok-il slowly shook his head, and the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.

They had a lot to share, but the reunion of the two men, both with complicated feelings, didn’t last long.

“Waaah, Jinhyuk-ah!”

“Where’s my son!”

His mom was crying and looking around with red eyes, like a child who’d lost their mother in a market, and his dad was grabbing a passing doctor by the collar and shaking him. The poor doctor’s head was bobbing like a car dashboard doll. It was truly the strength of an American bison from a documentary.

‘It seems Sung-chan’s dad didn’t explain things properly.’

He must have just said, ‘A bomb went off, and Jinhyuk was taken to the medical center, hurry!’ and hung up. It was obvious. That was just the kind of people they were.

He didn’t see Yujin; she must have been left with Choi Mi-kyung’s family.

He wanted to see his sister, and more importantly, the doctor’s life seemed to be in danger, so Jinhyuk quickly left.

“Your parents are here. See you next time.”

He clearly said it. See you next time.

“Okay.”

Moon Seok-il unconsciously brought his legs together and placed his hands on his thighs. He wondered why he was doing this.

Moon Seok-il’s eyes followed Jinhyuk. He carefully observed Son Kwang-yeon, who was fussing over Jinhyuk. He looked maybe three or four years older than him, and he was hugging and comforting his wife after finding out his son was safe. He seemed like just an ordinary person, but he was strong.

Why did they tell him to bring that man?

‘I was supposed to find out who ordered it.’

Even without Jinhyuk’s request, it was a destiny bound by contract.

A contract made with Moon Seok-il’s life at stake, which was more important than money.

– 【…I will watch. I will hold your life in my hands.】

Whenever he recalled that voice, he would shrink back and look around. Moon Seok-il clenched his jaw, grabbed some cash and a public phone card, and left the hospital to avoid Jinhyuk’s family.

***

One Saturday afternoon.

Whether it was because he was young or because he was treated quickly, Yuk Sung-chan recovered quickly. On the day he was discharged, he visited Jinhyuk’s house with his father, Yuk Young-gu, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude, saying that if it hadn’t been for Jinhyuk, something terrible could have happened.

The icebox in Yuk Young-gu’s hand was full of fresh octopus, which he said he had caught over the past two days and hadn’t sold any of them.

“Sung-chan’s dad, you shouldn’t do this.”

Son Kwang-yeon repeatedly refused. She knew how much hardship it took to catch that many octopuses.

“No, no! No matter how precious they are, nothing is more precious than my son. Don’t even think about buying octopus from now on, Jinhyuk. I’ll catch them for you whenever you want. If Yujin hadn’t said she wanted to eat octopus, I might not have seen my son again.”

Yuk Young-gu was smiling as he said that, but his eyes were filled with tears.

Yujin, excited, held up a wriggling octopus and ran around the yard with Jang-gun.

“Kyahaha! It’s a snake!”

It was impossible to know the octopus’s expression, but seeing its suckers flailing in the air, it seemed to be overwhelmed with despair.

Unlike Yuk Young-gu, who was teary-eyed, Yuk Sung-chan was smiling brightly, saying he could hear clearly.

Jinhyuk had already heard about Yuk Sung-chan’s condition, but he sighed in relief once more.

Was it because he had such a carefree nature? Yuk Sung-chan didn’t seem to have any trauma as he wandered around the yard with Yujin, looking at the wild peach tree.

“Oppa! Over there! Yujin is too short.”

“This, this? Is this ripe? It’s still green. If you eat unripe ones, you’ll get sick.”

“Is it supposed to be green? Is it ripe inside?”

Watching Yuk Sung-chan squatting down with Yujin and nibbling on a wild peach with his front teeth, Jinhyuk was once again reminded of how many inexplicable causes and effects there were in the world.

‘If Yujin hadn’t said she wanted to eat octopus….’

Would Yuk Sung-chan have had the accident that was supposed to happen? If an octopus hadn’t appeared in the picture book Yujin was looking at, if Jinhyuk hadn’t gone… What was the point of ‘what ifs’ about something that had already happened? Still, it was a relief that things had turned out well. Yuk Sung-chan’s family had returned to their daily lives, and most importantly, Jinhyuk had gotten through something that could have been a major shock.

After the Yuk family left, he brushed Jang-gun’s fur in the yard and picked off fleas. There were quite a few ticks too.

“You need to shower every day too. What’s with a big girl like you having fleas?”

Was it too much to call a mutt ‘big’?

The stream was close by; why didn’t she wash? Would soaking in seawater help with sterilization? Would a Brazilian wax help? Jinhyuk’s muttering went on for a while. He definitely talked more when he was with Jang-gun.

Heheheh.

Seeing her look away, Jang-gun clearly didn’t like baths.

“Jang-gun, you need to get cleaned up if you’re going to Seoul.”

It was only after coming home from school that he learned about the family trip to Seoul. They were going to visit Su-jeong’s family, which meant they would have to stay overnight. It was uncomfortable to stay at someone else’s house.

‘Hmm. I thought Dad would go alone.’

He’d only heard that the plan had changed.

Since they got a car, the family had gone on drives and short trips, but this was the first time they were going to Seoul together.

Jinhyuk was in the passenger seat, and his mom was in the back with Yujin and Jang-gun.

“We’re going to see Su-jeong’s maternal grandfather.”

His dad usually explained the reason or purpose first, but today he spoke hesitantly in the car. He’d been wondering why his mom and dad were wearing suits, and that was why. No matter how well Hong Ki-joon was doing, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun was still the real power, so they needed to make a good impression. That must be why they were going to see him first.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve seen him, right?”

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Jinhyuk turned to his dad in the driver’s seat.

“That’s right. I only greeted him a few times when I was a kid. He was always busy.”

He was the one who helped his father, the founder, build the Sein Group, so he must have been busy. As far as Jinhyuk remembered, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun was practically the founder himself. His father had only managed a liquid carbon dioxide factory.

From what Jinhyuk had seen, his dad wasn’t someone who was afraid of people. If he had to pick someone he was afraid of, it would probably be his mom. But now, his dad’s voice was trembling, and he wasn’t saying much.

‘He seems nervous.’

Considering the relationship between Yoo Se-ra, Hong Ki-joon, and Son Kwang-yeon, it wasn’t an entirely unexpected connection.

‘The clue might be found in a completely unexpected place.’

Jinhyuk’s focus was on the person who had ordered Moon Seok-il to do bad things. His dad said it wasn’t him, but the possible suspects were limited.

He had a feeling that this trip to Seoul, which was decided by chance, would have a significant impact. Jinhyuk’s scalp felt hot.

Considering Yoo Myung-sun’s connections and information network, he might be able to find some useful information. For that, his dad’s role was important.

After checking on his mom and Yujin, who were dozing off in the back seat, Jinhyuk looked at Son Kwang-yeon.

“Dad, there’s something you need to do when you see the chairman.”

***

As the appointment time approached, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun became busy.

When he received a call from Son Kwang-yeon, who had returned from Hawaii after Chuseok [Korean Thanksgiving], he was skeptical. He had no memory of meeting him since he was a child. But Son Kwang-yeon remembered exactly who his patron was. It wasn’t like he had sent him to study abroad like his own children; he had only occasionally sent him pocket money through his butler. Still, the old chairman’s heart fluttered at the thought of him coming to visit, not forgetting his kindness.

‘Ki-joon must have told him.’

There was no way his scatterbrained and clueless daughter, Yoo Se-ra, would have persuaded Son Kwang-yeon. His politically savvy and intelligent son-in-law must have brought up the difficult topic to quench the old man’s thirst. Yoo Myung-sun thought he might not have been blessed with sons, but he had certainly been blessed with a daughter and a son-in-law.

“Madam Lee, does this tie look okay?”

“You could get remarried. Hohoho.”

“What are you talking about at my age?”

Seeming not to dislike the comment, Yoo Myung-sun’s lips curled up slightly.

Madam Lee, who took good care of the household, stepped forward to check Yoo Myung-sun’s attire. Her eyes were filled with surprise. The chairman, who even met with the president wearing just a shirt and jacket, was wearing a tie, which he hated, because he felt it was stuffy.

“Is the young lady not coming?”

“No need. It’s noisy and uncomfortable when too many people come.”

They were just going to have dinner and then go to his daughter’s house, so there was no need to make it complicated. He had already told his daughter, Yoo Se-ra, that. If she came, it would be noisy, and the precious cookies would disappear.

‘I’m nervous even though I haven’t done anything wrong.’

He had met countless people while running his business since he was young. During the war, a North Korean officer had even pointed a gun at his forehead. He had thought he was going to die and had given up, but he had stared at the gun without trembling.

As the Sein Group rose to prominence thanks to Hong Ki-joon’s efforts, he had frequent meetings with people in the political and business world, including high-ranking officials from the Blue House [South Korea’s presidential office] and even the president. Even then, Yoo Myung-sun had acted calmly. But why was he so nervous about Son Kwang-yeon?

“Madam Lee, is dinner ready?”

“Yes. I don’t know if the guests will like it.”

“Anyone would like it with your skills, Madam Lee.”

“If you’re this concerned, Chairman, they must be very important guests?”

Yoo Myung-sun, who had been pacing around the reception room with his cane, stopped.

Important guests.

That must be why he was so restless. The old chairman muttered.

There were things he couldn’t understand even after living for over 70 years. And that was the human heart. Money could buy anything, even things and people’s bodies. But people’s hearts were not so easy.

Perhaps it was because of the feelings that went back to that mother. The affection he felt for her like a younger sibling, the guilt of not being able to protect her. They said men never grew up, even when they got old. And they called that lack of maturity ‘romance.’

Yoo Myung-sun chuckled and took off his tie. He also unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons and practiced a natural expression while looking in the mirror. He had been relaxed even in front of the president, so why was his face so stiff?

Yoo Myung-sun, who was puffing out his cheeks, called for Butler Kwon.

“Are the children coming too?”

“Yes, Chairman. They are siblings. Oh, and…”

Butler Kwon adjusted his glasses and looked at his notebook.

“There’s also a dog…”

“Hehehe!”

Yoo Myung-sun burst out laughing. He finally felt the tension in his face muscles relax. A dog. He was a cheerful guy, even though he didn’t talk much when he was young.

***

“Wow! There are so many cars!”

“Right, right? There are so many. It’s my first time in downtown Seoul.”

Heheheh.

He could hear the exclamations of the two women and the dog in the back seat.

Jinhyuk chuckled and turned his gaze to the window.

‘Was this Gangnam-daero [a major street in Seoul]?’

It was amazing.

He used to pass by this place on an express bus, and now he was here with his family in a car.

The 30 years of time could be felt in the city and the cars on the road.

As he drove up a narrow uphill road, Son Kwang-yeon clicked his tongue.

“It’s so high. Even birds can’t get in. Honey, should we build our walls this high too?”

“Oh, how can you live like that, so stuffy.”

Jinhyuk nodded as he listened to his parents’ conversation.

To put it nicely, it was a fortress; to put it badly, it was a prison-like wall. The top of the wall was also covered with sharp iron spikes. It must be a neighborhood where theft was common because there were so many things to steal. He had seen two patrol cars in the hundred meters or so they had passed. It was hard to see even one in the town of Taeyang.

‘Is this where Su-jeong lives?’

The adult Hong Su-jeong lived in an officetel [a studio apartment] or a hotel, but where did the current kid live? She liked to run around, so was the garden spacious? She liked looking at the sea so much; wouldn’t she feel stuffy living inside a closed wall?

Jinhyuk chuckled at his own thoughts.

‘What’s wrong with me?’

It must be lingering feelings. In his past life, when his emotions were dull and clumsy, he had so many opportunities to make memories and build a history. Now that he was back to normal, he realized that. It was a shame that he had only learned to think about someone now. If only he had reflected on things back then, how much better would it have been?

Feeling a strange tickle in his heart, he scratched it, and his dad in the driver’s seat glanced at him.

“Jinhyuk, did you not wash?”

“I did…”

Did he get fleas from Jang-gun? Son Kwang-yeon’s car, carrying Jinhyuk who was muttering inaudibly, finally reached the mountain of fate.