The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 12

#012

Jeong-hoon and Eun-soo had to stop talking.

The quiet classroom was filled with the gazes of their classmates.

It was clear they had overheard everything about the retest.

The students’ eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Let’s go outside.”

Leaving behind the prying eyes of their classmates, Eun-soo led Jeong-hoon out of the room.

“Our homeroom teacher is such a cowardly bastard. I didn’t even say anything, but…”

According to Eun-soo, Choi Dong-soo habitually badmouthed them behind their backs, calling them ‘orphan bastards’.

He also casually made disparaging remarks about students who were poor and didn’t have money.

The older kids at the orphanage had warned them to be careful because he openly discriminated against people.

Those who had nothing and were vulnerable were his stress-relieving toys.

He would get angry over trivial matters and resort to violence.

They were beings who couldn’t harm him in any way, no matter how he treated them.

No one would protest if he treated them poorly.

He was a fundamentally flawed discriminator.

“Do you think a guy like that would just let you pass the retest? He’ll definitely pull something dirty.”

Eun-soo, who rarely got angry, was unusually agitated.

“Surely, he’s still a teacher…”

“Hey, if even half the teachers were decent…”

Eun-soo trailed off.

Jeong-hoon had experienced enough; silence fell between them.

How much disregard had they suffered?

They were always the subject of suspicion.

In a school where everyone should have been equal, they were always at the very bottom of the hierarchy.

They were the ones who experienced all the contempt and discrimination firsthand.

“Haa, I said I would do it, so I have to. I have no choice but to compete with my skills.”

“Jeong-hoon, I’m worried because you’ve changed so suddenly. You used to hate betting and competition. And betting with a teacher…”

“Hey, it’s been over half a year since my personality changed, so get used to it already. Huh?”

Jeong-hoon grumbled, as if he was already tired of the topic.

“Has it already been over half a year? Time really flies. Is there anything I can help with?”

“Hmm… why don’t you quietly read poetry next to me, literary boy?”

“You bastard…”

“You don’t have to worry. My skills… never mind.”

Jeong-hoon smiled with a confident expression.

But even with his words, Eun-soo couldn’t easily feel at ease.

Because he knew from experience how far someone’s meanness could go.

He didn’t tell Eun-soo, but Jeong-hoon’s Korean, English, and math skills were already approaching Cheol-joong’s.

A speed that even Cheol-joong was amazed by.

He was holding back because he thought he would attract too much attention if he revealed his full abilities.

There was no need to reveal all his cards yet.

He had to have at least one hidden ability.

Whether it was fighting skills or brains….

The retest would cover Korean, English, and math.

Jeong-hoon was confident that if he prepared as usual, there would be no problem.

***

The large trees guarding the schoolyard were already adorned with colorful autumn foliage.

Jeong-hoon and Eun-soo, who had finished lunch, sat on a bench in front of the main building.

The autumn breeze gently fluttered Eun-soo’s hair.

The eyes of Eun-soo’s fans, who were watching the scene, naturally turned adoring.

Eun-soo opened the snacks she had received as a gift from an enthusiastic fan on the table.

She ate the snacks very slowly, conscious of the female students looking at her, calling it fan management.

On the other hand, Jeong-hoon, who was always hungry, quickly devoured the snacks.

Kang Cheol-joong, who saw them from afar, hurried over and asked.

“Hey, Jeong-hoon, is it true?”

“What is?”

“The rumor that you’re taking a retest in the faculty room this afternoon?”

Jeong-hoon nodded with an indifferent expression.

“They say I have to prove my skills. They suspect I cheated because my grades went up like a balloon?”

“Cheating my ass. If you’re the only disciple who inherited my martial arts, it’s only natural.”

Kang Cheol-joong, who liked to explain everything in terms of martial arts, smiled with a pleased expression.

“Ahem, it’s my skill. Well, it’s also thanks to hyung’s [older brother/male friend] special tutoring.”

“You little brat! But should I go and talk to them? Even so, a retest seems a bit much.”

If Cheol-joong sunbae [senior/older classmate] spoke, the atmosphere would change significantly.

His words, as the top student in the school and a role model, carried much more weight than Jeong-hoon’s.

Eun-soo was tempted by Cheol-joong’s offer.

“Hyung, can you go and talk to the teacher now? I don’t think it’s a good idea to take the retest; that test can never be fair.”

“It’s not hard to talk. But there’s no way the test won’t be fair…”

Cheol-joong expressed doubt.

The teachers had always acted correctly in front of him.

“Our homeroom teacher is a completely different person on the inside and outside. Inside, he’s full of prejudice.”

“Hmm, really… should I go and say something?”

Jeong-hoon shook his head, watching Cheol-joong hesitate.

“No. Even if we get through it this time, I think he’ll keep bothering me. He might even bother me more meanly. And whether it works or not, there’s something I want to do this time.”

“Huh? What do you want to do?”

Jeong-hoon just smiled and didn’t answer.

A moment of silence passed before Jeong-hoon showed confidence and spoke again.

“And if they can’t believe it, I have to make them believe it. And backing down now doesn’t suit my personality.”

“Pfft, hey, your original personality was to back down and hide in a corner… why not use it at times like this?”

Eun-soo pointed out Jeong-hoon’s changed personality once again.

Jeong-hoon glanced at him and said firmly.

“Ssshh, I think it’ll be cleaner to take the retest this time.”

“Yeah, if you show your skills properly this time, it’ll help. Maybe more people around you will help you.”

Cheol-joong was secretly expecting it.

A friend who wasn’t good at studying worked hard and got good grades.

Overcoming a difficult environment.

It was undoubtedly a dramatic and touching story.

He had a fairytale-like imagination that everyone would encourage and support Jeong-hoon.

But Eun-soo knew reality well.

Reality is cruel, unlike fairy tales.

They didn’t leave those with outstanding abilities alone.

They mercilessly trampled on those without roots like cockroaches that suddenly popped out.

They had been trampled so miserably that they couldn’t even twitch.

Eun-soo and Jeong-hoon had already experienced such frustrations several times.

Yet Jeong-hoon was trying to reveal his abilities again.

That’s why he was anxious.

But he was also gradually being influenced by Jeong-hoon’s groundless confidence.

He was slowly expecting different results than before.

He was dreaming of recognition rather than envy and jealousy.

He didn’t know what would happen, but now he just wanted Jeong-hoon to pass the retest safely.

Jeong-hoon looked at Cheol-joong, who was sitting next to him and gobbling down snacks.

“Disciple of the master, I will conquer the martial arts world.”

Cheol-joong, who hurriedly swallowed the snacks that filled his mouth, said.

“Yes, my disciple. I have nothing more to teach you. Go and unify the world and raise the fallen chivalry.”

“Yes, Dagger! Hahaha. Then I’ll be going.”

“Yeah, one wrong answer is one hit.”

Jeong-hoon turned his head at those words.

“Ah, how about special training after the test today?”

Cheol-joong hurriedly lowered his head and put the snacks in his mouth.

And gestured for him to go quickly.

Cheol-joong, watching Eun-soo looking at Jeong-hoon’s back, said.

“A devoted woman has appeared, a devoted woman. Are you guys dating?”

“Crazy, who’s saying such nonsense?”

“Hey, you, where did you learn to be so rude in front of your hyung… these guys are a pair, should I show you the true 모습 [mosub – true nature/form] of a senior…”

Eun-soo stepped back at Cheol-joong’s words.

“Haa, that’s what I mean… Jeong-hoon and I have a lot in common, hehe, we’re close and more affectionate.”

Eun-soo thought Jeong-hoon would do well.

Eun-soo also knew well his genius ability that no one could follow if he revealed his abilities.

“Really? A common point… is it fighting well?”

“……There is something like that.”

Eun-soo didn’t answer and just smiled.

“How much scholarship did you hear Jeong-hoon got? If he gets it, I have to get a proper meal.”

Cheol-joong said with a smile.

“He might not pass the retest…”

“Hmph, Jeong-hoon won’t pass? Surely he will.”

Cheol-joong’s face already showed that he was sure Jeong-hoon would pass the retest.

“Hoo, let’s go back to that jjajangmyeon [Korean-Chinese noodle dish] place we ate at last time. How about it?”

“Call.”

Eun-soo shouted, thinking about the savory taste of that day.

***

It was when Jeong-hoon was about to open the faculty room door.

“Oh, Jeong-hoon.”

The ethics teacher recognized him and greeted him.

“Hello, teacher.”

“Ah, I heard. You’re taking a retest today?”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations on getting a perfect score on the ethics test this time. Good luck on the retest too.”

“Thank you.”

The ethics teacher patted Jeong-hoon on the shoulder and encouraged him before passing by.

He went inside the faculty room.

All the teachers’ eyes were on him.

And they quietly started whispering to each other.

‘I wonder how many of them believe in me? Will it be 30 percent?’

These are already familiar doubts.

He decided not to be shaken by such distrust anymore.

Because he now knows the importance of the 30 percent he overlooked in his past life,

The importance of people who believe in him.

People who recognize and encourage his efforts are emerging one by one.

Although the number is small, their trust is more important.

It’s more important than money in the future.

If things go according to plan, there will be plenty of money.

Rather, he has to gain people.

Jeong-hoon, who had organized his thoughts, strode towards the homeroom teacher’s seat.

“Teacher, I’m here.”

The homeroom teacher, who was sitting indifferently, looked up at him.

He no longer offered the greetings he used to do out of courtesy.

Jeong-hoon felt tension and anxiety in his stiff expression.

For the past three days, Teacher Choi Dong-soo had persuaded the 담당 [dangdang – in charge] teachers to create the retest questions.

Of course, he made the most of his power as the chairman’s son.

And he instructed them to make the questions very difficult.

For him, this was a bet he could never lose.

It was a matter of conviction.

He wanted to completely expose the dirty and ugly things that those without roots had done.

The goal of this retest is not to make the midterm score zero.

It is to weed out some cockroaches that are tarnishing the prestige of the prestigious private school.

So it was something he had to succeed in.

He didn’t even think about failure.

‘An official apology….’

The sight of himself bowing to a high school student in front of other teachers must never happen.

If it even gets to my father’s ears, I’ll be fired immediately.

It’s an act that tarnishes the pride of our father, who values honor.

Teacher Choi Dong-soo, who had been lost in thought for a while, slowly got up from his seat.

“Let’s go over there.”

He pointed to the place where the test would be taken with his hand.

“You can take it here.”

In the middle of the faculty room where people come and go, a place where anyone could see him.

This place where he couldn’t concentrate on the test was Jeong-hoon’s test location,

And a low and uncomfortable chair.

Jeong-hoon laughed at the homeroom teacher’s shallow trick.

‘Hmph, you’ve used your head a lot. Why don’t you use that head somewhere else.’

It didn’t matter where he took it anyway.

“Here are the Korean, English, and math test papers. The scope is the same as last time. And I asked them to make the difficulty the same.”

“Yes.”

He received the test papers and placed them on the table.

“You have to get the same score as last time.”

“Yes.”

Jeong-hoon, who answered briefly, looked at the homeroom teacher.

“If I get the same score as last time, you have to keep your promise. An official apology and a scholarship.”

“What?”

Choi Dong-soo didn’t confirm.

Because as soon as things progressed this far, he thought he might lose.

He would never do that, but if he got the same score on the retest, he was thinking of quietly moving on.

At that time, the geography teacher, who was watching them with interest, intervened.

“Oh my, Teacher Choi, did you make such a promise? A scholarship and an official apology?”

The teachers who heard those words started to buzz.

A situation where he couldn’t lie now.

Teacher Choi Dong-soo had a difficult expression, but he couldn’t help it.

“Of course, of course, an official apology and a scholarship… I will definitely promise.”

Choi Dong-soo, who frowned, bit his lip tightly.

“Teacher, aren’t you going to class?”

He glared at the geography teacher.

Her face was already distorted after looking at the retest questions.

“Teacher Choi, what are you doing now?”

Her voice grew louder.

“What is it? I’m taking a retest. This is the faculty room, so lower your voice.”

Choi Dong-soo, raising his voice even louder.

“Are these questions that a high school student solves now?”

“Then who solves it if not a high school student? A college student? Pfft.”

Choi Dong-soo gave a mean smile.

Jeong-hoon asked the geography teacher.

“Just a moment, teacher. Can I see the test paper?”

He received the test paper from the geography teacher and glanced at it.

He looked at Choi Dong-soo and smiled slightly.

“At this level, it’ll be fun.”

Teacher Choi’s expression slightly hardened at Jeong-hoon’s smile.

‘Fun? Yeah, let’s see how fun it is.’

“What? Jeong-hoon, this is, the level is…”

“It’s okay. Thank you for worrying, teacher. It’s okay.”

He reassured the geography teacher.

“Hmm, the student says it’s okay. Don’t worry about it and go to class, Geography Teacher.”

Choi Dong-soo glared with a stiff expression.

“Hoo, okay. Good luck on the test, Jeong-hoon. I’ll be cheering for you too. And congratulations on getting a perfect score on the geography test.”

He winked slightly at Jeong-hoon and then hurried out of the faculty room.

A student who had suddenly changed his attitude in class this year and had been interested in him.

He was a good kid who gave him the fun of teaching because his grades had also risen sharply.

‘The questions are too severe, will Jeong-hoon be able to pass? Hoo, it doesn’t seem easy, but what’s with that confidence?’

It didn’t seem easy, but she decided to trust Jeong-hoon’s confidence.

‘If he passes, Teacher Choi Dong-soo will be less of a nuisance. I have to treat Jeong-hoon to something. Hmph.’

“Then start.”

He put the test paper down as if throwing it.

“Yes.”

Jeong-hoon took out his writing utensils and started solving the problems.

He had expected his mean tricks, but he didn’t think it would be this much.

But it was something he couldn’t back down from.

‘Teacher, life doesn’t go the way you think it will. I’ll show you properly. Look forward to it. Hmph.’

He started to operate his brain to the fullest for the first time in a long time.

***

“Where did Yoon Jeong-hoon who was here go?”

Teacher Choi Dong-soo, who had returned after finishing class, asked the math teacher who had supervised the test.

“He finished everything and left.”

“Hmph, did he get half of them right?”

Unlike Choi Dong-soo, who was smirking, the math teacher’s face was already stiff.

“Well……”

Instead of answering, he handed the grading sheet to him.

Choi Dong-soo’s pupils began to tremble rapidly.

The Genius Grandson of the Cash King Becomes a Chaebol.