The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 16

#016

“Hyun-soo, stop the car. Now.”

“Yes? Here?”

Kwak Hyun-soo was taken aback by Man-ho’s words.

He was being told to stop the car, which was speeding down the middle of the road.

Hyun-soo was slightly nervous at the sight of Kim Man-ho, who was usually so calm, acting flustered.

He had been serving Madam Hyun Jung-ok and Man-ho for over 10 years.

But he could count on one hand the number of times he had seen such a flustered expression.

Kim Man-ho turned his head to look out the car window and let out a long sigh.

He took several deep breaths to calm his excitement.

“Are you alright, Hyung [older brother or respected male figure]?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Stop at a convenience store on the way.”

“Yes, Hyung. But… is something wrong?”

“…….”

He didn’t answer.

Kim Man-ho wasn’t hearing anything right now.

‘It’s definitely that face.’

That face he hadn’t forgotten in over 20 years.

“Hyung, there’s one over there.”

Kwak Hyun-soo, who had parked the car in front of a convenience store on the side of the road, said to Man-ho.

“I’ll be right back. Wait here.”

“Yes.”

Man-ho entered the convenience store and examined the display stand in front of the checkout counter.

The newspapers were neatly arranged.

“Hello.”

A male part-time worker in his 20s at the checkout counter greeted him kindly.

“Give me one Joongboo Ilbo [a newspaper name].”

“Yes, that’s 500 won [Korean currency]. You can take it from the stand.”

Kim Man-ho began looking for the Joongboo Ilbo among the newspapers.

He searched for a while but couldn’t find it.

“I don’t think it’s here.”

“Yes? Just a moment, I’ll find it for you.”

The part-time worker came out from behind the counter and rummaged through the newspapers.

All the other newspapers were there, but the Joongboo Ilbo was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, a man who looked like the owner came in.

“Looking for something?”

“Joongboo Ilbo.”
The part-time worker said, rummaging through the newspapers.

“Oh, they collected them all a little while ago.”
The owner said as if it was nothing, and went behind the counter.

But Kim Man-ho’s expression hardened.

“Does it often happen that newspapers are collected?”

“No, no. It’s the first time since I’ve been running this convenience store.”

“I see.”

Kim Man-ho left the convenience store empty-handed and walked slowly toward the car.

‘Should I go somewhere else? No. It’s definitely their doing.’

“Sir, you need to take your newspaper money.”
The young employee shouted, opening the convenience store door and sticking his head out.

But Man-ho didn’t hear him.

Hyun-soo, who was driving carefully, glanced in the rearview mirror.

He examined Man-ho’s expression as he returned empty-handed from the convenience store.

Normally, he would have been curious and asked, but today it was difficult to strike up a conversation.

He had a look of deep thought on his face.

Kim Man-ho, who had been silent for a long time after getting into the car, opened his mouth.

“Let’s go to the Old Master’s house. Full speed.”

Surprised by Man-ho’s unusual spirit, Hyun-soo gripped the steering wheel tightly.

“Yes, Hyung. Hold on tight.”

The top-class black sedan revved its engine and increased its speed.

***

“Old Master, Old Master.”

Man-ho came into the house and immediately called out for the Old Master.

He ran toward the study with a thumping sound, then burst open the door.

Hyun Jung-ok looked at Kim Man-ho with a cold gaze.

“What are you doing? You’ll bring the house down.”

She scolded Man-ho, who had rudely burst into the room, in a sharp voice.

“Hoo, I’m, I’m sorry. Old Master. Right now…….”

Man-ho was out of breath and couldn’t continue.

“It’s important, it’s important, it’s not. So, hoo, hoo.”

He had been running at full speed from the parking lot and was panting.

Madam Hyun Jung-ok’s brow was furrowed and her eyes were about to catch fire.

“What is this you’re doing, this man.”

The booming voice echoed through the room.

Kim Man-ho was startled by the sound.

Unable to speak because he was out of breath, he approached Hyun Jung-ok.

Then he reached out and handed her the newspaper.

Hyun Jung-ok, who was sitting at her desk checking documents, snatched the newspaper with a displeased look.

She unfolded the newspaper Man-ho had given her.

She read the article about Choi Jae-won’s good deeds and made a bitter expression.

“Choi Jae-won, this little brat… he’s grown up a lot.”

Kim Man-ho, who was still panting, waved his hand.

“No… not that.”

“What? …Hey, what’s wrong with you? Are you sick?”

Man-ho was doing things he didn’t normally do.

She was starting to worry.

“The photo…”

“What about the photo?”

She turned her head and looked at Choi Jae-won’s photo.

The moment she saw the photo, her eyes didn’t move at all.

Her mouth was open before she knew it.

She barely raised her head to look at Man-ho.

She nodded.

“…Oh, oh…….”

Hyun Jung-ok’s mind also went blank.

Not a single word came to mind.

Man-ho, who was watching her, opened his mouth.

“That’s right. Old Master. It’s certain.”

“What on earth… how did this happen?”

“It’s definitely Young Master Jung-hoon.”

Hyun Jung-ok nodded, and her cheeks began to tremble slightly.

“How can his face… be so much like this…….”

“Yes, he looks exactly like Young Master Hyun-joong.”

Tears were already welling up in her eyes, which had long since dried up.

“To think he could look so much like Hyun-joong.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke to herself.

She couldn’t say anything more and remained silent.

Hyun Jung-ok stared at the photo and shed tears endlessly.

She only wiped away her tears from time to time.

Man-ho just watched her quietly.

“Let’s go.”

“Are you talking about now……?”

“He’s the grandson I’ve been looking for, we have to leave right now.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare the car right away.”

He went out of the study.

He had to calm his heart, which was beating so fast it felt like it would burst.

She stood up and looked out the window.

The red sunset was beautifully colored.

She can finally meet the grandson she had been looking for.

Once again, she steeled her heart and picked up the coat hanging on the hanger.

Hyun Jung-ok, who had hurriedly finished preparing to go out, got into her black sedan.

Man-ho, who had taken the front seat, turned his head back.

“Old Master, the traffic will be a bit heavy because it’s rush hour.”

“It’s okay, I’ve been holding on until now, can’t I stand that much? Let’s go slowly and carefully.”

“Yes. I’ll get going.”

Driver Kwak Hyun-soo slowly moved the car.

The car crawled like a turtle on the congested road due to the rush hour.

Kwak Hyun-soo, who was checking the left and right side mirrors to get there as quickly as possible, gradually narrowed his eyes.

After changing lanes several times, he checked the side mirror again.

The black car that had been bothering him since they left was still following them.

It was certain.

“Old Master, we’re being tailed.”

“…….”

A heavy silence filled the car.

“I’ll shake them off if you tell me to.”

Hyun Jung-ok, hearing Hyun-soo’s words, fell into thought.

If they shake off the tail now and go to Joongbu City, her grandson could be in danger.

The children who had died mysteriously came to mind.

She had to be careful.

If she made a mistake, her life and her grandson’s life could be in danger.

Hyun Jung-ok, who had organized her thoughts in silence, slowly opened her mouth.

“Turn the car around. To the department store in Myeongdong [a shopping district in Seoul]…….”

“Yes? I understand.”

She, who had entered the fancy department store after a long time, started shopping while looking around.

But nothing could attract her attention.

“Hmm, it’s been a while, hasn’t it.”

“It’s been about three years, I think.”

“I guess I’ve been staying home too much. I need to get out more now.”

“Yes. That would be good, Old Master.”

“I was too hasty. I need to prepare to meet my grandson.”

Kim Man-ho also nodded at her words.

“I understand. Then I’ll get started too.”

“Should I buy a dress for once……”

She bought a 6.5 million won [approximately $5,000 USD] cashmere coat from a luxury shop.

And after buying a dress for Man-ho’s daughter, she returned to her home in Seongbuk-dong [an affluent neighborhood in Seoul].

She spent that night awake.

She thought over and over again.

The tail that had followed her in an instant.

Her grandson was in danger if she moved rashly.

She began to plan a difficult meeting with her grandson.

‘I won’t lose this time.’

It was her last fight, one she couldn’t back down from.

In the dim light of dawn,

A blue light was shining in her eyes as she looked out the window.

***

“Master, it’s finally tomorrow.”

“Yes. Finally… it’s finally tomorrow. I, Kang Cheol-joong, will unify the world in my name.”

“Um, could you do your bad acting at home?”

Eun-soo gave a sharp word to Jung-hoon and Cheol-joong, who were putting on an awkward act.

Unlike Jung-hoon, who was embarrassed, Cheol-joong put on a straight face and said again.

“Finally, a perfect scorer on the college entrance exam will come out of our school. Puahaha.”

“As expected, Master is crazy…….”

Cheol-joong glared at Jung-hoon’s words.

Jung-hoon quickly changed his words.

“He looks like a crazy person, but he’s actually a great genius. Hehehe.”

“It’s a bit awkward… but let’s just move on. Whew, it’s over tomorrow.”

“Sunbae [senior/older classmate], you’ve worked hard so far. Do well tomorrow.”

Eun-soo also encouraged Cheol-joong.

“Studying was the easiest thing to do.”

“Hyung, I think Jung-hoon is right.”

Cheol-joong looks at Eun-soo at Eun-soo’s sudden words.

“What?”

“That you’re crazy. Hehet.”

“Oh, to think I call these guys my disciples…….”

“Anyway, Hyung, do well on your exam tomorrow.”

Jung-hoon gave Cheol-joong the gift he had prepared.

“Here’s some taffy. Master. Then I hope you become the greatest swordsman in the world tomorrow……”

“Yes, my top disciple. Hehehe. Anyway, thank you. I need to check my test location, I’m going.”

“Good luck on your exam, Hyung.”

Eun-soo waved her hand affectionately and said goodbye to Cheol-joong.

“Yes. Good luck on your exam, Hyung. Let’s have a party with the scholarship I received. Chinese restaurant, call [okay]?”

Cheol-joong and Eun-soo readily agreed to Jung-hoon’s suggestion.

“Sounds good. When should we go?”

“Whenever it’s convenient for you, Hyung.”

“Oh, right. Mom told me to bring you guys. She said let’s have a party.”

“Yes?”

“Sounds good.”

After making plans, Kang Cheol-joong disappeared out the school gate, and Eun-soo and Jung-hoon went into the school.

Eun-soo, who was returning to the classroom, suddenly stopped walking.

“Oh, right. I need to call Dahye Sunbae too, let’s go.”

“Huh? Why me? Go ahead. I’ll be in the classroom.”

“No. Let’s go together. Then I’ll buy you a Choco Pie.”

Jung-hoon, who was already empty despite having eaten lunch not long ago.

He fell for Eun-soo’s sweet temptation.

Eun-soo, who was holding the receiver in the phone booth, looked at Jung-hoon.

She shakes the phone card in her hand and brags.

“Hey, Dahye Noona [older sister or respected female figure] bought this for me.”

“What, really? Wow, you guys…….”

Eun-soo shook her head.

“No, Noona asked me to. She asked me to report on how one spy in our school is doing.”

“What? There’s really a spy in the school?”

Jung-hoon’s eyes widened.

“Oh my…….”

Eun-soo turned her back on the clueless Jung-hoon and pressed the dial.

“Hello? Noona.”

Park Dahye’s voice, welcoming Eun-soo, was heard in Jung-hoon’s ear through the receiver.

“Good luck on your exam tomorrow, Noona.”

“Yes, thank you for calling. I’ll do well tomorrow.”

“Are you aiming for a perfect score too, Noona?”

“No. Only a crazy person would aim for that. Don’t you think?”

“Right? Cheol-joong Hyung is definitely crazy.”

“Puhaha, that guy is crazy…….”

Park Dahye laughed heartily.

A moment of silence flowed.

“……Ah, um, maybe…… so…….”

Park Dahye hesitated like a dog about to poop.

There was something she was curious about but too embarrassed to ask.

The words were just swirling around in her mouth.

Eun-soo turned around and handed the receiver to Jung-hoon behind her.

“Jung-hoon, say hello too. It’s not like you don’t know her.”

“Huh? Me…….”

Jung-hoon, who had received the call in a daze, called her.

“Dahye Sunbae.”

“……Oh my, Jung-hoon.”

Park Dahye, who was startled, quickly changed her voice.

The hearty voice disappeared and she answered in a demure and docile voice.

“Are you doing well? Good luck on your exam tomorrow, Sunbae.”

“Th, thank you, Jung-hoon. You study hard too.”

“Yes.”

“Dahye Sunbae, buy me food next time you come over.”

Jung-hoon was expecting her answer.

But the call suddenly ended.

Jung-hoon was dumbfounded as he looked at the receiver.

‘What? She just says what she wants and hangs up. Oh my…….’

Park Dahye had to hang up the phone in a hurry.

Her heart felt like it was going to explode and she couldn’t say anything more.

She felt like her feelings would be exposed.

She took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart.

She went to the mirror and thought as she looked at her reddened face.

‘When did I fall so deeply…….’

It was a feeling she had never felt before in her life.

She felt energized by his encouragement.

A pleasant premonition that she would do very well on the exam tomorrow,

A happy smile spread across Park Dahye’s face.

***

November 15, 2000, the College Scholastic Ability Test [CSAT], taken by 850,000 test takers, began nationwide.

Following the transportation of test papers three days ago, which resembled a military operation, all of Korea’s attention is on this test, from the morning when students enter the test centers.

The one test that determines everything in life.

The efforts of the past 19 years are decided by a single test.

Always on the coldest day of November, the language section test began at 8:40 a.m.

Chief Kang Do-hyun left the police station at 10 a.m.

He drove for an hour and entered a large cafe on the outskirts.

He sat by the window and blankly looked at the scenery for an hour.

He decided not to waver.

It was an unavoidable choice he had to make for the happiness of his family.

He emptied the remaining coffee in one go.

He drove again and headed to Sogeumjae, a high-end Korean restaurant nearby.

A Korean-style restaurant renovated from an old head family’s house.

It was a place frequented by high-ranking officials in Joongbu City thanks to its luxurious and secluded atmosphere.

He had a company dinner here with the police chief once.

“Hello, what’s the name of the reservation?”

The employee wearing a modernized hanbok [traditional Korean dress] asked politely at the entrance.

“Kang Do-hyun.”

“This way.”

He followed the man with heavy steps.

He opened the door and went inside.

“It’s been a while. Chief Kang. Congratulations on your promotion in advance.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park Hyun-cheol reached out his hand and asked for a handshake.

The Cash King’s Genius Grandson Becomes a Chaebol [family-owned conglomerate].