The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 17

#017

“Congratulations on your promotion, in advance.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Prosecutor.”

“If I had known you were here, I would have come sooner.”

“No, I came early to do some sightseeing. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Jungbu Market. Hahaha.”

The food Park Hyun-chul had ordered arrived.

“I ordered ahead. This place is famous for its Samgyetang [Ginseng Chicken Soup].”

“Yes.”

Park Hyun-chul, holding a soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottle, offered a drink to Chief Kang.

“I’m sorry, I’m on duty right now.”

“Hahaha, we’re both public officials, aren’t I working too?”

Kang Do-hyun couldn’t refuse Prosecutor Park’s offer a second time.

Kang Do-hyun turned his head and emptied the overflowing glass of alcohol in one gulp.

“Thank you. Let me offer you a drink.”

Park Hyun-chul extended his glass.

Establishing their pecking order.

“Everything is going well thanks to you, Prosecutor. Thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it. You need to do even better in the future. You should at least become a Senior Superintendent General.”

Park Hyun-chul, staring silently at the glass full of alcohol, continued.

“That’s the minimum. And you know that even becoming a Senior Superintendent General isn’t easy, right?”

“Of course.”

Kang Do-hyun lowered his head.

Park Hyun-chul, looking at him with satisfaction, swallowed the full glass of alcohol in one gulp.

“Have another drink.”

“Thank you.”

Several glasses of alcohol were exchanged, and the food was almost gone.

Both of their faces were quite red.

Prosecutor Park Hyun-chul began to speak in earnest.

“Can you do it? It involves getting your hands dirty.”

Kang Do-hyun swallowed hard and opened his mouth.

“…If I don’t, my wife… will die. And although you didn’t say it, Prosecutor, I think he must be a problematic guy. Whether he’s a psychopath or a spy… Otherwise, there’s no way you would be targeting him like this, right?”

Park Hyun-chul nodded.

“Yes, he’s a dangerous guy. I can’t directly use public power, but he must be dealt with. He’s disturbing social order.”

“I understand.”

“Make it look like a traffic accident. We’ll take care of the rest. You won’t get more than a suspended sentence. I’m sure of it.”

Kang Do-hyun was bothered by Park Hyun-chul’s use of ‘we’.

‘We? Is there another organization behind him… A secret government organization, maybe?’

He quickly stopped thinking and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you. Chief, no, Deputy Chief Prosecutor.”

Park Hyun-chul emptied two glasses of beer.

Then, he poured soju to the brim of the glass.

He handed one glass to Kang Do-hyun.

“We’re in this together. Senior Superintendent General Kang.”

‘Senior Superintendent General.’

The title alone was intoxicating.

A greedy fire blazed in Kang Do-hyun’s eyes.

“Thank you, Prosecutor.”

Park Hyun-chul, realizing his ambition, smiled faintly.

“Oh, and stop taking money from President Jang. And get rid of those small-time connections now. You need to prepare to play in bigger leagues.”

Kang Do-hyun was embarrassed by Park Hyun-chul’s words.

He was uneasy that he knew about President Jang, his benefactor who gave him pocket money.

“Hahaha, it’s okay. It’s not like I took a lot of money. You don’t have to worry about that. If this goes well…”

Park Hyun-chul laughed heartily, but Kang Do-hyun felt uncomfortable.

Kang Do-hyun began to find the words ‘If this goes well’ unsettling.

He sensed that he had crossed a point of no return.

But he didn’t want to turn back.

For his wife and for his son who would become a judge or prosecutor.

He had to move forward.

He stared silently at the glass full of soju.

As if making a vow, he lifted the glass.

And emptied it completely, leaving not a single drop of alcohol.

***

Park Hyun-chul felt good after parting with Kang Do-hyun.

He would soon get rid of Yoon Jung-hoon, who had been a thorn in his side.

Although it hadn’t been finalized yet, he wanted to celebrate today in advance.

He took out his phone.

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Oh, honey.”

The voice of a young woman, which seemed out of place for him, was heard.

“I’m on my way, so get ready.”

“Okay, come quickly. I’ll have some honey water ready.”

Park Hyun-chul, with greedy eyes, got into the car with staggering steps.

The one who enforces the law has no interest in keeping the law.

He didn’t care about the eyes of those around him and drove towards Seoul.

***

When Kang Do-hyun opened his eyes, it was already dark outside.

The car was filled with the smell of alcohol.

Looking around, he was in the parking lot of a Korean restaurant.

He had fallen asleep, thinking he would just take a short nap while drunk.

His body was shivering.

He reached inside his shirt.

“Aaaagh,”

The duct tape attached to his belly fell off, tearing his skin.

Kang Do-hyun took out a miniature recorder from his body.

He stared at it meaningfully for a while.

Then, he put it deep inside the glove compartment.

He checked the time, and it was already 6 o’clock.

After regaining his senses, he started the car.

It was around the time his son’s exam would have ended.

He had to go home quickly.

“Cheol-joong.”

“You’re back?”

Cheol-joong, who was eating dinner, greeted him.

His wife quickly covered her nose.

“Ugh… How much did you drink?”

“Sorry. I had something important today. Did you do well on the exam?”

“Of course. I did well.”

“How many…”

He was embarrassed to ask his son, who had just returned from the exam, about his score.

But he was really curious.

“Oh, you’re already asking as soon as you get here… Take a shower first. You haven’t had dinner yet, right?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ll be right back after a shower.”

When Chief Kang came out to the living room after showering, Cheol-joong was watching the SAT [Scholastic Aptitude Test] questions and answers on TV.

“Perfect score.”

“What? Really?”

“I really wanted to get a perfect score… but I got two wrong. Damn it.”

“Wow, really? Are you really my son? You only got two wrong?”

Kang Do-hyun hugged his son tightly.

“Oh, come on. We’re both guys…”

“What, you little punk? Can’t a dad hug his son?”

Hugging his son tightly, he thought.

He was an undeserved father for the couple.

Kind, full of justice, and a genius who always ranked first in school.

Kang Do-hyun vowed to do his best to support his son so that he could fly high.

His promise with Prosecutor Park would make his son fly high.

“Ugh, I can’t breathe, Dad, stop.”

“Oh, okay, okay.”

“Honey, have dinner.”

His wife, who had prepared a simple dinner table, called him.

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, she looked more relaxed.

“You look like you’re in a great mood today.”

“How can I not be? My son did so well on the SAT.”

“Cheol-joong says he didn’t do well.”

“That’s what he thinks, and you know it’s a big deal if you say that outside, right?”

“Oh, of course.”

His wife was worried that her husband would say things without thinking.

“Ahem, even if I’m clueless, I’m not that clueless.”

His wife glared at him when he said that.

Averting his gaze from her cold eyes, he put the steaming rice in his mouth.

Kang Do-hyun, who ate the food his wife had made for him after a long time, moved his spoon non-stop.

“Eat well. Oh, I’ll do the dishes, so you sit down and rest. You’re not feeling well.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He always tried to help with housework for his wife, who was not feeling well, but all he could do was wash the dishes.

As a police officer, he couldn’t even dream of leaving work on time, but now it was different.

If he went from Superintendent to Senior Superintendent General, a different world would unfold from his current life.

Hoping for an uncertain future, Kang Do-hyun began to speed up his dishwashing.

“Clang.”

The dish slipped from his hand and collided with another dish, breaking it.

Unfortunately, his rice bowl and soup bowl were broken.

He had bought them as part of his wedding trousseau and had been with them for 20 years.

‘You’ve worked hard too.’

“Dad, are you okay?”

“Honey, are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Kang Do-hyun, who threw away the broken dishes and finished washing the dishes, came out to the living room.

He sat next to his wife and watched Cheol-joong checking the answers while looking at the problem solutions with a pleased expression.

“Ah. It’s over.”

“Two?”

Cheol-joong nodded with a disappointed expression.

“Tsk, you’re so greedy.”

Kang Do-hyun shook his head.

“Oh, right, Mom, can I have a party with my friends in a few days?”

“Huh? Of course.”

Kang Do-hyun’s expression changed.

“Who are the kids?”

“My school juniors. Eun-soo and Jung-hoon.”

Kang Do-hyun’s expression hardened instantly when he heard the names.

“Cheol-joong, stop hanging out with those kids now.”

He said to his son in a serious voice.

“Huh? What do you mean by those kids?”

“That’s enough hanging out with orphans with no background. A guy who’s going to be a judge or prosecutor should be picky about his friends.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Anyway, don’t bring them here.”

“Hey, why is someone who doesn’t even come home making decisions on his own? It’s okay, Cheol-joong, let’s have a party. With Eun-soo and Jung-hoon.”

“What are you saying? Do as I say!”

Kang Do-hyun’s shout echoed in the living room.

The two were startled.

“Didn’t I say no?”

“Why are you doing this? Dad, don’t interfere.”

“You little punk.”

Kang Do-hyun slapped Cheol-joong’s cheek.

It happened in an instant.

Everything was frozen as if it wasn’t moving.

It was as if time had stopped.

Do-hyun himself was also embarrassed.

It was the first time in his life that he had laid a hand on his son.

“So what if they’re orphans… They’re good friends.”

Cheol-joong shouted and ran into his room.

“Are you crazy?”

His wife’s palm struck Do-hyun’s cheek.

“I’m… disappointed in you. The Kang Do-hyun I know… is not this kind of person. You’ve changed.”

His wife, looking at Do-hyun with cold eyes, also went into Cheol-joong’s room and locked the door.

He collapsed on the sofa.

Laying a hand on him was a mistake.

He thought he should apologize.

But it was something someone had to do anyway.

His son had to stay away from bad influences.

He didn’t know when they would hold his son back.

Even if he resented him now, he was sure he would be understood later.

Kang Do-hyun, leaning on the sofa with his eyes closed.

He thought about what he had to do.

Soon, he opened his eyes and began to make plans.

His distorted desire was consuming him.

***

“Ha, it’s over. Whew.”

Jung-hoon sighed deeply.

Finally, Saturday morning class was over.

‘It’s driving me crazy. My body is used to 5 days a week, but suddenly it’s 6 days a week.’

But even after a year, he couldn’t get used to it.

Before the regression, the weekend was two days. But now it’s one day.

‘Please, come quickly, 5-day work week.’

But there are still 4 years left.

A curse word almost escaped his lips.

He wanted to graduate from high school and go to college quickly.

It’s already 5 days a week there.

Eun-soo, who was packing his bag, said to Jung-hoon.

“Jung-hoon, you know about the appointment tonight, right?”

“Yeah. Where are you going?”

“I have a blind date with someone from Joongbu Girls’ High School today. Hehe.”

“What’s going on? You’re actually going?”

Jung-hoon looked at Eun-soo with a surprised expression.

“They give you 50,000 won [approximately $40 USD] if you attend. It’s a good part-time job, hehe. They also give you free coffee.”

“But if you go…”

Jung-hoon was worried about his other friends. He could see the future of his friends who would become extras in an instant.

“It’s okay, they want me to leave naturally after an hour. They said they’ll figure out the rest.”

Indeed, the success of the blind date depends on whether Eun-soo attends or not.

“Wow, are you already making money by selling your face?”

“Hey, I don’t have the talent to make money by studying like you.”

“Yeah, you make money with your face. Not with your fists.”

“Why? I’m the next best after you among our peers… I’m getting scout offers from all over the place, kekeke.”

“You can’t do it, you’re too kind.”

“Me? I’m so cruel, hehe.”

Eun-soo’s fists were too kind.

He was too kind to make money with them.

It was clear that romance novels had ruined Eun-soo’s life.

Jung-hoon thought about his past life.

Living in an organization was a different reality from the movies.

Stabbing the brother who had served for 20 years in the back was basic in front of money.

He didn’t have that cruelty, so it was hard for him too.

But what happened to Eun-soo?

He contacted him often until his early 20s, but he gradually became less frequent and eventually lost contact completely.

He remembered his last phone call with Eun-soo.

He had talked about the movie he had seen.

The protagonist, who accidentally entered a huge organization, had to kill his friend by order of the organization.

So, he rebelled against the organization to save his friend.

Of course, the protagonist dies at the end.

He told the story very boringly.

After that, there were a few more silent phone calls.

Did Eun-soo really die?

While he was lost in thought, Eun-soo said.

“Hey, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

“Jung-hoon, you’re going to be in the library, right?”

“No. I have to go to the bookstore in the city.”

“When are you going?”

“Well… when I’m tired of studying.”

“So what time?”

“I’ll go around 5~6 o’clock and then go to Cheol-joong’s house.”

“Okay.”

“Why are you asking so many questions?”

“No. Anyway, move according to plan. You have to. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“See you later.”

Eun-soo touched his hair in front of the mirror for a while and then left the classroom.

Jung-hoon also put on his bag and went to the library.

‘I wonder if Da-hye did well on the test too? I should have asked her.’

Jung-hoon shook his head to shake off the rising thoughts.

He sat by the window and started solving math problems.

Math problems were the best medicine when his head was complicated.

***

Jung-hoon studied without moving for three hours.

He stretched his stiff body.

Looking around, there was no one but him.

Well, it was Saturday afternoon, a day when everyone wanted to rest, so everyone went home early.

Looking at the clock, it was already past 4 o’clock.

He packed his bag and left the school gate.

It was a 20-minute walk to the bookstore in the city.

It was 5 minutes by car, but he decided to walk to save on bus fare and exercise.

Choosing a shortcut, he entered a narrow alley.

A man began to secretly follow him.

An unfamiliar energy prickled on his back.

Jung-hoon realized that quiet footsteps were following him.

He felt a chill for a moment.

‘What is it?’