The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 22

#022

‘Kim Man-ho’

Grandmother’s right-hand man, her closest confidant.

I had seen him in my past life at Hyun Jeong-ok’s dinner invitation.

He looked about 20 years younger.

His face held a strong yet gentle smile.

Kim Man-ho and Choi Jae-won.

The two didn’t seem to be on good terms.

The chairman looked flustered, while the man sat leisurely, listening to his explanation.

Although young, it was clear Kim Man-ho held a high position.

Man-ho saw Jeong-hoon and stood up.

He bowed politely.

“Young Master, how do you do? I am Kim Man-ho.”

Jeong-hoon, receiving his greeting, hesitated for a moment.

Should he greet him politely like an ordinary high school student, or not?

The moment he saw the chairman’s face, he knew what to do.

Jeong-hoon nodded slightly without bowing.

“Nice to meet you. I am Yoon Jeong-hoon.”

Then, he walked towards the empty seat of honor in the center.

It was the seat Hyun Jeong-ok had been occupying just moments ago.

Jeong-hoon slowly took the seat.

Chairman Choi Jae-won’s face, on the right, twisted.

Kim Man-ho, on the left, couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

Choi Jae-won’s expression soured as he watched Jeong-hoon take the head seat.

Man-ho, seeing Jeong-hoon for the first time, was equally taken aback.

“Is there a problem?”

Jeong-hoon asked with an indifferent face.

Choi Jae-won snapped back to reality at Jeong-hoon’s bold words.

He had to choose what stance to take.

Should he grovel?

Or maintain his dignity and status as chairman?

The orphan he was giving scholarships to had become Hyun Jeong-ok’s grandson.

So far, so good.

But he remembered what he had said that day.

‘That orphan bastard…’

He remembered declaring that he would kick out the one who drove out his son.

He was filled with regret.

‘Choi Dong-soo, that bastard…’

Even though he was his son, he continued to torment him.

His useless paternal love seemed to be making the situation worse.

Of all people, it had to be Hyun Jeong-ok’s grandson…

“Chairman, how is your son doing?”

“Ah, well… he immigrated to Southeast Asia. He said he didn’t want to live in Korea.”

“That’s good. Ah, I misspoke. It’s not so good from that country’s perspective. It’s like having non-recyclable trash coming in…”

Jeong-hoon frowned as if displeased.

Choi Jae-won was also displeased but didn’t show it at all.

He had to survive.

With the money and power Hyun Jeong-ok possessed, she could ruin him.

He would do anything to live.

“Are you still thinking about that?”

“What do you mean, Young Master?”

Choi Jae-won was already using the utmost respect towards Jeong-hoon.

“I can’t get the words ‘I’ll kick you out’ out of my head.”

Choi Jae-won’s face turned ashen.

The worst situation, he had to live.

He couldn’t just watch the castle he had built crumble.

“Please, spare me, Young Master.”

He got off the sofa and knelt.

Jeong-hoon stared at the chairman with a blank face.

He turned his head to look at Man-ho.

It could be an unpleasant situation.

It wasn’t a pretty sight to see an elderly man acting like this in front of a high school student.

Kim Man-ho was just observing the situation with a curious face.

Jeong-hoon asked for his understanding.

“I’m sorry. It might not be a pleasant sight.”

“No, Young Master. Don’t worry about me.”

“I understand.”

“Chairman, please call Mr. Heo.”

The word ‘call’ might have grated on his ears.

But without any sign of it, he quickly got up.

“Yes, Young Master. Please wait a moment. I’ll bring him right away.”

The chairman hurried out.

Kim Man-ho, who was watching Jeong-hoon’s expression from the side, asked.

“Young Master, I don’t know what the story is, but you don’t look well.”

“It’s something I have to do.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to gather yourself first?”

Jeong-hoon thought for a moment and then shook his head.

“I appreciate the thought, but it’s something that can’t be postponed.”

“I understand.”

Man-ho remained silent and decided to watch the situation unfold.

In less than 5 minutes, the chairman returned.

And behind him, Teacher Heo Doo-shik followed with a pale face.

His eyes were shaking as if there was an earthquake.

Chairman Choi Jae-won, who was like the sky to him.

He was kneeling in front of a student.

Heo Doo-shik, shocked by the sight, knelt down.

Everything felt like an unreal dream.

He himself, and the chairman, kneeling before a mere high school student.

He couldn’t believe it, he didn’t want to believe it, and he desperately hoped it was a dream.

Well, it was the day an orphan became the grandson of the Cash King [a person who controls a lot of cash flow in the market].

Today, it wouldn’t be strange to hear a breaking news report that the North Korean army had captured Washington.

Heo Doo-shik wanted to take back the words he had uttered a little while ago.

He vowed to apologize, begging until his hands and feet wore out.

But Jeong-hoon’s last words came to mind.

‘Never apologize.’

But he couldn’t not apologize.

“Um, Jeong-hoon, I’m sorry.”

The chairman next to him whispered to Teacher Heo.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Young Master. Just now…”

Jeong-hoon slightly raised his hand, cutting him off.

“I told you not to apologize.”

“No, that’s… Young Master, I’m really sorry. Please, spare me.”

Heo Doo-shik pressed his forehead against the floor.

Jeong-hoon smiled bitterly at the sight.

It was the price they had to pay for judging and treating people based on their appearance and circumstances.

Now, he had to take off their masks.

“Sorry… Is there nothing else besides being sorry to me?”

“Yes?”

The chairman and Teacher Heo raised their heads.

“I know more than you think. Confess everything as if you’re making a confession. Then you’ll feel better.”

The words ‘feel better’ gave them a glimmer of hope.

They told of the sins they had committed so far.

They thought they could be forgiven if they did so.

Choi Jae-won and Heo Doo-shik felt they could protect their world.

Embezzlement, sexual harassment, hiring irregularities, fund misappropriation, and so on.

Kim Man-ho’s expression, who was sitting next to them, gradually distorted.

Especially when the story about young female students came out.

Man-ho slammed the armrest of the sofa hard.

“You crazy bastards, Chairman Choi, did you acquire the school to do this?”

“…”

They glanced at Jeong-hoon and neither denied nor affirmed.

They couldn’t lie.

It was ultimately a positive affirmation.

“Heo, heh heh heh.”

Man-ho laughed in disbelief as if he was dumbfounded.

Jeong-hoon looked at Man-ho and asked for his understanding.

“It’s not over yet. There’s more.”

“I’m sorry. Young Master. Please continue.”

At that moment, the door to the principal’s office opened.

Grandmother, silhouetted against the light, stood at the door.

Grandmother saw Choi Jae-won kneeling.

After thinking for a moment, she opened her mouth.

“You’ve gotten up.”

Yoon Jeong-hoon, who had been sitting in the seat of honor, was already standing.

“Yes, I’m fine now.”

“Fine, my foot. You’ve inherited the family blood. You’re terribly vicious. Sit down.”

Their confession ended.

Grandmother said in a cold voice.

“Hmm, what I’ve heard from outside and up until now… is that the truth?”

“I deserve to die for my sins, Madam.”

“Hmm, it’s not a sin against me. It’s not something you should apologize to me for.”

She sat next to Jeong-hoon without paying attention to those who were kneeling.

“Is there anything you want? Your grandmother, whom you’ve met after a long time, wants to give you a gift.”

“Does it matter what it is?”

“Hehe, this old woman has a lot of money. Tell me.”

“It’s very big.”

“It doesn’t matter. Have you forgotten that this old woman is the Cash King of Korea?”

“No. Then… please buy the school.”

“What? The school, pu ha ha ha.”

Everyone in the principal’s office was taken aback by her sudden laughter.

“Grandma made a mistake. You’re asking for something too big…”

Hyun Jeong-ok shook her head.

“I can’t grant that.”

Jeong-hoon was flustered but didn’t show it.

He didn’t think it was a matter of money.

He was curious about the reason.

“I’m curious, Grandma. I don’t think it’s a matter of money.”

“Indeed, you’ve grown up well, really well. You’re so clever, just like your father.”

Hyun Jeong-ok, looking at Jeong-hoon with a pleased face, spoke again.

“How could I, as a grandmother, stand by and watch my grandson get his hands dirty?”

“How… how did you know?”

Hyun Jeong-ok saw through Jeong-hoon’s plan.

His plan to sweep away the filth within the school.

“Don’t worry. Grandma knows your heart well enough. I’ll take care of it as you wish, so don’t worry too much.”

“I understand.”

As soon as Jeong-hoon finished speaking, Hyun Jeong-ok called Kwak Hyun-soo, the driver who was in the hallway.

“Hyun-soo, let’s take care of these guys first.”

“How far should I go?”

“You have to do your best.”

Kwak Hyun-soo, with a startled expression at her words.

“I understand, Elder. I’ll do my best.”

With those words, Kwak Hyun-soo grabbed the two men by the hair.

“Aaaah, aaaaah.”

He didn’t care about the screams.

He grabbed them by the hair, dragged them out, and pushed them into the bathroom.

Sharp screams began to echo in the bathroom.

***

Hyun Jeong-ok stared intently at Jeong-hoon, to the point where it was burdensome.

Anyone could understand her feelings right now.

She had her grandson, whom she thought was dead, right in front of her.

She could have gone out and danced for joy.

“Is your body alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Jeong-hoon wore a shy expression because she was staring at him so intently.

“Elder, you’re going to wear out the Young Master’s face.”

“Would it wear out with just this much?”

“Hehehe, yes, you’re right.”

Grandmother, who was looking at Jeong-hoon with a pleased smile, opened her mouth.

“Is he shy? Or is he bashful? Where did that spirit from earlier go? He made those two kneel with just his eyes, like a tiger.”

Jeong-hoon scratched his head as if he was embarrassed.

He thought it was time to yield now.

“Hehehe, that’s right. He looks just like his father.”

“Right? My eyes are right, aren’t they?”

She was in a good mood because of her wonderful grandson and looked at Jeong-hoon once more.

Her eyes were moist.

“It feels like I’m dreaming. I received a gift in my dream yesterday. It was a box wrapped in golden cloth. Inside, there were purple sweet potatoes. When I looked up the interpretation of my dream, it said it was a dream where good fortune rolls in… Yesterday, Hyun-joong and Hyun-joo gave it to me.”

Jeong-hoon, hearing unfamiliar names, asked.

“Are those my parents?”

She nodded.

Man-ho, who was next to him, quietly took out a photo and handed it to Jeong-hoon.

“These are the Young Master’s parents. Yoon Hyun-joong, Park Hyun-joo.”

The faces of his parents, whom he was seeing for the first time since he was born.

It was unfamiliar.

It was the face he had been curious about for 40 years, from his past life until now.

They were as handsome and beautiful as celebrities.

But perhaps because there was no emotional exchange, it felt indifferent.

“Drip, drip, drip.”

Moisture fell on the photo Jeong-hoon was looking at.

His mind couldn’t feel any emotions, but his heart was dropping tears one by one.

“It’s okay, Jeong-hoon, it’s okay.”

Hyun Jeong-ok said to Jeong-hoon, who was silently shedding tears.

“You and Hyun-joong are so alike, I was surprised when I saw the article about your scholarship. That’s when I knew. That you were my grandson. Hooo.”

Hyun Jeong-ok took a deep breath.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

But she persevered.

But Kim Man-ho, who was next to her, suddenly started crying loudly.

Jeong-hoon and Hyun Jeong-ok were momentarily taken aback by him crying so loudly.

“Stop crying, tsk.”

Hyun Jeong-ok said in an annoyed voice.

“I’m sorry… hic, hic, Elder, I’m really sorry. I’ve been getting teary these days… sniffle.”

“Ugh, you really…”

She was dumbfounded, looking at Man-ho, who had ruined the atmosphere.

“Jeong-hoon, I haven’t heard what gift Jeong-hoon wants yet. If there’s anything you want, tell me? I’m so grateful that you’ve grown up so well, I want to give you a gift.”

Jeong-hoon seemed to be contemplating, lost in thought.

Hyun Jeong-ok, who was impatient, said again.

“If it’s money, it’s money, if it’s land, it’s land, I can do anything for you.”

She thought that Jeong-hoon’s life had always been lacking.

She wanted to fill her grandson’s life with what she had.

‘That’s it. Grandma brought up the story of land first.’

“I don’t know much, but I’ve heard that land is good. Grandma.”

Jeong-hoon said, pretending to be shy.

“Hahahaha.”

She laughed heartily.

“Indeed, you’re my grandson, my grandson. Of course, land doesn’t betray people. Good, good, I have to test whether our grandson knows how to see good land.”

“Yes?”

Jeong-hoon wore a nervous expression, pretending to be flustered.

‘Hmph, the nationwide land price increase is in my head. Grandma.’

He didn’t want to make money with land.

Jeong-hoon needed his grandmother’s recognition first.

Only then could he fight the invisible enemy with her capital and power.

He had to prepare a lot for a life-or-death battle.

He realized that he had to eat greedily like a monster to survive and protect himself.

But not today.

Even if the purpose was to have land, he wanted to package it beautifully.

“Grandma, I think land is the best. And I’d be grateful if you gave me a lot of money too. But first of all, please spend some good time with me.”

“Good time…”

Hearing those words, Hyun Jeong-ok leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes.

She was lost in thought.

She hadn’t spent much time with her children in the past.

She had always been chased by work.

When she missed her children and wanted to see them, the hardest thing was that there were no memories because there was no time together.

She opened her eyes and looked at Jeong-hoon.

‘You’ve really grown up well. Even at this moment, you’re taking care of Grandma’s heart first.’

Tears were already streaming down her cheeks.

“I’ve never been on a picnic with my family.”

“…”

Hyun Jeong-ok couldn’t answer because her throat was choked.

“Grandma, let’s go on a picnic. When my body gets a little better.”

She nodded with her head bowed, as if she was ashamed of crying.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

‘Grandma, let’s go on a picnic to Sejong City, or now it’s Gongju-si, Yeongi-gun [Cities in South Korea].’

Jeong-hoon was having happy thoughts.

100,000 pyeong? Or 1 million pyeong [unit of area, approximately 3.3 square meters]?

The price of rural land, the price is obvious without looking.

He was confident that if he impressed his grandmother, she would buy it for him no matter what.

Suddenly, the door to the principal’s office opened.

Eun-soo appeared with a stern expression.

“Jeong-hoon, Cheol-joong’s older brother’s father… is in critical condition.”

He wondered what to do.

He had to pretend not to know now.

There were too many things he couldn’t tell Eun-soo.

“Really?”

Jeong-hoon pretended to be startled, but he was relieved in his heart.

‘Thank goodness. He’s still alive.’

Cash King’s Genius Grandson, Becoming a Tycoon.