The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 9

#009

‘How could this happen? This never happened in the past. Never.’

Confused, Jung-hoon walked around the playground, deep in thought.

No matter how much he recalled the past, such an event never occurred.

A sudden, ominous thought struck him.

‘Could it be that the future has changed?’

This is serious.

The facts he had meticulously written in his notebook might become meaningless.

The newspaper articles he read while working at the credit information company.

The information about rapidly rising stocks described in books while studying stocks.

If the advantageous information that only he knew has changed…

He felt devastated.

He needed to confirm it first.

Returning to the library, Jung-hoon grabbed his bag, leaving Eun-soo behind, and went back to the orphanage.

He took out the notebook he had hidden carefully and read it.

Since today is October 12th, the announcement will be made tomorrow.

If it proceeds as it did in his past life, there won’t be any problems, but that might not be the case.

Jung-hoon was anxious but had no choice but to wait and see.

He steeled his mind and spent time solving practice problems.

He struggled to fall asleep, anticipating the next day.

The next day, he was still uneasy, but he tried to remain as calm as possible.

Focusing on his classes, he tried to control his wavering heart.

He might lose his greatest advantage in his future life.

However, he couldn’t waste his energy on something he couldn’t control.

He anxiously watched the 9 PM news.

The excited anchor’s voice reached his ears.

“Today, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Kim Dae-jung.”

Jung-hoon clenched his fists.

“Yes! Whew.”

Jung-hoon, watching the news, muttered to himself and let out a short sigh of relief.

History is proceeding as it did before.

Jung-hoon is still in a more advantageous position than anyone else.

October 13, 2000, the birth of the first Nobel laureate in South Korean history.

Nobel Peace Prize winner President Kim Dae-jung.

The last remaining divided nation and the world’s largest powder keg, the Korean Peninsula.

His contribution to easing tensions there was the reason for his award.

Contrary to Jung-hoon’s worries, history was still unfolding as expected.

Although nothing had particularly changed, he thought a new coincidence had occurred.

Now, he had to consider whether to reveal his existence now or not.

Jung-hoon thought about when he went to the intercity bus terminal to go to Seoul.

Every time he went, something bad happened.

First, gangsters nearby picked a fight with him for no reason.

Second, the police arrested him, claiming he was a wanted criminal.

Of course, it wasn’t true, so he was soon released and received a formal apology.

The next day, in the afternoon, Jung-hoon headed to the intercity bus terminal.

Shaking off the clinging Eun-soo, he cautiously entered the terminal.

A person leaning against a terminal pillar, reading a newspaper, looked at him.

Their eyes met, and the person quickly looked away and stared at the newspaper.

And Jung-hoon felt a chill run down his spine.

‘That person… I definitely saw them back then…’

He had definitely seen that person a month ago when he went to the intercity bus terminal.

First, sitting in a chair, and second, sitting in the waiting room, reading a book.

Now, leaning against the pillar, glancing at him and watching him.

Only then did he realize that they had always been watching him.

Who are they? Who is watching me?

‘The Cheonji Association [likely a fictional criminal organization]?’

Realizing that he was being watched, Jung-hoon couldn’t take the bus.

The organization that blew up the Seocho-dong law firm with a bomb.

He felt that he would definitely die if he got on the bus.

The explosion from that day came back to him, and his whole body tensed up.

But just as he was about to regain his composure and turn back.

“Hey, Jung-hoon, what are you doing here?”

Kang Cheol-joong called out to him.

“Ah… well.”

He couldn’t tell the truth.

Would they believe him if he said, “I was going to visit my grandmother in Seoul, but I think I’m going to be murdered, so I’m going back home.”?

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], that Hyun Jung-ok is my grandmother, so I was going to see her.”

“Puhahahahaha, what, that Cash King Hyun Jung-ok grandmother?”

Cheol-joong sunbae [senior/older classmate] burst out laughing. As expected, he couldn’t believe it.

Jung-hoon didn’t expect him to believe it anyway, so it was just an empty remark.

“But even hyung, who seems like he only reads books, knows about Hyun Jung-ok grandmother.”

“Hey, who doesn’t know her these days? How can you not know someone who put an ad in the daily newspaper saying, ‘Looking for my grandson. My assets are enormous’?”

“That’s true.”

Hyun Jung-ok’s grandson search project had been a hot topic for quite some time.

She had assets worth trillions of won [South Korean currency].

She was looking for a boy between the ages of seventeen and nineteen.

The participation method was not difficult at all.

Just send in fingernails and hair.

Almost all the orphans and male students across the country who thought they had been picked up by someone requested genetic testing.

It was free, so there was no reason not to try.

With a playful expression, Jung-hoon cautiously said to Cheol-joong.

“Hyung, this is a secret, but that person reading the newspaper behind the pillar.”

Kang Cheol-joong glanced back and checked his face.

“Don’t turn around. That person is watching me.”

“What? That person is watching you? Are you sure?”

Jung-hoon nodded.

“I see…”

Cheol-joong jumped up and walked towards the man reading the newspaper.

Jung-hoon didn’t even have time to stop him.

“Hey, you, mister.”

The man’s expression hardened rapidly when he saw Cheol-joong.

“Hey, shhh.”

“Hehe, what are you doing here, uncle?”

“I’m on a stakeout.”

Cheol-joong smiled broadly at the man, who was showing signs of discomfort.

“That’s it, that’s it. I’ll have to tell the chief that I missed him because of you.”

“Hey, Jung-hoon, come here and say hello. This is Detective Seo Ho-cheol, who works with my father.”

Cheol-joong gestured to Jung-hoon.

“Hello.”

He approached awkwardly and greeted him.

“A junior I know says that you’re watching him.

If I leave him alone, he’ll go crazy soon.”

A look of discomfort briefly flashed across the man’s face.

Jung-hoon didn’t miss it.

“Huh? What nonsense… I’m on a stakeout because a wanted fraud is coming to the bus terminal.”

Seo Ho-cheol looked dumbfounded.

‘He’s a police officer and knows Cheol-joong sunbae…’

Judging by his expression, he was sure that he had been watching him.

“Thanks to Cheol-joong, I have to wrap it up here. See you next time.”

Detective Seo Ho-cheol handed Cheol-joong a ten-thousand-won bill [approximately $10 USD].

“Buy some snacks with this.”

He accepted it without refusing.

“Thank you.”

“I’m leaving. Don’t pretend to know me next time.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

Detective Seo Ho-cheol walked out of the terminal and turned on his cell phone.

“Chief, I don’t think he’s going to take the bus to Seoul.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“But… I was caught on the stakeout.”

“What do you mean?”

Chief Kang Do-hyun’s voice was laced with annoyance.

“Well… Cheol-joong showed up…”

Seo Hyung-sa [detective] explained the whole story.

“And…”

“What? Don’t hesitate and tell me quickly.”

“Well… Cheol-joong seems to be close to Yoon Jung-hoon.”

“…Okay. I’ll take care of that.”

“What should we do now?”

“Return to base for now.”

Seo Ho-cheol, hearing Chief Kang Do-hyun’s cold voice, rushed to his car.

***

“This is me. Chief Kang Do-hyun.”

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“There’s a problem with the target, so I’m calling.”

Park Hyun-cheol’s expression twisted.

“Just a moment. I’ll call you back.”

After hanging up, Park Hyun-cheol looked at his daughter, who was sitting in front of him again, with a pleased smile.

But he made an effort to maintain a stern expression and said.

“Da-hye, what is this grade?”

“What? My daughter is the top student in the entire school, what do you mean by ‘what is this’?”

Park Da-hye, excited, raised her voice.

“So, what do you mean by ‘what is this’ that makes my heart pound! Hehehe, I’m so happy my heart feels like it’s going to stop.”

As he tried to hug his lovely daughter, Da-hye, she glared at him.

“Ew, get away. Mister!”

Park Hyun-cheol looked disappointed.

“Okay, you got first place, so I’ll grant you a wish. Tell me.”

“One million won for allowance. Please, Dad.”

“What? One million won?”

Park Hyun-cheol’s eyes widened at the amount his daughter mentioned.

“Well, you don’t have to grant it. But Dad will lose my trust forever. Hehet.”

“Okay, I’ll send it to your account tomorrow.”

“No, give it to me in cash now. That’s how I’ll feel like I received an award.”

“Hehehe, okay. Wait a moment.”

Park Hyun-cheol, with a happy smile, went into his study.

Park Hyun-cheol entered the dark study with the curtains drawn and slumped into the black leather chair.

He was happy that his daughter, who had always been second place, had become the top student in the entire school.

However, he was bothered by Chief Kang Do-hyun’s call.

He picked up the phone and pressed the button.

“This is Park Hyun-cheol. Speak.”

“Yes, Prosecutor. The target was trying to go to Seoul. He’s been acting more proactive since this year. He seems to be studying hard too.”

“An orphan studying… I wonder what he’s thinking… I need to step on him so he lives a listless life.”

Kang Do-hyun was startled by the rough words of the elite prosecutor Park Hyun-cheol.

“Yes? I’m just monitoring…”

“Ah, no. I’ll take care of that, so don’t worry about it. Keep a closer eye on Yoon Jung-hoon’s future movements.”

“Yes. Prosecutor.”

“Oh, and Chief Kang, if you handle this target well, there won’t be any problems for you to become a Senior Superintendent in the future, how about it, are you interested?”

Kang Do-hyun was startled by the word Senior Superintendent.

His voice began to tremble.

The reason he, who had fallen behind his peers, had been promoted so quickly was thanks to Prosecutor Park’s help.

Even he, who had been a perennial detective chief, would finally be promoted to Police Superintendent next year.

If he could get the powerful aristocratic prosecutor Park Hyun-cheol as his sponsor, he might be able to become a Senior Superintendent.

“Yes? What do you mean by handling it well?”

“Well, we should talk about that in person. I’ll contact you soon.”

“Yes. Prosecutor. I’ll do my best if you give me the chance.”

“Then I’ll contact you soon.”

After hanging up, Park Hyun-cheol made a firm decision with a hardened expression.

‘I have to eliminate that bastard Yoon Jung-hoon.’

The name Yoon Jung-hoon, written in Da-hye’s diary, bothered him.

He didn’t know why she was developing feelings for him.

But it was an impossible relationship.

They were completely different beings who could never be together, even in imagination.

He was worried about his daughter developing feelings for him.

Park Hyun-cheol decided to eliminate him after his daughter’s college entrance exam was over.

He was a thorn in his side anyway. It was a regret that he had put it off until now.

He should have buried him somewhere back then.

He regretted putting it off, he should have taken care of it before.

Park Hyun-cheol, taking the one million won that his daughter had mentioned, carefully opened the door to his study.

Da-hye was standing in front of the door.

‘Could she have heard?’

He carefully examined his daughter’s expression, but there was nothing special.

However, her two hands, aiming for the one million won, were outstretched.

“Hurry.”

“Here you go. Spend it wisely.”

“I’m going to spend it all today, hehe.”

She quickly grabbed the money and went into her room.

Park Hyun-cheol had to watch his daughter’s back with concern for a while.

Park Da-hye, holding the one million won in her hand, locked the door as soon as she entered her room.

She took out her diary, which she had hidden in the corner of her desk drawer.

The mark she had left was gone.

‘My dad definitely read it. But even so…’

Her father’s cold voice from the study was unfamiliar.

She was surprised that Jung-hoon’s name came out of her father’s mouth.

But what bothered her was her father’s words to handle it well.

She decided not to think too deeply about it.

Her father is a prosecutor of the Republic of Korea who upholds the law.

He is definitely not the kind of person who would do such a scary thing that she is worried about.

Park Da-hye did not doubt her thoughts.

***

‘If you handle it well’

Prosecutor Park Hyun-cheol’s words kept ringing in Kang Do-hyun’s ears.

He had asked for a chance, but he was actually worried. Until now, it had just been surveillance.

‘Handle.’

The word bothered him, and he had an ominous feeling.

But he shook his head.

He wanted to believe that a prosecutor of the Republic of Korea would not give such an order.

To Kang Do-hyun, he was no different from a benefactor.

The cash that Park Hyun-cheol gave him under the guise of special investigation expenses.

Thanks to that, he was able to earn money for his wife’s medicine and his life became more comfortable.

His performance also improved rapidly with his help.

He was a rare benefactor in his life.

He shook off unnecessary thoughts and headed home to his waiting family.

“Have you arrived?”

Kang Cheol-joong greeted his father, who had come home late.

“Yes, Cheol-joong, it must be hard studying? There’s not much time left. Let’s try a little harder.”

“Yes. It’s not hard. Studying is the easiest thing.”

“You rascal, hehe. Where’s your mother?”

Kang Do-hyun asked, looking around.

“She’s lying in her room. She seems a little better today.”

“Yes, our Cheol-joong is working hard. Taking care of your mother while studying.”

“No.”

Kang Do-hyun stroked his admirable and commendable son’s head.

“Okay. Go and rest.”

“Yes, Father, rest too.”

Kang Do-hyun, watching his lovely son go into his room, thought.

‘How should I say it… But I can’t just leave it alone. I need to separate them first.’

“Are you here?”

His wife, who was lying in bed, struggled to get up.

“Lie down. Are you feeling okay?”

“Cheol-joong’s exam is coming up soon, and it’s a big problem that my body is like this.”

“Your body is more important than that. You have to take good care of yourself.”

Holding his wife’s emaciated hand tightly, Kang Do-hyun smiled faintly.

“I feel like I’m going to live thanks to the medicine you brought. It’s not expensive, is it?”

“No, it’s covered by insurance, so it’s not much. Don’t skip it and make sure to take it.”

“Yes.”

She answered and looked at Kang Do-hyun.

He looked uneasy.

“What’s wrong?”

She asked, seeing her husband hesitating.

“It’s nothing.”

“Tell me quickly. I know you can’t lie.”

“Well, it seems like Cheol-joong is meeting some bad friends. I’m worried.”

“Which friend? Don’t tell me you’re talking about Jung-hoon?”

“Oh, how do you know Jung-hoon?”