Damn!
I hadn't thought of that.
In my previous life, I served as a military judge advocate. Since I passed the bar exam, the commissioned officers treated me like a neighborhood uncle. After they found out that I was a scholarship student from the best group, they did everything they could to get to know me. However, in this life, I ended up being a total idiot.
'Verbal abuse, assault, and indiscretion.'
A case that I often saw in military courts. Of course, I'm not saying that I'm afraid of twenty-year-old kids. I couldn't sacrifice my newly acquired youth for the sacred duty of national defense. Should I trust the power of the chaebol family? Well, it would be fortunate if they didn't send me to a remote area. Son Il-seon was also said to be at the front lines.
"Is that true?"
Park Seon-yeong's eyes widened as she looked at me with a fierce expression as if to say, 'There wasn't even a single lie?' It seemed like she didn't know I would react so strongly. Only after Park Seon-yeong nodded repeatedly was I able to sit down.
I had to think differently.
What's the point of dividing art into ranks?
Have you ever seen such a foolish thought? In an age where democracy prevails, ranking is natural. Only then can you know your own ability. A contest that involves military service? Don't worry, even if Beethoven comes back alive, I will be the one who wins in the end.
Crunch.
That moment when your fist automatically clenches.
"Brother, what is military service?"
Son Yu-ha pulled at my sleeve and looked at me curiously. Given my enthusiastic response, it must be important, but he seemed to have no idea no matter how hard he thought about it. When I briefly answered, "Army," Son Yu-ha's brow furrowed. His expression was quite similar to that of Chairman Wang, who was troubled. And then.
Son Yu-ha seemed determined and put strength into her cherry-like lips.
"If you go, I want to go too!"
*
widely!
This time, the black stone showed his skills. He caught the white stone from the upper side to the center. He broke the white stone's bulsa, so the black stone's momentum was on the verge of a victory. A smile spread across the king's face.
"Where did the old man who played baduk go?"
It was Chairman Wang who repeated the words he had heard. At times like this, he seemed childish, but in reality, he was an old man who controlled the economy of the Republic of Korea. Chairman Yoo, sitting across from him, stared blankly at the Go board. He looked like a general facing an unfavorable front.
"Young-gam-tang, do you think the board will turn upside down just because you're staring at it like that? How about giving up a move?"
Chairman Wang cast a spell on Chairman Yoo.
"If you call me 'hyung' I won't back down. Come on, try it."
"You are like a gentleman."
Chairman Yoo swallowed his breath and raised his head.
"By the way, Son-ga. Do you know much about the violin?"
"Violin, why all of a sudden? Are you trying to buy time by using the story as an excuse?"
Chairman Yoo shook his head. Even without a stopwatch, how could he waste time? Suddenly, he thought of his grandson who had been staring at Hirose's violin. He had been interested in classical music because of his youngest daughter, but he didn't know much about musical instruments.
"That's a pretty expensive one. Didn't you see it the other day? Mr. Hirose's violin. It was forty thousand dollars in the sixties, right? At that time, the price of an apartment in New York City would have been less than forty thousand dollars."
Chairman Yoo couldn't hide his surprise. Forty thousand dollars is a lot of money even now, and it was something that happened decades ago.
"It must have gone up tenfold by now. It's worth what you ask for. They say collecting art is worth more than a lot of gold. But even if you're interested in an instrument of that level, it's something you can't find if it's not put up for auction. Why are you interested?"
It's not that I didn't have the financial means. I was just surprised by the unexpected price.
"Son-ga, would you like to make a bet with me this time?"
"bet?"
As blood is thicker than water, Kang Hyun was projected onto Chairman Yoo's face. The opponent bit the bait.
"Okay, if you win this round, I'll give you whatever you want. But if you lose, you'll have to call me big brother. If you keep saying this for too long, I'll probably go to the other world first, so it'll only take a week."
The moment Chairman Wang smiles,
widely!
The white stone fell down without hesitation onto the board.
* * *
The cicadas that used to heat up summer days can no longer be heard.
It was probably because of the monsoon rain that came with the typhoon, and also because of the chilly weather that made it seem like it was the beginning of summer, so they must have traveled a long way. However, in the place where the summer cicadas had gone, an unseasonable guest had come.
Thud thud thud─!
The heavy rain beat harshly against the window, like a drum being struck.
"Ma'am, since when has Uncle been like that?"
In front of the front door, my little uncle was kneeling, his whole body soaked in the heavy rain. His gray suit had turned to a dark brown from being boiled in water, and the raindrops kept pouring down, making it difficult to open his eyes. Even so, my little uncle didn't know how to get up from his seat like a stone statue. He wasn't that kind of gentleman, but did he have a rat?
"It's been about an hour. I wonder if I'll get sick if I keep doing this."
The mother looked quite worried. On the other hand, the grandfather walked to the table as if nothing had happened. He didn't even glance at me as if there was no one in front of the door. At times like this, I really like the grandfather's straightforward personality.
"Grandpa, is your uncle okay?"
Of course, he was a good grandson to his grandfather, so he should at least tell him something different from his true feelings.
"Hyun-ah, do you know why your uncle came today?"
My grandfather asked me a question instead. From my uncle's perspective, it was like a fire underfoot. He probably thought that he would be called back to the company soon like he always did. But this time, it wasn't. He must have felt a premonition that if he wasn't careful, he might end up living like the third son of Jeil Group as an unemployed person for the rest of his life.
But why did you come today? Given my uncle's lazy personality, I thought he would react a little slower.
"The weather forecast said the rainy season would start tomorrow, you punk."
I tried to hold back the rice grains from almost flying out. As expected, my little uncle never disappoints me. I used my brain. But coincidentally, the rainy season came earlier, and the price for blindly trusting the weather forecast was greater.
Even after breakfast,
Grandfather finished preparing more leisurely than usual.
Thud thud thud─!
While heavy rain was falling.
"Father, please give me just one more chance!"
My uncle shouted with a slurred voice, perhaps because he had been exposed to the rain for a long time. It was hard to tell whether the raindrops on his face were tears or snot. When my grandfather stopped, Mr. Kim, who was holding the umbrella, also stopped.
"Beomjin, do you know what you did wrong?"
"I didn't know much about Manager Cho. But now I will punish him severely and behave properly. From now on, there won't be anything that will make my father worry!"
A cry so clear that it cut through the sound of the rain. He must have thought it was his last chance. If someone saw it, they would think it was a scene from a drama. But Grandpa just looked away without saying a word.
"A guy like Mojiri, that's why you're no good!"
Tsk, I guess they still think it was just a corruption committed by one manager. That's why Dongju was helpless when it was later absorbed by foreign capital. As my grandfather and I walked, my uncle's face turned pale.
"Oh, Dad!"
My little uncle immediately got up from his seat and tried to chase after me, but he collapsed with a thud. Judging from his tearful expression, it seemed like he had a serious cramp in his leg.
*
Grandfather's office now feels cozy. Although it is called the chairman's office, there is no sense of authority. Rather, the worn-out furniture clearly shows how much Grandfather cherishes Dongju. On one side of the wall, there is still a collection of classic albums, giving it a vintage feel.
'Conkour.'
A word that has been on my mind ever since I heard the offer from Park Seon-yeong. That was when.
"Hyun-ah, should Grandpa give you some homework?"
Grandpa's voice made my thoughts wander. Homework? What is he talking about? Is he telling me to do some advanced study like Yuha did in high school?
"If Hyun-i makes Grandpa smile, I'll buy him something nice."
Grandpa smiled. It was an abstract homework assignment. If he was just looking for laughter, he should have turned on the TV right now and shown Humor No. 1. By the way, what does it mean to buy it? He said it was a good thing.
dripping.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
'Wan Yong?'
Jeon Wan-yong, or rather, Jeon Sang-moo, stepped in.
"Yeah, you're here."
Grandfather greeted Director Jeon warmly. His appearance was strange, but there must be a reason I don't know. Grandfather is not a person who is easygoing. Director Jeon glanced at me and bowed deeply to Grandfather. Director Jeon talked to Grandfather for a long time, and most of the stories were related to the development of new materials.
'He's probably better suited for acting too.'
If it weren't for the memories of his past life, I would have felt that he was a sincere executive without a doubt. His expressions, gestures, and every word and action were admirable. By the way, where on earth did my uncles gather such people, not just one, but a set? It was a moment when the proverb, "the closer you get to the darker you get," was once again felt real.
When Wan Yong stepped down.
"Hmm."
Grandfather's eyebrows furrowed. It was a completely different look from when he had just met with the former managing director. Grandfather slammed the document he had been reading down onto the desk with a loud noise. He must be having trouble finding his bearings. It seemed like this guy was the root of all evil, but somehow he had managed to hide it well without twisting his tail.
'Tsk.'
I clicked my tongue inwardly without realizing it. It was because I thought of my seniors who had worked overtime day and night for months because of the Jeon Wan-yong incident in my past life. They were smart guys, so they cleverly avoided the law. They were no different from other lawbreakers.
"Grandpa, can I take a look too?"
At my sudden question, my grandfather opened his eyes half-closed.
"Hyeon, you?"
Indeed, it was a complicated document for a young child to read. It contained not only the settlement, but also confidential information related to the development of new materials. In addition, it contained matters related to legal provisions. The grandfather nodded briefly. There was still a strange expression in his eyes.
Hot.
I took a bundle of papers from my grandfather and sat down on the sofa.
I picked up a ballpoint pen that was sitting idle, and the pages turned with a clicking sound. It was a habit I had when I was a prosecutor. I received countless bundles every day. Thousands of pages? A passing prosecutor would laugh. In the public prosecutor's office, they say they cut down one tree a day. I received bundles that were at least a meter long every day. How much more skill would I have in reading them all?
Click.
My grandfather was looking at me with a curious gaze. It was no wonder, because he not only turned the pages at a rapid pace, but also made marks with a red ballpoint pen here and there. It was an unrealistic speed that made me wonder if he was really reading. The second hand of the clock had not even passed ten minutes.
"grandfather."
I stood up from my seat, closing the last page. I guess.
"What gift will you give me?"
Wan Yong, you are no match for me.