Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Daijin's Scholarship Offer
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Watching Kang Hyun, the hearts of those cheering for him—were they the same as the emotions welling up in him as he gazed at Yoo Chae-eun?
Or even greater?
When he turned his head, Yoon Haneul's reddened eyes came into view.
"Something get in your eye?"
Embarrassed, she whipped her head away the moment their eyes met. Kang Hyun silently turned to follow her.
On the way out, he glanced back and saw Detective Yoo Geon-hyeong bawling his eyes out, which naturally brought a smile to Kang Hyun's face.
Perhaps everyone—everyone cheering for Kang Hyun—had grown tremendously over the past year.
Wasn't this one of life's happinesses?
Kang Hyun could smile brightly, thinking of those growing alongside him.
In about twenty minutes, the venue would be cleared, and he could meet Yoo Chae-eun for a meal.
Detective Yoo Geon-hyeong, who had somehow wiped away his tears, stood before Kang Hyun with a stern expression.
"No alcohol, absolutely. You know that, right? My daughter can't drink yet."
"I know."
"And she's allergic to shellfish, so no crab or anything like that. Oh, and no matter what, make sure she gets home by nine. This old man is counting on you alone."
"Yes, sir. Don't worry."
"Absolutely! You have to come home with her."
Zing.
Detective Yoo Geon-hyeong shot Kang Hyun a sharp glance as he said it.
What on earth had he heard, or what was he imagining?
After listing the precautions, he handed his precious daughter over to the two of them and drove off.
Having remembered his own first day as a rookie officer, he had tactfully stepped aside.
He knew well how important it was to enjoy today with those who trusted him and whom he trusted in return.
"Kyaa! Sis! I'm all done. I'm free!"
"Now it begins. When do you get your assignment?"
"In about a week or two, the precinct will be decided, but they say over 90% chance it's the district office."
She turned and grabbed Kang Hyun's arm.
"Oppa! I'm so touched you came."
"Of course I had to. Congratulations."
"Still, thank you so, so much! Today, I'll take good care of you both! It's finally time to show off my driving skills."
"You're driving?"
"Of course! I always did designated driving when Dad got drunk!"
Then she muttered to herself.
"Ah, what a waste of youth. I should've pounded some soju with beef and chugged it down..."
"We'll do that next next month, so let's eat quick and head up to Seoul."
"Okay! So what are we eating today?"
Amid their trivial chit-chat, someone suddenly tapped Kang Hyun's shoulder. He turned his head.
"...?"
A tall, handsome man in a suit. He had a mild-mannered look at first glance, but sharp eyes behind his glasses.
"You're Kang Hyun, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Could we talk for a moment?"
"Sorry? As you can see, I'm here for a friend's graduation ceremony."
Fans occasionally asked for autographs or photos, so Kang Hyun politely declined. But the man, clearly on a mission, pulled something out and continued.
"I'm from Daijin Group."
Kang Hyun blinked and looked at the business card handed to him.
'Daijin Group Public Foundation.'
Daijin Group.
The massive conglomerate that held most of Korea's economic shares.
It was famous that countless Daijin branches permeated the nation, with Daijin at the center.
Naturally, their public foundation wouldn't overlook Korea University, the nation's top school, and public prosecutor Gong Hyun-jeong had been the point of contact...
He had warned her never to touch him again, and if she did that, he wouldn't antagonize them.
And that deal had worked; their contact with him had eventually ceased.
Yet here was someone from Daijin Group, standing right in front of him not in Seoul, but in the provinces. It was a slight surprise to Kang Hyun.
"I'm Choi Jae-cheol, director of the Daijin Group Public Foundation."
'Choi Jae-cheol. The guy in charge of recruiting talent from Korea University.'
Kang Hyun nodded upon hearing his name.
About a year ago, the Daijin Group Public Foundation Korea University lobbying scandal. Allegations that Daijin paid huge sums to install their chosen president.
When it became a media firestorm, the president immediately resigned, and even after nearly a year, the position remained vacant.
The reason Korea University's presidency was still empty, and why Daijin's heavy influence there had waned.
The incident was hushed up by Daijin's army of top lawyers and external organizations, but with eyes watching, they couldn't easily step forward again.
The presidency was like a hot potato—too valuable to give away, so it stayed vacant while the Korea University alumni association and other internal groups salivated and played the waiting game.
But these were events Kang Hyun found hard to empathize with; he only recalled the name without much interest.
"Even if I know who you are, my answer's the same. I'm here for a friend's graduation, so I can't make time."
"It'll just take a moment. Or at least hear the gist."
He showed no intention of backing down easily. Kang Hyun eventually decided to hear him out, excused himself to Yoon Haneul, and stepped aside.
"Go ahead."
"The Daijin Group Public Foundation is launching a talent search project. We'd like to nominate you, Kang Hyun."
"Out of nowhere?"
"It's been in the works for a long time."
A sudden nomination...
Kang Hyun didn't like that it had proceeded without consulting him, so he stated his position immediately.
"I decline."
"It's a done deal."
But as if anticipating his reaction, the man pressed on.
"Not just you—we're providing 1 to 3 million won monthly for a year to 1,800 students from low-income families at Korea University and 30 other schools. It's a major project. If it succeeds, it'll continue, but if you refuse, it'll go up for review."
"...Review?"
"Meaning cancellation. Because the project is modeled after you."
1 to 3 million won a month for 1,800 students for a year—even at the minimum 1 million, that's over 20 billion for just those numbers.
An astonishing scale possible only for Daijin.
"Is this blackmail?"
"No. It doesn't mean you're joining Daijin or becoming our subordinate. You have that kind of value and achievements. If this doesn't sit right, just see it as goodwill."
"..."
In simple terms, they were offering money.
Using other struggling students as leverage.
No matter how it was phrased, it was money on offer, so Kang Hyun had no reason to refuse—except Daijin Group rubbed him the wrong way, and so did this Choi Jae-cheol.
"Starting next month, 3 million after taxes each month. Officially, it's a Korea University scholarship. We'll email you for account details and forms. That's it."
"Wait."
Kang Hyun blocked his path.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Well."
He pushed up his slipping glasses with a finger. Then he spoke without hiding his hostility.
"How would I know what the higher-ups are thinking?"
Step, step.
He brushed past Kang Hyun and headed to his flashy car.
Kang Hyun stood frozen until he left, then snapped out of it as Yoon Haneul and Yoo Chae-eun approached, turning his head.
"Who was that?"
"Nothing. No big deal."
First impressions screamed shady.
Alarm bells rang loudly in Kang Hyun's head, but for now, he'd watch and wait.
Choi Jae-cheol.
He left after notifying Kang Hyun that Daijin would support him.
Kang Hyun could guess the reason.
Money going to students in Korea University's name. It was just a plan to extend influence there through funding.
But one nagging question remained.
'Why me, of all people?'
They already had puppets they could prop up and maintain loyalty from. Like Dan Cho-rok, or Seok Ji-hoon in Japan, for example.
In contrast, Kang Hyun was their opposite. A wild dog of a man. No amount of money could tame him; he'd likely sue over any illegality in the funds.
Yet they chose him?
Trying to grasp the core of their choice gave him a headache.
But for today, first things first.
"Let's go."
He moved with Yoon Haneul and Yoo Chae-eun leading the way.
Kang Hyun wore an awkward smile, unable to shake the unease, but he wouldn't ruin the happy day.
Time would reveal the truth anyway.
He hurried his steps, following the two ahead.
The next day.
"Ugh... my head."
He remembered passing out drunk on the bus, but not how he got home.
He unconsciously picked up his phone.
-Photos... what happened.
-Chae-eun, I'm off to the gym. Write a shopping list if you wake up.
Saturday.
The sun shone brightly, and the group chat was filled with tons of photos and Yoon Haneul and Yoo Chae-eun's trivial talk.
"Ah... damn hangover."
He should've quit drinking, but got carried away and overdid it again.
Plus, Yoon Haneul had ordered the drinks, so what could he do?
It had been nearly a year since he learned he was the type who, after a couple drinks, got drunk and kept pouring more.
"Whew."
He shook his head and stretched, when his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up again.
"Prosecutor?"
The screen showed 'Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min,' so Kang Hyun cleared his throat before answering.
His voice was still hoarse, reeking of just-woken-up.
"Yes, Prosecutor."
-You just wake up?
"...Yes."
-Look at the message I sent. It's for break.
"What?"
Kang Hyun pulled the phone from his ear and checked the message. "What the hell?" slipped out.
"Prosecutorial Complaints Volunteer Group?"
-Don't do other part-time gigs over break. Come to the office, do the complaints volunteer thing, and earn money. You need stuff for your early law school admission app anyway, right?
"Ah."
Realizing his intent, Kang Hyun cleared his throat again.