Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Family Dinner and Justice Camp
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"Oh my, what's this?"
The wide living room table was overflowing with rice and side dishes, enough to break a leg under the weight.
Boiling stew, shrimp jeong, crab jeong, sliced raw octopus, a grill plate in the center ready for pork belly along with wrap veggies, and all sorts of other dishes Mother loved.
Yet there was still someone bustling about in the living room.
Kang Hyun, apron tied on, had thrown himself into meal prep after a long while and now greeted his mother.
"Oh! You're home early? Have a seat, Mom."
"What's with this feast? Something going on?"
"Why does there have to be? Just flexing my skills for once."
"Oh dear, you called out of the blue, and I got a scare thinking something was up."
"Eating at a restaurant's fine, but nothing beats home-cooked Korean food."
Mother relaxed at Kang Hyun's smile and approached with a warm expression, pulling her son into a cozy hug.
Pat pat.
"As expected of my awesome son."
"You're awesome, so your son's awesome too. Sorry I haven't been getting home early. The busy stretch is over now, so I'll be back sooner more often."
"To see me? No need to push yourself. Just stay healthy and don't burn out."
"Yeah! Of course. Ready to eat?"
"Sure thing. Let me wash up first."
With some free time on his hands, the first person Kang Hyun sought out was none other than his mother.
The moments sharing a meal across from her were always precious and meaningful.
Clink, clink.
"Try this."
"You try some too, son. Whoever made it, it's delicious."
"Heh heh."
Nom nom.
The days of joyful meals with just fried eggs and kimchi stew in a shabby rented room were behind them, but life had been so hectic lately that he'd inevitably grown a bit distant.
That had always weighed on Kang Hyun's mind.
Was there anything happier than quietly spending time with Mother like this?
"Any girl marrying into our family with cooking like this would be one lucky lady."
"Nah, this is nothing. I can do better."
Mother's chopsticks slowed at Kang Hyun's offhand remark. She spoke calmly, her voice soft.
"Yeah. How's the girl you're seeing these days?"
"...Huh? Oh, not... not yet...."
After a brief silence, Kang Hyun wondered if she'd caught wind of the recent rumors and asked,
"You see the news or anything?"
"Didn't want to add to your stress. Figured if I brought it up too, it'd hit you even harder."
Got it.
Kang Hyun, whose name had been tangled up in that scandal with Yoon Haneul before.
No matter how much he tried to play it cool, a mother wouldn't stay oblivious to her son's headlines.
Mother and son, after all.
"Yeah. All sorted out nicely?"
"Yes. Sorry to worry you."
"Nah. Long as it's handled, we're good."
Feeling both sorry and grateful, Kang Hyun met her eyes steadily.
Mother just kept eating her meal, savoring it wordlessly.
She'd probably been pretending not to know, so he wouldn't worry or feel awkward.
But the hardships of those bygone days—wanting to give her child the world but having nothing to offer—the guilt from her own grueling life dragging her son down too, it had scarred her. Even now, it weighed heavy on her heart.
'I hope she doesn't blame herself for it.'
Kang Hyun figured maybe that's why she'd kept her distance, watching over him from afar, afraid her own troubles would burden him more.
"Anyway, from here on, if anything comes up, I'll tell you right away. Got too caught up this time to mention it sooner."
"It's fine."
Some of the worry clouding Mother's face seemed to lift at his words.
"Bet it stressed you out."
"Me? Nah, I trust my boy. Wasn't worried a bit."
Only then did her relieved smile appear. Her chopsticks picked up speed again, and Kang Hyun dug back in.
"Tell me if you want, or don't. You're already doing amazing—no need to force updates for my sake, or push yourself to open up."
"Sorry."
"No apologies. I mean it. I respect you, trust you. Whenever you're hurting and wanna vent to Mom, or just whine a bit, that's the time."
Mother was every bit the mother.
That's why it filled him with joy and gratitude.
Even if Kang Hyun rose to prosecutor, bureau chief, deputy director—he'd always be her little boy.
Just like anyone.
With family as his sanctuary, he could charge ahead without looking back.
In these moments with her, Kang Hyun felt his faith deepen.
Mother wasn't just someone to protect—she was someone to lean on too.
It was an evening of profound thanks.
'Thank you. I'll work harder, do even better.'
Six months had passed since arriving in Namyangju, with days slipping by.
The city, thick with summer vibes, hummed along in its Namyangju branch office much as usual—but those awaiting personnel shifts packed their things and tidied up in their own ways.
"About three weeks, I'd say."
"Not pushing to four?"
"Won't happen. That's my take."
"Hwang sunbae, I'm calling it: four weeks left. Deputy director moves got delayed a week—prosecutor shuffles naturally follow. Never hit on time before. What do you think, Kang Prosecutor?"
Hwang Jae-eun and Kim Si-hwan traded heated takes on the transfers, but Kang Hyun's focus was elsewhere.
Gulp.
"Huh?"
The court's summer recess had come a tad early, granting the prosecution office a brief breather.
To beat the heat with heat, as the saying went, Kang Hyun had joined the two at their strongly recommended samgyetang spot.
Saliva pooling as he stared at the 'wild ginseng lingzhi scorched rice samgyetang' before him, he waited in silence.
"Man, sunbae. Looks like this samgyetang outranks promotion season for you. Kang Prosecutor's locked in max focus."
Even ribbed by Kim Si-hwan, Kang Hyun's eyes stayed glued to the food.
Bubble bubble.
"Think it's ready?"
"Let's eat!"
The instant Hwang Jae-eun spoke, Kang Hyun's arm shot out at lightning speed.
Slurp.
Hot hot! Still, he gulped down a full bowl of broth first.
"Whoa."
Under the AC, the steaming, umami-packed liquid hit just right, lifting his spirits instantly.
"Good?"
"Yeah. Spot-on recommendation."
They beamed as he flashed a satisfied thumbs-up.
"Times like this, he's still that wide-eyed kid."
"Totally. There's even better spots out there."
Kang Hyun had no clue yet.
What awaited him in the coming weeks.
"Kang Hyun."
"Mm. So good. Yeah?"
The two prosecutors eyed him intently as he tore into the chicken.
Closer look: seemed like they were plying him with tasty eats out of guilt for whatever they were about to dump on him.
A weird hunch started creeping into Kang Hyun's head.
"What is it? You two okay?"
"One little job for you."
"Nothing major."
"Huh?"
"Just... a trip. Business trip."
Hwang Jae-eun soothed him while Kim Si-hwan whipped out an approval form.
[1st Supreme Prosecutors' Office Justice Camp]
"What's this?"
"College student camp. Brand-new experiential event from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office—they're drafting prosecutors to staff it."
"Mandatory one per branch. Maknae, two weeks out. Three days in Yongin, easy."
"?"
As Kang Hyun just blinked, his two seniors grinned like they'd won.
Heh.
Should've clocked it sooner: Hwang Jae-eun, usually all prickles, going soft on him; Kim Si-hwan, who never breathed work outside the office, flashing that form.
An event slotted right in the court's recess, prime prosecutor downtime.
A Supreme Prosecutors' Office-mandated dragnet—and they'd schemed to foist the youngest onto it.
"One, two, three. Over here!"
"A Team, Song A-ram! Where are you? A Team!"
Yongin, Ministry of Justice Training Institute Yongin Branch.
Hub for training newbie prosecutors and public security civil servants.
Here gathered the fresh sprouts of the legal world.
Freshmen from Korea University and beyond, even high schoolers—top talents scouted by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office from those eyeing legal careers.
Days of mingling with prosecutors, hands-on experiences, capped by showcases of honed debates and mock trials.
Kang Hyun showed up casual, blue name badge on a lanyard around his neck, sweating bullets as he called roll.
"...Kim Cheol-su?"
"Here! Prosecutor Kang Hyun, it's an honor!"
"Ah, yeah. Nice to meet you. Jeong Eun-ji?"
"Prosecutor-nim, where's the bathroom?"
"Uh, that... hold on a sec."
"Teacher! Guy says he left his phone on the bus!"
"...Uh. Not a teacher."
Was I like this in college?
Kang Hyun, mobbed by dozens of chattering, adorable chicks, toughed it out just like the other prosecutors and staff.
'Whew, gonna lose it.'
His seniors' voices echoed: great facilities, nice spot—perfect for a few days' R&R. He swallowed his rising irritation as best he could.
"Roll call done! Grab lunch, free time, regroup at four p.m.! Read your handouts—any questions, ask the blue badges!"
"Yessir!"
The gray-hoodie-clad kids stampeded out.
Kang Hyun sighed in relief like the rest when a nearby coordinator chuckled.
"Tough go, Prosecutor-nim?"
"Nah. You folks do this routinely—that's impressive."
"Aw, this is light work. Morning trip to the National Cemetery burned some energy, but normally these kids' energy's off the charts—no one plans on 'controlling' that vibe."
"I see."
"Take a breather, Prosecutor-nim. Got you slotted for evening stuff—check the schedule. Press shows from afternoon, so just don't run late."
"Yes, thank you."
Kang Hyun bowed, taking the schedule and dorm keycard. Packed days ahead, split by high school and college tracks: debates, dialogues.
Deep dives like 'Prosecution Citizen Committee Debate' or 'Mock Trial Competition Demo,' plus experiential chats with prosecutors.
Kang Hyun even drew a short talk: 'Perspectives on the Legal World as a Young Person.'
'They do this stuff now.'
He grinned at the itinerary. Flashbacks to his own high school and college days.
Clawing for prosecutor dreams through study grinds and resume-padding. Blind sprints toward the goal, no glances back.
Only now could he call those times fun, even nostalgic. He'd reached the stage to pave paths for the next wave of juniors.
Mid-thought,
"Whoa! Look who it is!"
A hearty bellow from behind.
Familiar voice, ages since last heard—yet it packed that instant pull, making Kang Hyun snap to attention and bow on reflex.
He startled, face lighting up.
Whirled to face the caller.
"Same old you. Looking good! My prized junior!"
The man who'd mentored him over years, teacher and student aiding each other.
Silver hair more fitting now, wrinkles etched deeper.
Still the powerhouse networker of Korea University and prosecution circles.
Former Dean of Korea University Law School.
"...Dean Kim Jong-hwan!"
Now chief professor, he strode up with a booming welcome for Kang Hyun.