Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: A Token of Gratitude
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Jeong Jung-heon flinched at the question, and Jeong Ji-eun, who had been hiding behind Han Tae-woong, peeked out and stood beside him.
"...That's not it, but I heard the court's reaction is intense..."
The court had issued a statement through the media early that morning, making a fuss about disciplining Choi Chun-sik.
The pressure was so strong that it was even affecting ordinary prosecutors.
"Yeah. That's true, but..."
Jeong Jung-heon slowly rose from his seat and stood by the window.
The 13th floor overlooked the heart of the city as the morning sun began to rise.
They stood in the middle of the Central District Prosecutors' Office, which would soon buzz with the start of the workday.
"Let's grab a meal."
"Pardon?"
"That kid, Kang Hyun. I'm curious about his face. Can you pass it along?"
Jeong Jung-heon's words were unexpected.
No matter how the case turned out, it was a headache-inducing incident, but he never imagined the man would want to meet a mere college student in person.
"I'll make the contact."
"Good. Clear your schedules too. Are you free at the end of the month?"
"I'll clear it."
"I'm good too before the National Assembly audit."
Han Tae-woong shot Jeong Ji-eun a look as if to say, "See?"
Their faces relaxed as they exchanged silent bickering before bowing to Jeong Jung-heon.
"Alright, go on."
"Yes. We'll head out."
They bowed.
The door clicked shut.
Jeong Jung-heon gazed out the window again with a complicated expression.
'Curious, indeed.'
He had received the report in the early hours of the dawn.
In truth, he had been at a crossroads, deciding what stance to take and what opinion to voice.
In simple terms, it was the moment to choose which line to stand on regarding this series of events.
'Pushing so many people into a corner like this.'
But now, it seemed he had sorted out his thoughts.
"Well, either way, he's a remarkable guy."
Overnight.
The massive incident caused by one college student had put the entire Ministry of Justice and all its organizations on high alert.
"Not registered. No entry allowed."
"What? I've been coming here as a student and teacher living here since last time?"
Even as Kang Hyun protested, the security guard shook his head firmly.
"If you're not registered, you can't enter. Try contacting them."
"Yes... I understand."
Kang Hyun retreated with a frustrated look and pulled out his cellphone again.
-The customer is unavailable to take your call...
But no matter how many times he tried, both Im Cheol-su and his mother's phones went straight to voicemail.
Whether it meant they didn't want to talk anymore or were too ashamed.
Whatever the reason, Im Cheol-su and his mother had cut off contact.
Of course, with Im Cheol-su constantly going in and out of the police station, what use was studying now?
Moreover, not just Im Cheol-su but his mother too might have to go in for questioning, so their household must be in chaos.
'Tsk, lost the job.'
Kang Hyun smacked his lips.
Just the other day, he had been thrilled about the high-paying part-time gig in such a short time, but after helping all night, to be turned away at the door—it was absurd.
But more than that...
'I hope they're not doing this just to me...'
Im Cheol-su's release and cleared name were important, but his mother's attitude was even more crucial.
Her actions could have been ignorant and illegal, driving Im Cheol-su to ruin.
Kang Hyun turned away as if there was no helping it.
Just as he was about to exit through the main gate.
"Hey, student there!"
He turned at the security guard's urgent voice.
"Wait a moment!"
The guard rummaged through something and came over with a small envelope.
"The lady from the 21st floor left this. I forgot."
"Ah... Thank you."
Kang Hyun took the envelope and gave a light bow to the guard.
'What's this?'
Tilting his head, Kang Hyun left through the main gate and opened the envelope as he walked.
But...
"Huh? What's this?"
The contents were shocking.
First, a simple note.
'This is Cheol-su's mother. Please forgive my rudeness. Thank you.'
"..."
Next came the money.
A check for a whopping 3 million won.
More than double the promised monthly tutoring fee—Kang Hyun nearly staggered.
Who wouldn't be happy to have money in hand? Even Kang Hyun struggled to calm his pounding heart.
'No, not now...'
But he couldn't just accept such a large sum. He hadn't even tutored a few times, and helping at the police station was just goodwill.
He didn't want money that felt like a bribe rather than fair compensation for his efforts.
Just as Kang Hyun turned back toward the apartment complex.
"Excuse me... Kang Hyun?"
Kang Hyun turned at the deep male voice.
A middle-aged man in a neat suit.
Kang Hyun recognized him immediately.
It was Im Cheol-su's father.
"Hello. I'm Cheol-su's father. I asked just in case..."
His expression was gloomy.
He must have heard about the incident.
"Yes, hello. I'm Kang Hyun."
During the interrogation, Kang Hyun had heard a bit about the family situation. His father lived separately due to divorce.
"Ah, nice to meet you! What a coincidence... I'm really glad. He wouldn't give me your contact info..."
He bowed his head as he spoke.
"Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, a student... it would've been a disaster."
Kang Hyun could read his weary face instantly.
Frustrated and sad,
yet endlessly grateful to Kang Hyun.
"It's my fault for not looking after him... I shouldn't have left Cheol-su like that..."
His voice choked as he continued.
"I'll take care of Cheol-su from now on. Until things stabilize."
"Ah. I see. I was worried because I couldn't reach him."
"I'll contact you soon. He's turned off his phone while settling down. But even in that short time, he trusted and relied on you a lot, Kang Hyun."
He bowed deeply to Kang Hyun once more.
"Thank you for saving Cheol-su."
"No, it was just the right thing to do. And..."
Kang Hyun held out the envelope.
The money he had received at the main gate.
The 3 million won check from Im Cheol-su's mother.
"I don't think I can accept this. I didn't do much."
"Ah, no. Please."
Im Cheol-su's father politely pushed back the envelope Kang Hyun offered.
"My ex-wife may seem reckless in clinging to her child, but she's not the type to solve everything with money. She's probably realized something, even if small, from this. Think of it as tutoring fees and compensation for life's lessons. Please finish Cheol-su's lessons too."
He must have thought long and hard about why Im Cheol-su ended up like this.
"...I understand. When I hear from Cheol-su later, I'll wrap up the lessons."
His face brightened at Kang Hyun's response.
"Thank you. Really, thank you. I know Cheol-su has no friends and poor social skills. If you could occasionally meet, greet him, be a friend and mentor sharing good advice, that would be ideal—but I won't ask that much. Just meet a few times later and offer some kind words."
Kang Hyun started to say something, but noticed the man's lips trembling as he spoke.
In that moment, Kang Hyun thought of his own mother.
The one who had silently stayed by his side when he struggled, when he went astray.
She must have felt like this back then.
Deeply moved by the emotion that hit closer to home than anything, Kang Hyun offered words of comfort.
"...Don't worry. He'll be fine."
Im Cheol-su's father's face crumpled as tears welled up.
It was an ordinary evening, but
neither Kang Hyun nor his father would forget this day.
Summer was in full swing.
In the student union cafe.
Kang Hyun was diligently searching something on his rented laptop.
He had logged into the academic portal to check his midterm and final combined grades when Woo Si-hyung approached and looked over.
"Hyun. Why check grades? It's all A+ anyway, right?"
"For the scholarship."
Kang Hyun examined closely just in case and let out a sigh of relief.
"Whew..."
Fortunately, the scholarship history for this semester proudly listed 'Academic Excellence (S) Full Scholarship.'
With next semester's tuition covered too, Kang Hyun finally smiled.
"You got it?"
"Yeah."
"As expected. Congrats, buddy."
Woo Si-hyung sat beside him with coffee, looking as if it was only natural.
"Now it's vacation. What're you gonna do?"
"Finish Dean Kim Jong-hwan's paper, prep for the competition, wrap up tutoring gigs, work out."
"Ironclad as always. Anything else?"
"What else?"
"It's vacation. How about we all go somewhere? Like the beach."
"Go out?"
"Yeah, anywhere! I've never gone anywhere with friends."
Kang Hyun smiled affirmatively at Woo Si-hyung's words.
Perfect timing.
He even thought of using the tutoring money for a worthwhile break.
As Kang Hyun nodded, Woo Si-hyung widened his eyes in surprise and double-checked.
"Really? No take-backs."
"What, like that?"
"I figured you'd say you're too busy and skip."
Woo Si-hyung chuckled and offered his coffee; Kang Hyun closed the laptop and took it.
"I thought about it when we went to Incheon last time—rest when it's time to rest."
Kang Hyun recalled the academic conference trip to Incheon.
After running nonstop, he wanted a simple break during vacation.
"Of course! That's how you go further. Anyway, it's decided! Gotta tell Chan-rim quick."
"Yeah. Sounds good."
Kang Hyun felt they deserved a trip to a nearby beach as a trio.
Since enrollment, they had trained relentlessly for competitions without rest, becoming the top team at the Korea University contest.
They had talked about making time for a trip afterward, but never even shared a proper meal.
At best, cafeteria food?
If they locked in plans now and spent time chatting casually, it would make the best memories.
"Anyway, I'm off. Got an appointment."
"Alright, hit me up later."
As Kang Hyun cleared the cups and stood, he spotted the person he was meeting and paused.
"Huh? How'd you know I'm here?"
"Saw you passing by."
It was Yoon Haneul, holding a brown paper bag adorned with cute stickers. The fresh bakery scent wafted up.
In the cafe, the nutty bread aroma mixed with her sweet fragrance.
People's gazes naturally shifted to them.
She was set to model on campus again during break, so lately, she felt eyes on her everywhere.
While others stared at her with suffocating intensity, Kang Hyun's calm demeanor toward her was all the more striking.
"When'd you go?"
"Just now. Stood in line, got it quick."
Yoon Haneul handed over the bag of trendy bakery bread. Kang Hyun took it, examined it, and waved to Woo Si-hyung, who sat a bit apart.
"Heading out. See you next week."
"...Huh? Yeah."
Woo Si-hyung stared blankly at the departing pair, then muttered softly with an envious expression.
"...Jealous."
Quite a few seemed to share Woo Si-hyung's sentiment; people gazed wistfully at the exit before turning away dejectedly.