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# Chapter 4. The Parachute Hire
After finishing his meeting with the youngest daughter's boyfriend, Jin Myeongho called for his chief secretary.
"Hoo…. I never thought I'd be welcoming a son-in-law this soon."
It was truly awkward.
He had always assumed that someday a son-in-law would enter their family.
But he never expected it to happen this suddenly.
As expected, there was absolutely no way to predict the youngest daughter's actions.
The best thing he could do was simply deal with things as they came.
The chief secretary entered the room.
"Yes, Chairman."
"Yura's boyfriend…. No. I suppose I should call him my son-in-law now. It'll feel awkward, but I need to get used to
saying it. Until our son-in-law settles in, I'd like you to keep an eye on things and take care of him."
"…I'll do my best, Chairman."
"Thank you."
Since it was his superior's order, the secretary didn't give any particular response.
But his expression said everything.
"Looks like there's quite a lot you don't understand."
"…To be honest, that's true. Even if the fact that he's a Seoul National University student provides at least a minimum
level of verification, we don't even know what kind of man he is. Bringing him into the family simply because Miss Yura
is pregnant…. I can't help but be a little worried."
Even her own parents couldn't understand the chain of events.
How much more baffling must it be to everyone else?
"Well…. It was something we could have predicted from the moment we decided to have only minimal security around her. Of
course, I never imagined she'd set off a nuclear bomb this big."
"…"
"Still, one thing is certain. Even though Yura does engage in eccentric behavior, she has had strong convictions from a
young age, and she is certainly not lacking when it comes to judging people."
"…"
"Just look at the results. I'm still taken aback myself, but isn't our son-in-law quite a decent young man? Getting a
perfect score on the CSAT in the provinces and then entering Seoul National University…. That's genuinely impressive."
Honestly, if he put aside Yura's background,
he felt a little sorry for his son-in-law.
Of course, the two had started dating because they liked each other, and Yura would do her very best for a man she truly
liked.
She had admired Princess Pyeonggang from the beginning.
Rather than walking down a predetermined path created by her privileged background and ending up with what people called
a successful man,
his daughter had always wanted a man who would strive toward success without any special background.
And this man was practically the embodiment of her ideal type.
There was no doubt she would treat him well.
She would probably do everything she could as a wife to turn him into a true king.
"You're still looking confused. Think about it yourself. What kind of man from a chaebol family could Yura possibly end
up with?"
"…"
"She's not the kind of child who would listen even if we forced her into a relationship. And even if we somehow did,
they'd probably be divorced within a year. That's true even for chaebol families. What about those so-called Gangnam
Eight School District families?"
"…"
"How many people these days can enter Seoul National University without significant help from their families? And what
are the odds that such a man would have a perfect CSAT score? As expected of our daughter, it seems she made quite a
bold catch."
"…"
"Do you still think our son-in-law is the one who got incredibly lucky? Or do you think our Yura is the one who got
incredibly lucky?"
"Thinking about it again, Miss Yura really is quite clever."
He chuckled.
"Exactly. Our daughter may be unusual, but she certainly isn't foolish."
That's why whenever Yura made some demand of the family, they had at least tried to accommodate her.
Of course, they also wanted to avoid the disaster that might occur if they refused one of her demands.
"If we treat her negatively, do you think you're prepared to deal with Yura's personality?"
"…I'll keep a close eye on things. I'll make sure she can adjust somehow."
"Heh. I'm counting on you. If she tries to run away, I'd appreciate it if you could persuade her somehow."
"I'll do my best."
Still, Yura would treat her husband well.
He wanted to believe that.
Otherwise, he felt like he'd end up feeling guilty toward his son-in-law.
---
I also took some time to calm my startled heart.
Then I called my parents.
"Hey, Dad. Are you with Mom?"
—Of course! What's going on with our son?
"Do we have a chance to get the whole family together? There's something important I need to tell you."
—The whole family? Your brothers too?
"Yeah."
—Let's see…. As it happens, your eldest brother said he'll be coming down in about a month, and your younger brother is
coming too….
"Really…?"
I hesitated.
Should I tell them about the pregnancy right away?
Still, I thought it would be better to tell them in person.
Besides, unlike the older brothers in other families, my brothers had always doted on me because I was the youngest.
If they heard this news through our parents, how disappointed would they be?
A month should give me enough time to prepare myself mentally.
"I'll come down in a month too."
—Really? But come on. What's going on? You've never been like this your whole life.
"It's nothing serious."
—It's definitely not nothing serious.
"…"
Thinking about it, it certainly wasn't nothing.
"Hmm…. It is kind of a big deal."
—…Really? You didn't scam someone or something, did you? Or nobody died, right?
"What do you take me for?"
—You've been dragging it out so long that all sorts of strange thoughts are popping into my head.
"It's not anything bad like that, but it is going to be that shocking."
—Oh, my goodness….
Their youngest son, who had gotten a perfect score on the CSAT, entered Seoul National University, and even helped turn
his parents' restaurant into a famous local eatery.
He had just turned twenty.
He had only just entered university.
And now he had gotten a girlfriend he'd never even introduced to them pregnant.
Hmm….
From his parents' perspective, there was no way this could be anything but shocking.
"But, Dad."
—Whoa.
"Didn't you say before that you wanted to see a pretty daughter-in-law?"
—Whoa! Don't tell me you got yourself a girlfriend!
"…"
It seemed even my father couldn't imagine that an actual daughter-in-law was about to arrive.
How was I supposed to tell him…?
Still, Dad.
Hmm….
She really was a beautiful daughter-in-law.
And there was a lovable little baby in her belly.
And she was from quite a wealthy family.
"…"
Ah, I don't know.
---
"Hoo…."
I'm nervous.
The place I was standing now was in front of my academic advisor's office.
I thought it was only proper to tell my advisor before going through the leave-of-absence procedure.
More importantly, he was a professor who had taken an especially fond interest in me.
He seemed incredibly proud that this year's perfect CSAT scorer had chosen the Department of Economics instead of
medical school.
‘I'm sorry….’
Ahem.
His proud student was about to deliver such shocking news to him.
I composed myself.
Then knocked.
A voice from inside told me to come in.
"Hello, Professor."
"Oh, Dojin. What brings you all the way here? I told you that you could come by anytime. You even contacted me
beforehand and made an appointment."
The semester wasn't even over yet, and he'd already memorized my name.
After using my sixth sense a few times to give him answers he would appreciate, he'd started viewing me as a perfect
CSAT scorer + clever freshman + promising student.
He'd even said I was sure to bring glory to the Seoul National University Department of Economics.
Once again.
I'm sorry.
‘This is getting burdensome….’
How was I supposed to say it?
He was practically looking at me with affectionate pride.
Still, I had to say what needed to be said.
"Professor, I'd like to take a leave of absence."
"…What are you talking about all of a sudden? You haven't even properly started studying yet, and you want to take a
leave of absence? Do you have too many assignments? Or is your family having financial difficulties? Come talk to me
first and…."
I'd learned something from Yura.
Sometimes, rather than going around in circles and beating around the bush,
one sentence was much more effective.
"My girlfriend is pregnant."
"…"
I could see the professor become speechless.
Still, he seemed to be trying to understand.
To grasp the meaning of what I'd just said.
Of course, it didn't require much effort to understand.
He only had to take my words literally.
"Good grief…. You wouldn't come here just to play a joke, nor would you have any reason to lie."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"No, no, absolutely not. Disappoint me? This is something to celebrate. But…. I don't understand why that necessarily
means you need to take a leave of absence."
"…"
"Is your girlfriend already telling you to start taking part in household affairs? Or is her family? Or are they telling
you to make money? Let me be clear. Looking at both your future and your girlfriend's future, I can see a much better
future if you focus on your studies rather than taking a leave of absence now."
To be honest, I had considered continuing my studies.
But.
It would take too long.
Four years, plus two years of military service.
What kind of looks would Yura have to endure until then?
It wouldn't be too late to take a leave of absence, produce some results during that period, and then return to my
studies.
By that point, I'd have changed people's perceptions to some degree.
If things took too long, I was even considering dropping out altogether rather than simply taking a leave of absence.
"I'm sorry."
"Good grief…. It seems you've already made up your mind. Hmm…. Could you give me your girlfriend's number? I'll try to
persuade her. What kind of family is she from that she'd even consider making a Seoul National University economics
student take a leave of absence…."
"Professor…?"
"You stay right there! This is something an adult needs to handle! You worked hard enough to get a perfect score on the
CSAT and enter the Department of Economics, and now she's making you take a leave of absence because of some immediate
desire? Does a pregnancy happen because of the man alone? Both sides have to be involved! What kind of family is this
that I…."
"Um…. It's the Changseong Group, Professor."
I had intended to tell him anyway.
I cut him off before he could somehow bring up the very foundation of Yura's family.
The moment I said Changseong Group, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly.
"Changseong Group…? What are you talking about…?"
"My girlfriend is the youngest daughter of Changseong Group."
"…"
A moment later,
he finally understood and covered his mouth.
So Professor's eyes were actually that big.
"…Of course! If she's from a family with that kind of background, then naturally you can make such a bold decision to
take a leave of absence! Forget everything I just said!"
"…"
My leave of absence.
Decision.
Thanks to the professor's enthusiastic cooperation, there were no difficulties.
It was a day when I finally understood, at least a little, why Yura was so willing to put her foot down and hit the
accelerator.
---
I woke up in the mansion.
I simply couldn't get used to it.
How could I adapt after going from a one-room apartment to a mansion?
There was even a separate annex.
Yura was tying my necktie for me.
"Dojin, don't be nervous. Who are you? You're Yura's husband."
"Yeah!"
"If your section manager gives you an unfair order, what are you supposed to say?"
"…"
"Come on!"
I was embarrassed.
Even so, I shouted.
"I'm the son-in-law of Changseong Group…."
"Louder!"
"I'm the son-in-law of Changseong Group!"
"Good. Very cool. My husband."
"…"
This was driving me crazy.
How was I supposed to say this?
I intended to earn recognition from the employees of Changseong Investment & Securities through my own abilities.
If I couldn't even manage that, how could I persuade anyone else?
Of course, they wouldn't look kindly upon me at first.
The Third Brother was probably especially determined to get back at me for getting his adorable youngest sister
pregnant.
No matter what hardships awaited me, I would overcome them.
By my own abilities.
"If someone gives you a hard time for something outside of work, I'll go find Third Oppa and give him a very serious
warning."
"O-Okay."
I really thought she would do it.
Our Yura loved me far too much.
And I loved her just as much.
And so began my first day at work.
I was already on the rooftop.
With my senior coworker.
"You don't smoke?"
"No, I don't."
"Good. Looks like you really did parachute in properly, huh?"
"…"
"You look like you only just became an adult. How'd you even get in here as an intern? That's pretty amazing."
Ahem.
"Listen carefully. I don't know whose parachute you are, but if you start acting cocky because of it, you're going to
have a hard time. Our company's executive director is the third son of Changseong Group. Unless your parachute is even
stronger than his…. Don't even think about acting up. Work as if your life depends on it."
"…Yes, understood!"
I decided to keep my mouth shut.
This was probably another test, too.
But then—
"Oh, no. Executive Director, what brings you here…?"
"I thought I'd have lunch with the new recruit who started today. Oh, there he is. Come out. Let's eat together."
"…"
My first day was already starting in a very unusual way.
B-Brother…?