28
Chapter 28 Be Satisfied Here
Do Kyungsoo said he would come all the way to Munseon-eup, but Director Lee Seunghun suggested they meet at a high-end
traditional restaurant in Shinseon City, likely mindful of the eyes of the townspeople and the broadcasting crews
already swarming the area.
“You’ve arrived.”
Do Kyungsoo, who had come early, stood up as the door opened and greeted him.
“Yes.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Hello.”
“Right.”
Do Minho was there as well.
“I had a lot to say, but now that I see you, I don’t know where to begin.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all my fault. Still… I’m a bit shocked. The you
I knew and the you now are completely different.”
Even though he had pushed Minho away harshly, some guilt still remained in him.
“I’m fine. But even if I say that, people won’t believe it. That’s what worries me.”
“Right. I received your letter.”
Do Kyungsoo placed the letter Minho had sent him on the table.
“I was surprised when you came to my workplace.”
“I didn’t know where you moved, but I remembered where you worked.”
“You’re clever. That’s why you’ve planned things so thoroughly.”
He then handed the letter to Director Lee.
“I know this is an unreasonable request, but please help us align our stories. The best outcome would be if no one ever
finds out about Minho’s past… but he’s already too famous. People are most interested in the private lives of public
figures.”
“…My opinion hardly matters. I just want Minho to be happy. But wouldn’t the cleanest solution be to adopt him again?
Now you know how exceptional he is. Wouldn’t it be better for him to grow up with someone like you rather than in an
orphanage?”
It was not something he would suggest if Minho had shown resentment.
But judging from Minho’s words and letter, he believed both sides deserved a second chance.
“I don’t want that.”
Minho rejected it immediately.
“My adoptive parents are good people, and I’m grateful to them. But they weren’t people who could make me happy. And
it’s the same for them. At first, things may have seemed fine, but in the end, they raised me out of obligation. That’s
why they chose to let me go.”
“That’s correct. To be honest, I don’t regret it. I didn’t adopt Minho for gain, and though it may sound like an excuse,
I made that decision for my biological son. Frankly, I think it turned out for the best. I understand your intention,
but Minho can no longer be my child.”
Do Kyungsoo also refused firmly.
“…I see. It really won’t work.”
Director Lee sighed.
“He’s too big of a person for someone like me to handle.”
“If that’s your concern, don’t worry. I can’t support the entire orphanage, but I can provide enough for Minho alone.
Let me at least return the money he donated because of me.”
He took out an envelope containing five checks of ten million won each.
“Please accept this. It’s for Minho, and for me.”
“…Alright. I’ll accept it.”
The director, who had once refused money outright, accepted it this time without even checking the amount.
Because of his promise with Minho—and because, no matter how he looked at it, Do Kyungsoo seemed like someone who needed
to bear some consequence.
“Minho, one thing. Do we really need to reveal the adoption? Can’t we just say you were always an orphan? If you agree,
I can handle the rest…”
“I’m not revealing it because I want to. It will come out anyway. Many people already know parts of my life, and more
will learn. I’ll become even more famous. Just today, dozens of people came to film me.”
“I see…”
“The first thing people will ask is about my biological parents. Then the rest will follow.”
“…Right.”
“I wrote the letter to create the minimum necessary lie. Not for me, but for you.”
Minho’s tone shifted.
“The truth is, an adopted child who was returned isn’t blamed—only pitied. Especially one adopted at four and returned
at eight.”
Now he sounded less like a victim, and more like a prosecutor.
“If your version of the story is exposed as a lie, can you handle the consequences? Your promotion? Your reputation?
Mother’s career? You’ll both become more well-known. Shouldn’t you remove weaknesses instead of creating them?”
Do Kyungsoo fell silent.
“I can’t live my whole life lying for you. Honestly, you are at fault. You’re just fortunate the consequences are light.
Because I endured it, you’re seen as someone who had no choice. But that doesn’t make you good people.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So be satisfied here. Pay at least part of the price. You didn’t adopt me out of kindness—you wanted to be parents. And
once you had your own child, you made your choice. So follow my lead now.”
‘Please… just stop here.’
“I’m not doing this out of kindness. I’m doing it to live a happier life. Living with resentment doesn’t bring
happiness. That’s why I’m helping you with this story. But if you push further, I might change my mind.”
“…I’ll do as you say.”
Do Kyungsoo felt a chill.
‘This isn’t the child I knew.’
“Thank you.”
Director Lee, however, looked at Minho with pride.
“And you don’t need to send regular support.”
“What?”
“Things are going well. I’ll manage without it. There will be others willing to help. I’ll repay this money soon.”
“No need. This is something I owe.”
“Then I’ll accept it.”
“To be clear, I don’t need your support. You’ve seen it yourself.”
“…Still…”
“If you want to help, support the other children instead.”
“…Alright.”
---
As soon as they got into the car, the director checked the envelope.
“Fifty million won.”
“It seems so.”
“I’ll deposit it into your account.”
“There’s no need. Use it for the children. Tuition, caregivers, household help… that’s what support is for.”
“But…”
“It helps me too. Less work, full meals, a stocked refrigerator.”
“…Alright.”
“I’ll repay your debts too.”
“…You…”
“Just focus on yourself.”
“That might not be bad.”
The director laughed.
“Then let me ask you something. If you had to spend fifty million, what would you do?”
“Buy land.”
“…What?”
“An apartment costs that much here, but I don’t need one. I’d buy land near the orphanage.”
“…And you gave that up?”
“I didn’t give it up. We’re using it together.”
“…I see.”
“If I had one hundred million, I’d build a playground.”
“A playground?”
“The kids all dream of places to play. But they’re not allowed in most places. So I’ll build one. Anyone can use it.”
“…That’s a great idea.”
“Orphans don’t have to stay separate. We can live together.”
“…I hope so.”
“It will happen.”
He smiled faintly.
“Sometimes I wish all schools were combined here.”
“…Why?”
“Because having just a few orphan kids in each school is harder than having many together.”
“…Ah…”
The director understood.
And Minho quietly thought to himself.
‘I don’t remember the older kids from before… did they not exist, or did I just forget?’