Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Misunderstanding Leads to Understanding (4)
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Son Gwang-yeon and Han Yu-young wasted no time after returning from their trip, making the rounds of the neighborhood.
When they first heard that Jin-hyuk was going to school with Yu-jin, they were surprised, but they figured their son would take good care of her. That put their minds at ease, allowing them to visit the neighbors and share their souvenirs without a worry.
"Made it back safe and sound?"
"Hahaha! Thanks to your blessings, sir."
Son Gwang-yeon started with Cheon Gil-ryong, letting out a hearty laugh.
He gifted him chocolates, a lei known as a Hawaiian flower necklace, and a Hawaiian shirt. The shirt was white with pastel green and orange floral patterns—a choice Han Yu-young had personally made.
"Ohoho, this might be a bit big on me..."
Cheon Gil-ryong spun around like a model, pipe in hand, grinning ear to ear.
Surprisingly, the flashy shirt paired well with his casual pants, leaving Son Gwang-yeon and Han Yu-young quite satisfied.
"It's meant to be worn loose. Perfect for strolling around the neighborhood."
"Ohoho, what a thoughtful gift for an old man like me. My thanks."
"Come visit us often, sir."
"I appreciate it. I was planning to anyway. Dear, come with me for a moment."
At Cheon Gil-ryong's invitation to talk privately, Son Gwang-yeon tactfully glanced around and headed toward the bamboo grove. It wasn't quite Hawaii, but the highland view was impressive.
"A mother with a steadfast spirit should trust her child first, not lend an ear to rumors."
"Yes, thank you."
Did our son get into some kind of trouble? Han Yu-young replied politely, though puzzled.
Cheon Gil-ryong munched on the chocolate and waved his pipe in farewell until the couple's car was out of sight.
The Son couple shared modest gifts like leis, chocolates, and coffee with the other neighbors too. Even those they rarely interacted with received souvenirs—Han Yu-young's way of sharing the joy of being the only ones in the village to visit Hawaii. Even those who secretly envied Son Gwang-yeon's success found themselves bowing to the couple's generosity.
They gave the biggest thanks to Choi Mi-kyeong's family, handing over fine liquor, wine, and cosmetics in return for all her help.
Kim Sun-bok made a huge fuss upon receiving the pile of gifts.
"My goodness, the Son family must've drunk the waters of America—you're looking even more beautiful!"
And no wonder. While all the neighborhood housewives sported permed curls, Han Yu-young stuck to her straight black hair, looking as youthful as ever. Her silky, ebony locks complemented her dress perfectly, setting her apart from the typical rural moms raising kids.
"Jin-hyuk's mom, come here a sec."
Kim Sun-bok pulled Han Yu-young aside.
The quick-witted Son Gwang-yeon approached the Jindo dog Nurungi, clucking his tongue and trying to make friends. Everywhere he looked, someone was dragging his wife away, leaving him with a twinge of petty exclusion.
Woof!
"Eek!"
He nearly got bitten and fell flat on his butt—a fitting comeuppance for forgetting that only General could lord over Nurungi.
Kim Sun-bok checked that Son Gwang-yeon was far off and glanced around before cautiously speaking up.
"Well... I wonder if I should even say this."
"No secrets between us, right?"
With Han Yu-young's warm smile encouraging her, Kim Sun-bok plunged into the main topic.
"About your Jin-hyuk... is he okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh dear, this is embarrassing, but... I heard something by chance. Don't misunderstand! I only heard it accidentally. Real accidentally."
Kim Sun-bok spilled everything she'd heard at Chuseok. For something "heard by chance," the details were vividly firsthand, and with a rare chance to chat, her pent-up gossip flowed like fish to water.
Listening to Kim Sun-bok, Han Yu-young felt the blood drain from her head.
She'd been tireless and joyful through the over-ten-hour flight, but how could this be?
Our son...
She didn't know where it had gone wrong, but the weird rumors about Jin-hyuk had finally reached her ears.
The shock of this unexpected topic hit her skull like a hammer; Han Yu-young completely forgot Cheon Gil-ryong's advice.
Jin-hyuk was thrilled that his parents were back.
It wasn't that taking care of his sister had been hard. Just having the family together brought pure happiness.
"Mom! Mom! Mom!"
"Oh my, our little princess has grown so much?"
Watching Yu-jin throw a tantrum in their mom's arms after just a week, Jin-hyuk realized kids truly needed their parents. There were limits to a brother's love.
And he resolved himself.
For Yu-jin's sake, I have to do something.
No more living in anxiety or taking risks.
The victims were always the innocent weak.
That aside.
Sitting down for dinner with Dad after so long stirred memories of his past life, warming his heart.
"Honey, dear. Have our ferns and bean sprouts gone missing?"
Dad wasn't one to complain about side dishes, but this was serious. The namul greens Mom always served—favorites of husband and son—were absent. Jin-hyuk wanted to join the protest himself. He was curious too, but grateful Dad spoke up.
Han Yu-young, dressing Yu-jin in a Hawaiian outfit she'd bought and cooing over her, replied without turning.
"It's not good for men."
He wanted to ask who said that, but held back. Her voice had an edge. Pressing now might banish more dishes. The two men reached for the gochujang bulgogi made from wild boar forelegs instead. Luckily, Mom returned, filling the table bountifully—no real complaints. A sunny-side-up egg drizzled with sesame oil whetted their appetites.
Son Gwang-yeon shoveled in the home-cooked meal he'd missed, tilting his head.
I feel fine, though...
Jin-hyuk, baffled by Mom's chill while eating, glanced at Dad.
To broach the words he must say for the family's sake.
"Dad, you're rich, right?"
"It's not that Dad's rich. Our family's rich."
Son Gwang-yeon smiled at his son.
The boy was growing so fast, already taller than him. Leaving the house in his care brought no anxiety, no matter how long they were away. He doted on his sister fiercely. A reliable son in every way.
"How about hiring security guards? Build them a dorm."
"Security? Nothing worth stealing here."
Son Gwang-yeon shrugged nonchalantly.
The only valuables were jewels he'd gifted his wife with each earnings. He'd bought more gems and pearls in Hawaii—pocket change, really. No one knew he'd converted his wealth to land to avoid thieves.
And Hong Gi-jun had mentioned special forces guards disguised as landowners watching—protection or surveillance, who knew. Not his money, so whatever. No invasion of privacy.
Jin-hyuk probably doesn't know about Gi-jun's 'landowners,' so he's saying this.
Son Gwang-yeon hesitated to reveal what Hong Gi-jun had told him.
Better not to worry the family. His stance hadn't changed. Ignorance was bliss.
"Mom and Yu-jin are here."
Jin-hyuk worried about what might happen when he wasn't home. Dad managed laborers by day, leaving Mom and Yu-jin alone. Locks helped, but determined intruders could smash doors or windows.
No guarantee those mystery landowners would arrive in time.
Wife and daughter.
It hit Son Gwang-yeon like a hammer to the head; his chopsticks froze midair.
Right. Nothing more important than family. He'd only thought of thieves after wealth—not so simple. Hearing his son, he realized honeymoon excitement had blinded him.
The security team's on standby at a distance.
Son Gwang-yeon, who'd seen greedy human ugliness before, chilled. In a world where bad info or misunderstandings killed, would obsession spare his family?
Son Gwang-yeon, you idiot!
His head and heart turned ice-cold. He'd played carefree too well, happiness breeding complacency.
"What asset in our home is more precious than Mom and sis..."
Jin-hyuk emphasized once more.
To some, a naive son's flippant words. To a father, a heavy stone on the chest.
To Son Gwang-yeon, family was everything—just like to Jin-hyuk.
So he felt sorry toward his kids.
Besides, Jin-hyuk wasn't one to speak without reason. Son Gwang-yeon sensed something had happened at Chuseok.
"Let's think it over."
Son Gwang-yeon glanced at his wife, then nodded to his son—talk later.
Houses could be rebuilt, wealth regained.
Family? Irreplaceable.
He'd just heard Hong Gi-jun's plans—shadow to light, or something. No longer personal; a family matter. Good timing from his son.
About time to speak up.
But when and how?
Not worried about his strong-willed wife's reaction, nor his unusually mature son's.
I know nothing.
Who threatened him, and why? Son Gwang-yeon didn't know.
Hong Gi-jun didn't either—despite digging, no leads.
- "How many filthy types are there in this country? Daejeong's the only link to you."
Daejeong? Why? Old college fling with an older woman who called herself a chieftain—no blood ties, no grudges sown.
Driving me mad. Can't confront what I can't identify.
Even knowing wouldn't mean facing killers. He'd fled to the countryside to avoid them.
School days, he'd spotted tails and reported them—to no avail. Cops just scolded him for not handling himself.
Only Yu Se-ra's father had helped. Son Gwang-yeon had been utterly alone. That's why family was priceless now.
Dad's expression grew grave, so Jin-hyuk gave him time by eating. No ferns or sprouts, but Mom's cooking was best.
His fourth bowl. Han Yu-young smiled warmly at her light-eating son.
But her gaze held pity.
Too many veggie sides in childhood? Cheap ingredients like pollock stew, codfish braise, mackerel head soup? Should've splurged on meat...
Seong-chan got scolded for sneaking red videos.
Jin-hyuk never touched the bedroom VCR.
Maybe that's why his puberty was so calm.
Couldn't strip-check a grown son.
Sigh.
Mom's sorry.
Husband pounced nightly like it was his last—probably not barren. Dad finally got her late in life; only external issues suspect.
Jin-hyuk brought up what happened at Chuseok.
Son Gwang-yeon listened gravely, without anger or interruption.
"Just us now, so please tell me."
"Jin-hyuk, Dad..."