Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Fate Woven by Chance (3)
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It hadn't been long since they entered the forest surrounding the citadel when the car finally slowed to a stop.
"We're here. He's waiting for us."
A middle-aged man with a sharp, stubborn look was standing in front of the mansion, a smile playing on his lips.
"Oppa, is that him? He looks so young."
"Haha, no. That's Mr. Kwon, the butler. I saw him occasionally back in college."
Following his guidance, they parked in the garage, and the five family members got out of the car.
The butler, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, extended his hand to Son Gwang-yeon.
"It's been a while, Gwang-yeon."
"Sorry for taking so long to visit."
"No need. He's been waiting, so please come in."
They stepped through the main gate. A vast garden, like a forest, greeted them first. Sparse landscaping trees dotted the simple lawn, and wide stones paved the path.
Jin-hyuk, true to his country bumpkin roots, admired the garden and even touched the stones.
These were the kind of stones he'd only seen in textbooks, full of holes.
'Is this basalt?'
Yu-jin seemed to love the garden, running around with General. Suddenly, General marked his territory on a fairly large tree in the center of the garden. Luckily, the adults were talking and didn't notice.
"Kahaha! General took a dump, huh?"
The days were still long, and the sky was bright.
The well-manicured trees reached toward the heavens, each one lush like a poem of greenery.
The family's trip to Seoul was as peaceful as that scene.
As they strolled through the garden along the volcanic rocks, Dad's booming voice rang out.
"Please forgive me, sir!"
Jin-hyuk wondered what on earth he was apologizing for and turned toward the sound.
The surprise didn't end there.
Dad was bowing deeply to an elderly man who had strode out from the entrance to greet them.
Jin-hyuk debated whether to bow too. He made eye contact with Mom, who was awkwardly clasping her hands together. The mother and son, sharing the same dilemma, exchanged sheepish smiles just as Chairman Yu Myeong-seon hurried over.
"Haha! Get up, get up. Forgive you for what? Let me get a good look at your face."
The old man pulled Son Gwang-yeon to his feet and examined his face closely, touching it fondly. It was the tender gesture of someone reuniting with a child after a long time.
"Haha, you've become a proper country bumpkin. The once dapper young master has turned into a rural man."
"Glad to see you're still in good health."
It seemed like an ordinary reunion. But watching the two men's eyes, Jin-hyuk thought it might be something more special. The chairman's eyes weren't even red-rimmed.
'I wouldn't know since it's a life I haven't lived.'
He only knew that this man had helped during tough times. Could that alone make them wear such heartfelt expressions? Like Jin-hyuk, Dad rarely spoke of the past, so it was just intriguing.
"Oh ho, nice to meet you."
Yu Myeong-seon offered a handshake to Han Yu-young as well. The old man's eyes flickered for a moment.
He extended his hand to Jin-hyuk, who had been staring at him.
"Hahaha, you've taken only the best parts from your parents. You're bigger than your dad already."
Yu Myeong-seon, eyes wide, looked back and forth between Son Gwang-yeon and Jin-hyuk.
"Must be because kids these days grow up fast. Haha!"
Son Gwang-yeon laughed happily.
No parent dislikes hearing their child is growing well.
"Let me see... This little princess who takes after her mom—is she five?"
Yu Myeong-seon scooped up Yu-jin and met her eyes.
Yu-jin placed her hands on both of the old chairman's cheeks with a loud smack.
"And how old are you, Gramps?"
"Hehehehehe! Old enough."
His cheeks stinging, Yu Myeong-seon grimaced and chuckled from deep in his chest.
The bold child's laughter brought a delightful ache to his heart.
"You must be hungry. Let's go inside."
Carrying Yu-jin, Yu Myeong-seon strode toward the mansion.
Jin-hyuk, who had been observing casually, narrowed his eyes.
'But that grandpa seems to spend more time looking at Mom than Dad.'
In situations like this, a young child usually steals the show.
Though he carried Yu-jin, his glances toward Mom kept catching Jin-hyuk's eye.
'This chairman knew our grandma.'
Jin-hyuk had recently seen the photo Dad pulled from the safe—his grandparents in military uniforms and Western clothes, a handsome couple holding hands and smiling in the faded picture. Grandma's smile, so like Mom's, had been especially striking. The shock from that day lingered, so he could guess why Yu Myeong-seon reacted that way.
'He might know something after all.'
It was a hope that, being from that era, he might still have ties to the past.
At the dinner table, to let the adults talk freely, Jin-hyuk looked after Yu-jin. He kept his ears perked, but no need for tension—they just chatted casually about life.
"I heard from Chairman Hong that your advice was a big help with the management."
Jin-hyuk shot Dad a knowing look with half-lidded eyes.
Modest or acting? Son Gwang-yeon tilted his head innocently.
"What would I know? He's just saying that."
Jin-hyuk snorted at Dad's sly act.
'That fox.'
Yu Myeong-seon, pleased at Jin-hyuk tending to his sister, glanced at Han Yu-young before returning to Son Gwang-yeon.
"Gi-jun seems to want to build something in that area. He said something, but I can barely keep up these days."
"There's talk of a training center and a security staff academy. We're meeting this time to discuss. He said we need expert opinions to decide. I'm thinking leasing might work."
"Hm, leasing... Good idea."
"It's not a huge area. Fifty-year leases would benefit both sides."
"Right, right. Others might scramble to buy, but I like that approach."
Yu Myeong-seon didn't press for details or persuasion. Though Jin-hyuk didn't know the old man's usual temperament, it was clear he respected Son Gwang-yeon's wishes.
Jin-hyuk gleaned new info too.
Fifty-year lease... If it goes through, that'll bring in a lot of cash.
"So, you're quite the runner, huh?"
The question came out of nowhere.
Jin-hyuk hemmed and hawed before nodding reluctantly.
"...A little."
He still wasn't used to praise or attention. It had always been that way. That's why he'd never wanted fame. Now, with his promise to Hong Su-jeong, he had reason to.
"Dream of being a track athlete?"
"Not yet—"
Dad jumped in as Jin-hyuk hesitated awkwardly.
"He's good at everything, so we're letting him figure it out."
"What an odd kid. Body of a grown man, but so shy. You're different from when you were little."
No, I'm not. I just don't have much to say. Who chats casually in front of a famous chairman?
Jin-hyuk swallowed his words, sliced bulgogi, and placed it in Yu-jin's bowl. How was she so bold, unbothered by strangers or settings? Look at her eating now—like she owned the place, beaming nonstop.
"He was such a rascal as a kid, you can't imagine."
"Must've matured early. Or puberty."
Hey, no, Grandpa. How old do you think I am?
Other kids probably heard this from elders during holidays, sassing back, getting called rude, and building rebellion. That's how they distance themselves from adults.
Jin-hyuk's indirect puberty experience.
He felt hormones but controlled them fine. That control, plus exercise, got him through the stormy years unscathed.
'Gotta understand as a grown-up.'
Still, he cherished this new everyday life.
The whole family touring Seoul, visiting a famous chairman's home. How ordinary and happy. The host had a garden, so they could even bring the dog.
'What's General up to?'
Worried, Jin-hyuk craned his neck to check the garden.
General was wolfing down meat-and-rice mix from a staff member. So tasty he ate upside down.
'What a champ, General.'
Oh, he just flopped over.
After dinner, they moved to the drawing room.
Han Yu-young offered to help with dishes but was shooed back by the housekeeper's fuss. Her embarrassed expression was comically awkward. From a homemaker's view, Seoul's wealthy ways were baffling.
That's when it started.
When conversation lulled, the crunch of cookies filled the room. While the men sipped tea, Han Yu-young, hooked on the cookies, devoured them. Even Yu-jin looked up at Mom in surprise.
"Haha, that good?"
Han Yu-young, eyes round mid-chew, startled at Yu Myeong-seon's question as if snapping out of a trance.
"Ah, I didn't realize..."
If fated encounters existed, it was these cookies, she thought, coming to her senses.
A kindly smile like a dragon's grace crossed Yu Myeong-seon's face.
"If you like them, I'll have them sent regularly."
"Really?"
Yu Myeong-seon boomed with laughter at her wide-eyed stare. He coughed, choking up—tears from coughing or emotion? His eyes welled plentifully.
Leaning forward like sharing a grand secret, Han Yu-young leaned in too.
"I'll head straight to your place from Hong Kong. But keep it secret from Se-ra."
Han Yu-young nodded solemnly in reply.
Yu Myeong-seon glanced at Son Gwang-yeon.
As a child, dragged by Yu Se-ra, Son Gwang-yeon had ignored everything for the study books. Remembering, Yu Myeong-seon said wistfully,
"Long time since you visited. No peek at the study?"
"Shall we get a whiff of those books?"
Son Gwang-yeon knew it was consideration for Han Yu-young's comfort. He patted his son's thigh lightly and stood.
Here we go. Jin-hyuk followed Dad.
Leaving Mom and Yu-jin to the cookies, the three men headed to the study.
Jin-hyuk, confident in his composure, was stunned by the study's scale.
'Whoa, it's huge.'
More library than study. Exaggerating, the mansion could collapse and it'd stand. What a sturdy house. Jin-hyuk's jaw wouldn't close.
Passing Dad and the chairman chatting amiably, Jin-hyuk went to the window. He glided his fingers like skating across the long wooden table to the end. Neatly folded morning papers and stacks of reports sat there.
'Already read the papers.'
He sidelong-glanced the reports. Handwritten drafts, scrawled but elegant handwriting, easy to read. Famously familiar to Jin-hyuk.
'Chairman Hong Gi-jun's handwriting.'
Hong Gi-jun sent New Year's cards yearly to executives and some staff. Jin-hyuk got one without fail—handwritten, usually "Take care of my daughter."
Yu Myeong-seon was busy laughing with Dad, not watching.
'Why leave important reports here?'
Ah, chairman's residence—security unmatched.
Drawn like a moth, Jin-hyuk flipped through. Speed increased, pulse racing. Blood pressure rising? Dad and chairman's talk faded like wind.
<Acquisition Negotiation Strategy for Daeo Communications>
<〇〇 Construction Acquisition Plan>
<2G Mobile Communications Global Market Expansion Strategy>
<Leadership in 3G Mobile Communications...>
<Internet Network Deployment Plan via Dedicated Lines>
<Sein Automotive Research Institute Establishment Plan>
<Research Report for Sein Machinery Core Business Selection>
<Gas Turbine for Overseas Plant Market Entry...>
<Sein 20-Year Growth Plan>
<Preliminary Report for Sein Aerospace Establishment>
<Sein Technica for Military Supplies Industry Entry...>
<SSS Establishment Promotion Plan>
<Satellite Launch Vehicle R&D Plan>
<Overview of Microcomputer-Equipped Radio-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft>
Jin-hyuk's eyes twisted in horror.
'This is...'
A world domination scenario.