Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Comfort and Gifts (2)
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Son Gwang-yeon posed his question, but Yu Myeong-seon just shook his head.
Park Un-cheol had always been enigmatic, never revealing his true intentions. Even back in the day, Gwang-yeon had only inferred things from his actions and glances as a close friend. Their visits had grown infrequent over the years, and it had already been over two years since Park had secured his position. Word was that his heart failure had worsened to the point where he was barely clinging to life with the ECMO oxygen mask.
Even back then, had Park been so eager to take in Son Mun-ye that he'd made caring for Gwang-yeon a condition? Yu Myeong-seon could only speculate. That black-hearted bastard had died without ever spilling a word.
Noticing Yu Myeong-seon's grave expression, Son Gwang-yeon quickly changed the subject.
It was a roundabout way to steer the conversation toward what he wanted to discuss.
"How have your brothers been?"
"Hm... The eldest got kicked out, but his complexion's brighter now. Ha ha! What a..."
Thinking of Yu Mun-sik, Yu Myeong-seon chuckled in disbelief for a moment.
Who would've thought he'd show such a bright face—something unseen since his mother died—at the ripe old age of nearly fifty.
"The second one's busy developing some semiconductor machine. He's really something."
Just like that, Yu Myeong-seon's face lit up as if the seriousness had never been there.
He tapped a report labeled "Sein Machinery Equipment Development" with his index finger and continued.
"They're talking about all sorts of complex processes, aiming for domestic production. And in the chemicals division that Gi-jun's handling, they're developing some kind of reagent too—apparently, each process uses different chemicals."
Yu Myeong-seon shook his head with a laugh, muttering, "It's complicated, so complicated."
Jin-hyuk strained to listen, not missing a single word.
Hong Gi-jun's already dipping into direct semiconductor production, huh. Even the casual clues from Yu Myeong-seon gave him a clear picture of the trends.
"The world's changing too fast. I wonder if my father thought the same when he looked at me."
"What did he think?"
"That it's not the young folks' adaptability letting them thrive in this rapidly changing world. More like, by the time you realize it, the young and smart ones are the ones driving and accelerating the change."
Yu Myeong-seon paused thoughtfully before continuing.
"I have to admit it. It's time for me to step down. And I've found not just a decent successor, but an excellent one."
His expression was serene.
"How precious it is to leave something behind for the next generation. Be it wealth or power..."
With those words, he turned his gaze to Jin-hyuk, who was pretending not to listen from afar.
Son Gwang-yeon's eyes found his son at the same moment Yu Myeong-seon finished.
"...or a person."
Yeah, I've left a person behind too. Son Gwang-yeon basked in that warm sentiment for a brief moment. But he couldn't let emotion make him forget his son's important request. On the drive into Seoul, Jin-hyuk had insisted he ask this. Glancing at his son a few steps away, he brought it up.
"Um, but is it true that Daejeong supported the independence movement?"
It was his son's directive to throw out any question related to Daejeong.
Daejeong was the only logical suspect, so it made perfect sense.
Yu Myeong-seon's response was firm.
"What nonsense. Daejeong got big by cozying up to the Japanese."
Jin-hyuk's ears twitched.
Son Gwang-yeon furrowed his brow and tilted his head.
"In a recent magazine interview, President Park Woo-jeong—"
"I saw it."
Yu Myeong-seon cut him off, his face hardening.
"Ha ha... He fed his wife's family fortune to the Japs and pocketed plenty in the process. Then after liberation, he blew it all on bribes left and right."
"First I've heard of it."
"Only the Park family and their son know besides me. How many people from back then are even still alive? Support the independence movement? Ha ha ha... Jeong-won would be rolling in his grave."
Son Gwang-yeon's jaw clenched, his eyes widening.
Jin-hyuk, eavesdropping from afar, reacted the same way. He nearly gasped aloud and had to grit his teeth to hold it in.
Misreading Son Gwang-yeon's shocked reaction, Yu Myeong-seon gave a sly smirk.
"Oh right, there was a Jeong-won guy. Don't know his family name or face. I only heard about him from that Park bastard—never met him. He liquidated all his assets early on and threw himself into the independence movement, then led his comrades into the war during the upheaval. Seems he trusted the Park bastard's business savvy and left him the remaining funds. That's all I got from the Park guy. Even drunk, that black-hearted prick never spilled details. The fact that he told me at all means he saw me as his one true friend..."
If that Jeong-won guy entrusted it to Park, it must've been to earn profits for good causes. But the bastard won't say. Yu Myeong-seon gripped his chin and clicked his tongue.
Son Gwang-yeon spoke without a hint of agitation—a composure that even surprised Jin-hyuk.
"By any chance—"
"Yeah."
"I might not know much, but couldn't independence fighters join the military?"
"Rarely. It was a kind of factionalism. Probably the Defense Forces' one-sided rejection. How many people and events from history get erased to suit the victor's taste? But why do you ask?"
"No reason. I just thought someone like that would have some record somewhere. Anyway, surprising that Daejeong was involved."
With that certainty secured, Son Gwang-yeon's eyes trembled red, his calm shattered as he quickly shifted topics. His voice shook too.
No record in the National Army logs, nor the independence forces'.
How could one express such grief?
Yu Myeong-seon spilled everything he knew, unconcerned with Son Gwang-yeon or Jin-hyuk's reactions. After all, sharing tales of his era was an old man's joy—his sons found it boring and goofed off, while his still-adorable daughter just scarfed cookies.
This reunion with Son Gwang-yeon was proving comforting for Yu Myeong-seon too.
"Daejeong didn't support the movement—they benefited from independence funds. Shameless enough to boast about it in an interview for image, even if business reputation matters. Woo-jeong's definitely his father's son. Oh, and didn't your mother invest a ton with the Park bastard too?"
"Mother did?"
She wouldn't have had that kind of money. Son Gwang-yeon swallowed the question.
He didn't know the details anyway, and Yu Myeong-seon only had fragments from Park Un-cheol and his wife.
"Mm. That's what I heard. You know I don't pry into details. I was even more taciturn when I was young. Your mother was the same. We were like siblings, but that was just talk—no phone, always busy. How often did we even meet? Never had the chance to share our inner thoughts. If I'd known she'd go like that, I'd have treated her more like a real sister... but that's the folly of thinking we have infinite time, like mayflies living one day."
The old man's wistful reminiscence echoed faintly.
Son Gwang-yeon stared at the documents on the table, swallowing hard, lips pressed tight in silence.
Jin-hyuk closed his eyes and clenched his teeth.
Fists balled at his sides.
'Jeong-won... Son Jeong-won.'
The man who existed only in stories Grandma told Dad and in that single photo.
Handsome in his military cap and uniform, smiling broadly with a mustache covering his lip.
Flames sparked in Jin-hyuk's eyes.
A puzzle buried like an artifact had risen to the surface with the power of fate.
Jin-hyuk slipped into the bathroom for a moment and turned on the faucet.
Tears flowed for no reason he could name.
A dry heart unaccustomed to sorrow or rage. But now he understood the meaning of tears born of fury.
'Grandpa and Grandma were too pitiful.'
Was it coincidence that old articles flashed by about descendants of independence fighters living hard lives? Trusting their own people, only to be used, betrayed. Leaving no trace in the end.
Jin-hyuk's face gleamed with fierce resolve after splashing cold water.
Even as Yu Myeong-seon's friend, Park Un-cheol had minimized anything that could tarnish him. People always shape narratives to their advantage. Understanding that psychology didn't mean Jin-hyuk could empathize or forgive.
Grandma must've had enough wealth to help Park Un-cheol. Probably what Grandpa left for her.
No need to look further.
Daejeong was the only threat to Dad.
And everyone knew Park Un-cheol didn't have long left.
That left one suspect.
'Park Woo-jeong.'
Less famous this life due to Hong Gi-jun, but in the past, he'd been top-tier. Park Un-cheol's son at eighteen, so nearly sixty now.
According to Yu Myeong-seon, Woo-jeong held the key.
'Money? Some notarized docs in Grandpa's name?'
Unrealistic to assume evidence existed, but it was the only suspicious lead.
Rumors swirled he'd killed his half-brother studying abroad. If true, obviously to avoid splitting the inheritance.
Daejeong's half—no, a fraction—would still be immense.
At least 120 trillion, give or take. Current valuation unknown, but by future standards 30 years out, plenty plausible.
If big money was at stake, Park Woo-jeong had motive to wipe out a whole family.
'Someday I'll dry him out and tear him to shreds.'
Like a flounder.
He wanted to smash him with raw force, but that was cheap revenge.
True vengeance was taking what he truly loved and cherished.
Even in his rage, Jin-hyuk calmly planned ahead.
'Perfect chance to test their skills.'
If Mun Seok-il delivered as expected, it'd prove their worth. Whatever method, he hoped they'd return safe.
He needed people he could command.
Jin-hyuk had to go to school, after all.
'Park Woo-jeong. What a fateful grudge.'
In his past life, Woo-jeong's druggie third son got handcuffed on his wedding night, high as a kite. He'd tangled with Hong Su-jeong, over a decade younger at his age of forty, but leopards don't change spots. Probably college age now, just starting drugs.
Hong Su-jeong had cut ties with Hong Gi-jun from then on, the once vibrant and sweet girl turning dark and wild.
Everyone called it Chairman Hong's biggest mistake.
Setting up his precious only daughter with a turd.
'Well, he didn't know. That he was a junkie.'
Still, his only daughter—should've vetted better.
Tsk! Jin-hyuk smacked his lips hard.
Protect the family, stop Su-jeong from going off the rails.
'Midterms to prep for too.'
Too much to do.
Son Gwang-yeon had no more questions, nor need for them.
Yu Myeong-seon had poured out everything he knew.
His breathing even seemed labored from talking so much.
Pity and anger aside, Gwang-yeon excelled at suppressing rage and steadying his heart. He wasn't content to just take it lying down anymore. Not with two solid allies.
One ally reentered the study.
Yu Myeong-seon eyed Jin-hyuk steadily.
The tall middle-schooler browsing the study books looked ordinary, but his eyes were anything but. He could tell the boy had been all ears, focused on their conversation. It piqued the old man's interest.
'This the kid Gi-jun mentioned?'
Hong Gi-jun, who frequented the study daily, had talked about Jin-hyuk.
Though he'd only recently hinted it was Son Gwang-yeon's son, he'd said he was putting real effort in—not recruitment, but capture.
At first, Yu Myeong-seon dismissed it as humor from his joke-less son-in-law.
'So, you're the one who's gonna be my grandson-in-law?'
Separate from any arranged marriage qualms, curiosity stirred. Pairing promising young ones early wasn't unusual.
The long lashes under slightly drooped eyelids reminded him of his granddaughter. Or maybe Han Yu-young. Thought his days were numbered, but the old chairman's eyes gleamed unnaturally.
'Gi-jun's got good eyes.'
Yu Myeong-seon, who now believed even red beans could make bean paste if his son-in-law said so. His granddaughter even mumbled the boy's name in her sleep, he'd heard. Chin lightly gripped, he nodded.
Son Gwang-yeon, mid-conversation, cautiously called to Yu Myeong-seon, who seemed lost in thought like when Yu Se-ra did.
"Sir...?"
"Oh, right. Where were we?"
The old man gave an awkward smile at Gwang-yeon's puzzled look.
"I'm planning to start a business. No more cowering away."
"Good. You'll do well."
Yu Myeong-seon met Gwang-yeon's eyes and smiled contentedly.
"Yes. What I wanted to propose is partnering with Sein Group—specifically Sein Distribution and Food—to learn management know-how and systems—"
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Yu Myeong-seon's hearty laugh cut him off.
The old chairman placed a hand on the bewildered Gwang-yeon's shoulder.
"Talk to our son-in-law about that, man."
"Pardon? But you're still the head of the group."
"Nonsense. You're heading to Su-jeong's today, right?"
"Yes."
"Go check for yourself."
Who really owned Sein? Yu Myeong-seon's eyes, crinkled in laughter, said the rest.