Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: I Believe You.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There were quite a few things to take care of at the house in Pyeongchang-dong.
I stopped by before evening, and Hye-jeong was thrilled, jumping up and down.
It had only been a little over a month since I'd seen her at Jo Man-deok's funeral.
"Oppa! Why haven't you come home like this?"
"I've been busy studying, you know that."
"Even after going to college, do you really have to study that hard?"
"It's the graduation quota system. They expand enrollment, but if you don't keep up, you're out. So I have to study hard."
Of course, I wasn't studying that hard.
Even in my previous life, I'd graduated from a business school at a different university, so I figured I'd pass with minimal effort. I had no desire to chase top grades anyway.
Middling was fine by me.
"Tch! What's up with that? Even in college, you have to suffer through studying?"
"Hahaha! Who knows what it'll be like when you enroll."
Hye-jeong was born in '69, so by then, the graduation quota system would be gone.
But it was true that over the next few years, quite a few female students would get booted for failing it.
Girls couldn't dodge it by enlisting like the boys could.
Anyway, my little sister Hye-jeong—every time I saw her, her beauty had blossomed more, stunning even her big brother.
I needed to get her out of there as fast as possible. This was making me anxious.
"Hye-jeong-ah."
"Yeah, oppa?"
"Any guys still hounding you about becoming an idol?"
"Ugh, don't even ask. I keep saying no, but they follow me to school. It's driving me nuts."
"You know you can't fall for that temptation, right?"
"Of course, oppa. I hate that stuff."
"Good, good. Here, take this."
"Heeheehee! Oppa is the best!"
"Hahaha!"
I handed her some pocket money, and she latched onto my arm like crazy.
I didn't have strong feelings about idols one way or the other.
But I knew all too well that the world of female entertainers back then was like a savage jungle. That's why I kept gaslighting her like this.
How do I know about the entertainment industry? Whether it's a kingdom of beasts?
While I walked the path of the house servant, I'd watched firsthand how Jo Min-cheol and his cronies procured those women and spent their nights in debauchery.
Not all of them, of course—but my sister wasn't setting foot in that dangerous neighborhood. No way.
After seeing Hye-jeong, I met up with Brother Sang-sik.
"Brother Sang-sik!"
"Hey, Kang Hyeok. Man, trim that beard! What kind of freshman grows a beard like that? You look like a bandit!"
"Heh heh heh! My nicknames at school are already Bandit and Im Kkeok-jeong."
"Perfect, just perfect."
"Anyway, hyung, I heard you put in your resignation?"
"Huh? Word reached you too?"
"Come on, you're like my master, aren't you? My boxing master."
"Heh heh! True enough."
"So, when's your last day?"
"This Saturday. Though upstairs wanted me out by Friday."
"What? So just two days from now?"
"Yep."
If I hadn't come today, it would've been a headache.
Plenty of regular households still didn't have phones back then, so tracking down a bachelor like him would've been a hassle.
"Hyung, planning to open a gym right away?"
"Nah, I'll rest a month or so, then start looking. Oh, Brother Dong-ju's quitting too."
"What? Dong-ju hyung too?"
"Yeah. He said the place was getting too rotten to stick around, so when I quit, he handed in his notice with me."
Brother Dong-ju was the most trusted guy among the bodyguards, right alongside Brother Sang-sik. Top-notch skills too.
"Hyung, ever thought about doing some day work?"
"What? Day work? What kind?"
"Just something I need help with. Can't go into details."
"What would you need us for? You could take on a truckload of punks single-handed. And with that look now, who'd even mess with you? People part like the Red Sea on the street."
"..."
I'd grown the beard to look older, but maybe I'd overdone it.
Once this job wrapped up, time to clean it off.
"Anyway, what's the gig? If it's for you, I'd do it for free, no matter how many days."
"Nothing big. Just follow me somewhere and stand guard where I tell you. Hold the line for a bit."
Whether it was Lighter Park or propane tanks, hauling over 300kg of gold bars, dollars, and yen solo was too risky.
Plus, Lighter Park wasn't the type to deal with just anyone off the street—he'd need some proper intimidation.
For that, I needed Brother Sang-sik and Brother Dong-ju.
Suit them up, and they'd pass for agents or elite security from some big shot.
"You little punk. You aren't up to something shady, are you?"
"Hey! What do you take me for?"
"What do I take you for? A big-time broker. But a regular broker freshman—at freakin' Seoul National University—needing our muscle? Come on."
"..."
Fair point.
What I was doing wasn't normal college kid stuff.
That's exactly why I came to reliable Brother Sang-sik.
"Hyung, can't you just trust me on this? It's me! Lee Kang-hyeok! The guy you swore would be somebody special someday!"
"Hmph, no one's saying otherwise. But you gotta give me some idea what's up."
"It's tricky right now. That's why I'm asking you. I'd just hire through an agency otherwise—what's the point of begging you? It's not like I'm broke."
"What? Where'd you get money?"
"I invested the congratulatory cash from Min-cheol's dad as seed money in stocks. Hit big. I'm pretty loaded now. Don't lump me in with the house servant's kid you knew."
"Huh? How much did the chairman give you to get rich in five months?"
"Ten million won."
"Holy shit! Some folks slave away for years and never see that kind..."
I got why Brother Sang-sik looked so deflated.
Average blue-collar monthly wage was around 200,000 won back then—literally the average.
Factory girls—what they rudely called "gong-sun-i"—made under 100,000.
That was the era. Even as top-tier Cheonwang Group security with great pay, he topped out just over 300,000 a month.
So yeah, Chairman Jo's 10 million congratulatory gift was massive.
Basically a bribe to stick by his son, plus a bet on my future as top of Seoul National University's business school.
Not that I planned to deliver.
"Aw, don't be like that."
"Shut it! So how much did you turn that into?"
"Not getting into details, but over 100 million."
"What? Hundred million? A billion won?!"
"Yeah, 100 million. And it's still growing."
"You... you're really rich now."
Brother Sang-sik eyed me with envy.
100 million was that kind of money back then.
Enough to call any commoner a tycoon.
A moment later, he spoke up again.
"It's not anything seriously bad, right?"
"Hyung, why are you like this? I'm the guy who topped into Seoul National University business school. My future's wide open—why would I screw it up? Especially when I'm not hurting for cash?"
"True, true. Alright, got it. What do I need to do? When and where?"
"Next week I'm heading out somewhere, but the week after, Monday. Here's my number—call before 10 a.m. Sunday."
"Whoa, you even have a phone?"
"Basic. Basic."
Going from smartphone to landline was driving me nuts.
"And I'd love if Brother Dong-ju could join."
"He's out with the chairman now. I'll tell him when he gets back."
"Cool! All set then. I'll pay you both 50,000 won a day."
Huge pay for the time, but these guys were elite talent worth it.
And I could afford it.
"What? That much? Hey, I feel bad taking your money as it is..."
"Don't want it?"
"Nah, gimme! Heh heh heh!"
"If this goes well, we might keep working together. Let's do this."
"For real?"
"Absolutely!"
"But Kang Hyeok."
"Yeah?"
"Your speech is getting shorter and snappier by the minute."
"Gotta talk the talk when you're the boss, right?"
"You little..."
"Hahaha!"
That evening, when Father got home from work, I asked about the favor I'd requested earlier.
"Father."
"Yeah, Kang Hyeok?"
"How'd that thing I asked about go?"
"Was just about to call you. All done the day before yesterday."
"Haha! Thank you."
"Hold on a sec."
"Sure, Father."
Father went into his room and came back with a yellowish envelope.
"Here. Your duplicate passport, Japan visa, draft board approval—all of it."
"What about the exit seminar?"
"Manager Park handled that. It's stamped as completed, so you're good to go."
"Thank you so much. The chief of staff didn't ask questions?"
"He did, but I said my boy wants to go to Japan to learn from their advanced society. He was all for it. Said topping Seoul National makes all the difference."
"Hahaha!"
The prestige of Seoul National was hitting home more every day.
College kids were rare, and SNU business school top dog? Doors opened automatically.
Getting a passport back then—let alone a duplicate—was tough.
Japan visa? Even harder. Pre-draft age guys? Near impossible.
But Cheonwang Group's secretariat pulled strings, faking me as an employee. Still, my age meant they had to hustle.
They were my enemies, sure—but damn right I'd milk them when it suited.
No other legal way short of smuggling.
And plenty did sneak to Japan back then, sparking diplomatic and social headaches.
Like the Chinese sneaking into Korea later.
"Staying the night?"
"Yes, Father."
"Then let's crack open some beers for old times' sake."
"Haha! Sounds good."
We drank and caught up on current events.
I couldn't spill everything, but sticking to school life had Father beaming.
Like every dad in the world.
Then his smile faded, and he got serious.
"Kang Hyeok."
"Yes, Father?"
"When you asked to go to Japan, I didn't pry."
"You didn't."
"Kang Hyeok."
"Yes, Father?"
"I believe you."
"You can. I promise."
"Hahaha! Last round, then bed."
"Yes, Father."
Next Monday morning at Gimpo Airport.
I had to fly to Busan first thing for Japan.
To recruit Sakamoto Kenichi—the guy who'd help with my business there—and make him mine.