$1,500 in Capital (1)
"Oh, you! My grandson!" Even in his sixties, Brigadier General Colson lifted his grandson into the air with ease, his massive frame radiating raw power. It was as if a grizzly bear had suddenly appeared in the middle of a meadow. It was hard to imagine that Park Yeon-ji had been born from those genes; the Brigadier General’s appearance was overflowing with a wild, rugged charisma. He still bore the mark of a bullet that had grazed his right cheek, and his hands were covered in scars from bayonet slashes.
"When did you arrive?"
"I'm only a few years away from retirement, so I've finally got some breathing room. I wanted to surprise you."
"A spry guy like you is already retiring?" Choi Ki-hyun asked, and the Brigadier General let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahahaha! Retirement just means leaving the military. I’ll take a short break until my official retirement date, then I have to head straight to Northrop."
"So, you're going to Northrop?"
"That's right."
At this point in time, Northrop had not yet merged with Grumman, but as far as this was concerned, neither Yoon-gi nor Choi Deok-bae knew anything about it.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're here. Yoon-gi has been wanting to see you, too."
"Is that so?"
When his maternal grandfather looked at him, Yoon-gi nodded vigorously.
"I wish both Grandfather and Maternal Grandfather could live in Korea together."
Hearing this, Brigadier General Colson clicked his tongue.
"I’d like that too, but the country won't let me go."
"That’s because you’re a great man, Grandfather!"
"Hahahaha! Hearing that from you is better than hearing it from anyone else in the world. Anyway, it looked like you were playing catch—mind if I join in?"
As Brigadier General Colson tossed his military jacket aside, the U.S. military officers escorting him caught the jacket in mid-air and stood at attention with practiced grace. A general-grade officer couldn't travel without a security detail, but the guards kept their distance so as not to disturb the Brigadier General’s mood. Yoon-gi’s family, too, enjoyed their time together as if this were perfectly normal. Park Yeon-ji, in particular, remained quiet but smiled throughout the entire time, watching the 'three generations' play catch.
"Well then, since Father is here, I'll show you what I've got for once."
While the three generations were engrossed in their game of catch, the savory scent of *doenjang-jjigae* (soybean paste stew) began to waft from the kitchen.
Steak grilled with thick, fresh beef that was hard to find in Korea. And a rich *doenjang-jjigae* made with savory paste sourced directly from a renowned family estate. There were other dishes, but these two were undoubtedly the stars of the table today. The steak, as large as an adult's face, was enough to make anyone’s mouth water, but Brigadier General Colson kept exclaiming in admiration as he ate the *doenjang-jjigae* like a soup on the side.
"Eating food made by my daughter after all this time, I feel my strength returning!"
Brigadier General Colson’s Korean was incredibly fluent. This was because he had loved his wife—who had passed away 14 years ago due to the aftereffects of the Korean War—so dearly. Although he had nearly become a man of few words after her death, he had regained his lost Korean fluency as he began to talk more after Yoon-gi was born.
"By the way, how are things on the 'P' side lately? With protests happening so often, I imagine the U.S. is feeling uneasy."
To Choi Ki-hyun’s question during the meal, Colson replied with a cautious expression.
"The intelligence agency is watching closely, but it seems they don't have any intention of making a move because of the Soviet Union. For now, it seems things will be fine as they are."
The conversation Choi Ki-hyun and Colson were having was the most top-secret information within the Samwoo Group. It was a conversation between the two who had built the Samwoo Group as it stood, so normally, no one else would be allowed to join. However, Choi Cheol-ho was the successor Choi Ki-hyun had in mind and a comrade-in-arms who had shared the ups and downs of the Samwoo Group, and Park Yeon-ji was the Brigadier General’s only daughter. Other adults wouldn't dare approach this kitchen, and they had been forced to leave early today, so the only exception was Yoon-gi. Normally, Yoon-gi would have been sent elsewhere to prevent information leaks, or the two would have talked in the study, but that didn't happen. Choi Ki-hyun trusted Yoon-gi’s brilliance, and Colson trusted Choi Ki-hyun’s judgment. Aside from Choi Cheol-ho and Park Yeon-ji, Yoon-gi was the first blood relative to be included in their conversation.
'If it's "P," he must be talking about that person.'
Living through odd jobs, construction sites, or blue-collar work, one often hears about modern Korean history. As such, Yoon-gi knew quite well what happened during certain periods.
'The 10.26 incident happens on October 26, 1979, right?'
The incident where 'P' is shot by a PPK and dies. Because of that, the new military regime would take power in Korea. However, Yoon-gi judged that there was no reason or room for him to intervene at this point.
'I can't change the flow of history where the new military regime takes over, and even if I stopped JD, a new JD would just appear. The U.S. would want that.'
Even though he was born as the eldest grandson of a wealthy family, Yoon-gi, now 10 years old, knew better than anyone that he lacked the power to stop such historical currents.
'Even if I wanted to tell them that the incident would happen, I couldn't find a way to convince them, and even if I did, my maternal grandfather isn't someone who can move the U.S. on his own.'
However, there was another reason Yoon-gi had reacted to the mention of 'P'. It was because of JD. The reason he was currently buying up land, including the Cheonggyecheon area, was indirectly related to JD’s 3S policy.
'Learning management has made it clearer what I need to do.'
Thinking their conversation had reached a natural lull, Yoon-gi looked at Brigadier General Colson and cautiously brought up the subject.
"Grandfather, you were born in the United States, right?"
"That's right. That's why I'm in the U.S. military. Hahaha."
"Then, where in the U.S. were you born?"
"Ah, did I not tell you?"
As Park Yeon-ji nodded, Colson opened his mouth with a hearty laugh.
"This old man was born in Indiana. It’s a place where, if you open your eyes at home, cornfields stretch out to the horizon."
"Wow... then did your grandfather also farm corn?"
"He did. But this old man hated corn farming, so I ran away to the military. The day I said I was going to enlist, my father put a noose around my neck. Because my father had fought in World War I."
"Great-grandfather did?"
"Yes. Because of the memories from that time, Great-grandfather would often sleep standing next to the window with a gun in his hand. Actually, I have similar habits, and this guy here does too."
Choi Ki-hyun nodded.
"True, I often wake up in a start when I hear sounds like bugles. You’re like that too, aren't you?"
"That's right. Maybe that's why I never oversleep. Though I do get startled when the military band practices in the middle of the day."
They were laughing, but their faces were strangely rigid.
"America... I want to go back and visit. I went when I was very young, so I have no memory of it."
It was true that Yoon-gi had been to the U.S. a few times when he was younger. He still had the memories, too. But it was also true that he hadn't been back since entering kindergarten due to his studies. At that, Brigadier General Colson’s face brightened.
"Then, would you like to go this time? It just so happens that this old man is free."
"Really?"
When he asked with an innocent expression, Brigadier General Colson’s face filled with pride.
"Of course. Do you want to go tomorrow?"
"Hehe, it's hard because I'm in the middle of the school term, but I'd like to spend this vacation in the U.S."
"That's a great idea. What about you?"
At the Brigadier General’s words, Choi Ki-hyun clicked his tongue.
"If I'm away for that long, the company will be in big trouble."
"True, isn't it? Then I'll have to monopolize my grandson this vacation."
"Ugh... Yoon-gi, do you really have to go to America?"
"Yes."
"Ugh!"
Watching his grandson nod without a moment’s hesitation, Choi Ki-hyun wiggled his index fingers in a gesture of regret, as if he couldn't stop him anymore.
"Maternal Grandfather is a grandfather, too."
"*Ahem*, yes, well, that's true. Since you're going, have fun and come back."
"Instead, I'll spend a lot of time with you before I go."
"Will you really?"
"Of course. Time spent with you is fun, Grandfather."
"Uhehe, did you see that? That kid is my grandson."
"...This kid must have developed PTSD in a strange way."
At Brigadier General Colson’s tongue-clicking remark, laughter bloomed at the dinner table.
With not much time left until vacation began, Yoon-gi added English newspaper clipping to his daily routine. However, Ryu Geun-tae, his tutor; his parents, Choi Cheol-ho and Park Yeon-ji; and even Choi Ki-hyun had no idea what kind of articles he was clipping. The reason was simply, "Because it's embarrassing." Since it was a reason that was somewhat easy to accept, Choi Ki-hyun didn't force his grandson to reveal the reason. Thanks to this, Yoon-gi could clip comfortably, but as the vacation approached, his worries began to grow.
'Is this enough? No, no matter how much I prepare, it's not enough. It would be better to keep preparing until vacation starts.'
Finally, Yoon-gi asked Ryu Geun-tae for not just newspapers, but also English-language magazines on economics, finance, and science. Thanks to this, the sketchbook included not just simple newspaper clippings, but also magazine articles and columns. On the day before they left, Yoon-gi went to sleep feeling relieved, with an expression that said he had 'done his best.'
"It would have been nice if you could have gone too..."
At Park Yeon-ji’s words of regret, Choi Cheol-ho shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Yoon-gi isn't here, and Father-in-law isn't here either, so if I'm not here, Father will be very lonely. I have to be here."
"When you come back, let's take a short trip, the two of us. You don't rest enough, and that's a problem."
"Let's do that. Anyway, have a good rest in America with Yoon-gi during the vacation."
"Thank you."
The moment she gave her husband a light kiss on the lips, Park Yeon-ji remembered that her son was behind her and blushed.
"What's wrong with a married couple?"
Park Yeon-ji, whose face turned even redder at her precocious son’s remark, gave him a playful knock on the head with affection. Naturally, it didn't hurt, so Yoon-gi grinned, and Park Yeon-ji practically pushed him into the car.
"Then, we'll be departing."
Polite English. The Mercedes sent by Brigadier General Colson had enough space for Yoon-gi, Park Yeon-ji, and Ryu Geun-tae. It was a car that a regular Korean wouldn't be able to ride in, but one that could be used under the name of a U.S. Forces Korea Brigadier General. That was the Mercedes, and thanks to that, the three were able to arrive at the airport in great comfort.
"Welcome."
"Grandfather!"
Following Brigadier General Colson, who was waiting at the airport, everyone boarded the plane to the U.S. Among them, Ryu Geun-tae headed to business class, and the three, including Yoon-gi, headed to first class. Choi Ki-hyun had tipped off Ryu Geun-tae that since Yoon-gi was taking him to the U.S. with his own money, a clear hierarchy had to be established, which was why the seats were arranged this way. Of course, Ryu Geun-tae had no complaints, so the pleasant trip to the U.S. began without a hitch.
"What do you want to do first when you get to America?"
At Brigadier General Colson’s question, Yoon-gi gave a 100-point answer.
"I want to visit your hometown, Grandfather. I want to know how you lived when you were young, and I want to smell the scents of your memories."
"Oh, I'll let you smell them to your heart's content."
Brigadier General Colson, who had lifted his grandson onto his lap, continued with a subtle expression.
"But that's not all, is it? This grandfather thinks there’s a reason you suddenly wanted to go to America."
"Ehehe..."
Watching his grandson scratch the back of his head with an awkward laugh, Brigadier General Colson smiled.
"Tell me. If it's a request from you, I can grant you anything."
At his grandfather’s words, Yoon-gi opened the sketchbook he had brought on board and replied.
"I want to meet these people."
The English article clipped into the sketchbook caught Brigadier General Colson’s eye.
[Geeky geniuses who dropped out of Harvard and started a small company]