Chapter 420: Let Me Ask You This Way

Cheon Ji-young fainted upon hearing the news of Cheon Su-han's suicide.

She quickly regained consciousness and rushed home.

When she arrived the devastating reality hit her hard making her sigh in despair.

Her mother Kim Jung-hee oblivious to her husband's death was busy examining luxury goods with a sales representative.

"Oh Ji-young? What brings you here at this hour? You barely visit these days."

Kim Jung-hee tilted her head looking at Ji-young with a puzzled expression.

"Mom! What are you doing right now!"

Normally she would have let it slide but Ji-young couldn't contain her anger anymore and shouted.

"Why are you suddenly acting like this? Did something happen?"

Ji-young glared at Kim Jung-hee with tears welling up in her eyes.

Finally sensing something was wrong Kim Jung-hee sent the luxury goods sales representative away. She crossed her arms and stared at Ji-young.

"What is it? What's wrong? Are things not going well at work?"

Just as Ji-young parted her lips Manager Ma called.

He said what he needed to say and hung up coldly.

― Miss we'll handle all the arrangements. Please bring your mother to Korea University Hospital's funeral hall right away.

Ji-young could only stammer in shock. This was completely unexpected.

If Manager Ma was involved it meant Kim Mu-hyeok had given the order.

Her father Cheon Su-han had helped kill Kim Mu-hyeok's parents.

Yet here he was arranging and managing the funeral.

It was something she could never do herself. Tears streamed down Ji-young's face.

She hated her father. What Cheon Su-han had done was unforgivable.

But… his loving smile and the affection he'd shown her had been genuine.

When her faith in her father began to waver Kim Mu-hyeok had reached out to her.

Though she was the daughter of his enemy he treated her like a cousin sister looking after her and supporting whatever she wanted to do.

Among a family that barely felt like family Kim Mu-hyeok was the only one who truly treated her as family.

"Ji-young! Ji-young!"

Kim Jung-hee called out startled when Ji-young suddenly began crying.

"Dad's dead. And here you are shopping for luxury goods what are you doing?"

"What? Why is your father dead?"

"…He took his own life."

Kim Jung-hee collapsed onto the sofa her legs giving out.

"He wasn't the type to go like this…"

Watching her mother mutter like a madwoman Ji-young spoke.

"Get up. We need to go now."

"No. Maybe this is for the best. Better than living in hell for the rest of his life."

"Mom!"

When Ji-young called out again Kim Jung-hee waved her hand and stood up.

"Alright alright stop whining. You're so pushy really."

After her momentary shock she quickly regained her composure and rose.

"Wait while I change. Call the relatives and your father's friends… No never mind. What friends would he have?"

After giving Ji-young instructions Kim Jung-hee turned away coldly.

Ji-young stood there in a daze.

It felt like being trapped in a family structure devoid of any warmth.

Even Kim Mu-hyeok's grandmother whom she'd met just once had felt warmer.

A moment later Kim Jung-hee emerged from the dressing room covered in luxury items.

"Mom… You're going like that?"

Ji-young's voice trembled at the sight which was completely inappropriate for attending her husband's funeral.

"What's wrong with it? It's black isn't it? They'll have clothes at the funeral hall. Where is it? Where are we going?"

Ji-young bit her lip hard. Fighting here would only waste energy.

"Korea University Hospital."

Ji-young turned away after answering weakly.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Cheon Su-han's funeral was arranged at Korea University Hospital's funeral hall.

Ma Seok-dae faithfully carried out Kim Mu-hyeok's instructions.

He contacted Korea University Hospital to rent a special funeral room and sent messages to Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-su.

The body had already been moved to the hospital and all other details were taken care of.

After completing all preparations Ma Seok-dae gathered his subordinates and said.

"You'll stay here until the funeral ends. Record everyone who comes to pay respects without missing anyone. And treat Miss Ji-young's orders as if they came from the boss himself. Understood?"

"Yes Manager."

Ma Seok-dae nodded and turned around.

At that moment the automatic doors opened and Ji-young entered with Kim Jung-hee.

"Welcome Miss."

Ma Seok-dae bowed to Ji-young.

"Thank you Manager."

"Not at all. This was the boss's order."

"Oh brother…"

"He said he'll contact you separately after the funeral. My condolences."

Ma Seok-dae bowed again. Though his greeting was polite his voice carried no emotion.

"I'll take my leave now. If you need anything please tell our staff. They'll help with whatever you need."

"Alright. Thank you."

After Ma Seok-dae left Ji-young entered the family waiting room and put on the prepared mourning clothes.

"What? That bastard prepared all this?"

Kim Jung-hee asked as Ji-young changed into the mourning clothes.

"What right does he have to prepare this? Move it somewhere else right now."

"Mom… Please just stay quiet? I'm exhausted. So please…"

"This… Are you in your right mind?"

Kim Jung-hee's lips trembled.

"Before I cancel all your cards… Just three days… Act like a normal person for just three days. This is a warning Mom."

Ji-young turned away after changing into mourning clothes. She felt like she'd cry again if she faced her mother.

"What? Are you threatening your mother right now?"

"Mom Mom… Please just three days. Let me ask you this way."

Ji-young finally turned back looking at Kim Jung-hee with tears in her eyes. Kim Jung-hee could only move her lips wordlessly.

"I'll let you do whatever you want after so please just act like a normal family for three days okay?"

"…Make sure you keep that promise."

Kim Jung-hee sighed deeply and began removing her clothes.

She took off all her accessories and changed into the simple mourning clothes that had been prepared.

Finally stopping her tears Ji-young watched her mother's actions with a pitiful look.

After finishing all preparations Ji-young and Kim Jung-hee left the room.

Ji-young collapsed as soon as she saw Cheon Su-han's smiling portrait.

Even after considerable time had passed only a handful of people came to pay their respects.

When a noble's dog dies people flood the gates but when the noble dies not even a dog shows up.

Ji-young let out a bitter laugh looking at the empty funeral hall. Apart from a few relatives from her mother's side no one visited the funeral hall.

The next day.

Cheon Ji-su arrived at the funeral hall early.

After paying respects to Cheon Su-han and briefly talking with the family Ji-su pulled Ji-young aside to sit.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah…"

"Who would've thought Uncle would go like this… Sorry. That was inappropriate."

"It's fine. Thanks for coming sis."

Looking at the empty funeral hall Ji-su let out a light sigh.

"This is our reality."

Ji-su stood up and pointed toward the family waiting room.

"Are there still mourning clothes left?"

"Huh?"

"I'll stay until tomorrow. It's too empty even for a funeral. Who's carrying the coffin tomorrow?"

"…Those people."

Ji-su followed Ji-young's gaze.

"Must be Kim Mu-hyeok's men. That cold-hearted guy seems to care for you quite a bit."

"…"

"Alright. I'll go change into mourning clothes. Wait here."

Ji-su went into the family waiting room while Ji-young sat blankly in her chair.

A few more people came to pay their respects as evening approached.

Ji-won arrived late in the evening.

After paying his respects Ji-won sneered at Ji-su.

"Why are you wearing mourning clothes?"

"Want to change too?"

"No thanks. I need to talk come out."

Ji-won sat at a table with Ji-su and Ji-young.

"Bring a bottle of soju here. And some yukgaejang."

Ji-won told the helper and soon they brought out the food.

Opening the soju bottle Ji-won poured drinks and said.

"Did Kim Mu-hyeok come and go?"

"No."

"He kills him and doesn't even show up."

"Brother!"

When Ji-young shouted Ji-won raised his voice startled.

"Can't I even speak?! It's the truth isn't it? Our father and uncle all died because of who? The traffic accident everyone here knows who was behind it right?"

"If you're going to talk like that leave."

Ji-young said in a weak voice. Ji-won downed his soju and replied.

"Fine. I won't say it I won't. Disgusting really."

"Why did you come? Don't you have work?"

Ji-su glared at Ji-won with fierce eyes. She clearly disapproved of how he lived like a thug.

"What work would I have? But hey want to invest in me both of you?"

"What? Invest?"

"I got some good info but this isn't enough."

Ji-won grinned maliciously showing his thumb and index finger together.

"So why don't you two invest in me?"

"You crazy bastard. What happened to all your property?"

"…I've already invested everything. I'll give you double no triple returns."

Ji-won poured more soju into the paper cup.

"I'm serious really! Just need about 20 billion won."

"You don't have that money?"

"Ah forget it. Will you lend it or not? You're nagging like my mom."

"Mom my ass. When's the last time you visited your mother?"

Watching Ji-su and Ji-won bicker Ji-young closed her eyes then opened them.

"Both of you stop."

Hearing the exhaustion in her voice Ji-su lowered her voice. Then she snapped at Ji-won.

"Anyway I have no intention of investing in you so stop talking nonsense and change into mourning clothes?"

"Why should I wear mourning clothes?"

"He's your uncle isn't wearing mourning clothes obvious?"

"Since when were we such a close family? Forget it. I'll sit here for a while."

"Hey!"

"What!"

Watching the two about to fight again Ji-young finally raised her voice.

"I said stop both of you! If you're going to be like this leave! Please just leave!"

"Sorry."

Ji-su apologized immediately but Ji-won just smirked and downed more soju.

"Who knows. Maybe I'll wear mourning clothes if Ji-young lends me money."

"…Brother. How can you say that?"

"Ji-young. Let's not pretend. Don't act like you still don't know anything. The cousin brother you knew died when grandfather passed away."

Even as Ji-young glared fiercely Ji-won continued casually.

"What will you do? Will you lend me money? Or should I leave? It'll look good for people. Three women watching over the funeral hall alone. And one of them being that famous actress Cheon Ji-young. I should have a drink with a friendly reporter."

Son of a bitch. Though Ji-young cursed through gritted teeth Ji-won just shrugged.

Finally Ji-young looked at him with an emotionless cold face.

"How much do you need? How much will it take for you to eat and leave?"

"Ji-young."

"Sis. Please stay quiet. If we can get rid of this trash with money that's actually fortunate. Tell me. How much do you need to act?"

"…"

Ji-young's voice carried a chill. That kind Ji-young how did she end up like this?

Ji-su glanced at Ji-young with sad eyes.

"10 billion won?"

"You crazy bastard. You've really lost it."

Ji-won crushed the paper cup with a smirk.

"I might be crazy but not as much as Kim Mu-hyeok right? You know Ji-su knows and I know but the world doesn't know what a monster that guy is."

"…10 billion. I'll lend you 10 billion. No more."

"Okay!"

Ji-won pulled out a memo from his chest.

"I'll go change clothes so transfer it there."

As Ji-won went to the family waiting room Ji-su spoke.

"You're really going to lend it? I heard rumors he's gambling."

"…Sis I know too."

"Then why…"

"It's father's final journey. At least when he's leaving…"

Ji-su closed her mouth at Ji-young's strained words.

Ji-young stood up with trembling hands holding the memo and called a staff member.

"Excuse me…"

"Yes Miss."

"I'll tell brother Mu-hyeok later so please transfer 10 billion won here."

"Pardon?"

The staff member asked with a bewildered face after receiving the memo.

"10 billion won?"

"Yes please tell Manager Ma. He'll understand."

"Understood."

Ji-young walked back to the table trembling.

Perhaps it's fortunate there's no one to witness this chaos. Ji-young let out a bitter laugh looking at the empty funeral hall.

Then Ji-won came out in mourning clothes flexing his hands.

"Shall we start acting now?"

Finally unable to bear the overwhelming despair Ji-young closed her eyes.

'Dad. Grandfather…'

And one more person. Ji-young found herself thinking of Kim Mu-hyeok.