CH41

At the long dining table, Song Soo-hee, Park Yoo-geon, and I were seated, waiting for Park Yong-hak and Park Jong-in to join us.

They were probably discussing the semiconductor business.

I had decided to invest exactly 60 billion won on Chairman Park's recommendation.

I'd never heard of anyone spending that kind of money as a gift for their father, but here I was.

Anyway.

The moment I heard Chairman Park's suggestion,

It felt as if I was the one receiving a gift instead.

Why wouldn't it?

I was about to become an early investor in Hyungang Semiconductor, a company destined to become the world's number one.

With the certainty that 60 billion won would turn into trillions, it was hard not to feel like bowing in gratitude.

Hehehe.

I had thought I'd have to resist the temptation to invest, worried about attracting too much attention, but here I was, luck falling into my lap.

As I was lost in these thoughts,

Thud, thud.

Chairman Park entered the kitchen, followed by Park Jong-in, whose expression was heavy.

Park Jong-in looked directly at me as he sat down, likely after hearing about the investment.

His gaze was a tangled mix of guilt and gratitude.

Once everyone was seated, Chairman Park cheerfully picked up his utensils.

Thus began the meal.

Normally, it's quiet during meals, as Chairman Park places great importance on dining etiquette.

"Ji-hoon."

But today, for some reason, Chairman Park spoke first.

"What did you miss the most while you were away from home?"

"The soybean paste stew Mom makes."

Somehow, my thoughts had been known, as there was a pot of soybean paste stew made with clams and mushrooms on the table.

"Was there anything else you missed?"

"I missed things like scorched rice water. It's comforting after a meal…"

"What, scorched rice water?"

"…?"

"Isn't sweet grilled short ribs the tastiest thing for an eleven-year-old?"

"I'm not sure."

No sooner had I spoken than the housekeeper brought out a large dish.

On it were several perfectly grilled short ribs.

Ah.

I could tell right away.

They must have been prepared in a hurry after I arrived.

'It's obvious what kids like. Just bring out some short ribs.'

It must have been Chairman Park's idea.

You could tell from his somewhat disapproving look.

In that case…

"They're really grilled short ribs?"

"What? Wasn't the soybean paste stew enough?"

"Well, it wouldn't be right to complain about the side dishes on my first day back in Korea. Besides, I was just thinking that some sweet meat would be nice."

Fortunately, Park Yoo-geon was also eyeing the ribs eagerly.

Maybe seeing our reactions convinced Chairman Park of our sincerity.

A hint of satisfaction began to appear on his face.

"See? I told you, there's nothing better than short ribs for boys."

While Chairman Park was in a great mood,

"…"

Park Jong-in, sitting next to me, still looked troubled.

Hmm.

Even if the financial issue had been somewhat resolved,

'It's his son's money.'

Of course, he wouldn't feel completely at ease.

I pretended not to notice and bit into the short rib.

Then,

"That boy's eating well. What are you waiting for? Bring out another plate."

Chairman Park's hearty voice echoed into the kitchen.

***

After the meal.

Just as I was about to head to my room,

"Ji-hoon."

A voice called out from behind me.

It was Park Jong-in.

"Do you want to talk with Dad for a bit?"

I nodded.

"Shall we go to your room?"

"Hmm, we could also walk in the yard."

"Alright, let's go outside."

Father and I walked side by side in the yard.

This was the first time since I was given a second chance at life.

A man who was always holed up in his office, completely absorbed in his research.

He might not have been the most nurturing father, but he was more than admirable in his role.

"I heard from your grandfather."

"…"

"That you're using the money you earned to help Dad?"

I looked up at Park Jong-in.

Dark circles had formed all the way down to his cheekbones.

If you sleep only about ten hours over a whole week, you might end up looking as exhausted as he did.

"To be honest, this is the first time something like this has happened to me, so I'm not sure how to feel. I don't know what to do. Should I act like it's no big deal, or should I show gratitude and fire myself up?"

A father being this honest with an eleven-year-old.

Park Jong-in didn't say anything more.

Instead, he walked beside me at my pace, staying in step as we circled the garden.

As we were about to finish our walk and head back inside,

"Dad."

I stopped walking and spoke.

"You said earlier that I'm helping you."

"…"

"I'm not."

"You're not?"

"I was lucky to make money this time, but I don't think that kind of luck will always continue."

Park Jong-in waited calmly for me to continue.

"That's when Grandpa made the suggestion. He asked what I thought about investing in your business. I was thrilled."

"Thrilled?"

"Hyungang is the company with the most competent CEO. By the time I go to college, it'll have grown several times over. Of course, I'm excited."

And I meant it.

Having witnessed Hyungang's success firsthand,

Of course, I meant it.

Park Jong-in didn't respond.

Instead, he squeezed my small hand tightly.

"Aren't you cold?"

"I'm okay."

"Did your food settle well? You ate a lot of those short ribs."

"Even if I feel a bit full, this much is fine…"

We exchanged mundane conversations as we headed back inside.

I was grateful.

Grateful that he didn't try to cover up any awkwardness by making grandiose promises or boastful remarks.

Grateful that he didn't act defeated under the weight of the money.

A father worthy of respect.

Yes, in my past life, perhaps what I needed was someone like him.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be busy, right?"

"What about you, Ji-hoon?"

"I think I'll be a bit busy too."

"Alright, let's go in."

At the foot of the stairs leading to the second floor,

"Goodnight, Dad."

For the first time in my life, I said goodnight to my father.

***

The next morning.

Jo Soo-deok had spent the entire night painting.

In the same spot where he had met with Chairman Park.

"Phew."

The fatigue from the flight hadn't dissipated at all.

It would've been wiser to go in and rest, but Jo Soo-deok stubbornly held onto his brush.

The piercing gaze of Chairman Park that had made his whole body tingle.

The harsh scolding that shook him to his core and sent chills down his spine.

He wanted to capture those emotions on the canvas.

He first tried abstract art.

He wanted to express the tangled emotions through various colors.

"This isn't enough…"

He soon realized he needed to change his style.

Should he paint a great tiger?

Or perhaps it would be better to paint the feet of a giant.

Jo Soo-deok poured out every image that came to mind, but unfortunately, none of the works fully satisfied him.

What could he do?

Today wasn't the only day, so he decided it was best to go home and rest.

'Take a nap and come back later.'

Dragging his exhausted body, Jo Soo-deok left the studio.

As he was heading to his office to gather his things,

Ring, ring, ring!

The phone rang loudly.

Who could it be at this hour?

Jo Soo-deok wanted nothing more than to go home immediately.

But!

What if it was Ji-hoon calling? He hurriedly picked up the receiver.

(Professor, it's me.)

A familiar voice.

(This is an international call, so I'll get straight to the point.)

It was undoubtedly the broker he had asked to find a building.

(I found a fantastic place, but it's not cheap.)

"I'm not concerned about the price. Tell me how fantastic it is."

(Well, first of all, it's spacious. Big enough to build a high-rise on later. It's also adjacent to a well-known wealthy neighborhood. So, the roads are good, and there's no problem with security.)

"Will I really get a sense of it from that description?"

(Pardon?)

"Any famous companies nearby?"

(There's Intel, a multinational semiconductor company…)

"I've heard of it. Not bad."

(No, it's not just 'not bad'…)

"How much?"

(Hmm, it's going to be around 8 billion won.)

"Is that the market price?"

(Yes.)

"If that's the market price, you're not going to give them the full amount, are you?"

(Excuse me?)

"How much can you negotiate down?"

(Negotiate? There's no negotiating. I had to practically beg them to even consider selling it.)

At this point, Jo Soo-deok sighed deeply.

He must've felt it was time to push back a little.

"Hey, I'm spending 8 billion won. Can't you get a discount?"

(Pardon?)

"Did I say something unreasonable? Why are you making me out to be the bad guy?"

(Alright, alright. I'll go negotiate. Happy now?)

"See? If you'd done that from the start, we could've saved on phone bills."

(Understood. I'll call you back soon.)

That was the end of the call.

"Phew."

Eight billion won.

It was understandable that the best land would be expensive.

'But still, you never know unless you try to negotiate.'

Maybe because the broker had said he would call back soon, Jo Soo-deok decided to wait a bit instead of heading home.

His attempt to project authority had already chased away any drowsiness.

He switched on the small TV in one corner of the office.

It might seem odd to have a TV in an art professor's office, but he justified it as a tool for using audiovisual materials.

"…"

The silence was too much, so he turned on the TV, but he wasn't really watching it.

How much time had passed?

Numerous commercials flashed across the TV screen, and as the news logo appeared,

Ring, ring, ring!

The phone rang just as he had been waiting for.

Jo Soo-deok quickly turned his attention to the phone.

(They weren't happy about the last-minute negotiating. They really gave me an earful.)

The broker's tone suggested things had gone well, despite his words.

"So, how much?"

(7.5 billion won. That's the best they can do.)

"See? It worked!"

(It's not something just anyone can pull off… I mean, I'm the one who managed it…)

"Well done, well done."

(So, should I proceed with the contract?)

"Hold on. Let me check with the Boss."

After hanging up, Jo Soo-deok checked the time first.

10 a.m.

It wasn't too early to call.

So, he dialed the number right away.

'Hmm?'

The line just kept ringing without anyone answering.

It was Hyungang's main house.

They usually had someone answering the phone within five seconds.

"…"

But the call didn't go through.

What was going on?

Jo Soo-deok stared at the receiver in disbelief.

Could it be that the phone was broken?

He tried calling again, but the result was the same.

Right then, as his aimless gaze fell on the TV screen,

A large "Breaking News" banner flashed across the bottom of the screen.