Chapter 538: I’ve Lost Interest Now

It's been a few days since I last spoke with Jobs. I still hadn't heard from Seo Hyung-jun.

After all, it's a huge decision to give up everything and leave Korea for China.

I could completely understand why I felt so conflicted.

But if it dragged on too long, I'd have no choice but to ally with the JC Group.

"How much longer?"

"I'll be there soon."

I nodded, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.

"Boss, we've arrived."

At Manager Ma's words, I glanced out the window; we had reached Il-seong Hospital.

Before I even stepped out of the car, the hospital director rushed out with department heads to greet me.

"Welcome, President Kim Mu-hyeok."

The director bowed first, and the rest followed suit.

I noticed passersby glancing at us, gossiping quietly.

I shook my head at the excessive welcome and spoke.

"It's good to see you all. Just the director remains; everyone else, please return to your duties."

The director sent a look to the heads, and they all disappeared inside.

With just the two of us left, I wiped the forced smile off my face.

"Please don't do this again."

"But… it's customary for visitors from the foundation to be welcomed this way."

"That may be true for Il-seong, but I know nothing about it. Do you understand?"

When I said this firmly, the director began to sweat and bowed repeatedly.

"Yes, yes. I won't do it again."

When I took over the management rights of Il-seong Group, I also took over the position of chairman at Il-seong Life Foundation from Seo Jae-hoon.

In other words, I held the reins on this matter.

The man who had followed Seo Yong-geon's orders to render him incapacitated now found himself in my power, just as I could do to Seo Jae-hoon with a single word.

"Let's head inside. There are too many eyes watching us."

I entered the main building with the director. We took the elevator, and he pressed the button for the 20th floor.

Once the elevator began to move slowly, I asked him.

"How's Seo Jae-hoon doing?"

"He's in the same state as Chairman Seo Yong-geon."

"Hmm, how long do you think Chairman Seo Yong-geon has left?"

"Well… I doubt he has much time left. At most, two years."

Two years. He had held on for quite a while. Would Seo Jae-hoon last as long?

"Seo Hee-kyung has visited multiple times, right?"

"Yes. She asked me about the chances of Chairman Seo Yong-geon waking up."

"And what did you say?"

"I told her it would be impossible unless a miracle occurred."

I had heard the same about Cheon Ji-su and Seo Hee-kyung visiting Seo Yong-geon frequently.

Whether it was because of blood ties or some other reason, I couldn't say.

"And what about Seo Jae-hoon?"

"I told her that Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon is still young and unpredictable. He might rise again or remain like this indefinitely."

While we talked, the elevator reached the 20th floor, where the VIP ward was located.

Security guards were stationed right at the entrance. After confirming the director and me, they quickly opened the closed door.

I walked deeper in, conversing with the director.

There, I found the hospital room shared by Seo Yong-geon and Seo Jae-hoon.

Through the glass window, I could see the room.

Seo Yong-geon had already been in that room alone, but now Seo Jae-hoon's bed was placed next to his.

Though they were positioned far apart, the various equipment surrounding them mirrored each other completely.

"Please, go ahead."

The director nodded toward the CCTV, and soon the door swung open.

I walked first toward Chairman Seo Yong-geon. He looked even skinnier than the last time I saw him.

"You've lost more weight?"

"Yes. He has reached his limit. He's barely holding on. This isn't something I can remedy… I can only ensure his heart doesn't stop completely."

The director explained earnestly, but I simply glared at Seo Yong-geon with cold eyes.

I felt no emotion anymore. Only pity.

A titan of the business world, once ruling over a generation, now lay here like this…

"If no treatment is provided, when will he pass?"

"…He could go at any moment, even tonight."

"Hmm."

I contemplated Seo Yong-geon's face.

Should I let him suffer longer? Should I grant him peace now? Or should I pass the choice to Seo Hee-kyung?

While pondering, I walked toward Seo Jae-hoon.

Seo Jae-hoon's face looked peaceful, as if he were sleeping.

It was easy to mistake him for someone simply lost in a deep slumber.

"Is he on a death row suspension?"

"Yes. He went into a coma immediately after requesting a stay of execution."

"Good. Can we wake him up?"

"Yes, if you'd like, I can wake him in a day. Should I?"

I shook my head slightly; there was no need to wake him.

"Let's just wait a bit longer. But surprisingly, his complexion looks good. He doesn't seem sick at all."

"Unlike Chairman Seo Yong-geon, he's still young…"

"Still, he looks far too healthy. Reduce the nutrients going in by half."

"Understood. But reducing it now could make waking him up risky later on."

"Well, that's up to his luck."

Likewise, looking at Seo Jae-hoon's face stirred no feelings in me.

I quietly scrutinized him with cold eyes before turning my body away.

I left the hospital room, walking silently toward the elevator.

The director followed closely, glancing at me anxiously. I stopped and asked:

"Il-seong Life Foundation. No, we will rename it now. Are you okay with chairing Taesan Life Foundation?"

"…Chairman?"

"Yes. Since you're the highest-ranking person here, there's nowhere else to go. So, the only position I can offer is chairman…"

"That's fine. I'm very pleased."

I smiled at the director's haste in responding; evidently, he liked my offer.

This position was gained at the cost of their lives, those who had once controlled Il-seong.

"Not immediately. Once all the works are finished, prepare to take up the chairmanship."

The foundation's chairman appoints the hospital director.

The department heads may vote for the position in name, but it's merely a formality; the foundation decides everything.

And it was the chairman who held all that power.

"For now, keep Seo Yong-geon and Seo Jae-hoon alive but just barely. And… if you hear anything from Seo Hee-kyung or Cheon Ji-su, report it to us immediately."

"Understood."

"No need to see me off."

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped in with Manager Ma.

Turning to face the doors, I saw the director bending at the waist until the doors closed.

Silently, I got into the car waiting at the hospital entrance.

"Take me to Myeong-dong. I need a drink tonight."

Manager Ma nodded and signaled to his subordinate. Then the car started moving.

"Are you okay?"

Manager Ma asked, turning around. His face was heavy with concern.

"I don't know. I'm feeling nothing right now."

"…"

It was time to forget everything. I needed to put an end to being dragged down by the past.

"From now on, you handle Seo Yong-geon, Seo Jae-hoon, and Cheon Ji-su and Cheon Ji-won. Don't report back to me."

"…"

"Whether to kill, save, or leave him as a beggar—handle it however you see fit. I've lost interest now."

"Yes, understood."

Manager Ma bowed his head. I nodded and took out my phone.

In no time, the call connected.

― Hey, Mu-hyeok.

"Are you busy?"

A gruff voice came through.

― If I'm not busy, that'd be unusual, right?

"Really? I was thinking of having a drink, but it seems that's out of the question?"

― Is something going on?

"No, nothing's happened."

Though I said nothing was wrong, Myeong-su could tell from my voice right away.

― Aha. There's definitely something. I'm heading out now. Where should I meet you?

"Weren't you busy?"

― Oh, cut that out. My voice sounds like that's casual? Where do I go?

"Meet me at a secret club in Myeong-dong. You know where it is?"

― Okay. I'll go with Hyeon-seong.

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

I hung up and closed my eyes.

Usually, just hearing Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong's voices lifted my spirits.

But today, I felt a strange heaviness in my thoughts.

Sitting at the table, I relaxed and poured myself a drink. With each empty glass, my thoughts ran deeper.

Eventually, I heard the sound of the door opening and looked up.

"Hey! Enjoying your lonely drinking session? I'm right here."

Myeong-su waved, grinning, while Hyeon-seong only smiled silently.

Seeing those two made me smile.

"Have you arrived? Take a seat."

The two settled down. I filled two glasses with ice and said.

"Hyeon-seong, you got permission from your fiancée to come, right?"

Hyeon-seong nodded.

I poured whiskey over the ice-filled glasses and slid them to the two.

"Let's toast first. It's been a while since all three of us gathered like this."

We laughed as we clinked our glasses. After downing the drink, we started to chat.

"Hyeon-seong, how's work going?"

"It's the same. Nothing much has changed."

"Staying the same is good. We all live like that, like hamsters on a wheel."

My words made Myeong-su burst out laughing.

"What's up with you? Are you sick? Or did you eat something bad? Are you kung fu training or what? Why the sudden wisdom? Oh wait, you're already an old soul, right?"

An old soul. Sometimes Myeong-su has a knack for seeing right through to the essence of things.

I couldn't help but grin at his comment.

"Someone once told me I was rushing too headlong without resting. They asked what I was so busy for. Can you believe that?"

"Who ever says that? Who in their right mind would say that to you? Whoever it is, it must be someone other than us. I guess it's that representative Han Gyeong-yeong, right?"

I nodded silently.

This is why I liked being with my people. Just their presence, without saying much, brought me so much comfort.

"That person spoke wisdom. You should rest more. Why are you working yourself to the bone like this? Take a break when it's time to take a break."

"You think so?"

Hyeon-seong also nodded in agreement as he sipped his drink.

He seemed to share the same thoughts without needing words. Meanwhile, Myeong-su continued.

"You're not in a position to lecture anyone. You visit your grandmother enough? Do you call her often? Consider how old she is. Make sure to do right by her while she's still alive, so you won't regret it when she's gone."

Excited, Myeong-su switched to Busan dialect.

"I can't really talk, but I go down to Busan every chance I get. If there's an event there, I always swing by home to greet grandma."

With nothing more I could say, Myeong-su filled his glass and downed it in one go, a bit frustrated.

"Take it easy. I can't tell you to slow down right now, but once you're done with work, take a break. We have plenty of people to fill in for you. There's Vice Chairman, me, Hyeon-seong, and even Eva. In short, there are many who can take over your role."

"Alright. I'll finish this task first."

Myeong-su poured more liquor into his empty glass and slid it back to me and Hyeon-seong.

"Let's not discuss heavy topics while drinking. We should enjoy ourselves; drinking is our job, right? Come on, raise your glass."

Myeong-su held his glass up high. Hyeon-seong and I laughed, clinking our glasses with his.

"So, is something really going on today?"

Hyeon-seong, having finished his drink, asked quietly.

"Why? Does it seem like something's up?"

"Just a feeling. The vibe is off."

"I've had a lot on my mind. But it's fine. I've sorted it all out. Let's not worry about it; let's just drink."

"If you're struggling, just say it. We're friends, after all."

If even Hyeon-seong noticed, I must really have been obvious.

"Struggling? You two are the ones who've got it tough compared to me."

"…"

Hyeon-seong stared at me silently while Myeong-su seemed to see this as an opportunity to speak up.

"Oh really? The truth comes tumbling out? Do you even know how much I've been struggling because of you?"

Listening to Myeong-su's complaints, I burst out laughing.

Throughout the night, until dawn painted the sky, we spoke not a single word about work.

Instead, we reminisced about our childhood, using those stories to fuel our drinks.

Yet, the smiling faces never left.

"Remember that Mu-hyeok, you!? That kid! Man, what was his name? I totally forgot it. Anyway, that kid got smacked upside the head by you…"

Most of the stories came from Myeong-su, while Hyeon-seong and I added a few comments here and there.

"Mu-hyeok."

Myeong-su managed to slur my name out correctly despite his drunken state. In a jumbled voice, he asked.

"If we could go back to when we were kids, would we still be friends?"

"Of course! Even if everything changes, you, Hyeon-seong, and I will always be friends."

Even if we've lived a second life, a third life wouldn't change that.