"Oppa─!"
As soon as I entered the mansion in Pyeongchang-dong, Son Yu-ha ran out barefoot to greet me. If someone saw me, they would think we were having a reunion of separated families. When I handed him the gift I had bought, the corners of his mouth went up as if they were going to split. That expression of emotion. Maybe because he was a child, his emotions were clearly expressed on his face. If I hadn't bought snacks at the duty-free shop, I would have been in big trouble.
"Hyun-ah, did you have a nice trip to Japan?"
Chairman Wang walked out, laughing heartily. Son Il-seon, who was standing behind him, bowed his head toward the grandfather, but his expression looked very awkward. It must have been because of Son Yu-ha, who was clinging to me. Of course, I thought it would be a headache if my daughter was so obsessed with another guy.
"Hand, come in."
Grandfather and Chairman Wang are close friends. The two of them, who met again after a long time, seemed to have a lot to talk about. As they get older, it becomes harder to find friends who are compatible with them, so this is a good thing for them.
"Honey, was Japan fun?"
Son Yu-ha is sticking to him and doesn't think about leaving, but with Son Il-seon's gaze on him, he feels like he's dying.
Chewy, chewy, chewy.
Chairman Wang personally poured tea into the teacup. The stale aroma tickles the tip of the nose, and it is the Pu-erh tea that Chairman Wang loved so much. The higher the grade of Pu-erh tea, which is picked in the deep mountains, the stronger the bitterness and astringency. However, the aroma and flavor that gradually reveal their true colors as time passes are truly the pinnacle of tea.
"Wow, Hyun-i knows how to drink tea?"
As he sipped his teacup, feeling the aftertaste, Chairman Wang's eyes widened. The reason was simple. It was a tea that even adults would have a hard time savoring. The grandfather smiled strangely, as if he was remembering the incident at the ramen restaurant the other day. Chairman Wang lifted his teacup, moistened his lips, and looked at Son Il-seon.
"Ilseon-ah, there's been a lot of talk about the factory site these days, right?"
"Yes, Father. Don't worry. I will take care of it."
Chairman Wang's brow furrowed. Son Il-sun immediately became tense at that sight. In some ways, Chairman Wang and his grandfather had similar personalities, and their educational philosophies at the dinner table were also similar. No matter how young they were, they talked about the company without hesitation in front of the children they had chosen as their successors. However, Son Yu-ha seemed to have no idea what they were talking about. Anyway.
'If it's a factory.'
ah!
I remembered.
An incident in which there was a fierce confrontation between the local governments and the Gyeonggi area regarding the relocation of the Jeil Electronics factory. Each local government claimed that the Jeil Electronics factory would be built in their own region, and it was an unprecedented incident that eventually led to regionalism. It was often discussed in papers on corporate litigation. It was also the only stain on Son Il-seon.
"How does the political world plan to solve this?"
To Chairman Wang's chilling question,
"We have already delivered the goods to the ruling party members. It will be confirmed soon that the factory will be relocated to the Hwaseong plant."
Son Il-seon answered without hesitation. Meanwhile, Chairman Wang and his grandfather's expressions became subtle at the same time. Perhaps there was something weighing on their minds. I knew why.
'Tsk.'
The Son Il-seon of this era is not yet a tiger. He was full of passion, but he lacked experience. In the end, the problem arose because Son Il-seon lobbied only the ruling party located in the Gyeonggi area. In the end, the opposition party that governed the small local cities protested. Even if it was called regional development or something, it was mostly just for his own benefit. At that time, I felt a cold gaze. Isn't Chairman Wang looking at me?
"Hyun-ah, Grandpa wants to ask you a question."
It was the moment when Chairman Wang and I met eyes.
"If two thugs each wanted to steal your stuff, what would you do?"
It's true, even if I use an analogy.
There was an old saying that went like this.
If you get caught by gangsters, you'll get beaten up, but if you get caught by politicians, your life is over.
Son Il-seon looked at Chairman Wang and me with a look of incomprehension. Grandfather silently held his teacup. What should I do with this? If I don't answer, it looks like he'll keep staring at me.
"Um, if you don't want your stuff stolen."
I don't know.
"I have to satisfy both of them."
*
Chairman Wang and Chairman Yu were sitting facing each other. Their children and grandchildren had all been taken care of. The living room was filled with the sound of stones being pressed against the stale incense. Chairman Wang, who had picked up the black stone, pretended to be thinking about it.
"Where did the Go players go?"
Chairman Yoo lifted his teacup, muttering. It was the moment when Baek was gaining the upper hand in the close battle at Ha-byeon.
widely.
Chairman Wang, who picked up the black stone, tried to make the situation as complicated as possible to gain an advantage on the right side.
"Oh my, thank you. Hands."
In the end, the huge black hemp from the top to the center was caught, completely turning the tide. Of course, the game of baduk is not over just because the hemp is caught. Even in the professional world, there are frequent cases of games where the hemp is caught and the game is reversed. However.
"Does Yeonggamtang always play baduk after eating?"
Chairman Wang eventually threw a stone. Even without a plan, the difference was clearly large. Any further battle of moves was meaningless. Chairman Wang, who was picking out the remaining black stones on the board, took a chance.
"When I see things like this, I can tell that Hyun-i really resembles you a lot."
Chairman Wang pushed all the black stones into the barrel.
"Ilseon is still stepping down."
This would be shocking to those who knew Son Il-seon. However, Chairman Wang thought that his son was still immature.
"Don't you know that whether it's azaleas or pines, they all end up eating the same fertilizer? If you give fertilizer to only one, the other one will get jealous. Such fundamental problems can't be grasped with the head. In that sense, Hyun-i is a natural."
Since the military regime, countless companies have disappeared under the political pressure. Chairman Wang survived those turbulent times. His keen sense of survival was something that could not be exchanged for money.
It was a question just in case. But the answer was outstanding enough to surpass his son. Just like Son Yu-ha, he was still just a young boy. But the point is that he had been aware of all the conversations between the adults in the living room during that short time. It was truly a wonder how he could do that at that age.
Chairman Yoo smiled silently. Like Chairman Wang, he had been surprised by his grandson more than once.
"Hey, Inspiration, what did Hyun decide to do about school?"
"I have to go to Seoul as soon as the vacation is over."
Chairman Wang nodded briefly. He was a smart kid, so it was better to give him more opportunities. But soon his eyebrows furrowed.
"This is a big deal! Yuha will go to Ichon-dong every time."
If you look back at the way Son Yu-ha usually treats Kang-hyun, it wouldn't be strange if she went to study abroad at the Ichon-dong mansion. What good would it do to be so attached to a man since she was young?
"Inspiration, you didn't forget your promise, did you?"
I think Kang Hyun-jung would be okay, right?
Chairman Yoo, who was sitting across from me, picked up a white stone instead of answering.
widely.
Only the cheerful sound of baduk reached the ceiling of the living room.
*
"Hyun-ah, thank you so much!"
Park Seon-yeong was so moved that she almost shed tears. That's because I didn't forget and brought Park Seon-yeong's share as well. The gift was a masterpiece album of Hirose's songs. With his autograph, it was a true treasure to anyone who plays the violin. Don't forget it and keep it well, because as time goes by, its value will skyrocket.
"How was Mr. Hirose's performance?"
The difference between live performances and albums is so clear that it can be said to be like heaven and earth. It was natural for Park Sun-young to be curious about Hirose, who was considered a world-class master.
"She was the queen of the present, herself."
A simple and clear answer. But I wonder if there is a better impression than this. Hirose was truly born to play the violin. Park Seon-yeong's eyes were filled with envy. If I told Hirose that I had received an offer, he might faint on the spot. Moreover, Park Seon-yeong did not even know that the chief conductor of the London Symphony had come to see me.
By the way.
"Ahem."
I felt Son Yu-ha's cold gaze. The way she crossed her arms and looked at me with a pout, as if she was expressing with her whole body that she was upset because she was the only one being talked about. At times like this, it's not the Ice Queen, but the puppy that is the most important. I'm worried that the future might change like this.
When the tutoring was in full swing.
"That's really fast."
Park Seon-yeong was tongue-tied. The speed at which I was acquiring musical knowledge was beyond my imagination. Even I was surprised, so how much more so must it have been for Park Seon-yeong, who was teaching me. Son Yu-ha, who was originally a private tutor, was not studying, but was only waiting for me to play the violin. It was as if the roles were reversed.
"Hmm."
Park Seon-yeong's eyes were filled with worry. It was because she had reached a point where she could no longer express it as teaching. Not only the violin technique, but also the method of interpreting the music score. There was nothing lacking. Rather, she often found herself asking herself questions. After the curse that had been entangling her mind was lifted, she completely trusted Kang Hyun's words.
"Hyun-ah."
Park Seon-yeong called me as if she had made up her mind.
"Do you want to try the contest?"
I was puzzled by the unexpected suggestion. A contest out of the blue. But Park Seon-yeong didn't stop talking.
"Actually, age and experience are a factor, but if you can prove your skills, I think you can get a letter of recommendation. No matter how I look at it, it seems to me that you, Hyun, are not at a level where you can simply learn theories. Since it is an international competition, the level is extremely high, and it will be a valuable experience for you."
It didn't really appeal to me. I learned the violin because I liked music, not because I wanted to compete with someone. What's the point of ranking art? Some people say Mozart is better than Beethoven, and others say Schubert is better than Beethoven. They're all different opinions.
"And if you win, the benefits are huge."
I was confident that I could make as much money as I wanted. Moreover, I had lived so harshly in my past life, chasing after material desires and power. I didn't want to live that kind of vain life again. Benefits? Throw them away.
"I'm exempt from military service."
At that moment, I was the one who jumped up from my seat.