Chapter 15.14

The greedy man, who had a fiery personality and didn’t want to talk at all, was actually everyone’s enemy. Even Jae Young’s grandfather didn’t like him.

Soon, the child promotion unfolded. This kid is this amazing. His three children presented their sons and daughters, watching carefully to see who would fall off the ladder. Among them, Jae Young’s mother was the most eager.

“He’s very smart, see, he looks like grandfather. I entered him in a gifted class this time, and he even ranked first in class.”

“Well, yes. What’s the baby’s name again?”

“It’s Seung Min. You’re so mean. It’s about time you remembered, right?”

Grandfather, who emphasized family and loyalty, believed in the patriarchy. Therefore, he treated his daughters as outsiders, and wasn’t interested in blood ties other than Shin.

“Young, when are you going to study abroad?”

The only exception was Jae Young, the son of his youngest daughter who was divorced. Grandfather cherished Jae Young from an early age because he inherited a lot of his looks. As his mother remarried and it became difficult for Jae Young, he raised him as his own family with affection.

“In July,” Jae Young replied.

“Not much time left. What should I do if I miss my boy when he goes to America?”

Several uncomfortable coughs were heard here and there as grandfather openly showed his affection. Then, compliments that didn’t contain sincerity poured in – that they really wanted to see Jae Young, that he couldn’t wait until graduation, and that Jae Young would do well wherever he went.

However, the mood changed when the grandfather left for a while.

“What do you do these days?” his aunt asked, crossing her legs.

Husband, doctor. Daughter, doctor. Son-in-law will be tested. They were all vain and arrogant.

His cousin, who was wrapped in luxury goods from head to toe, added, “I thought you said you were a senior last year.”

“I have something to finish, so I’m taking another semester.”

His mother’s face twisted as she had insisted that they kept it a secret. Jae Young was good at lying, but he didn’t feel the need to do so.

“So, you’re still a student? Our Joohyuk entered the training center already,” his uncle said, clicking his tongue.

It wasn’t a remarkable attack. Jae Young had been accustomed to this, so it didn’t bother him anymore.

“Joohyuk must be still in school if he went to the army.”

“Oh, look at him. Who goes straight to the army these days?”

His maternal aunt insisted. Her son was also not free from the issue of military exemption. Jae Young smiled and replied.

“I think there are more people in their 20s who get tuberculosis. Grandfather was worried a lot about how Eun Song would work because he already had lung disease at that age.”

The table turned quiet. His aunt and maternal aunt couldn’t get back at him because their ‘conservative’ grandfather would be upset that his grandchildren wouldn’t serve in the army by expedient means.

“Jae Young, what’s that? Do you still draw cartoons on the wall?”

This time, his maternal uncle came in. Alcoholism and bad temper. Instead of working in the business, he was now making a living at the mobile phone agency set up by his grandfather.

Jae Young turned to him and asked, “Are you talking about graffiti? It’s a hobby that I often do.”

“When you graduate, you draw pictures and get paid, right? Try drawing my face. You’ll need some pocket money.”

He took out a pen from his pocket and threw it in front of Jae Young.

Without even blinking, Jae Young replied, “Uncle, try selling your phone to me, too. It’s time to change, and I’ll decide whether to buy or not.”

His cousins grabbed their father’s arm and stopped him when his uncle swore and called him a rude brat. Her aunt commented that it was because he was mixed with Jang. His mother’s face turned pale in anger, but she was pushed back in all aspects, age, wealth, social status, and she had little to say in rare gatherings such as this.

As grandfather returned, Jae Young’s uncle, who was huffing, smiled broadly and revealed his golden teeth. Jae Young felt insignificant, so he put down his spoon and laughed. When he was young, he had trouble with what to do when he saw those snobs, and although annoying, now they were just a tad bearable.

“Father, let’s go play together sometime. I went to Australia last month, and I saw a good golf course.”

“Hahaha. Australia is good.”

The reason why Jae Young kept attending family gatherings was only because of his grandfather. He was a self-made businessman with high self-esteem and strong leadership. Wearing a suit wherever he went, he was a stylish man and a romanticist who vowed not to remarry or date since losing his wife five years ago. However, grandfather always emphasized that they should always protect their family.

When Jae Young was disciplined for beating a senior in middle school, was caught as he brought his girlfriend home in high school, his grandfather just laughed it off saying a boy could do that. Even when he ran away from home for more than a month, rebelling against his grandfather, he let it be, saying it was a good time to secretly learn how to smoke and drink. Even when he went to the design department instead of taking the management course his grandfather wanted, Jae Young’s decision was respected.

However, Jae Young was slapped for the first time in his life on the day he promised to cut ties with the family. He was kicked out of the house on the day he didn’t attend the family event at will, and was beaten with a golf club on the day he called his uncle an asshole in the face.

His grandfather was the most caring and scariest man Jae Young knew.

Jae Young learned freedom and obedience from him at the same time. He didn’t have the confidence not to show up in fear of his grandfather, so he had no choice but to keep a good face since he was 20 years old.

He returned to his room exhausted after the family gathering and immediately fell on the bed. Whenever there was a meeting like this, he was usually exhausted, but today, it felt more unbearable. He knew exactly why.

After barely removing his lens and lying down on his stomach for a while, he put his hand in his pocket and checked his phone which he’d turned to silent. He got a lot of calls from useless places. However, there was no contact where it was necessary.

“I miss you so much.”

Maybe it’s because they’ve seen each other almost every day. Not seeing him for a day and he already had withdrawal. There has been nothing much, but he couldn’t stand it because he was curious what he was doing, whether he’d taken classes, and whether he had a good meal. Jae Young called Sang Woo after staring at the four letters of his last message.

Toot… toot… toot… toot… toot… toot…

‘Take it, please.’

The stupid phone didn’t let him hear the voice he wanted until the end. So Jae Young called again.

Toot… toot… toot… toot…

‘What the hell are you doing?’

Jae Young was annoyed. No, it was desperation rather than irritation. He didn’t know why, but he needed to hear that voice right away. He hung up and dialed back before the mechanical sound connected to voicemail.

– Hello, honey?

It was already on the seventh or eighth attempt that the call was answered. Jae Young closed his eyes and heaved a long sigh.

– What is it? Why?

‘It’s effective,’ Jae Young told himself.

The irritation and tiredness he felt just now washed away as soon as he heard Sang Woo’s voice.

– Is it because of the funeral?

“Never mind.”

– You said you were going to a funeral.

The condolences were long overdue. He was supposed to help out at the mortuary, but that was still tomorrow or the day after that. If it stayed like this, Sang Woo wouldn’t say a thing and hang up, so he didn’t want to, but he forced himself to talk.

“Where are you?”

– The house.

“What were you doing?”

– Well… This and that. Playing games… Well… I brushed my teeth.

“Before that?”

– I coded it in the lab.

“Alone?”

– Yes.

His answer was too short. Jae Young wanted to hear his voice longer.

“Why did you go to the practice room when I wasn’t there?”

– I’m used to working there.

“…”

– …

Jae Young thought he hated silence just for today.

“Sang Woo.”

– Yes.

“Sang Woo.”

– Why?

“Sang Woo.”

– I guess you’ve become crazy at last.

Jae Young burst into laughter. However, he didn’t hate the man who didn’t have any sense to think he was crazy, let alone feel strange after hearing his drooping voice. He couldn’t hate him at all these days. Jae Young smiled and decided to joke around as usual.

“What are you wearing now?”