Chapter 550. Peaceful (5)

Chapter 550. Peaceful (5)

Kang Jin-Ho believed in Han Jin-Seong, at least on a personal level. And as a fellow human being, too. However, the boy wasn't exactly the best person to explain the situation within this ‘special’ cram school. So, Kang Jin-Ho called for a different person who could do just that.

The impact of his decision was immediate and profound.

“When we're trying to study on our own, we need several textbooks. But we can't seem to get them right away,” said Jo Mi-Hye.

Kang Jin-Ho rubbed his chin. “Mm... When you said on your own...?”

“You know. We need to study at school and back at Seongsim, too.”

“...Does that mean you study on your own at your school? During class?”

“Yes,” Jo Mi-Hye smartly nodded.

“Then... What do you do during your classes?”

“School classes only repeat what we already know, so it's better to use the time wisely and self-study, oppa.”

“Even so, you should listen to your teachers,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

Jo Mi-Hye sighed at how firm Kang Jin-Ho sounded. Trying to explain this subject to him wasn't going to work, at least not at this stage. After all, Kang Jin-Ho had no clue that so many things had changed since he last stepped through the doorway of a classroom.

Besides, Kang Jin-Ho got admitted to the one-and-only Jaegyeong Uni by studying alone. He didn't rely on cram school or online lessons to get to where he was, so how could Jo Mi-Hye make someone like that understand her situation?

“...In any case, we need extra textbooks to study at home. Books provided by the cram school are wonderful, but... Some things aren't quite enough, you see.”

“Mm... Got it. I'll see what I can do.”

“I'm sorry, oppa,” Jo Mi-Hye suddenly bowed her head.

“About what?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“I know all this costs a lot of money. So I... No, we shouldn't be asking for this and that as if we're entitled to everything.”

“That's not an issue for me, okay?” Kang Jin-Ho replied firmly to her.

“Even so, oppa...”

“You're smarter than Jin-Seong, so I don't need to explain, right? So, let's drop this talk here.”

“...Jin-Seong oppa is smarter than you think, though.”

“...Sure thing,” Kang Jin-Ho casually brushed aside Jo Mi-Hye's slightly testy sounding protest. “Besides, that's not what I'm worried about.”

“Eh?”

“Sure, studying hard is commendable. But overdoing it is worse than not studying at all. The way I see it, studying at school and here should be more than enough, so wanting to study even at home sounds a bit too extreme.”

“Oh...”

“It doesn't matter what you do, doing it effectively is the key to success. Simply increasing studying time will only negatively affect your concentration level. Getting enough rest is crucial, Mi-Hye. If you can help it... I think taking it easy when you're at home will be better for you overall.”

“But, oppa? I heard all the successful people study and work like crazy? And they also don't sleep for long, either?”

“That's not necessarily the case,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head.

“Besides, I think you should listen to your own advice more than me, oppa.”

“Huh?” Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow.

Jo Mi-Hye sounded a lot more concerned as she addressed him. “Oppa, weren't you too busy to stop by here even though you've been meaning to?”

“...”

“Honestly, I never knew that a uni student taking time off would be as busy as you. Shouldn't you seriously think about taking a break soon?”

Kang Jin-Ho was left speechless by that. He couldn't immediately think of something to say.

“Instead of telling us to take it easy, you do that first, oppa. You don't look so good, you know?”

“Me? Really?”

“Yes, oppa.”

Kang Jin-Ho's mouth clamped shut again at how resolute Jo Mi-Hye sounded just then.

That was how he looked to her? Not so good? If that observation had come from a stranger, Kang Jin-Ho would've brushed it aside. However, Jo Mi-Hye was one smart kid. Just look back to how she still said her piece even after apologizing earlier.

“I get that you're different from us, oppa. Your fitness is, like, totally crazy, and you probably maintain it extremely well, too. But it all looks like you're way too busy to me, you know? And you haven't stopped by at the orphanage lately, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded while listening.

“That's why you should try to get some rest, oppa. I don't know what's been keeping you this occupied lately, but... I don't think anything bad will happen just because you took a few days off.”

“...Take a few days off, huh?”

“Yes. You gotta.”ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

“Mm... Right. I should.”

“You promise?”

The eyes of Baek Hyeon-Jeong and Kang Eun-Yeong opened wide at the same time.

“Vacation? Really?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“W-where to, though?”

“Well, I'll leave that decision up to you, Mother. I was hoping the whole family could go on a vacation before the summer is over.”

“...Oh, my, goodness,” Baek Hyeon-Jeong repeatedly blinked her eyes while staring at Kang Jin-Ho. Her expression seemed to say, Is that man really my son?

To think Kang Jin-Ho would bring up vacation first! Yes, he really did that!

“E-Eun-Yeong, did I hear your brother correctly?”

“Hold on, Mom. I gotta go to the bathroom first. I think my ears are clogged and stuff.”

“Well, you and I both heard the same thing, so your brother must've really said he wants to go on a vacation.” Baek Hyeong-Jeong's sharp gaze filled with distrust stabbed into Kang Jin-Ho. “You did say that, didn't you? That you want to go on a vacation?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“...Really?”

At this point in their conversation, Kang Jin-Ho was forced to face the depressing fact of how distorted his public image was. “...In that case, should we all forget about it?”

“N-no, of course not! Let's go! Right away! I don't know if you remember it, but when I asked the family to go on a vacation five years ago, you kept saying we should go without you. And that's why we couldn't! But here's our chance now! I'm not going to miss it this time!” Baek Hyeon-Jeong tightly clenched her fists while shooting up to her feet. “I wonder, will three days be enough?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled gently. “You can decide on how long the vacation will be, Mother. I'll match the preparations accordingly.”

“Oh, my goodness! I never knew a day like today would happen in my lifetime...!”

Kang Eun-Yeong blinked her eyes while sizing up her brother. “Oppa, did you... hit your head somewhere? Or... Right, your military experience must've changed you. What did you say when we wanted to spend some quality time in a valley as a family before you got drafted? Didn't you say entering a bath full of water in our swimsuits would be a more efficient use of our time?”

“...!” Kang Jin-Ho's cheeks twitched unsteadily. 'Did I... really say something like that?'

Unfortunately, his brain quickly recalled the moment when those words left his mouth. And that shocked him silly. Just how much did he change in the last few years, then? Kang Jin-Ho was now left with no choice but to acknowledge his transformation. And be more... understanding of such stunned reactions from the people in his life.

“Everyone, I am serious about going on a vacation.”

“Good! Then, I'll speak to your father and set a suitable date.”

Kang Jin-Ho noticed how pleased his mother was and reflected inwardly on how much of an unfilial son he had been all this time.

“M-May I be excused, then?” Kang Jin-Ho stammered a little.

“Of course! Get some rest, son. Goodness me! I have got a ton of things to plan for, now don't I! I need to buy new clothes, too!”

“Mom! Me, too!”

“What are you on about! Go and throw away all the clothes you don't wear first, you dummy! And you have five different closets, too!”

“But, Mom! I do wear all of them!”

Kang Jin-Ho slipped past the bickering mother-and-daughter duo and entered his room. If he failed to extricate himself in time, he'd have to sit through their arguments for one hour straight!

Clack...

Kang Jin-Ho closed the door behind him and sat on the edge of his bed. When he scanned his room, though... His brows began quivering ominously. This room, utterly devoid of any distinguishing decorations... seemed to mirror Kang Jin-Ho's barren soul.

“By the way, I don't know anything about vacations...”

As a man who never even considered taking a vacation in all of his three lives, Kang Jin-Ho couldn't figure out what a good rest should be like. He took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found the right number.

He tapped on the name, and only after a few rings, the call got through.

-Whoooooooah!

Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow slightly. “...What kind of reaction is that now, Miss Yeon-Ha?”

-I couldn't help it, you know? The one-and-only Mister Kang, Jin, Ho has called me first on the phone, you see! Do you have any idea how unprecedented this is?

“This is nothing to be surprised about, though,” Kang Jin-Ho faintly chuckled. Speaking on the phone to Choi Yeon-Ha always seemed to start this way.

-Anyway, what's going on? You wouldn't call me for no reason, so out with it already. Then we can talk about more normal stuff.

“...”

-You were thinking about me being some kind of a mind reader, weren't you?

“Something like that, yes.”

-I'm getting curious now, so hurry and tell me already.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled wryly. “Well, this might sound strange, but...”

-Okay?

Kang Jin-Ho took his time before cautiously asking his question. “Well, I'd like to go on vacation, but I've never done it before, so... I was wondering if you could give me some pointers.”

-...Huh.

After getting hit in the head by possibly the most absurd question in the world, Choi Yeon-Ha... didn't say anything for a while.