CH 315

Kang Eun-Yeong narrowed her eyes like an annoyed school teacher. “A gigolo?”

“...”

"Or an insurance salesman?"

“...Cough.” Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed while sensing his little sister's forceful aura pushing him back.

Just who was he, though? Wasn't he none other than Kang Jin-Ho? He was the one-and-only Heavenly Crimson Demon Emperor responsible for ushering in the era of fear to Zhongyuan and a powerful meteor causing seismic upheavals within South Korea's martial world! Hell, Kang Jin-Ho's name was already spreading within the martial world like some kind of scary sorcery chant. He was someone like that, but now...

'What... is up with this bone-chilling aura?'

The cold glare shooting out from the narrow, criticizing eyes of Kang Eun-Yeong was enough to make Kang Jin-Ho shudder in his socks. Even though he was perfectly fine while a hail of bullets flew over his head earlier!

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly had a feeling that the only thing remaining for him would be utter ruination if he let himself get sucked into her pace.

Kang Eun-Yeong continued to speak. “You aren't some gigolo, and definitely not a salesman, so... What is up with your get-up, oppa?”

“...I, uh, thought I should wear it.”

"You did? Reaaaally?" Kang Eun-Yeong theatrically feigned shock. "My dear orabi thought about wearing a business suit! My orabi, who doesn’t like suits because they are uncomfortable and only wears old and worn tracksuits, did what now?"

Kang Jin-Ho was left speechless. He put this black business suit on only because his previous clothes got soaked in blood and couldn't be worn anymore. To think that such a simple act would give rise to such a powerful pretext...!

“...Why haven't you gone to bed? It's now early dawn, you know.” Kang Jin-Ho tried to change the subject while doing his best to pretend he wasn't flustered. At all.

Unfortunately, Kang Eun-Yeong didn't want to play along with his intentions. "What do you think? How can I sleep when my uncaring orabi is staying out sooo late at night without even a phone call to his family? I have to stay up, wondering if he's coming home now or maybe in a minute..."

"E-enough." Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly cut his sister off, thinking that her nagging could potentially drag on for another three days and four nights if it's not stopped right now! He hurriedly walked past Kang Eun-Yeong to step inside the living room. Only by quickly washing up and slipping inside his bedroom would he get to avoid a further nagging session by Kang Eun-Yeong. That was what he thought, but then—

“Son?” Baek Hyeon-Jeong stood in his way next.

It was one mountain after another for Kang Jin-Ho. After he barely overcame the mid-boss, now it was the turn of the final boss to show up!

“Yes, Mother.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong remained warm and gentle in her demeanor. "You look truly wonderful with that suit, my son."

“...Thank you, Mother.”

It was always better to be punished first. Regardless of who gets to go first, though, everyone about to get executed would still agree that nothing was more torturous and blood-curdling than watching the executioner dangling the ax right in front of their faces.

“You've started paying more attention to your mother and are trying your best at it. Aren't you?”

Where are you going with this, mother?

"I know it's not easy, son. You have to mind your store, worry about the family, and even do lots of other little things, too. No wonder you're so busy without actually doing anything."

Kang Jin-Ho sensed his mother sneakily emphasizing the 'without actually doing anything' part. Was that because his senses were ultra-sharp?

"You must've been very busy not to call us even as you crawl back home at four in the morning. Were you that busy, son?"

“...Mother, I've committed a grave offense to you.”

"Since times of old, Korea has been a society that values patience and endurance. Especially for womenfolk who needs to protect the family home. They shouldn't bother the menfolk who are working hard outside. Yes, indeed."

“N-no, wait, Mother.”

“But, son...”

“Yes?”

"If we live by the values of the past, you won't have any excuses to defend yourself even if I beat you senseless. That's how things were like in the old days, you see?”

“...Cough.”

“So, will you call from now on or not?”

“I'll make sure to call next time, Mother.”

“Remember, there will not be mercy next time.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Go and get some sleep, son.”

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread dot com".

Kang Jin-Ho bowed deeply and headed back to his room. Before he could take another step, though...

Kang Eun-Yeong blocked him again. “Where do you think you're going?!”

“...What is it now?” Kang Jin-Ho groaned weakly.

“Mom!” Kang Eun-Yeong seemed unwilling to let this go so easily. “Take a look at Orabi's clothes, Mom! I'm telling you, he was secretly meeting with a girl until now! It's so obvious, isn't it? He usually trudges around in old T-shirts and jeans, yet he suddenly shows up in such a get-up?! It doesn't make sense unless he was on a date!”

“My dear daughter.” Baek Hyeon-Jeong smiled gently.

“Yes, Mom!”

“...Is there a reason why your oppa shouldn't date a girl?”

Kang Eun-Yeong was struck numb by that 'question.' “N-no, not exactly. There's no particular reason why he shouldn't, but—”

“Then, shush.” Baek Hyeon-Jeong only needed one finger to quell Kang Eun-Yeong's rebellion, then briefly nodded toward her son. “Son?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I'm a hundred percent in agreement with greeting grandchildren as soon as possible.”

Kang Jin-Ho nearly tripped on his feet. “...It's not like that, Mother!”

“We'll see if it's not.”

"It definitely isn't, Mother!"

Baek Hyeon-Jeong stared at her son in dissatisfaction. “How could you be like this, son? I've given you such a beautiful face, so you should at least do that much for me!”

“B-but, Mother...!”

"I'll be honest. When you were still in middle school, you had this adorable side to you, but these days, neither you nor Eun-Yeong can be called adorable anymore. At this rate, I might even contract adorableness deficiency disease. I'm even thinking of adopting a puppy because of that!"

“...Cough.” Kang Jin-Ho had to fake a cough again to clear his throat. He knew he had no excuse here, so what could be the explanation for this feeling of wrongful sorrow creeping in?

“That's why I'd love to see you come home one day with a cute grandchild in tow, son. You are already a well-to-do business owner, so no one's gonna find fault with you getting married early, I'd say.”

“...I have no plans for that, Mother.”

"And I'm telling you to give it some thought, son."

Suddenly, Kang Eun-Yeong's expression brightened as if she had come up with a good idea. Then, she covered her mouth. “Mom, Mom! How about I give you grandkids?”

“If you don't wanna get beaten to a pulp, be more economical with your mouth, okay?”

"...I'm sorry." Kang Eun-Yeong, now ruthlessly crushed by her mother's unstoppable aura, shuffled toward the living room's corner to plop down and hug her knees. She even quietly muttered, 'Mom only hates me,' and other stuff that a middle school teen going through puberty might say.

Unfortunately for her, though... Kang Jin-Ho didn't have the mental leeway to comfort his distraught little sister.

Baek Hyeon-Jeong tutted. “If you don't want to create misunderstandings, try to come home early, son.”

“I'll engrave that to my heart, Mother.”

“Good. You're excused.”

“Thank you.” Kang Jin-Ho making a soulless face trudged to his room, got changed, and headed to the bathroom.

Kang Eun-Yeong cautiously called out to Baek Hyeon-Jeong. “Mom?”

“What is it?”

"I really think oppa has found a girl, you know?"

“Don't say something so preposterous, Eun-Yeong.”

“What? He could've found a girl, you know!”

“Tell me, do you think your orabi's the type?”

Kang Eun-Yeong scoffed at her mother's reply. "Mom, don't you think you have a tendency to underestimate your own son? Let's be honest. It's just that we're used to seeing orabi every day, and that's why we can't see it. But let him loose on the streets, and we'll probably see a queue of women forming in front of him."

“W-well, that is true.”

"He used to be okay-looking, but finishing the army service has upgraded him to a Giga Chad, Mom. I even sometimes forget that he's my own oppa related by blood, you know!"

“...Calm down, Eun-Yeong.”

“As I was saying, think about it, Mom. We know my orabi ain't the type to drool over girls like a creep, but this world is filled with way too many gold diggers, isn't it? Those driven crazies will obstinately lunge themselves at my orabi, and if he gets ensnared by one of them...! I'm telling you, Mom, you'll be allowing a totally lunatic daughter-in-law to mess this family up! Don't forget how strong my orabi's sense of responsibility is. Everything will be over if there's a kid involved, Mom!"

“M-mm...” Baek Hyeon-Jeong nodded gravely as if she could finally see her daughter's point now.

"For now, orabi is prioritizing his family, and that's why he's like that. But wait until he finds himself a wife and a kid! We'll be kicked to the curbside in the blink of an eye, Mom! You won't let that happen now, will you?" Kang Eun-Yeong passionately pleaded her case.

“...Listen, Eun-Yeong.”

“Yes, Mom?”

"Please... Please grow up, will you?!" Baek Hyeon-Jeong suddenly yelled at her daughter.

“Ah?! But, why!”

“Are you planning to live together with your oppa for the rest of your life?!”

"When did I ever say he shouldn't get married? It's just that... How should I say this...! Mm, right! I'm merely worried that my orabi might stray into the wrong path, that's all! I have no other ill intentions!"

“You should worry about yourself first and grow up!”

"Mom, you only hate me!" Kang Eun-Yeong pouted deeply when her scheming was instantly seen through by her mother.

***

Hwang Jeong-Hu was sitting on his bed as the room remained cloaked in the dawn's darkness.

He had woken up quite a while ago but didn't have anything particular to do, so he stayed still. Actually, silently spending time on his bed wide awake even before sunrise had become his morning ritual these days.

'...My eyes are getting stiffer.'

Hwang Jeong-Hu reached out to the bedside bureau near the top of his bed and picked up a vial of artificial tear, then dripped a couple of droplets into his eyes. Once that was done, he got up and opened the windows before mouthing a cigarette. He pulled closer an ashtray resting by the window frame before lighting up his cigarette.

“Fuu-woo...”

Hwang Jeong-Hu released the smoke, then glanced at his cigarette.

~

“Sir, you should think about quitting soon. You need to live long and healthy, after all.”

~

“Hah. How laughable.”

Living longer, was it? For what, though?

Hwang Jeong-Hu felt that his body was getting heavier lately. His doctor said there was nothing wrong with him, but Hwang Jeong-Hu thought otherwise. The problem wasn't with his physical body. No, it was with his heart. He was beginning to grow weary of life itself.

Hwang Jeong-Hu chuckled weakly to himself.

'Now that I think about it, I've been charging ahead constantly without any rest, haven't I?'

The only time Hwang Jeong-Hu got to take a proper rest on a comfy bed ever since he started working was when he was confined to the hospital bed. At least, that was what it felt like.

He had sacrificed everything in the pursuit of a successful business. He poured his heart and soul into Jaegyeong, even at the expense of his family. Thanks to his efforts, Jaegyeong had established itself as one of the top corporations in the country, but...

Lately, Hwang Jeong-Hu had been feeling emptiness in his heart. This corporation called Jaegyeong, the one he had dedicated his entire life to build, gifted him with endless pride, but...

'But it's not like I can take it with me to my grave, now is it?'

Sure, Hwang Jeong-Hu would get to leave his name behind. His fame could get recorded in the history books of South Korea's business world for future generations to admire, just like Rockefeller or Carnegie—the king of the steel industry. That might be one of the greatest honors imaginable to a businessman, but it still sounded hollow and vain to Hwang Jeong-Hu's mind.

'What meaning is there, anyway?'

An honor bestowed unto him after his death would be utterly useless to him, wouldn't it?

Sometimes during his morning commute to work, Hwang Jeong-Hu would look up and stare at Jaegyeong's HQ piercing high into the heavens and see it as a gigantic tombstone.

“I've gotten old...”

Hwang Jeong-Hu didn't think this way in the past. He always thought the rising revenues and increasing popularity of his corporation would sustain him and satisfy him. But lately? He was fast losing all interest in numbers like that.

Apparently, the older one became, the more sentimental they became as well. And Hwang Jeong-Hu of late fit that assertion to a T.

He used to be cold and severe even to his kids. And the only time he was truly sentimental during the last decade or so was when his wife passed away. That had been the case, but now...

Hwang Jeong-Hu slowly shook his head.

'It's all useless.'

Looking back now, perhaps the reason why his kids treated him that way was due to his failure as a father to raise them properly. He had failed to teach them about love between family members. That had to be it…

When Hwang Jeong-Hu's wife was still alive, the sound of laughter was a constant companion in this household, but after her passing... It had gone away and had yet to return. Having severed his ties with his kids and kicked them out, this mansion seemed way too big and desolate for him to stay alone these days.

“...Time to go to work, then.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu wasn't heading to the office because he had something particular to do there. The hospital episode had taught him a bitter lesson on the failings of a corporate structure where he served as the absolute monarch in charge of making every decision.

The company should operate according to his decisions, yes, but it should also be able to chug along even if he was absent from his post. As an example, one only needed to look at the other corporations run by folks from Hwang Jeong-Hu's generation. Just how many of them stumbled and nearly collapsed when their aged bosses started retiring or left their posts due to illnesses?

If it hadn't been for Kang Jin-Ho, Hwang Jeong-Hu would've also witnessed the destruction of Jaegyeong with tears of blood staining his face while confined to his sickbed.

As such, he decided to scale back the extent of his involvement with the day-to-day operation of the corporation as much as possible. He even handed over the power of making decisions to the board of directors as well. As a result, he no longer had a reason to commute to work so early in the morning.

Which, in turn, only served to remind him how large and still this mansion was with no one to share it with. Even though he had basically spent his entire adult life in this place... He felt asphyxiated in here. If he wanted to feel vitality, the energy of people again, he had to commute to work.

Hwang Jeong-Hu got up, then came downstairs to the living room. He found the housekeeper setting up the dining table for breakfast.

Hwang Jeong-Hu chuckled and greeted her. "You're working hard so early in the morning for this old man."

“Not at all, Chairman. Did you sleep well, sir?”

“Nah. Getting old means I'm not all that sleepy these days.”

"Even so, sir. You should still try to get as much rest as possible at night. You haven't been getting enough sleep lately, after all."

“Don't worry about me. I can still take care of myse—”

Suddenly, the front bell rang loudly to interrupt Hwang Jeong-Hu.