CH 316

“Who could that be?” Hwang Jeong-Hu tilted his head.

Was there anyone coming to visit him this early in the morning? Hwang Jeong-Hu furrowed his brows while combing through his memories. Only two people would come to Hwang Jeong-Hu's residence regularly, and they were Hwang Jeong-Hu's personal secretary and Director Baek Yeong-Gi. That was about it.

There was still quite some time left before the secretary was scheduled to show up, while Director Baek wouldn't come here so early in the day. In that case, who could it be by the front gate?

While Hwang Jeong-Hu was thinking about his answer, the housekeeper auntie went into action first. She picked up the intercom and asked the person at the gate. “Who is it?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu waited for the housekeeper's reply.

She finally turned her head and addressed her boss while covering the intercom's mouthpiece. "Chairman, it's a gentleman named Kang Jin-Ho."

"Jin-Ho's here?" Hwang Jeong-Hu tilted his head again at this unexpected visit, only to slap his thigh. "Ah... that's right."

Jo Gyu-Min said not too long ago that Kang Jin-Ho revealed his intentions to pay a visit pretty soon. Didn't Hwang Jeong-Hu think the sun might rise from the west after hearing that? But how...

“My damn old age is even making me forgetful, too.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu's recollection regarding this matter was dim. Still, he figured Kang Jin-Ho would take his sweet time to settle on a date. Well, the 'Kang Jin-Ho' he knew wasn't exactly a proactive person, after all! Indeed, he was more like a stubborn boulder that didn't want to budge no matter how hard one pushed.

“Tell him to come inside,” said Hwang Jeong-Hu.

“Yes, Chairman.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu got up and headed to the front entrance to wait. Soon, the door opened, and Kang Jin-Ho stepped inside.

Kang Jin-Ho greeted first. “Good morning, Chairman.”

“Nothing good about it,” Hwang Jeong-Hu tutted.

Kang Jin-Ho faintly grinned. “Looks like you didn't have a good night's rest, Chairman.”

"You're to blame on this one, Jin-Ho. No one else would be this inconsiderate and disturb people so early in the morning, you know."

"But I knew you'd be up around this time, anyway."

Hwang Jeong-Hu frowned, then scanned Kang Jin-Ho's empty hands. “Huh. You didn't even bother to buy a present?”

"Well, I thought you aren't the type to hanker for presents, Chairman."

“Tsk, tsk... Even so, the common courtesy is to bring a present when visiting someone else's house. You should've at least brought a carton of juice or something. Looks like you still have a lot to learn.”

The housekeeper auntie observing from the rear covered her mouth to hide her smile. When was the last time Hwang Jeong-Hu looked so energetic like this? She couldn't even recall it happening recently! Even if Hwang Jeong-Hu's words were rather harsh, he clearly relished having a visitor to his house.

'But this is odd...'

Chairman Hwang Jeong-Hu wasn't really the type of person to become acquainted with much younger people. To an old person with a firm set of views on the world like him, the younger generation would've come across as immature, after all. So, the housekeeper auntie never imagined Hwang Jeong-Hu would be so unreserved with a man young enough to be her son.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. “Can I go inside now?”

"Are you not going to come inside if I say no?"

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly stepped back, then slowly turned toward the doorway. “Hmm. Then, should I leave?”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! Don't you know it's also against manners to come for a visit only to leave right away without even a sip of water first?” Hwang Jeong-Hu loudly tutted.

The housekeeper auntie desperately covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. That was because she could see how reddened Hwang Jeong-Hu's face was from panic at the thought of Kang Jin-Ho walking away like this.

Kang Jin-Ho's grin got deeper. "Since I'm already here, would it kill you to welcome me like a normal person, Chairman?"

“Fella, it sounds like you've become a lot slicker with your words lately.”

“Yes, it feels that way,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded in agreement.

Hwang Jeong-Hu stared at Kang Jin-Ho as all kinds of emotions and thoughts could be seen swirling clearly on his face. During their first meeting, Kang Jin-Ho looked like a devil showing up to drag Hwang Jeong-Hu back to the depth of Hell. But now, he resembled any other ordinary young man commonly found everywhere.

Hwang Jeong-Hu couldn't help but smile at this sight.

'Hah. He has acclimatized pretty well, hasn't he?'

It felt like Hwang Jeong-Hu was witnessing the process of a clueless alien who had fallen out of the sky one day, gradually acclimatizing to the world of humans. He felt chuffed about it, but on the other hand, something about it also felt a little rueful to him.

'I guess... He won't really need me anymore.'

Hwang Jeong-Hu had done a lot for Kang Jin-Ho until now, although he wasn't sure what the latter's feelings about it were like. Assisting financially so Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't have money problems was one such help. Not to forget, Hwang Jeong-Hu also ordered thorough research and support what Kang Jin-Ho wanted to do for his business, didn't he?

Out of everything he did, though, what Hwang Jeong-Hu paid the most attention to was helping Kang Jin-Ho close the 'chasm' existing between him and the rest of the world and blend into society as smoothly as possible. He assigned Jo Gyu-Min to accompany Kang Jin-Ho for that very purpose and ensured that there wouldn't be problems during the military service, too.

Everything was meant for Kang Jin-Ho, but now... Now that Kang Jin-Ho started wearing the outfit called the 'ordinary' without much help from anyone, Hwang Jeong-Hu began feeling like the need for a specialized tailor had dissipated into the ether.

'I guess things are leaving me one by one...'

Rather than the sense of achievement, the sense of loss resulting from thinking that the world no longer needed him filled Hwang Jeong-Hu up instead.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the living room. “So? Can I enter now?”

“Yes, you can. Did you have breakfast already?”

“I think it's a bit too early in the day for that.”

“In that case, join me in the dining room.”

“No, I'm fine.” Kang Jin-Ho lightly shook his head.

"Instead of saying you're fine, don't come visiting me at this hour and save us the trouble. Besides, I'll have indigestion eating by myself when the guest is just sitting there doing nothing, anyway. Auntie here seems to have a big appetite, so we just need to get an extra spoon, and you should be good to go. So, come and sit with me."

The housekeeper auntie feigned anger. “Goodness me, Chairman! Did you just insult me?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu tutted loudly. “...Let's be honest here, auntie. How do you expect me to finish all this food by myself?”

"Even so, you're the chairman, so I must do my job properly."

"Properly, my foot..." Hwang Jeong-Hu grumbled.

Kang Jin-Ho faintly grinned at the sight of Hwang Jeong-Hu bickering with the housekeeper.

'He has gotten mellower.'

While Hwang Jeong-Hu felt fear and a sense of disharmony from Kang Jin-Ho during their initial meetings, Kang Jin-Ho felt a knife-like sharp and taut vigor emanating from Hwang Jeong-Hu. Kang Jin-Ho was obviously physically stronger and had achieved more in life, but even he wouldn't dare look down on Hwang Jeong-Hu. That was how firm and unyielding Hwang Jeong-Hu was of his own beliefs.

Right after he pushed himself off the sick bed, Hwang Jeong-Hu brimmed with a sharpness that could cut anyone trying to touch him. But now, he had become noticeably mellow. Of course, Kang Jin-Ho wasn't sure if that could be seen as good news.

“Take a seat, fella.”

"Of course." Kang Jin-Ho nodded and settled on the opposite side of Hwang Jeong-Hu by the dining table, thinking that refusing any further would be against manners.

As for the dining table itself, it was at least twice as big as the one found in Kang Jin-Ho's home, even though only Hwang Jeong-Hu was using it.

"Mm, this table is rather large, isn't it?" Kang Jin-Ho asked while scanning the table.

Hwang Jeong-Hu dismissively waved his hand. “Uselessly large, that's what it is. Since the house is big, it's gonna feel empty if I don't fill it up with furniture like this. That's why I wanted to sell this dang place and move to somewhere smaller, but... That damn Yeong-Gi is adamantly against it for some weird reason!”

“Mm? Director Baek said no?”

"That's right. He said some nonsense about how selling the house I used to live in would look bad. But let's be real here, why would I need a big house like this one when I'm living all by myself? It's just a waste, isn't it!"

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “Well, it is rather big, I must admit.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu tutted. "I better talk to Yeong-Gi again soon. It's too empty and cold in this big house."

"Mm? I believe it's because you're living alone, Chairman."

"That's why I'm saying I gotta move."

Kang Jin-Ho nodded again just as the housekeeper brought out the stew. He accepted his cutlery, then waited for Hwang Jeong-Hu to start eating first.

Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked an eyebrow. “Why aren't you helping yourself?”

“Well, I'm waiting for the elder to begin first.”

"Hah. Kekekeke... Haven't heard such a funny joke before! I'm the elder here, is it?!" Hwang Jeong-Hu held his gut as a loud chuckle escaped his mouth. He chuckled for a good while before fixing his gaze on Kang Jin-Ho. "You don't mind if I ask something private about you?"

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Between us... Who is actually older?”

Kang Jin-Ho rubbed his chin. “Mm... How old are you?”

“I'm already past seventy.”

“Mm, I see. In that case...” Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes as if he was busy calculating something.

Hwang Jeong-Hu quickly waved his hands. “Never mind. Let's stop this talk here, shall we?”

"Mm? Why?" Kang Jin-Ho raised his head and looked in confusion.

“I don't think knowing it will benefit me in any shape or form. I'm not a youngster anymore, you know? I have no thoughts of welcoming a new older brother at this stage in my life, so let's just keep our relationship dynamic as it is.”

“Mm, I don't mind.”

“...Still, it's kind of weird, so you don't have to stick to honorifics if you don't feel like it.

“I'm fine with it, though.” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head.

“Huh. Even though you didn't bother with honorifics when we first met? I guess you learned some manners along the way, then.”

Kang Jin-Ho quietly chuckled. It wasn't only him who had changed a lot since their first encounter. Indeed, Hwang Jeong-Hu had also transformed quite a lot compared to his earlier self. Then again, humans were meant to evolve, anyway.

“Well, let's get started, shall we?” Hwang Jeong-Hu picked up his spoon and dug into his food, prompting Kang Jin-Ho to do the same.

***

After the meal, in the living room...

“Okay, so. What brings you here so early in the day?” Hwang Jeong-Hu asked.

"Well, I don't have a particular reason, but..."

“You're still not good at lying, huh?” Hwang Jeong-Hu took a sip of his coffee before putting the cup down on the table. “Indeed, you probably don't have a reason to come see me. I'm no longer useful to you, after all.”

“...”

"However, since you're here, you must have found a good reason. It's not like you enjoyed hanging out with me, anyway."

"Mm? Do you want me to hang out with you often, then?"

“Of course not! Hanging out with you is the fastest way to get me killed!”

“Don't worry, I'll take into consideration your age and all.”

"...Forget it. Let's not talk about that and get to why you're here."

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho took a sip of his coffee while contemplating how he should approach this. He put the cup down and stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu.

Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked an eyebrow. “Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“...Chairman, why did you ask me about my age earlier?”

“If you've changed your mind and want me to call you hyung-nim, that’s—gonna be a bit difficult for me.”

"No, it's not that. However... Please listen to what I'm about to say as advice coming from a senior in life, not this young-looking man in front of your eyes, Chairman."

Hwang Jeong-Hu's expression stiffened a little. “Alright, I'm all ears.”

Kang Jeong-Hu wordlessly stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu for a few seconds before finally breaking the weighty silence. “You are lonely, aren't you?”

“...!” Hwang Jeong-Hu's complexion reddened as if he was left momentarily flustered by Kang Jin-Ho's direct assault. It felt like embarrassing things about himself that he didn't want to share were being displayed on the roadside for everyone to see. “What do you mean, lonely? Only youngsters feel stuff like that. At my age, loneliness is the furthest thing in my mind.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly shook his head. “Yes, getting old does dull your emotions, but they won't disappear completely. Actually, some emotions will only get more persistent and worse. Loneliness, reminiscence, and—”

“That's enough.” Hwang Jeong-Hu abruptly cut Kang Jin-Ho off. “You can discuss stuff like that with your shrink in a counseling session. Talking it out loud with you won't solve anything, after all. Besides, I'm not depressed or anything, so don't worry about me.”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't respond and simply stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu in silence.

“Tsk...” Hwang Jeong-Hu noticed that Kang Jin-Ho was seriously pondering something, so he took out a packet of cigarettes from his breast pocket and handed out a cigarette.

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes. “This is?”

“Come on, take it. It's my house, so it's fine.”

Kang Jin-Ho tried to decline. “No, I'll be fine.”

“What's the matter? What, you want me to say 'Hyung-nim, have one on me'? Is that it?”

“...I'll accept it, then.” Kang Jin-Ho took the cigarette and mouthed it, then lit it up. Hwang Jeong-Hu also mouthed a cigarette of his own. Not too long afterward, the living room was filled up with unhealthy smoke.

“Loneliness, is it...” Hwang Jeong-Hu wryly chuckled. “Rather than loneliness, it's... I'd say it's more like lament.”

“Lament, you say?” Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. I lament. That's about it." Hwang Jeong-Hu slowly nodded away. "I have been breathlessly running all this time. No, I'm not going to boast about how successful I am. However, I am intensely proud of this one thing... I've lived my life to the best of my abilities."

Kang Jin-Ho nodded while listening. Merely being successful wasn't enough to earn the respect of the public. While others searched for less arduous paths, Hwang Jeong-Hu stubbornly chose the harder roads for himself. People in the past often mocked and criticized him for it, but he remained true to his beliefs and stuck to the righteous path.

That was why Jaegyeong now stood tall. Obviously, there were other, more prosperous corporations than Jaegyeong in South Korea. However, none of them garnered as much respect as Jaegyeong did.

“But... I've been sensing something lately. I can no longer run.”

“Mm...”

“It's not as simple as my weaker health, either. No, it's more to do with my head getting old. Lately, things aren't working out as I've been intending. But when I listened to the advice of the younger generation, the troublesome parts got resolved fairly easily. I don't want to admit it, but... It seems that my time has come.”

“I see,” Kang Jin-Ho crossed his arms in front of his chest and contemplatively nodded.

“Of course, I'm not going to deny what's happening. It's just that... I'm lamenting it. I've dedicated my whole life to my company, but I'm still gradually becoming an unneeded surplus to it. I lament that, and then...” The end of Hwang Jeong-Hu's words blurred before he groaned softly. “There is no such thing called honorable retirement in this world. Who would want to retire if they can still kick ass in the field with the rest of them? When you package the being shown the door to something more palatable, then you will get… retirement.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu's bitter-sounding words echoed within the living room.

Kang Jin-Ho observed Hwang Jeong-Hu, and in his eyes, the latter seemed so, so... small. The giant that could easily rock the world had become this small in a matter of a few years.

A quick look at "pawread dot com" will leave you more fulfilled.

The sight, however, only served to strengthen Kang Jin-Ho's resolution.

“Chairman, not too long ago, I...”

“...Mm?”

"...I ran into your son."

Hwang Jeong-Hu's expression hardened like a rock.