Iron Fortress (2) #7 Iron Fortress (2) Chairman Cheon's study was frozen like the South Pole. Inside the room, there was only a single chair. In this house, no one but Chairman Cheon could sit there.
“Eldest, youngest. Did really no one look into your sister? Not even once in seventeen years?”
“...Well, Father, you told us to think of her as if she didn't exist. We were only following your words.”
Rage blazed in Chairman Cheon's eyes.
“And now you ask if Mu-hyeok is Mi-sook's son? Are you even human?”
“...I'm sorry.”
“Do your wives think the same?”
“No, Father. We have never thought such a thing.”
Before the seething Chairman Cheon, no one dared to object.
“From this day on, do not let such words pass your lips again. If you do, I will not let it slide. Do you understand?”
Chairman Cheon, who had been roaring like thunder, finally calmed down after a while and lowered his voice.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, is your father's business going well? I've been hearing strange rumors.”
“No, there are no problems. I don't know the details, but I believe the press is just writing whatever they want. You know what my father is like, Father.”
“I know. A heartless man with no blood or tears. Tell him to come to me anytime if he needs my help. We are in-laws, after all. I should help if I can.”
“Yes, Father. Thank you.”
The eldest daughter-in-law answered politely. The anger on Chairman Cheon's face had somewhat subsided, but his expression remained blank even as he offered kind words, which made him even more frightening. He then looked at the younger daughter-in-law.
“How is the Assemblyman?”
“My father is also carrying out his legislative activities without any issues.”
“Tell him to always be careful. Tell him to come to me if he needs money, and not to accept any clumsy requests for favors.”
“Yes, Father.”
Finally, with a deep sigh, Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han, who were still cautiously watching him. Just looking at them, Chairman Cheon's brows furrowed in displeasure.
“And Su-man, Su-han. You worthless fools… I hear you're still getting involved with the Blue Wind Association? Can't you let it go?”
“What?”
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue at the brothers, whose flustered expressions were obvious.
“That's not how you use money. You have to make them come to you when they're desperate, begging on their hands and knees. That's what money is, that's what power is. Tsk, wagging your tails for beast-like humans who don't know gratitude no matter how much money you give them. Stop everything you're doing now.”
“...But Father, we've already made a promise to Representative Lee Hak-soo. There could be disadvantages if we break it.”
“Disadvantages?”
Cheon Su-man nodded with a dark expression.
“Yes, Father. You know what kind of power he holds right now, don't you?”
At that, Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man as if he were absurd.
“Hahaha. You foolish boy. The likes of Representative Lee, not even the president, just the floor leader of the National Party, is going to give me disadvantages? Tell him to try. Make sure you tell him, let's see who dies.”
“...Father.”
Cheon Su-man tried to say something more, but Chairman Cheon cut him off as if he didn't want to hear it.
“You heard me. Now leave. This is Mu-hyeok's last night at home, so I need to talk with him more. Stop everything you're doing and only do what I tell you. Understand?”
“Yes...”
Although their faces showed dissatisfaction, the brothers Su-man and Su-han did not argue. They knew their father's stubbornness.
“You bastard, aren't you going to let go?”
Cheon Ji-won, whose collar was grabbed, couldn't even break free, yet he ran his mouth, squawking.
“Hey, Cheon Ji-won. Not everything that comes out of your mouth is a word. If you want to live a long life, don't run that mouth of yours so carelessly. Go ahead, keep running it. If you want to see the name ‘Cheon Ji-won the drug addict’ spread across the Republic of Korea tomorrow. Got it?”
“What?”
Whether it was because he was choking from his collar being grabbed, or because he was shocked by my words, Cheon Ji-won's face turned beet red.
“Why, did you think no one knew? Everyone who should know, knows. Cheon Ji-won, the grandson of the Ilseong Group. They say he loves marijuana, meth, and drugs so much he even smuggles them.”
“...Where did you hear that?”
“That's not what's important, is it? Aren't you worried about what might come out of my mouth? I've got the confidence to go downstairs right now and tell Grandpa everything. Shall we go together?”
I let go of the collar of Cheon Ji-won, who had become completely silent. To think it was just a guy like this… The more pathetic Cheon Ji-won looked, the more my anger flared.
“If you want to be treated like an older brother, act like one. I don't want to treat my cousins with disrespect either. We're cousins, but we're worse than strangers, aren't we? So let's just live as if the other doesn't exist. I'll treat you properly as my elder at family events, so don't mess with me. Do you understand, brother Ji-won?”
“...Understood.”
Leaving the deflated Cheon Ji-won behind, I went back to the bed and flopped down.
“Brother, would you mind leaving now? I have to go down to Busan tomorrow and I want to rest.”
As I waved my hand as if to tell him to get lost quickly, Cheon Ji-won ground his teeth in anger.
“That story you know, don't you go talking about it elsewhere. If you do, it's you die, I die. You know what I mean?”
“I get it, so get out.”
He seemed to have more to say, but Cheon Ji-won just glared at me before turning his back and leaving. The door closed, and the room became quiet again. I lay on the bed and thought about my cousins.
Besides Cheon Ji-won, Cheon Su-man also had a daughter named Cheon Ji-soo. That woman, Cheon Ji-soo, was a prodigy studying business at Korea University. She was also a talent who would later participate in the management of the Ilseong Group.
That bastard Cheon Su-han, whom I hated to even call my younger uncle, also had a child.
‘Cheon Ji-young is... a cute little sister.’
A smile unknowingly spread across my face at the thought of Ji-young. The only child in this family who approached me without any reservations. Is she in middle school now?
She was a cute younger sister, four years younger than me.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of the knock, I looked toward the door. When I didn't answer, the knock came again. I got up from the bed and opened the door.
A young-faced girl was looking up at me.
“Um...”
It was Cheon Ji-young.
“Yeah?”
“Um...”
“What is it? Speak. Do you have something to say?”
“You're my older brother, right?”
“Huh?”
I felt a strange sense of deja vu. It was the exact same conversation as in my past life. I remembered that last time, Ji-young had come in after Cheon Ji-won's rampage, and I had been in a bad mood and treated her curtly.
“I guess so. I'm eighteen now, and you?”
“I'm turning 14. I'm starting middle school.”
“Then I guess I am your older brother.”
“Hehe, it's nice to meet you. My name is Cheon Ji-young. I heard you're leaving, so I came to say goodbye. The atmosphere earlier wasn't really right for introductions...”
“Yeah, it wasn't. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok.”
“Brother Mu-hyeok!”
Seeing Ji-young's cute expression, I didn't hate this place.
“Well then, see you next time, Brother Mu-hyeok.”
“Okay. See you next time too, Ji-young.”
After Ji-young went downstairs, Manager Ha called for me a moment later, and I went down as well. It seemed the families of the brothers Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han had left. Chairman Cheon was waiting in the once again silent living room.
“What did you think of your uncles?”
“They were... just okay.”
“They probably don't mean any harm. Try to understand, will you?”
Chairman Cheon was a father, after all. In the end, because of that fatherly love, my grandfather couldn't let go and left them a great deal. But it was those very uncles and the Blue Wind Association who had me killed.
But it wasn't like I could tell him these circumstances. I could only nod and say I understood.
“You're leaving early tomorrow morning?”
“Yes.”
“You're not staying a bit longer? I'm quite lonely in this big house.”
“I've left Grandma alone for too long. I'll stay longer next time.”
At that, Chairman Cheon wore a slightly bitter expression. I thought he was a man made of steel, but to think I would see this side of him. ...I guess I can be a little more comfortable with him?
“I'll stay longer next time. I'm sorry, Grandfather. In two years, when I get into a university in Seoul, I'll be able to see you often.”
“Yes, that's right.”
“It's very late. You should go in and sleep.”
“Have breakfast with me before you go tomorrow morning.”
“Of course. I'll head up then.”
“Alright.”
I said my goodbyes and went up to my room. The reality, so different from my memories, was both welcome and a little tiring. The next morning.
I woke up early and tidied my room. It was the room I had stayed in, even for a few days, so I wanted to leave it neat. The housemaid would clean it later anyway, but...
I packed my things and went down to the first floor. Grandfather was already sitting in the living room, reading the newspaper.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, did you? Let's eat.”
I followed my grandfather, who put down the newspaper he was reading, got up, and went to sit at the dining table. The last breakfast, eaten in silence, ended quickly. It was time to go home.
“Grandfather. I'll come again next time.”
“Yes... Come often.”
“Okay.”
Without another word, I turned my back. After a few hours in Manager Ha's car, the familiar scenery of Busan began to appear outside the window. Finally, as I got out of the car and was about to say goodbye, Manager Ha handed me a bankbook.
“The password is the young lady's... no, Mu-hyeok's mother's memorial day.”
The bankbook showed a balance of 100 million won. When I looked at him as if asking for an explanation, Manager Ha added.
“The Chairman said to buy anything you want. Your living expenses will be provided separately. You can use that money for whatever you'd like, Mu-hyeok. Well then, I'll be going... I'll see you next time.”
“Please tell my grandfather thank you.”
“Call him yourself. I'm sure he'll be waiting.”
I nodded without a word. After Manager Ha's car left, I held my luggage and rang the doorbell.
“Who is it?”
“Grandma!”
The door opened, and my grandmother greeted me cheerfully.
“My baby's home?”
“Yeah, Grandma.”
“Have you eaten? Aren't you hungry? I made bulgogi since my baby was coming home today. Hurry and come in.”
Hugging my grandmother, it finally felt like I was home. Chairman Cheon's house was my home too, in a way, but it seems I wasn't at ease there. Grandma's home-cooked meal, which I was having for the first time in a week.
It was more delicious than any food I had eaten in Seoul.
“What did your in-law say?”
“Just... that I should visit often.”
“Be good to him. He's one of the few family members you have. It can't be helped when you're in school, but during vacations, go up and pay your respects. Got it?”
“I got it. Aren't you eating, Grandma?”
“I already ate before you came. Eat a lot. I'm happy just watching my baby eat.”
Love radiated from my grandmother's eyes. My home, which I hadn't been to in a while, was warm. My grandmother's warm words, the warm food she made, the warmth of her embrace.
Everything was good. Chairman Cheon's house was much bigger and nicer than this one, but it was colder and more frigid. Time always flies.
I became a second-year student and, just like before, was in a different class from Myeong-soo. But this time, we always went to and from school together, and went to the snack shop together during lunch. Myeong-soo also studied hard, and Hyeon-seong joined the judo club he was in when he was younger.
We used to be the troublemaking trio who always caused trouble, but now we were all working hard on our own paths so we could meet often at a university in the metropolitan area.
And...
That bastard who shattered Myeong-soo's leg transferred to our school. Into the same class as Myeong-soo. This hadn't changed.
“That transfer bastard uses a Seoul accent, it was so annoying I thought I'd die. A pretty-faced kid using a Seoul accent gave me goosebumps.”
“Myeong-soo, don't get involved with that bastard.”
“Why would I get involved with him? Not a chance. Looks like Hyeon-seong went to club practice today too.”
“Yeah, he took a long break from working out. I heard he's training even harder. Said he's even managing his diet?”
“Wow, Hyeon-seong~ He's really gotten his act together.”
I desperately hoped that Myeong-soo and that guy would get through the year without getting entangled. Just in case, I said it one more time.
“Really, don't get involved with the transfer student. I'm begging you.”
“I got it. Man, you're really worried. Does he have some dirt on you or something? Why do you care so much?”
“What do you mean, care? I'm just worried.”
“Alright. I'm heading out first.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
I watched Myeong-soo's retreating back for a long time.
But it seemed that just because Mu-hyeok wished it and Myeong-soo avoided it, what was bound to happen could not be stopped. Whether it was because of his father's power, the transfer student Hong Jin-pyo quickly became the leader of the school's delinquents.
“Kim Mu-hyeok?”
“Yeah, that bastard's the best fighter in the second year. He's lying low now, saying he's studying, but the moment he entered first year, he fought the second-year king. He's got no fear.”
“Is that so?”
“His best friend is that guy in your class, Lee Myeong-soo, right? That's the one. That bastard Myeong-soo has been following Mu-hyeok around since middle school. That's why no one messes with him.”
A crooked smile played on his lips.
“This'll be fun. So he's keeping quiet because he's studying? Messing with guys like that is the most fun. Isn't it?”
“You're not thinking of taking on Kim Mu-hyeok, are you? Hey, he's on a whole different level. Don't mess with him for no reason.”
The guys gathered around him tried to dissuade him, looking horrified. But as always in these situations, the words of those around him usually don't get through.
“You don't win just by being a good fighter. Are you guys sticking with me because you lost a fight to me? No, right? What does that bastard's father do?”
“He has no parents. He lives alone with his grandmother. Myeong-soo's father probably runs a big bar in Nampo District.”
The transfer student crossed his arms as if to say, "See?"
“If I mess with that kid Myeong-soo, the one called Mu-hyeok will make a move, right?”
“Probably?”
This time, the future he had desperately hoped would not come was approaching Mu-hyeok.