#76What on earth am I doing? Grandfather was lost in thought, silent.
“There are many accounts in Manager Ha's name, right?”
“Yes.”
Back during the real-name financial system implementation, most of the shell accounts had been transferred to Manager Ha's name.
“If you decide, Grandfather, let's start by changing the money in those accounts to dollars.”
Finally, my grandfather nodded.
“Do as you see fit. If that's what you think.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
With my grandfather’s permission, there was no need to delay. I planned to convert all our cash assets into dollars as quickly as possible.
“Please move everything in Manager Ha’s accounts to foreign banks. Exchange it for dollars there. Not our country's banks. It must be a foreign bank.”
The money wasn’t just in bank accounts.
“As for the cash in the underground vault, please exchange it using the money changers in Myeon District.”
Cash that no one knew about had its own uses. It was money that left no record, so there would be no problem using it for bribes.
“Just leave the real assets like real estate and gold bars as they are. Just cleanly convert only the won into dollars.”
“I understand, Chairman. I will take my leave now.”
“Alright. Do as Mu-hyeok says.”
After Manager Ha left, I was alone with my grandfather.
“Now, tell me what on earth you are waiting for. I’m curious.”
Even if one sensed an unusual atmosphere, no one could have predicted the large-scale bankruptcies of major corporations. Too big to fail. It was because of the government's policy of never letting large corporations collapse.
The conglomerates could not abandon their reckless attitudes. The indiscriminate issuance of promissory notes was strangling small and medium-sized enterprises.
“I believe an economic crisis will hit our country within two years at the latest. You know it too, Grandfather. How finance companies and banks are lending money these days.”
Setting aside the banks, the business model of the finance companies was overly distorted. They were borrowing money from foreign banks at low, short-term interest rates and then giving out long-term loans to companies at higher interest rates. Although my grandfather nodded, he still didn't seem to fully grasp it.
“Even so, would the entire country collapse so easily? We've had crises from time to time, but hasn't the government handled them well?”
During the Third Republic and the Fifth Republic, crises had struck the economy due to the oil shock. The government had used all means necessary to prevent companies from going bankrupt. Thanks to that, the companies survived, but as a result, they rotted from the inside.
They should have been allowed to burst before they festered. Artificially keeping insolvent companies alive was the root of the problem.
“The Republic of Korea is in a state of total crisis right now. The weak yen has dealt a fatal blow to our export-dependent economy, and various incidents and accidents have occurred due to corruption and shoddy construction. It's just not visible because it's rotting from the inside, but it's on the verge of bursting. Eventually, foreign investors will pull out, and a rapid outflow of dollars will follow. The government will do its best to maintain the exchange rate.”
“Hmm…”
As I spoke with conviction, my grandfather stroked his chin.
“The government's choice will be the worst possible choice.”
“I see. Now I understand. Why you continuously liquidated our bonds and insisted on converting to dollars.”
“Grandfather, you will once again stand above many chairmen. The dollar has that kind of power.”
“Hahaha.”
Grandfather laughed heartily, seemingly in a good mood.
“It’s good that you’re thinking of this old man, but I’m done now. Mu-hyeok, you should be the one to stand at the top.”
I still had to hide behind my grandfather. Until I had amassed the strength to sever the Blue Wind Association's lifeline, I couldn't step into the forefront.
“Grandfather. It's not over yet. I hope you will give it one last try.”
My grandfather’s eyes were fixed on me.
“You rascal, what is it that you’re so afraid of?”
As if the years he had lived were not in vain, my grandfather said something that seemed to pierce right through me.
“You can’t gain anything by just avoiding what you fear. I don’t know what makes you so afraid, but I believe in you. You can do better than me.”
“Grandfather.”
“It’s time for me to rest as well. I have no intention of becoming an old man in the back room, but for things you are capable of handling, you should do them yourself. Understand?”
Perhaps because of my grandfather’s sincere words, I felt my heart ease. What was I afraid of? So much had already changed.
I had saved my grandmother and brought about the downfall of the Cheon Su-man brothers. I had also succeeded in weakening the Blue Wind Association's power to some extent.
“I understand. But I still need your help, Grandfather. I’m still too young.”
“Hahaha. Young? Who would see you as young? You old soul in a young body.”
Grandfather chuckled lightly, then suddenly started to let out a dry cough.
“Cough, cough!”
It didn't look good even at a glance, and I gave him a worried look, but my grandfather just waved his hand dismissively.
“It’s nothing. It happens sometimes. I’ve lived a long time.”
“Grandfather…”
“The hospital said there’s nothing seriously wrong, but I’ve been feeling very drained lately. You can’t beat time.”
Last time, my grandfather had also passed away suddenly. Even though Manager Ha had always thoroughly managed my grandfather’s health…
“You should visit your grandmother often too. No matter how busy you are, she’s getting old, isn't she? Mark my words. Don't regret it later.”
At my grandfather’s request, it felt as if I had been struck in the head with a hammer.
‘What on earth am I doing?’
Calling every day wasn't enough. Revenge was revenge, but I couldn't lose Grandma so senselessly like I did in my past life.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“Nothing to be thankful for.”
As soon as I left the study, I spoke to Section Chief Ma.
“Please cancel all my appointments. I’m going down to Busan right away.”
Section Chief Ma moved quickly. While he was making preparations, I made a call.— Hello.
“Hyeon-seong, I’m going down to Busan now. Want to come with me?”— So suddenly?
“Yeah. It's been too long since I saw my grandmother.”— What about Myeong-soo?
“Myeong-soo isn’t a kid. Don’t worry about him and get ready. I’ll come pick you up.”— Alright.
I should call my mom. I'm hanging up. After hanging up, the thought of spending hours in the car together in silence gave me the chills.
“All appointments have been canceled. You can depart now.”
“The staff are all on standby, right?”
Since the beginning of the year, whenever I moved, two cars with four of Section Chief Ma’s subordinates each would follow, one in front and one behind. The vehicle I was in had Section Chief Ma and one of his men driving.
It was inconvenient, but Section Chief Ma wouldn't bend, saying he didn't know how opposing forces like the yakuza and the Blue Wind Association might act in the future. Unlike my grandfather, who rarely went out, I was often outside, so it was sound advice. On the way to Myeong-soo’s house to pick up Hyeon-seong.
“How are things going with the PMC?”
“We are preparing to establish the corporation in America. He’s an expert in that area, so you can trust him with it.”
We had recruited an administrative expert who was also a former special forces member, and who had been Section Chief Ma’s superior at EO, entrusting him with all the work. The conditions were an exceptional salary and 10% of the PMC’s shares as a stock option.
“His name was Eric Clark, right?”
“Yes. He’s a former Navy SEAL officer. He has good connections in the special forces and is well-versed in military operations, so if we leave it to him, he’ll do a good job on his own.”
“Even so, we can’t just leave everything to him. Someone needs to be there with him.”
“I will look into it.”
“For now, tell him to come to Korea once.”
“Yes.”
We arrived at Myeong-soo’s house while talking about the PMC. Hyeon-seong had already finished all his preparations and was waiting for me outside.
“Get in.”
Hyeon-seong opened the rear door on the driver's side and got in without a word. The entire way to Busan, only silence flowed through the car. Exactly as I had expected.
When the suffocating time came to an end, I got out of the car, genuinely happy.
“Grandma!”
Perhaps because I had come without calling ahead, my grandmother shot up from her seat when she saw me.
“What? Who is this?”
“Who do you think? It’s your grandson, Grandma.”
“My child, what brings you here without any notice? Come here. Let me touch your face.”
This year, using the excuse of being busy, I had only visited at the beginning of the year and hadn’t come for the summer or Chuseok. No, I chose not to come.
‘She’s getting old, isn't she?’
It was as if my grandfather’s words were ringing in my ears again. If I only chased after revenge, I could end up neglecting the most important and precious things. When I first regressed, I was filled with nothing but gratitude to whatever god or devil had sent me back, just for the fact that I had saved my grandmother.
As time passed, the promise I made at the beginning was fading.
‘I need to get a grip.’
This time, I really didn't want to create any regrets.
“Are you eating well? Why are you so thin?”
At Grandma's words as she kept caressing my face, tears welled up in my eyes without me realizing.
“Thin? I’ve gained weight, so I’ve been working out lately.”
“What are you talking about? What is there to lose that you’re losing weight? But why are you like that? What's wrong?”
Grandma noticed the moisture in my eyes and asked in surprise.
“It’s nothing. I’m just happy to see you after so long, Grandma.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. I’m eating well and sleeping well.”
“My child. You’re doing well.”
The smile blooming on Grandma’s wrinkled face made me happy.
“I missed you, Grandma.”
I took another step closer to Grandma and hugged her tightly. The feel of Grandma's hands patting my back was so, so good.
“I didn't know you were coming, so I haven't prepared anything. Go wash up and wait. I’ll be right back from the market.”
“We can just eat out…”
“What are you talking about? It’s been a while, you have to eat a meal made by your grandma.”
Grandma’s angry outburst was cute.
“Alright, alright. Hurry back.”
Grandma found her wallet and was about to leave without even putting on a coat.
“Grandma, it’s cold outside. Dress warmly before you go.”
“Oh my, I’m so out of it.”
Perhaps due to her age, her forgetfulness had gotten worse. Grandma left the house. The empty house felt strangely large.
Grandma must feel like this every day. When I opened my room door, it was spotless, as if it had been cleaned every day. My heart felt heavy.
Our grandma, who must have thought of me every day as she cleaned, without even knowing when her grandson would come. Though it was smaller than the room I was currently staying in, and the furniture was old, didn't it somehow feel more spacious and better because of Grandma? I sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.
‘Right. Let’s just go a little slower.’
I went to the bathroom, washed up, and returned to my room to open the closet. The clothes were all in their place, not a single item out of order. Just as I changed into some comfortable clothes, Grandma returned.
“Wait a bit. I’ll whip up a meal for you.”
Section Chief Ma bowed his head at the doorway, about to leave.
“You wait too. Eat with us before you go.”
Section Chief Ma flinched at Grandma’s words. That man has a soft spot for kindness.
“You should have a meal with us too, Section Chief. You’ve arranged for the staff’s accommodations, right?”
“Yes.”
“Please, come in.”
While Grandma was cooking, I sat in the living room and talked with Section Chief Ma.
“I’ll be in Busan until the end of the year. Unless it's an urgent matter, you can handle things for the time being.”
“I understand.”
Section Chief Ma could handle most things on his own without me. With the exception of Han Gyeong-yeong's work in America.
“Tell Eric to come next year, or if he's coming this year, tell him to come to Busan.”
“Yes.”
Next year would be truly busy. Before that, I planned to spend plenty of time with my grandmother.
“Mu-hyeok! It’s ready. Come quick.”
“Okay, Grandma! I’m coming!”
A smile spread across my face.
< What on earth am I doing? > End