Chapter73: < The Unavoidable Arrow (5) >
Yeon-hee shrugged as if to say it was no big deal.
“Most companies have some kind of scholarship program... It’s not a problem to create one. But which school are you thinking of sending him to?”
“Actually, the school isn’t that important.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s just wait and see for now.”
Yeonghun said no more, silently waiting for time to pass.
Naturally, Chief Kang also had no choice but to wait for Juchwin to finish his event schedule.
After about thirty minutes of walking around, introducing his family and greeting people, Juchwin caught Yeonghun’s eye and gestured, heading up the escalator first.
The group followed him into a quiet room inside a restaurant.
As Juchwin offered him a seat, Yeonghun extended his hand first.
“My name is Choi Yeong-hun, from Hyunjin Corporation’s Secretarial Office.”
“I am Juchwin. Please, sit.”
Though suspicious, he shook the offered hand and sat down.
As a waiter brought them tea, Yeonghun spoke.
“First, I would like to apologize for how things have turned out.”
As soon as Yeonghun finished speaking, Yeon-hee promptly translated.
“Ahem...”
“It seems you often enjoy coming out with your family. They all looked so well...”
“Well, yes.”
“But your son didn’t look so well. Is something wrong?”
Juchwin found it strange that Yeonghun was making small talk instead of discussing business.
And of all topics, bringing up his family seemed random and out of place.
Because of this, Juchwin suspected the man had a different motive than what he was letting on.
“That boy of mine is always distracted. He won't study, just sits around playing computer games. It's so frustrating.”
“It’s perfectly normal for someone his age. So instead of worrying, how about sending him to study abroad in Korea?”
“Study in Korea?”
“Yes. Hyunjin Corporation can cover all expenses and send him to a top university. It’s not much to brag about, but one advantage of studying in Korea is that there’s less chance of falling in with a bad crowd and being poorly influenced.”
“That’s true.”
“You don’t need to decide right here and now. You can take your time and discuss it with your wife before making a decision.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, shall we talk business? To be honest, we are also quite bewildered by this situation.”
“...”
“We need to understand what happened to figure out how to respond or compensate, but we’re at a complete loss.”
Juchwin thought for a moment before speaking.
“I understand that as part of this project, you were supposed to pay Yang Tzeung 200,000 yuan every month. But this month’s payment hasn’t come through.”
Yeonghun had no idea who this Yang Tzeung was, but it was obvious he was central to this deal.
“There seems to have been a major misunderstanding.”
“Because of that, I’ve been put in a very awkward position. I was the one who introduced you to Yang Tzeung, and now I’ve completely lost face.”
“I apologize. It’s a little late, but we will have the 200,000 yuan deposited immediately.”
However, the situation he thought would be easily resolved was not so simple.
“There’s no one to deliver it to, so how do you plan on making the payment?”
This time, even Yeonghun couldn't help but be taken aback.
When he couldn't answer and just looked at Juchwin, the man spoke as if bestowing a favor.
“Yang Tzeung will never accept money from someone he doesn’t know. But the person who was supposed to deliver it this time never showed up. That means one of two things: either something happened to the courier, or you people have had a change of heart.”
“It’s definitely not the latter.”
“Then there must have been a problem with the middleman.”
At this point, Chief Kang No-sik interjected.
“When a deal goes wrong, it’s common to replace the middleman. The important thing is whether the aftermath can be handled properly. We will not forgive the person who caused this situation, and we want to restore our relationship with you to what it was.”
Juchwin nodded at Chief Kang’s words, then turned his gaze back to Yeonghun.
“I’ll go back and think about it.”
“Yes. We will be waiting.”
When Yeonghun let him go without trying to hold him back, Juchwin watched him with an intrigued expression before speaking.
“What about my son’s face looked unwell?”
He could have just left, but the fact that he asked a question made it clear the problem was more serious than anticipated.
“Everyone else in your family was smiling, but your son was the only one who wasn't. And he didn't make eye contact with you even once.”
Juchwin’s brow furrowed.
Yeonghun continued.
“I didn’t have a good relationship with my father either. I was quite rebellious when I was young. Then, by chance, I ended up living far away from him. The first year or so was quite comfortable, I think. But after two or three years passed, I found myself reflecting on the resentment I held for my father. I don’t know why his advice, which was only meant for my own good, sounded so offensive to me back then.”
As Yeon-hee translated, Juchwin fell into thought, rubbing the armrest of his chair.
Chief Kang had no idea why the situation was unfolding this way or why the topic had suddenly shifted to the son, but he found it strange how focused Juchwin was on the story. He felt the same sense of wonder he had as a child watching a magic show.
Of course, Yeon-hee, who knew Yeonghun had lived alone in the mountains for over twenty years, couldn't help but be flabbergasted by his brazen lies.
“I can’t get through to my son.”
“The day will come when your son understands you.”
“You’re saying we need some time apart.”
“One thing is certain: it must end with simple disappointment. If resentment towards a parent deepens, they can become worse than strangers later on. You can’t let that happen, can you?”
“But will he actually study properly in Korea?”
Honestly, Yeonghun didn't know what his son was obsessed with that was keeping him from his studies.
But one thing was certain: Juchwin’s son had the classic four pillars of a scholar.
If not for the trouble with his father, he would likely have lived a peaceful life, pursuing the studies he wanted.
Therefore, separating him from his father would surely make him naturally turn his attention back to his studies.
The only concern was his tendency to be swayed by women, but that was something Yeonghun couldn't control, whether he was here or in Korea.
“By adapting to a new environment, making new friends, and having diverse experiences, he will broaden his perspective.”
“True, I haven’t heard many stories about kids going to study in Korea and causing trouble. Choi Yeong-hun, was it? You have a sharp eye.”
“I may not be quick with calculations, but I am good at reading people. That’s why I was given full authority to come here.”
“Good at reading people? You’re a talent with great potential. Which hotel are you staying at?”
Juchwin patted Yeonghun’s shoulder, asked for his hotel, took his business card, and left.
After Juchwin was gone, Chief Kang fired off a barrage of questions at Yeonghun.
“What was that about his son? How did you know he had a problem with his son? How did you know Juchwin was worried about him?”
“I just made a guess.”
“How?”
“You heard me earlier, didn't you? His expression was different.”
“You connected all of that just because he had a sour look on his face?”
“In any case, it worked out well, didn’t it?”
“...”
Chief Kang was left speechless.
After all, Juchwin, who had been angry for reasons unknown, had calmed down. In fact, at the end, he had even asked for their hotel, a sign of wanting to get closer. It made him wonder, ‘Was this always supposed to be this easy?’
“By the way, do you know who this courier is?”
“Senior Managing Director Cha would know. But now that we know the courier is the problem, we can hold Senior Managing Director Cha responsible.”
“By the way, how much is 200,000 yuan?”
Yeon-hee answered.
“It’s over 20 million won in our currency.”
“And that was paid every month? Is that even allowed? I saw on the news that China declared a war on corruption...”
Chief Kang replied as if it were no big deal.
“If it makes the impossible possible, it’s not that expensive. Anyway, if Juchwin connects us with Yang Tzeung again, I’ll handle it from there.”
“Please do. Oh, I’d like to create a Korea-China exchange student program. Would that be possible?”
“I’ll mention it to the Planning and Coordination Office. They’ll whip up a decent-looking program in a few days.”
Yeonghun nodded and headed for the hotel.
While Chief Kang worked on his laptop to file a report, Yeonghun and Yeon-hee ordered cocktails at the hotel bar.
A cocktail, sipped while gazing at the night view from a hotel bar.
This was another thing he had always wanted to do someday.
Yeon-hee brought a red cocktail with a complicated name to her lips and asked.
“How did you know the son was the problem?”
“Looking at his son’s four pillars, he has the destiny of a scholar who should live without any major issues. A life of quiet study and immersion in what he wants to do is a perfect fit for him. Usually, those born with such a destiny don’t have major conflicts with their parents. What parent would dislike a child who loves to study? But looking at his features, the lines on his brow suggested he had no affinity for studying in his youth.”
“So his four pillars and his face reading are contradictory?”
“That’s right. If the family were struggling financially, it might be because the parents couldn't support him, but it’s absurd to think that a man with the power of a People’s Representative lacks the money to provide for his son.”
“Right.”
“Then there’s only one conclusion. Someone is constantly blocking the son’s path.”
“Ah, I get it.”
Yeonghun tasted a blue cocktail the color of the sea, impressed by its refreshing flavor, and continued.
“Juchwin’s problem is that he possesses a hex that suppresses his son.”
Yeon-hee’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What? Suppresses his son?”
“It doesn’t mean he’ll kill his son, but it’s similar to crushing his son’s spirit. He was born with a destiny that clashes with his son on every little thing, so there’s no way the household can be harmonious. His standards are high, and he dislikes every single thing his son does, so he constantly crushes his son’s self-esteem and suppresses him.”
“So you’re saying the father might have driven his son to neglect his studies and only play on the computer?”
“That’s right. The son’s refusal to study was likely an act of rebellion against his father. People born with the four pillars of a scholar are never without a stubborn streak. They’re not just a little stubborn; they have strong pride, so it’s only natural for their rebellious feelings about being suppressed to erupt forcefully.”
“I see...”
“Trying to resolve this situation by persuading the father to improve their relationship won’t be easy. A person’s character doesn’t change easily.”
“So that’s why you recommended he study abroad?”
“Correct. It might sound ridiculous, but keeping them apart will prevent their relationship from getting any worse. You know how they say weekend couples are more affectionate? It might even help their frozen father-son relationship recover.”
“But will Juchwin send his son to study abroad?”
“He will.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“In a father-son relationship that has grown so distant, it’s impossible for there not to be mutual resentment. The son resents the father, but the father also resents the son. That’s why he’ll want to send him away. And he’ll feel grateful to us for removing the source of trouble in his household. He’ll think everything has turned out for the best. Of course, that thought isn’t wrong.”
Yeon-hee drank half her cocktail in one go and spoke.
“Sometimes, you give me the creeps. It feels like I’m dealing with a sage, not a person, you know?”
“That’s because we’ve learned different things and see different things. You just see the person, but I see their entire life.”
“If I became like you, I’d probably be even more of a jerk, wouldn’t I?”
“Haha, that’s possible. But this isn’t always a good thing.”
Could she even begin to imagine the pain of growing up seeing ghosts in the dark mountains?
Back then, while fighting a desperate mental battle, Yeonghun had thought dozens of times that it might be easier to just live as a shaman.
But the reason he didn’t was because of his mother, who had left him behind to prevent her son from becoming a shaman.
He wanted to show his mother, whom he might one day meet, that he was living well, just like any ordinary person.
Just then, Yeonghun’s phone rang with an unregistered number.
He instinctively knew it was Juchwin.
Since Yeonghun couldn’t speak Chinese, he immediately handed the phone to Yeon-hee.
She answered, finished the call, and then spoke to Yeonghun.
“It’s Juchwin. He asked if you have time tomorrow evening. I said of course. But...”
“But?”
“He said he has a favor to ask. He didn’t say what it was. He said he wants to talk to you.”
“Hmm...”
“When a favor is asked, you have to grant it. That’s how *guanxi* works. If you only take and never give, the relationship can’t last.”
“No need to get scared before we even hear what it is. We’ll find out when we meet him.”
Yeonghun smiled faintly, sipping his cocktail as he admired the night view.
The nightscape of Harbin was quite impressive, making him think it was a good thing he came to China.
< The Unavoidable Arrow (5) > End
0 Comments