RR 44
[044] Warm-Up First 3.
“A Prosecutor General should be cultivated by the hyung who will become the Chairman of Sunyang. I was told to be an attorney specializing in M&A, though?”
“M&A? By whom?”
“Grandfather.”
Jin Young-jun’s cheeks twitched as he tried to suppress a smile.
“Really? Grandfather said that?”
“Yes. He didn’t go into detail, but when I mentioned going to law school, he said a lawyer would be better than a prosecutor or judge.”
“So, you? Do you like being a lawyer too, Do-jun?”
Sparkling eyes, a face full of expectation.
I knew what those eyes and that face wanted.
The most useful cousin among those related by blood. A proven intellect who even Chairman Jin would nod to, and who achieved top ranks in a nationally certified exam.
Moreover, a move that served two purposes: making me, a potential rival, into a loyal subordinate or close associate.
I could give him the answer he wanted right now, but you can’t just hand over what someone desires so easily.
“I’m not sure yet. Actually, I’m not really interested in being a judge… I think being a prosecutor or a lawyer might be more interesting… Well, I’ll go to law school and think about it slowly.”
“Right, life is long. Take your time to think. You’ve just graduated high school, there’s no need to make hasty decisions. If you don’t want to look at tiny law books, just tell this hyung. I’ll make you the most comfortable position in Sunyang Group. Haha.”
You’ve grown a lot, Jin Young-jun.
He even developed the inner strength to show composure without a single change in expression. Has he matured a bit after enduring a long life abroad?
“That sounds like the best option, actually? I’m sick of studying now, heh heh.”
“Really? Good. This hyung needs to make our bookworm dongsaeng happy. Stick close to me after this gathering. I’ll slowly teach you how wonderful the world is, and how enjoyable life can be.”
Jin Young-jun patted my back, winked, and then disappeared.
Yes, live happily. Enjoy this good world to the fullest.
Because those good memories of life will be all you’ll have in the future.
I had to force my stiff face to soften. It was my uncle by marriage.
“Wow, you ignorant bastard! How on earth did you get that score? Huh?”
“If only our kids had studied half as much as you, Do-jun, how great would that be?”
My aunt looked regretful. Where did her three sons study again? She didn’t even know the name of the country, let alone the university.
“Now I have a direct junior in my wife’s family. Do-jun, if you have any questions while studying, tell this uncle anytime. I’ll help you.”
“Direct junior? Did you graduate from Seoul National University? You haven’t even seen the front gate of Seoul National University!”
“Did I say university? I meant the Judicial Research and Training Institute!”
My aunt’s comment about his university complex provoked my uncle, but his words were utterly pointless.
“Right, that’s great. Do-jun. From now on, you can treat your uncle as your tutor. He’s unemployed right now anyway after losing the election!”
Sparks flew from my aunt’s eyes as she glared at my uncle, who then shut his mouth. In the 15th National Assembly election held in April, my uncle by marriage had spectacularly fallen flat.
He had thrown his hat into the ring in a Seoul constituency, forgetting his own capabilities that couldn’t keep up with his ambition and greed. The ruling party had practically handed over a stronghold of the opposition, and Grandfather had been furious.
It was a district that even the ruling party had given up on. Despite defying Grandfather’s disapproval and giving his all, the result was precisely as expected.
My aunt had secretly siphoned off department store money and poured it into his campaign, but it wasn’t enough.
“Uncle. Are you going to challenge in Seoul again next time?”
“Of course. I can’t end as a two-term assemblyman. After serving three terms, I’ll enter the cabinet.”
Calculating his age if this man’s dream came true, he’d be well over sixty. My uncle’s maximum was a cabinet minister.
“Do-jun.”
Suddenly, my uncle’s subtle voice called out to me. I didn’t need to hear more; it was obvious.
“Grandfather is in such a good mood because of you right now. There’s a by-election coming up soon…”
“Ah, yes.”
“Huh?”
Even my aunt’s eyes widened in surprise when I nodded before he could finish his sentence.
“You should get your assembly badge back in the by-election. I’ll ask for election fund support.”
Both of their mouths were agape.
“You’re truly smart. You get it right away. Haha.”
Should I go even further and reel them in now?
“If Grandfather doesn’t support the election funds, I’ll have to help you myself. You’re my direct senior, Uncle.”
Their gaping mouths dropped even further.
“You, you? With what money?”
“Don’t you remember? The money from selling the Bundang ranch a while ago. It’s just sitting in the bank untouched, you know? It’s probably earned a lot of interest too.”
“Ah…!”
The time for a ‘runner’ was approaching.
The National Assembly building, where trust was at rock bottom and was often dismissed as a gathering of trash, was nevertheless where the nation’s most crucial policies were decided.
My uncle absolutely had to return to the National Assembly. He had to go back and become a runner, recruiting assembly members who would support me.
“Do-do-jun.”
My uncle, overwhelmed with emotion, spread his arms wide, but I had no intention of being embraced by him. A runner should bow before his boss, how dare he…!
.
.
A Night Out and a Glimpse into the Past
As the year-end gathering concluded, Jin Young-jun and his younger brother, Jin Kyung-jun, took my hand and quietly slipped out of the hotel.
Jin Kyung-jun was five years older than me. He was currently on a leave of absence from university in the U.S., but he was easier to find in Koreatown than at school. He would remain in the U.S. until Chairman Jin passed away and Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi seized power.
“Where are we going?”
“Just follow along. I already told Uncle that I’d be having a light drink with you tonight.”
Jin Kyung-jun also winked and smiled.
“You’re still a virgin, right? This hyung broke his cherry on the day of his high school entrance ceremony. Is today the day our Do-jun becomes a man? Heh heh.”
My body might be a virgin, but my mind is a mess, you bastard.
Contrary to my thoughts, I started to feel a little nervous.
Women…
My mind was that of a middle-aged man who trembled at the sound of his wife showering, but my body felt a dull ache in my lower half just by looking at a woman’s calves.
This peculiar imbalance. Honestly, I wanted to loosen up tonight and try to achieve some balance.
Jin Young-jun drove the imported sedan to Yangpyeong.
This was a place I had never been to. The Yangpyeong villa was owned by Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi, and only his family used it.
Of course, looking at the villa’s property register, it was clear that one of Sunyang’s affiliates was probably the nominal owner.
“Do-jun, this is your first time here, right?”
“Yes.”
“This is where only my friends and male cousins gather sometimes. Father hardly ever comes.”
“You can play here when you want to be alone too. It’s quiet and nice.”
The two brothers already seemed excited, their voices raised and their smiles unwavering.
A young man standing at the villa’s entrance rushed over, opened the car door, and bowed.
“Are all the girls here?”
“Yes, but…”
“Why?”
“Jeong Hee-seon can’t come today… She said she suddenly has a night shoot…”
Slap!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jin Young-jun’s hand went up.
As the young man staggered, this time a foot came up.
“You bastard! I told you today was an important day, didn’t I? You should have dragged her here by her hair, or kidnapped her, no matter what!”
“Argh! I flew all the way from America today hoping to see that stuck-up bitch naked, and it’s ruined?”
Jin Kyung-jun also frowned and kicked the ground hard.
Jeong Hee-seon, the rising star of the weekend drama that was currently breaking viewership records. I should have been surprised to hear the actress’s name, but anger, rather than surprise, overtook me because of what was unfolding before my eyes.
It almost felt like I was watching my past self on a stage play.
More than the pain of being hit, it was the self-loathing, shame, and anger at doing such a trivial job.
The man being kicked right now must be feeling the fear of losing his job.
The feeling from the distant past, which I thought had completely disappeared, vividly came alive right now.
“Damn it! What the hell are you doing?!”
As I shouted, clenching my trembling fists, Jin Young-jun’s kicking stopped.
“Didn’t you come here to celebrate me today? Damn it, you’ve ruined my mood. Should I just go back?”
The brothers were momentarily dumbfounded by my unexpected reaction, but the more experienced and older Jin Young-jun quickly recovered.
“Wow, as expected! I forgot. Our Do-jun has quite a temper, doesn’t he? Hey! Kyung-jun. Don’t you remember? He just snapped at Kang-jun’s leg because he touched his toy!”
Jin Young-jun raised both hands, bending them sharply, and grinned slyly.
“You should be grateful you’re unharmed today because of Do-jun. Go on. Come back tomorrow afternoon and drop off those kids.”
As the young man, who struggled to get up, bowed his head and opened his car door, I spoke.
“Hey. Wait in the car for a bit. I can’t stay long. I’ll just play for a little while and then leave, so please give me a ride.”
The man nodded and got into the car.
“Why? Let’s relax and hang out until tomorrow afternoon and go together.”
Jin Kyung-jun put his hand on my shoulder, and Jin Young-jun raised his hand, pointing at the young man.
“That bastard will have to sleep like a shrimp in the car. It’s obvious Do-jun won’t want to leave once he’s inside. Hahaha.”
That won’t happen. I thank the heavens that I followed you here today. Now I have a chance to make one of Jin Young-jun’s loyal servants my own man.
“Oh, Oppa! It’s been so long!”
Five or six young women rushed towards my two cousins and clung to them. In particular, two of them were faces I frequently saw on TV dramas and music programs, advertising models who created the image of Sunyang Group products.
“You crazy bitch. It hasn’t even been a month since we were rolling around in the same room in London. How long has it been? A month.”
“That was abroad. It’s been over a year since I saw your face in Korea.”
Whether it was a complaint, an act of charm… or perhaps salesmanship, the competition to link arms with Jin Young-jun was fierce.
“Today, it’s not about me, but about making a good impression on our youngest. Since he’s the future Prosecutor General, he might arrest all of you for prostitution. Heh heh.”
“He’ll be a Seoul National University law student next year. So, he’s still a high school student, you know. If you girls ‘eat’ our dongsaeng, it’s statutory rape. Oh, and he’s still a virgin, by the way? If you help him lose his virginity… who knows. You might even become the Prosecutor General’s mistress. Hahaha.”
Jin Kyung-jun, too, seemed to have a lot of experience, as he naturally massaged the chests of the girls clinging to him.
“Alright, alright, let’s have a drink first.”
Alcohol and food were already set on the table. As soon as I sat down at the table, which was laden with soju, whiskey, beer, and wine, Jin Young-jun handed me a beer glass.
“Let’s start with something light.”
I took the glass he offered and chugged it down in one go.
“Oh ho! The high schooler can drink well!”
I extended my glass to Jin Young-jun, who looked at me a bit surprised. Jin Kyung-jun seemed to be more eager for women than alcohol and went upstairs with two girls.
“Young-jun hyung. Whether I become a prosecutor or a lawyer, what kind of presence would you like me to be to you?”
After a few drinks, I spoke in a slightly serious tone, and Jin Young-jun smiled faintly. In his eyes, I probably looked like a high school senior trying to act like an adult.
“Grandfather has Lee Hak-jae by his side, and our father also has two guys like Lee Hak-jae. But Do-jun, those guys are all outsiders. We’re brothers. Even though we’re cousins, cousins are brothers.”
“Brothers?”
“Exactly.”
What was he trying to say?
“If there’s one thing I realized during my time at the European branch, it’s that no matter how loyal they seem, subordinates never truly open up their hearts. They all have their own agendas.”
He blames his own distrust of people on others.
“Well, I understand. There’s a deep chasm between those who give money and those who receive it that’s hard to cross. But brothers are different. We don’t give and take; we share.”
The original Jin Do-jun might have believed those words. But as Yoon Hyun-woo, I knew those words were a blatant lie.
I hadn’t forgotten that he sent his own younger brother, Jin Kyung-jun, to prison because he didn’t want to share.
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