Free Web NovelHa Myeonghun did not trust adults.
Not the orphanage director who had run the place, not the gangsters who sent him on errands. Every adult he had ever met had only tried to use him.
For the sake of survival, and for the sake of the younger children, he had been forced to follow them.
And every time, the young Ha Myeonghun was betrayed.
“Haha, kid. That look in your eyes is alive. I like it.”
The man in front of him laughed, saying he liked the vicious fire in his eyes.
To Myeonghun, he was no different from the director or the gangsters—just another adult. His gaze naturally filled with distrust.
“Stop glaring and sit down first.”
When Myeonghun stiffened and Seokdae hesitated, Manager Paeng forced them into their seats.
“Manager Paeng, you wait outside.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“You think I can’t handle a couple of half-starved brats?”
“...Forgive me, boss.”
Cheon Taesan’s expression darkened with displeasure.
Bowing quickly, Manager Paeng left the room and closed the door.
“Myeonghun, was it? Hope Orphanage? That’s where you’re living?”
The moment the orphanage was mentioned, Myeonghun bristled.
“...Don’t you dare touch the orphanage!”
Even with that fierce reaction, Cheon Taesan smiled.
“Kid, if I wanted to hurt you, would I have given you food, clothes, and a place to rest?”
“...”
Even Myeonghun himself didn’t understand it. Adults’ kindness always came with a price.
That was a truth he had learned far too young.
“I like you. Those sharp eyes, and that sense of taking all responsibility yourself.”
“...What are you trying to say?”
“Make a deal with me.”
“A deal?”
Cheon Taesan found this boy very much to his liking.
If he raised him properly, he could become a useful blade.
“If you strike a deal with me, I will take responsibility for everything at the orphanage.”
“...”
Suspicion deepened in Myeonghun’s eyes.
Perhaps liking even that open doubt, Cheon Taesan’s smile grew wider.
“Yes. Always doubt when someone offers you kindness. But don’t doubt me. If I wanted, I could kill you and that boy next to you as easily as wringing a chicken’s neck.”
As if the earlier smile had been a lie, his face went completely expressionless. His cold eyes betrayed no emotion.
Myeonghun, staring at him with suspicion, swallowed dryly.
Compared to the gangsters who ruled Myeongdong, this man felt far more terrifying.
But he didn’t avert his gaze. If he backed down here, the orphanage would be doomed.
It was the last resistance Myeonghun could make.
“Hah, this brat...”
Cheon Taesan muttered in faint admiration at the boy’s unwavering stare.
“My name is Cheon Taesan. Since you’ve been scraping by in Myeongdong, you’ve heard of me, haven’t you?”
Of course, Myeonghun had heard the name.
The merciless loan shark, the ruler of Myeongdong—Cheon Taesan.
There wasn’t a soul in Myeongdong who didn’t know him.
“I’ll be your sponsor. In exchange, from now on you’ll do whatever I order.”
Do whatever he ordered—those were terrifying words.
But Myeonghun couldn’t refuse.
“Then the girls will be able to live like other children their age. If they want to pursue something, I’ll support them.”
The offer was sweet.
To them, it was like a golden rope dropped from the heavens.
“...Why are you doing this?”
Though suspicion still lingered in his eyes, Myeonghun’s tone had shifted to formal speech.
“Call it whim. I never spend money where there’s no gain. And right now, I need a blade.”
He knew well what awaited orphans without a protector.
“Without someone’s help, your choices shrink to nothing. So isn’t it better to make a deal with me?”
Because he spoke plainly, admitting he meant to use them, Myeonghun lowered his guard slightly.
He wasn’t trying to dazzle with pretty words—he had called it a deal. That made it more believable.
“If it’s hard to decide alone, talk with the kids and come back. The decision and the responsibility will all be yours.”
Myeonghun glanced at Seokdae, then thought of the other orphans.
I’ll bear the responsibility.
He looked straight at Cheon Taesan and said:
“...I’ll go back, discuss with the kids, and return.”
“Good. Manager Paeng.”
Manager Paeng entered.
“Take them back to the orphanage. Buy what they need on the way. And send word to Boss Heo—if he touches them again, he’ll be dealing with me.”
“Yes, boss.”
“You kids can go now.”
As they rose and walked toward the door, Myeonghun turned back and bowed deeply.
“Thank you for helping us today.”
Cheon Taesan waved it off as if it were nothing.
After issuing orders to the subordinates, Manager Paeng looked at him curiously but held his tongue.
“You’re wondering why I’m interested in that boy, aren’t you?”
“No, boss.”
“Haha. Your face says otherwise.”
Caught, Manager Paeng gave an awkward smile.
“There’s no real reason. I just saw a younger version of myself in that kid. Those eyes—I like them. Maybe Misook’s softened me too much, haha.”
Cheon Taesan saw his own childhood reflected in Ha Myeonghun.
He too had once wandered Seoul, lost and desperate.
Closing his eyes, he recalled that time. A faint smile spread across his face.
Several days passed since that first meeting.
“Boss, Ha Myeonghun is here.”
Cheon Taesan lowered his newspaper.
“Send him in.”
Myeonghun entered with Manager Paeng. His face looked healthier than before.
“Have you decided?”
“Yes. I’ll make the deal.”
Back at the orphanage, Myeonghun had talked with the kids.
The debate hadn’t lasted long. The answer had been clear from the beginning.
There was no hope at Hope Orphanage.
“Good. Very good.”
Satisfied, Cheon Taesan smiled.
“Manager Paeng, find a proper house big enough for them. Move them all once it’s ready. Get their details and enroll them in school. No, start with food and clothes first.”
“Yes, boss.”
After Paeng left, only Cheon Taesan and Myeonghun remained.
“What’s the name of the boy who was with you?”
“Ma Seokdae.”
“Alright. He and you will live here in my house. Forget books—you’ll learn in the field.”
“Yes.”
Myeonghun nodded without hesitation.
“From now on, you’ll do everything I order. I never spare those who betray or defy me. Do you still want my help?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Good. I’ll trust you then.”
Cheon Taesan had bought the future of Ha Myeonghun and Hope Orphanage with money.
From that day, Myeonghun and Seokdae began following him, learning his trade.
“Daddy! Who are these oppas?”
The day they entered Cheon Taesan’s home, a little girl ran to the gate and hugged him tightly.
“Haha, my daughter. How was today?”
“Mm, mm. At school today I...”
She kept chatting nonstop, holding his hand until they were inside.
Behind them, Myeonghun and Seokdae exchanged uneasy glances.
“Daddy, daddy! Who are those oppas?”
Finally, she pointed shyly at the two boys.
“They’ll be living with us now. Can you be friends with them?”
“Wow! I get more oppas?”
“Yes. Happy?”
“Yes, yes!”
The little girl walked up to them.
“Hi, oppas! I’m Cheon Misook, ten years old!”
“...Hello, miss. I’m Ha Myeonghun.”
This was the first meeting between Cheon Misook and Ha Myeonghun. He simply listened without many words.
Then, two young men entered the house.
“Father, you’re home early.”
“Oppa!”
Bright-faced, Misook ran toward them.
“My little one, be careful.”
“Why are you so late?”
“Sorry.”
The man worried about Misook getting hurt, while Cheon Taesan looked on fondly.
It looked like any ordinary family.
But Myeonghun, quick to read people, sensed it—behind that smile was jealousy toward Misook.
“Sooman, Suhan. These boys will be living here from now on. They’re like younger brothers, so treat them as such.”
Cheon Sooman and Cheon Suhan gave the two a glance before answering.
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat.”
No matter how busy, Cheon Taesan always had breakfast and dinner with his children.
At the table, Myeonghun and Seokdae stood awkwardly behind them until Taesan gestured.
“You two, sit down too.” ƒrēewebnovel.com
“...Yes.”
The boys sat.
Only after ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) Taesan picked up his spoon did the others follow.
The meal passed in silence.
Afterward, Myeonghun and Seokdae were shown their room.
It was far better than anything at the orphanage.
Seokdae looked around and let out a cheer.
“Hyung, this is amazing.”
Their lives had changed since making the deal.
The road ahead was full of thorns, but seeing Seokdae’s innocent joy made Myeonghun smile faintly too.
While they were exploring the room, the door opened.
Cheon Sooman and Cheon Suhan entered.
“Hey, beggar brats. What are you?”
“....”
Myeonghun hesitated to answer.
“This little shit... The master asks and you don’t answer?”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry my ass. What are you?”
“Boss took us in.”
Sooman’s eyes were filled with contempt.
“What the hell is Father thinking, bringing beggars into the house. Damn.”
The insults made Seokdae’s face harden.
Unlike Myeonghun, he couldn’t hide his feelings.
Sooman furrowed his brow, then suddenly slapped Seokdae across the face.
“Don’t you lower your eyes? How dare you stare at your master like that!”
Seokdae fell to the floor. Myeonghun’s face twisted.
“Hah! You two little shits think you’re tough?”
Sooman smacked Myeonghun as well, then tapped his forehead mockingly.
“You brat. If you’re a servant, act like one. When your master speaks, bow your head like a dog. Standing stiff like that makes it look like we’re equals. It disgusts me.”
“....”
“Not answering again?”
“Yes, sir...”
Satisfied, Sooman wiped his hand on Myeonghun’s shirt.
“Know your place. I’m generous, so I’ll stop here today. In front of Father I’ll treat you like brothers, but don’t misunderstand. You and I are worlds apart. I’m the master, you’re the dog guarding the house. Got it?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Head bowed, Myeonghun bit his lip until it bled.
Sooman and Suhan left with sneers.
Once they were gone, Myeonghun checked on Seokdae, who lay on the floor with a swollen red face.
“You okay?”
“...Yeah.”
It was humiliating, but there was nothing they could do.
They had already made a deal with Cheon Taesan.
Myeonghun glared at the door where the brothers had left.
In front of Cheon Taesan, Sooman acted like a kind older brother.
But behind his back came constant beatings and insults.
Cheon Misook, however, always treated Myeonghun and Seokdae like real brothers.
And Cheon Taesan kept every promise he had made.
He took care of all the children’s food, shelter, and schooling, and supported their talents without hesitation.
But misfortune always came without warning.
