Free Web NovelThe day before I returned to Seoul, the market people came to our house.
Their hands were full, carrying bundles of goods and food ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) from the market.
The merchants who visited Grandma’s house wore bright faces this time, unlike before.
“Muhyuk, thank you.”
Jang Beomseok, the president of the Market Merchants Association, stepped forward on behalf of the market people. The last time, he hadn’t been able to properly thank me.
“It’s nothing. I just returned the help I received from the market people.”
Grandma took the food they brought into the kitchen. Watching her prepare fruit and drinks, I couldn’t help but smile at her back.
After staring at her for a while, I turned to Jang Beomseok.
“Did Minwoo come and apologize to the market people?”
Jang Beomseok answered. His face looked refreshed, like a man who had just had a rotten tooth pulled.
“He did. Got down on his knees and begged for forgiveness. Asked us to let it slide just once. So we forgave him. Whatever the case, he’s one of our own, isn’t he? Hoo... We’re lucky Seokhyeon was willing to understand.”
“Seokhyeon-hyung? So Senior Seokhyeon was the youth president?”
“You didn’t know? Seokhyeon worked hard after taking that role. Tried to straighten Minwoo out, even roughed him up a little, but it turned out like this.”
Jang Beomseok sighed lightly. Beside him, Madam Song quietly watched his expression.
Parents are always sinners when their children cause trouble, especially when that trouble brings harm to others.
“Is Senior Seokhyeon’s leg all right?”
“No one knows yet. He had surgery, but they said we’ll have to wait and see. For now, we made Minwoo take over as interim youth president. Let him struggle in that seat, maybe then he’ll understand Seokhyeon’s heart.”
“He’ll do well. And if he causes any more trouble, please call Grandma immediately. I’ll make sure he really wakes up that time. That’s all right with you too, isn’t it, Ajumma?”
I spoke deliberately to Madam Song, giving her a chance to shed some of her guilt.
She couldn’t go on bowing her head like a criminal before the market people forever.
“Muhyuk... thank you...”
Madam Song finally lowered her head and broke into tears.
I hadn’t meant to make her cry, so I awkwardly handed her a handkerchief and tried to comfort her.
“Why cry? People make mistakes. Didn’t Senior Seokhyeon forgive Minwoo too? As long as Minwoo spends his life atoning to him, that’s enough.”
“...I’ll take responsibility for Seokhyeon.”
“It’s not you, Ajumma. Minwoo himself must take responsibility. He’s an adult now. He can’t hide in your shadow forever.”
Grandma bustled back in with fruit and drinks on a tray, setting it down on the table before sitting beside me. She addressed Madam Song.
“President Song, why’re you crying?”
“No, I’m not crying, it’s just—”
“Muhyuk may sound harsh, but his heart’s softer than anyone’s. You know that, don’t you? Filter his words as you hear them.”
“I know.”
To console her, Grandma held Madam Song’s hand tightly and patted it.
“But Muhyuk, how did you manage to knock sense into Minwoo? That kid never listened to us no matter what we said. Yet after you took him out once, he came back a completely different person.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Jang Beomseok joked as he asked.
I only smiled in reply.
“Grandma sure is lucky. That troublemaker grandson of hers goes off to Seoul, succeeds, and even buys her a nice house like this. Isn’t it all thanks to how well you raised him?”
Since I didn’t answer, the conversation shifted toward Grandma.
Suddenly showered in praise, Grandma waved her hands awkwardly.
“Oh dear, I didn’t do anything. He grew up all on his own. Truly, I didn’t do a thing.”
As the merchants continued praising me, Grandma’s smile only deepened.
After staying at our house for about an hour, the market people said their goodbyes and left.
The house, once filled with noisy chatter, fell silent in an instant.
“Hoo...”
Grandma let out a deep sigh.
“Grandma, what’s wrong?”
I turned at her voice. Contrary to the sigh, her face looked bright.
“No, nothing. I just wondered how I could repay the kindness we received from the market people. But you already took care of it all, so I feel at ease.”
Her good mood made me smile as well. Coming down to Busan had definitely been the right choice.
With that meeting, I had wrapped up all matters in Busan.
Even though I’d faced a headache or two here, I was able to step away from even more complicated problems for a few days.
“Grandma, I’ll come again.”
“Go on now. Watch out for cars. Watch out for people.”
Her blunt words carried warmth, and I felt nothing but comfort.
Patting my back lightly, Grandma bowed to Manager Ma.
“Sir, please take good care of our Muhyuk.”
“Yes, Grandmother. I’ll guard him with my life.”
Leaving Grandma behind, I got into the car.
As the car slowly pulled away from the house, Grandma waved until we were completely out of sight.
The short rest was over. Time to return to reality.
“Chairman Song Youngjoo is in critical condition?”
Manager Ma, seated in the passenger seat, turned to answer.
“Yes. We got word yesterday.”
“He asked for me?”
“When he briefly regained consciousness, he asked for the Boss. The message came from his secretary.”
I had already noticed his poor complexion the last time we met, so worry came naturally.
“Arrange a visit as soon as we return to Seoul. Ever since Grandfather passed, he has seemed so frail...” fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
“Understood.”
I knew why Chairman Song wanted to see me. It would be easier for my conscience to avoid him, but there were more reasons to face him.
He had been my grandfather’s close friend, a wise advisor, and a man I respected.
His words about helping Song Chanwoo resurfaced in my mind.
I still hadn’t decided what to do.
Song Chanseong’s managerial ability was unmatched. In the future I knew, he had led the company well. His flaw was being overly emotional, but his strengths more than made up for it.
On the other hand, Song Chanwoo showed more flaws than strengths. He would make a good puppet, but I wasn’t looking for a puppet.
Backing Chanseong went against Chairman Song’s wishes. Supporting Chanwoo meant ignoring Chanseong’s proven abilities.
I agonized over it all the way back to Seoul, unable to decide.
By the time I reached Pyeongchang-dong, my thoughts were still tangled. As the gate opened, a white woman approached the car, bypassing security.
The guards didn’t stop her—meaning her identity was verified.
“Lower the window, please.”
At Manager Ma’s touch, the window came down. The woman beamed.
“So you’re Charlie Kim? I’ve only seen your photos till now. You look even better in person. So, did you enjoy your vacation in Busan? Ah, I suppose you couldn’t fully enjoy it—heard something quite... entertaining happened.”
Her tone was playful, but her words were heavy.
She hinted she knew everything I had done. That alone was a threat.
My face stiffened.
“Hey, Charlie. Don’t be so tense.”
“Who are you?”
“Ah, your English is good too? Handsome and fluent. I might just fall for you.”
“...”
She joked, but her eyes studied me seriously.
“Enough jokes. State who you are, or I’ll head inside. Manager, close the window.”
At my order, Manager Ma raised the window.
Startled, she pressed her hand against it.
“You’re quick-tempered. I came from Washington. You have time, don’t you?”
“...Washington?”
The word made me pause.
Since I answered, Manager Ma halted the window.
“To be precise, I’m here because of instructions from Washington. I work at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.”
Her bright smile faltered at my next words.
“Whether from Washington or the Embassy, it makes no difference. I have no reason to meet someone who barges in without an appointment.”
“You—?”
“And since you openly admitted to knowing my every move, you must be CIA. I already knew I was under surveillance, but hearing it directly leaves a sour taste. Make an appointment next time.”
Her composure shattered.
“Move your hand away. Unless you want it severed.”
I spoke coldly. Without hesitation, Manager Ma continued raising the window.
“Wait, wait a second—”
She panicked, but he ignored her.
She withdrew her hand at the last moment. The window shut, and the car rolled into the garage.
Through the rear-view mirror, I saw her standing frozen, dazed.
Inside, I ordered Manager Ma:
“Find out everything about that woman. Where she was born, raised, her schools, every job she’s had. All of it. One day is enough, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ll contact the intel team.”
“Good. We’ll talk tomorrow. Tonight, take it easy. That’s an order.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Even if I ordered him to rest, he rarely did—but calling it an order would at least slow him down.
In my study, I bowed briefly before Grandfather’s portrait, then slumped into the chair.
‘Grandfather. What should I do about Chairman Song Youngjoo? Do I honor our bond and support the one he favors, even if he lacks ability?’
No answer came back, but I still wanted to ask.
What would Grandfather have done?
My worries only deepened.
The next morning, I received word that Chairman Song had regained consciousness. I set out with Manager Ma to the hospital at once.
“Boss, I have a report for you. About the woman from yesterday.”
“So soon? Our intel team must be quite capable.”
I smiled faintly.
Black Bear’s intel team was composed of ex-agents from global intelligence agencies. Our goal was to rival the CIA, FSB, and Mossad.
Given how quickly they had dug this up, the investment was worth it.
“Her name is Jessica. She works at the U.S. Embassy, though her exact position isn’t disclosed. Even the U.S. Ambassador doesn’t dare treat her lightly. She’s believed to be a high-ranking officer from CIA’s Hong Kong division. The CIA station chief in Korea is said to take orders from her. Born in Texas, graduated Yale, joined the CIA right after. She was rapidly promoted under the Bush administration before being sent to Korea.”
As I thought—she was CIA.
Even during our unpleasant first meeting, she had scrutinized me like an operative. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
“And, the Embassy formally requested a meeting with you. How should we respond?”
“The fact that they responded this quickly means she’s truly influential. Refuse. She behaved rudely yesterday. Let her stew a little.”
“Understood.”
So, the CIA’s and NSA’s power had already risen sharply under Bush. Even the Ambassador was following their lead.
“Boss, we’ve arrived.”
The car pulled up to the hospital where Chairman Song lay.
In the VIP ward, only his secretary waited. Doctors and nurses had been dismissed.
“Chairman Song asked to speak privately with you two. Please, go in.”
I nodded and opened the door.
On the bed, Chairman Song Youngjoo looked frail, his illness heavy upon him.
“Chairman, forgive me for not visiting more often.”
