I collected my prize money and the very first thing I did was pay off my private loan.
Originally, I had planned to keep 5 million won as emergency funds, but I felt uneasy about it, so I decided to take care of the debt first.
"I don't want this to come back and bite me later."
I had borrowed from an illegal lender in desperation, but I knew that people in that business never led honest lives. If I became wealthy, they might use that as leverage to make outrageous demands.
I was nervous since some loan sharks are known to disappear when people try to repay their debt, just to squeeze out more interest. Fortunately, since the amount was small, that didn't happen.
They did demand an additional 10% interest for early repayment within a month, but I paid it without argument. Of course, I made sure to put on an act, trembling as if I regretted parting with the money. If I handed it over too easily, they might smell blood and latch onto me.
As I left their office, I recalled the loan shark's parting words with a twisted smile.
"Come back if you ever need money again? Not a chance, you thieves."
Now that I was free from debt, even the air felt sweeter.
"From now on, only good days ahead."
It took a week from the competition's announcement to receiving the prize money. During that time, my 460 million won had grown to 750 million.
"This is insane. A complete scam."
Thinking about how it was all thanks to my grandfather, I felt deeply grateful.
"I should visit him with some Andong soju he loved."
### Saturday Noon
I bought some premium tuna sashimi and Andong soju made by a master craftsman, items my grandfather had loved, and went to visit his grave.
The mountain path was quiet, with not a soul in sight. Thanks to that, I could arrive at his grave feeling peaceful and reverent.
"Grandpa, I'm here."
The surrounding grass had grown wild, but the area around his grave was well-kept.
"Dad must have been here."
Knowing that my father, with his bad back, had personally cut the grass made me feel guilty.
"I should've done this... I didn't pay enough attention."
Caught up in making money, I had neglected visiting the person to whom I owed everything.
"I should've come sooner... I'm sorry. Please accept my bow first."
I bowed twice before his grave.
I unwrapped the sashimi and placed it before the grave. Pouring Andong soju into the cup my grandfather used, I swirled it and sprinkled some onto the grave. Then, I refilled the cup and set it down before him.
"I hope this suits your taste."
I couldn't see him, but I felt as if he was there, enjoying his meal.
That night, after drinking by his grave, I had a strange dream where he fed me a mysterious pill. Since then, my life had taken a bizarre turn.
"He said it was precious... but I had no idea what he meant at the time."
It felt too superficial to say I had come just because I had made a lot of money, so I simply sat in silence.
"Do you like the food, Grandpa?"
I imagined him dining in satisfaction when suddenly, I heard rustling behind me.
Turning around, I saw my father staring at me in surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see Grandpa."
He held a sickle in his hand. Even with his bad back, he was diligently maintaining the grave.
"Give that to me."
I reached for the sickle he was holding.
"It's fine."
"I'll do it. What's the point of having a young son if you do it yourself?"
"Ha! This kid."
After some persistence, he finally handed it over.
I was confident in handling a sickle. Growing up in a rural village, I often helped with farmwork. During breaks, sharing meals and hardships strengthened bonds, just as it did with friends.
Even just recently, I had felt closer to my childhood friends than my university ones.
"Who knew they'd turn their backs so easily?"
Recalling how they had sneered and refused when I asked for a loan made my head throb. They didn't have to lend me money, but the insults were unnecessary.
Focusing on cutting the grass helped clear my mind, and before I knew it, the job was done.
"Young ones sure work fast."
My father laughed, rubbing his lower back. Ever since closing his store and working construction, he had suffered injuries. I felt nothing but guilt.
"Dad."
"Yeah?"
"Don't look for another job."
"What are you talking about?"
"You raised your son well. Now, let me take care of you."
"Nonsense. You just started working. You should save money and bring Hayeon back."
Just thinking about my daughter, Hayeon, made me want to see her immediately. But showing up now, fresh out of prison, without clearing my name or establishing myself, might do her more harm than good.
For now, she was better off with her mother.
"I'll come for her once I'm ready."
"Yes, getting settled comes first. I need my back to heal so I can work again."
I couldn't tell him about my revenge plans against my ex-wife and her lover. But I did want to tell him this much:
"Something good is coming."
"Good?"
"Grandpa left me a gift."
"What gift?"
"I can't say yet, or I might lose my luck. But it's an incredible one."
"This kid."
My father chuckled and playfully raised his fist. It was just a light-hearted gesture, but I decided to play along.
"Oh no, Grandpa! Dad is hitting me!"
"Ahem! When did I hit you?"
Caught off guard, he glanced at the grave. Seeing my father acting childishly made me chuckle.
"Did you just laugh?"
"No? I didn't."
"You did!"
We both burst into laughter, and I could almost feel my grandfather smiling down at us.
The rest of the day was filled with nostalgia, drinks, and shared memories. As I prepared for what was ahead, I knew one thing for sure—my path was set, and I wouldn't let anything stand in my way.