Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong was bewildered.
Of course, more than one or two women had passed through his life, but there was absolutely no such possibility with Seong-guk's family.
Teacher Lee, quickly sensing the Vice Chairman's reaction, subtly changed the subject.
"What I mean is… the connection is that strong."
"Are you saying the connection is equivalent to that of a father and son?"
"It is certain they are fated to meet as father and son once, whether in a past life or a future life. Even if not in this current life."
"In that case, what is my connection with him in this current life?"
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong asked cautiously.
"Hmm…. He will help little by little, then take everything at once."
"Pardon?"
"Isn't that the nature of a child? Little by little while raising them. Then, when I grow old and sick, they take everything I have. Especially wealthy parents have much to give their children. Although they were not born as father and son in this current life, you must be cautious. Looking at this child's saju (Four Pillars of Destiny), he cannot display his full potential (gise) due to his young age, but once he meets water, he is destined to go out to the sea and command the world."
The old man quietly examined the saju chart again.
"Although born to poor parents with no one to rely on, this family will rise very greatly because of this child."
"What do you see for my son, Tae-guk?"
"Your son's saju is…"
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong was already well aware of his son Jeon Tae-guk's saju.
Although the child was born via C-section (jewangjeolgae) at a specifically chosen date and time, something had gone awry, and the saju after birth was less than stellar.
"Hmm… If he had an older brother, he would have been overshadowed and lived a life unable to assert himself, but fortunately, he has no older brother, so it won't come to that. However, Vice Chairman, you will need to watch over him until the very end."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong's mind was complex.
Teacher Lee quietly gazed at the Vice Chairman's face.
"Vice Chairman, allow me to offer a piece of advice. The future is not fixed, is it? Keep this child by your side and observe him. Isn't there a saying about keeping your enemies closer?"
"I will keep that in mind."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong moistened his dry throat with the chrysanthemum tea.
"By the way, this child saved my life at Sampoong Department Store. And now he asks for the search to continue for just five more days."
"Hmm… Looking at his saju, he is by no means an ordinary child. Grant his request. See for yourself how far this child's energy extends."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong nodded.
Teacher Lee took a sip of chrysanthemum tea and glanced subtly at the Vice Chairman.
"It seems good news will arrive soon, Vice Chairman."
"…Thank you."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong asked no further questions.
Because the time had now come. His heavy heart felt somewhat comforted.
When Teacher Lee made such affirmations, the event invariably came to pass.
"Good things are always followed by bad, so prepare your heart."
Don't tell me….
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong did not voice the ominous thought that suddenly occurred to him.
Exactly five days after Seong-guk asked for just a little more time, a survivor buried on the B1 floor was rescued after 17 days.
The rescue period had been extended because Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong promised support when opinions arose favoring an early end to the search.
The public cheered at the discovery of a survivor after 17 days, and news naturally followed that the Samjeon Group's support was behind it.
Due to this incident, Samjeon Electronics' popularity soared, and sales hit a record high.
No matter how he thought about it, Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong could not ignore his connection with Seong-guk.
The alarm clock rang loudly.
Dad shot up from bed, quickly turned off the alarm, and the sound of him washing up was heard.
I rubbed my eyes and got up.
Because today was Dad's last day at his previous job.
The smell of Mom's bubbling doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) filled the house.
I quickly went to the dining table and sat in my chair.
"Seong-guk, you're already awake?"
"Mommy! I'm hungry."
"You have a photoshoot today, you should have slept more."
I shook my head side-to-side (doridori).
Today was the day for the Samjeon Electronics catalog shoot that couldn't happen due to the Sampoong Department Store collapse.
"Seong-guk, let's eat together when Dad comes out."
"Okayy!"
Mom peeled a banana, stuck it in my mouth, and continued preparing the food.
Dad, finished washing up, also kissed my cheek and helped Mom complete the breakfast.
I watched the two of them blankly.
Mom and Dad, now in their mid-twenties.
Though orphans, they lived so diligently, and thanks to a son like me, they even moved to an apartment in Jamsil.
Soon, Dad's bossam shop was scheduled to open, and Mom and Manager Kim Mi-yeong's SKJ Agency planned to move to Gangnam.
I heard Manager Kim Mi-yeong was also 정리ing (closing up/organizing) her one-room place in Suyu-ri and moving here.
I chewed the banana vigorously (wagu-wagu) and smiled contentedly.
[Mom, Dad, you've worked hard. Just wait until I start elementary school. I'll make this family live much, much better.]
"Seong-guk, what's making you so happy?"
Dad stroked my head.
[It's because I like growing day by day. And Mom and Dad seem to be growing well too.]
"Waaaah!"
The sound of Min-guk, woken from sleep, crying from the room was heard.
If only that kid wasn't here, it would be such a peaceful morning…
Mom carried Min-guk and brought him to the dining table.
[Mom, I can't share a table with Min-guk. That kid always spills food everywhere, it's dirty.]
Min-guk, ignoring my thoughts, saw me and rushed over.
"Hyeo-yeong-ah." (Big brother)
"Haaah-."
I let out a heavy sigh.
The first word this kid learned in the world was 'Hyeong' (older brother).
[Right, you instinctively recognize who holds the real power (silse) in this house, don't you?]
"Ung!" (Yes!)
Min-guk sat down next to me and grinned widely (hijuk-hijuk).
[He's ugly, but at least he looks better when he smiles.]
I casually raised my hand and patted Min-guk's bottom.
He laughed again, pleased about something.
"Oh, honey. We need to change Seong-guk's kindergarten too, right?"
"Yuttiwon. Siro!" (Kindergarten. No want!)
I strongly expressed my opposition.
The children at the kindergarten I briefly attended before moving were intellectually far below my level.
Hardly any kids knew how to read, and there was no one to discuss social or economic issues with.
Everyone was just busy showing off their toys.
Dad patted my back.
"Seong-guk, you need to make friends. Dad's work will be sorted out soon, so let's look into kindergartens starting from the fall semester."
"The place Mi-yeong unni's friend recommended rarely has openings. I think we'll have to look elsewhere."
My spirits sank.
Because the future looked so bleak.
After kindergarten, there was elementary school, then middle school (jungding), high school (goding). How long would I have to engage in social life with kids so far below my level? The prospect was daunting.
"Hyeonggg. Eat."
Min-guk abruptly shoved his spoon into my mouth.
[This little brat!]
"Hyeonggg. Heh heh."
[I'll let it slide just for today. It's not because of you. It's because Mom's doenjang jjigae is delicious.]
I thoroughly chewed and swallowed the rice Min-guk pushed in.
I inhaled deeply, taking in the dusty, musty smell (kwikwihan naemsae) of the photoshoot studio.
Of course, it was definitely an unhealthy smell for the body.
But goodbye to this studio smell too, for a while.
Because today is the last shoot as an exclusive model for Samjeon Electronics.
And I intend to retire.
Like the saying, "Leave when they're applauding," life is about departing at the peak of glory.
[Will I miss this place too?]
This was the place where I rolled and ran around to earn my seed money (sideu meoni).
And I had already far exceeded the amount I aimed for.
"Seong-guk, today's the last shoot."
Im Seon-mi, whose exclusive contract was also ending, approached with a smile.
"Nunya!"
I smiled at Im Seon-mi and waved.
For Im Seon-mi, the reliable cash cow of our SKJ Agency, I could do a somersault right now.
With the solid support of Mom and Manager Kim Mi-yeong, plus the familiar presence of Im Seon-mi, the shoot proceeded smoothly.
"Alright, this is the last cut! Just a little more energy, please!"
The photographer's shout was heard, and Im Seon-mi lifted me up.
"Seong-guk, this is really the last one. Let's do well."
"Hwaiting!"
I shouted "Fighting!" cutely.
Laughter from the staff was heard here and there, and just like that, my final Samjeon Electronics shoot came to an end.
Mom ran over and offered me water.
Slurp.
I drank the cool water heartily through the straw.
"Seong-guk, you worked hard."
[What, this is a piece of cake now.]
Thinking it was truly the end, I felt a little wistful.
I scanned the studio one more time.
Just then, a familiar person appeared in the distance.
[Isn't that Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong?]
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong distributed dinner expenses and bonus envelopes (geumilbong) to the director and staff, then approached Im Seon-mi and me.
"Let's have dinner together today."
*Sluuurp-. *
I deliberately sucked water loudly through the straw.
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong absolutely never met people casually.
Im Seon-mi looked at us with an ambiguous expression.
"I don't think I can make it today. I have a prior engagement."
[What is this?]
I didn't know the full extent of Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong's relationships with women, but judging by this atmosphere, were they gradually breaking up?
Secretary Yang approached Mom and Kim Mi-yeong with a smile.
"I heard Seong-guk loves Samjeon Hotel jajangmyeon. Please wrap things up and meet us there by 6 o'clock. Since we all basically survived the Sampoong incident because of Seong-guk, the Vice Chairman specifically requested having dinner together."
Jajangmyeon from Samjeon Hotel is a really weak compensation.
Gulp.
Shamelessly, saliva had already trickled down my throat.
Secretary Yang stroked my head.
"Seong-guk, see you later."
"Okayy! Jjadangmyeon. Lots (Maniyo)."
I answered with a lisp.
An awkward atmosphere flowed between Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong and Im Seon-mi, left alone in the elevator.
Im Seon-mi was the first to speak.
"Thank you for everything until now."
"Me too."
"Should I assume we drifted apart because of the succession preparations?"
"Yes."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong had informed Im Seon-mi of their breakup after meeting Teacher Lee in Samcheong-dong.
The time to inherit Chairman Jeon Ju-shin's position would soon arrive.
Even as the eldest son and largest shareholder, it was best to minimize any potential scandals as much as possible.
"I'll contact you anytime if there's good news."
"Contact me anytime if you face difficulties while working. I can help with that much. It's not like we ended on bad terms."
"Okay. Samjeon Group Chairman-nim."
Simultaneously with Im Seon-mi's words, the elevator stopped at the underground parking garage.
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong followed the waiting Secretary Yang and moved first, while Im Seon-mi headed towards her manager's vehicle after a slight delay.
[Why isn't it coming out yet?]
I held chopsticks in one hand and waited impatiently for the Samjeon Hotel jajangmyeon.
Swoosh. The sound of the sliding door opening was heard.
I darted my eyes towards the door, but it was Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong and Secretary Yang walking in.
Major disappointment.
When I showed my disappointment, Secretary Yang smiled warmly.
"Seong-guk, the jajangmyeon will be here soon."
"Wow!"
My shoulders automatically started bouncing.
It was something I picked up as a special talent, but these days, I habitually bounced my shoulders whenever I was happy.
As Secretary Yang said, the jajangmyeon arrived soon, and Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong praised Mom, Manager Kim Mi-yeong, and me for our hard work as Samjeon Electronics models and offered bonus envelopes as a token of gratitude.
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong had a roundabout way of speaking even when he was my father, and today was no different.
Because of that, Mom and Manager Kim Mi-yeong only sipped water despite the delicacies before them.
Ignoring them, I practically drank the jajangmyeon.
One convenient thing about being a child was not having to maintain formalities in any setting.
"Seong-guk, thank you for saving Uncle's life."
[Trying to get away with just jajangmyeon? Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong, why is a chaebol so stingy? How much is in the bonus envelope? Is it like 100 million won?]
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong took a napkin and wiped my mouth, which was covered in jajangmyeon.
"Eat slowly."
[You never did this even when you were my father. Why are you acting like this? It's disconcerting.]
"Actually, the reason I arranged this meeting today…"
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong looked at Mom.
I also focused on the Vice Chairman.
"Seong-guk saved my life, didn't he? Although his work as a Samjeon Electronics model is over, Seong-guk is still only five years old. I was hoping I could become Seong-guk's guardian/sponsor (hugyeonin)."
"What does that…"
Mom was so flustered she couldn't complete her sentence.
Secretary Yang stepped in.
"We would like to support Seong-guk fully until whenever he wants to study in the future. From university studies, to studying abroad if he wishes. Later, we are also considering special recruitment for any position when he joins the Samjeon Group."
Vice Chairman Jeon Jae-hyeong stroked my head.
This man, who had never done such a thing even when he lived as my father, treated me like a son today.
"I consider that I am alive thanks to Seong-guk. This is an offer made after much deliberation, so I hope you won't refuse."
[What is this? Shouldn't the price for saving a life be something like gifting the Samjeon Electronics site in Dongtan?]