Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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27. I’ve really come back home.

Gimpo Airport, Seoul.

[Ladies and gentlemen, our aircraft will be arriving at Gimpo Airport shortly.
Our scheduled landing time is 1:35 PM.
Please return your seat backs and tables to their upright positions, and be sure to fasten your seatbelts.
For your safety, please keep the window shades open during landing.
We hope you create wonderful memories during your time in Seoul.
Thank you.]

Seok-won, who had been sitting in the spacious first-class seat, closed the book he was reading at the captain’s announcement and turned his head to the side.
Through the round window, he could see tall mountains and fields stretching endlessly between thick blankets of pristine white clouds.

“Would you please fasten your seatbelt before landing?”

At the English words that suddenly reached his ears, he turned to see a flight attendant with reddish-brown hair and a slender figure smiling as she stood beside him.
The flight attendant smiled softly and nodded slightly as she watched Seok-won find his seatbelt and fasten it around his waist.

“Thank you.”

As the flight attendant moved toward the back and repeated the same words to other passengers, Seok-won checked his wristwatch.

“At this hour, Father must be at the office… Mother should be the only one home.”

A faint tension appeared on Seok-won’s face as he murmured to himself.
He had already met his parents when they rushed to America after he first woke up in the hospital, so this wasn’t their first reunion, but there was still a mixture of awkwardness and unease.
Since he carried the memories of two people, he worried that they might notice something different in his behavior or demeanor.
Yet at the same time, he missed the warm love of his parents that he had felt during his stay in the American hospital.
As worry and longing intertwined, the Delta Airlines passenger jet carrying Seok-won arrived above Gimpo Airport and gradually began to lower its altitude.
With its large landing gear extended beneath both wings, the aircraft descended slowly onto the wide runway under the control tower’s guidance.
Soon, with a thud as the wheels touched the ground, the passenger jet successfully completed its landing.
At the sight of the familiar Gimpo Airport terminal visible through the window, Seok-won finally felt the reality of having returned to Korea.
Without rushing, Seok-won exited the aircraft with a leisurely demeanor, retrieved his luggage, passed through customs inspection, and emerged into the arrivals hall with its high ceiling.
After travel liberalization, more people began traveling abroad, but even at this time, going overseas required considerable resolve, so the airport terminal was not particularly crowded.
Compared to Boston Logan Airport, which had been bustling during the Christmas holidays, it felt quite serene.

I find it oddly comforting—perhaps because everyone around me looks so similar.

Unlike the United States, where people of every race mingled together, I could now see the true meaning of homeland comfort: a sea of identical skin tones and black hair stretching endlessly before me.
Among the passengers who had disembarked from the same aircraft, Seok-won stood out with his striking appearance, yet he remained utterly oblivious to the attention he drew as he surveyed the arrivals hall.
Behind the low fences on either side, people who had come to greet arrivals waited with name placards or waving hands, searching for family and acquaintances.
Seok-won pulled his carry-on luggage with one hand while holding a Boston bag in the other, walking slowly until he heard someone calling his name and lifted his head.

“Young Master!”

When Seok-won stopped and turned, a man in his early forties approached with a delighted expression.
The middle-aged man with a weathered face was Kim Hyung-gi, the dedicated chauffeur of Park Tae-hong, whom Seok-won had known since childhood.
Now that my memories had completely merged with those of my original body, even childhood recollections surfaced without the slightest sense of incongruity, as if I had experienced them myself.

“Uncle! It’s been so long.”

Kim Hyung-gi bowed in greeting at the sight of Seok-won’s bright smile.

“You must be exhausted from the long flight?”
“I was sitting comfortably the whole way. What’s there to be tired about?”
“Still, America is quite far. Ah, forgive me! Let me take your bags right away.”

Kim Hyung-gi quickly took the bag and luggage from Seok-won and led the way ahead.

“I’ve parked the car in the lot. Let’s head out right away.”

Following him outside, Seok-won loaded his luggage into the trunk of a black luxury sedan and soon departed the airport grounds.
As they entered the wide, straight road leading into Seoul, Seok-won, seated in the back, turned his gaze toward the window.
Rather than the bustling landscape of well-maintained high-rise apartments, the view of sparsely scattered low buildings that had yet to be developed felt both oddly unfamiliar and strangely comforting.
At that moment, Kim Hyung-gi, who was driving, glanced at him through the rearview mirror and asked.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Seok-won’s expression grew puzzled for a moment before understanding dawned, and he laughed.

“As you can see, I’m in such good health it’s almost a problem.”
“Thank goodness. When I heard you’d had a serious accident in the United States, I was so worried.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Not just me—your mother was so shocked when she received the call that she even fainted.”
“She did?”

Seok-won’s eyes widened at this story he was hearing for the first time.

“Yes. Fortunately, he regained consciousness quickly, but when you left for the United States, I drove you to the airport myself. I can still vividly remember how anxious the Chairman was, worried that something might happen to you.”
“I had no idea he felt that way.”
“The Chairman tried not to show it, but he didn’t sleep a wink and boarded the plane looking exhausted. In all my years serving him—over a decade—I’d never seen him so restless.”

It was a story that made me feel anew just how deeply my parents loved and cherished me.
I turned my head away, pretending to gaze out the window while concealing the turbulent emotions churning inside me.

Bubble, bubble!
As the pot lid on the gas range was lifted, an appetizing aroma wafted up along with billowing white steam.
Jo Deok-rye, wearing an apron, tasted a spoonful of the crab soup broth and nodded with satisfaction at how well-seasoned it was.

“I was worried since it’s been so long, but it turned out well.”
“Hehe, Madam’s cooking skills never fade.”

Jo Deok-rye closed the lid again and adjusted the heat to low, then spoke to the Gunsan Housekeeper, who was boiling and cooling beef brisket for the braised side dish.

“Seok-won doesn’t like large chunks, so shred the boiled meat finely along the grain when you prepare it.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Oh, and where did I put that mustard greens kimchi I made last time? It’s the second son’s favorite side dish, so I mustn’t forget to serve it.”
“I already portioned some out and put it in the refrigerator, so don’t worry.”

The Gunsan Housekeeper spoke while watching Jo Deok-rye move busily about the kitchen from early morning.

“You seem happy that the young master is coming.”
“Does it show?”
“You haven’t stopped smiling since this morning.”
“Oh my, have I really?”

Jo Deok-rye glanced away, looking embarrassed.
The Gunsan Housekeeper nodded to herself, thinking it was only natural.
She had always doted on the second son, and with that terrible incident so recent, she understood perfectly why Jo Deok-rye was making such a fuss.
Besides, the Gunsan Housekeeper herself had been terrified when she first heard that Seok-won had been shot in the United States—her heart had nearly stopped.
Even now, the memory made her chest flutter with anxiety.

‘His body must be quite weakened, so I’ll need to make sure he eats well.’

The Gunsan Housekeeper’s hands moved with practiced efficiency, her inner determination kindling into action.
When the two of them had worked together to fill the table with nearly nothing but dishes that Seok-won loved, the doorbell chimed—ding-dong, ding-dong.

“It seems the young master has arrived!”
“Open the door quickly.”
“Yes!”

While Jo Deok-rye hastily turned off the gas range, the Gunsan Housekeeper wiped her wet hands on her apron and hurried out of the kitchen in quick, eager steps toward the entrance.

“Who is it?”

As she picked up the intercom handset and asked, a bright, lively voice came back immediately.

[It’s me, ma’am.]

The Gunsan Housekeeper broke into a radiant smile and quickly pressed the button to open the front gate.
Then Jo Deok-rye, who had followed her out, asked the Gunsan Housekeeper.

“Is it Seok-won?”
“Yes, ma’am.”

Soon the front door opened, and Seok-won entered the house with Kim Hyung-gi.
Seeing her second son for the first time in nearly half a year since the shooting incident, Jo Deok-rye could not hide her joy and immediately opened both arms wide.

“Welcome home! Goodness, look how thin you’ve become—are you eating properly at school? How are your studies going? I told you to call at least once a week, but you’re always making excuses about being busy!”

As Jo Deok-rye poured out her words in rapid-fire succession, tears began to glisten at the corners of her eyes.
Seok-won, too, found himself momentarily at a loss for words upon seeing Jo Deok-rye, overwhelmed by an emotion he couldn’t quite name.
The memory of those nights spent sleepless at the hospital after he awoke, of her presence beside him as his body recovered, stirred something warm and profound in his chest.

“I’m home.”

Before he could think, Seok-won stepped forward and pulled Jo Deok-rye into an embrace.
Caught off guard by his sudden gesture, Jo Deok-rye’s initial surprise melted into a gentle smile as she softly stroked her precious second son’s back.

“Yes. Welcome home.”

I was surprised by my own actions, yet I felt warmth and comfort in my mother’s embrace.
The anxiety I had harbored internally melted away, replaced by an ease that felt entirely natural.
The Gunsan Housekeeper and Kim Hyung-gi watched the tender scene between mother and son with quiet satisfaction.
After a moment, Jo Deok-rye stepped back and gently stroked my face, speaking with concern.

“Look at your face—it’s become so gaunt. Are you eating properly in the United States?”
“Of course I am. I eat very well. It’s probably just that the excess weight has melted away from all the exercise.”

I understood well that physical fitness was the foundation for anything I undertook, so beyond cycling around campus, I jogged every morning and did strength training whenever I had the chance to maintain my body.
Roy, watching from the sidelines, had pestered me about joining a sports club, but I had dismissed it lightly.

“I’m just saying this so you won’t worry unnecessarily.”

When Jo Deok-rye looked unconvinced, I raised one arm and flexed it.

“No, look here at my bicep. I’ve been working out so hard.”

I offered my arm for her to feel, and Jo Deok-rye made exaggerated exclamations of amazement.
Unlike my eldest brother, who resembled my father and worked diligently without sentimentality, I had always been affectionate since childhood, which made Jo Deok-rye even fonder of me.
Even though I was grown and had completed my military service, she didn’t seem to mind my childish antics, breaking into a warm smile as she spoke.

“You’ve certainly become more brazen living in the United States. You must be tired from the flight. Go wash up and rest a bit, then come back down for dinner.”

I inhaled deeply, catching the aroma wafting from the kitchen to the living room.

“Something smells delicious. Did you prepare something special?”
“It’s that crab soup you love.”
“Mmm. The weather’s been cold, and I’ve been craving something hot and savory. My mouth is already watering.”
“Ha, your father loves broth the same way.”

Jo Deok-rye, who had cooked diligently to feed me, spoke with evident pride.

“I’ve made plenty of other dishes too, so hurry upstairs and come back down.”
“I will. I’m going to have quite the feast today after all this time.”

As I climbed to the second floor, Jo Deok-rye watched my retreating figure with a smile.
With my return to the large house where only the two of them had lived, the atmosphere had become lively once more, and she was genuinely delighted.

“Oh, I’m still not finished cooking. Gunsan Housekeeper, come quickly!”

Jo Deok-rye hurried to the kitchen with the Gunsan Housekeeper, eager to prepare food for her son.
Meanwhile, upstairs on the second floor, I looked around the room I had used before studying abroad.
The spacious room, well over 100 square feet, held a large bed and desk, with a separate bathroom and dressing room tucked away inside.
Kim Hyung-gi, who had carried my luggage up from downstairs, set down my bag and spoke.

“Then please get some rest, sir.”
“Wait a moment, sir.”
“Yes? Is there something you need?”

I opened my Boston bag and pulled out a shopping bag bearing an American department store logo, handing it to Kim Hyung-gi.

“What is this?”
“It’s a Walkman. Your eldest daughter is graduating from high school this year, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”

Kim Hyung-gi nodded, his expression showing surprise that I remembered such details.

“I couldn’t come back to Korea empty-handed after all this time. Please give it to her as a graduation gift.”

The Walkman, Sony’s first portable stereo cassette player, would become the most coveted graduation and entrance gift among middle and high school students, much like smartphones would be in the future.

“Oh, that’s too much.”
“Come now, don’t say that. I’ve watched Mi-ju since she was little—she’s like my own sister. So please make sure to give it to her.”

I forced the shopping bag into Kim Hyung-gi’s reluctant hands.
He hesitated for a moment, then his face filled with genuine gratitude.

“Then I’ll humbly accept it with thanks.”
“Tell Mi-ju congratulations on her graduation from me.”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to do that.”

With a word to rest, Kim Hyung-gi bowed and closed the door behind him.
I stood slowly in the center of the room, hands on my hips, surveying my surroundings.
Though the room had been left empty for quite some time, it had been maintained so carefully that not a speck of dust remained.

“Strangely enough, it doesn’t feel unfamiliar at all.”

Awakening in this body, returning to my room for the first time, I felt not strangeness but a profound longing.
I could have predicted exactly what lay inside every desk drawer.
Walking slowly, I picked up a small framed photograph from among those arranged on my desk—a picture taken with my parents in the United States on the day of my Harvard University entrance ceremony.
Gazing at my own image in the photograph with eyes that trembled softly, I lifted my head and murmured to myself.

“I’ve truly come home.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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