I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 120

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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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Chapter 120
I cracked open Min-guk’s door slightly.
The boy had no idea he’d signed a slave contract with me and was sleeping soundly.
I quietly closed the door and went to find Mother and Father.
They were having beer together, just like old times, and their snack was sea snails.
[My parents still love their sea snails, I see.]
Back when Min-guk was crawling around in a one-room apartment barely larger than the room he slept in now, Father would come home from work with a can of sea snails whose expiration date was cutting it close, and Mother would make a seasoned sea snail dish.
“Mother, you still love sea snails?”
“Sung-guk, how did you know Mother loves seasoned sea snails?”
Right—it would be strange if a one-year-old claimed to remember that.
“I just had a feeling….”
I brushed it off vaguely.
“Our Sung-guk remembers everything like this…. When will you grow up and drink beer with us?”
[I could do it right now… Mother, I’m a college student now.]
Father pulled a cola from the refrigerator for me.
“Today, something special—cola.”
[I’ll make do with this.]
I handed Father the contract I’d made with Min-guk.
“Sung-guk, what’s this?”
“Father, Min-guk and I made a contract. If he doesn’t follow it, punish him.”
Father scanned the contract with satisfaction.
“Now Sung-guk is even managing Min-guk’s education. That boy won’t have any choice but to study now that he’s signed a contract.”
“Min-guk must be going through puberty lately. He’s always grumbling and won’t listen to anything.”
[Mother, it’s all hormones during that phase. Once he gets through it, he’ll be fine again.]
I’d gone through that phase very briefly and intensely.
Father stared at me intently, and I could see his eyes growing misty.
“Sung-guk, you’ve really grown so much….”
Father was fine, but his emotions ran deep.
“Honey, don’t I look old?”
“Our beautiful So-young has aged quite a bit too.”
“By the way, Sung-guk. We sold Pangyo like you said, but we still haven’t found land in Magok or Dongtan. There are a few listings, but it’s not easy to find. They say we could buy most properties with this money… but I’m afraid to jump in too hastily.”
We’d bought Pangyo at 200,000 won per pyeong and sold it for over 4 million won.
We’d made nearly a twentyfold profit.
The land we’d purchased for 300 million won had become worth 6 billion.
Land truly never betrays you.
“Father, while I’m in Korea, let’s go look together. And… Mother, the academy where Min-guk and Ji-hee attend. Would it be alright if I took a look before I leave?”
“Sung-guk, you have a week left—just rest comfortably.”
Mother tried to stop me from overexerting myself.
[What are you talking about, Mother! We’re spending good money on that academy—I need to make sure they’re actually studying properly!]
“So-young, it seems Sung-guk wants to check on his siblings’ studies. Let’s do that. Who is Sung-guk? He’s the one who got into Harvard at this age. He’s just concerned about his siblings’ education.”
[Dad, that’s exactly what I’m saying!]
Mother gave me a look of mild skepticism.
“Honey, do you really think Sung-guk will be satisfied with Min-guk and Ji-hee’s studies?”
“Mom, I’m well aware that Min-guk and Ji-hee aren’t as exceptional as I am.”
“Look at this kid. He’s so subtly arrogant….”
Father reached over and gently stroked my head.
[Dad, you’re messing up my hair. Stop.]
“But Sung-guk, are you really sure about investing all the money from selling the Pangyo land at once? Why don’t you keep a few hundred million won here so you can live more comfortably in the United States?”
“Dad, I receive plenty of sponsorship, so I’m fine.”
Father shook his head firmly.
“I have no idea who you take after to be such a penny-pincher.”
[Who do I take after? I take after you and Mom.]
The only thing that had changed was the size of our home; our dining table was still the same one that people had abandoned when they moved out of the two-room apartment.
Mother and Father needed only one or two outfits per season, and the same went for shoes.
“Sung-guk, if you ever need money, just tell us anytime. Your mom and dad can help with that much.”
“I will.”
Honestly, there was no real need for it.
I had sponsorship from Hyojin Group, and I could always sell my stocks if necessary.
But I’d learned that this was the proper way a son should respond.
[There’s no son like me!]
“Well, Sung-guk must be tired today too… let’s have one last cheers and get some sleep.”
“Sure, Dad.”
“Come on, Mom, let’s cheers together!”
For the first time in a while, I felt like a beloved son between my parents.
[Why am I getting emotional over this, Jeon Sung-guk.]
Click.
I heard the door open. Then came rapid footsteps.
And more rapid footsteps.
The sound of fearsome footsteps!
Soon Ji-hee’s shrill voice rang out.
“Mom, Ji-hee too!”
“Yes, of course. Come sit here, Ji-hee.”
As Ji-hee sat down, the door opened again.
“What! Everyone hates me!”
“Min-guk, you were already asleep.”
Father quickly soothed Min-guk.
“Dad, I want to cheers too!”
“Alright, let’s cheers together.”
“Dad, me too. Me too!”
“Okay. Min-guk, let’s have some milk instead.”
Before long, Mother retrieved Ji-hee’s yogurt and Min-guk’s milk from the refrigerator.
“I was hoping to have a quiet moment with you, but…”
Mother looked at me apologetically.
“Mother, it’s fine.”
[Of course it’s not fine. These little troublemakers! Mood killers!]
Ji-hee tapped my knee with her finger.
“What is it?”
“I want to sit on your lap.”
Ji-hee spread her arms and waited.
I quickly lifted Ji-hee onto my lap.
“Big brother!”
“What is it, Ji-hee?”
“Big brother, I like you the most in the whole world.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Ji-hee nodded her head.
[This is what being the eldest son of South Korea is all about.]
“Come on, Ji-hee. Shall we toast together?”
“Big brother, me too!”
[Fine, you made a slave contract with me, so I’ll let you join.]
“Let’s toast, Min-guk.”
“Sung-guk! Mother and Father should join too.”
Mother and Father raised their glasses.
And everyone shouted in unison.
“Cheers!”
* * *
Min-guk and Ji-hee were kneeling before me.
I examined Min-guk’s report card.
The new year of 2004 had arrived, and Min-guk was now entering his fifth year of Elementary School.
At this time, Elementary Schools administered regular exams such as midterms and finals.
As I looked at fourth-grader Min-guk’s report card, my brow began to furrow.
“Min-guk, did you intentionally fail the exam?”
“Big brother, what are you talking about? How can you intentionally fail an exam?”
Min-guk blinked his round eyes innocently.
“Min-guk, shouldn’t a report card normally have mostly A’s and B’s among the grades? How is it possible to get a report card with absolutely no A’s or B’s?”
“Ah, you don’t understand, big brother. The average is actually good. I’m right in the middle, you see.”
I clenched my teeth.
“Min-guk, if you just read the textbook once or twice before an Elementary School exam, you should be able to get everything right, shouldn’t you?”
“Come on, big brother. Elementary School exams aren’t that easy. They’re incredibly difficult. Even you wouldn’t be able to get them all right.”
[I’m the person who got a perfect score on the Elementary School equivalency exam, Jeon Min-guk!]
I exhaled a deep breath from the depths of my core.
This kid’s IQ exceeded 160… The heavens were truly unfair.
“Min-guk, I’m going to watch you study at the academy today.”
“Huh? Why, hyung?”
Min-guk’s surprised reaction seemed suspicious.
“I’m curious how you manage to get these grades studying at the academy. Don’t bother saying no. I’ve already gotten permission from our parents. And this time, Ji-hee is coming too.”
“Yes, oppa!”
“Ji-hee, remember when oppa told you to study hard?”
“Oppa! Ji-hee is first place at the English Academy!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
As expected, Ji-hee had a natural talent for studying.
[Right, she completely missed out on our family’s looks, so at least she should have a good head on her shoulders.]
“Ji-hee, oppa is going to watch how you study at the academy today too.”
“Yes!”
“Alright, get ready in thirty minutes and let’s head to the academy!”
Min-guk’s face scrunched up. His displeasure was written all over it.
“Jeon Min-guk, didn’t you sign a contract with me? Our company checks school grades at debut, remember?”
“Ah, I got it, hyung. But we made the contract yesterday, so you’re checking grades from now on, right? Not my old grades, right?”
“Right, I’ll be checking from now on.”
“Got it! I’ll get ready!”
Min-guk rushed off to his room.
Mother looked at me with a worried expression.
“Sung-guk, don’t be too hard on Min-guk. But he does go to the academy diligently.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I’m just going to watch how they both study and come back.”
Ji-hee quickly came out with her English Academy bag slung over her shoulder.
“Oppa, Ji-hee is all ready!”
Ji-hee’s bright, sparkling eyes reminded me of myself as a child.
“Ji-hee, hold oppa’s hand.”
“Okay. Hand.”
Ji-hee grabbed my right hand.
Min-guk came rushing out with his bag on, looking flustered.
“Min-guk, let’s go.”
“Yeah. Hyung.”
Min-guk answered in a slightly uncertain voice.
* * *
The English Academy that Min-guk and Ji-hee attended was the same place.
Since classes were conducted by level, the ages varied widely from kindergarteners like Ji-hee to elementary school students around Min-guk’s age.
As I stepped into the academy entrance, the Academy Director’s impressive credentials were plastered all along the front.
The middle-aged Academy Director had posted several photos taken in front of Boston University.
That’s why the academy was called the Boston English Academy.
[Hmm… Did she graduate from Boston University?]
But I noticed something odd.
The certificate displayed outside the academy showed a short-term language program at Boston University.
Yet her resume clearly stated she was a Boston University graduate.
Just then, the Academy Director came out and greeted our family.
“Oh my, Ji-hee mentioned her older brother was studying in America, so you all came together?”
“Hello. I’m Jeon Sung-guk.”
“Wow, Min-guk is handsome and popular with the girls, but you’re even more handsome. You’re not a celebrity, are you?”
“Director, my brother was in that show. You know, the baby basket thing. He filmed something with singers.”
“Wait, was that baby from ‘Five Men and a Baby Basket’ actually Min-guk’s older brother?”
“Yes!”
Min-guk bounced excitedly on his feet.
“Oh my, I was such a devoted viewer of that program. I can’t believe you’ve grown so much already… How many years ago was that… So you’re in middle school now?”
“No. I’m a university student. I’ve skipped quite a few grades.”
“So you’re attending university in America?”
“Yes.”
“Which one?”
“Harvard.”
At that moment, I saw the Academy Director’s face stiffen.
[Director, why? What’s bothering you?]
The Director forced a smile and quickly ushered Min-guk and Ji-hee into the academy.
“Min-guk, Ji-hee. You’ll be late for class. Come on in.”
“Okay!”
“Yes!”
As I tried to follow Min-guk and Ji-hee, the Director blocked my path.
“Would you like to have a cup of coffee with me in my office?”
“I’m sorry, Director, but I came to see how Min-guk and Ji-hee are studying. Would it be alright if I observed a class?”
“Well… the teachers are quite sensitive about that.”
[Something’s definitely bothering her.]
As I pushed forward into the academy, the Director followed along.
“Let’s have coffee together. I’ll tell you in detail about Min-guk and Ji-hee’s class attitudes and abilities.”
“Director, would it be possible for me to observe a class? I’d like to see my siblings’ level of proficiency with my own eyes.”
I could see the Director struggling to find words in response to what I said.
That was because I had spoken in English.
The Director laughed awkwardly a few times, then firmly grabbed my arm.
“Just a moment. The teacher who instructors Min-guk is from a good school in America. I think you two will get along well. He should be arriving soon.”
Just then, a familiar-looking man entered through the door.
“Oliver, this is Min-guk’s older brother. Could we talk for a moment?”
I recognized Oliver at a glance.
It was Oliver, the English tutor who had taught me at my only elementary school friend Choi Jung-woo’s house.
Unlike what the Kindergarten Principal had said, Oliver had dropped out of college in the United States. It wasn’t even considered a prestigious university.
Oliver smiled and extended his hand to me.
“Hello, I’m Oliver.”
[Long time no see, Oliver!]
I grasped Oliver’s hand firmly.

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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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