I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 145

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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 145
I quickly tidied up the room.
Though a queen-sized bed occupied the space, Min-guk had grown quite tall now, so sharing it would feel cramped—I set up a folding cot beside it instead.
Mark stumbled into the room, just waking up.
“Sung-guk, need any help?”
“Hmm… almost done. Mark, three of us will be sharing one restroom now, so it might get a bit inconvenient.”
“I don’t mind. Sung-guk, you’re going to be busy looking after your brother—are you sure you’re okay with all this?”
“Yeah, of course I’m fine with it. He’s my brother.”
[My brother—those words meant a burden I could never escape.]
I had meticulously planned my schedule around this burden.
Through Grace’s introduction, Min-guk would attend a Language Academy from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
It was a Spartan-style educational institution designed for Asian students coming to the United States for language studies.
Grace had also recommended a more relaxed language academy, but naturally, I chose the Spartan approach.
On Saturdays, I’d enrolled him in special classes featuring various programs—outdoor activities, museum visits, art galleries, and more.
Mark glanced at Min-guk’s schedule posted on the desk and let out a whistle.
“Sung-guk, an elementary school student only gets Sunday off?”
“He needs to study on Sundays too—what are you talking about, Mark? Sundays are for reviewing what he learned during the week and previewing next week’s material. That’s how you get into a good university in Korea.”
“That seems a bit harsh…”
Lim Mi-mi emerged from the kitchen with coffee and handed a cup to Mark.
“Mark, in North Korea, you’d need to do even more than this to get into Kim Il-sung University. Leave evenings after 6 p.m. and weekends to me, sir.”
Mark stared at Lim Mi-mi and me with astonished eyes.
“What exactly… what kind of countries are South Korea and North Korea?”
“What kind? The landmass is cramped, the population is dense, and though we call it four seasons, the weather changes constantly throughout the year—it’s the worst climate for farming. The only natural resources you get are coal if you dig hundreds of meters underground. To survive in such a country, you can’t afford to do things halfway.”
I clenched my teeth as I answered.
Lim Mi-mi nodded calmly in agreement.
“Indeed, South Korea and North Korea are truly one people.”
“Wow, I was really lucky to be born in America.”
“Of course you were!”
“Absolutely!”
Lim Mi-mi and I nodded in unison.
“Sung-guk, should we go to the airport together too?”
“Don’t you all have work to do?”
I fixed Mark with a sharp stare.
“Sir, you’re about to slack off again, aren’t you?”
I softened my expression slightly.
[The Samjeon style has really seeped into my soul…]
I forced a smile.
“It’s not that… everyone needs to work and rest after they get off. Yang Chul-soo said he’d drive us there, so don’t worry too much. The new intern should be arriving around that time anyway.”
Then I leaned over and whispered to Mark.
“Mark, grab some hamburgers for Lim Mi-mi and Min-guk. You know what I mean, right?”
[You two need to make some quality time together!]
Mark nodded with a bright smile.
“Of course I know! This is the west coast, so there must be famous hamburgers here. Lim Mi-mi, how about hamburgers for dinner tonight?”
“I’ve already made a list of famous hamburger shops in this area. I prepared it in case the Restaurant Owner gives us a food allowance.”
Mark and Lim Mi-mi began an animated discussion while looking at the hamburger shop list.
I casually crossed my arms and watched the two of them.
[Mark, have you really given up on romance?]
I shook my head slowly.
* * *
The office that Charlie Jobs provided was located on the third floor of the Apple Campus—roughly 2,000 square feet of space.
The space was spacious, and each of us had plenty of room. The large windows let in plenty of sunlight.
I began arranging my desk in the spot where sunlight streamed in best and where I could see the entire office at a glance.
Mark looked at me with considerable discomfort.
“Sung-guk, I think we need to buy some partitions.”
“Why would we need those?”
“I’m not thrilled about people seeing my computer monitor.”
“Mark, wouldn’t it be better to create an atmosphere where everyone just focuses on their own work, regardless of what anyone else is doing on their computer?”
[I absolutely can’t let him know I’m planning to monitor him.]
Just then, Lim Mi-mi began moving her desk to face mine directly.
“Mark, if we arrange the desks this way, it’ll be hard for the Restaurant Owner to see the monitor.”
“Hmm… Lim Mi-mi, but then I’d keep making eye contact with Sung-guk.”
“Mark, I’m just an employee here, so I’ll do whatever the Restaurant Owner says. You and Mark should decide together.”
Just then, Young Secretary Yang came in with two more desks.
“Sung-guk, where should we put these desks?”
“Mark and I are still figuring that out.”
[Hmm… I need to keep Jeon Tae-guk under constant watch, so should I push his desk against the wall? That way I can see his monitor clearly?]
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
“Sung-guk, how about we just arrange our desks wherever feels comfortable? Everyone can figure it out themselves.”
“Mark, what do you mean?”
“Since the office is still in its early stages, let’s try sitting in our preferred spots for about a week and see how it works. If someone wants to face the wall, they can. If someone wants to face the window, they can….”
“That sounds good. We can put a table in the middle of the office for people who want to work on their laptops. And… let’s put a sofa and a low table over there too. People can rest comfortably while working, grab snacks here….”
“Sounds great, Sung-guk! Then I’ll sit facing the wall.”
Mark quickly started moving his desk.
“Restaurant Owner, I’ll take a spot by the window.”
I also began moving my desk. Of course, my position gave me a clear view of Mark, Lim Mi-mi, Jeon Tae-guk, and Young Secretary Yang all at once.
Young Secretary Yang stood uncertainly, not knowing where to place his desk.
“Chul-soo, here you’re both interns just like Tae-guk, so I’ll tell Tae-guk to set up wherever he wants when he arrives. You set up wherever you’d like.”
“Ah… then I’ll wait and set up with the young master when he arrives.”
I could already picture Young Secretary Yang organizing the desks alone.
I quietly continued arranging my own desk.
Young Secretary Yang quickly came over and helped me organize the desk.
“Sung-guk, I’ll help… but… Sung-guk.”
“Yes, hyung?”
“Either way, I’ll be staying in this office for a month. Should I be calling you boss?”
“No. Lim Mi-mi chose to call me that on her own. You and Tae-guk hyung should feel free to call me casually. But since everyone here is in an equal relationship, mutual respect is fundamental.”
“Got it. I’ll mention it to the young master too.”
Young Secretary Yang seemed to catch the meaning behind my words.
Jeon Tae-guk—don’t even dream of pulling rank here.
* * *
After finishing the office cleanup, it was almost time for Min-guk to arrive.
Young Secretary Yang approached me.
“Sung-guk, should we go pick him up? Did Min-guk fly alone?”
“His parents are busy with work, so I arranged for the airline to provide an escort.”
“Wow, still, it’s impressive that Min-guk is flying alone.”
[Secretary Yang, when I was Min-guk’s age, I was living alone in a dormitory in the United States! He should be able to handle this much on his own!]
I shrugged and changed the subject.
“Tae-guk hyung is coming from Korea too, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a secret, but he said he’s going to briefly meet his girlfriend before coming.”
[Jeon Tae-guk is predictable. No ambition, loves women… hasn’t he gotten into drugs yet in this life?]
In my previous life, he caused quite a bit of trouble because of drug issues.
“Mark, Lim Mi-mi. Could you order hamburgers? For Chul-soo hyung and the new intern too.”
“Sure, got it. Sung-guk, bring Min-guk back quickly.”
I finally headed to the airport.
Thump-thump.
[But why is my heart racing? Could it be… do I actually miss Min-guk?]
* * *
Min-guk held the hand of a beautiful stewardess tightly.
“Min-guk, your hyung is coming to pick you up, right?”
“Yes, noona. Noona, do you have a boyfriend?”
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s my hyung. He’s really handsome. And he’s tall too. Plus, he runs a company.”
“My, he sounds very capable.”
“Yes! Oh, noona. Do you know Harvard?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“He went there too. Anyway, he’s really smart. Oh, he was on TV before!”
“Really, on TV?”
“Yes. It was some show where singers raise a baby, and my hyung was that baby.”
“Could it be that ‘Just’ baby-raising show?”
“That’s probably it. Should I introduce you to my hyung later?”
The stewardess’s face lit up with color.
“Yeah, that’s right. It’d be nice to exchange greetings.”
“Sister, our older brother doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Just then, Jeon Tae-guk walked over quickly and casually addressed the Stewardess.
“Hey there.”
Hey there? What was that about?
The Stewardess looked at Jeon Tae-guk with obvious discomfort.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
“I saw you in first class earlier, right?”
And he was already speaking to her informally.
The Stewardess forced a pleasant smile.
“Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
“How long are you staying in San Francisco? Give me your contact information.”
“I’m sorry, but our company policy prohibits personal contact with passengers.”
“I’m the son of Samjeon Group. You’re still not going to give it to me?”
“I apologize, sir.”
The Stewardess politely declined several times, but Jeon Tae-guk was utterly shameless.
“What’s this? Why are you acting so high and mighty for just a stewardess?”
“Sir, I need to escort this student right now. I’m sorry.”
“That’s why I’m telling you—give me your contact information!”
Jeon Tae-guk whined like a spoiled child.
At that moment, Min-guk called out to Jeon Tae-guk.
“Mister!”
“Kid, stay out of adult conversations.”
“Mister, this sister said she doesn’t want to. And I promised her I’d introduce her to our older brother.”
“Hey, do you know who I am? I’m the son of Samjeon Group!”
“Our older brother is Jeon Sung-guk!”
At those words, Jeon Tae-guk’s brow furrowed.
“Ugh, how annoying…”
Jeon Tae-guk shot Min-guk a glare and then swept past the Stewardess and Min-guk.
Nothing good ever came from being entangled with Jeon Sung-guk.
As Jeon Tae-guk left, the Stewardess beamed at Min-guk.
“Min-guk, thank you.”
“Sister, if you’re grateful, will you give me your contact information?”
“Of course!”
“Sister, let’s go. My older brother is waiting.”
Min-guk flashed a triumphant smile and squeezed the Stewardess’s hand tightly.
* * *
As the door opened, people began pouring out.
I watched Jeon Tae-guk emerge with his face deeply furrowed in displeasure.
Young Secretary Yang rushed over, but Jeon Tae-guk didn’t even glance at him before shoving his carry-on in his direction.
“I’m exhausted. Let’s head to the dormitory.”
“Young Master, Sung-guk came out together with you. His younger brother arrived from Korea, so he should be coming out soon. Please wait just a moment.”
“What? No way. Why should I wait?”
Jeon Tae-guk was venting every ounce of irritation he had onto Young Secretary Yang.
“It’s been a while since we’ve met.”
When I approached and greeted him, Jeon Tae-guk reluctantly blinked before pestering Young Secretary Yang again.
“I said I’m tired. Can’t you understand? Why should I wait for anyone? Tell them to take a taxi.”
“Young Master, he’s the president of the company you’ll be working for. Please wait just a bit longer.”
[Something feels off here….]
Just then, Min-guk’s voice calling out to me echoed through the airport.
“Hyung!”
I turned around to see Min-guk let go of the stewardess’s hand and start running toward me.
“Min-guk!”
“Hyung! Waaaah!”
Min-guk burst into tears of joy and threw his arms around me. Then he whispered quietly to me.
“Hyung, sniff… I’ll introduce you to the stewardess. You don’t have a girlfriend anyway.”
“Min-guk, did that guy standing over there do something?”
I gestured with my eyes toward Jeon Tae-guk.
Min-guk understood my gesture perfectly.
“That man kept chasing the stewardess asking for her contact information.”
[Of course he did….]
Then Min-guk whispered in my ear.
“I overheard the stewardess muttering to herself that he’s the number one person to avoid because he’s always asking stewardesses for their contact information.”
[So he hasn’t changed at all. Even in this life, Jeon Tae-guk is spreading his bad habits everywhere….]
Just then, the stewardess who had escorted Min-guk approached.
“Hello, are you Min-guk’s older brother? He talked so much about you.”
“Yes, hello. I’m Jeon Sung-guk. Thank you so much for bringing Min-guk safely.”
I deliberately greeted the stewardess right in front of Jeon Tae-guk.
Just then, Min-guk tugged at my sleeve.
“Hyung, that man disappeared.”
“Huh?”
When I turned around, Young Secretary Yang had vanished as well.
Just then, a message arrived from Secretary Yang.
– The Young Master was so insistent, I’m sorry. Sung-guk, you can take a taxi, right? I’m really sorry.
I could easily imagine how much Jeon Tae-guk had pressured Young Secretary Yang.
I looked at Min-guk.
“Min-guk, I need to take a taxi with you. That’s okay, right?”
“Yeah! As long as you’re with me, that’s all I need.”
Min-guk grinned broadly and squeezed my hand firmly.
I squeezed his hand back just as tightly.
[Min-guk, welcome to Sparta!]

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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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