I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 181

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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 181
Jeon Tae-guk and I pulled into the department store parking lot.
“Sung-guk, what do Father and Mother like?”
“Our parents are quite modest in their tastes.”
“Hmm… Well then, I suppose we should shop modestly as well.”
As soon as we arrived at the VVIP parking section, a department store attendant who had been waiting promptly opened the car door.
“Young Master, Secretary Yang informed us of your arrival.”
“Good… I’ll wait in the lounge. Bring the items we’re shopping for.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
I followed Jeon Tae-guk inside.
In my previous life, I was the one doing exactly what Jeon Tae-guk was doing now.
Truth be told, I rarely visited department stores in my past life.
I simply reviewed the luxury brand catalogs that arrived each season and checked off what I wanted.
Standing before a mirror to see if an item suited me was something only ordinary people did.
The life of a chaebol heir was simple: if you liked something, you bought it first and thought about it later.
Jeon Tae-guk entered the department store’s VVIP section with practiced ease and settled into a seat.
Champagne and finger foods were promptly arranged.
“Sung-guk, pick out some clothes for yourself too. In Silicon Valley, you can get away with just hoodies and jeans, but Korean winters are cold.”
“Hyung, then just buy me one padding jacket.”
“Just pick out several.”
Jeon Tae-guk flipped through the department store catalog with an arrogant air, as if he’d never been scolded by Father, and selected various items.
At that moment, a strange thought suddenly occurred to me.
“Hyung… but….”
“What is it? Is there something you’re curious about? First time in a VVIP section? Feel free to ask.”
“No, it’s just… how long are you planning to stay at our house?”
[Based on what he’s doing, it seems like he’s planning to move in permanently.]
Jeon Tae-guk smiled faintly.
“Sung-guk, I’m Jeon Tae-guk.”
[That’s something I say to myself all the time….]
“The best hotel in South Korea is the Samjeon Hotel, right? I’ll impose on your family for just one day, and once Father goes on his business trip, I’m heading straight to the Samjeon Hotel tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
“Ah, yes….”
[But why do I have such a hard time believing that.]
Just then, the department store attendant entered carrying all the items Jeon Tae-guk had ordered.
“Young Master, the wagyu beef with two horns and abalone you ordered. And a 30-year-old Valentines. We’ve also prepared six goose down comforter sets.”
“Hmm… is there anything else I need….”
“Hyung, but why did you buy six goose down comforter sets?”
“I’m particular about my bedding, you know. I need one for myself, but can I be the only one using a goose down comforter? I bought sets for your family too.”
“I see….”
Jeon Tae-guk looked through the catalog again and pointed to several items with his finger.
“Bring the Frida padding in all the colors… and what’s the best-selling item in the children’s clothing line?”
“We also have a Frida children’s clothing line.”
“Then get me the best-selling products from there—clothes and bags for a thirteen-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The manager bowed and left.
“Hyung, aren’t you buying too much?”
“Sung-guk, this doesn’t even amount to a day’s interest that hits my account daily.”
[I know that well enough. I was just being polite. Compared to the diamond ring I bought for Ashley Holmes, this is nothing.]
Shortly after, the manager returned.
“Young Master, all your purchases are being moved to the car.”
Jeon Tae-guk rose leisurely from his seat.
“Sung-guk, let’s go.”
“Yes, hyung.”
* * *
Ding-dong.
The moment the doorbell rang, I heard the patter of two sets of feet rushing toward the entrance.
[Min-guk and Ji-hee… they’re so excited I’m coming home that they’re running to greet me.]
I shrugged my shoulders.
Soon the door clicked open, and Father poked his head out.
“Sung-guk, welcome home. Tae-guk, come on in.”
“Hello, sir. It’s been a while.”
“Hyung!”
Min-guk came running toward me with excitement.
[Does he really like his hyung that much…?]
Whoosh—
[Wait, what just passed by me…?]
Min-guk rushed past me and threw his arms around Jeon Tae-guk instead.
[What is this about?]
“Tae-guk hyung, I love the gift so much!”
“You already opened it?”
“Yes!”
Ji-hee came running shortly after, swept past me, and bowed respectfully before Jeon Tae-guk.
“Oppa! Thank you so much for the gift!”
I stared blankly at Min-guk and Ji-hee as they passed me by.
[Sigh… in South Korea, it really does come down to money.]
I entered the house with a bitter taste in my mouth.
Then someone grasped my hand firmly.
One person held my right hand.
Another held my left hand.
“Hyung!”
“Oppa!”
[Finally, you guys get to see me?]
Ji-hee grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
“Oppa, I’ve been collecting a hundred problems I didn’t understand just so I’d have an excuse to see you.”
“Ji-hee, did you miss your oppa that much?”
“Oppa, why are you asking something so obvious?”
Just then, Min-guk grabbed my other hand and pulled.
“Hyung, why are we being so awkward as a family? Let’s go inside already.”
“Yeah, okay.”
* * *
Jeon Tae-guk scanned my room thoroughly, then pointed at the bed.
“Sung-guk, since I’m a guest, I’ll use the bed.”
“Don’t guests usually sleep where the host designates?”
“I’m particular about where I sleep, you know. I’ve slept on a bed since childhood, so I can’t sleep on the floor.”
“Please use the bed, hyung.”
Jeon Tae-guk stared at me blankly.
“Why are you looking at me like that, hyung?”
“You need to change the blanket. I brought a goose down comforter.”
“Hyung, I’m not your secretary. You’re the one staying at our house tonight and receiving our hospitality. So change the blanket yourself.”
“Hmm… Your jjajangmyeon was free for life, remember? How about this time—free meals for your whole family for life?”
[When it involves my family, I can’t hold back!]
“Hyung, of course it’s the goose down comforter!”
I quickly swapped out the blankets.
And I spread my own blanket on the floor.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A series of knocks sounded, and Min-guk poked his head through the door. Below him, Ji-hee poked her head in as well.
“Why aren’t you two sleeping?”
“Hyung… Can’t we sleep with you after all this time?”
“Oppa. Me too.”
“Alright, Min-guk on the left. Ji-hee on the right. Go!”
“Go!”
Ji-hee and Min-guk came running over at the same time and lay down on either side of me.
Jeon Tae-guk lay on the bed, gazing down at us with an envious expression.
“Oh right, oppa. Can I ask you those problems now?”
“Study before bed?”
“Yeah!”
[Ji-hee really should pursue academics.]
Soon Ji-hee returned to the room with her problem book.
We all lay face-down on the blanket and opened the problem book she’d brought.
[Sixth-grade math already… You’re definitely my sister.]
Then Min-guk started chattering away beside me.
“Ji-hee, you’re always showing off, so you mess up the difficult problems. Solve problems that match your level.”
“Min-guk, you only got second place in the whole school this time? Why can’t you get first place? Don’t you want to?”
“Hyung! Second place in the whole school is amazing! Ugh. You’re always nagging me.”
Min-guk turned away and lay on his side.
Regardless, I examined the problems Ji-hee had brought.
“Ji-hee, our Ji-hee. You’re a bit weak with geometry.”
“Oppa. Geometry is hard.”
“Of course it’s hard for you. Wow, but you solved everything except the hardest geometry problem.”
“Oppa, praise Ji-hee.”
I stroked Ji-hee’s head.
Min-guk had already picked up a problem book with a sulky expression.
“Jeon Ji-hee, you dummy. This is number three. You don’t know this either?”
“Jeon Min-guk. You’re in sixth grade now so you know, but Ji-hee is just starting elementary school.”
“Ugh, hyung is always nagging me.”
Then I felt a sharp gaze from behind.
When I looked up, Jeon Tae-guk was looking down at us with longing.
“Hyung, aren’t you sleeping?”
“Sung-guk….”
“What?”
“Let’s switch spots.”
“Huh? Hyung, you said you can’t sleep on the floor.”
“I came to a commoner’s house, so let me experience commoner life.”
Jeon Tae-guk came down to the floor with a pillow in his arms.
Then Min-guk piled on top of me.
“Hyung, sleep with me. You can’t go anywhere.”
Ji-hee climbed on top of Min-guk.
“Oppa, absolutely not letting you go.”
[You guys. I know you like me, but I can’t breathe!]
I looked up at Jeon Tae-guk apologetically.
“Hyung, I’m sorry. You should sleep on the bed.”
“What are you talking about? The space is plenty wide….”
Jeon Tae-guk squeezed in next to Min-guk and spoke shamelessly.
“So this is where commoners sleep. Hey, Sung-guk is really exhausted today. Everyone turn off the lights and go to sleep early, and hyung will buy you jjajangmyeon tomorrow.”
The moment he finished speaking, Min-guk jumped up and turned off the lights.
“Hyung, let’s sleep.”
“Oppa, sleep well.”
Soon came Ji-hee’s soft breathing as she fell asleep.
And for the first time in a while, I felt Min-guk’s restless kicking throughout my body.
But Jeon Tae-guk said nothing.
[Did he fall asleep?]
That was when it happened.
I heard Jeon Tae-guk’s low voice.
“Sung-guk, are you awake?”
“….”
I deliberately didn’t answer.
“Sung-guk… I wish I had been born into an ordinary family like this.”
“Brother….”
I opened my mouth heavily in the darkness.
“You’re not sleeping?”
“Brother. You should be grateful you were born a chaebol heir.”
[I have plenty to say, but I’ll spare you the rest.]
“Jeon Sung-guk…. Sigh….”
Jeon Tae-guk called my name and let out a deep sigh.
“What is it, brother?”
“You’re really tactless.”
“People always say you’re tactless when you tell the truth.”
At that moment, a pillow came flying from somewhere and covered my face.
“Just go to sleep.”
“….”
I said nothing more.
* * *
The next morning, after breakfast ended, Jeon Tae-guk sat down in the living room and turned on the TV.
“Sung-guk, just one cup of coffee.”
“Brother, why don’t you make your own coffee?”
“Sung-guk, we have a guest visiting our home. I’ll make it for you.”
Mother stopped me.
I clenched my teeth and stared at Jeon Tae-guk sprawled across the sofa.
“Brother Tae-guk, when are you going to the Samjeon Hotel?”
Jeon Tae-guk yawned widely and tilted his head.
“It’s not check-in time yet.”
“It’s your hotel, brother. You don’t usually worry about things like that before going.”
[Jeon Tae-guk, I know because I’ve done it all before!]
“Father is leaving late this evening. Just stay until then.”
Jeon Tae-guk scratched his head vigorously, then turned on the TV.
Just then, news about Ashley Holmes was playing on the TV.
It was more gossip than proper news.
– There is a woman heating up Silicon Valley in America. Her name is Ashley Holmes. A beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.
[News about her has already reached Korea….]
Jeon Tae-guk was the most sensitive to news about Ashley Holmes.
Jeon Tae-guk stared at the news with a somewhat surprised expression.
– Ashley Holmes received investment from Jerry Chang, the founder of Yahoo, and simultaneously received a diamond worth 300 million won from the heir of a major South Korean conglomerate, earning her a reputation as a femme fatale. However, as she just left the house, she revealed new facts through an interview with reporters. She said the man she truly loved was someone else entirely.
Jeon Tae-guk quickly lifted his head and stared intently at the screen.
– Ashley Holmes, who is the man you truly loved?
– If that person had only accepted my feelings, I probably wouldn’t have accepted a diamond ring or anything like that.
– Ashley, who is this man who didn’t accept your heart?
– Jeon Sung-guk, the founder of FaceNote. I suppose there’s a language that only true geniuses can understand with each other.
– Isn’t Jeon Sung-guk a minor?
– I told you. We were a relationship that could never be. And we were truly platonic. Nothing ever happened between us, but Sung-guk is truly a man with an irresistible charm.
[What on earth is she talking about!]
At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned toward me.
Ji-hee, who had read the subtitles of Ashley Holmes’s interview, looked up at me with bright, sparkling eyes.
“Oppa, what does ‘a man with irresistible charm’ mean?”

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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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