I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 203

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

Chapter 203
VIP nodded gravely.
“Hmm… if the party doesn’t change, my policies should maintain the same direction in the next administration… but right now, it’s a situation where I can’t see even an inch ahead.”
South Korea’s presidential election was drawing near.
On such a sensitive matter, I chose silence.
Businesspeople like me were easily swayed by any administration if we spoke carelessly and fell out of favor.
VIP studied me with a troubled expression.
“Sung-guk, what do you think this presidential election will bring about?”
“I haven’t been in South Korea long, so honestly, it’s harder for me to predict than the United States situation.”
[VIP, I’m sorry. It’s best to avoid sensitive issues.]
Of course, I knew exactly who would take control in the next administration.
Even without knowing the future, I could honestly sense that South Korea’s presidential race had the same momentum as the American one.
VIP’s face was filled with concern.
“Sung-guk, I hope people like you will help our country’s future regardless of which administration is in power.”
“I’ll do my best.”
In any case, politics and business were inseparably intertwined.
Soon, Park Sung-hee brought in dinner, including the boiled pork that Father had prepared.
“This is the boiled pork made by Sung-guk’s father.”
“So this is the famous boiled pork that the Samjeon Group heir said tastes better than what’s served at the Samjeon Hotel Korean Restaurant. I’m finally getting to try it.”
Just hearing the words “Samjeon Group heir” made my entire body break out in goosebumps.
And I was anxious about the coming Saturday.
* * *
“Sung-guk, I didn’t expect you to speak so firmly.”
In the car heading home, Park Sung-hee asked with surprised eyes.
“I believe opinions should be stated accurately. I think Lehman Brothers won’t last long.”
“Sung-guk, I really envy your confidence.”
[Confidence? Don’t say it like that. My words are the future itself!]
Park Sung-hee didn’t hide VIP’s current concerns either.
“VIP has been quite troubled lately. It seems the next administration will likely change.”
“It’s following the will of the people.”
I answered while concealing my true intentions as much as possible.
By South Korean standards, I was still a minor without voting rights.
Soon Park Sung-hee’s car arrived in front of my house.
Just as I was about to get out, Park Sung-hee handed me a large shopping bag.
“What is this?”
“It’s a souvenir from Cheong Wa Dae. Your parents will be delighted.”
“Thank you.”
I took the shopping bag with the clear Cheong Wa Dae logo and headed inside.
* * *
Smack—Mother’s spicy hand struck my back.
“Jeon Sung-guk! Did you just come back from Cheong Wa Dae?”
“Ah, well….”
“You said you had work plans in the evening, and you went to Cheong Wa Dae dressed like that?”
“Mother, I’m still a minor. A hoodie and jeans is perfectly respectable.”
Smack— Mother’s hand flew to my back again.
[Mother, I’m Jeon Sung-guk. The former heir to the Samjeon Group.]
Yet here I was, getting hit on the back by my mother… It was something I could never have imagined in my previous life.
Father emerged from the bathroom, still damp from his shower, and stopped Mother.
“So-young, that’s enough. Sung-guk’s been living in the United States, so his thinking is a bit more relaxed.”
“There’s a limit to being relaxed. Meeting the president, and you dress like that? What must the president have thought of us? He probably thinks we’re parents who can’t even dress our child properly. I’m absolutely mortified.”
“The president told Mother and Father that looking at such a handsome son, he’d feel full without eating.”
At my words, Mother’s hand rose again.
Fortunately, Father stopped her this time.
“So-young, that’s enough. Sung-guk’s face completes everything anyway. Honestly, people are too busy looking at Sung-guk’s face. Clothes don’t matter at all.”
“Mother, Father’s right.”
“Ugh, if I can’t even say anything….”
Mother sighed deeply.
I hadn’t carelessly picked up the shopping bag that Park Sung-hee’s secretary had handed me. Because of it, I’d been caught having visited Cheong Wa Dae.
Father had already pulled a bottle of liquor from the shopping bag.
“Sung-guk, is this liquor a souvenir from Cheong Wa Dae?”
“The secretary there just gave it to me as is. Since they said it was a souvenir, it must be one.”
Father pulled out various items and examined them with fascination.
“Hey, there’s even a watch. Sung-guk, I’m thinking of wearing this instead of the Rolex you gave me.”
“Father, that watch is too politically charged. Just keep wearing the Rolex.”
“I see….”
Mother clicked her tongue inwardly.
“Tsk tsk. Anyway, the rich are shameless in pairs. Both the son who visits Cheong Wa Dae dressed like that and the father who’s delighted examining the gifts he brought.”
“So-young, it’s already happened. What can we do? Besides, Sung-guk must have done well.”
[Exactly!]
I quietly gathered the notebooks, notepads, and writing implements and handed them to Ji-hee, who was examining them.
“Ji-hee, use these when you study.”
“Okay, oppa!”
Mother put her hands on her hips and looked at me.
“Sung-guk, you’re leaving next Wednesday, right?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Sunday you’re going to the department store with me. Don’t make any other plans.”
“Mother, since I’m going to the United States now, it doesn’t matter. Everyone dresses comfortably there. Wouldn’t it be better to buy one more stock with the money spent on clothes, Mother?”
“Sung-guk, comfortable and shabby are different things. Your hoodie wrists are all stretched out, and the color’s faded. And throw away those underwear!”
“Ah, fine, Mother. Can we stop talking about underwear?”
I finally grumbled in protest.
Mother looked at me with an exasperated expression.
“Look at you, all grown up and talking back to your mother now.”
[Mother, even though I’m still your young son, I have a social status now. In other words, talking about underwear is embarrassing!]
* * *
I had barely escaped Mother’s relentless nagging when I stepped into my room, and immediately a message arrived from Jeon Tae-guk.
– Saturday, August 18th, 6 PM. Samjeon Hotel, 1st floor lobby cafe.
– I’m not going, hyung.
I sent my reply right away.
I genuinely had no intention of going. I had absolutely no desire to get entangled with Jeon Mi-jin.
The moment I sent my message, Jeon Tae-guk called.
– Sung-guk.
Jeon Tae-guk called my name quietly.
“Hyung, you’re at home—why are you talking so quietly?”
– I’m at home… they might be monitoring my call with you.
“Hyung, we’re not even close like that. Talking like this just makes it more suspicious!”
– Ah… I guess you’re right. Sung-guk, you really have to come on Saturday. If you don’t, Mom might move everything—the house and all. Dad’s against it, but right now things between Mom and Dad are already rocky, and they’re heading toward the worst.
– Why don’t you get photographed with a female celebrity instead? I have no intention of being photographed with Jeon Mi-jin.
– Sung-guk… but when do I meet Bang Mu-hyuk?
Jeon Tae-guk continued whispering.
“We’re meeting Monday evening.”
– Got it! I’ll practice hard. But I can’t do it at home….
Suddenly, an idea struck me.
“Hyung, wouldn’t going to a club or somewhere and naturally mingling with girls ease Mother’s worries better than meeting a female celebrity?”
– A club?
“I heard clubs in Hongdae or Itaewon with hip-hop music are trendy these days. You could practice before meeting Bang Mu-hyuk too.”
– Really? Okay, I’ll look into it right away and go practice.
“Hyung, the more important thing is….”
– I know, I know. I need to blend in with the girls!
Jeon Tae-guk hung up quickly.
Was Jeon Tae-guk really the karma from my past life?
He clung to my shoulders as an even heavier burden than before.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I heard a knock, and Ji-hee peeked in at me.
“Ji-hee, what’s wrong? Oh, I should explain that math problem to you. Did you bring your problem set?”
Ji-hee shook her head.
“Oppa, Ji-hee has something on her mind.”
Ji-hee quietly closed the door and came into my room.
“What’s troubling my Ji-hee?”
“Oppa, you know Jung-woo oppa, right? The trainee friend of Min-guk oppa.”
“Yeah, what about Jung-woo?”
“Jung-woo, why don’t you come play at our house?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because when you came to play last time, you were so much fun. And you said you’d come play at our house again….”
Ji-hee twisted her body coyly.
Could it be that Ji-hee had a crush on Jung-woo?
My heart sank.
“Ji… Ji-hee.”
I could barely get the words out.
I’d always known this day would come eventually, but I never expected it so soon.
“Oppa, can’t you ask Jung-woo to come play?”
I did my best to calm my racing heart.
[Think rationally, Jeon Sung-guk. Ji-hee can’t stay your adorable little sister forever.]
Yet my chest felt like it was tearing apart.
Ji-hee stared at me with her round eyes sparkling.
[Sigh, so our Ji-hee’s first love has begun….]
“Ji-hee, I’ll contact Jung-woo tomorrow. It’s too late tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Ji-hee held out her pinky finger.
And I hooked my pinky with hers.
Delighted, Ji-hee gave me a kiss on the cheek and left my room with a cheerful skip in her step.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a message. And as if by fate, it was from Jung-woo.
– Sung-guk, can I come play at your place tomorrow?
I left Jung-woo’s message on read and quickly messaged Bang Mu-hyuk instead.
– Mr. Bang, Min-guk and Jung-woo trained a lot in the United States and even met with Eminem. I think you should test them right away. Both of them have improved tremendously. I’m free tomorrow evening—how about we meet and see how they’re doing?
– Ah, I was actually planning to do that tomorrow evening anyway. Hearing what you say, I’m even more excited! Let’s meet at the office tomorrow.
Soon another message came from Jung-woo.
– Sung-guk, I don’t think I can make it tomorrow. The director just called—they want to test me.
– Jung-woo, that’s too bad. Come play at our house before you go to the United States.
– Yeah, Sung-guk.
I turned off my phone.
[Ji-hee, you’re still too young to like someone. Your oppa absolutely won’t allow it!]
* * *
The next morning, internet news outlets were plastered with photos of Jeon Tae-guk at a club in Hongdae.
– The Samjeon Group heir, obsessed with hip-hop.
– The Samjeon Group heir, explosively popular with women.
In every photo, he appeared naturally surrounded by multiple women, enjoying himself.
[Yeah, that’s exactly who Jeon Tae-guk is.]
The Jeon Tae-guk I knew was always like this.
He loved alcohol and he loved women.
I finally let out a long breath I’d been holding.
It seemed unlikely that I’d find myself sitting across from Jeon Mi-jin at the Samjeon Hotel on a weekend evening.
* * *
Mother grabbed my hand and marched into the department store like she was storming a fortress.
“Mom, let go of my hand. I can keep up with you.”
“I’m afraid you’ll run away. This time, let’s buy you a whole bunch of proper clothes. Please, stop wearing that shabby hoodie.”
“Mom, this is my signature look. People recognize me just by seeing a hoodie and jeans now.”
“That’s one thing, but wear something different once in a while.”
There was no stopping a South Korean mother.
Mother entered a brand boutique she herself would never shop at and picked out clothes for me left and right. Then she suddenly turned to the sales associate.
“Do you sell underwear here?”
“Who will be wearing it?”
“My son.”
The associate looked me up and down, then brought over several pairs of underwear.
“I think these will fit well.”
“Sung-guk, pick out some underwear.”
[Mom, I’m embarrassed picking out underwear!]
I began backing away slowly.
“I’ll let you pick them out. I’m going to the restroom.”
Then I dashed off to the restroom.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
I felt messages coming in one after another.
I quickly pulled out my phone—it was Jeon Tae-guk.
What’s going on?
– Sung-guk, I’m meeting up with the group members tonight for something Bang Mu-hyuk’s company is preparing. I’m bringing a friend too. Want to come?
– Oh right, you’re a minor. Sorry, let’s hang out next time.
– I got scolded big time by Dad for going to a club in Hongdae yesterday, but Mom seems to be encouraging it. I’ll tell you about it after my date today.
I slipped into the restroom and checked Jeon Tae-guk’s messages again.
[He’s meeting the girl group members from Bang Mu-hyuk’s company?]
In that instant, my entire body went cold.
Could it be that the protagonist of #Romance #Success becomes Jeon Tae-guk in this life?

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