I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 47

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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 47
“So-young, Sung-guk wants to buy land in Hwaseong.”
“Sung-guk is truly exceptional. Sung-guk, what are you planning to do with land in Hwaseong?”
[Well, I’ll flip it for several times the profit. Pangyo looks promising too.]
Mother stroked my head gently.
“Mother.”
“Yes, Sung-guk?”
“I want to invest in stocks.”
“You want to invest in stocks too?”
“Yes!”
I already held shares of Samjeon Electronics that I’d received instead of modeling fees. Of course, I was holding these for the long term. I had no intention of making quick profits through day trading.
Father smiled contentedly, though his eyes betrayed some concern.
“So-young, I’m worried that Sung-guk only seems interested in economics.”
“Dear, perhaps we need to accept that Sung-guk is different from other children.”
[Mother is the best, as always!]
I patted Mother’s back twice.
“Dear, did you see? Sung-guk patted my back twice again.”
I realized my mistake, but what was done was done.
“This boy Sung-guk—I really have no idea what goes on inside that head of his.”
[Inside is the former heir of Samjeon Group, Jeon Sung-guk.]
While I exchanged banter with Mother and Father, the airplane landed in Jeju Island.
This was my first visit to Jeju Island in this lifetime.
* * *
We descended from the airplane and headed toward baggage claim.
Father kept glancing around, making sure to keep track of Mother, Min-guk, and me.
“So-young, carry Min-guk. I’ll watch over Sung-guk.”
“Okay, got it.”
Father gripped my hand firmly.
“Sung-guk, you must never let go of Father’s hand.”
[Father, don’t worry. I’m Jeon Sung-guk. Even if I got lost here, I could find my way back to our Seoul home.]
“You see, when I was young, I had a thought like that. I wondered if our parents didn’t abandon me, but rather lost me in a crowded place like this and couldn’t find me.”
My heart ached.
[Why does this family have so many painful stories?]
I squeezed Father’s hand tightly. This seemed to be the only way to put his mind at ease.
“Hey, isn’t that Sung-guk?”
A young girl’s voice nearby seemed to recognize me.
“Sung-guk is still a star.”
Father looked down at me with pride.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Sung-guk, Sung-guk.”
[Why do they keep calling me? It’s annoying. My face is getting too recognizable—I need to cut back on advertisements.]
Just then, someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.
[A stalker?]
“Hello.”
[Wait, that voice…]
I turned around quickly. Jung-hee was standing right in front of me.
“Hello. I’m Jung-hee. We met at Tae-guk’s birthday party at the Samjeon Hotel before.”
Jung-hee greeted Father with respectful politeness.
Mother recognized her too.
“Oh my, aren’t you the girl who used to play with Sung-guk at the Samjeon Hotel? How do we meet here?”
“Jung-hee!”
Jung-hee’s father called out to her from behind.
I turned my head to look at Jung-hee’s father. The CEO of Bujin Construction, based in Busan.
A typical regional entrepreneur who had expanded his business through deep connections with government and politics as a prominent figure in the Busan area. In a word, his company operated on brute force and relied entirely on personal connections.
Jung-hee’s appearance seemed to come from her mother’s side.
Lee Sung-doo, the CEO of Bujin Construction and Jung-hee’s father, had a small stature and a toad-like impression. Startled by her husband’s loud voice, Jung-hee’s mother hurried over and took Jung-hee’s hand.
“Jung-hee, your father is calling you.”
“Mom, this is Sung-guk.”
“Oh my, is this the famous Sung-guk? You’ve grown so much.”
Jung-hee’s mother was an elegant beauty. It was clear at a glance that Jung-hee took after her mother completely.
Jung-hee’s mother fidgeted nervously and squeezed Jung-hee’s hand tightly.
“Jung-hee, your father is busy, so let’s say hello to Sung-guk another time.”
“Okay.”
Jung-hee pulled something out of a small handbag slung at her side and handed it to me. Cookies.
“Sung-guk, here. It was nice to see you.”
“Me too.”
I accepted the cookies Jung-hee offered.
Thump-thump. Why was my heart racing?
Jung-hee ran toward her father, her black hair flowing, and soon left the airport.
“Sung-guk, let’s go.”
“Yes, Father.”
I gripped Father’s hand even more tightly. I didn’t want to make him anxious.
* * *
The hotel was the Samjeon Hotel in Jungmun.
Both Father and Mother’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Wow, I’ve only seen this place on TV….”
[Mom, I’ll take you to even nicer places from now on. How about you close your mouth?]
But looking to the side, Father had the same expression.
“So-young, isn’t this place incredibly expensive?”
[It’s the most expensive hotel on Jeju Island. I had it remodeled after taking over… but it looks a bit tacky now.]
I scanned the Samjeon Hotel in Jeju as it had been long ago.
It had been ages since I’d visited the Jeju Samjeon Hotel before its remodeling. As a child, I’d come here often with my family, but as my trips abroad became more frequent, my visits had naturally dwindled.
I familiarly dragged Mother and Father toward the front desk.
[Mother, Father, we need to check in.]
Father was being pulled along by my hand, his expression utterly bewildered.
[Father, snap out of it. At this rate, it won’t be you losing me—it’ll be me losing you. Tsk, tsk.]
“Sung-guk, slow down.”
“Will you be checking in?”
“Ah, yes.”
Fortunately, a courteous staff member appeared, and Father managed to complete the check-in without incident.
After receiving the key, Father still wore that dazed expression.
“So-young, it’s room 403. Ocean view.”
“So the ocean is right there, then.”
[The ocean isn’t that close from the Samjeon Hotel. It’s a bit farther away. Still, seeing it is better than nothing.]
Personally, I’d preferred the Hallasan mountain view when I’d visited before, rather than the ocean side. There was something stabilizing about the mountain.
As we walked down the corridor following our room number from the hotel lobby, a familiar group approached from ahead. It was Jung-hee’s family.
“Sung-guk! Mother, we ran into Sung-guk again.”
In my pocket was still the cookie Jung-hee had given me at the airport.
As Jung-hee smiled and ran toward me, my heart began pounding again.
[Our family has weak hearts….]
Father now greeted Jung-hee with familiar ease.
“We meet again.”
“Sir, are you staying here too?”
“Yes. We’re staying here as well.”
Jung-hee quickly called out behind her.
“Mother, Father. Sung-guk’s family is staying here too.”
Jung-hee’s father approached with a stern expression, and I could feel him scrutinizing our family from head to toe. He was clearly a second-rate.
Those with real money and power don’t stare at people so openly. A single glance from them could move stock prices and cause internal message boards to explode.
Jung-hee’s father looked displeased.
“I’ve heard all about Sung-guk from Jung-hee the whole way here. Since we’ve met like this, it must be fate—shall we have dinner together this evening? There’s a decent Korean restaurant here.”
“I’m not sure if that would be appropriate….”
Father was flustered.
It was probably because he wasn’t accustomed to such invitations.
I quickly tugged Father’s hand.
[Father, that family will go bankrupt soon. In the future, I’ll be even richer, so don’t be intimidated.]
“That would be wonderful, then.”
Father understood my signal and answered promptly.
“Then we’ll see you at the Korean restaurant at seven.”
“Sung-guk, great. Let’s have dinner together later.”
“Sure. Noona.”
I smiled shyly.
I could feel Mother watching me.
After Jung-hee’s family passed by, Mother looked at me with a mischievous expression.
“Sung-guk, do you like Jung-hee?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
“Then why are your cheeks turning red?”
“They’re not.”
I grumbled for no reason.
“This is the first time I’ve seen Sung-guk grumble like this….”
Father chimed in as well.
I hung my head low and quickened my pace, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. Jung-hee’s cookies were still there, brushing against my fingertips.
That was from my past life—I haven’t developed those feelings in this one yet….
I shook my head to erase Jung-hee’s image.
* * *
After showering, I began rummaging through my suitcase.
Thanks to recent children’s clothing photoshoots, I’d accumulated quite a few sponsored outfits, but nothing seemed to catch my eye. I tried on a beret, switched to a cap, put on a shirt, changed to a simple t-shirt, then took it off.
I could hear Mother and Father chuckling behind me.
I glanced back at them.
“Sung-guk, in my opinion, men shouldn’t fuss over clothes like that.”
[Father, didn’t I tell you? When the business world picks best dressers, it was me!]
But if Father was saying this, maybe I was overthinking it….
Following Father’s advice, I chose a more understated style. Jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up twice would be just right.
“Sung-guk, are you wearing that?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Let me fix your hair.”
“Okay.”
I waited patiently for Mother’s touch. Usually I’d run away complaining about the blow dryer, but this time I endured the hot air without protest.
Min-guk was beside me, rummaging through the clothes I’d laid out.
“Min-guk, Father will dress you.”
[Father, that’s not….]
Father was truly a fashion terrorist. His face and height saved him from everything.
“So-young, should I put this on Min-guk?”
“No!”
“No!”
Mother and I shouted simultaneously.
Father was holding yellow overalls.
[I need to step in here.]
I quickly finished my hair and took charge of Min-guk’s outfit. Though Min-guk seemed unbothered, I dressed him in an Ivy League school look to hide any lack of presence. Beige cotton pants, a white shirt, and unlike me, I even added a navy vest.
[Since he’s not as striking as me, I need to dress him more sharply.]
“Hyung, do I look pretty?”
“It’s worth a look.”
Min-guk’s face fell.
I quickly patted Min-guk’s bottom twice.
“You’re pretty.”
“Really?”
“Your brother doesn’t lie.”
“Brother, I like you.”
Min-guk’s mood lifted instantly, and he smoothed down his hair.
Just then, Mother’s voice rang out, filled with alarm.
“Honey, why did you bring those clothes?”
“When traveling, comfort is everything.”
Father was wearing a pair of sweatpants with holes at the knees—the kind he wore when running errands or going to the mart on his days off.
[That’s not happening, Father.]
I shook my head firmly.
“Honey, but we’re eating with people we’re meeting for the first time. I don’t think those will do. Why don’t you wear jeans and this white cotton shirt like Sung-guk and Min-guk?”
“I’m not comfortable in clothes I don’t usually wear.”
Father grumbled, but one sharp look from Mother forced him to change.
Father, Min-guk, and I sat on the bed, waiting for Mother to emerge from the restroom.
The clock already showed 6:50.
“So-young, it’s ten minutes to seven. We need to head down now.”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
The moment she said that, the restroom door opened.
And the three of us men’s jaws dropped.
“Wow!”
“Sung-guk, Min-guk, how do I look?”
Mother wore a flowing pink dress and heeled shoes, her makeup applied with care. She was genuinely stunning—Lim Sun-mi had nothing on her.
As the three of us stood speechless with our mouths agape, Mother looked uncertain.
“What? Is something wrong?”
“No, no. You’re really beautiful, So-young.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
Mother still looked unconvinced.
I jabbed Min-guk in the ribs.
“Mother, you’re the best!”
Min-guk quickly gave a thumbs up.
I followed suit with a thumbs up as well.
“So-young, we’re late. Let’s go.”
“Just let me put on lipstick.”
Mother applied a pink-tinted lipstick and took Min-guk’s and my hands.
“Shall we go, my sons?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Min-guk and I answered in unison.
* * *
“Mom, I need to go.”
I shifted my feet slightly.
[Seeing Jung-hee made me nervous too.]
“Honey, Sung-guk needs the restroom.”
“Got it. Sung-guk, let’s go to the restroom together. So-young, go ahead and wait inside. We’ll catch up.”
“Okay. Min-guk and I will head in first.”
Mother and Min-guk entered the restaurant, and I took Father’s hand toward the restroom.
Father went into a stall and pulled down my pants.
“Sung-guk, go ahead.”
[Dad, I’m seven years old. I don’t need help with this anymore.]
Just then, I heard Jung-hee’s father’s voice from outside. He was on a phone call.
“Jung-hee wanted to eat together, so we’re joining them. I should at least know what kind of place it is…. What? Both parents are orphans? They’re a family that makes a living off their kid’s face.”
[Is he talking about us right now?]
I quickly zipped up my pants.

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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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