I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 74

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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 74
[Hmm….]
I tilted my head slightly side to side as I shook it.
Michael stared at me intently.
I whispered into his ear.
“I can’t lie.”
Michael snorted and quickly turned his attention to distributing hamburgers to the members.
“Tae-hyung hyung was always a cheese fanatic. I put two slices on his. Beom-seon doesn’t like anything too rich, so his is basic.”
“You remember all our preferences.”
“When you run a business, you naturally remember the tastes of regular customers. Before filming, I thought back to our time together during training and recalled what everyone’s preferences were.”
All the former Just members ate Michael’s hamburgers happily.
I too finished every last bite of my hamburger.
The juicy patty, the sauce that balanced out the richness, and just the right amount of char from the grill.
It was excellent enough to rival the $140 burger from Gordon Ramsay that I’d eaten back when I was a tycoon.
I quickly raised my hand. And looked at Michael.
[Michael, look here.]
“Sung-guk, what?”
Michael came over.
His face held an equal mixture of inexplicable worry and anticipation.
“Mr. Michael, can I have one more?”
“Really? You can eat another one?”
“Yes! This is so delicious! Give me another! Give me another!”
Tae-hyung and the other members began echoing my words.
“Michael, give me another too.”
“This is so addictive. Michael, give me another too.”
“Give me another!” erupted from all directions.
Michael looked at me and gave a subtle wink.
[I’ll pass on the wink. I was just saying something delicious is delicious.]
* * *
“Five Men and a Baby Basket: Seven Years Later” aired during Sunday prime time.
The story of the Just members after disbandment and Michael, who opened a handmade burger restaurant in Itaewon after leaving the group in the first album. And then there was my story of being selected as the first scholarship recipient of Hyojin Group.
The grand finale was the one line I shouted at Michael’s handmade burger restaurant.
“Give me another!”
The caption read:
[Give me another! Signs of a major trend.]
Ji-hee, who couldn’t flip it over, heard my voice and giggled with delight.
[Don’t smile so affectionately.]
Seven-year-old Min-guk picked up a plastic knife and stabbed at the air while repeatedly shouting “Give me another!”
Mother, watching as well, licked her lips.
“Sung-guk, was it really that delicious?”
“Yeah. It was really delicious. I want to eat it again.”
“Before we go to the United States, let’s all go to that place and eat together.”
As the day of my departure to the United States drew closer, I found myself growing melancholy.
I was leaving for my studies abroad because I was disappointed with South Korea’s education system and wanted to learn more in a bigger world, but I never expected that parting with my family would be so painful.
After the date for my study abroad was set, Min-guk came to my room every single day and fell asleep clinging tightly to me on the narrow single bed.
He kept mumbling in his sleep, “Big brother, take me with you,” which made my sleep quality absolutely terrible.
Mother and Father never scolded me for anything I did; they only embraced me every time.
Late at night, as Min-guk clutched my waist while falling asleep, I tossed and turned, unable to get proper rest.
Then, I heard the door creak open slightly.
Who could it be?
Father came in and looked down at Min-guk and me as we slept.
I squeezed my eyes shut even tighter.
Father sat on the edge of the bed and embraced both Min-guk and me at once. A faint smell of alcohol wafted from him.
[Father, is something troubling you?]
Since the launch of Won Uncle’s Bossam, Father had been so busy with the restaurant that I rarely saw his face.
Soon Father showered both Min-guk and me with kisses, and he planted a loud kiss on my cheek.
“Sung-guk, when you go to the United States, I’m going to miss you so much. But since it’s for your future, I’ll endure it. Sung-guk, I’m an old-fashioned man, so even though I love you so much, I haven’t expressed it well. But you know how your father feels, right?”
[You’re not even saying it, so how would I know?]
I squeezed my eyes shut even more tightly.
Father patted my buttocks gently.
“Sung-guk, since you were born, your mother and I have been filled with only happy things, and it makes us so joyful. Father will earn a lot of money quickly and come see your face during your school breaks.”
[Father, how much can a small business owner earn? You should save money.]
Min-guk hugged my waist tightly.
I could see his eyelids trembling slightly, which meant he wasn’t asleep either.
But what could I do? I had to keep pretending to sleep.
I quickly hugged Min-guk closer.
“Honey, come out. You’ll wake the children.”
When Mother whispered quietly, Father finally gave Min-guk and me one last kiss and left.
[Phew, I made it.]
In that instant, my eyes flew wide open.
And in the darkness, my gaze met Min-guk’s eyes, which were shining brightly.
“You didn’t sleep either?”
“No, big brother.”
“Go to sleep now.”
“Big brother. I love you so much, big brother.”
I patted Min-guk’s back.
“Min-guk, your face isn’t quite good enough to become a celebrity, so don’t neglect your studies. If you’re not smart, you have to work hard at something. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll check on you every time I have a break, so don’t give Mother and Father a hard time. You hear me?”
“Yes, big brother. But big brother… if I listen to you well, will you bring me a gift from the United States?”
Children are children after all.
I patted Min-guk’s bottom affectionately.
“Sure. I’ll buy you lots.”
“Hehe. Oppa, I love you.”
In a capitalist society, love truly did emerge when material goods flowed back and forth.
* * *
“Ji-hee, look here. Yes, right here.”
Father was holding the camera and gesturing frantically at Ji-hee, struggling to take the perfect shot.
Ji-hee’s hundredth-day celebration table was set up in one corner of the living room.
Thinking back to when we celebrated Min-guk’s first birthday in a tiny one-room apartment with no proper table and only a disposable camera, our family had truly made remarkable progress.
“Honey, why don’t you go stand with Sung-guk and Min-guk?”
“Oh, but we should all be in the photo together.”
“Let’s take this one first, then set the timer for another.”
Mother pulled Min-guk and me over to stand beside Ji-hee, who was dressed in a pink one-piece dress with a crown on her head.
When Ji-hee saw me, she broke into a bright smile.
“It looks like Ji-hee loves her oppa too.”
[Of course. I’m Jeon Sung-guk. A man of fatal charm!]
I grasped Ji-hee’s hand firmly.
“Sung-guk, Min-guk. Since it’s Ji-hee’s hundredth day, let’s each say something as her older brothers. Who wants to go first?”
“Me! Me!”
Min-guk stepped forward eagerly.
I graciously yielded as the older brother should.
“Ji-hee, grow up quickly so we can have sword fights together, okay?”
Of course, Ji-hee gave no response.
How could a hundred-day-old baby possibly understand?
“Now it’s Sung-guk’s turn.”
“Hmm….”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully, examining Ji-hee carefully.
At a hundred days, Min-guk’s facial features had become somewhat defined. Naturally not as refined as mine, but his round eyes had a certain charm to his reasonably presentable face.
But Ji-hee’s facial features were still indistinguishable except for her chubby cheeks.
[She won’t become an entertainer, it seems…. Then she’d better excel at studying. Looking at Min-guk, nobody in this household except me seems to have particularly sharp intellect…. Ji-hee will need to earn her living once she starts walking.]
While I was lost in thought, Father set the timer and rushed back.
“Alright, kids! Look at the camera. Ten, nine, eight, seven… four, three, two, one!”
Click.
The camera flashed brightly.
The flash caused Ji-hee to close her eyes.
“Honey, you can’t just come back without warning like that. Sung-guk was about to say something to Ji-hee.”
“Oh! Sorry, sorry. Let’s take another one. I think Ji-hee’s eyes were closed.”
Father rushed off again to reset the timer.
I looked at Ji-hee and squeezed her hand tightly.
“Ji-hee, grow up strong and healthy. Your older brother will take care of you.”
* * *
“Sung-guk’s study abroad preparations are all complete. Here are the airplane tickets. A consultant who accompanies the Goo Chairman’s daughter will be traveling with you, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Secretary Hwang Chul-soo handed over the airplane tickets.
Mother’s face was still filled with worry.
“The consultant is a veteran who has accompanied all the chaebol family children on their study abroad trips. The Goo Chairman’s daughters were all taken care of by this person since childhood, so you really don’t need to worry at all.”
“Still, he’s so young….”
[Mom, I’ve been to the United States so many times that it’s fine.]
I had to be the one reassuring Mother instead.
“Oh, and about that test we did on Sung-guk again. The results came back.”
My shoulders suddenly drooped and I felt dejected.
Before studying abroad, the scholarship foundation had tested my learning abilities and other capabilities. That included an IQ test.
I, who had even been a Mensa member in my past life, received a devastating score of 121 in this life, so IQ tests themselves terrified me.
I’d even taken a calming herbal remedy while taking the test,
“Sung-guk’s results are so outstanding that it’s hardly surprising.”
Secretary Hwang Chul-soo handed over another test sheet.
“Min-guk also took the test at the same time, didn’t he? Mother, it would be good if you paid a bit more attention to Min-guk as well.”
“Is there something wrong with Min-guk?”
“It’s not a problem—Min-guk’s IQ is over 160.”
[What the—!]
My jaw dropped.
“Min-guk?”
Mother seemed surprised as well.
“Sung-guk is such an exceptional child that his IQ isn’t really a concern.”
[Wait, does that mean….]
I carefully opened my own evaluation sheet.
My IQ was 123. Whether it was 121 or 123, it was just a margin of error from differences in condition.
“But Min-guk’s IQ is so excellent that if he receives gifted education, he’ll definitely become a talented successor to Sung-guk, according to the evaluators.”
“I thought Min-guk was just ordinary….”
“All the children in this household are truly remarkable. As a parent myself, I’m quite envious.”
Mother accepted the results with a pleased expression.
That night, consumed by despair, I stared at Min-guk.
“Hyung, let’s have a sword fight.”
“Min-guk….”
Even my voice lacked strength.
“Hyung, why?”
“Min-guk, study hard.”
“I don’t like studying. I like sword fighting more.”
Min-guk cheerfully swung his plastic sword through the air.
[That kid has an IQ over 160….]
Is this what it means for life to feel so hollow?
Ever since I turned one, I’ve woken each morning scheming how to lift this household up, and I haven’t neglected my studies for a single day… yet I’m just an ordinary 123. And that’s only a 2-point increase.
I’ll have to live my entire life with this IQ, while that bastard—my younger brother—was born with an IQ exceeding 160, and he easily passed auditions thanks to my special training.
“Sigh….”
“Hyung. What’s wrong?”
“Min-guk, forget about being an entertainer. Study instead.”
“I’m going to be a general.”
[To become a general, you need to graduate from military academy. Which means you have to study well.]
I hunched my shoulders and turned away to pack my things.
[I wonder if I’ll be able to do well in the United States with such an ordinary mind….]
Worry consumed me entirely.
Just then, Min-guk hugged me from behind, his warm hands gripping mine tightly.
“Hyung, you’re the most handsome and smartest person in the world. Hyung, cheer up.”
[It’s true that I’m handsome, but you’re smarter.]
This is a fact. Undeniable.
“Sung-guk, let me help you pack. Sung-guk, give it here.”
Mother was organizing the suitcase when she caught sight of my face.
“Oh my, Sung-guk. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“Sob-.”
I burst into tears.
“Sung-guk, you’re sad about parting with us.”
Mother held me tight and patted my back.
“Mom!”
“That’s right, Mom’s heart aches too about you leaving. I was a bit hurt because you didn’t seem sad at all, but our Sung-guk is also sad about parting with family.”
“Wahhh! Wahhhhh!”
[That’s not it. Mom, I’m crying because my brain is worse than Min-guk’s. The world is so unfair!]
* * *
The airport was a sea of tears.
Mother, Father, and Min-guk were sniffling, and even Ji-hee, who understood nothing, whimpered along.
I said goodbye with composure.
I hugged Mother and Father tightly, and embraced Min-guk as well.
I even kissed Ji-hee’s cheek as she clung to Mother.
“Mom, Dad. I’ll have a good trip.”
“Sung-guk, if it gets hard, call Mom and Dad anytime.”
“Yes!”
I answered as calmly as I could.
Yesterday I cried because I was upset about having a worse mind than Min-guk, but today the sadness of parting with my family threatened to bring tears to my eyes.
I bit my lips firmly and bowed.
“Mom, Dad! I’ll study hard and come back to Korea!”

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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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