The Regressed Chaebol Grandson Finds It Hard to Forgive - Chapter 83

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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 83. Sokcho (3)

The smell of a corpse?

Kang Deuk-su’s mind reeled at the bold declaration that dripped with confidence.

In seventy years of life, he’d never heard such crude language.

Even when he worked as a civil servant, no one had ever dared disrespect him outright.

‘This is unsettling.’

Unbearable indignation surged through him, yet an inexplicable sense of unease also crept in.

In his lifetime of training through flattery, he’d never felt a crisis like this one.

That young brat standing before him…….

There’s something there!

“You worthless dog……”

Kang Deuk-su’s heart trembled as his voice trailed off.

The implant he’d had installed a month ago throbbed with a dull ache.

His blood pressure rose in frustration, furious yet unable to act on it.

But somehow, in this moment, he couldn’t lash out as he wanted.

‘There’s killing intent in that gaze…….’

Han Ji-yoon’s son was supposedly still in high school.

But those eyes!

Whether this kid was some gangster or not, the killing intent in both eyes was visceral and fierce.

It reminded him of young special forces operatives he’d seen in his days of repeated North Korean infiltration training.

“D-don’t you dare touch that place tomorrow! It’s the flowery words of Han’s talented son, so remember!!”

Bang!

Kang Deuk-su turned to glare at Han Ji-yoon before letting loose his frustration in a shout, then fled the flower shop like a man running for his life.

A chill followed his broad, hurried strides.

A black bear, watching for the moment to strike at the back of his head.

Tonight’s sleep would be restless.

“Tae-ung…….”

A storm had swept through the flower shop.
Han Ji-yoon’s voice trembled.

She’d caught every filthy word the old man had spat at her in those brief moments.

“Mom.”

Her son, who had been staring into the darkened alley, called to her.

“Mom, I’m sorry…….”
“Let’s eat dinner.”
“……??”

The fierce, death-dealing glare he’d fixed on Kang Deuk-su just moments ago had vanished from her son’s eyes.

The gaze he turned on her was warm.
Thank goodness.

Her son, who’d looked ready to do something terrible,

had returned to his true self, as if by magic.

“Hot rice cake soup and soju? Cheers?”

Her son twisted his wrist and mimed drinking soju.
His eyes sparkled with playfulness.

And that made Han Ji-yoon sadder still.

“Cheers!!”

Han Ji-yoon broke into a bright smile.
This measly flower shop.

It meant nothing compared to her one and only son’s pride.

She could close it tomorrow without hesitation.
This moment was far more precious.

“Let’s go, ma’am! Let me treat you to the full course tonight.”

Time spent with her cheerful son.

His warm comfort seemed to make up for everything that had just happened.

That alone was enough to make her happy.

* * *

“Oh, hey! What car is this?”

We’d finished closing up the flower shop.
My mother was brave even on her own.

The difficult old landlord had told her to vacate, but she didn’t seem to care much.

My mother stepped out briskly, then stopped short before the car that beeped as it unlocked.

“My car.”
“Your car? You’re telling me this imported car is yours?”

My mother asked again to confirm.
Her pupils dilated in shock, unable to hide her surprise.

Our family, scraping by at the bottom of the working class.
An imported SUV was completely out of the question for us.

“I bought it used for when I got home.”
“…….”

My mother stared at me as if searching my very soul.
I could see many thoughts swirling in her eyes.

“Worried I got scammed? Voice phishing or something? Ma’am, think a bit more creatively.”
“……A lottery?”
“Heh.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the limits of my innocent mother’s imagination.

“Bingo! The lottery.”

I simply brushed it off lightly.
I’m an adult now, and when it comes to wealth accumulation, my parents have no say in the matter.

“Really? Wow! Ha Tae-ung, you’re rich now?”

My mother, taking it at face value, was truly innocent.
She even clapped her hands, genuinely delighted.

“Yeah. I’m rich now. So straighten those shoulders.”

I can’t tell her I’m the son who came back from the future.
It’s an impossible, unbelievable truth that only I know.

“So that’s why you mentioned becoming a chaebol?”
“Probably.”
“Right! Lottery’s the only way. Build up capital from that and become a chaebol. You’re smart like your father.”
“What about my looks then? Are they mom’s?”
“Ho-ho, those are your father’s too.”
“Then what of mine is like mom’s?”
“Well…….”

My mother paused for effect.

“Reckless bravery!”
“Reckless bravery!!”

We both blurted it out at the same time.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.”
“Ho-ho-ho-ho.”

We laughed together.
Back when my father was alive, this was how the two of us were.

“Mom’s been weak lately. Even though we’ve got the guts, we’re fading.”
“You mean mom threw yourself at dad for your first kiss?”
“Do you know how hard it is to find a good man in this world? When opportunity knocks, you gotta grab your man right then and there.”

I could see my mother as she’d been, untroubled and carefree.

“Mom! Get in.”

I opened the passenger door with a click.

“Thanks to my talented son, I get to ride in an expensive BMW.”

She settled into the seat, touched the leather upholstery, and marveled as her eyes swept across the interior.

“Drive me around a lot before you get a girlfriend.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Ho-ho. Take it easy.”

The conversation flowed as naturally as if this had been happening all along.

Vroom.

For the first time, I was driving my own car with my mother in it.

The chassis pushed smoothly and heavily against the ground.

“Wow! What is this ride quality?”

A wave of remorse washed over me.

In the past, I’d never once owned a nice car.

Whoosh.

Sea breeze poured in through the open window.

I was smiling in front of my mother, but volcanic anger boiled inside me.

That old pervert who’d been violent toward my mother!

I’d had no idea she’d been in this situation in the past.

I’d only known that her finances worsened and the flower shop had moved to a seedier location.

I’d never known she’d endured such humiliating treatment—something she had to hide even from my father.

Only today did I learn of those hidden circumstances.

Kang Deuk-su, chairman of the Jungang-dong Merchants Association!

An old man coated entirely in a black aura that reeked of filth.
A soul beyond redemption.

You’re done for.

I’m going to smash your entire family line to pieces!!

* * *

“The location is excellent.”
“It is, isn’t it? The biggest advantage is how close it is to the Express Bus Terminal.”
“The biggest advantage?”
“You don’t have a girlfriend, right?”

An unexpected roast.
Half right, half wrong.

I had a girlfriend once in the past.

“…….”
“Here in Sokcho, couples come to confess their love quite often. Lots of people order bouquets and do events. About 300 meters down from the bus terminal is Sokcho Beach. It’s the ultimate date spot.”
“Ah!”

I’d had only one romantic experience.
Gu Hye-jin didn’t like flowers.

She preferred trendy restaurants and luxury goods to flowers that wilted so easily.

“The square footage is decent, right? Perfect for a flower shop. Being on the main street means good foot traffic.”

Last night, my mother and I drank soju at a rice cake soup restaurant overlooking Sokcho Beach.
My mother, who didn’t usually drink much,

had glass after glass and got drunk.
She kept smiling in front of me, but the psychological shock must have been considerable.

She didn’t wake up until morning.

Today was Saturday.
I’d checked with a nearby real estate office early in the morning.

After a few calls, I’d met with this person.

Kim Ju-hee, representative of Daewoo Real Estate.

A warm-hearted woman in her mid-forties recommended one of the vacant storefronts.

“The monthly rent is high, though. Ever since the expressway opened, real estate prices have gone crazy around here.”
“Isn’t that good?”
“It is for me. But people who preferred quiet areas have been heading up toward Goseong.”

In the future, Sokcho was a goldmine.
The KTX project was another blessing.

Two hours from Gangnam to reach Sokcho.

It emerged as a hot place, surpassing even Jeju Island.

“I’ll sign the contract.”
“Really? The deposit is three million won and the monthly rent is 250,000—you’re sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“……It won’t be easy to make ends meet selling flowers.”

She didn’t just introduce the property and leave—she worried about her tenant’s circumstances.

She was a good person.

The aura she gave off on first meeting was a clear, sky-blue hue.

“You know any moving companies?”
“Are you really moving today?”
“Call them right now. I’ll proceed with the contract immediately.”

I couldn’t let my mother spend another day in that filthy old man’s storefront.

“You can sign the contract with me. The owner is traveling abroad. They left everything in my hands.”
“It’s impressive that they trust you like that.”
“Of course. I’m a native of Sokcho. It looks big, but it’s surprisingly small.”

A good connection.
Beyond just my mother’s situation, Sokcho had clear investment potential for the future.

“Do you know the Han Jin Apartments in Joyang-dong?”
“Of course. It’s right across from Sokcho Beach, so lots of people are interested these days.”
“Is there a three-story building next to the galbi restaurant in front—one that’s listed for sale?”
“Ah, the vacant storefront destroyed by fire?”
“Yes. What’s the asking price?”
“Why? Surely you’re not thinking of buying that…….”

Kim Ju-hee trailed off, sizing me up quickly.

Her expression was uncertain.

“Would you proceed with the purchase regardless of price?”

This too was a matter of timing and fortune.
Meeting a real estate agent with a clear spirit was a connection heaven itself provided.

“It looks rough from the fire, but the location is prime—people are asking tens of millions of won…….”
“It doesn’t matter. And please also proceed with purchasing the vacant lot in front of Han Jin Apartments.”

I’d seen firsthand how Sokcho would develop in the years ahead.

Within a year.
Countless cafes and high-end pensions would go up, and the whole area would strike it rich.

“Are you by any chance a grandson of some chaebol?”

The real estate agent’s eyes filled with surprise as she joked and studied me.

A smile spread across my lips as I couldn’t deny it.

“How did you guess? Yes, I’m a chaebol heir.”

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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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