Chapter 51

* * *

“Hahaha!”

In the men’s room where pork belly is roasted, people burst into laughter when they hear what happened today.

“Is he alive?”

“Squeal.”

“Ho ho ho ho ho ho!”

Fortunately, there was no injury except for a sprained wrist, maybe because he rolled over the snow field. But I went to the hospital just in case.

“Thank you, though. Thank you for saving Soyoung.”

People who were teasing just now raised their thumbs as if they had when, and Jong-hyuk smiled softly.

“Of course it is.”

“Of course, I can’t give my daughter!”

“Dad!”

“Eek!”

I burst into laughter again.

“Well done. Take a drink in that sense.”

“What?”

“You can take what an adult gives you.”

Jong-hyuk peeked at Ko Jung-sook.

As she pretended not to hear, Jong-hyuk smirked.

“Then I’ll get my first drink from my mother. Mom.”

Those who were surprised nodded with a warm smile, saying, “You should do it soon,” and Ko Jung-sook pretended as if she couldn’t win.

‘It’s already time for Jong-hyuk to drink.’

Tears welled up when I saw my son growing up differently every day.

I didn’t even know it was because I was drunk with good people.

“You’ve done a great job so far, but don’ let your guard down. Just one more year, son.”

“……Yep! Mom, make sure you take care of your health, too.”

“Yes, thank you.”

On her knees, Jeong-hyuk, who received it with both hands, poured alcohol into her glass, and So-young and Su-ho received alcohol from their respective parents.

“You’ve done a great job so far, and we have a year left, so let’s try a little harder.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Yes, Father.”

There was a different sense of warmth in the room.

“Well, I don’t have my qualifications, but I’ll try to lead the way. When I shout “my family’s happiness,” you can shout “for us” and follow up. Our family’s happiness!”

“For!”

Chae Jae-jaeng’s drinking cup clashed in the middle and burst into laughter.

“Whoa.”

The cold wind on the veranda cools the heated ball.

Once the reins were lifted, the adults offered to continue drinking, and Jong-hyuk ate it up.

It’s alcohol!

Before regression, I almost cut it off after I pulled out my stomach.

It’s really good, but once you drink it, you’ll suffer for days and days, so you drink it only on special days.

“My body is really spinning.”

I think I drank three bottles in a row, but I don’t get drunk.

“Is it because you drink with good people?”

Hahahahaha family.

I’m craving a cigarette.

(sighs)

“Hm? Was it there?”

“Are you out for a cigarette?”

“Also, Professor Kim said strange things to Director Kwon, so I ran away. He said he knew some of the professors he was struggling with, so he could get bailouts. What kind of money are you talking about on this good day?”

“Aha.”

“What’s the redemption investment?

“We are investing in Kwon & Park Holdings to rescue the IMF’s good victims.”

Jong-hyuk said, “Jung In-chul case.”

“Tell me if you have someone like that around you, too. If there’s a really good victim.”

“Oh, my. Director Kwon is doing something that Nara can’t do.”

When I said that, I thought about who was there, but there was something that popped into my mind.

“Oh, yeah, remember that book?”

“The book? Oh, the book?”

“It turns out that it is connected to Rep. Kim’s card.”

“Rep. Kim?”

“Rep. Kim Sung-ryeong, a second-term city councilor.”

Jong-hyuk tilted his head to his side. It was the first name I heard.

“I’m not interested in politics at all. Anyway, he was involved in some redevelopment, and what’s surprising is that there was someone else on top of him. The Central Investigation Department was originally after the unknown superior, but do you know what’s more surprising?”

“What is it?”

It is said that the middle bridge that was connecting Kim and the upper line was submerged. Not only that, but the connection is all gone. As if it didn’t exist from the beginning.”

Flinch!

Like it didn’t exist? ……maybe?’

I have a hunch all of a sudden. It may be a coincidence, but it just so happens that Jong-hyuk knew about such an organization.

“That’s an interesting story. So what?”

Jong-hyuk’s upper body tilted towards the steel line.

“That’s why. I missed it. That’s why the Department of Central Investigation is hitting the sons of ethnic Koreans. To vent our anger. Ansan, Garibong-dong, Daelim. It’s all crumbling.”

Jong-hyuk burst out laughing.

Is it because of what I said before?’

To be considered a coincidence, the Korean people were too small for the Ministry of Central Investigation to touch. If a public prosecutor touches it, it will be fine.

‘Will they feel better this time?’’

I wish I had.

“Then what about Rep. Kim?”

“…I died. I hung myself at home on the day I went back after being investigated by the Department of Central Investigation.”

Jong-hyuk’s face is stiff, too.

“Did he commit suicide?”

The steel wire, whose face hardened harder, bit the cigarette.

“I was suicidal.…that’s a perfect match for a man key that’s going to be a thug. What do detectives use?”

“…….”

“Whoa. I don’t know. For now, the National Forensic Service found suicide.”

“What about the drugs?”

“It didn’t come out. It’s a card. It’s embarrassing, but it’s suicide.”

Still, Jong-hyuk’s face didn’t straighten out.

This is because some drugs cannot be tested.

It is impossible to determine whether he really committed suicide, was forced to commit suicide, or was disguised as suicide by medicine.

“Do you want to smoke? You can give it to Pia as an adult.”

“……Yes, thank you.”

Squeak!

The hazy smoke of cigarettes scattered through the air.

“Whoa. Anyway, that’s why I’m a heavyweight. I found the middle leg by accident. Maybe a few days later, he wouldn’t even know the existence of the middle bridge.”

At the moment, Jong-hyuk’s body shook.

Are they really them?

I’m half sure now if it was a doubt just now.

horribly clandestine It stimulated the senses strongly.

“A second-term city councilor is not just a politician…….”

“The business figure may be behind the scenes. That’s why I’m so troubled.”

A city councilor who needs a sponsor because he cannot wield the power of the independent party like a member of the National Assembly. The sponsor could be political or financial.

Maybe it’s both.

“Anyway, that’s why the Department of Central Investigation is grateful for this card. You wouldn’t even know there was a middle bridge.”

“Oh.”

“……Nigimi. I don’t know if he really committed suicide or was victimized, but isn’t it tough?”

Jong-hyuk nodded as if he agreed.

“When was the last time it wasn’t rough?”

Narrow South Korea, there was no time to live comfortably.

Kang Chul-sun, who was staring down the night slope with bright orange lights, opened her mouth again.

“Nin, you have to thank your mother for the rest of your life.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Why did you raise him like this at such a young age?” I have to carry him on my back for the rest of my life, even if I didn’t throw him away in such a place.”

That’s true.

Ko Jung-sook, who raised Jong-hyuk without the help of her mother’s family, since she disowned at that young age.

“Of course. I will continue to do that.”

Looking at Jong-hyuk’s determined eyes, Kang Chul-sun smiled softly.

“What are you talking about to a good guy? This real occupational disease is incurable. I’ll go in first, so you’re old enough to smoke.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

When the steel line entered, Jong-hyuk just saw the scenery that the steel line had seen.

People down the night slope without worrying about the world.

“That’s definitely the time.”

Like a burning cigarette, the heart burns.

A time when orphans surged in the wake of the IMF.

A dark time when he endured and finally let go of his child’s hand.

At this time, many children who ran away from home, not ran away, wandered around the streets.

The most unfortunate case is to collect all the money you don’t have to give your child the last happiness, take them to amusement parks or ski resorts, and throw them away. And parents commit suicide in places like unknown hills.

“…Yes, those young people are victims of this era.”

Although it wasn’t Jong-hyuk’s fault, he wanted to save them.

I didn’t care if someone said I was nosy.

I’ve moved my mind, so I just put it into practice.

Soon these things will be on the news and the government will come up with measures such as basic livelihood recipients and the National Basic Living Security Act, but Jong-hyuk decided to move separately.

“It’s not like I don’t have any money.”

Jong-hyuk took his last sip making a plan.

“By the way… Are they really them?”

“If that’s true, since then, if it’s existed before this…….’ I’m

“The nigimi pappa pups.”

Jeong-hyuk, who had been thoroughly determined, turned around thinking that he should investigate it separately and very deeply.

“And that bastard.”

The one who ripped the black box.

It was definitely a voice in his forties. If so, there is a high probability that they are of the same age.

Like you.

His eyes sank cold.

* * *

The next morning, Jong-hyuk came out to the ski slope with his mother, Jung Jung-sook, who had finished her hangover.

“It’s okay.”

“Why? You came all the way to the ski resort, but you’re not going to ski? It’s okay, I’ll teach you.”

“Yes, ma’am. Try riding it. Jong-hyuk rides really well.”

When So-young helped her, Ko Jung-sook was forced to lose.

“Tsk. Anyway, there’s nothing to go about. How do you ride it?”

The grinning Jong-hyuk taught him slowly from the basics, and the two hats spent quite a long time holding hands together.

Suho’s family and Soyoung’s family were also inspired by him.

“Oh, I’m tired!”

Suho’s mother kicked her tongue when her oldest father, a cafe full of people, hung on the chair.

“He’s not strong enough. Take a leaf out of our book.”

Flinch.

The fathers turned their heads gently.

It’s because even though they skied the same way, women were vivid enough to plan what to do after lunch, while men became boiled green onion kimchi. I tried to make an excuse for drinking, but I ate the same amount.

The children giggled at the collapsing authority of the head of the family.

“Oh?! Hi!”

One of the foreign women walking by pretended to know Jong-hyuk.

a beauty with red hair

People wondered, but Jong-hyuk jumped up.

“How’s your wrist?”

People’s eyes were wide open to Jong-hyuk’s fluent English.

“Yes, I’m fine. Oh, you saw this side yesterday, right? My dad, my mom.”

“I couldn’t even introduce it yesterday because I was in a hurry. This is Choi Jong-hyuk.”

“Ha ha! It’s okay. It’s the fault of my stupid but pretty princess who climbed high without skiing. I’ve done everything you have to do. It’s Kozel Shark.”

“It’s Angela Shark.”

“I’m Irina! My friends call me Anna. I’m 18 years old. What about you?

“…We’re the same age.”

He was the same age in terms of American age.

“난 Choi Jong-hyuk. And this is my mom.”

Jong-hyuk introduced Go Jung-sook one by one.

“Oh, nice to meet you. It’s Kozel.”

“Ha, Korean? Can you speak Korean?”

Jong-hyuk was surprised, too.

“It’s English department professer.”

Soyoung’s father’s eyes shone.

“Professor of English department? Which university are you in?””

“Korea University of Foreign Studies?”

“Oh! Daehan University of Foreign Studies! Nice to meet you. Professor of Korean Language and Literature at Hankuk University.….”

After talking to each other like that, I ended up joining the group, and Irina immediately dug into Jong-hyuk’s side.

“You’re so strong! I thought I hit a rock! Exercise? ”

“Oh, I work out. I’m inducing him. He’s a player.”

“Really?! I’ve never seen a judo player before!”

Jong-hyuk responded to her because he was sorry, but in that bright atmosphere, So-young and Hyun-hee asked for her sleeves.

That’s why I unpacked that little room!

“No, it’s you! That’s a fire!

So-young and Hyun-hee’s mother laughed awkwardly.

Having finished their coffee like that, they moved to have lunch.

The Sharks were also with them.

“By the way, Hyuk. You’re popular. My eyes hurt.”

“Hm?”

Standing next to Jong-hyuk, Irina glared at Hyun-hee with her left hand clasped, and So-young with her back.

“Ha ha.”

A vague situation to say.

It was time to look around to change the subject.

“What do you want for lunch?”

“I really don’t know why you’ve been listening to me since yesterday….pork cutlet?

Whoosh!

What about this voice?’

Jong-hyuk quickly looked back.

“Hyuk?”

“My brother.”

“Wait a minute.”

Jong-hyuk, who shook off Hyun-hee’s hand, hurriedly chased after him.

Where are you? Where are you, you bastard?’

It’s a voice I’ll never forget.

Even before I go to bed, I think about it dozens of times.

a likely clue to chase the organization

What I remember is a voice in my 40s, but if it’s young, it’s just the voice I heard.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

“What the hell!”

“I’m sorry!”

A family, including teenagers and young people in their 20s.

As if possessed by a ghost, Jong-hyuk checked the outside of the building and the restaurant. And then…

What’s wrong with you, Jong-hyuk?”

“Hey!”

The faces of So-young and Hyun-hee, who hugged Jong-hyuk with a scared face, mother, Su-ho, and other family members are also full of worries.

‘…for God’s sake. Did I hear you wrong?’

I’ve checked all the restaurant restrooms, but they don’re not there.

Jong-hyuk, who swept his face down, laughed hard.

Everyone in the restaurant was staring.



“Sorry. I thought you knew him, but you didn’t. You’re surprised, aren’t you?”

“Oh, don’t do that again! Do you know how scary it was?””

I was so scared of Jong-hyuk’s crooked face and wide-eyed eyes, which were always confident and reliable.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry.”

Holding Hyunhee in his arms, Jong-hyuk bowed to the adults.

“I’m sorry, I thought I’d seen someone in a bad way…….”

“Was it an illusion?”

Jong-hyuk nodded at his mother, Jeong Sook.

“Sorry, Mom. Are you surprised?”

“…Never mind. Let’s just eat.”

“Do you have anything far to go?” Let’s just eat here. We have Professor Shark here, so Western style!”

“Shall we? Here!”

After setting the tone, they soon began to talk again.

After laughing and chatting until the last day of their schedule, they left the ski resort feeling sad.

Roar!

I hope you’ve heard it wrong.

“Oh, it’s you. Don’t ever do that again.”

Jong-hyuk stroked Hyun-hee’s cheek and clenched his teeth.

* * *

I’m sorry, son. I’m terribly sorry.

I have no choice but to make this choice.….

Even without my mom and dad…….

Letters stained with tears and excuses are crumpled in soil and snow, sometimes in a cluttered hand. A letter on the table two days ago.

“Somehow I came to this place under the damn circumstances…….”

Now I had no choice but to admit it.

I’m left alone in this world.

A father who was always drunk, yelling and using violence. Whenever that happens, there is no mother in the world who used to cover her ears.

“If you’re going to die, why don’t you…….”

The two, who were always cowardly, were cowardly to the end.

“How do we live now?”

The dry mouth of the boy who has not eaten anything for two days already spits hot steam.

Crispy! Crunch!

The startled boy raised his body.

I thought you wouldn’t find me if I hid here.

I felt like I had to leave this ski resort now.

The boy, wearing a hat, pretended not to know and walked toward the direction of the sound. The other side had a high wall, nowhere to escape.

“Uh. Rep. Kim’s side has nothing to worry about anymore…”….”

Surprised!

“Oh, my God.”

A middle-aged man in his 40s, who was calling with a cigarette in his mouth, tilted his head to his side at a passing boy. I saw a ski suit dirty with dirt.

“No, I’m just surprised for a second. Anyway, stay hidden until the old man calls you back. Let’s make a family so that we don’t get suspicious. Oh, you and your babies should be careful. Uh, yeah, I’m hanging up.”

The middle-aged man who hung up the phone urgently called the boy.

“Hey, boy. Wait!”

“What?”

Eyes that are open like crazy. The middle-aged man twisted his lips looking at the eyes full of hunger, despair, resignation and anger.

“Oh, I like your eyes.”

“……Whoa. Mister. I’m scared of teenagers these days…….”

“That’s enough. Run away?”

“…….”

“No. Oh, so it’s abandoned?”

Smack!

The boy, clenched in his fist, jumped straight at him.

“Ouch!”

Crash!

The middle-aged man knocked the boy down and crushed his back.

“Let go, you son of a bitch!”

“Oh, look at him flapping like a beast. I like it.”

“Dead, damn it! Die!”

“Hey, if you’re abandoned, do you want to go with this guy? I’ll give you food.”

Flinch!

The middle-aged man grinned at the boy’s response raised his body.

Then he walked outward without further ado.

The boy, who raised his head, looked at the sharp back and pulled himself up to chase after him.

At the end of January, fierce snow began to flutter.

Like trying to cover their tracks.

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