Chapter 16 – My Grandfather, Kim Yun-seok (1)

Professor Jo Dong-ki’s office.

Jo Dong-ki, who had been dealt a blow by Ji-hyuk, was not the kind of selfish and greedy person to sit still and take it.

Jo Dong-ki summoned Kim Yun-seok, who was Kim Ji-hyuk’s closest friend, to his office.

“Have a cup of tea! I have some oolong tea that tastes quite good.”

Jo Dong-ki started the conversation by offering tea, just as he had done with Kim Ji-hyuk.

Although it was a situation where all citizens, not to mention soldiers, were leading difficult lives as a tedious battle raged along the front lines, Professor Jo Dong-ki looked at ease.

‘If you have the spare money to buy and drink something like this, you should support an orphanage with at least some barley.’

Kim Yun-seok looked uncomfortable seeing Professor Jo Dong-ki like that.

“Thank you, but I am fine.”

Kim Yun-seok declined politely.

“There is no need to be awkward. When an elder gives you something, you receive it and say thank you.”

“No, really.”

“Tsk, are you going to prevent a professor from treating his student to a cup of tea?”

“Well, yes. If you give me some, I will drink it.”

He was reluctant, but it was difficult to decline any further.

“Indeed, you should. Wait just a moment. I will bring it out.”

A moment later,

Professor Jo Dong-ki brought out the oolong tea.

“Savor the aroma once before you drink it.”

“It is good.”

Kim Yun-seok raised the teacup and pretended to savor the aroma.

“Right? It is called Baihao Oolong tea… also known as Oriental Beauty tea.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki moved his head side to side, slowly savouring the aroma.

‘What on earth is he going to say that he’s dragging this out like this?’

“Oriental Beauty tea? That is an unusual name.”

“Yes. It is a name given after Queen Victoria of England drank this tea and described it as a tea that brings to mind a beautiful woman of the Orient.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki brought the teacup even closer to his nose.

“That is an interesting story. Now that you mention it, I think a unique floral scent comes from the tea. Like a woman’s perfume.”

Kim Yun-seok also raised the teacup and savored the aroma.

“That is all because of an insect called the green leafhopper.”

“The green leafhopper?”

Kim Yun-seok asked, finding it curious.

“Shall I explain it to you? If you are curious.”

‘You’re going to do it even if I don’t want to, aren’t you?’

“Yes..”

“Alright. Since you seem curious, I will explain. The insect called the green leafhopper is called the green leaf cicada bug in our country, and its entire body has a light green color.”

“Yes.”

“This green leafhopper lives by sucking the sap from the young leaves and stems of the oolong tea tree.”

“From the oolong tea’s perspective, it must be an enemy.”

“Shouldn’t the tea tree attacked by the green leafhopper also defend itself? Because it cannot just let itself be targeted like that.”

“Yes.”

Kim Yun-seok replied with an indifferent expression.

“So the tea tree counterattacks. It begins to release a substance that attracts the green leafhopper’s natural predator.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Nature is truly profound, isn’t it? Just like that, the green leafhopper attacks the tea tree, and the tea tree summons the green leafhopper’s natural predator to defend itself. In that process, this profound and mysterious aroma unique to this oolong tea is created.”

Perhaps wanting to show off his knowledge, Professor Jo Dong-ki continued to boast.

“It is fascinating.”

Yun-seok chimed in, half-heartedly.

“Actually, although we talk about it so easily, from the tea tree’s perspective, it is a desperate situation where its life is at stake, and the green leafhopper facing its natural enemy must also be desperate. It resembles our lives a lot. Just as civilization advances after waging a fierce war.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki took a sip of the oolong tea.

‘He seems to have something to say…’

Watching Professor Jo Dong-ki like that, Kim Yun-seok tilted his head.

Professor Jo Dong-ki threw a significant word to Kim Yun-seok.

“In the world, there are people who are like oolong tea trees, and there are people who are like green leafhoppers.”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t human life about various kinds of people living together?”

‘What on earth do you want to say that you bring up human life?’

“………”

“The green leafhopper is fatal from the oolong tea tree’s perspective. It can be called an enemy. Even so, can we blame them? Because the green leafhopper must also gnaw on the tea tree to survive. You can’t criticize a hungry lion living on the savanna for eating an antelope, can you? It is all to survive.”

“………”

“Furthermore, because this precious Oriental Beauty tea can be born thanks to the green leafhopper. So it is no one’s fault. All of this is simply the providence of nature!”

Fufu, Professor Jo Dong-ki slowly set down his cup.

‘I must ask directly!’

“With respect, Professor, I am foolish and cannot comprehend the meaning of your words. If you have any instructions or questions, please speak freely.”

“Hahaha, foolish? Where is there someone as intelligent as you?”

“Please speak comfortably.”

“I am embarrassed because you keep acting like this. Well, since you seem to have noticed, I will speak.”

*Ahem,* Professor Jo Dong-ki cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Yes.”

“You and Ji-hyuk are classmates from medical school, right?”

“That is correct. But why Ji-hyuk?”

“Well, Ji-hyuk appears to be the most skilled trainee among the residents I have ever seen.”

‘Why on earth Ji-hyuk?’

“That is correct. Though he is a friend, I respect him as a doctor.”

“Hmm, indeed. However, it is best to be careful of that friend.”

“Pardon?”

“Listen without misunderstanding. In my view, if Ji-hyuk is the oolong tea tree, you are like the green leafhopper.”

‘If Ji-hyuk is the oolong tea tree and I am the green leafhopper, that means Ji-hyuk is the antelope and I am the lion, is he trying to drive a wedge between Ji-hyuk and me now? Do you think that is possible?’

“It does not matter.”

“Hahaha, did I bring up unnecessary words?”

“No. It is fine.”

“Ji-hyuk will try to make you his scapegoat in reverse to become the Oriental Beauty. It is best to be careful.”

‘Professor Jo Dong-ki, who dislikes Ji-hyuk! Since Ji-hyuk is so outstanding, he must want to keep him in check! Isn’t that why he is playing this kind of trick? But do you think such a thing is possible? Did you think our friendship, Ji-hyuk’s and mine, is only worth this much?’

Professor Jo Dong-ki’s words were unpleasant to hear, but he could not express it outwardly.

“It is a difficult time. A capable doctor like Ji-hyuk is desperately needed. If Ji-hyuk can soar high, I think it is not bad for me to become the foundation!”

“Is there still purity left in you? You must stay sharp. Why do you not know that this field is not so easy? I hope you judge coolly who can help you.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki let a cold smile slip onto his lips.

“Yes. If you have nothing more to say, I will leave!”

Unable to listen to the slander of his friend any longer, Kim Yun-seok stood up abruptly.

“Wait a moment, I will become your sponsor. I mean I will help you both materially and spiritually so that your life can bloom.”

Finally, Professor Jo Dong-ki cast the bait.

“………”

Kim Yun-seok stopped his steps at Professor Jo Dong-ki’s words.

“The war will end soon. The country will be split in half, and our country, which has been devastated to the extreme, will begin reconstruction work in earnest. If so, health projects will be important.”

“………”

“The US military and the medical staff sent from the UN like Sweden here now will provide aid in various ways. When that happens, opportunities to go study in Europe, Japan, or America will open up. I can provide you with that opportunity.”

‘It is quite an attractive offer. To the point where it’s hard to turn down.’

“And so?”

“In my opinion, Ji-hyuk is a dangerous person. So, please help me in the future.”

“With what, do you mean?”

“There is nothing difficult. You just need to report Ji-hyuk’s every single move to me.”

‘Is he telling me to become his informant? In exchange for promising me success?’

“Understood.”

“Is that true?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki had a surprised expression.

“Before that, will you keep what you promised me? Studying in America has been my lifelong dream.”

“Of course. I intend to spend my whole life working with you, Yun-seok.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki was half-believing and half-doubting.

“Understood. There is nothing hard about that. Since I cannot live my whole life being an antelope. However, please leave all of this in a document. One with your handwritten signature, Professor.”

“Hahaha, you should. Indeed, transactions should be done this way. I withdraw what I said just now about you being naive.”

“Thank you.”

A moment later.

“Will this be enough?”

*Scritch, scratch—*

Professor Jo Dong-ki took a fountain pen and wrote down the memorandum as Kim Yun-seok wanted.

“Yes. It seems sufficient.”

“Yes. Life is solitary. You should not trust anyone other than yourself.”

“You are also a stranger, Professor.”

“Yes. I am also a stranger. You should not trust me. However, this document will stand in place of that.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki let a sinister smile slip onto his lips.

“Yes.”

“Ah, there was one more thing I had to tell you, but I forgot. This evening, there is a sixtieth birthday feast for Elder Yun Tae-seok, so go there. I will mention it in advance.”

‘If it is Yun Tae-seok? An influential local figure?’

“Pardon?”

“Probably, if you go there, you will be able to meet a very precious person. One who will become your life’s lifeline.”

“Well, who is that person?”

“You’ll know when you get there. Anyway, make sure to go as soon as you finish work today.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Now, you and I are on the same side. Working together for a lifetime!”

“………”

With that, Kim Yun-seok stepped out of his room holding the document written by Professor Jo Dong-ki.

* * *

Residents’ quarters.

“Ji-hyuk!”

Kim Yun-seok waved to Kim Ji-hyuk, who was entering the quarters after finishing his treatment.

“Yeah! Ah, it’s exhausting. I am on my way back from disinfecting Second Lieutenant Kim’s amputation site because it got inflamed.”

“Right. You worked hard.”

“By the way, where are you planning to go?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked Kim Yun-seok, who was changing into civilian clothes.

“Uh? It’s nothing. Just, there is a place I need to drop by for a moment.”

“Are you by any chance?”

Kim Ji-hyuk squinted at Kim Yun-seok.

“By any chance, what?”

“Seeing you dress up so sharply? Are you going to meet a woman?”

“What woman? No. It’s just that I have a quick errand to run.”

“But why is your face turning red? This is suspicious.”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk scanned Kim Yun-seok’s body.

“I told you it’s nothing!”

“Okay, okay! Why are you getting so excited?”

“Sorry… Anyway, I will be back.”

Kim Yun-seok quickly finished dressing up.

“Okay. Have a safe trip then.”

“Yeah!”

“Come back quickly! Don’t be too late so you don’t get scolded by Professor Jo Dong-ki for no reason!”

“Understood.”

“Ji-hyuk!”

Just as he was about to step out the quarters door, Kim Yun-seok turned around.

“Yeah?”

Kim Ji-hyuk turned to look back.

“By any chance, do you like oolong tea?”

“Oolong tea? Well? I don’t think I’ve ever really drunk it. Why do you ask?”

“No. It’s nothing. Let’s drink it together sometime later.”

“Did someone give it to you as a gift?”

“A gift in the midst of this chaos? I just said it. I’m leaving!”

“How silly! Sure. Go ahead.”

‘Ji-hyuk, you will definitely become the Oriental Beauty!’

With that, Kim Yun-seok glanced at Kim Ji-hyuk and hurried outside.

Subsequent to that, Yun Tae-seok’s mansion.

Kim Yun-seok found Yun Tae-seok’s mansion with the sketch map Professor Jo Dong-ki had drawn for him.

‘Wow, it is magnificent!’

Standing before the grand mansion that exuded an overwhelming atmosphere, Kim Yun-seok’s eyes widened.