For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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“How was Hyun?”
Eric from Northern Europe stroked his chin with his thick hand. His strong square jaw twitched noticeably.
“He was really good at cooking.”
Eric closed his eyes as if reminiscing about the past. Why does his gesture of brushing his dry lips seem to evoke such a savory memory?
“Would you believe that the food made by that little one’s small hands was the best I’ve eaten at Chapelle? Hyun would definitely win if he entered a cooking competition. Ah, just thinking about it makes my mouth water.”
Eric swallowed and continued.
“I’ll never forget how Hyun helped correct my posture. In my hometown, we have a saying that revenge should be paid back twofold, but kindness should be rewarded tenfold. Hyun was the best among all the kids I’ve met. PD, may I leave one message for Hyun?”
The camera nodded up and down.
“I lost the braised chicken recipe. Please write it down for me again.”
Soon after, William sat in the empty interview seat.
“In one word, Hyun is my rival.”
Rival?
“Although I didn’t win an award in this competition, I’m not disappointed. Hyun is definitely a violinist worthy of the grand prize. Since the Royal Academy of Music, I had always thought I was the best. Hyun was the one who completely shook up my musical values. Someday, I will definitely surpass Hyun.”
William’s face was full of confidence, just like when he first visited Brussels. After the interview, before getting up, William glanced at the PD. His hesitant demeanor was completely different from his confident appearance just moments ago.
“PD, will that scene be edited out?”
What scene?
“Ahem, you know, that one.”
The camera firmly shook its head.
Finally.
“Hyun was really amazing.”
Anna’s eyes were full of admiration. Her passionate appearance was like a burning sun, as if unwilling to hide anything.
“While at Chapelle, the participants were both companions exploring melodies and competitors who had to compete against each other. So at first, I couldn’t approach with such pure intentions either. But he was different. I was unexpectedly moved when I saw him consoling William. Although Hyun was the youngest among us, he had the deepest heart. He felt like an older brother despite being younger than me. Moreover, his performance.”
Anna’s dainty hands clenched with excitement. Just thinking about Hyun’s melody seemed to send shivers throughout her body.
“The kiss? Why did I kiss him, you ask?”
Anna’s cheeks were flushed. Perhaps it stood out more because of her particularly fair skin. Yes, let’s skip this question.
“We all received help from Hyun at Chapelle. He solved musical problems that no one else could solve, as if he had known them all along.”
Anna’s platinum blonde hair swayed dramatically, showing her rich emotional changes.
“There’s a legend that there’s a god of music at Chapelle, right?”
Anna’s gaze fixed directly on the camera. “We might have already met them.”
*
After showering, with a towel around my neck, the savory smell of soybean paste soup reaches my nose. It seems Mother and the housekeeper are working together on cooking since morning. These days, I’m truly realizing that home-cooked meals are the best. As I head downstairs, Grandfather greets me with a peculiar smile.
“Hyun, yesterday’s documentary was very interesting.”
“Documentary?”
What could he mean?
Last night, Wei Ping clung to me so tightly that I collapsed right after arriving at the mansion. The young one’s activity level was so intense that I was nearly exhausted. If I had to form guanxi twice, I don’t think my stamina would last. But what’s this about a documentary?
“They broadcast the Queen Elisabeth documentary on public TV yesterday.”
“What?”
Could they be talking about those filming sessions from back then!
Before I could even process this thought, grandfather rose from his seat with a smile.
“You were sleeping so soundly that your mother didn’t wake you. This old man was just so happy to see you come out, ho ho.”
The main topic at breakfast was none other than the documentary that had apparently aired yesterday.
“Son, I didn’t know you could cook so well! Where did you learn to make braised chicken?”
“Haha. I learned here and there while watching TV.”
“Hyun, the way you hugged that friend William was so mature. Dad was really moved.”
Suddenly, I felt my face burning up. I hadn’t even expected it to air in Korea – when did they contract the rights? Moreover, listening to my parents and grandfather talk, every scene seemed like its own drama.
As cold sweat ran down my back.
“By the way, son. What’s your relationship with that girl Anna?”
Mother asked with sparkling eyes like a young girl. Along with her, grandfather and father were also looking at me with curious expressions. Ah, just how did that documentary turn out to make everyone act like this?
* * *
“Hyung―!”
Wei Ping clung tightly to my side. The sight briefly resembled that of very close siblings. Deng Zheng watched the scene with great satisfaction. It was natural for father and me to come see them off at Gimpo Airport. Guanxi isn’t formed in an instant. Trust must be built to become true friends.
“I saw hyung on TV yesterday!”
So you saw it too.
No wonder there had been many people glancing at my face since earlier. Some travelers had even questioned me in groups – only after repeatedly denying it could I send them away. I almost got into big trouble. Fortunately, I didn’t have a smartphone, otherwise, hundreds of photos would have been taken by now. I should think of another way to naturally deflect this next time.
“I’m just grateful that Mr. Kang and Hyun came to see us off personally.”
“But I want to stay with hyung longer…”
“Wei Ping.”
At Deng Zheng’s firm voice, Wei Ping reluctantly lowered his head. His chubby cheeks wobbled as his lips protruded in a pout, looking so cute that I almost pinched his cheeks without thinking. They say even negative feelings become attachment – I must have grown fond of him somehow. When I feel slightly sad despite having found him just annoying before.
“Chairman Deng, please accept this small token. I hope your memories in Korea were meaningful. These are two bottles of ginseng wine that I personally brewed.”
Father handed over a carefully wrapped box.
There was no need for expensive gifts. Rather, if something was just costly, the recipient might misinterpret its meaning, feeling burdened. Moreover, there was even a Chinese saying warning against those who give expensive gifts. But a handmade gift was different.
I believe that gifts are about exchanging sincerity. Moreover, there was a reason for preparing two bottles. In China, even numbers are considered lucky while odd numbers are considered unlucky. Having to be mindful of even such small details made them quite challenging guests.
“Mr. Kang, thank you for giving us such a precious gift.”
When Deng Zheng accepted the gift with a bright smile, father’s expression also brightened. He had been worried the gift might not be to their liking.
“I will invite Mr. Kang and Hyun to China soon. Please do come by for a meal and conversation.”
“Of course, we must go when Chairman Deng invites us. It would be our honor.”
While interpreting, I struggled to swallow my surprise. Father probably thought it was just a courtesy, but in China, inviting someone to one’s home carries quite significant meaning.
“Hyung, you must come!”
Yes, you rascal!
I waved my hand vigorously at Wei Ping as he disappeared into the distance. Father still seemed dazed. Since it was his first time entertaining a buyer, he probably couldn’t judge whether he did well or not.
“Hyun, was Dad okay?”
I silently gave him a thumbs up.
Father, from what I saw, you were great, don’t worry!
That’s when it happened.
“Excuse me.”
Two flight attendants wearing trench coats were walking towards me.
“You’re the boy from yesterday’s documentary, right?”
Oh my, I guess my face has really become well-known.
*
Wei Ping in the morning.
“Oppa―!”
And Son Yu-ha greeting me barefoot in the evening. She’s making such a fuss as if we haven’t met in ten years. However, her politely bowing to grandfather had become a familiar sight. Chairman Wang approached after putting down his pruning shears. That old man’s stamina is amazing no matter when I see him.
“Hyun, I watched the TV yesterday. Maybe it’s because you’re handsome, but you looked great on screen. Unlike Chairman Yu.”
“Chairman Son, what are you saying? Hyun clearly takes after me.”
Like true old friends, it was nice to see them bickering as soon as they met. By the way, it seems everyone except me has seen the broadcast.
Moreover,
“Oppa, oppa. That violin playing part was so cool! And I recorded it on video. I did well, right?”
In Pyeongchang-dong, I even had a self-proclaimed number one fan.
Clack.
Chairman Wang put down his teacup with a sound. His wrinkled eyes clearly showed surprise.
“Chairman Yu, so you’ve completely decided to expand your business? Even thinking about investing in real estate.”
“Well, isn’t now the opportunity?”
There’s a saying that real estate is a battle of debt. The 90s were a time when economic growth rates were skyrocketing to the point of being called unrealistic. Normally, when interest rates are high, debt should be low, but the 90s had so much capital in the market that even this rule was broken. Of course, it was all blind money. So what was the result? Everyone jumped into real estate as prices soared daily.
Of course, the whole country would soon suffer from the approaching storm, but it wasn’t a bad investment in the long term. Moreover, wasn’t the government actively preventing real estate speculation by companies using state guarantees? It was a time when precious land was wandering without owners. In the future, there would be many plots that couldn’t be bought even with money, so it wasn’t bad to accumulate them now if you had sufficient funds.
Well, they’re people who know what they’re doing.
Chairman Wang’s information network was already unmatched domestically.
“I was thinking of buying some stocks under Hyun’s name too.”
“Stocks?”
“Yes, I’m quite unfamiliar with this area. What do you think I should do?”
Chairman Wang appeared to be contemplating. Grandfather probably knew his intentions. If he transferred company shares to mother, it would obviously cause problems in terms of management rights. He was planning to gift shares from other companies instead. Then Chairman Wang’s eyes met mine.
“Hyun, is there any company you want?” Though the question seemed casual, I couldn’t help but gulp.