For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

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“Is it true, Son-ga?” Chairman Wang asked, putting down the pruning shears and nodding briefly.

“Yonseok and the others were filming a full-blown movie at the airport. Who would have thought they would hug each other like that? I thought he was the typical slow-witted Gyeongsang-do man when it came to love, but it turns out he’s quite sharp. The timing was so perfect, even Choi Soo-jong would cry and leave.”

“Hyun takes after me; he’s full of affection. Son-ga, it’s hot today, so let’s stop pruning and go sit over there for a bit.”

“I was just about to suggest that, old man.”

As Chairman Wang and Chairman Yu sat in the pavilion, the housekeeper brought out cool sujeonggwa (persimmon punch) and glutinous rice cakes. Even sitting still felt hot these days, and these were Chairman Wang’s favorite snacks. The sun was blazing down from a cloudless sky, signaling the full arrival of summer. Chairman Wang sipped the sujeonggwa and glanced at Chairman Yu.

“When are you planning to hold the ceremony?”

“What ceremony?”

“The engagement ceremony, of course.”

Chairman Yu almost spat out the sujeonggwa, barely managing to hold it back. He nearly sprayed it right onto Chairman Wang’s face.

“Son-ga, didn’t I tell you before? What matters most is the feelings of the two involved. The era where old folks like us meddle in marriages should be over.”

“Didn’t the airport scene prove it? I might even get to see my grandson-in-law in this lifetime.”

“They’re young kids. Their emotions change dozens of times a day. Who can guarantee that their feelings will last for decades?”

It wasn’t a wrong statement, so Chairman Wang regretfully took a big bite of the glutinous rice cake. When he was young, he wouldn’t even look at such things, but as he aged, he strangely found himself drawn to sweet foods. Human greed was the same. Instead of diminishing, it only grew with time. Whenever he saw talent, he wanted to make them his own. Especially that boy—he wasn’t just talented; he was a genius among geniuses.

“Old man, you know Hyun comes to play Go with me every weekend, right?”

“Yes, so has his skill improved?”

“Improved? Some days, sitting across from Hyun and talking while playing Go, I feel like I’m talking to Choi Sang-chul.”

“Choi Sang-chul of Jinmyeong Group?”

Chairman Wang nodded briefly. Both of them knew Choi Sang-chul. He was once a founding figure in South Korea’s economic history. Though he had passed away, his management skills were so exceptional that he once surpassed the Jayil Group.

“Other days, it feels like I’m talking to Kim Seong-jong of Myeongseong Group.”

Another late founder.

“On another day, it felt like I was sitting across from Lee Myeong-geun of Gaeseong. Clearly, the person in front of me was just a small child, but every word he spoke carried deep meaning. The depth of his thoughts was on par with any seasoned businessman. How could I not be impressed and want to learn from him?”

Two years was a short time, yet it could also feel long. During that time, Chairman Wang had tried to gauge Kang Hyun’s temperament and the depth of his thoughts. But the result exceeded his expectations. After much contemplation, he concluded that the boy was too vast to fully comprehend. He was exceptional, but like Chairman Wang himself, Kang Hyun was an enigma.

“Old man, one thing is clear.”

At that moment,

“That boy probably already anticipates the storms that are coming.”

An unnamed bird soaring across the sky seemed to respond as it made a wide turn.

*

“Hyung, when are you finally going to leave?”

It had already been several days. Baek Jeong-hoon had been showing up at the studio every day without fail, as if punching a time card. If it weren’t for the recent graduation ceremony, he might have even followed me to school. Unable to hold back, I finally spoke up, and Baek Jeong-hoon responded with his usual sly expression.

“Hyun-ah, if you had to perform Beethoven’s violin sonata and Beethoven himself was right in front of you, what would you do? Hearing the composer’s interpretation of the score is a tremendous opportunity. It’s his creation, after all. It’s the same for me. The composer of this incredible score is right in front of me. Practicing elsewhere would be absurd, don’t you think?”

What on earth had he gone through during his two years abroad? The refined gentleman I saw at the Hyunseong Group wedding was nowhere to be seen now. He was shameless, but somehow, I didn’t dislike it. His eyes, as he looked at the score, were as serious as a general heading to battle. Moreover,

“Hyun-ah, can I try playing it once?”

I could listen to the Maestro of Iron and Blood perform right in front of me. How hard had I worked to get tickets to see Baek Jeong-hoon conduct in my past life? It felt like all that effort was being rewarded now. Especially since it was my own composition being played, the experience was even more profound.

“I always feel this way, but your studio is truly the best.”

The practice piano in the studio was no ordinary instrument. It was a high-end model, far beyond what one would expect for mere practice. While a synthesizer or electric piano could have sufficed, Director Im Hye-ra wasn’t one to cut corners. It seemed she had chosen an impressive agency after all.

The score consisted of three movements.

In D major, 2/2 time, it opened with a lyrical tone, each note played with care. Adagio sostenuto. The dreamlike atmosphere was so vivid it felt like walking through a misty field. After the tension-building second movement, the sonata-form third movement surged with intensity, reminiscent of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. But the finale was distinctly different. The final melody, as if letting go of everything, lingered in the ears. The piece had truly found its rightful owner.

“Hyun-ah, does this piece have a name?”

Baek Jeong-hoon seemed reluctant to simply call it “No. 6.” I hadn’t thought of a title while composing it.

“You can call it whatever you like, Hyung.”

After all, it was a piece I had composed with Baek Jeong-hoon in mind.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, Director Im Hye-ra entered after knocking. A glance at the clock explained her visit. Lately, it seemed her hobby was having lunch with me.

“Hyun-ah, we’ve received an inquiry from Japan.”

“Japan?”

“Yes, they’re asking if we’d consider releasing a classical album. Japan has the largest classical music market in Asia, after all. At this rate, Mi-hyeon might become trilingual.”

As Director Im Hye-ra spoke, Baek Jeong-hoon remained deep in thought. Having shared several meals with him, I knew how intense his focus could be. It was around the time tea was being served after the meal.

“Ah, I’ve got it.”

At Baek Jeong-hoon’s words, Director Im Hye-ra and I turned to him. Perhaps he had eaten something wrong, as a faint smile gradually spread across his face.

“Iron Blood!”

Huh?

“The solemn, fierce score, with its intense finale, evokes the atmosphere of a battlefield. Iron Blood—yes, that word suits your composition perfectly, Hyun-ah.”

As the words flew out of his mouth, Director Im Hye-ra looked puzzled, while I felt a cold sweat run down my back. It seemed like Baek Jeong-hoon’s nickname was being born right then and there.

* * *

Cicadas buzzed loudly from the morning, filling the Icheon mansion with their cries. The air was filled with the savory aroma of food. Though I had lived a life far removed from cooking in my past life, I could now make zucchini pancakes with my eyes closed. Even the housekeeper gave me a thumbs up. Well, making zucchini pancakes for my grandmother had been my main task for the past two years.

“My grandson makes such delicious zucchini pancakes that I’m starting to worry. What if he likes Hyun’s cooking more than mine?”

Grandfather smiled and patted my head. Dressed in a well-worn suit, he bore the marks of time. Soon, my mother and father finished their preparations. We got into the car driven by Mr. Kim and drove for a long time. When we arrived, an elderly man guarding the family graves greeted us with a bright smile. The experience was deeply moving. The gravesite, which Grandfather had visited alone on their wedding anniversary, was now being visited by the four of us together.

“Darling, we’re here.”

Grandfather gently touched the tombstone. The gravesite was well-maintained. Yellow daylilies and sunflowers, blooming under the summer sun, welcomed us. Grandfather placed the zucchini pancakes in front of Grandmother’s grave, along with the white milk she had loved instead of makgeolli. As we breathed in the mountain air,

“Mr. Kang, the world is about to change greatly.”

Grandfather addressed my father, who had been preoccupied with the commercialization of the Griffin. Though my father was not well-versed in the ways of the world, he listened intently to Grandfather’s words. “A major event may happen soon. Don’t try to escape the coming storm. Fleeing recklessly might only burn down your house. No matter how harsh the storm, if you strengthen your foundation, you can endure it.”

Grandfather, like Chairman Wang, clearly foresaw the coming storm. While I only knew the flow of history, Grandfather and Chairman Wang were at the very center of it. The intensity of their foresight was undoubtedly different.

“Yes, Father-in-law.”

“I admire your steadfast nature. In times like these, only the strong-hearted survive. In business, one sharp mind is enough.”

At that moment, Grandfather glanced at me. I pretended not to notice, sipping my chocolate milk while gazing into the distance. Had my tastes changed with my smaller body? In my past life, I wouldn’t have touched chocolate milk, but now I was sipping it happily. Though I would have preferred a glass of makgeolli in this serene mountain setting.

“Well, shall I try some of Hyun’s zucchini pancakes before Darling finishes them all?”

I had made plenty, knowing this would happen. We enjoyed the zucchini pancakes together as a family on Grandfather’s wedding anniversary. Grandmother in heaven must have been watching this heartwarming scene. But why had Grandfather warned Father about the coming storm today?

The reason became clear not long after.

Boom—!

Just as the sun had been blazing, thunder and lightning erupted, followed by a downpour. The long rainy season had begun. I had planned to go to the studio early in the morning, but it seemed I would have to delay. As I dried my hair with a towel and went downstairs to the living room,

“Oh? Uncle, hello.”

Not only were my uncle and aunt there, but my other aunt and uncle as well. I was stunned. They had rushed over early in the morning after receiving a call from Grandfather. They too seemed uneasy, unsure of the reason for the sudden summons.

“Ma’am, is there some important family matter today?”

Wondering if there was some family event I wasn’t aware of, I asked the housekeeper, who had worked at the mansion for a long time. But even she seemed clueless. As everyone’s confusion grew, Grandfather emerged from his study.

No one spoke during breakfast. At that moment, we were all of the same mind. It wasn’t until the meal was nearly over that Grandfather set down his spoon.

“One week left.”

What did he mean?

“In one week, South Korea will become very noisy.”

Everyone looked puzzled, but I was not. It was too strange. In my past life, the precursor to the storm had begun in January of the following year. Grandfather clearly foresaw the coming storm. But why one week? Was there something I didn’t know? There were still over four months left until next year. The beginning was undoubtedly centered around Daehan Steel, part of the Daehan Group.

Then it hit me.

“One week from now.”

At that moment, I realized.

“It will start with Daehan Steel.”

The flow of history I knew had changed.