For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

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Spi-o spi-o mem-mem—!

After the rainy season, the cicadas sang loudly, basking in the warm sunlight. Chairman Wang, who had been tending to the gardener, couldn’t stop smiling. He seemed as happy as when he had watched his son’s antics in his youth. If anything, he might have been even happier. In his mind, the image of a certain boy’s eyes kept resurfacing. Looking into those deep, unfathomable eyes made his heart feel young again. He had known the boy was talented, but this was beyond expectations.

“Old man, are you planning to become a gardener in your old age?”

Just then, Chairman Yoo arrived to see Chairman Wang. Seeing Chairman Wang’s expression as he put down the pruning shears, Chairman Yoo looked puzzled. It was as if the sun had risen from the west. Chairman Wang wasn’t the type to show his emotions easily, so this was unusual.

“This is something I brought directly from China. I’d like to go to Gapyeong, but the times are too turbulent. It’s good for your health, so have some. Brother-in-law.”

“Brother-in-law?”

“Haha, I just felt like calling you that. Brother-in-law.”

The two old men soothed their lingering regrets with strong pu-erh tea.

“Old man, I want to make a deal with you.”

Chairman Yoo’s reason for visiting Chairman Wang was simple: to remove Dongju’s name from the impending list of those marked for downfall. Regardless of the reason, having one’s name on such a list could destroy a company. Whether it was for selling new materials or accepting bribes, the details didn’t matter. As the saying goes, “If it fits your nose, it’s a nose ring; if it fits your ear, it’s an earring.”

“Old man, blood really does tell.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“But your grandson has even more decisiveness and boldness than you. He came to me much faster than you did.”

Chairman Yoo was confused. He had been prepared to give up shares in Dongju if it meant removing the name from the list. The public outcry was growing louder every day, with petitions and student protests. Even Chairman Wang wasn’t free from risk. This was a matter that required extreme caution.

“Old man, when I first came down from the north, I sold three sacks of rice in Seoul. The profit I made then still lingers in my memory. From Jeil Sanghoe to Jeil Group, I’ve done countless deals, but I can’t forget the taste of that first success. It was my first opportunity in the ruins of Seoul, swept clean by war.”

Chairman Wang’s eyes reflected the passage of time. He was a man who had decorated a page of Korea’s economic history. It was no exaggeration to say that his wrinkled hands had built a small trading company into a nationwide group. At that moment, the last glint in his eyes pointed to a young boy.

“But you know what? The deal I made this time shook me to my core, enough to overwrite those old memories. He boldly told me there were two reasons why I should make the deal with him. I was so shocked, I broke out in a cold sweat.”

“Old man, are you talking about Hyun?”

“Of course, who else could surprise me like that? Do you know what I saw in that boy’s eyes?”

Chairman Wang recalled the time he had sold three sacks of rice. It had laid the foundation for establishing Jeil Sanghoe in the ruins of Seoul.

“It was an opportunity.”

Chairman Wang was curious about the boy’s future. Would that opportunity sprout and grow into a merchant who would dominate the era, or would it blossom into something else? It didn’t matter. That boy had the insight and courage to navigate the turbulent world. For a moment, Chairman Wang’s gaze fell on an empty teacup.

“Brother-in-law, have some more. It’s good for your health.”

If he wanted to see the wedding, he needed to start taking care of his health now.

“Hyun, are you really not going to tell me?”

Somehow, Director Im Hye-ra’s gaze was unsettling. She seemed very curious about the conversation I had with Chairman Wang. From her perspective, Chairman Wang’s sudden change in attitude must have been very puzzling. Moreover, Dongju’s name had mysteriously disappeared from the Kim Dae-sik list published in the media.

“Deals are confidential by default.”

“So you did make a ‘deal’?”

Oops, I forgot that Director Im Hye-ra, like Chairman Wang, had a hundred snakes coiled inside her. She was the woman who, with her seemingly kind smile, would later take over Jeil Foundation. No wonder Son Il-seon feared her almost as much as Chairman Wang. “Yes, I did. From now on, I’ll give her a three-stone handicap when we play Go. It was so hard to stop her from playing with a four-stone handicap. In return, she promised to give me a generous allowance. Next time Yoo-ha comes, I’ll treat her to something delicious.”

As I spoke evasively, Director Im Hye-ra gave me a peculiar look. It was a look I had seen often in my past life. Just by her gaze, I could roughly guess what she was thinking. But no matter how much she stared, I wouldn’t budge.

“Auntie, I give up. I’m curious, but I don’t think you’ll tell me more, so I’ll stop here. By the way, what do you think about Jean-Pierre’s proposal? He seems to really need you.”

It was about a movie related to Paganini. If my predictions were correct, it would be Jean-Pierre’s first hit. While “La Vie en Rose” was recognized for its artistic merit, “Paganini” would capture both artistry and commercial success. It was said to be the highest-grossing music film of the 20th century.

“I’m sorry to the director, but I think it will be difficult this time.”

“Really? They’re even offering a running guarantee this time.”

“Huh?”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. It was rare to receive a running guarantee for something that wasn’t a movie role. Even if the percentage was small, “Paganini” was a global blockbuster, so the amount would be enormous. Somehow, even though I had let go of material desires in this life, money seemed to cling to me on its own.

Knock knock.

Just then, Baek Jeong-hoon entered the studio with a knock. After reviewing the score for “Iron Blood” a few days ago, he had been acting as if I were his producer, helping with the repertoire for his recital. Was it annoying? On the contrary, I looked forward to this time. Not only could I listen to Baek Jeong-hoon’s performances, but his ability to understand everything at a glance truly made him the maestro of “Iron Blood.”

“Jeong-hoon, why are you here today?”

Director Im Hye-ra looked at Baek Jeong-hoon with curiosity. She hadn’t realized he had been clocking in at the studio for so long. Baek Jeong-hoon then gave an awkward smile.

“I came to pick up my teacher.”

“Teacher?”

At that moment, Director Im Hye-ra looked at me with a complex expression, as if wondering what my true identity was.

Gulp—!

Not only my uncle and aunt, but even my other relatives looked visibly tense. The dinner table felt like walking on thin ice. They were so careful with their spoons, as if even the slightest sound might cause a disaster. One wrong move, and it seemed like they might all collapse.

“Father, I’m sorry.”

My uncle, whose face was as pale as if he had been beaten with a club, spoke with a lisp, likely due to a split lip. It was pitiful to see, but what could be done? At least he was alive. Still, he seemed scared, flinching every time my grandfather picked up his spoon. My uncle cautiously broke the silence.

“Thank you for covering it up.”

Amid the loud outcry, the Kim Dae-sik list had been made public. Fortunately, my uncle’s name wasn’t on it. It was clear that a storm of public anger was brewing. So much so that people were calling for the extermination of three generations of those on the list, regardless of the reason.

“It wasn’t me.”

“Huh?”

My uncle flinched when he saw my grandfather’s gaze. My other uncle and aunt were the same. They seemed unable to understand. If it wasn’t my grandfather, who could have removed the name from the list?

“Beom-kyung, go to Jeju.”

My uncle’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck. Did my grandfather spare him because he was his son? If it were up to him, he’d probably want to throw him in jail right now, but there were too many eyes watching. There was no need to give anyone a reason to cause trouble. Sending him to Jeju was essentially an indefinite exile. Moreover, it was clear he wouldn’t receive a single penny.

“Ah, Father.”

Just as my uncle began to sob uncontrollably—

Thud—!

My grandfather’s spoon flew and hit him square on the forehead. Blood trickled down from the broken skin, reopening an old wound. My uncle rolled on the floor, clutching his forehead. My father and other uncle quickly restrained my grandfather, fearing things might escalate beyond a forehead injury.

It was a night filled with the light of a full moon. “Grandfather.”

I cautiously made my way to the study. As expected, my grandfather was still awake, sitting alone in the study. When he noticed me, he gestured for me to come in. He must have had a lot on his mind because of my uncle’s situation.

“Hyun, I heard you persuaded Chairman Son?”

I nodded briefly. He must have heard something from Chairman Wang. My grandfather’s face was filled with concern. After all, he had essentially used his grandson to resolve the issue. I gently held my grandfather’s hands with my small ones.

“Grandfather, don’t worry too much. I’ll protect Dongju no matter what. You just need to take care of your health.”

“Yonseok, always talking about health. Anyone would think you’re my personal doctor.”

I knew my grandfather didn’t have much time left. I wished his lifespan could be extended, just as the course of history had changed. Still, my grandfather was remarkably healthy for his age. For a moment, he looked at me with a strange gaze.

“Hyun, how far do you think this national crisis will go?”

What should I say?

“Ultimately, we won’t be able to solve it on our own.”

It was a short answer, but it carried a lot of meaning. Current Korea wasn’t in a position to declare a moratorium. Unless it was a self-sufficient superpower, debt relief would be like strangling oneself. Was this a crisis for all of East Asia? No, this crisis had erupted from within. The debt ratio of major corporations had exceeded 400%. The structure was so fragile that it could collapse at any moment. We should have seen it coming when the country, reliant on exports, started recording annual trade deficits.

In the end, history will repeat itself.

“Huh.”

My grandfather let out an admiring sigh and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. He probably hadn’t anticipated things going this far. He looked at me and spoke softly.

“Hyun, I’m curious.”

About what?

“That old man would never make a deal he thought he would lose. How on earth did you manage to close the deal? His last words keep echoing in my ears.”

What could I have said to make my grandfather look so concerned? Just then, my grandfather spoke to me firmly.

“Hyun, you still can’t become a live-in son-in-law.”

“Grandfather, I’m still in middle school.”

I laughed at my grandfather’s joke, but his expression remained stern. For some reason, the image of Chairman Wang flashed in my mind, and a cold sweat broke out on my back. The full moon shining through the window seemed to cast me as the protagonist of a comedy.