Chapter 89 – You Memorize Better When You Focus on the Sound

Returning after finishing the trial, Geum Nae-yeong was sitting at his desk, writing the written witness interrogation questions.

Knock, knock.

At that time, Cha Ra-ri slid her head in through the gap in the door.

“Attorney, it must have been hard for you to conduct trials since the morning… Would you like to eat lunch a little early?”

“I prefer to eat lunch at a precise, set time.”

Geum Nae-yeong replied shortly and began typing again. At that time, Cha Ra-ri grinned and spoke.

“It is pork bulgogi, though?”

Clack, clack, clack—stop.

At the single word pork bulgogi, Geum Nae-yeong’s hand stopped.

“It’s not necessarily because the delicious pork bulgogi restaurant is run by your parents, Attorney. Today, somehow, everyone said they wanted to eat that restaurant’s pork bulgogi. But because that place is popular, there is a waiting line at lunch. So we have to go a little early.”

While Geum Nae-yeong contemplated for a moment, Cha Ra-ri added words.

“And to tell you just one more thing… Office Manager Yeom said that since they are your family members, Attorney Geum, we should use our connections and call in advance.

Like, ‘We are going to go at lunch, so can you prepare a table for us in advance?'”

“That cannot be done. Because that restaurant does not have a reservation system.”

At Geum Nae-yeong’s firm words, Cha Ra-ri nodded.

“Of course! That’s why I told the office manager. Since the attorney is a man of principle, that would never work. For that reason, we gathered our opinions to go out and eat a little early. I did well, right? So let’s go together.”

At Cha Ra-ri’s persuasion, Geum Nae-yeong also eventually nodded.

“Very well. Since the menu is reasonable, I can accept a slight change in time.”

Like that, the Teum office family members all headed together to the pork bulgogi restaurant run by Geum Nae-yeong’s parents.

Upon arriving in front of the restaurant, Office Manager Yeom could not hold back his playfulness and spoke up.

“No… What is that sign? When did it change like that? Ahahaha! Isn’t boasting that a lawyer who graduated from Hanguk University is their son boasting too much to the whole neighborhood?

In this Seocho-dong, two out of five lawyers must be from Hanguk University! Hahaha!”

Then, Ju Yong-hae, who was next to him, silently nudged his side, and Cha Ra-ri added with a laugh.

“Isn’t it just witty? Rather, these days, signs like this become a hot topic on Instagram!”

“Office Manager Yeom is always like that, frivolously… Let’s go in quickly!”

Like that, the office staff finished their meal deliciously, paid their shares cleanly, and came out of the restaurant. Manager Kim Mi-yeong admired as she left the restaurant.

“Ah… It is so delicious no matter when I eat it here. They even give warm bean sprout soup for free, matching perfectly with the spicy pork bulgogi… It is so reassuring and good since it is warm.

By the way, I also do some cooking, but how on earth do they bring out the smoky flavor and savory flavor so well? I am so curious…?”

“Wouldn’t Attorney Geum know the secret?”

“That’s true. There must definitely be a ratio and secret to the seasoning…”

When the staff turned to look at Geum Nae-yeong all at once, he walked past them quickly with an expression that said ‘I will absolutely never tell you.’

“See. He’ll never tell us. Attorney Geum is not that kind of style. I told you he is always sharp.”

While wondering about the secret of the pork bulgogi, the office staff stopped by a coffee shop near Seocho Station. Taking out coffee and holding a cup each, they walked along the alleyway toward Law Firm Teum.

It was then.

Whoosh—!

A gust of cold wind swept through the alley.

“Ack! It’s too cold!”

While everyone shrugged their shoulders at the same time and tightened the collars of their winter jackets and coats, Manager Kim Mi-yeong, perhaps feeling her neck cold, shrank her head inside the collar of her short coat.

And she glances at the women’s long padded jacket hanging in the show window of the clothing store right next to her.

“…It is incredibly pretty, though.”

Kim Mi-yeong, who went closer and saw the number on the price tag, shook her head.

“My goodness… Just one of that is 500,000 won?”

Watching that, Office Manager Yeom spoke with a subtle smile.

“Aigoo, Manager Kim Mi-yeong, it is going to be midwinter soon, so buy some new clothes to wear.”

Kim Mi-yeong immediately retorted.

“Yes? This is still fine. It is only cold when I go out for a moment. When I enter the office, I take off my outerwear to work. The office is a new building, so it is warm.”

Then, Office Manager Yeom added another word.

“Ei… Still, I have seen that clothing since a very long time ago… When was it? Isn’t that the one you wore since the beginning of your employment?

Wow… Then isn’t it 15 years old? Manager Kim, you are completely dripping with saltiness.”

At Office Manager Yeom’s words, Kim Mi-yeong glared at him.

“Originally, outerwear is all worn for more than 10 years.”

At Manager Kim Mi-yeong’s grumbling tone, Office Manager Yeom glanced toward Ju Yong-hae and grinned.

“No, look here… Ju-hyung. Earlier, Manager Kim was looking at the padded jacket in that store… Hyung, buy Manager Kim a warm one like that. Ju-hyung, you earn money well!”

When the random arrow was shot at him, Ju Yong-hae replied with an embarrassed expression.

“…It is cold now, so don’t be stubborn and buy some clothes to wear. Should… well… I buy it for you?”

Then, Kim Mi-yeong opened her eyes wide and shrieked.

“Don’t cross the line! Really, why are you doing this? Why would an ex-husband buy my clothes! I will buy my own clothes!”

At Kim Mi-yeong’s firm words, Ju Yong-hae carefully continued speaking.

“What if you catch a cold like that and pass it to Ha-yul… Ha-yul’s lungs are weak. So it would be perfect to buy the one hanging in the store earlier. I will buy it for you.”

“Are you crazy? What is wrong with you, really! Both of you! I will take care of buying my own clothes!!”

When Kim Mi-yeong flared up, Office Manager Yeom shook his head and said a word.

“Ei, you always say you will buy them but you never do. Geez… When are you going to buy it?”

“Aigoo! …What does a bachelor know about running a household! Running a household is not that easy! You buy clothes by planning all of it! Yes? Do you think I just buy it like someone buying a BMW with cash? Huh?”

When Kim Mi-yeong glared at Ju Yong-hae again, this time Ju Yong-hae spoke out louder.

“Ei! That thing, I will give you the money, so buy it and wear it immediately. What is that much that you are so stubborn about?”

“Look at you? Who is Ju Yong-hae to tell me to do this or that!”

As the bickering between the two became increasingly heated, Assistant Manager Kim flusteredly cut in.

“Ah, why are you two doing this… Please don’t fight on the street.”

At that moment, Office Manager Yeom subtly opened his mouth.

“Well… Ra-ri, try to coax Manager Kim Mi-yeong to buy some clothes to wear. For ten years, I, Manager Kim properly wearing new clothes,”

“have never seen. The weather is also this cold, and her stubbornness is also huge…”

At the words Office Manager Yeom threw, Cha Ra-ri chuckled and made a joke.

“If it’s sales, of course it’s me. Then, if I succeed in the sales to make Manager Kim buy clothes, will some incentive fall to me?”

“Incentive? If you make her buy it, I will give you 100,000 won!”

When Office Manager Yeom reacted seriously to the words thrown as a joke, Cha Ra-ri pricked up her ears.

“Oh my, 100,000 won? I was joking, but are you really giving me 100,000 won?”

“Yes! I will also give 200,000 won, so anyone, please break that stubbornness! It’s really cold now. If our Ha-yul catches a cold, it will be a big deal.”

“No, even Office Manager Ju?”

At the desperate cries of the two men, Cha Ra-ri smiled brightly and approached Kim Mi-yeong.

“Manager, this coat… it really is old. The padded jacket hanging in the women’s clothing store you saw earlier, I think it would suit you so well? You were also looking at it carefully earlier… You see, for people, there is a time to spend money, and a time not to spend…”

But even before Cha Ra-ri could finish speaking, Kim Mi-yeong waved her hand and cut off Cha Ra-ri’s words.

“Why are you also like this. Originally, a housewife saves. I will take care of it, so stop here. End.”

And she slid the coffee she was holding right in front of Cha Ra-ri’s eyes, wrapping it up as if to block her words.

“Everyone, stop talking nonsense and go inside.”

At that moment when Manager Kim Mi-yeong, who finished speaking like that, was moving her steps toward the office, Geum Nae-yeong, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped his steps and turned back.

And he approached Manager Kim Mi-yeong and spoke quietly in her ear.

“Manager, if that 500,000 won padded jacket is on a 60% sale, would you buy it?”

“Yes…? 60%? Then… well, since it is about 200,000 won, of course I would buy it. But that brand doesn’t do sales.”

As Manager Kim Mi-yeong answered, Geum Nae-yeong immediately added words.

“I will chip in 300,000 won. Then it is equivalent to buying it at a 60% sale price. However, the condition is that you must buy it right now.”

Hearing Geum Nae-yeong’s words, Kim Mi-yeong’s eyes widened.

“Oh my… Really? What is this? Are you giving me a bonus?”

‘No, what is going on with Attorney Geum… Did he feel a bit sorry for me?’

She thought for a moment, and then her face brightened as she nodded.

“Of course! Buying that expensive thing for 200,000 won… isn’t it even cheaper than half price! I’ll probably wear that for fifteen years… then I should buy one!”

And Kim Mi-yeong grabbed Cha Ra-ri’s hand tightly and ran right into the clothing store from earlier.

A moment later.

Ding-dong.

The store door opened, and a large shopping bag was held in one of Kim Mi-yeong’s hands.

“Now, it’s done. I bought it, right? So stop talking now!”

Cha Ra-ri and Kim Mi-yeong walked toward the office laughing excitedly.

“No… At a single word from Geum-byeon, she bought a 500,000 won clothing immediately? That salty woman?”

Ju Yong-hae and Office Manager Yeom were tilting their heads, not knowing the reason. At that time, Geum Nae-yeong slid up next to them.

“Please give me the money.”

“Yes? What… what money?”

To the flustered Ju Yong-hae, Geum Nae-yeong said very calmly.

“Didn’t you say you would give money to anyone if they made the manager buy clothes?

Since I made Manager Kim Mi-yeong buy the clothes, please give it. It is 200,000 won from Office Manager Ju Yong-hae, and 100,000 won from Office Manager Yeom.”

“Eh…?”

The two made blank faces at the same time.

However, as Geum Nae-yeong extended his right hand flat and did not budge from that spot, Ju Yong-hae eventually took out his wallet from his back pocket as if possessed by something.

“He… Here is 200,000…”

When Ju Yong-hae handed over the money, Office Manager Yeom, who saw that scene, also took out his wallet in a daze.

“…Ah… This is the money I pulled out to buy a lottery ticket on Friday…”

In the end, the two handed a total of 300,000 won to Geum Nae-yeong, and Geum Nae-yeong entered the office holding that money as if it were nothing.

“What just happened… Were we done in by Attorney Geum?…”

“No, but what did he say in a whisper that made that salty woman buy the clothes immediately?”

Like that, the two also entered the office together, and soon got to know the reason.

“This is the 300,000 won I said I would chip in earlier.”

Geum Nae-yeong was handing the 300,000 won he just received from them to Manager Kim Mi-yeong.

“Wow, you are giving it right away! Thank you, Attorney Geum! You are a truly warm person!”

Leaving only those words, Geum Nae-yeong entered his office like a knife.

Kim Mi-yeong, who bought the padded jacket at less than half the price, was checking her fit in front of the mirror, and Office Manager Yeom’s mouth opened naturally upon seeing that scene.

“Right now… Did he give our money to Manager Kim? Then not a single cent of Geum-byeon’s money went in, and in the end, we bought half of it for her…”

“What is it, really… Is he… a genius…”

***

That day, late evening.

Having finished his work, Geum Nae-yeong headed to his parents’ restaurant after a long time. Today, it ended later than usual, so it was the perfect time to go home together with his parents.

From far away, his parents’ restaurant sign came into view.

The light on the sign was still brightly turned on.

“Are there still customers remaining…?”

Simultaneously with his murmuring, all the lights in the restaurant were turned off at the same time, clack, clack.

Right after, the appearance of someone hurriedly locking the door was seen. Looking closely, his father, after locking the door in a hurry, was running toward the kitchen side.

‘What is it…?’

By the time Geum Nae-yeong almost arrived right in front of the restaurant, a fuss was already going on inside the restaurant.

“He didn’t see us, right…?”

“Ei, he probably didn’t see. How far away he was.”

“Anyway, let’s keep the lights off for a moment. If he tells us to study until 3 AM again, it is really hard…”

Geum Nae-yeong’s father, fearing that his son would barge in again and make them study for the certified real estate exam all night, quickly turned off all the lights and pretended that no one was in the restaurant.

When several minutes passed without any sign of presence or the sound of knocking on the door, the father carefully looked outside through the gap of the kitchen door.

“Oh… Nae-yeong seems to have gone home. Phew…”

“Is that so? Did he go? Since we were a bit busy today… if he tells us to study… it is indeed a headache.”

Even before the mother could finish her words, a voice was suddenly heard from the back kitchen window side.

“What are you two doing?”

It was Geum Nae-yeong.

“Oh! Aigoo, you startled me…!”

Geum Nae-yeong’s father, walking listlessly like a criminal caught by the police, turned on the kitchen light and said as he opened the back door with a click.

“How did you know there was a back door here…?”

Geum Nae-yeong replied as if it were nothing.

“Since I directly looked into the lease here myself, of course I know all of the structure.”

“Th… That’s right. Nae-yeong, have you eaten? Shall Mom prepare a meal for you?”

At the mother’s words, Geum Nae-yeong shook his head.

“I ate lightly before coming. By the way, if you do not study hard in this manner, it is difficult to pass both parts of the exam in the same year.”

At his firm words, the parents nodded with voices that shrank.

“Understood… Well… anyway, since we decided to do it… Shall I bring the book?”

As the father spoke, Geum Nae-yeong took out something and placed it on the table.

“Here. Inside the USB, I have recorded all the related clauses and expected issues.

Since I thought it would be difficult for you to study separately while working, I made it so that if you just leave it on and listen to it normally, you will naturally memorize it. Please listen to it when you have time.”

Seeing the USB, the parents made eye contact with each other at the same time, then looked at Nae-yeong again.

“See, I told you our son is a filial son.”

“When did you record something like this when you are busy… Thank you… Mom will definitely play this.”

The moment they heard their son’s heart trying to help them study while working, the mother and father felt very embarrassed yet sorry.

Geum Nae-yeong’s father fiddled with the USB with eyes filled with emotion. Then he grinned, plugged it into the audio system, and pressed the play button.

Static—

After a moment of noise, a calm male voice flowed out.

“This recording is a 12-hour file precisely matched to working hours.

You must keep it on all day… to make one full read-through possible. Do not, absolutely do not, stop the play.”

Geum Nae-yeong’s mom and dad’s eyes grew large at the same time.

“…W-What… is this again? You want us to listen for 12 hours?”

“You memorize better when you focus on the sound. When focus is good, mistakes also decrease.

Civil law started from ancient Roman law…”