Why is he here?
A man who should be relaxing at home after work—why is he lying on an operating table?
“Who is it? Someone you know?”
Seeing my shock, my grandfather snatched the business card from my hand.
“What is this? Was he one of our employees?”
“Yes, he was my personal assistant. He drove me this morning. I told him to go home after, but…”
As I spoke, the situation became clear.
Assistant Kim had ignored my instructions and maintained his utmost diligence. He fulfilled his duty to escort me until I was safely inside my home.
But to think he would go so far as to risk his life?
My grandfather seemed to grasp the situation immediately and turned to the hospital director.
“Can this young man be saved?”
“We’re doing everything we can right now.”
That’s all a doctor can say. They can’t make promises when it comes to life and death, can they?
“Please, do everything possible. He might very well be our lifesaver.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but if necessary, should we consider transferring him to Sunyang Medical Center?”
“That would be too risky at the moment. We need to finish the surgery and assess his condition first. Even a minor shock could be dangerous. An ambulance or helicopter transfer is out of the question.”
“Very well. I’ll leave that decision to you. But if you need anything—staff, equipment, whatever—don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Understood. I’ll update you once the surgery is complete.”
As the hospital director left, my grandfather tried to comfort me.
“You have a knack for meeting good people. To encounter someone like this…”
He meant to console me, but it didn’t quite sink in.
Someone willing to risk their life for me—it felt surreal.
“I’ve had people serve time in my place, but never someone who’d lay down their life. You must be wondering how to repay this debt.”
“That debt isn’t mine alone, is it?”
“True. I owe him a great deal as well. Ha ha.”
My grandfather began to study the blood-stained business card again.
“Get some rest. There’s nothing we can do until the surgery is over.”
“Yes, let’s rest a bit.”
My grandfather closed his eyes, but I couldn’t find peace.
If Assistant Kim doesn’t make it out of surgery, I’ll carry an unpayable debt forever.
A heavy weight settled in my heart.
As Lee Hak-jae entered Gongju City, he pulled over briefly. He thanked the police who had escorted him and offered a token of appreciation.
There was a place he needed to visit before the hospital.
“Let’s head to the Gongju Police Station.”
Upon arriving at the station, Lee Hak-jae strode into the chief’s office.
The chief, having received Lee’s business card, greeted him with respect.
“I received word from the commissioner. I didn’t expect you so soon.”
“It was urgent, so I drove fast.”
“I’ve ensured the officers who were on the scene won’t talk. You can rest easy on that front.”
“Thank you for your discretion. Have you assessed the situation?”
“We need more investigation, but the traffic division’s senior officers have some thoughts.”
The police chief began sketching on a sheet of A4 paper.
“From the skid marks, it seems the chairman’s car was stopped at a light. A truck came from the left at the intersection, and for some reason, veered towards the chairman’s car.”
“Then the chairman must have been seriously injured…”
“Indeed. But there was another car behind the chairman’s. A BMW. Before the truck could hit the chairman’s car, the BMW collided with it. The tire marks show a sudden acceleration. This changed the truck’s trajectory.”
Seeing Lee Hak-jae’s puzzled expression, the chief tilted his head.
“I assumed it was the chairman’s escort vehicle. Was it not?”
“Do you know who was driving the BMW?”
“He was severely injured. Even a sturdy German car can’t withstand a direct hit from an 8-ton truck.”
“So the chairman’s car was hit secondarily.”
“Yes. The Sunyang Group’s escorts are truly remarkable. To risk their lives for their master… I’m impressed.”
“Have you identified the driver?”
“Yes, we found his wallet. Let me see… I wrote it down somewhere…”
The chief retrieved a note from his desk.
“Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok from the Strategy Office. Do you know him?”
Of course not. I only know the role of the Strategy Office. I’ll find out more later…
“What about the truck driver?”
“He’s also seriously injured and receiving treatment. Don’t worry, I’ve assigned a detective to keep an eye on him. He won’t get far.”
The chief cautiously asked, watching Lee Hak-jae’s reaction.
“Is there something suspicious about this?”
“Oh, no. It’s early morning, so the truck driver might have dozed off after driving all night. It happens often, doesn’t it?”
“We think so too, but we’ll need to investigate further…”
“Chief.”
“Yes.”
Lee Hak-jae gestured for the chief to stop talking.
“Could you provide the truck and driver’s information first?”
The chief handed over the accident report.
“Here’s the truck’s number and the driver’s details. As I mentioned, we’ll need more investigation…”
“The commissioner will contact you again. Please keep this under wraps.”
“Pardon?”
“As you know, the chairman’s accident could have widespread negative effects. The victim is our employee, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
It’s a directive from the commissioner and a request from Sunyang Group. No need to overthink it. One less hassle to deal with.
“Ah, if it’s Sunyang Group’s business, it must be important. Do as you see fit.”
With that, his task here was done.
Now, he just needed to head to the hospital to ensure everything was kept quiet.
Guided by the hospital director, Chief Lee Hak-jae carefully opened the door and entered.
“Chief Lee.”
I lowered my voice, worried my grandfather might wake up.
Chief Lee glanced at the bed and approached me.
“How are you? Are you okay? Did you get checked out?”
“Yes, I had a CT scan. Nothing serious.”
“That’s a relief. Is the chairman alright too?”
“Yes.”
Chief Lee couldn’t take his eyes off my grandfather’s bed.
“By the way, do you know Kim Yoon-seok?”
“Yes, he’s my assistant from the Strategy Office.”
“I thought so. But why was he following you?”
He seemed a bit skeptical.
I retraced Assistant Kim’s actions and explained, and Chief Lee nodded.
“He’s incredibly loyal. Thanks to him, you and the chairman are safe.”
“Is that so? I suspected as much.”
“Yes, he drove into the oncoming truck. That changed its course, saving you both.”
“You’re here? You should have woken me.”
My grandfather sat up.
“Chairman, please lie back down.”
Chief Lee rushed to support him, and I adjusted the bed.
“Do-jun, go to the next room. I have some matters to discuss with Chief Lee.”
“Yes.”
I quietly left the room, closing the door behind me.
“Have you taken care of everything?”
“Yes, I instructed the local chief to erase the accident from the records. I also spoke to the hospital director to ensure no details leak out.”
“What about the accident details? Did you learn anything?”
Lee Hak-jae relayed his conversation with the police chief.
“I’ve already ordered a background check on the truck driver. We’ll find something if we dig.”
“Why? Do you suspect something?”
Chairman Jin’s eyes gleamed as he asked, and Lee Hak-jae hesitated slightly.
“We have to consider all possibilities. You haven’t informed your family yet, have you?”
“No one knows I was heading to Gunsan. It could just be a simple case of drowsy driving.”
“We’ll confirm once the truck driver regains consciousness.”
Lee Hak-jae’s brief response seemed to seek approval. Chairman Jin nodded quietly.
“Handle it discreetly, without any noise.”
“Yes. When should we inform the family?”
“Let’s wait for now. Rumors will spread anyway. Hospitals aren’t exactly private. Make up something plausible. Say I’m at a hot spring retreat if you must.”
“Understood.”
Lee Hak-jae cautiously asked, watching Chairman Jin’s reaction.
“Chairman, were you planning to take Do-jun to Gunsan for that reason?”
The Gunsan Rice Warehouse.
The starting point of Sunyang Group,
And a place with secrets.
A secret location known to fewer than ten people.
Though it’s now a museum, its basement remains a museum of memories. Chairman Jin Yang-cheol’s personal museum.
A place that holds items from his childhood to the present, sparking memories of his life journey.
A museum of memories where he can reflect on his life’s path.
It’s where his eldest son, Jin Young-ki, and second son, Jin Dong-ki, each received their titles as successors of Sunyang.
Today, Jin Do-jun was almost the third to receive such a title.
“Yes. Why? Do you think Do-jun isn’t up to it?”
“Oh, no. I know he’s exceptional, even at his age.”
Lee Hak-jae knew Jin Do-jun’s secret. The boy who turned hundreds of millions into billions. His talent was astonishing, but his ability to keep it a secret was even more impressive.
“Both your sons have been there, and Do-jun would be the third? Or…”
He trailed off. He wanted to ask if the chairman was shifting focus from his sons to his grandson, but it was an awkward question to voice.
“Let’s just say he’s the third. For now…”
“Yes, I understand your intentions, Chairman.”
As Lee Hak-jae bowed his head, Chairman Jin chuckled softly.
“My sons were overjoyed when I asked them to lead Sunyang Group. I was curious to see what expression Do-jun would make, but it’s a shame I missed it.”
“Given his serious nature, perhaps he would have been calm.”
“Or maybe he would have waved it off and refused.”
“What? Surely not?”
Rejecting the succession of the Sunyang Group? Either you’re not greedy for money, or you’re scared. But Jin Do-jun didn’t fit into either category.
“How sly do you think that kid is?”
Chairman Jin chuckled heartily.
“That boy, barely in his twenties, has already got people willing to risk their lives for him. Hak-jae, would you die in my place?”
“Not anymore. I’ve got a wife and three kids just waiting for me to kick the bucket. They’re itching to spend my money. How could I die with that on my mind? Haha.”
Chairman Jin widened his eyes.
“You’re getting old, too. Afraid of dying, are you? Haha.”
“Aren’t you disappointed?”
“In you, who did three years in prison for me? I may not say it, but I always appreciate it.”
“You showed your gratitude with money, so I understand your feelings well, Chairman. Haha.”
Seeing Lee Hak-jae speak so freely in front of him, Chairman Jin was reminded of how much time had passed.
His era was ending. Watching who would take over the next era seemed like it would be quite entertaining.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Director Yoo entered.
“Chief, there are people here to see you.”
“Ah, I’ll be right out.”
Chief Lee stood up and said, “Just in case, I’ve called in some security personnel. I’ll go handle things. You should rest.”
From the main entrance of the medical center to the intensive care unit and all the way to Chairman Jin’s room, men in suits lined the halls.
They would follow Chief Lee Hak-jae’s orders. In other words, without his permission, even family couldn’t see Chairman Jin.
Within this strict security, I could finally get some rest, but even that wasn’t easy.
“Come on, a beer wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
“Grandfather, our lifesaver is in the middle of a life-or-death surgery. We should at least wait prayerfully until it’s over. No drinking!”
I learned something new.
When a healthy old man lies in a hospital bed, he suddenly craves all sorts of things.