Awakened Patient 2
I flashed a wide smile. Isn’t it only fitting to respond to a smile with another smile? Besides, Kim Yoon-seok is no longer just my assistant. He’s become a confident business partner.
“What do you want? Would you prefer a lump sum, or would you like to receive it in installments for life?”
Did he catch the meaning behind my words?
“Huh? Oh, well… haha.”
It was hard to tell if Kim was smiling or grimacing under all those bandages, but his eyes gave it away.
“I’ll take the installments. I can always rely on the chairman for a savings plan.”
Ah, right, there’s the grandfather too.
I slapped my forehead. Not only did Kim understand my hidden meaning, but he also factored in something I had completely forgotten.
What’s going on? Did the accident make his brain work faster?
“Take your time to think it over. If I give you a lump sum, it would be enough to change your life several times over.”
“No need. I’ve already decided. I’ll take the installments.”
He doesn’t hesitate or waver at all.
What’s this? Has he become someone with firm convictions?
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I haven’t yet experienced the thrill of spending money freely. But I know that thrill fades quickly. I think there will be more excitement working with you than just spending money.”
While I appreciate the sentiment, it’s not enough to make him one of my people.
“Kim, you might remember, but what I said before still stands.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t keep people around me who lack ability. I know I can’t repay you for saving my life with anything. I just have money, so I express my gratitude with it. But walking together means something else.”
Kim quickly responded, understanding my point.
“I’ll work to develop the skills and abilities to be worthy of working with you. If you ever feel I’m lacking, just say the word, and I’ll step back.”
I held up three fingers.
“I’ll overlook things up to three times. No matter how big the mistake, even if you mess up, you’ll have three chances. But if you make a fourth major mistake, our relationship ends.”
“I’ll make sure I don’t need to use those three chances.”
He shows solid determination and firm resolve.
This guy, he seems to have good hardware.
I’ve seen plenty of people armed with the software of education but lacking in performance.
How many give up when faced with challenges that knowledge alone can’t overcome?
Though he may lack in education and credentials, he shows a natural grit and perseverance. I like people like that. They remind me of myself.
“Alright, let’s head back to Seoul. We should go to Myungin University Hospital, not Sunyang Medical Center. Sunyang is bound to have too many prying eyes… Anyway, let’s focus on treatment and rehabilitation until you’re in perfect condition.”
Grandfather touched his bandaged head when he saw me.
“The chairman of Daehyun Group always envied my full head of hair more than our group’s revenue or stock prices, but now he’ll laugh at me.”
“They say hair grows back thicker. Don’t meet him until then.”
Grandfather studied my hand closely, then broke into a wide grin.
“Did you bring that?”
“No alcohol. Just chicken.”
“Put it up here quickly. I’ve been craving that soy sauce seasoning…”
In no time, the chicken was reduced to bones. He kept grumbling about missing a beer to go with it.
“Make sure you clean up these bones. So many people nagging around here. Ugh.”
“I brought it because you insisted, but this is the last time until you’re discharged.”
“Are you nagging too? Fine.”
Grandfather let out a hearty burp and drank some water.
“That friend of yours woke up too?”
“Yes. He’s past the critical stage, just needs rehabilitation now.”
“He’s young, so he’ll manage, right?”
“He should.”
“Did you have any special conversations?”
His glance was anything but casual, but I feigned ignorance. No matter what others say, he won’t drop his suspicions, so adding a few more won’t change anything.
“We didn’t talk much. He wasn’t in the condition for it.”
“Why? Is he still having trouble speaking?”
“No, he’s mentally sharp and has no speech issues.”
He’ll meet him in person anyway, and Kim will relay everything he told me. If there’s someone behind the scenes, Grandfather will find them.
“That’s good. I should meet him and thank him, don’t you think? He saved our lives, after all.”
Will he just express gratitude, or confirm something more?
“Yes, you should.”
“By the way, what about you? Planning to get discharged?”
“I’ve already met with Father. He knows I’m not seriously injured, so lounging around in the hospital seems odd. I should get discharged.”
“Hmm… Yoon-gi isn’t one to lie, so you being in the hospital is indeed strange. Do as you see fit.”
“Yes. I’ll visit often.”
“I’m pretending to be a critical patient, so it’s not right for you to keep coming and going. Let’s just talk on the phone.”
“Alright.”
I felt a bit disappointed.
I thought he might finally reveal why he took me to Gunsan…
Surely he hasn’t changed his mind?
Chairman Jin confirmed that Kim Yoon-seok’s hospital room was empty before slowly making his way inside.
He had already reviewed Kim’s profile thoroughly.
A third-rate hire meant to serve his children. People who call themselves servants because of the Sunyang name and the thickness of their paychecks.
Moreover, he started as a janitor at the guesthouse, which means he’s at the bottom of the third-rate.
“This guy, he pulled off quite the gamble.”
A company president who graduated from Seoul National University and rose through the ranks couldn’t earn in a lifetime what Kim was about to receive from a single gamble.
What kind of person is he?
With curiosity piqued, Chairman Jin opened the door to Kim Yoon-seok’s room.
“Ch-chairman.”
Startled, Kim tried to get up but struggled with his casted limbs.
“Ah, just stay put. In a hospital, the most injured patient is the most senior. No need to fuss over this old man.”
Chairman Jin approached Kim and took his hand.
“It’s not easy for a young person to risk their life for an old one… Thank you.”
“Oh, no, Chairman. Weren’t there other young people more deserving? Please don’t worry too much.”
“Is that so? Was it for my grandson, not me? Haha.”
“Not exactly…”
Chairman Jin’s joke only made the junior employee uncomfortable. Kim’s face turned red.
“No, I’m grateful. More for saving my grandson than my own life.”
Chairman Jin patted Kim’s hand, showing a kind expression to put him at ease.
Creating a comfortable atmosphere is essential to hear the truth.
“Now, this old man wants to repay you generously… Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it happen.”
He wanted to see the scope and ambition of someone who risked their life.
He asked what the richest man in the country wanted. Someone with the power to grant any wish.
When Kim hesitated, Chairman Jin offered the basics first.
“There’s no need to mention housing or children’s education. You’ve already moved to a Gangnam apartment, and I’ll take care of your children’s education. I’ll cover tuition and all academy fees, so make sure they study without any regrets.”
By solving the fundamental issues of home and children, he wanted to see the desires of someone with a seemingly predictable life.
“Thank you, Chairman.”
“No, it’s only right.”
It was a bit unexpected.
He still showed only a calm expression.
Chairman Jin pressed for an answer.
“It’s embarrassing to talk about money with a lifesaver. But all I can offer is money, so what can I do?”
“I don’t need much money. For someone like me, worrying about a home and children’s education is everything, isn’t it? You’ve relieved those worries, so I have nothing more to ask for.”
Chairman Jin was a bit surprised and flustered by the unexpected answer.
He would have given tens or hundreds of billions if asked. Kim, lying in bed and looking at him, knew that too.
But he doesn’t want anything?
This is the moment for a life-changing opportunity, and he’s passing it up?
At that moment, Chairman Jin didn’t miss the sparkle in Kim’s eyes.
“Haha, well… The world is full of greedy people.”
Chairman Jin was sure he read Kim’s mind. His face turned as red as a ripe persimmon, and a small smile appeared on his lips.
“To say no to money from an old man who only has money? That’s a tough one.”
“Chairman, honestly, I’m not sure what I want myself.”
“This guy! If you don’t know what you want, what am I supposed to do?”
“It’s true.”
Chairman Jin looked at Kim for a while before sitting in the chair next to the bed. It seemed the conversation would be long.
“Have you ever heard that people get three chances in their lifetime?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve already missed two.”
Kim thought this was his first chance. But to have missed two already? He started watching Chairman Jin’s lips, not understanding the meaning.
“The first is being born to the right parents. Being born into a wealthy family is like achieving half your dreams. You just have to do well yourself. Are your parents wealthy?”
“No.”
“Then you’ve missed one. Do you know what the second is?”
“Is it… university?”
He asked cautiously, and Chairman Jin nodded.
“Yeah, the world is a lot different now. These days, those so-called universities are the real opportunities. In this country, connections are made in college, not in your hometown or high school. College is the best place to network and the perfect chance to change your background in an instant.”
Mr. Kim, a graduate from a third-rate university, clenched his teeth.
The first opportunity might be luck, but the second one is all about effort. He hadn’t put in that effort.
“Do you think someone who failed to get into Seoul National University wouldn’t be able to graduate if they were given a chance? Do you think the studies at Seoul National are so tough that students from provincial universities couldn’t keep up?”
Chairman Jin shook his head.
“All you need to do is get in. Even if you don’t succeed, at least you won’t fall into the depths of despair.”
“Are you saying I only have one chance left?”
“No, I’m saying that chance is right now. How about it? I’ll offer you more money than even those with rich parents or bright futures from Seoul National could dream of. Is that enough for you?”
Mr. Kim, who had been clenching his teeth, regained his composure at the mention of money. Seeing that he didn’t waver despite the bait, Chairman Jin finally burst into laughter.
“Ha ha, look at this guy. So it was true.”
“Sorry?”
“You really jumped in to save Do-jun, not for yourself.”
“I’m here to serve Director Jin Do-jun.”
Blushing, Mr. Kim finally nodded.