[044] Warming Up, Part 3.
“The Prosecutor General should be groomed by the future chairman of Sunyang. I hear you’re supposed to be a mergers and acquisitions lawyer?”
“M&A? Who said that?”
“Grandfather.”
Jin Young-jun’s cheek twitched as he tried to suppress a smile.
“Really? Grandfather said that?”
“Yes. He didn’t go into detail, but when I mentioned going to law school, he said being a lawyer would be better than a judge or prosecutor.”
“So, what about you? Do you like the idea of being a lawyer, Do-jun?”
His eyes sparkled with anticipation, his face full of expectation.
I knew exactly what those eyes and that face wanted.
Among my blood relatives, he was the most promising cousin. Even Chairman Jin nodded in approval, and he had proven his intellect by ranking at the top in national exams.
Moreover, it was a strategic move to turn a potential rival into an ally or subordinate.
I could give him the answer he wanted right now, but it’s never wise to hand over what someone desires too easily.
“I’m not sure yet. Honestly, being a judge doesn’t interest me much… A prosecutor or lawyer seems more exciting, but I’ll think about it slowly once I’m in law school.”
“That’s right, life is long. Take your time. You’re just graduating high school; there’s no need to rush into a decision. If you don’t like the idea of poring over tiny legal texts, just let me know. I’ll find you the most comfortable position in the Sunyang Group. Haha.”
Jin Young-jun had come a long way.
He had developed the composure to show his ease without changing his expression. Perhaps enduring his long stay abroad had matured him a bit?
“That sounds like the best option. I’m already sick of studying. Hehe.”
“Really? Great. This big brother will make sure our studious little brother has some fun. Stick close to me after this gathering, and I’ll show you how wonderful the world is and how enjoyable life can be.”
Jin Young-jun patted my back, winked, and disappeared.
Yes, enjoy life. Savor the good times while you can.
Because those cherished memories will be all you have in the end.
I had to force my face to soften. It was my uncle.
“Wow, you little genius! How did you score like that? Huh?”
“If only my kids studied half as well as you, Do-jun.”
My aunt looked wistful. Where did her three sons study again? I couldn’t even remember the name of the country, let alone the university.
“Now I have a direct junior in the family. Do-jun, if you have any questions while studying, just ask your uncle here. I’ll help you out.”
“A direct junior? Did you graduate from Seoul National University? You’ve never even seen the front gate!”
“Did I say university? I meant the Judicial Research and Training Institute!”
My aunt’s jab at his university complex made my uncle bristle, but it was a losing battle.
“Well, that’s great. Do-jun, you should take your uncle as your tutor. He’s not doing much since he lost the election!”
My aunt’s eyes flared with anger, and my uncle fell silent. He had failed spectacularly in the 15th National Assembly election held in April.
He had thrown his hat into the ring in a Seoul district, ignoring his own limitations and the fact that the ruling party had given up on the area. Grandfather had been furious.
Despite my aunt secretly funneling money from the department store, it wasn’t enough.
“Uncle, are you going to run in Seoul again next time?”
“Of course. I can’t end as a two-term assemblyman. I need to become a three-term lawmaker and then join the cabinet.”
Calculating his age when his dream would come true, he’d be well past sixty. His maximum ambition was to become a minister.
“Do-jun.”
My uncle’s voice turned soft and persuasive. I knew what was coming.
“Grandfather is in a great mood because of you. There’s a by-election coming up…”
“Ah, yes.”
“Hmm?”
I nodded before he could finish, surprising even my aunt.
“You need to win back your assembly badge in the by-election. I’ll ask for election funds.”
Their smiles stretched from ear to ear.
“Smart as ever. You catch on quick. Haha.”
Should I reel them in a bit more?
“If Grandfather doesn’t support the election funds, I’ll help. After all, you’re my direct senior, Uncle.”
Their smiles widened even further.
“You? With what money?”
“Don’t you remember? The money from selling the Bundang ranch. It’s just sitting in the bank untouched. The interest must have piled up nicely.”
“Oh…!”
The time for a recruiter is approaching.
The National Assembly may be seen as a den of incompetence, but it’s where the country’s most important policies are decided.
My uncle must return to the National Assembly. He needs to recruit lawmakers who will support me.
“Do-jun.”
My uncle spread his arms wide in gratitude, but I had no intention of embracing him. A recruiter should bow before the boss, not the other way around.
As the year-end gathering wrapped up, Jin Young-jun and his younger brother, Jin Kyung-jun, quietly led me out of the hotel.
Jin Kyung-jun was five years older than me. He was currently on leave from his studies in the U.S., but he was more often found in Koreatown than on campus. He would stay in the U.S. until Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi took full control after Chairman Jin’s passing.
“Where are we going?”
“Just follow us. I told Uncle we’re just having a light drink with you tonight.”
Jin Kyung-jun winked and smiled.
“You’re still a virgin, right? I lost mine on the first day of high school. Is today the day our Do-jun becomes a man? Hehe.”
Physically a virgin, but mentally a mess, you idiot.
Despite my thoughts, I started to feel a bit nervous.
Women…
In my mind, I was a middle-aged man who got anxious just hearing his wife’s shower, but my body reacted to the sight of a woman’s legs.
This strange imbalance. Honestly, I wanted to let loose and find some balance today.
Jin Young-jun drove a luxury sedan towards Yangpyeong.
I’d never been there before. The Yangpyeong villa belonged to Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi and was only used by his family.
Of course, if you checked the villa’s registry, it would likely be under the name of one of Sunyang’s subsidiaries.
“Is this your first time here, Do-jun?”
“Yes.”
“This is a place where only my friends or male cousins gather occasionally. Even Father rarely comes.”
“You can come here whenever you want to relax. It’s nice and quiet.”
The two brothers seemed excited, their voices loud and laughter constant.
A young man standing at the villa’s entrance ran over to open the car door and bowed.
“Are all the girls here?”
“Yes, but…”
“What?”
“Miss Jung Hee-sun can’t make it today. She suddenly has a night shoot…”
Slap!
Without hesitation, Jin Young-jun’s hand flew up.
As the young man staggered, a kick followed.
“You idiot. Didn’t I say today was important? You should’ve dragged her here by her hair or kidnapped her if you had to!”
“Damn! I flew all the way from the U.S. hoping to see that famous girl’s naked body, and now it’s ruined?”
Jin Kyung-jun frowned and kicked the ground.
Jung Hee-sun, the rising star of a weekend drama breaking viewership records. I should’ve been shocked to hear her name, but the scene unfolding before me filled me with anger instead.
It felt like watching a play of my past self.
The pain of being hit was nothing compared to the self-loathing, shame, and anger at doing such things.
The young man being kicked probably feared losing his job.
Feelings I thought long gone from my distant past came rushing back vividly.
“Hey, what the hell are you doing?”
I shouted, clenching my trembling fists, and Jin Young-jun’s kick stopped.
“Aren’t we here to celebrate me today? Damn it, you’re ruining the mood. Should I just leave?”
The brothers were momentarily stunned by my unexpected reaction, but the older and more experienced Jin Young-jun quickly recovered.
“Wow, as expected! I forgot how fiery you can be. Hey, Kyung-jun, remember? He snapped Kang-jun’s leg just because he touched his toy!”
Jin Young-jun laughed, mimicking a snapping motion with his hands.
“You’re lucky today, thanks to Do-jun. Get out of here. Come back tomorrow afternoon to return the girls.”
The young man struggled to his feet, bowed, and opened his car door when I spoke.
“Hey, wait in the car. I won’t be long. Just a little fun, then take me back.”
He nodded and got into the car.
“Why? Let’s relax and leave together tomorrow afternoon.”
Jin Kyung-jun put his hand on my shoulder, and Jin Young-jun gestured at the young man.
“That guy will have to sleep in the car. Once you get inside, you won’t want to leave. Haha.”
That won’t happen. I’m grateful I followed you here. I’ve got a chance to turn one of Jin Young-jun’s loyal servants into my own.
“Oh my, oppa! It’s been so long!”
Half a dozen young women rushed over to cling to the two cousins. Two of them were familiar faces from TV dramas and music shows, and they were the models shaping the image of Sunyang Group’s products.
“You crazy girl. It’s only been a month since you flew to London and rolled around in bed with me. How long do you think it’s been? A month, right?”
“That’s overseas. We haven’t seen each other in over a year here in Korea.”
Whether it was a complaint, a playful tease, or just part of his charm, I couldn’t tell. But there was fierce competition to link arms with Jin Young-jun.
“Today, you should be on your best behavior for our youngest. He’s the future Prosecutor General, you know. He might just arrest you all for solicitation. Haha.”
“By next year, he’ll be a Seoul National University law student. Which means he’s still a high schooler. If any of you mess with him, it’s underage solicitation. Oh, and he’s still a virgin, by the way. If you help him lose that, who knows? You might end up as the Prosecutor General’s mistress. Hahaha.”
Jin Kyung-jun, clearly no stranger to this scene, was casually groping the girls clinging to him.
“Alright, let’s have a drink first.”
The table was already set with drinks and food. Soju, whiskey, beer, and wine were all lined up. As soon as we sat down, Jin Young-jun handed me a beer glass.
“Let’s start with something light.”
I took the glass he offered and downed it in one go.
“Oh ho! The kid can handle his drink!”
I handed the glass back to Jin Young-jun, who looked at me with a hint of surprise. Jin Kyung-jun, more interested in the women than the alcohol, took two girls and headed upstairs.
“Young-jun hyung, whether I become a prosecutor or a lawyer, what do you want me to be for you?”
After a few drinks, I asked in a slightly serious tone. Jin Young-jun smiled knowingly. To him, I probably looked like a high school senior trying to act grown-up.
“Grandfather has Lee Hak-jae by his side, and our father has two guys like Lee Hak-jae. But Do-jun, those guys are outsiders. We’re family. Even if we’re cousins, cousins are still family.”
“Family?”
“Exactly.”
What was he trying to say?
“If there’s one thing I learned while working at the European branch, it’s that no matter how loyal they seem, subordinates never truly open up. They all have their own agendas.”
He blames his distrustful nature on others.
“I get it, though. There’s a deep chasm between those who give money and those who receive it. But family is different. It’s not about giving and receiving; it’s about sharing.”
The original Jin Do-jun might have believed those words. But as Yoon Hyun-woo, I know they’re a blatant lie.
I haven’t forgotten how he sent his own brother, Jin Kyung-jun, to prison because he didn’t want to share.