Active Appeal 2
No one would move an entire group based on a mere college student’s predictions. Yet, what Chairman Jin truly wanted to see was composure that didn’t betray one’s inner thoughts.
The moment he saw the anxious and uneasy expression of his eldest grandson, he couldn’t help but compare him to the youngest.
Despite the ten-year age gap and the difference between an elementary student and a college student, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were of different calibers.
“That’s enough. You may leave.”
“Oh, yes.”
Jin Young-jun lowered his head and left the study. He must have sensed that his answers hadn’t scored well.
Chairman Jin Yang-cheol felt a mix of joy and a tinge of regret, realizing that the greatest birthday gift today was the rediscovery of his youngest grandson.
Why did it have to be the youngest?
If only that boy were the eldest, it couldn’t have been better…
After a moment of deep thought, Chairman Jin made up his mind.
There was still plenty of time.
He wanted to properly nurture the promising talent he saw in his youngest grandson.
He quietly called for his youngest son, Jin Yoon-ki, who rarely set foot in the study. The sudden summons from his father made him appear both nervous and displeased.
Chairman Jin couldn’t help but frown the moment he saw his youngest son’s face.
“How have you been?”
“Just keeping busy with this and that.”
His son’s indifferent response made Chairman Jin’s insides churn.
“Is that really how you intend to live?”
“Why the sudden interest…?”
Jin Yoon-ki’s reaction was even more indifferent, given that they hadn’t had a proper conversation in years.
Seeing such a disappointing son made his anger rise, but he suppressed it, thinking of his clever grandson.
“If there’s something you want to do, speak up.”
“Wasn’t it you who stopped me from doing what I wanted?”
“You wanted to waste your life away! Of course, I stopped you! Is that something to say now?”
“What can I do? All I want is to be in entertainment…”
“Making films that undress women? Is that all? Pathetic.”
“I never said I wanted to make adult films. I just…”
“Enough. That’s not why I called you here.”
Chairman Jin cut him off with a long sigh before continuing.
“How are the kids doing in school?”
“What?”
“I mean Sang-jun and Do-jun. Are they doing well in their studies?”
“Well, I don’t check their grades. As long as they’re healthy, that’s what matters.”
His youngest son was not to his liking at all.
Was he saying he was neglecting such a bright grandson? Or had he not even noticed his brilliance? It was utterly disappointing.
“I’ll send two tutors starting tomorrow. One for English and another for other subjects. Be prepared.”
“Father, they’re just elementary students. When they get to high school, I’ll…”
“Just do as I say.”
Chairman Jin wasn’t pleased with his son’s constant objections, but he saw it as an opportunity to test him and decided to step back.
“Fine. At least ask the kids. If they don’t want it, we’ll forget about it.”
Chairman Jin was only thinking of his youngest grandson.
Given what he showed today, he shouldn’t refuse the tutors.
Hadn’t he promised to achieve top grades all year?
Jin Yoon-ki found his father’s sudden interest in his children strange.
He knew better than anyone that his father wasn’t the type to suddenly feel pity just because Do-jun had caused a stir today.
Moreover, it was unexpected for him to back down, given that he never took back his words.
It was a significant concession. Ignoring it would be unwise.
“Alright. I’ll ask the kids, and if they want it, I’ll follow your wishes.”
“Good. Oh, and if there’s anything else the kids want, let me know. If they’re willing to work hard, we should support them, right?”
Jin Yoon-ki’s lips moved slightly, but he didn’t say anything. He was curious about the sudden interest but didn’t want a long conversation.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”
Jin Yoon-ki slightly bowed his head and left the study.
On the drive home, Father didn’t say a word.
Mother wanted to ask something, but she remained silent, watching Father’s mood.
As soon as we got home, Father called my brother and me to sit down.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not going to scold you for what happened at your grandfather’s house today. You’ve already been punished.”
“I’m sorry.”
When I bowed my head, Father’s expression changed.
He seemed uncomfortable with the sudden maturity in his son.
“Alright. As long as you know your mistake, that’s enough. Lift your head.”
When I looked up, Father’s gaze was intense, making me uneasy.
“Your grandfather mentioned he wants to focus on your studies. He’s planning to send tutors. What do you think?”
As soon as he mentioned tutors, my brother frowned.
He must have seen how much our cousins struggled with their tutoring. At an age when we should be playing freely, the thought of sitting at a desk all day was frustrating.
“Sang-jun, if you don’t want it, you don’t have to. It’s okay.”
At the word “okay,” his frown disappeared.
“And you, Do-jun?”
I don’t need a tutor. At best, they’ll be students from prestigious universities. I could teach them more.
But this is Chairman Jin’s order.
I have to comply.
“I’ll do it. It’s a promise.”
“A promise?”
“Yes. I promised to get top grades in all subjects for a year. I made a promise to Grandfather.”
Father’s face showed surprise for a moment, then it disappeared.
He seemed to think it was a promise made during the long time I spent in the study.
“Do-jun, I just said you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“It’s fine. I need to be a good grandson for now.”
“What, what did you say?”
Oops, I shouldn’t have said that!
“Oh, I promised Grandfather I’d be a good grandson. Study hard and not fight with my cousins…”
I tried to cover it up, but Father still looked skeptical.
Fortunately, he didn’t press further.
Maybe that’s just my father’s nature. Indifferent, or rather, detached from everything.
It’s curious why he’s like this at such a young age.
“Alright. Since you want it, we’ll prepare accordingly.”
I stood up first, bowed slightly, and left, with Sang-jun quickly following behind.
On the stairs to the second floor, Sang-jun looked at me and said,
“Do-jun.”
“Yeah?”
“You did well today.”
“What?”
“Making that brat Kang-jun cry.”
He seemed embarrassed to praise me, leaving only those words before quickly running up the stairs.
He must have had a lot of pent-up feelings. If a child feels that way, how much more must the parents?
My goal was elsewhere, but if I could ease a child’s heart, it wasn’t a bad thing.
Watching my brother’s light steps up the stairs made me smile.
“You don’t have to waste your time like this.”
“What?”
“I mean… let’s be more efficient.”
The two young tutors looked bewildered at the word “efficient.”
They probably didn’t expect such a term from a ten-year-old.
“Efficient, how?”
“It can’t be easy just sitting there while I study. Just give me daily assignments, and check them the next day. Wouldn’t that work?”
“But shouldn’t you ask questions if you don’t understand something while studying?”
Despite my boldness, they spoke as gently as possible. This is how ordinary people treat the offspring of a wealthy family. It’s a bit bittersweet.
“I’ll ask all my questions at once. Check my assignments and give me new ones. Thirty minutes a day should be enough, making it easier for both of you.”
“That might be true, but still…”
They were being paid too much to only teach for thirty minutes a day. Plus, with such a high salary, they needed to show results. If my grades didn’t improve, it would be a disaster.
They had connections to get into this household. If word got out that they were incompetent, they wouldn’t be able to face the person who introduced them.
Seeing their conflicted expressions, I could guess what they were thinking.
“Let’s try it my way first, and if it doesn’t work, let me know. I’ll do it your way then.”
When I offered a compromise, their expressions brightened.
“Alright. We’ll trust you for now. But if there’s any shortcoming, you’ll have to study for two, four hours straight. Got it?”
“Yes.”
There’s no way I’ll fall short.
I’ll control the pace of my studies. Even if they don’t call me a genius, they’ll at least say I’m a very bright kid.
And I’ll make sure Grandfather hears about it.
Since it was the first day, the tutors said just getting to know each other was enough, but I asked for assignments.
After all, what do old folks love more than diligence?
Showing a diligent attitude by studying hard from the first day of tutoring would surely impress Grandfather.
The first assignments were to memorize the English alphabet and solve math and Korean worksheets.
For now… I’ll just focus on completing the assignments perfectly.
”…”
The two tutors looked at each other, speechless.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Oh, no. It’s excellent. You did well. But… have you studied English before?”
“No.”
“Really? For a first-timer, your handwriting is… too skilled.”
My handwriting during the alphabet test was indistinguishable from an adult’s, prompting the comment.
“I wrote it all day yesterday, and it turned out like this.”
I quickly changed the subject.
“Teacher, did I get all the questions right?”
“Oh? Yes, you got a perfect score. Well done.”
The other tutor, responsible for different subjects, also seemed a bit taken aback but didn’t forget to praise me.
“Then please assign us the homework due tomorrow.”
I was eager to send the two of them on their way.
I desperately needed some time alone.
I needed to document my memories before they faded—memories of crucial events, people, and historical facts related to the Sunyang Group.
If I just sit idly, my memories seem to vanish day by day. But when I make an effort to recall and write them down, even the most deeply buried facts resurface.
In the past three months, I’ve filled more than two notebooks, and these will become my secret weapon.
Anyway, the two teachers left, shaking their heads, and I found myself impatiently waiting for the day to end.
Tomorrow is going to be a day of monumental change for this country. And, of course, for me as well.