Chapter 7: This is a Service

In the past, I never even glanced at lottery tickets.

I’d never bought one.

My life had been far too harsh to live believing in the kind of luck that’s said to fall from the sky.

‘Huh?’

Compared to what I’d bought, it was faint, but there was definitely another lottery ticket shimmering with a golden glow.

“One more, please. This one!”

Just like that, I bought two Housing Lottery Tickets, both swirling with golden light.

“Jeonghyeok!”

Mother hurriedly followed after me.

I shoved the tickets into my pocket and bought a bag of chocolates from the nearby stand.

“Jeonghyeok, you really startled me. You suddenly jumped out of the car… huh?”

I popped a chocolate into Mother’s mouth.

Caught off guard, Mother ended up accepting the chocolate.

Her nagging stopped in an instant, and the sweet aroma wafted in the air.

“I was just so, so hungry.”

At such a childish answer, Mother’s expression softened.

Mother gently stroked my hair.

“Well done.”

“Mom, you’re hungry too, right?”

I popped another chocolate into Mother’s mouth.

Mother smiled brightly.

Hand in hand, Mother and I returned to the jeep, all smiles.

“Hey, kid. Why did you suddenly—mmph!”

I shoved a handful of chocolates into Cheolgu’s mouth just as he was about to unleash a barrage of nagging.

He frowned, forced to chew.

A man who only drinks his coffee black would hardly enjoy the sweetness of chocolate.

“Sir, this one’s a bonus.”

If you receive something, you ought to return the favor.

“This is a service.”

I whispered quietly into Cheolgu’s ear as I slipped a Housing Lottery Ticket into his pocket.

It was completely different from mine, which flashed with dazzling golden light—his was plain, with a simple golden border.

“Just think of it as some pocket money.”

“Well, look at you.”

Cheolgu checked the Housing Lottery Ticket and laughed in disbelief.

He must have realized my true intention wasn’t the chocolate.

“You little rascal, you—!”

But this time, Cheolgu couldn’t pinch my cheeks.

I was already fully armed with a mouthful of chocolate and ready for battle.

‘What would happen if I started firing chocolate spitballs inside the expensive jeep?’

‘Come on, let’s see if you dare!’

‘No one can stop me!’

On the way home, I thought things over.

‘They probably decided on forced demolition because the land prices near Guro Station are skyrocketing after the success of the Line 1 subway development.’

Guro Station began operation as a regular station in 1974, with the opening of the metropolitan subway.

It grew rapidly with the city, becoming a key transfer hub on both the Gyeongbu Line and the Gyeongin Line.

It had grown into a major transportation hub, even housing the Guro Rolling Stock Depot.

Moreover, since it was filled with factories, shanty houses for factory workers sprang up everywhere.

‘And soon, the Korean Asian Games will be held in Korea. The government is putting a fiery emphasis on Urban Landscape Beautification these days.’

Back in 1966, when the President of the United States visited Korea, the shantytown on Nam Mountain was caught on TV.

Government officials began Urban Landscape Beautification out of embarrassment at the thought of foreigners seeing such scenes.

Reconstruction in Seoul kicked off in earnest, and the demolition of unauthorized slums accelerated.

‘And then, with the Gangnam development and the apartment sale boom in the 70s, Ukwang Construction stepped in. If they build and sell apartments here, they’ll make a fortune.’

That’s how it goes.

The Military Regime pushed urban development projects with a focus on Gangnam’s development in the 70s.

To encourage population movement, major government agencies like the Supreme Court and the Prosecutors’ Office were relocated to Gangnam.

They also promoted the relocation of the prestigious high schools that would become known as the Gangnam Eight School District.

Gangnam’s development was a complete success.

The apartment buildings sold out as soon as they were built, to the point that new terms like “Bokbu-in” and “premium” were coined.

People witnessed apartment and land prices soaring, and construction companies set their sights on cheap places to redevelop—namely, shantytowns and slums.

‘And when that happens, the shantytown people get driven out into the streets.’

In the 1970s, 32% of Seoul’s housing consisted of shanty houses.

‘With such a pittance for compensation, there’s nowhere to go. Do they know how much house prices have soared these days?’

***

After the success of Gangnam’s development, a real estate frenzy swept across Seoul.

In the 1970s, land in Jamsil cost 400 won per pyeong. By the late 1980s, it neared 400,000 won.

That’s a thousandfold increase in just a decade or so.

‘People forcibly evicted in the 70s and 80s even dug and lived in actual tunnels after their temporary shanties were demolished.’

That’s how it went.

I glanced down at my pocket.

The Housing Lottery Ticket I’d bought still glimmered gold.

“We’re here. Let’s get out.”

Before I knew it, we’d arrived home.

Young and old alike, quite a crowd had gathered in the Owner Grandma’s yard.

There was only one reason for people to gather like this on a Sunday afternoon.

Owner Grandma’s house, the richest in our neighborhood, had a black-and-white television.

‘They’re here to watch the Housing Lottery drawing.’

A shantytown on the verge of forced demolition.

For people with nowhere to go and no money, their only hope was the luck of the Housing Lottery.

First Prize Money—a staggering ten million won!

Enough to buy a newly built apartment in Gangnam.

“Oh my, Jeonghyeok’s mother!”

The townsfolk greeted us as we got out of the car.

“I heard you almost got into big trouble yesterday! Are you feeling alright?”

“They say you were rushed to the hospital because of coal gas?”

“Lots of people suffer aftereffects from coal gas. Go inside and lie down. We’ll look after Jeonghyeok.”

Mother smiled and offered her thanks.

“I’m fine. I’m safe thanks to everyone’s concern. Thank you so much for helping yesterday.”

The crowd all chimed in, talking noisily.

“I heard Jeonghyeok ran around barefoot to save his mother!”

“You owe your son your life. He’s such a smart boy.”

“We’re just glad you came back healthy.”

“Alright, everyone, let’s give Jeonghyeok’s mom a round of applause for her safe return!”

The townsfolk all applauded in unison.

Mother and I bowed awkwardly, smiling.

And that’s how we returned to our tiny single room in the midst of all the commotion.

“Jeonghyeok, just sit and wait a moment. I’ll bring you food soon.”

My heart thumped in my chest.

To think I’d be eating Mother’s home-cooked meal again after forty-five years!

Mother’s cooking, so faded in my memory from so long ago…

“Ugh!”

I remembered being a picky eater as a child.

But this, I can say for certain.

My memories must have been prettied up by time.

“Mom, water!”

“Too salty! Too spicy! Too bland! Watery! Oily! Fishy!“

‘How could each dish insist on its own unique flavor so strongly?’

What on earth did she do to this food?!

“Wow, my son’s really eating well today. You must’ve been really hungry.”

“Please, don’t smile so proudly!”

I’ve only managed to force down three spoonfuls.

“Ha, life…”

Munch, munch. Slurp.

‘Well, what’s filial piety anyway?’

If my mother smiles, that’s enough.

It’s not chemical warfare training, but why am I tearing up while eating?

Clatter, clatter.

Scraping up the rice stuck to my bowl, I asked:

“Mom, about Dad…”

Mother set her spoon down.

She watched me for a long moment, her face clouded over.

But I pretended not to notice.

“Seriously. Yesterday you were taken to the hospital, almost died—why didn’t you contact Dad?”

“Jeonghyeok, your father…!!”

Another long silence.

“Did Dad abandon us?”

“That’s not it.”

Mother gulped down her water and sighed.

“Your father went to the Middle East to earn lots of money. He can’t come home because he’s busy building roads and buildings there.”

During the Middle East Construction Boom, Overseas Construction Worker Dispatch became a huge trend in the 80s.

Daewoon Construction shot up into the ranks of the chaebol thanks to overseas construction contracts.

But right now, it’s still a little early for the Middle East Construction Boom.

‘So she doesn’t really want to tell me the truth.’

What chaebol second son would be laying roads and building houses in the Middle East right now?

If that’s not it… hmm. I have my suspicions.

“Mom, what’s Dad’s name?”

Before Mother could answer, a ruckus sounded outside.

The kids in Owner Grandma’s yard shouted loudly.

“Now for the first prize number!”

“1 series!”

The series draw was done.

“Get ready—fire!”

The next six digits would be drawn by dart-throwing.

The kids repeated the numbers at the top of their lungs.

The screen was so small, people in the back couldn’t see, so the kids in front shouted the numbers for everyone.

‘Wait a second!’

I pulled out my Housing Lottery Ticket.

1 series, 2, 4, 9…!

Outside, the kids called out the remaining numbers.

“Gasp!”

My hands trembled.

Something that had never happened in my life was happening now.

“Jeonghyeok?”

Mother, who had been hanging her head with a serious look, approached, puzzled.

She looked down at the shaking Housing Lottery Ticket in my hand.

Before long, Mother let out the exact same sound as me.

“Gasp!”

Mother and I locked eyes in midair.

Our pupils quivered as if there’d been an earthquake.

“F-first prize…!”

The First Prize Money—ten million won!

It was enough to buy an apartment in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam.