Chapter 63: The Golden Business Card

Uncle burst into hearty laughter.

“Wow, it really is our Seongjun! Kid, if you came back from the Middle East, shouldn't you have called your big brother first? What are you doing here?”

“I was having a company dinner with the employees.”

“Company dinner? How long has it been since you returned, and you’re already looking after your employees? I heard from your younger brother. You’ve been through a lot.”

Uncle gently patted Father’s head.

It was a touch full of affection.

Father accepted the gesture, sitting quietly like a well-behaved child.

“I heard from Father. You have a wife and child now?”

“Yes, hyung-nim. That’s right.”

“Wow, you never once mentioned you were seeing anyone, and suddenly you have a wife and child? When did that happen, hmm? I’m honestly hurt. Hehehe.”

Uncle and I made eye contact.

“Huh?”

Uncle pointed at me.

“Seongjun, there’s a kid here who looks just like you when you were young... Am I that drunk?”

“You saw correctly. He’s my son.”

Father gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Junghyuk, say hello. This is your big uncle.”

“Hello, Uncle. I’m Cha Junghyuk.”

I put my hands together and gave a deep, polite bow at the waist.

Uncle immediately crouched down to meet my eyes, smiling.

“So you’re Seongjun’s son, Cha Junghyuk? Nice to meet you. I’m Seongjun’s eldest brother, Cha Daejun. I’m your big uncle.”

His laughter was full of the smell of alcohol.

“Junghyuk, do you like jajangmyeon?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, here’s a quiz!”

Uncle grabbed a bunch of bills from his wallet and stuffed them into my hands.

Honestly, it was a bit bewildering.

‘Giving all the cash in his wallet to a nephew he’s just met? Is he a pushover or a generous soul? Man, how much is this anyway?’

Back in the day, I did collection rounds for years. This much, I can estimate right away.

“How many bowls of your favorite jajangmyeon could you buy with this? If you guess right, you can keep it all! If you’re wrong...”

“1,715 bowls.”

“...”

Uncle blinked.

“Wait a minute, Junghyuk. I’m really curious—do you mind if I count the money?”

“Of course. You have to be precise with money.”

I obediently handed the bundle back.

Uncle licked his finger and started counting the bills.

“Ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand...”

“514,500 won.”

“...”

Uncle let out a helpless laugh, counting all the way through.

“...Huh? Seongjun, maybe I really did have too much to drink today. Why don’t you count it, too?”

“Yes.”

Uncle handed the bills over to Father.

Father counted them three times.

“...It’s 514,500 won.”

Father looked dazed as he turned to Uncle.

“Hyung-nim, by the way, how much is a bowl of jajangmyeon these days?”

“...Well, how should I know?”

I clicked my tongue.

“It’s 300 won.”

Why give a quiz without knowing how much a bowl of jajangmyeon costs?

Of course, it’s understandable for Father, who’s been overseas for so long, not to know the price!

---

To get some fresh air, we sat side by side on a bench in the backyard, sipping vending machine coffee.

No, let me correct that.

Father and Uncle got milk coffee, while I chose yulmu tea.

Slurp.

Uncle chuckled.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s amazing. How did you get it right?”

Three years collecting debts—this is basic stuff.

Uncle looked at me as if he were observing a strange animal.

“I mean, the odds of guessing exactly how much random money I shoved into your hands...”

“I just made a rough guess.”

What? Why? Huh!

I relied only on my eyes and fingertips.

In the end, it was just a rough estimate!

“You’re good at division, too.”

“These days, kids my age can all do that. Things are different from when you were young, Uncle. Studying is the only way to survive, you know?”

Making excuses and worrying about what others think isn’t my style.

I feigned innocence.

Then I smoothly changed the subject.

“But Uncle, is it alright for you to be out here like this?”

“Oh, right! I came out saying I needed the bathroom. Eh, whatever, who cares! Let my stomach burst! Hehehe.”

Uncle patted my head.

He was as gentle as if stroking a newborn puppy.

“Oh my, how clever. You even worry about your uncle. Junghyuk, aren’t you a genius?”

Now I understood why Father sat so quietly when Uncle patted his head.

“So diligent and bright—just like Seongjun when he was young. Seongjun, the more I look, the more he’s definitely your son.”

Uncle propped his chin on his hand and tilted his head.

“Junghyuk, what kind of snacks do you like best?”

“I’m not really into snacks. Haven’t had much, either.”

Honestly, snacks are overpriced and never fill you up. It’s better to buy ramen with that money.

When I was young, they were too expensive; now that I’m older, I avoid them for fear of diabetes.

I’d only get snacks sometimes after selling gum on the subway, massaging old realtors’ shoulders, or running errands for gamblers.

“Hardtack, puffed rice, corn, twisted donuts. I’ve had things like those.”

“So you took good care of your teeth. What do your friends like? Cookies with chocolate or strawberry?”

“Hmm...”

“Wow, Junghyuk’s thinking seriously about it.”

Uncle looked over at Father.

“Seongjun, he’s just like you. Not only the expression he makes when he’s thinking—even his taste in snacks is the same! At this point, isn’t this the mystery of genetics?”

“Is that so?”

“Sigh, you stone-faced guy. You were at least kind of cute as a kid. Now you’re just no fun.”

Uncle gave me a thumbs-up.

“Junghyuk, you’re the coolest! Grow up just like this!”

“You’re cool, too, Uncle.”

“Look at that! Junghyuk’s even better than his dad. That’s what I call quality lip service.”

“Of course. Isn’t life all about give and take?”

A favor for a favor, hostility for hostility, praise for praise.

I lightly shook the wad of bills Uncle had given me.

“If I accept money, I have to earn it.”

I put my hands together and gave a deep bow.

“Thank you for the allowance. I’ll use it well.”

“Yes, yes. Buy snacks with your friends. Get some puffed rice and corn, and hand out lots of cookies and ice cream too. That way, you’ll be popular with your friends.”

“Okay.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man coming out from the restaurant spotted us and brightened.

“President Cha, you’re here? I thought you’d gone home already after a few drinks!”

“Director Song, sorry about this. I happened to run into my brother and nephew out here.”

“Your brother and nephew...?”

“Seongjun, come say hello to Director Song. This is my youngest brother.”

At Uncle’s introduction, the two shook hands.

“Hello, I’m Cha Seongjun of Taeseong Construction.”

“Ah, the youngest son of Taeseong. I’m Song Jin-ho, director of Taeseong Hospital.”

Director Song of Taeseong Hospital handed over his business card.

‘Golden!’

A brilliant golden light burst from the card.

It was puzzling.

‘Of all places, Taeseong Hospital isn’t the kind of place you’d expect to make big money... Ah!’

Suddenly, a phrase flashed through my mind.

Something written in the statement Uncle Cheolgu had prepared.

The passage I’d written on the cheap paper to steer Grandfather’s focus only toward Taeseong Construction.











Uncle Cheolgu was investigating this just before he was taken by the Bureau of Investigation.

‘I was planning to visit Taeseong Hospital soon anyway. This works out well.’

I jumped in.

“Could I have one of those business cards, too?”

Director Song looked puzzled, so Father added,

“He’s my son.”

“Ah, then you must be the grandson of Chairman Cha of Taeseong Group. But, why do you need my card...?”

“My mom wanted to get a health checkup. Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’ll clear my schedule for you. Taeseong Hospital offers the best medical service in Korea. Our staff is always on standby—”

“I’d hate to cause trouble. I’d like to call ahead and schedule an appointment.”

“Ah, so that’s why you want the card.”

Director Song of Taeseong Hospital happily placed his business card in my palm.

“Just call anytime, and I’ll make sure to keep our schedule open.”

“Could I make an extra appointment for someone else when my mom comes for her checkup?”

“Your father as well?”

Father, who was already about to get extremely busy with the Line 2 subway construction and the Gangnam Bus Terminal project, looked troubled.

I quickly added,

“Not for Dad. It’s for a 57-year-old grandmother.”

“...Ah.”

Really, Dad.

Why do you look so obviously disappointed?

“Thanks to Grandma Okbun and Uncle Cheolgu, Mom made it to the hospital in time and her life was saved. I want to repay them.”

And now, Dad, why are you so shocked?

“Junghyuk, what do you mean?”

“The truth is, a few days ago my mom was treated at Taeseong Hospital. For carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Director Song looked flustered.

“T-that happened? Oh, why didn’t I know about something so important?”

“I’m just worried there might be aftereffects.”

Father bowed his head slightly to Director Song of Taeseong Hospital.

“Please look after her.”

“It’s my honor. Please trust us!”

Uncle, not to be outdone, handed me his business card, too.

“Here, take your big uncle’s business card as well.”

Compared to Director Song’s, this one was dazzling!

Not only did it gleam golden, but little golden fireworks popped from it as well.

‘Awesome! It’s as bright as the promissory note Grandfather wrote! Even brighter than our house deed!’

I swallowed hard without realizing it.

-President Cha Daejun, Taeseong Motors

Taeseong Motors was one of the key affiliates of Taeseong Group.

Director Song of Taeseong Hospital bowed ninety degrees to take his leave.

“It’s gotten late. I should be going. Please enjoy your family time.”

Uncle checked his watch in surprise.

“Is it really this late? I should get going, too.”

“Yes, hyung-nim. Please get home safely.”

“Uncle, do you have a driver waiting outside?”

“No, I told him to go home first.”

I slipped a few 10,000-won bills into Uncle’s pocket.

“You’ve been drinking, so don’t drive yourself. Please take a taxi home. Take care on the way back.”

“...”

Uncle put his hand in his pocket and checked the bills I’d slipped in.

He let out a loud laugh.

“Seongjun, your son’s really something! Hahaha!”

Uncle waved the bills happily.

“Wow, this is the first time in my life my nephew gave me taxi fare! Man, I feel amazing! Hahaha!”

He waved goodbye with a big motion.

“Seongjun, Junghyuk, let’s meet again soon for a family meal!”

His steps as he left looked very light.

“I always wondered why Father gave up on Taeseong Chemical so easily. Now I think I understand a bit.”

The feeling was mutual.

Now I felt I knew something about Uncle—not just the ‘Cha Daejun’ written in Taeseong Group’s reports, but as a person.

---

Taeseong Group Chairman Cha’s mansion.

Chairman Cha was having drinks late into the night with Secretary Kim.

He felt so good that it seemed he couldn’t even get drunk.

It was as if he were walking on clouds even while sober.

Chairman Cha kept bursting into laughter.

“A great benefactor has graced our Taeseong! Who knew things would go so well thanks to that anonymous supporter! Hahaha!”

The drinks kept going down easily for that reason.

Secretary Kim asked,

“Chairman, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why have you never pressed me to find out who that anonymous supporter is, or whether they can be trusted?”

Chairman Cha quietly put down his glass.