Chapter 90: Seeing It Clearly

The Taeseong Family Patient Aid event was held in a quiet corner of the Taeseong Hospital lobby.

Instead of standing on a high stage, I simply brought the microphone close to my mouth and read out the sponsorship certificate, enunciating each word clearly.

“……Therefore, I present this certificate. On behalf of the sponsor Cha Jeonghyeok and all the executives of Taeseong Group.”

“Thank you! Hehehe.”

“Congratulations. Here’s a bouquet.”

“Thank you, oppa. Yahoo, this is awesome! Mom, Dad! Look at this, I got an award and a bouquet too!”

Every time I handed out a sponsorship certificate I had just read, the children in hospital gowns beamed like blooming flowers.

Even with IV drips still attached, they couldn’t contain their bubbling excitement, hopping and skipping around, some even shaking their hips and breaking into dance right on the spot.

No matter the gown, a child was still a child.

“Aigoo, well done! Well done!”

“That’s right, that’s right! Wahahaha!”

“Seeing you dance so well, you’ll be better in no time! Hohoho!”

Every time, not just the Taeseong family gathered here, but even people from U-gwang would erupt in thunderous applause and cheers.

It was hard to tell if this was a charity event, a sponsorship award ceremony, or a children’s talent show.

But none of that mattered—it was clear everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves.

And that was enough.

“Hyung, thank you. Really, really, really, thank you so much!”

No matter how young, no matter how sick, children know everything they need to.

They must know that this support would ease the burdens of their families.

That’s why even that tiny child’s eyes shimmered with gratitude.

“When I get all better, I’ll definitely pay you back. Really! So let’s promise~”

I’m not someone who puts much faith in pinky promises.

But how could I refuse the heartfelt pledge from that tiny hand, IV still attached?

“Promise.”

Click! Click! Click! Click!

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Like that, I handed out sponsorship certificates twenty-five times.

Though repeated, not once did it feel tiring.

The children’s laughter became my own joy.

“Jeonghyeok young master, you are truly admirable. Just look at how he reads those sponsorship certificates. So clever, Chairman.”

“Hahaha, but of course! With Taeseong blood, an eight-year-old should be at least that competent!”

“That’s right. The young master really resembles you, Chairman.”

“Of course he does! It’s like looking at my own childhood, I tell you. From his face to his build, he’s a spitting image. Hahaha!”

Seated in the front row, Secretary Kim and Grandfather clapped so enthusiastically that their palms must have stung.

Father leaned discreetly toward Mother beside him and whispered.

The Grim Reaper, catching on and amplifying Father’s whisper, made it as clear as day.

“To be honest, doesn’t our Jeonghyeok resemble me more than Father?”

Mother covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, but—

“I’m not joking. I’m asking seriously. Is it me, or Father?”

Not a hint of laughter could be seen on Father’s face.

“Is this really something to get so serious about?”

Mother squinted her eyes into crescent moons and whispered back in Father’s ear.

“Of course, he takes after you more. Whose son do you think he is?”

“Knew it! Our father is just stubborn as always… there’s no reasoning with him.”

Only then did Father let his pleased smile show.

The Grim Reaper, unable to watch any longer, shook his head.

Click! Click! Click! Click!

The bursts of camera flashes were not just from the press or TV crews.

“Young master, smile! That’s it! Perfect!”

Yoo Jongtae sprawled right on the hospital lobby floor to capture every possible angle.

Each time, the instant camera Father had given him flashed with a click! click!

“Wow, whose young master is this? So handsome! Little miss, give us a smile too! Wait, where’s the bouquet?”

“Here it is! Our little miss was picking out the prettiest rose, so she took a little longer!”

A Taeseong Group bodyguard swiftly handed over the bouquet.

Kim Gap-yong’s daughter smiled brightly and hugged the bouquet.

“Thank you. It’s so pretty. Sniff, it even smells wonderful. This is the best.”

It was a happy smile.

Kim Gap-yong, his wife, and all their old colleagues from Taeseong Chemical wore radiant smiles, unable to hide their joy.

‘Not bad.’

Thus, my first event at a quiet corner of Taeseong Hospital ended in laughter.

Since everyone was gathered, we sat on newspapers on the hospital floor, had warm tea and lunchboxes, and after tidying up neatly, said our goodbyes and parted ways.

It was that kind of small event.

‘How could such a modest event become such a sensation?’

I couldn’t hide my astonishment.

I’d heard of people waking up famous, but never thought I’d wake up to find that little event splashed across the entire front page of the newspaper.

There were even headlines you’d expect to see on 21st-century NewTube thumbnails.

‘Not just the front page, but politics, economy, society, and even the culture section?’

The photos and headlines were all huge.

They really went all out.

‘Wow, how can every single newspaper be plastered with Taeseong, Taeseong, Taeseong! Covered top to bottom in the name of Taeseong?’

Even interviews and columns, everything was there.

The more I read, the more it made me chuckle in disbelief.

‘To think they could blow up such a small, insignificant event like this?’

Right then, I could really feel the power of a modern chaebol family.

Is there any clearer proof of how much influence they can wield over the media when they set their minds to it?

‘Meanwhile, the joint memorial at U-gwang Hospital—which should’ve attracted much more attention than a small Taeseong event—was buried in the back.’

Depending on the paper, the size differed, but in all of them, the news was a tiny blurb tucked in the social section.

The intention was clear.

It was to cover up U-gwang’s disgrace.

‘They say U-gwang has the media in a tight grip, huh.’

Even in papers where U-gwang’s influence is strong, they pushed the Taeseong Hospital event to the front page, so papers with Taeseong’s influence went even further.

There were even articles detailing how Father took care of the families of the U-gwang Chemical fire victims.

‘Secretary Kim’s handiwork, for sure.’

Just then, I wondered why, of all days, there was a huge pile of newspapers at home, even though we never even get the paper.

“Oh my, Jeonghyeok made the front page!”

Mother, looking at the paper, couldn’t stop smiling since morning.

From the kitchen, the landlady peeked her head out, ladle in hand, smiling as well.

“I was so surprised when I got the newspaper at dawn! I was so excited, I told Cheolgu to buy every paper from every publisher!”

“Well done.”

Mother instantly grabbed scissors and began clipping the articles.

Even the landlady, who’d been preparing breakfast, turned off the stove to join in the newspaper scrapbooking.

“Oh my, this one needs to go in a frame.”

“Hang it on that wall, that’s best. Jeonghyeok’s mom, I’ll hammer in the nail.”

“Grandma, Mom. I think that’s enough. Honestly, this isn’t something to make such a big fuss over, is it…”

Thud.

“Jeonghyeok, you can help with this.”

A mountain of dried anchovies, a basket of bean sprouts, and a bundle of garlic.

That was my reward for speaking my mind.

“……”

Ring ring!

Right on cue, the phone rang! Saved!

“Hello?”

-It’s your uncle. Your photo came out great! Hahaha, have you thought about being a celebrity? You look awesome, my nephew! How about we go get black bean noodles together sometime? Hahaha!

Ring ring!

-Saw the paper. Congratulations. I heard they’re building a new Taeseong Hospital in Gangnam under your name?

“Second uncle, don’t forget—you can’t ask me questions until you answer the ones you owe me, remember?”

-Congrats. I guess I’ll have to personally prepare an entrance gift for my dear nephew. Look forward to it.

Ring ring!

-Jeonghyeok! Why didn’t you wear the clothes your aunt picked out? The fur on your coat isn’t shiny! Come to the department store. I’ll pick out a few more coats for you. Oh, and tell your mother to go for a massage.

What a ruckus.

Ring ring!

“Senpai, they said Jeonghyeok was on the news? Oh my, I didn’t see it.”

The landlady, who had been about to hang the frame, hopped down from the chair.

“There’s a video recorder, right? Can’t we record the news?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never tried. There’s probably something. Want to give it a shot?”

Eventually, even Mother—who normally never even pretended to watch TV—seized the remote!

The Grim Reaper grabbed his cheeks and shrieked.

[No! My soap opera!]

‘Hey, Guardian! Wait. Wait a minute! Why are you glaring at my mother like that?’

[…….]

‘What, not going to look away? Don’t ever turn on the TV again?’

[Can’t even open my eyes the way I want now…]

The Grim Reaper plopped onto the floor in defeat.

[There’s no going back to the soap opera I missed now…]

Oh well.

That’s life—a carrot and a stick.

‘If you do your job well and behave, I’ll buy you another TV. Bigger than that one, latest model, most expensive and best one there is. How about that?’

The Grim Reaper’s eyes sparkled.

[What do you want me to do?]

‘Bulgwang-dong Gasoline. I need some intel on that guy.’

[Hmm, you want to know where he lives, that sort of thing?]

‘Not at all.’

That’s Secretary Kim’s job.

If it’s Secretary Kim, he’ll thoroughly investigate everything from Bulgwang-dong Gasoline’s personal details to all his connections, carrying out Grandfather’s orders faithfully.

That’s the basics.

[Then do you mean tailing him? Like how I tailed that sly guy from U-gwang?]

‘No. That’s unnecessary.’

[Without that, you won’t be able to catch the decisive moment when he does something shady.]

‘No need. I’m not the police.’

Catching criminals in the act is the police’s job.

Besides, Bulgwang-dong Gasoline already has plenty of crimes under his belt.

‘The U-gwang Chemical fire.’

The Grim Reaper’s pupils quaked.

‘The leash Bulgwang-dong Gasoline holds over U-gwang. I need to find out what it is.’

That’s all I need.

The rest, Secretary Kim will fill in.

If not for Secretary Kim, Uncle Cheolgu wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Bulgwang-dong Gasoline and his goons in the Sŏbinggo water torture room.

That means Secretary Kim dug up a lead and handed it over.

‘How did Bulgwang-dong Gasoline come out unscathed from the KCIA’s water torture chamber? Because he has the key weakness that holds U-gwang. I need to get that leverage.’

[You want me to reveal a secret of heaven? You’re asking me to break cosmic law…!]

The Grim Reaper shook as if struck by lightning.

[I can’t possibly…!]

‘Who told you to break cosmic law?’

[……Then?]

‘Use your little minions to find out.’

[What? Who? My minionssss?]

‘How did you get the info on this house’s safe again?’

That was because the Grim Reaper beat up the earthbound spirit haunting this mansion and extracted the info.

‘Did you get punished for revealing secrets of heaven then? No, right?’

[Oh-ho!]

Only then did the Grim Reaper’s lips curl into a grin.

[That guy has committed so many misdeeds, there are vengeful spirits and wandering ghosts swarming all around him.]

The Grim Reaper clenched his fists.

[I’ll be off.]

[Found it! Got it! I did it!]

The Grim Reaper returned, full of confidence and grandeur.

Shoulders back, chest out, hands on his waist, he let out a great laugh.

[This officer has discovered what leash Bulgwang-dong Gasoline has been hiding over U-gwang! Hahaha!]

Excellent!

I rubbed my palms together.

‘Where is it? What does it look like? What is it?’

[Don’t know.]

Is this guy kidding me?

As my eyes narrowed, the Grim Reaper gave a meaningful smile.

[I found out who’s holding that weakness.]

Oh!

If I know who holds it, collecting it will be a breeze!

[And I found out how Bulgwang-dong Gasoline, who shouldn’t have been able to move a finger in the Sŏbinggo water torture room, managed to summon U-gwang.]

Impressive!

‘If I get my hands on this, then Bulgwang-dong Gasoline has no way out of the Sŏbinggo water torture chamber, right?’

The one threatening U-gwang won’t be Bulgwang-dong Gasoline, but our Taeseong instead.

And as luck would have it, we have the perfect person to wield a blade against U-gwang.

‘Secretary Kim.’

It’s time to use his business card.

Maybe I should prepare a gift to make Secretary Kim’s job easier?

It would have to be high-level information that’s hard for an ordinary person to obtain, but that would greatly lighten Secretary Kim’s workload, right?