Chapter 7
“Back then, Seongsu-dong was different from how it is now; it was filled with old factories and small warehouses.”
As if catching a fleeting memory, Im Gwanhun’s gaze lingered on the past for a moment.
“At the time, I used the 200 million won I intended to give Driver Song to buy land there. Back then, it wasn't a popular location and didn't receive much attention. But then, as Seoul City's Urban Regeneration Policy expanded, all the old buildings were torn down, and spaces like cafes, workshops, and studios started appearing. Eventually, it rapidly emerged as the center of a Core Commercial District. And now, the Estimated Market Value of this land is...”
He said in a low voice.
“If you add the value of the building constructed there, it would easily be 4 billion won. The monthly income is around 15 million won.”
“H-huh...”
Song Bonggu, who had unconsciously gasped, quickly covered his mouth. Song Bonggu was blinking wildly, his hands trembling.
“M-Mr. President! This is too much. How could I possibly accept this...”
Im Gwanhun calmly shook his head.
“It's not too much at all. Driver Song saved my life. Thanks to you, I've been able to live happily with my family and grow the company to this extent. If I had died back then, what good would any of this be?”
“...”
Song Bonggu, who had been about to say something, closed his mouth at the resolute look in Im Gwanhun's eyes.
“And as I said, the reason I bought this land in the first place was as a token of my gratitude to Driver Song. So please, I hope you won't refuse this time.”
“Ah, even so, how could I possibly...”
The amount was four billion won, when even four hundred million would have been enough to make him swoon. Song Bonggu's mind went blank, and he couldn't collect his thoughts.
Im Gwanhun, who knew Song Bonggu's ungreedy and gentle nature well, subtly shifted his gaze.
“Now, you should also think about Tani.”
At the mention of his son, Song Bonggu flinched.
“In a capitalist society, money is power. Having assets in this harsh world is like having the strength to protect your loved ones. I believe Driver Song must have realized this through recent events.”
Song Bonggu couldn't offer any rebuttal. What would have happened if Mr. President and Madam hadn't stepped forward? The Victim would have been turned into the Perpetrator, and his son, precious as his own life, would have suffered an indelible wound.
And in that situation, he himself would have fallen into a pit of despair, unable to protect his son.
Song Bonggu's complexion grew even paler. Just imagining it sent shivers down his spine. As if guessing his thoughts, a smile played on Im Gwanhun's lips.
“This is for Driver Song and Tani, but it's also for me.”
“What do you mean by that...?”
“If Tani is stable, won't Driver Song be able to fully concentrate on his work?”
“Ah!? Mr. President, you're suffering losses because of me...”
“Hahaha, that's not what I mean. I'm just saying to accept it without burden, as it will benefit everyone.”
Na Hyeran, who had been listening silently, also stepped forward to offer support.
“That's right, Driver Song, you absolutely deserve it. I was so shocked when I heard about the accident that day... The image of the completely burned car still appears in my dreams. You risked your life in that hell to save my husband. Honestly, I even think this isn't enough.” “M-Madam...”
At this point, Song Bonggu couldn't help but be swayed. Song Bonggu, who had been staring at the Document Envelope with trembling pupils, squeezed his eyes shut.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. I... I will serve you even more diligently.”
“Haha, just continue as you are. You are the only one I can trust with the steering wheel, Driver Song.”
Only then did a sense of relief spread across Im Gwanhun's face, as if he had achieved his goal.
“Oh, and regarding tax matters like gift tax or registration fee, I'll have a tax accountant handle them cleanly, so you don't need to worry.”
Song Bonggu, who had been at a loss for what to do, seemed to think for a moment, then looked at Im Gwanhun.
“Um... Mr. President. It's shameless of me, but may I ask for one favor?”
“Yes, please speak freely about anything.”
“Those... things you mentioned... could you put them in my son's name instead of mine?”
“In Tani's name?”
Song Bonggu nodded without an ounce of hesitation.
“I am perfectly content with my current life. So, if you could put it in my son's name, whose future is bright... I would be truly grateful.”
A faint hint of concern appeared in Im Gwanhun's eyes. After all, there were countless cases where even families fell apart because of money. Moreover, wasn't he still a minor who didn't know the ways of the world?
“Tani, what do you think?”
Im Gwanhun, looking at Songtan as if testing him, inwardly swallowed his surprise. Even if he was a minor, a high school student would surely know what it meant to become a building owner. But.
He's excessively calm.
Songtan's eyes were the embodiment of serenity, devoid of any excitement or joy. Only a faint trace of emotion remained, touched by how much his father thought of him.
Songtan, after thinking for a moment, spoke calmly.
“No matter how I think about it, simply accepting this doesn't seem right.”
“Tani! What are you saying...”
“But to coldly refuse Father's sincerity also doesn't seem right... So, I was thinking, what about Joint Ownership?”
“Joint Ownership?”
“As Mr. President said, in a way, this is like Father's life's worth. All that driving every day, coming home late and sleeping silently... accumulated to become this fortune. If I were to accept it thoughtlessly, it would just be a simple “stroke of luck.” Rather than that, I want to feel it as the “fruit” of Father's diligence and goodwill.”
“Hoo...”
A low exclamation of admiration escaped Im Gwanhun's lips. Thinking about it, it was indeed the most reasonable solution. Not only could it save on taxes, but it would also naturally be inherited in the distant future anyway.
“What do you think?”
At Im Gwanhun's question, Song Bonggu stiffly nodded.
“If Tani wants it, anything is fine with me.”
Before he knew it, Song Bonggu's eyes grew moist. He seemed touched by how much his son cared for him.
“Haha, excellent. Then let's conclude this matter like this.”
Im Gwanhun, smiling as if he had finished something burdensome, looked at Songtan.
“Tani has grown up very well. He has a shrewd side that belies his age, despite having gone through such difficulties.” “Under a father who couldn't do much for him, he's grateful and admirable.”
The corners of the father's mouth lost control and drooped at the praise for his son. However, Im Gwanhun wasn't just offering empty praise.
His profound gaze, unusual for his age, and his somewhat detached aura made him seem like someone who had experienced all sorts of Trials and Tribulations. It was somewhat hard to understand that such a child had suffered School Violence for so long. Well, only he would know the full story.
“May I ask what your plans are for the future?”
At Im Gwanhun's question, Songtan answered without hesitation.
“First, I plan to build up my physical strength. With this body, I don't think I can accomplish anything.”
It was the most urgent task at hand. Because with such a frail body, he couldn't achieve anything. First, he intended to build up his stamina and muscle strength, and then, though he wasn't sure if it was possible, cultivate his *naegong*.
“Well thought out. Physical strength is like a vessel. If the vessel is small, even the best things will overflow.”
Im Gwanhun nodded, looking satisfied.
“After that, I plan to take the High School Equivalency Exam first.” “That's also a good idea. Even if people say you don't need to go to university these days, a High School Diploma is essential everywhere. Our company, for example, doesn't hire middle school graduates.”
Suddenly, Na Hyeran clapped her hands beside them.
“Oh, that's perfect. How about studying with Seorini at our house then? She's been whining lately about being bored studying alone, and I wasn't sure what to do.”
Na Hyeran, her eyes sparkling, looked at Songtan.
“Tani, it'll be better for you than studying alone, won't it? And you're not strangers.”
Im Seorin was the youngest of the three sisters in the house. Just as Na Hyeran said, when they were very young, Songtan and she had often played together. Of course, once puberty hit and they realized the reality, they naturally avoided each other.
“Does Seorini not go to school either?”
At Songtan's question, Na Hyeran let out a deep sigh.
“Don't even get me started. She quit school to become some kind of idol and just stays cooped up in the Agency's Practice Room.”
Songtan, recalling Im Seorin's childhood self, unconsciously nodded. Indeed, she was a child who showed extraordinary talent from a young age, mimicking singers' dances in front of the TV.
“I don't know if I'll be much help... but if Seorini is okay with it, then I will.”
His reasoning was: having just received an entire building for free, how could he not do at least that much?
“Hohoho, Seorini will definitely love it! She still sometimes asks how you're doing, you know?”
Na Hyeran smiled brightly, delighted. In the warm atmosphere, Im Gwanhun delivered a final word.
“Be good to your father.”
Im Gwanhun patted Songtan's shoulder.
“There are many eloquent people in this world, but those who quietly fulfill their duties to the very end are rare. This is a truth I've learned from meeting countless people.”
Im Gwanhun, looking at Song Bonggu for a moment, chuckled softly.
“Your father has never once broken a promise to me. Whether it rained or he wasn't feeling well, he never once put down the car keys. Furthermore, he's constantly striving even now to overcome his physical disadvantage. Such people are rare. I guarantee it.”
Meeting his piercing gaze, Songtan nodded.
“I have never, not for a single moment, failed to respect my father.”
“T-Tani...”
Hearing his son's heartfelt words for the first time, Song Bonggu couldn't help his voice trembling.
“I will live honestly and diligently, like Father, and I will become a son you can be proud of.”
Songtan uttered a single, powerful word, as if making a vow.
“Absolutely.”
***
On an unusually quiet night, streetlights in the alley illuminated the path at regular intervals.
Song Bonggu walked at a slightly slower pace than usual. His bent back cast a long shadow, and Songtan walked beside it, his own shadow overlapping his father's.
“It's quite chilly tonight.”
“It is.”
Silence fell once more. But a comfortable atmosphere, where words weren't necessary, flowed between the two.
Before long, Song Bonggu spoke again.
“No matter what choices you make in the future, your father will always be on your side.”
Songtan turned his head and looked at his father.
Perhaps feeling awkward, Song Bonggu fixed his gaze straight ahead.
“Even if you make the wrong choice... even if everyone in the world points fingers at you... I will stand by your side. No matter what.”
Song Bonggu stopped walking and looked up at his son.
“Because if you have just one person who truly believes in you, you can go all the way.”
Songtan, showing a smile similar to his father's, slowly nodded.
He didn't need to confirm it; the sincerity was deeply conveyed.
Just then, a man in a Police uniform walked past from the opposite direction. The buttons on the uniform, catching the streetlight, gleamed brightly.
Song Bonggu, who had stopped and was staring blankly at him, wore a bitter smile.
“I once dreamed, too, of becoming a Police Officer and wearing such a cool uniform...”
Hearing about his father's dream for the first time, Songtan showed interest.
“Why a Police Officer, of all things?”
“It was just... when I was young, everything seemed cool. Catching Bad Guys, for example, was cool. I thought I wanted to become a police officer and contribute to making the world a little better. I was innocent back then.”
His bent-backed father silently watched the Police Officer's retreating figure.
The son watched his father intently.
“I was like that too, though the ending was tragic.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Song Bonggu, belatedly collecting himself, shook his head and continued walking.
“Ahem, I just had such thoughts for a brief moment in my naive youth. Let's go quickly. I'm hungry.”
Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Song Bonggu walked ahead first. Songtan, who had taken a few steps following his father's back, suddenly stopped. And he turned his head to watch the Police Officer's retreating figure silently.
***
One year later.
A small article appeared in a corner of a local newspaper, rarely seen by many.
Songtan, a High School Equivalency Exam graduate who caught a pickpocket, passed the national Police Officer (public servant) exam as the youngest ever.