Chapter 20


    Rather than seed money 2. Under whose name, sir? asked Hak-jae. Do-juns, The grandfather seemed as if hed disc


    overed tremendous treasures. Do-juns potential got the upper hand on the qualities of a very good CEO.


    <strong><i>What are you nning to do with thend, sir?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>What do you mean? Its Do-juns,</i></strong>


    <strong><i>I mean, with thendpensation. And as you know, we have to sell thend before the governments official announcement (of new town development projects), sir</i></strong>


    The grandfather waved his hand as if to say, dont worry,


    Then he said, <strong><i>Leave it to Do-jun. Lets try his luck,</i></strong>


    Thendpensation amounted to at least 16 billion and up to 20 billion (won).


    It was the equivalent amount of the annual sry of four thousand college graduates.


    The amount was too big to ce on Do-juns luck, Hak-jae thought.


    ***


    On April 27, 1989, a number of people flocked into Bundang and Ilsan.


    The announcement of the new towns by the government was no different from the disclosure of treasure maps.


    Hak-jae went to Yun-kis ce (Do-juns father) with a bankbook.


    <strong><i>What brought you here, brother?</i></strong> asked Yun-ki. He was the only person in Sunyang family who called Hak-jae brother; other assholes would exercise the power of master, treating Hak-jae as a butler.


    He shook his hand with Hak-jae and escorted him into the living room.


    When they were having an everyday conversation, Yun-kis wife served them coffee.


    <strong><i>Do sit down, please,</i></strong> Hak-jae said to her as she turned slowly back toward the kitchen, with no hint of a smile on his face.


    She and Yun-ki became nervous.


    <strong><i>Its about Do-jun,</i></strong> said Hak-jae.


    That made the twos eyes open wide.


    <strong><i>Good news, though,</i></strong>


    He told them about thendposition.


    <strong><i>What? 14 billion?</i></strong> Yun-ki asked, in astonishment.


    His wife seemed taken aback. She expected the grandfather would sell thend as shed handed thend registry to his PA, but she sure didnt expect that.


    <strong><i>Thats for 60 acres, and still 20 acres left. Approximately 10 billion,</i></strong>


    The twos eyes became bigger.


    <strong><i>What does father say?</i></strong> asked Yun-ki.


    <strong><i>He says the money is Do-juns and he will leave it to Do-Jun,</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Do-jun is only 12 now. He cant just give that big money to a 12-year-old. Tell him to take the money back,</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Honey,</i></strong> Yun-kis wife said, grabbing his wrist tightly as if to say keep that money,


    Which was rare and made Hak-jae taken aback.


    <strong><i>Why so serious?</i></strong>


    Hak-jae seemed to know what Yun-ki was afraid of; Yun-ki worried that Do-jun would be obsessed with money.


    <strong><i>That money can be all Do-jun can get. I mean, you know that your father is unpredictable. He wont like Do-jun forever, will he?</i></strong> Yun-kis wife said.


    Yun-ki never won his wife. And this time was no exception.


    ***


    I opened the bankbook and studied it.


    <strong><i>Its way too big (money) for you, isnt it?</i></strong>


    Ha!


    I blinked, holding the bankbook open in my hand.


    <strong><i>What about my pasture?</i></strong> I asked.


    <strong><i>You can ask your grandfather to make another one,</i></strong>


    He stroke my hair, then left my room.


    As the sound of his footsteps faded away, I looked at the bankbook again.


    No shit, 14 billion?


    Laughter busted out of my mouth, and I stood on my bed and started to jump.


    Gasp!


    I heard a set of footsteps ascending the stairs.


    I jumped off the bed and dashed into my desk.


    When I opened a book and pretended to read, my parents came into the room.


    <strong><i>Do you have a minute?</i></strong> the mother asked.


    <strong><i>Uncle Hak-jae told you about the money, right?</i></strong> the father asked.


    I nodded yes, proffering the bankbook.


    But he didnt receive it, shaking his head slowly.


    <strong><i>What did you say you would do with the money,</i></strong>


    <strong><i>I said I would keep it in the bank,</i></strong>


    The two seemed at ease.


    <strong><i>For now</i></strong> I said.


    The ease disappeared from their faces and a look of concern reced it.


    <strong><i>For now?</i></strong> the mother asked, <strong><i>Why? Do you need to buy something?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>No,</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Then why..?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Honey, let s listen to Do-jun first then ask,</i></strong> the father said, grabbing her hand.


    When their eyes were turned back toward my face, I opened my mouth slowly.


    <strong><i>What do you guys want to do with this money?</i></strong>


    The father gave me a firm look, then left the room without saying anything.


    What the!


    The mother looked at me and took a short sigh, grabbing my hand.


    <strong><i>Do-jun, he is not angry with you, but a little surprised,</i></strong>


    I lowered my head, and the mother stroked my back.


    Silence fell over the room for a moment.


    <strong><i>Mother?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Yes?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Do you remember what I told you about Ilsan?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Ah, the new town you told me about?</i></strong>


    Aha! she bought somend. Her look told me so.


    <strong><i>Sorry, Id forgotten all about that. Why would you ask, anyway?</i></strong>


    Yup, I expected she would not tell.


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