Chaebol

Song Soo-hee set aside her questions and began tidying up the room.

"If you've finished reading, you should put the books back on the shelf. You can't just leave them scattered like this."

"Sorry."

I opened the window wide to ventilate the room.

Hmm.

I didn't notice when I brought one or two books, but now that they're piled up, it's quite a lot.

As we were nearly done organizing, Song Soo-hee wiped the sweat from her chin and spoke.

"How can I apologize to my son?"

"For what?"

"I didn't even know what Ji-hoon liked."

"Pardon?"

"If I had known you loved books this much… I would have taken you to the bookstore sooner."

Oh.

"There are plenty of books, though."

"Still. It doesn't make sense that I didn't know my son was reading this much."

"..."

She bent down to make eye contact with me.

"I'm sorry, Ji-hoon. From now on, I'll pay more attention to what you like and what you want to do. I promise."

I silently looked at Song Soo-hee.

She brought me a cake because I left my meal unfinished.

And now she was apologizing and promising to do better in the future.

Is this what having a mother is like?

This consideration, this unexpected attention, and above all… this absurd affection felt so unfamiliar to me.

Maybe that's why.

"..."

I could only stare blankly at Song Soo-hee without saying a word.

"Ji-hoon."

"…Yes?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Huh? Oh… nothing."

"You must be hungry, should we eat the cake?"

A whipped cream cake.

In my past life, it was a common dessert.

But in the 80s, it seems white cream cakes were quite rare.

"How does it taste?"

"It's sweet and fluffy, really good."

"Try it with the fruit too."

"Yes."

Song Soo-hee watched me with a contented expression.

It's hard to get used to, but…

'Being loved like this… isn't bad.'

After I quickly emptied the plate.

"Ji-hoon, Mom has something she's curious about."

"...?"

"At dinner, I always thought you were a quiet boy, but today you spoke first to your grandfather. It's a bit surprising."

She seemed more worried than curious.

Reading books, speaking to the chairman.

Perhaps she was concerned something had changed in her young son.

"I was just worried about Mom."

"Worried? About me?"

"Grandfather gave you an errand, and it's every day."

"Were you offering to go with me because you thought it would be too much for me?"

"Yes."

As soon as I answered, she hugged me tightly.

And she patted my back for a while.

In that moment, I had a vague premonition.

I would remember her warm hands and the faint smell of her shampoo for a long time.

If I ever get to experience having a 'mother,' I would think of this scene.

"Are you scared of Grandfather, Ji-hoon?"

"Yes, a little."

"Is that why you stepped up, thinking Mom might struggle because of Grandfather?"

When I nodded, Song Soo-hee smiled lightly.

"It's okay. Mom is strong."

"...?"

"Mom is much stronger than you think, Ji-hoon."

"Really?"

"Of course. If I didn't like it, I would firmly tell Grandfather. I appreciate the opportunity, but I feel differently."

"Can you do that?"

"Of course."

"But Grandfather would be angry."

"Even if he gets angry, it doesn't matter. I would tell him that my children, Yoo-geon and Ji-hoon, are more important."

"Oh."

"So remember just one thing, Ji-hoon."

"Mom is strong?"

"Yes. Your mom is the strongest person in the world, and she's your sturdy pillar of support!"

Was she here to tell me this?

She smiled brightly, like a blooming flower.

***

The next day, Metro Elementary School.

Here I am, a man in his mid-thirties, sitting in an elementary school classroom.

'How can this be fun?'

The third-generation member of Hyungang can't just read other books during class.

As a result.

Scratch, scratch.

I pretended to take notes while writing a novel in my notebook.

I used to always type on a keyboard in my past life.

Scratch, scratch.

Writing sentences with my tiny hands.

"..."

My fingers quickly started to ache.

Hmm.

What can I do? I have to endure it.

Thanks to a month of writing like this, I've made quite a bit of progress.

One short story and five poems.

'The pace is quite impressive.'

I spend several hours a day sitting at my desk.

A situation where I can write novels without worrying about money.

'This is the life I always wanted.'

Heh.

Of course, I don't spend the entire class writing.

In front of the teacher's desk.

I had various thoughts while looking at the teacher standing by the large blackboard.

At thirty-five… I was working part-time in a cafeteria.

Guarding the meals like a scarecrow in the cold hallway.

Maybe I felt an inferiority complex towards the young Korean teacher in her twenties.

Sigh.

Where did my life go so wrong?

'Because of novels, of course.'

Still, why do I love writing novels so much that I'm doing it in my second life too?

'Ha!'

A hollow laugh escaped without me realizing it.

Of course, it will be different.

My passion for novels, my longing for art hasn't diminished at all.

'Surely, this second life will be different.'

No, it has to be.

Even if I can't avoid managing the family business because I was born into a chaebol family.

I can start a huge art-related business!

'There's nothing bad about it.'

Chairman Park Yong-hak is almost addicted to art.

Vice Chairman Park Jong-in is also well-versed in art because of his father's influence.

'Even if I focus on arts and sports, there won't be much opposition.'

Plus, I'm not the first son, but the second. Heh heh heh.

As pleasant thoughts continued to cross my mind.

Tring tring, tring tring.

"Für Elise."

The bell signaling lunchtime rang out.

I took out my lunch box hanging next to my indoor shoe bag.

Every time I look at it, I'm amazed.

'Why is an elementary school student's lunch so big?'

Three tiers!

Song Soo-hee woke up early to prepare it herself, even though she could have gotten help from the maids.

Knowing the care she put into it… I couldn't leave any food behind.

So I had to diligently eat.

By the way, Mom must be in Insa-dong now, right?

Because of Chairman Park's order…

'…Wait!'

What? Mom?

Surprised, I immediately put down my spoon.

***

Song Soo-hee had been exploring Insa-dong since morning.

Being known as Hyungang's daughter-in-law, she was instantly recognized by the shop owners.

And they eagerly offered her their best hospitality.

Knowing Chairman Park's love for art.

They hoped to connect with Hyungang through his daughter-in-law and offered rare artworks at discounted prices.

The budget allowed by Chairman Park was around 100,000 won.

The shop owners priced accordingly below that.

At this rate, she could buy a piece every day that would satisfy Chairman Park.

"Would you like this one?"

At the secretary's question, Song Soo-hee shook her head.

"Is the artwork not to your liking?"

She shook her head again.

"If it's because of the price…"

The response was the same.

At this point, the secretary could only wait for her to speak.

After a moment, Song Soo-hee directly addressed the shop owner.

"Thank you for your effort, but I can't decide yet. I'll think about it and come back."

"Oh, yes, anytime! Feel free to visit. We'll always do our best!"

After a slight bow, Song Soo-hee quietly left the gallery.

Then she looked at the secretary following her.

"How many places are left?"

"We've visited all the notable ones…"

"Hmm."

She sighed softly, as if in frustration.

"Ma'am, is there something specific you're looking for? If you tell me, I can help immediately…"

"All the items are excellent."

Of course.

Only the best showed their wares.

"The prices are reasonable too. But."

As Song Soo-hee trailed off, the secretary leaned in to listen.

"There must be a reason Father-in-law sent me here."

"..."

"He must want me to develop a discerning eye by seeing the works in person."

In other words, she was expected to find a hidden gem.

But what's the current situation?

Everyone was eager to present their pieces, hoping to connect with Chairman Park.

At this rate, she wouldn't develop any discernment… she'd become a broker or lobbyist.

"I need to come as artist Song Soo-hee, not Hyungang's daughter-in-law. Otherwise, it's meaningless."

But how?

To fool the shop owners, should she disguise herself?

As Song Soo-hee's dilemma deepened.

"Mom."

An all-too-familiar voice called from behind.

Startled, Song Soo-hee turned her head.

"...!"

An unexpected but very welcome sight unfolded.

***

"Ji-hoon!"

Song Soo-hee rushed towards me in surprise.

"Did you come to see Mom?"

"Yes."

"How did you get here?"

It's the heart of Seoul.

Could a thirty-something not manage this much?

But well.

Today, I asked the driver who helps me commute… ahem.

"I said I wanted to see you."

Song Soo-hee didn't ask further and hugged me tightly.

"It's cold. Shall we go inside and have something warm?"

"Hmm."

I glanced at Song Soo-hee's secretary.

'Empty-handed.'

Meaning she hadn't found a suitable piece yet.

In other words, this wasn't the time for a mother-son reunion.

Then.

"Mom, I want to see the paintings."

"Paintings?"

"The artworks to show Grandfather. Can I help?"

Song Soo-hee didn't immediately answer my question.

She then chose her words carefully while making eye contact with me.

"Ji-hoon, Mom's a bit worried."

"What's wrong?"

"It's the first piece for Grandfather. So I'm being very careful."

Understandable.

I would feel the same.

But something seemed off.

Like there was a worry she couldn't share with her son?

I held Song Soo-hee's hand and asked.

"Mom, is there a problem?"

"Huh?"

"The galleries are all crowded. If you came early, something should have caught your eye. But since you're still unsure, isn't there a problem?"

Did she think her 11-year-old son saw right through her?

While Song Soo-hee tried to maintain her expression.

"...!"

Her secretary couldn't hide his astonished look.