The Youngest Son of Sunyang

Chapter 14

So, tell me, Its the southern greenbelt area, sir, And?

There are immense fields of cucumbers and oriental melons in the area, sir,

And?

Due to the poor condition of transportation infrastructure, and the difficulty of access, the area is unlikely to be developed in the near future, sir,

Hmmm making a pasture shouldnt be a problem,

A pasture for?

Horses,

Thats possible, sir. Pastures are not taken by the greenbelt restrictions,

The grandfather took a slug of water, then he tapped the map several times pensively.

Identify whether this land is available for purchase,

How many acres are you thinking about, sir?

50 acres,

Yes, sir,

Only 50? I expected more than 100 acres. Damn.

When his PA backed toward the door and pulled it shut behind him, the grandfather resumed smiling.

Now, lets see how the land you picked changes,

Does land change? I asked innocently.

Listen, kid. Im going to tell you something that you may not understand right now, but I want you to remember that,

Go on. I understand everything.

Yes, grandfather, I said, nodding.

Land is a living thing,

After a little pause, he continued,

Land is sensitive to changes, and of course the changes are made by humans,

He bored me already.

The important thing is that you have to make the changes work to your own advantage. When land reacts to them, you have to provide a special kind of stimulus so that its soil can change into gold dust,

I wouldnt have picked the land you picked, if I had to buy land, he added.

Why is that? I asked.

It takes so long. It takes many decades for land to change into gold dust. However

I tilted my head.

You are so young right now, he said.

He was wrong. It will not take many decades. The land I picked will change into gold dust, a new town in 2 years.

It was the best jajangmyeon Id ever had.

***

The new sun rose, bringing 1988 when the Seoul Olympic Games marked a historic moment for South Korea, drawing international recognition.

The smash hit TV series Reply 1988 seems like another world to me now.

Its story tells about the lives of ordinary people, while I live in the story of affluent peoples lives.

Do-jun? What are you doing here again? Seo-yun asked.

Look whos talking!

Hows your mother doing? she asked, then went away without reply.

Her husband who is getting ready to run for the National Assembly shot a very quick smile at me and stroked my hair for the most fleeting moment, then strode into the grandfathers study.

He always gives me an eerie feeling. In particular, whenever he looked at my mother, Id seen the coarse look in his eyes. Because of her fadeless beauty, my mother can still attract the attention of men, and the jealousy of other women in the family which is the implicit reason they dont warm to her.

Anyway, as that SOB passed by me, I had to resist my impulse to pluck out his eyes.

**

Does Do-jun live here? Seo-yun asked ironically.

School vacation. He is staying here for a week or so, the grandfather said, then asked, So why are you here again, with Choi (Seo-yuns husband aka the SOB)? giving Choi a fierce look.

Well, am I not invited? asked Choi, then a sheepish grin quickly appeared on his face. Meanwhile, a sulky pout crossed Seo-yuns face.

I asked you why you are here again, the grandfather said in a stern tone.

Why is his local constituency is Suwon, father? Seo-yun asked.

The grandfathers irritation soared even higher.

Not that she didnt know why, she was thinking of somewhere else.

Suwon is packed with Sunyang factories.

Since the majority of its population is related to Sunyang, Choi stands a strong chance of winning the election.

I would not play a game that I could win easily, said Choi.

What do you want? the grandfather asked in a low, stern voice.

Choi gave Seo-yun a sidelong glance as if to say, You tell him,

She balked, then said, In order to reach the ears of the leading figures

Say what you want, damn it! the grandfather yelled out.

Jongno, father, said Seo-youn.

Jongno district is the major political centre.

The two (Seo-yun and Choi) knew that, if Choi got elected to the National Assembly from Jongno district, he would be constantly in the public eye and be one of key figures, alongside other leading political figures.

The grandfather frowned, clamping his mouth shut.

Why, why is it you want Jongno, Choi?

Seo-yun quickly answered while Choi dropped his head, staring at his feet.

He will run in the next presidential election, father,

The grandfather was not taken aback at all, as if hed expected the answer.

A heavy silence fell over the study.

Choi?

Yes,

You do not dare, the grandfather said.

Not the reaction theyd expected. Choi and Seo-yuns eyes widened.

Father?

Shut up and listen!

The two clamped their mouths shut as fear arose in them.

Jongno? Do you have any idea of how much you need to spend in order to get elected from the district?

No one doubts that money matters in political campaigns.

I picked Suwon, its because, as you said, you can win easily. Without my money, the grandfather said, glaring at Choi.

How could Seo-yun equivocated, the sheer disappointment written all over her face.

He is from one of the best families, father! He doesnt deserve your scorn, but rather your respect! she poured out her rage.

Oh well, who made your family the best? who made your father Chief Prosecutor? I DID! the grandfather shouted out. The higher his rage soared the lower Choi dropped his head.

I raised your family because I wanted faithful dogs that could grovel at my feet! And you are one of the dogs, you must do as I say!

He ranted like a deranged lunatic as Chois forehead bulged with a thick vein and his face reddened to the color of a beet.

Silence prevailed for a while.

The next presidential election? Was it your father who uttered that nonsense, Choi? His rage seemed to have cooled down to a light simmer.

Tell you father, stop that nonsense,

When the two started backing toward the door, he said, You stay here, Seo-yun,

His rage returned just after Choi pulled the door shut behind him. He grabbed a book from his desk and flung it at Seo-yun.

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