Chapter 301: We Will Have To Live Here (1)
Upon entering the villa that Kim Hyung-Jung had recommended, Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook’s jaws dropped to the floor.
The multi-story building had a living room with a ceiling so high that Kang Dae-Kyung couldn’t help but wonder how they’d change burned-out lightbulbs. To its left were three flights of stairs and a kitchen directly overlooking the Han River.
Yoo Hye-Sook’s eyes widened as she looked around the kitchen.
“My gosh...!” she exclaimed.
The kitchen had a refrigerator and oven that were perfectly fitted into the wall, a marble dining table set that seemed to wrap around the entire room, and a secondary dining table that could be taken out by pulling a hook on the wall. It also had an induction cooktop and a four-burner gas stove.
Since Kim Hyung-Jung was waiting for them, Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook composed themselves and quickly turned back around.
“There are two rooms downstairs and two upstairs,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.
He walked across the living room and opened the door to a room overlooking the Han River as well.
Click.
When the two just stuck their heads in to look around, Kim Hyung-Jung kindly offered, “Please feel free to go in and take a look.”
Creak.
Its closet was also built into the wall.
Click.
The bathroom had a shower and bathtub, which they could use for bubble baths.
Click.
It even had a separate bathroom next to it.
Kang Dae-Kyung looked up at the ceiling. Like in the kitchen and living room, air-conditioning units were built into the master bedroom’s ceiling.
“Would you like to see the lavatory?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked.
“No, it’s okay,” Kang Dae-Kyung swiftly replied.
The three walked back into the living room.
Still shocked by what Kang Dae-Kyung had seen, he asked, “Are you telling us to live here?”
“I’m kindly requesting that you do,” Kim Hyung-Jung answered.
Yoo Hye-Sook nervously glanced at her husband.
“Can I be honest?” Kang Dae-Kyung hesitantly queried.
“Why don’t we talk about it over some tea?” Kim Hyung-Jung suggested, gesturing at the sofa.
Every simple necessity imaginable was already here. TVs, speakers, beds, and most appliances and furniture.
Unable to refuse Kim Hyung-Jung’s invitation, Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook sat at the end of the couch, albeit uncomfortably.
Kim Hyung-Jung raised his left arm to his mouth.
“Can you bring some tea?” he requested.
Already used to being around special agents, Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook nonchalantly watched on as Kim Hyung-Jung spoke into the microphone on his wrist.
Turning back to them, Kim Hyung-Jung inquired, “Have you heard about the announcements that the president recently made?”
“Well... yes,” Kang Dae-Kyung awkwardly replied.
Kim Hyung-Jung continued, “When the Eurasian Rail is built, our country will have to deal with such an astronomical amount of cargo that our ports won’t be able to handle it. We will have to use the undersea tunnel and borrow Japan’s ports.”
Being a businessman, that kind of information was like basic knowledge to Kang Dae-Kyung. News broadcasts also constantly talked about the ports of Busan and Pyeongtaek needing anywhere from fifty to a hundred more ports.
“The railroad construction will begin this year.”
“So soon?” Kang Dae-Kyung replied.
“Well, except for making sure that it meets the railway standards of each country, the construction itself shouldn’t be too difficult since we’ll be able to use the already existing railroads. And we also plan on using semi-trucks for overland transportation. Of course, establishing dedicated roads in Korea alone requires a budget of about nine trillion won.”
Beep, beep.
Once Kim Hyung-Jung was done speaking, Cha Min-Jeong walked in carrying cups of tea.
Yoo Hye-Sook’s expression relaxed a little. She was relieved to see Cha Min-Jeong, who was now like family.
“Why don’t you sit with us, Min-Jeong?” Kim Hyung-Jung suggested.
Cha Min-Jeong set the tea on the table and quietly sat down on one side of the sofa.
“Have some tea, please,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.
Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook sipped their tea. Their expressions made it evident that they hadn’t completely shaken off their nervousness.
After wiping the tea from his lips, Kim Hyung-Jung resumed, “We’re about to create a next-generation energy business. We cannot even dare predict the expected profits of this business.”
Yoo Hye-Sook turned to Cha Min-Jeong. Whenever she was too nervous, she tended to disassociate from its cause.
“However, we’re certain that it is the future. Even Russia and Saudi Arabia think so as well, evidenced by their simultaneous joint oil development rights offers.”
“Manager Kim,” Kang Dae-Kyung replied, “are you telling us because you hope my family will live here?”
“That is correct,” Kim Hyung-Jung replied.
“This place is too much for us. Besides, our income is nowhere near enough to maintain a house like this.”
Kim Hyung-Jung grinned.
“If I were to give you the rights to develop Russian oil, Mr. Kang Dae-Kyung, what kind of gift would you give me in return?”
“Pardon?” Kang Dae-Kyung replied, his voice tinged with confusion.
It could have been perceived as an offensive question. However, Kim Hyung-Jung’s friendly expression and demeanor made it hard to feel upset.
“It’s just as I said. If I had brought the Russian oil development rights to our country, I would have asked for all of Hannam-Dong, with the condition that the government would pay for its maintenance,” Kim Hyung-Jung continued.
Cha Min-Jeong glanced at Kim Hyung-Jung.
“I’ll be honest with you. The first floor will be used by Cha Min-Jeong and the other agents guarding you, Director Yoo, while the third floor will be used by those assigned to you, President Kang.”
Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook turned to Cha Min-Jeong with dazed expressions.
“Your son brought the Russian oil development rights to our country. He also brought us the source of next-gen energy.”
Their gazes immediately returned to Kim Hyung-Jung.
“If your son were to reach out to France, England, Russia, the United States, China, Germany, Switzerland, or Japan, their presidents would probably fly out to meet him in person. Hannam-Dong doesn’t even come close to the reward he deserves.”
Yoo Hye-Sook pressed her lips together in thought. She was grateful to hear such high praise about her son, but the compliments also made her miss him.
“Even though all we can offer right now is this house and these bodyguards, we still ask your son to do more for the country. If you refuse this house, the president and the prime minister will come running and begging themselves.”
Well aware that Yoo Hye-Sook was very emotional, Cha Min-Jeong carefully observed her, worried that she would cry.
“I know that if you two had the money to pay for this house, you would rather spend it to help children in need. However, our government badly and desperately needs your son.”
With a serious expression, Kim Hyung-Jung’s gaze alternated between Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook.
“What do you think your son would do if something happened to you two?”
Yoo Hye-Sook’s lips twitched again.
“There would be no stopping him. That’s why I’m asking you, on behalf of the South Korean government, to stay here. The Republic of Korea desperately needs the Eurasian Rail and the next-gen energy business.”
The sunlight streaming in brightened the morning of the living room.
Kang Dae-Kyung looked out the window, taking in the view of the riverside road under the Dongho Bridge, the cars traveling on the Olympic Expressway across the street, and the Han River in between, which seemed to catch the sun and reflect it across the landscape.
His son had always been like this. He would suddenly disappear, and after a while, they would be told that he had done something incredible.
Their son was still young, yet he would always return to them with a smile and shoulders broader than before.
As a father, Kang Dae-Kyung felt endless gratitude in moments like this. More importantly, it made him miss his son. He wondered if he was eating properly and if he was in some hospital alone because he was injured again...
He recalled the way Kang Chan looked at Yoo Hye-Sook and the way he doggedly ran alongside the van during the underground parking lot shootout. What would have happened if Yoo Hye-Sook got hurt right in front of him?
“Honey,” Kang Dae-Kyung said.
Yoo Hye-Sook’s eyes filled with tears as she turned to him. “Yes?”
“What’s wrong?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.
“Your eyes... they’re like that again,” Yoo Hye-Sook answered, her voice quivering.
Kang Dae-Kyung chuckled adoringly. “Goodness!”
The sight made Kim Hyung-Jung and Cha Min-Jeong smile gently.
“It looks like we will have to live here, doesn’t it?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.
Sniffling, Yoo Hye-Sook nodded.
***
As the airplane gained altitude, the seatbelt sign flashed a few times, letting them know that they could now unfasten their seatbelts.
Yang Dong-Sik grinned. “Can we really officially work with the Taegukgi on our fucking chests again?”
“God damn it! Stop asking me that stupid fucking question!” Nam Il-Gyu responded with irritation. It had been touching the first few times, but now that it was happening once every ten minutes, he was starting to feel like he was talking to an idiot.
“It was Kang Chan, wasn’t it?” Yang Dong-Sik pressed on.
“Yes, you dolt! Kang Chan, the head of the counterterrorism team that we’re joining! The deputy director of the National Intelligence Service!” Nam Il-Gyu shouted in frustration.
Yang Dong-Sik looked Nam Il-Gyu up and down.
“Did you age for nothing? Jeez! Answering my questions won’t wear your mouth down, you know!”
Um Ji-Hwan, who was sitting behind them, cautiously jumped into the conversation. “Sirs, would you like something to eat?”
“Hm? Something to eat? Sure! Why?” Yang Dong-Sik answered.
“They said you can have an in-flight meal anytime. I thought I’d remind you just in case you were hungry,” Um Ji-Hwan replied.
“Is that so? Should we eat, then?” Yang Dong-Sik contemplated, turning to Nam Il-Gyu.
Um Ji-Hwan stood up. “I’ll go and prepare it for you.”
“Sunbae-nim,” Cha Dong-Gyun, who was sitting two seats over, quietly called.
Kang Chul-Gyu went around as if to ask what it was about.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Cha Dong-Gyun asked.
“I’m good. I don’t drink coffee that much, so don’t mind me and just enjoy your coffee.”
Peeking up to look toward the cockpit, Cha Dong-Gyun said, “Oh! They must be about to hand out the meals. I’ll just have my coffee after.”
He then looked back at Kang Chul-Gyu. “Are you joining the counterterrorism team, sir?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure yet,” Kang Chul-Gyu admitted.
He didn’t mind working for Kang Chan, but he wasn’t sure about becoming a National Intelligence Service agent.
“A lot of agents would be uncomfortable to be around me because of my age. I don’t know if it’s really okay for me to join...”
“Sunbae-nim,” Cha Dong-Gyun broke in.
The sound of Um Ji-Hwan pushing the meal cart and securing the wheels clattered.
“Captain has a rough way with words, but he’s not the type to feel uncomfortable because of someone’s age.”
“I wouldn’t have gotten on this plane if that kind of discomfort was a problem,” Kang Chul-Gyu replied with a pleasant smile. “Why did you join the special forces?”
“What do you mean?”
“I used to ask those who applied to join the DMZ team that question. Why the DMZ team? The training is brutal, promotion is hard to come by, and you don’t know when you’ll die, so why would you sign up for the DMZ team?”
Cha Dong-Gyun looked behind him. The DMZ team members, National Intelligence Service agents, and Jeungpyeong special forces soldiers were mingling and chatting with each other.
“Here’s your meal. Enjoy,” Um Ji-Hwan suddenly interjected, handing them large in-flight meals.
Click.
Kang Chul-Gyu lifted the lid of the meal, revealing rice, bulgogi, and other neatly arranged side dishes.
“For a while, I actually wanted to run away, sir.”
Kang Chul-Gyu looked up from his meal to Cha Dong-Gyun’s stiff expression.
“The pay was horrible, and my death would mean nothing. It would just make my poor family suffer. If it wasn’t for our late general, I probably would have already retired.”
Kang Chul-Gyu just looked back at him and listened.
“The general held onto me like a vice. Whenever I got into trouble, he would come running for me and attempt to make settlements or make the case go away. I suppose he got tired of it, though, since he eventually told me to let him know which unit I wanted to be transferred to. He also said that only those who want something in return could become a true member of the special forces team.”
Kang Chul-Gyu now had a wistful smile.
“I shouted at him and asked him what would happen to my family. They wouldn’t have anyone to take care of them after I’m gone.”
“What did the general say to that?”
“The general told me to put my trust in him if I was really acting up because of my family. He said that he would protect me as if I were his nephew and make up for what the government couldn’t. I shouted at him again about why he would go to such lengths to hold onto me.”
Cha Dong-Gyun shakily exhaled. Remembering Choi Seong-Geon seemed to have overwhelmed him with emotions.
“He said it was because the nation and the team needed someone like me as their general....” Cha Dong-Gyun trailed off. After a deep sigh, he continued, “Our special forces team needed someone like me to become world-class. He wasn’t holding onto me because he liked me, but because the nation needed me...”
Cha Dong-Gyun’s eyes reddened. Unable to finish his sentence, he focused on calming his emotions before turning to Kang Chul-Gyu again.
“Sunbae-nim. Please join the counterterrorism team. Come to Jeungpyeong and show us what we lack.”
“Are you doing this for the general?” Kang Chul-Gyu asked.
“No, sir. The country needs a truly powerful special forces team right now,” Cha Dong-Gyun answered, determination evident in his eyes. “To reach that level, we need the guidance of someone like you.”
Kang Chul-Gyu grinned.
“I’d like to make one more request,” Cha Dong-Gyun said.
“Go ahead.”
“Please use informal speech when talking to our men too.”
Feeling genuinely happy, Kang Chul-Gyu smiled from ear to ear.
Before they could continue their conversation, they heard Seok Kang-Ho’s trademark laughter from the front.
“Phuhuhu!”
The first-class seats had been stretched out to accommodate the heavily injured soldiers. The medical team was also in the same section.
Kang Chan, Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and the army interpreter were in the front row of the first-class seats.
“You're not eating?” Seok Kang-Ho asked Kang Chan.
“You just ate two uncooked packs of ramyeon,” Kang Chan said in disbelief.
“Huh? Why do you make it sound like I’m the only one who did? We all ate the same thing, didn’t we?” Seok Kang-Ho countered.
The army interpreter right next to Gérard relayed their conversation to him in French, making it seem like a multilingual broadcast.
“If we’re going to eat anyway, let’s eat with some ramyeon, hm?”
Despite Kang Chan’s disturbed gaze, Seok Kang-Ho stood his ground.
“Dont look at me like that! Uncooked ramyeon and cooked ramyeon are two completely different foods,” Seok Kang-Ho defended.
“Everything is just new and unique food to you, isn’t it?” Kang Chan sarcastically asked.
As he shook his head from side to side, the army interpreter quickly headed to the kitchen in the back.
“We’ve got more people now, so I’ll have to step up to the plate,” Seok Kang-Ho said, his tone serious.
“Motherfucker!” Kang Chan jokingly swore at him.
Seok Kang-Ho laughed. Afterward, he said, “Captain.”
“What?”
“Thank you.”
Kang Chan smirked at Seok Kang-Ho. “Get back on your feet already so we can destroy their leaders. Only then can we get some rest. We can’t live on the edge like this forever.”
“Sounds thrilling!” Seok Kang-Ho replied, his expression revitalized despite the bandages all over his body.
Turning around, Kang Chan saw Gérard flipping through the magazines.
This was nice. With these two by his side, he had nothing to be envious of right now.
Just then, the interpreter walked back carrying a cup of ramyeon with hot water and in-flight meals. He had a bandage around his right hand, so Kang Chan had no idea why he looked so bright.
The interpreter pushed down the tables attached to the seats and set down the in-flight meals and ramyeon.
“Enjoy your meal.”
One of the agents and the medical team worked together to bring porridge and other easily digestible food to the wounded, creating the perfect mealtime atmosphere.
After inhaling the noodles, Seok Kang-Ho looked up at the interpreter. “What are you going to do now?”
Now that Kang Chan thought about it, he still didn’t know his name.
Flustered, the army interpreter looked back at Seok Kang-Ho. Since his index and middle fingers had been blown away, he was having a hard eating the noodles with a fork.
“You’re going to be discharged anyway, aren’t you? What’s your plan now?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.
“I’m going to look into some companies,” the interpreter replied.
“What about your family?”
What is this punk doing, suddenly starting an interview in the middle of a meal?
“I have a six-month-old daughter.”
“What? You were married?”
“Yes. Why do you find that surprising?”
To be honest, that was completely unexpected. He already had a child despite looking almost as young as Kang Chan, he had a daughter.
Kang Chan supposed one didn’t have to be old to have a child.
After their meal and a couple of random conversations, Um Ji-Hwan brought some coffee over.
“Have you eaten?” Kang Chan asked Um Ji-Hwan.
“Yes, sir.”
Kang Chan chuckled at the absurdity.
Um Ji-Hwan looked the same way Daye did during his first few days as his subordinate.
Things didn’t always work out the way one wanted them to.
It would be nice if just their combat abilities and experience were passed down, but they were following him and relying on him the same way too.
Kang Chan lifted his cup of coffee to his mouth.
His mind flashed back to the man who would always wait for him with a water bottle, then the last time he saw the man who had died in Africa before he could even finish his cigarette.
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