Chapter 17: Why is the Golden Light Coming from There?
Park Seong-min, a third-year student at Hanyeong University, was a returning student who had just finished his public service.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, as they say. His father was the owner of a solid medium-sized company with an annual sale of 30 billion won, and Park Seong-min had grown up without any shortage since childhood.
However, was it perhaps he was raised too indulgently?
Since childhood, he had caused frequent troubles and accidents, with his parents always having to clean up the mess.
Park Seong-min’s father, who had achieved success despite humble beginnings, was desperate to send his son to a prestigious university and poured a considerable amount of money into private education.
Fortunately, Park Seong-min wasn’t completely devoid of academic talent, and he was fortunate enough to be admitted to Hanyeong University by the skin of teeth.
Park Seong-min’s father was so delighted that he even put up banners in the neighborhood and threw a feast.
In any case, to his commendable son who had fulfilled his dreams, he provided rewards such as a credit card and a new car.
Park Seong-min, who drove around in a private car that was uncommon for freshmen and showed off his wealth, gained popularity by swiping his father’s credit card recklessly.
However, the problem lay in Park Seong-min’s romantic history.
A few legs were basic, and three legs were common. When it got severe, he even crossed over to having four legs, he had multiple girlfriends at the same time, leading to rumors that couldn’t be ignored, and eventually, his actions were exposed in detail on SNS, resulting in public criticism.
“Damn it. They’re the ones who approached me first, so why am I getting all the shit?”
As rumors spread around campus, Park Seong-min was followed by insults and finger-pointing whenever he passed by. Eventually, Park Seong-min took a leave of absence and began his public service life, fleeing as if running away.
They say even if you hang the clock upside down, time is still ticking, don’t they?
It had already been two years since he began his mundane public service life.
As the end of his demobilization approached, he couldn’t wait for his new school life to begin.
“I doubt there are many people who remember me anyway.”
Due to the nature of the business administration department, there were usually close to 200 students in each grade, so even if they were in the same department, it was common not to know who was who.
Moreover, the female students were in the midst of preparing for the job hunting season, so they rarely encountered each other in class.
“Returning to school means starting fresh. I’m sure I won’t get caught this time.”
With that determination, the first woman to catch Park Seong-min’s eye upon his return to school was Kim Joo-hee.
With her fair and clear skin, petite yet well-proportioned figure, and cute face, she was truly his ideal type.
From then on, Park Seong-min began to observe Kim Joo-hee’s every move, finally, he caught the perfect opportunity to get closer.
***
“Joo-hee, have you formed a team yet?”
A guy with slightly torn eyes and the trendy permed hairstyle called out to Joo-hee.
Joo-hee’s face, which had been smiling brightly, gradually stiffened.
“I just decided. I’ll be on the same team with these oppas and unnie here.”
The guy’s beady eyes quickly scanned us.
Then he sat down in the empty seat.
“That’s great. Nice to meet you. I’m Park Seong-min from the Business Administration department.”
“Ah. Yes…”
As Ga-haeng remained silent with a trembling face, Yoo-jin awkwardly accepted the greeting.
“So, are you four a team?”
“Yes. Well… I guess so?”
“How do you know Joo-hee?”
At that moment her expression turned sour as if she was being questioned.
Perhaps she didn’t want to make the atmosphere awkward, so Yoo-jin replied with a forced smile.
“We’re all transfer students.”
“Oh, so Joo-hee is a transfer student. I didn’t know that.”
“But who are you?”
Ga-haeng asked indifferently and Park Seong-min stared at Joo-hee intensely.
Under his uneasy gaze, Joo-hee turned her head and looked at me.
“I’m someone who likes Joo-hee.”
The guy’s brazen statement left even Ga-haeng momentarily speechless.
“Well, that’s great. Since the team can have up to five members anyway, I’ll join too. It wouldn’t be fair to the enrolled students if only transfer students were together.”
Joo-hee, unable to bear the audacity that crossed the line, frowned her snow-white forehead.
“Excuse me, but what are you…?”
“If you’re on my team, I can guarantee full marks for the assignment. My father runs a pretty solid business, you know. I can help you with interviews and whatever you need, just trust me and follow my lead.”
Yoo-jin, who found Seong-min’s pushy attitude perplexing, put on his most gentle tone and said,
“I’m sorry, but we originally decided to work together with just the four of us. We’ve already made some plans too.”
Mixing a bit of a lie, Yoo-jin expressed his intention to refuse, and Park Seong-min’s expression turned sour.
“I don’t know what your plan is, but if I’m on your team, we’re definitely taking the bus. Joo-hee? I asked for your number last time and you refused, and you’re going to refuse again this time?”
As Park Seong-min persistently pursued, Joo-hee was at a loss for what to do, and the faces of Ga-haeng and Yoo-jin hardened gradually.
“Come on, don’t be like that. Let’s be on the same team. Okay? I’ll even be your chauffeur with the new car I just bought.”
Just as Park Seong-min was boasting about all sorts of trivial things, he reached out to grab Joo-hee’s wrist.
Tak!
Before I knew it, I reflexively smacked his hand away.
The air grew cold in an instant.
I stared at Park Seong-min with a chilly gaze.
“Hey, can’t you see we don’t want you here? Why do you keep clinging and bothering us?”
“What? Clingy? Ha! Did you just say that?”
Park Seong-min, who had lost his temper, suddenly rising to his feet, glared at me.
Joo-hee was fidgeting nervously, while Yoo-jin and Ga-haeng looked at me with concern.
I flashed a reassuring smile at the three of them, then slowly stood up and faced him.
Since I was taller, I was looking down at him.
“Say it again. What did you say?”
Park Seong-min, apparently thinking I was scared when I remained silent, became even more aggressive.
I let out a short sigh and closed my eyes tightly.
I had tried to keep my temper in check, but it seemed these kinds of idiots existed everywhere.
“Hey.”
Wince
Park Seong-min flinched when he met my raw, fierce gaze hidden beneath my eyelids.
“This is your last warning. We don’t want to work with you, so… get lost.”
Overwhelmed by my icy gaze, Park Seong-min finally turned away and hastily grabbed his bag.
“Damn it. You wouldn’t take my help even if I offered it for free! We’ll just see how amazing your assignment turns out to be without it.”
With those words, Park Seong-min hurriedly ran out of the classroom.
Only then did Yoo-jin seem to relax, leaning back in her chair and letting out a deep sigh.
“Phew… why are there so many crazy jerks like that? Joo-hee, was that him? The guy who keeps bothering you?”
“Yes, that’s right. No matter how much I reject him, he keeps bothering me. Anyway, I’m sorry for causing trouble for you guys.”
Joo-hee apologize earnestly, but Yoo-jin frowned.
“Hey, Kim Joo-hee. Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault. It’s just because some psycho decided to step on your toes.”
Ga-haeng nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, why apologize? Are you scared of poop? Are you avoiding it because it is unpleasant? Or because it’s dirty? Seriously, he’s the type to mess up everything. Just look at his face and then his attitude! If Dae-woon hyung hadn’t stepped in, I would have beaten him up for real.”
“Oh yeah. Speaking of Dae-woon oppa, I saw him again. That charisma! I almost fell for him.”
“That’s right. Did you all see? ‘Hey, get lost.’ Like a line from a gangster movie.”
As the two comedy duo gave me thumbs up, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.
I scratched my head and said sheepishly,
“Well, He’s just a punk. If you stand up to him, he won’t say a word.”
I had endured that tough seafaring life for four years. In fact, on the ship, not only were beatings common, but sometimes, if emotions ran high, even extensions were handed out, so dealing with a greenhorn like that was nothing.
Joo-hee looked at me gratefully and thanked me.
“Thank you, oppa. If that guy bothers me again, I’ll say you’re my boyfriend.”
I was taken back by Joo-hee’s words.
“Hey, hey, what do you mean boyfriend? No way. Just say I’m your annoying cousin who just got out of jail.”
“Let’s get out of here for now. Class is over anyway. How about we grab a beer and discuss the team assignment?”
“Hell yeah!”
Ga-haeng immediately agreed with Yoo-jin’s suggestion, shouting ‘Cheers!’ without taking a breath.
“Count me in.”
“I’m in too!”
“Okay. Let’s go to Halmaek. 1할맥 (Halmaek) This combines “할머니 (Halmeoni)” (grandmother) and “맥주 (Maekju)” (beer), creating a playful term for a place to drink beer. “
With that, the four of us left the classroom and headed to our regular hangout.
Despite the early hour, the place was bustling, as befitting a favorite hangout for Hanyeong University students.
“Cheers!”
We clink our glasses, filled with icy foam-covered draft beer, and gulped down the frothy liquid.
“Ahhhhh… this is it! Nothing beats having a beer after class. I’m telling you, it’s the best.”
“Yeah… I mean, that’s the real reason I come to school.”
Ga-haeng and Yoo-jin shook their bodies and expressed their deep satisfaction.
“Speaking of which, about the assignment… Does anyone have any good ideas?”
At Joo-hee’s question, everyone fell into a heavy silence.
“Looking at the other teams, they seem pretty enthusiastic…”
“Well, if it’s enthusiasm, then we won’t lose!”
Yoo-jin shouted boldly, but soon her expression turned gloomy.
“But I feel like we’ll get the lowest score if we do something half-assed. Professor Min Dong-won is notorious for giving out harsh grades. No wonder his nickname is ‘Min the Lion.'”
As the mood turned a bit gloomy, I felt the need to lighten things up.
“Hey guys, what are you getting so scared about? Don’t worry. Everything will turn out just fine. We only need to keep our spirits up, especially at times like this.”
“Ooooh, that’s the spirit of a sailor who once sailed the vast Pacific Ocean!”
“Oppa, do you have any good ideas?”
The three of them looked at me with hopeful eyes.
I confidently shook my head.
“Not yet.”
“Oh, come on. I thought you had something. Anyway, let’s just have another drink for now.”
Chewing on the pickled radish that came as the basic side dish, Yoo-jin asked,
“Do you know anyone around here who’s a popular CEO?”
“………”
“Or maybe someone who has a company HR manager as an acquaintance?”
“………….”
In the midst of the frustrating silence that followed, we gulped down our beers one after another.
After pondering for a while, I suggested my own solution.
“I don’t think we can rely on connections, so let’s try a different approach. First, let’s make a list of companies known for their good employee benefits.”
“Ooooh, I see. And then what?”
“We should either send them emails or make phone calls, we have to try. If we’re lucky, we might get at least one of them to agree, right?”
“Hmm… That sounds like the most realistic approach. Alright, let’s start with that. Let’s show that tasteless guy, Park Seong-min, what we’re made of.”
“Right on!”
With the mood lifted again, the drinking session continued pleasantly.
“Haha, did you guys catch the new skit on ‘KoBIC’? It was so funny!”
“Yeah, that new segment? That one with the funny voice? I almost choked on my food laughing at home.”
They were the usual topics of conversation.
But maybe it was because they were with the right people?
Even the most trivial jokes elicited laughter, and the beer flowed smoothly like a sweet beverage.
Yeah, this is what it means to be young.
The energy and joy of this drinking session were incomparable to the company dinners they used to have back in the day.
“Oh, right. Didn’t Dae-woon oppa say he lives alone too?”
“What? Hyung lives alone? Why didn’t he tell me?”
“You’re just not remembering, In-ma 2Here, “In-ma” might be a filler word similar to “uh-huh” or “right” used by the speaker. Or It could also be a shortened version of a phrase like “이 사람아 (i saram-a)” which means “you” in a slightly exasperated way ? He mentioned it last time, didn’t he?”
“Where do you live?”
“Me? Around Seongdong-gu.”
“Seongdong-gu is quite far from our school. Why did you choose to live there?”
“I just like the house there.”
“Is it a one-room apartment? You should invite us over sometime!”
“Yeah! Let’s have a housewarming party. A housewarming party!”
It had been a few months since I moved.
I couldn’t help but nod my head in response to the sincere efforts of my classmates to come and visit somehow.
“If we finish our assignments well, we can have a drink at my place as a celebration.”
“Yes! Don’t worry, we’ll clean and tidy up before we go.”
I started to feel a bit scared about how much of a mess they were planning to make with such announcements.
As time passed and everyone got a bit tipsy, their cheeks flushed and their eyes lost their focus.
“Here’s to the last round! Our time… for first place!”
“For first place!”
The moment I took the last sip of the remaining beer in my mouth.
My eyes naturally turned towards the TV hanging on the wall.
At that moment, the news was airing on the screen.
“[In a surprising move aimed at boosting its charitable profile, Buksan Group, a conglomerate ranked 5th in Korea’s business world, announced it will auction a dinner with Chairman Lee Seung-hwan. This exclusive opportunity has sent ripples of excitement through the social scene.]”
Pfft
I accidentally spurted out the beer that was in my mouth.
“Whoa. Are you drunk, hyung?”
“Cough, cough. S-Sorry. I just got startled.”
While apologizing to the others, my eyes were glued to the TV, refusing to look away.
The faint golden light emanating from Chairman Lee Seung-hwan on the screen held them captive.
