章節 633: Chapter 633: It’s Not That Important
An Yong-soo soon averted his gaze and got off the elevator.
I brought him into the hotel room and sat facing An Yong-soo.
Steam rose from the coffee that Manager Ma's subordinates had prepared in advance.
Watching it, I leaned back on the sofa, crossing my arms.
An Yong-soo's face hardened as if recalling the humiliation he had just suffered.
As I suspected, An Yong-soo seemed to be someone deeply entrenched in authoritarianism.
Such people don't reflect on their rude actions at all; they only focus on how their authority has been challenged.
"Now, please speak. We don't have much time. It wouldn't be polite for a grandson like me to keep my grandmother waiting at her seventieth birthday party, and I believe you, being a person of etiquette, will understand that," I said.
I spoke, mocking An Yong-soo, who was seeking politeness from Myeong-su earlier.
There was no way An Yong-soo didn't know the meaning behind my words; his expression grew even more menacing.
"Kim Mu-hyeok. What are you trying to do? I came to congratulate your grandmother on her seventieth birthday…"
"You must have clearly declined. I conveyed that no politician or business leader, including yourself, should attend. Do you think only you wish to come to the birthday party? You are actually late, Mr. Mayor. Even the members of the National Assembly in Seoul have refused to attend this time."
An Yong-soo seemed at a loss for words, merely licking his lips. Watching him, I uncrossed my arms and leaned forward.
"Do you know why that is? Today is solely for my grandmother. I don't want her acquaintances to feel uncomfortable, and as her grandson, I wanted to celebrate her seventieth birthday properly. Do you think others didn't come because they don't care? Well, it's more that they respect me and would rather avoid conflict with me. But you, Mr. Mayor, had the audacity to try to disrupt the birthday party without any connection to me. Did you really think I'd welcome you?"
An Yong-soo inhaled sharply at my cold tone.
I had never met An Yong-soo in either life before.
If he had approached me to gain something through even the slightest contact, I might have understood.
An Yong-soo was no more than an uninvited guest crashing the birthday celebration for my grandmother.
"…I have to attend various events as the Mayor of Busan. A seventieth birthday? I'd attend even a first birthday party if needed. But is there any reason I should be treated this way just because I came to a mere seventieth birthday party without an invitation…?"
"Just a mere…? Did you just say that?"
I interrupted An Yong-soo while glaring at him.
In my previous life, that same grandmother suffered unjustly and passed away suddenly because of me.
This time, my grandmother safely reached her seventieth birthday. There was nothing more important to me than that.
"Sure, it may seem like a mere birthday party to you, Mr. Mayor. But for me, it's the most significant occasion. I wouldn't even attend if the President called me right now. And how dare you, a mere Mayor of Busan, try to ruin something so important?"
"You're being overly harsh, young man! I am An Yong-soo, the Mayor of Busan! In Busan, I am the king, and I am the law!"
When An Yong-soo slammed the table and shouted, the bodyguards standing behind us all turned to look.
I felt him flinch, but I paid no mind, leaning in closer and glaring at him instead.
"Yes, well. It's understandable that you'd be arrogant since every place you go, you're surrounded by people who flatter you. But those are just people who want something from you. I want nothing from you. What can the Mayor of Busan, who acts merely as Han Ji-ho's herald, possibly do for me?"
Manager Ma, who had been standing back, had now come to stand behind me.
Manager Ma was watching An Yong-soo with an expressionless face.
However, the intense ferocity in his gaze spoke of a palpable danger.
Receiving the menace radiating from Manager Ma's eyes, An Yong-soo flinched and fell silent.
"Do you now understand why people complied with my refusal so readily? Well, Han Ji-ho likely had his own reasons for sending you. It might be that he didn't fully grasp my situation, or perhaps he wanted to send you to absorb my wrath instead. But none of that matters to me right now. What I'm currently contemplating is what to do with you here and now."
Casually, I leaned back into the sofa.
"There's no need for preamble; I'd just like to return to the celebration soon, so let me be direct. What did Han Ji-ho say to you?"
"…"
An Yong-soo merely twitched his lips, unable to speak easily.
Such types typically react similarly when their firmly held authority collapses.
Finding someone who isn't intimidated by their authority leaves them bewildered.
This is especially true for those who are regional leaders, living like kings in their territories.
If Yeouido's politics are raw and wild, then local powerful representatives rule like kings in their own frontyards.
"Mr. Mayor, if you have nothing to say, then rise. Don't waste my precious time."
In response to my words, An Yong-soo squinted as if deep in thought.
Should he stand up, or bow his pride and relay Han Ji-ho's words?
In the end, he chose to convey Han Ji-ho's message.
"…Representative Han Ji-ho said he would come directly to Busan tomorrow. He asked me to make sure to set aside some time for him."
He hadn't even mentioned anything significant, instead merely getting the Mayor of Busan to organize an appointment?
Representative Han Ji-ho must really be in a hurry.
"Is that all?"
"That's all I was told."
"What's the reason for the meeting? Did a man of your stature come all the way just to request some time?"
Given the current chaos, sending a mere request for time is hardly adequate.
An Yong-soo seemed to take offense, biting his lips and nodding.
"…He said it was an important matter."
"So, he sent you to me just to request time without saying a word about this 'important matter'?"
"There are advantages to knowing and disadvantages to not knowing. Isn't politics like that? The more you try to know, the more you sink into a quagmire. If what you want to say is meant for me, then it would have been expressed to me, right? But the fact that it wasn't means Representative Han must have his own thoughts on the matter."
He wasn't a total fool; I nodded slightly at his words.
If I were to find out what Han Ji-ho was planning, I needed to meet him.
"Understood. You may leave now."
"Make sure to get a confirmation."
"Relay to him that he can find me at the spot where you're sitting by 6 PM tomorrow."
I stood up before An Yong-soo could say anything.
"I won't forget this disrespect today."
An Yong-soo, having felt the chill of my gaze, also rose and mumbled.
"…You continue to underestimate me to the end."
"I didn't underestimate you; you underestimated me. If you had at least reached out first, this ruckus could have been avoided."
"You'll regret this someday. I am An Yong-soo, An Yong-soo. There's no one more powerful than me in Busan. Don't blame me if innocent people sitting over there suffer because of you."
How dare he threaten me? It had been a while since I felt this fresh thrill.
With that, it became very clear that he had no idea who I truly was. I gazed at An Yong-soo with a sinister smile.
"Regret? That's interesting. I haven't felt that emotion in a long time. Why would I feel regret? I can simply drag them down thoroughly and trample them instead."
After avenging my parents, the feelings I had were emptiness rather than relief.
Now, I don't blame anyone. I just return more than I was given.
"Young man, you're too arrogant. One day, you're going to get hurt badly. The more a rice stalk matures, the more it learns to bow its head; maybe you haven't learned that yet. Your grandfather wasn't this rigid…"
Hearing a person who has thrown decorum aside talk about my grandfather was surprising.
This was unexpected, sparking my curiosity.
"Did you know my grandfather well?"
"Of course. How could I not? Cheontae Mountain, the king of loan sharks in Myeong-dong, no one can match his cash mobilization power even among chaebol chairmen. Almost no politician isn't indebted to him, except perhaps the new generation of politicians. Anyway, that Cheontae Mountain would never treat me rudely like this. But his grandson, the supposed heir, would turn out to be so audacious. I'm greatly disappointed; I was looking forward to today's meeting."
An Yong-soo licked his lips and extended his hand.
"Let me give you a warning. Next time, you'll have no choice but to come find me. It was nice meeting you, Kim Mu-hyeok."
I thought there would be no one left to mention my grandfather directly before me.
It seems I need to probe this person as well. This time, I accepted his hand without refusing.
"Let's hope that happens. I look forward to it, Mr. Mayor An Yong-soo."
With a displeased expression, An Yong-soo shook my hand and then turned to leave the hotel room.
I let out a deep sigh and sat back down. It's exhausting to meet a politician, even if they're rotting away.
Manager Ma approached me then.
"Manager Ma."
"Yes, Boss. What's your command?"
"Go up to Seoul right now and dig through my grandfather's ledger. See if that person's name shows up there, and also find any weaknesses. And look into Representative Han Ji-ho as well."
Only Manager Ma and I have access to my grandfather's ledger and documents outlining the debts of politicians and businessmen.
I had to stay for my grandmother's birthday, so Manager Ma was the only one who could check the ledger himself right now.
"I'll handle things here; you go on your way."
Manager Ma paused, seemingly uneasy about leaving my side.
When I issued my instruction again, he lowered his head.
"…Understood, Boss. I'll leave a few people behind with you."
"Do that. Don't rush; take your time. Hurrying might complicate matters. For now, let's head down. Time certainly passed more than I expected."
I stood up again, rubbing my face to ease the stiff expression.
I didn't want to show a hard face to my grandmother. I kept smoothing my face until we arrived at the banquet hall.
"Then I'll be back. Take care, Boss."
As I got off the elevator, Manager Ma bowed one last time and greeted me.
Manager Ma is certainly someone who worries a lot.
"Don't worry; just go and come back."
Leaving behind the still bowing Manager Ma, I entered the banquet hall again.
Seeing the people enjoying drinks, partying despite the earlier commotion, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
On this wonderful day, I only hoped my grandmother would have good memories left behind. And thankfully, she did.
I walked across the banquet hall toward my grandmother.
She was surrounded by Cheon Ji-young and her friends, laughing.
At that moment, my grandmother spotted me and asked with a worried expression.
"Have you come, Mu-hyeok?"
"Yeah."
"Is everything okay?"
"It's fine. I just caused a strange atmosphere because of me."
"Oh dear, my child. No worries. Everyone is just enjoying themselves without a thought for it. Don't say such things."
I smiled brightly so my grandmother wouldn't worry and stood up.
I moved towards the karaoke machine, grabbed the microphone, turned it on, and after a couple of taps, spoke.
"I'd like to thank everyone who came to the seventieth birthday party. While I'm at it, I'll sing a song too."
I chose a song my grandmother loved that I had memorized.
"When flowers bloom…"
As I began singing the song, which is also known as the Giants' cheering song, the audience stood up and started clapping.
"Wow…"
I caught sight of Cheon Ji-young, who had stuck close to my grandmother, with her mouth agape.
I could guess what she was thinking, but I chose to ignore her reaction.
"Ji-young, is this the first time you've heard Mu-hyeok sing?"
Myeong-su asked, looking at Cheon Ji-young with a playful smile.
"Yes, I've never heard it before. I had no idea my oppa could sing so well."
"He could've succeeded as a singer! What on earth can't he do? Sometimes I wish I could just open up his brain and check if he's really one of us."
Cheon Ji-young giggled, covering her mouth at Myeong-su's teasing.
"Indeed. He's my brother, but he sometimes doesn't seem human."
After finishing the song, I put down the microphone and approached Myeong-su.
"Hey, stop hitting on my sister and sing one too."
"What are you saying, you madman? Who's hitting on anyone?"
Caught off guard by my words, Myeong-su swore right back.
Everyone burst into laughter at his reaction.
Though Myeong-su usually showed a serious demeanor as a member of the National Assembly, here, amongst friends, it felt natural.
"Stop the nonsense and go sing. Grandma likes your singing. After Myeong-su, let's have Hyeon-seong start and then everyone follows with a song."
I said, looking at my friends. Hyeon-seong seemed to have anticipated this and simply nodded, but Myeong-su frowned.
"Are you crazy? Asking me to sing after you? That's just asking me to die here. I'd be comparing myself to you."
Myeong-su groaned, but Hyeon-seong nudged him from the side.
In the end, unable to withstand the pressure, Myeong-su took the microphone, turning to face me.
Seeing the forlorn look in his eyes, both Hyeon-seong and I couldn't help but laugh.
Myeong-su, upon noticing our expressions, crumpled his face but eventually opened his mouth.
"Ha… A son of Busan! I, Lee Myeong-su, will now sing a song for you all."
He only paused briefly before starting to sing a trot song he was familiar with.
It should have been a lively song, but with Myeong-su singing, it came out oddly melancholy. Still, the townsfolk cheered and sang along, enjoying it.
Thus, my grandmother's seventieth birthday party continued into the late hours.
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