Episode 334
“So, you want to become my adopted child?”
I finally faced Bae Cheol-man one-on-one.
In front of that man, who looked particularly imposing from a Young Perspective, I bowed my head again and replied.
“Yes. Please give me the opportunity to serve you as a new parent.”
“I don’t know anything about you. And yet, you shamelessly want to be adopted?”
“First, take a look at this.”
I handed him my pre-printed profile.
It was a kind of activity notebook that childcare teachers keep about children. It detailed my age, height, and various unique traits and achievements.
“……”
Bae Cheol-man, realizing I wasn’t just spouting nonsense, cracked a bemused smile and began reading.
Seeing his eyes dart down the page, I could tell he was either a serious bookworm or someone who valued efficiency.
Bae Cheol-man quickly scanned the content and spoke up.
“Well, this is commendable… You’ve completed the third-grade curriculum even before entering elementary school. You must feel pretty proud.”
“……”
“Your vocabulary is far too advanced for your age… Your behavior seems good, and your friendships appear strong. There’s really nothing to critique.”
“I appreciate your kind words.”
I smiled, thinking that this kind of praise was only natural.
I was doing my best to prepare for an uncertain future, so this level of acclaim seemed well-deserved.
“…But what does that mean for me?”
Bae Cheol-man took a sip of his coffee and continued.
His gaze was cold, unlike the friendly demeanor he had shown outside.
“I already have two sons and two younger daughters. I don’t know if you’re aware, but in a South Korea where the birth rate is plummeting, that’s more than enough children.”
“So, you’re saying there’s no place for me there…?”
“Exactly. If we didn’t have any children, it might be different. But there’s no space left at our family table for another spoon.”
Bae Cheol-man’s tone was firm.
Yet, I could see a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.
As I had investigated, Bae Cheol-man, who loved plays, surely saw my value beyond just being a well-behaved, bold kid.
When I didn’t reply, Bae Cheol-man showed signs of wanting to get up. And that was when the real negotiation began.
“Bae Cheol-man. Age 57. Born as the eldest son in a family of four boys and one girl, struggling financially, starting all sorts of odd jobs from an early age. He’s done newspaper delivery, coal delivery, shoe shining — you name it.”
Born as the first son of a family with four sons and one daughter, I started doing all sorts of odd jobs from a young age. I’ve done everything, from delivering newspapers and coal to shining shoes.
As I began to spill information about Bae Cheol-man, he looked down at me in silence.
I seized the momentum and continued.
“Nonetheless, I never gave up my passion for academics and studied in my spare time, graduating high school through the GED. I was accepted into the top university in South Korea as the top student. After graduation, I got a job at Yongorum Construction, the largest construction company in South Korea at that time, where I gained ten years of experience and connections before voluntarily resigning from the elite group within the company. Shortly after, I started my own business, which became the foundation of the SHB Group.”
“…Did you memorize my autobiography or something?”
“I compiled not only your autobiography but also various interviews and your activities available on the internet and in newspapers. It wouldn’t be right for a child to not know the achievements of their parent.”
I deliberately inserted difficult words one by one.
Knowing that my mind wasn’t particularly sharp, I felt I needed some gilding to stand out for my age.
Call it gilding if you must.
I was desperate enough, and I absolutely couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
“Chairman Bae Cheol-man, adopting me as your son will undoubtedly be a great gain for you.”
“What’s your evidence?”
“Firstly, I suspect you’ve seen my performance on stage. If you’re interested in theater, you already know that I was born with a natural talent for acting. As you mentioned, my academic achievements are outstanding, and my friendships and usual conduct are all exemplary, so I can be thoroughly managed.”
I explained my worth.
Like a merchant showcasing a product, I presented ‘me’ before the great figure.
Then, Bae Cheol-man slightly raised the corners of his mouth and replied.
“…You are indeed exceptional, kid.”
“Thank you.”
“However, that doesn’t change my mind. There are already enough spoons at our table…”
“Chairman, I’m not interested in your wealth.”
I spoke directly, looking straight into his eyes.
No lies were mixed in. After all, I didn’t think he would bequeath his riches to someone outside of his bloodline.
“What I want is for you to grant me the right to sit at your family’s table. I don’t need a spoon. I’m not so shameless as to crave the food and side dishes on the table without knowing gratitude.”
Whether it’s a seven-course meal or a twelve-course meal, or even more than that.
Let you all enjoy that.
“If you adopt me, I will keep an accurate record of all expenses incurred during my upbringing and repay them double in the future.”
“…So you want to borrow my background and money for a while? Is that it?”
“Sadly, I’m still too young and lacking credit, so I can’t take out a loan from a bank.”
“Haha… I’m starting to doubt if I’m really talking to a seven-year-old.”
As the conversation continued, I could see excitement rising on Bae Cheol-man’s face.
‘Mother. The lamentations you used to utter are helping me like this.’
The woman who was my mother always had the words debt and loans on her lips.
It’s no wonder I learned the word “bank” before “amusement park.”
‘Understanding the importance of money and the significance of escaping poverty, and learning through it is all thanks to you.’
So I don’t blame her for abandoning me.
I don’t blame her for abandoning me.
In her life, I was a heavy burden. No matter how much I proved my future value, I must have felt like just one more meal was too much for her right now.
“…”
I took a moment to gather my thoughts and let the silence linger.
Bae Cheol-man’s gaze shifted once again.
At first, he was the benevolent Bae Cheol-man. Since our first meeting, he became human Bae Cheol-man.
Now… he’s businessman Bae Cheol-man.
“Kid, it seems you want to strike a deal with me.”
“If you think so, I couldn’t be more pleased.”
“Ha, hahaha!”
Bae Cheol-man laughed out loud.
He added that my bold attitude finally made sense to him.
“No wonder. It seems you’re picking words that don’t fit your age. Your play didn’t end on stage after all; meeting me and brokering a deal was your ‘act.’ Impressive. You managed to anticipate every situation and memorize the appropriate lines…”
He was right.
I had thoroughly prepared before he arrived.
My tone, vocabulary, expressions, and circumstances.
I memorized all possible information and did image training.
In essence, I was currently performing another act following the stage.
‘I am a seasoned merchant. A businessman skilled in turning a profit.’
With my mind on track, I pushed forward to take control of the situation.
“Now that Chairman sees me as a trading partner, I too would like to discuss the benefits I’d gain by aligning with myself… but first, I must ask for your forgiveness for my earlier rudeness.”
“Rudeness?”
“…”
I turned my gaze to the door.
I could faintly see reporters through the blurry window. The room was soundproof enough to avoid overhearing any conversations, but once I stepped outside, I would surely be bombarded with questions.
“Honestly, I used you, Chairman.”
As I sent a subtle look his way, Bae Cheol-man smirked.
“Interest. You’ve successfully made headlines.”
“I’m just a kid who knelt before the chairman of SHB Group and begged to be adopted. Even if my negotiations with you fall through, I’ve already secured a small article on the webpage.”
“I could easily stop that.”
“Not a chance. The chairman I know wouldn’t be swayed by a child in an orphanage simply standing out more than him. It just wouldn’t make sense.”
“Here you are, boasting that you know about me based on mere information floating around the internet.”
Despite his words, Bae Cheol-man couldn’t erase the smile from his face.
“If I become your adopted son, I’ll surely get to know you even better.”
“You’re on fire… and so composed…”
It was as if Bae Cheol-man was calculating in his head.
He assessed me as an item and reviewed the possible byproducts.
The conclusion?
“…On this sacred day, a mystical lotus has blossomed. You may proceed to discuss a bit longer.”
I had successfully captured Bae Cheol-man’s interest.
*
Bae Cheol-man liked me.
His greed for me stemmed from my talent for acting.
And a huge ambition that mirrored his own.
—Si-hu. I admire the ambition and tenacity you possess. Your determination to rise against adversity means you have what it takes to become great.
Though he didn’t take me as his adopted son, he became a steadfast supporter.
It has become.
He carved out time from his busy schedule to meet me often, creating a warm atmosphere every time and elevating his name in the media.
A relationship where we both used each other was established.
—When you become a high school student, I will help you achieve independence. Not as a debt but free of charge. Until you turn 25, I will pay for your housing, education, and all expenses necessary for your life sufficiently.
His intention was that it wouldn’t fit an emotional scenario if I were to repay the money double when I became an adult.
—Instead, you must prove your worth through results, not money.
In other words, it meant I had to show the same level of showmanship as the money spent.
I accepted the deal with him and dedicated myself to both my studies and acting.
I quickly built my foundation while shuttling between the orphanage and various high-priced academies.
Surely, with the hefty investment, I received quality education, and whenever journalists visited, I would constantly praise Bae Cheol-man.
I would talk endlessly about the immense grace he had bestowed upon me.
‘Considering the amount I received, boasting a bit was nothing.’
Thus, I got into a prestigious private school.
I lived in a well-viewed office-tel, enjoying lavish meals every day.
A moment’s decision completely transformed my quality of life.
‘It’s a shame I can’t even get 4 hours of sleep on a luxury bed, but that’s not what I should be complaining about right now.’
I split my 24 hours repeatedly, living by saving time instead of money.
People often say time cannot be bought with money, but that’s wrong. Time can be bought with money.
Instead of walking, I took a taxi and memorized English words in the meantime.
Rather than moving according to my academy schedule, I could hire a tutor for private lessons.
Now that I had money, there was no need to wait for the wind. My boat, equipped with a powerful engine, could cut through the sea even without sails.
“Hey, isn’t that Park Si-hu?”
“Park Si-hu? Oh, I know, I know. Isn’t he the kid who was on TV every day before?”
On the first day of high school.
I was the center of attention.
My name and face were fairly well-known, and I could easily hear the buzzing around me.
After such noise, there were always those who approached out of curiosity.
Every time, I suppressed my desire to ignore them and responded with a friendly smile.
In exchange for Bae Cheol-man’s sponsorship, I had to consistently act as the ‘ideal genius,’ and that was what I wanted too.
“Wow. We’re in the same class? That’s amazing. I’ve never seen a celebrity before.”
See? There’s a curious guy coming my way.
The one who approached my desk was an average-looking boy. I looked at him and offered a natural smile.
“Just a little known, but I’m no celebrity.”
“Really? You’re good-looking, and since you’re on TV often, I just assumed you were a celebrity. If not, I’m sorry.”
What kind of logic is that?
I didn’t want to engage in such absurd conversation, but I had no choice.
“Anyway, nice to meet you. Since we’re in the same class, I guess we’ll see each other often.”
“…….”
I glanced at his name tag.
Lee Soo-rim.
The name of this seemingly foolish guy.
And, the name of the author of the novel I would later be reincarnated as Vargan.
