Chapter 53: You Should Be Glad If You Don’t Get Scamd
“Sir, when do you think the trip to Arica… will be possible?”
“If everything goes well, early next month at the soonest. At the latest, within two months. We’ll send a ship from Busan Port to Hong Kong, and from there, you’ll enter the United States under the guise of being adopted into Chinatown.”
Two months at most. I felt relieved, yet there was a heaviness sitting in my heart.
“Understood. While I’m in Busan, I’ll et the people in charge myself.”
“Good. I’ve used all my connections to find the best route possible. But, you know, don’t you? Illegal immigration isn’t sothing that can be taken lightly.”
“Yes. Of course, I’m aware.”
Out on the open sea, anything could happen. No matter how ticulously I prepared, I could never be a hundred percent certain of safety.
“I’ve told you before, going through the proper channels for study abroad would be much safer. You could first establish legal citizenship as a Korean and—”
“No. Arican citizenship. That’s what I need right now. And what Min-soo needs as well.”
The reason I chose this difficult, dangerous path was simple.
An Arican passport—an identity under that nationality—would beco the strongest weapon and shield one could have in this chaotic Republic of Korea.
Yang Sobo knew my intentions, so he didn’t try to persuade further.
“Well… if that’s truly what you’ve decided.”
“Sir, what do you plan to do about Yang Yeong?”
At my question, Yang Sobo’s expression stiffened for a mont. He muttered with a face full of conflict.
“Yang Yeong…”
“It wasn’t my intention, but Yang Yeong’s will is clear. She doesn’t need to go through the sa dangerous route as Min-soo. But… if she goes alone, it’s uncertain. If she goes with Min-soo, however, she’ll be able to adapt just fine over there.”
Even if Yang Yeong chose to keep her Korean nationality, she was, in the end, Chinese. And the things a Chinese person could do in this country were only going to diminish with ti.
That was this governnt’s firm policy—and a harsh reality that would continue for decades.
“Having Arican citizenship will beco a trendous asset for her in the future. For her own sake, I strongly recomnd you send her to study abroad.”
“I know that. I do, but still…”
“You’re afraid she might grow closer to Min-soo, aren’t you?”
“……”
Yang Sobo didn’t answer right away.
When we first t, he had warned fiercely to stay away from her. But now, because of everything that had happened, he could no longer bring himself to say those words.
“Feelings aren’t sothing that move according to our will. They’re still children. As they grow, their emotions may fade… or they may deepen. All you can do is watch over them. That, Sir, is the best thing you can do for Yang Yeong right now.”
“I barely managed to find a child I once lost… and now you’re telling to let her go again…”
“The more you suppress and overprotect her, the more she’ll crumble. Yang Yeong is a girl who survived freely in the streets. She’s stronger than anyone.”
For once, the ever-decided Yang Sobo couldn’t make an easy decision when it ca to Yang Yeong.
“Try having a serious talk with her. Not as a granddaughter who needs protecting, but as an individual with her own will. You’ll find your answer that way.”
“Hoo… we’ll discuss that later.”
Respecting his wish to change the subject, I nodded.
“Understood. Then before I leave Seoul, please introduce to a few people.”
“People?”
“Yes. Soone who can handle large-scale transactions of precious tals, another who deals in antiques and artworks, and finally, soone trustworthy who can help with real estate.”
“Precious tals, antiques, and real estate…”
Yang Sobo repeated the three areas I ntioned, then gave a peculiar look.
“Just like before… your actions now seem as though you’re betting everything on the belief that Korean currency will soon turn into worthless paper. Am I wrong?”
I had already expected him to catch on to that much—that was why I spoke in such detail.
Smiling, I replied.
“Well, it’s more accurate to say that I simply don’t trust banks.”
“You don’t trust banks?”
“This is a ti when the governnt’s power is stronger than ever. No one can keep that kind of authority in check when it’s born from the barrel of a gun. The military regi says they’ll hand power back to the civilians soon, but… do you truly believe that, Sir?”
“You an they won’t actually transition to civilian rule?”
“Oh, they will. They’ll have to, with Arica and the West watching. But even if an election is held, who could possibly defeat Chairman Han?”
Though he’d seized power through a coup, the public strongly supported Chairman Han’s reform policies.
“So, they’ll transition to civilian rule in na, but not in substance?”
“Yes. Governnt-controlled finance will continue. If I leave my money in the banks, there’s always the risk that the governnt could use it however they please.”
It was a prepared answer. With no flaws to pick apart, Yang Sobo studied for a while, then nodded.
“I feel the sa way as you…”
“There’s a limit to converting it all to dollars. If I try to exchange this much money into dollars in such a short ti, the black-market rate will skyrocket. I’m not even sure it’s worth doing that.”
Yang Sobo didn’t trust banks either. He had already divided his assets ticulously among real estate, gold, dollars, and even yen.
And yet, he eventually fell after the currency reform.
One of the goals of that reform had been to drag the hidden wealth from the underground economy into the open. In the process, the people around Yang Sobo gradually abandoned him.
Confirming Yang Yeong’s death had been the final blow—and after that, he left Korea quietly.
The empty seat he left behind was taken by Jeong Tae-soo.
But in this life, things would be different.
That seat—I intended to inherit it.
His influence, his connections, his everything.
“So, I’m thinking of buying so gold, a building in Myeong-dong, and a few pieces of artwork or antiques that might hold real value. But what do I know about any of that? I’ll be lucky if I don’t get scamd.”
I looked straight at Yang Sobo as I spoke.
This request of mine—it was a kind of signal that I trusted him.
“That’s why I’m asking you to introduce to soone reliable, Sir.”
Even with my mories of the future, I couldn’t do everything alone.
After all, when it ca to business, one always needed the very best experts in each field.
And right now, the only person who could introduce to such figures was Yang Sobo.
After a brief silence, Yang Sobo seed to make up his mind and called for Zhang Wei and Lee Cheong-ho.
At his summons, the two n imdiately opened the door and entered. He gave his first order to Lee Cheong-ho.
“Connect Baek-gun with Elder Hwang, Teacher Park, and Clerk Lee. Those three.”
At the nas that ca out of Yang Sobo’s mouth, Lee Cheong-ho’s eyes widened.
His stamring voice carried both surprise and confusion.
“Th-those three, Sir?”
“Yes. Why? Is there a problem?”
“N-no, Sir!”
When he dared to question the order, Yang Sobo’s cold gaze silenced him imdiately.
He bowed deeply in haste.
Who on earth were those people to make Lee Cheong-ho react like that?
No matter how much I searched my mory, I couldn’t recall any of them.
“Go see them yourself and ask politely. Tell them it’s my ‘personal request.’”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Sir.”
“Good. You may go.”
Lee Cheong-ho bowed once more and quietly left the office.
“Zhang Wei.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You’ve resolved your misunderstanding with Baek-gun, haven’t you? Then there’s no need for that attitude anymore.”
“But…”
Zhang Wei’s lips moved as though he wanted to say sothing, but Yang Sobo’s tone left no room for argunt.
“I said I’ve given my permission.”
“…Understood, Sir.”
In the end, Zhang Wei also bowed.
Though dissatisfaction lingered on his face, he couldn’t disobey his master’s order.
“Now is not the ti to expand the business. It’s ti to scale it back.”
Yang Sobo spoke with a bitter voice.
“You must gradually reduce your hold. If you try to cling to everything, you’ll end up losing it all.
Here… or anywhere in this world—we will always be outsiders.”
“Sir.”
“That’s the reality.”
His words carried the deep loneliness and weariness of a man who had endured decades in a foreign land.
I rose from my seat and bowed respectfully to him.
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll never forget the trust you’ve given .”
He rely waved his hand lightly in reply.
To avoid seeing the heavy fatigue and ennui on his face, I bowed my head and left the office.
As I walked down the hall, a quiet voice called out from behind .
“Don’t disappoint him.”
“I won’t.”
I replied without stopping.
The way not to disappoint Yang Sobo was simple—
I just had to beco soone greater than him.
When I reached the garden, I found Lee Cheong-ho waiting for .
The surprise from earlier still hadn’t left his face.
As soon as I saw him, I asked the question that had been nagging at .
“Who exactly are those three people that made you react like that, Mr. Lee?”
“…You’ll understand once you et them yourself.”
He never gave a clear answer and instead changed the subject.
Seeing his reaction, I was sure those three were no ordinary people.
‘Well, I’ll find out soon enough.’
Then Lee Cheong-ho said,
“I’ll co back to see you tomorrow morning.”
“Alright. After I et Elder Han and finish the currency exchange, I’ll be ready to move. Please adjust the timing accordingly.”
“Understood.”
His reply was curt, and he hurried off.
“What’s with him?”
Lee Cheong-ho, who usually showed little emotion, had been visibly shaken when he heard those nas.
I was curious, but there were more pressing matters to handle.
After sending him off, I headed straight to the annex where Min-soo was staying.
“Min-soo.”
Just calling his na made the door swing open, and Min-soo ca running out with a bright face.
“Brother!”
The body that once looked like it was on the verge of collapse had now filled out and looked healthy.
Even his pale complexion had regained color.
Seeing him looking so lively—a sight I hadn’t witnessed in my previous life—made my nose sting.
“You ca back early today. Are you heading out again?”
“No, not today. I wanted to spend ti with you.”
“Really? Wow! Co on in, Brother!”
Min-soo bead like an excited child and pulled by the hand.
When I entered the room, the small table was cluttered with traces of study.
On top of it lay an English textbook.
“You’ve been studying English?”
“Yeah. I thought I should at least know how to speak before going to Arica. I’ve been studying with Yang Yeong.”
“That’s smart. So, have you gotten better?”
“Yeah, I can write and read okay now, but…”
Min-soo trailed off, looking embarrassed.
“Speaking and listening are still really hard.”
“That’s alright. Once you get there, you’ll improve quickly. Don’t worry.”
He was a bright kid—just lacked opportunities. He would surely do well.
I sat down and said,
“Co sit here. There’s sothing I need to tell you.”
Sensing the seriousness in my tone, Min-soo cautiously sat in front of .
I looked straight into his eyes and spoke calmly.
“Min-soo. The schedule for going to Arica is roughly set. At the earliest, we’ll leave at the beginning of next month. At the latest, within two months.”
Min-soo’s eyes widened, and then his expression slowly sank.
The farewell that had felt so far away had suddenly beco real.
That night, I talked with Min-soo for a long ti—
about the miserable past we had endured together, and the brilliant future we would build from now on.
I stayed by his side all night, until his restless heart finally found so peace.
The next day.
As promised, I t with Han Sang-hoon and exchanged 280 million hwan for dollars.
After locking the heavy bag of cash in the safe, I left with Lee Cheong-ho for another destination.
Our goal lay deep in the back alleys of Jongno—Pimatgol.
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