Seeing Manager Ha’s young face, a surge of emotion welled up inside me.

There was no visible expression on his face behind the glasses.

He had been one of my few allies. Even after Chairman Cheon’s death, he stayed by my side until the end—until he lost his life in a mysterious car accident.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ha Myeonghun.”

“Hello.”

His face was emotionless, but I noticed something unusual in his eyes behind the lenses.

“You’re not surprised?”

“Should I be?”

“No. I work under Chairman Cheon, your maternal grandfather. I was sent here on his orders.”

“My grandfather?”

“Yes.”

The future hadn’t changed—or rather, it had. My grandmother was alive. That was the most important thing to me.

“I have a grandfather? This is the first I’m hearing of it. I’m a bit caught off guard.”

“Hmm... I heard you’re seventeen, but you’re quite composed for your age. I’ll explain things to the hospital and school. Please get ready and come with me. The Chairman is waiting.”

His curt, to-the-point way of speaking was the same as when he was younger.

“You said your name is Manager Ha, correct?”

“Yes.”

“My grandfather, huh... Am I in any position where I have to go just because he calls for me?”

“...Muhyuk.”

Originally, I had followed without question.

I later learned that the old man Cheon preferred people with a strong sense of self over those who were overly obedient.

“I don’t know. I just found out I even had a grandfather. And now, after 17 years of no contact, he sends someone else to call me over? I don’t understand him, and I don’t understand you either, Manager Ha.”

“But...”

I cut off whatever Manager Ha was about to say.

“At the very least, I think he should’ve come to me himself. Go back and deliver my words exactly as I said them.”

“...”

“I don’t know what brought this sudden contact, but if he wants to see me, he should come himself. Tell him to visit the columbarium where my mother is first. I have nothing more to say. I’m sorry.”

“Muhyuk!”

“Oh, and I’ll take care of the hospital bill myself. I don’t need help.”

With that, I stood and walked past him into the hospital.

Manager Ha called after me, but I didn’t look back.

Once I saw my grandmother in the hospital room, the bad feelings I had faded away.

“Halme.”

“My baby, what took you so long? Did you eat?”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m better because of you.”

“The tests?”

“They ran all sorts of things... but I don’t know what’s what. I’m just doing whatever the doctor tells me to.”

Sitting beside her bed, I held her hand tightly and buried my face.

“Don’t worry about money. Do everything they tell you to do for your health. If you die, I don’t think I’ll be able to go on.”

“My baby...”

Her rough hand stroked the back of my head.

She was the one who raised me with love even when I went astray. I was truly lucky to have saved her...

“But Halme.”

“Hmm? What?”

“I have a grandfather?”

“...Did someone come see you?”

“Yeah. I just met him outside the hospital. He suddenly said my grandfather called for me, so I told him no.”

“Oh dear, why’d you refuse?”

“Why?”

“Do you know who he is...”

Seeing her worried eyes, I shook my head firmly.

“I don’t care. To me, it’s only you. I don’t even remember my mom’s face. The only thing I remember is you carrying me on your back while working. To me, you’re both my mom and dad.”

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Even if I do have a grandfather, it’s not right to suddenly show up after 17 years and send someone else to summon me. I told him clearly. If he wants to see me, come in person. Visit the place where Mom is. After that, then he can come see me.”

“Muhyuk...”

“Don’t think anything weird. I know why he came. You contacted him, didn’t you? Because you were worried before you died?”

“That’s...”

“I’m going to live with you, Halme. You have to watch me grow into an adult. So live a long, long time.”

“My poor baby... What am I going to do with you...”

“What’s pitiful about it? I have you.”

I hugged my crying grandmother tightly.

This time, I wouldn’t let her—or my life—slip away meaninglessly again.

* * *

Manager Ha, who had met with Kim Muhyuk, had returned to Chairman Cheon’s mansion in Seoul.

Seated before him was an elderly man whose face clearly bore the passage of time and an air of stubbornness—Chairman Cheon.

“So that’s what the boy said?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“What a cheeky little brat.”

Chairman Cheon let out a hearty laugh.

Manager Ha, seeming slightly hesitant, added:

“It felt like I was talking not to a teenager, but to a seasoned middle-aged man. He was nothing like the delinquent in the reports.”

“Hmm...”

Chairman Cheon rubbed his chin in thought.

“Didn’t they say he lived like a thug?”

“Yes, according to our investigation, he was a well-known troublemaker in Busan... Ah, I apologize. He was a problematic kid. He was lucky not to get charged because one of his friends had police officer parents, but he got into enough fights to be a regular at the precinct.”

“Other than the fighting?”

“No other issues. Unlike other kids, he didn’t extort money or anything like that.”

Silence fell over the room.

After a pause, Chairman Cheon asked,

“...Where did Misook end up?”

“She was cremated and enshrined at a columbarium in Busan.”

“That foolish girl... If she was going to run away, she could’ve at least lived a long life...”

Chairman Cheon stared into space, eyes filled with regret. For a moment, his gaze was fixed on someone far away, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) lost in memory.

But only briefly. He soon collected himself and gave Manager Ha instructions.

“If the boy calls, I should go. What’s a quiet day on the schedule?”

“Next Wednesday is completely open.”

“Then let’s go that day. Myeonghun, how old are you now? Over thirty?”

“I’m thirty-two, sir.”

“Twenty years have passed.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Chairman Cheon looked down, deep in thought, then spoke again.

“Look further into the boy’s surroundings. If you find any potential issues, take care of them early.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go take care of your duties. I’m going to rest for a bit.”

As Manager Ha bowed and left, the old man’s face softened.

Without realizing it, tears began to fall from the old man’s eyes.

* * *

The doctor said my grandmother’s overall health was weak due to old age, but thankfully, there were no lasting effects from the cardiac arrest. Still, she was advised to remain hospitalized for at least a week of absolute rest.

And then, the first day of exams arrived.

The moment I received the test sheet, the memories returned.

Three years... and then four more years in college... Memories of studying until I bled from the nose just to earn the old man’s approval were still fully intact.

Dongseong Technical High. The exam questions here were easier than even those from a prestigious middle school.

I flew through the answers.

Just like that, the three-day exam period came to an end.

After school, as usual, I headed to the hospital to see my grandmother.

I recognized the car parked out front immediately.

The old man had come.

Once he saw me, Manager Ha stepped out of the car and approached with a greeting.

“As you requested, Chairman Cheon has come in person. He’s waiting in the car. Shall we?”

“One moment. I’ll say hello to my grandmother first.”

I went up to the hospital room and spoke to her.

“Halme, that grandfather person is here. Do you want to see him too?”

“No, no. Someone like me isn’t fit to meet someone like him. You go. It’ll be good for you.”

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you keep saying things like that?”

“Just go already. He’s waiting.”

Pressed by her urging, I left the room.

Manager Ha was waiting at the entrance.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Through the opened car door, I saw Chairman Cheon.

As I got in, Manager Ha closed the door behind me. Even the chauffeur stepped out, leaving us alone.

“So you’re Muhyuk?”

“Yes. Kim Muhyuk. And you’re my maternal grandfather. Did you visit my mother?”

“Hoho... You look just like Misook... Yes, I visited my daughter. You told me to come in person, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t think it was right for you to start giving me orders when you never once looked for me for 17 years. And I didn’t want to leave my grandmother’s side when she’s sick.”

“...”

Though my tone was somewhat impolite, I deliberately held back from saying I appreciated him coming.

“I’m living just fine with my grandmother. I have no plans to live apart from her, and even if you suddenly show up claiming to be my grandfather, I can’t say it feels real.”

“You’re quite the clear-spoken one.”

“I’d like us to take time to get to know each other.”

Under the old man’s observant gaze, I momentarily felt the same unease I once had.

But only for a moment. I lifted my head and met his gaze head-on.

“Confident. I wonder if you take after your mother or that useless father... Do you know anything about me?”

“No. I only heard from Manager Ha. My grandmother didn’t tell me much either. But based on the car and the way Manager Ha addresses you as ‘Chairman,’ I’ve drawn my own conclusions.”

“Hmm...”

He fell into thought again.

I waited silently for him to speak.

“I’m Cheon Taesan. I’m the father of Cheon Misook—your mother—and I run a modest lending business here in Seoul. Does that explain who I am?”

“Yes. You’re my grandfather, and you’re rich. That’s what I hear.”

“Hahaha! Now you sound your age. Yes, I’m rich. Is there anything you want?”

“...”

What should I say here?

If I wanted to carry out my plans, I had to start securing funds—money the Chairman’s sons didn’t know about. That was essential.

But what came out of my mouth was something completely different.

“Just give me a small house where I can live with my grandmother. She’s the one who raised me for 17 years.”

“...That’s all?”

“Yes. I don’t think you’d just give me anything I ask for right away. But I thought this much was reasonable.”

“Hahaha, true. Every deal needs a contract. A house to live in with your grandmother... I understand.”

“Thank you.”

“Is that really all you want?”

“Yes. For now.”

The word “now” caught his attention.

“That makes it sound like there’s more to come.”

“I’ll tell you next time.”

“Haha, next time. I’m curious about what kind of trade you’re going to offer me.”

“Give me three years. I’ll get accepted into the best university in Seoul. When I do, I’ll tell you what I want.”

In the past, it had been the old man who set the challenge—but now, I was the one proposing it.

His eyes lit up with the spark of a gambler.

“Oh? Confident, are you?”

“Yes. And the reward you give me then will be worth a lot.”

“Interesting. I accept your bet. If you win, I’ll grant your wish. But if you fail... from that moment on, you do exactly as I say.”

“Yes.”

“Hahaha! This is the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“I’ll come see you again soon.”

“When will that be?”

“I’ll come during winter break.”

“All right...”

Our conversation came to an end. I bowed and stepped out of the car.

Right then, I saw Park Dongsu checking out the car from the front.

“Wow, this car is sick! You don’t see stuff like this around here. I was wondering who was in it, and it’s just a brat? Are you some rich kid or something?”

I sighed unconsciously at his reaction.

“Manager Ha, the conversation’s over. Please escort the Chairman.”

“Yes. Then I’ll see you next time.”

Manager Ha and the driver got into the car, started it, and drove off.

“What the hell? So there is something going on with you.”

“Mister.”

“What, ‘mister’? You little punk.”

“Sigh... Can we talk for a bit?”

I took him up to the rooftop.

The people smoking up there saw Park Dongsu and quickly stubbed out their cigarettes and left.

“What’s this about? I prefer physical conversations to talking.”

“Shall I call you Mr. Park Dongsu?”

“...Crazy bastard. Just call me ‘mister.’”

I had decided to save Park Dongsu.

He would become the first person I used in my plan.

“Disappear for three months. You’ve already noticed something’s off, haven’t you? The president’s going to declare war on organized crime. When that happens, you’re likely to get caught.”

Whether he believed the words of a high school kid was entirely up to him.

End of Returned (3)