Grandfather fixed his gaze on me.
"..."
He didn't say much for a while.
The auditorium suddenly became quiet.
Maybe that's why.
People followed Grandfather's gaze.
Naturally, all attention shifted towards me.
Ugh.
'Grandfather, isn't this cheating?'
No, seriously!
Didn't you promise not to mention anything about me taking over the business if Hyung's venture succeeded?
But Grandfather, perhaps still holding onto a shred of integrity,
"..."
remained silent, not directly mentioning me.
'Then what's the point!'
In that silence,
"Don't forget, it was my grandson who brought back that Da Vinci painting."
"Has Ji-hoon inherited his mother's artistic sense? Ah, did I not mention it? His mother graduated from Seoul National University's College of Fine Arts…"
"If design is the future, at the center of it will be my grandchild…"
Grandfather's voice seemed to float through the silence.
Anyway!
Grandfather continued to emphasize the importance of design in an era where technology has become standardized.
It was a bit annoying that he specifically pointed to me as the leader in this, but his foresight was truly chilling.
After declaring that design would be the key in the future,
clap clap clap clap! clap clap clap clap!
Grandfather slowly stepped down from the podium.
It seemed the event was almost over… I'd better leave soon.
Thud, thud.
Grandfather walked straight toward me.
"You were recommended by the queen."
I nodded.
"What made you think of that?"
"Anyone can have ideas."
Grandfather chuckled at my response.
"Alright, let me ask again."
"..."
"How did you manage to succeed in what everyone else only thinks about?"
"It's a long story."
"The longer, the better."
With that, Grandfather slowly took a step.
A sign to move elsewhere.
The weight of the gazes was starting to feel burdensome.
I quickly followed him.
We headed toward a small private room.
With a sofa table between us, Grandfather and I sat facing each other.
"So, what exactly did you do with the queen?"
After I finished telling him about the painting and the letter, a wide grin spread across Grandfather's face.
But only for a moment.
Perhaps saddened by the thought of letting his brilliant grandson go, he quickly erased the smile.
"Ji-hoon, are you relieved to be escaping to England, away from your grandpa?"
"Huh?"
"What, did you think I wouldn't know?"
I thought he might have a hunch, but for him to say it outright…
"Do you know why I'm letting you go, even though I know everything?"
"I'm not sure."
"Because there are things you can only learn there."
Grandfather fixed his gaze on me again and continued.
"You know what kind of people the British are. They value tradition to a foolish degree, don't they? Why would they stubbornly hold onto it if it weren't profitable?"
The reason for upholding tradition must be that it brings them benefits.
"They've succeeded early and understand what truly matters. They believe in the existence of values that never change, and that's why they stick to tradition until the end."
Is he telling me to experience that value firsthand?
"You can spend the entire three years just having fun if you want, but make sure you grasp that one thing your grandpa mentioned and come back. Can you do that?"
He's telling me it's okay to slack off while studying abroad!
"But you told Hyung to be number one."
"Isn't the eldest son different from the second?"
Exactly.
Please show a little favoritism, ahem.
"It's still a long way until you go to high school, so why are you talking like that already?"
"Why? Are you going to start acting all sentimental now?"
"Do you think I'm entirely happy about living away from my family?"
"Then would you rather go to a science high school and inherit Hyungang Motors?"
I shook my head.
Grandfather chuckled softly.
"If you're going, make sure to learn properly. Got it?"
I hesitated to answer.
Tap.
Grandfather gently placed his hand on the back of mine.
The hand of a giant who had lived through turbulent times.
There was a strange resonance in those rough and calloused fingertips.
"Why aren't you answering?"
"..."
"You can do it, right?"
Reluctantly, I nodded at Grandfather's question.
***
Time flew by like an arrow.
Though Park Yong-hak had lived a long life, recently it felt as if each day passed more quickly than the last.
Maybe it was because his grandson's departure for studying abroad in England was just around the corner.
Sometimes, he wished he could stop the ticking of the clock.
But what could he do? He had no choice but to accept it calmly.
Not that he was only filled with regret.
These days, Park Yong-hak went on walks every day, both day and night.
"In the middle of a busy schedule, what's with all the exercising!"
He used to think exercising was a waste of time, putting it aside.
Thud, thud.
But now, he went on walks twice a day, without fail.
On weekends, he even went hiking.
How could a person change so much in an instant?
The reason was simple.
He had to stay healthy to see his grandson for a long time, didn't he?
In his heart, he even wanted to see him get married and take over the company.
"But that's not something you can control."
Even as he said that, Park Yong-hak made sure to eat nourishing meals after exercising.
A truly pleasant change!
As Park Yong-hak was about to head out for his evening walk today,
"Anything to report?"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Good timing. You should walk with me."
Suddenly, his chief secretary found himself accompanying him on the walk.
"I've checked this year's list of successful candidates for the Royal School."
One doesn't reach the position of chief secretary by simply following orders.
This was another such case.
Checking the list of successful candidates?
Why bother with something like that?
But then again,
'These kids will likely become Ji-hoon's friends…'
Suddenly, his interest was piqued.
Had the chairman's look given him the cue?
The chief secretary confidently spoke up.
"I heard that the youngest son of Warren Buffett, known as the Oracle of Omaha, has been accepted. Although he's only just starting high school, his personal fortune already exceeds 5 billion."
"Did he receive an inheritance?"
"He was only given seed money. It seems he grew his assets more than 30 times purely through investments."
"Like father, like son, I suppose."
It was certainly something impressive.
But it didn't stir much excitement.
The reason was obvious.
'How many times has Ji-hoon multiplied his fortune?'
Seeing his grandson every day, a 30-fold return seemed rather unremarkable.
"In addition, the eldest daughter of Barclays Bank, the second son of Citigroup, and the fourth generation of JP Morgan's founder are also on the list."
As expected of England, the heart of European finance, it felt like all the big names from the financial world were gathering at the Royal School.
"Aren't there any Asians?"
"Yes. The young master is the only one…."
"...?"
"I've heard that, aside from the young master, all the students are white."
Hmm.
Would his grandson be able to adjust in a place filled with only white students?
But that concern didn't last long.
A grin slowly spread across Park Yong-hak's face.
This was the kid who had personally secured a letter of recommendation from the queen.
No matter how many of his peers tried to compete with him, he wouldn't even blink an eye.
'Not a chance.'
Oh, by the way.
"What's Ji-hoon up to right now?"
"I've heard that the young master is working out at a nearby gym."
"A gym?"
"He's been really into judo and wrestling lately…"
"Wasn't he doing boxing before?"
"His love for boxing is still going strong."
"What?"
"He goes to the boxing gym every morning, and does judo and wrestling after school…"
"And plays soccer on the weekends?"
"Yes."
"Is he training for the Olympics or something!"
Though he raised his voice, he didn't feel bad.
Lately, his shoulders had seemed broader.
It was much better than sitting quietly at a desk like a bookworm.
"You know, when you do judo, your ears end up looking like dumplings."
"If you drain the blood in time, that won't happen…"
"Make sure to keep an eye on him so he doesn't get hurt."
"Yes, Chairman."
At Park Yong-hak's words, the chief secretary bowed his head.
***
Meanwhile.
For the past few months, I've been going to the Korea National Sport University almost every day.
Today was no different.
I was learning wrestling from a medalist.
Why wrestling, out of all the sports?
"Because it's the most basic of basics."
Like most guys my age, I used to watch MMA fights in my past life.
Starting with Fedor vs. Cro Cop, and later on, when McGregor won titles in two weight classes.
I was a big fan of mixed martial arts.
Since I spent most of my time writing in a small room… I didn't really have the chance to train properly.
"But this life is different!"
It's not like I'm going to become a professional athlete; it's just a hobby.
But once in a while, that competitive spirit kicks in, you know?
That's how I felt now.
My opponent was a college student, and not just any student, but a national team reserve member.
Even if he used only half his strength, I'd be flying through the air.
That was expected, but still.
"Hyaah!"
I gritted my teeth and tried to hold on.
Of course, the professor yelling from the side played a part in pushing me.
"Control the wrist, I said!"
Thud.
I grabbed his wrist, but it felt like holding a dumbbell.
"Get under his armpit!"
I somehow squeezed my hand in, but it felt like hugging a giant oak tree.
"Spin out!"
Is that even possible?
"Can't you hear me?"
"..."
"Move your legs!"
Damn it.
I pretended to go for his back.
Pop!
I bent down and aimed for his left foot.
A single-leg takedown.
I somehow managed to grab it.
Now I just needed to lift his supporting leg and break his balance.
But my opponent brushed me off with his strength and countered with his own takedown.
"Lower your stance!"
The coaching came flying at me, loud enough to hurt my ears.
Thanks to it, I somehow managed to defend myself.
But then.
Swoosh.
My opponent immediately dug under my armpit.
Did he decide the match was over?
"Stop."
"Huff. Huff…"
"You're out of breath just from that?"
This time, the professor stepped in directly.
"When there's a strength difference, what did I tell you to do first?"
"You told me to get into position."
"And?"
"I was a step too late."
"Stand against the wall."
Thus began my personal lesson.
The foundation of MMA is wrestling.
Even if you're good at boxing, if you get taken down, the game's over.
Even if you're great at jiu-jitsu, it's pointless if you can't take your opponent down.
That's why wrestling is essential for both strikers and grapplers.
That's why I'm learning wrestling.
"Position!"
Since I've been training with these college guys every day, I have no idea how much I've improved.
"Rest."
After all the training was over, the professor, who had been shouting the whole time, handed me a sports drink and said casually,
"You're leaving this weekend?"
"Yes."
"When are you coming back?"
"Probably during summer break?"
"What about training?"
I wasn't sure how things would work out since I'd be living in a dormitory.
"I'll figure something out."
"Should I arrange a few British medalists for you?"
"That would be amazing, thanks."
The professor nodded with his usual gruff expression.