A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 2

The door opened and someone entered inside.

It was Lee Kyung-min, the chief of staff for Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung of Taeseong Electronics.

“I am glad you have woken up even now.”

“…….”

When I, Lim Hyunjun, only blinked my eyes in an unfamiliar way, Lee Kyung-min wore a puzzled expression.

“Are you perhaps feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

“Ah, it'

s not that…. Ahem. Perhaps because I just woke up, I am out of it.”

The middle-aged man dressed in a neat suit did not look pleased just by looking at the expression with which he viewed me, unlike his attitude where dignity was felt.

He put emotion into each and every word while wearing an expression full of doubt.

“Young Master. Since you are suddenly using honorifics with me, I cannot help but ask. What kind of accident have you caused this time?”“…An accident?!”

“If you had not caused an accident, Young Master, would there not be no reason for you to use such honorifics with me?”

“……!”

Lee Kyung-min asked while finding it strange.

“Young Master, are you really sick somewhere?”

A firm voice flowed from my mouth.

“No. More than that, I would like a glass of water, please.”

“Please wait a moment.”

When the man left, I, Lim Hyunjun, looked closely at my own appearance again in front of the mirror.

The moment my eyes met with the youth in the mirror.

It appeared as if a hologram image was floating before my eyes.

I instinctively realized that this was the ability to see the future.

“…Nothing is visible.”

To be precise, it was entirely dark.

My breath was stifled.

Although I could not know if the future was originally seen in this way.

It was pitch-black darkness itself. The feeling was not good.

‘This isn'

t a sweet deal;

maybe it'

s nothing at all.’

At that time, the door opened and Lee Kyung-min entered inside while holding a cup filled with water.

“Young Master?”

I took the cup Lee Kyung-min held out with both hands and gulped down the water in one breath.

I said while returning the finished cup to Lee Kyung-min again.

“Thank you.”

“…….”

The man dressed in a neat suit wore an expression as if he were suspicious while looking at me.

“Did nothing really happen?”

“Ah…. It'

s not like that. I was just thirsty.”

“You must tell me without hiding it. That way, I can also deal with it.”

The man named Jeong Taeshik inside my body was ten years older than the secretary Lee Kyung-min.

Perhaps because of that, rather than feeling bad, I immediately noticed that he was worrying.

“If such a thing happens, I will surely tell you, Secretary.”

Perhaps because I spoke obediently, Lee Kyung-min also did not pry further.

“It is almost lunchtime. Let us eat first. After that, I will tell you the next schedule.”

I followed Lee Kyung-min submissively.

Although it is said that I remembered about Hyunjun, everything was still awkward and I was not used to it. In times like this, there was a need to observe the surroundings as quietly as possible.

When going down to the lower floor, a spacious living room was seen there.

My parents, Lim Do-kyung and Kang Ji-yeon, were sitting on a luxurious sofa.

I approached and greeted them while bowing my head.

“Did you sleep well?”

“…….”

“…….”

Whether my appearance of greeting politely was unfamiliar to them, bewilderment was buried in their expressions.

Lim Do-kyung caught a glimpse of his wife'

s reaction and then turned his gaze to the newspaper he was holding.

Kang Ji-yeon hid her flustered look and then forced a smile.

“Did you also sleep well, Hyunjun?”

“Yes, Moth…er.”

The word mother popped out of my mouth without me even knowing.

I do not know why it did.

I did not think the words would easily leave my mouth toward a woman I was facing for the first time.

Perhaps it was a relief.

“Oh my, honey, did you hear? Hyunjun actually called me mother. Oh, I love this.”

Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon even wiped her eyes with a handkerchief as they turned red.

During that time, I sat next to Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon and kept my head bowed.

Suddenly seeing her made me think of my mother, Taeshik'

s mother, who passed away in my childhood.

While I was suppressing my sadness, Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung opened his mouth.

“Ahem. Since the fellow is already eighteen, it is time for him to grow up. You must be happy. To even hear the word mother. I wonder when I will hear the word father.”

“Oh my. Even so, I like it more when our son calls me Mom rather than mother. It seems like only yesterday when he was wiggling and toddling around. When did he grow this much.”

“This fellow was a bit cute when he was young. It is just that he has been causing trouble lately.”

“Oh my, oh my. Our Hyunjun will not do that anymore. Look at today. Seeing how he speaks so reliably…. Hyunjun, are you crying?”

I, Jeong Taeshik who became Hyunjun, could not swallow the rising tears because of the thought of my parents who passed away early.

I wiped the corners of my eyes with my sleeve and then controlled my emotions.

Hyunjun'

s parents quietly waited for me without even knowing the reason.

Actually, until just before seeing Hyunjun'

s parents, I, Jeong Taeshik, did not know what it was to live someone else'

s life.

However, will they not not know for their whole lives the fact that another guy became their son instead of their own son? Thinking like that, I felt sorry toward Hyunjun'

s parents. And toward the real Hyunjun as well.

Lim Do-kyung approached me.

“Is something the matter with you?”

“It is not that. Only, during all this time….”

“During all this time?”

“It seems like I have caused a lot of heartache for my parents during all this time. I am sorry.”

“It seems like I have caused a lot of heartache for my parents during all this time. I am sorry.”

Lim Do-kyung suddenly laughed out loud toward his son as if it were unexpected.

“Honey. It seems our son has really grown up. Hahaha.”

Lim Do-kyung said while patting my shoulder.

“You did cause heartache, but there is such a time for everyone around that age. Since you have changed your thinking even now. As a parent, I am very happy.”

“Yes, Hyunjun. Mom was not upset at all. So do not mind it too much.”

Warmth wrapped around me.

It was the warmth I had longed for that much.

I made a resolution.

That I would treat Lim Do-kyung and Kang Ji-yeon well for the rest of my life on behalf of the real Hyunjun.

I thought that was the best I could do right now.

***

I sat in the living room after eating lunch while pretending to look at the newspaper.

Actually, even if I have memories, there was a need to know exactly when the present was.

‘As expected, for how the world turns, it'

s the newspaper.’

Of course smartphones are also good, but I was more used to the newspaper.

‘Today is Sohan.’

I was lost in thought quietly. I recalled the eldest son of Taeseong that I knew.

The one who led the group after the death of Chairman Lim Man-seok of the Taeseong Group was the second son, Lim Do-hyun.

When I lived as Jeong Taeshik, I had never heard the name Lim Do-kyung, who is my father, anywhere.

If so.

At that moment, something that brushed through my brain occurred in my head.

[Taeseong'

s eldest son, sudden death due to an accident.]

If it was Taeseong'

s eldest son, it was definitely my father, Lim Do-kyung. I did not remember exactly when I had seen that article.

However, as I felt that the time was approaching, a chill ran down my spine.

Achoo.

The sound of sneezing and sniffing was heard from somewhere.

I looked toward the direction the sound was coming from.

It was Choi Seo-jun, a staff member of the secretary'

s office.

He, who has been with the company for about a year, was currently at the house together with me.

Actually, he is a staff member of Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung'

s secretary team.

He was a person attached for the purpose of surveillance to prevent me from going around and causing accidents lately.

I asked Choi Seo-jun.

“Have you caught a cold?”

If it were the original Hyunjun, he would have used informal speech without hesitation, but I did not want to act without manners.

Fortunately, it seemed Choi Seo-jun was not the sensitive type enough to detect such a change.

He scratched his head and looked quite good-natured.

“No. I am fine.”

Whether it was because it weighed on my mind, I stood up and left the spot.

Staff Choi followed behind me.

‘This is really like carrying a lump around.’

Thanks to Hyunjun'

s memory, I knew where the medicine was in the house.

Like a person familiar with it, I took out medicine and handed it to Choi Seo-jun.

“When you are out in a strange place, it is sorrowful to be sick alone. Make sure to eat your meals well and take your medicine regularly.”

Choi Seo-jun took the medicine I handed over and wore a somewhat surprised expression.

Well, it was understandable since the guy who was being as cranky as possible even just yesterday had changed.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“Ah. That '

Young Master'

thing…. Is that something you must do?”

“Pardon?!”

I looked at Choi Seo-jun with an expression as if it were embarrassing.

Secretary Choi, who noticed immediately, asked.

“If it is uncomfortable, how should I call you?”

“Since you are older than me. Just call me by name.”

“Yes? That is a bit...”

“Does it perhaps become difficult for you if I do this?”

“Actually, it is so.”

Choi Seo-jun could not speak readily and only gave an awkward smile.

“Then speak comfortably when only the two of us are together. And do it only when someone is present. There will be a lot of time for us to spend together in the future. If you are uncomfortable, I am also uncomfortable.”

Perhaps thanks to my words, Choi Seo-jun said while wearing a much more comfortable expression.

“Then I will do so... then.”

“Secretary Choi, just speak comfortably. My hands and feet are about to curl up.”

Perhaps because I spoke while deliberately joking around, Choi Seo-jun laughed.

“Got it. Thanks.”

“Yes, Hyungnim.”

“I'

m thankful that you call me Hyungnim, but just in case, could you call me Secretary Choi?”

“Ah... Yes. Understood. Secretary Choi.”

“Thanks. If someone hears you calling me Hyungnim, it becomes difficult for me.”

Actually, as Hyunjun, the word Hyungnim also felt repulsive.

Since the person inside my body is someone who lived several decades more than Choi Seo-jun, how could it not be so?

While watching Choi Seo-jun toss the medicine into his mouth and eat it, I asked.

“About father lately. What is he interested in?”

“Pardon?”

I gave a reason out of the thought that Secretary Choi might think it strange just in case.

“I'

ve only caused trouble until now, haven'

t I? I thought it might be helpful if I knew what father is very interested in.”

“Ah…. Lately, the Chairman is interested in messenger apps.”

“If it'

s a messenger, are you perhaps talking about Kkatok?”

“Oh, right.”

I was lost in thought for a moment. Later, there was no Korean who did not know Kkatok as the representative messenger app. However, I felt it was not because of this.

“Is it perhaps because of the messenger app that entered Japan?”

Choi Seo-jun wore a somewhat surprised expression at my question.

“You knew. Right. The Chairman sees that the mobile market will grow for the sake of the future.”

“That'

s right. Because these days, many people also play games on mobile.”

“That'

s right.”

As Choi Seo-jun was about to say something, he took out his phone at the vibration sound ringing from his chest.

I slipped away from the spot as I caught on. And then I went into the room and searched about Taeseong.

Within the memory of eighteen-year-old Lim Hyunjun, there was not much information about Taeseong.

Well, how much interest would a teenager of that age have in a company?

It might be different if he had entered university, but he was now just a high school student.

Knock knock.

“Yes. Please come in.”

“Hyunjun, it seems you have to get ready and go out now. The Chairman has called for you.”

“The Chairman?”

If it is the Chairman Choi Seo-jun talking about, he must be talking about Lim Man-seok who created Taeseong. I swallowed my saliva without knowing.

I was trying to take out clothes from the wardrobe. Choi Seo-jun took out something else and gave it to me.

A light-colored knit and a shirt and black pants.

Since I put on a dark gray coat on top of that, I looked quite wealthy.

I put on the clothes obediently just as Choi Seo-jun took them out.

They were clothes that the original Hyunjun would have refused while acting as temperamental as possible.

A scoundrel would have done so.

But not now.

I followed Choi Seo-jun obediently and headed somewhere by car.

The place they arrived at was the Taeseong Hotel.

As if familiar, Choi Seo-jun pressed the floor button of the elevator.

Ding.

Finally the door opened and as Choi Seo-jun got off, I followed behind him.

Someone approached them. Looking at the attire, he looked like a hotel employee.

The door opened and inside, my parents and the famous people of Taeseong were already sitting in their spots.

I bowed my waist and greeted them.

“I am late.”

I sat quietly next to my parents. Soon the door opened and the flow of the air changed.

A legendary figure I had only seen on screen.

A man who raised the giant empire called Taeseong and manipulated the economy of this country for several decades.

An existence where weight was felt from the name alone.

It was Chairman Lim Man-seok.