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Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: A Long-Awaited Reunion
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That evening.
After finishing his gym training and returning home, someone was waiting for Lee Dae-hyuk.
"Long time no see, Young Master."
A welcome guest he hadn't seen in ages.
Kim Mi-jin stood at the entrance, smiling.
Having recruited even Kim Jae-woon, he needed someone reliable and sharp to start executing his plans in earnest.
That was why the first person who came to mind was Kim Mi-jin.
And upon actually seeing her, Lee Dae-hyuk thought,
'…I expected it, but she was clearly someone the original Lee Dae-hyuk relied on heavily. Just facing her stirs up a strange feeling.'
A pang tugged at one side of his chest.
It felt like seeing a family member he'd been separated from long ago.
A smile naturally formed on his lips.
To the past Lee Dae-hyuk, Kim Mi-jin had apparently been an incredibly precious person.
And for good reason—until she married Yoon Tae-ho, she had taken care of him for a full six years.
In a way, she had been like a second mother to the old Lee Dae-hyuk.
Kim Mi-jin, too, seemed delighted to see him and approached with a warm smile.
"I heard you're even working at a company now? Honestly, it's such a relief. You finally seem like a proper person. Whew, really, I'm so glad."
Her eyes reddened with emotion, but Yoon Tae-ho shouted in shock at her choice of words.
"Honey! What kind of talk is that? Watch your mouth!!"
"Oh, come on, Young Master and I don't need to mince words, right? Isn't that so, Young Master?"
"…Of course it's fine."
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled and extended his right hand.
It was an offer for a handshake, but in truth, it was to use psychometry to confirm her sincerity.
Of course, this body trusted Kim Mi-jin.
The affection in her eyes was palpable on his skin.
But he had to be thorough.
'No choice.'
If even Kim Mi-jin had been placed by his side just to monitor him… the original Lee Dae-hyuk's mind would have collapsed.
That was why the original Lee Dae-hyuk had never used psychometry on her.
Out of fear that the slightest doubt might become reality.
But he was different.
"…I'm really glad to see you too. Sister-in-law."
At his words, Kim Mi-jin beamed and grabbed his hand firmly.
"Yes. I'm really, really glad too."
Flash—!
.
.
.
Once again, a flash burst before his eyes, and a flood of information and memories poured in.
Was it because of the sudden influx of data?
Every time he used psychometry, a headache followed.
This time too, as the intense pain wracked him,
Kim Mi-jin's warm sincerity washed away even the headache.
- Young Master is like my own little brother. I want to look after him like a real big sister.
- Don't cry, Young Master. Hang in there just a bit longer, and you'll be happy.
- Thank you, Young Master. We're apart for now, but I'll spend my whole life repaying the debt for saving our daughter.
.
.
.
Letting go of Kim Mi-jin's hand, Lee Dae-hyuk's expression brightened.
He had confirmed her true feelings.
Along with that came a surge of guilt.
He didn't regret the suspicion.
It was only natural for him now.
But he couldn't suppress the fundamental guilt.
'Is it okay to drag these people into my fight?'
Both Yoon Tae-ho and Kim Mi-jin would be helpful in his battle.
Though they had been in the secretarial team caring for the past Lee Dae-hyuk,
Kim Mi-jin was a top graduate of Yeonseo University's Business Administration.
He had chosen her as the talent to lead the corporation alongside Kim Jae-woon, as his hands and feet.
Yoon Tae-ho was the same.
From Lee Dae-hyuk's memories, his fighting skills rivaled Kim Geon-woo at his peak.
And he was the type to throw himself into gunfire to protect him.
So naturally, Yoon Tae-ho had agreed without hesitation to his request for Kim Mi-jin's help.
But seeing her in person made it hard to bring it up.
Sensing something off, Kim Mi-jin asked Lee Dae-hyuk,
"But why did you call me? It's great seeing you after so long, but the mood feels serious. You didn't call me just to hang out, did you?"
Puzzled by their grave expressions, she asked.
After a brief pause, Lee Dae-hyuk spoke.
"…I need your help, Sister-in-law."
"My help? Cleaning? Laundry? Cooking?"
He shook his head at her questions.
"I'd like you to become a director at my corporation."
"Pardon?"
Her eyes widened like saucers at the sudden request.
.
.
.
Five minutes later.
After hearing Lee Dae-hyuk's explanation, Kim Mi-jin took a deep breath.
The shocking content made her heart pound like a drum.
"Whew, my jaw nearly dropped."
She patted her chest, having kept her mouth agape throughout his explanation.
"So… you're going to challenge for the Daehan Group successor position?"
"Yes."
"And this job at Daehan Construction… is to build merit there and win the Chairman's favor?"
"That's right."
"And meanwhile, you'll set up a corporation from behind the scenes to make money? And… use that money to buy up Daehan Group shares?"
"Yes."
"And you want to give me the director position at that company… Sigh."
Summarizing his story, Kim Mi-jin let out a sigh.
"And my husband knew about this to some extent?"
"Yes."
"Yet he didn't say a word to me. Right? We'll talk when we get home."
"N-No. I heard about the corporation from Young Master for the first time too."
As Kim Mi-jin shot him a glare, the flustered Yoon Tae-ho clutched his forehead.
Turning from her fidgeting husband, Kim Mi-jin continued.
"Director, huh… The title doesn't matter. And… you said you need someone reliable and smart to manage the corporation… Meaning I fit that criteria?"
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded emphatically at her words.
Truth be told, he'd had some initial concerns.
But just seeing her calmed his heart.
Someone who evoked these memories wouldn't betray him easily.
Moreover.
'I plan to reward them accordingly.'
Firm in his resolve, Lee Dae-hyuk spoke confidently.
"As you said, I need someone reliable and smart."
Pleased by his words, Kim Mi-jin smiled in satisfaction.
"Hearing praise straight from you feels fresh and nice. Hohoho."
"Empty words mean nothing. So I'll give you solid compensation. Far more than you two could imagine."
He had already forged a friendly tie with Jeong Hee-joo.
And once she adjusted to the underworld a bit more,
He'd siphon smuggled goods from Yu Jae-man's warehouse.
Processing them through Jeong Hee-joo afterward would net him hundreds of billions.
A portion of that would go to them as reward.
But it was all crime.
So he couldn't discuss compensation now.
Now it was their turn to answer.
"That's all from me. Your turn, Sister-in-law. If you don't want to get dragged into unnecessary fights, feel free to refuse. Seeing your face like this is enough for me."
Gazing steadily at Lee Dae-hyuk, Kim Mi-jin countered.
"…You're just doing this for revenge? If that's the only reason, I don't want to help."
She knew Lee Dae-hyuk's situation well.
The abuse left him unable to sleep without sedatives.
She had nursed him, shedding tears at his side.
But.
"It's textbook stuff, but… a group isn't anyone's personal property. Taking it over with that mindset will ruin the company. And cut off everyone working there's livelihood."
As Kim Mi-jin voiced her honest concerns, Lee Dae-hyuk fell silent for a moment.
She was right.
He wanted Daehan Group for revenge against the original Lee Dae-hyuk and Kim Geon-woo.
He hadn't thought beyond that.
Pure vengeance wouldn't run the company properly.
'I need to plan for after, starting now.'
Collecting his thoughts, Lee Dae-hyuk bowed his head to Kim Mi-jin and said earnestly,
"You're right, Sister-in-law. As for after… please teach me, you and Manager. I'll learn step by step."
"...!"
Kim Mi-jin and Yoon Tae-ho's eyes widened simultaneously.
No matter that he was the illegitimate son, Lee Dae-hyuk was chaebol third-generation.
For him to bow and ask them to teach him.
As they were stunned, Lee Dae-hyuk lifted his head and continued.
"If it's hard to decide right away, I can give you more time."
At his question, Kim Mi-jin broke into a broad grin.
She could tell from his actions alone.
This man was worlds apart from the arrogant spawn of Lee Myung-guk, arrogance etched into their bones.
"I decided the moment you first asked."
She spoke calmly.
"It breaks my heart that a good person like you is driven by revenge. So…"
Before marriage, she had just pitied Lee Dae-hyuk.
A child ignored by his father, bereft of his mother.
A pitiful boy self-destructing from abuse memories.
Back then, Kim Mi-jin could only lament her powerlessness to help.
No, she had turned away.
Excusing it as unavoidable.
But guilt still clung to a corner of her heart.
Now was the time for her to shake it off, and for that boy to receive his due.
Recalling those sad days of briefly caring for him, Kim Mi-jin spat out,
"I'll do my utmost to help you get the reward you deserve for that unjust life."
Even now, she wanted the abused child to be happy.
But revenge wasn't the answer.
No guarantee happiness awaited after.
Still…
Watching the abusers live lavishly without punishment just because they were chaebol?
As a parent, she couldn't stand by.
"I'll make sure you're not wronged, Young Master."
Clenching her fist, Kim Mi-jin steeled her resolve.
And.
"...."
Lee Dae-hyuk silently met her gaze.
With eyes full of gratitude.
Meanwhile, Yoon Tae-ho's eyes bulged in shock.
"Honey. Don't say it so lightly. Mess up, and we could really get hurt. It's dangerous."
His worry was inevitable.
He knew what kind of people Lee Dae-hyuk's siblings were.
If they learned he and his wife were helping him, retaliation was certain.
But unlike her concerned husband, Kim Mi-jin just smiled brightly.
"No need to worry about me. You'll protect me, honey."
"Aigoo…"
Yoon Tae-ho clutched his forehead, watching his wife plant hands on hips and tilt her chin up.
Smiling at her husband, Kim Mi-jin turned back to Lee Dae-hyuk.
"Young Master, what should I do going forward?"
"Please handle the overall accounting for me and the corporation. The first thing you'll need to do is…"
As Lee Dae-hyuk began outlining the tasks, Kim Mi-jin's eyes sparkled.
She had lived so long as someone's wife and mother.
The thought of working again ignited her passion.
'What will he assign? Big contracts? Investments?'
Imagining various businesses, her eyes widened.
But.
"Please find a suitable orphanage and nursing home in my name and make donations."
"Pardon?"
"Hmm… about 100 million each would be good."
"...!!"