God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 140
"S-So... I tried my best, but I feel like something is still lacking... I'm worried that I've become a bother now..."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. And then I left while being irritable... It's over for me now! Waaah!"
Baek Jae-ha burst into tears. Jung Da-on stroked his back with an awkward smile.
He was puzzled to find someone inside the recycling bin out of nowhere. At first, he thought it was a drunk person, but there was no smell of alcohol.
It was good that he managed to coax him out of the recycling bin, but then he was suddenly grabbed and found himself listening to this lament, which was quite awkward in many ways.
'At first, I thought he might be a hoodlum...'
The bright bleached hair and flashy appearance were enough to cause such a misunderstanding. His clothes, though a bit wrinkled now, were stylishly dressed in the latest fashion.
In any case, as he listened to the story, there were some pitiful aspects that made Da-on feel concerned.
"Jae-ha. Why are you thinking so extremely? From what I hear, the person who brought you in doesn't seem to be that cold-hearted."
As they talked, they not only exchanged names but also revealed their ages. Since there wasn't much age difference, they decided to speak casually to each other.
"They took you in when you had nowhere to go, gave you a job, and even helped you financially when you first got a place, right?"
"Yeah..."
"I think their intention in mentioning university was probably good too."
Jung Da-on spoke while imagining someone like Daddy Long Legs in his mind. Naturally, the image of a middle-aged man came to mind.
'If they're willing to support the deposit for the kid's house, they must be quite wealthy. And considering they set him up with a job, they must be a successful businessman. It doesn't seem like they're trying to take advantage of Jae-ha. Offering to support his university education too... Isn't this person really kind?'
He thought that Baek Jae-ha might be overinterpreting things due to his fear of being disliked.
"It's too late now, but why don't you go and apologize tomorrow morning? I think that should work, right?"
"...You think so?"
"Yeah. And going to university is just one of many experiences. I'm currently on leave from school to help with my mother's work, but..."
Jung Da-on scratched the back of his head sheepishly. It was a bit embarrassing to say this while being on leave himself, but still, going to school had its own fun when he was attending.
"...Do you think it would be okay for me to go?"
"Huh?"
"There will be a lot of kids from good homes, happy families at university, right?"
"......"
"It was so hard for me to see kids like that in high school. I kept wondering why only I was so miserable. Things that were natural for them weren't natural for me at all. I even resented my deceased parents sometimes. Asking why they left me alone like this, why they even gave birth to me if they were going to leave. If I have to go through that experience again, I don't want to go."
I see, that could be the case. Jung Da-on was inwardly surprised, as this was an issue he had never considered before.
But he quickly composed his emotions and said:
"That's exactly why you should go."
"......"
"You need to learn how to live among such people, don't you?"
"Ugh."
Baek Jae-ha groaned as if struck at a vital point. The stubbornness was evident in the way he turned his head away. Jung Da-on persisted:
"I understand it's hard to face, but you can't keep avoiding it forever. You said you're doing most of your current work alone, right?"
"......"
"I can see why your guardian wants you to go to university."
Even though they had only talked briefly, it was clear that Baek Jae-ha was not skilled at communicating with others.
Others might not have shown such an openly displeased expression even if they didn't like what Jung Da-on was saying.
'Hmm. I didn't originally intend to get this deeply involved...'
As he listened to the story, he couldn't help but feel concerned. Moreover, although he didn't know much about this unnamed 'guardian'... it seemed that person wasn't particularly skilled at communication either.
'It might have been better if they had brought up the university topic at a different time.'
Since they seemed to be a successful businessman, they probably wouldn't act like this in business meetings. It seemed they might be a bit weak when it came to private conversations between individuals.
Well, that could happen.
It was sad to see that the two seemed to be having communication difficulties.
'He reminds me of myself when I was having issues with my dad.'
When Han Mi-ae's business was in a slump and there were frequent marital disputes, Jung Da-on always took his mother's side.
He knew his father always cared for and loved the family, but his words were always rough and coarse.
"If that's the case, how about this?"
Jung Da-on spoke after some thought.
"...What?"
"I'll tutor you."
"Huh?"
Baek Jae-ha's eyes widened.
"And next year, you can enroll in the university I attend. That's better than being surrounded by complete strangers, right?"
Baek Jae-ha stared blankly at the smiling face. He wondered how someone he just met could make such an offer.
"Of course, it's not free! Instead of tutoring fees, let's say... you can help out at our shop when we're short-handed sometimes. How about that?"
"...Is that really all?"
"Yeah. But in return, you have to do the homework I give you properly, okay?"
At those words, Baek Jae-ha cautiously nodded.
"Alright. It's a promise."
As Jung Da-on held out his finger, Baek Jae-ha hesitantly reached out his hand. As their eyes met, Jung Da-on grinned.
Buzz! Buzz!
Just then, Baek Jae-ha's phone started vibrating intensely.
"Whoa!"
Baek Jae-ha jumped up in surprise. As he pulled out his phone from his pocket,
[Repaying Kindness]
was displayed as the saved name on the screen.
It seemed to be a call from his guardian. As Baek Jae-ha gulped, Jung Da-on gestured for him to answer quickly.
"H-Hello?"
Baek Jae-ha answered the phone with a trembling voice.
"I didn't drink. Yes. ...Just. I was just taking a walk because I felt a bit troubled. Nearby."
Oh ho. Look at this?
Jung Da-on narrowed his eyes. This was because Baek Jae-ha was showing a markedly different attitude from when he was with him.
From his suppressed voice to his deliberately calm tone. He was clearly trying to act mature.
His voice was still hoarse from crying just moments ago, but he was perfectly disguising it.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine. ...Now?"
Oh?
Did something happen? Baek Jae-ha looked perplexed.
"Nearby, you say? No. Wait a moment. I'm not alone right now. Now..., what?"
It seems they're coming this way.
Jung Da-on got up, gathering his things. He was about to leave, thinking he should just give his phone number before going.
That's what he was thinking.
Until he came face to face with Song Woo-yeon walking towards them from the front.
"...Huh?"
Song Woo-yeon's eyes widened as she spotted them. She was holding her phone to her ear, apparently in the middle of a call.
'Come to think of it, they said they were meeting around here, didn't they? Kim Jong-chun-ahjussi and mom. I guess their gathering just ended.'
Thinking about it, since Happy Snack was nearby, it made sense.
'Since it's come to this, and it's late, I should walk Woo-yeon home before heading back to the shop. I should tell mom to go in first.'
Just then,
"...CEO."
Baek Jae-ha greeted Song Woo-yeon first.
"?"
What's this? How do these two know each other? Jung Da-on couldn't help but wonder. Baek Jae-ha had said he had no connections or friends in this area. How could they...
That question was soon answered.
"Jae-ha. What were you doing out so late? It's dangerous."
"I'm sorry..."
Song Woo-yeon naturally scolded Baek Jae-ha, and Baek Jae-ha meekly accepted it.
"...Huh? ...Huuuh?! Ahhh!"
As the final puzzle piece fell into place, all questions were answered.
'The successful businessman Daddy Long Legs who paid the deposit and set up a job! That was you, Woo-yeon?!'
The image of the middle-aged man shattered, replaced by Song Woo-yeon's figure. Good heavens.
And what's with that scolding attitude? She's acting as if she's so much older and more mature.
In fact, if we're talking about who should be more careful walking at night, between Baek Jae-ha and Song Woo-yeon, it's probably more...
"By the way, were you and Da-on originally acquainted?"
"Ah, no. We just met here. By chance."
"Oh, really? Anyway, thanks. I was worried. Knowing you two were together puts me at ease."
Song Woo-yeon let out a deep sigh, as if relieved.
"You don't need to worry..."
As Baek Jae-ha mumbled quietly, Song Woo-yeon immediately shot him a sharp glance.
"You ran out like that, didn't answer calls until this hour, and didn't come home."
It's understandable to worry. Jung Da-on was nodding when he suddenly realized something strange.
"How did you know he hadn't come home?"
"The downstairs neighbor said there was a water leak. I went to the house urgently to check, but they contacted me saying there was no one inside."
Song Woo-yeon's appearance clearly showed that she had rushed out in a hurry, confirming that this wasn't a lie.
It seemed she had been having a gathering with Kim Jong-chun and Han Mi-ae when she received a call from the landlord and was startled.
"Phew... Anyway. Jae-ha, if you don't like it, I won't talk about university anymore. I guess I was forcing what I thought was good from my perspective. I'm sorry."
"Ah, no!"
Baek Jae-ha trembled at the unexpected apology.
"I think I overreacted, I'm sorry. ...I, I think it's not a bad idea."
"Huh?"
Song Woo-yeon looked up at Baek Jae-ha with wide eyes. Baek Jae-ha had a face of firm resolve.
"I'll try going to university."
"...!"
At those words, Song Woo-yeon looked surprised before breaking into a broad smile.
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"So."
The excitement over Baek Jae-ha taking his first step towards society lasted only that night.
I muttered as I stood in front of the shop where I had agreed to conduct business consulting at Han Mi-ae's request.
"You don't know why business isn't doing well?"
...I think I know all too well.