CHAPTER 5 –  Heritage (Part 1)

The car moved smoothly up the alleyways of Pyeongchang-dong. Dojun rolled down the window halfway. With a whirring sound, the window lowered, catching the attention of Chairman Hwang.

“Feeling stuffy?”

“No, not at all.”

The deserted street, sparsely placed streetlights, tall and sturdy walls, and CCTV cameras installed on every wall triggered something inside Dojun as they made their way to Yeonwoo House. From the age of fifteen to twenty-four, Dojun had spent ten years at Yeonwoo House.

“It’s been a while, we should have homemade food.”

“The hotel food is also good.”

Dojun wished he hadn’t had to come all the way to Yeonwoo House.

“Eating outside won’t do. I told them to prepare your favorite tofu stew.”

Chairman Hwang Ilhyun laughed. He had asked Dojun three times to come over for a meal with him at Yeonwoo House. While it would be the right thing to do if told, Dojun knew he could decline the gentle invitation but that would mean Chairman Hwang would show himself up at the hotel.

“Don’t stay at the hotel just because you’re busy. Go home whenever possible. The energy of life comes from there. Eating a home-cooked meal, and sleeping in your own bed brings good energy.”

Dojun was still living in the villa in Hannam-dong that he got as a newlywed. The second floor, used as his wife’s space, remained the same. Though the household items had been tidied up by the maid who came to manage the house, the furniture remained unchanged. He didn’t feel the need to change anything.

“Yes, I’ll go in.”

Even though he spent half of the year at the hotel, Dojun didn’t believe that eating at Yeonwoo House would automatically bring good energy. Nonetheless, he obediently agreed.

“You always respond so obediently.”

Chairman Hwang smirked. No matter what, he would be generous to Dojun. He was the grandson who had been raised in his arms after his eldest son, who had been the most precious, fell into a vegetative state due to a traffic accident.

Being generous to Dojun is not just out of pity. Dojun hadn’t even raised his hands to receive affection. Rather, the chairman raised him coldly, hoping that he would protect his dying father’s share of the world. However, while raising him, Dojun surprisingly never disappointed him.

Dojun, who received his father’s drive and guts and his mother’s intelligence and grace, had the innate ability to dominate opponents with just his eyes. Sometimes, even Chairman Hwang himself was left breathless.

He was also the one who silently guarded his father’s side as he lay in bed for nearly 20 years. No matter how many times he urged him to come into the main building, he didn’t budge.

What thoughts went through his cool gaze? How much had he hurt himself by facing his father, who was barely breathing? 

Thinking like that made the chairman’s heartache.

Suddenly, they had climbed the hill. The gate opened automatically, revealing the entrance. Chairman Hwang’s gaze lingered at a certain point. It was the annex where Dojun’s father, Hwang Yeong-guk, had been lying for years.

“It’s cold in the hospital. There’s a chill in the air.”

“It’s warm.”

Dojun replied nonchalantly. Chairman Hwang lifted his mournful eyes and looked at Dojun.

“Have you been to his hospital room?”

“I stopped by briefly on Monday evening.”

For eighteen years, in a state neither dead nor alive.

Chairman Hwang had focused all his energy on keeping his firstborn son alive. After he was declared brain dead, he decorated the annex as if it were an entire hospital, assigning a dedicated team of doctors and nurses. Fifteen-year-old Dojun had spent his time in that annex, facing his father’s room.

It was only when Dojun went to study abroad that his father was moved to a room in the general hospital.

‘Grandfather, you can’t bear to be by Father’s side.’

This was what Dojun said, indicating that he wanted to take his father to the hospital. Chairman Hwang, who had not even listened when his second son Yeong-chan, sent his eldest son to the hospital upon hearing those words.

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s doing well.”

Surrounded by numerous machines, his father was doing fine. When Dojun had bent down and placed his hand on his father’s cheek, warmth still lingered there.

“It hurts. My heart aches.”

Chairman Hwang said, sighing softly. Despite being eighty years old, Chairman Hwang, who still commanded the Hanseong Group and led it with determination, seemed to have weakened mentally lately and couldn’t seem to accept the situation he’s son was in.

“Let’s go together once.”

“Okay. Let’s go together.”

Chairman Hwang said with a faint smile. The car stopped. Jung, the butler who had been waiting, opened the car door.

“Is the meal ready?”

“It’s prepared.”

“Don’t let anyone in. I’ll eat alone with my Dojun.”

“Yes.”

After exchanging a brief greeting with Jung, Dojun strode forward. The scent of Dojun’s favorite tofu stew wafted from afar.

* * *

As the car passed over the speed bump upon entering the main gate of Hanseong Hotel, it rumbled heavily. It was late evening in the city, and snow was falling outside the window. Sitting in the car, Dojun looked down at his phone.

On the screen was Yoon Seo-yeon’s SNS account. She posted one or two pictures a month, mostly of steak, pasta, coffee, and cake. Nothing special, except for the occasional bouquet of flowers.

Except for the last photo posted a few days ago.

At first glance, it seemed like an affectionate family photo. The family members are seated in a circle, and a woman with a bunny sticker blows out a candle.

#MySister #HappyBirthday #TwentyTwo #Congratulations

The tags written below the picture, posted as if to show off, reveal the depths of disgust. Dojun turned off his phone screen with an expressionless face. The car pulls up to the hotel entrance and stops.

Dojun got out of the car, straightening his back. Manager Kang, who had been waiting, greeted him and then headed towards the revolving door. Dojun said to Manager Kang.

“You go up first.”

With a puzzled expression, Manager Kang looked at Dojun and then turned his body. And then, Dojun walked towards the annex where the luxury brand ‘Heritage’ was located. In the short time it took, snowflakes fell on Dojun’s hair and shoulders.

It was past the sign’s closing time, but he pushed the heavy glass door open. The door swung open without resistance.

“Manager, the CEO is here.”

A male employee who was assigned to guide quietly whispered through his headset and greeted Dojun with a courteous nod. Dojun continued to walk at a steady pace.

Passing the displayed clothes and scarves at the entrance, Dojun reached the area where the bags were displayed. Seo-yeon emerged from inside with steady steps.

“You’re here. Let me escort you inside. Junwon, you can go home.”