Chapter 148

The unsightly buildings that stood on Kuroda’s lot began to crumble when the heavy vehicle operator destroyed them.
Jisook Han, Hyunwoo’s mother, already had a blueprint on the extension of the existing factory. Along with the factory’s extension began the construction of a new dormitory. Originally, she wanted to have it built in a stylish way, but the grandmothers who would be housed there wanted a fast construction rather than a stylish dormitory.

Okay, then. Let me change the original blueprint. Please let me know which story and how many rooms you want,
said the builder Sanggon Ahn

I want a two-story building with four rooms for two on the ground floor and six single-person rooms on the second floor. Is it spacious enough?
asked Jisook.

Sure. If the new factory and dormitory are built on the existing lot, you will see no more space on the lot. I think it’s better to build a bigger building by using the available spare space on the lot.


Yes, please go ahead.



The grandmothers who would be working there visited the construction site every day to watch it. Some of them told Jisook about their wishes.

I’m so bored these days.


Why?


I’ve got nothing to do all day long. I wish I could move in as soon as possible,
said one of them.
Hearing that, another one said,
Hey, don’t keep an eye on it. One of the rooms is mine.

Though the new dormitory would be built big enough, Jisook wasn’t sure if it was spacious enough to house them all.

Phew…It looks like there will be a big quarrel among them after the dormitory is completed,
murmured Jisook to herself.
The construction continued even into the evening.
At that moment, there was heard a familiar voice outside.

Hyunwoo, I’m here.



Stunned, Hyunwoo turned his head and said,
Why did you come at this hour? Ah.. you got here with your parents.

Not only Jisook but also his father Duyoung Jang and Kuroda quickly came out.
They were already on good terms with each other as they went to the same alternative school to help the kids there and got to know each other well.

You got here at the right time. I was going to prepare dinner now,
said Jisook and escorted them into the living room.
Mrs. Kong quickly swung her hand and said,
Oh, no. We just came here for a fresh air outside. We can have dinner after we get back home.


We would feel very sorry about it if you did so,
said Jisook, and insisted they have dinner together.
Only then did Suji dig her mother in the ribs gently,
Right, mom. It would be discourteous if you came as far as here and went away without having dinner.


Oh, I didn’t know that! Anyway, we didn’t come here for dinner.

Jisook went to the kitchen to prepare dinner and Mrs. Kong followed her to chip in.
In the meantime, Suji came to Hyunwoo and said,
It’s noisy here and dusty.




Shall we go out for a walk then?
said Hyunwoo.
Suji had no reason to refuse his suggestion.

Great. Daddy, I’ll be back soon,
said Suji.

Alright.

Suji was excited, while Taeho felt rather awkward as he was left alone there, but it was an unfounded concern because Duyoung Jang and Kuroda kept his company.

It’s cold here. Shall we go inside?


Sure. Thanks.

They showed Taeho into the main room. While moving to that place, Taeho noticed two container houses.

By the way, what are they for? They don’t look like warehouses.


Oh, they are our personal research rooms. One is mine, and the other is Kuroda’s.




Personal research room?

At that moment, Taeho’s eyes popped up. Actually, he seemed to have lost the direction of his life after his university cut off his research funding, but now he seemed to have found it.
Hyunwoo and Suji strolled through the ally of the country village for an hour. Though there were street lights here and there, there were more dark places.

It’s a bit scary,
said Suji and then came closer to Hyunwoo, naturally wrapping an arm around his.
Hyunwoo gently pulled his arm free and instead hugged her shoulder tight with one arm.

Why is it scary when I’m here with you?

Suji giggled at that and then gently held his hand.

How is your life in Seoul? Interesting?
asked Suji.

Not really.


There are lots of beautiful women there, right?




Well, no matter how hard I try, I can’t find one as beautiful as you.


No kidding. You sound glib to me,
said Suji, nudging him in the ribs, but she was all smiles.
After chattering away for some time, they came back for dinner, but Taeho seemed gloomy while he was eating. It looked as if he was lost in thinking about something.
Mrs. Kong, nudging him in the ribs, said,
Don’t think about the research stuff while you’re eating!


Oh, I’m so sorry. Ha ha.

After dinner, they had delicious apples.
Suddenly, Taeho asked,
By the way, what type of research are you doing?

At that moment Hyunwoo had a tense look on his face. Obviously, they must have talked about the purpose of the container houses while he and Suji were out for a walk.

Nothing particular. As my specialty is chemistry, I’m reading relevant books,
said Duyoung to distract his attention. Hyunwoo let out a sigh of relief.

I’m currently doing research on a new type of car engine, but I’m afraid I won’t finish the research during my lifetime, ha ha ha,
said Kuroda.

I see. I envy you as you have a private research room like that,
said Taeho.
What he said was not empty talk. His eyes were full of envy, and it looked like he wanted to do his own research along with them.
And Mrs. Kong clearly read his mind. She spoke in a hysterical voice so that everybody could hear,
No! Stop talking about research! I’m just sick and tired of it even when I hear the first character ‘r’ of research!


Sorry, honey.

After dinner, Suji’s family drove back home.
Taeho didn’t say a single word all along. Even after he arrived home he hardened his face. Obviously, he was totally occupied with thinking about the private research rooms of Duyoung and Kuroda.
Suddenly, Suji asked,
Do you want a private research room beside theirs?

Not only Taeho but also Mrs. Kong were surprised by her sudden question.

Can I?
said Taeho.

Are you crazy? No way,
said Mrs. Kong curtly.
But Suji had an idea of her own to make it work. Despite Mrs. Kong’s repeated disapproval, Suji didn’t budge at all. Rather she went one step further and suggested,
Why don’t we move to that place? Then daddy could do the research more conveniently.


Hey, Suji. What’s the matter with you?
shouted Mrs. Kong. She was so embarrassed, she couldn’t even pronounce properly.
To soothe her troubled heart Suji instantly said,
There is a condition for that, though.


Condition? What is it?

Mrs. Kong and Taeho looked at Suji with a curious look.

In return for daddy doing the research there, he should put aside family time. On weekdays he has to spend time with us from 11 pm until it’s time to sleep, and on weekends from 6 pm. And once a month he has to come on a family trip. Of course, these conditions can be adjusted between mom and daddy. How about it?


Family trip?
asked Mrs. Kong, brightening her face, and looked at Taeho.

How about it? Can you promise, honey?


Of course. As a matter of fact, I’ve been so sorry to you, but I couldn’t give up the research. Now, if I do as Suji suggests, I think I can continue to do the research and have family time. What a good idea!


Done deal! Let’s move to that place, then. Suji, can you find a house there?
said Mrs. Kong.
Suji already set her heart on one house. It was the house right beside Hyunwoo’s, but she pretended an air of innocence.

Okay. Let me find one as soon as possible.

Suji gave Hyunwoo a call, who was surfing the computer at the moment.
He always welcomed any call or text message from her.

Hi, Suji. I guess you safely arrived home.


Oh, yes. By the way, the house next to yours is still available, isn’t it? How much is it?

Hyunwoo’s eyes opened wide.

Why did you suddenly ask that question?


Well, my mom and daddy want to move to that house despite my objection. He wants to do research along with your daddy and Kuroda.

At that moment, he felt his heart sank.
Though he didn’t doubt Taeho, there was a real possibility that Taeho’s resumption of research could draw the attention of many people to Duyoung’s research. His Dad was very concerned his research would be revealed to the outside world.
Hyunwoo hastily cooked up some excuse to discourage her,

It’s too old to live there.


We’re planning to build a new house there,
said Suji casually.

But it will cost a lot.


We can afford to finance that.


In fact, you will find lots of inconveniences if you buy a single home such as disposal of garbage, etc…
said Hyunwoo, citing several shortcomings of a single home.
However, Suji reacted icily,
You don’t want me to move to your place?


Oh, no, no,
said Hyunwoo quickly to soothe her.
But he went too far to do so because Suji was completely upset.

Enough is enough. Let me find out from the realtor myself. I’m sorry I called you.

It looked as if she already decided to move.
There was no point in trying to dissuade her in that situation.

Suji, I know someone who is the president of a realtor company. Let me find it out for you as soon as possible.

Suji paused for several seconds. She seemed to think over whether to forgive him or not.
Fortunately, her voice began to soften.

Okay, then. Let me give you one more chance.