The Famous Millionaire

“Of course, I know that.”

“And you know there are lots of talented students there, too, right?”

Hyunwoo recalled the case of Minkyu Kang and the annual exhibition hosted by Dreaming School. When he visited it last time, he was quite impressed by the students’ works.

He was impressed by their creative power, in particular, and it was their creative power that his father Duyoung and Kuroda volunteered to teach them to explore.

Recently Suji’s father, Taeho Min, also decided to donate his talent to the students.

Duyoung continued, “I hear the graduates from Dreaming School are in trouble. They go to alternative high schools, but the problem is they don’t receive creative education like Dreaming School.”

Hyunwoo felt sorry to hear that sad situation.

“That’s why I would like to bring some of the graduates here and teach them directly,” said Duyoung.

Hyunwoo seemed to know why his father brought up the topic so carefully.

“In other words, you want to establish an alternative school for them, daddy?”

Duyoung’s eyes opened wide at his question.

“Alternative school here is just a grandiose idea. I just want to bring some of them here and take them as my assistants.”

What he really meant was that he wanted to have them beside him and teach them in person.

Hyunwoo wanted to create an environment in which the students could only focus on studying without worrying about anything else.

And he coveted the creativeness of the young students. In fact, the pace of research was too slow in the case of his father and Kuroda. Though Taeho Min was long involved in the research, he didn’t produce any tangible results.

Hyunwoo felt the students could bring about a breakthrough in their research. For they could approach the problem from a new angle with their out-of-the-box creativeness.

The real problem was money.

No matter how small it was, they could not use the container house as an alternative school. In particular, a new dormitory would be needed for students who had to come from faraway places.

But Hyunwoo’s agonizing didn’t last long.

The incoming students of the new alternative school would be 20 at the most, and the separate research institute for Duyoung and Kuroda would not be large. Even if Taeho joined them, the institute would be more than enough for their research activities.

“Don’t worry about the money. Let me find a solution,” said Hyunwoo confidently.

And now Kuroda also cautiously expressed his wish to move his research room along with Duyoung.

“Of course, you should move with me,” said Duyoung.

Then, turning to Hyunwoo, he asked, “Don’t you agree?

“Sure, Dad,” replied Hyunwoo pleasantly. Hyunwoo continued, “If Dr. Taeho Min also wishes to move, he can join you, of course.”

“Wow, you’re my son! You already read our minds, hahaha.”

In fact, Duyoung was full of enthusiasm for his research but had no real progress. Still, he was persistent. He continued to pursue his research with the firm conviction that his research would be regarded as a success if it laid the foundation for his students’ further research.

In the process of pursuing his lonely path, Duyoung met a colleague, who was none other than Taeho. Like him, Taeho was devoting himself to the development of new materials.

Hyunwoo gently asked his father, “Do you want to pursue joint research with Dr. Min?”

“Do you think that is easy?” answered Duyoung with a perplexed look.

Giggling at that, Hyunwoo felt he needed to help his father with it.

Several days passed.

Taeho usually stayed at home during the weekends. Sometimes, he spent time in his container house for research, but he kept his promise to take a walk with the family.

After dinner, he went back to the container house.

Hyunwoo cautiously called him outside and said,

“Dr. Min, can I talk with you a bit?”

“Sure, Hyunwoo.”

Without hesitation, Hyunwoo told him his point, “I understand your research has something in common with my father’s research.’

“Yea, that’s true.”

“I wonder if you are willing to do joint research with my father. Or you can share your research findings with my father…” said Hyunwoo, slurring the end of his sentences.

Taeho was staring at him with a serious look, and then said, “Was it Dr. Jang’s idea?”

“Not necessarily. But I can say with confidence that he wants it earnestly.”

“Well, I have no objection as long as Dr. Jang wants it. In fact, I was also very curious about his research,” said Taeho.

Hyunwoo’s face brightened. He went on to say that he would build a new research center to house his father and Kuroda’s offices.

Taeho said without any hesitation, “Of course I would love to move to a new office. By the way, I think you will need lots of money to build a research institute. Can I invest 300 million won for that?”

“I’ll let you know if my budget is not sufficient. I think it’s more important to decide how to build the research center. Hopefully, the three of you can meet one of these days and discuss it.”

Several days later Hyunwoo had a date with Suji.

They left for the east coast early in the morning, rode a bicycle and had a drink over seafood.

When it was dark, they checked into a condominium and made hot love.

Suji was lying on the bed in pajamas, and Hyunwoo hugged her from behind.

It looked as if they were dreaming a happy dream if they went to sleep at that moment.

Then she initiated a conversation after some hesitation.

“Did you tell my Dad that you’re going to build a new research center?”

Hyunwoo opened his eyes wide at that.

Taeho was crazy about research. He was blamed for giving up his family for his research when he was affiliated with a university research. When the university cut off the funding of his research, he came back to his family.

Now, Taeho could refocus on research thanks to Hyunwoo’s consideration. Though he might appreciate Hyunwoos’ help, Suji and her mother might feel resentment towards him.

Hyunwoo answered cautiously, “Yes, I did.”

Suji didn’t reply, letting out a sigh, which was barely audible.

Hyunwoo said as if to persuade her, “As you know, the new research center is within ten minutes’ walking distance from the existing container houses. And your father won’t go back to his previous habit, so don’t worry.”

“I wish you had discussed with us in advance,” said Suji.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t think as far as that. I just thought your family would feel the same way if your father felt happy.”

Suji didn’t argue with him anymore. In fact, there was no big difference whether his father did his research in the container house or the new research center. What Suji and her mother wanted was for Taeho to keep his promise.

There lasted some silence between Suji and Hyunwoo.

And then she broke the silence by asking in a cautious tone, “I also heard you’re planning to set up an alternative school.”

At that moment, Hyunwoo felt a bit proud of that. Actually, that was what he had been dreaming for a long time. Though he was planning to start with a small alternative school, it would grow in size in due course, and later he would bring all the students talented in music and animation to the school and teach them.

“How did you know that? I haven’t yet told your father about that.”

But Suji reacted with annoyance, “Do you really have to build an alternative school?”

Hardening his face, he asked, “What the heck are you talking about?”

“I just want you to live an ordinary life.”

“What’s the big deal? Do you expect any big change in my life if I build an alternative school?”

“Well, that’s what I feel now. Ordinary people think of investing rather than freely spending money for others. Am I wrong?”

Suji had a point but seemed to think Hyunwoo just lavishly spent the money without any purpose.

He asked her quietly, “Do you think I should buy stocks with the money?”

“Well, I don’t like stocks at all, but I think that’s more realistic investment than blind spending on the people that we don’t know at all.”

“What about buying the real estate?”

“That’s the most realistic investment I think,” said Suji honestly.

“What about investing in those with potential?”

“I don’t think any school can reap the return on its investment in its students. We can’t say it’s investment.”

Both of them exchanged serious opinions like that. Controlling his feelings, Hyunwoo tried to persuade her logically.

“I don’t want any monetary rewards for my investment. I just think it’s a reward to me for them to grow as competent men and women. Think of that! How happy you would be if you watched them growing to be excellent men with my help!”

Suji let out a sigh, as if she couldn’t understand his point.

“I think if we become a family, we can have the right to enjoy our own wealth. I mean, we can live in a big house, wear good clothes, have good food and sometimes show off in front of others. I may be a snob, but I would like to live like that if I am rich enough.”

“Yea, I fully agree with you,” said Hyunwoo seriously.

But he felt watching those he selected in person growing professionally was as much psychological pleasure and rewards as the monetary rewards.

“I can say this clearly. My kind of investment also brings a great monetary reward, too. Just take a look at the Anifan kids. You never know how much they are making for me now. In your mind, which investment would bring you more happiness and sense of reward, Suji?”