Pianist's Village

Chairman Park Ki-jun's Office.

Kim Ji-ye, who arrived at the chairman's office with the secretary, was restless.

'Did he call me here because of Soo-hyun? If so, he could have just sent the message through his secretary.'

It was true that she had met many high-ranking people as a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it was always intimidating to meet the chairman of a company as large as the Kumhwa Asian Group.

It was a spacious and clean office. The place had only a desk, a few bookshelves, a large audio system for listening to music, a single sofa, and the guest sofa where Ji-ye was sitting.

'Normally, I would have thought I'd like to work in such a big, nice office, but things are different now.'

Her anxiety grew even more as Chairman Park Ki-jun was nowhere to be seen, and only the stern face of the secretary guarding the door was visible. Just as Ji-ye's anxiety peaked, the door opened and the elegantly dressed Chairman Park Ki-jun walked in.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I called you and made you wait. It was my fault."

Kim Ji-ye, who jumped to her feet, wore an embarrassed expression.

"No, sir. I just arrived."

Chairman Park Ki-jun sat down opposite her.

"Oh, please, have a seat. The secretary told me you've been waiting for twenty minutes. I'm very sorry for taking up your valuable time. The meeting ran longer than expected."

Ji-ye waved her hand.

"Oh, no. You're very busy."

'I wanted to ask why he had called me, but I felt a lump in my throat and couldn't speak.'

Chairman Park Ki-jun said with a smile,

"Don't be so nervous. I wanted to see you today because I have something to ask you."

'What does he want to ask? What could it be? I'm aware of everything happening with Soo-hyun.' 'But why is this old man, who isn't my boss, summoning me for questioning?'

Ji-ye was a little annoyed but swallowed her thoughts.

"Yes, go ahead."

When Chairman Park Ki-jun gestured to his secretary, the quick-witted secretary closed the door and left. As the two were left alone in the room, the air grew even heavier.

'Please just say it quickly and let me go.'

"Ms. Kim Ji-ye."

"Yes?"

"As we go through life, we encounter many opportunities, don't we?"

"…?"

"But you don't have to catch every ball that comes your way. The one who lives well is the one who chooses well when and which ball to catch."

'What on earth is this old man trying to say?'

Park Ki-jun said with a warm expression,

"Ms. Ji-ye, do you like your job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

'Until recently, I was content with the present. But after seeing the true face of the Ministry through Soo-hyun's case, I lost interest. And that led me to become disillusioned with what I was doing.'

Chairman Park Ki-jun, who stared at Ji-ye when she couldn't answer, continued,

"What do you want to do now?"

'This is a question similar to the one Soo-hyun asked me. Is what you're doing what you want to do? What does it mean to you? I still haven't found the answer.'

Ji-ye's head bowed on its own. Then Chairman Park Ki-jun said,

"Don't lower your head. Look at me. If you can't even properly look at the person in front of you, you won't be able to see the world with the right eyes."

Ji-ye's head shot up. She still didn't have an answer, but she didn't want to avoid eye contact. Seeing her gaze, Park Ki-jun nodded.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in an uproar. You disobeyed the order to hold a press conference when you brought Nam Soo-hyun back, correct?"

"…Yes, that's right."

"Do you regret it?"

Ji-ye's eyes turned fierce.

'Regret it? Not at all. It's true I'm afraid of being punished, but if the same situation arose again, my choice would be the same.'

"No, I don't regret it."

Chairman Park Ki-jun stared at her.

"I've heard that public officials hold a committee meeting before taking disciplinary action. Will you be able to say the same thing there?"

"Of course."

"Then it won't end with just a disciplinary action, will it?"

Ji-ye's head almost dropped again. If she didn't bend her convictions, she would be fired. But she forced her head up and stiffened her neck.

'I'm still young. I can find something else to do. It will be difficult. If a public official is fired, it's hard to find another position. I'll have to start from scratch, like everyone else. Fortunately, I have the weapon of languages. Since I'm good with them, I'll be able to go anywhere. Whatever happens, happens.'

Chairman Park Ki-jun smiled broadly upon seeing her eyes, half-resigned, yet stubborn and determined.

"Helen Keller once said, 'When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.'"

'What are you talking about, old man?'

Chairman Park Ki-jun said, crossing his arms.

"Let me ask you again: What do you want to do right now? Not in a year, or in two, but right now."

'Ah, if there were something I wanted to do right now, I would have already run off to do it, grandpa.'

"I don't know. Right now, I'm just looking after Soo-hyun."

Chairman Park Ki-jun said with a smile,

"And is it fun?"

'What? Is it fun looking after Soo-hyun?'

"Yes."

'He's such an innocent and lovely boy that I feel like he's my younger brother. I always wanted one, so when I see Soo-hyun, I feel like he's my real brother. Taking care of him might seem like a chore, but I'm happy when I'm with Soo-hyun.'

"I see. Good."

Chairman Park Ki-jun went to his desk, opened a drawer, and came out holding a sheet of paper.

"It doesn't matter what you do in a few years. But for now, do what makes you happy. That's good not only for you but also for Nam Soo-hyun and for us. We'll take responsibility for our own lives."

'Huh? What are you suddenly talking about?'

Kim Ji-ye's eyes widened as she accepted the documents.

"An employment contract?"

Chairman Park Ki-jun said as he sat down again.

"As long as you are with Soo-hyun, you belong to Kumhwa Asian."

"That, that kind of…"

Kim Ji-ye quickly reviewed the contract. The salary was more than 50% higher than what she had been receiving.

'Hey, are you giving me this much?'

"Tsk, my employees of your age usually earn more. Your salary was too low."

'This old man. Is he serious? But a businessman would never lie or push a contract.' 'Are you really serious? I can't do anything other than take care of Soo-hyun.'

"That's exactly what I want. Someone like family to take care of every detail. Thanks to that, Nam Soo-hyun will be stable and fly higher. That's what I, no, what we at Kumhwa Asian want."

'I feel like crying. All the things that were worrying me just a moment ago have disappeared, and I feel like I'm floating on air.'

Chairman Park Ki-jun, who noticed Kim Ji-ye's feelings like an experienced businessman, smiled brightly.

"Go, submit your resignation with dignity, and return to Nam Soo-hyun."

It was the first time Ji-ye was away for dinner. She had planned to live with Soo-hyun until she returned to Switzerland, so he became very bored being suddenly left alone.

'I turned on the TV. My sister told me to watch TV to learn more about the world. But even the entertainment shows aren't funny; I can't understand what they're saying.'

Soo-hyun, who was flipping through channels, turned off the TV and muttered while lying on the sofa.

"Should I go to the old men's place?"

'Well, they'll be disappointed if I go empty-handed. Do you think the local bookstore has German books? I'll have to go check.'

As Soo-hyun got up and changed his clothes, the bell rang.

'If it were Sister Ji-ye, she wouldn't ring the bell, right? She told me then... if the bell rang... Ahem.'

"Who is it?" Soo-hyun asked, just as Ji-ye had taught him. He heard an old man's voice outside.

"Yeah, that's right. I live downstairs."

'Downstairs? Is it that girl's family?'

When he opened the door, a half-bald man was holding a pot.

"Hello."

"Ah, hello. Are your parents home?"

"I'm alone."

"What a shame. I wanted to at least greet the new resident. Here, keep this in the fridge and eat it together when the adults get here."

He didn't know what it was, but he took it anyway.

"What is this?"

"My grandmother from Tongyeong sent me abalone, so I made some porridge. I made a lot to share. They say it's delicious. When your parents come, tell them this is from the man downstairs who asked them to be understanding if his daughter's violin practice is a bit loud."

Soo-hyun, holding the pot, spoke hesitantly.

"I don't have parents."

The old man paused.

"Uh, uh, uh...? T-that's what others said. Isn't that your mom?"

"She's my older sister. Though not my real sister."

"Oh, really?"

The old man looked very embarrassed, as if he couldn't find the words to say.

"Ah, I see. What should I say about this…?"

The man, who was observing, asked in a low voice.

"Are your parents… deceased?"

"Yes."

Soo-hyun, now speaking indifferently, said after placing the pot on top of the shoe rack.

"Don't worry about the violin sound. I also play the piano. I think we can understand each other. Please take care of me, sir."

The old man's face changed when he heard that Soo-hyun played the piano.

"Really? Do you play the piano well? My daughter is going to the Korea University Center for Musical Education for the Gifted this year! How about that? Isn't that great? Have you heard of it?"

As Soo-hyun smiled and nodded, the man, blinded by his pride for his daughter, began to ramble.

"Do you know how hard it is to get into the Center for Musical Education for the Gifted? I'm not just saying this because she's my daughter, but she was a genius since she was little! Every academy she went to accepted her. It's a bit difficult for me now, but back then I was the CEO of a successful small company. I got her very good teachers! And my good daughter didn't disappoint me and got into Korea University! Can you believe it?"

'This bald old man is a chatterbox and a fool for his daughter.'

"Yes, that's great, sir."

The old man spoke with his shoulders held high, even though he hadn't accomplished anything himself.

"Do you also major in piano?"

"Yes."

"Oh! If you work hard, you can study with our daughter. Work hard. If you have any difficulties, talk to me whenever you want. Okay?"

'He seems like a nice guy, even if he is a bald, talkative guy.'

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, give me that porridge. You can't just put it in the fridge like that. Since there are no adults home, I'll prepare it for you to store. Do you have any plastic wrap?"

"Where would that be?"

'I also recently learned what plastic wrap is, but I don't remember exactly where my sister put it.'

The man who came in after taking off his shoes searched the kitchen, found some plastic wrap, put it over the pot, put the lid back on, opened the refrigerator, and grimaced.

"What the hell? Why is the fridge so empty?"

Soo-hyun shrugged. In fact, it wasn't that it was empty; it was just starting to be filled. But seeing Soo-hyun's reaction, the old man must have thought that a child without parents couldn't eat properly, so he kicked the floor and put on his shoes.

"Wait a moment. I'll go down to the house and get you some side dishes. Ugh, I feel sorry for you, so I want to help."

'Sir, I live in a bigger house than you. And Ji-ye cooks well. You don't have to do that.'

He wanted to say something, but the old man had already opened the door and left. Soo-hyun, who was looking at the door while scratching the back of his neck, chuckled.

The old man running down to the third floor bumped into Ji-ye, who was coming up to the fourth floor. Since only Soo-hyun's house was on the fourth floor, Ji-ye, who found it strange that someone was coming down from there, widened her eyes and asked.

"Who are you?"

"Ah, you live upstairs? I live on the third floor."

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you. But why were you up there?"

"I went up to give you some abalone, but the refrigerator is so empty, so I'm going to bring you some side dishes."

Ji-ye had been to the market and knew it was full of things. But she didn't reject her neighbor's kindness; she accepted it.

"Haha, thank you."

"Haha, I'm bribing you to be understanding about my daughter's violin sound. Please take care of me."

"Ah, yes, I heard. You said she's a girl who goes to the same school as our Soo-hyun?"

"Yes?"

"Isn't that the Korea University Center for Musical Education for the Gifted?"

The old man's expression went blank.

'You were just boasting about it. Are you saying he goes to the same school?'